Tag Archives: Ramona Singer

November 4, 2022 – Joss Sneaks Out To Warn Cam, New Donna, Blaze, Finding Love, Back Together, Spotted, Reaction, Cancelled, Even More Costumes (Plus Pets!), Month Number Of Quotes & Time

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Willow and Michael are at Charlie’s, and they kiss. Michael says, this is nice; date night. She says, it’s perfect. Just them. He says he loves spending evenings with Wiley at home, but when Wiley said he wanted to spend the night at Leo’s, he couldn’t complain. Once the baby comes, these nights are going to be few and far between. He’s sorry. Things got crazy at Aurora, and he couldn’t make her GH appointment. She says, that’s okay; it was routine. She flashes back to asking TJ what Britt is concerned about, and Michael says, nothing is routine when it comes to her and their child.

Dex hangs around outside Kelly’s, while inside, Sonny shares an ice cream sundae with Nina. She says, who’d have thought big bad Sonny Corinthos, who loves fine dining, his guilty pleasure is an old fashioned ice cream sundae. He says he’s just excited they don’t have to pretend anymore. They’re out in public; no more apologies. She says she knew that was true when Sonny stood up for her with Carly. She’ll never forget him saying that he’s a part of her life, so that makes her part of his kids’ lives. He tells her, he didn’t even have to say it, the way Donna and Avery responded to her, it made him realize she’s already part of the family.

Austin tells Mason, he’s done. Done with Mason. Done with his boss. He’s a different person now. Mason says, sure he is, but tell him, why is that exactly? Maxie walks in, and says, sorry. She didn’t realize Austin was in the middle of something. Is everything okay? Mason asks if Austin wants to tell her, or should he?

Standing on a terrace at the MetroCourt on the phone, Spinelli says he doesn’t have to offer any explanation. Society Set-Ups is his business, and he needs to know how long it will take to shut it all down… Yes, he’s aware revenues are up, but that’s not the point. Trust him. He has his reasons for shutting it all down.

Curtis tells Jordan, he didn’t want to say this in front of Trina, because she’s already freaked out enough as it is; but if the police department believes Josslyn was the real target the night Brando was attacked, he’s almost certain that killer isn’t going to stop until they zero in on Trina. Portia says, they can’t let that happen, and Jordan promises them both, the PCPD is going to do everything in their power to keep Trina safe. Curtis says, they’ll all have to pull together. Someone should call Taggert. Trina’s father should know what’s going on.

Josslyn tells Carly, she’d just hoped this year would be normal. That she and Trina could go to college and be regular college students, hanging out with their friends – on campus. And now someone’s targeting them? Carly hugs her, and says, she’ll never let anyone hurt Josslyn. Josslyn says she’s glad Jordan was here, and that Trina got home safe… Oh my God. She takes out her phone, and says, if Trina and everyone who stood by her at the trial are targets, that could be Cam too. She has to tell him. She gets voicemail, and says, if he gets this, call her immediately. He could be in serious danger.

Cameron walks on the footbridge, and looks at the locks on the handrail. He flashes back to being with Josslyn in his room, about to get busy. He hears something, and says, is anyone there?

Austin tells Maxie, Mason was saying that he’s having a few problems with the GH Insurance and Billing Department, and asked him to make a few calls on his behalf, but – he looks at Mason – he’s not comfortable crossing any ethical lines. Mason says, is that so? and Austin says he supposes he could make a few calls. He’ll see what he can do. Mason says, that’s all he’s asking, and thanks him. He says, lovely to see Maxie again, and leaves. Maxie says, wow. Having a family that’s constantly asking for favors, that’s got to be exhausting. Insurance and Billing is not Austin’s specialty. He says, it’s not. Why is she here? She says she tried to call his cell, but he didn’t answer, and he says he’s had his hands full. What was she calling about? She says she knows she cancelled their date, but she thought they could grab a quick bite before she goes back to the office. He says he’d love to, but he has some things to take care of here, and she says she totally understands. She should probably just grab something from the MetroCourt and eat at her desk. She’ll see him later though. Austin says, yeah, and she leaves. His desk phone rings, and he answers. He says, yes, he did. The patient who’s been requesting him in the ER, please let everybody know he’s on his way.

Curtis says he’s going to beef up the security, both inside and outside the house, and Jordan says she’ll make sure a police car patrols their block. Portia says, Trina is not going to want to go into hiding, or put her life on hold, and Jordan says, she has the right idea. Even with the threats hanging over her head, Trina needs to live as normal a life as possible. Curtis says, how are they supposed to do that when they’re planning a wedding? and everyone looks uncomfortable.

Carly says she’s sure Jordan’s been in touch with Cam, and Josslyn sends Cameron a text: Call me back!! Important! She grabs her coat, and Carly asks where she thinks she’s going. Josslyn says, Cam is working; she has to go warn him. Carly says, Josslyn left a voicemail and sent him a text. When he calls her back, she can warm him. Josslyn says, what if the killer is scoping out the restaurant or Elizabeth’s house just waiting for him to be alone?

Cameron asks, who’s there? and Drew says, Cameron? Cameron says, Drew, and Drew asks if Cameron was expecting someone else. Cameron says, it’s just that people are getting murdered by The Hook. He’s a little jumpy. Drew says he gets it, but what is Cameron doing out here by himself? and Cameron says, it’s Oscar’s birthday. He can’t help thinking about how much he misses him. Out here, he feels closer to Oscar. Drew says, him too. Oscar’s in his thoughts on a daily basis, but when he’s out here, he misses Oscar a little bit less.

Carly grabs Josslyn’s arm, and says, if Cameron’s at Kelly’s, that means he’s in a public place. There’s lots of people around. Josslyn says she needs to see him. She can’t let anything happen to him. Carly says, Josslyn texted and called him. Why does she need to see him in person? Josslyn says, Cam is her boyfriend. She needs to make sure he’s okay.

Dex buttons up his coat, and flashes back to Josslyn saying she’d be lying if she said he hadn’t disappointed her. In Kelly’s, Nina asks Sonny if Dex can’t protect them inside; it looks pretty cold out there. Sonny says, the cold keeps him alert, and she says, Sonny is tough. She can’t get used to having a bodyguard. Sonny says, she’d better. He’s not going to let anything happen to her. She says she knows, and they kiss

Willow says, according to Dr. Westbourne, everything with the baby is fine, and Michael says he just wishes he’d been there. She says, her too. She went through her first pregnancy totally alone, and it’s a bonus that she gets to share this pregnancy with him. He says, maybe with most couples routine checkups are mundane, but he treasures them as much as she does. So believe him when he says he’ll be right there with her. She says, promise? and he says, the way he sees it, she’s stuck with him forever. She says, forever, that has such a nice ring to it. They kiss, and Michael says he’ll be right back.

Jordan says, they’ve set a wedding date. Congratulations. Portia thanks her, and says, they’re shooting for Valentine’s Day. Jordan says, that’s less than six months away; that’s not much time to plan. But since her and Curtis’s divorce is now official, there’s nothing to stand in their way.

Josslyn tells Carly, she and Trina know Jordan’s theory; Cam doesn’t. She needs to warn him. Carly asks if she’s sure that’s all it is, and Josslyn says, isn’t that enough? but Carly says she’s Josslyn’s mother. She knows when Josslyn’s keeping something from her. Josslyn says, fine. She’ll call Kelly’s then. Carly asks if something happened between Josslyn and Cameron, and Josslyn flashes back to buttoning Dex’s shirt. She tells Carly, things between them are fine, except they’re both potential targets for a killer. Carly says she understands Josslyn is concerned, so she’ll take care of it, and she walks out of the room.

Drew tells Cameron, when he made the decision to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, it was meant to be a grand farewell; to spread his son’s ashes in a majestic vista worthy of Oscar’s forever home. Cameron says he’s sure Oscar would love that, and Drew says, it’s such a magical place. When you’re at the peak, you’re so close clouds, you feel like you could reach out and touch them. Cameron says, that’s officially on the list of things he needs to do, and Drew says, when he got to the top, he just sat there for a few minutes. It felt like he was holding Oscar’s hand, and he knows it might sound crazy, but it felt like Oscar was touching his. Cameron says, it doesn’t sound crazy. If it makes Drew feel any better, he talks to Franco almost every day. Drew says, he should. They should never forget them. Drew’s phone rings, and he asks Carly, what’s up? She asks if he can do her a huge favor. Josslyn is worried about Cameron, and he’s not picking up. Could he swing by Kelly’s and make sure Cameron is okay? Drew says, no need. He’s here with Cam right now. She asks if he’s at Kelly’s, but he says, no, he’s at the footbridge. Is something wrong? She tells him, everything is okay. Just both of them get home safe.

Nina and Sonny kiss, and she says she’s not complaining, but what was that for? He says, ice cream isn’t his only guilty pleasure, and she says he’s going to spoil her. He says, that’s the plan, and she says, to think she was so concerned what other people think. He says he doesn’t care what other people think; he just cares what she thinks. She says, that’s not true; he cares what other people think. Dante, Kristina, the two little sweet ones, they’ve pretty much accepted her, but Michael and Josslyn, not so much. He says, that’s a work in progress, and he’s not giving up. She says, of course (🍷) not. That’s not his style. She thinks she loves him. He says, she thinks? She’s not sure? She says, all right. He deserves better than a half-declaration. She’s sure. He says, about what? and she says she loves him. He leans in for a kiss, but she puts a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth.

Michael says, Willow barely touched anything, and she says she’s nervous waiting for her test results. He says he thought Dr. Westbourne said the baby was fine, and Willow says, she did. The tests were just a precaution. He says, she had him worried for a second. So she knows, even if the tests are just precautionary, they’re in this together.

Spinelli says he doesn’t care about the economic ramifications. He just needs to shut it all down… Maxie walks out behind him, and he says, trust him. He has his reasons… No, that’s not soon enough. Please, just see what they can do. He turns around, and asks what Maxie is doing here, and she says she placed a to-go order; she’s having dinner at her desk. She’s got a long night ahead at Deception. It sounds like he has a long night ahead too. He says, juggling Society Set-Ups has proved more difficult than he expected. This business isn’t what he’d hoped for when he started. She says, let’s stop dancing around the issue. She knows the real story behind Society Set-Ups, remember?

Curtis says he’s going to call Taggert, and keep him in the loop. Unless Portia wants to make the call. After all, they’re both Trina’s parents. Portia says she’s fine with him calling, and he goes upstairs, which is kind of weird, but okay. Portia says she appreciates Jordan’s well wishes on the wedding. She knows this can’t be easy for Jordan. Jordan says, her marriage to Curtis is legally ended. They’re no longer in limbo. Portia thanks her, and says she owes Jordan one. Jordan says, Portia doesn’t owe her anything, but she does owe Curtis the truth.

Nina brings Dex some hot chocolate to keep warm, and he says that’s very thoughtful, but he’s working. She says, just take it, and Sonny joins her, saying, the lady insists. Dex says, she brings out the best in his boss, and Nina asks if Sonny heard that. Sonny says, Dex doesn’t need to tell him that, and Nina asks Dex if Sonny is always so tough on him, but Dex says, he’s a big softie. She says, he is, and they go back in.

Drew knocks at Carly’s door, and she asks what he’s doing here. He says, she sounded tense on the phone, he wanted to see how she was doing. She says, he can’t be here. He has to leave.

Josslyn sees Dex outside Kelly’s, and asks what he’s doing here. He says, working. The boss is inside with Miss Reeves. Josslyn says, oh crap, and looks in the window, seeing Sonny and Nina. Dex asks if she’s looking for someone, and she says, Cameron, but she guesses he’s not in yet. He says, she’s not going inside? and she says she tries to avoid Dex’s boss and his girlfriend whenever she can. It’s nice of Sonny to leave him out here to freeze after almost killing him. He says he’d like to think she’s concerned about him, but it’s just another excuse for her to hate on Sonny. She says she doesn’t need an excuse, and it’s just a waste of energy to tell him anything different when this is what he wants to do. He says, she has no idea what he wants, and she says, why doesn’t he tell her? Cameron walks up, and says, what’s going on?

Willow takes Michael’s hands, and says, they share everything, right? Good times and bad, sickness and health. He says, that sounds an awful lot like wedding vows, and she says, it does. He says, there’s are any number of late night judges who owe the Quartermaines a favor. Does she want him to call one up? They can say those words and make it official. She says, what if she did? and he asks if she’s serious. Is she saying she wants to get married, this time for keeps? She says, she’s saying she never wants to leave him, Wiley, or this new baby.

Austin walks into his office to find Mason in his chair, his feet propped on the desk. Austin says, no. Get the hell out of his office. Mason asks why Austin’s in a bad mood. He’s just here for a progress report on his friend. Austin says, there will be no phone calls or any paperwork for Mason’s boss to worry about, and Mason says, that’s very good to hear. And Austin? Austin says, crazy. He’s not going to alert the authorities and let them know he just did a completely illegally did a medical procedure on somebody with a gunshot wound. But Mason is never going to speak to Maxie again. Mason laughs, and says, so this virtuous man thing’s not an act? Who is Austin trying to be some kind of good guy for? Austin says, who does he think? and Mason says he gets it. Austin is acting out a country song. The love of a good woman is making me turn over a new leaf. Come on. He knows the real Austin. Austin can’t possibly think he and Maxie are meant to be. The lady works for a fancy cosmetics company, and Austin is more down and dirty than anyone here knows. If Maxie knew the compromises and deals with the devil Austin’s made, she’d be running for the hills. Austin says he chooses to believe Maxie cares about him enough to accept him. And if she accepts him, she’ll accept all of his mistakes. Mason says, right, because they’re meant to be. He’d love to test that theory. He says he’ll see Austin around, and leaves.

Maxie says, she may not be a computer whiz like Spinelli is, but it doesn’t take rocket science to see he went into the business of matchmaking after Ellie left him. She thinks deep down, he believes if he can help other people find love, it will mend his broken heart. He says, she’s very astute, and she says she knows he’s been in a sad place for a while, but she has faith he’ll find love again; that the right person is out there for him.

Portia comes downstairs, and tells Jordan that Curtis left a message for Taggert, and he’s talking to Trina. It’s just the two of them, and just so Jordan knows, Curtis hasn’t got the results back from his genetic counselor. So until she has confirmation that Curtis has the genetic markers for schizophrenia, there’s no reason to worry Trina about any of this. Jordan asks, what if Curtis has the DNA markers? If he’s Trina’s father, he could have passed them on to her. Portia says, if he has the markers, then she’ll be the one to figure out what to do next. Jordan says she probably should go, and Portia says she’s sorry. She does want to thank Jordan for taking care of them. She brought Trina home. Portia appreciates that, and thanks Jordan for expediting the divorce papers. Jordan says, it’s the least she could do after she lost the first set. Portia says, there’s so much Jordan doesn’t know. With everything that’s been going on – the good, the bad – can’t Jordan see she’s right in not turning everyone’s life upside down that she cares about? Not until she knows for sure.

Drew tells Carly that he doesn’t understand. He just got here. Carly says, he’s the one who said Ned could turn them in to the SEC for insider trading. He’s the one who said they should keep their relationship a secret. He says, the longer he stands out here, the better the chance of someone seeing them together, and she says, come in. He does, and she says, he was so serious about this earlier, and now he’s joking about it. He was clear they were to stay under the radar. He says, she’s right. He just wants her to know, he walked Cameron to his car. He said he was on his way to Kelly’s; he’s probably there by now. She says, can he please tell Josslyn? She’s worried sick. They go into the living room, but it’s empty. Carly calls for Josslyn, but there’s no answer. She tells Drew that she knows Josslyn left to check on Cam.

Josslyn says she’s so glad Cameron is okay, and throws her arms around him. Isn’t he getting her calls or texts? He says he was with Drew. He was going to call her when he got here. What’s going on? She says, Commissioner Ashford told her and Trina that when Brando got attacked outside of Charlie’s, he wasn’t the intended victim; she was. Cameron says, oh my God, and Dex says, the cops think she was the target? Based on what? Josslyn says, all of the victims are linked to Trina’s trial. Ava was her mentor; Diane, her attorney; and Oz Haggerty was the witness who got Trina exonerated. Cameron says, Josslyn testified that Trina was innocent, and she says, yes, she did, but so did he. So he could be a target too. Dex says, Sonny needs to hear about this, but Josslyn grabs his arm and says, no, he doesn’t. Dex says, she just told him that she and Cam are targets for the killer. Isn’t that more important than her pride?

Sonny says, it’s getting late, and Nina says, time for bed? He says, wha-a-at? and they get up. Dex comes in, followed by Josslyn and Cameron, and says he’s sorry to interrupt, but Sonny needs to hear this. Sonny asks, what’s going on? and Josslyn says, someone is out to kill her and Cam.

In an ironic twist, Michael and Willow also get ice cream sundaes. Willow says, Michael knows how much she loves him; how much she loves their family. He says, of course (🍷) he does, and he loves her just as much. He had a full life before he met her. He’d been in love, and knew what it was like to be happy. At least he thought he did. With her, his whole life has changed. She and their children are everything he wants. Til death do us part. Her phone rings, and it’s Terry. She says, it’s the hospital, and he says, it must be Britt with her test results. She answers.  

Jordan says, Trina is a sophomore in college. Portia has had nearly two decades to determine who her father is. Yet in all that time, Portia chose not to pursue it. She can’t support that. Portia says she’s not asking Jordan to support what she’s done over the years, but now is what she’s talking about. Marshall being diagnosed with schizophrenia; Curtis being tested for genetic markers. This is all about what’s happening now, and all she’s asking Jordan is for a little bit of time. Jordan says, it’s much more important than ever that Portia tell Curtis everything now. Jordan’s divorce to him is is final, and Portia and Curtis set a wedding date. Why go into this marriage with this big secret hanging over her head? Curtis is willing to put his life on the line for Portia’s daughter. Doesn’t he have the right to know if she’s actually his daughter too? Curtis c comes back downstairs, and says he spoke to Taggert, and he’s down to do whatever it takes to protect his daughter. He even mentioned rejoining the PCPD. Portia says, wow, but Curtis says, it’s not really a surprise, is it? He can’t think of a father who wouldn’t do absolutely anything to protect his child.

Carly calls Josslyn, but gets voicemail, and she says, dammit. She tells Drew, Josslyn’s not picking up because Josslyn knows she’s furious with her. The police stood here and told Josslyn to stay put. Drew says, Carly told him that Josslyn was concerned about Cameron. When Carly was her age, what would she have done? Carly says, she would have driven straight to Kelly’s, but that’s not the point. Josslyn is supposed to be smarter than she was. She’s going to Kelly’s. Drew says, they’ll take his car, but she says, he can’t take her; they can’t be seen together. He says, this is about Joss. The hell with the SEC. Carly opens the door, and Josslyn is on the porch with Sonny.

On the phone, Willow says, she’ll see them then. Michael asks what Britt said, and Willow says, Britt wants to see her tomorrow to discuss the test results. He says, that means there’s something to discuss, and Willow says, that was her impression. He says he’s coming with her, and please don’t say it’s not necessary. She says she’s not saying that. She wants him there. He says, they have a big day tomorrow, and he wants to get her home.

Maxie says she knows the way Spinelli’s mind works. It makes sense that he’d want to quantify love; make an algorithm of it, so it removes the uncertainty. But in the end, you’re still taking a risk. Austin almost comes out on the terrace, but hangs back. She says, you can trust the algorithm first, but you still have to trust your heart. Austin comes out, and asks how it’s going. He got done at GH, and Maxie said she was getting takeout here, so he took a chance. Maxie says, she and Spinelli just got wrapped up in his Society Set-Ups issues, and Spinelli says, Maxie… but she says, it’s okay. She told Austin that Society Set-Ups is his baby. Spinelli can trust him. Spinelli says, he’s not exactly comfortable with more people knowing about his level of involvement, although he’s grateful for Austin’s silence thus far. Austin says, no problem, and asks if Maxie can have dinner with him. Maxie says, sure, and goes inside to cancel her to-go order. Spinelli says he should get going, but Austin says, not so fast. He needs to ask a favor. Spinelli says, that was quick. What favor? Austin reminds Spinelli that he just said Austin kept quiet about his Society Set-Ups endeavor, so he figures Spinelli kind of owes him one. He needs Spinelli to do something for him on the downlow. Spinelli needs to run his algorithm on Austin and Maxie.

Jordan says, it’s been a long day. She’ll make sure a patrol car comes around the house. Portia and Curtis thank her, and she leaves. Curtis tells Portia, it’s not too late to change the date. They don’t have to get married on Valentine’s Day, especially with this threat hanging over Trina and her friends. She says, Trina would want them to be happy, and he says, then what Trina wants, Trina gets. They kiss, then sit on the couch, cuddled. Portia says, promise her everything is going to be all right, and Curtis says he promises to never let anything or anyone come between their family.

Cameron flips the sign to Closed, and Dex asks if Nina is ready to go. She says she is, and Dex says he can drop Cameron off, but Cameron says he’ll pass. Dex says, the boss wants him to make sure Cameron gets home safe, but Cameron says he doesn’t work for Sonny, so he’ll make his way home himself. Dex says, it’s his call, and Nina asks if Cameron is sure he’ll be okay by himself. Cameron says he’ll be just fine, and Nina and Dex leave. Cameron looks at his phone, and sees Josslyn’s text: Call me back!! Important! He flashes back to her hugging him, and smiles.

Carly asks if Josslyn is okay, and Josslyn says, she’s fine. She tells Sonny, the only reason she let him take her home was because Cameron is a potential target. Make sure he’s safe. She doesn’t want any protection… Carly pulls her inside, saying, get in the house. Sonny says, he ran into Josslyn at Kelly’s, after he heard Jordan’s theory the Brando’s death was a mistake, and the intended victim was Josslyn. So he brought her here, and had his guy Dex take Cam home. Carly thanks him, and Sonny says he guesses it’s all good here, so he’s going. He leaves, and Carly says, Drew has to go so Sonny sees him leave. He says, but first, and kisses her. He leaves, and unbeknownst to them, Josslyn has been watching, and her expression goes through a few changes.

Tomorrow, Valentin tells Anna that he has a plan; Holly asks if Robert has any details he can share with her; Nina tells Sonny, if she needs to step back, that’s what she’s going to do; and Heather says, speak now, Dr. Dreamboat, or forever hold your peace.

👧🏻 Pumpkin, Is That You…?

I have to admit, little Donna is pretty cute.

🔥 Trail Blazing…

I’m guessing Linc figures it wouldn’t hurt if she sabotaged Brook’s relationship with Chase too.

💖 The Charm…

She sounds like she’s doing well, despite the long covid.

🎞 Reunited…

This film sounds kind of interesting. Something different, yet timely.

🍊 Seen In the Wilds…

She probably stowed away.

🗽 Loser’s Club…

All I can say is, ugh. Ramona.

🐎 Not a Surprise…

It was a good show, but it was no longer Westworld after the first few seasons.

https://people.com/tv/westworld-canceled-by-hbo-after-four-seasons/

🦸🏽 More Masquerade…

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Family time. I’m so stupid. I thought, how is that kid looking out of that mask with no holes? and it was a graphic put there to block his face.

https://parade.com/news/best-celebrity-family-halloween-costumes-instagram-photos-2022

🎯 Random celebrities.

🎭 Celebrities dressed as celebrities.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanschocket2/people-dressed-as-celebs-costume

🥇 Another category that’s debatable.

https://www.tmz.com/2022/10/31/halloween-costumes-best-2022-celebrity/

🐩 And no way I’d forget.

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/top-dog-hallowen-costumes-2022-37174276

🐓 Quotes of the Week

The cow didn’t even help me. – Kimberly Menzies, when her boyfriend’s mother did not bless their union even after gifted with a cow, 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. – Michael Altshuler

In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so. – Immanuel Kant

Focus on the journey, not on arriving at a certain destination. – Chris Hadfield

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.  – Viktor Frankl

If you hear a voice within you saying, you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. – Vincent Van Gogh

Our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if the other person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We must practice this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable. – Thich Nhat Hanh

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

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.Albert Einstein

If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. – James Herriot

The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made. – Groucho Marx

Falling Back…

Don’t forget, you gain an hour’s sleep this weekend. I’ll be back when the Dead Walk. Until then, stay safe, stay being grateful for at least one thing every day, and stay never going into a serious relationship with a big secret hanging over your head.

October 28, 2022 – Olivia Gets Two Shocks, New Old Face, Trash Talk, Ho-Hum, More Call Out, Creepy, Debut, After Life, Sequel Scoop, Vampire Chat, Differences, Costumes x 2, a Dozen Halloweeny Quotes & Dusty’s Take

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brook wakes up, and Chase is already up. He says he wanted to let her sleep in, and she asks why she’d want to when she could spend her morning with him. He gets back in bed, and they kiss.

On the phone at the hospital, Britt says, if an inmate needs treatment, bring her in. Just make sure she has a guard and orderly with her at all times. TJ asks for a private word, and they go where there are no people. She asks, what’s on his mind? and he says he hasn’t heard from Willow in several days. He’s starting to get concerned.

In the nook, Willow says, her one and only cup of coffee for the day, and Michael says he loves how conscientious she’s being with this pregnancy. He can’t believe it’s time for her second trimester check-up. She says she almost felt like they woudn’t get here, and he says, here’s hoping they get wonderful news today. She says, there’s a lot she wants to share with him today, when Ned comes in, saying, Michael saved him a phone call. Valentin has been missing in action for several days, so ELQ is still without it’s CEO. Is that something Michael orchestrated, or was it Drew?

Drew and Carly kiss in her kitchen, and she says, they’re back. She thanks him for helping her, and he thanks her for letting him help. He kisses her again, and I look desperately for the moss bowl 🎍, since I’m bored. He asks if she’s ready to hear some I told you so’s from their friends, and she says, all the people who said they saw sparks between them? No. She wants to hold off on telling anyone. She kind of likes having him all to herself.

Before Josslyn leaves, she asks Cameron if he’s sure Jake and Aiden don’t know she spent the night. He says, they were asleep when she got here, and left early for some pre-school activities, so he thinks they’re good. And she’s perfect. He kisses her, and says he knows this last year was rough for them, but he’s glad they’re finding their footing again… unless he’s going too fast. She says, not at all. She just remembered it’s Oscar’s birthday. He says he understands, and they walk out on the porch to find Finn.

Sitting alone in Terry’s car, Elizabeth remembers when she was a teenager, saying, she hates her family and hates everyone. Terry gets in the car, and says, Elizabeth’s mom and dad were shocked to hear from her, and more shocked to find out she was in town. Elizabeth asks if they’re going to meet with Terry, and Terry says, yes. She asks if everything is okay, and Elizabeth says, they’re at her parents’ house. She hasn’t been anywhere near them in decades. Terry says, it’s okay if she wants to go back, but Elizabeth says, no. She needs to find out the truth about what happened, once and for all.

As Brook gets dressed, she wonders why it can’t be the weekend. She and Chase could just stay in bed, and never leave this room. Still in bed, Chase says, that would be absolutely fine with him, but she’s the one who said they have to prep to meet Linc’s big pop star. Although he’d be happy to push that. She says, not on his life, but there’s no reason they can’t prep for the meeting in here. She goes to the door, and he asks where she’s going. She says, to get them some coffee and pastries. Don’t bother getting dressed.

Michael says, Valentin is a Cassadine, and they tend to go missing under murky circumstances, so what exactly does Ned think he did to Valentin? Olivia walks in with some pastries, and Ned says, called immigration; had him stopped at customs. Just like his dad did to Jax. Michael says he’s nothing like his father, but Ned says, he and Sonny are exactly alike, and Olivia says, that’s enough. Willow asks where she’s going, and Olivia says, to get reinforcements. She leaves, and Willow says, come on. It’s a big day for her and the baby. Can they focus on that?

Drew leaves, Bobbie comes in, and I see the glorious moss bowl 🎍, so all is right with the world. Bobbie asks, who was at the door? and Carly says, Drew. Bobbie says she didn’t realize they were flying back this morning, and Carly says, now that everything is reconciled with Virginia, she can focus on her family here. Bobbie says she thinks it’s really beautiful what Carly did for Virginia; scattering her ashes by the ocean. Carly says, it felt right. Bobbie coming to Jacksonville meant a lot. She knows it couldn’t have been east with that local station dredging up her past with Aunt Ruby. Bobbie says, she knows who she is, and owns her past, even the unsavory parts. She was more concerned about it being weaponized against Carly, but when she got to Jacksonville, she realized Carly already had all the support she needed with Drew.

Finn apologizes to Cameron for stopping by unannounced, but he was on his way to the hospital, and thought he’d stop by to check in. How are Aiden and Jake? Cameron says, they left already; they had some stuff to do before school. His mom asked Finn to check on them, didn’t she? Finn says, maybe. Got any proof? Josslyn says she’s going to go. She tells Cameron she’ll see him on campus, and tells Finn, it’s good to see him. She leaves, and Cameron invites Finn inside. He says, Josslyn just stopped by to drop off some books he needed before class, and Finn says, that’s his story, and he’s sticking to it? Cameron says, yeah, and Finn says, Cameron is a sophomore in college. He gets the plot. Joss spent the night here, didn’t she? Cameron says, maybe. Got any proof?

Terry says she thinks Jeff and Carolyn are going to have as many questions for her as she does for them. The coffee shop they agreed to is just around the corner, so they can’t count on traffic delays. She’ll stall them as long as possible. Is Elizabeth sure she knows her parents’ alarm code? Elizabeth says, they’ll see, but they never changed it when she was growing up, and Terry asks what she’s looking for, but Elizabeth isn’t sure. She thinks it’s one of those she’ll know it when she sees it kind of things. Both of her parents kept diaries of their years abroad. She’s just hoping it’s enough to help her connect the dots. Like how they all knew Reiko, who turned out to be Finn’s first wife. How could she have forgotten? Terry says, Elizabeth has been raising three boys, mostly by herself, along with a full-time career as a nurse. It makes sense to her why Elizabeth forgot the connection. Elizabeth says, they’re literally sitting in front of her parents’ house. There’s no way she can turn back now.

Out of the shower, Chase loses his towel and gets back in bed, striking a sexy pose. Olivia walks in, covers her eyes, blesses herself, then covers her eyes again.

Ned says, the merger was nothing more than an excuse to marginalize him, and Michael says, they offered Ned the job of COO; that’s hardly marginal. He asks if Brook can weigh in here, because her dad is going in circles. She says, just pretend she’s not here. She’s just getting a little breakfast to go. Ned asks why she’s holding two cups of coffee, when Olivia walks in, saying, it’s her bad, Chase following. She tells him, please forget she saw anything, and he says, he’s so sorry she saw anything. He thought she was – he sees everyone looking at them – Brook Lynn. Ned asks, what’s going on? and Olivia says she was looking for Brook and forgot to knock, and walked in on Chase. Ned says, in a guest room, and Brook says she and Chase spent the night together.

Bobbie says, now that they have their coffee, back to Drew, and Carly says, she didn’t ask Drew to come to Florida; he showed up on his own. And it turns out, he was exactly the friend she needed. Bobbie says, so Carly is telling her that he’s just a friend? and Carly asks what’s going on with Bobbie’s wrist here? Bobbie says, it’s nothing serious. She was on her laptop on the plane, and her carpal tunnel’s been acting up. Carly massages Bobbie’s wrist, and asks how it feels. Bobbie says, better, thanks, and Carly says she still remembers some of her physical therapy training. Now that she’s starting over, she could renew her PT license, or finish her nursing degree. Bobbie says, that’s a very different path than running a luxury hotel, and Carly says, maybe not nursing school, but physical therapy can be fun. At least until she figures out her next passion project. Bobbie says she’s sure it won’t be long before Carly finds her next inspiration.

Drew goes to the rock in Oscar’s Meadow, and says he got back just in time for Oscar’s birthday. He didn’t want Oscar to think he’d forgotten. Oscar still inspires him. When things were bleak and so hopeless, he would just think that Oscar never gave up – never – and neither should he. On those bad days, he would close his eyes, and visualize Oscar’s face; his and Scout’s. And that’s the only way he survived, and managed to see the light again, even if it shines more dimly in a world without him in it. Josslyn arrives with flowers, and hugs Drew.

Britt says, Willow is TJ’s friend, but not his patient, and TJ says, but he’s been staying in regular touch with Willow about her condition. Unofficially, of course (🍷). He knows Willow is in her second trimester, and from what he understands, that’s what she was waiting for before starting her leukemia treatment. Britt asks what he’s looking for from her, and he says he noticed Willow had an appointment this morning. He was hoping he could sit in on a consult. She says, Willow does have an appointment with her this morning about her pregnancy. If Willow wants him to be there for moral support, it’s Willow’s choice, but let her be very clear. He would be there as Willow’s friend only. He says, yes, but, and she tells him, there are no yes, buts. She knows it’s a very difficult situation. On their best days as doctors, they provide a binary option of right and wrong, but on other days, the patient is left with an option of doing the least harm. And what they might think is the most palatable outcome, won’t be the same for every patient. It might not even be the same course they’d use for themselves or advise for their loved ones. It’s what’s right for that patient. And as doctors, they might not always agree, but they must respect the patient’s choices.

Elizabeth says, it’s been so long, she can’t remember the last time she saw her parents in person, and Terry asks, how long has it been again? Elizabeth says, over 20 years, and Terry asks why Elizabeth never told her that she was hurting. Elizabeth says, how do you explain your parents put the greater good over their own children? and Terry says, she doesn’t owe anyone an explanation. Elizabeth says, not to the world, but she owes one to herself. There are way more secrets being kept from her than she realizes. She thanks Terry for helping her, for coming all this way, and giving her the space to process it all, and Terry says, sometimes all a person needs is a little space and grace. She’s got Elizabeth. Terry’s phone dings, and she says, it’s Jeff and Carolyn. They’re at the coffee shop. Elizabeth says, this is it.

Josslyn says she didn’t know Drew was back in town, and he says, he and her mom just landed a couple hours ago; he just dropped her off at the house. He knows she’d love to see Josslyn. She says she hopes she didn’t interrupt his visit, but he says, no. He and Oscar just had a nice little chat, and he was on his way out. He’ll give her some privacy. He starts to leave, then says, his son’s life was cut way too short, but it was rich and full of meaning because she was in it. He thanks her for that, and leaves.

Bobbie says she’s always admired Carly’s resilience, her fierce spirit, and especially her tenacity. Carly says, even on days Bobbie wanted to kill her? and Bobbie says, it’s not always easy being Carly’s mother. That’s something she and Virginia Benson both understood. Still, she knows it won’t be long before Carly discovers her next chapter, and she can’t wait to read it.

Chase says, this is beyond embarrassing, and Brook says, now every woman in this house has seen her boyfriend naked. Olivia laughs nervously, and says, she doesn’t think Monica has, and it’s her house. Chase says, Alan gave it to her, and I die laughing. I love an ongoing soap joke. Michael tells Chase, it sounds like he’s going to fit in fine here, and suggests they go outside. On the patio, he tells Chase, welcome to your latest super awkward Quartermaine family moment. He’s sure Chase had plenty of those while pretending to be Bailey’s father. Michael’s phone rings, and he says, it’s Aurora. He has to take this. He steps away, and Chase tells Willow, he’s sorry. He didn’t mean to make things weird. She says, no. She’s happy for him; for him and Brook both. She kisses his cheek, and he says he hopes she knows how happy he is for her and Michael. Olivia comes out, and says, that felt like a father/daughter moment. What happened to Michael?

Brook tells Ned not to get patriarchal on her. If he has issues with this going on under the same roof, there’s nothing preventing him from moving out. He says he’s sorry if he made her feel like she needed to sneak around. Did she feel that way because of his reaction to her and Valentin? She says, Ned sure had an about-face on Valentin.

Willow says, Michael had to take a work call, and Olivia asks if Willow doesn’t have a doctor’s appointment. She’ll drive Willow over, and Michael can meet them there. Text him their plan. She goes back in, and Chase says, before she goes, maybe he can be Uncle Chase to her new little one. Put in a good word for him.

Terry says she’ll stall them for as long as she can, and Elizabeth thanks her. They hug, and Terry asks if Elizabeth is sure she knows how to pick her front door lock. Elizabeth says, it’s been a while, but she used to be good at it. If she remembers, she taught Terry that skill in high school. Terry says, Elizabeth was a bad influence on her back then, but she hasn’t been that girl for a very long time. Does she think she still has it in her? Elizabeth flashes back to when she was a bad girl and smoking cigarettes, and says, she better be. She gets out of the car.

Cameron says, Finn was right before. It’s actually none of his business. Finn tells him, relax. He’s not here to give Cameron the talk; clearly, he knows the drill. And it’s not his place to tell Cameron’s mom either. Although Cameron might want to come clean at some point. Cameron says, Finn is probably right. He can’t imagine his mom is going to be in the best headspace when she comes back. Finn says he thinks she’ll be more relaxed after enjoying the spa and hotel, and Cameron says, maybe, but it might not be easy spending time in the city where Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Carolyn live. Finn says, what? and Cameron says, Finn didn’t know, did he?

Willow checks in with Britt, who says, Dr. Ashford asked to sit in on their check-up if she’s comfortable with that. Willow says, of course (🍷). TJ is her friend, and she knows he’s still deciding on a specialty. Britt says, let’s go to an exam room, and Olivia asks if Willow wants her to stick around. Willow says, it’s sweet of her to offer, but no.

Ned says he can see Brook is still upset with him about siding with Valentin against Michael and Drew, and she says, sometimes it feels like it was all for nothing. He says he doesn’t want her to ever feel that way, and she says, she also learned there’s a different side to Valentin, when they were raising Bailey together. It really proved the point to her that none of us are all good or all bad. He says he appreciates her saying that, when Drew comes in. He says he’s sorry; he didn’t mean to interrupt. Brook says, she and her father were just having a moment of understanding, but she has to grab Chase and get to work. She leaves, and Ned says, the staff expected Drew back a few hours ago. Drew says, it’s Oscar’s birthday today, so he stopped by Oscar’s marker in the Meadow. Ned says, of course (🍷). He’s sorry. He didn’t remember the date. Drew says he hasn’t forgotten how incredible Ned and Olivia were to Oscar in his final days. So for Oscar’s sake, can they find a way to put aside their differences and fix what’s broken in this family?

Cameron can’t believe his mom didn’t tell Finn that she was going to be staying in the same town her parents live in. Did he just cause trouble for them? Finn says, not at all. There’s no need to make a big deal out of this. Cameron says, it’s probably nothing, but what are the odds she’s seeking out her parents after all these years? Finn says, he doesn’t know; he wishes he did. He’s been trying to help where he can, but he doesn’t want Cameron’s mom to resent him. To be honest, sometimes he knows what he’s doing, and other times, he doesn’t get it. Cameron says he thinks he does. He and his mother struggle with a lot of the same baggage. The people they care about tend to underestimate their family and what they’re capable of handling.

Josslyn puts the flowers on Oscar’s rock, and says, she knows it’s been a while since she visited, but she carries Oscar in her heart every day. If he’s been checking in, then he knows she and Cam are together. Although with all of the recent drama they’ve been a part of kind of threw them off. Things haven’t been the same since their first time went viral on the internet. Since then, she feels like she’s in this current. Not a riptide; nothing scary. She just feels herself drifting further away from Cam. She knows she should tell him that, and they should talk through it, but if she does… She’s just so scared he won’t be able to handle it.

Cameron tells Finn, people tend to confuse their manners with being weak, fragile even. His mom isn’t weak, and when Finn tries to fix her problems, or make decisions for her because he thinks she’s a victim, it takes her back to a time in her life when she did feel powerless. And trust him. She doesn’t want to go back there again, even if that means shutting things and people out. He knows Finn’s heart is in the right place, but she doesn’t need a hero. She’s already her own hero. Finn thanks him, says, good talk, and leaves.

Elizabeth gets into the house. She hears the alarm beeping, and puts in the code. It stops.  

Carly says she’s been doing a lot of thinking lately, and she and Bobbie have come a long way. Bobbie had every reason to hate her forever, yet Bobbie still found a way to forgive her, and made a place in life for Carly. She’s always heard the stories about Bobbie’s upbringing, and going back to Jacksonville, and hearing again about Ruby and her house of ill repute, she was reminded that Bobbie started off with even less than she did. Bobbie made a name for herself, and Carly admires her so much. Bobbie says, first of all, Carly needs to visit Jacksonville more often. Secondly, right back at her. Carly says she told Drew that she felt like she was in an identity crisis, literally. She was no longer Sonny’s wife, and no longer the co-owner of the MetroCourt. Who is she anymore? But sitting here with her mom, she’s more sure of who she is than ever.

Michael walks in, as Drew tells Ned, maybe they can schedule another vote on Valentin’s leadership. What they need is for Ned’s vote to switch. Then Valentin is out. Ned says, what about the role of CEO? and Michael tells Drew, forget it. Ned’s too far gone to think of family over himself. Ned says, that’s rich. Biologically, Michael is AJ’s son, but whose last name does he use? Corinthos. He’s only a Quartermaine when it’s convenient. Drew says, there’s no reason for things to get escalated here, and Ned says, and Drew. His insistence on being the nice guy is really starting to wear thin. Drew says, Ned is tired of him being a nice guy? Fine. The gloves are off, and Ned’s not going to like the moves he makes to get Ned and Valentin out. Ned asks how Drew plans to do that when he’s fighting an insider trading charge.

Carly tells Bobbie, part of the reason she felt so lost is because her name didn’t provide any answers for her. She can’t be Carly Corinthos anymore because she doesn’t want people thinking her goal is to get back with Sonny, because it’s not. She can’t be Carly Benson or Carly Roberts because… she just can’t. Bobbie asks, what’s left? and Carly says, sitting here with Bobbie, looking into her eyes, she knows what the right answer is. She’s a Spencer. She thinks it’s time she took Bobbie’s name, if it’s okay with her. Bobbie says, it’s more than okay, it’s as it should be, and they hug.

Britt says, everything looks good with the baby. Developmentally, they’re right on track. Willow says, that’s good news, right? She asks Britt, what is it? and Britt says she’s feeling Willow’s lymph nodes, as she places her hands on Willow’s neck. Willow asks, why? and Britt says, oncology isn’t her specialty, but she noticed certain areas of the surrounding tissue appear inflamed. Just to be clear, this has nothing to do with that baby, but she wants to be extra cautious given Willow’s other health concerns. Dr. Randolph is away for a few days, but Britt’s going to give her a call. Hang tight. She leaves, and Willow asks TJ what Britt is concerned about.

On the phone, Terry tells Britt, she’s kind of in the middle of something with some family friends. What’s up? Britt says, she just did an ultrasound on Willow, and the baby is fine, but she noticed inflamed  tissue nearby, and swelling in the lymph nodes. Terry says, Britt is worried about the enlargement of Willow’s liver, isn’t she? and Britt says she is, but Terry’s the expert. Terry says, have Dr. Carmichael do her bloodwork, and schedule and ultrasound on her liver. She should be back by the time the results are in. Britt thanks her, and Terry looks around for Jeff and Carolyn, but they’re gone.

Elizabeth sees family pictures on the mantel, and remembers her angst when she was younger from her parents being absent, and being expected to be like her sister Sarah. She remembers things she said about her parents as an adult, how the world needs them more than the family does. She focuses on a particular picture, and says, her and Sarah, 25 years ago.

Finn runs into Olivia at the hospital, and says, if she talks to Tracy, tell her that he’s waiting. She hasn’t made a move in their virtual backgammon game in weeks. Olivia says she’s not surprised. You’d never know Tracy is retired. She still keeps getting into all kinds of trouble. She puts her hand to her forehead, and he asks if she’s okay. She says, it’s so weird. Does he ever get the feeling like someone walked over his grave? The inmate is brought in, a woman in shackles, between an officer and an orderly, and she says, hello, Olivia. Olivia turns around, and lets out a blood-curdling scream.

Brook listens at the door, and Drew asks what Ned is talking about. Ned says, it’s right there in the name; insider trading. Brook steps away, telling Chase that she thinks talking’s a lost cause. Chase says he knows something to perk her up, and kisses her. Her phone dings, and he says, go ahead. She says, it’s Linc. He wants them to meet with his pop star today. Chase says, it’s so soon, but she says he has to get to know her if they’re doing a duet. He says he’s never met a pop star; any advice? She says, don’t mess this up for them.

Bobbie says, Carly Spencer has a nice ring to it, and Carly says, it really does. Josslyn walks in, and hugs Carly, saying, you’re home. Carly puts her arms around both of them, and says, I’m home.

Ned tells Drew, Michael’s mother knew about the potential merger. That’s why she bought the stock. That’s called insider trading, and it’s illegal. Martha Stewart went to prison for much less. Lucky for Michael and Drew, no one’s really looked into it, but it’s something they need to consider, and never forget. He walks out, and Michael says, Ned is bluffing; he wouldn’t go there. He has to meet Willow, but he can see Drew is worried. Don’t be.

TJ says, if she noticed inflamed tissue, Dr. Westbourne might be concerned that Willow’s liver is enlarged as well. Willow says, and that means? and TJ says, if her liver and lymph nodes are swollen, and her blood cell count has dropped even further, it may mean she’s advanced to stage 3, which may limit her treatment options. Britt says, she’d like Willow to come with her upstairs. They’d like to run some more tests.

Finn asks Olivia, what’s all this? Is she okay? The woman says, now there’s the scream she loves so much. And here she thought Olivia had gotten too classy to let her emotions out. After Olivia let her son rot in prison, and traded up to marry a Quartermaine. The officer says, sorry, ma’am. D’Archam patient. Don’t pay her any attention. The woman says, nice seeing you. Oops. I mean, I’ll be seeing you. She laughs as she’s led away, and Finn says, what’s going on? Who is that woman? Olivia says, doesn’t he know? That’s Heather Webber.

Elizabeth hugs the photo to her chest, and hears the door. She quickly puts it back, and Jeff comes in. He says, Elizabeth, and she says, dad.  

On Monday, Anna says, as soon as she gets out of this cell, she’ll put Victor in his; Robert tells Olivia, she looks like she’s seen a ghost; and Elizabeth says, Jeff’s not supposed to be here.

💣 Wrong Guess Of Jacksonville…

I have to admit, I’m surprised. Not that I can’t see her in the role, but what happened to the old Heather?

🗽 No Surprise…

Wasn’t asked back, was she?

💋 It Will Never End…

This one just needs to go, be put on pause, however you want to put it.

💎 The Other F-Word…

I could have sworn it was the c-word, but in my defense, it was bleeped and I’m no lip reader. Ugly for sure, but it doesn’t make Kathy wrong about Erika and LisaR looking for a storyline.

https://people.com/tv/rhobh-erika-girardi-doubles-down-on-claim-kathy-hilton-used-gay-slur-in-aspen/

📸 Eww…

I’m sure it wasn’t meant to be taken this way, but yuk.

🤷🏼 Who’d Have Guessed…?

They’re cute when they’re on Watch What Happens Live together.

https://www.etonline.com/sutton-stracke-joins-bff-jennifer-tilly-in-chucky-season-2-185881

🐎 She Has a Brand Now…

I doubt this will be rebooted, but if it is, I doubt any previous cast members will be invited back. Although I did love Kameron’s stick figure graphics of the ping-pong ball show in Thailand.

https://okmagazine.com/p/rhod-cary-deuber-life-after-bravo-lemmon-avenue/

🧹 This Year’s Theme…

I’m going to watch the sequel this weekend for inspiration.

https://ew.com/movies/original-hocus-pocus-actors-thoughts-sequel/

https://ew.com/movies/hocus-pocus-2-post-credits-scene-explained-sanderson-sisters-return/

🧛🏻‍♂️ In Vampire News…

Last Sunday’s Interview.

⚰️ Dead End…

More on how the series will end versus the comic book.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-series-finale-ending-tv-comic-book/

🎃 Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop…

As long as the costumes keep coming, I’ll keep checking them out.

https://ew.com/celebrity/best-celebrity-halloween-costumes-2022-photos/

Even better.

https://www.thedodo.com/dodowell/tompkins-square-halloween-dog-parade-wildest-costumes-2022-celebration

👽 Quotes of the Week

I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that any weirdo wearing a mask is never friendly. – Lizabeth (Nancy McLaughlin), Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones. – Stephen King

Where there is no imagination, there is no horror. – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Villainy wears many masks, none so dangerous as the mask of virtue. – Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp), Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but it’s about finding the imagination and costume within. – Elvis Duran

If human beings had genuine courage, they’d wear their costumes every day of the year, not just on Halloween. – Douglas Copeland

Being normal is vastly overrated. – Aggie Cromwell (Debbie Reynolds), Halloweentown

Some people are born for Halloween, and some are just counting the days until Christmas. – Stephen Graham Jones

There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly-lit front porch. – Robert Brault

Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see. – Edgar Allan Poe, The System of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether

Listen to them – the children of the night. What music they make!Dracula, Bram Stoker

Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. – Linus, Charles M. Schulz, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

🦇 Going Batty…

Decorations are ready to be hung, costumes ready to be worn, and candy ready to be put in bags. Let’s hope it makes it there. In the meantime, you have an invitation to join me for some Dead on Sunday. Until then, stay safe, stay approaching life with a sense of adventure,  and stay giving a little space and grace when a person needs it.

June 2, 2022 – An Old Friend Of Dante’s Drops In, More Than an Actor, Judgements, Shifting Sands, Wedding Leak, Shane Update, Pets (!) & Break Free

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Britt fumbles around under the parachute, and pops up, saying, what the hell was that? The parachutist pops up from the other side, and says, now that was interesting. Hello, Port Charles! Britt asks for someone to help her out of the pool.

Michael asks Carly, what is it? As long as it isn’t bad news. She looks at the envelope, and flashes back to opening it, and reading, Patient A has a 99.9999999999999 chance of being related to Patient B. Carly says, if this is true, Nina is Willow’s mother. Michael asks if she’s okay, and she lets out an audible breath.

Sonny comes into Charlie’s, and Phyllis says, that look on his face better not be disappointment. He says he’s always happy to see her, and she asks if he’d be happier if Nina was here. He asks if she came by, and Phyllis says, not today. He says, he called and texted, but she didn’t get back to him, and Phyllis asks if he’s worried about the hearing. He says, she didn’t let him know if the judge ruled, and Phyllis says, maybe it’s still going on. He could head over there and offer his support. He says he already did that, and he just made it worse.

Carly tells Michael, she’s fine. She’s just trying to decompress from the day. Willow says, tell her about it, when Drew joins them, and asks how it went. Michael says, they won, and Willow says, Nina has no one to blame but herself. Drew tells them, congratulations, and Willow takes Michael’s hand, saying, it really does feel like a victory, doesn’t it? After everything Nina put them through, and all that crap she said on the stand, it’s over. Nina can never lay claim to their family again.

At the park, Josslyn says she can’t believe Wiley beat her again. Maybe they should just play a different game. Wiley says, like what? and she says, like volleyball, but he says, no way; she’s too good. She says, finally, a little respect. Her phone dings, and she wonders who it could be. Wiley says, Cameron? and she says, he guessed it. Wiley says, Cameron texts her a lot. She reads: Don’t worry about Spencer. Will set him straight about Esme.

As they head for the room where Esme and Nikolas are, Spencer picks something up from the floor, and tells Ava, this is Esme’s jacket. He calls to Esme, and inside, she and Nikolas break apart. Nikolas says, Spencer. Spencer looks at Ava, who shrugs, and he tries the door, but it’s locked. He says, that’s funny. This door’s been locked. Who would have done that?

Brad continues to film, as Britt hoists herself out of the pool, and says, don’t worry about me. She struggles to stand up, using a table as leverage, and Maxie asks if she’s okay. Britt says, does she look like she’s okay? She tells Dante, feel free to arrest that guy at any time, but Spinelli thinks invoking the law is a little extreme. Britt says, he could have killed her, and Maxie says, don’t be dramatic. Britt says, excuse me? and Maxie says, he was obviously part of the entertainment, and did a really cool stunt. Brad says, he, for one, is thoroughly entertained, and Britt tells Dante, arrest him. Dante says, first things first, and asks the guy to get out of the pool. The guy says he’s a little tied up, and fiddles with his harness, and Dante tells him, get untied up. Come on, get out of the pool. He’ll give the guy five seconds. Britt says she’ll count. 1… 2… 3… 4… 5! Dante says, come on, and the guy frees himself, saying, all right. It’s official. He’s completely free. Britt says, not for long, and Dante says, Cody? The guy says, Dante? and Dante says he doesn’t believe this. Britt makes a face.

Carly says, if there’s one thing they’ve learned, it’s that Nina isn’t going to disappear quietly into the sunset, and Michael says, she took her best shot and lost. Can they please stop talking about Nina, and go home and celebrate with Wiley? Carly says, if only it were that simple, and Willow asks why it isn’t. Drew wonders if he can steal Michael for a minute, and they step into the hallway. Michael asks if it’s about the hearing, and Drew says, yes… and no. It’s mostly about ELQ.

Phyllis says, that hearing sounds like a nightmare, and Sonny says, it was. She says, maybe it’s naïve of her, but things were simpler back in Nixon Falls, weren’t they? If you had a problem with a neighbor, you worked it out over the fence. He says, or over a nice cold beer in town, and she says, and families duked it out at Thanksgiving not in court. He says, and lawyers get their fees, and everyone walks away like they lost, even if they won. She says, it must have been excruciating, standing up for Nina, knowing what it would do to his relationship with his son. Be honest though. If he could go back, and do it all over again, would he make a different choice?

Spencer jiggles the doorknob, and calls, Esme. Are you in there? He says he guesses not, throws the jacket on a chair, and leaves. Ava is about to knock, when Nikolas opens the door. Ava asks, what exactly was he doing in there?

Esme runs out onto the parapet in her underwear.

Brad hands a shirtless Cody a towel, and Britt says, really? Brad says, what? He looks cold. Cody says he’s sorry about getting Britt all wet, but in his defense, he was told the pool was going to be cleared. She says, well, it wasn’t, and he says he sees that now. Dante asks what Cody is doing here; working as a skydiver? Cody says, yeah, and Brad says, Jack of all trades. Cody says, exactly. Where did Dante Falconari end up, besides Port Charles? Britt says their little catch-up is cute, but can Dante arrest him now? Cody says, get out of town. Dante is a cop? and Dante says, guilty as charged. Cody says, him, an officer of the law? and Britt says she swears, if Dante doesn’t do something… Cody says, that is hilarious, and Dante puts handcuffs on him, and says, how about now? Is it funny now, or not so much?

Carly asks how Willow is feeling, and Willow says, mainly relieved. She can’t wait to move forward, and get on with their lives. Carly says, it got pretty intense with Nina. She’s never seen Willow that angry. Willow doesn’t think she’s ever been that angry. For them to go through what they did, and have Nina come begging, after the fact. After having her lawyer say in open court that Michael is violent toward women; that Nelle, a psychotic murderer was cowering in the shadows with her baby because she was scared of him? Why would she let Nina near her child after she did that to Wiley’s father?

Drew says, he’s not going to tell Michael what to do when it comes to his dad, or anything for that matter. If Michael wants to take Sonny down, that’s his call, but he can’t have Michael distracted. This is a high risk business venture, and they need to be present and focused. If whatever’s going on with Michael’s dad gets in the way, he’s going to have a problem with that. Michael says he hears Drew, but wants Drew to know where he’s coming from, and Drew says, fair enough. Michael says, Nina lied to his family for six months. She carried on a romance with Sonny in Nixon Falls for six months, while they grieved a man they thought was dead. She also came to visit Wiley under false pretenses, and took advantage of their generosity in giving her a second chance. That’s why they fought this petition; Nina is a bad influence. She’s not a person they want in Wiley’s life, and as Wiley’s parents, it’s their choice to make. Drew says he couldn’t agree more, and Michael says, Sonny disagrees. Today, he got on the stand and testified on Nina’s behalf. Drew says, it doesn’t surprise him that Michael is furious, but he had this campaign against his dad way before this hearing. Michael admits Drew is right.

Sonny tells Phyllis, would he change anything? He kept asking himself that as he walked out of the courtroom. She says, and? and he says, no, he wouldn’t. He knows that probably makes him a traitor, especially in Michaels eyes, but he sees it as being true to what he believes. She asks if he said that in his testimony, and he tells her, he said he thought Wiley deserves more love, not less, and people should put him first. And even if you make mistakes, you should learn by them, and lead by example; no one’s perfect. She says, amen to that, and he says, that includes him, but he’s not going to apologize for who he is. He’s not going to sit back and let a loving grandmother be cut out of her grandson’s life. It’s wrong. She says, wow. Nina means that much to him? and he says, Wiley means that much to him. He just hopes Wiley grows up, and he doesn’t want Wiley to just be Michael’s son or his grandson. He wants Wiley to be his own man.

Josslyn says, Wiley is so lucky he doesn’t have a girlfriend who drives him crazy, and he says he has a girlfriend. She says, who? and he says, her. She asks if she drives him crazy, and he says, not today. She says, good to know. You know what else she knows? He’s going to be real heartbreaker when he grows up. He asks, what’s a heartbreaker? and she says she has an idea. Does he want to take a little trip? He asks, where? and she says, you’ll see.

Spencer looks at Esme’s suitcase, when the doorbell rings. It’s Cameron, who says, what the hell? Spencer says he didn’t have to come all the way out here, but Cameron says, from the sound of Spencer’s text, he did. What happened with Esme? Spencer says, things were going great, he swears. He cut a deal with Ava to get him and Esme out of the house, and in exchange, he was going to have access to his trust fund. Plus, it would have the added benefit of giving him and Esme time together. It was a win-win-win. Cameron says, it’s perfect. Where did it go wrong? Spencer says, Esme started tearing into Trina. He couldn’t help it; he lost his cool, and he took off. Cameron asks, where? and Spencer says, he went for a ride to clear his mind. He realized he’d messed up, and came back to try and talk things out, but Esme was gone. Cameron says, Esme’s left the island? but Spencer says he doesn’t know. Her suitcase is here, but he can’t find her. It’s like she vanished.

On the parapet, Esme gets her clothes on, while inside, Nikolas asks if Spencer is with Ava. He thought he heard Spencer’s voice. She says, he did. Spencer’s looking for Esme; has he seen her? Nikolas says he hasn’t, and she says, he seems nervous. He says he’s just getting his bearings. He was reading, and fell asleep. She says, with the door locked? and he says, was it locked? The wind must have blown it shut, locking it by accident. She says, it must have been some nap. His hair’s all mussed up, and he missed a button. He suggests they go downstairs, but she thinks they should stay here; it’s quiet and private. Perfect for what she has to say. He says he thinks she made her feelings perfectly clear when she threatened to walk out, and she says, about that. They hear something outside on the parapet, and Ava says, what was that? Outside, Esme curses herself for dropping her shoe.

Dante says, Cody could have hurt someone, and Britt says, yeah, here. Cody says, it was a paid gig. If there’s an issue, take it up with the people who hired him. An officer asks if Dante needs a hand, but Dante says, no, and thanks him for the cuffs. Brook says she knows Chase wants to get in there. it’s just a few more weeks. He asks if they can sit and talk, and they go to a table. Britt says she’s curious about Cody’s job description. Did it say party crasher? Cody says he was supposed to land in the pool; make a big splash… literally. But then… What is her name? Brad says, her name’s Britt, and Britt kicks at him. Cody says, then Britt was smack in the middle of his landing zone. Spinelli says, it is a brilliant marketing strategy; a singles event with eligible men literally raining from the sky. Not that he took any pleasure in how it transpired. The main thing is Britt’s okay, yes? She says, she’s fine, and Cody says, see? She says, but she could have downed, so off to jail he goes. Cody says, Dante’s not doing this, is he? and Britt looks at Dante.

Willow tells Carly, Nina is certifiable. In one breath, it’s, take pity on me; you’re wonderful parents. And in the other, it’s, just kidding; Michael is a woman and child abuser. Carly says, she’s a piece of work, and Willow says she’s just done. Nina better not show up, or try to contact them. The judge made her decision; it’s over. Carly says she couldn’t agree more, and puts the envelope in her bag. She says, all that matters now is giving Wiley the best childhood possible, and Willow says, that is 100% the plan. I can’t wait for this to backfire.

Michael tells Drew, he knew Sonny was different after he returned from Nixon Falls, but when he realized he didn’t know who Sonny was, was at Nina’s trial, when Sonny defended her. A few weeks later, Sonny slept with Nina, and a few weeks after that, Sonny and Carly were divorced. Drew says, Michael is furious on his mom’s behalf, but Michael says, he’s furious with himself. All the years wasted on believing in Sonny, his honor, loyalty, and love. But he sees Sonny for exactly what he is now; he’s a criminal with a long line of luck. This is where his luck ends, and Michael is going to see to it. Drew says, this is where he steps in. He knows what’s going on; Dante told him. Michael plans to use ELQ to go after Sonny. Michael says, and Drew wants no part of that, and Drew says, no, he doesn’t. He’s not just some guy Michael works with; he’s Michael’s uncle. Obviously, he wants to protect ELQ, but more than that, he wants to protect Michael. Michael says he’s good, but Drew says, hear him out. He’s never been that close with Sonny, even when he thought he was Jason, and he agrees Sonny has acted badly. He’s going to stop short of saying Sonny failed his family, because it’s a complicated and tricky situation. Michael says, that is exactly what he did, but Drew says, a lot of people close to Michael don’t feel the same way. So the harder he pushes Sonny, the harder it’s going to be for Dante, for Kristina, and especially for Avery and Donna. They’re too young to be able to grapple with all this. Michael says, loving his siblings, and propping Sonny up are two different things, but Drew says he’s not asking Michael to prop Sonny up. Michael says, it’s what they do every time they pretend Sonny is a legit coffee importer. Michael’s not a gangster. He’s not going to go in guns blazing. He’s a businessman. He’s going to outmaneuver Sonny, and he’s going to do it without ELQ. Drew asks if Michael is sure about that, and Michael says he’s not going to let his issues with his father get in the way of his business with Drew. Drew says, he’s going to keep them separate, right? Because their company, and the people who depend on them, can’t be used to punish Sonny. Michael says, understood.

Phyllis says she doesn’t need a transcript to know Sonny’s heart’s in the right place. She saw it in Nixon Falls. The way he stood up to Elijah when he saw Elijah was trying to take advantage of them. How he treated them like family… when Lenny got sick. He says, they are family, and she says, hell, he almost died when he pulled her and Nina out of that fire. He says, make sure she tells Wiley that one day, but she says she has the feeling he’ll get the chance to tell Wiley himself. The Pub phone rings, and Phyllis answers. It’s Scotty, and Phyllis says, no, she hasn’t come in… I see… Of course (🍷) I will. She says goodbye, and tells Sonny, Nina lost.

Cameron says he can’t believe Spencer let Esme get inside his head – again. Spencer says he doesn’t need a lecture. Not today. It was bad enough seeing Trina with Officer What’s-His-Face at the gallery. Cameron says, she was with Rory? and Spencer says, there was nothing going on, but he didn’t love it. Then to have Esme rip into her… Cameron says, Trina doesn’t need Spencer defending her honor; she can take care of herself. Spencer says he understands, but Cameron says, clearly he doesn’t. His brothers are upset enough that their mother is away, and Joss goes into combat mode every time he suggests Spencer’s not evil incarnate. Spencer says, he knows it’s rough, but Cameron says he doesn’t need Spencer’s sympathy. What he needs Spencer to do is expose his girlfriend already.

Nikolas rebuttons his shirt, and Ava heads to the door to look outside. Nikolas says, it must have been the bats. This is the time of the afternoon they come out. Because everyone knows bats come out in the daytime. Really? He says, they should be grateful the bats eat all of the insects, and Ava says she’ll be sure to send a thank you note. She steps away from the door, saying, bats, vermin with wings. Esme listens from outside, and Nikolas asks if Ava will join him downstairs. She says, in a minute. She needs to apologize. She’s sorry she threatened to walk out on him. She didn’t mean it. She’s so sorry. She shouldn’t have done that.

Spinelli asks Sam if she can’t persuade her beau there’s no need for such drastic measures, and Britt says, what? Brad says, he agrees; let muscles off with a warning. Cody says, or a good spanking, and Dante says, the law’s the law. He’ll do Cody a favor and not arrest him in front of an audience. Let’s go. Sam runs up, and says she’s coming with Dante. Cody asks if she’s Dante’s girlfriend, and Dante introduces them. Cody says, the pleasure’s all his, and Dante says, let’s get out of here. Dante leads Cody away, and Britt calls, enjoy lock up!

Brook says, so much for finding true love, huh? and Chase says, happily ever after is hard to come by. Brook wonders if it’s not better to quit while you’re ahead; save yourself the agony. Chase says, it’s definitely a smart play. Fortunately, Finn was the smart one in the family.

Going back in the courtroom with Michael, Drew asks if everything is okay, and Willow says, everything’s great. Carly says, everything turned out the way it was meant to for everyone involved, and Michael asks if Willow is ready to go home. She says, so ready, when Wiley runs in. Michael picks him up, and Willow asks what he’s doing here. Josslyn says she figured they’d want to see him. She hopes it’s okay. Willow says, it’s more than okay, and thanks her. Michael says, Wiley is a sight for sore eyes, and Wiley asks why his eyes are sore.

Sonny leaves Nina a voicemail, saying, he heard the news; he’s sorry. Call him back when she can, or text him, and he’ll be right there. He tells Phyllis to do him a favor. If Nina comes in, let him know. She asks where he’s going, and he says he’s going to find Nina. She says, they’re both worried, but possibly, Nina may not want to be found. Maybe the point is for her to be alone right now, to process, to grieve, to scream. He says, the last time she was like this, she went to Nixon Falls, and Phyllis asks if that doesn’t prove her point. He says he needs to be with her, and she says, he doesn’t even know where to start. He says, that’s where she’s wrong, and he leaves.

Nikolas flashes back to him and… please don’t make me look at this again. Ava asks if he isn’t going say something, and he says he thought it was over; that she was giving up on them. She says, no. She guesses she was thinking about it, but she went to the firing range to blow off some steam and ran into his mother. Laura told her that he’d asked her to write a letter of recommendation to the Adams Day School for Avery. He says, he knew his mother would be happy to help. Turns out she knows the headmistress. Ava tells him, that’s what she said. The letter is already sent, and she has a call in to the Director of Admissions, and that’s great. She’d really like Avery to go to Adams, but hearing what he did, without making a big fuss or wanting any credit, was a wake-up call for her. She was reminded how thoughtful and generous he can be. After her anger cooled down, she was able to hear his mother’s sage advice. He asks if she’s sure it wasn’t a lecture, and she says, maybe a little of both, but it got her thinking. Not that they don’t have real issues to work through – they do – but she’s never been a quitter, and doesn’t intend to start being one now. Does he?

Brook says, so Chase isn’t a world famous physician like his brother, but he’s smart in other ways. He asks, how so? and she says, like knowing when to step in and save her from blowing it with Valentin. He sacrificed so much to protect Bailey from Peter. He says, that’s not necessarily smart, and she says, heroic then. Maybe she was wrong. He says, about? and she says, the whole quitting while you’re ahead thing. Maybe it’s the exact opposite. You need to jump in more, think less. He says he can do that. In fact, he’s going to make the leap right now. He’ll do everything he can to help her get her music back.

Spinelli gives Britt some coffee, assuring her, it’s the best way through. He has a prediction. One day they’ll look back on the events of today, and see only fond memories. Brad says, he will, but Britt tells him, don’t get any ideas. He’s all mine.

At Charlie’s, Cody says, he thought for a second, Dante was actually going to haul him in, and Dante says, for a second, he was. They bring beers over to the table where Sam is sitting, and Dante says, a tip if he may? The next time Cody decides to jump out of an airplane for money, make sure he doesn’t jump in a pool, public or private. Cody says, noted, and Sam says, Cody is lucky Dante had an extra change of clothes in his car. (Like they’re the same size. Hint: they’re not.) Cody says, gracias, compadre, and Dante says, Cody’s welcome, but he wants them back. Cody says, that Britt woman, she’s something else, and Sam says, that’s one way to put it. Dante says, Cody should thank them. They saved him from Britt’s wrath. Cody says he’ll pay them back by letting them buy him dinner. After all this commotion, he’s starving. Phyllis comes over, and Dante introduces Cody. He asks Phyllis if everything is okay.  

Sonny runs into the cemetery, calling for Nina. He goes over to Nelle’s grave, and bends down.

Michael asks if Wiley had fun with Aunt Josslyn, and Wiley says, they played a game, and he won. Josslyn demands a rematch, and Willow thanks Josslyn for taking care of Wiley while they were… Josslyn says, indisposed. Of course (🍷). Anytime. Is everything good? Wiley asks what Michael and Willow are doing here, and Carly says, Wiley wasn’t the only one playing a game. His mommy and daddy won too. Josslyn says, they did? and hugs Michael. She says, thank God, and hugs Willow. She’s so happy that the game worked out the way they’d hoped. Michael says, so are they.

Spencer says, Cameron is right. He can’t keep ping-ponging from Esme to Trina if he’s going to make this work. He needs to show Esme that he’s all in. It just drove him crazy seeing Trina at the gallery with that cop. Cameron tells Spencer, he’s going to say something and he needs Spencer to hear him. He’s going back to take care of Jake and Aiden. He will not lose Joss because Spencer can’t keep his head in the game. Do whatever it takes at this point; Cameron doesn’t care. Confess to Trina, suck it up to Esme, just make it happen tonight. Or he will.

Nikolas asks, what brought on Ava’s change of heart? and she says she just told him. He says, right; his mother and a letter of recommendation. She says, and herself, and he asks why she didn’t tell him before. She says, before what? He recovers nicely, and says, before they came so close to losing what they have. She says she’s telling him now. That’s got to count for something. He says, it counts for everything. Yes, they still have issues, and of course (🍷) they need to discuss them, but not here. Come with him. She won’t regret it. He holds out his hand, and she takes it. They leave, and Esme walks in from the parapet. She says, how wrong you are, Nikolas. Ava will regret it, and so will you.

Brad says, Britt has the hots for parachute guy? Not that he blames her, but those weren’t the vibes he was getting. She says she’s interested, but only to the extent that he helped her prove her point. What’s better evidence that true love is a lie than a cynical attempt to sell it with stunts? Spinelli says, there was nothing cynical about it, and Brad says, what’s wrong with a little romance? Bonus if it’s wrapped in a package as drool worthy as Candy’s. Spinelli says, Cody, and Brad says, whatever. His name could be Elmer for all Brad cares. Britt says she’s going to sue him for assaulting her, and Spinelli says he thinks assault is a bit of a stretch. She says, she’s going to sue him, even if she has to sue him for every stitch of clothing he’s not wearing.

Sam and Dante come back to the table, and Cody asks if everything is copacetic. Dante says, yeah; it’s just family stuff. Cody says, let him know if he can help, and Sam says, who is he? He says, Cody Bell. We met at the pool? She says, she knows, but until an hour ago, she didn’t even know he existed, now he and Dante seem to be picking up where they left off. Dante says, you know how it is when you’re friends from childhood. They literally grew up together. Cody says, and got into trouble together, and Dante says, that too.

Chase says, maybe he does think too much, and Brook says, he does. He says, maybe he should start seizing the moment, and she says, there’s no time like the present. They almost kiss, when Chase’s phone dings. He says, it’s his brother. He’s having a tough time with everything that’s going on with Elizabeth. She says, Chase should go be with him, and he says, really? She says, really, and he says, okay, thanks. And tomorrow, it will all about her and him, and getting the goods on Linc. And once they do, they can use it to get her music back. She says, she’ll see him tomorrow; she can’t wait. He says, him either, and heads for the door. Brook goes over to Britt’s table, and says, that was quite a splashdown. Brad says, Cody can splash into his bath anytime, but Spinelli says, technically, a tub is indoors, and you can’t splash down into it. Brook and Chase steal a glance at each other.

Carly asks Wiley for a hug, and says she loves him so much. Always remember that. He says he will, and Josslyn leaves with Willow, Michael, and Wiley, amid congratulations from Carly and Drew. When they’re gone, Drew says, what was that head nod? Was it because of the DNA results, or because Willow doesn’t know yet? Carly says, it was the results; she heard from the lab. He says, and? and she says, Nina’s not Willow’s mother. He says he guesses it was for the best, and Carly says, especially after the hearing; it was brutal. He says, Michael told him a little bit about it. Sonny testified for Nina. She says, that was the least of it. And the whole ordeal happened because of Nina; because of her selfishness and entitlement issues. Poor Willow is just exhausted, and she’s angry, and she wants Nina as far away from her family as possible. Drew says, it would have been awful if Nina was her mom, and Carly says, but she’s not. He wonders why Harmony said she was, and Carly says, Harmony was a troubled woman, but it doesn’t matter where Willow came from. It matters who she is today, and how much she loves Michael and Wiley, and the life they have to look forward to. I dunno. I’m not so sure Drew is buying this.

Sonny finds something on the ground, but we don’t see what it is. He looks around. I wonder if it’s Nina’s necklace.

Spencer walks into the now unlocked room, and Esme is there. He says, finally. Where has she been? She says, she’s been around, and he says he’s been looking everywhere for her. There’s something he needs to tell her. She says she has something she needs to tell him too.

Ava says, Nikolas is acting strange. What’s going on? He’s scaring her. Spit it out. He says, there’s something she needs to know.

Tomorrow, Rory can’t wait to see what else Trina introduces him to; Cameron says he has something to tell Josslyn; Sonny says, Nina may do something she’s going to regret.

📋 Exit Interview…

I’d forgotten he also writes for GH. He was co-writer of today’s episode.

💳 All That Glitters…

I’m not too keen on that pot stirring model. Anyone who has to tell you they’re amazing, probably isn’t.

🌇 Changing City…

I know there are worse places, but it is kind of amazing how such a cosmopolitan city still needs to catch up in so many ways.

💏 Love Bubble Coopted…

On a scale of one to hair pulling, I wonder how mad Teresa is.

⚖️ He’s Legal…

I like these two, and I’m glad things are working out all around.

🐩 On a Furry Note…

Enjoy some celebrities with their pets. Or just enjoy the pets.

⚓️ Pulling Up Anchor…

Pop in tomorrow for some soap, tea of all kinds, a thoughtful collection of quotes, and a musical moment. Until then, stay safe, stay taking only your own inventory, and stay being true to what you believe.

November 23, 2021 – The Excavation Team Looks For Jason, Hospital Exit, Remembering OLTL, NYC Woman, Bad Behavior, All About the Parade & Macy’s

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sasha tells Dr. Navarro, their son is in an incubator and can’t be moved, right? Which means they have to go to him. She asks Brando to get her a wheelchair, and he says, she can’t even sit up right now. She says she’ll do whatever it takes to be with her son, but Dr. Navarro says, that’s not the problem. In her post-operative condition, she can’t visit the NICU right now. She needs time to heal first. Sasha says her baby needs his mother, but the doctor says, he needs his mother to be healthy and whole for what’s to come.

Gladys asks Maxie if that’s Sasha’s room, and Maxie says, Brando is with her, and they’re talking to Sasha’s doctor. Gladys stands outside the door, and Dr. Navarro says she knows it’s hard, but she strongly advises Sasha to use this time to rest. Gather her strength, so when she’s cleared to visit her son, she’ll be prepared. Brando says, prepared for what exactly?

Carly runs into the hospital and finds Sonny. She thanks him for calling her, and asks how Sasha and the baby are. He says, Sasha is out of surgery, and recovering in the ICU, and Carly says she doesn’t understand. Last she heard, everything was fine. How did he hear Sasha and the baby were rushed into surgery?

At the reception desk, Epiphany tells Valentin that the doctor wants him to spend one more night for observation, but he says he’s going to take care of himself; effective immediately. She says, that would be an ill-advised decision, but it’s his choice. He’s going to have to sign a form saying he’s leaving against medical advice. He tells her to give him the form, and she says, fine. Wait here. He asks her not to take too long, and she gives him a look. Nina comes along, and gives Valentin a hug. She asks why he’s leaving, and he says he has to move out of the Quartermaine mansion, and find the strength to say goodbye to his daughter one last time.

As they walk in, Chase asks if Brook doesn’t think it’s a little sacrilegious to hatch a plot in a chapel, and she says, a non-denominational chapel. He asks what that means, and she says they need place to talk away from Valentin. He says he’s listening, and she says, enough of his self-assured, nothing bothers you attitude. Does he have any idea what he’s gotten himself into, pretending to be Bailey’s father? If the truth is found out, he’ll have two enemies – Valentin and Peter.

Anna asks if she can call Maxie back; she’s in the middle of something. Maxie says, Peter just called her. He promised he was going to see her soon. Anna says, they have Peter in custody, and Maxie asks if she’s sure he’s in custody. Anna says, he’s in handcuffs, and waiting to be transferred back to Port Charles to stand trial. Maxie asks if Anna is saying it’s really over, but Anna says, it’s not over yet.

Obrecht examines Drew, and Britt says, let her know when she’s done. She wants to make sure Obrecht’s stitches didn’t open up when she fell in the tunnel. Obrecht says, she’s fine, but Britt is going to have to recite the alphabet backward to make sure she doesn’t have a concussion. Britt says, Z, Y, X, W, V. Is that enough? Obrecht says, for now, and asks if Drew has any other injuries he needs to tell her about. He says, just what she saw. The last time she examined him was when Peter wanted to make sure he was in tip-top shape to kidnap Maxie. She says, thankfully, that plan never materialized, and Britt says, Maxie’s safe, but at what cost to Jason?

Maxie asks, what about Liesl and Britt? Has Anna seen them? Anna says she’s with them now; they’re fine. Maxie says, thank God. She knew Jason wouldn’t let anything happen to them. She thanks Anna for bringing Peter to justice, and Anna says she owed it to Maxie; it’s long overdue. Maxie asks her to thank Jason and Britt for her too, and asks when they’re coming home. Anna says, the situation is quite fluid right now. She’ll be able to have a longer conversation when she gets back. All she wanted was to keep Maxie safe. Maxie hangs up, and sees a text from Brook, saying, must talk. 911. Where are you?

Nina tells Valentin that she doesn’t understand. Is he sending Charlotte to boarding school? He says, not Charlotte, and she asks, what’s going on with Bailey? He says, she’s not his, and Nina asks, what makes him say that? He says, Brook lied to him, and she says, he must be devastated. He says, Brook used Bailey as a bargaining chip to get her ELQ shares back. It was nothing more than an elaborate ruse to get back in her father’s good graces. Nina says, Brook actually said that? and he tells her, she said a lot of things, but it was about ELQ, plain and simple.

Brook asks if Chase has any idea what he signed up for, and he says he wasn’t thinking long term; he was thinking on the fly. She says, until they know Peter’s not a threat anymore, he’s going to have to continue with the fly. He’s going to have to tell everyone. Is he ready to tell his parents that they’re going to be grandparents again? He’s going to have to tell Finn, and how about Willow? It’s not the first time he’s had to tell a lie for the greater good. He says, and the lie worked. It kept Nelle from getting custody of Wiley. She asks if he’s ready to tempt fate again, when her phone dings. She says, Maxie is freaking out about something. She wouldn’t blame Chase if he didn’t want to take this charade any further. Maybe they should go back to Valentin, tell him the truth, and beg for his help. Then Chase wouldn’t have to be part of the charade, and get in any deeper.

Nina asks if Valentin is sure it’s about ELQ; maybe there’s another reason. He says, like what? and she suggests giving Brook the benefit of the doubt. Even his biggest detractors have to admit he’s an amazing father to Charlotte. Maybe the biological father isn’t a good guy. Could that be the reason Brook lied to him? He says, no, because Chase is the real father. Chase told him, and Brook confirmed it.

Carly tells Sonny, if there’s a problem with Sasha and the baby, Brando must be losing his mind. Sonny is the only family Brando has in town besides Gladys, so of course (🍷) Brando reached out to him. Maxie walks past, and Sonny asks, what’s the latest? Carly asks if the baby is okay, and Maxie says, which baby? Carly says, Sasha and Brando’s baby, and Maxie says, of course (🍷). She’s sorry; she has a lot going on. Sasha had a baby boy, and needed an emergency C-section. She’s fine, but the baby is in the NICU. Her phone dings, and she says she’s sorry. That’s all she knows. She walks the other way, and Sonny wonders if it’s just him, or was Maxie all over the place? Carly is sure all this reminded Maxie of the trauma surrounding Louise’s birth. He says it reminds him of what they went through with Donna, and she says, she’ll never forget, but like Sasha, she had one advantage Maxie doesn’t. He asks, what’s that? and she says, a loving, supportive partner by her side.

Elizabeth tells Gladys that she can go in; she knows Gladys is family. Gladys thanks her, but says she doesn’t want to intrude. The doctor sounds so serious. That’s never good, right? Elizabeth goes in, and Brando asks if she’s seen their baby. Sasha asks, how is he? and Elizabeth says, he’s currently in an incubated on a ventilator to assist with breathing. He also has an umbilical line to administer steroids and antibiotics. Brando says, that’s standard procedure in the NICU, right? Because babies are born with under developed lungs all the time. Dr. Navarro says, in this case, it’s not a question of lung capacity. During the placental disruption, their son was deprived of oxygen, and in some babies, that can result in <insert medical term here>, a condition that, depending on the severity, causes disabilities, brain damage, and in some cases, death. Elizabeth says, those are worst case scenarios; they don’t have all the answers. Dr. Navarro says, Dr. Fleming and the wonderful team in the NICU have started a very advanced treatment called hypothermic therapy, which calms the baby down, and has been shown to give the brain an opportunity to slow brain cell damage. Sasha cries, and Elizabeth says, they need to think positively. Sasha asks how she can think anything positive when her baby is hurting, and it’s all her fault?

Sasha says she must have missed a sign, or ignored a symptom, but Dr. Navarro says she’s not to blame. There’s nothing Sasha could have done to prevent what happened. Her placenta separated from her uterus, a completely involuntary medical condition. Sasha says she felt a twinge or something. She definitely knew she wasn’t comfortable, and didn’t reach out to the doctor. Brando tells her to listen to Dr. Navarro. She didn’t know this was going to happen. He’s not going to let her blame herself. Elizabeth says, and most discomfort during pregnancy is harmless. The doctor says Elizabeth is correct. It’s possible what Sasha felt had nothing to do with the abruption. They need to focus on the next steps, when the hypothermia treatment concludes. Brando asks how long it takes, and she says, it can take up to 72 hours. Once it’s done, Dr. Fleming will order an EEG to determine brain function. Brando can visit the NICU now, and if Sasha is strong enough in the morning, she can be wheeled down to see her son. She’ll check in on Sasha later. She leaves, and Elizabeth asks Sasha to listen to her. She knows as moms it’s easy for them to blame themselves, but Sasha  did everything right. She went to her doctor’s appointments, she had bloodwork done, she went on bedrest when she was told to. No one has a crystal ball. Sasha says, so all they can do now is wait? and Brando says, wait, and pray.

Anna says, the excavation team has landed, and they’re headed to the tunnels. Drew says he wants to help, and Britt says, her too, but Anna says, it’s too crowded and dangerous for them to go down there. This is a highly trained team, and they’re equipped with the latest technology. The best thing they can do for Jason is stay out of their way. There’s going to be a formal debriefing with the WSB, but before that happens, she needs to know what the hell went on down in those tunnels. Obrecht says, Peter activated Drew, and when Jason and Drew were fighting, Peter dragged her and Britt into those unstable tunnels, and then got lost. Anna says, by activated, she means conditioning? and Drew says, Peter used Faison’s old shortcut. Anna asks what he had Drew do, but Drew has no idea. The first time was in Crete, and he came to in his cell, grazed by a bullet and bleeding. Anna thinks he sustained the injury during the assassination attempt, and he asks how she knows. She says, she was the target.

Maxie walks into the chapel, and says, please tell her Gladys… She stops, and says, Chase. If he doesn’t mind, she’d like to speak to Brook in private. Brook says, if it’s about Bailey, anything Maxie has to share with her, she can say in front of Chase. He knows everything.

Nina says, Brook told Valentin that Chase was Bailey’s biological father? and he says, yes. She says she’s so sorry; she knows how painful it is. He says he knows she does, because she knows what it’s like to love someone like a daughter, and find out she was deceived, because he did that to her. Call it karma or poetic justice, but what he inflicted on her, Brook inflicted on him. She has every right to gloat.

Sonny says he’s happy that Donna has so much strength and is so healthy, and Carly says, they’re so lucky. She prays the same for Brando and Sasha; that whatever comes their way, they can weather it together as a team. Sonny says, they did it, and she says, they did. She knows it’s a weird time, but they didn’t get to finish their conversation earlier about Nina, and there’s something she needs to say.

Sasha says, she knows she and Brando haven’t taken the most conventional route as a couple, and there’s still so much they don’t know about each other, but he never struck her as the praying type. He says he guesses he’s old enough to admit there are things in the universe he doesn’t understand. Is there God? He doesn’t know, but he’s seen a rainbow after a storm. He’s seen some pretty awesome sunrises and sunsets. In Iraq, in the war, he saw some pretty awful things, but he also saw some of the most profound acts of human kindness. All this is a long way to say he doesn’t know what he believes, but he’ll consider anything that gets them a happy ending with their son. She says, her too. Does he think it’s possible? He says, an hour ago, he didn’t know if she and their son were going to make it. He never prayed like that, even in the war. Now she’s out of danger, and their son is alive. She tells him, people always say babies are resilient, and he says, Maxie was just telling him that James was born on the side of the road, and he’s fine now. Babies can have shaky starts and still grow into healthy strong kids. Their kid has their genes. She says, which makes him a fighter, and he says, damn right. She says, faith is not her strong suit. What if it’s not enough? He says, they have each other, and their son has them, not to mention some of the best medical care there is. Whatever the EEG tells them, he’ll be cherished and loved. If he needs a little help, they’ll provide that. There’s not a thing they can’t see him through. She says, what about what he needs right now? Being stuck in this bed, she can’t help feel… She cries, and he says, it’s okay. They’re in the same boat. They’re both first time parents, and their son is in trouble. Talk to him. She says she feels like she’s already a failure as a mother.

Nina says, when she found out Valentin hired Sasha to pretend to be her daughter, she was devastated. She was so angry and hurt, but she woudn’t wish that pain on anyone. She’s certainly not enjoying watching him lose his daughter. He says, because she’s a good person, but she says she’s done some things lately that make her question that. She does know one thing; when you’re driven by love, you’re pretty much capable of anything.

Carly says, she and Sonny have to resolve the issue of Nina. He referred to Nina as his friend, and she can’t tell him how bad it hurt her. He tells her that he didn’t exactly say that, and they sit down. She says she knows he was talking about his days in Nixon Falls when he was Mike. She wants him to know that she understands he had a life there, and it felt like home. He says, when he got his memory back, coming back there, they were his home; her, his kids, and his grandkids. She says she doesn’t want him to feel like he has to defend life he didn’t choose, but he has to understand she has a big problem with Nina, and what she did to him. She doesn’t want that to come across as her not trusting him. She has 100% faith that he’ll always do what’s best for their family. So as hard as it may be, if he feels what’s best for their family moving forward is for her to lay off Nina, she promises to do her best to try and respect that. He says, try? and she says, it’s her. He can’t expect miracles here. He says he knows it’s not easy. This whole thing… he just… He doesn’t want to talk about this anymore or fight about it. Can they not do that? She says she feels same way. She suggests they go find Sasha’s room, and see if there’s anything they can do for Sasha and Brando.

Maxie says, in this situation, Brook is going to need to define what everything is, and Chase says he knows Bailey isn’t Valentin’s daughter, or even Brook’s. She’s Maxie’s, and Maxie and Brook cooked up this plan to hide her in plain sight to protect her from her actual father, Peter August. Maxie says, sounds like everything, and Brook says, don’t look at her; she didn’t tell him anything. He figured it out on his own, and it’s a good thing. After Gladys came to tell Valentin she was deceiving him, she almost confessed everything. Thankfully, Chase walked in, and said he was the father. Chase says, the timing works. Brook was bunking with him around the time she supposedly got pregnant. Maxie says she needs a second to process this, and sits. She asks how Valentin took the news, and Brook says, how does she think he took it? He’s a wreck. He’s really angry at her for lying to him. Poor guy. Maxie says she knows how much love he has for her baby. Do they think he believed Chase is the baby’s father? Chase says, he seemed to. Chase even acted mad at Brook for lying to him. Maxie says, okay, good. Because now that Peter is coming back to Port Charles, they can’t take any chances. She called Anna, and she said Peter had been apprehended in Greece, and they were extraditing him to Port Charles. Chase says, then their problems are solved. With Peter in custody, Maxie can reveal Bailey is really Louise, and take her daughter back. Maxie says, as much as she wants that to happen, they can’t tell the truth about Bailey anytime soon.

Sonny and Carly see Gladys, and Sonny says, congratulations are in order. She’s a grandmother now. She says she hasn’t been able to see baby. She’s sure he’s beautiful; how could he not be? Carly asks if everything is okay. Did something happen to Sasha or the baby? Gladys says, Sasha is recuperating, but her grandson might not recover.

Valentin says, he wanted to protect what he and Nina had so much, that he ended up hurting her very, very badly. He doesn’t think he understood how much it hurt her to lose Sasha until now. And here she is, giving him a sympathetic ear. She’s just amazing. She says she doesn’t know about that. It’s easy to absolve someone when you realize you need absolution yourself. Maybe one day he’ll find it in his heart to forgive Brook’s deception about Bailey, the way her heart has forgiven him.

Maxie says, even though Peter is in custody, he doesn’t sound scared. He promised he’d be seeing her really soon. So she and her daughter are nowhere near safe. Chase says, she told them Peter is in WSB custody. He’s going to face charges in court. Maxie says, Peter has proved over and over again that he always eludes justice, but Brook says, try finding a jury in the state of New York that wouldn’t convict him. Maxie says, there’s one thing she’s learned from this nightmare, and that’s don’t count Peter out. Until he’s exhausted every legal challenge, and is in prison for life, she’s not comfortable revealing the truth about Bailey. Brook says, understood. What does she need from them? Maxie says, right now, she needs them both to be her daughter’s parents.

Britt suggests Obrecht call Scotty. She knows how badly he’d like to hear her voice, and know she’s coming home. Obrecht says, she will, but first, she wants Britt to tell her how she is. Britt says she’s fine, but Obrecht says she doesn’t have to put up a front for her; the stress must be affecting her. Britt lowers her voice, and says, if Obrecht is talking about Huntington’s, there’s no evidence that trauma causes early onset. Obrecht says she not talking about Britt’s physical condition. Not knowing whether Jason is dead or alive must be taking a toll on her emotions. Brit cries, and says, Jason was only there because she asked him for help. If he dies, how does she live with that?

Gladys tells Sonny, the door to Sasha’s room was open enough for her to hear what the doctor told them. She wants to be supportive to them, but they might think she’s overstepping; she knows she tends to do that. Sonny says, at least Gladys is here, and she’s thinking about them. Gladys says he doesn’t need to be so kind, given… everything. He says, hey, family’s family.

Brando says, Sasha didn’t fail their son. She took better care of herself than any mother. She bought books to read to him, put good things into her belly. The nursery she created, it’s so warm and cozy; it’s a child’s wonderland. She was a wonderful mother before their son was even born. She says she feels so helpless. She wants to hold their son so badly. She wants him to know his mother is there for him. She wants to protect him and comfort him. That’s her job. He says, that’s their job, and she asks if he’ll do something for her. He says, anything, and she says, go see their son. He says he wants to see their son, but he doesn’t want to leave her alone. He can text Maxie or Lucy… She says she’ll be fine, but their son needs at least one of his parents to be with him right now. The best thing he can do for her do right now is to do what she can’t. Go tell their son that she loves him.

Valentin thanks Nina for forgiving him. He was so caught up in his own stuff, he hasn’t seen her since she came back. Is she okay? She says, she’s good. She’s fortunate her return to Port Charles wasn’t met with a group of people carrying pitchforks. He says he can’t imagine her doing anything to deserve that. If she ever wants to talk about it… She thanks him, and says she might take him up on that, but tonight is about Sasha. She went into labor, had complications, and needed to have surgery, and that’s all she knows. He says, my God. He made this all about him. Go be with Sasha. He tells her that she set an example, taking the high road, and she says, he can do the same with Brook. At least she hopes he’ll try. She leaves, and Epiphany slams a clipboard on the desk next to Valentin, saying, was that fast enough for him? She keeps walking.

Brook says they have to decide how to break the news to everyone, and Chase says, he should probably act mad at her for a while. She asks if that’s really necessary, and he says, if she kept his baby a secret from him in reality, he’d be furious. She says, so he still has to be a liar in this scenario? and he says, in all fairness, she faked the pregnancy. She says, that’s true. So they’ll go with Valentin’s theory that she always knew Chase was the father, and pretended Valentin was the father to get back the ELQ stock. Maxie says, people will believe that, and Brook says she knows. Maxie says, please know she’s grateful to the both of them. It means everything to her to know she has at least some control over her child’s well-being, especially in light of everything going on with Sasha. Chase asks, what happened with Sasha? and Maxie says, she went into labor, but there were some complications. Chase says, she was so excited the last time he saw her, and asks if she’s okay. Maxie says, Sasha made it through the surgery, but she’s waiting for an update. Brook suggests they keep everything in perspective, and says, the most important thing is to keep Bailey safe from Peter. They can do this. Chase says, they can and they will.

Gladys sees Brando, and runs to him, saying, she was so worried. She hugs him, and Sonny asks how he’s holding up. Brando says, kind of numb actually. Sasha thought it was important that he see their son. He’s downstairs in the NICU. Gladys says she’ll go with him, and Carly asks, when was the last time Brando had something to eat or drink? He says he doesn’t know, and Carly says, then she’ll go to the cafeteria and get him something. She asks Gladys to come with her, since she knows all of Brando’s favorite things, and takes Gladys’s arm. Gladys says, he has to keep up his strength, and Carly tells Brando that she’s sending all of her love to his baby. Gladys lets Carly lead her away, and Sonny asks how Brando is feeling; talk to him. Brando says he’s scared, and Sonny says he wouldn’t be a father if he weren’t. He just has to get past all that. He’s got a brand new son coming into the world, who’s going to need his father and his love. Brando says, what if he doesn’t know what to do? and Sonny says, that’s just fear talking. When he sees that little boy, it will take care of everything. They hug, and Sonny says, got it? Brando says, yeah, and leaves. The elevator opens, and Nina goes to the reception desk. She tells Elizabeth, she’s there about Sasha Gilmore. She knows Sasha gave birth, and needed surgery. Are there any updates? Elizabeth says, Nina knows she can’t give out confidential patient information, but Sasha is recovering in the ICU. Nina says, it’s that bad? How is Sasha? What about the baby? Can Sasha have visitors? Elizabeth says, only family right now, and Nina says, she and Sasha were family once. Please? Elizabeth says she’ll see what she can do.

Brando goes to the NICU, and Epiphany tells him to get dressed so he can meet his son.

Elizabeth asks how Sasha is doing, and if she’s in any pain. Sasha says, nothing physical. She supposes that’s because of the painkillers. Elizabeth says, if Sasha ever wants to talk mom to mom, she’s just one call button away. Sasha thanks her, and says, Elizabeth has been so kind to her. Elizabeth asks if she’s up for a visitor. She’s not family, but wants to see Sasha, and Elizabeth can look the other way. Nina stands in the doorway.

Epiphany tells Brando, she’s there to help. Does he have any questions? He asks if the baby is in any pain, but she says, no; he’s sedated. He asks if it will hurt if he touches the baby, but she says, it won’t hurt; go ahead and touch him. Talk to him. Let the baby know he’s there. If he’s been talking to Sasha’s stomach, the baby is already familiar with his voice. He goes to the incubator, and says, hello, son. I’m your dad. I’m here now.

Outside, Anna tells the excavation guy, run another scan. She goes back in, and Britt asks if the excavation team found Jason. Anna says, they penetrated the tunnel, using radar based technology, to search for a heartbeat. Drew asks what they found, and Anna says, there was no signal. Nothing. Obrecht says, maybe the equipment was faulty, but Anna says, they have both audio and video devices. She’s really sorry, but there’s no sign of life in the tunnel where they last saw Jason. Britt looks out the window.

Maxie says, now that they’ve agreed on the best way to move forward, she’s going to see if she can get an update on Sasha. Chase says, keep them posted, please, and Maxie says, of course (🍷). She leaves, and Brook says, well, baby daddy, she thinks it’s time they told her family. He says, have fun with that, and she says, if he thinks she’s telling the Quartermaine clan herself, he has another thing coming. She can promise him one thing. It will be a helluva Thanksgiving.

Valentin asks if Maxie’s heard the news, and she says, about Peter’s capture? He says he figured Anna would reach out to her first, and she says, actually, Peter beat her to it. He used his one phone call on her, and promised he would see her real soon. He says he hopes she knows Anna would never let that happen, and she says she wishes she could wake up from this nightmare unafraid, but Peter’s pretty relentless. So far, he keeps evading justice. Valentin says, those days are over. Now Peter will pay the price for his actions. Maybe he’ll divulge some information on the fake nurse Chloe that will lead them to Louise. Whatever he can do to help, he’ll do. He knows now there is no greater pain than having a child ripped away from you.

Carly asks if Gladys and Sonny want to see if Sasha’s ready for visitors, but Sonny suggests they sit for a second. Elizabeth said it’s going to be a little more time, and Sasha’s going to get some rest. Why doesn’t Carly give Gladys some pointers on how to be a grandmother? His grandson Wiley adores Carly, just like Gladys’s grandson is going to adore her. He’s going to think she’s irreplaceable.

Sasha tells Nina, she doesn’t know if it’s in her head, but she keeps hearing babies crying. How will she know his cry? Nina holds Sasha while she cries.

Brando tells the baby that he has a message from his mom. He opens the hatch, and touches the baby. He says, she already loves him more than anything. So does he.

Tomorrow, TJ asks why Marshall is there now, Olivia tells Austin that she doesn’t want to waste more time, and Ned asks if Brook is going to tell him who the father is.

⚾️ Another One Out…

Looks like Jason might be staying under that rubble for a while.

https://people.com/tv/steve-burton-out-at-general-hospital-after-refusing-to-comply-with-covid-vaccine-mandate/

🎬 End Of Life…

I recall the end of OLTL too. <SOB!> Even though their characters changed on GH, Kristen Alderson’s final scene with Roger Howarth was made all the more poignant because they really were saying goodbye after a long working relationship.

🗽 Roxy Rocks NYC…

I met her years ago. She was funny and very down-to-earth. This is exactly how I would have pictured her home.

Tripping…

I don’t know if it’s going to be an ongoing thing, but Bravo showed the premiere episode at 8 pm tonight (Tuesday). Since that’s a bad time for me, I didn’t see much of it, but there was drama already. I don’t know why anyone should be surprised that Ramona acted like a brat. She’s been like that since forever.

🦃 That Time Again…

Everything you need to know about this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

https://www.macys.com/social/parade/

🌜 Wynken, Blynken, And Nodden Out…

Tomorrow, it’s a dose of soap and the horror show that is Winter House, which looks like it’s drawing to a close. It’s a short TV week for the usual, since GH will be airing a rerun on Thanksgiving – the February 5th episode – why, when they have a wealth of Quartermaine emergency pizzas? – and on Friday, it’s football. But no matter what’s on your viewing schedule, stay safe, stay aware that words hold power, and stay knowing that, although there are some pretty awful things in the world, there are also profound acts of human kindness.

November 19, 2021 – Sasha Is Rushed To the OR, Farewell Alice, Brad’s Back, Is It On, Christmas Soap, All Good, Begging, Bad Form, Support, Tripping, a Split, Side Hustle, New Tattoo, OctQuotes & Almost

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sasha yowls in pain, and Brando says, she’s got this. Easy for him to say. He tells her, they’re going to be a family, and she says she likes the sound of that.

Elizabeth sees Dr. Navarro, and says she’s been trying to track the doctor down. It’s Sasha Gilmore. She’s worried something is seriously wrong. She and the doctor take off for Sasha’s room.

Willow is punching the heavy bag, when Michael comes into the gym. She says she was just working out, and he says he could see that, but he’s never seen her hit the heavy bag before. She says, it’s her first time. She didn’t know what she was missing. Punching things can be fun. She hits it again.

Chase has a drink at Charlie’s, and flashes back on his conversation with Brook at Kelly’s; Brook explaining why she gave birth in a hotel. He says, the story doesn’t add up, and wonders what Brook is hiding.

Valentin tells Brook, if it was just him, fine. They could keep things the way they are. But there are two other people they have to think about; Charlotte and Bailey. For them, he needs to know. Bailey isn’t his, is she? Brook says, it’s so much more complicated than he thinks it is, and he says, she just has to look in his eyes and tell him Bailey is his daughter. She cries, and says she’s so sorry. She can’t.

Maxie leaves Brook a voicemail to call her back. She needs to know Gladys hasn’t ruined everything. Nina comes out of the elevator, and Maxie asks what she’s doing there. Nina says, Elizabeth tipped her off that Sasha was in labor. What is it? Is it the baby? Maxie says she doesn’t know anything about Sasha or the baby, and Nina says, then what is it? Maxie says, her, and her plan to protect Louise from Peter. It’s falling apart.

At Rice Plaza, Sonny tells Carly, don’t worry about it. It was an accidental meeting; no one got hurt. She says, not tonight, but he got hurt. So did she. They’re whole family was hurt. Doesn’t he get that? Why is he defending Nina? He says he’s not defending Nina. He knows everyone got hurt. He’s just preventing any more hurt now that it’s over. She says, it’s not over, and it’s never going to be over as long as there are no consequences for what Nina did. He gets that, right? Please help her understand here.

Obrecht asks Peter, at what point is he going to admit they’re hopelessly lost? He asks when she’s going to shut her mouth, and she says, so that’s a never? He says he knows what he’s doing, and Britt asks, what’s going on? Obrecht looks at the ceiling, and says, it’s dangerously unstable.

Jason tells Drew, they have a problem, and Drew says, just one? Jason says he’s seen the island from a satellite view, and knows the tunnels exist… Drew says, but as far as which ones he used… Jason says he has no idea where Peter went. Drew crouches down and looks at something. He points and says, they used this one. Jason asks how he knows, and Drew says, Jason might be an expert hitman, but he’s had a little experience tracking people during his time in the Navy. His contribution to this little adventure. Jason tells him, lead the way.

Obrecht says, one false move, or a particularly loud noise, and they’ll all be buried alive. Peter asks if her dire warnings are intended to discourage him, but she says, they’re intended to save his life. Britt tells him to listen to her mother. Peter might hate Obrecht, but he knows she’s smart. Obrecht thanks her, and Peter says, she’s determined to stop him. She’ll tell any lie to slow them down. Britt says, she’s not lying about the loose dirt. Think about it. This island belongs to the Cassadines. He says, so? and she says, so, they’re not well-known for planning. They want a tunnel, they dig a tunnel. They don’t think about shoring it up, or maintaining it for that matter. Obrecht says, the Cassadines came there during the Russian Revolution; this tunnel could be more than a hundred years old. Britt says she knows Peter is arrogant, but even he can’t argue with geology, and gravity. They have to leave.

On the phone, Chase says he knows he’s still on desk duty, but was hoping they could do him a solid, and look something up for him… Awesome. He needs the E-Z Pass record for Brook Lyn Quartermaine’s vehicle on May 27th of this year… Yeah, he’ll hold.

Brook says she’s so sorry she lied to Valentin, but he says he needs to hear her say the words. She says, Bailey isn’t his daughter. She never meant for this to go on for so long. He says for months and months and months she watched him pour his heart into that little girl. She says she’s sorry. She thought it would be over before Valentin fell in love with Bailey, and he says he was in love with her the moment he knew she existed. His child is everything to him. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone look sadder than he looks right now.

Maxie tells Nina, and now, Gladys is going to open her big mouth and tell Valentin that Bailey isn’t his. Nina says, she could have told Maxie this wouldn’t end well, and Maxie says, too late. Nina says she’s sorry, and Maxie says, maybe there’s no reason to panic yet. Gladys doesn’t know everything. She doesn’t know Bailey is really Louise. Nina says, the crucial information is contained, and Maxie says, this could be a good thing, right? Nina was the one who tried to convince her to let Valentin in on the secret. He could actually be an ally. Nina says, she did, but… and Maxie says, she knows. It’s going to be a huge blow finding out Bailey isn’t his. Nina says, monumental, and Maxie says, after he processes it, and realizes she and Brook only did this to protect Louise from Peter, he’ll want to help her. He’ll understand. Wouldn’t it be great? Nina says it would, but she’s afraid it’s highly unlikely.

Sonny says, Carly has to understand. There’s been so much pain in their family in the last year… She says she knows, but the pain isn’t going to go away because Nina has a relationship with Wiley, and clearly, she’s going to stake her claim as his grandmother. So accidental or not, this just proves Michael was right to have charges pressed against Nina in Pennsylvania. Sonny says, if Michael had asked him, he would have said Michael was just making things more complicated. She says she doesn’t get it; this isn’t him. One thing they’ve always agreed on is, if someone comes at them, they’ll come back twice as hard to make sure nobody comes at them again. She’s not talking about sending a message. She’s talking about justice. Why would he deny himself or his family that kind of justice after what Nina did to him? He says, because if they destroy Nina, he would be denying who he had become.

Sasha squeezes Brando’s hand, and he tells her, just breathe. The doctor comes in with Elizabeth, and says she heard things are progressing in here. Brando says, looks like it, and Sasha says, feels like it too. Dr. Navarro says she’d like to run some tests, and do an ultrasound to see how things are going, and Sasha asks if everything is okay. The doctor says, that’s what she wants to confirm, and Brando says, whatever she thinks is best. Dr. Navarro asks Elizabeth to prep Sasha, and they leave. Brando tells Sasha, it’s going to be okay.

Drew says, it looks like they stood around for a while, and then met someone; there’s extra boot prints. Jason says, they probably picked up a guard, and Drew says they have a problem. This tunnel is in really bad shape. Jason says he noticed, and Drew says, loud noises, like, let’s say, gunfire, up the chances of a total collapse. Every gunshot is going to make this place more unstable.

Michael asks Willow, what brought on the sudden urge to go at the bag like that? He thought she was taking Wiley to the Fall Fair in Rice Plaza. She says she did take him. That’s what brought on the sudden desire for a workout. Nina was there. He asks if Nina approached her, but she says, Wiley made the first move. He saw her, wanted to go to her, and she let him. Go ahead. Tell her how much he hates that. He says he hates the idea of Nina being anywhere near their son, but he wasn’t there, so… She says, thank you. She tried keep it lowkey. She and Wiley had a hot chocolate with Nina, then she sent Wiley off with Cindy, who he knows from daycare at the hospital. When she and Nina were alone, she told Nina that she hates what she did, and didn’t think she should see Wiley for the time being, but she wasn’t going to confuse Wiley by dragging him away, and punishing him for Nina’s bad choices. He asks how Nina took it, and she says, Nina was appropriately remorseful. At the same time, she doesn’t think Nina even begins to grasp how selfish and horrible she was, or how much damage she’s done. When Cindy brought Wiley back, all she wanted to do was take him home, and just as they were saying their goodbyes, Carly showed up and jumped to the wrong conclusion. He asks, how wrong? and she says, Carly was going to call the cops on Nina for stalking Wiley. He says, go, mom, since he’s a big jerk, and Willow says, no. He says he knows it made a bad situation worse, but he can enjoy the fantasy, can’t he? She says, sure; he can enjoy it. He wasn’t the one in the middle of Rice Plaza, trying to stop his mom from having Nina dragged away in handcuffs in front of Wiley. She needs more time on the heavy bag. He says, actually, he has a better idea.

Dr. Navarro does the ultrasound, and says, looks like it’s time to get moving. She tells Elizabeth to have the OR prepped right away, and Brando asks if something is wrong. Sasha asks if there’s something wrong with the baby, and the doctor says they need to prep her for an emergency C-section. Sasha says, no, she’s fine, but then cries out in pain. Dr. Navarro says she knows it wasn’t their plan, and under normal circumstances, they’d do everything they could to avoid surgery, but she’s having pain from a placental disruption, and the baby needs to come out now.

Chase sees Bobbie come into Charlie’s, and says, it’s good to see her. She asks him to excuse her for making a beeline to the coffee, but she’s headed to Rice Plaza. She just came off a double-shift at GH. Where everyone is raving about his wife, by the way. He says he thinks she means ex-wife, and she says, that’s why she needs caffeine; she’s so sorry. He tells her, that’s okay, and she says, clearly, her mind isn’t as sharp after a long day. For the record, she loves that Willow makes Michael happy, but she hates that he got hurt in the process. He’s a good man, and he’s been a particularly good friend to Maxie and Lulu. He says he hopes the coffee works its magic, and she goes to the bar to order a large coffee to go. His phone dings, and he looks at it, and says, Beecher’s Corners? What’s she doing there? Bobbie says, she doesn’t know who he’s referring to, but Beecher’s Corners happens to be a lovely place. He says, she’s been? and she says, right before Memorial Day.

Brook says she knows Valentin is upset; he has every right to be. He tells her, don’t tell him how to feel, and identify. I hate when people do that. She says he has to understand; this was never her intention. He says he doesn’t care about her intentions. This is where they are now. When he thinks about the sleepless nights, and the stories they shared… She says, that was real, and he asks, how was it real? She says, because it happened, and he says she’s not who he thought she was. He doesn’t even know what she is. She watched as he bonded with this child. His twelve-year-old daughter thinks she has a sister, and for what? Some stock? The Brook he thought he knew would have never done that. She says, she didn’t.

Maxie says, Nina was the one who advocated for Maxie to tell the truth. Nina says, she did. If Maxie had told him months ago when she said that, she’s sure Valentin would have been supportive. Not only would he have kept the secret, he would have made sure it was airtight, but they made him fall in love with that baby… Just like she made Sonny fall in love with her. Maxie says, not ideal or advised, but when it comes to the truth, isn’t it better late than never? Nina tells her, that’s what people say, tell the truth, but she learned the hard way, they’re only talking about the immediate truth. Hidden truths become secrets, and those only leave pain and chaos in their wake.

Carly says she wants to understand what Sonny is going through, but he has to walk her through it. How can Nina facing justice for what she did to their family, be denying who he’s become? He closes his eyes for a moment, and says, he was gone for nine months, and at that time, he was living another life; they both were. He can’t just believe it’s going to go back to normal, and nothing’s changed. It’s hard for him. She says, things have gone back to normal. They’re the same people they were; they’re the same couple. He says, for the better part of a year, he was another person, and that time doesn’t just vanish from his mind. In Nixon Falls, he didn’t know about Sonny Corinthos, but here he knows he was Mike, and Mike’s still part of him. For nine months, what kept him alive, centered, and safe was the friendships he had with Lenny, Phyllis, and Nina. He just can’t change the fact that up until a couple weeks ago, Nina was… the one friend he had in the whole world.

Chase asks if Bobbie was in Beecher’s Corners on vacation, and she says she supposes there’s no reason to be keeping it a secret at this point. She was supposed to meet Maxie there. He says, like a final hoorah before he baby was born? but she says, not exactly. Maxie had figured out the truth about Peter, but she knew if she tried to end the relationship, there would be… issues. He says, that’s putting it mildly, and she says, Maxie asked her there in a professional capacity. He says, as a nurse? and she says, yeah. The plan was for her to deliver Maxie’s baby in secret.

Brook said this took her by surprise too, but Valentin tells her not to compare their experiences; they’re nothing alike. She says she’s just trying to explain herself. It started off with, oops, I’m pregnant, and Valentin thinks he’s the father. He says, she led him to believe he was the father, and she says, she did something she’s not proud of. She used the situation to her advantage so she could get ELQ back. She was clueless. She had no idea how he’d be as a father or as a partner. She thought he’d just give her child support and leave. He says, which, if she’d accepted, would have been fraud, but go ahead. She asks if he remembers how opposed she was to him moving in. Why does he think that was? What started off as a stupid means to an end, ended up with him and his daughter moving in with her family; their family. The four of them. She thought, what was she doing? but it was too late. Then Gladys found out the truth and started blackmailing her. She had no choice. She never intended to hurt him.

Obrecht tells Peter, congratulations; this is new. She doesn’t suppose Peter knows where they are. He says, for the millionth time, stop talking, or he will kill one of them. Britt asks Obrecht to stop antagonizing Peter, but Obrecht says she’s not; she’s telling him the truth. This whole place could come crumbling down at any time, and this dummkopf is leading us nowhere. Brittwas right; they must turn back. Peter says, no. They’re getting the hell out of here, going to the harbor, and getting on a boat. Then they’re going to the rendezvous point where Drew will be bringing Maxie to him. Drew says, that’s not going to happen, and Peter sees Drew in front of him. holding a gun aimed at him.   

Dr. Navarro explains that the placenta is separating from the uterus. Sasha says, when? and the doctor guesses it happened when her water broke. Sasha says, the placenta is how the baby eats and gets oxygen, and Dr. Navarro says that’s why they have to do the C-section. Brando asks if their son is okay, and the doctor says they’re doing everything int their power to make sure of that. She tells Sasha that they’ll give her an epidural, but she’ll be conscious, and Sasha says, just take care of the baby. The doctor says, the plan is to take care of both of them, and Sasha is wheeled out. Brando says, the doctor made a point of saying both of them. Is Sasha in trouble too? Level with him. Is Sasha’s life at risk too? She says, it’s too early to say, but a hemorrhage could be a complication, which is why they can’t waste time, She jets, and Brando follows.

Nina says, maybe it would help if she went with Maxie, and Maxie says, as in, he might go easier on her? Nina says, well, he won’t kill her because there’s a witness. It’s possible. They see Sasha being wheeled to the OR, and go over to Brando. Nina asks if Sasha is okay, but he says, no. She could lose the baby and he could lose them both. Nina and Maxie hug him.

Peter asks what the hell Drew is doing here, and Drew says he’s taking Britt and her mother off this island, but if he kills Peter in the process, that’s just a bonus. Peter moves for his own gun, and Drew shoots him in the arm. Jason joins them, and there’s gunfire between them and the guards, Britt and Obrecht ducking down. There’s one guard remaining, and he puts up his hands. Drew asks how Jason wants to handle him, and asks the guard if what Peter is paying him is worth dying for. The guard throws his gun down, and Drew tells him, get out. He wisely does, and Jason asks if they’re okay. Britt says, they are now, and runs to Jason, hugging him. She steps away and says, that’s a perfectly normal response; she’s happy he’s not dead. Drew asks, where’s Peter? but he’s gone.

Michael wears punching mitts, while Willow punches, and she says she hates being stuck in the middle. It would be so much easier if Nina moved far away, like New Zealand, or at least California. He says, prison works, but she says, even if Nina goes to prison, she’ll still have legal rights as Wiley’s grandmother. He says, it will be hard exercise those rights in prison, but she says, Nina has money and lawyers, and if she lands in prison, she’ll have nothing but time. Think about it. Does he really want to take Wiley to visit Nina in some prison visiting room? He says, of course (🍷) not, and she says, the fact is, Nina will always be Wiley’s grandmother, unless she chooses to sever those ties. An all-out visitation war over Wiley can only hurt him. For Wiley’s sake, she just wants to find a way for them to co-exist. Is that so impossible to understand? he says he does understand; he just doesn’t agree. Willow throws some more punches.

Chase says, Maxie didn’t want to have her baby in the hospital? and Bobbie says, it wasn’t so much about the venue . He says, because of Peter, and she says, Peter was watching her like a hawk at the time. Her guess is, Maxie wanted to keep her options open. He says, her guess? and she says, all Maxie told her was that she was determined not to let Peter raise her baby. So if that meant going on the run or putting Louise up for adoption… The best laid plans, right? All that strategizing to try and keep Peter away from her baby, and now Maxie has no idea where she is. She tells Chase, it’s good to see him, but she’s got to go. Bobbie leaves, and the wheels turn in Chase’s head.

Valentin cries, and says he’s devastated. He just doesn’t know how else to put it. He loves Bailey so completely, and if he’s not her father, what does he do with that? He wanted to watch her grow up so bad. Brook says he can still do that, and he says, as what? He’s not her father. He wonders how he’s going to tell Charlotte, and she says, they’ll do it together, but he says, no! He doesn’t want her anywhere near his daughter. She says, please, and he says, let him and Charlotte mourn what she’s stolen from them, and then he’ll mourn her too. This is heartbreaking.

Carly says she knew that Nina was a presence in Nixon Falls, for months, and of course (🍷) Sonny saw her. But this is the first she’s hearing that he considers Nina his friend. He says she’s not his friend; he didn’t say that. When he didn’t know who Nina was, or what she’d done to his family… When he was Mike… He takes her hand, and Bobbie runs into the plaza. She says she’s sorry she’s late. She ran into… She asks if she’s interrupting, but Sonny says, they have plans, right? He tells Carly he’ll see her later, and leaves. Bobbie asks if everything is okay, but Carly says she doesn’t know.    

Still in the ring with Willow, Michael says Nina is counting on her to co-exist, and put her mistakes in the past. That way, when anyone approaches her, and holds her accountable, like him or his mom, they’re unreasonable, vindictive. She flips the script and goes from being a borderline psycho, liar, someone who kept his dad a virtual prisoner for nine months… He doesn’t want to go down this rabbit hole. He doesn’t want to waste this moment with her. She’s beautiful, and sweaty, and throwing punches. He doesn’t want to waste that on anyone, least of all, Nina. Willow says, who? and he says, exactly. He doesn’t want to think about the things he hates, and miss the thing he loves, standing right in front of him.

Brando tells Maxie and Nina that he’s terrified. What if they can’t get to the baby in time? Maxie says, he can’t think like that, and Nina says, Maxie’s right. Sasha is incredibly resilient. Maxie says, and so is he. You know what that means? His baby is a badass too. Nina asks if they’ve found baby names yet, and he shakes his head. She says, Badass Corbin has a nice ring to it. I actually like that one. Brando guesses he should head to the OR, and Maxie asks if she can walk with him. She’s had an emergency C-section, so maybe she can tell him what to expect. He says he’d appreciate that, and Nina says, please keep her updated. And tell Sasha that she loves her. They leave, and Nina leans against the wall, looking sad.

Everyone bustles around, prepping for Sasha’s surgery. Dr. Navarro comes in, and gets gloved up. Sasha looks worried. Yikes! We see them cut into her.

Valentin says he admired Brook. He felt lucky, like they were kindred spirits; like they understood one another. And she was gracious to Charlotte. He thought she would be a good influence to her, but he was wrong. It was all a lie. Smoke and mirrors. That’s all she is. She saw the damage she was doing, and stood by and did nothing. She just let it roll, and go on and on… She says, that’s not what happened. There’s a huge piece of this that he doesn’t understand.

Obrecht says, that schwein Peter must have run away in all the commotion. Jason says, they know he’s not headed to the house, and Obrecht says, he doesn’t know where he’s headed. He was hopelessly lost. Britt asks how Jason and Drew found them, and Jason says, Drew was able to track them. Obrecht says, of course (🍷), and tells Drew, congratulations on overcoming the conditioning. Drew says, the credit goes to Jason, but Jason says, actually, the credit goes to Britt. She found a way to give him the card from Peter. Britt hugs Jason again, and Obrecht says she was just trying to be inclusive. Jason asks if Drew can pick up Peter’s trail; they have to find him. Drew asks if Obrecht and Britt can find their way back, and Obrecht says, one of her minor PhDs was in geology. These tunnels are the brink of collapse. Drew says, that gunfire didn’t help the situation, and Obrecht said, it made it exponentially worse. If they want to get out alive, the need to go now. They start to walk, and Jason looks behind them. He says, get down, and Peter starts shooting at them.

Bobbie says she’s not trying to pry, but Carly says, she needs Bobbie to pry. Bobbie says she’s concerned. Everything’s so tense between Carly and Sonny. Is it awkward because of what happened with Carly and Jason? Carly says, no. They talked about that, and they’re all on the same page. It’s got nothing to do with Jason. Bobbie says, that is a relief. Take it from her, there’s nothing worse than feeling like there’s a third person in your marriage.

Michael says he and Willow are so lucky to have each other, and Wiley. They should just focus on that, be here and now, and not worry about anything else. She says, at least not until the next time Nina comes calling. What if she shows up on Thanksgiving; just drops by to give something to Wiley? He says, what if Wiley’s not home? What if he’s in New York City with them? She says, they’re going to New York City? and he says, they could. Has she ever been to the Thanksgiving Day Parade? She says, not in person, and he says, this could be the year. The three of them could go to the parade, Rockefeller Center, Central Park. She asks if they could go see a show, and he says, any show she wants. Her pick. She says, are they really doing this? and he says, let’s get away from this miserable situation, and have an amazing Thanksgiving weekend. All she has to do is say yes. She says, yes, and hugs him. Believe me, the parade’s not all it’s cracked up to be in person. You have to get there before the crack of dawn, the balloons don’t look so perfect, and are a little scary hanging over you, it’s crowded, and the lip-syncing is even more obvious. And if it’s cold, you’ll feel like you’re never going to be warm again after standing on that cement. However, if you can find a place inside along the route to observe, maybe with mimosas and bagels, take that opportunity.

Nina goes into Charlie’s, and tells bartender Johnny that she’s mixing it up today, and orders a vodka soda with lemon. She flashes back to telling Sasha that she’s going to make a fantastic mother, and Sasha saying it would be due to Nina, who’d shown her what it looked like to be a kind, loving mother. Even after Nina knew what Sasha had done, she still showed Sasha compassion. Nina asks Johnny if Phyllis is out, and he says, she stepped out, but she’ll be back soon. Nina starts to take her drink to a table, when Sonny walks in.

Wearing surgical gear, Brando runs into the OR. He tells Sasha that he’s right here, and asks how she is. She says, numb, and he says, she’s the bravest person he’s ever met. Dr. Navarro says, this is it; it’s time for their baby to be born. She tells Sasha that she might feel pressure, and Brando says, she’s got this. The doctor says, he’s here, and holds the baby up. Sasha says, oh my God, and Brando says, their first son. The baby is hustled to the corner of the room, and everyone gets busy there. Brando asks, what happened? What’s wrong with their baby?

Brook says, is she a screw up? Yes. Is she shortsighted and selfish? 100%, but there’s a legitimate reason she couldn’t tell him the truth. Chase knocks and walks in, and Valentin says, just in time. Chase asks, what for? and Valentin says, the latest bombshell. It turns out Brook’s been lying to him. He’s not Bailey’s father after all. Chase says, he’s aware, and Valentin says, Brook told him? She says, never. She didn’t tell anyone. Chase says he knows Valentin isn’t Bailey’s father, because he is.

Jason shoots back at Peter, and Obrecht tells him to stop shooting. He tells Drew. get them out of here, and Drew tries, but Britt is resistant. Peter and Jason shoot at one another, and the ceiling starts to crumble, falling on Jason. Britt screams for him, and Drew holds her back.

On Monday, Chase says he’ll never forgive Brook for this, Robert wants any excuse to shoot, everyone lies in the rubble on Cassadine Island, and Sasha is hemorrhaging.

🧺 Alice Has Left the Building…

What an untimely shame. She was so funny on GH! Be sure to check out the tribute where there’s a video of Alice kissing Dobson, who was really Alexis. She will be missed.

https://people.com/tv/general-hospital-actor-bergen-williams-dead-at-62-after/

🔬 Oh Brad…

Apparently, he had some haters, but I’m thrilled he’s coming back.

🦃 Talking Turkey…

Soaps airing or not on Thanksgiving. Why GH is choosing to air a rerun from February is beyond me, when they have their choice of classic pizza-for-Thanksgiving episodes.

🎄 Christmas Days…

DOOL is everywhere these days.

https://ew.com/tv/days-of-our-lives-christmas-movie-for-peacock/

👠 It’s Mediocre To Be Her…

The latest on Erika. I don’t believe for a second, if another rich dude came along, she wouldn’t jump at the chance to get married again. Although she’d probably be a lot smarter.

https://people.com/tv/erika-girardi-says-she-will-never-marry-again-divorce-tom-girardi/

https://people.com/tv/rhobh-erika-girardi-says-everything-is-good-amid-ongoing-legal-trouble/

📩 Ain’t Too Proud…

Even if true, it’s kind of old news. I guess she’s too busy with the new fiancé to pick a new fight.

🎭 Naturally Entitled…

I have never once seen any audience member put a drink on a Broadway stage. It’s a play, not a singles bar. Even worse is walking back from intermission mid-act. Too bad they didn’t make her stand at the back of the theater, which would be their call.

🍑 To NeNe Or Not To NeNe…

Kenya twirls in to give her opinion.

🛥 It Just Doesn’t Matter…

It looks like RHUGT is a thing now.

🍹 Needs New Accessory…

I’m actually sorry this didn’t work out.

https://screenrant.com/southern-charm-kathryn-dennis-chleb-ravenell-breakup-split/

👨🏻 Not With That Mustache…

I’m surprised he hasn’t spoken about this on Vanderpump Rules. He plugs everything else about himself.

💪🏼 No One Will Even Notice…

This is kind of funny. Like when someone is drunk, and they’re trying real hard to keep you from knowing. In other words. It’s a fail.

https://people.com/style/lala-kent-changes-her-rand-tattoo-to-brand-new-after-randall-emmett-breakup/

🎯 Quotes of the Week

Compassion is the ultimate and most meaningful embodiment of emotional maturity. It is through compassion that a person achieves the highest peak and deepest reach in his or her search for self-fulfillment. – Arthur Jersild

Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. – Lou Holtz

If you are going through hell, keep going. – Winston S. Churchill

The really magical things are the ones that happen right in front of you. A lot of the time you keep looking for beauty, but it is already there. And if you look with a bit more intention, you see it. – Vik Muniz

We can always begin again. – Sharon Salzberg

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying. – Oscar Wilde

Humor is reason gone mad. – Groucho Marx

Our heads are round so thought can change direction. – Francis Picabia

🎬 Once More Unto the Breach…

Until it’s time for the Dead, your homework is to do something different and do something for yourself. Maybe those things are even one and the same, in which case, double that. Whatever you do, stay safe, stay acting out of love, not fear, and stay not thinking about the things you hate. You might miss the things you love.

November 17, 2021 – Nina Crosses Paths With Three People, Austen Gets a Text From an Evil Sorcerer, Salty Wives, Old News, Word On the Ultimate & The 18th

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At Rice Plaza, Willow says Wiley has been such a good boy while they were shopping, why don’t they celebrate with some hot chocolate? She sees Nina on a bench, dealing with work calls.

Phyllis is wiping down the bar at Charlie’s, when Carly comes in. Carly says, Sonny has Phyllis working already, and Phyllis says, Sonny is counting on her to make this place a success. Since there’s no time like the present… Carly says she thinks Sonny is so excited to have Phyllis in Port Charles, if she made Charlie’s a success, that’s just an added bonus. Phyllis asks if she can get Carly something, but Carly doesn’t want to interrupt her while she’s busy. Phyllis says she has time to talk; what’s on Carly’s mind? Carly says Sonny’s told her so much about Phyllis, she thought they could get to know each other one-on-one.

Alexis sees Sonny at the hospital, and says, she was wondering when she’d run into him. He says, he’s glad she’s back, and they hug.

Maxie goes to the reception desk, and Austin says, she gives Bobbie a ride to work and picks her up; she’s a good friend. She says, actually, she came to talk to him, and he asks, what’s up? She says she doesn’t like the way they left things. He’s obviously angry with her, and she’d like to know what she did.

Dante is in the shower, when his phone rings. Still at the gallery, Olivia says, pick up, but gets voicemail. She tells him, Leo is missing. Please come to Ava’s gallery right away. She needs his help. Ned joins her with Brook, and she says, any word? He says, Leo’s gone.

Spencer tells Trina, congratulations on a job well done, and she thanks him. She says, she has to admit, she was a bit nervous, but everything went off without a hitch. Esme says, it really did. So amazing.

Brando asks if Ava has seen Sasha, but she hasn’t. He says, she must still be in the ladies room, and Ava says, for a pregnant woman in her third trimester, that’s a solid guess. Is everything all right? He says, he found out some amazing news about their baby, and can’t wait to talk to Sasha about it.

Gladys says, dammit. This door is jammed tight. This place is a firetrap. Sasha says, oh no, and Gladys says, don’t worry. On the bright side, when they get out of here, they can sue Ava and make a nice little bundle; get some free art in the process… Sasha says, that’s not what she meant, and Gladys asks, what is it? Sasha says, her water just broke.

Austin says he’s not angry with Maxie. This is just what disagreement looks like, and they’ve agreed to disagree when it comes to Brook. She says, and Gladys? and he says, he won’t run down Maxie’s friend in front of her anymore. He promises. She says she appreciates that. She knows what Brook did to him was unforgivable, but… He says, there’s no but in that sense. What she did was unforgivable period. She says, at least Brook was looking out for her family, and he says, of which he’s a part of. She says, Gladys just looks out for Gladys. He flashes back to Gladys telling him, it’s not about what Brook did to her, it’s what she’s doing to a dear, kind extremely handsome friend of hers, and he says, Valentin Cassadine. He tells Maxie, maybe Gladys just needs someone to talk to, and Maxie says, she kind of thinks Gladys talks too much. He doesn’t understand why it bothers her so much, and she says, because of Brook.

Sonny tells Alexis, Kristina called him, and said Alexis had been released from prison. Kristina was so excited, she almost blew his eardrum out. Alexis says, the lengths she’ll go, to have their daughter miss her. She’s sorry for what she did to Dante. Sonny says, she wouldn’t have picked up the syringe if… She says she wasn’t drunk out of her mind, but he says she was worked up about Peter August writing that article that Franco was dangerous. She thanks him for making excuses, but says he doesn’t have to do that. He asks how she’s doing, and she says she just came from a meeting, if that’s any indication. He says, it indicates she’s committed to staying sober, and she says, ten months today. She asks what he’s doing here, and he says he had a doctor’s appointment. She says, good place to come; there’s a lot of doctors here. He says he’s more concerned about her. Rough reentry? She says, yeah, but she’s hoping in time, things get back to normal. He laughs, saying, that’s not going to happen, and she says, thanks for the pep talk. He says, when things change, they change for the good.

Wiley runs to Nina, and she picks him up. Willow just stands there, staring at her, and Nina puts him back down.

Phyllis says, she’s looking forward to getting to know Sonny’s family, and Carly says, they’re looking forward to getting to know her too. She was told Phyllis moved out of the MetroCourt. Did she find an apartment? Phyllis says, not exactly; she’s living here. Carly says, in that dingy old office of Julian’s? Phyllis says, it’s a perfectly good room, but Carly says, it’s not. Please come back to the MetroCourt, and she’ll help Phyllis find an apartment. Phyllis says, thank you, but the back room is fine. She likes to keep things simple. Too much time in a small town, she guesses. Carly says, a very nice small town. Sonny told her things were good in Nixon Falls, and Phyllis says, they were. Carly asks if Phyllis will tell her about it.

Sasha says she can’t be stuck in here. Her water broke. She’s about to give birth. She has to get to the hospital. Gladys asks if she’s having contractions, and Sasha says, she was having discomfort before, so maybe. Gladys says she’s adorable. When she has a real contraction, she’ll know it. The good news is, they have some time. Babies don’t just pop right out. She still has no service, and suggests they try Sasha’s phone, but Sasha says she left it with Brando. Gladys says, not a problem; that’s Plan A. She bangs on the door again, and yells, we’re stuck in here! Sasha yowls, and sits down, and Gladys runs over. She says, contraction, and tells Sasha to just hang on to her. She can do this.

Dante arrives at the gallery, and Olivia hugs him, saying, thank God he’s here. They’ve got to find Leo. He says, walk him through it, and Brook says, she was right over there with Leo, turned around for a second, and he was gone. She checked the back room, the hallways, the bathroom. Her dad is outside checking the parking lot in case Leo left something in the car. Dante says, they’re covering a lot of ground, and Trina asks, what’s going on? Brook says, Leo is missing, and Trina asks what they can do to help. Ned runs in, and says, the valet saw Leo outside, and Olivia says, he just let Leo run off? Ned says, other people were leaving, and he assumed Leo was with them. Olivia starts to cry, saying, somebody could have walked off with him, but Dante says, calm down. She says he’s right, and Ned tells her, the valet said Leo didn’t seem upset; he was calm. Dante wants to talk to the valet, and Ned leaves with him. Ava says she’ll check the outside security footage, and Spencer says, there’s an ice cream truck on the corner. Trina says, kids love ice cream, and they jet, with Esme following. Brook says she’s going to check the gallery again, and Olivia says she’ll go in the opposite direction. If Brook sees anything, scream bloody murder. Brook says, they’ll find Leo, and Olivia says, damn straight they will.

Austin wonders what him being friendly with Gladys has to do with Maxie and Brook, and Maxie says, Gladys hates Brook. He says he can’t imagine why, and she says she’ll tell him. Gladys is Brook’s assistant, and Brook has this crazy notion Gladys should assist, as in do her job. He can’t imagine working for Brook is a picnic, and Maxie says, who knows? Glady’s sure doesn’t. All Gladys does is complain. She’s a terrible employee, and an even worse human being. He says, why not just fire her? and Maxie says, that’s beside the point, but he asks what the point is. She says she needs a cease fire between him and Brook, and he asks why it’s so important to her. She says, if he keeps going after Brook, she might be collateral damage.

Nina says, it’s good to see Wiley; she’s missed him so much. She looks at Willow, and tells Wiley, she’s sorry, but she has to go. Wiley tells her to stay, and she says she wants to, but she has to go. She’s about to cry, and Willow says, they were just going to get some hot chocolate. She should stay. Nina takes Wiley’s hand.

Phyllis tells Carly, then, the bartender quit an hour into his shift. Lenny was so mad. They really had their hands full. Carly asks what they did, and Phyllis says, adapted. Has anything like that ever happened at the MetroCourt? Carly says, they’ve had their share of walk-outs, but they have so much staff, there’s always someone to cover. Phyllis says, must be nice, and Carly says, even with the five-star rating, it’s hard to get good help. Phyllis says, it’s not every day that someone like Mike comes along. She’s sorry. She’s still getting used to calling him Sonny. Carly says, it’s okay. Phyllis didn’t know Mike was really Sonny Corinthos. Nina knew it.

Olivia and Brook come back, and Olivia tells Ned, they checked all around the building. Brook says, even the dumpsters, and Dante says, he put in a missing child alert. Spencer, Trina, and Esme come in, and Spencer says, they checked out the ice cream truck. Trina says, they looked up and down the street, and she’s sorry, but… Esme says, nobody remembers seeing Leo. Ava says she checked the footage, and Leo seemed absolutely fine, walking down the sidewalk, as calm as can be. Dante asks where he was headed, and Ava says, south. Dante says, near the harbor. Was there anyone with him? Ava says, not that she saw, and Olivia wonders where he could be going. Ned asks Brook to go over it one more time. Where were they? She takes him over to the octopus portrait, and says, right over here. Leo wanted to show her the pictures, and they were looking at the pictures when she got distracted by some cater waiter. By the time she turned around, Leo was gone. Ned says he thinks he knows where Leo went.

Gladys yells, help! We’re stuck in here! Woman in labor! She asks why Sasha gave Brando her phone, and Sasha says, they were going to wait to find out the sex of the baby, but a nurse accidentally revealed it in an email. Gladys says, so Sasha knows? and Sasha says she does. Gladys says, don’t hold her in suspense; she’s got baby clothes to buy. Sasha says she’ll tell Gladys, but only after Brando knows. Gladys says, she didn’t tell him yet? and Sasha says, that’s why she gave him her phone. So he could decide for himself whether he wants to know or not. Gladys says, of course (🍷) he wants to know, and bangs on the door some more, yelling, woman having a baby! Gladys asks if they’re having a boy or a girl, when Sasha has another contraction. Gladys yells, in here! and Brando comes down the hall. He says, mom? and she says, the door’s stuck. He realizes something is shoved in the door jamb, and pulls it out. He opens the door, and Gladys says, that was quick, calling him her big strong son. He says, the door was wedged shut, and she asks if he’s saying somebody locked him in. She flashes back to Brook opening the door for a moment, and leaving when Gladys said she was off the clock. She says, that little snake, and Sasha has another contraction. Brando runs over to her, and asks if she’s okay. She says, they have to hurry. The baby’s coming.

Alexis tells Sonny, she knows her time in the pokey changed her. For better or worse remains to be seen. He says, she seems a little lost, but she’s going to find her way, and she asks how he knows that. He says, because she’s Alexis Davis, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She says, right. So word on the street is, since he’s been back, he’s a little nicer. He laughs, and says she can’t believe everything she hears. She says, that’s what she was thinking too. Maybe a little more mellow. He says, all right, and she says, she was thinking, because for the better part of a year, he wasn’t living like a criminal. He says, that’s true, and she says, correct her if she’s wrong, but he lost his memory. He’s a man without a past, so he’s got a clean slate, right? He says, something like that, and she says he has no idea how appealing that sounds to her.

Brando brings Sasha into the hospital, and Maxie asks, what’s going on? Did something happen with the baby? Brando says Sasha is having it, and Maxie says, right now? Austin brings a wheelchair over, and says, have a seat. Sasha sits, and he asks, who’s her OB? She says, Dr. Navarro. They called her on the way over, and she’s waiting on 4. Maxie says she knows this is a really weird thing to say right now, but she loves Sasha’s outfit. Sasha says, they were at the Photo Ark exhibit at the Jerome gallery; one last night out before the baby. Maxie says she made it just under the wire, and Sasha says, oh my God. When she leaves this hospital, she’s going to be a mom. She doesn’t think she’s ready. Maxie tells her, she already is a mom. She’s just getting ready to meet her baby. Austin, Brando, and Sasha go into the elevator.

Carly says, Sonny told her that he and Nina knew each other in Nixon Falls. She knew him, and never said a word to him about his family back home. And the worst part is, Nina came back to Port Charles several times while Sonny was there, and saw her. She saw Sonny’s family. She saw them mourning, and lied to their faces. Phyllis says, what Nina did was terrible, and Carly says she’s sorry. That’s not why she came here. They should stop talking about Nina. Phyllis asks if Carly is sure she wants to. She seems to have a lot to get off her chest. Carly says, because she can’t let it go. Every time she sees Nina, every time she thinks about her, she’s filled with so much anger and rage. Phyllis says, it sounds like a hard burden to carry, and Carly says, it is. Phyllis says she has to ask, is all this anger at Nina worth her energy?

Trina hopes Ned is right about where Leo went, and Spencer says he ran away once or twice when he was little; he was always okay. Granted, he was a little bit older than Leo is. Trina says, Joss and Cam told her that he had a chauffeur named Chandler that was with him most of the time. Spencer says, not when he ran away. He had Chandler drop him off first. Trina says, of course (🍷) he did, and Esme says, she loves the idea of little Spence up to no good, but Spencer says he’s not sure the people who had to live through it would agree with her. Trina asks, what was up with Sasha and Mrs. Corbin being stuck in the back room? How did that even happen? Of course (🍷) poor Sasha goes into labor. It’s a good thing Brando found Sasha, and got her to the hospital. Otherwise, she would have been stuck back there having the baby. Esme says, Trina was in the back room right before they were, right? and Trina says, she had to get the check and the flowers for Mr. Sartore. Spencer says, it’s lucky Trina didn’t get stuck back there with them. That would have been awful. Esme says, I know, right? It’s terrible.

Olivia and Ned go down to the docks, and call for Leo. Olivia asks if he really thinks Leo would come there; it’s so dark and scary. They shine their flashlights around, and see Leo, lying on the ground.

Sonny says, a clean slate’s not all it’s cracked up to be, and she says, she had a lot of time in prison to sit around and catalog her mistakes. She thinks it would be good to forget all that, but he says, he didn’t just forget all his mistakes. He forgot all the good things; his wife, his kids, her. He knows she doesn’t know Lenny and Phyllis, but they were great. They took him in. He was real happy in Nixon Falls, but then he got his memory back, and he couldn’t run fast enough to get home. She says she gets that. She wouldn’t want to forget her daughters. Her love life is an entirely different story. The last two alone; one tried to kill her, and the other one died in her bed. Who’d want to remember that? He says, think of it this way, it’s got to be better next time, right? She laughs, and says, not really. It’s so cute that he thinks there’s going to be a next time. She’s done. He tells her, if she says so, and she says she does. Actually, she should start looking for love, because he knows the saying, when you stop looking for love is when you find it.

Willow says, Wiley remembers Cindy from daycare, right? She’s going to take him to see Tom the Turkey, while she and Grandma Nina have a little chat. Cindy takes Wiley, and Nina thanks Willow. Willow says she did it for Wiley, and Nina says she knows. She just hopes Michael isn’t too angry when he hears. Willow says, just so Nina knows, she agrees with Michael about her not seeing Wiley, at least not right now. But chances are, their paths are going to cross from time to time, and she didn’t see the point in dragging Wiley away when he was so happy to see her. He misses his grandma. Nina says she missed him too, and Willow says, he also missed Sonny when he was gone. Nina says, of course (🍷). She just wants Willow to know that she’s very grateful for whatever time she can spend with Wiley. Willow says she really hates what Nina did, and doesn’t know if she can forgive Nina for it, but she’s also not going to make Wiley pay for Nina’s actions.

Carly isn’t sure she understands the question, and Phyllis says, she certainly doesn’t expect Carly to forgive Nina, but hopes Carly moves on for her own sake. Carly says that’s really hard for her, and Phyllis says she knows, but it seems Carly’s anger at Nina is only hurting her. Carly says, Nina stole more than time with her husband. She’s known Sonny for decades. She knows him better than anyone, and now, thanks to Nina, there’s a nine-month gap where Sonny was someone else; some guy named Mike. And she’s never going to know that guy. There’s a part of Sonny’s life where he’s a stranger to her, and she hates that. Phyllis says, of course (🍷) she does, but even though that gap exists, it doesn’t mean Carly has to get stuck in it. Carly says, it would be a lot easier if Nina left Port Charles; if her offices weren’t in Carly’s hotel. Phyllis says she understands Sonny spoke to Nina, told her to steer clear of him and his family. Carly says, yeah, and Phyllis says, has Nina complied? Carly says, more or less. She’s Nina’s landlord; they’re bound to cross paths. Phyllis says, it seems to her that both Sonny and Nina are trying to move forward. Can Carly try as well?

Gladys comes into the hospital, and Brando tells her that Dr. Navarro is in with Sasha. Gladys wants to see her, but Brando suggests they give her some privacy. She says, sorry; he’s right. She’s just so excited. A baby. Have they thought of any names yet? Please tell her that they’re not naming the kid Feather, or Storm, or some wacky thing with all consonants. He says, she’ll just have to wait and see, and she says, so everyone tells her. How’s Sasha doing? He says, the contractions are coming faster now. He hopes she’s not in labor long. Gladys asks if he has someplace to be, and he says, no, but it’s hard to wait, especially when he can’t do anything. She says, is he kidding? He’s done plenty already. Sasha needs to be alone; he’s leaving her alone. He’ll be right by her side when she needs him close, and when the baby does come, he’ll be right there, holding her hand. Just be careful. Sometimes, women squeeze so hard, they can break your hand. He says, it’ll be worth it, and she says, at least he’s in the hospital. No place better, right? He says, that’s one way to look at it, and she says she can always find the silver lining. She meant to ask him. He said the door of the back room at the gallery was wedged shut? He says, it was, and she says, like someone was locking them in there on purpose. He says, it was definitely put there on purpose. Whoever did it, probably thought there wasn’t anyone inside. She says, maybe, and he asks why anyone would want to lock her and Sasha inside? She says she has some ideas.

Olivia and Ned run to Leo, and help him up. Olivia asks, what happened? Talk to her. Ned examines Leo’s head, and says, no bump, and Leo repeats, no bump. Olivia asks what Leo was thinking, wandering away from the gallery all by himself? Dante and Brook join them, and Brook says, thank God. Dante asks if Leo is okay, and Ned says, he doesn’t appear to be injured. He was just lying on his stomach by the edge of the dock. Brook asks, what happened? and Ned says he doesn’t know. He asks Leo to look at him, and asks what Leo was doing down by the docks. Leo says, looking for an octopus, and Olivia says, in the dark by himself? He doesn’t have a jacket. Isn’t he cold? Leo says he likes it there, and Brook asks if he was trying to find an octopus like the one in the picture. Olivia says, he can’t just wander off by himself like that; it’s dangerous. They were all frantic about him. Can he see how scared she is?

Brando asks Sasha what the doctor said, and she tells him, she’s only two centimeters dilated, so it’s going to be a while. He sits, and says he’s just sorry he wasn’t there to help. Sasha says she’s glad he wasn’t stuck in there with them. They might have never gotten out. He hopes his mother didn’t make things worse, and she says, actually, Gladys was really helpful. He says, Gladys who? and Sasha says, Gladys kept her cool, and kept her calm. He says, will wonders never cease? Gladys comes in with a bunch of magazines, and says she brought them some distractions. They can catch up on celebrity dirt while waiting for the kid to arrive. Sasha thanks her, saying, it’s exactly what she needed. Gladys says, of course (🍷) it is. Now let’s get this show on the road. She’s ready to be the best grandma ever.

Nina says she noticed Willow wasn’t at the courthouse with Michael when she got extradited to Pennsylvania, and Willow says, she didn’t know. Nina asks if Willow would have gone along with him if she’d known, and Willow tells her, all she can say is, she understands Michael’s anger; his need to make Nina answer for what she did. Nina says, Michael has every right to be angry. If she were him, she’d have a hard time forgiving her too. Willow says, the way she sees it, the court will decide Nina’s punishment, and that’ll be that. Nina hopes she’s not causing any problems between Willow and Michael, and Willow says she isn’t. Whatever happens between her and Michael, has nothing to do with Nina. Nina says, of course (🍷). It’s just that she’s truly sorry if she caused them pain. Willow says, Nina kept her son’s grandfather from him, and lied to their faces about it. She’s not ready to hear Nina’s apology. Nina says she never intended to hurt anyone. She just wasn’t thinking about the children. She would never intentionally hurt a child. She just wasn’t thinking. Willow says, and now everyone is paying the price.

Ava says, good news. Leo’s been found, and he’s okay. Trina asks, where was he? and Ava says, down by the harbor. Trina says, he walked all the way there on his own? In the dark? Ava says, terrifying, isn’t it? There’s really nothing worse than thinking your child is in danger. She looks at Spencer.

Austin wonders if he can ask Maxie a question; it might be kind of sensitive. She says, that depends; what’s the question? He says, seeing Sasha come in to deliver a baby, did she think of Louise? More than she usually does? Maxie says, yeah. Seeing Sasha go into labor definitely brought back memories, but at least Sasha gets to have her baby in the hospital. She didn’t have that luxury with Louise. Or James. He says he has every faith Louise will be returned to her, and she says she misses Louise very much, but just wants her to be safe. He says he’s sorry. She has a very soft heart. She says, she didn’t used to. She’s not even sure she does now. What makes him say that? He says, for one thing, she seems to want everybody to get along, and she says, why bring more discord into a world that already has enough? He says, fair enough. He won’t be unkind to Gladys, but he won’t go out of his way to see her. She thinks that’s best for everyone, but he says he’ll have to take her word on that. Can he ask her another question? She says, how sensitive is this one? and he says, kinda sensitive. Before Sasha came in here, Maxie was saying that if he didn’t get along with Brook, somehow she’d be collateral damage. What does she mean by that?

Dante asks how Ned knew to look down at the docks, and Ned says he was doing some reading about children on the autism spectrum. Many of them are really attracted to water. First responders are taught to search the nearest body of water whenever a child with autism goes missing. Dante says, that’s true, and puts his arm around Olivia. He says he’s going to check on his little brother, and goes over to where Brook is sitting with Leo. Ned asks if Olivia is all right, but she says, no. She’s nowhere near all right. He tells her, he’s not saying Leo is definitely on the spectrum… and she says, they wouldn’t have known where to look for him. She starts to cry, and says she’s scared. He holds her, and says, he’s right here.

Gladys says, can you believe it? Two of he most beautiful, highest paid people in the world fighting over who gets more from the sale of their chateau. Brando tells Sasha to breathe, and she says she thinks she’s good. He asks if she’s sure, and she nods. Gladys says, that was a doozy. Distraction. They spotted him with his ex-wife. Brando tells her, Sasha’s tired, and Gladys says, and? He says he thinks Sasha needs some quiet, and the lightbulb comes on. Gladys says she’ll go grab a coffee or something. She’ll let them relax, but don’t worry; she’ll be back. Sasha says she wouldn’t have it any other way, and Brando closes the door, saying, she’s gone. Sasha says, thank God. She feels bad saying it, because Gladys was very helpful today… He says, but she’s his mom, and she says, exactly. He says, now that they’re finally alone, he can tell her. He read the email. She says he couldn’t stand the suspense, huh? He says he would have been thrilled either way, but now – he takes her hands – he can’t wait to meet their son.

Spencer tells Esme, what a great night, even if it was here. He’s so happy for Trina. Esme turns around, staring daggers at Trina, and says, her too. Can they go now? She really wants to be alone with him. She kisses him, and Trina sees.

Maxie tells Austen, she’s just looking out for her friend, and he says, she’s only a recent friend, right? She says, so? He’s only a recent friend, and she looked out for him with Chase. He says she told him once that she and Brook used to be enemies. What does she care if Brook gets some well-deserved payback? She says, please. She needs him to trust her when she asks him to just let this go. For her sake. He asks if she and Brook are in some kind of trouble.

Brook tells Leo, the next time he wants to see some marine life, she’ll just take him to the aquarium. Okay, little bro? They hear a siren, and Leo yells out, and covers his ears. Dante says, it’s just a police car, and Brook says, Leo’s been through a lot tonight. Olivia thanks Ned for being there for her tonight, and he says, always. She says she has to get Leo home. Is he coming? She holds out her hand, and he takes it. She says, they’ve got a lot to talk about.

Brando says, the contractions are getting closer together, and Sasha says, this is really happening. Is he ready? He says he’s ready, and kisses her hand.

Brook calls Gladys, and asks her to listen. Gladys says, Brook made a huge mistake. Her grandkid could have gotten hurt. Brook says she doesn’t know what Gladys talking about, but she needs to listen. She has an offer for Gladys. Gladys says, too little, too late, because Brook went too far. Whatever happens next, is on her. Brook says she doesn’t know what Gladys thinks she did, and Gladys hangs up.

Sonny says it’s really good to see Alexis. She says, it’s good to see him too. As for his respite in Nixon Falls, she hopes he doesn’t miss it too much. She tickles his stomach, and leaves.

Willow tells Wiley, time to go, and Nina thanks her for her compassion. Willow says, she just wants what’s best for Wiley, and Nina tells Wiley that she loves him so much. It was great to spend time with him and talk with him. She asks for a hug, and Wiley hugs her. Carly comes along and sees them.

Tomorrow, Willow says it isn’t someone’s decision to make (my guess: Carly), Sasha advises Brando against something, Maxie asks what Austin thinks she and Brook are up to, Carly asks what it’s going to take to keep Nina away from Wiley, and Jason is told, time’s up.

Winter House

I immediately got a headache with everyone yelling, wazzup? Paige told Andrea that Amanda said he wanted to stay a single guy, and he said he wanted to go home knowing he’d met a cool chick he wanted to see again. He wasn’t pulling out a ring after five days. In Paige’s interview, she said, she didn’t love that he wanted to leave being a single guy, but dating after knowing each other two weeks was crazy. I think she might have that backwards. I can see dating after two weeks, but not being exclusive. Andrea said he was old school, and wanted to get to know someone. He didn’t get why everyone wanted to make a big deal out of it. Kyle was passed out, and the girls threw Jenga blocks on him. Austen and Ciara, and Paige and Andrea all got in the same bed, and fell asleep, Andrea eventually tip-toeing out.

In Lindsay’s interview, she said, Jason was hot AF and could cook. He’d been there the whole time, and she’d been distracted by idiots. Kyle said his parents were joining them on the slopes, and in Amanda’s interview, she said she’d been a pro skier in her mind in middle school, and then forgot about it until she met Kyle. He came from a family skiers, and it was a lot of pressure. His grandmother had been in the 1940 Olympics, and his parents had met on a blind skiing date. Luke tapped a tree, and said he might as well, since he wasn’t going to be tapping anything else. They headed out to ski and snowboard, Jason saying he wanted radical it up. Those lifts scare TF out of me. Why don’t they have seatbelts? In Gabby’s interview, she said she’d been rejected, and we flashed back to her telling Luke that she wanted him inside her, and him sending her immediately to the friendzone. Seriously though, who says something like that ten minutes after meeting someone? She said she was resetting her mind. She was the Lone Ranger.

Kyle’s mom thought Amanda did fantastic; Kyle, not so much, since he fell at every turn. The girls went to have alcohol, while the dudes got more skiing in – real skiing, as they put it. In Paige’s interview, she wanted to be able to go back home saying, at least I didn’t sleep with him, in case things didn’t work out with Andrea. In Ciara’s interview, she claimed she never had feelings for anyone the way she did for Austen. She thought she could fall for him. In Jason’s interview, he said he was scared when he met Lindsay, but it was a treat. He loved a strong women. There was going to be no sleeping on this trip. Julia got flowers, chocolates, and a bear from her boyfriend, who missed her. No offense to him, but how cliché, and he’s 42. Come on. He can do better. In Craig’s interview, he said there were times he wished Natalie was there, but he was enjoying being by himself. He was in a weird headspace. When hasn’t Craig been in a weird headspace? And can we stop using the word headspace? Austen went to Ciara’s room, and covered the camera.

In Kyle’s interview, he said he partied a lot, but worked even more. He worked hard, so when he partied, it was going to be extreme. Ciara said she was a smitten kitten, and Austen brought her coffee in the morning. Andrea did the same for Paige. Viking hats were passed out, some with braids, and in Luke’s interview, he said, he grew up in Minnesota around a lot of Scandinavian people, and did a lot of outdoor winter activities. He wanted to get everyone outdoors in the elements. Kyle said, welcome to the first annual Nordic games. It wasn’t going to be easy, but it would be worth it. Luke led The Great Heathen Army team, and Jason led The Skull Crushers. It was no Squid Games, but actually kind of fun to watch them do things like log throwing and tug-of-war. To keep with the theme of adolescent idiocy, Ciara wore a bikini, and Gabby was also scantily clad. After the games, it was on to the hot tub.

Austen got a text, and was all, WTF? Then went off to his room, saying, leave me alone, to no one. Everyone got ready for what Kyle called a nice Viking dinner. Kyle danced, shirtless, in front of the mirror, singing, let’s work it, reminding me why I hate this show. Amanda wondered if Jason was for real, and told Julia that she wanted to make sure he was being genuine. Julia personally endorsed him, and in her interview, she said, it was hard to be without her boyfriend in a party house. Austen told Craig that someone had reached out to him, telling him that Madison had gone to the hospital. He unblocked her, and she’d texted him that she’d had a seizure while she was cooking, and Hudson called the ambulance. He asked if she was okay, and she said she was. He told Craig, WTF? His life was wonderful, and he’d met a great girl who was all about it. Craig said Madison had made Austen start doubting himself, and she was a bad person. I have to agree with that one. In Craig’s interview, he said, Madison’s biggest pleasure in life is putting Austen though hell, and we flashed back to that. He said, Austen was finally getting over her and moving on, but somehow this evil sorcerer will never let him go. Andrea joined them, and Austen said, Madison had texted, please tell me you haven’t moved on. Ciara knocked at the door, and Craig said, go away.

Ciara reported back, and Paige said she thought the boys were weird right now. Austen not coming in the hot tub gave her a weird feeling. Andrea said Austen had to move on, and Craig asked if Austen wanted to be a pawn. Austen wondered if he should say anything to Ciara, since he didn’t want to scare her off, but Craig said he couldn’t be honest about this. After the guys were done with their confab, Paige tried to pump Andrea for information, but he said he had no gossip. The conversation was all about how much Austen liked Ciara. In Andrea’s interview, he said, it wasn’t his secret to share. He respected the bro code. In Paige’s interview, she said she hated the whole male species, because they lie. The obligatory turkey legs were served, deep fried. They lifted the turkey legs in the air, and Craig said it was the best cooked meat he’d ever had in his life. Julia asked what Andrea’s intentions were with her girl, and Austen told her, shut up. That was the dumbest thing he ever heard in his life. All this did was put the focus on him, and Amanda asked Austen where it was going with Ciara. Austen got crazy pissed off, and Julia asked why he was mad. If Andrea and Paige were okay with it, why was he angry?

Kyle stood up, and said, nothing shouts Viking like a tri-colored carrot. Paige and Ciara talked in the kitchen, and Julia and Craig talked in the bathroom. Kyle told Jason that he crushed it. I’m always obsessed with the food on these reality shows, but the food is pretty much the only good thing on this show. Jason is impressive. I think he can do much better than Lindsay. Ciara said Austen was weirding her out, and he told her that he’d gotten out of something 4/5 months ago; it was haunting him. He was messed up from it, and wanted to be honest with her. She wondered why he was telling her now, and asked if something had set it off. Were he and his ex still in communication?

Next time, the finale 🎉 doing the limbo (never a good combination with drinking), Lindsay wants to kidnap Jason, Austen says he’s not in a place to be exclusive, Austen yells at Amanda while wearing a tutu and a giant earring (not a very effective costume for being taken seriously), and Julia says she’ll just be eating cheese while they all fight. You don’t think they’ll have a Holiday House, do you?

🧂 Pass the Salt…

What happened on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.

https://ew.com/tv/recaps/the-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-season-2-episode-10/

🕶 Memory Lane…

Teresa throws shade at her SIL.

🛳 They’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat…

All about The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.

The villa:

https://people.com/home/real-housewives-ultimate-girls-trip-triton-luxury-villa/

The Countess:

https://www.etonline.com/rhugts-luann-de-lesseps-on-introducing-other-housewives-to-the-ramona-coaster-and-the-future-of

Ridiculous Ramona:

https://radaronline.com/p/ramona-singer-kenya-moore-porsha-williams-name-rhugt-racist/

🐑 Sheep In the Distance…

Come on down tomorrow for soap and whatever’s on the Runway. Until then, stay safe, stay being dependable, and stay wanting everyone to get along. Why bring more discord into a world that already has enough?

November 5, 2021 – Spencer Dethrones Himself, a Goodbye, Proud Papa, Allegedly, New Focus, Paid For, New Wives, Winter Louse, Lala’s Lot, Yet More Costumes, 3×3 Quotes & Blue

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Cameron switches the sign on Kelly’s door to open, and Josslyn comes in the side. He asks what she’s doing there this early, and she says she’s wishing him a good morning, and kisses him.

At the gallery, Trina says she’s dying to show Portia these new photos. She doesn’t know how the photographer does it. She doesn’t know how he has the time or the energy. Portia says she’s sure he gets some of his energy from a healthy breakfast, and holds up a bag from the MetroCourt. Trina says she forgot they were meeting for breakfast. She’s so, so sorry. Portia says, there’s no need to apologize. It’s totally worth it to see that she’s so invested, and in such a worthy cause. Trina says she means, as opposed to a boy?

Esme and Spencer come into Kelly’s, and Esme says, get a room. Spencer says, they get an A for enthusiasm, and a solid B for technique, and Esme says, they’re so cute together, stealing kisses. She says they’ll leave Cameron and Josslyn to it, and walks to the counter with Spencer. Josslyn says, a solid B. At least they didn’t get sent abroad to learn how to kiss. Cameron wonders where it’s written that every time they’re alone, they get interrupted, and she says she doesn’t know, but they’re both pretty resourceful, so they should do something about that.

Shawn gives Alexis a gift bag, and says, a gift for her; inspected and approved. She jostles the bag, and says, usually nail files to break out of prison are heavier. She asks, what’s the occasion? and he says he couldn’t get her nephew arrested, so he’ll settle for making him pay.

Nikolas and Ava come into the MetroCourt, where Carly is working on something. Sonny asks if she’s busy, and she hugs him, saying, she missed him. He says, he missed her too. The weather was bad, then it wasn’t. He was up in the air, and here he is. How does that work? She says, it works perfect. Tell her, how did things go with Cyrus? He says they’ll get into that later, and asks, what’s going on with Joey Novak? She says, not much to tell. He was a jerk, he was dealt with, so thank you. He says he hasn’t dealt with Joey yet. Ava and Nikolas approach them, and Ava says she heard about the incident with Joey Novak at The Savoy. If he’s that brazen, it can only mean one thing, right? Another mob war is heating up. So does Sonny still think Avery is safer with him?

Shawn says, the last time he saw Alexis, they had that conversation about Nikolas, and she says, regarding his involvement with Hayden’s shooting. He says he went to Spencer, and told him that his father arranged the attempt on Hayden’s life. Spencer took the bait and went straight to his father. Then he had Spinelli record the conversation. She says she finds it hard to believe Nikolas would come clean about what he did to Hayden, and he says, there was so much evasion and damage control, it was clear Spencer knew his father was guilty. She asks how Spencer took it, and he says, it was crushing. She asks, what about Nikolas? and he says, Nikolas covered all his bases; even Hayden knew what he did. He paid her off. So he’s going to use this money, and do the right thing.

Ava says, she and Nikolas feel, at least for the time being, Avery is much safer with them, and Sonny says, Avery is safe where she is at home. Ava says, she has more than one home; he knows that. Sonny suggests instead of trying to spend more time with Avery, they should find a family counselor for Spencer. That way, all three of them can have a little more peace. Sonny tells Carly, let’s get out of here, and they leave. Ava says, my God, the hypocrisy is staggering, and Nikolas says, still, Sonny could be right about Spencer.

Portia says, Trina isn’t kidding about these pictures; they are amazing. She’s so proud her daughter took the initiative to bring a National Geographic photographer of Joel Sartore’s stature to Port Charles. She looks at the tablet, and says, look at that one, and Trina says, that’s a golden snub-nosed monkey, and it’s one of the most endangered species on the planet. Sometimes, the females will deliberately have affairs with the reticent males behind the lead male’s back. Portia says, that takes some strategic skills, and Trina says, it has to for survival. Portia tells her, just be careful, and Trina says, right. You’d think she was going into the wilderness to photograph these animals herself, or is Portia talking about Spencer?

Cameron says, Spencer is there early, and asks if he’s trying to make up for going AWOL the other day. Spencer says, it hasn’t escaped his attention that today is payday, and Cameron says he’s sorry, but there’s no paycheck for Spencer. Spencer says, what? and Cameron takes an envelope out of his pocket, saying, congratulations on Spencer’s first earned money ever. (How is he getting paid when he just started, and ditched half a day? Hell, I’ll work at Kelly’s.) Spencer looks at the check, and says, wow, this is paltry, and Cameron says, he’s only worked there two days. What does he expect? Spencer shows Esme, and asks how he’s supposed to live on this, and she says, he’s not. He’s supposed to make things right with his father, play nice with Ava, and go back to being the prince he was born to be.

Shawn says, as much as he’d like to turn Nikolas in to the cops, there’s not enough evidence, and Alexis says, then he’s better off holding the threat over Nikolas’s head, and charging him a fortune to be quiet. He says he’s glad she agrees, and she says, typically, she’s not a fan of blackmail, but Nikolas deserves that in this case. So what is he going to do with his windfall? Is he going to buy a yacht? He says, no, the money isn’t coming to him personally. He wouldn’t take a dime from that corrupt bastard. Nikolas is setting up a trust for a non-profit. Shawn has some ideas for the greater good. She says, that is genius, and he laughs, thanking her. He asks if she’d care to join him as one of the administrators.

Ava asks if something else happened with Spencer, and Nikolas says, they had another confrontation. Ava says, about us? and Nikolas flashes back to Spencer questioning him about Hayden. She asks, what happened between him and Spencer?

Spencer says he can’t go back to his father, besides, Ava’s the one who controls the trust. She says, then go to Ava, but he says, he can’t give in to her. There has to be another way. He approaches Cameron, and says he needs more money than this. Cameron says he’ll get it, and Spencer says, great. When? Cameron says, a week from today, and Spencer asks if he can have an advance. Cameron says, no. Why does he need an advance? Spencer says, a decent lawyer can mean the difference between freedom and prison, and Cameron says he only passes out the checks; he doesn’t sign them. It’s not in his power to give Spencer an advance. He’s sorry. Esme tells Spencer to do what he needs to do, and after, they’ll get a hotel room and celebrate. Spencer asks if he can borrow Cameron’s car, but Cameron says, no. Borrow one of the delivery bikes. Does he know how to ride one? Spencer says he does, and Cameron tells him, wear a helmet. His mom’s a stickler about traumatic brain injuries.

Trina says she knows Portia is suspicious of Spencer. Good news, she is too. Ever since she found out he’s the one who’s been terrorizing Ava, she’s been keeping him at arm’s length. Portia says she’s glad to hear it. He’s a very troubled young man. Trina says, he’s just spoiled and angry; he’s not a psychopath. Portia tells her, she didn’t say he was a psychopath, but he needs help, and if he comes to Trina for it, she’s unqualified. Trina says, then Portia should know, he came to her the other night, but she told him she’s not a shoulder for him to cry on. Portia doesn’t have to worry about her; she’s got this. Portia says she trusts Trina to make good choices, and she’s proud of Trina, for everything; for the magnificent young woman she’s become. Trina says Portia and Taggert can take some credit for that, and Portia laughs and says, can we now? She has to get to work, and tells Trina not to forget breakfast; it’s the most important meal of the day. Trina says, some things never change, and she and Portia hug.

Carly and Sonny get out of the elevator at the hospital. Carly needs to pick up a prescription, but says she wants to hear more about Sonny’s meeting with Cyrus. He says, the only important thing Cyrus said to him was warning him about Joey Novak. He knew Joey was going to make a move, but he didn’t think it was going to be this stupid, or this quick. She says, it doesn’t make any sense. Joey approached her, and the next thing she knows, he was beaten within an inch of his life. So if Sonny’s not the one who ordered the attack, who was?

Esme sits down with Josslyn, and says, sorry if she overstepped with the get a room thing. Sometimes her mouth works faster than her brain. She thought she was being funny, and it wasn’t. Josslyn says, okay, and Esme says she was hoping they could put the tension between them in the rear view and start over. Josslyn says she’s got a lot of work to do, and Esme says she’ll let Josslyn do that. Esme goes over to Cameron, and tells him that Josslyn’s still upset with her. He says, she’ll get over it, and Esme says, he thinks so? He says, or she won’t; what does Esme care? She says, they’re Spence’s friends, and she wants to be friends with them too. She was going to pitch the cabin idea again, but Josslyn didn’t even give her a chance; she just shut Esme down. If they could all just get away for a day or two… He says, it’s a nice idea, but how are they supposed to do that, when she and Spence are having a hard time making rent? She says, they’ll figure it out, and if he and Josslyn would be more comfortable with separate bedrooms, she’s sure they can be accommodated. He asks why they’d need that, and she says she gets it. He’s a real gentleman that way.

Spencer comes into the gallery with a helmet in his hand, and Trina says, he rode a bike there? Did his chauffeur call in sick? He says he borrowed a delivery bike, and she says, and here he is – again. He says he’s not stalking her, if that’s what he’s implying, and she says, isn’t stalking kind of his thing? He says he deserved that. He’s not actually there to see Trina; he wants to talk to Ava. She asks why he needs to do that, and he says, he needs to tell Ava that he accepts her marriage to his father. She asks who he thinks he’s fooling. He wants his money.

Nikolas says, he and Spencer argued about something that happened years ago, long before Ava was in the picture. He’s afraid he’s lost Spencer for good, but she says, Spencer might think that he hates Nikolas right now, but he will cool down. He has to, right? He needs his father’s financial support. He says he doesn’t want Spencer to just come back for money, but she says, beggars can’t be choosers. She knows it’s not the most desirable or admirable way to rebuild their relationship, but it is a beginning. Spencer will come home to him.

Alexis tells Shawn, congratulations on turning her nephew’s wrongdoing into something really good. The non-profit is going to be amazing, she knows it, but she can’t administer from there. He asks if Nikolas didn’t offer to fix it for her, and she says, with that awesome gubernatorial pardon, if she keeps her mouth shut about Hayden. He says, how about it? but she says she can’t. He asks, why? It seems like she had a pretty good life out there. Doesn’t she want it back?

Portia goes in to see Joey, and introduces herself. She says he had an extremely rough night last night, but he’s going to be okay. Can he communicate to her his level of pain? He grimaces, and she says she can take care of that, and adjusts his intravenous medication. He says, why… what… and she says, someone attacked him last night outside The Savoy nightclub. The police will want to talk to him at some point. His pain meds should kick in soon, and she’ll be back to check on him in a little while. She leaves.

Carly tells Sonny, whoever went after Joey moves fast. She’d barely gotten home from The Savoy, when Dante was knocking on her door, wanting to ask her questions. He’s going to want to talk to Sonny. Sonny says he expected it, but before he does anything else, he needs to see Joey. Portia comes by, and says hi, and Sonny asks how she is. She says, Curtis told her what happened at The Savoy. Is Carly doing all right after the incident? Carly says she’s fine, and Portia asks if Sonny is there about Mr. Novak. Sonny says, first of all, that incident should have never happened, and if she could tell Curtis he apologizes? She says she’s sure Curtis would appreciate it, and would tell Sonny that it’s not necessary. It’s good to see them both. She leaves, and Carly says, what’s next? and he says he’s going to end this. He’s going to see Joey right now.

Joey’s buddy asks if he’s getting any good drugs, and Joey says, not good enough; it hurts all over. It just happened so fast. He was just talking to her at the club, he went to get his car, and then, he doesn’t know. Dude asks if Joey remembers who got him. How many of them were there? Sonny’s guy Frank opens the door, and Sonny is there. Dude says, Mr. Corinthos, how are you this fine morning? Joey just woke up. Please tell him… Sonny says, take a hike, and dude jets. Sonny tells Frank, close the blinds, and grabs the nurse call button so Joey can’t use it. He says, here’s the thing. Joey threatened his wife, and there’s no coming back from that. He tells Frank to wait outside, and Joey says, he told Sonny’s guy last night, from now on he’ll stay away; he gives Sonny his word. Sonny says, from now on doesn’t fix what he did last night. Joey says he’s sorry. It was a mistake. He was angry and grieving. Sonny says, he should be sorry, but that’s more than his uncle; he wasn’t sorry at all. As a matter-of-fact, he tried to take out Carly and Jason, right up until his car blew up. But does Joey see what he’s talking about? He leans closer, and says, if Joey threatens anybody he cares about, he’ll make Joey disappear. Joey says, all right. What does Sonny want to make this go away?

Carly goes the reception desk, and Elizabeth says she heard Nina was arrested. Carly says, arrested, extradited, and released the next day on bail. Elizabeth says, after keeping Sonny away from Carly all those months, now she’s allowed to walk around free? Carly says, it’s unbelievable, and Elizabeth says, she must be furious. Carly says she’s beyond furious, and Elizabeth says, honestly, if it happened to her, nothing would stop her from destroying the person who came between her and her family.

Cameron says, he’s a gentlemen? Thank you? Esme says he knows what she means. It’s really sweet, like a Jane Austen hero. Honestly, she wishes she and Spence would have waited before they got so close. Sex is no way to resolve disagreements. A way to put them aside, but talking them out is so much healthier. So it’s good he and Joss will have that foundation of communication before they take it to the next level. Cameron says he needs to work in the kitchen, and Esme goes back to Josslyn’s table. She asks how studying is going, and Josslyn says she’s learning a lot. Esme says, about what? and Josslyn says, manipulative conniving women who will do or say anything to get what they want no matter who they hurt. Esme says she knows they got off on the wrong foot, but that’s a little… Josslyn holds up her book, and says, Lady Macbeth. Esme says, right. Out, damned spot. Josslyn says, yet Esme thought she was talking about her. Esme might want to think about that. Esme says, even lady M had a conscience, like she does, and Josslyn tells her, saying she’s just like Lady Macbeth is not the best case she could make for herself. Esme asks if they can’t just start over, and Josslyn asks if she has a time machine. Esme says, think about it. The four of them going away together. They can get some girl time away from the boys, and understand each other better. Josslyn says she thinks they understand each other just fine, and Esme says, if she’s worried about approaching Cam… Josslyn asks why she’d be worried, and Esme says, he’s already on board with them renting a cabin for a few days, separate rooms for Joss and Cam, of course (🍷).

Alexis tells Shawn that she misses her family. She sees them all the time, but it’s not the same. She misses being at home with them around the dinner table, her girls fighting, her disapproving of Kristina’s life choices, just so Kristina can throw prison in her face. He says, it is a great house, and she says, Julian bought it for her when his mafia ties blew up her other one. They sit, and he says, she must have some happy memories of the place. She says, most of them are pleasant. She thinks like, fifty-one and a half percent. What does he like about it? He says, the kitchen, and she says, it had a kitchen? She knew it did; she almost burned it down. He says he enjoys it. He turns on the music, and whips up a couple of meals for TJ and Molly, who barely get to eat. She asks what he makes, and he says he could tell her, but it’s probably different from what she’s eating there, and would be a cruel and unusual punishment. Seriously, he loves the place. She gets up, and says she does miss it, and he says he knew it. She says, that is not a positive statement, but he says, it could be. Walk out of this place, and help him make the non-profit a force for the good. She says, it’s different for him. He bested Nikolas, and made him pay for it. He’s her nephew. She tried instill a sense of right and wrong in him, and failed miserably, and she’s not going to let him be the reason she gets out of there.  

Ava says, Nikolas knows she’s right. Soon Spencer will realize he misses the life he was born to. Nikolas says, when Spencer was younger, he had a distain for the locals; he called them the townies. He won’t want to see himself as one of them. She says, they can use his own snobbery against him, and he says, then he should take as a win if Spencer comes back for the money. She says, not if, my love, when, and he says, when he comes back for the money.

Spencer tells Trina, it’s not about the money. He really wants to make peace with Ava. Trina says, no he doesn’t. She thought they’d gotten somewhere when he apologized for using their friendship, hoping she wouldn’t hate him. She has to hand it to him; it sounded like he meant it. He says he did, but she says, it’s clear to her that he has no respect for her or Ava. What is it he really wants? Is the job too hard? Is it beneath him? Because he went from swearing he’d never speak to Ava again, to coming in here, helmet in hand, hoping to snow Ava into believing he accepts her back in his father’s life. He says, okay, yes, he needs money, and she says, good luck with that. He says, for a lawyer, so he can get a place for him and Esme. They have no time alone. They can’t even afford to go out to eat. This is no way to live. She says, oh my God, he is so pathetic. He’s nothing more than a spoiled child of privilege, and worst of all, he’s a liar. He wants to trick Ava into thinking he’s accepted her into their family, so he can get some cash, so he doesn’t have to slum it, working for a living like the rest of them. She’s done with him. Get out.

Sonny tells Joey, his terms are that he wants everything. Everything that’s left of Joey’s uncle’s organization; Novak’s holdings here and offshore. Joey says, but that’s worth… and Sonny says, he knows what it’s worth. That’s what he wants. Joey says, the family… and Sonny says, the family’s not going to take it well, but that’s not his problem. That’s between Joey and them. Joey said he’d heard Sonny changed, since he got back from where he was. Sonny says, he did, and sits on the bed, leaning on Joey’s arm in the process. Joey makes in pain sounds, and Sonny says, sorry. He didn’t mean to do that; out of habit. He did change. The old him would have handled this differently. The new him is handling it this way. He’s letting Joey walk out of here, but if he does anything like this again, if he threatens anyone Sonny loves, Sonny is going to take him out. Joey says, okay, and Sonny says, okay what? Joey says, he’ll give Sonny everything; all of it is his. Sonny says, you know what? He laughs, and tells Joey, he never thought he’d say this, but great doing business with him. He opens the blinds and looks out. He says, Joey never should have tried to fill his uncle’s shoes. Has he ever heard of a word called hubris? A friend of his told him about it while he was away. Hubris. It’s like arrogance on steroids, and you know what? It’s made way better men than Joey go down fast and hard. He leaves.

Carly says, she would have thought Elizabeth would advise her to forgive and forget, and Elizabeth says, then she would be wrong. Carly says she’ll see Elizabeth around, and Elizabeth says she really hopes Carly gets the justice she deserves. Carly leaves, and Portia comes over to Elizabeth. She says she wants to thank Elizabeth again for the sketch she did of the mystery man. Elizabeth says she’s happy to help. Did Curtis recognize him? Portia says, Curtis didn’t, but TJ did. So did the bartender at The Savoy.

Esme says she knows she and Josslyn can find some common ground. All they have to do is spend a bit more time together. With her and Spence being in such close quarters at his grandmother’s, she knows it would be good for Spence to get away too. Josslyn says, it sounds like what Esme needs is some alone time, just her and Spencer. Esme says she understands why Josslyn is nervous, but maybe if she and Cam spend some time alone together, she can get past whatever’s stopping her from being… Josslyn says, from being what? and Esme says, from being as beautiful, and as close as two people can be. She says she has to study too, for her internship. She needs to learn everything there is to know about the criminally insane. Surprisingly, Josslyn doesn’t say something like, there probably isn’t much for her to learn on that front, and Esme leaves. Josslyn goes over to Cameron, and he says he was wondering what she was doing later. She says, funny. She was just going to ask him the same thing.

Nikolas says he has to wait Spencer out, and Ava says, exactly. Let him come crawling back. Trust her; he will. Nikolas thanks her, and says she makes him feel like he might actually get his son back. He sees Shawn come in, and says, if she’ll excuse him… She says, business? and he says, business. He walks over to Shawn, and gives him a manila envelope, saying, it’s all set up the way Shawn wants it. The money’s in a trust, the non-profit has been filed, Shawn is the administrator, and has the ability to appoint other administrators as he sees fit. Shawn says he knows a good lawyer who will look at it, and Nikolas says, it’s perfectly legal. So they’re finished. Shawn says, for now. Nikolas asks what Shawn means, and Shawn says, he means if the non-profit needs additional funding, Nikolas will provide the funds. And if Nikolas ever screws him over again, he promises Nikolas will be very, very sorry. He leaves, and Ava walks over. She says, now Nikolas can tell her what that was all about – the truth. He says, okay, but he’d rather do it someplace quieter. She says, anywhere he likes, and he says, just after he makes a call.

Spencer says, Trina, please, and she asks why he’s still there. She asked him to leave. She’s working on a very important project, and doesn’t have time for him. He says he’s sorry. He doesn’t know what to do, and she says, she told him what to do. She told him, go to work, and be his own man. Not Esme’s boyfriend, and not his father’s son. Not some money grubbing little phony. Be himself. Be the guy who convinced her to go to her graduation party, not the creep who rigged the sprinklers to shower her with fake blood. He says he’s apologized for that a million times, and she says she knows. When she first met him, or rather when she met Victor, sure, he was lie, but he was a much better person than this mess she’s seeing in front of her. If he wants to do right, find him. Find the part of him that rises above the selfish idiot she sees in front of her. Be the person who learns from his mistakes, and be a better person, the bigger one. One she might be able to respect, and maybe someday call her friend. This person he is now is no one she wants to know.

Nikolas and Ava walk into the gallery, and Ava says she takes it he’s there to see Trina. He says, actually he was looking for her, and Ava says, is that so? Nikolas says, don’t tell him that he’s finally going to make peace with Ava. Spencer looks at Trina.

Josslyn says, her dorm room’s out, and Cameron says he thought Trina was busy with the art exhibit. Josslyn says, she is, except when she’s not. Trina’s schedule has become completely unpredictable. What about his house? He says, tonight’s his mom’s birthday, and she says, happy birthday to his mom. A parental birthday party is probably not the best opportunity for alone time. He says they have just a little party and cake planned, but after that, his mom is going out with friends. She says, and his brothers? and he says, they’re at sleepovers. So does she want? She says, yeah, she does. Esme watches.

Spencer says, he just wants to tell them, he’s happy Nikolas is with Ava, and Nikolas says, he’s glad to hear that. Spencer says he also wanted to let them both know that he no longer wishes to be a prince. He doesn’t want one single filthy penny of their family’s money. From now on, he intends to find his own way in the world, and he will. Nikolas says, he’s proud… and Spencer says, as of now, he’s no longer his father’s son. He’s no longer Nikolas’s son. He starts to cry, and says he’s no longer a Cassadine. Goodbye, Nikolas. Goodbye, Ava. He thanks Trina for what she said. She showed him the way, and he’ll be forever grateful. He walks out, and everyone just looks sad.

Shawn comes back to Spring Ridge, and Alexis says, just in time for her to thank him for this beautiful scarf. (It is very pretty.) She puts it on, and he says he hates to say, you’re welcome, at the same time he’s asking a favor. He holds out the envelope, and asks if she’ll have a look. She says, sure, taking the papers out, and sitting down. He says, Nikolas swears it’s legit, but he doesn’t trust Nikolas as far as he could throw him. She says she thinks he could probably throw Nikolas a fair distance, and looks through the papers. She says, it’s a first glance, but it seems to be in order. It looks like Shawn is the administrator of a well-funded nonprofit. He says, he can appoint other administrators. Consider his offer on the table permanently. The warden comes in, and says he has some good news. The governor issued Alexis a pardon. Alexis seems skeptical, and he says he’s just as surprised as she is, but it’s official. She’s going to be released.

Portia tells Elizabeth, she doesn’t know what it is, but there’s something about that man in the sketch. Or maybe she’s overreacting to a coincidence. Elizabeth says, want to know what she thinks? Trust her instincts. The elevator comes, and Portia says, good advice. She thanks Elizabeth, and gets in.

In another elevator, Sonny says he doesn’t think Joey is going to do anything stupid like that again, but Carly asks if he’s met the man; he’s pretty stupid. Sonny says, but he’s alone; he has no back up. Carly asks what Sonny did, and he says he took everything the Novaks had; their holdings, their people, everything. She says, really? and he laughs and says, yeah. She asks what he thinks the Novaks will say about that, and he says, to him, probably nothing. To Joey, probably a lot. She says, so instead of eliminating him, Sonny gave him a fate worse than death, and Sonny says, mercy is a funny thing. She says, just when she thought he couldn’t impress her more. Did Joey give him any idea who attacked him? He says, not at all, and she says, if it wasn’t Sonny, and it wasn’t her, who did it?

On Monday, Esme asks Spencer exactly how close he got to someone, Peter tells Britt there’s only one way off the island for her, Diane says it sounds like Carly misses being the one in charge, and Sonny says there’s something else he can do for someone.

😢 Ciao, Papa…

A sweet tribute from a loving son.

🎶 On a Happier Note…

The circle of life and all that.

👠 Picture Of Privilege…

I hate to say it, but it sounds like something that would come out of Ramona’s mouth.

💎 Phew…

Out of the hotseat and into the courtroom. Maybe.

💸 The Kindness Of Almost Strangers…

They were probably afraid of a lawsuit.

💰 The Wives You Didn’t Know You Needed…

Carolyn Stanbury? Maybe Lindsay Lohan? Excessive spending? Count me in.

https://autos.yahoo.com/autos/bravos-real-housewives-dubai-announcement-143820073.html

🤪 Old Frat Boy House…

These people all need to do something more meaningful with their lives. And probably get therapy.

Ciara From ‘Winter House’ Says Austen Kroll ‘Doesn’t Really Want’ Lindsay Hubbard – but Will They Sleep Together Again?

🍸 First World Problems…

Oh just cry, eat some ice cream, and move on.

🎃 Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop…

More costumes. From the soap world.

Halloween personified.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/10/29/heidi-klum-halloween-costume-2021-video-exclusive-pics/6175859001/

👩🏽‍💻 Quotes of the Week

Leaders who win the respect of others are the ones who deliver more than they promise, not the ones who promise more than they can deliver. – Mark A. Clement

No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has. – Henry Ward Beecher

It is mental slavery to cling to things that have stopped serving their purpose in your life. – Chinonye J. Chidolue

Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it. – Ann Landers

There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them. – Ray Bradbury

If you don’t believe me, then google it. – Cesar Faison (Anders Hove), General Hospital

If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there’d be a shortage of sand. – Milton Friedman

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. – James Baldwin

We’re at different points in our life, because we’re actually at different points in our life. – Robby Fakhouri, 90 Day Fiancé: The Single Life

🃏 Knowing When To Fold ‘Em…

Halloween is over – hello, left over fun size special dark Hershey bar – and it’s only a breath before we roll into what’s known as the holiday season. Try not to forget that little holiday called Thanksgiving. It always gets lost in the shuffle. See you in the Dead zone, but until then, stay safe, stay uninfluenced by so-called influencers, and stay remembering, just because someone is spoiled and angry, doesn’t mean they’re a psychopath. Most of the time.

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

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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.

August 6, 2021 – A Letter From Ryan, James Finally Makes a Decision, Sadness On Set, a Dinner, the Latest On Erika, Block Lifted, Everything Dead, Slightly More Than 10 Quotes & Free

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At Spring Ridge, Nikolas asks Sam how the investigation into Hayden’s shooting is going; any progress? Sam says, working on it, and he says, if anyone can figure it out, it’s her. The hard truth is, they may never know who shot Hayden. Alexis comes in, and says she’s glad to see Sam. They hug, and Nikolas asks if he can cut in on that. Does Alexis have a hug for her favorite nephew? She hugs him, and Sam says, he’s her only nephew; there’s no competition. Alexis says, it wouldn’t matter, and Sam asks if Alexis is doing okay. Alexis says she is, but the company leaves a lot to be desired. Sam says, Ryan? and Nikolas asks, how is Ryan?

Ava sits at a table by the pool (🍷), and Shawn comes along. She says, as she lives and breathes, and he says, good to see she’s still doing both. She says, despite the efforts of many. She heard he was out of prison. How long was it? He says, six years, and she says, all to protect Sonny. Was it worth it?

Carly leads Jax to a private room, and says they can talk in there instead of by the pool (🍷). No one can hear them. He says they didn’t need to before, and she says, before, they weren’t talking about the Novaks. He says, she means the mobster who accosted Josslyn? and she says, Josslyn wasn’t accosted; she was approached. He says, it wasn’t an act of violence, just the threat of one. She just got through telling him that nothing she and Jason have done has put Josslyn in harm’s way. It was obviously a lie.

Laura thanks Dante for meeting her at the MetroCourt, and he says, of course (🍷). They sit at a table, and he asks how New York was. She says, fine: very little traffic, and he says he assumes she didn’t want to meet up to talk about congestion on the FDR. She says, no. She was there to meet with Lulu’s doctors. He asks how Lulu is doing, and she says, the news is not good.

Anna is getting a shake at Kelly’s (which seems to be a thing now), when Finn and Elizabeth come in with Violet. Violet runs to Anna, who hugs her, and says, what a great surprise. She asks how Violet is, and Violet says, daddy’s team won the softball game. Anna congratulates Finn, and says she was just on her way out. Finn says, Violet’s excited about coming over for afternoon tea this Saturday, and Anna says she’s going to make some scones; it will be great. She gives Violet a kiss, and leaves. Outside, Joey Novak sits with his cronies, being loud. Elizabeth tells Violet, victory milkshakes are on her.

Jason does pushups in the boxing ring, and Spinelli calls. Jason says, Joey Novak approached Josslyn… No, she’s fine. He just needs to have a talk with this guy. Can Spinelli fine out where he is right away? Obrecht approaches the ring, dressed like a spy from a James Bond film, and asks if Jason is plotting an assassination, or is he busy arranging his upcoming nuptials? He tries to leave the ring, but she steps in front of him and says, nein. He will not get away free and clear this time. He was with her Britta at the most vulnerable moment of her life. She gets in the ring, and says, then he abandoned her for his best friend’s widow. What kind of man is he?

Jason tries to get past her, but that’s not happening. She says her daughter trusted him with her heart. She trusted him with her life. More important, Obrecht trusted him with Britt’s heart and life. Her Britta might be jaded, but next to Obrecht, she’s Heidi the something-I-don’t-catch maiden. He says he doesn’t… and she says, Heidi the orphan girl. She swears, he’s as illiterate as he is inconsiderate. He’s one of only three people who knows Britt has the genetic marker for Huntington’s, and when she needed him, he walked away. He says he knows. He let her down.

Violet says, the game was so fun. For a while, she thought their team was going to lose. Finn says, they were all worried they were going to lose, and Elizabeth says, Violet’s daddy really gave his all today. She couldn’t believe it when he stole third. Finn says having his daughter there to cheer him on really inspired him, and they clink milkshake glasses. A woman comes in, and says, Violet, is that you? Doesn’t Violet know her? She’s grandma. Violet runs to her and hugs her. Finn and Elizabeth look at each other like, whaaat?

Carly tells Jax, Josslyn is their daughter, not just his. He asks if she’s sure, because he’s the only one acting like a parent. She says he needs to calm down and back off, and he says, he needs to back off? She painted a target on Josslyn’s back, and he’s the one who needs to back off? Carly says she didn’t paint a target on Josslyn’s back; it’s the first time she’s been approached. He says, it better be the last, and she says, it will be. He says, good. Josslyn should never be put in the position where a rival crime family can threaten Carly by approaching her. Carly says she’s handling it, and he says, of course (🍷) she is. She is the head of the Corinthos Organization.

Shawn sits with Ava, and she asks if he regrets giving up years of his life for Sonny, only to be released after Sonny is no longer around to reward him? He says he can live with the decisions he’s made. Can she say the same? She says, touché, and asks if he’s there to get marching orders from the belle of the mafia, Carly. He says he doesn’t work for Carly; his choice. She says, in that case, she has a proposition for him. She needs a man.

Alexis says, Ryan is as locked in as ever, but there’s something she finds troubling. He has an aid who’s been helping him write letters. Sam says she thought his condition had him locked off from the rest of the world. How’s he even communicating? Alexis says, with his eyes; he blinks. She saw him dictate a letter that way. An excruciatingly slow process, but psychopaths are notoriously patient, and he’s got nothing but time, right? She was wondering if he’s abetting Ava’s stalker or actually is the stalker by proxy and using these coded messages through his writing. Nikolas says, anything is possible with that guy. They need to talk to his aide. Alexis says, one more thing. His aide, they know her. Sam asks, who is it? and Alexis says, there she is now. They see Harmony dealing with a patient.

Carly says she had to step up after Sonny died, and Jax says, had to? He hears, chose to. I wonder if Carly shouldn’t be wearing some foundational support with that dress, and she says it was the only way to protect her family. He says, that’s the biggest lie right there. If she’d walked away from Sonny’s business after he died, there would be nothing to protect them from. She says, that’s not how it works. It’s really easy for him to judge a complicated situation he knows nothing about. He says he knows his daughter – sorry, their daughter – is in danger because Carly is determined to hold on to Sonny’s territory. Just like he knows her marrying Jason is a business arrangement.

Laura tells Dante, Lulu’s doctors were very direct. They’ve been caring for her for eight months, and there’s been no improvement. He asks if she’s thought about looking at medicine beyond Western medicine; some kind of alternative medicine? She says she has, but it hasn’t produced any results. He says he doesn’t get it. She’s young, she’s healthy; there’s got to be something they can do. She says she’ll never give up on Lulu, but she’s given this a lot of thought, all the way back to Port Charles, and she thinks giving up isn’t the same as moving on.

Shawn says he’s listening, and Ava asks if he’s heard about the troubles she’s been having. He says he knows she and her husband are getting a divorce, but she says, a stalker. He says he also heard she had some trouble at the gallery, and she says, that was one incident of many. That’s why she needs a bodyguard. He looks at a guy lying on a lounge chair, and says, it seems she already has one; he can tell when someone’s carrying. She says, he works for Nikolas, and she has to make it perfectly clear that she’s cut all ties with Nikolas. He says, she needs to prove that o her stalker? and she says, yes. Sadly, it’s necessary, so she needs to hire her own protection. She was impressed with him back in the day. He says he didn’t think she liked him very much, and she says, he worked for Sonny. It was the competition, and his competence made her life difficult. She’s been out of the game for quite a while now, and so has he. They woudn’t have any conflicts of interest; they’d be on the same side. So what does he say? Will he protect her? She bats her eyelashes, and he laughs.

Nikolas says, isn’t that Shiloh’s disciple from Dawn of Day, who drugged Kristina? Sam says, Harmony. She actually flipped on Shiloh, and helped get him convicted. Alexis says, after aiding and abetting him for years. Nikolas says, maybe Ryan doesn’t need to send letters to the stalker. Maybe it’s someone he sees every day. He goes over to Harmony, and says they haven’t met, but he’s Nikolas Cassadine. She knows his cousin Sam. Harmony says hello to Sam, and he says it’s his understanding that she works for Ryan Chamberlain. She says, not exactly. She works for the Department of Corrections as a health aid at this facility. Mr. Chamberlain is one of several inmates she assists. Nikolas asks if her duties include doing Ryan’s dirty work, and Sam says, Nikolas. He says, just answer the question, and Harmony says, which is? He says, someone has been using Ryan’s playbook, including recordings of his voice to stalk and threaten his wife, so if she was involved in any way, it’s in her best interest to come clean right now.

Finn says he didn’t know Naomie was planning to visit, and she apologizes for the lack of advance notice, but she just couldn’t wait to see her granddaughter. He says she couldn’t call, text, or shoot off an email? and she tells him, you know what they say about hindsight. She says hello to Elizabeth, who barely responds, and says, Violet looks so much like her mother. Violet asks, where’s mommy?

Obrecht says she must hand it to Herr Morgan. His façade of quiet concern for her Britta, fooled even her, and she lowered her guard, letting him in. He says he hasn’t broken that confidence, and she says he only broke her Britta’s heart. Tell her, was everything they discussed that day a lie, or is his sole redeeming trait that he made sure Peter August’s absence continued? Anna has come in during the conversation, and has been listening. She asks what’s going on, but Jason gets a text, and jets while he can.

Obrecht puts on gloves, and Anna say she didn’t know Obrecht boxed. She says she doesn’t; she just likes to hit things. Anna says Obrecht proved that at the Rage Room, and Obrecht says Anna was pretty good herself. She could use a spotter. Anna holds the bag as Obrecht punches, and Obrecht says, Jason Morgan is lucky there’s no sledgehammer available today. Anna says, not to undermine her righteous anger at Jason, but Obrecht does realize he was just humoring her by listening to her tirade? Obrecht says, of course (🍷) she knows that. Despite his many glaring faults, he’s a chivalrous person. Perhaps he thought listening to her tirade was a way of paying penance for failing Britta. Anna says, perhaps. He doesn’t normally let people down. Obrecht says, then there really is a first time for everything. Anna asks what this has to do with Peter, and Obrecht says she thought, or at least hoped, that Jason played a role in Peter’s disappearance, which would mean Peter is six feet under the Pine Barrens where he’s no longer a trouble to anyone. Obrecht makes one last punch, and goes to towel down. She says she heard on the news that Anna is working with local investigators to locate Peter, and Anna says they’re sharing information. Obrecht says, perhaps in the spirit of generosity, Anna wants to share what the investigation has uncovered. Anna says, nein, and Obrecht says, no need to say anything now. Her inability to bring Peter to justice has taken it’s toll. So – she shoves the gloves at Anna – it’s her turn.

Shawn tells Ava that he’s not for hire anymore. He already has a job; finding the person who shot Hayden. She says someone hired him to investigate a cold case? but he says he’s working for himself now. She says, a noble pursuit, and she sees why he’d want to do it, but so much time has passed. He says, a cold trail is still a trail. Whoever did this needs to pay for what they did to Hayden, and him.

Harmony says she knows some people – Nikolas’s aunt among them – still think Ryan is dangerous. Sam says, Ryan is dangerous, and Harmony says, maybe before he was locked in. Sam says, as long as Ryan can communicate in any way – hell, as long as he’s breathing – Ryan Chamberlain is a threat. Nikolas asks how they know Harmony isn’t following his orders. She has access to him, and he communicates through her. Harmony says, it’s not telepathy. She points to letters on a board, and he blinks to let her know which ones he wants her to wrote down. Nikolas asks if Ryan is dictating letters or issuing instructions, and she says, okay. She’s sorry for whatever happened in his life that’s made him so afraid, but she’s there to assist Ryan with his comfort and correspondence. She’s not doing anyone’s bidding outside of this facility. Sam says, they’re supposed to take her word for that after everything Harmony did to her, and especially her little sister? Harmony says she can’t apologize enough for what she did. She was literally brainwashed, but she’s not anymore. What she is, is on parole, and she has no intention of going back to prison. She’s trying to turn her life around. Sam says she actually believes Harmony. From someone who’s also on parole, she knows where Harmony is coming from. Can Harmony at least tell them how long she’s been working with Ryan? Harmony says, a few weeks, and Alexis says, the stalker’s threats were going on long before that. Nikolas asks who he writes to, and Harmony says, lots of people; she doesn’t remember their names. Most of them don’t write back. In fact, most of the letters are returned unopened. Sam asks if the letters are at Spring Ridge, and Harmony says, yeah, but their harmless. There are no threats, there’s nothing unusual. They’re screened before they’re mailed. Nikolas says, maybe Ryan’s sending coded messages, and Alexis says, it woudn’t be the first time. Nikolas asks to see the letters.

Carly tells Jax, if she’s marrying Jason for love, business, or because she has nothing better to do on Thursday, that’s her business, not his. He says, that’s funny, because the last time he checked, where Josslyn’s safety is concerned, that is his business. He says, never mind. Just tell him what this incident with the Novak family actually means. Carly says, it wasn’t the Novak family, just one rogue idiot named Joey Novak.

Joey peeps into Kelly’s window, looking like a creeper, and Violet asks if her mommy is with Naomie. Naomie says she’s sorry, but no, and Elizabeth says Violet must be sticky from her milkshake, and suggests they get her cleaned up. They go to the bathroom, and Finn asks what the hell Naomie was thinking. She says, regarding? and he says, just stopping in like this after ignoring Violet for a year. She says she was in Europe, and he asks, what was the guy’s name? She says, what does it matter? It didn’t work out. Now all she wants is her family around her, and since she doesn’t know where her daughter is, that means her granddaughter. He doesn’t think that’s a good idea, but she says, please. Let her make it up to Violet. She’s begging him. Don’t punish her for her daughter’s mistakes. Finn asks what that’s supposed to mean.

Outside Kelly’s, one of Joey’s cronies asks why they’re hanging around; there’s no action here. Joey says, there’s about to be, and gets up. Jason walks up, and Joey says, took him long enough. If I were Jason, I’d grab Joey by the ear, and bring him to his uncle.

Harmony says she can’t let them see the letters. Ryan still has a right to privacy, never mind that they’re someone else’s letters, and that’s illegal. Alexis says, mail theft. It’s a Federal crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years. Nikolas says, then he won’t get caught, and Harmony says, he won’t, because he’s not getting anywhere near those letters. Nikolas asks if she did any research. Does she have any idea what Ryan’s done? She says she’s aware, and Nikolas says, if there’s any chance Ryan is sending coded messages, and continuing to torment people, how can she let that continue? She says, because she can’t lose her job, and she can’t do more time. She’s sorry.

Shawn brings Ava a drink, and she says, now that he’s back out in the world, where is he staying? He says, TJ and Molly, and Alexis’s house, and she says, that’s great. She hopes he and TJ are making up for lost time, but he says, TJ and Molly are so busy, they’re hardly ever there. In the meantime, he’s looking for his own place. She says she can understand that. She has to ask. Now that he’s a free man, and she’s a free woman, him and Jordan? He says, that’s the past, and she says she thought they were pretty serious before he went to Pentenville. He says, before he found out Jordan was a DEA agent, or TJ was his son? She says, sometimes a fresh start is best, and toasts to fresh starts. They clink glasses.

As Anna punches the bag, she says, Obrecht knows she can’t share information from an ongoing investigation with her, but Obrecht doesn’t see why not. She’s hardly a stranger to the case. Did her family not suffer because of Peter? Anna says, yeah, and Obrecht says, was Nathan not killed because Peter lured Faison to Port Charles? Maxie was terrorized, and her baby kidnapped on Peter’s orders. Anna says she agrees with Obrecht; Peter has a long reach. Obrecht says, how disappointing to hear her speak of him in the present tense.

Dante asks if Laura has been talking to his mother, and Laura says, about what? He says, about what’s going on with Lulu. He guesses Olivia is just worried about him. Between being a cop and being a dad, and these visits with Lulu, she thinks he might be a little stuck in limbo. Laura asks if that’s how he feels too, and he says he didn’t think about it until Olivia brought it up. Laura says, now that she has? and he says, life is busy. With Rocco and being back on the force, he’s got a full plate. She says, but? and he says, there are things he could have in his life beyond being a cop and being a dad, and he doesn’t want to run anymore. He never stopped loving Lulu. She says she knows, but she doesn’t expect him to wait for her.

Carly says she’s texting Jax the contact information for Josslyn’s bodyguard, and Jax says, fantastic. A bodyguard. What every college freshman dreams of. Carly says, Devon is discreet, and he looks young, so he’ll blend in on campus. He says she just got him thinking. His daughter’s first year of college, having someone there to look out for her might not be such a bad idea. She says, Cameron will be there too, and Trina. He says, Josslyn’s been through a lot. Having two good friends there is fantastic.

Finn asks what Naomie means by Hayden’s mistakes, and she says, abandoning Violet of course (🍷). He asks if she’s sure she doesn’t know where Hayden is, and she says she only wishes she did. Now will he give her a chance to reconnect with her granddaughter? Violet and Elizabeth come back out, and Violet asks if Naomie is staying, Finn says, grandma has to go, but they’ll see about setting up a playdate in the future. Violet says they can have a tea party, and Naomie says she’d like nothing more. She’s staying at the Woodbridge Motel until she finds a more permanent place. Finn says, she’s moving to Port Charles? and Elizabeth says, permanently? Naomie says she’s wasted too much of her granddaughter’s life already. She doesn’t want to waste another second. She sends Finn her number, and says she hopes he calls soon. He says, like he told her, they’ll figure something out. Naomie says she’ll see Violet soon and leaves. No hug, no anything, which is really weird. Elizabeth says, what was that?

Jason tells Joey that he crossed the line when he spoke to Josslyn Jax. Joey says he doesn’t know; she seemed receptive. (Another clueless man!) He says, a pretty girl like that, and Jason steps closer. He says, further contact with Josslyn will result in full retaliation. Joey asks if this is coming from him or from Mrs. Corinthos. She’s the one in charge, right? Jason says Joey is in over his head, making trouble nobody wants, not even his own family. His uncle will not tolerate this show of disrespect, and neither will the other families. Joey literally snorts, and says he’ll take his chances. He walks off, the rest of his idiots following.

Laura says she prays for Lulu’s recovery every day and always will, but she knows her daughter, and knows Lulu wouldn’t want her to put her life on hold just to sit by her bedside every day. Lulu wouldn’t want that for him either. Every day they get to be in the world, laughing, crying, watching the sunrise; they are all precious, and she knows Lulu would want him to live them to the fullest. For Rocco too, because Dante has to show him how. Dante knows Laura is right, and Lulu would be okay with whatever changes may come… She asks if he’s met someone.

Sam hugs Alexis goodbye, saying she has to pick up something for her kids. The next time she won’t bring Nikolas’s problems with her. He says he heard that, and she says she meant for him to hear it. Next time he wants to question someone, go away and let her do it. Nikolas says, pity she has to go, and Alexis tells them to quit it. Kiss the kids, and get a brownie at Kelly’s; tell them it’s from her. Sam leaves, and Alexis tells Nikolas it’s too bad they couldn’t get through to Harmony. He says, maybe Sam was right and he pushed too hard, and Alexis says, she was and he did. But she understands why it’s important to him. He says, the only way to stop the divorce is to identify the stalker, and prove there’s no longer a threat. Harmony comes in with a stack of files and sets them on the table. She says, dammit. She hopes she doesn’t accidentally misplace Ryan’s file with those letters in it. She’ll just come back and look for them in about 20 minutes. She leaves, leaving Ryan’s file behind.

Shawn tells Ava that he’s sorry about Kiki. He sees her face, and says he didn’t mean to upset her, but she says, it’s okay. She’ll take any reminder. He says, and Avery? and Ava says, she’s perfect. She’s wonderful. She’s a delightful little chatterbox, always has been. She misses her dad, of course (🍷). Right now she’s staying with Carly, since Ava doesn’t think it’s safe for Avery to be with her. He says she really thinks the stalker would hurt Avery? and she says, yes. He broke into their hotel suite, and left a teddy bear for her to find; a bear with Ryan Chamberlain’s voice. He says, that’s messed up, and she says, it’s very messed up. She can’t forget it. Avery standing there with an unfamiliar toy with an unmistakable voice.

Finn puts headphones on Violet, and sets her up with an activity book. Elizabeth asks if Naomie said anything about Hayden, and Finn says, only that she doesn’t know where Hayden is. Elizabeth wonders how much contact Naomie should have with Violet, and he says he’s just worried it will make Violet miss her mother more, and ask more questions that he doesn’t know the answers to. How does he explain Hayden’s absence when he doesn’t understand it himself?

Anna says, one usually refers to the subject of a manhunt in the present tense, and Obrecht asks if she’s saying it wasn’t Peter’s body that had law enforcement crawling in the basements and subbasements of GH. Anna tells her, she can say this, if Peter were dead, she’d tell Maxie right away. She couldn’t allow Maxie to continue to be in fear of her life. Obrecht says she’ll continue to hope Peter has been dispatched, but until they know for sure, they must all be on their guard. Peter is his father’s son, and she and Anna know better than anyone how people underestimated Faison. They would assume he was dead, only to meet their own demise. Anna says she won’t believe Peter’s dead until she sees his body herself.

Anna and Obrecht sit on a bench near the ring, sipping drinks from Kelly’s, agreeing that they’re refreshing. Anna says, they could do with a smoothie bar, and Obrecht says, or a water fountain. As for Kelly’s, their attempt at schnitzel was an attempt at sadness. It’s good to know they can get something right. Anna says, despite their differences, she doesn’t think anyone understands their aggression the way they do. Obrecht says, in the meantime, she looks forward to Peter’s capture… or death. She’s partial to the latter. May it be slow, excruciating, and final.

Finn packs up Violet’s stuff at Kelly’s, and Violet says, now that grandma’s back, maybe she can take her to see mommy. He says, we’ll see, and she says, that means no, doesn’t it? Elizabeth pays the check, and Sam comes in. She says she was going to call Sam, and Sam asks what she did this time. Elizabeth says, yesterday, Sam asked her about Hayden. Guess who showed up in town today? Her mother, Naomie Dreyfuss.

Dante says he’s not seeing anyone, and Laura says, don’t panic. She’s not there to give him the third degree. Besides, she thinks Olivia probably has that one covered. He says, she does. He thinks she should be recruited for the PCPD because if she doesn’t badger a confession out of a perp, she can coax it out of them with her ziti. Laura says if he needs mayoral approval, he’s got it. When he starts dating again – and he will – she doesn’t want him to feel he needs to hide it from her. She considers him a part of her family; he’ll always be a part of her family. All she wants for him is his happiness.

Carly says, so both she and Jax are going to PCU’s Parents Week? and he says, them, and her security team. She tells him to give it a rest, when there’s a knock at the door. She says, come in, and Jason asks if she’s got a minute. Jax asks if Jason knows Josslyn was approached by Joey Novak today. Did he handle it? Jason says he did, and Carly says they can talk about Parents Week another time. Jax says he can see the happy couple wants to whisper sweet battle plans into each other’s ears, and Carly says he needs to let it go. He says he doesn’t think he will, and leaves. Jason closes the door, and Carly asks, what’s going on? He says, something’s up. Joey was way too confident when he confronted him about Josslyn. She says, confident how? and he says, when he told Joey that his uncle and the other families woudn’t tolerate this show of disrespect, he laughed it off. She asks if he thinks Joey has allies, and he says, could be. Let’s go. They leave and Jax watches.

Shawn tells Ava, this was actually quite pleasant, and she says he doesn’t have to sound so surprised. He says he’s not. He tells her to take care of herself, and leaves. His phone rings, and it’s Sam, who says she just got some very interesting news. Hayden’s mother is in town.

Ava calls Avery and asks, how was her day?… She misses her too. So much.

Nikolas and Alexis go through the letters, and Nikolas says, Seattle, Chicago, Milwaukee, Chicago again, Venezuela, Russia… It’s mostly university professors and psychiatrists. She says, offering his medical expertise on mental health. When she  thinks of the arrogance… She stops, and he says, what is it? She shows him an envelope addressed to Spencer in France.

On Monday, Scotty wonders if they’re about to get rich, Austin thinks he has a way to turn this long shot into a sure thing, and Alexis says, no need to panic.

Million Dollar Listing New York

Steve talked about how much he loved living in the apartment in Chelsea; it was where they brought Rose home and became a family. He’d convinced the owners to let him sell apartments there, and done well, so he asked for more apartments. He’d been given two 3 bedroom apartments and one 4 bedroom. They were harder to sell, so he actually put on a suit, which was rare. First up was a 3 bedroom, 4 bath, just under 3000 square feet, going for $7.450 million. Steve said the building was a piece of art in architecture, and I had to agree. It was designed by Zaha Hadid, a Pulitzer Prize winning architect, who, sadly, had passed away. The coolest thing about it was the glass curtain wall construction with hand-hammered steel, which was a constant photo op for people passing by. Amenities included a 75’ skylit pool, a spa suite that could be booked privately, a kids innovation lab that I would have loved to play in. In Steve’s interview, he said he could show the amenities with passion and pride since he knew what it was like to live there. There was a private IMAX theater, and an automated parking garage, although the garage was a little pricey, costing around another $500K for a spot. But if you’ve ever had to park in NYC, you might actually think that was worth it. In his interview, Steve said the building was amazing, but there was a lot of inventory on the market, so he had his work cut out for him.

Ryan’s Australian buyer James had been shown a million place, but none of them hit home for him. Really? Ryan was super frustrated, and I didn’t get WTF this guy wanted either. All the showings were being done virtually, and since James didn’t even know the city, he was an ignoramus. In Ryan’s interview, he wanted to sell an apartment on the other side of the world without the client actually being there, since it would be a major achievement.

Meanwhile, KJ was in Switzerland with her family, visiting her in-laws. While she was there, good friend Giovanni called he about selling one of his assets in Tribeca. He’d been renting it at $30K a month, but the tenants were moving, and Giovanni thought it was time to sell and invest in something new. Because of travel restrictions, Giovanni couldn’t travel from Italy, but agreed to have mutual friend Jacopo show her around. The apartment had been KJ’s first big sale for $3.6 million in 2012. It had been a foreclosure and took a year of negotiations. It had made her feel like a badass broker. The apartment was gorgeous (like there are ugly ones on this show), 3652 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, and 10½’ ceilings. It was the old Sugarloaf building, built in 1882, which had been converted into condos in 1992, and housed a lot of celebrities, like Orlando Bloom, Taylor Swift, and the Olsen Twins. Although it had been renovated, a lot of original details remained, like cast iron columns. In her interview, KJ said those details equaled dollars. Jacopo thought KJ could bring in $10 million, but she thought that was a little ambitious for the market. She was thinking along the lines of $9.4, but Jacopo said Giovanni didn’t need to sell, and would rent again until the market improved if he couldn’t get the price he wanted. She had a two-week window to sell, which she said in her interview, was nearly impossible. The potential commission was $300K, and KJ said, it would be like closing the circle.

Ryan had a place on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street that he thought would be perfect for James, and checked all the boxes. It was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, all on one level, a full-service building, and within James’s budget. He met with the seller’s rep Michelle, and noted the spectacular views (he was not kidding about that – they were to die for) and beautiful finishes. In his interview, he said you couldn’t get more NYC than being on Fifth Avenue. He got James and broker Sammi on separate phones to give the tour. The apartment was 1554 square feet and 10’ ceilings for $3.950. James said it was just what he was looking for, and they were almost there. He wanted something bigger. Michelle said she did have something bigger, but it was in the mid sixes, so a different price point. I had the feeling there was just no pleasing this jerk. In Ryan’s interview, he said it was called the upsell. You thought he didn’t have any more listings in his pockets? That’s what he had pockets for. The other apartment had the same views, but was 1954 square feet, had 2.5 baths, was on a higher floor with 11’ ceilings, and priced at $6.725 million. Ryan said he’d have to invent new boxes for James to find more to check. James whined that it was hard to tell what you could fit without it being furnished, and Ryan was like, really? James said, spot on, mate, but still made no commitment, saying he’d get back to Ryan after he and Sammi had a chat.

Emelia brought Zena over to Steve’s for a playdate with Rose, since the girls were besties now. Steve told Zena that she had better style than her father in her sweet bunny outfit. Ryan thought he might have some buyers for the 4 bedroom, but wanted to check it out himself first, so they were killing two birds with one stone. As apartments had gone down in price, Steve’s had been $12 million, but now the same one upstairs was going for $8.995 million. Steve showed Ryan around his own place, and his closet was pretty amusing with a clothes rack where 50 of the same white T-shirts were hanging. Ryan thought if the price was right, the upstairs apartment would work for his clients. He thought Chelsea was the perfect neighborhood for a family new to NYC.

KJ was busting her ass looking for buyers, but had no offers yet. She told Jacopo that it was against odds, but she was hopeful for the weekend. In her interview, she said it would mean a lot to her to sell it the second time around. KJ had several showings, including a virtual one with an Italian architect who was looking for a second home, but she said the market was speaking loud and clear, and confirming what she thought – it was overpriced.

Ryan had good news and bad news for James. The apartment he’d liked had been sold. In Ryan’s interview, he said someone had literally swooped in and bought it, which sucked, since it was the only one James showed real interest in. The good news was that there was another off-market apartment available. It was the same exact layout and footage, but on the 46th floor (the other had been on the 50th), and on the opposite side of the building. The original price was $6.7 million, and had been dropped to $6.1 million, but Ryan thought he could get it down the mid fives. James wanted to see the view, but Ryan said there was no time. There was already a potential buyer who hadn’t pulled the trigger, but was in conversation. By the time he was able to show it to James, it would already be too late. This sloth of an Australian was literally learning the meaning of the American phrase, you snooze, you lose. Still, he said he’d need to see the floorplans and have a chat with Sammi before submitting an offer. In his interview, Ryan said James needed to act quickly or he’d lose this one too. He got on the phones with James and Sammi, and James suggested starting with 30% off the original asking price, which was $4.750 million. I literally laughed out loud. In Ryan’s interview, he said, while it could sometimes be bad giving a low offer when other buyers were already bidding, he didn’t know what the other offers were, and at least James’s foot was in the door. He sent Michelle the offer, which she said was too low, but $5.5 million would get the deal done. Since James seems to have a brain issue, he offered $5 million, to which Michelle said if he didn’t come up, they were going with the other buyer. Back on the phones, Sammi suggested $5.2 million, and Ryan said he was like the United Nations of real estate right now. Ryan put in the offer, and told James and Sammi that they’d pushed, and he was sorry, but James would have to buy a condo in NYC for $5.2 million. In his interview, he said, this was the future of real estate, selling anywhere, and it felt good.

Next time, an apartment 900 feet in the air selling for $29 million, and Ryan calls one of Fredrik’s clients directly

Photo

Steve’s Chelsea Building

📽 Could Be Worse…

At least he died doing what he loved.

https://ew.com/tv/general-hospital-jay-pickett-dies-movie-set/

🍽 Drama Be Damned…

No matter the drama, you still gotta eat.

https://pagesix.com/2021/08/03/ramona-singer-eboni-k-williams-have-dinner-amid-rhony-drama/

👠 And This Is Just the Beginning…

Speaking of Wives drama, the latest Erika news.

https://pagesix.com/2021/08/05/erika-jayne-accuses-garcelle-beauvais-of-betraying-her/

https://pagesix.com/2021/08/05/erika-jayne-feels-bravo-pulled-a-fast-one-with-garcelle-spat/

https://pagesix.com/2021/07/30/erika-jaynes-inconsistent-statements-from-rhobh-to-be-used-in-court/

🔧 David’s Condition…

These kids have a shrink already, right?

David Beador Allows Daughters to Film RHOC Under This One Condition After Producers Step in, Plus Shannon Beador Shares Why Ex Wanted to Block Kids From Show

⚰️ Bring Out Your Dead…

What’s going on with Season 11.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11-original-story-not-from-comics-producer-denise-huth-the-reapers/

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11-lauren-cohan-maggie-returns-different-person-denise-huth/

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11-trailer-live-for-them-fight-survival-alexandria/

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11-two-new-cast-members-ian-anthony-dale-laurie-fortier/

📬 Quotes of the Week

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.Oscar Wilde

It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then. – Lewis Carroll

What you’re thinking is what you’re becoming. – Muhammad Ali

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. – Dennis P. Kimbro

A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. – Mark Twain

If you can’t laugh at yourself, at least let me do it. – Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen), Two and a Half Men

You’ve been given the innate power to shape your life…but you cannot just speak change, you have to LIVE change. Intent paired with action builds the bridge to success. You can’t just want it; you have to do it, live it…BE it! Success isn’t something you have, it’s something you DO!Steve Maraboli   

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. – Brad Meltzer

When two opposite points of view are expressed with equal intensity, the truth does not necessarily lie exactly halfway between them. It is possible for one side to be simply wrong. – Richard Dawkins

Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering. – Santosh Kalwar

🛣 Am I There Yet…?

This week has been at least a year long, but hey, there’s another one coming. Regrouping, but until then, stay safe, stay doing things you love, and stay being notoriously patient. It’s not just for psychopaths anymore.

July 30, 2021 – Spencer Fake Pleads With Ava, New Lease On Life, Soap Celebration, Happy Birthday, Support, Pushy Countess, Be Better, Possible Ax, New Status, Rumors, Dead Talk, Quotes Tenfold & Hello

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer asks if Ava thinks they can put the past behind them and start fresh. Is it possible they can declare a truce? He holds out his hand, and she hesitates for a moment, but takes it, and they shake. She says she appreciates the offer, but he doesn’t have to worry about forging a relationship with her. She’s out of Nikolas’s life now. He says, it didn’t look that way a little while ago.

Jason comes into the MetroCourt, and asks if Carly is ready to go. She asks if he’s ready for this, and he says, for Wiley’s birthday party? Sure. He managed to get all the gifts in the car. She says, there weren’t that many, and he gives her a face. She says he knows what she’s talking about. This is their first family thing as a couple. He asks if she’s nervous.

Michael knocks at the gatehouse door, and Willow motions him in. He hands her some cellophane tape, and she thanks him, saying, she thought she’d have to break out the masking tape. He says he’s surprised he found any, considering the mounds of presents and all the decorations. She asks if they’re spoiling him, and he says, absolutely, but it’s Wiley’s birthday, so they get a pass. They’ll let him have all his presents and balloons… She says, don’t forget about cupcakes, and he says Wiley reminded him this morning. Now everything’s all set for their birthday boy.

Brook comes in to find Chase messing with some balloons, and says, look at him. She looks around the room, and says, look at this. He says, this is Olivia’s work. He followed her around with a tape dispenser. It is funny how Brook reappeared just when the decorating is finished. She says, timing is everything. She sent Yuri down to help. He says, good thing. He couldn’t help hang the banner for anything. She says, it will happen soon enough, and he says, not soon enough for him. He can’t wait to walk up to Willow, and show her that he’s back.

Shawn meets Sam in the park, and she hands him some coffee. She says she hopes he didn’t mind meeting her there. She had to drop Scout off at Lila’s Kids. He says he loves it outdoors; he can’t get enough of it. She says she’s the same way, and it sure beats the exercise at Pentenville. He asks why she wanted to meet, and she says she’s afraid she has bad news.

There’s a knock at Elizabeth’s door, and she lets in Nikolas, who asks if she’s okay. She sounded stressed on the phone. She mentioned Hayden; has she heard from her? She says, unfortunately, no. He asks, what’s going on? and she says Sam was there, asking about the time Hayden was shot. It made her remember something. He says, dammit. He knew this was going to happen.

Chase tells Brook, Willow is at the gatehouse and he’s upstairs. He doesn’t feel like they can start their life together yet. He’s so sick of this chair; he can’t do anything. She says, excuse me. He’s the one who sang Bailey to sleep, which is more than she can manage, and Bailey loved it. He says, she did seem pretty blissed out, which is puzzling to him since Brook took so long to get her settled. Brook tells him, let it go, and says, this place looks like a birthday party on steroids. They didn’t need her help. Kids Wiley’s age are more interested in the boxes anyway. (Truth!) He bets her 50 bucks it doesn’t hold a candle to the parties she’ll throw for Bailey, and she says, he’s on. They shake, and she says they’ll see if Wiley’s more interested in the gifts or the boxes. Valentin walks in with Austin, and says, look who he found. Brook asks what Austin is doing there.

Elizabeth says, so Nikolas knows what she’s talking about, and he says, Sam spoke to him as well. He told her that he didn’t know where Hayden was, and she should just leave it alone. The last thing he wanted was for Sam to come there and upset Elizabeth with questions about her sister, on top of everything else. She says he’s right; she’s upset. Shawn has spent all those years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Nikolas says, Alexis explained the situation. Of course (🍷) Shawn shouldn’t pay for a crime he didn’t do, but he pled guilty. She says, now that Shawn denied shooting Hayden, it made her wonder, who did? She remembered something Nikolas said back then; something she didn’t want to believe – that he had Hayden shot.

Ava tells Spencer that she and Nikolas plan to keep their divorce civil and drama free, but make no mistake, the marriage is over. He says, let him guess. Father doesn’t agree. She says, well, he knows his father. He wants what he wants, and doesn’t take no for an answer. Spencer says, sounds like him.

Jason asks who Carly is nervous about seeing. Is it Monica? He talked with her, and they went through all the history with AJ… She says she’s not nervous that way; it’s just the transition. All the family things they’ve gone to over the years, they’re now going as a couple. She was talking to Laura last night, and wondering if it’s too soon after Sonny, and how people’s perception might bother her, how it might diminish her love for Sonny, and how it’s hard for her. She knows they have to get married, and she knows it’s the right thing to do, but it’s difficult. He says, they both know why they’re doing this. They made the best choice they could. So now they just have to move forward with it. She says she’s glad he’s in this with her.

Austin hands Brook a wrapped gift, and says he’s there because Michael invited him. He said it was a family celebration. Brook says, it’s just that he’s early, and he tells her, his mother always said, if you’re on time, you’re late. She says, that makes no sense, and he asks if she argues with her mother. She says, all the time, and he asks if she wins. She says, okay, and puts the gift with the others. Chase introduces himself, and Valentin says he should have made the introductions. Sorry about that. Monica comes in, and says she’s glad Austin could make the family celebration. Has he met everybody? Austin says he has, and Valentin says, so it’s true. Austin is a legitimate Quartermaine?

Michael holds his finger in the middle of the ribbon, and Willow makes a bow. I have to say, I’ve never made a bow that way, or seen anyone else do it. She says, and that’s that, and he asks if she’s really okay. She says, sure, and he says she’s going out of her way to make sure Wiley’s birthday celebration is happy and joyful, but he knows this is also the anniversary of her son’s death. He’s been thinking about him too. For the longest time, Michael thought Jonah was his son, so it’s a bittersweet day. She says, this morning when she was putting flowers on Jonah’s grave, the birds were singing so loudly, like they were serenading him. He wishes they could have gone together, and she says, Chase was there. Michael is glad she wasn’t alone, and she says, it was Chase who told her that her baby had died. He held her as that awful truth sunk in, and she grieved. He comforted her, and got her through this unimaginable time in her life, and she’ll always be grateful to him, but she wishes Michael had been with her.

A woman goes to Jonah’s grave, and leaves flowers.

Nicholas says, they both know he didn’t shoot Hayden, and Elizabeth says, no, they don’t both know. She remembers that time in The Floating Rib when she asked him point blank if he’d done it, praying he’d say no, but he didn’t. He said he had Hayden shot to protect her. He says, it was a long time ago; emotions were high. She says, Hayden was blackmailing them for the mess she made with Drew, lying to him to hold on to him. Nikolas says, there was plenty of upheaval back then, but when she was able to catch her breath, and asked him about Hayden again, he came clean. He admitted he’d been lying. Doesn’t she remember?

Sam and Shawn sit on a bench, and Sam says, neither Elizabeth or Nikolas know where Hayden is, or know where to find her. Any progress on finding Hayden’s mother? He says, Naomi Dreyfuss is not returning his calls, and Sam says, they’re back to square one. He says, Curtis told him that he’d check his notes from when he originally worked on the case, but he didn’t sound too encouraging. She says, what did they expect? It’s a six year old case. It’s not impossible to turn up new leads, but it’s going to take some time. They’ll have to find some witnesses and try and jog their memories. The ones that are still alive anyway. He says she’s thinking of Drew. First, his name is Jake Doe, then he’s Jason Morgan, then he turns out to be Jason’s twin Drew Cain, the man Sam married and had a child with. She says, it’s pretty ironic, isn’t it? When Shawn was the one who was supposed to kill him that night.

Spencer says he can see his father is struggling without Ava, which is a real change, considering he’d insisted their marriage was a sham, and the only reason he stayed with Ava was to preserve their family money. No offense. She says, none taken. That was exactly how their marriage started. It was a cold-blooded business arrangement. Then she and Nikolas surprised themselves, falling in love along the way. But the stalker has made it clear he won’t stop as long as they’re together, and she won’t risk Avery’s safety. He says, then she’s adamant about going through with the divorce, and she says, whether Nikolas likes it or not. He says, then why does she keep sending his father mixed signals?

Monica says they’re still waiting for the DNA test results, and Valentin says, so this is a case of keeping your enemies close? She says she doesn’t consider Austin an enemy, and Valentin says, Ned and Michael do. A word to the wise, being a Quartermaine is a study in Darwinism, survival of the fittest. Austin says, he tries to stay reasonably fit, and Valentin says, having an ally helps. Monica says, let her guess. That would be him. Warnings, Austin; warnings all around. Valentin says he knows what it’s like to be an outsider in a powerful family, and Brook says she’s been meaning to speak to Valentin about Bailey, and drags him into the foyer. Monica thanks Chase for taking care of the decorations, and asks if she can get anybody something to drink.

In the foyer, Valentin asks if Brook really wanted to talk to him about something, or did she just want to get him away from Austin? She says, it was a big, fat attempt to stop him from sucking up to that interloper, and he says he thought he was the interloper. She tells him, stop. What he needs to do is back off. If Austin is a real Q, does Valentin really think Austin is going to side with him over his family? He says, we’ll see, and she says, overconfident much? He says he usually gets what he wants, and she says, but not always.

Willow tells Michael that they should get the gifts up to the main house. Wiley will be up from his nap soon, and the guests will be arriving. She holds open a bag, and he says, whatever doesn’t fit, he’ll carry. As they put the gifts in the bag, their hands touch, and Willow pulls away. She says, next year, on Wiley’s birthday, Chase will be walking, and they can be together. He says he’ll wake them up with a puppy, and she says, they’ll all cuddle in the bed; the puppy too. They’ll come down and make birthday pancakes. He says, they’ll see Jonah and hear the birds. They’ll have a birthday celebration with family, and when Wiley’s worn out, they’ll put him and the puppy to bed, and it’s their turn. She says, next year, and he says, next year, and they start kissing.

Elizabeth tells Nikolas, she remembers both conversations. The first one weighed on her. Then she remembers calling and asking him to meet her at work. He says, they talked in the stairwell so no one would hear them. We flash back to Elizabeth telling Nikolas that she hasn’t been able to sleep since he told her what he did to Hayden. She never asked him to do that. He says, Hayden is going to be fine. She’s talking. She doesn’t know that Jake is Jason. Elizabeth says, he had her shot, but he says, no, he didn’t. He lied. Shawn confessed that he’s the one who shot Hayden. She asks why would Nikolas say he did it? and he says, it’s stupid. He wanted her to think he’d do anything for her. She asks what she’s supposed to do with that. If he lied, how is she supposed to believe him now? He says, because Shawn confessed. Why would he confess if he’s not guilty? He’s ashamed he lied to her, but he wanted her to love him because he loves her. He sees now that’s not going to happen. In the present, Nikolas says he swallowed his pride and told her the truth. She says, told her the truth, or told her what she wanted to hear? He needs to be honest. They both know Shawn didn’t shoot Hayden. Was it him?

Monica says, Austin has met Chase, and he says he has, and asks where Chase fits in to this Quartermaine puzzle. Chase says he’s Willow’s husband, and Willow is Wiley’s mom. Dr. Quartermaine has been kind enough to let him stay there while he recovers. He tells Monica that he can’t thank her enough, and hopes to be out of there soon, but she tells him that he can stay as long as he wants. She says, Austin is a new doctor on staff at General Hospital. Chase says, that’s great, and Austin says, it is. Monica excuses herself to see if everything is ready, and when she’s gone, Austin slides closer to Chase. He says, from one outsider to another, what does he think about these Quartermaines? Does he have to watch his back like Valentin says?

Valentin says, presently, he has a beautiful new daughter, and he’s the CEO of a company that’s highly profitable, both of which he owes to Brook. She tells him, don’t count your chickens, and he asks if she really thinks the family is going to vote him out. She asks if he thinks he can stop them, and he says he thinks she’s worried he might. He believes she thinks Austin is going to prove himself and side with him, and that’s why she’s watching Austin like a hawk. She asks, who says she’s watching Austin? and Valentin says he does. He can see she’s clearly shaken by that man.

Willow and Michael kiss some more. She starts to walk away, but he pulls her back. Carly knocks at the door, and  Michael and Willow quickly separate. Carly walks in with Jason, and Michael says they were just finishing up with Wiley’s gifts. Carly hugs Willow, saying, she can’t believe Wiley is three. She asks where the birthday boy is, and Willow says, he’s at the main house, probably just waking up from his nap any minute. Carly suggests Michael and Jason take the presents, and she’ll hang out with Willow for a minute. Michael says they can all go together, but Willow tells him to go ahead. Michael and Jason leave with Wiley’s gifts, and Carly asks, what are you two doing?

Brook tells Valentin, she’s not shaken by Austin. As far as she’s concerned, the jury is still out on the guy. Austin delivers Maxie’s baby, and then leaves the crazy nurse to run off with Louise? Valentin says, after being knocked unconscious, and she says, she just wonders if he knows more than he says. He just happens to be hiking at the exact same moment in the exact same place Maxie happens to be having her baby. And then, it just so happens he owns the house where Peter and that crazy henchwoman bring Maxie? Valentin asks if she thinks Austin is involved in Louise’s kidnapping, and she says, she won’t go that far. Let’s just say she’s keeping an eye on the guy.

Chase tells Austin, the Quartermaines have always been good to him. They have strong personalities, but big hearts. Austin says, that’s not their reputation, and Chase says, they’re an intense family. They take some getting used to, but they protect their own and band together when it counts. If Austin’s claim is legit – Austin says, it is – he’ll find his place. He can’t be thin-skinned though. Austin says he’s not afraid of a little bloodletting; he’s a doctor. He asks what Chase does, and Chase says he’s a detective with the PCPD. Austin says, super. Any leads on Maxie’s baby?

Ava tells Spencer that she’s not sending his father mixed signals. She’s been clear that they can’t be together. He says, yet he just saw them in, shall we say, a close moment. She says she didn’t mean for that to happen, and he says, it doesn’t matter what she intends. It matters what she does. She says, excuse me. Didn’t he just approach her requesting a truce? What happened to that olive branch?

Brook asks what they’re talking about, and Austin asks where her better half is. She says, Valentin is feeding Bailey, and Chase says, Austin was just asking about the search for Maxie’s baby, which he can’t talk about. But how lucky was Maxie that he was hiking in the woods when he was? Austin says he’s the lucky one. He’s glad he was there. Maxie did great. The delivery was remarkably simple given the circumstances. It’s only afterwards, that things became problematic, and even then, only for him, because he keeps having this peculiar dream. In the dream, he’s there, and helps Maxie deliver her baby, and gets conked in the head. This is where the peculiar dream gets weird. He keeps hearing these two women talking, which is so weird, because Maxie was alone when he woke up. Chase says, maybe his subconscious heard the fake nurse and Maxie, and Austin says, maybe. Brook looks pretty rattled.

Willow tells Carly that she and Michael are raising Wiley together, that’s all. Carly says she knows her son, and Michael loves her. Is Willow telling her that she doesn’t feel the same? Willow says she couldn’t live with herself if she abandoned Chase when he needed her most, and Carly says, that’s because she’s a kind and loyal person. Carly admires that about her, but sometimes the best of intentions can lead to the worst outcomes. An act of kindness can cause more harm than good. Lord knows, she’s in no position to pass out advice. She’s made more than her share of mistakes, and told more than her share of lies. At the time, she told herself that she had a good reason, and she’s sure Willow does too, but it’s clear she and Jason walked in on something. She’s just glad it was them and not somebody else. Willow has a terrible poker face. It’s almost impossible for Willow to hide her feelings for Michael, and if Carly can see how much she loves him, other people are going to see it too.

Michael wonders if he shouldn’t go back and get Willow; she’s probably being grilled by his mom. Jason says, Willow told him to go, right? and Michael says his mom means well, but… Jason asks if he has something on his mind. They sit at the patio table, and Michael says, Jason knows, right? That he’s in love with Willow. Jason says, okay. Does she feel the same? Michael says, she only married Chase because of his health. They were waiting to tell Chase until he can walk again. He feels happy and guilty at the same time. He never thought he’d be the other man. Jason tells him not to fault himself for having feelings. He has to trust himself. He’ll figure it out, and make the right decision. He never worries about Michael. Michael thanks Jason for his vote of confidence. He knows Jason has his own challenges he’s going through. Jason can always count on him. Jason says he appreciates that. And now, about all these gifts. Michael says he knows it’s crazy, but he’s not going to go overboard all the time. It’s just one day, and the rest of the days, he’s going to take a page out of Jason’s book. He hopes he can give Wiley the same sense of self and confidence Jason gave him when he was little.

Shawn tells Sam, he was wondering when they’d talk about all this; get it out in the open. Yes, he was sent to deal with Drew, but he was Jake Doe back then. nobody knew who he was or what he was up to. He was doing his job. She says, on Sonny’s orders, and he says he’s just glad Jordan made him miss the shot. She says, her too. Or she woudn’t have daughter right now. She’s glad they had a chance to clear that up. Okay. Back to square one. There is some good news. The garage is still there, so she can go back to the scene of the crime. He says, six years later? He guesses… if she wants to take a field trip. She say she knows it’s a long shot, but it’s all they’ve got. He says he’ll do more work on Naomi Dreyfuss, but Sam says maybe it’s best if he doesn’t do this. He just got out of prison. Enjoy his life. Enjoy this park. Doesn’t he want that? Doesn’t he want to start a future and make a life for himself?

Nikolas says he did not have Hayden shot, and Elizabeth says, then who did? If it wasn’t him, and it wasn’t Shawn, who tried to kill her sister?

Ava says, perhaps Spencer is unclear on the concept of truce. Or maybe he’s too angry at her to make one work. He says he’s sorry; he didn’t mean to snap. He’s not angry; he’s afraid for his father. This guy got into Windymere. He must be a criminal genius to get past the security detail. Then he got into their hotel suite. Whoever this guy is, he’s a legitimate threat. Spencer already lived through losing his father once. He doesn’t want to again. Please help him protect his father from himself.

Nikolas tells Elizabeth, they may never know who shot Hayden. She has to remember who Hayden was back then. She arrived in town committing fraud. Ric paid her to encourage Drew to lie about his past. She helped herself to a fortune in diamonds from the profits of her father’s Ponzi scheme. Who knows what enemies were after her, in or out of Port Charles? Elizabeth says, she really believes Hayden wanted a fresh start there. It wasn’t until she had Violet that she turned a corner. He guesses they turned a corner too. She fell in love, and married Franco. He married Ava, and fell in love. She says, happily ever after, at least for a little while… until life got in the way.

Ava says Spencer doesn’t need to worry about his father. This divorce protects him too. As long as they’re apart, the stalker has no reason to pay attention to Nikolas at all. Spencer says he’s glad to hear her say that. Sometimes his father makes rash decisions, and doesn’t understand the consequences. She says she’s doing everything she can to protect her daughter and his father. He says he appreciates it, but the stalker is unpredictable. He heard Trina was doused in fake blood. What if the next time it’s real? She says he doesn’t have to keep reminding her. She knows what’s at stake. He says, then make him understand. Get her feelings out of it, and make his father stop fighting this divorce.  

Willow says, Carly isn’t telling her anything that she doesn’t know in her head already. She doesn’t want to hurt Chase. She truly cares about him, but her heart is with Michael. It’s getting harder and harder to hide those feelings. Carly takes Willow’s hand, and says Willow is in a tough situation. So is Michael. Willow is trying to be generous, and it seems kind and supportive, but the heart’s tricky. It can be selfish and strong-willed, and sometimes there’s no denying or reasoning with it. Hearts are stubborn that way. Willow says she’s never heard it put quite like that, and Carly say she speaks from experience. Willow is Wiley’s mom, and she’s family, and Carly is always there to talk. Willow thanks her, and says she supposes she should splash some water on her face, and Carly says she’ll get out of Willow’s hair. Willow says she’s really happy to be part of Carly’s family. Growing up, all she really wanted was to be accepted and loved for herself, even with her faults. She and her mom never had heart-to-heart talks like this. Carly asks if she means awkward and intrusive. Then she’s come to the right family, since it’s Carly’s specialty. They hug.

Valentin asks Austin how the lawsuit is going, and Austin says, great. He  asks if Austin thinks he’ll win, and Austin says, yeah. He wouldn’t be contesting Edward’s will if he didn’t think he had a legitimate cause. Valentin says they should have lunch. Discuss ELQ under his continued leadership. Austin says he does like lunch.   

Chase tells Brook that he thinks he’s going to lie down for a minute, and wheels himself out. Brook looks at Austin, and says, this is so not good. Monica brings in Michael and Jason, and says they have more guests, and more presents. Michael shakes Austin’s hand, and says he’s glad Austin could make it. Valentin says, right on time. He and Austin were just discussing ELQ and how it’s currently thriving. It’s gutsy to change CEOs; it could affect the bottom line. Michael says, it’s a strong company. One that was already thriving when Valentin took the helm. Monica says, they’re not going to discuss business today, and Michael tells her that he was just making his position clear, so Austin knows where he stands. ELQ is a Quartermaine business that should be run by Quartermaines. Ned is the CEO that ELQ needs, not Valentin.  

Chase wheels himself into another room and closes the door. He unlocks the chair, and says he can do this. He painstakingly lifts himself up.  

Shawn tells Sam, part of him wants to forget all this, and never look back. Then he sees TJ and Molly, full of hope and determination, striving so hard to make a difference in this world. They’re something else. He asks himself what he can do to make a difference. Maybe putting an attempted murderer behind bars instead of letting them get away with it. Sam says, what about him and his fresh start? He says he wants that. He wants to build a better life for himself. Of course (🍷) he wants to connect to his son, and be part of TJ’s life. But first he has to find the person who tried to kill Hayden; he has to. Who knows how many other people he’s hurt?

Elizabeth says, Nikolas is right; she has a lot on her plate right now. She’s glad to get this off of it. She hopes he’s not mad at her for grilling him. She had to know. He says he’s glad he could put her mind to rest where he’s concerned. He’s always there for her if she wants to talk about anything. She thanks him, and he says he thinks it’s best if she puts that painful time behind her. Life goes on, right? She says, right, and hugs him. He leaves, and I get the feeling she’s not buying his story.

Ava says, Spencer is right. She has been holding on to the slightest hope. Maybe even sending mixed signals, and maybe that’s why Nikolas refuses to believe this marriage is over. But that ends now. She and Nikolas don’t even need to speak. They can communicate through their lawyers. Spencer thinks that’s best, and he humbly appreciates it. He’s sorry it’s taken something this drastic for him to see her for who she truly is. She says she’s glad Spencer and his father are on better terms now. Nikolas missed him, and knows he’s glad Spencer is back. Spencer says he is too. He sees he got there just in time. Since I’m hating on Spencer right now, I wonder what such a handsome face is doing with a dad bod, especially at his age. There. I said it.

Monica says they’ve waited long enough for the guest of honor. They need to get the party started. Where is the birthday boy? Willow says, taking an epic nap. She’ll wake him. Carly asks if she can do it. She’ll take all the time she can with her grandson as possible. Willow says, enjoy, and asks where Chase is. Brook says, he decided to rest before the party, and Willow wonders if she should check on him, but Brook says, he’s fine. He’ll be back in a few minutes. Don’t worry. He’s fine.

Chase struggles, and finally gets on his feet. He says, yes. How about a step? He takes a step forward. Austin watches.

Willow tells Michael that she’s going to get Chase. He’s resting before the party, but she knows he’ll want to be there when the birthday boy makes his big entrance. On her way to get Wiley, the doorbell rings, and she yells that she’s got it. She opens the door, and says, oh…

I’m guessing the woman at the cemetery? I don’t think it’s Harmony though. Maybe Shiloh’s mom?

On Monday, Jordan asks if Portia and Curtis are a couple now, Stella can’t help but worry it will end up that way, Chase says Willow honestly thought that was a good idea, Nina doesn’t know if it’s a blessing or curse

Million Dollar Listing New York

KJ brought her younger brother Alex to West 95th Street, where there were two apartments she was listing. Built in 1971, the building had gone condo, and an investor had purchase the apartments still occupied by rent stabilized tenants. As they moved, the investor revamped the apartments for buyers. I totally get this, since I lived in an apartment that did the same thing, but went co-op. We eventually bought our apartment for cheap when the investor wanted out. Ha-ha, score one for the tenant. In KJ’s interview, she said they were smaller apartments at lower price points, and she wanted Alex to help her with his digital marketing skills as a millennial. He handled her website and social media accounts. Social media was king, since they weren’t having open houses. They met with the developer, who was also Alex. Despite covid, KJ had already sold an apartment for $770K, another for almost $1.5 million, and yet another for $1.8 million, but there were two 949 square foot, 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartments with river views, lingering. Alex2 showed her newly added closet space to one of the apartments, but even so, KJ thought they should lower the price of $1.595 million to a post quarantine price point. She thought $1.495 million would get them some bites, as well as new imagery to freshen the listing. Alex2 was amenable, but needed to check with his dad, who was head of the company. In the meantime, KJ was having Alex1 help her develop a TikTok account. In her interview, she said it was like he was speaking another language. She had no idea what young people were talking about. This seemed pretty weird, since it’s not like she’s ancient, but I guess her job and kids keep her pretty busy.

Fredrik and team member Charlé went to Harlem to visit the Ali Forney Center, where they met yet another Alex. Seriously, WTF? A drop-in center for LGBTQ+ youth, complete with a disco ball, it had been named after queer youth activist Ali Forney who’d been murdered.  Alex said they did their best to create a fun environment. They also provided homes for LGBTQ+ young people, kicked out because of transphobia and homophobia. Alex3 said LGBTQ+ youth were eight times more likely to be homeless. They were converting the Bea Arthur Residence, left to them in her will, from a rental model to an ownership model, but needed even more space. A private anonymous donor had given them a $4-8 million budget, and they were looking to house 8-20 people in a 4-9 bedroom house with community space and a yard. Fredrik said they’d donate any commission back to the center.

Fredrick and Charlé met Alex3 at Hamilton House in West Harlem, where they were joined by art director Marcia and community developer Jase. This was one fabulous house, with amazing original detailing. Built in 1910, the house was 4796 square feet, and 20 feet wide, which is a thing when you’re in the city. The asking price was $4.5 million, but Fredrik thought he could get it down to $4 million. Marcia said it had a family feel, and Jase said it was truly a home. Everyone thought it was perfect, and Fredrik said it wasn’t about the commission, but helping the kids.

Tyler’s assistant Kemba had quarantined with her bae Evan (thank God his name wasn’t Alex) when they’d only been dating a couple of weeks. His parents were relocating to Florida, and selling a family home on West 87th Street. This was another gorgeous piece of real estate. Built in 1890, it was 5231 square feet, and 18 feet wide. It had 4 floors, 5 bedrooms and 5 baths, 8 gas converted fireplaces, and 2 garden terraces. Among the other fabulous details were hand printed wallpaper, a summer kitchen with high-end appliances, a garden level living room, and a wine cellar literally in the cellar. There was even an original faucet shaped like a dolphin, eventually reproduced for Sherle Wagner, a company founded by Evan’s grandmother. Tyler said Evan knew the history of the house, and that’s what got people excited. Sometimes he made up stories for buyers, but he had the real deal this time. Tyler said one advantage he had was a good relationship with stagers who could help Evan’s parents pack and move what was still in the house. He explained the other houses on the block were either in need of renovation or, if already renovated, in the $10 million range. They needed to find the sweet spot in between, and Tyler suggested $6.995 million, which made his potential commission $209K and change.   

Fredrik and the group from the Forney Center checked out the West 87th Street house, but didn’t feel it had enough space. Fredrik also showed them another house down the block with the asking price of $3.750 million. They met with broker Ronita, who told them the house had been used for an art exhibit, so be prepared for a lot of pieces that had been left behind. Most of it seemed to be sculptures of the bottom half of a female body, or as Fredrik said in his interview, the house had a lot of ass-ets. It was 4500 square feet, and 20 feet wide, 5 bedrooms and 5 baths, but the group thought too much work would have to be put into it. They were still sold on Hamilton House, and in Fredrik’s interview, he said when someone found the perfect house, seeing anything after that just made them love it even more.  

KJ’s plan to increase traffic and get bites for the West 95th Street house was a success using the new pricing and social media push. Buyers were looking for a turnkey property with outdoor space, but as it was a buyer’s market, it was hard to make it stand out when there were a lot of listings in the same price point.

Fredrik was meeting with Alex3 and company at the Hamilton House, and when Alex3 said the donor had pulled out, my mouth literally dropped open. I wondered how anybody could pull the rug out from under a bunch of kids like that. Fredrik had the scathingly brilliant idea to try and negotiate a lease with an option to buy. Alex said the rent had to be equal to what they were paying, which was $12K a month. Outside, Fredrik called broker Ian, explaining the situation, and telling him the seller would get full asking price in 6 months. By the time Fredrik went back inside, Ian was calling back to tell him that the owner loved the center’s work, and gave them the deal. Even I had tears in my eyes.  

Next time, KJ revisits her first big sale, and Ryan and Steve work together. Maybe.

💘 Happy Anniversary…

While GH has its moments, OLTL was always my favorite soap.

🐭 Terry Mouse…

She wears the ears well.

💫 He Gets It…

Being a champion of mental health is one of the things I love about Maurice Benard.

🗽 Countess In the City…

Um… no. Just no.  

https://okmagazine.com/p/luann-de-lesseps-pushing-for-kim-cattrall-sex-and-the-city-role/

🏛 A Pandemic State Of Mind…

The best piece of advice he could give is, be better? That’s right up there with just say no.

https://pagesix.com/2021/07/25/rhop-star-robyns-husband-juan-says-be-better/

🐐 Singer Scapegoat…

I doubt it’s all Ramona’s fault if the ratings have dropped.

REPORT: Ramona Singer To Be Fired From RHONY Amid Ratings Drop and Racial Tensions, Plus How Ramona Feels About Alleged Axing

⚖️ And the Award For Most Ridiculous Lawsuit Goes To…

Although I could understand them slapping her with a fine for bad taste in partners.

https://pagesix.com/2021/07/29/braunwyn-windham-burke-claims-she-was-sued-for-kissing-tamra-judge/

🗳 It’s Official…

Now if we can just free Britney.

https://people.com/tv/tom-girardi-conservatorship-made-official-court-major-neurocognitive-disorder/

👶🏼 And the Test Says…

Wow. People sure read a lot into meaningless things.

PHOTO: Is Stassi Schroeder Pregnant Again With 2nd Child? Vanderpump Rules Alum Addresses Rumors After Sharing Pic With Husband Beau Clark

⚰️ Walking Closer…

The beginning of the end starts on August 22.

The last villain.

https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a37176236/the-walking-dead-first-look-pamela-milton/

Spinning off.

https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a37154860/the-walking-dead-spin-off-daryl-carol-hint/

🧧 Quotes of the Week

I’m a werewolf, okay? Let’s not make a big deal of it. Woof. – Carolyn Collins (Chloe Mortiz) Dark Shadows

Trust is like a mirror. You can fix it if it’s broken, but you can still see the crack in that motherf***ing reflection. – Lady Gaga, Telephone video

Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead. – Charles Bukowski

Quitting can be a hard choice to make, but often it’s a brave one, as well. – Susan David

Fried chicken just tends to make you feel better about life. – Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer), The Help (Agreed.)

The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. – Confucius

I am big. It’s the pictures that got small. – Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), Sunset Boulevard

Threats are the resort of the uninspired and impatient. I like to think of myself as persevering and imaginative. – Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober), General Hospital

You cannot change anyone, but you can be the reason someone changes. – Roy T. Bennett

By hero, we tend to mean a heightened man who, more than other men, possesses qualities of courage, loyalty, resourcefulness, charisma, above all, selflessness. He is an example of right behavior; the sort of man who risks his life to protect his society’s values, sacrificing his personal needs for those of the community. – Paul Zweig

🐝 Buzzing Off…

Well, the weekend is here… I think. Are we pandemicking again? Luckily, reality TV and GH march on, so see you in three days. Whatever your pandemical status, stay safe, stay knowing all situations are temporary, and stay enjoying the box as much as what’s inside.