Tag Archives: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

August 10, 2022 – Drew Offers Valentin Simplicity, Toothsome Surprise In Beverly Hills, a Thought & More Teeth

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spinelli yells, stop, please don’t, and we see he’s at the nail salon having a pedicure. He says, that tickles, and Maxie tells him, stop. He’s making a scene. She tells the technician, sorry about her friend; it’s his first time. He says, nothing like the first time.

Britt asks if Cody is crazy, and Obrecht asks if Scotty is okay. Scotty says he thinks Cody broke his nose, and Cody says he’ll break a lot more than that. This has been a long time coming.

Nikolas says, he and Ava may as well be divorced if she insists on living apart, and she says, fine by her. She already signed the papers. He asks if she wants to pay with her freedom, and she says, if her choice is keeping company with a Cassadine or convicts, she’ll choose convicts. Alexis joins them, and says, we’re not all bad, and Ava says, exception meet rule. The papers are waiting for Nikolas. Just say the word. Ava leaves, and Alexis asks what Nikolas has done this time.

Spencer sits in the interrogation room, when Dante comes in. Spencer holds up his cuffed wrists, and says, this isn’t necessary, but Dante says, ADA Arden begs to differ, given Spencer’s history of busting out of prison bars. Spencer says, he was gone all of two hours to pay respects to his mother. He returned to Spring Ridge that afternoon. Dante says, it won’t be a consideration where Spencer is headed. Slipping out of a prison spa, that’s one thing. Pentenville is quite another.

Sonny asks if the kiss was worth the wait, and Nina says she almost forgot what that felt like. He says, can’t have that, and she says, actually, she has a really short memory. He says, allow him to remind her, and kisses her again.

Valentin tells Drew, their chat will have to wait; he has a commitment elsewhere. Drew puts his hand on Valentin’s shoulder and says, he’s not asking.

Nina says, wow. That’s something Sonny can put on his résumé. He says he never needed a résumé, and she says, that makes sense. She’s looking forward to finding out about his other marketable skills, and he says, fashion sense… marinara sauce… dancing… the two-step, do the Hustle… She says, he just described a perfect date, and he asks if she’s free tomorrow. She says she is, and she’s free tonight… but he’s not. That’s okay. No explanation needed. Of course (🍷) he has plans tonight. He says, one or two. How about if he walks her out? She says, of course (🍷), and he takes her hand, leading her to the door.

Drew asks Valentin if he’s overstepping. Is this too familiar? Valentin asks if this is what Drew’s executive coach suggested; that they become besties, and when he’s sufficiently seduced, Drew will snatch ELQ out from under him? Drew says, that would be so foolish. Doesn’t Valentin think he would see that coming, the way he saw the merger between Aurora and ELQ coming, and seduced Ned into voting his way? Valentin asks what Drew is hoping to get straight, and Drew says, things are bad between them at the moment… Valentin says, why does he get the feeling they’re going to get worse? and Drew says, no; they’re about to get much better – to his benefit and Valentin’s.

Ava tells the MetroCourt bartender, martini please. He knows the way she likes it. He asks if she wants a tab, and she says, charge it to her room, 827. She’s not going home tonight… or any night.

Alexis asks, what’s up with Nikolas and Ava? and he says, typical marital strife. She says, talk of imprisonment is typical between them? and he says, it never arose between her and Julian? She says, Nikolas doesn’t have to talk to her if he doesn’t want to. Just tell her it’s of her business. He says, it’s none of her business, but she says, too bad; she outranks him. He says, he and Ava will sort it out, and she says, with adequate legal counsel? He says, it won’t come to that. Ava is too smart, too pragmatic, and too in love with him to let their marriage die over a stupid mistake. Alexis says, she’s also too vain and too scornful to let a stupid mistake pass. She doesn’t mean to be cynical, but he should watch his back. He says, duly noted, and asks what she’s doing here. She says, his assistant called her office and said he wanted to meet her here, but he says, he never called her office and said he wanted to meet her here. Victor appears, and says, no, but he did.

Dante puts a bag from Kelly’s on the table, and says, no comment? Spencer says he can’t talk to Dante without his lawyer present, and Dante tells him, relax. He’s here to feed Spencer, not harass him. He takes Spencer’s cuffs off, and says, it’s courtesy of Spencer’s buddy Cameron, over at Kelly’s. Spencer says, tell him thanks, but he’s not hungry, and Dante says, he’d eat it if he were Spencer. He heard the kitchen at Pentenville lost one of its fine dining stars. Come on. He has to give Laura a good report, or she’s liable to get on the next plane out of Italy and leave Spencer’s great-grandmother in the lurch. Spencer opens the bag, and Dante says, not to get his hopes up, but apparently his great Uncle Martin has been in touch with DA Scorpio, and Spencer’s situation might be improving.

On the phone with Lucy at Charlie’s, Martin says he’s procured them a table, but do him a favor and hurry. It’s been a trying day, and he’s desperate for the kind of comfort only she can provide… Come to think of it, why don’t they forget about this little tete-a-tete at the pub? He’s on his way over to hers for a little extra privacy. He’ll see her soon. He gets up and starts to leave, but Anna blocks him, and asks if he’s leaving. He says he’s got a hot date, and she says she doesn’t want to keep him from Lucy, but blocks him again as he steps around her. She says, unless she can do him one better.

Obrecht tells Scotty not to be such a baby, calling him her sweet little schnitzel. His nose is bruised, but probably not broken. Cody says he can remedy that, and Britt says, time to go. Cody says, let’s go finish this in private, and moves toward Scotty, but Obrecht knees him, then twists his arm behind his back. She says, he’ll learn. You mess with my bull, you get my horns. She lets Cody go, and he says, this is between him and Scotty, but Scotty says he doesn’t even know Cody. Cody says, well, he knows Scotty. In another life, he might have called Scotty dad. Britt says, whoa. Is Cody saying he’s Scotty’s son?

Maxie thanks the technician, giving her a huge tip. The technician thanks Maxie, and says she loves Deception, and Maxie says she’ll send some products over for her. The technician says she appreciates that, as Spinelli admires his feet. Maxie says, So. Review? and he says, life affirming. His cuticles are so finely arched; his calluses no more. He thanks her for this treat, and wonders why he’s never pampered himself like this before. She says, he’s been busy. Co-parenting Georgie, creating that matchmaking algorithm for Society Set-Ups – he gestures for her to keep her voice down – and harboring a super-secret crush that’s not so super-secret anymore. When was he going to tell her that he had feelings for Britt?

Nina meets Ava, and asks if she’s seen how blue the sky is today, and the fluffy white clouds. And the air. It was warm, but not humid. It was almost like a storybook. Ava asks if she’s on something, and Nina says, it’s called life. Can’t she just be happy? Ava asks if Nina does happy, and Nina says she does now. She tells the bartender that she’ll have the opposite of what Ava is having, and Ava says, she’ll have a Shirley Temple then, but Nina says, make it a Cosmo. She asks Ava, bad day? and Ava says, yeah. Sometimes it feels like she knows no other. But Nina is smiling. What’s got her all sunshiny today? Nina tells her, it almost feels indecent of her to say, and Ava asks if Nina and Sonny are over the hump. There are many jokes to be made here, but it’s too easy.

Valentin asks how Drew plans on improving his life, and Drew says, by simplifying it. He’ll take ELQ off Valentin’s hands. Valentin says he was hoping for something original, and Drew says, this is about as original as he gets. Valentin says, Drew is going to be waiting a while. He’s not getting ELQ. Drew says, at least not until Danny is of age and reclaims his shares from Valentin, and Valentin says, perhaps by then, Drew will see things Ned’s way, and not mess with success. Drew says, anything is possible. However, Drew’s family, reliably chaotic; Valentin’s family famously predictable. Valentin says he’s never heard the Cassadines described as predictable, and Drew says, really? One or more of them is always in trouble, or causing it, often to each other. What’s it worth to Valentin if there was one less Cassadine around stirring things up?

Martin asks why he has the feeling Anna was looking for him, and she says, good instincts. He asks how she knew he was here, and she says didn’t; she trailed him from the courthouse. He says he didn’t see her at the courthouse, and she says, he would have if she’d wanted him to. He says, one day, she must teach him the tricks of her trade, but right now, he really must leave; he has a rendezvous with Lucy. Anna says, he’ll get more out of her company, and he says he has no doubt she’s good, but that good? That’s definitely a question that shall remain unanswered. She asks why he doesn’t sit down and find out. He won’t be sorry. He says he needs a judge’s ruling on this one. Is she flirting with him? She says, it’s not flirting; it’s foreplay. So sit down, and let’s get to the main event.

Spencer says he doesn’t care what happens to him, and Dante says, that’s a shame, because Spencer has a lot of friends and family who feel otherwise. Spencer says, they don’t have to worry. He got himself into this; he can live with the consequences. Dante says, how noble, and Spencer says, the only people he cares about are the ones suffering because of him. Dante says, like Trina? and sits down. He says, it took Spencer took long enough to come forward as her alibi, and Spencer asks if it would have mattered if he spoke up earlier, but Dante says he doubts it. The prosecutor probably would have used the same arguments regardless. Him being with Trina when the video was posted wouldn’t have exonerated her; it could be timed in advance. Spencer says, at least he tried to step. He hopes that means something to Trina. There’s a knock at the door, and an officer says, someone is here to see Mr. Cassadine. Dante says, he’ll be right there, and tells Spencer, sit tight. He comes out, and sees Sonny. Dante asks if everything is okay, and Sonny says he heard Spencer got arrested. Dante says, yeah. He’s got a real go-it-alone attitude, and Sonny asks if Dante is telling him that Spencer is going to need more help. Dante says, yeah. Is he going to get it from Sonny?

Britt asks if this is a joke, and Obrecht asks if Scotty shares DNA with Britt’s boyfriend. Britt says, he’s not her boyfriend, and Scotty says he’s never seen Cody before in his life. Britt says, that’s not exactly a no, he’s not my son denial, and Scotty says, hang on a second. He’s not the criminal. Cody is the one who sucker punched him. All right. In his youth, his shenanigans caused him to change his will a few times. That doesn’t mean every Joe Blow with dollar signs in his eyes is his son. Britt asks if he knows that for sure, and Scotty says he’ll take a DNA test. Cody asks if he can get a word in edgewise. He said he could  be Scotty’s son in another life. To the best of his knowledge, Scotty’s not his father in this one. Obrecht says, so he’s not claiming some family resemblance? and Cody says he’s been told he takes after his mother. Scotty asks, who is she? and Cody says, not is; was. She’s dead, and gave Scotty a daughter. His mother was Dominique Stanton.

Spinelli asks if the afternoon of self-care was just an excuse for Maxie to discuss his so-called feelings for Dr. Westbourne, and she says, hmm… He says, she played him, and she says she wouldn’t have had to resort to an afternoon of pampering if he’d just answered her question in the first place. When did he realize he had feelings for Britt? He flashes back to Cody telling him that he’s got two options. Come clean, and watch Society Set-Ups go belly up while the Feds investigate violations of privacy and security breaches; or make everyone believe Cody’s cover story that Spinelli is crushing on Britt. Maxie says, when? and he says, it’s a recent development. She says, in retrospect, she remembers him being interested in Britt’s first match with Society Set-Ups. He insisted on going to the PC Grill so they could check on Britt’s date. She didn’t realize his interest was romantic. He hid those feelings pretty well. He says he hardly knew himself, and she says, the thing is, him and Britt… He says, it’s not a match made in heaven? and she says she loves Britt, but she’s just so… He says, cold? Bitter? She says, and he’s so not. How in the world did his algorithm pair them up?  

Scotty says, this is all horse hockey. Cody’s not Dominique’s son. Cody says, like Scotty didn’t know, and Scotty says, he does, because Dominique had one kid, their daughter Serena. Britt asks if Obrecht knew about this Dominique woman, but Scotty says, she didn’t, because they decided to leave the past where it belongs – in the past. Obrecht says, Dominique Stanton, the first Face of Deception. She had her fingers crossed behind her back when she agreed they shouldn’t discuss their past. Scotty says, for good reason. It was a long time ago when Dominique died, and it was horrible. Her death was slow, hard, and painful. Obrecht says she’s sorry, and Scotty says, Cody has a lot of nerve, dredging up her name like it’s his. Cody tells him, he never said it was. His name is Bell. He got it from the family who raised him when Dominique couldn’t, or wouldn’t.

Dante brings Sonny into the interrogation room, and says, don’t take too long. The bus for Pentenville leaves in an hour. He leaves, and Sonny asks, what’s in the bag? Spencer says, cheese fries; help himself. Sonny says he doesn’t take food from a condemned man, and Spencer says, Sonny has been to Pentenville, hasn’t he. It’s bad, right? Sonny says, it’s not what Spencer is imagining, but it’s not Spring Ridge. Spencer says, his lawyer is trying to get his sentence reduced, and Sonny says, because he confessed? Spencer says, and because the only reason he left was to visit his mother’s gravesite. But chances are he’s going to have to serve his original one month sentence. Sonny says, not by chance; this is a dead certainty. He sits down and says, all right. Let’s get you ready.

Victor apologizes for the subterfuge, but he suspected Alexis wouldn’t be all that eager to meet with him, despite the desperately urgent family need. She says she’s assuming the urgent family need is to discuss Nikolas’s marital woes, and Victor says, indirectly. Nikolas says, this is about Spencer, isn’t it? and Alexis says, she heard that at Trina’s trial, Spencer gave her an alibi. Nikolas says, causing him to be arrested for his brief absence from Spring Ridge, and the ADA wants him to serve his original one month sentence in Pentenville. Alexis says she’s not sure what she can do about that. She’ll be happy to visit him in Pentenville, even though the words happy and Pentenville don’t go together. Victor says, it wouldn’t even have to come to that if they can keep Spencer out of Pentenville altogether, and Alexis asks how he figures that. Victor says, by using the mighty power of the press.

Martin says, he hopes he’s mistaken, but he’s sensing a – shall we say – definite truculence coming from Anna. Anna says, no. She gets that way, particularly when she’s been lied to, or played for a fool. He says, the fool would be whoever was stupid enough to underestimate her. At any other time and on any other day, he’d be happy to offer her the legal services of Martin Grey, Esquire to put the villain down… She thanks him, and says she really needs his services. He says, at least give him an idea of the nature of her trouble, and she suggests they start with a name – Valentin Cassadine.  

Valentin asks if a certain former Navy SEAL is offering to eliminate a member of his family? but Drew says, nothing so permanent, and no random Cassadine. Valentin says, Drew has piqued his curiosity, and Drew says, Spencer is a kid. He’s frustrating and annoying, but he’s no real threat to Valentin. Nikolas wrangled the Cassadine estate from Valentin, and it probably stung a little bit, but it didn’t really slow Valentin down. There’s just one Cassadine who’s of real concern; one Valentin could do without. Drew can get him Victor.

Ava says she’s happy for Nina. She’d  thought maybe the Nina and Sonny flame had flickered and died. Nina says, it might have, and Ava says, if Nina had drawn that line in the sand, and refused to tolerate Carly in his life. Nina says, Carly is always going to be a gnat in their relationship, but Ava knows how to handle gnats. Ava says, you squish them, and tells the bartender, another round. And Nina is co-owner of the joint, so she’s definitely buying. She tells Nina, just be careful. Don’t congratulate herself too soon. Certain gnats can be very sneaky pests. They can bother the hell out of you. So much so, Nina might start reevaluating how much Sonny’s love means to her. Nina asks, how are Ava and Nikolas? Is Nikolas pestering her to move back to Windymere? Ava says, he won’t if he knows what’s good for him, and Nina asks, what happened since the last time they talked? Ava says, the question is, what hasn’t happened?

Sonny says, he has guys on the inside, and put the word out that Spencer is untouchable. They’ll be looking out for him. Spencer thanks him, but Sonny says, Spencer can thank him in 30 days. These guys aren’t bodyguards, and won’t be on him every minute. Spencer has to do what Sonny told him to do. Keep his head down and his mouth shut. Don’t make any trouble for anybody, and they won’t make any trouble for him. Spencer says he’s got it, and Sonny says he didn’t come here to scare Spencer. Spencer says, that’s okay. Sonny didn’t scare him; he was already scared. Sonny says, Spencer put his freedom on the line for Trina, and that took a lot of guts. Sonny is proud of him.

An officer tells Dante, dispatch just got a report of a fight at the MetroCourt. Dante says he was just there, and the officer asks if Dante wants him to head over, but Dante says he’s got it.

Scotty asks if Cody just said his name was Bell, and Britt says, obviously, that means something to Scotty. Scotty says, Dominique’s family, the Stantons, had an estate called Serenity. The Bells were the cooks, the groundskeepers… Cody says the stable hands. When Dominique gave him up, the Bells raised him as their own. Scotty says, that’s impossible. He wasn’t with Dominique long enough to have a kid before Serena. Cody says, he arrived long before Scotty hooked up with his mom. By the time he was old enough to find out the truth about his biological mother, she was dead; his inheritance was gone. Scotty says, that’s what this is about. Cody is here grubbin’ for Dominique’s money.  

Maxie asks how this amazing algorithm knew Spinelli and Britt were a match. Did the code get a kink or something? He says, his code isn’t kink…y, and she says, yet oddly, it paired them up. He says, it’s not the code. Don’t blame his code. One day… She says, go on, and he says, like a bolt from the blue, he saw Dr. Westbourne, and knew she was the one. Maxie asks, when exactly was this moment? When Britt was stabbing someone in the back with her scalpel because they stole her parking space? He says, opposites attract. Britt stands up for what she believes. Her sharp edges cleave straight to his heart. She asks when he was going to tell Britt how he felt, and he says, if not for Cody Bell, he would have never. She says, never? What if Britt reciprocated his feelings? He says, some words are never meant to be spoken.

Martin tells Anna, come on. She knows he can’t do that. He’s Valentin’s attorney, and there’s such a thing as attorney/client privilege. She says, it’s precisely because of his relationship with Valentin that she chose him to help her, and he says, help her how? She says, he’s hiding something, and Martin says, he’s sorry. She’s just going to have to seek assistance elsewhere. He’s a little disappointed in her, being willing to exploit his relationship with Valentin for her own ends. She does realize she’s trying to solicit him to commit malpractice. And another thing. Valentin’s not just his client, he’s Martin’s friend. And as Valentin’s friend, it’s his duty to tell Valentin that she’s trying to betray him. She says, kind of like Martin is trying to betray his three ex-wives.

Drew says, so, is Valentin interested? and Valentin says, in tearing down his own father? Drew says, father? Is that how he’s referring to Victor these days? Valentin says, if the DNA fits, and Drew says, he takes responsibility for his child. He looks out for Scout. He tries to teach her right from wrong. He learns from her. He wipes away a tear when she scrapes her elbow, and will even go to Disney on Ice, and enjoy it as much as she does. Does Valentin know why? Valentin says, because he loves her? and Drew says, exactly. And the years he spent away from he, partly due to Valentin’s father, nearly killed him. Does that describe Victor’s relationship with him? Valentin says, not really, and Drew says, he’s a father, Valentin’s a father. Victor is not a father. He’s biology. Name one good or loving thing he’s done for Valentin or Charlotte since he’s come into their lives. Valentin says, Drew’s concept of family is rather narrow and hopelessly American, and Drew says, they can take Victor down together. Valentin says, this help, what it will cost him? and Drew says, ELQ. Valentin asks, how?

Scotty says, Dominique inspired a long list of fortune hunters, but he doesn’t have one red cent for Cody. Cody says, that’s because all the money went to Serena, and Scotty says, don’t think of going near her. It will be the last thing Cody does. Cody says, and she spent it all trying to save the whales, and Scotty says, what the hell. Is there nothing in this world that nobody knows? Does everybody know everything now? Obrecht says, it’s the internet, and Cody says he actually respects his half-sister’s commitment to the environment. He believes in preserving wild places, and respecting wildlife as well, but she didn’t have to spend her whole fortune. She could have held back a couple million. Scotty says, she didn’t, and Cody says he only wants his fair share. Scotty tells him, well, good luck with that. He’s got nothing to give Cody. Cody says he’s fine with that. He’ll make it on his own. Scotty says, good. Do that. Leave Britt out of it. Britt asks what she has to do with it, and Obrecht says, she’ll never see this pauper again. He sucker punched her dear Scotty. Dante walks in, and says, what’s this now? 

Valentin doesn’t doubt Drew has the means to neutralize his father. He just wants to hear him say it. Drew says, Valentin will have to buy him dinner first. He’s not giving it up all at once, especially knowing the Cassadine reputation for treachery. Valentin asks if Drew thinks he’s going to run to Victor with his little plot, and Drew says he thinks Valentin would be tempted if it works to his advantage for Victor to think he’s loyal. Valentin says, perhaps he is loyal, and Drew says he’s sure Valentin is; to his daughter, to Anna. But there’s no way Victor is on that list. He remembers the conversation they had in the cell on Cassadine Island. Valentin knows he’s dangerous. Valentin is way too smart to want a volatile megalomaniac like him running around. Think about it. Decide what it’s worth knowing that one day his father will no longer be a threat to those close to him.

Martin says, his ex-wives adore him, and Anna suggests they might adore him less if they found out about the assets he’s  concealed from them. Sit. He sits back down, and she tells him, she has to say though, the creativity in the accounting is almost a masterpiece. Almost. It’s good enough to get past the average accountant, but it couldn’t get past the scrutiny of the WSB. He says he’s sure she has him confused with someone else, and she says, sorry, her bad. She takes out her phone, and says, so he wouldn’t mind if she shows his exes’ attorneys this spreadsheet she’s compiled. He says, as if it’s any of her business. He’s already been more than generous. His mother is an invalid, a woman who requires round the clock nursing care, and has for years. That doesn’t come cheap. So maybe he didn’t want to let a kettle of vultures help themselves to money that should be caring for his momma. She says, perhaps if he were to explain the situation to his ex-wives. She’s sure they’re well-aware of his deep commitment to his mother… He says, she has no idea what his ex-wives are like, and she says, well, tell her. He says, for one thing, number one is a greedy, vindictive, rapacious, mendacious predator. If it was up to her, there would be nothing left standing but his beard. And number two, God love her, isn’t exactly a brain trust. The woman actually thought the Vatican was a hotel. The only intelligent thing she ever did was line up behind number one, and number three – God help us all – the less said about her, the better. She says, so they agree then, and he says, what? She says, that he’s at greater risk if he crosses his exes than if he crosses Valentin. Here’s the thing; make no mistake. He’s at the greatest risk if he crosses her.

Spencer tells Sonny, trying to save Trina might not work. If the jury finds her guilty, he’ll have confessed for nothing. Sonny says, it had to be done. If Spencer had kept quiet, he wouldn’t be who he is; the man Sonny knew he could be. Spencer tells him, Jordan said he could help himself, maybe cut down on his prison time, if he named the people who helped him slip out of Spring Ridge. Would Sonny still think he was that man if he told Sonny that he was considering turning rat?

Alexis tells Victor, she’s not going to deploy The Invader to help Spencer because it would destroy their credibility. It would also backfire on Spencer. Nikolas asks, how? and Alexis says, Trina is on trial for a crime neither Spencer or her victims believe she committed. Can they imagine the uproar if a young white man is set free for a crime he did do, while a young black woman is sent to prison for a crime she didn’t do? That’s a Category Five blowback, and it will land directly on them – and rightly so – for orchestrating it. It will also alienate Spencer against them both. Nikolas asks if there isn’t something she can do. Spencer cares deeply for Trina. Nikolas just left him at the PCPD, and Spencer is going crazy about what happened to her. Alexis says, she can’t keep Spencer out of Pentenville, although she can help ease his mind by helping Trina. Nikolas says, it’s too late to make Trina’s case; the jury is already deciding. Alexis says, but it’s not too late to build a case against someone else, and Victor says, someone like Esme, for example?

Sonny says, in his line of work, there’s nothing worse than an informant. Then again, Spencer isn’t in his line of work. He needs to use whatever tools he has to help himself. Spencer says, even if he has to live with the knowledge that he sent someone else down for what he did? and Sonny says, what about the people who have to live with his absence? Ask himself, do they stand to gain more if Spencer’s accomplice goes free, or Spencer does?  

Alexis says she has a reporter developing a story on Esme; it’s just not enough to print yet. Nikolas says, what if he told her that Esme left? and she says, the prosecution’s star witness, the one the victims think did it? Where did she go? Nikolas says he doesn’t know. Spencer doesn’t either. He returned home after the trial ended, and she was gone; so were her things. Alexis gets up, and says she may be able to work with that. Victor says, and he’ll continue his efforts to help Spencer locate her. Why don’t they meet later, and go over their plans to track Esme down? Victor leaves, and Alexis asks Nikolas, whose idea was it to pressure The Invader to help Spencer? Was it his, or Victor’s? Nikolas says, does it matter? and she says, yes. It would matter a lot to his mom. He says, his mother isn’t in town, and his son needs him… It was Victor’s idea, but he’s completely on board. He won’t apologize for doing everything in his power to free his son. Wouldn’t she do the same thing if it were one of her daughters?  

Martin says, even if he wanted to help Anna, he can’t. Other than helping him put down that attempted coup at ELQ, he hasn’t even seen Valentin lately. He has no idea what she’s talking about. What lies does she think Valentin told her? She says, Valentin may not have shared his secret with Martin yet, but he’s in the right position to get it. Martin just has to stick close to him, and she’ll coach him on what to uncover. He says, doing so could ruin him, but she says, cheating his ex-wives out of money is going to ruin him. If he comes through for her, she’ll protect him from his ex-wives. At least one and two; greedy and stupid. Number three, she’s no joke. Anna leaves Martin to mull this over. (It wasn’t my intention, but Martin? Mull?)

Maxie says she can’t bear the thought of Spinelli bottling up his feelings, but he says, it’s not a hardship. Now that Britt has been made aware of his… passion, she’s made it very clear that she doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. Maxie says, she could change her mind; stranger things have happened. And he should see if that algorithm matches them up. He says, no. He’d never use his algorithm on his own profile. Never. She says, but if it could zero in on the love of his life… He says he can’t, and she says, doesn’t he want to know who it is? Her phone rings, and he says, what if his algorithm matches him with someone he can never have? Maxie says, it’s Austin, and tells Austin that she’s running late, but she’ll be leaving soon.

Dante says, they got a call at the station about a fight, and Britt says, it wasn’t a fight fight. Cody says, one measly tap on the nose, but Obrecht says, Cody assaulted mein Scott. Dante says, did he? and Cody holds out his wrists. Britt rolls her eyes, and Dante says, Cody is under arrest. Cody says he knows the drill, but Dante says, they’re going by the book just in case, and gives Cody his rights. Cody gives Britt a wry smile, and Dante asks if Cody understood his rights. Cody says, Dante did an amazing job; he could probably recite them in his sleep. He tells Britt, they’re probably going to need a raincheck for date number two, and leaves with Dante.

Nina says she knows Ava has a room here. She thought Ava and Nikolas turned a corner. Ava says, they did, but around that corner was a big brick wall, and she walked right into it. Nina asks if she wants to talk about it, and Ava asks if she wants to be an accessory after the fact. Nina says she doesn’t follow, and Ava says, nor does she want to. Look at her. She’s happy and basking in the warmth and light of new love. Cheers to that.

Drew says he’ll be in touch, but Valentin says, wait. Whatever happened between Drew and his father is in the past. Don’t drift back into his sights. Drew says, or else? but Valentin says he’s not trying to intimidate Drew. That’s obviously not an easy task. His father is ruthless, and if he decides Drew can’t be threatened, he’ll target those closest to Drew. Trust him. He knows.

Tomorrow, Sonny asks if someone is going to be the state’s sacrificial lamb; Maxie asks if Austin is canceling the weekend with her kids; Martin wants Lucy to come with him; and Jordan knows why Curtis and Portia are there, and won’t allow it.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

PK and Dorit go to the dentist together, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, two years ago, PK got his teeth done, and he’s smiling all the time now. So she got her teeth done too. You’re not a real couple unless you do your teeth together. Oh Lord, do you think they brush their together at one of those tandem sinks? Dr. Salah tells PK that his teeth spearheaded the whole looking fantastic, and PK says, since he had them done, they’ve had a home invasion and he got a DUI. He’s not so sure his teeth are bringing him luck. In her interview, Dorit says she’s still pissed at PK for not telling her about the DUI, but she hasn’t lost all trust in him. But if he makes another mistake, she won’t be so easy on him. She’s putting on an event for a charity called Homeless Not Toothless (and no, I’m not making that up). Sharon Stone is on the board. They’d been neighbors, and Sharon asked her to look into it. She found out it was a charity that didn’t get a lot of attention, and she thought she could bring more awareness to it. We see clips of her asking all the women to the event, and she tells Dr. Salah, if he’s in town, maybe he and his wife could attend. He says he’d love to, and they could select a well-deserving person for the gift of a smile. PK asks to look at a picture of his before teeth, and says, imagine what a catch he is, having gotten Dorit with those teeth.

Crystal visits Sutton in her office at the store, and Sutton tells her that Porter couldn’t come into work; she was complaining of a sore throat. In Crystal’s interview, she says, her first job was at Victoria’s Secret, but she was fired her first day because she was too young. She went across the mall to Finish Line, and even though she hates feet, she killed it in sales. She tells Sutton that she saw LisaR, and heard her side. Sutton says, LisaR blew up, and Crystal says, LisaR told her that she was very angry. Sutton says, LisaR didn’t say that at their lunch, but when she has an audience, she explodes and looks like she wants to kill her. Crystal asks if Sutton wants to resolve it, and Sutton says she’s done everything she can; it’s on LisaR, not her. She asks what’s going on with Crystal, and Crystal says, she talked to LisaR about her daughter who has anorexia. LisaR told her that they’d been talking about her eating disorder. She forgets how not normal it is for other people, and for them, its concerning. Sutton says it seemed to her, it wasn’t out of grave concern, but… Crystal asks if they were judging her, and Sutton says, either that, or it was, what is this? Crystal says, it’s a lifelong journey. She’s going to make sure to take a page out of their perfect plan book, and it will be gone in a week. In her interview, Crystal says, she’s seeing a pattern of her vulnerability being met with judgement, and we flash back to them treating Crystal like she’s five. She says, just because she hasn’t done everything, doesn’t mean she hasn’t done anything. She tells Sutton, it’s a struggle. They’re being insensitive, and she wants to resolve it. She shouldn’t have pressure from other people.

Asher plays piano and sings. Wake me when it’s over. In Diana’s interview, she says, it’s her favorite time when he forgets she’s in the house, and he’s on [sic] the piano, singing, and doesn’t know she’s there. She asks if that’s something he’s working on, and he says, it is. He tells her that it’s fun having her be a part of his career; she’s the brain. In her interview, she says, Asher lives a sheltered life. He grew up on Broadway, and he’s sweet. He needs her hardness and strength. He’s not confrontational, and it’s her number one quality. They talk about waiting on getting pregnant again, and Diana says, things are meant to work out the way they do. Asher says he’d like to see Eli be a little older, and Diana says she’ll start the IVF in mid-March. He says he thinks it’s great that they’re going to start again, and in Diana’s interview, she says, when she called to tell Asher about the miscarriage, it shifted the relationship. He grew up, and they grew closer. She really wanted a second baby fast because she had a sibling, and she loves having babies. Asher says, it’s his first learning curve with a baby, and Diana says, it’s a lot of work.

Erika visits Kyle, and they have a session with Dustin, a stretching coach. That must have been what Leva was doing in Southern Charm last week. I’ve never heard of this. He’s brought a gong for a sound bath, and Kyle says, the last time they did that, they were in Del Mar. We flash back to that, and Dustin asks if Erika has done assisted stretching before. She says she has, and in Kyle’s interview, she says she has hypermobility syndrome. We flash back to her doing the splits, and she says, with it come other ailments, among them her arms going numb. She should have gone into the Cirque du Soleil, but she’s wasting her talent. Afterward, she and Erika have tea, and she asks Erika how the dating is going. Erika says, it’s more of a friendship. He’s younger than Tom, but older than her; older is her jam. She asks about the party, and Kyle says, Garcelle was talking about her drinking. We flash back to Garcelle expressing concern, and Kyle saying, talking about somebody’s drinking feels like a label to her. Erika says, she’s over a story being circulated as if she has a problem. You realize who your friends are in those moments. (Yeah, your friends are the ones who will be honest and say they think there’s a problem.) Kyle asks if Erika thinks it’s coming from a bad place, and Erika says, it’s not coming from a good place. In Erika’s interview, she says she doesn’t want to be on medication, she doesn’t want to be in this position, and she doesn’t want to be in this house. But that’s where she’s at, and she’s fighting her way out as best she can. She tells Kyle, the moral is, you can’t have a good time in front of some of these people. Kyle mentions Dorit’s black and gold party for Homeless Not Toothless, and they spend a while making fun of the name. Erika says, the name is wrong, and Kyle says, you won’t forget it, but she might have to just send a check.

Everyone gets ready for Dorit’s party, and Dorita does a walk through with party planner Nick. Dorit says, the table is a work of art, and in her interview, she says she loves a theme, but she doesn’t like a dress code that’s difficult to achieve. She knows everyone will knock this out of the park. PK tells her, their mystery surprise guest is coming at 7, and offers to do the lights. In Dorit’s interview, she says, PK thinks the lights are manual labor, and he’s not good at manual labor. She has no confidence in him. None. He practices, and she says, that’s exactly why she’s worried.

Kathy arrives with friend Dwight, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, they know Dwight through a former friend. We see a clip of him pushing Ken Todd in a pool, and Dorit says, Dwight is no longer friends with their former friend. He’s come back to the PK/Dorit camp. The others trickle in, and I’m not a fan of the outfits that are entirely gold. Charity rep Sydney Grossman walks in, and in her interview, Dorit says, Dr. Jay Grossman has done so much for the charity, and he’s also a real character. We see a clip of telling Dorit that he was a sperm donor. He found out through 23andme that he has six kids, so apparently he donated a lot. Sydney, who’s his not sperm-donated daughter, tells Dorit this means a lot to their family. Pigs in a blanket appetizers are served, and PK presents Mauricio with a Versace belt that has a gold buckle. PK tells Erika about his DUI, and how he was coming from dinner with Lionel Richie and John Legend. He told the police when they pulled him over, and it wasn’t a great start. It went from bad to worse, and the lesson is, even when you think you’re okay, you may not be. In Sutton’s interview, she says, LisaR is still angry at her, and can’t let it go, but what is she going to do? Tell her to get the F out of Dorit’s house? Dorit yaps about the guy she wants Garcelle to meet, and how he wanted to be here. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Dorit has been mentioning this for a year. Why hasn’t he reached out? In Dorit’s interview, she says she’s a good matchmaker, and in Erika’s interview, she says, Dorit wants to set her up with someone, but she hasn’t come through yet. She does like nerds…

They sit for dinner, and Erika says she can have one cocktail. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Erika didn’t drink as much at the wine tasting. This is dinner with an open bar. They’ll see what happens. LisaR is being really loud, and PK calls for everyone’s attention. Dorit says she wants to introduce a charity she’s been working with for two years. She wanted to have a gala with an auction, but they had a surge in covid, so she had to scale back. Dr. Salah has offered to donate an entire smile. In Diana’s interview, she says, when she was in her 20s, she depended on a charity to remove her wisdom teeth. It’s come full circle. Although she did grow another set; she got bit by a shark.

For whatever reason, Kyle tells Sutton that she’d heard LisaR told her, get the f*** out of her house, but LisaR claims she didn’t say that. She just said, maybe Sutton should leave. We see a clip of Kyle talking to LisaR on the phone, and LisaR saying, she was obviously not serious, and Sutton didn’t leave. Sutton says she doesn’t want to talk about this at dinner in front of everyone, and blatantly ignoring that, Kyle asks Dorit if LisaR said, get the f*** out. LisaR hears this, and yells, that didn’t happen. Garcelle says, it did, and in her interview, she says, Sutton just told them that she didn’t want to talk about it. Kyle is always ready to throw Sutton under the bus. Kyle shouts over to LisaR, and says, they insist she said f***. Mauricio says, he wasn’t even there, but he knows she said it. LisaR says she must have been frustrated, but she doesn’t remember. Was it brutal? Garcelle says, it was, and LisaR says, she thinks their issue could be put to bed. Mauricio says he doesn’t think it ever will be, and LisaR says, the fact that Sutton didn’t apologize to her husband…  but Sutton says she sent a thoughtful text. In Sutton’s interview, she reads the text, which wishes Harry a happy birthday, and thanks him for including her. To keep the evening about celebrating him, she didn’t get a chance to express her apology, and she’s sorry for any embarrassment she caused him. Kissy kitty face and heart emoji. LisaR says, to make it go away, Sutton has to make a public apology. Sutton pretends to open a rule book, and says, do what LisaR tells her, and it goes away. In Crystal’s interview, she says, they’re not alone. There are other people here, including her friends, who are freaking out and texting her, WTF is going on? LisaR starts ranting and raving, and Sydney looks stunned. LisaR yells that when she understands why Sutton did this, she’ll let it the f*** go.

Dorit tells them to put a pin in it, and asks, who started it? All fingers rightly point to Kyle, and in Kyle’s interview, she says she just wanted to know if LisaR and Sutton still had issues. Are they okay, or are they sweeping it under the rug? It escalated into an uncomfortable situation, but it’s not Amsterdam level. We flash back to LisaR smashing a glass on the table when Kim asked, what about the husband? #WhatDidHarryDo? The lights dim, and they think the party is over, but the mystery surprise guest appears on the stairs. Kathy asks, who the hell is that? and we see it’s Melissa Etherege. Sutton says, Melissa is her girl crush, and Melissa sings Come To My Window. In Garcelle’s interview, she wonders how much of the screaming Melissa heard. It’s not a good look. You can dress them up, but you can’t take them out. PK explains that he works closely with Melissa’s managers, and they kept it a secret that they had a two-time Grammy winner coming. In Crystal’s interview, she says, this is the power of Melissa Etherege. She managed to get LisaR and Sutton to stop fighting. (Um… I think just LisaR is fighting.) How many encores can they get? A group photo is taken, and Melissa escapes. PK tells them that they can continue arguing now.

Sutton asks what LisaR wants from her, and LisaR says she doesn’t want to have this with Sutton. Her mom’s stuff came today. In LisaR’s interview, she says, it was everything from childhood photos to jewelry. It’s really, really heavy. Kathy frets that she can’t hear, and LisaR tells her to join them. Everyone gathers round, and LisaR says she can’t do this anymore. Her mom died two months ago, and her stuff came today. She doesn’t want to fight with Sutton; that’s not what it’s about. Her pain isn’t about Sutton, so she’s going to let it go. She has anger and feelings about a lot of things in her life. She’s in a lot of pain, and doing the best she can. She cries, and says she’s trying to figure out how to live without her mom, and she doesn’t know how. She keeps repeating she’s sorry, while Kyle hovers and dries her tears. In her interview, Garcelle says, LisaR had a breakthrough. Maybe she’s finally let go of the rage she feels about her mom. Sutton says, no one knows how to do it right, and LisaR says, what she did wasn’t right. She shouldn’t have put it on Sutton. She’s sorry she projected. She’s been saying she’s strong when she’s not. Someone yells for lash glue. In her interview, LisaR says, clearly she needed support and needed her friends to stay with her. She was acting out, but she was just in pain. Leave it to Melissa Etherege.

Next time, Sutton says an attorney from one of Erika’s lawsuits called her; Crystal tells her husband that she’s feeling pressure from the group, and doesn’t want to answer to them; Farrah plans her wedding; a disco party happens; and Garcelle says she doesn’t have to make Erika look bad, because she’s doing it on her own.

🗯 Sigh. I get that LisaR is in pain, and I’m sure she’s sorry in the moment, but I question her picking that lane for good. I really want to feel badly for her, and I do, but her behavior is just unacceptable. If you must use someone as a punching bag, use someone in your own household who’s forced to tolerate you, and will possibly tell you to get a grip before you do something really stupid. Like have a screaming match by yourself at a charity event.

🌄 New Every Morning…

Well, the problem turned out to be the AC unit itself. Long story short, yesterday’s nightmare could have been worse, but things are back to normal, for the most part. So stop in tomorrow for some soap and Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay conversant, and stay never thinking because someone hasn’t done everything, it means they haven’t done anything.

August 5, 2022 – Deception Does Damage Control, Yesterday’s Charm, 2 Anniversaries, He’s Restless, Days Move, Kindness Please, Regrets, Sit Down, Med Captain, 50 Cent’s 2 Cents, Transformation, Who’s On, 5+5 = 10 Quotes & Here It Comes

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase lounges in a floatie donut in the pool. Dante comes by and says, this reminds him of a movie he saw once. Disillusioned guy spends the summer floating around in a pool so he can avoid his future. Chase says, The Graduate. It’s a good movie. The key difference is though, the main character had Simon and Garfunkel singing his confusion. Dante says, right, and Chase says, and didn’t have to pay for his pool chaise. Dante says, that’s true too. Don’t kid himself though. That guy was a lot younger than him. Chase says, thank you. Did Dante talk to his guy at the CCRB? Dante says, yeah, and Chase says, and? Is there a chance he’s getting back on the force? Dante says he’s sorry. He wishes he had better news to report.

Lucy comes into the Deception office, and tells Brook and Maxie that she’s sorry to keep them waiting. She was on the phone with Paris again and again, and she appreciates them coming to this meeting at such short notice. Maxie says she’s supposed to meet Britt for brunch, but if this is about what she thinks it’s about, Britt will forgive her. Lucy says, yeah, Sasha, and Brook says, it’s all over the news. It’s blowing up their social media. They need to release a statement. Lucy says, exactly, and Maxie says, one that protects Sasha’s privacy. Lucy says, that is a given, but they also have to consider Deception’s image and protect their company. Maxie says, more important, they help their friend, but Lucy says she’s not sure they can do both.

Martin gives Sasha some coffee, and says, it’s not Perks, but why doesn’t she try to drink it anyway; be as sharp as she can. She just stares ahead, and he says, Sasha? If she doesn’t have anything more to say, he guesses he’ll see what time transport is set for her arraignment. Outside in the squad room, Gladys arrives, and Brando hugs her. She says she brought Sasha fresh clothes. He looks like he hasn’t slept a wink. Where’s Sasha? He points to the interrogation room, and says, she’s int there conferring with her lawyer Martin Grey. She says, excellent. He’s Valentin Cassadine’s attorney; he’s high-powered. He’ll help their girl for sure. Martin comes out, and Brando asks, how’s Sasha? Martin says, she’s just great. Why shouldn’t she be? She’s only facing charges of reckless endangerment, disturbing the peace, willful destruction of property – both public and private – and oh yeah, attempted murder.

Gregory meets Alexis at some outside tables, and she says, he’s early. He says, only by a few minutes. He’s eager to hear the feedback on the op ed he wrote. She says, and so he shall. She promised to be honest. He tells her not to keep him in suspense. Who came out on top of their little wager? She says, you tell me, and hands him her tablet.

At the MetroCourt Gardens, Sam thanks Spinelli for meeting her. He says, of course (🍷). He’s always at her service. Cody walks in, and Spinelli says, unlike others, she’s entirely worthy of his time and efforts.

Cody sees Britt, and says, hello again. He sits next to her, and she says, and goodbye again, getting up. He says, come on. Don’t be like that. She doesn’t have to take off. She says, sorry. She has to go. He says, what? She needs something plugged in again? She needs to wash her hair? He knows she doesn’t need to see a guy about a horse because he’s that guy. She says, he’s right. She doesn’t need to make excuses. The simple truth is, she just doesn’t like him.

Chase says, so the Review Board is going to rule against him? and Dante says he doesn’t know about that. All he knows is, his guy on the inside, when he asked if Chase would get his badge back, he said the chances were slim. Chase asks if there’s anything he can do to derail this, and Dante says, the new member appointed by the public advocate is making a point of throwing the book at cops who step out of line, regardless of their exemplary record. Chase says, so that’s it, he’s no longer a cop, but Dante says, take it from him, you’re still a cop until you actually hand your badge in for good. There’s always hope until that happens. Chase says, hope doesn’t pay his late rent, and Dante says he’ll spot Chase rent money. Chase says he appreciates that, but he got himself into this, and he’ll get himself out. Dante says, even if it means taking a job outside the force? when Linc appears, and says, then it’s a good thing Chase has other options.

Brook scrolls on her tablet, and says, the comments are so rude. Poor Sasha. Maxie says, she kept insisting she was okay, but in retrospect, it’s clear she wasn’t. Lucy says, these media hounds are baying for blood. They’ve got to simply reset the narrative. They need to engender empathy for Sasha that maintains her position here, and hopefully placates the Board of Directors. Maxie says, they need to come up with a strategy that shields Deception from liability, while not abandoning one of their partners. Brook says, right. Where do they start? Maxie says, let’s get the ball rolling, and asks if Brook would mind taking notes. Brook says, of course (🍷) not, and Maxie says, Deception’s press release subject: Deception’s commitment on supporting health and mental well-being.

Gladys brings a garment bag in to Sasha, and asks how she’s holding up.

Alexis tells Gregory, this one says, Professor Chase’s opinion piece seems like a complaint in search of a cause, and he says, but if you scroll up, you’ll see Cronkite’s Ghost – he laughs – says his op-ed piece eloquently illuminates the necessity of objectivity. She laughs, and says, Cronkite’s Ghost. They say a handle says a lot about a person. She’s getting pompous blowhard. He asks if she’s ascribing that characterization to him, but she says, no, of course (🍷) not. Here’s one. Newshound86 thinks his op-ed piece is a dumpster fire. He says, how constructive… and poetic, and she says, this one just wants her to put the horoscopes back in. He says, he’d argue that astrology is subjective, so he marks that one in his favor. She says, by a slim margin, it appears the readers approve of his point-of-view. Cue the gloating. He says, him gloat? No. It’s enough he’s feeling validated that his so-called antiquated notions have merit. Thanks for following up. She says, a deal’s a deal, and he says, speaking of which, their deal was, if he won, she’d take more of his input on board. She wonders why the hairs on the back of her neck on end. Cue the smirk. He smiles.

Cody says, Britt hasn’t been shy about her disapproval, and she says, and yet, here he is. Haven’t they played this scene before? He says, yes, we have, but we keep screwing up the finale, and she asks what he means by we. He says, he can admit that he doesn’t always say the right things, and she asks if he expects her to say something to the contrary, but he says, no. He was just giving her the chance to admit that she’s unforgiving when it comes to human frailty. He takes a sip of his drink, and says he’ll wait. She says, by all means, help yourself.

Sam tells Spinelli that she thinks she hit a brick wall, but he’s busy staring at Britt and Cody. She says, then Felicia made a great suggestion to her. She said, think analog. He says, interesting, and she says, the documentation she needs is abroad. Is he available for a quick trip? He asks, where? and she says she was thinking Mars. She hears the planet is notorious for sloppy record keeping. He says, that’s just common knowledge, and she says, he’s not even listening to a word she’s saying, but he says, he is. Analog records… messy… Mars? She tells him, she said Mars, and the word she used is sloppy. What’s messy is him eavesdropping on Britt and Cody’s conversation. She wants him to tell her why, and no lame excuse or denial, because she’s not buying it.

Sasha comes out, and Brando her. He says he’s not going anywhere, and Gladys leads her away. Martin says he’s glad Brando’s mother brought fresh clothes; she needs to be as presentable as possible. Brando says, clothes aren’t going to do anything. Her eyes are vacant and she doesn’t look good. They need to get her out of here. Tell him, how are they going to beat these charges? Martin says, they can’t.

Cody tells Britt to look at it from his point-of-view. She tore into him about falling into the pool at the mixer. He was hired to jump, and she was standing smackdab in the middle of it. She helped him in the alley when he got beat up, but then she assumed he deserved it. He did not. Then she drenched him on their date because he went a little overboard trying to impress her. And she woudn’t even accept his apology. Then when she finally did accept his apology, she found some trivial reason to get angry at him again. It’s like she wants him to fail. He guesses if people don’t live up to her ridiculously high expectations she’s set for them, she gets to feel justified punishing them. She says, he’s right. He’s got her number. He says, he does?

Sam says, Spinelli is on good terms with Britt, so his beef must be with Cody. Why? He says, Mr. Bell is a scoundrel of ill-repute, and she asks if he realizes Cody and Dante are best friends from childhood. Leo loves the guy, as do the horses. He seems like a nice guy. What’s Spinelli’s issue with him? Spinelli says, he’s a man of many faces, and she says, meaning? He says he can read people well. Remember, he never liked Peter August. She says, nobody liked Peter August. Why doesn’t he save his incredible reading skills for the documentation they’ll be hunting down on their trip? She’d like to leave by the end of the week. He says he’s completely at her disposal stateside, but he’s too occupied with work to cross the International Dateline. She says, work. She’s so glad he brought that up. What is it he does these days?

Dante says he wasn’t talking to Linc. What does he want? Linc says, nothing to do with Dante. He has business with Dante’s friend here. Dante says, Chase is still a cop, so Chase is his partner, and Chase asks Dante to give them a second. Dante asks if Chase is kidding. This guy might be the reason he gets kicked off the force. What business could Chase possibly have with him? Linc says, standing right here, and Dante says, go stand over there. Chase tells Dante, he knows what he’s doing, and Dante says, all right. Just don’t let this punk bait him. He leaves, and Linc says, Chase gave him 30 days to show him what he can do. It hasn’t even been a week, and he’s booked Chase a gig at The Savoy. What has Brook done for him lately?

Maxie asks Brook to read that last part back, and Brook reads, together we pledge to stand up for the Deception family by breaking the stigma of mental health challenges, ensuring their partners and their families receive all the help they need. Therefore, Deception will make a one million dollar donation to help families with mental illness. Maxie says, sounds good. Just change the Deception family to our Deception family, and she thinks that’s their press release. Brook agrees, and says, Sasha’s arrest was definitely a cry for help. Hopefully, framing it this way will inspire compassion. Haters be damned. She’s going to make this change, email it to herself, and take it to PR. Maxie asks her to have legal put their eyes on it first. Then tell them to work with PR. She wants it posted on all their social media platforms as soon as possible. Brook says, she’ll make it happen, and leaves. Maxie asks if Lucy didn’t have anything she wanted to add, but Lucy says, no. Actually, everything Maxie and Brook said is fine. Lucy scarfs gummi bears as they talk, and Maxie says, she’s glad Martin is representing Sasha; he’s one of the best. And she’s not just saying that because… you know. Lucy says, my guy knows his stuff, and it’s good for Sasha’s sake, and for ours. Maxie says, ours? and Lucy says, it’s just that Martin sees the big picture, and understands how important it is to protect all of Sasha’s interests, which includes Deception. Which means they have some tough decisions to make. Maxie says, how tough? and Lucy says, Maxie’s not going to like what she has to say.

Martin tells Brando, he had a call into the DA’s office, and his contact just got back to him. Martin wanted to run something by him. Brando says, something about Sasha? and Martin says, Brando’s got to understand some things. Brando says, sounds serious, and Martin says, in the first place, he’s sorry he rattled off those charges at Brando like that. He wasn’t trying to be flippant. He’s a little punchy in the morning when he hasn’t slept, but he swears he’s taking this case seriously. He wants Brando to know, he’s looking at every possibility to help his wife; all of them. Brando thanks him, and asks if Martin was being punchy when he said they couldn’t beat some of these charges. Martin says, some of the charges he believe can be thrown out, or restitution can be made, but on some of the others, no way. They have to contend with a very damning video; a video where Sasha isn’t just out of control, she looks outright violent. All those assault charges are going to be tough to beat. Brando says, but he’ll try, right? They’ll do whatever he wants them to do. Martin says he believes Brando will, but can the same thing be said of his wife?  

Gladys wipes Sasha’s face, and Sasha pulls away. Gladys says, Sasha is still a little smudged. She’s just trying help. Sasha says, thanks, but nobody can help, and Gladys says, that’s not true. Sasha has a whole army behind her. Maxie’s been blowing up Gladys’s phone; she just hasn’t had a chance to get back to her. She’s sure Maxie and Lucy want to visit Sasha, but Sasha says she’s not. Not after what she did. Gladys asks why she did it, and Sasha says, she was standing up for herself, and she would do it again.

Gregory says, he heard Sasha Gilmore recently attacked the vehicle of one of Alexis’s reporters, and she says, Smoltz (who apparently has no first name) is a freelancer. He says, whatever Smoltz’s role at The Invader, he’s surprised there’s been no mention of it in her paper. Why is that? She says, because the story is still evolving, and they’ll cover it when they know more. Unless of course (🍷) he’d like her to report the salacious account of a spokesmodel having a nervous breakdown. He says, that’s a narrow way of looking at it, and she says, and his way? He says, the facts. A reporter – one affiliated with her paper – was attacked while doing his job.

Lucy says, maybe they should consider finding a new Face of Deception, and Maxie asks if she’s talking about pushing Sasha out, but Lucy says, no, absolutely not. Sasha is their partner, and always will be. She’s just thinking maybe Sasha should step aside as spokesperson, just for a while. Take a sabbatical or something. Maxie says, after everything Sasha has lost, Lucy wants to strip her of more, and Lucy says, it’s hard to say and hard to hear, but look at everything they’ve built; look at all this company means. All the money, everything, is tied up in its stock value. And if it goes belly-up, it’s Brokesville again; they’ll have nothing. She knows Sasha wouldn’t want that. Does Maxie? Sasha is their friend, always; this is just business. Maxie says, okay. Then as the head of this business, Lucy can tell her, and she walks out.

Gladys says, can’t the court just ask Sasha to pay for the damage to that reporter’s car? She’s good for it. Sasha says, Smoltz deserved it; so did Sienna. Pretending to be Sasha’s friend, when all along, Sienna wanted to ply her with more drugs so she could stab her in the back. She’s so sick of them. She’s tired of being exploited. Gladys says, of course (🍷) she is, but isn’t she also tired of feeling out of control?

Martin tells Brando, he doesn’t know what the hell’s going on or why, but they simply don’t have time to figure it out. For some reason, Brando’s wife has completely shut down. Every answer she gave him was model celeb, if she answered him at all. Brando says, Sasha’s in shock. Spending the night in jail didn’t help at all. Martin says, he’ll definitely ask the court to take that into consideration, but that’s not the only issue at play here, is it? He was up most of the night going over the evidence in this case, trying to wrap his head recent events, and he doesn’t have to tell Brando, it doesn’t look good. Sasha has blown up her sobriety, she’s spun out on national television… She caused a fatal car accident... Brando says, she didn’t cause that; Harmony ran out in front of her. Martin says, so what? His point is, with Sasha these days, it’s one thing after another. This is just something else in a long line of bad looks. Now, worst of all, she’s either in denial or she’s intentionally avoiding the help she so desperately needs.

Britt tells Cody, she is too hard on people; she always has been. He asks if she thinks she misses out on getting to know folks, and she says, probably. He says, it’s kind of worse that they end up missing out on knowing her, and she says, okay, this is sliding into the sappy zone. What he doesn’t understand is, she doesn’t really like people all that much, so it’s no great loss. He says he’s see how she and her buddy Brad get on, when she’s not scolding him, and she says, that weirdo? He says, besides, what’s a little sap between friends? Nothing wrong with that. Not to be presumptuous, but he has a sappy present for her. He knows they’re not friends or anything like that, but consider him a weirdo. He takes an envelope out of his pocket, and puts it on the table. He says, it’s just a little token to prove he’s not some conniving grifter, and she says, he just happened to be carrying it in case he bumped into her? Not conniving, eh? How did he know where to find her?

Spinelli assures Sam, his work is of the greatest importance. Not as important as hers of course (🍷). He has contacts all over the world who can be at her disposal. In fact, he’ll connect her with someone who can help aid in her investigation. She says, nice try. She’s not done interrogating him yet. He says, she’s an astute sleuth. Can’t she detect a dead end when she sees one? Speaking of sleuths, how are things with Detective Falconari? She says, well, he asked her to move in with him. Spinelli says, congratulations. Glad tidings… are they not?

Chase tells Linc, that’s great about The Savoy, but he’s sure Brook has some irons in the fire. Linc says, while she’s flailing around, he’s crushing it. How does a gig at The Mercury Lounge sound? Chase says, in New York City? Out of his league. That place is for the big acts. Linc says, it is, and it will be for Chase before he knows it, with Linc managing his career. It’s hard to have a serious conversation with a floatie between them. Chase gets out of the pool, and Linc hands him a towel. He says, it’s good to see Chase’s unemployment paid off with more gym time. When he’s through marketing Chase, their key demo is either going to want to be him, or want to be with him. Brook walks in, and says, Chase isn’t just a piece of meat; he’s an artist – a talented, beautiful artist. Chase gets dressed, and Brook says, he’s got talent, and smarts, and heart. Linc says, sure. He’s the total package, but he assures her, Chase’s fans will be more interested in his eyes than his IQ. His development department has put together a promotional plan for Chase. He’s also booked studio time for them to start laying down tracks with top writers and producers. After the gig at The Savoy, then they’ll focus on The Mercury Lounge. At both gigs, the concert goers will be able to stream and share his EP. They’ll be able to sell a ton of merch at The Mercury Lounge. Either way, it’s instant revenue for Chase. Chase says he could actually use the money, and Brook asks, how much is this studio time? What are they talking here? Chase says, it does sound expensive, and Linc says, you bet it is, but not for Chase; it’s part of the package. Like his styling, his wardrobe, and his voice lessons. Can Brook offer him the same? Dante watches them, and Brook says, no, but she can offer him something even better.

Britt asks if Cody is having her followed; paying people to let him know if she shows up here? He says, Maxie told him… Well, she mentioned something about brunch plans, and he took a chance. She says, it’s still invasive, and he says he hears her, but it’s still better than showing up at her hotel room or her office. He didn’t have any other options. Is she going to open it or what? She holds the envelope to her ear, and says, it’s not ticking. He says, no need. He’s blown up enough chances with her. She opens the passport and starts to read, and he says, she’s a hard woman to make arts and crafts for. He’ll totally understand if she hates it. She says she doesn’t hate it, and he says, does she think maybe they could add another stamp? Any night she’s available. She asks if there’s any way he’ll take no for an answer, and he says, statistically? Probably the same chances as her refraining from sarcasm. She says she calls the meal this time, and he says, deal.

Sam tells Spinelli, there’s so much to consider. She’s not sure about moving. She doesn’t want to uproot Scout and Danny; the penthouse is their home. He says, home is wherever she is. Doesn’t she want to live with Dante? She says she thinks things are really good the way they are. Why change it? He asks if there’s any other reason she’s hesitant to do this, when Maxie walks in, and says, hey guys. She’s having a morning. Is she interrupting if she sits? Sam says, not at all, and Spinelli says, have a seat. Britt says she never would have figured Cody for being the arts and crafts type, and Maxie says, it looks like Britt and Cody are getting along. She guesses she doesn’t have to apologize to Britt for missing their brunch. Looks like she gave true love an assist. Spinelli asks why she’s so certain Cody is right for Britt, and she says, because she trusts Society Set-Ups. And she’s spent some time with him; he’s a sweet guy. Sam says she happens to agree, but Spinelli says, they both couldn’t be more wrong, and storms out.

Alexis says, not everyone sees things through the lens of a journalism professor, and Gregory says, he’s also a citizen. It concerns him whenever freedom of the press is constrained by threats or violence. She says, she agrees, but he doesn’t know Smoltz. His tactics are less than savory, and she wouldn’t put it past him if he goaded Sasha into a reaction, hoping to provoke just what he got. So if she were him, she wouldn’t hang out the shingle of the First Amendment rights on this one. He says he’d like to invite her to one of his PCU lectures, and she says, he’s lecturing? He says, PCU wooed him out of retirement; convinced him to teach a course. He thinks she’d get a lot out of it. She says, really? She’s argued First Amendment rights in a court of law a lot more than he’s ever lectured about it in a classroom. He says, then she undoubtedly knows, the character of the victim doesn’t preclude the reporting of the crime. Mr. Smoltz may not be the kind of reporter she respects, but he was the target of violence, which makes it at least worthy of her attention, and in his learned opinion, most definitely newsworthy.

Sasha says, Gladys thinks she’s out of control? and Gladys says, doesn’t she? Lately, she’s not the Sasha that Gladys has come to know and love. Sasha says, love. Gladys didn’t even want her to marry her son. Gladys says, she didn’t. Not then. Not at the time, for a few reasons. It seemed like they were rushing, for one thing, and she didn’t like being excluded. But once she saw how much Sasha really loved Brando, and how happy she makes him, and how kind and smart she is, she’s been proud to call Sasha her daughter-in-law. And she’s done what she could to protect Sasha. She thought Sasha knew that.

Brando asks if Martin thinks he gives a damn about optics. He cares about Sasha. He cares about what Martin can do for her. Martin says, Brando needs to care about all of it. Just like he does. Sasha’s drawn the attention of the internet; she’s gone viral. Given the recent nature of political events involving their mayor, the DA’s office is doing everything to avoid the appearance of favoritism. Sasha’s a celebrity. Optics. Translation: don’t expect any kind of preferential treatment, because they’re in no position to give her a break. Brando asks what they do, and Martin says, he motivates his wife to take a more active part in her own defense. He agrees she needs help. She needs a psyche consult, but he doesn’t know if she’d be receptive to the idea. Most of all, she needs to demonstrate her commitment to intensive therapy and restitution. Brando says he doesn’t know if Sasha is ready to confront this, and Martin says, and that severely limits their options. He can only think of one other way to keep Brando’s wife out of prison.

Britt tells Cody, it’s official; she’s been stood up. She’s going to the pool. He says, he’d ask to join her, but she’d just say he’s pushing it, and she says, maybe he is getting to know her. Maxie and Sam join them, and Maxie says, they are getting along. Britt asks for a word with her, and they step aside. Britt asks, what happened to brunch; did Maxie forget? Maxie says, she got hung up at Deception, damage control, and Britt says, right. Sorry. How’s Sasha doing? Any word? Maxie says, nothing from her side; not happy things from theirs. Britt says, when she sees Sasha, tell her she has friends, and Maxie says, she will. It seems like Britt is all about friends these days. Looking pretty cozy over there. She asks, what’s that? indicating the envelope in Britt’s hand, and Britt says, just a silly gift Cody made her. Maxie says, oh… really, and Britt says she’ll overlook whatever part Maxie played in securing him a second date. Maxie gets excited, and says, they’re going on a second date? Britt says, calm down. It’s just a date. Don’t go pricing wedding venues.

Alexis tells Gregory, what Sasha did to Smoltz is news, regardless of extenuating circumstances, but is it newsworthy? He says, that sounds like leftover lawyer speak, and she says, it’s human speak, because she’s a human being. You know who else is a human being? Sasha Gilmore. Gregory says, one that she knows personally. Could that be precluding her view? She says, she barely knows Sasha. She’s looking at the big picture, and given the impact of social media, and various platforms, in contemporary journalism, that’s something that has to be taken very seriously. He says, by all means, put the truth out there, and she says, Cronkite said, in seeking the truth, you need to be able to look at both sides of the story. If they just tell the facts of what happened to Sasha, it’s a disservice to her and their readers. He says, don’t tell him she has alternative facts, and she says, she has context. In the span of a year, Sasha has overdosed, she’s gotten clean, she’s fallen in love, she’s lost a child, she’s been in a fatal car crash, she’s relapsed, and she’s still struggling with her mental health. So if they omit all that, and just print she attacked a car with a valet sign, that’s not showing respect to the Fourth Estate. It’s character assassination disguised as journalism.

Martin says he knows he can cut a deal with the DA’s office, predicated on the promise that Sasha stays out of trouble moving forward, but Brando says he doesn’t know if they can guarantee that. Martin says, in her current state? Brando had better guarantee it, because if he makes a deal, and she breaks her promise, she will be remanded to prison. Like he said, there might be one other way, if Brando’s prepared for it. Brando asks if it’s something that would get the DA to accept this deal, and Martin asks if he knows what guardianship is. Brando says, it’s like a conservatorship, right? and Martin says, exactly. In New York state, the guardianship is utilized when an adult is considered legally incapacitated. Brando says, Martin wants them to claim Sasha is incapable of taking care of herself? and Martin asks, what happened during her last therapy appointment? Brando says, she didn’t make it, and Martin asks if Brando would say her condition makes her less able to manage things, like her health and financial affairs. Brando says he doesn’t know about this, and Martin says, take it easy. They’re not talking about tossing Sasha into some 19th century house of hysteria; this is simply a strategy. It’s a way to keep her at home, and out of prison. Appoint someone, a guardian to watch out for her well-being, make sure she gets to appointments on time, safeguard her finances. It doesn’t have to be forever. Brando says, it seems extreme, and Martin says, it’s Brando’s call, but given Sasha’s state of mind, is she ready for a trial? He doesn’t think it would go well for her. Does Brando?

Sasha says she’s tired, and Gladys says she knows, but they’re all doing their best to help her. She can’t read Sasha’s mind, but she’ll tell Sasha what’s on hers. Sasha is her family now, and that means Gladys will do whatever it takes to look out for her.

Brook says, what she can offer Chase is unique, and Linc says, what is  this, a double-standard? Brook tells him, get his head out of the gutter, if it’s at all possible. Linc is only looking at Chase as a performer. She’s a songwriter and they’ve collaborated before. If they share songwriting credit, he’ll get a larger share of all songs produced and streamed. The money won’t be instant, but the residuals mean a lot more in the long run. Chase says, it’s very tempting, and she tells him, think about it, and leaves. She walks over to Dante, and he says he’d clap for her, but he doesn’t want to blow her cover. That was a great show. Is there anything she can’t do? She says she can’t understand what he’s saying right now. Why is he smiling? He says, it’s him. They go way back. The whole wanting to be Chase’s manager is a good angle, but he knows a con when he sees one.

Gregory tells Alexis, beautifully expressed. Miss Gilmore is lucky that Alexis is Editor-in-Chief. She says, he’s agreeing with her? and he asks if that’s so hard to believe. She says, given their interaction thus far? and he says, fair enough. He agrees this story can’t be told without including Miss Gilmore’s state of mind as a mitigating factor. It’s wise to take a more nuanced approach. Alexis says, she’s concerned about violating medical confidentiality. How does she inject nuance without compromising privacy? He says, it’s tricky, but there are ways, and she says, okay, professor. He’s offered a lesson. Okeydoke. She takes out her notebook, and says, school’s in session. He says he’s honored, but she says, don’t be. She’s doing it for Sasha.

Brando says, Martin is sure no plea deal can be made? and Martin says, not if Sasha doesn’t demonstrate some kind of cooperation. Brando asks if she wouldn’t have to agree to a guardianship, but Martin says, not necessarily, especially if she was incapable of making that decision. Brando says, she’s already accused him of trying to control her life. He doesn’t know if he’s comfortable with this. Gladys and Sasha join them, and Gladys says, comfortable with what? Are they talking a game plan, a strategy? Martin says, they have a couple options to consider, but for now they’re taking it one step at a time. He tells Sasha, this officer is going to escort her to the courthouse where she’s going to be arraigned. They’ll meet her there. Does she have any questions? Sasha shakes her head, and Brando takes her hands, and says, everything’s going to be okay. She says, promise? and he says, better than that, a vow. For better or worse, in sickness and in health. He’s got her.   

Maxie goes back to Cody and Sam, and says, Cody’s gift was a hit. Congrats. They high-five, and Cody thanks her for encouraging him to give it to Britt personally. Sam says, smooth move, Maxie, and he says, too bad all of Britt’s friends aren’t as supportive as they are. Sam says, if he’s referring to Spinelli, don’t worry about him; he’s been all over the place lately. Maxie says, she’s noticed that. What’s with him? Sam says she doesn’t know, aside from the fact he gave Cody a dirty look the entire time she was talking to him, and Maxie wonders why he’d be doing that. Does Cody have any idea? He says, not a clue.

Britt lies on a chaise, her eyes closed, when Spinelli clears his throat, startling her. He says, she’s about to make a mistake, and she says, his mistake was looming over her like a vampire. He almost got a swift kick. She gets up, and he says he’s serious. She can’t go out with Cody again.

Britt says she knows Dante wants his partner back, but whether he wants to believe it or not, Chase real future in music. Dante says he knows Chase is a talented guy, but he also happens to know, Chase is thinking things are pretty bleak right now, and he doesn’t want Chase to make a mistake. So please level with him. What the hell do the two of them have cooking up?

Chase tells Linc, that’s great. Tell the development team to send over the promotional package, and he’ll have his lawyers look at it. Linc says, he’s convincing, but not good enough for Linc, or himself. Chase says he’s not sure what Linc is getting at, and Linc says, don’t play a player. He knows Brook, and he knows what she’s really up to.

On Monday, Cody says, might as well put their cards on the table; Willow has the feeling Ava want something from her; Obrecht says, Nina needs to walk away now; and Dex says he just gave Michael the perfect opportunity to nail his old man.

Southern Charm

Austen joins Kathryn for a pedicure at a nail place, unoriginally called The Nail Place. He says he’s excited for girls day, and in his interview, he says he’s always had a soft spot for Kathryn. He did win Drama King in high school, and Kathryn can be dramatic as well. She asks if he’s getting a color, and he says he’s not Craig. Working at home, Craig tells himself, work smarter, not harder. Naomie calls, and he tells her that he’s working on his spring collection. She says she had a strange reaction at Olivia’s, and needs to pick his brain. She asks if he wants to get coffee, and we flash back to Paige saying, it’s inappropriate to hang out with one’s ex. Craig asks why she’s calling him about it, and Naomie says, it’s about Kathryn. She thought he’d be the best person to advise her. We flash back to Craig asking Paige, what about having lunch with an ex? and Paige saying, no. He says, it must be serious enough if she wants to talk in person. He’s going to be over by her later, and there’s a coffee shop nearby. In Craig’s interview, he says, it’s just coffee. He’ll get in and get out. They’re not getting their nails done together. Meanwhile at the nail salon, Austen says he loves Kathryn’s blond look, and she asks how things are going with him and Olivia. He says, they haven’t spoken since the party. It bothered him that after he’d talked to her about Madison, Olivia invited her to the party. He doesn’t want to pursue someone who wants to be friends with his ex. In Kathryn’s interview, she says, sometimes Austen can be a petty bitch.

Olivia and mom Robin discuss the party, and agree it was fun. Robin asks about Austen, and Olivia says, they didn’t end on the best note at the party. We flash back to Olivia telling Austen that she’s waiting for the day he doesn’t care about Madison, and she tells Robin about it. Robin says, he does seem more tense around Madison. She thinks it’s sensitive and sweet, and says, you usually don’t hear about a woman being… whatever [Madison] is. Olivia says, everyone has ex stuff, but she wants Austen to be right in that department. In Olivia’s interview, she says, a relationship with Austen is too much work. She’s not enough drama for him. He seems to like it; it’s what he’s used to. While they get a paraffin foot treatment, Austen says he’s happy Kathryn and Chleb are back together. Kathryn says, they’re trying, but in her gut, she feels like something is off. At the party, he was talking to Naomie a lot. It was weird super and disrespectful, and she felt hurt. We see a clip of Chleb telling Kathryn that Naomie was calling her names, and Kathryn saying, he should have shut it down immediately, not listen because he’s being a good guy. In Kathryn’s interview, she says she wishes he would be more aware of what he’s doing. Loyalty, hello? Austen tells her, if she thinks something off, then something is off.

Leva sees her trainer, and he does some kind of massage/stretching exercises for her muscles. In Leva’s interview, she says she wants to be present. She’s reading books about essentialism, so she doesn’t cook as much, lets the house be messy, and picks her battles at work. She’s consciously practicing to be a calmer person. But it’s not working. She loves Little Lamar, but he’s two and chaotic. We see some clips of Little in action, and she says, he’s so high energy from 6 am until his bedtime at 9 pm, which is her fault. Venita’s mom Vi visits her, and says she loves Venita’s big hair. When she was young, she had big hair. In Venita’s interview, she says, her mother didn’t tell her be perfect. She told Venita that perfect was however she chose to be. Venita tells Vi that she had a bad week. She didn’t get invited to Olivia’s party because Olivia didn’t want the garden party again. She guesses it’s embarrassing, and her feelings are hurt. Vi says, Venita’s got to talk about things, but when she’s rational; not in the heat of anger. Venita says she doesn’t know how to go about it, since she’s never seen it. Vi didn’t show her how to handle things, and hid any disagreements with her dad. Vi says she’s not talking about Venita’s dad, and in her interview, Venita says she was an only child. She was in high school when she came home one day, and her dad was gone. Her parents could have worked for the Secret Service. She had no idea it wasn’t working out. She tells Vi, all she knew was that she had two parents, and then one of them was gone, and Vi says, Venita still has two parents. In Venita’s interview, she says, her dad was probably living a double life since she was about 14. It took until her aunt called and said he was marrying someone else for her to understand her parents were done. Vi says, Venita’s dad was thinking with the wrong part of his anatomy, and it wasn’t something to discuss with her daughter. She didn’t want Venita to see her pain. Venita says she doesn’t have the insight her friends do, because they saw their parents argue, then figure it out. Vi says, it’s probably because she grew up in a house where they did argue, and Venita asks what it taught Vi. Vi says, not to do it, and in her interview, Venita says, teaching you how to avoid fighting doesn’t teach you how to deal with fighting. She’ll get overly upset at a simple confrontation, because she’s never seen anyone do that on a personal level. Vi says she tried to protect Venita from the pitfalls of life, which was not necessarily a good thing. Venita didn’t learn how to handle adversity, and Vi apologizes for what she didn’t do. Going forward, she’ll do her best. Books on parenting don’t work. You have to go through it to learn. She asks if that satisfied Venita, and Venita says, it’s more than she had yesterday.

Little Craig! Shep visits Whitney and Patricia, who’s gotten Little Craig a champagne bottle toy, which she says is unshreddable. Whitney says, Little Craig is like a piranha meets the Tasmanian Devil, and Shep says, his dad calls the dog a French terrorist. New guy Randy is doing the butlering, and Patricia says, nobody can take Michael’s place, but he’s good. Whitney says, Randy alleviates his duties, like official dog walker. In Patricia’s interview, she says, Randy is a lovely man. He’s a good server and fixes drinks so much better than Whitney. We flash back to Whitney bumbling through things, and see that Little Craig is already well on his way to totally destroying his new toy. Patricia says, speaking of incurring damage, Little Craig was involved in Peaches’ violation. Shep asks if they had a roll in the hay, and Whitney says, Little Craig is a feral mess. Done with his toy destruction, Little Craig runs to find Peaches, and Patricia says, let him; the damage has been done. In her interview, Patricia says, mounted is too strong a word. He sullied Peaches’ reputation. She tells Shep that Little Craig has to do the honorable thing. She’d like to have a wedding. (I can’t wait!) Shep asks if she wants Little Craig to make an honest doggy of Peaches, and Patricia says, he thinks she’s kidding. She doesn’t see anybody here doing anything in the near future. Shep says, so they’ll give her the wedding she richly deserves. She asks if Little Craig has a tux. She’s getting Peaches a wedding gown. In Shep’s interview, he says, if Whitney had his way, he’d be a bachelor for life. Still living in hope, Patricia says she doesn’t want to preempt any wedding bells, and asks Shep about Taylor. Shep says, Taylor’s not a pressure type of gal.

Taylor visits Marcie, and checks out the nursery, saying, it’s so pink; she loves it. Marcie says she’s glad she’s done. She’s due in 5 weeks. In Taylor’s interview, she says, in her perfect world she’d get married around 30, and have kids by 33. How old is she now? (I looked it up. She’s 27.) Marcie shows Taylor the outfit she’s taking the baby home in, and they move on to an entire closet full of clothes. In her interview, Taylor says she gets giddy looking at clothes and strollers. Shep’s clock isn’t ticking, but hers is. Shep tells Patricia that he thinks he’s in the clear, but Patricia says, don’t kid yourself. Whitney asks how long they’ve been going out, and Shep says, two years. Patricia says, if there was no proposal after four months, that’s it. In Patricia’s interview, she says, Taylor is making a mistake be acquiescing. She needs to give him an ultimatum. Patricia says, she’s amazed that any woman could put up with the two of them, and Shep says, they’re on the George Clooney/Warren Beatty track.

Naomie calls Craig, saying she’s at the coffee place, and they’re out of chai. She places both their orders, and when he gets there, she asks why he’s grumpy. He insists he’s not, and she asks if he had fun at Olivia’s party. He asks it was about Kathryn she wanted to discuss, and she says, during the party, Chleb came up and started going in about Kathryn. We flash back to that, and Naomie says, Chleb was saying not nice things. Craig says, like what? and we flash back to Chleb saying he could only listen so much to Kathryn, then he’d put on ESPN and tune out. Like practically every man doesn’t do this. She tells Craig, Chleb doesn’t seem happy. The one lesson she learned after her and Craig was, never air your dirty laundry to other people. She has regrets about talking bad about Craig, and she’s pretty sure Metul did the same thing to her. Karma is very real. She wonders what’s making Craig uncomfortable. He’s jittery, making no eye contact, and keeps looking over his shoulder. Who’s coming? She says, he’s acting like she’s part of a sting operation or something. She doesn’t know what’s going on, and wishes he’d just be straight and not act like a weirdo. In Craig’s interview, he wonders why they needed to have coffee for Naomie to tell him that Chleb was talking sh*t about Kathryn. Naomie says she feels bad for Kathryn. They’ll never be good friends, but she feels it’s the right thing to hand Craig the information. Maybe he could just talk to her. He says, maybe, but he’s got to be going. He’s picking up Paige from the airport. Naomie suggests they do a fun night out, and Craig says, one day, maybe. Naomie says she just wants to have fun, but Craig says, unfortunately, there are boundaries. He’s glad they can catch up and be friends, but at the end of the day, Naomie is his ex-girlfriend, and Paige doesn’t appreciate it. They can’t hang out just yet. Naomie says, they can’t forget the past, and in his interview, Craig says he thinks Paige is being understanding, even though she doesn’t understand the situation, since she lives in NYC, where you don’t run into your ex all the time or hang out with them. He doesn’t want to push or disrespect her any further. In Naomie’s interview, she says, if  she hadn’t thought she and Craig were on the same page, she wouldn’t have asked him for coffee. She’s not trying to get with him. She’s not the type who tries to get with a guy who has a girlfriend. If it feels awkward, that’s on them, not her. I can see it both ways, but I’ve never really wanted to hang out with an ex. Oh wait. I do hang out with my boyfriend from high school once in a while, but those feelings are long gone. If they were even real at that age. Now he’s someone I grew up with.

Olivia calls Naomie from the car, and says she’s meeting Venita. Naomie says, awesome; heal it up. They meet at a juice bar, and in Venita’s interview, she says, with her parents, all she’s seen is avoidance of fighting, confrontation, and issues. She wants to step up and resolve this, rather than letting it sit. Venita asks how the party was, and Olivia says, fun. They toast to this thing (i.e. their meeting), and Olivia says she appreciates Venita reaching out. Venita says, they had a rocky start, and she wants to be able to lay everything on the table. Olivia says she thinks Venita has a false perception of who she is, and she was thrown by Venita’s misconceptions. Insinuating something is not cool. Venita says, when Olivia walked away, it felt dismissive, and Olivia gets how it could be perceived, but it’s her way to cool off when she knows nothing is going to get resolved in that moment. Venita apologizes for coming at Olivia so hot. It wasn’t necessary, and it’s not who she is as an individual. She suggests they make it a clean slate. Now they just have to worry about everyone else. She says, with all that smoke and heat between Austen and Madison, why invite Madison to the party? Olivia says, she and Madison are fine, but she got an earful about it. We flash back to Austen acting stupid, and Venita asks if Olivia and Austen are dating. Olivia says, they only went out one-on-one once, and they’re in in that weird limbo. Venita wonders if Madison knows, and Olivia asks why it would matter. Venita says, Madison and Austen were so deeply involved, part of Madison feels entitled to know what’s going on. It’s not worth it.

Chleb goes to mom Debbie’s house, and she asks if he’s working hard. He says, seven days; he’s pretty damn tired. Debbie wonders if he didn’t take the tag off his shoes, but he says, it’s the style. She says, it seems awkward, but he says, it’s the drip these days. She asks how Kathryn is, and he says, they went through some stuff. There was a girl named Naomie at the party who Kathryn dislikes, and she and Chleb got to talking. We see a clip of Kathryn telling Chleb, it’s embarrassing. In Chleb’s interview, he says he doesn’t want to be in a relationship with someone he’s thinking negatively about. Debbie says, it takes work, and suggests he make a list of what he likes and dislikes about the relationship. She says, if you have more dislikes than likes, you ain’t gonna make it, baby.

Paige is at Craig’s, and he offers her every coffee flavor known to man. She says, yuck to maple, which is one of my favorites, but she also hates mint, and we’re in agreement there. My only exception is Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. She asks if he can imagine when they actually have a kitchen, and in Craig’s interview, he says, it’s hard to play house with no kitchen, and living out of boxes. The fact that Paige feels comfortable with things as is, is an incredible sign. Paige suggests sitting outside, and Craig wonders if they make an iced coffee maker. Paige is like, nooo, and says, he loves tea anyway. In his interview, he says, Paige loves how he is, and he loves that feeling. She’s his biggest fan. Aww. They’re not engaged yet, but he thinks he’s found his person. They sit in rockers on the porch, and he tells her that he’d like a big family, and wants to renovate the house with that vision.  

Event planner Erica goes to Patricia’s, and Patricia says she thinks it would be fun to have a dog wedding, so she needed a wedding planner. Erica asks how big it will be, and Patricia says, around 25 people. It might be the only wedding she throws. In Patricia’s interview, she says she has Whitney’s wedding planned. A medieval cathedral, a florist from Paris, Valentino for the mother-of-the-bride dress, but she doesn’t get to make those decisions. Erica asks, who is going to officiate? and Patricia says, Little Craig and Peaches go to the same vet. She thinks Dr. Berger will agree to officiate. They decide on having it in the garden, and Erica asks if Patricia wants the guests welcomed with champagne. Patricia says she does, but she wants it in coups, not flutes. Erica asks about cakes, and Patricia wants the ones featured in Steel Magnolias. The groom’s cake is an armadillo cake in red velvet. She tells Erica, the invitations have already gone out.  

To be continued…

Next time, Whitney and Shep talk human marriage; the dog wedding happens; Olivia brings a date that’s not Austen; Whitney plays guitar; and Craig tells Naomie that she left a loving relationship to be with a controlling a-hole. She won’t affect his life anymore.

🎉 Happy Anniversary…

Scotty celebrates his 45th.

💐 Another Congrats…

Not as long, but still. She took a small villainous part and turned it into being a major player.

🧼 Jumping Soap…

I vaguely remember him being Todd on OLTL for five minutes. Even they realized it was a bad idea. No one can replace Roger Howarth.

🦚 Goodbye and Hello…

Yep. They’re going to nickel and dime us to death. Or in this case, $4.99 us.

https://ew.com/tv/days-of-our-lives-moving-to-peacock/

💝 Sharing Is Caring…

NuTrina has a message for all of us.

🎡 Yeah, Yeah…

LisaR needs to get off the merry-go-round that’s her feelings. Next week, she’ll be back to the shading game.

💎 She’s Rocking the Boat…

Sheree can be on my fantasy spin-off too.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1340467/why-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-sheree-zampino-says-kyle-richards-should-sit-down

Cruising the Med…

Captain Sandy’s voyage to reality star.

🍸 Backing His Home Girl…

50 Cent is back to dogging Randall.

https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.72274/title.50-cent-randall-emmet-power-ex

⚰️ New Rick…

Daryl’s journey to leadership.

https://screenrant.com/walking-dead-daryl-rick-grimes-revolver/

🌜 On the Moon…

The VMA line-up.

📣 Quotes of the Week

A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts. – Joshua Reynolds

Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. – Paramahansa Yogananda

Magic exists. Who can doubt it, when there are rainbows and wildflowers, the music of the wind and the silence of the stars? Anyone who has loved has been touched by magic. It is such a simple and such an extraordinary part of the lives we live. – Nora Roberts

The greatest source of unhappiness in the world comes from having unreasonable expectations about the behavior of other people. – Don Fehr

Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else. – Les Brown

Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you have to make the decision right. – Dr. Phil

Security is mostly a superstition… Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. – Helen Keller

Life is like a novel. It’s filled with suspense. You have no idea what is going to happen until you turn the page. – Sidney Sheldon (Well, let’s hope it’s not like a Sidney Sheldon novel.)

If there’s a world here in a hundred years, it’s going to be saved by tens of millions of little things. The powers-that-be can break up any big thing they want… but what are they going to do about 10 million little things? They break up two of them, and three more like them spring up!Pete Seeger

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. – Gloria Steinem

🛣 On the Road Again…

It’s certainly been a week. If it’s been one for you too, or even if it hasn’t, you have my permission to take the next two days off. But be back on Monday for soap and a Mediterranean cruise. Until then, stay safe, stay away from overly processed foods, and stay never trying to play a player.

August 3, 2022 – Ava Asks Sonny For a Favor, LisaR Has a Wine Tasting, a Thought, Better Than the Owners & High School

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nina sees Sasha come into the MetroCourt Garden, and asks how she is. Sasha says she’s good. She feels like wearing a sign around her neck that says she’s okay. She’s sorry. Nina is the last person she wanted to snap at, but Nina says, no need to apologize. Enough people ask, how are you? and you want to slap them. Sasha says she doesn’t want to keep Nina, and asks if she’s waiting for someone, but Nina says she’s getting a feel for the place, since she owns half of the MetroCourt now. Sasha says, sorry, she forgot, but Nina says, it’s understandable. Sasha has other things on her mind. Besides, Nina can hardly believe it herself. Sasha asks if it’s good or bad disbelief, and Nina says, it’s going to be a challenge. She has no experience running a hotel, and it’s not like her partner is welcoming her with open arms. But the more she wraps her brain around it, the more certain she is that it was a good call to keep the hotel. Sasha says, in that case, would Nina show her to her table? and Nina says, this way madame. She seats Sasha, and says she’s glad Sasha feels up to going out. Where’s Brando?

Brando goes to Sonny’s office at Pozzulo’s, and Sonny says, Sasha? Brando asks how Sonny can tell, and Sonny says, the look on Brando’s face. What happened? Brando says, Sasha’s ghosting him. She’s not at home, and she turned her phone off. Sonny asks why Brando is here, and not with her, and Brando says, because tracking Sasha down might be the worst thing he can do right now.

Josslyn walks into Kelly’s, and Cameron asks if she didn’t get his texts and calls earlier. What happened at Trina’s trial? She says, Trina testified and she was great. Spencer was arrested. He says, again? What is he arrested for now? She says, he testified he was with Trina when the video got posted. Cameron says, he testified as a witness? and she says, yeah. He came forward at the last minute, and convinced Diane that he could give Trina an alibi. Cameron says, so he was at Spring Ridge with Trina? Why didn’t he say anything before? She says, they weren’t at Spring Ridge. Spencer snuck out. He visited his mom’s grave. It was the anniversary of her death, and he ran into Trina there. Cameron wonders why Trina didn’t say anything, and Josslyn says, she was protecting Spencer. Trina finally told her before the trial started. Trina promised if things got desperate, she’d name Spencer as her alibi, but she didn’t have to; Spencer came forward on his own. He says, at least he stepped up for Trina. Wow. She says, yeah, wow. He did a total 180. He told the whole court Esme was the one who recorded them and sent the video to the whole school, so why isn’t Cameron more surprised? He says, Spencer knew Trina was innocent all along, and goes in the back. She says, what?

Trina and Rory go to the pool, and Trina thanks him, saying, this was a great idea. He says he figured after what happened in court today, she needed to clear her head, and she says, explain to her why Spencer went back on that stand, and said he escaped from Spring Ridge. He says, to help her, but she says, it doesn’t make any sense after everything he said to her.

At the station, Jordan tells the officer to uncuff Spencer; she’ll take from here. She says, he knew when he gave Trina an alibi, he’d be admitting he escaped from prison. Why? He says, throw enough reasonable doubt at the jury, and they just might acquit her, and she says, if Trina is acquitted or not, he’s most likely going back to prison.

Nikolas tells Ava, he put the sitting room back in order. There’s no sign she and Esme had a fight. She says, he’s positive there’s no sign of Esme where she fell from the parapet, and he says he scoured shoreline, and that’s the only thing – he indicates Esme’s shoe – that washed up. She asks if he thinks Esme’s dead, but he says he doesn’t know. They should move forward as if she is. He’s already started laying the groundwork for their cover story. She asks if he spoke with the staff, and he says, he talked to one of the maids. He asked if Esme had left yet, and she said she hadn’t seen Esme. They have to make sure everyone believes Esme took off after their argument. Ava says, she took off all right, straight over the parapet. He reaches for her, but she says, don’t. She told him; he’s touched her for the last time. He says he knows she’s angry, and she says, he just doesn’t get it. She’s better off on her own than with the man who betrayed her.

Brando tells Sonny, he and Sasha had a fight. He said something cruel to her; something he didn’t even mean. Sonny says, that’s what happens when two people who love each other get in a fight. Did she storm out, and he didn’t get to say he’s sorry? Brando says he apologized, but since the fight was about him trying to control her, he thought it was a bad idea to follow her. Now he wishes he had. Sonny says, because she’s ignoring his calls. The last thing she said to him after the fight was that she needed space. Sonny tells him, do himself a favor, and give her some space, and Brando says, why? So he can let her know he’s not a controlling jerk after all? Sonny says, he’s not a controlling jerk. Sasha had a relapse. Brando is there for her, and he’s understanding what she’s going through. Brando says, he means as a recovering addict. Whenever he and Sasha are apart, he has nightmares of her buying more drugs. Sonny says, Brando can’t keep living this way. It’s not good for him or Sasha. Brando says, which is why he needs a favor. Can Sonny spare a guy to look after her? Sonny says, Sasha’s not going to like a bodyguard, but Brando says, she doesn’t need to know. Sonny wonders if Brando is asking him to help spy on his wife.

Cameron says he’s been wanting to tell Josslyn for months. Spencer was only pretending to believe Esme, so she would slip up and provide evidence that it was her who filmed the video, not Trina. Josslyn says, all this time, Spencer’s been playing Esme? and Cameron says, once Trina was arrested, Spencer knew she wasn’t capable of something so evil, and that it had to have been Esme who framed her. Also that Esme would do a very good job at covering her tracks so nothing led back to her. She says, so Spencer was only pretending to support Esme, because he was really convincing. He says, think about it. If Esme got the slightest bit suspicious, she would have left town, and they’d have no evidence it was actually her who was responsible. No one could know. She says, no one except him, and he says, Spencer came over one night. He and Trina had just gotten in a big fight. He wasn’t cutting Spencer any slack, and forced Spencer to tell him. He wanted to tell her so badly, but Spencer made him promise. She says she doesn’t care what Spencer made him promise. She’s his girlfriend, and she has a right to know.

Sasha tells Nina, Brando isn’t joining her. They need a break from each other. Nina asks if something happened. Did they have a fight? They’re practically still newlyweds, so she doesn’t think they should be needing a break so soon. Sasha says, they’re not getting a divorce. She just came here to get a drink. It’s not healthy for a couple to spend all their time together. Nina says she agrees with that 100%, but Sasha knows her. Why be cool, calm, and collected when she can overreact? Sasha laughs, and says she knows it’s coming from a place of care. Nina asks if Sasha wants her drink with company or without, and Sasha says, normally, she’d love to have a drink with Nina, but she’s meeting someone. She knows Nina is dying to ask, but Nina insists she doesn’t care. Sasha says, that’s okay. She’s meeting Sienna Colby, the makeup artist. Nina says, they use her occasionally at some Crimson photo shoots, but she doesn’t know know Sienna. Why doesn’t she keep Sasha company until Sienna shows up?

Smoltz meets Sienna outside Kelly’s, and she says, finally. They have to hurry; Sasha’s already at the MetroCourt. Smoltz says, relax. If this girl thinks Sienna is bringing her drugs, she’ll wait. Are the clear on how this needs to work?

Rory asks if Trina talked to Spencer after he left court, and she says, yeah. She wanted to apologize for going off on him earlier. Then Jordan came and arrested him. She gets quiet, and he says, what? She says, before Spencer got arrested, he told her that he should have said something from the start. She thinks he meant to say he never believed she was guilty… but he still stayed with Esme, so that doesn’t make any sense. Sorry. She shouldn’t be talking about this. He says, why not? Cassadine’s testimony was a big deal, and she’s still processing. She says she doesn’t know how to feel about Spencer yet. She means she doesn’t know how to feel about what Spencer did, and what Rory did too. He asks if she means what he said on the stand, but she says, no. Her… and him… He says, what about them? and she says, they kissed.

Nikolas says, Esme could be dead, and Ava was fighting with her when she fell from the parapet. Ava can’t bear the brunt of this on her own. She needs his help. Ava says, she didn’t push her. They were fighting over the letter. Esme yanked it out of her hand, and it was her own momentum that forced her over. He says, he believes her, but they already went over this. Everyone knows about her hatred for Esme, and she didn’t call 9-1-1. She says, because he told her not to, and he says, because it was the right thing to do. He’s just pointing out, they have to live with that decision. She tells him, stop saying we. There is no we. The we is done. He had sex with Esme. That was vile enough, but then he lied to her face for weeks. He kept her at arm’s length, then he had sex with her after being with Esme; that’s disgusting. She’ll never forgive him. She starts to leave, but he says, if she walks out of Windymere on the heels of Esme’s disappearance, everyone is going to wonder why. What is she going to tell them? That he slept with his son’s girlfriend, and she found it unforgivable? If that’s not motive for murder, he doesn’t know what is, especially since the staff heard her fighting with Esme loudly enough to call and tell him. If Esme’s body washes up on the shoreline, Ava is going be the PCPD’s one and only suspect. His phone rings, and he says, speak of the devil; it’s the PCPD. He answers, and Spencer says he’s been arrested. He’s being charged with escaping Spring Ridge. Will Nikolas help? Nikolas says, he’ll be right there. Ava says, who’s been arrested? Is it about Esme? Nikolas says, Spencer’s at PCPD, and she asks, why? What happened? He says, Spencer testified on Trina’s behalf in court. Apparently, he saw Trina at the cemetery when he visited Courtney’s grave on the anniversary of her death, and Trina was there when she supposedly posted the sex tape. He gave her an alibi. She says, Spencer did that for Trina? and Nikolas says, and he’s been arrested thanks to his good deed. He’ll return as soon as he can. She says, don’t rush. She’s not going to be here when he gets back.

Josslyn says she told Trina that Cameron had been acting weird, and making up all kinds of excuses. He was lying to her. He says, she’s the one who knew Spencer was Trina’s alibi since the video was posted, but she says she that found out just before the trial started. He’s been actively lying to her for weeks… months. They’re supposed to trust each other; that means no secrets, especially when it’s about something like this. This isn’t who hooked up at a party or got drunk. This could potentially affect the rest of Trina’s life. He says he told her, he wanted to say something, but this was important to prove Trina’s innocence. She says, but he didn’t. Spencer still has no solid evidence proving Esme made that video, and what on earth made Spencer think a snake like Esme would ever admit the truth? He says, Spencer had incentive. There was a plan. If Esme exonerated Trina, Spencer would tell Esme who her birth mother is. She says, what? and he says, Spencer was bluffing. She says, he needs to tell her everything from the beginning.

Nikolas says, Ava’s not thinking straight. He’s sorry he slept with Esme, and he’ll apologize for the rest of his life, but right now, she has to set aside her anger and let him help her. She says, any man stupid enough, weak enough to have sex with his son’s manipulative girlfriend is a liability, not an asset. He says she can be as hurt as she want, but she says she doesn’t want to be hurt. She didn’t choose for him to be unfaithful. He tells her, he’s just saying, she can’t afford to focus on the infidelity; they have bigger priorities right now. They can’t let anyone ever find out what happened to Esme. She says she can take care of herself. It’s not exactly her first rodeo. He says, don’t do anything rash. They’ll talk when he gets back. She says, fine; go.

Jordan brings Spencer to the interrogation room, and he says, she’s not taking him to a cell? She says she’s not completely cold-hearted. She’s aware of the sacrifice he made to help Trina. He sits, and she says, so let’s hear the full story… unless he wants to wait for his lawyer. He says, it’s okay, and she sits opposite him. She asks how he escaped Spring Ridge, and he says, it’s a minimum security prison; he just did. She asks why he felt compelled to escape, and he says, it was the anniversary of his mother’s death. Even when he was away at boarding school, he made sure flowers were left on her grave, and this was the first year he wasn’t going to be able to do that. It drove him crazy, and he was growing desperate. She says, and that’s where he saw Trina, and he says, she was there for research on a school paper. He convinced her not to turn him in, and promised he was going right back to Spring Ridge – which he did. She says, so he got away with his little adventure. Why confess now? He says, for Trina.

Trina says she shouldn’t be talking about another guy with Rory, and he says she can if she wants to; he can take it. She says she gets it. If the jury finds her guilty, she’ll have to go to prison. You can’t do much dating behind a glass window, especially if one of you is a felon and the other’s a cop. He says she has to help him out here. He has no idea what she’s talking about. She says she’s reading all of his signals loud and clear. She’s too complicated, and they should just be friends.

Sienna tells Smoltz, if she said she was clear on what she had to do, would he believe her? He says, it never hurts to go over it one more time. Call him before she meets Sasha. Then slip the phone into her purse so he can hear the whole conversation. She says, Sasha talking about the night Harmony Miller died, and he says, best case scenario, they get the Face of Deception to admit she was high when she hit Harmony with her car. Or, better to get Sasha to buy pills off her, or at the very least, get her to admit she’s been using drugs. Sienna says, he’ll keep her name out of it? and he says, of course (🍷). She’s his anonymous source, and she’ll get 500 bucks for her trouble. She says, he really has it in for Sasha, and he says, it’s not personal; just business. Sasha Gilmore is clickbait. Sienna says, she’s not that famous, and he says, not yet, but soon, she’ll be infamous.

Brando says, he’s not asking Sonny to spy on Sasha, but Sonny says, Brando wants one of his guys following his wife without her knowing. What does he call that? He laughs, and Brando says, when Sonny puts it like that, it does sound bad, but Sonny says, stop worrying. He’s not saying no… Brando says, Sonny was right; it’s a bad idea. The last thing he wants to be is that guy. Sonny tells Brando to give himself a break. Sometimes when you’re watching somebody you love suffer, you do crazy things. Brando says, he’s not making it better by smothering Sasha, but Sonny says, Brando’s got great instincts. If he thinks something is going on with Sasha, there probably is. What does he think? Brando asks if Sonny thinks he should go look for her, and Sonny says, sometimes when people are in a bad way, they don’t want to ask for help. If that’s what’s going on with Sasha, what does Brando’s gut tell him? Brando thinks for a moment, and says, that Sonny is right. He has to go find her. He dashes out the door.

Sasha tells Nina, Brando doesn’t trust her. He watches her every move to make sure she doesn’t do something crazy, but Brando’s the one making her crazy. Nina says, being under the microscope is no fun… Sasha says, but? and Nina says, Brando was on the set of Home & Heart when Sasha thought Liam was in the baby carrier. He brought her to GH to put her on that 72 hour psychological watch. So he’s a little worried about her. Sasha says she knows she’s put him through a lot, but Nina says, it’s not her fault. Sasha says, it is. She thought going back to work would help her stop grieving for Liam, but she took on too much too soon, and it totally backfired. She promises to be more careful going forward.

Sienna puts the phone in her bag, and walks into the restaurant. Nina says she just wants to remind Sasha that she can talk to her about anything. Sienna comes over to the table, says hi to Sasha, and tells Nina, what a surprise. Sasha asks how Sienna has been, and Sienna says, good; crazy busy. Will Nina be joining them? Nina says, no. She was just keeping Sasha company until Sienna arrived. She gets up, and tells them, have a nice dinner. She leaves, and Sienna sits down, saying, sorry she’s late; traffic was a nightmare. She’s so glad they’re doing this. Sasha says she was surprised when she got Sienna’s text, and Sienna says, she’s been meaning to reach out, and see if Sasha needed anything. Smoltz listens in from his car, and Sasha says she’s glad Sienna suggested this. She feels like having fun tonight. Sienna says she totally gets it. Sasha should head for the bathroom first, and she’ll follow. Smoltz says, good, good, good.

Jordan hands Spencer’s arrest report to an officer, and tells him to send it to the DA’s office. Nikolas comes in with Martin, and asks, where’s his son? Jordan says she assumes Nikolas wants to speak to him, and Nikolas says, alone, if possible… Please. She says, Spencer’s in the interrogation room. He’s got 15 minutes. Nikolas thanks her, and goes in. Martin tells Jordan, as she knows, his client was a model prisoner at Spring Ridge; fully served out his sentence. She says, and skipped incarceration without notifying the authorities. Save your breath, counselor.

Nikolas says, when he saw Spencer testifying for Trina, he had a feeling this would happen. Spencer says, it will be worth it if Trina’s found not guilty, but Nikolas says he’s afraid that’s not a sure thing. Spencer says, which is why he needs Nikolas to do something for him. Make sure Esme does not leave town.

There’s a knock at Sonny’s office door. I guess today is the day he gives out favors. Ava comes in, and he asks what she’s doing here. She says she needs his help.

Martin says he takes it by Jordan’s refusal to listen to him, that she opposes leniency for a young man who was merely trying to honor the memory of his dead mother? She says she’s not the person he needs to convince. He needs to go before a judge. He says, by all means. What does she say they process Spencer ASAP, so they get him on that night court docket? He’s sure his client would love to get out of here as soon as possible, and to be clear, they’re hardly talking about a dangerous felon or a menace to society. He’s simply an impulsive young man who made a bad decision.

Nikolas wonders why Esme suddenly matters to Spencer now. If he knows she made the sex tape, how could he possibly still have feelings for her? Spencer says, the only feelings he has for Esme are anger and contempt, but as long as Esme’s in town, there’s a chance she can exonerate Trina. Nikolas says he doesn’t see that happening, and Spencer says he’s been looking for evidence to link Esme to that video, but so far, he’s come up empty. Nikolas says, Esme is too savvy to slip up, and Spencer says, yeah, so he came up with another idea; to offer Esme a deal.

Rory says, Trina thinks he only wants to be friends. Where did that come from? She says, to start, he’s not bothered by her talking about another guy. Then there’s a good chance she might be found guilty and sent to prison, which means a bad chance of them getting any closer, and Rory just has to be practical. At this point, it makes sense that they’re friends. And not even that if it’s awkward. He says, awkward for who? and she says, it’s okay. Her feelings aren’t hurt. He says he’s sorry to hear that because he’s totally into her. She says, he is? Then why is he letting her run her mouth about Spencer? Shouldn’t he be jealous? He says, if Spencer Cassadine fell into a hole never to be seen again, he wouldn’t shed a tear. But obviously something is bothering her, and he wants to help. If it means talking about Spencer’s testimony and wondering why he came forward, Rory was willing to bite his tongue until it bled and listen. That’s what he gets for being a nice guy. She says, he’s not trying; he is.

Sienna gets the pills out of her bag, but Sasha says, actually, she’s good. She’s hungry. Does Sienna want to order something? Sienna suggests they start with cocktails, and go from there, and Sasha says, sounds good. Anything particular in mind? She can choose. Sienna says, by the way, Sasha looks great. She was worried about Sasha after Home & Heart. Sasha says, thanks. She’s doing a lot better. Sienna says she’s overindulged a few times herself when the stress got to her, and Sasha says, but not on national TV. Sienna says, true, and Sasha asks if she’s done any exotic shoots lately. Sienna says, she was in Venice recently, and Sasha says, lucky her; tell her everything. Sienna says, it was amazing. The models were temperamental at times; Sasha knows how it is. The photographer has one vision, and the stylist has another. And when she’s working on the models, it’s, more blush, not enough blush, too much eyeliner, can the lip gloss be shinier? It doesn’t matter if you’re in front or behind the camera. If people knew how stressed out this business makes them. Sasha says, it’s a good thing they don’t know. They’re in the business of selling a fantasy. Sienna says, it doesn’t matter how much they suffer (oh, please, stop). Like when Sasha had that horrible accident with Harmony Miller. In the car, Smoltz says, amateur. You’re going to blow this whole thing.

Ava tells Sonny, Trina’s trial is finishing up. The jury starts deliberation tomorrow. He says, and it doesn’t look good for Trina, but she says she doesn’t know. It could go either way, but she’s not willing to sit around and wait. He says, that’s not her style, and she says she needs to be sure Trina is acquitted. He says, the easiest way to do that is to get the guilty party to confess. Or he could just go to Esme Prince and tell her… Ava says, no. He can’t do that.

Sasha asks if Sienna knew Harmony, but Sienna says, no. She’s just a true crime junkie. Smoltz looks like he’s going to have apoplexy, and Sienna says, that Harmony committed two murders, and tried to kill two more caught her attention. Sasha did the world a favor, taking her out. Sasha says, every death is a tragedy, no matter who the victim is, and Sienna says, of course (🍷). So what happened? Did Harmony just run out in front of Sasha’s car? Sasha says, this was a mistake, and Sienna says, she’s so sorry. She’s like a bull in a China shop when it comes to true crime. Please stay. Sasha says, good luck finding someone else to discuss her true crime obsession, and leaves. Smoltz says, damn it. The Titanic stayed afloat longer. Back to the drawing board.

Ava tells Sonny, it’s not important for the world to know that Esme’s behind the revenge porn. All that matters is that Trina goes free. Sonny says he thought she’d jump chance of bringing Esme down; personally escorting her to Pentenville. Ava laughs, and says, well, Esme’s gone. She left town. He says his people can find her, but Ava says, they have no time for that. What if the jury comes back with a verdict before they find her? He says, his people are very good at finding people, and she says, trust her. They won’t find Esme in time. He gets up, and asks what she did, but she says, this is not about her. This is about a young woman’s future. Will he help Trina or not? He says he’ll take care of it, and she asks what he’s going to do. He just looks at her, and she says, okay. She thanks him, and leaves.

Cameron tells Josslyn, Spencer thought Esme would care more about finding out who her biological mother was than she would about hurting Trina. She says, well, he was wrong, and he was trying to outmaneuver the biggest manipulator on the planet. And there was probably a much simpler, more direct way to help Trina, but Spencer wanted to be the hero, and he wanted to pull the strings. Cameron says, and he should have seen that, but she says, not necessarily. It’s always easier to say what you would have done differently when you’re looking back on a situation. She wasn’t in Cameron’s position, and didn’t have Spencer begging her to keep this secret. Still, she’d like to think if he had told her, they could have figured something out together. He says he’s sorry, and she says, now that she knows everything, they need to work together to bring Esme down.

Rory takes Trina’s hands, and says, earlier, she sounded pretty sure she’d be found guilty, and she says she has to consider the possibility. He says, or she could consider being an optimist, but she says, if she gets her hopes up, and she’s found guilty, she’ll be crushed. It’s better to prepare for the worst. She takes her shoes off, and sits at the edge of the pool, putting her feet in the water. He takes his shoes and socks off, and says, she was great on the stand, and she has some serious guts risking cross-examination. The word on ADA Arden is, she eats barracudas for lunch. Really? I did not get that impression. She seemed more like a high school student pretending to be a lawyer. Trina says, and she’s just a minnow, and he sits next to her. He tells her, don’t sell herself short. She gave the jury a chance to see her, Trina Robinson, a flesh and blood person; not some mustache twirling villain looking to humiliate her friends. She says she wishes he was on her jury, and he asks if she regrets taking the stand. She says, no. She got to speak her truth, and thanks to Diane, she got to tell the jury how much Esme hated Josslyn. He says, her lawyer did a great job pointing out that Esme had the means, opportunity, and a strong motive, and she says, whatever happens, at least she knows she did everything she could to help herself. He says, and whatever happens, he’s glad to know her. He inches closer to her, says, and he definitely wants the chance to know her more, and they kiss.

Spencer tells Nikolas, Esme was tempted to confess in exchange for learning the identity of her biological mother. He could try again, maybe get her to crack, but he can’t do that if she disappears. Nikolas says, Spencer should focus on his own problems, not Esme, and Spencer says, what if Nikolas spoke to her? At this point, Nikolas has a better chance of getting through to Esme than he does. Nikolas says, that’s ridiculous, and Spencer says, is it? Nikolas and Esme have gotten a lot closer lately. It’s worth a shot. Nikolas says, there’s something he has to tell Spencer. I wonder, why bother this kid with this now? It’s not like Esme can tell him. Oh wait. Scratch that. She’ll probably be waiting when they get back to Windymere.

Brando approaches Nina at the restaurant, and asks if she’s seen Sasha. Nina says she saw Sasha here earlier; she was meeting a friend. He says he checked. She’s not here now. Nina says she needs to go to Crimson to make a quick edit. Did he try the pool? He says, no, and thanks her, running off.

Ava finds Nina on her tablet in a corner of the restaurant, and says, look at her. Hard at work already. Taking to owning the MetroCourt like a duck to water. Will Nina be delivering her room service meals personally? Nina says, very… Wait a minute. Ava has taken a room? Does that mean more problems between her and Nikolas? Ava says, another problem in a long list of problems, and Nina guesses Trina’s probably at the top of that list. How is the trial going? Ava says, that’s actually one thing she feels good about. Nina says, Trina won’t be going to prison, and Ava says, she can almost guarantee it.

Sonny calls Dex, and tells him to come by. Sonny’s got a job for him.

Nikolas says, as far as Esme goes… and Spencer says, what did she do now? Nikolas says, she’s gone, and Spencer says, gone where? Nikolas tells him, she left town. Oh good. At least he’s not telling Spencer what an idiot he really is.

Trina says, so Rory is interested? and he says, he told her. She says, it looks like she’s stuck with him, and he says, like glue. She says, well, at least until she goes to prison, but he says he’s not giving up on her just yet, and she shouldn’t either.

Spencer and Nikolas come out, and Spencer says, time for his arraignment? Jordan says she’s afraid not, and Martin says he’s sorry. He couldn’t get Spencer before a judge until tomorrow morning. Nikolas says, Spencer’s got to spend the night in a cell? and Spencer says, his home away from home; good. Nikolas says, let him take Spencer back to Windymere. They have his word; he’ll have Spencer back to go before the judge tomorrow. Jordan says, if she did that for him, she’d have to do it for every parent who made a similar promise. Spencer says he’ll be okay. He’s just sorry he can’t be there for Trina. He needs Nikolas to find Esme. She’s the key to Trina’s freedom.

Nina is having a drink with Ava, when Brando comes back. Nina asks if Brando found Sasha, and he says, she’s not at the pool; she’s not at the restaurant. How did she seem when Nina spoke to her? Nina says, she seemed fine. She did mention they’d had an argument. He tells her, he said the wrong thing, and Ava says, a specialty of hers too, she’s afraid. Brando says, it sounds like Sasha is covering her true feelings. Nina says she doesn’t know, but she gets the sense that Sasha is definitely not okay.  

Sierra gets in the car with Smoltz, and says, that was a bust. He says, ya think? She’s obsessed with true crime. She says, at least she tried. So pay up. She holds out her hand, and he says, dream on. If you succeed, you get paid. She says, he wants her to try again? and he says, the Gilmore girl is obviously on edge. The tiniest thing could push her over. The car rocks, and suddenly Sasha appears at the driver’s window.

Tomorrow, Dex says, whatever it is, he’s in; Josslyn says Carly will never guess what she just witnessed; and Sasha wants to know why the hell they were setting her up.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

LisaR calls each member of the group. Diana says she’s struggling. She’s  sick of being sick. Kyle says she’s out of covid jail on Monday, and LisaR says she’s having a wine tasting. She calls Dorit, and Garcelle, saying she’s having a little afternoon soiree, and tells Sutton that she can wear leather pants. Dorit says, this is actually happening, and in LisaR’s interview, she says, the whole enterprise stemmed from the wine tasting where they got sh*t faced. We flash back to that, and Dorit says, she wouldn’t miss it for the world. LisaR says, there’s only going to be six of them, and Dorit says, she’s one of the last women standing. Her and Kathy. LisaR says, Kathy was exposed, so she’s not coming. Dorit is the last woman standing.  

Sutton shows her son Philip how to make chicken salad, and her daughter Porter joins them. In Sutton’s interview, she says, during Christmas, her children were in Italy with their father. We flash back to her telling Garcelle, this is her life as a single person. She says, it’s weird to be alone with no family around. She talks to herself, she talks to her animals…  She asks about the pictures from Philip’s birthday party, and Porter says, the skydiving, and in her interview, Sutton says, when Philip was three, he hated flying. They were on a flight, and he screamed, we’re all gonna die! She was mortified, telling people, he’s three; he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Now he’s jumping out of planes. A year ago he wanted to join the Army, because he’d been too comfortable in life. She thought, she’ll make him uncomfortable then, and sent him to Georgia when it was 105 with 100% humidity. She got him a job delivering vending machines, and when she picked him up a month later, he wanted to go to college. He’ll be attending The Citadel, which is a military school, so they both win. Porter says, the chicken salad is gross in theory with all the mayonnaise, but it tastes good.  

Garcelle meets Dorit for dinner, and Dorit says she hates not hugging. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she and Dorit have past hurdles, but it’s all in the past now. Dorit apologized for calling her a bully. Now they can have fun, not judge, and move on. She tells Dorit that she’s recording the audio portion of her book, and we see a clip of her in the studio. Dorit says, not many women would have cojones to put everything out there, and in her interview, Garcelle says, there are stories she never talked about. She had an experience with Bill Cosby that was scary. There were things she thought she had peace around, but when she was writing, she found they were still haunting her. Dorit says, she did it. Garcelle says she heard about PK’s DUI, and Dorit says, alleged DUI; he was never booked. He was arrested, and took a breathalyzer, but he was under the limit, and the cops said he’d have to find his own way home. He was so shook up. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, she heard the officers drove him home. That would never happen with anyone in her world. Did they stop and get a steak too? I literally lol. Dorit wonders if Erika is going to drink at the wine tasting; and Garcelle says, they had drinks the other night, and she’d said she’s not allowed with the medication. She told Erika she was concerned, but didn’t know Erika fell until after the fact. Dorit is shocked, and says, Erika’s got to figure it out. Garcelle tells Dorit that Erika said something interesting; that being Sutton’s friend may be a liability. Dorit wonders what she meant, and Garcelle says, being Sutton’s friend is detrimental. In her interview, she says, maybe it was a compliment. She’d be liked more if she wasn’t with Sutton, but that would also mean she can’t handle herself, and let it happen. Dorit says, Garcelle doesn’t seem like the Thelma and Louise type. Garcelle says she’ll throw something at someone for you.

Mikey makes espresso, and he, Erika, publicist Jack, and assistant Laia talk Pretty Mess Hair. They want to get stylists to post about it, and Erika says, everyone is always adding hair. Mikey ask if Erika is dating someone perfect, and we see something about an NFL player, but she says she’s just trying get good d*ck. She needs someone to slip into her DMs for her, and they all agree Jack would be perfect to respond to offers. In Erika’s interview, she says, she wouldn’t be a good girlfriend just coming off a 20 year relationship. D*ck is great, but she and a boyfriend have no time for each other. She tells them that she sent a text to the wrong person, thanking them for the good d*ck. They responded, what are you talking about? I’ve been trying to give you some. She’s decided she wants to be a part-time dominatrix. In an intimate moment, a man she was with said she’d be good at it, and should explore it. She’d be high-end with no more than five customers. In her interview, she says she’s bossy, and likes to administer pain for pleasure. She loves latex and costumes, and knows there are people who like that. She says she’s calling it Pretty Mess Dungeon, and tells Mikey to call the trademark lawyer immediately. Who knows older, narcissistic, rich men better than she does?

LisaR meets Sutton for lunch, and Sutton says she likes LisaR. LisaR says, people think she’s a bitch, and they’re scared of her. Sutton says she was only scared one time, and we flash back to that whole Elton John ticket thing. LisaR says, she doesn’t want to hold it, but it makes her mad sometimes. At the end of the day, it’s been while. It’s over, it was silly, Sutton did say she was sorry, and LisaR has to move on. Ugh. Even more to loathe. She’s one of those people who forgives you, then gets mad all over again out of the blue. LisaR says she likes to torture Sutton, and Sutton says she can take it. LisaR says she doesn’t think she’d do it if Sutton couldn’t, and Sutton says, LisaR is like the Grinch. Her heart gets bigger. LisaR says, she has a big mouth on top of a big heart.

Everyone gets ready for the wine tasting. Dorit calls Diana, who says, look how much they did to avoid covid, and it took them down anyway. Erika calls Kyle from the car, and they talk about Kyle’s new puppy, Smokey. We see a picture, and yep, he’s adorable, and big. Sutton calls Crystal, saying she wants to bring Crystal some soup, and Crystal says she’s just lying around and eating; she’s gained five pounds. At LisaR’s house, Erika asks for chamomile tea, saying she’s not supposed to drink with the meds she takes, and she does. In Dorit’s interview, she says she was there to witness how Erika behaved at Garcelle’s party, and now Garcelle mentions her falling. It makes Dorit think she might need to keep an eye on Erika. Erika tells everyone, it says on the bottle not to do it, but of course she did. Garcelle comes in with a jacket screaming Balenciaga, and Dorit asks, who made it? Harry joins them, and says his house is blessed. LisaR says, they set everything up because everyone has covid, and Dorit tells her, be honest. Did she and Harry do it, or just Harry? We flash back to Harry’s Bolognese dinner, and Lisa says she blew the leaves. Harry says she did it very well, and Erika says she read in a book that LisaR is a good blower. Sheree (not that one), says, if Harry left a Yelp review… Erika says, from one to five, how’s LisaR’s BJ? LisaR says, it better be ten, and Harry says, ten, but she tells him, it took way too long.

Erika brings up Crystal’s eating disorder, and says she asked Crystal if she’s gotten professional help. She talks about it a lot. Dorit says, Crystal told her that she was vomiting every day, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, clearly if Crystal is talking about it, it’s a sign she needs help. LisaR says, her daughter was 15 when she had an eating disorder, and they sought therapy right away. Erika says, Crystal has been  talking about it on Instagram, and Dorit says she was shocked by some of the things Crystal told her. LisaR says, Crystal can’t get better unless she has help. In Sutton’s interview, she says she doesn’t like it when they talk about someone who isn’t there. She doesn’t know a lot about eating disorders, and hasn’t talked one-on-one to Crystal. She wants to stay out of it, and not get involved.

LisaR calls them to the wine tasting table, where their wine people Doug and Maggie await. Doug says the rosé is a continuation of their France trip, and it’s from the Provence area. In LisaR’s interview, she says, she’s putting herself in a vulnerable position. These bitches could go hard, and tear it apart. In Sutton’s interview, she says, the rosé is perfect for her taste; she likes a pale rosé. They taste several wines, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, at a wine tasting, you normally take a sip, spit, and put it down, but nobody here has a spit bucket. Harry thinks the brut needs more work, and it’s agreed the rosé is perfection. Garcelle asks if LisaR is going to feed them, and LisaR says, they have pizza and charcuterie. Harry made the pizza of course. Harry says he’s going for a walk, and escapes these harridans. Dorit says she has a friend who’s into Garcelle, and thinks she’s the most beautiful woman in the world. He’s been asking for her to introduce them for the last couple of years. Sheree asks what he looks like, and Dorit says, he’s not a man on the prowl, looking to get laid. Erika says, then he’s not the guy for her, and announces she’s having a lot of sex. Dorit asks if it’s with the same person, and Erika says, yes. Dorit asks if that isn’t dating, and Sheree suggests it’s more like he’s providing a service. Erika says, and she’s providing one back. Dorit mentions Erika’s drinking, and in her interview, Dorit says, she doesn’t want to be judgmental, but she wants to be a good friend. She’s kind of torn.

Garcelle wants to speak to Erika, and the others have cookies on the patio. Sheree says, LisaR is very nurturing, and LisaR says, everyone thinks she’s a bitch. Sheree says, she’s a sweet soul (um… no), and we can all get caught up in the bitchy. Erika and Garcelle sit on a bench, and Garcelle says she loved having drinks with Erika, but it threw her off when she said Sutton was a liability. She wondered what Erika meant by that, and Erika says, Garcelle always has to clean up after and take care of Sutton. She feels like Garcelle doesn’t have to; Sutton gets herself in hot water. Garcelle says, she gets that, but it’s what friendship is for. Erika says, some of the things Sutton says are wild, like she’s sorry she didn’t have a gun put to her head when Dorit did have one put to hers. Garcelle says she told Sutton it was wrong. and asks if they can invite Sutton into the conversation. Erika says, no, and Garcelle asks, why? Erika says, why would they? and Garcelle tells Erika, maybe Sutton will say something that will change her mind. Erika says she doesn’t think now is the moment, and Garcelle says she comes from a big family. They have each other’s backs. Doesn’t Erika think Garcelle would stand up for her? Erika says, she thinks it would be conditional. She feels Garcelle would do more for Sutton, but she and Sutton are closer. She doesn’t think Garcelle would cut her the same slack. Garcelle has been clear about how she feels about Erika and what happened, and she doesn’t think Garcelle necessarily believes her. Garcelle says, she doesn’t know if she believes everything, and in Erika’s interview, she says, Garcelle has set her sights on her again and again. She wants to make Erika the bad guy. She doesn’t know what she’s done to Garcelle, but witness her life burning down. She’s so judgmental.

Sutton says she doesn’t like being called a liability, and we see a clip of Garcelle telling Sutton that she’s going to talk to Erika. She says, if Erika felt like that, Erika should have told her, not Garcelle. She asks why Erika feels she’s a liability, and Erika says, Garcelle always cleans up for her and supports her. Sutton says, that’s called being a friend, and Erika says, she’s had spats with her, Diana, and LisaR, and Garcelle is there to defend and support her. Garcelle asks why Erika is trying to make her feel bad about being a loyal friend, and Erika says, Garcelle supports Sutton when Sutton falls out with one of them, but Sutton went tit for tat for Garcelle about LisaR. We flash back to Sutton on Watch What Happen Live, saying, LisaR and Harry never thanked her about the Elton John gala tickets. Erika says, Garcelle would never embarrass or hurt anyone, but Sutton did. LisaR says, Sutton has no idea of how much she hurt her and Harry. There’s a reason she wants to hurt LisaR, and she has to figure out why. LisaR always wants some complicated, diabolical reason for what are basically off-the-cuff hurtful remarks people make when they’re pissed at you.

Sutton says, LisaR talked about forgiveness, but it doesn’t sound like she’s forgiven Sutton. Their lunch went differently than it is now, and she thinks LisaR plays it with an audience does, but she does like her. LisaR makes fun of Sutton’s accent, and Sutton says she thinks LisaR is a good person… some days. LisaR says, Sutton doesn’t respect her (God knows I don’t), and in her interview, LisaR says she doesn’t know why it bugs her. There’s an injustice to it. Sutton is still not being honest and it’s frustrating. Sutton says, things were different at lunch. LisaR said she’d talked nasty behind Sutton’s back, and we flash back to LisaR talking smack about Sutton with Erika, Kyle, and Diana. In her interview, LisaR says, if Sutton said she wanted to hurt her because she’d hurt Garcelle, she thinks she could move past it. Sutton says, LisaR talks out of both sides of her mouth, and LisaR says, so does Sutton, since that’s the best she can come up with.  

LisaR’s head spins around, and she tells Sutton, f*** you! Get out of my house! If you’re going to talk like this, leave. In Sutton’s interview, she says, the soap actress never leaves LisaR’s body. It would take an exorcism to get it out. LisaR says, come after her as much as she wants, but if she comes for LisaR’s children and husband, end of story. She screams, if you come for my children or husband, I will f***ing hunt you down! She asks if everyone is clear, and Sutton asks if it’s a threat or a promise, and LisaR says, it’s a fact. Garcelle says, no kids allowed, and LisaR says, or husbands. I’m sitting here wondering WTF happened, and I guess this husband tirade is because Sutton said she’d gotten tickets for LisaR and Harry. See why he goes for walks? Sutton tells LisaR that she’s sorry 100%, and LisaR says, Sutton tried to humiliate them, but she humiliated herself. She’s slurring her words at this point, laughs, and says she’s drunk. Then she tells Sutton that she looked like a f***ing fool, humiliating her, Harry, and the charity tenfold. Get ready. That’s the truth.

Yeah, between the two of them, I don’t think it’s Sutton who’s humiliating herself.

Next time, PK gets new teeth; Sutton tells Crystal what was discussed at the wine tasting; Dorit has a dinner where a celebrity who is not Boy George plays a concert; and LisaR totally breaks down.

💡 You know, I do feel badly for LisaR about Lois, but I can’t support her using it for an excuse to be an a-hole. She was an a-hole before Lois passed away, but she’s using Lois as a reason to let fly with whatever she likes at this point. The soap actress has given way to the she-devil.

🐕 All About Those Pets…

The pets of Beverly Hills, which I would so much rather see than the Housewives.

🧸 Lullaby and Goodnight…

Come by tomorrow for some soap and some Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay supporting local businesses, and stay knowing, It’s always easier to say what you would have done differently when you’re looking back on a situation. So don’t beat yourself up about it.

August 2, 2022 – The Trial Concludes With Another Surprise, Changing Camps, Upgrading Thrones & Night

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Ava and Esme struggle over the envelope. Esme grabs it and runs out on the turret, Ava right behind her. Esme crumples it, and is about to throw it over the wall when Ava grabs her arm, and they battle over it some more. Nikolas comes in, yelling for Ava, and hears them outside. Esme pulls, and yanks too hard, backpedaling right over the wall. Nikolas runs out, and sees Ava looking down. He asks, what the hell happened? Did you push Esme?

Willow waits in Terry’s office. She flashes back to asking if TJ thinks she has cancer, and TJ saying he’s worried she has leukemia.

Curtis watches as a nurse puts Oz’s chart in a file holder. Since we all know how lax security is at GH, the second her back is turned, he takes the folder, puts it under his jacket, and strolls away. When he gets around the corner, he starts taking pictures of the information. Jordan calls to him, and he tries to look innocent.

In the courtroom, Diane tells Trina, she wants to make it clear. When they were at the cabin that weekend, Trina didn’t have feelings for Cameron, because she had feelings for Spencer, correct? Trina says, yes, and Diane asks how long she had these feelings for Spencer? Trina says, they met at her high school graduation party, and he was pretending to be someone else; he called himself Victor. Diane asks if Trina was attracted to Victor, and Trina nods. Diane says, let the record show Miss Robinson has nodded in the affirmative. Yes, she was attracted to Spencer Cassadine when he was using his guise as Victor. So Trina’s had romantic feelings for Spencer for over a year. Trina says, just this past January; maybe even longer, but she doesn’t have romantic feelings for him now. Diane says, to the best of Trina’s knowledge, did Spencer ever return those feelings? and Trina says she doesn’t know. They never went on a date or anything. She thinks he saw her as just a good friend. Besides, Spencer had a girlfriend. Diane says, she would be referring to Esme Prince, and Trina says, yes. Diane says, the same Esme Prince that went to the cabin with them that weekend, and Trina says, yes. Diane asks if Esme was aware that Trina had feelings for her boyfriend.

Elizabeth walks down the stairs with Willow’s lab results, and stops, her pen falling from her hand. She flashes back to Peter lying on the landing, and taking his pulse. She drops all of the paperwork, holds onto the railing, and sits. She hears a child say, daddy.

Ava tells Nikolas, Esme was trying to leave. She had a letter she didn’t want Ava to see, and they were fighting over it. She just… went over. Nikolas says he doesn’t see her anywhere, and Ava says she has to call 9-1-1. She runs inside for her phone, and Nikolas follows. He tells her, don’t call the police. They’ll think she pushed Esme over the parapet. She says she made no secret of wanting Esme gone; she threatened to kill Esme. She looks around, and says, this room has to look pristine. He says, she can’t be here. She was never here… but the staff heard her; they called him. He tells her to go to the master bedroom, and don’t let anyone in but him. Make sure she’s not seen. He hustles her to the door, saying he has to make sure the staff doesn’t come in here. He sees the suitcase, and asks if it’s Esme’s. She says, they have to find her, but he says, Ava has to take care of herself. He checks the hallway, and says, it’s all clear. Go, now.

Trina says, Esme knew she liked Spencer, and she was suspicious of her friendship with him. Diane asks if Trina thinks Esme was jealous of her relationship with Spencer, and Arden objects, saying, it calls for speculation. Diane says, withdrawn. Would Trina describe her relationship with Esme for the court. Trina says, Esme was around because of Spencer; they weren’t friends. Diane asks, why not? and Trina says, Esme helped Spencer stalk her friend Ava Jerome. Esme set Ava’s car on fire. Arden says, objection. Spencer Cassadine pled guilty, and spent a month at Spring Ridge Minimum Security Prison for the crimes he committed against Miss Jerome. There has been no evidence Esme Prince was involved. The defendant is living in the land of wishful thinking. Judge Young says, sustained. Diane’s client can only bring up what can be proved, not what she thinks may have happened. Diane says, of course (🍷), and tells Trina, throughout this trial, the prosecution has accused her of being the kind of person who would violate her friend’s privacy in the most despicable and insidious manner. Has she ever wanted to violate a friend in such a vial manner for any reason? Trina says, no, especially not to Joss and Cam. Their friendship means everything to her. She would never do anything to jeopardize that. Diane thanks her, and says, no further questions. The judge tells Arden, her witness.

Jordan asks if she wants to know, and Curtis says, she doesn’t. She asks, how’s Mr. Haggerty? and he says, still in a medically induced coma. Was she able to draw a connection between him and Esme? She says she went to Windymere, and Nikolas wasn’t aware of Oz visiting there. Nikolas was at the hospital with Spencer when Curtis saw Oz take the launch to Spoon Island. He says, and with Esme’s help, Oz was able to get off the island without anyone seeing him. Jordan says, unfortunately, they don’t have proof Oz met with Esme, and Curtis says, he and Marshall met Ava at the dock, and filled her in on their suspicion that Oz sold Esme the black market phone she used for revenge porn. Ava hoped to find Oz and Esme at Windymere, but when she got there, there was no sign of him. She says, Esme must have helped him get off the island undetected, and he says, Oz was the loose end she needed to tie up. Before Oz lost consciousness, he said, she gave him something. He’s sure Oz meant Esme. Jordan says, to prove it, they have to find evidence that Esme was at the apartment with Oz, and he says, any chance of that happening? She says, forensics is going over the apartment, but there’s so much DNA, it could take months before they discover if any of it belonged to Esme. He says, Trina could be in prison by then, and an appeal could take years, and she says, however, she did learn something interesting.

Elizabeth sits on the steps, hearing a child say, daddy… mommy… She says, who is it? What do you want? Finn says, hey, and comes down. He asks, what happened? Is she okay?

Michael is looking for Willow, and calls her, but gets voicemail. He leaves a message saying, he just got back, but she’s not here. He hopes everything is okay. He loves her. He sees TJ, and asks if he knows what happened to Willow.

Terry comes into her office with Britt, and says she’s asked Britt to consult on Willow’s case. Britt says, unless Willow would like another obstetrician, but Willow says, no, of course (🍷) not; Britt is her OB. Terry asks if Elizabeth came in while Willow was waiting, but Willow says, no. Terry says, she should be here with the results soon, and Willow says, and the results will confirm she has leukemia. Terry says she’s reviewed Willow’s initial bloodwork, and the symptoms she’s shown over the last few months – weakness, fatigue, loss of energy and appetite – can be consistent with adult onset leukemia. Willow asks how that could be possible. She’s healthy. She’s been tired, but she’s had so much going on. Terry reminds her that her diagnosis hasn’t been confirmed yet. If she does have leukemia, it could be genetic, and many patients diagnosed with leukemia have no known risk factors. Willow asks what this means for her baby. Terry suggests they not get ahead of themselves. They need to rule out all other possibilities first. Willow asks how they do that, and Terry says she’d like to perform a blood marrow biopsy. Britt says, Willow studied that procedure in nursing class, and Willow says, they draw the blood marrow out of the pelvic bone to determine if there are cancer cells, and what type they are. Terry says, A+. She’d like to schedule the procedure as soon as possible. As Willow knows, it’s an outpatient procedure, and takes about 30 minutes. Willow says, and it’s safe for her baby? and Britt says, absolutely. They’ll give her a sedative that’s safe for both Willow and her baby. She should avoid eating and drinking before the sedative is administered. Terry says, and she’ll need someone to drive her home, and Willow asks if there’s any way they can do this now. She fits the pre-biopsy criteria; she won’t need a strong sedative. Britt says, it’s painful if she goes that route, but Willow says she doesn’t care. She doesn’t want to wait. She needs to know what she and her child are dealing with. Terry says she has room in her schedule if Willow really wants to do this now, and Willow says she does. Britt asks if she wants to call anyone to be with her, but Willow says, no. She can do this by herself.

Finn tells Elizabeth that she’s okay. He’s going to help her. He’s not going to let anything hurt her. He takes her hand, and she asks, what happened? He says he was hoping she could tell him, but she says she doesn’t know. He says, it’s okay; they’ll figure it out together. Take one deep breath. She does, and he says, better? Let’s take you out of here. He leads her away, leaving the papers littering the stairs.

Curtis sneaks around, putting the file back the same way he took it – with no one noticing, even though the nurse is at the desk. Jordan joins him, and says she spoke to Dr. Westbourne about Mr. Haggerty’s tox screen. She said he has acute opioid intoxication, and she didn’t find a prescription for it in his name. Jordan’s officers checked his motel and his apartment; no sign of drug use. He says, Oz got it from somewhere, and Jordan says, Dr. Westbourne also said someone approached her recently about identifying a drug. She looked it up, and surprise, surprise. The drug Oz ingested was the same one brought to her earlier. He says, who asked Britt about this drug? and she says, Spencer Cassadine.

Arden asks if Trina can account for her whereabouts when Josslyn and Cameron were secretly filmed having sex? Trina says she was in her room. She had too much to drink, and was sick. Arden asks how many drinks she had, and Trina says, one, but she’s not used to whiskey. Arden says, she’d have the court believe she fell ill after one drink, and Trina says, that’s what happened. She felt dizzy, hot and cold, and she went to her room and eventually went to sleep. Arden asks if she remembers the events of that evening, and Trina says, Josslyn told her what happened, but Arden says she’s asking about Trina’s own memories, not Miss Jax. Trina says, she remembers playing Never Have I Ever, but not what anyone said. Then she remembers running out of the room, and then talking to Josslyn through her bedroom door. Arden asks how Trina knows she was in her room for the rest of the evening, and Trina says, because she knows she was. Arden asks if she doesn’t remember retrieving the phone she used to film her best friends, and Trina says, she doesn’t remember because she didn’t film them. Arden asks, then how did the phone come to be in her possession? and Trina says, because she was set up by Esme Prince.

Ava looks in the mirror, and sees a bruise on her shoulder. She says, damn, and dabs makeup on it. Nikolas comes in, and she asks if he found Esme.

Michael tells TJ that he can’t find Willow. Did TJ get her test results, and is everything okay with her and their baby? TJ flashes back to Willow asking him not to say anything to Michael, and tells Michael, he hasn’t seen her, but as far as he knows, she’s still here. She probably can’t get to a phone. Michael says, she’ll get back to him when she can. He’s trying not to hover, but obviously, he needs to work on it. TJ says, Michael just found out he’s going to be a dad; he’s allowed to care. Michael thanks TJ for looking out for Willow, saying, TJ’s been good to her. TJ says, A, that’s his job, and B, it’s easy to be good to Willow; she’s a special person. Don’t you forget it. Michael says, as if he would. She’s really changed his world, and now they’re having a baby. He can’t say those words enough after how these last few months have been. TJ congratulates him, and says he wishes them every bit of happiness. Michael says, they’ve already been blessed with Wiley. Now they get to experience parenthood again. How lucky can he get?

Willow lies on the operating table, and Terry says she’s administered local anesthesia to Willow’s spine. But without the sedative, she’s about to feel a sharp pain. Willow says she knows. She’s ready.

Curtis tells Jordan, so Spencer asked about the same drug bartender Oz OD’d on. That can’t be a coincidence. She says, according to Dr. Westbourne, Spencer brought her a single capsule, saying he found it. When she pressed him, he said admitted it belonged to Esme. He says, so Esme had access to the same drug Oz took; the one she apparently gave him. What else did Britt say? She tells him, Spencer said he was concerned because he never observed Esme taking this medication. When Britt told him the side effects, he asked what would happen if someone took it with alcohol. Curtis says, the tox screening said Oz ingested the opioids with alcohol, and she says, from that medical chart he didn’t want her to know about? What’s significant about the alcohol connection? If Spencer witnessed Esme taking this drug with alcohol, he would have noticed her getting extremely ill. He says, what if it wasn’t Esme?

Arden says, as stated in multiple witness testimony, Miss Prince was not in the cabin at the time the video was taken. Trina says, she didn’t have to be. She could have put the phone on a timer, or started the video before she left the cabin. Arden says, and yet, Commissioner Ashford testified the phone was recovered in Trina’s bag, and Trina says, Esme planted it. Arden asks if she has proof, and Trina says, no. Arden asks her to speak louder for the record, even though we heard her just fine, and Trina repeats, no. She doesn’t have proof. Arden says, surely if Trina believes Miss Prince framed her, she must have some idea of when she planted the phone. Trina says, she’s done nothing but think about it, and don’t call her Shirley. There was a day when she went to Spring Ridge to visit Spencer Cassadine, and she left her bag on the  table when they were talking. It wasn’t always in her sight, and Esme was there that day interning. Arden says she has the list of staff present at Spring Ridge on the day Trina visited the facility. If Trina believes that’s when the phone was planted in her bag, isn’t it true that any of the staff members could have done it? I object on the grounds of stupidity, and Trina says, why would they? She doesn’t know them; they don’t know her. The only person is Esme Prince. Arden says, the fact is, Trina was the only one in the cabin with Josslyn and Cameron the night the revenge porn video was filmed. No one can account for her whereabouts; not even her. The phone that filmed her friends was found in her bag, and contained her credit card information. Nothing backs up this fanciful story of hers, that Miss Prince filmed the video and planted the phone on her. Diane objects, saying, Arden is badgering the witness. Judge Young sustains, and Diane adds, is there a question anywhere in their future, or is the Assistant District Attorney simply going to use her client as an excuse to expound her own absurd theories? The judge says, duly noted, and tells Arden, if she has a question, ask it. If she doesn’t, sit down. Arden says, no further questions, and Diane says, redirect. Judge Young says, proceed, and Diane says, Trina testified that she and Esme were not friends. Trina says, they weren’t, and Diane asks if Esme and Josslyn were friends. Arden objects, hearsay, but Diane says she’s going to ask her client about interactions she specifically observed between Esme and Josslyn. The judge says he’ll allow it, and Diane asks if Trina ever observed tension or hostility between Josslyn and Esme. Trina says, Josslyn hated Esme from the jump. She called Esme out every chance she got. Diane says, called her out? and Trina tells her, Josslyn said Esme is a liar, and a manipulator. She said to Esme’s face that she didn’t trust her, and they weren’t friends. Diane asks if it was just one altercation, but Trina says, it went on for months, before and after the cabin. Diane asks how Esme reacted when Josslyn called her out, and Trina says, sometimes she acted hurt; other times, she got angry. Diane asks how Esme’s anger showed itself, and Trina says, Esme told Josslyn that she was spoiled and entitled, and that she’d be sorry for what she did to Esme. Diane says, Esme Prince told Josslyn that she’d be sorry, and Trina says, yes. Diane says, and was Josslyn sorry when Esme filmed her most intimate moments, and uploaded them for the entire world to see? Arden objects, and Diane says, withdrawn. She asks if Trina loves her friends, and Trina says, with all of her heart. Diane asks if she’d ever hurt any of them, and she says, never. Diane says, no further questions, and the judge tells Trina to step down.

Nikolas tells Ava, he found the spot where Esme fell, but she wasn’t there. He did find this. He shows her a shoe, and she says, they don’t know if Esme is dead or alive. He says, between the height and the rocks, she could have broken her neck or drowned, but Ava says, they both know that fall is not necessarily fatal. Exhibit A. He says, if Esme lived, what would she say happened between the two of them?

Post operation, Terry says that she’s personally walking this biopsy to the lab, and will let Willow know the results as soon as she gets them.   The nurse will be in shortly to take Willow back to her room, so she can get dressed and be discharged. Just rest until they get here. Willow thanks her, and Terry says, they’re working to rule out other possibilities. Willow says she understands, and Terry says, she did so good. She leaves, and Britt asks if she can take Willow’s picture and hang it on her office wall with a little plaque that says, Bravest Person of the Year, and Willow says she’s hardly that. Britt pulls a stool over and sits. She says, Willow is still brave if she talks to someone and tells them what’s going on. Oversharing can be a positive experience. Willow says, not always. She doesn’t think she can handle the concern. She’s not that brave or strong. Britt tells her not to sell herself short, or Michael. All we can control is what we have now. Willow says, Britt sounds like she really understands, and Britt says, it comes with the job.

Finn gives Elizabeth some water, and asks if she needs anything else, but she says she’s good. He says, don’t hate him, but he doesn’t think she is. Can she tell him what happened? She says she was just delivering some lab reports to Terry’s office… oh, reports. She starts to get up, but he says, it’s okay. He talked to Epiphany. She got a nurse to collect the reports, and she took them to Terry’s office. She thanks him, and sits back down. He says, so she was on her way to Terry’s office… She says she was on the stairs like she’d been doing all day, and he says, and? She tells him that she lost her balance, and he asks if she fell. Is she hurt? She says, no. She caught herself, and lowered herself to the ground where he found her. He says, she was pretty out of it. She didn’t recognize him at first. She says she was just trying to get her bearings, but he says he thinks she might need more than a physical exam. She says she’s not hurt; she just pushed herself too hard on her first day back. He suggests getting a neurologist to check her out, and she says, he thinks she needs her head examined.

In her closing argument, Arden says, of course (🍷) people spin all kinds of stories to hide the truth. That’s why in law we have to rely on facts and evidence. The evidence in this case clearly points to one person – the defendant Trina Robinson. Diane gets up, and says, no one saw Trina set up the phone to record Josslyn Jax and Cameron Webber. No one saw Trina send the email. The evidence in this case is purely circumstantial, and as such, is open to an alternative interpretation. Esme Prince was threatened by Trina’s relationship with Spencer, and took revenge by framing Trina, by filming and distributing revenge porn, which of course (🍷) had the added collateral benefit of humiliating Josslyn Jax. (I have to interject that throughout this day of trial, Spencer has alternated between looking very uncomfortable and looking like he’s going to fly out of his seat.) We know Esme Prince was gone from the cabin when that revenge porn was filmed, but just as an email can be timed in advance, so can a camera on a cellphone. And Esme Prince had the means, opportunity, and a far more compelling motive than Trina Robinson. The prosecution in this case has utterly failed to meet the burden of proof. Now it’s the jury’s responsibility to see that justice is served. They must find Trina Robinson not guilty. Court is adjourned, and Arden tells Diane, nice closing, counselor. Diane says, yes, it was especially good, wasn’t it? and laughs. Portia says she’s so proud of Trina, and Taggert says, that makes two of them. Trina says she told the truth. Now her fate is out of her hands. They hug.

Jordan says, what if it wasn’t Esme? but Curtis says, think about what they know about Esme Prince. She’s sharp. She orchestrated a sex tape, and posted it without any evidence leading back to her. So let’s say she slipped Oz the pill in order to prevent him tying her to the phone. Does Jordan think it was a coincidence Oz was drinking, or did Esme set it up that way because she knew what the combination of the drugs and alcohol would do to him? Since Spencer didn’t think it was a prescription, let’s say Esme did obtain the opioids through less than legal means. Let’s say she researched it because she had another idea in mind. Maybe Spencer did see someone acting strangely after taking the pills mixed with alcohol. She says, like… He says, Trina. The one drink she had at the cabin, she got sick and blacked out. He thinks they can both agree that’s not normal. What if her reaction wasn’t from the drink? What if Esme spiked it? She says, if he’s right, they need to talk to Esme.

Ava tells Nikolas, she came back ready to pack her things and leave, and she ran into Esme. Ava flashes back to Esme saying she’s leaving town, and says, she couldn’t let Esme leave, not when Trina was being framed for her crimes. She tells Nikolas, told Esme that she had to confess, that she wouldn’t let someone who’s like a daughter to her pay for Esme’s actions. She remembers Esme asking where her motherly devotion to Kiki, and if Trina was filling the read void of the daughter Ava drove away. Ava says, she hit Esme. She cut Esme’s lip with her ring. Nikolas says, Ava came home, Esme taunted her and came at her. She had to defend herself. Ava says she knows what he’s trying to do, but she’s still going to look like the aggressor. The cops are going to want to know why she didn’t walk away, and how Esme ended up falling over the parapet. He says, there were no witnesses. Even if Esme did survive, it’s Ava’s word against hers. Ava says, everybody knows she hated Esme. He said himself, the staff heard them fighting. Ava’s DNA is probably all over her; evidence of an assault. If Esme is alive or dead, she’s certainly going to be implicated.

Jordan says, Esme is getting more desperate by the day. Curtis’s bartender is proof of that. He says, Oz is the only one who can prove Esme bought the phone that filmed Joss and Cam, but he’s in a medically induced coma, and they don’t have time for him to wake up. She says, which makes Esme their best lead at this point. She’ll do everything she can to get something out of her. Jordan’s phone rings, and she says, …okay. She’ll deal with it herself. She tells Curtis that there’s a situation that requires her immediate attention that could have repercussions for Trina.

Portia asks how Diane thinks it went; no sugarcoating. Diane says she never sugarcoats. They accomplished what they set out to do. Taggert says, create reasonable doubt in the jury’s mind, and an alternate suspect, and Diane says, a viable suspect. Now it’s just up to the jury to come to the right conclusion.

Trina asks Rory if it’s mean for her to want Arden to vanish in a puff of smoke, and he suggests throwing a bucket of water on her and seeing what happens. Spencer heads toward Trina, but Josslyn intercepts him. He says he can just walk around her, and she says, he did a really nice thing for Trina. Leave it at that. Rory says, Trina’s testimony was very impressive, and she asks if he’s just saying that. He says, she was strong and passionate. There’s no way the jury won’t believe her. She says, it doesn’t hurt she got help from the last place she expected. Josslyn says she will admit she didn’t think Spencer had the guts to stand up there, and say that Esme framed Trina, and he says he told her, Esme’s not his girlfriend anymore. She says, ex or not, she’d pay actual money to see Esme’s face when she finds out that Spencer said she framed Trina.

Nikolas says, Esme could have evidence on her that incriminates Ava, and she says, they have to strategize. He says, fact number one, Esme’s gone, and fact number two, questions will be asked, and they have to have answers, especially for Spencer. She says, answers that do not involve the police. Spencer will want to know why Esme was leaving. Nikolas says, Esme didn’t tell her; no one would expect her to. She says, and if Spencer doesn’t buy it? and he says, things were not always good between them. He just gave Trina an alibi in court. Ava says, and if Esme’s found and her DNA is on her? Nikolas says, she fell into the rocks or the water. Most of Ava’s DNA probably washed off. Not to mention, they lived in the same house. Traces of Ava’s DNA would be on Spencer and the staff… on him. She says, what about the suitcase? and he says, they’ll put it someplace so that if anyone goes looking, they’ll find Esme’s things gone. I can’t believe they’re not pawing through that suitcase, as well as whatever she was leaving behind. He says, no one ever needs to know what happened. Get dressed, and meet him downstairs. She says, wait. What if Esme turns up alive?

Finn says he doesn’t think Elizabeth needs her head examined, but they both know vertigo can stem form psychological causes, not just physical ones. She says she definitely doesn’t need more counseling; he can trust her on that. He says he does trust her, but clearly there’s something going on with her. If she doesn’t want to do it for herself, do it for her kids. They need their mom to take care of them. She says, how dare he accuse her of not being able to take care of her kids? I make the decision that a relationship with Elizabeth is just too damn much work.

Willow sees Michael, and he asks where she was. She wasn’t returning his calls, and he was starting to worry. She says, the doctor wanted to run another test, and he wonders how many tests she needs to take. She says, if she’s learned anything from her nursing class, it’s that GH insists its doctors be as thorough as possible. He says he doesn’t remember Nelle taking this many tests when she was pregnant with Wiley. Then again, she wasn’t exactly honest with him. She says, maybe procedures have changed since Nelle was pregnant, and he says, she seems off. Is everything okay? She says she’s having a baby with the love of her life. What’s not okay? he says, so the appointment went well; no surprises? She says, none worth repeating, and he says, okay.

Finn says, Elizabeth is an amazing mother, and she asks, then where’s he going with this? He says, if there’s a chance something is wrong, doesn’t she want to know for her boys’ sake? and she looks at him like he has two heads. He says, when she checked herself into Shadybrook, she said it was as much for them as it was for her. Doesn’t she want to be healthy and whole for them? She says she’s not broken, and she’s got to go back to work. She opens the door, and Terry is there. Terry asks how she’s feeling, but Elizabeth storms past her. Terry asks Finn, what happened? and he says, something is very wrong.

Nikolas says, if Esme is alive, they’ll deal with it, and Ava says, with any luck, Esme will never be found. They’ll tell the staff she left in a huff (or a minute and a huff), and that she didn’t say where she was going. They’ll look for her. He says, they’ll take care of this. The truth stays between them, he promises. He won’t let anything happen to her.

TJ says he got Curtis’s text; what’s up? Curtis says, Trina is running out of time. Her best chance at freedom is in a medically induced coma. Curtis needs him to wake up. TJ says, waking from a medically induced coma isn’t like flipping a light switch. It takes time, there can be risks… Curtis says, but can it be done? and TJ says, it can be, but he’s not authorized to do that. Curtis says, an innocent young girl could be sent to prison. If there was ever a time for drastic measures, it’s now. Or tell him what he can do. TJ says, he needs Curtis to understand, this will just as likely kill him.

Trina says she owes Spencer an apology for going off on him earlier, but he says, she owes him nothing. He should have spoken up from the start. She says, he testified on the stand that he thought Esme made the revenge porn and posted it. When did he figure that out? Jordan walks in, and says, Spencer is under arrest for escaping Spring Ridge, and Trina says, but he went back. Spencer says, it’s okay, and Jordan reads him his rights. He looks at Trina as he’s walked out the door.  

Tomorrow, Trina asks if Rory thinks they can just be friends; Josslyn tells Cameron, as his girlfriend, she has a right to know; Sonny wonders if Brando is asking him to spy on his wife; and Sasha feels like having fun tonight.

🍊 Switching Allegiances…

Although it’s still California. It’s not like she’s moving to Salt Lake City. Who wants to be around those awful women from RHOBH anyway?

https://people.com/tv/real-housewives-of-orange-county-taylor-armstrong-joins-season-17/

🐉 Movin’ On Up…

Or one more way a streaming service gets your money.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/game-of-thrones-is-getting-a-major-upgrade-on-hbo-max/

⛏  Workin’ In the Coal Mines…

I still have work from my real job to do tonight, so join me tomorrow for soap and the latest villains of Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay not getting in a rut and changing it up once in a while, and stay remembering, all we can control is what we have now. And sometimes we can’t even control that.

July 29, 2022 – Spencer Steps Up, Soap Chef, Returning, Dubai Invite List, Kyle’s Reaction, No Just No, Shameful Shah, Squid Triumph, Just Over 10 Quotes & Lipstick

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny punches the heavy bag, when Brick walks in. Sonny says, it’s been a few months since he’s seen Brick in person, and Brick says, Sonny asked him to assess the west coast family situation. Sonny asks what he found, and Brick says, so far, all’s quiet on the western front. He’s not sure that robbery had anything to do with the west, but things have died down. That means he can give his full attention to finding a replacement, somebody to fill Jason’s shoes. Sonny says he thinks he may have found someone.

Michael tells Dex that he’s tired of Sonny taking whatever he wants. It’s time to face the consequences. Brando comes out, and bounds up the stairs, seeing them. He asks what they’re doing here, and Michael says he’s telling Dex for the last time, stop following him. He doesn’t know if Dex is following his dad’s orders, or he’s showing off, but Sonny’s new errand boy won’t stop harassing him, and it ends today. Dex says, no law against taking the stairs. Last time he checked, Michael didn’t own them.

Sasha thanks Willow for letting her vent. It helps so much to know that Willow understands what happened to her mom was truly an accident. Still, hearing about it can’t be easy. Willow says, no easier than for Sasha to talk about it she imagines. Accidentally hitting someone with her car has to be traumatic for her. Sasha says, it is for sure, especially when those tabloid people keep implying she was driving under the influence. Willow says, those jerks didn’t get to her, and Sasha says she doesn’t know what she did to deserve a friend like Willow. She’s hurt Willow in so many ways, always unintentionally, but still, Willow has never wavered in supporting her. A lot of people would have walked away. Willow says, the feeling’s mutual. She hopes Sasha knows that, because she knows Sasha will have her back, just like she has Sasha’s. Sasha says, Wiley is so lucky to have Willow as his mother, and so will this little one. Willow flashes back to TJ telling her that she has an elevated white blood cell count, but he doesn’t think it’s related to her pregnancy.

At Windymere, Esme says she has to get the hell out of here. She finds a book, and takes a paper out of it. She puts the paper into a manila envelope, and puts that in her suitcase. As she’s zipping up the suitcase, Ava walks in, and says, you conniving little whore. Esme says, as the saying goes, it takes one to know one. Ava says, Esme’s not going to try and talk her way out of this? So unlike her normal lying ways. But even for Esme, this is a new low, sleeping with her boyfriend’s father. That is beyond tacky. Esme asks if it was beyond tacky when Ava was having an affair with Morgan Corinthos, then slept with his father. How old does Ava think Avery should be when Ava informs her that she’s the product of hate sex? Ava asks how she knows about those things, and Esme says, Ava didn’t think she’d do her research? She likes to know what she’s dealing with. Ava asks where Esme thinks she’s going, and Esme says she may have had sex with Nikolas, but Ava is still going to get what she wants. Esme is leaving town, and Ava will never have to see her again. Ava grabs Esme’s arm, and says, she’s not going anywhere; not until she pays for the damage she’s done.

Judge Young tells Diane to call her first witness, as Portia hurries in. She tells Taggert that she got here as quick as she could, and Diane calls Spencer Cassadine. Everyone is like, wha-a-at? and Portia asks, what the hell is happening here? Taggert says he has no idea, and Spencer is sworn in.  

Brick holds the bag as Sonny punches, and asks if Sonny’s been looking at candidates without him. He’ll try not to take it personally. Sonny says, this guy kind of fell into his lap. A low-level guy he has working for him. His name is Dex; he’s a military vet. Brick asks where Sonny found him. He knows Sonny ain’t running help wanted ads in the classifieds. Sonny says, when Chet was away, Dex was running the gym, and Brick asks what Sonny likes about him. Sonny says, he’s hungry; it’s like he’s chasing something more. Brick says, so he reminds you of you, and Sonny laughs, saying, not just him. He’s like Stone, Jason… Brick says, far be it for him to question Sonny’s judgement – which he won’t – but allow him to question Dex’s. There’s no shortage of people who want to get in this business, thinking they know what they’re getting themselves into. But he and Sonny both know, there’s no way to know what it actually does to someone until they live it.

Brando steps between Michael and Dex, and says, that’s enough. He tells Dex to back off Michael. Go for a walk. Dex says, fine, whatever. He’ll see Michael around. Dex leaves, and Michael says he appreciates Brando stepping in, but he could have handled this. Brando says, he’s confused. Dex just followed Michael to the hospital and tried to intimidate him? Michael says he has no idea. Other than maybe Dex thinks he’s impressing Sonny, Michael has no idea what this guy wants from him. Brando says, maybe Michael is right; maybe Dex is just trying to impress Michael’s dad. He can backchannel to Sonny that Michael is having issues with Dex, but Michael says, absolutely not. Brando says he was just trying to help, and Michael says he appreciates it, but he doesn’t want Sonny involved in this. Besides, Brando has bigger things to focus on.

Sasha says, honestly, she doesn’t know what she’d do without Willow’s friendship, when TJ comes out. He says he’s ready for Willow, and Willow tells Sasha, they’ll talk soon. Willow leaves with him, and Sasha’s phone dings. She looks at it, and says, am I keeping my counseling appointment today…

In an exam room, TJ thanks Willow for coming back. He just needs another blood sample. She asks why they need another blood test, and he says, to make sure the first wasn’t an anomaly. She says, doctors aren’t usually the ones who take blood samples, and he says she’s his friend. Sue him if he’s a little invested. She says, raised white blood cell counts can indicate any number of things, but it’s clear he’s worried about something specific. Can he tell her what it is he’s looking for?

Esme says, well, well. It seems Ava’s Prince Charming finally decided to be honest, and tell her that he’s just another slimy frog. Ava says she’s had Esme pegged from the very start. She’s selfish and entitled, but she’s very, very smart; Ava will give her that. Esme helped Spencer torture her for months, and it all came quite naturally to her, didn’t it? She knows Spencer says he put Esme up to setting her car on fire, but Ava saw that look of fear in his eyes. Spencer didn’t do that. He’s selfish, self-centered, and self-serving, but he’s no psychopath; not like Esme. And Esme couldn’t just set it on fire. She had to go a step further and put Ava’s dead daughter’s ID next to it, and that is just sadistic. And Esme made that revenge porn video of Joss and Cam. Again, only a demented mind like Esme’s would do something like that. And she framed Trina to take the fall, but all of that wasn’t enough, was it? Esme had to seduce her husband. She had to trick Ava’s husband into falling into bed with her. Esme says, Nikolas hardly had to be seduced. All thanks to the shrewish ways Ava’s been treating him. Every day Ava came up with new and creative ways to emasculate him. Ava made him feel like less man. All Esme had to do was be there to catch him when he fell.

Diane says, they danced around this during Spencer’s previous testimony, so let’s just cut to the chase, shall they? Does he believe Trina Robinson filmed and distributed an intimate video – Nikolas walks in and sits behind Trina – of Josslyn Jax and Cameron Webber? He says, no, he doesn’t. He knows for a fact Trina couldn’t have distributed that video. Portia tells Taggert, Spencer is defending their daughter, and Diane asks if he can tell the court why he’s so certain. He says he knows for a fact Trina couldn’t have distributed that video because she was with him when the video was released via email.

Willow says she knows TJ doesn’t have any firm answers yet, but what is he worried about? There’s a knock at the door, and Michael comes in. He says he’s sorry to interrupt, but the nurse said they were in here. Willow says, he’s not interrupting, and TJ says, he’s done here. He says he’ll be right back, and leaves. Michael says he’s confused. He thought Willow had an OB appointment; why was TJ here and not Britt? She says, it’s nothing. He was just being a good friend.

Esme says, Nikolas felt unappreciated. In name, he and Ava were husband and wife, yet they were sleeping in separate bedrooms. Who does that? I tell her, probably more people than she thinks, and she says, Ava drove him away, just like she drove away every single person she cared about. Ava says, all the research Esme has done on her, Esme doesn’t know her. Esme says, doesn’t she? She knows Ava turned her back on her brother before he died. Ava says she loved her brother very much. Julian was self-destructive. She had no choice but to walk away. Esme says, just like Ava walked away from Kiki when she found Kiki sleeping with her boyfriend Griffin Monroe. She’s hardly the catalyst for what happened with all of them. Ava does see that the common denominator in all of those twisted scenarios is herself? Ava says, that’s enough. Don’t try to make this about her. Nikolas is Spencer’s father. Did Esme think she was going to trade up to more money by targeting him? Esme says, one more time, she did not target Nikolas. He came running to her. Ava says she knows better. Esme is a stalker. Esme and Spencer played their sick mind game with her; they made her fear for her daughter’s life. The ways they attacked her…. She stops for a moment, then says, all this time, she thought Esme was just her stepson’s obnoxious entitled girlfriend. So why then does this all feel so very personal? Why does Esme hate her so much? There has to be more to this story. There has to be. Esme glances at the envelope sticking out of her suitcase.

Diane asks if Spencer is saying, he was with Trina at the moment that email was distributed to the PCU. He says, that’s exactly what he’s saying, and Diane says, correct her if she’s wrong, but that day her was serving a sentence at the Spring Ridge Minimum Security Prison, was he not? He says, yes, that’s correct, and she asks if Trina was visiting him on that day. He says, no, and she says, he’s going to have to help all of them out here. If he was with Trina in person and not in prison, where was he? He says he arranged for a kind of off-the-books day pass to leave prison. You might say Trina saw him when he escaped.

Sonny says, good workout, and Brick says, all he did was hold the bag. Dex comes in, and asks if it’s a good time, or does Sonny want him to come back later, but Sonny says, no. Actually, it’s a good time. They were just talking about him. This is a good time for Brick and Dex to meet. Sonny introduces them, and says, Brick is a trusted friend, second in command. Brick and Dex shake hands, and Dex says he wanted to give Sonny an update on that thing they discussed when he has a moment. Sonny tells him, whatever he’s got to say, he can say in front of Brick. Brick is like family to him. So how’s their good friend the photographer doing this afternoon? Dex says, he’s not going to be selling anything to anyone again. He definitely won’t be opening his mouth. Dex made sure of that before the cops showed up. Sonny says, Dex talked to the cops?

Michael asks if Willow can tell how excited he is, and she says she can; she is too. He says he can’t stop thinking about how lucky they are. Everything is going to be different this time. They’ll both be there from the very start, and they’re not going to miss any moments with their child.

Brando sees Sasha, and says, there she is. She asks what he’s doing back at the hospital, and he says he felt guilty leaving her behind. Is she going to be late? She says,; she’s not going. He asks, why not? and she says she ran into Willow. It turns out the photographer, the one who harassed her and got in his car and chased her, which led her to hit Harmony, is here at GH. It kind of forced her and Willow to unpack a lot of things they needed to discuss. She was very sympathetic, and in a way, it was therapeutic. He says he understands. Why don’t they reschedule her therapy appointment? She says, no. She’s all talked out.

Portia wonders why Trina didn’t tell them any of this, and Taggert says, she was probably protecting Cassadine. Rory says he has no idea what’s going on, and Josslyn says, she doesn’t either, but maybe Spencer is doing the right thing for once. Judge Young says, quiet in the courtroom, banging his gavel, and tells Diane to please continue. She says, to clarify, Spencer escaped from prison, and Spencer says he planned on going back. He did go back. Arden objects, saying, there’s no way to verify this, but Diane says, the same as any witness’s testimony. Now it’s up to the jury to determine its voracity. The judge says, overruled, but get to point soon. Diane asks how Spencer was able to leave undetected, and he says he’s not proud of this, but someone was bribed to look the other way. She asks why this day was so important that he obtained this unofficial hall pass, and he tears up and says, it was the anniversary of his mother’s death. His mother died when her was a baby, so he never met her. The anniversary of her death is important to him. As a boy, he always laid flowers. The last several years, he was away at boarding school in France, so he couldn’t. So to be back here in Port Charles on that anniversary, and not be able to honor her with flowers was incredibly painful. He went to the graveyard to see her. He never meant for anyone to see him. That’s when he saw Trina at the cemetery, working on a project for PCU. Diane tells the judge that her associate is currently collecting proof of Trina’s PCU assignment, which she’ll be entering as evidence. She asks if Spencer realizes, with this, he could be jeopardizing his freedom, since he was released from Spring Ridge. He says, he knows, and starts to cry, looking at Trina. He says, but at a certain point, you have to stop doing the easy thing, and start doing right thing.

Dex tells Sonny, it’s not his first rodeo, but Brick says, even veteran riders get tossed off the bull. Dex says, he knows enough to make himself scarce before the cops see him. It was Sonny’s son, the detective. Sonny says he doesn’t care who it was. Someone shows up with a badge, you don’t say anything. Dex promises, that’s exactly what he did. He’s sorry he didn’t handle it correctly, but he thought he was doing what Sonny wanted. Sonny says, Dex is right; he did the right thing. Like with Josslyn. Brick asks, what happened with Joss? and Sonny says, they were having a discussion with that reporter that gave Sasha drugs. It got a little heated, and they roughed him up a little bit. It so happens that Josslyn shows up, starts filming the whole thing, and threatening to take the footage to the police. Brick says, what? and Sonny says, she’s upset about what happened with him and her mother, and she wanted payback. Thanks to Dex… He talked her into deleting the footage. He tells Dex that he hasn’t thanked him for that. He appreciates that. Now Dex knows what the boundaries are when dealing with his kids. Dex says, Sonny is the boss; he makes the rules.

Sasha asks Brando, doesn’t he get it? She’s emotionally drained right now. She’s too spent for another therapy session. He says he does get that, but she needs to stick to her program if she’s going to get any better. She says, that’s not for him to decide, is it? and he tells her, he’s not saying that. If she wants, he’ll make the appointment for her. It’s not something she needs to stress out over. She says, oh my God. The only one stressing her out is him. He and Gladys are smothering her.

Ava asks why Esme’s attacks on her are so personal? First Esme threw Morgan in her face, then Kiki and Griffin. Esme didn’t know any of those people (and we barely remember them). Who is giving her this information and why? What the hell did she ever do to Esme? Esme says, if her time in this provincial city has taught her anything, it’s that people here love to gossip. Not many people here like Ava much. Not that Esme’s treated Ava any differently than she would have treated anyone else. It’s a lesson you learn pretty quickly in boarding school. People can be vicious, so a good defense is the best offense. So she learned things. Ava just happens to have more dirt in her past than most people. Ava says, that’s not it. She’s onto something. She knows it; she can feel it. When Spencer asked for Esme’s help torturing her, Esme jumped at the chance, didn’t she? Why was Esme so willing to help him? Spencer ended up in prison. Esme could have very well ended up there as well. If Esme was some simpleton just trying to please her crush, Ava would buy it, but Esme’s no fool, and obviously not very devoted to Spencer. Esme says she’s not the one who’s devotion wavered, and Ava says she sees she pushed a button. Let’s see if she can push a few more.

Diane says, if Trina Robinson didn’t distribute this revenge porn video of Josslyn Jax and Cameron Webber, Spencer must have some suspicion as to who did. Unless of course (🍷) Josslyn and Cameron filmed themselves. Spencer says, no way. It was their first… They wouldn’t do that. Diane asks if he had anything to do with it, but he says, no. Absolutely not. He might not have been the best friend to Josslyn and Cameron over the course of the last year, but he’d never hurt them in that way. She says, this cabin they’ve been discussing belongs to Josslyn’s former stepfather; is that correct? Spencer says, yes. This trip to the cabin was before Sonny and Carly got divorced. She says, tell her about this cabin. Is there staff? Is there anyone else who might have made this video? A cleaning crew perhaps? Spencer says, there was no staff there, okay? and Diane says, okay. Someone else then. A disgruntled neighbor perhaps. Spencer says, no. The cabin is very isolated. Diane says, all right. There were five of them there that night, Trina, who he knows is innocent. Josslyn and Cameron, also innocent. Spencer, who denies any responsibility. That leaves who? Arden objects, saying, speculation, and Diane tells Judge Young, there were five people at the cabin that night, and Spencer was one of them. His opinion has merit. The judge says, overruled, but tread carefully, and Spencer says, there was no outside staff. It had to be someone who was staying in the cabin. Diane says, uh-huh. Who? Spencer looks at Trina, and says, his girlfriend at the time, Esme Prince. Soap looks are exchanged all around.

Brando says, he and his mom don’t mean to smother Sasha. They just want to see her get better. He knows she had a good talk with Willow, and he’s glad they cleared the air. He knows Willow is a good friend to her, but Willow is not a psychiatrist. And the whole Harmony part? He knows she has guilt over that, but it isn’t her main issue. She needs to talk to a doctor about why she turns to pills when she’s already seen how cocaine damaged her life. He’s an addict too, remember? She needs to deal with the root cause. She says, he doesn’t trust her, and he says he does, but he knows how addicts think. The temptation of drugs gets the better of your brain. Sasha needs her psychiatrist’s help. He and her doctors wanted her to go live in rehab, but she didn’t want to do that. So if she’s not going to rehab, she needs to stick to her outpatient therapy. She yells at him, stop trying to control her every move, and he yells back, given the way their life together is spiraling out of control, maybe somebody does need to control her.

Sonny tells Dex to take off; he’s going to go over some stuff with Brick. Dex  starts to leave, but Brick says, hang on. Sonny mentioned Dex was a vet; same here. He’s sure they have a lot to talk about. Dex says he’s sure they do, and leaves. Sonny asks Brick what he thinks, and Brick says, he’s too full of himself. Cocky. Too reckless as far as Brick is concerned. Too flippant with the way he speaks about Sonny’s family, and dealing with the cops. Sonny says, he’s young; he’s got to learn the ropes. Brick says, he deserves a shot. He’s just not sure about sending a rookie to deal with some drug dealer. Sonny says, Dex volunteered, and Brick asks if Sonny thinks someone this young and green will be effective in the enforcer role. Sonny says, Dex is about Jason’s age when Jason started working for him, and Brick says, yeah, but this generation seems to need a lot more growing up than the previous one. Sonny says, every generation needs time to mature. Isn’t that always the case?

Outside, behind a warehouse, Dex looks at his phone.

Michael tells Willow, even though they didn’t plan for the pregnancy, he thinks the timing couldn’t be better. Wiley and the new baby are only going to be a few years apart. She says, for so many years, she was desperate for a brother or sister. Someone she could talk to, play with, share the crazy of life with Harmony. What about him and Morgan? Were they close? He says, there was a time they were fighting over Kiki, but for the most part, they were close. Then there was Dante. Obviously, the didn’t grow up together, and they met as adults, but he’s very glad Dante is in his life. No one can talk him off a cliff like Dante can. His phone dings, he looks at it, and sighs. She asks if something’s wrong, and he says, no, it’s a work thing, but he really needs to handle this. He tells he that he can stick around if she wants, but she says, no. She’s fine. If this were some big step, she’d want him to be here, but it’s just another routine appointment. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, absolutely. He says he’ll see her at home, and leaves.

Diane thanks Spencer, and says, no further questions. Arden says, it’s Spencer’s testimony that he was with Trina the moment the email containing the revenge porn was distributed at PCU; is that correct? He says, that’s correct, and she says, but he has no accounting for Trina’s whereabouts at the moment the video was being filmed, does he? She reminds the court, it’s the non-consensual recording that’s the most pressing charge here. He says, um… and she says, let her repeat. Was he with Miss Robinson when the revenge porn video was filmed? He says, no, he wasn’t, and she says, and to reiterate his previous testimony, he was with Esme Prince when the video was filmed. He says, yes, he was, and once again, I wonder why he’s not bringing up Esme going back to the cabin to get whatever he’d left there, especially since he said something to Esme about it, like, five minutes ago. Arden says, okay then, moving on. Spencer audited classes at PCU last fall. Did he ever have to pull an all-nighter? (For auditing???) He says, yes, and she says, when he needed to turn in a term paper to a professor in the middle of the night, was he aware that you could schedule send an email later for a more reasonable hour using a run-of-the-mill app? Now I stamp my foot and say, that’s a dumb thing to even say, since it’s not like a new email shakes you awake to read it. Spencer says, she lost him, and Diane objects, saying, the State has lost everyone with this line of questioning. Arden says, withdrawn, and tells Judge Young that she’d like to enter into evidence an email that she personally sent to him and opposing counsel. Diane says, excuse me? and Arden says, give it a second. Diane and the judge’s phones beep, and Arden says, there it is. While Mr. Cassadine was accounting for the defendant’s whereabouts, she scheduled her email to be released later.

TJ comes back, and asks Willow if Michael had to leave. She says, it was a work issue. She told him to go deal with it. He says, if she wants to reschedule for a time they can both be here, they can do that, but Willow says she has time. He closes the door, and says he couldn’t help notice that she gave Michael the runaround when he asked why TJ was  taking the lead here, and not Britt. Is there a reason she’s telling Michael this isn’t her usual OB appointment?

Michael tells Dex, he hopes this is important. He was at the hospital with Willow. Dex asks if she’s okay, and Michael says, just standard pregnancy stuff. So what’s going on? Talk to him. Dex says he just wanted to make sure Michael got things squared with Brando; he seemed pretty suspicious. Michael says, he was 100% suspicious, but he bought that he was pissed at Dex for harassing him. Dex says, good, because he has enough people looking at him suspiciously. Michael asks what that means, and Dex says, this guy Brick. He thinks Brick is going to dig into his past. Michael thanks him for the heads up, and says, but if Brick is doing a background check, that’s a good sign Dex is moving closer into Sonny’s inner circle.

Brick says, if Sonny sees something in this guy, there must be something there. Still, Brick is going to run a full background check on him. And that ain’t a request. Sonny says he’s not even going to try and stop Brick. But no matter how much they look into Dex’s past, it’s not going to tell them whether he can deal with this life. All he’s taken care of so far is a low level drug pusher, slash, tabloid photographer. Brick says, so Sonny wants to give Dex a bigger assignment to test him, and Sonny says he was thinking, why don’t they see if Dex can prove himself; trial by fire. They laugh, and Brick says, he likes that.

Brando tells Sasha that he’s so sorry. If he could take those words back, he would. He didn’t mean it. She says, didn’t he? and he says he doesn’t want to control her. He’s just worried about her. So are Michael and Willow, and his mom, and everyone at Deception. Sasha says, admit it. He finally said what he felt. He stopped walking on eggshells like he’s been doing; like everybody’s been doing. He says, that’s not true, and suggests they go home and talk privately, but she says, no. She needs space. He says, from him? and she says, from everybody. She storms out to the stairwell.

Diane objects to the ADA’s theatrics. There’s no proof to suggest that video was sent via pretimed email. Arden says, no further questions, and Judge Young tells Spencer to step down. He asks both counsels to approach the bench, and as Spencer passes her, Trina says she can’t believe he did this. He says, he can’t believe it didn’t work. He’s so sorry. He keeps walking, and Portia asks why Trina didn’t tell them that Spencer was her alibi before. Trina says she was hoping Curtis would have a Hail Mary, so she wouldn’t have to, and Taggert tells her, just keep your chin up, baby girl. Diane is right. There’s zero evidence that video was sent via email timer. Maybe Spencer was her Hail Mary. At the door, Josslyn says she knew she could trust Spencer to do the right thing… after he exhausted all other options. She leaves, and Nikolas asks if he and Spencer can talk. It’s important.

Sasha runs down the stairs, and her phone dings. She stops at the first floor, and sees a text from Sienna: Hey, feel like blowing off some steam with me tonight? Sasha texts back: Sure – I’ll meet you anywhere!

Ava says, so Esme does still have feelings for Spencer. And she’s so jealous that Spencer has feelings for Trina, she slept with his father as what? Revenge? Payback? And she and Trina were just collateral damage, or something more? Esme tries to push the envelope further into the suitcase, but Ava grabs it, and says, what is that? Esme snatches it back, and says, that, is none of your business. Ava says, forget it. Trying to find answers in Esme’s bizarre twisted behavior would have her running in circles, but make no mistake, after everything Esme has done to make the people she loves suffer, Esme is going to do the right thing for the first time in her life. Esme says, and what is that? and Ava says, playtime is over. They’ll deal with Esme sleeping with her husband another time, but right now, Esme is going to march down to that courthouse. She’s going to exonerate Trina, and tell the world that she made that tape of Joss and Cameron. Esme says, they’ve already had this conversation, and she has no idea where Ava is getting this crazy idea. Besides, why would she even do it? Is Ava offering to help her disappear, and make sure she doesn’t go to prison? No. She has no interest in being a fugitive for the rest of her life. Ava says, Esme misunderstands her. She walks closer as she talks, and says, if Esme doesn’t admit she framed Trina, she will make sure nobody ever finds her. At least not while she’s still breathing.

On Monday, TJ wonders why Willow doesn’t want Michael’s support; Portia asks Taggert, what if it’s not enough; Diane says, Trina needs to be the heroine in her own story; and Ava tells Esme, she either tells the truth or it’s the end of the line.

👩🏽‍🍳 Different Kind Of Gig…

Although if she’s playing herself, is it really acting?

🏥 They’re Back…

When I saw this, I was like, what now? But it turns out they actually get a vacation.

👰🏼 Nervous Bride…

I can’t say I blame her.

https://people.com/tv/real-housewives-of-dubai-caroline-stanbury-talks-inviting-cast-to-sergio-carrallo-wedding-exclusive/

💎 She Has Receipts…

Like her longevity is a guarantee. Welcome to 2022.

🍸 Please No…

And what would be the title? The Most Awful Human Being On Earth?

💰 Shah-king My Head…

This is just such a shame.

https://people.com/tv/shahs-of-sunset-mike-shouhed-criminal-charges-paulina-ben-cohen-domestic-incident/

🐙 Double the Squid…

Squid Game should definitely be proud of itself.

https://ew.com/awards/the-awardist-digital-magazine-squid-game-double-nominees/

🦉 Quotes of the Week

Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times. – Mark Twain

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. – Unknown

I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity. – Albert Einstein

A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life. – William Arthur Ward

Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity. – Hippocrates

Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. – Theodore Vail

You are always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past. – Richard Bach

People will always have opinions about your decision because they’re not courageous enough to take action on their opinion. – Steve Maraboli

The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. – H.P. Lovecraft

A mathematical formula for happiness: Reality divided by Expectations. There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality or lower your expectations. – Jodi Picoult (I vote for lowering expectations.)

They were great. If I could only make out the words, they’d be greater. – an audience member referring to seeing The Sex Pistols in Pistols

🛌🏽 Taking It To the Sheets…

Enjoy the next two days, but boomerang back on Monday, when there will be soap and Deck doings. Until then, stay safe, stay looking after your mental health as well as your physical health, and stay not doing the easy thing, but the right thing. And don’t wait until you’ve exhausted all other options.

July 27, 2022 – Spencer Testifies At Trina’s Trial, LisaR Calls Erika On the Carpet & Try It

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At Windymere, Jordan says she’d like to ask Nikolas a few questions about his recent visitor. He says, if she’s talking about Esme, she’s not a visitor; she’s their guest. She says she wasn’t referring to Esme, and he says, then who? She says, but since he mentions her, would she or anyone in his household, have any reason to meet with a man who traffics in black market goods? Nikolas opens the door, and she walks in.

Esme goes to Ryan’s room in Spring Ridge, and says she needs his help. He asks, why the sad face? Doesn’t she know by now they can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it? She says he’s right, and kneels in front of him, saying, thank you, daddy. He says, tell him, where has she been? and she says, Doc had PCU cancel her internship, and had her banned from Spring Ridge. He says, family. It’s often more trouble than it’s worth. She says she hopes he doesn’t seriously mean that, because she’s considering sacrificing everything in the name of family.

Trina starts to walk toward Spencer, and Rory says, that’s not a good idea. She says she knows, but keeps going. She asks why Spencer is here, and he says he’s here for her.

Cody walks into the pool area, and slips Aaron some cash, thanking him for the tip, which confuses me for a millisecond, since he’s giving Aaron a tip. He tells Aaron, remember, every time she’s here… Aaron says, he’ll call. Maxie walks in with Britt, and says she thinks they needed this. Britt says she has to stick to mocktails; she has to go to the hospital later. Maxie says, boo, and Britt agrees. Cody approaches, and says, what a pleasant surprise, but Britt says, pleasant is in the eye of the beholder.  

Taggert asks if Ava has any idea what Spencer plans to say on the stand, but she says, no. He was asking questions about the trial yesterday, and didn’t even mention he’d be here today. Trina says, so Spencer is here for her. He contacted Diane, and volunteered to testify on her behalf. He’s a witness for the prosecution. How is he going to help her? He says, by doing his part, and she asks what that even means. He says, it means he’s going to tell the truth, and she says, the actual truth, or the gospel according to Esme? Arden asks if Trina will excuse them, and Trina says, gladly. She leaves, and Arden says she’s glad to see Spencer, but where’s Esme Prince? Why isn’t she in this courtroom?  

In the hallway, Josslyn asks if Trina is okay, and Trina says she was fool to believe this would all work out. Josslyn hugs her.

Nikolas says he can’t think of anyone who would have any reason to be dealing with a black market, and Jordan says, the individual she’s referring to, Oz Haggerty, was seen boarding a launch to Nikolas’s home yesterday at approximately 10:30 am. He says, it’s news to him, and asks if he can offer her a drink. Ice tea or water? He knows she’s on duty. She says, no thank you, and tells him, this shouldn’t take long. She sits down, and he says he wishes he could be more help, but he wasn’t there much yesterday. She asks, who was home yesterday?

Ryan says, sacrifice everything, what does that mean? and Esme says she can’t stay long. If Doc learns she’s here, she’ll be in trouble. He says, obviously, she managed to work her way around him. How’d she manage that? She says, Nikolas pulled strings, and he asks, why? She says she was convincing, and he says, she held their tryst over his head. Was that wise? She says, what’s leverage if you can’t use it? and he says, Nikolas may feel compelled to confess to Ava. She says she thought he wanted Ava to learn of Nikolas’s unfaithfulness, but he says, on their terms. If the transparency comes from him, it could work to his advantage. The noble sinner confesses and comes clean; all that crap. For such a smart girl, sometimes she can be… She says, what? and he says, so short-sighted. She says she’d be careful if she were him. It was her short-sightedness that got her back in here, wasn’t it? He says, when you’re right, you’re right, and she thanks him. She says, besides, if anyone is to blame for their separation, it’s probably his old friend Felicia. She thinks Felicia is the one who ratted her out to Doc.

Maxie asks if Cody would care to join them, but he says, it’s up to Britt. Britt says she’d rather ride a horse. He says, she’s been ducking his calls, his texts, his emails. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was avoiding him. Britt says, my advice, know better, and Maxie asks what she’s missing here. Britt says, Cody was her last Society Set-Ups date, and by last, she means… Maxie says, wait. The only thing she knows about Britt’s last Society Set-Ups date was that it was terrible. No offense. Cody says, none taken. It was terrible, and it was completely his fault. Britt asks if he means that, or is he just telling her what he thinks she wants to here, and he says, all he’s asking is for her to let him make it up to her. She says she’ll text him her answer, and Maxie says, you know what makes for a really good apology? A beverage. Let’s start with those. Cody says, any preference, ladies? and Maxie says, something fruity. Britt says, virgin margarita, and Cody goes to the bar. Maxie says, this guy really gets to Britt, and Britt says, because he’s arrogant, infuriating, and persistent. Maxie says, seems like Society Set-Ups got this one right, and Britt says, she and Cody are the opposite of a match. Between the horse, and the straw hay… Maxie says, she does know that straw and hay are two completely different things, right? Britt says, she didn’t ask, nor does she care, but Cody does. Maxie should ask him. Maxie says, this guy has really gotten under Britt’s skin. That could mean something. Cody comes back, and says, a pina colada for the lady, a beer for the me, and a virgin margarita for the other lady. Britt says, gee, thanks, and asks if it tastes like lies. He asks what it’s going to take to start over, and Maxie says, she’s going to go powder her nose. She leaves, and Cody says, good. Now he can really begin groveling. Britt asks if he shouldn’t be on the ground for that, and he says he would if he thought it would work. She wouldn’t respect a man who did that, would she? She says, only one way to find out, and he says he really is sorry; he admits it. He was wrong. He was trying too hard to be someone he thought she wanted instead of getting to know the real her. He really is sorry and it won’t happen again, he promises. From now on, all she’s going to get is the unadulterated, pure this guy. Remember, she asked for it. So what does she say? Does she want to forgive and forget?

Ava asks if Taggert’s heard from Portia, and he says, she’s still dealing with a patient emergency. Ava says, Trina will understand.

Josslyn asks what Spencer said, and Trina tells her, he’s testifying for the other side. Josslyn says, because he’s a spoiled, selfish tool, and Trina says, the worst part is, for a split second, she thought he was going to say he had her back.

Arden says she needs Esme on the stand, and Spencer says, so does he. She says, excuse me? and he says, don’t worry. He’ll make sure Esme gets here.

Ryan tells Esme, Felicia and his brother will be dealt with, just like anybody who stands in their way. She tells him, he says the sweetest things, and he thanks her. He says, in the meantime, she needs to put some distance between herself and the Cassadines, but she says, she thinks she should stay at least a few more days. He asks, why? They don’t need anything else from them. She says, that may be true for him, and he asks why she came here. She says, Spencer wants her help to exonerate Trina in exchange for information, and he says, she played with that gang of wayward children like they were spiders in a jar. Now she’s paying the price. What is Spencer offering? She says, the identity of her birth mother. Her phone dings, and she looks at a text from Spencer: Where r u? Get 2 the courthouse or no deal. Ryan snatches the phone from her, and says, not on his time.

Nikolas tells Jordan, he and Spencer spent most of the morning at GH, and Ava was at the courthouse attending Trina’s trial. She says, and Esme? and he says, as far as he knows, she was here all day. She asks if Esme could have left without his knowledge, and he says, he’s not Esme’s jailer; she’s free to do as she pleases. Jordan says, anyone else? and he says, just the staff. How long was this guy on the island? She says, undetermined. He was last seen boarding the launch at 10:30 am, and didn’t return via the launch. Any idea how he got off the island? He says, not offhand. He could be of more help if she clued him in on what this is about. She says, Mr. Haggerty is currently hospitalized; drug overdose. Nikolas asks if she thinks he obtained the drugs here, and she says, potentially. She’s also trying to ascertain if he provided an unregistered phone used to film an intimate encounter. He says, the sex tape Trina’s accused of making, and she says, new evidence suggests Mr. Haggerty’s testimony could have bearing on the case. Nikolas says, why not just ask him? and she says she’d love to, but he’s in a medically induced coma, which means he can’t testify either. Convenient, huh? He asks if Mr. Haggerty’s overdose was accidental, and she says, there’s evidence he had a visitor before his collapse. He says, any idea who? and she thanks him for his time. Please speak with his household staff. He says he’ll take care of it personally, and she says, if Esme saw Mr. Haggerty, they’ll need to speak with her right away. Nikolas flashes back to Esme saying she terrorized Ava for Spencer, but she was wrong; Esme taunting Ava, and Ava warning Esme to keep her daughters’ names out of her mouth or she’ll be sorry; Esme saying Sonny and Ava refuse to accept it’s Trina, even though all the evidence points to her; and Esme telling Nikolas, she wants to tell Ava and Spencer that they slept together. The lightbulb comes on.

Britt says, fine. Cody is forgiven, but she never forgets, ever. He says, so what she’s saying is he’s unforgettable? and she says, ugh. Go away. He tells her, smiling causes less wrinkles than frowning. She may not care now, but when she hits 50… She says, yeah, right. Look, he bought her a peace offering, she begrudgingly accepted it. Let’s move on. He says, to another date? and she laughs, saying, not if he was the last cowpoke in the countryside. He says he doesn’t get it. Why won’t she let anyone close to her? She says, he doesn’t know her, and he agrees that he doesn’t, but he’s trying to get to know her. Maxie returns, but hangs back, and Britt says, well, know this. It’s the absolute height of arrogance to assume just because she doesn’t want him to get close to her, that she doesn’t want anyone to get close to her. He says he saw the video of her TED talk at the mixer. Her views on love are pretty clear. She gets up and says she’s done. She tells Maxie, sorry, she’s late for work, and walks out. Maxie says, wait, but Britt keeps going, and Cody asks how he did. She says, that was a clear triumph.

Arden asks if Spencer recalls the weekend getaway he took in January with Cameron Webber, Josslyn Jax, Esme Prince, and the defendant. He says, he does. They were supposed to spend the weekend at his Uncle Sonny’s cabin. She says, supposed to? and he says, their weekend was cut short. She asks, why is that? and Diane objects, saying, Josslyn Jax and Cameron Webber have already testified on record as to why that weekend ended early. Arden says, Josslyn and Cameron stayed. It might benefit the court to get Mr. Cassadine’s perspective on that evening’s events. Judge Young says he’ll allow it, and Arden asks why the weekend ended early. He says, Trina was sick and upset. She ran out of the room while the rest of them argued. Arden says, while this argument took place, where was the defendant? He says, in her room, and Arden says, or so she claims. Diane objects, saying, this blatant sarcasm is meant to influence the jury. If the ADA actually has a question, do you think she can ask it?

Nikolas rifles though stuff on his desk, and grabs his keys. On his way out, Victor comes in, and asks where he’s off to in such a hurry. Nikolas says, whatever this is, he doesn’t have time for it. He needs to get Ava. Victor says, why? Is she in trouble? Nikolas says, no, but his marriage is, and Victor says, mistakes are made in haste. Slow down and tell him what this is about. Nikolas says, it’s a mess, and Victor says, lucky he showed up when he did. Cleaning up messes is one of his specialties. Nikolas says he doesn’t think Victor can fix this, but Victor says, let him be the judge of that. What’s the nature of this particular mess? Nikolas says, it’s Esme. There’s a delicate matter she may tell his wife about.  Victor says, what could Esme possibly tell Ava that… Oh no, Nikolas. Tell me you didn’t. Nikolas says he did, and if he doesn’t stop her, Esme is going to tell Ava everything, and she’s going to blow his future and his family to hell.

Ryan looks at the text from Spencer, and says, thanks to Esme’s childish vendetta against the Robinson girl, Spencer now has a bargaining chip. Worse, his curiosity could lead Spencer to discover he’s her father. She says, that’s his only concern? and pulls over a chair. He says, she’s been compromised; she’s of no use to him. She says, so this relationship is purely transactional? and sits. Doc told her that he feared Ryan could never truly care for another person, and she’s starting to think he was right. He says she knows he cares for her, and she says, does he? Why does he never ask her what she wants? He says, fine. What does she want? She says she wants to know who her mother is, and he says, she’s not seriously considering taking Spencer’s offer? She says she needs the truth; if not from Spencer, than from him – whatever it takes. He asks if Spencer happened to mention how he came by her mother’s identity, and she says, his Uncle Victor. He says, Victor Cassadine. He does have considerable resources. But so does he. If he couldn’t find her, he’s not sure Victor could. She says, there’s a DNA test, and he says, she submitted to a test with names and identifiable markers? She says, of course (🍷) not, but Spencer… He says, managed to get a sample anyway. How convenient. She says, they live in the same house; it’s not like it would be difficult. He says, taking the deal is a bad idea, and she says, if he doesn’t want Spencer to tell her who her mother is, fine. You tell me.

Cody tells Maxie, he doesn’t know how to read Britt, and every time she baits him he just – ugh – walks right into it. She says, there’s a word for that, and he says, insanity? She says, chemistry, and he says, whatever you call it, he’s still dumb enough to pursue it. Any advice? She says she’d advise him to be fearless. But he is the guy who dropped into the pool from 10,000 feet, so… He says, still safer than approaching Britt Westbourne, and she says, come on. Her bark is worse than her bite… Actually, no; scratch that. They’re both terrifying. Britt just wants someone who’ll let her be herself, at her best, and especially at her worst. He says, okay. He might be able to show how he can be that guy, but he’s going to need Maxie’s help.

Judge Young says, objection sustained. If Arden can’t make her case without editorializing for the jury, perhaps she should stop right now. Arden apologizes, and asks if Spencer saw the defendant go into her room. He says, no, and Arden asks if he can verify that Trina was in her room from the time she left the group until the time he left. He says, no, and she says, back to this argument. What happened next? He says, Josslyn went in on him pretty hard. She thought that Esme suggested the drinking game to upset Trina, which was completely unfair. At this time, Esme held nothing but admiration for Trina, and they were both close friends of Trina’s. Trina leans over and tells Diane, that’s not true. Should they object? Diane says, not right now. This is one time they want to let him talk. Arden asks if at that point they left, and Spencer says, yes. Esme demanded to leave as soon as she got back. Arden says, got back from where? and he says, Esme left the room collect herself after Joss unloaded on her.

At the hospital, Jordan asks Britt if the tox screen is back on Oz Haggerty, and Britt says, she’s not sure, but she can check. She’s sorry. She just got in, and isn’t up to speed yet. Is Mr. Haggerty family? Jordan says, he’s related to an ongoing investigation, and Britt asks if she has a warrant or court order allowing Britt to help her. Jordan says, how about if she asks questions, and Britt answers, and Britt says, fire away. Jordan says, the paramedic report indicted Mr. Haggerty OD’d on prescription pain medication. Can Britt confirm or deny? Britt says, maybe, but first she needs Jordan to tell her something. She heard a nurse say that Curtis Ashford has taken up residence outside the patient’s room. Is there something she should know?

Nikolas tells Victor, not only did Esme post the recording she made of Cam and Josslyn, she may have drugged the person who sold her the phone to do it. He’s at GH now in a coma. Victor says, the lady is enterprising, and Nikolas says, she’s a monster, and he allowed her in his home. Victor says, not to mention his bed, and Nikolas says, no one can judge him more harshly than he’s judging himself right now, but Victor says, he’s not judging; he’s assessing. Nikolas says, assess faster. If Esme is capable of framing Trina, what might she do to Spencer or Ava? He has to go warm them. Victor says, no. Neither Ava nor Spencer need ever know about this. As head of the family, he’s made a decision. Esme is no longer entitled to Cassadine hospitality. Nikolas asks what that means exactly, and Victor says, meaning it’s time to evict Esme for good.

Esme says, Ryan is always so vague on the subject of her mother, and he says, his relationship with her mother was… unorthodox. Their courtship was mysterious, exciting. He never knew her friends, her family, not even her real name. She says, he didn’t know her name? So she was just some hookup? He says, she was so much more than that. She understood him. She accepted him. And when she disappeared, he looked everywhere for her. Esme says, so he doesn’t know who she is, and he says he knows her to her core. But unfortunately, he can’t give Esme what she wants. He doesn’t know that Spencer can either. He may be bluffing. Even if he has this information, can she trust him to hold up his end of the deal? She says she doesn’t need to confess. She just needs to get Trina off the hook. He says, so the state is left with no one to prosecute, and she says she can always just run away. He says, as if he’d ever allow that, and she says, and if she dares disobey him, what then? He says, consider herself an orphan, again, and she says, fine. She’ll stay, but if the authorities come looking her way for that stupid sex tape, she might have no choice but to leverage information about him in order to avoid jail time. He gets up and walks over to her.

Cody asks what Maxie thinks about Society Set-Ups, and she says, aside from the pretentious name, it seems legit. He says, Britt doesn’t seem to think so, but she says, Britt is a natural sceptic. As far as her experience with Society Set-Ups goes, her results have been… mixed. He says, fair point. However he does happen to know, Zelda is a wiz at what she does. She says, Zelda is the real deal, and he says, maybe if people Britt cares about can think he’s not wrong for her, Britt can too. She asks if he really likes Britt, and he says, he’d like to like her. Does Maxie think she’ll like this? He hands her a booklet, and she says, a passport? He says, open it, and she reads, no kids, no horses, no slippers. Just you, me, and the adventures we can have together. She turns the page, and says, the first stamp is the Quartermaine stable. He says, he thought it would be a good idea because they’re both explorers… this is corny, isn’t it? Unforgivably corny. She says, this is definitely corny, but it’s also really sweet. She doesn’t get the slippers reference, and he says, you had to be there. Tell him honestly. Is Britt going to hate it?

Jordan tells Britt that Curtis doesn’t want to be far away if Mr. Haggerty wakes up. He may have relevant information to a case that’s personally important to Curtis. Britt looks on the computer, and says, acute opioid intoxication, ingested with alcohol, which led to an adverse reaction. Jordan asks if this person has a prescription, and Britt says, if it’s drug history Jordan is after, she’s forbidden by law to tell Jordan if this person has visited their pharmacy or any pharmacy in western New York. Jordan asks if Britt can tell her if he hasn’t visited those pharmacies, and Britt says she can confirm there’s no record of him doing so. Is this a drug investigation? Because with Cyrus gone, she’d hoped this problem was over. Jordan asks if they’ve had a rash of opioid overdoses, but Britt says, no, but she did have someone recently ask her about this drug in particular. Jordan says, the one Haggerty OD’d on? and Britt asks if she should prepare her staff for more of these, but Jordan says, that would be premature. Their interest in Oz Haggerty has less to do with drugs than the Trina Robinson trial.

Arden asks if after Spencer and Esme departed, they returned at any point, but he says, no. They returned to his grandmother’s house, where they were staying at the time. Arden asks, if after he and Esme left, his testimony is that the only individual present all night with Josslyn and Cameron was the defendant, but he says he doesn’t know who or what happened after they left. They could have thrown a rager with the neighbors for all he knows. She asks, when he and Esme left, was there anyone else in the house with Josslyn and Cameron? and he says, to the best of his knowledge, no. She says, no further questions, and the judge calls for a short recess, telling Diane that she’ll be able to question the witness when they return. Hmm… What about Esme going back to the cabin for Spencer’s watch or whatever it was?

Nikolas tells Victor, put his phone away. Whatever he’s planning, that’s not what Nikolas is asking him for. Victor says, why let this girl jeopardize his happy home life, not to mention this family? and Nikolas says, Esme didn’t jeopardize anything; he did. He should have followed his heart, and told Ava everything immediately. Victor says, this gratuitous guilt is tedious, and in this case, misguided. Esme is nothing more than a vengeful Lolita, who exploited her friends, then drugged a man into a catatonic stupor. They’d all be a lot safer if she were eliminated. Nikolas says, and if Spencer ever finds out their part in that, he’ll lose his son again, but Victor says, Nikolas risks losing him if she lives. Nikolas says he doesn’t want to go down a path he can’t come back from, and Victor says, that ship has already left Southampton, and is well on its way to the iceberg. Nikolas says, before his mother left, she was worried he’d fall into old patterns, and killing Esme would definitely quality. Victor says, Laura’s integrity is admirable, but sometimes she fails to see the bigger picture. Nikolas says he knows Laura doesn’t understand, but he wants to make her proud. He wants to show her, Spencer, and Ava that he’s willing to face up to his failings.

Ryan gets closer to Esme, then hugs her. He says, his brother’s wrong. He’s not an unfeeling monster. His voice cracks as he says, her mother meant everything to him. He puts his hand under her chin, and says, and so does our daughter. She asks why he didn’t tell her any of this, and he says, that time in his life was very painful. Her mother was the only person he could completely be himself with. Then she walked away from him, and that’s why he can’t bear the thought of Esme doing the same. She says she would never do that to him. She would never leave him, and she would never, ever betray him. He says, I know that, my sweet girl, besides – he leans in toward her ear – there’s no place you can go, no place you can run, no place on earth I wouldn’t find you. He kisses her head, and says, one day they will be reunited with her mother, but right now, they have more immediate concerns. He holds her, and she cries.

Maxie tells Cody that she thinks Britt is going to love it. Right after she hates it first. He’s going to need a spare. He says, if she burns it? and she says, see? He’s already learning how Britt thinks. He says, maybe Maxie should give it to her, but she says, no way. She’s not getting in the middle of this mess. He says, she already saw for herself; Britt wants nothing to do with him. She says, the you Britt wants nothing to do with is the phony you that showed up on your date. If he shows up as the real him – gift in hand, heart on his sleeve – that just might show her that he’s the right guy for her. Besides, asking a third party to pass a note is beneath everybody involved. He thanks her, and she says she’s a diehard romantic.

Britt asks if the patient is a potential witness in Trina’s trial, and Jordan says, the individual who inquired about this opioid, could they be connected to our victim? Britt says, Jordan doesn’t think the OD was accidental, and Jordan says, it’s early days. Could the individual who asked Britt about the drugs shed any light on Oz Haggerty, or the video of Joss and Cam? Britt flashes back to Spencer asking her about the pill he found in Esme’s closet, and she tells Jordan that she couldn’t say. Jordan asks if this conversation is privileged, but Britt says, no. Jordan says, Britt is protecting someone; she gets it. But a young woman’s freedom may be at stake. Britt says, what happens if she gives up this person’s identity and the information becomes useless? and Jordan says, if it doesn’t help Trina, then they never had this conversation. How about it? Can Britt tell Jordan what she knows, and let her decide if it’s relevant?   

Diane steps away to take a call, and Trina asks if it isn’t enough that Spencer trashed their friendship and sided with his psycho girlfriend. He had to testify against her? He says, he was subpoenaed; he didn’t have a choice. She says, like that makes a difference. Esme won’t stop until she’s destroyed Trina, and he’s happy to help. He says, she’s wrong, and she says, prove it. Rory comes over and tells Trina, it’s not worth it, and she says, truest thing said in the courtroom today, walking away with him. Ava looks at Spencer.

Victor doesn’t understand Nikolas’s confused sense of honor. Personally, he’d rather bury accusation and accuser before throwing himself on the mercies of an angry wife. Nikolas says he appreciates the thought, sort of, but when it comes to Ava, he refuses to compound his mistakes. He’s done lying. Victor says, at least let him drop Nikolas at the courthouse. Yohan has a talent for shortcuts. Nikolas says, and speed limits? and Victor says, it’s like flying on angel’s wings. Nikolas says, he’ll take any and all the help he can get. I don’t think Nikolas should get in a car with Victor.

Ryan tells Esme, if Ava and Nikolas survive this infidelity, then all of their efforts will have been for nothing. It can’t happen. Her phone rings, and she says she has to take this. She tells Arden that she was just about to call, and Arden says, why call when she could be there in person like she’s supposed to be. Where is she? Esme says she had a family matter, and Arden says, if she’s not here after this recess is over in ten minutes, she’s going to hold Esme in contempt. She says she’s on her way, and tells Ryan that she has to go. He says, if she promises not to do what Spencer asks, he’ll make a promise of his own. When he get out of here, they’ll find her mother together. She says, no promises, and leaves. Ryan sits back down in his wheelchair.  

Diane tells Trina, she knows it was hard, but there’s good news. Trina says, not from where she’s sitting, and Diane says, Spencer Cassadine wasn’t able to account for all of Esme’s whereabouts. That gives them an opening they didn’t have before he took the stand. Taggert says, which means… and Diane says, which means, when Esme Prince gets on the stand, all bets are off.  

Rory says he should have handled his testimony better yesterday, but Josslyn says, he was just doing his job. Trina doesn’t blame him for that. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, read the room, officer. Trina let him hold her hand while she kicked Spencer in the teeth. She thinks he’s good. He says he’s read the room, and Trina. She still cares about Spencer. Josslyn says, so? Spencer was Trina’s friend, and he took Esme’s side against her. That, she will never forgive.

Ava says she’s on to Spencer, and he asks what nefarious thing he’s done now. She says, it’s what he didn’t do. He had every opportunity to give Esme an ironclad alibi, and yet… He tells her, what can he say? He’s an idiot. He turns around, his back to her, and she leans forward and says, he’s a lot of things, but an idiot, never. He smiles, and she says, which begs the question, who’s side is he really on?

Tomorrow, Nikolas says he made a mistake; Esme says she’s so going to enjoy this; and Dex says, if Sonny needs something like that done, he’s Sonny’s guy.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

We come in where we left off, Erika announcing there are chicken  tenders, but Crystal can’t have one. Also, she needs another drink. Kathy arrives, and talks to Sheree (not that one) like they know each other, but Sheree doesn’t think they’ve met before. We flash back to Kathy mistaking Garcelle for Kyle. A guy sits down at the piano, and Erika goes to the mic, but someone steers her back to her seat. Asher sings O Holy Night, and I’m like, someone shoot me. In LisaR’s interview, she says, it’s so magical, moving, and meaningful; he’s a talent. Oh please. He’s okay, but the song is a bit ambitious for his limited range. Erika starts to sing loudly along with him, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says she thinks Erika misses the spotlight. She won’t shut up. Erika yells for him to hit high note, but luckily he doesn’t reach for that. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Erika’s had too much to drink, and her behavior is not respectful. She’s a little out of control. Asher finishes, there’s applause, and the guests disperse to mingle. Kathy gets some compliments on her bag, and she says, it’s an antique. Kyle says, it’s last season, and Kathy says, that’s antique for Beverly Hills.

Erika once again tells whoever’s listening that she’s lit, and tells the waitress that she wants a champagne orgasm moment. I have no idea what that means, and I’m not sure I want to, but I’m grateful the drink she’s brought doesn’t have a vibrator as a garnish. Kathy sits down, and Erika says, she needs to get something off her chest. Kathy invited her to events, but she didn’t want to bring scorn and her scarlet letter to Kathy’s daughters or Kathy. For real, she said it like that. Kathy says, if Erika hadn’t replied, it would be different, but she did, and Kathy respects her feelings. Erika asks her to explain to Paris and Nicky that it’s not personal. She just didn’t want to bring shame to them. Like they even noticed she wasn’t there. They toast to Paris and Carter. Kyle is sitting with Crystal, Garcelle, and Sheree, and tells them that Sutton was excited to come, but tested positive for covid. She thought Sutton seemed lonely, and has to be alone on Christmas. It broke her heart. Kathy joins them, and Garcelle asks how Erika is. Kathy says, getting out of control. On the other couch, LisaR suggests Erika put her drink down, but Erika says, no. Kyle says she thinks Erika was having a good time, and they cut her some slack, but Garcelle says, Kyle cut her some slack; she’s not doing that. Kathy says, you don’t want to put yourself in the position of drinking and getting out of control. Erika tells Diana that LisaR’s daughter Amelia inspired her to take care of her mental health. She’s on Lexapro and Wellbutrin, and she’s had drinks, but she’s okay. Not a great endorsement for Amelia’s inspiration. Garcelle tells Kyle, they can’t be in denial for the safety of the friendship . Erika was out of control on the boat – we flash back to Erika telling Garcelle to pee on the new girl – and at Garcelle’s party – we flash back to her telling Garcelle’s son, get the f*** out – and now tonight, when Asher was singing, she was shouting out. Kyle says she thinks she’s sensitive to someone saying someone else drinks too much because of Kim, and in her interview, she says she thinks it’s dangerous to throw around labels. Garcelle wants her to say Erika has a drinking problem, but she’s not doing that. I think it’s more like Kyle is non-committal because she’s a coward. She tells Garcelle that labels make her nervous, and Garcelle says, sometimes there is no excuse; it can just be bad. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Kyle’s idea of being a loyal friend is backing the person 100% of the time. Crystal expects her good friends to call her out, and not just back her blindly. Amen, sister.

Erika says she couldn’t have made it through without LisaR, her daughter, and the people around her. LisaR says, that’s what friends are for, and thank God, Erika doesn’t start singing. Erika starts saying nonsense, and LisaR says, it’s Erika’s first time out, and they need to go home. Erika has a hard time standing, and Diana and LisaR get on either side of her, helping her up. She says she loves everyone. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, maybe tonight everyone will see that Erika is having a hard time. She’s been saying it all along, and knows she’s right. She doesn’t want to be right, but it’s happening right in front of them. She tells Diana that everything was beautiful, and Diana apologizes for her behavior at Garcelle’s party; it was inappropriate. Sutton said a few things, and pressed every button, and she lashed out in a rude way. We flash back to that, and Diana apologizes again. In Diana’s interview, she says she enjoys Garcelle. Garcelle is at ease and approachable. She doesn’t know if it’s Garcelle, her, or Sutton not being there. Kathy hides Kyle’s bag, and Kyle says, this is not an Easter egg hunt. In her interview, she says, her sisters love to hide things. Kathy thinks if she doesn’t have her purse, she can’t leave, so she’ll stay and have more fun.

PK and Dorit sit down to talk, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, three weeks ago, PK was driving home from a work dinner. He’d had a glass of wine, and was pulled over and brought to the station. We see the various news programs talking about it, and she says, weeks later, the press magically found out that PK was brought in on suspicion of a DUI. She found out the day after, but now they need to have the conversation again because she’s annoyed again. He tells her, it was late and he didn’t want to worry her. He’d blown an .081, which was over the legal limit, but on a second test, he blew a .073. He just got a ticket, and originally wasn’t going to tell her. She says, the one thing that’s important in their marriage is, don’t lie, period. He says, no husband would want to wake their wife at 4 am after what she’d been through, and Dorit says, the only reason he told her was because he needed her to pick up his car. In her interview, she says, he should be counting his blessings. He had to tell her. If she’d found out when the press did, they’d have bigger problems. She tells him that she doesn’t trust anyone more than she does him. He says he’d never lie to her, but sometimes he’ll delay telling her, or pick the right time. In Dorit’s interview, she says, she can tell he had the scare of his life, and learned his lesson. She tells him, don’t do it again; she was about to kill him.

Erika, Mikey, and some other assistant check out 25 samples of hair extensions that have come in. LisaR comes by, and Mikey tells her that they’re having a Pretty Mess Hair meeting. In Erika’s interview, she says she knows what it’s like to have it all, and we flash back to private jets, lavish vacations, etc., etc., etc. She says, she’s going to work her ass off to get everything back. Why hair? She’s worn every extension, clip-in, ponytail, tape, and keratin (um… isn’t that a conditioner?) for over a decade, and has the knowledge just from wearing it. Mikey says, it’s on brand, and a long time coming. The meeting breaks up, and LisaR asks if Erika got home from the party okay. Erika says she blacked out. She got home, hit her head, then vomited. In her interview, Erika says, the holidays are hard for everybody, and they’re hard for her this year. She has great memories of family holidays before. They were loving and great, and now it feels desolate. She tells LisaR that it’s the fallout of everything that’s happened, and in her interview, she says she wanted to feel good and have fun, so she overdid it. LisaR says, Erika has been having stronger drinks, and Erika says, it was a routine part of socializing, and it’s hard to regulate. LisaR says, she was out of control, and Mikey says he’s known Erika for twelve or thirteen years, and she’s not a drinker. In her interview, LisaR says she thinks Erika needs to hear what she has to say, and tells Erika that she can’t cross that line; it’s not good for her. Erika says, it’s reckless. She could hurt herself. LisaR says, Erika has gone through tremendous trauma. Her husband wasn’t the guy she or any of them thought he was, and Erika had to deal with it because they’re married. She’s in a lot of pain. In her interview, LisaR says, she comes from experience. When she was six, her sister died of an overdose. Her sister was in pain, but they didn’t consider her an addict. She understands. She tells Erika, stop this now; it’s not who she is. Erika says, it’s hard to accept. She always prided herself on being controlled. She pushed too far, and sometimes it’s hard to be honest with friends. She thanks LisaR, and LisaR says, they all have a rock bottom moment. She thinks this was Erika’s. I can’t help thinking, the only reason LisaR beat Garcelle to the punch is, she thought it would be good screen time, and good for her image as the concerned friend.

Everyone talks about holidays, and in LisaR’s interview, she says, they lost Lois in November, and had to go through Thanksgiving and Christmas without her, but she feels lucky to have spent every Christmas with her. We see clips of what everyone did on Christmas, and in Sutton’s interview, she says, there’s nothing better than spending Christmas Day alone. She bought herself a present so she’d have something to unwrap. We see a beautiful silver and blue cocktail ring, and she says, 2021 was weird. She’s thinking, 2022, this is it. Yeah. We all thought that 2020 was going to be our year.  

Garcelle tells Jaid that she’s doing an audio version of her book, and he says, books suck; he hates reading. Sutton comes over, and Garcelle asks if she has cooties, but she’s good. Garcelle says, she’s so hopeful for 2022. She’s going to try and make a change with herself. Sutton says she wants to be better. She loses her temper. We flash back to her calling Diana an a-hole and soulless, and Garcelle tells her about Diana’s party. She says, Asher sang, and his hair was flowing, and Erika was more than tipsy. Kyle insisted she was just getting lose. Sutton says she doesn’t think Erika would receive any advice from her too well, and Garcelle says, she’ll take care of it. In Sutton’s interview, she says, that would go over well. She’d say, you have a problem, and get her face eaten off. She tells Garcelle, this is her life as a single person. She has to fix that; put her guard down a little. Her ex, Christian, has a serious girlfriend. In her interview, she says, she thinks it’s important that she put herself out there. It’s not fun being alone. She and Garcelle bonded over being divorced single mothers, sharing custody with their exes. They both wanted someone to talk to, since they didn’t have a partner. Sutton says, the failure of it all, and Garcelle says, stop. Sutton says, you feel vulnerable when you’re sick and don’t have anybody. She called every one of her exes.

In Sutton’s interview, she says, this is her fifth date in five months. She’s looking for someone who’s tall, has a job, and is educated. She tells assistant Joshua that she wants to look relaxed, but not slutty. In her interview, she says, dealbreakers are affection for hoodies, ponytails, and white unmarked vans. We flash back to the Reunion where Sutton said boyfriend Michael broke up with her Valentine’s weekend. In her interview, Sutton says, this might point out that she’s not the best dater. She’s just trying again to see if she can be better. A producer asks if she’s considered friends with benefits, and she says, her [male] friends are gay. She’s not sure they want that benefit.

Dorit visits Kyle, and says, the headline about PK has surfaced weeks later. In Dorit’s interview, she says, people who know you, people who haven’t spoken to you in years, everyone wants to send a message. She has to tell the story, and relive this again and again and again… Kyle says, PK told Mauricio, and he didn’t say anything to her. Dorit says, PK tells Mauricio everything. He’d take a bullet for Mauricio. In Kyle’s interview, she says, it’s nice PK and Mauricio have a great relationship, but clearly something major happened, and Mauricio never bothered to tell her. She’s not going to pretend it’s not a big deal, or didn’t hurt her feelings; it did. Kyle tells Dorit, it’s a reminder; a lesson to everyone. She sees the police, and already feels like she has a dead body in the trunk. She would die if she was pulled over. No comment. Kyle says she checks on her daughters every night, and they check on her, and Dorit says, an open doorway of communication is important. She tells her kids the same thing she tells PK: never lie to her. They’ll always get through whatever it is, but it will be better than if they lied.

Sutton meets Sanjit at an upscale pizza place, and in her interview, she says, she never dated much. She married young, and it’s hard to date in 2022 when you’re 50. She and Sanjit met on the [sic] Bumble. We flash back to the women getting in on a call to Sanjit, and Sutton says, after the girls were in his face, they went out. She found out he’s from Virginia, and went to law school in New Orleans. He was also on Jeopardy. She does background checks on people she dates. I can’t say I blame her. She says, they went on one date, and she loved it. They went to a dive bar (not sure what her definition of that is). He had a beer, and she had a glass of wine, and they talked about movies, books, and college football. A month later, they’re going on a second date, and she wants to dive deeper, and get to know him. Sanjit says he loves music, and he found out the Go-Gos are playing at the Whiskey. Instead of taking that cue and saying she’d love to see them, she says she also loves music. She loves garage bands, since she grew up in the 80s. He mentions The Clash, and she says, those were the days. In her interview, she says she doesn’t know what she’s looking for. She doesn’t think marriage. Just somebody to put up with her. She says she’s trying to decide if he wants a third date.

Garcelle meets Erika at a rooftop restaurant/bar, and asks, how’s Erika’s dating life? Erika says, her sex life is better than her dating life. What’s she going to do, hold hands? She asks the waitress for chamomile tea with honey, but the waitress says, they don’t do hot drinks on the roof. Erika asks for cognac, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, that was a jump. Maybe a Shirley Temple or water. They toast to a happy new year, and Garcelle asks how Erika is. Erika says she’s okay, and Garcelle says, the last time she saw Erika, she was tipsy, but Erika says, not tipsy; blacked out. Garcelle says she was starting slow, and Erika says she appreciates Garcelle being gentle, but she was blacked out. She was thinking she could drink with her medicine, and wanted to have a good time. Garcelle says she gets it, but Erika doesn’t want to let it get to the point where everyone is worried and it looks messy. Erika says, LisaR called her on the carpet, which surprises Garcelle as much as it did me. Erika says, obviously, she’s struggling. She lost her husband, her home, and her stuff, but no one tells you how to rebuild. Um… downsizing for a while maybe? She tells Garcelle, her gut says she’ll be all right, but there are moments she’s like, oh sh*t. Garcelle says, just like everyone else (although everyone else doesn’t have a Glam Squad), and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, the first step is recognizing you have a problem. She believes Erika, and is glad to see she’s owning it. Erika says, she’s had so much ripped away, her eyes are open, and Garcelle asks if she sees anything in their friend group that she didn’t before. Erika says she’s glad Garcelle has Sheree, because Sutton is a liability; she’s unpredictable. In her interview, Garcelle says, she finds it strange that Erika is saying that, since Erika and Sutton were buddies in Mexico. We flash back to that, and Garcelle says, Erika is a liability walking around. Is there a more scandalous woman in America? Garcelle wishes everyone would lay off Sutton, and Erika says, Sutton is the master of her own disaster. She knows Sutton is Garcelle’s friend, but Garcelle doesn’t have to cover for her all the time. Garcelle says she doesn’t think she does that, but Erika says she thinks Garcelle feels responsible for protecting Sutton. Sutton is a big girl. She knows what she’s doing. Garcelle makes a skeptical face.

Next time, LisaR says, everyone thinks she’s a bitch, and Sutton says, she is; Garcelle talks to Dorit about Erika; LisaR brings the group to a wine tasting; and Sutton and LisaR have it out.

🐶 Dogging the Days Of Summer…

Stop in tomorrow to check out some soap and some Charmers. Until then, stay safe, stay motivating others, and stay remembering mistakes are made in haste.

July 26, 2022 – Nina Feels the Fallout, Honored, Jack’s Message, Mistake, Shocking, One More, Revelation, Next Chapter, In Love, For Shame, Sub-Genre, Adding Spice & Stop

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Josslyn brings Carly coffee, and she takes a sip. She tells Josslyn, it’s really strong, and Josslyn says, sorry. She added a few extra scoops. She couldn’t sleep last night, and has to get through the trial today. Is it too much? Carly says, it’s fine; she likes it. Josslyn was out late last night. What’s up? Josslyn says she went for a run, and took a longer route than usual. Carly says, and that route led her to Sonny?

Nina tells pool bartender Aaron that one of the servers just called in, and they’re short-staffed already. Can he fill in? He says he’s a bartender, not wait staff, and she says she realizes that, but it would really help if he could pitch in. He won’t be busy there until lunch. He says he’s in the middle of prep, and doesn’t think she knows what his job is like. She says she thinks he has the time, and he says, she’s been here a whole day. Is Mrs. Quartermaine around? She says, it doesn’t matter how long she’s been here. She’s co-owner, and she’s telling him to pitch in. He says he knows all about her. He read the article in The Invader. He knows how she stole that baby, how she stole Mrs. Corinthos’s husband, and this hotel. Carly was an awesome boss, so he’ll be taking his orders from Mrs. Quartermaine, not her. Sonny says, he’d better watch his mouth. You don’t talk to your boss like that.

Taggert walks Trina into the courtroom, and asks if she’s okay. She says, every person who testified yesterday knows she’s innocent, but the ADA kept twisting their words around, making it sound like they were covering up for her; asking them questions they didn’t know the answer to. He puts his hands on her shoulders, and tells her not to lose hope. Every person who testified yesterday came out swinging. They took every chance they could to protect and defend her. They’re Taggerts. This ain’t over til it’s over. Rory comes in, and says, agreed, and whatever that jury decides, it will be in her favor.

At the hospital, Portia hugs Curtis, and says she missed him last night. Did he get any sleep at all? He says he missed her too. TJ managed to sneak him into one of the on-call rooms for a quick snooze. He wanted to be close, in case Oz’s condition changed. He’s still in a medically induced coma. She says she knows; she checked as soon as she got here. He asks why she’s not at the courthouse, and she says she’s on her way, but had to check on a few of her patients first. He asks how Trina is doing, but Portia says she doesn’t know. Trina was quiet this morning, and left with her dad. Did Curtis talk to Taggert at all? He says, not yet, and she says, talk to her. Tell her how he found this guy. Tell her what happened. Jordan joins them, and says, she’d like to know the same thing.

Esme calls the hospital, and says she’s checking on the status of her father. He came in last night with a drug overdose; Oz Haggerty. She hears someone coming, and hangs up. Spencer comes in, and she says she was just on her way out. He says, no you don’t. Time’s up.

Nikolas asks if Ava is sure she doesn’t want him to go with her to the courthouse. He knows how worried she is about Trina. She says she’ll be fine. That’s sweet though; he’s been very sweet this morning. He says, speaking of sweet… and kisses her. He tells her to call as soon as she knows anything. She says she will, and picks up a manila envelope. He asks, what’s that? and she says, it’s here. He says, what is it? and she says, our future; their divorce papers. Did he know Martin was sending them? He says he was under the impression Martin was still reviewing them. She says, he did. It just needs their signatures. He takes them from her, and tells her not to worry about them now. She’s got enough on her plate worrying about Trina. She’d better get going. She says, they might as well get it over with, but he says he can’t sign them.

Spencer tells Esme, quit stalling. What’s her answer? Is she going to exonerate Trina, so she can learn who her birth mother is; yes or no? She says, that’s not something she can decide overnight, and he says, they’re testifying today, so she needs to make a decision now. She says, so he can go crawling to Trina, and tell her about his noble gesture? He tells her that he hasn’t said anything to Trina. He doesn’t care what she thinks of him. Esme says, oh please, give me a break, and he says, Trina is innocent. All he cares about is making sure she doesn’t go to prison. She says, but he doesn’t give a damn if she goes there? She doesn’t even think it’s possible for her to get Trina off the hook without going to jail herself, but he says, she’ll figure it out. Scheming is second nature to her. She’s been manipulating people and situations since the day they met. She says she never manipulated him; she loved him. Everything she did, she did for him. He wanted to break up his father and Ava, and maybe she took some things too far, but she did that because they were a team and they loved each other; at least she thought so. He says he’s heard all this before. What’s her answer? Is she taking his deal? She says she’s not sure his offer is worth helping Trina. Trina’s the reason she lost him.

Trina says she didn’t think she’d see Rory today, but he says he took a personal day; he wanted to support her. He’s so sorry for what he said on the stand. He feels terrible that he gave the jury any cause to doubt her. She says, that ADA is definitely doing a good job. She’s convinced Trina is guilty. Rory says, well, she’s wrong. It’s lucky Trina has such a smart lawyer. He’d thought he’d blown it for her completely, but when Diane cross-examined him, she gave him a chance to explain that the only reason Trina was in The Highsider was to get the bartender to ID Esme. But he should have done a better job with his original testimony, or figure out a way to dodge ADA Arden’s questions. She tells him, stop. She’s not the least bit upset, so give himself a break. He says he’s upset with himself. He’s going to make it up to her… if she’ll let him.

Jordan says she heard Curtis was quite the hero last night, and he asks if it’s an official interrogation. Jordan says she’s sure they’re both upset with her after her testimony, but she was under oath; she had to answer honestly. Portia says, no one expected anything otherwise, and Jordan says, really? Because she can tell Curtis is holding something back. Come on. Let her have it.

Josslyn says, unbelievable. Sonny came running to Carly after the way he’s treated her. What did he say? Carly says she wants to hear what Josslyn has to say, and Josslyn says, like she told Carly, she went for a run, and took a longer route than usual. She saw Sonny get out of his car, alone, which she thought was weird. Then she saw him walk into this alleyway, which was weirder. She went to check it out, and pulled out her phone as a precaution. She saw Sonny and his new muscle beating up some guy and threatening to kill him, and she recorded the whole thing. Carly says she’s sorry Josslyn had to see that, but she knows Sonny’s life. Did she stop and think it could turn into a more dangerous situation? Josslyn says, at the time, she just saw Sonny breaking the law. If it was anybody else, she would have done the same thing. Maybe not let them see her or hung around after… Carly says, Josslyn did that because she knew Sonny wouldn’t hurt her, and Josslyn says, who cares if Sonny wouldn’t hurt her? He was definitely hurting that guy in the alleyway. Why should Sonny get away with that? Why should she pretend it isn’t happening? Sonny trashed their family, and she’s done looking the other way.

Nina thanks Sonny, but says she thinks she’s got this. He asks the bartender what his name is, and Nina says, his name is Aaron. Sonny tells Aaron that he heard what Aaron said to his boss, and he gets it. What Aaron said was foolish and disrespectful, but in his experience, people who do those kinds of things usually have something else going on. He knows it felt good in the moment, but it doesn’t solve what’s really going on, and it doesn’t help Aaron in the long run to disrespect Nina like that, does it? Aaron shakes his head, and Sonny says he could be wrong. He has been in the past, but if that’s the case, they’ve got a bigger problem.

Curtis tells Jordan, there is something he wants to say, and she says she’s listening. He thanks her, and tells her that he saw what she did on that stand. ADA Arden had her backed into corner after corner, yet Jordan chose her words carefully, so as not to give the ADA any added ammunition against Trina. Then in the cross, she made sure to point out that Trina’s demeanor was not consistent with that of a guilty person, and answered before Arden could object. She did her job admirably; it meant a lot. Portia says, it meant a lot to both of them, and Trina feels the same way. Jordan says, Trina’s a strong young lady, and she’ll always be on the side of justice. To that end, she needs to know how it happened to be Curtis who brought in Oz Haggerty; the same bartender who came up when Diane was questioning Officer Cabrera. The same bartender who allegedly sold Trina the unregistered phone that was used in the crime. Curtis says, it happens that he found Oz passed out, and made sure he was brought here safely. She says, tell her how he found Oz, and why. What does he know that she should know?

Rory says he intends to be by Trina’s side for the rest of the trial, and she asks if Diane knows she’s being replaced. He says, for real. He promises to do all he can to make things better for him. Arden sees them, and says she wants word with Rory, now.

Ava asks if there’s a problem, but Nikolas says, no problem; it’s clarity. He just realized, she was right all along. The divorce is off. She says, he’s been convincing her for weeks they needed to do this. Now he’s doing a 180, and she’s confused. He says he knows. He was wrong. Reality struck. Hearing his grandmother’s house burned down, reminded him how unfair and random life can be. Anything can happen at any moment, and he can’t risk putting her through that. Please tell him that she understands.

Spencer says, all these proclamations of love, and what a team he and Esme were. He thought so too, but he realizes now what they had was never love. If someone loves him, they don’t hurt his friends. They don’t lie to his face over and over again. She says she didn’t, but he says, just don’t. Take the energy she spends on her lies, and put it to good use. Figure out how to set Trina free before it’s too late.

Aaron says, Sonny is right. He has stuff going on with his parents. He’s sorry for what he said, and how he said it. He’ll clock out and go. Nina says she’s not firing him. She accepts his apology. Just don’t let it happen again. He thanks her, calling her boss, and leaves. She tells Sonny that she’s impressed how he talked to Aaron. It reminds her of a man she knew in Nixon Falls. He says, him too, and she thanks him for having her back. He says, always. He had it when he suggested she sell her half of the hotel. This is the exact situation he warned her about. She says, really? How so?

Carly says she gets where Josslyn is coming from, and her feelings are 100% valid, but like she’s told Josslyn’s father many times over the years, if you go after Sonny, you have to consider the collateral damage. Josslyn says, Donna and Avery, and Carly says, yes. They’ve already had so much loss, it’s not fair to take their father away from them again. Josslyn says, that was Sonny’s message too. He said busting him for assault and attempted murder was somehow unfair to Donna and Avery. Carly says, Josslyn doesn’t agree? and Josslyn says, being a father is not a get get-out-of-jail-free pass. It doesn’t excuse the things Sonny has done, and will continue to do. Everyone is saying he’s such a good father, but shouldn’t they consider the life he leads puts Donna and Avery in danger? He certainly didn’t think about them during his time in Nixon Falls. Carly says, he didn’t remember them, but Josslyn says, he didn’t want to remember them. Isn’t that what he said during his testimony? That he was so happy with Nina in Nixon Falls, he didn’t care to think about anything else? Carly says she gets it. She gets Josslyn is mad about what Sonny put them through. So is she, but she’s trying so hard to move past it, and she can’t do that if she’s worrying about Josslyn going after Sonny.

Ava tells Nikolas, of course (🍷) she understands. The divorce on paper is tempting fate. It’s symbolic maybe, but legally binding. She’s thrilled they’re ditching it. He says, him too. Being her husband is all that matters to him. She says she feels the same way about being his wife. Now that that’s settled, she really has to go to court. What’s he going to do with those? He says he’ll find a symbolic way of destroying them, and they’ll celebrate not divorcing tonight. She asks if he has anything in mind, and he says, she’ll find out. They kiss, and she leaves.

Esme says, Spencer is asking a lot of her, but he says, in return for equal value. His Uncle Victor used considerable resources to find her birth mother. Does Esme want to know who she is or not? Nikolas walks in, and asks if everything is okay, and Spencer says, Trina’s trial is today, so they’re a little on edge. Nikolas says he’ll bet. At least he has some good news for Esme. He pulled some strings, and her internship at Spring Ridge has been reinstated. Esme says, oh my God. Really? This is amazing. She thanks him, and hugs him. She says she’s going to call her supervisor now, and work on her schedule. As she leaves, Spencer says, too bad she can’t start today, and she says, yes, of course (🍷), closing the door behind her. Spencer asks why Nikolas is always helping Esme.

Curtis says, he’s surprised the Commissioner is personally investigating an overdose victim, and Jordan says, she takes an interest when the victim’s name comes up in testimony during an ongoing trial. And when the person who found him is closely connected to the defendant. Portia says, certainly Jordan isn’t suggesting that Curtis had anything to do with the OD, and Jordan says, absolutely not, but it does raise questions. What’s going on? Curtis says, if he tells her, this can’t get back to the ADA.

Arden asks Rory, what’s going on? He’s not testifying today, and he’s out of uniform. He says he’s not on duty. He’s here as a private citizen, and she asks how he thinks it looks, cavorting with the defendant. (Cavorting?) He says he can’t control what people think, and she says, but he can control his actions. And if he doesn’t, is he ready for the consequences? Trina and Taggert watch from the courtroom, and Trina asks if Taggert thinks Arden is reprimanding Rory for his actions; for being here and supporting her. He says, it’s very possible, and she says she doesn’t want Rory to get in trouble because he’s her friend. Taggert says, she made Rory aware of the possible ramifications when they started the friendship. What’s going on here and now is not on her. Rory made a choice. I’m not quite getting this, since Arden isn’t his boss, but it’s not the first time something hasn’t made sense to me in Port Charles.

Josslyn says, Carly can relax, because Sonny’s guy convinced her to delete the recording. Carly asks how he managed that, and Josslyn says, he told her that if she turned the footage over to the cops, Sonny would just beat the charges, and that he – the guy – wouldn’t. And he’s probably right. Diane has gotten Sonny out of much worse. She just didn’t understand why the guy should go to prison for just following orders, yet Sonny’s not going to go for giving them. Carly says, makes sense, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷) the guy’s an idiot for even accepting a job from Sonny. Everybody knows who Sonny is and what he does. He had to know sooner or later he’d be expected to do something illegal. Carly says, Jason worked for Sonny, and he wasn’t an idiot, but Josslyn says, maybe he was. She loved Jason – she thought he was the best – but maybe he was an idiot, for making all those sacrifices for Sonny. No offense, but maybe Carly was an idiot for standing by him for that long. Sonny didn’t do that for her. Michael’s right. Sonny’s gotten away with all this crap for all these years because they lined up and made excuses for him. But he showed them who he really is. He showed them what they mean to him. Carly takes Josslyn’s hand, and says she’s not going to defend Sonny, but he’s still Donna and Avery’s father, and for their sake, she’d like to coexist. Josslyn wonders what she’s asking, and Carly says, the next time Josslyn goes for a run and sees Sonny walking down an alley, keep running. Josslyn says, she probably would have, except… Carly says, except what? and Josslyn says she was still mad about her testimony. Carly says, so that’s what fueled her interaction with Sonny? She thinks it was about control. Josslyn says, control of what? and Carly says she thinks Josslyn needed to reclaim some for herself, after the ADA weaponized her words against her best friend.

Sonny says he’s glad Olivia still serves Corinthos Coffee, and Nina says, why wouldn’t they? It’s top notch. He says, it would send the wrong message to change brands now, after everything that’s going on. All he’s saying is, Nina keeping Carly’s half of the hotel is going to cause a fallout. Nina says, now that they’ve established Sonny Corinthos is right, she has a few interns she needs to… He says, it’s not about who’s wrong. It’s about her accusing him of being more concerned about Carly than her. He’s there for her. He’s just trying to protect her. She says, really? She’s dealt with difficult employees before, but she needs to know he has her back when it counts. He says, always, and she says, it didn’t seem that way when he was trying to convince her to sell her half of the MetroCourt. He says, because he thought it was the wrong move. He has to speak his mind, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t support her. She says, there’s a difference between honesty and undermining, and he says he’s always going to be straight with her, even if she doesn’t like what he has to say. If she can’t deal with that, this is not going to work.

Jordan says, her part in Trina’s trial concluded after she gave her testimony, but as far as she’s concerned, the investigation is ongoing. She’s only obligated to inform the DA’s office if she sees a miscarriage of justice. Curtis says, okay. He’s tracking the black market phone Jordan found in Trina’s purse. He’s working to prove it was bought from Oz Haggerty by Esme Prince. Portia says, that’s why Trina and Joss were at The Highsider. They even brought it up in court yesterday, but of course (🍷) they twisted it, and used it against Trina. Curtis says, yeah, they did, but Josslyn and Trina went to that bar to find the bartender who sold Esme that phone. When they found him, they showed him a pic of Esme, and he recognized her. Jordan says she’s impressed by their initiative, but it was reckless. Portia says, she and Trina’s father weren’t happy about it, but she wasn’t surprised. At least they found something. Curtis says, he and Taggert took it from there, with a little help from Marshall, and a nephew who will remain nameless. He and Marshall followed Oz to his hotel room. They dropped a few threats about his connection to Trina’s case, and he took the bait. He went straight to Windymere. Jordan says, that’s interesting. Did he meet with Esme? Curtis says, they couldn’t get proof of that, but they saw Ava at the pier, and looped her in. But by the time she got there, Oz was gone. He’d disappeared, and didn’t return on the launch. He thinks Esme helped him get off the island undetected. Portia says, and now he is here, in a coma, with information that could clear her daughter.

On the phone, Esme says she called before about her father Oz Haggerty… Still no change?… They’re sure?

Nikolas says, Esme is Spencer’s girlfriend; why wouldn’t he help her? Spencer says, pulling strings takes effort. Phone calls, reciprocal favors. He’s just surprised Nikolas is going the extra mile for her. Nikolas says, nothing is more important to him than Spencer, and as long as Spencer cares for Esme, her concerns are important to him as well. Spencer says he didn’t ask Nikolas to do all that for him, and Nikolas says he wants Spencer to be happy. Is he happy? Spencer says he’s trying to be, and Nikolas asks how things are between Spencer and Esme. Spencer says, things are complicated, and Nikolas says, maybe he’s the problem. Spencer asks, how?

Josslyn tells Carly that she’s really worried for Trina. Her case isn’t looking so good. Carly says she knows, and she’s been where Trina is. Josslyn says, that’s what scares her. She felt so helpless on the stand. She counted on her testimony to help show Trina would never do something like that. As the victim, she thought it would turn the tide. That ADA twisted her words, and made Trina look guiltier than ever. Carly says, that’s her job, and Josslyn says she knows, but she doesn’t care. She hates herself for even answering the questions. She should have lied. Carly says, that would be perjury, and Josslyn says, then she should have shut her mouth, and let them hold her in contempt. Carly says, Josslyn did nothing wrong, and Josslyn says, then why does she have this awful feeling? Carly says, she’s afraid for her best friend. When Josslyn was on that stand, she was passionate in defense of Trina’s character, and put the blame on Esme. And the jury heard her, even though the ADA was trying to object. She showed strength, courage, and loyalty, and Carly is damn proud of her. She hugs Josslyn, and asks if she’s ready to go to the trial. Josslyn says, absolutely. She wants anyone on that jury who still doubts Trina to know her friends are not abandoning her. Carly says, that’s right.

Trina asks, what happened? but Rory says, nothing. She says, it was definitely something. ADA Arden didn’t look happy. The ADA thinks it’s bad optics for Rory to support her in public, doesn’t she? Rory says he’s not worried about her, and Trina says she’s not worried about her; she’s worried about him. Ava comes in, and asks how Trina is doing. Rory leaves, and Ava says, Officer Cabrera is back, huh? She hugs Trina, and says, he doesn’t appear to be on duty. Trina says, Rory is here to support her, and Ava says, Rory. Trina says, they’re friends, and Ava says, that’s all? Trina says, ask her again when the trial is over.

Taggert sits next to Rory, and says, Rory is a good friend to his daughter; he appreciates that. She needs her support system at this time. Rory says he’s proud to call Trina his friend, and Taggert says, he should be. Just for the record, Rory and him? They’re still not friends. Rory says, understood, sir.

Sonny says he came here because he didn’t like how he and Nina left things, and he doesn’t want to fight. Nina says, neither does she, but maybe this is another indication they need to take things slow. He says, why is that? and she says, they’re still trying to figure things out. He says, they’ve already figured each other out, but she says, if one fight derails them, it’s better to know now than later. He asks if that’s how she sees it, because he doesn’t see it that way, and she says, it is. He has a need to protect her from the world and coddle her? She doesn’t need to be coddled. She doubts he ever felt he needed to coddle Carly. He says, he and Carly have said way worse things to each other, and done way worse over the years. She says, if they’re aiming to have the kind of arrangement he had with Carly, where it gives them permission to be verbally abusive to each other, she doesn’t want any part of that, and walks away.

Curtis says, as soon as he connected Oz to Esme, he finds Oz fighting for his life. They know Esme is capable of some serious stuff, but this is attempted murder. Jordan asks if he thinks Esme knew he was on to her, and he says, it’s possible. Jordan says, since they can’t rule out illegal drug use being in play, it allows her to discreetly investigate. Portia says, thank you so much, and Curtis says, they appreciate it. Jordan says, she’s doing her job, and leaves. Portia’s phone dings, and she says, one of her patients is critical. Curtis tells her, go look into that, and he’ll stay to keep eyes on Oz. They can’t let him slip through their fingers again, not until he helps Trina.

Nikolas says he hasn’t been the best example to Spencer. He’s sorry Spencer is unhappy. Spencer says, they’ve had their moments, but this isn’t on Nikolas, and Nikolas says, part of being a parent feeling your child’s pain as if it were your own. He knows he’s caused that pain many times, but Spencer says, they’re moving past that now. Nikolas says he doesn’t know if he’ll ever move past the mistakes he’s made with Spencer. He’s like to promise not to make any more, but he probably will despite his best intentions. Just know that Nikolas loves him, and he’s a flawed man. Moving forward, he never wants to hurt Spencer again. Spencer says, they’re both flawed men. It’s okay. He’s… Esme comes in, and says she’s all set to resume her internship. Spencer says, great, but they should be getting to the courthouse. She says she’ll meet him there; she needs to change. He says he’ll wait, but she says, no need. She’ll be there. She won’t be late. He leaves, and Esme says she can’t begin to tell Nikolas how much this means to her. He says, they need to talk about her almost telling Ava and Spencer that they slept together, and she says she overreacted. He has no idea how much this internship means to her. It’s everything; it’s her future. When she contemplated telling them, it was in a weak moment. She would never do anything to hurt him or Spencer that way. He says she sure seemed to mean what she said, but she says, thankfully, it never came to that, and leaves.

Carly asks how Trina is doing, and she says she’s hanging in. Carly says, they’re all behind her; don’t forget that. Stay strong. Carly’s phone rings, and she steps out to take the call. Josslyn asks if that’s Trina’s dad sitting next to Rory, and Trina says she knows, right? His face seems neutral, which is a good sign. She can’t believe Rory showed up for her.

Ava catches Carly in the hallway, and says she understands Carly relinquished her share of the MetroCourt. Carly says she did, and Ava says, if Carly wants to spend more time with Avery, she’ll be glad to make that happen, since Carly will have more free time now. Carly says she’s always happy to spend time with Avery. Her family means more to her than a job ever could. Ava says, Carly is so fortunate she still has them. She’s lost so much lately. Carly says she is fortunate. Ava on the other hand, has to endure living with a stepson who hates her, and his psycho girlfriend who framed Trina. All because Ava’s husband can’t man up and kick them out, huh? Ava says, let’s just hope for the best for Trina, shall we? and goes into the courtroom. Carly’s phone rings again, and she says, Pilar? What’s up?

Sonny says, he knows he and Nina are just getting started. It’s going to take a little while to find their way, but that doesn’t mean they can’t speak their mind. He thinks that’s important, like they did in Nixon Falls. She says, absolutely, and he says he wants this; does she? She says, more than anything, and he says, then they have to stop comparing their relationship to his and Carly’s. That’s in the past. He takes her hand, and says, what they have is different. It’s meaningful, right? Nina says, he doesn’t always have to support her decisions – she knows he won’t – but she needs to know his loyalty is always with her. Carly’s long shadow is always going to hover over them, and no matter how hard they try to move forward, she’s afraid they’re never going to escape it. He says, they won’t, and she says, so he admits there are three people in this relationship, but he says, not between them. Carly is always going to be part of this. They can make peace with the past, but they can’t separate from what’s happened. Carly is the mother of his children, so it’s never going to be just the two of them. He can live with that because Nina means that much to him. What she has to decide is how much he means to her.

Carly tells Josslyn, she’s sorry, but she’s got to go. Donna got hurt on the playground. She’s okay. Pilar said she’s fine, but Carly wants to go home and make sure she’s okay. She’ll text when she gets there, and wants Josslyn to do the same; let her know what’s going on. Josslyn says, sure, and they hug. Josslyn tells Carly to give Donna a hug for her, and Carly leaves.

Taggert tells Trina that Diane is on her way; traffic. How is she doing? Does she need anything? Trina says she’s fine. She’s glad he’s here. She looks at Rory, and asks Taggert to excuse her for a minute. She needs to talk to Rory. Taggert says he’ll wait for her here, and she goes over to Rory. Taggert’s phone rings, and it’s Portia. She says, she doesn’t know what to do, and he tells her, take a breath, and tell him what’s going on. He thought she’d be here by now. She says, that’s the problem; she has an emergency. One of her patients is in critical condition, and being prepped for surgery right now. How does she do that to Trina? He tells her, do what she needs to do, and Trina will understand, but she says, Trina needs her. Trina needs her support, but her patient’s life depends on her. He tells her to take care of her patient, and he’ll take care of their daughter.

Trina says she knows Rory is downplaying what the ADA told him. If he needs to go, please leave. She doesn’t want him getting in any more trouble because of her. He says he wants to be here, but if him being here stresses her out… She says, that’s not what she means. She wants him to know that she realizes he’s putting himself out on a limb for her, and it means a lot. He says, in that case, he’s not going anywhere. Spencer walks in.

At Windymere, Nikolas asks Jordan if it’s an official visit, and she says, actually, it is. He asks how he can help, and she says she’d like to ask him a few questions about his recent visitor.

On the phone, Esme says she knows she’s not on the schedule yet, because her internship just got reinstated, but she needs to come in to see Ryan Chamberlain. Please tell her that she can see him right away. It’s urgent.

Tomorrow, Taggert asks if Ava has any idea what Spencer plans to say on the stand; Esme says, what’s leverage if you can’t use it; Victor says, as head of the family, he’s made a decision; and Ryan says, when you’re right, you’re right. I would assume to Esme, since he doesn’t talk to anyone else.

🍀 Lucky Lucky…

Pretty prestigious. It would have been nice if they’d been more specific about what he’d written though.

🙏 Thankful…

I don’t have kids, but I can’t imagine anything more difficult than losing a child.

⚠️ Not Yet…

Don’t you hate when that happens?

💎 It’s Her Turn…

Looks like Kathy is going to be in the hot seat for a while. She’s had a free ride too long.

💸 Another Day, Another Lawsuit…

I’m honestly starting to wonder.

👠 Took Long Enough…

What is wrong with these women that they even associate with that trash talking drunk?

https://okmagazine.com/p/kim-richards-reveals-why-she-ditched-brandi-glanville-friendship/?utm_source=Jeeng

🍑 After the ATL…

Cynthia is moving and shaking.

💕 Enjoying the Ride…

What that Sheree is up to.

👩🏻‍🍳 Model Chef…

I’d be amazed if anyone even remembers her being on ANTM. I don’t.

https://www.realitytitbit.com/bravo/below-decks-rachel-hargrove-body-shames-tyra-banks-after-2005-clash

🙀 Horror Plus…

The latest in queer horror.

https://ew.com/movies/rise-of-queer-horror-hannibal-chucky-shudder/

And while we’re on the subject, I can’t wait to see this.

https://ew.com/movies/kevin-bacon-they-them-trailer-theo-germaine/

🎶 Stop Right Now…

Not only is she posh, she’s a good sport.

https://people.com/music/victoria-beckham-does-spice-girls-karaoke-on-vacation-the-one-and-only-posh-spice/

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/victoria-beckham-sings-spice-girls-hit-hilarious-karaoke-87375405

World Tour 2008 – All 5 – It was the best!

🧍🏽‍♀️ Taking a Little Sidestep…

Meet me here tomorrow for soap and whatever’s cringeworthy in Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay letting your conscience be your guide, and stay knowing, if you accept a job from a mob boss, sooner or later you’ll be expected to do something illegal.

July 22, 2022 – Yesterday Once More, Real Hospital, Holiday Over, a Return, Midseason Hills, Shut Down, Eww, VanderNews, Dead Talk, Never Ending, Another Spin, Nope On the Best, XII Quotes & Finally

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

For today’s show, see yesterday:

👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 🍷 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼

🩺 Britt’s BFF…

This is a new medical one on me. Of course, now I’m worried I have the same condition.

🏝 Some Vacation…

At least it wasn’t at the beginning.

🧱 Hey La, Hey La, Brick Is Back…

Sadly, I guess he won’t be flirting with Carly anymore. Since I don’t watch sports, I had no idea his main gig was on ESPN.

💎 Cringeworthy Once Again…

In watching this, I understood what it is about Diana that I don’t like. She expects others to be empathetic of her without really knowing her, but she’s quick with judgements about people she doesn’t know. There was a poll on Twitter asking if she was soulless – which I think was just a dramatic word Sutton used, and not to be taken seriously – and I read she blocked people who said yes. Why? Is she afraid she might learn something about herself?

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-beverly-hills-midseason-trailer/

Kathy puts in her twelve million two cents.

https://extratv.com/2022/07/21/kathy-hilton-dishes-on-rhobh-drama-with-kyle-richards/

I don’t think anyone needs to be paid to spread negative stories about LisaR. She does well enough on her own.

📰 Exclusive…

Phaedra gives the skinny on landing back at Housewives.

https://www.etonline.com/phaedra-parks-shuts-down-rhoa-return-but-is-down-to-join-rhodubai-after-rhugt-experience-exclusive

☢️ Cross Reality Contamination…

Why? Not that he’s not good looking, but from Winter or Summer House? No, just no. <making cross with my index fingers>

🍸 The Queen Speaks…

https://extratv.com/2022/07/20/lisa-vanderpump-opens-up-about-tom-schwartz-and-katie-maloney-s-split/

And while we’re on the subject.

Oh and why not?

⚰️ Walking Closer…

The latest on TWD.

https://people.com/tv/the-walking-dead-final-episodes-trailer-san-diego-comic-con/

Buzz about the 47th spin-off. (Just kidding. I think it’s only the 10th.)

🎃 It Will Never End…

I’m sure somehow the cash cow that is Halloween will be milked well into the year 3000. Michael Meyers: Cryogenically Unfrozen.

https://ew.com/movies/halloween-ends-trailer-jamie-lee-curtis/

🐉 Spinning Off the Spin-Off…

House of the Dragon hasn’t even started yet, and already things are getting complicated.

https://ew.com/tv/steve-toussaint-game-of-thrones-sea-snake-prequel-series/

😱 But He’s Close…

I’m actually toying with the idea of going to the theater to see this. It looks so good.

https://ew.com/movies/jordan-peele-shuts-down-best-horror-director-praise-john-carpenter/

🦮 Quotes of the Week

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. – Dale Carnegie

Never try to outstubborn a cat. Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love

But instead of spending our lives running towards our dreams, we are often running away from a fear of failure or a fear of criticism. – Erin Wright

Cry. Forgive. Learn. Move on. Let your tears water the seeds of your future happiness.Steve Maraboli

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. – Revelation 21:4 (NLT)

One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man. – Elbert Hubbard

I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace. – Thomas Paine

If you don’t like my shade, get out of my shadow. – Shereé (yes, that one) Whitfield, Real Housewives of Atlanta

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less. – Marie Curie

I have more in common with a three-toed sloth or a one-eyed pterodactyl or a Kalamata olive than I have with Winston Churchill. – Boris Johnson (What?)

Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.  – Jimi Hendrix

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.- Annette Funicello

🦛 Taking My Hunky Dory and Going…

If all goes according to plan, we’ll all be filling the next two days with activities that are gratifying and/or productive. Or not, if that’s what you like. Then we’ll reconvene on Monday for soap and yachting on the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay doing everything in moderation, but allowing for a splurge now and then, and stay trying to understand where others are coming from. You might not like them anyway, but you won’t hate them. Don’t be a Diana J.

July 20, 2022 – Chase Has His Big Debut, Diana’s Winter Wonderland In Beverly Hills & Black Day

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brook says, voicemail again? and wonders why Chase isn’t calling her back. She leaves a message, saying, she hopes he isn’t having second thoughts. It’s important. She fully expects to see him at the Haunted Star in a half hour. Be there. She goes inside to the nook, and Michael and Willow are coming in. She asks if they’re still coming. Tonight is open mic night at the Haunted Star. Michael says, that’s tonight? and Willow says, they’re so sorry. Brook asks how they could forget. This is Chase’s big debut.

Finn holds the heavy bag, as Chase punches, and we see Chase has a number of missed calls and messages. Finn asks if Chase is done yet, but Chase says, not yet. Finn says, they’ve been here a few hours. Unless Chase has a personal vendetta against this bag, he’s guessing there’s something Chase doesn’t want to do. Chase makes a face, and Finn says, and by Chase’s reaction, he’s guessing it has something to do with Brook. Chase says, he told her that he’d sing at the Haunted Star on open mic night. Finn says, great, what time? and Chase asks if Finn isn’t meeting Elizabeth. Finn says, no, and Chase says, but she’s back. Finn says, she is, but she needs to spend some time with her boys. Chase asks if it’s Elizabeth’s way of keeping Finn at arm’s length, but Finn says, no. He thinks this time, things are good. Nice diversion, by the way. They were talking about Chase. So when is this open mic thing? Chase says, it doesn’t matter. He can’t go.

Spinelli answers his phone, greetings and salutations, and Cody says, Spinelli. Spinelli asks, to whom is he speaking? and Cody says, his buddy, Cody Bell. Spinelli says he has no desired acquaintance who bears that moniker, and starts to hang up, but Cody says, whoa. Tonight’s his date with Britt Westbourne, so he needs the 4-1-1. Likes, dislikes, what does she look for in a man? Spinelli says, so he can deceive her? but Cody says, so he can get another date. Spinelli says, he cannot… Nay, he will not abet Cody’s deceptions. Lose this number. He ends the call, and Cody says, fine. He guesses he’ll just have to wing it. There’s a knock at the stable door, and Britt says, hello? He says, she’s early, and she says, all the better to get this over with. Who is he talking to, and what does he have to wing?

At the Haunted Star, Maxie asks if Mac is excited about MC’ing tonight, and he says he is. He knows her mom really wanted to be here tonight, but since she’s feeling under the weather, he had to dust off his old skills and pitch in. She tells him, break a leg, and he says, thanks… he thinks. Austin arrives, and Maxie thanks him for rolling with the change of plans. She knows it’s not exactly the super romantic date they talked about. He says, it’s going to be super fun, and he loves how she supports her family. She says, that’s great, and promises they’ll go on a date with just the two of them very soon. They’re about to kiss when Spinelli says, buenos noches. Maxie says she didn’t know he was going to be here tonight, and Spinelli says he couldn’t pass up a chance to mingle. Austin asks Spinelli to join them, and Maxie suggests Austin grab them a couple of drinks. Surprise her. Spinelli says he’ll have a beer, and Austin says, of course (🍷). He leaves, and Spinelli says, it looks like it’s going to be a smash. Maxie asks why he’s stalking her.

Elsewhere on the boat, Epiphany says she appreciates Marshall bringing her out, but the MCATs are really soon, and she needs to study. He says he knows she agrees music is good for the soul. So he’s guessing it’s got to be good for the brain as well. She laughs, and he says, come on. She says, fine. One drink. He says, one drink… and a song.

Sasha asks Brando to check on her discharge papers again; they’re taking forever. He says he doesn’t think they’ll appreciate him checking every five minutes, when Nina walks in. She says hello to them, and hands Sasha a bag, saying, she brought some clothes and toiletries in case Sasha needs them. Sasha thanks Nina, and says she can’t tell Nina how much she appreciates this. Brando says he’ll go check on the discharge papers, and leaves. As Brando goes past the elevator, Sonny comes out with Dex. Sonny says he was hoping to run into Brando, and Brando says, Sonny… Dex, and I laugh because it’s so obvious from his change in tone, he doesn’t like Dex. Sonny gives Dex a look, and Dex moves along. Sonny asks how Sasha is doing, and Brando says, Dr. Sheffer recommends they transfer Sasha to Shadybrook (all things to all people) for rehab. Sonny asks what Sasha thinks of that, and Brando says, she insists all she needs is rest, and that she can get at home. Sonny asks what Brando thinks, and Brando says he just wishes he understood how his wife got here in the first place.

Sasha says, Nina thought of everything. She’s going to get changed. Nina says she thinks that can wait. She’d like to talk to Sasha first. Sasha says she loves Nina, and appreciates everything Nina is doing for her, but she’s going home tonight, so do not try to stop her.

Chase says he knows he’s not a detective anymore… Finn says, right at the moment, and Chase says, but it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to see Finn is still worried about Elizabeth. Finn says he sees a bag; he’s going to go punch it. Chase says, Finn… and Finn says he admits he was a little thrown when Elizabeth checked herself out of Shadybrook, but she came back and they talked, and she says she really wants to be with him. Chase says, that’s great. What’s wrong? Finn says, nothing’s wrong. It just seems fast, that’s all. Chase says, for them to get back together? but Finn says, for Elizabeth to be back to normal. It seems almost too good to be true.

Michael asks if Willow is up for a night out, and Brook asks if she’s not feeling well. Willow says, she’s fine. In fact… Does Michael want to tell her? Michael says he’d be honored. He and Willow are having a baby. Brook squeals, and hugs Willow, saying, congratulations. She’s sorry. Did she just hug Willow too hard? The only pregnancy she ever had was a complete fraud, and she only pretended to read the books. Willow says she’s great, and Brook suggests they go out and celebrate, like tonight. It’s never too early to expose your kid to some culture. Michael says he’s not sure amateurs covering top 40 pop songs is considered culture, but Willow says, babies love music in utero. Michael says, all right. Then they’ll be there. Brook says, great. She just hopes Chase doesn’t get cold feet. She dashes out the door.

Sonny and Brando sit, and Sonny asks if Brando has to get back to Sasha, but Brando says, Nina is with her. The drugs are out of her system, and the doc said there’s no damage to her heart this time. Sonny says, thank God, and Brando says, but the drugs are just a symptom. They might have been a factor in Sasha’s breakdown, but not the cause. Sonny asks if he’s talked to Sasha about Liam, and Brando says, he’s tried. She just shuts down. He wants to tell her everything is going to be okay, but it feels like a lie every time he does. He’s trying to be supportive and honest at the same time, but it’s impossible. What is he supposed to do?

Nina says she fully supports and understands Sasha’s desire to go home, and Sasha says she’s sorry. She thought Nina was going to try to force her to go to rehab. Nina says she’s not, but it’s worth a conversation, doesn’t she think? Sasha says she’s not addicted. Those pills were just supposed to take the edge off. It was obviously a mistake to take them. She just didn’t want… Nina says, to feel. That’s it, isn’t it? She understands the pain you go through when you lose a child; she lost her daughter twice. It can really mess you up. If Sasha feels like she needs a break from the stress and pressure of the world – and there’s a lot out there, isn’t there? – a place like Shadybrook might help. It helped Nina more than she can tell Sasha. Sasha says she appreciates Nina’s understanding, but she doesn’t need a break. Nina asks if she’s sure about that, and Sasha says she can’t think of anything worse than sitting around obsessing about her problems. That’s why Dr. Sheffer has scheduled outpatient therapy sessions for her. Nina says, that’s wonderful, and Sasha says she knows she needs help, and she’s getting it. The worst really is over.

Mac asks Austin how to pronounce a name, and Austin says, Muh-zush-ka. Mac says, all he sees are consonants, and asks how Austin knew. Austin says, a Ukrainian arachnologist popped up once to study a spider; Nina Muzushka. Spelled it the same way. Mac says, maybe he’ll run it by her just to make sure, and Austin says, that’s always a good strategy.

Spinelli says he’s not stalking Maxie. He’s aghast. The very idea is an anathema. She says, when he starts using words she doesn’t understand, that only means one thing; Spinelli is hiding something. Spinelli says, very well. If he may be perfectly honest, he doesn’t think she and Austin are a perfect match.

Cody tells Britt, not important; he was just on the phone. Welcome to his not-so humble abode. She says, it looks great, and he says, it is great. She says she just can’t imagine living with horses, and he says he does have a little apartment upstairs. They don’t make him sleep in the hay. She asks where they’re going to dinner, and he says he thought they could eat here; outside, underneath the stars. He ordered from the MetroCourt. She says he ordered for her, and he says he knows how hard doctors work, and tonight, he just wants her to relax. He’ll take care of everything

Chase and Finn walk back into the gym, and Chase wonders, if he were a phone, where would he be? He sees it, and says, there you are. He looks at it, and says, and there you are. He shows Finn, who says, wow. That is a lot of missed calls… and voicemails… and texts. Chase says he’s been dodging Brook. Oh look, lucky number 11. Finn reads, don’t make me hunt you down. Be at the Haunted Star or else. Normally, he’d recommend Witness Protection, but knowing Brook, she’d probably find him. Chase says, if he gets up there tonight, he has to prove to everyone that he’s worth listening to. What if the audience doesn’t agree? Finn says, all Chase’s dreams will vanish, and he’ll have to go back to being a singing waiter. Chase says he’d rather be a singing waiter, and Finn asks, what’s the problem? Chase flashes back to telling Brook, Linc owns her songs. He punched Linc in the face. Linc’s not going to want anything to do with them, and now Brook wants Linc to manage him? She says, Linc is dirty. Once Linc buys out Chase’s contract, they’ll be in the perfect position to get the goods on him. Chase tells Finn, Brook has a plan, and Finn asks, when doesn’t she? Chase says, to get back at her former music producer that he punched, and Finn asks how he can help. Chase says, Finn can give him a doctor’s note to get out of it, and Finn says, done, but if Chase doesn’t want to sing for Brook, why doesn’t he just tell her?

Maxie tells Spinelli, she doesn’t need a matchmaker. She decides if she and Austin are a perfect match, not him. Be nice. Austin comes back with the drinks, and Spinelli thanks him for the ale; much appreciated. Brook comes in, and Maxie waves. Brook says she’s looking for Chase, and keeps moving. Mac gets on stage, and says, good evening, and welcome. He tells them to settle in with their favorite beverage, and get ready to be impressed. Open mic night is the night that might change someone’s life.

Cody asks if Britt is ready for that riding lesson, but she says she didn’t think he was serious. He says, obviously, she doesn’t have to ride, but come meet Comet. She says she can see him fine from here, and he says she doesn’t have to be nervous. The Q’s bought Comet for a child to ride; Comet is perfectly safe, he promises. She says she told him, she doesn’t like horses, and he says, so she’s made up her mind and that’s it? She says she knows what she likes and what she doesn’t like. Why won’t he let this go? He says he just wants her to try… and she tells him, she said no. He says, all right. They’re supposed to be on a date, right? They’re supposed to be putting forth their best effort to get to know each other, or at least try to. She says, and by choosing not to listen to her when she says she doesn’t like horses, is refusing to get to know her. He says, if you’re opposed to new experiences, you might as well be dead, and she says, maybe he’s not wrong. Maybe she has been a little stubborn. He says, so she’s telling him… and she says, let’s meet this Comet, and approaches the horse.

Sasha says, she knows she thanked Nina before, but that wasn’t enough. She really picked the perfect outfit. Sasha’s phone rings, and Nina hands it to her. She says, she can leave if Sasha wants to talk to Willow, but Sasha says she’s not ready. Nina asks if something happened between them, and Sasha says, no, nothing like that. She found out Willow is pregnant. Nina says, that must have been hard to hear.

Sonny says he hates that Brando is going through this tough time, and Brando says, Sasha is in so much pain. Whatever he’s going through or needs to feel can wait. Sonny tells him not to forget to take care of himself. Whatever pain he’s feeling doesn’t just go away. Brando says he hears Sonny, and Sonny says he hopes Brando does, because at least he feels like he’s giving Brando something helpful. Brando says, whatever Sonny tells him is always helpful. Talking like this… Sonny says, if Brando needs anything, he’s here; he promises.

Mac says he’s sure everyone will recognize their first performer from her show stopping performances at the Nurses Ball. Epiphany sings, and everyone gets totally into it, Marshall bopping to the music. Me too. She’s fabulous.

Britt backs away from Comet, and says, Comet wants to eat her, but Cody says, no. She says, he tried. She thinks she should go, but he says she can’t leave. They haven’t had dinner yet. She says, it’s obviously not working. According to him, she’s bad tempered, judgmental, and devoutly allergic to fun. Why does he want her to stay? He says, because underneath all that attitude, every once in a while, he sees a glimpse of a woman who’s whip smart, wickedly funny, and passionate about life. He just wants to get to know her a little bit better. Will she let him?

Michael tells Willow, the nanny is reading My Truck is Stuck to Wiley, and he seems very quiet and happy. He says they make a run for it. She says she’s ready, and he says, before he forgets, when is her next OB/GYN appointment? He wants to block out the time in his calendar. She says, he doesn’t have to come to every single appointment, but he says he wants to be involved. Jonah and Wiley births were very traumatic. This time, everything’s going to be different. She says, no cult leaders or sociopaths, and he says, just them and Wiley. She says, and 300 other members of his family, and he says, exactly. It’s crazy there’s no craziness. No threat lurking out there to ruin everything. So far, so good, huh? They hug.

There’s applause for Epiphany, and Marshall asks how she feels. She says, he was right. Music is good for the soul. He says, not only does she feel better, she lifted up every person in this room, and she says, he’s a smooth talker, but he says, he only speaks the truth. Brook looks at her phone, when Finn and Chase come in. She asks if it would kill Chase to return a phone call, and what is he wearing? He can’t go on stage dressed like that. He says, about that… when Linc comes over to them. Linc says, Brook Lynn… Detective… Is he still a detective? Brook tells him, get lost, but he says he just came over because he’s concerned about Brook. Does watching other people perform remind her of the talent she lost forever? She sure had a set of pipes on her. It’s a tragedy she can’t sing any longer. Why do some of these characters sound like they came out of a 1940s movie? She thanks him for his phony concern, but she’s better than ever. He says, is that so? and she says, it is. She found something she wants more than fame. Linc says, really? Would that be Chase?

Sasha says, Nina saw her meltdown on Home & Heart, didn’t she? and Nina says she did. Sasha says, it’s funny. She barely remembers it. But she does remember seeing Liam… She means, thinking she saw Liam. She knows he wasn’t there, but in the moment, she was so happy. And she knows it wasn’t the pills. They were responsible for the hallucination, but the feeling… Nina takes her hand, and says she knows the feeling. That you would do anything just to stop the pain. Sasha asks if she can tell Nina something, and Nina says, anything. Sasha says, part of her wishes she could live in that mirage. The feeling of him in her arms; he had weight, and warmth, and breath… and such a beautiful smile. She cries, and Nina holds her.  

Brando thanks Sonny for everything, as usual, and Sonny says, anytime. Brando says, whenever Sonny needs him, and Sonny says, he may need Brando for something. Brando says, name it, and Sonny says he wants Brando to give him the name of the paparazzi scum who gave Sasha drugs. Brando says, his name is Felty, and Sonny says, he and Felty are going to have a little talk. He’s going to make sure Felty never gives drugs to Sasha or anybody again. Brando says he wants in on that talk.

Linc asks if Chase is taking a turn on the stage, and Chase says, that’s why he’s here. Linc says, he’s a brave man. Crowds like this can be brutal. (Friends and family mostly?) He tells Chase, break a leg, and wanders off. Brook says, Chase is really doing it? and Chase says, that was the plan, right? She says she got the impression that he only showed up to turn her down, and he says, her former manager is probably the most disgusting person he’s ever met. He wants to give her the satisfaction of nailing him. She thanks him, says, come with her, and drags him over to the stage. Willow and Michael walk in, and Willow says, she had no doubt that Chase would come here for Brook,  but why is this performance so important to her. Michael says he doesn’t know, but with Brook, he’s learned it’s best not to ask too many questions. Spinelli babbles to Austin, and Maxie kicks him under the table. Austin asks if Spinelli is all right, and Spinelli says, he is indeed well. He asks if Austin was ever a Trekkie (isn’t it Trekker?), but Austin says he didn’t watch a lot of TV. He did see one of the movies he thinks. The one about the whales? Spinelli says, an excellent film.

On the patio, Cody says, this better is better, right? and Britt says, it certainly smells better. He says he guesses riding isn’t for everyone. He’s sorry. He shouldn’t have pushed her. So why don’t they just stay here and talk. That’s why they’re here, right? To get to know each other better? Britt says, okay. She’ll go first. So he’s lived in a lot of places. He says he has, and she asks, where? He says, any place that has mountains or prairies. How about her? She says she’s seen a lot of the world, and he says, it sounds like she’s had some adventures. She says she’s traveled for leisure, for education, once as an international fugitive, so yeah. He says he sees how that could wear down on you, and she says, it can… She’s not like him, enamored of the nomadic lifestyle. He says he used to love the life of a nomad, but he’s done his wandering. He just wants to put down roots. Maybe get a little house of his own. She says, white picket fence, SUV, a wife to bring him his slippers, but he says, his mom would tan his hide if he ever expected a woman to wait on him. She says, smart lady, and he says he just wants an equal partner; someone to grow old with, maybe raise a couple kids. She says, he wants kids? and he says, yes? She gets up, and he asks where she’s going. She says, home. This is a complete waste of time. What the hell was Zelda thinking, saying they were a match?

Sasha says she wants Nina to know she realizes having Liam with her was a fantasy, and Nina says, a beautiful fantasy. Of course (🍷) she understands why Sasha would yearn for that. Sasha says, so Nina doesn’t think she’s crazy? Nina says, if Sasha were to ask around, the majority opinion would be she’s not the perfect judge to define crazy or sanity, but no. Sasha isn’t crazy for wanting her baby back. Sasha says, as long as she knows that it can never happen, and Nina suggests it might be something Sasha should talk to Dr. Sheffer about. Sasha says, good idea. She’ll do that.

Sonny tells Dex, let him know when Felty is located, and Dex says he’s on it. If Sonny needs anything… Sonny says, don’t get carried away, but this is the time to impress him with how well he follows orders. Dex says, got it, and leaves. Brando asks if Sonny is going after Felty now. He’s sending that bastard? Sonny says, Brando said he wanted to go; he has every right. Brando says he wants to, but Sasha needs him more than he needs revenge. Besides, he trusts Sonny to take care of it. Sonny says, oh he will. He promises.

Brando goes back to Sasha’s room, and she says he was gone for a while. Is there a problem? He says, no. He just ran into Sonny, and they got to talking. Nina says, Sonny’s here? but Brando says, no, sorry. He’s got to take care of something. Nina says, as luck would have it, she has to get going too, and Sasha thanks her for everything. Nina says she loves Sasha, and she’s just a phone call away. Sasha says she knows, and Nina leaves. Sasha asks if Brando was really just talking to Sonny. They haven’t hit a snag with her discharge papers? He tells her, Deanna said her paperwork is on its way up, and she says, good. He asks why she would think there was a problem, and she says she knows he thinks it’s too soon for her to come home. He says he is concerned they’re jumping the gun, but it’s her call. And he’d never go behind her back like that. She says she knows; she’s sorry. He says, they’re a team, right? and she says, 100%.

Cody asks what he missed, and Britt says, he’s not at all the man she thought he was. He says he knows he didn’t make a great first impression, and she says, he’s so boring. (We hear crickets, and I wonder if it’s on purpose or coincidence.) She thought at least he’d have some good stories, traveling around like he as. He says he has great stories, and she says, it seems like they’re all in the past. All he wants to do now is sit on his porch and rock himself to sleep. He tells her, he never said any of that, but she says, and yet, he made it perfectly clear. So once and for all, goodbye. She hopes he finds a nice boring wife, who gives him lots and lots of kids; at least a dozen. She starts to walk out, and he says he doesn’t even want any kids. She asks what kind of game he’s playing.

We return to the Haunted Star, and more applause. Austin gets a text: Come to the starboard deck, or I come in and get you. Maxie says she hopes it’s not the hospital, and Austin says he’ll be back. Mac says, let’s hear it for Kathy Muzushka, and there’s more applause. He says, now for another one of the Nurses Ball favorites – Harrison Chase. Chase sings, and Brook smiles. It’s a weak start, but then he gets into it, and everyone claps along. He finishes to much applause.

Sasha says she just wants to fall face down on the bed with Brando, and stay there forever. Or until she gets hungry; then she wants pizza. He asks if she’s saying she missed him, and she says, he has to ask? It’s been a long, long 72 hours. He says he thought maybe she was mad at him for sticking her in there, but she says, he did exactly what she needed him to do; she just didn’t know it. He says, so they’re good? and she says, always. He says he really missed her too. He promises, no matter what, he’ll always be there. She says, he’d better, and they kiss.

Epiphany says, this has been fun, but she really needs to get back to studying, and Marshall says he hopes she learned the most important lesson tonight. She says, what’s that? and he says, never listen to a jazz man. They’re a bad influence. She laughs and says, but jazz men are known to have a good time, so she thought it was worth the risk. They leave, and Chase goes over to Brook and Finn. He says, was he…? and Brook says, amazing. Finn says, he wasn’t terrible at all. Chase says he started off a little shaky, but Brook says, trust her, performing is all about a strong finish. If you wow the audience at the end, no one cares how you started out. Finn says he’s so proud of Chase, when Willow and Michael join them. Willow says, Chase was fantastic, and hugs him. She says, he owned the stage, and Brook says, the best part is she was right; she loves being right. Michael says, they have to take off, but it was a helluva performance. He congratulates Chase, and Chase thanks him, saying, it means a lot. They leave, and Finn says he has to go too, but next time, he’s bringing dad. Chase says, if there is a next time, and Brook says, there will be a next time. Chase says, then bring everybody, and Finn leaves. Chase asks, did the fish take the bait? and Brook says, here’s to hoping. She’ll make herself scarce, and they’ll see what happens. She leaves, and Linc saunters over.

Spinelli asks where Dr. Gatlin-Holt disappeared to, and Maxie says, he had to take a call. Why does he ask? Itching for more Trekkie talk? He says, Austin is a good listener. Perhaps he’s been a tad over protective. She says, yes he has. Austin is a good man, and Spinelli has to start being nicer to him. Now.

Austin steps out on the deck, and sees a bald guy. He backs bald guy up, and says, they can’t be seen together. Bald guy says, careful. Austin is going to hurt his feelings. Austin says he was really clear about that when bald guy visited the campsite. What the hell is he doing here?

Cody says he’s not playing a game, and Britt says, he doesn’t want kids. Why did he say he did? He says, because, while having kids isn’t a high priority, he’d be open to it if his wife wanted them. She asks if he has a bridge he’d like to sell her while he’s at it. All he’s been doing is telling her what he thinks she wants to hear. Why? What does he want from her?

Sonny’s phone rings, and he says, talk to me. Dex says he found Felty, and Sonny says, good. Dex knows what to do. He’ll be there. Dex says, Sonny’s got it.

Linc tells Chase, congratulations, detective. It was a great performance. Chase asks what he wants, and Linc says, he wants to know, has Chase considered a career in music? Brook watches.

Tomorrow, Britt tells Cody, the time of death is right now; Portia tells Marshall, their side is going to need a miracle; Austin says he doesn’t answer to bald guy; and Selena tells Curtis that he doesn’t know how far her reach is.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Dorit calls LisaR, who says she’s better, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, just when you think you’re done with covid, here comes omicron. Erika, LisaR, and Garcelle all have it, but Dorit managed to dodge a bullet. It’s time. LisaR tells Dorit to let her know the gossip after she goes to Kyle’s lunch. Jamie Lee Curtis comes to Kyle’s house, and Kyle tells Jamie that she’s the most unrelaxed human being ever. She just colored her roots, her skin is dyed, and she’s running around like a chicken. Jamie says she doesn’t give sh*t about grey hair; she only cares about Kyle’s heart. That’s why she’s here. Not for any other reason. In Kyle’s interview, she says she’s known since 1978 when they did Halloween together. Although Jamie’s a big star, she’s down to earth, kind-hearted, and thoughtful. She’d reached out about Kyle doing some charity work for the Children’s Hospital of L.A. We see a clip of Jamie announcing that Kyle and Mauricio have joined First Families, which is a new level of giving. Kyle tells us, Jamie founded a company called My Hand in Yours, and 100% of the proceeds go to the hospital. Right now, they’re working on a fundraiser.

The women arrive, and in Diana’s interview, she says, she’s not in the mood for Sutton; not at all. Crystal says, three of their friends are sick, and Jamie says, it’s hard times. In Dorit’s interview, she says, oh my God, Jamie Lee Curtis! and pinches herself. They sit down for lunch, and Sutton sees she’s seated next to Diana. She tells Kyle, really? and Kyle makes a surprised face like it just dawned on her. In Kyle’s interview, she says, let’s be honest, Sutton was going to have an issue with someone somewhere. Somehow it gets switched – I guess by Diana – and Jamie says she’s learning a lot about the group already. Sutton tries to help Sheree (not that one) put an eyelash back on, but gets glue all over her eye. Jamie swoops in to the rescue. I’ll bet she’s a combination of Martha Stewart and Bob Villa at home. Dorit tells Diana that she heard Diana had lunch with Sutton, and asks how it went. Diana says, terrible, and we flash back to that. She shrugs, and tells Dorit that she’s repulsed by Sutton. She went home and scrubbed herself. In Diana’s interview, she says, it’s the truth. She exfoliated. She says, Sutton offends her space.

Dorit gushes over Jamie, who suggests she talk about why she’s here while they eat. She tells them about My Hand in Yours, and shows them the various products. Dorit exclaims some variation of that’s so chic! as each product is shown. Jamie shows a dog leash that has a cute My Paw in Yours charm, and I’m in. Luckily, they have a website. In Kyle’s interview, she says, Jamie found herself a new best friend in Dorit. At this point, Jamie could show them a dirty old tissue, and Dorit would say, it’s so chic! Kyle says she gave $25K to the Kyle Richards and Jamie Lee Curtis Fund for the hospital, and Diana says, she’ll match it. In her interview, Kyle tells us that she should have said a higher number. They open their gifts, and Dorit says she’s excited about the gift bag. Jamie tells them to use everything in good health, and Diana thanks her for giving them the opportunity of being part of the charity. Kyle walks Jamie out, and Sheree sits with Sutton. Dorit joins them, and says, she heard Sutton had lunch with Diana, and Sutton says, Diana is angry. We flash back to that horrible, horrible lunch (said in Sophie from 2 Broke Girls voice), and Sheree asks why Sutton is always in trouble. Sutton thinks it’s because she says what she thinks, and Sheree asks, how’s that working for Sutton (hearing Dr. Phil voice in my head)? Sutton says, not too good. I’m going to be quiet, and ya’ll will be sad. Sheree says she understands, but when someone is bitchy at your lowest moment, it carries a different weight. Sutton asks if that excuses mocking her miscarriages. She would never make fun of anyone’s miscarriage. Dorit says, Sutton questioned Diana about being on bed rest, which wasn’t quite the same thing, but we flash back to that. Dorit says, had Sutton led with empathy, she would have gotten a different reaction. Sutton says, Diana hurt her feelings, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, it’s a pattern. It’s always about Sutton. If you can’t see your own mistakes, you’re going to have trouble. She asks if Sutton wants to try and fix things, and Sutton says she might…

Kyle thanks Diana for the contribution, and she, Diana, and Crystal clink glasses. Kyle asks how Crystal is doing. She saw Crystal’s Instagram post about her eating disorder. Crystal says she hasn’t nailed down what the cause is, and Kyle asks if it’s a control issue, and Crystal says, it’s definitely not appearance. It’s an internal feeling. In Crystal’s interview, she says, the holidays are triggering. She was going to post a family picture, and felt like crap, so she decided to be super real and post how she was feeling. Kyle asks if Crystal just doesn’t eat, or does she eat and throw up, and Crystal says, Kyle is asking the hard questions. Kyle says, that’s because she knows what it’s like, and we flash back to Kyle telling the women she used to heat up a bowl of V8, and that was her food. She tells Crystal, she would eat very little, but worry about what little she ate. In Kyle’s interview, she says, it seems like a cry for help. Crystal says she wakes up thinking about what she’s going to eat. She never eats pasta because it’s a trigger, yet she envies people when they eat it.  In her interview, Crystal says, in every school picture, she’s in the back row. She was not just the tallest girl, but the tallest kid in the class, on top of looking different as a minority, which made it more apparent. She’s worked hard to be accepted, and appreciates how she looks, but it’s still hard. She tells Kyle that physically being in her body sucks. She feels like sh*t all the time; it’s exhausting. Diana says she’s sorry. She knows how much Crystal loves food too. Crystal says she wants to eat a meal, and be okay with it. She doesn’t want to hate what she’s eating every day. Kyle hugs her, and Crystal says she’s tired. In Crystal’s interview, she says, the scariest thing is passing it on to her kids. She doesn’t want them to suffer this much. It’s an ongoing battle. Diana says, because Crystal is being so open, for sure she’ll get there; 100%. Kyle says, the more she talks and is open, she won’t be in her head. In her interview, Kyle says, since she went through her own issues, she educated herself and daughters. She made a conscious effort to make sure they didn’t go through the same thing. Opening up and talking about it can be a good thing if Crystal seeks help. What she’s been doing so far isn’t helping. They join the others, and Kyle asks if they were talking about Sutton and Diana’s lunch. Sutton says, they were, and Kyle says, that sounds… Diana says, awkward.

Sutton says, Diana isn’t ready to accept anything from her, and Diana says, Sutton is right. Kyle asks what Sutton means, and if it involves an apology, but Sutton says, she doesn’t think Diana is ready to ponder any type of friendship with her. Diana says, when she came to L.A., the baby was due soon, and she didn’t want to count the weeks to the birth. So she flipped her life upside down, so she doesn’t go to that dark place. She tried to have fun in Mexico with them, but she shouldn’t have done tequila when she was taking blood thinners. On the way back, she started bleeding again. She’s not happy with her treatment of her own body. She was in a bad place, and sent a rude message to the group. In Diana’s interview, she says she’s still raw emotionally and physically. Sutton’s behavior was hurtful, and Sutton should know better than to talk to her like that. Uh… I dunno about Sutton knowing better, but maybe Sutton should have just stayed out of it, since she doesn’t really know Diana. Sutton says she appreciates Diana’s honesty, and she’s trying. They had a rough start, and she takes responsibility for 95% of it. Diana can take all the time and space she needs, and when she’s ready, Sutton is there to talk. Diana says, they’re taking a time out, and makes what I guess is supposed to be the hand signal for that, but it looks more like when you’re joking around to ward off evil. Sutton does it back.

LisaR calls Erika, and says she’s been decorating the tree, since she hasn’t done any decorating. Erika says, LisaR looks like she feels normal, but LisaR says she doesn’t feel quite normal yet. Erika says she’s out of isolation in two days, and Erika says she’ll see LisaR at Diana’s party on Tuesday. In LisaR’s interview, she says she’s ready for a Diana Jenkins Christmas party. Erika says, the holidays bring back memories of being with Tom and her son, and LisaR asks how much can they take? Erika says, you just keep taking the punches, and rolling with them. You wake up, make the best of it, and f*** it. LisaR says she brought home Erika’s L.A. Magazine cover, but she hasn’t had a chance to read the article. Erika says, there are no revelations; they’re like 365 days late. In Erika’s interview, she says, they recycled the same problems, and criticized her for being ambitious. They dehumanize her, and it hurts. She tells LisaR that she thinks it’s a low blow to call her ambitious. Would it be better for her to be a lazy wife? A polite wife? A staying-in-her-place wife? LisaR asks if she’s talked to Tom, and Erika says, he heard she had covid, and called. In her interview, Erika says, sometimes, he’s super present, but sometimes he thinks she’s someone else. Nothing about their conversations is good, except she knows he’s in a safe place. She’s been down this road with her grandmother, and it doesn’t get better; it only gets worse. LisaR asks if Tom’s brother is still representing him, but Erika says, they dropped their legal team. LisaR asks if Tom has a divorce lawyer, and Erika says, they’re legally separated, so she’s moved on with her life, but she can’t get a divorce with so much legal sh*t going on. In her interview, she says, if she got a divorce, she’d have to pay Tom alimony. She’ll stay married. She tells LisaR, it’s a weird time, and she’s ready for it to be over.

Diana and Asher meet with party planner Clare, and in Diana’s interview, she says, they didn’t celebrate Christmas when she was growing up in Yugoslavia. It was a communist country, so there were no religious holidays. When she went to London, they lit up the streets, and it was beautiful and festive. She enjoys turning the house into a winter wonderland, and likes to go over the top. Asher gets super involved, and in her interview, Diana says, even though Asher is younger, he’s more practical and sensible. She’s the one who’s the bigger dreamer and over-the-top. She doesn’t think anybody can match her over-the-topness.

Kyle visits Kathy, whose house is totally Christmased up. She says, it’s literally a winter wonderland, and looks around. She says, Kathy makes her feel like an underachiever, and Kathy shows her the tree that’s going to be in Architectural Digest, made of vintage fabric. In Kyle’s interview, she says, there’s a different style of tree in each room, and she thinks they’re up year round. She asks if Kathy is doing Christmas this year, but Kathy says, after the wedding, it’s too much. They sit on the terrace for lunch, and Kathy says, trying to get ahold of Kyle is like trying to pull a hemorrhoid out of a bull’s tush. Something I’m sure she knows a lot about. Kyle asks where Kathy’s phone is, and Kathy says she lost it. Kyle says, don’t make her pull out receipts. She brings up her texts to Kathy, and shows Kathy that she has no missed messages. She puts it on speaker, dials Kathy’s number, and it goes straight to voicemail. She says, she’s been telling Kathy this for three years, and in her interview, she says, Kathy uses an iPad to comment on her Instagram, saying, she can’t find her phone and to call her. She has 100,000 people telling her to call her sister. House manager Paola brings out baked potatoes, and in Kyle’s interview, she says, the lady actually has a name. We flash back to Kathy calling Paola the lady who works for me, but in Kathy’s defense, I don’t think she remembers much of anything. Kathy puts sour cream and loads of caviar on her potato, and Kyle asks if it’s the entrée or appetizer. Kathy says, it’s the entrée, and in her interview, Kyle says, unless it’s a baked potato bar, she’s never seen one be a meal. (She’s clearly never been a broke, single person.) She tells Kathy that she’s never seen a person have so much caviar, and in her interview, concedes that if there’s thousands in caviar on the potato, it’s going to be a meal. Have lunch and come over for a baked potato, said nobody, but my sister. Kathy says she’s overwhelmed. She’s wrapped gifts until her hands hurt, and she can’t drive every gift to the recipients. You can’t find ribbon, and somebody peed on her sofa. Kyle asks if she means a pet, but Kathy says, no; a person. All of her carpets are ruined, and she feels like the house is falling apart. Kyle laughs, and so do I. Not only are they rich people problems, who peed on her sofa???

Clare and photographer Carlos are ready to roll, and in Diana’s interview, she says, the pandemic is messing with her. She usually has more guests, so she’s trying to make things cozy to fill up the place, so it doesn’t seem so empty. It will be a covid Christmas miracle. The closest I can come to equating that to something in my own life is, Halloween 2020. The women get ready in their respective houses, and LisaR says she’s excited to see everyone. Crystal calls, and says, Dorit isn’t coming; PK tested positive for covid. Erika tells Micky that she’s been having good time; maybe too much of a good time. We flash back to her incredibly inappropriate behavior at Garcelle’s party, and Mikey asks if she wants a drink now, but she says, no.

First to arrive are Innis and girlfriend Ava. Eneya is there, and they joke that it will be just them. In Diana’s interview, she says, Ava is going to be with them for a month. Having all her kids together is her favorite thing in the world. The women arrive, along with other friends of Diana and Asher’s, and everyone looks sparkly and festive. In LisaR’s interview, she says, it’s a winter wonderland in Beverly Hills. Money was spent for sure. Cash. Lots of it. Erika says she started drinking champagne at home, so she should stick to it. Hmm… I guess Mikey twisted her arm. Kyle says she’s never seen so many Christmas tress in her life. She tells Diana that her house looks to die for, and makes a production out of giving he a hostess gift. She says, Sutton isn’t coming; she tested positive for covid. LisaR says, we’re dropping like flies.

Everyone mingles, and Kathy arrives. In Diana’s interview, she says she met Kathy because of Paris, and knows her more as a stricter figure. Kathy introduces herself all over the place, and hugs the people she knows. We find out Innis knows Paris, and Kathy tells Crystal to put her hands on her head, because that’s how you tell if your dress is too short. Crystal already knows how short her dress is, and declines, but Kathy says, her dress is too short. Garcelle comes in with a unicorn tucked under her arm, and I think, what the… until she presents it to Diana for her daughter. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, the last time she saw Diana was at her birthday party, and Diana was out of control. We flash back to that, and she says, it’s the holidays, and it’s a festive mood. Her gift to Diana is coming to the party and not bringing bad energy, which Diana didn’t do at her party. Garcelle tells Crystal that she looks good, and Crystal says her food issues are plaguing her. Garcelle says, there’s a lot of food during the holidays, and Erika asks if that’s triggering to Crystal. Crystal says, it is, and Erika asks if she eats and feels guilty or denies herself the food. Crystal says, she eats it, then feels bad, and Erika wonders why she just doesn’t take a laxative, and get rid of it. Garcelle – the audience in us all – looks floored, and in her interview, she says, Crystal has an eating disorder. Erika isn’t a doctor, and you don’t prescribe laxatives to someone with an  eating disorder. It’s the most inappropriate thing at the most inappropriate time. Sheree says she’s never had covid, and Garcelle says, Sheree is too beautiful to have it. Meanwhile, Erika is still being inappropriate, asking, what happens when Crystal purges? and Crystal says, she feels relief. Erika asks if Crystal enjoys the food when it’s going in, and Crystal says, she does, but then the guilt comes. When she looks aloof, it’s because she’s thinking about it. Erika asks if she’d rather throw it up or poop it out, pushing the laxative idea again, and in Crystal’s interview, she says she doesn’t know if Erika’s trying to be helpful, or she’s had too many drinks. Erika asks if Crystal has sought treatment, and Crystal says, it’s time. She doesn’t know what will come out of it, and Erika says, what will come out of it is a better Crystal. An appetizer involving chicken tenders comes around, and Erika loudly says, Crystal can’t eat it. Crystal looks lost, and Erika says she needs a drink.  

Too bad Bette Davis is gone. She could have played Erika in the movie.

To be continued…

🦵🏼 Doing the Hokey Pokey…

Come with me tomorrow to investigate some soap and what’s Charming in the South. Until then, stay safe, stay present in conversation, and not just waiting for your cue, and stay remembering, if you can’t see your own mistakes, you’re going to have trouble.

July 19, 2022 – In the Thick Of Trina’s Trial, Demanding Diamond, Many Spoiled Returns, Get In Line, Aussies On Deck & Hot

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

TJ lets Willow into an exam room, and she says she assumed it was about work, but this is medical? She didn’t even know he was on an OB rotation. He says, this isn’t an OB visit, and she says, okay, then what? He says, after she fainted, he ran a series of tests. She says, that’s how they figured out she was pregnant, and he says, yes, but they have to go over the rest of the results. She has an elevated white blood cell count. She says, that’s it? She knows from nurse’s training that it’s normal to have an elevated white blood cell count during pregnancy. He says, that’s true, but from what he sees, he doesn’t think it’s related to her pregnancy, and she says, he thinks she’s sick while she’s pregnant.

Michael and Dante spar at the gym, and Dante says, Rocco can do better than that. Just because Michael’s having a baby, he’s taking it easy on him? Michael says, Dante couldn’t be more wrong. Willow’s good news makes him feel like he can take on the world. Even losing the ELQ merger with Aurora, seems way more manageable now. Face it, your brother is one happy guy. Cody walks in and says, I’ll have what he’s having.

Britt walks past the elevator as Brad comes out, and he says he knows he’s early, but he figured they have time to get a drink at Charlie’s before they head over to the Haunted Star. She says she’s sorry. She should have called him, but the day got away from her. She has one more appointment. He says, that’s okay. He guesses they’ll have to start drinking when they get to the Haunted Star. Now go tell her patient to take two aspirin and call her in the morning. She says, yeah… That’s the thing. She can’t join him tonight. Something’s come up. He asks if she forgot she had plans, and she says, not exactly. He asks if she double-booked herself, and she says, sort of. He says, and it’s not work related? and she shakes her head. He says, oh my God. Does she have a date?

Esme tells Spencer, even if she could guarantee Trina goes free, why in the world would she? Trina, Joss, and Cam have been badmouthing her all across town. Why would she do them any favors? He says, because if she ever wants to know who her birth mother is, she’ll make sure that the judge knows the truth. She’s the only person who can do that.

On the stand, Josslyn says, she knows Trina was in her bedroom the entire time before she and Cameron went to their bedroom, and Arden asks if she can prove that. Were there security cameras all over the cabin? The cabin belongs to Josslyn’s stepfather Sonny Corinthos, so she can see that as a real possibility. Josslyn says, there are no security cameras inside the cabin, and Arden says, which means what exactly. Josslyn says, which means she doesn’t have proof that Trina didn’t leave her bedroom, and Arden says, to be clear, she can’t account for the defendant’s movements from the moment she went into her room to the moment she and Mr. Webber went into theirs. Because of that, won’t she concede that there was plenty of time for her so-called friend, who has already been established to have been filled with jealousy and resentment, to make sure the phone was set up to record Josslyn’s most intimate moments without her knowing? Diane objects, saying, this is pure conjecture on the ADA’s part, and the judge sustains. He tells Arden to watch her step, and Arden says, no more questions. Rory walks into the courtroom.

TJ says, he was there the first time Willow fainted at GH, and that was months before she got pregnant. That’s what prompted him to run this battery of tests; just to be on the safe side. She says, so he thinks there’s a chance something’s wrong with her? but he tells her, all he’s saying is, they need more information. He knows she just finished nursing school, and she’s been under a lot of pressure. So they might be able to chalk this up to anxiety or stress, but there’s also a chance there’s another medical explanation. They have to explore all possibilities. She says, obviously, he thinks there’s a good chance something is wrong. What isn’t he telling her?

Dante starts to introduce Cody to Michael, but Cody says, Michael’s the one who gave him the tour of the Quartermaine stables; made him feel right at home. Michael says, it’s funny Cody calls himself a mere stable hand, because to Leo, he’s already a legend, and Cody says, Leo is a great kid. He’s positively fearless with that horse of his, unlike some people that he knows. Dante asks if Cody is talking about him. He was a city kid; he did great. Michael says, that’s enough for him. They can stay and beat each other’s brains in if they want. He has to meet Willow at GH. In case Cody can’t tell by the big grin on his face, he and Willow are having a baby. Cody congratulates him, and asks Michael to give his best to Willow. Michael says he has to hit the showers. If he’s late he could catch a hard time. Cody says, really? Willow seemed like such a sweetheart to him. Michael says he wasn’t talking about Willow. He was talking about her OB, Britt Westbourne. Cody says, no kidding; small world. Michael asks if he knows Britt.  

Brad says, normally he would be upset about Britt blowing him off, but since she’s practically on the verge of spinsterhood, he’ll give her a pass – this time. She says, she’d love to argue his characterization of her love life, except he’s spot-on. He says, some friendly advice. All she needs to be is the charming, vivacious woman he knows she can be. She says, thanks for the pep talk. She feels so much better about her date tonight.  He says, if she’s not excited about her date, why is she doing it? Is she jumping back into the dating pool because she’s looking for love, or is she just tired of holding on to all her secrets? She asks what that means, and he says, whatever’s weighing on her; what she can’t tell him about? Maybe it’s past time she did.

Diane reminds the court of the difference between a sex tape and revenge porn. A sex tape is made with consent; revenge porn is made without consent. She asks if Josslyn or Cameron ever consented to being recorded, and Josslyn says, no. Neither one of them knew anything about the video; not until it popped up on the screens at PCU. Diane says, yet despite the prosecution’s best efforts to put words in Josslyn’s mouth, Josslyn claims to know her best friend could never have done this. Josslyn says she knows Trina couldn’t, and Arden objects. She says, to use Diane’s words, it’s pure conjecture on the witness’s part. Josslyn says, it’s not conjecture, because she knows exactly the type of person Trina is. She’s known Trina since middle school. Trina is her best friend in the entire world. Josslyn tears up, and says, Trina is there for her on her good days, and more important, Trina is there for her on her bad days. Trina knows right from wrong, and Josslyn knows exactly the type of friend Trina is. She is the type of friend to stick by you when everybody else turns and runs. Diane says, so knowing her best friend, could Josslyn ever imagine that Trina would go to such extreme lengths to humiliate her and Cameron? Josslyn says, never. She doesn’t think Trina would even know how to get a black market phone, let alone use it against them. Diane asks how Josslyn knows it was a black market phone, and she says she doesn’t. All she knows is, a second phone that was a black market phone was found in Trina’s purse, identical to Trina’s real phone; same model, same case. Diane says, but it’s Josslyn’s belief – her conviction – that someone, anyone, could have purchased that phone, and Josslyn says, not anyone. One person did this, and she knows exactly who that person is.

Esme tells Spencer, once Trina recorded Joss and Cam having sex for the first time – which is mind bogglingly horrific – she made it go global. Those are facts; all the evidence says so. He says he agrees with her that the evidence is stacked against Trina, but there’s one catch. Esme asks, what’s that? and he says, they both know Trina didn’t record that revenge porn or distribute it, because Esme did.

Diane says, if Trina Robinson did not make that revenge porn, who did? and Josslyn says, it’s Esme Prince. When Esme’s boyfriend, Spencer Cassadine, wanted to break up his father’s marriage to Ava, Spencer began to stalk Ava, and asked for Esme’s help. Esme lit Ava’s car on fire, and left the hospital ID badge of Ava’s dead daughter Kiki beside the car. That seems like the kind of demented mind that would make revenge porn, don’t you think? Arden objects, and says, she’s aware of Spencer Cassadine getting convicted for stalking his stepmother, but his girlfriend was never charged with anything. Can the witness provide any shred of proof of her claims? Judge Young sustains, and tells Diane, no more speculation; he just wants facts. Diane says, absolutely. She just has a few more questions. She asks what Josslyn’s GPA was her freshman year of college, and Josslyn says, 4.0. Diane congratulates her, and asks who her dorm roommate was. Josslyn says, Trina, and Diane asks who if Trina will be Josslyn’s roommate her sophomore year. Josslyn says, absolutely, and she and Trina smile at each other. Diane has no further questions.

TJ says he’s not keeping Willow in the dark about anything. There are questions though, and that’s why he’s booked her for another series of tests tomorrow. She says, to be clear, this doesn’t concern the baby. This is about her health, correct? He says, correct. Her issue, if there is one, predates the pregnancy. It’s likely the two situations aren’t related. She has an appointment with Dr. Westbourne later. Keep that, and whatever it is, they’ll deal with it.

Cody tells Michael, you might say, he and Britt ran into each other the other day, and Dante says, what Cody means is, he parachuted into the MetroCourt pool, landed on Britt, and they both fell into the water. Michael says, that was all over social media, and Cody says, to be fair, she was standing in his landing zone. Michael says, skydiver, stable hand; is there anything Cody can’t do? Cody says, plenty. Pay a mortgage, ride sidesaddle blindfolded, make babies. He’s never been able to achieve any of those things, so don’t let him keep Michael from that appointment. Dante tells Michael, good luck, and tell Willow he said hi. He’s sure mom and baby are going to be fine. Michael leaves, and Cody says, Dante’s brother seems like a nice guy. Dante says, the best, and Cody asks if he’s chopped liver, but Dante says, no. Cody is the guy who dogged Britt after he told Cody not to.

Britt tells Brad, all she wants is to give this matchmaking thing a chance. If for no other reason than to get her mother off her back. He says, fair enough. So is her date someone he knows? Someone he doesn’t know? Is he hot? She says, he’s rough around the edges, and he says, on the right person that could be hot. Is he hot? She says, he doesn’t seem trustworthy, and Brad says, not to be redundant, but that could be hot on the right person too. She says, fine. He’s hot, in a rough, rustic, scruffy way. He bruises well, and by that she means, he’s one of those guys who actually looks good beaten up. Weird. And then there’s the fact they have nothing in common, and they don’t even like each other. Brad asks how she knows, if they haven’t even met… O.M.G. It’s him, isn’t it? It’s parachute guy.

Jordan is now on the stand, and Arden asks her how this illicit video came to the attention of the PCPD. Jordan says, they received a report from PCU, where the video was first distributed. Then in the course of their investigation, their office got an anonymous tip on their hotline as to the alleged perpetrator’s identity. Arden says, by alleged perpetrator, she’s referring to the defendant, correct? and Jordan says, yes. Arden asks, what happened when they brought Trina in for questioning? and Jordan says, Trina agreed without hesitation, and never asked for legal representation. She said she would do anything to find the person who humiliated her closest friends, Josslyn Jax and Cameron Webber. Arden asks what Jordan found in Trina’s possession, and Jordan says, she had two cell phones in her purse; one that was hers, and one that was nearly identical that she couldn’t account for. Arden holds up the phone in a plastic bag, and says, this is the unaccounted for cell phone, and this is the forensics report on this phone. She gives the report to Jordan, and asks if Jordan can tell them what it says. Jordan says, the digital footprint confirms this cell phone was used to upload and send the video, also known as the revenge porn, to the PCU community. Arden says, anything else? and Jordan says, after its final usage, this phone was never turned on again. Arden asks if there’s anything else that ties the phone to the defendant, and Jordan reads, Miss Robinson’s credit card information was encrypted and used to purchase images of the artist Richard Molineaux. Arden says, in other words, according to Jordan’s own forensics department, the only person tied to that revenge porn video is the defendant Trina Robinson, and Jordan says, the evidence seems to suggest that, yes.

Spencer tells Esme, at first, he didn’t want to believe it. There was a time when he had deeper feelings for her than he ever knew possible. When he brought her home to Port Charles… She says, he means when he asked for her help with his plot to destroy his father’s marriage, and he says, and when she agreed, she raised the stakes by a thousand. He never asked her to torch Ava’s car, and would have never suggested she put Ava’s dead daughter’s hospital ID beside it. That is just so incredibly cruel. But that’s who she really is, isn’t it? Cruel. Joss warned him about her; Trina warned him about her. Hell, even Cam, who gave her the benefit of the doubt, went out of his way to warn him that she was dangerous, and even still, he wanted to believe in her. But then when that video of Josslyn and Cam came out, she couldn’t wait to show it to him. She pretended to be horrified, but he could see it written all over her face how happy she was. Then she insisted it had to be Trina who made it. That’s when he started to wonder and waver, and when he decided to voice his fears that maybe she was the one behind the revenge porn, she instantly came up with a pregnancy scare. She says, he thinks she made that up? and he says, not then. He still wanted to believe in her. But when Trina was arrested, he couldn’t look the other way anymore. Everything Josslyn was saying, and that Trina had done her best not to say, it was all true. Esme was the one who made that video, and she was the one who distributed it to the world. He yells in her face, it was you all along.

Michael finds Willow at the hospital, and says he wondered if he had the wrong time. Is she okay?  

Britt tells Brad, go on, say it. She’s going out with the bum who parachuted into her life, and couldn’t even apologize for almost drowning her. He says, honestly, he’s happy for her. She’s a smart woman. If she decided to give parachute guy a second chance, good for her. She thanks him for saying that, but they both know this will probably end in disaster, and he says, sure seems like it. So he has to ask again, why is she even doing it? and she tells him, he’s supposed to say, it’s going be great, but right now, she’s late to see a patient.

Cody and Dante go into the steam room, and Dante tells Cody to fess up now. He saw Cody all over Britt on the 4th. What’s going on with that? He warned Cody away from Britt, and first thing, his interest level goes through the roof. It’s classic. Cody says, about Dante’s warning about Britt. Given how Dante feels about Britt, his guess is, Dante isn’t going to feel too good about them going on a date.

Esme says, Spencer is right. When they first met, he was an angry, lost self-centered little boy, and thanks to her, he not only lost his virginity, he turned out to be an angry, lost, self-centered man. She can’t believe, after everything she’s done for him, standing by his side when even his own father turned his back on him, this is how he repays her. He says, all she ever did was work her own agenda, and she says, enough. He had his say, now it’s her turn. If he thinks he can just go riding back to Trina, he’s an even bigger fool than she thought. He’s even sadder and more pathetic than when she first met him. They were together at that cabin, remember? She couldn’t have planted that phone even if she wanted to, because when she’d had enough of Josslyn’s holier than thou attitude, they left – together. His precious sweet Trina could have planted that phone and did. There’s simply no way he can get around that. He says, of course (🍷) there is.

Diane says, so an anonymous tip claimed Trina Robinson filmed and distributed the revenge porn. Is there any way to identify the source of that anonymous tip? Jordan says, no. If people thought their identities could be made public, they wouldn’t get the number of tips they get. That’s why it’s anonymous. Diane says, of course (🍷). So anyone could leave a false tip and suffer no repercussions whatsoever. So how did Trina behave when Jordan hauled her into the PCPD for questioning? Jordan says, there was no hauling her in; she came in voluntarily. Diane says, voluntarily? That’s interesting. Jordan already testified that Trina asked for no counsel to be present, but when Jordan began to question her, was she defensive? Jordan says, no; she was very cooperative. She kept repeating that Josslyn and Cameron were her close friends, and she wanted to do whatever was possible to catch the person responsible for the revenge porn. Maybe it’s because her dad was a officer, but she was very eager to do the right thing. Diane says, so when Jordan opened Trina’s bag, and found the other phone… Jordan says she didn’t open Trina’s purse; Trina did. Diane says, Jordan is saying Trina herself opened her bag and produced the other phone? and Jordan says, that’s correct. Diane asks, in her many years of public service as Police Commissioner, in Jordan’s experience, is that the way a guilty person behaves? Arden objects, and says, they’re not doing a composite sketch of a common criminal. Jordan says, actually, she’d like to answer the question. She thinks it’s relevant. Judge Young says, she may answer the question, and Jordan says, Trina did not act anything at all like a guilty person. As she said, Trina’s main goal was to be helpful. Diane has no further questions, and Arden calls Rory to the stand.  

Willow tells Michael, there’s nothing wrong with her. She’s just nervous about their first consultation with the OB. Britt comes around the corner, and congratulates them. She takes it from the way they’re smiling, this is welcome news. Willow says, they weren’t trying to get pregnant, but yes, it’s exciting, and Michael says, they can’t wait to welcome the newest member of their family. Britt says, in that case, she asks the expectant father to wait here while she does a brief exam. Willow hangs back, and Britt promises it won’t take long. And she hopes to give them both a very pleasant surprise. Willow goes follows her into the exam room.

Dante says, he should have known better. Warning Cody to stay away from Britt is like catnip; it’s like forbidden fruit. Cody says, it’s just one date. What’s the big deal? She’s Co-Chief of Staff at the hospital. She can’t be that bad. Dante asks if Cody remembers when the counselors took them hiking on Olsen’s Peak, and Cody says, of course (🍷) he does. Dante was always a few steps behind him. Dante says, there was a sign that said, in big red letters, do not veer off the path. And what did Cody do? He veered them off the path, and they almost got mauled by a bear. Cody laughs, and says, he’d never seen Dante run so fast. Lighten up. There isn’t any danger, there isn’t any fun.

Esme says, at least Ava tried to buy her off. All Spencer can do is try and bluff her. He says, the truth is, he thought to himself, how can I try to twist Esme’s arm? Then it hit him. What would Esme do? For weeks she’d been pretending to sympathize with Joss because she and Cameron hadn’t slept together yet. She even made a major production  of insisting they get the master bedroom at the cabin. And when they got back from skiing, before she came in with the drinks, she was the only person not in the living room. He, Trina, Joss, and Cam were all there, but she was off by herself. He figures that would give her plenty of time to go into the master bedroom and set up that black market phone. Her back is to him, and she smiles. She says, that’s a clever theory, but he doesn’t have proof. She turns to him, and he says, but he’s not done. When they got back to town, he realized he’d forgotten something, and that gave her the very convenient excuse to go back to the cabin to pick up what he’d forgotten, as well as retrieve the phone that she’d recorded on. Once she retrieved it, she sent the video to the PCU server, and planted it in Trina’s purse. She says, okay, Agatha Christie. How could she have known Trina couldn’t handle her booze well and go to her room. Is he accusing her of being a psychic now too? He flashes back to finding the pills in Esme’s closet, and says, no, not psychic. He tries to touch her, but she backs up, and he says, she’s psycho for sure, but he doesn’t think she’s psychic. The reason she knew Trina would pass out is because Esme spiked her hot toddy with those pills of hers; the ones he found in her closet. He showed them to Britt Westbourne, and she told him what could happen if they’re mixed with alcohol. Esme drugged Trina to set her up, and Britt told him if the dosage had been off, even by a little, she could have injured Trina; maybe even killed her. He strokes Esme’s arm, and asks if she still thinks he’s bluffing.

Arden asks if, when Rory was on duty recently, he was called to a disturbance at a notorious biker bar, The Highsider. He says, that is correct. It was a fairly routine complaint; a fight had broken out. She asks what he found when he got there, and he says he’s not sure he understands the question. There was a bar fight. He arrived after another unit had broken it up. Arden tells the judge that she’s submitting an eyewitness statement from another member of the PCPD. They reported two underage girls who were caught up in this brawl. She asks Rory if they’re in the courtroom, and Diane objects, asking, what does any of this have to do with the charges against her client? Arden says, when Officer Cabrera answers the question the connection will be obvious, and Judge Young allows it. Arden repeats the question, and Rory says, yes, they’re in the courtroom. She asks him to state their names, and he says, Josslyn Jax and Trina Robinson. She thanks him, and says, there’s an even more important question she needs him to answer. Why were Josslyn and Trina in the bar that night?  Um… won’t this ultimately hurt Arden’s case?

Britt lets Michael into the exam room, and says, Willow is a bit early, but there’s a good chance they can detect a fetal heartbeat. Willow asks Michael to hold her hand, and Britt puts the gel on her. They hear it, and Willow says, that’s the baby’s heartbeat. Britt says, sure is, and Michael says, she had him worried there, but it’s strong and steady. Everything’s okay now.

Cody asks Dante why he wouldn’t date Britt. She’s beautiful, she’s successful, and she scraped him up in an alley, and gave him a ride to Dante’s place. Why can’t Dante just be happy for him? Dante says he is happy for Cody, but he’s just looking out for him, since he seems to be incapable of doing it himself. Cody says, so he’s a charity case, and Dante says he’s Cody’s friend. He gave Cody a couch, kept him out of jail, Dante’s mom hooked him up with a job at the Quartermaine stables; what does that say? Cody says, that Dante put in a good word for him, and Dante says, he didn’t do it out of charity. He did it because they’re friends. They hadn’t seen each other in a long time, but he minute he saw Cody falling out of the sky, he knew Cody hadn’t changed a bit. Cody says, Dante has. Maybe it’s because he’s a dad, or maybe it’s the badge, but Dante is different from the kid from Bensonhurst he used to know. Dante says, yeah, he is; he grew up. Maybe Cody should try it sometime.

Spencer says, Esme set up an innocent woman who could potentially go to prison, not to mention what she did to Joss and Cam with the sex tape. He backs her up as he’s talking, and says, he’ll give her this much; she was thorough in her revenge. She found a way to take them all down. She pushes him back, and says, he thinks he’s got it all worked out. What does he expect her to do, walk into that courtroom and trade places with Trina? He says, no, he doesn’t expect her to do that. Doing that would require a conscience, something she clearly doesn’t have. But if she was smart enough to frame Trina, then she’s smart enough to clear Trina without incriminating herself. She says, Trina really means that much to him, and he says he thinks the more pertinent question is, how much does Esme’s mother mean to her? She throws the paper on the table, and says, oh my God, you ass. After all the lies he told her, he expects her to believe he found a match for her DNA. He picks up the paper, and says, he has the evidence. She can look for herself. He can tell her the name. Or she can walk out and let Trina take the fall. It’s up to her. What’s more important to her; ruining Trina’s life or finding her mother?

Rory says, Josslyn and Trina were carrying fake IDs. He confiscated them, and let them off with a stern warning never to try that again. Arden says, very understanding of him, but were they only at that bar that night to drink alcohol as minors? He says he’s not sure what she means, and she puts a folder on the stand, saying, that document is a rap sheet for a bartender, Oz Haggerty, who was working at that same bar. Can he read off the crimes that bartender was arrested for? He reads, petty theft, and he had a prior for trafficking in stolen electronics. She asks if he can be more specific. What kind of electronics? He says, mostly black market cell phones, and she says, he sells black market cell phones. The kind that Trina’s best friend Josslyn, according to her testimony, said the defendant would never know how to buy. Again, Arden might be enthusiastic, but she’s not real bright. Although, outcomes aren’t always logical in Port Charles.

Michael asks if Willow is okay, and Willow says, they just heard their baby’s heartbeat. She’s never been better, or happier. They hug.

Britt thanks TJ for referring a new patient to her. Willow’s pregnancy is progressing nicely. They just heard the baby’s heartbeat. He says, that’s great to hear, but he needs her to keep him in the loop about Willow. She asks why, and he suggests they go to her office, and he’ll fill her in.

Cody tells Dante, he doesn’t have a kid or a steady career, but he’s growing up in his own way. Believe it or not, he’s already making plans for his future. Dante says, by being a stable boy? Come on, man, it’s even got boy in the title. Um… Michael said hand, not boy. Cody tells him, make as many jokes as he wants. He’s going to prove Dante is wrong about a lot of things. Dante says, including Britt Westbourne? and Cody says, the matchmaker herself matched them up. Dante says, here’s hoping the match doesn’t turn into a dumpster fire. If it does, remember his old pal warned him otherwise.

Esme says, Spencer is doing all of this because he thinks he can win Trina over? She clears Trina’s name, and Trina’s all his? Who is delusional now? Even if Trina did have feelings for him, she’s moved on. Or hasn’t he seen her with the hot rookie cop? He asks if that’s her final answer, but she says, he’s given her a lot to think about. He tells her, don’t think long, because this deal isn’t going to be on the table indefinitely, and she says, as a reminder, she’s not the one on trial. And as for him, if she hears he tried to play hero on his own, and go to Trina with this conversation, he will never get what he wants. He holds up the paper, and says, neither will she. She says, if it comes to choosing finding out who her mother is, and hurting him the way he hurt her, don’t be so sure he’ll know what she’ll choose. She leaves, and Spencer drops the paper on the table. Esme paces in the foyer, then leans against the wall, looking sick.  

Diane says she just has a few questions for Rory. When he confiscated Josslyn and Trina’s fake IDs, did he ask why they were there? He says, yes, and she asks what they told him. He says, they were looking for the bartender who sold Esme Prince a black market phone, and Diane asks if it was a referral deal. Esme Prince got a groovy phone (ha-ha) off this guy, and they wanted one too. Arden objects, saying, counsel is leading the witness, but Judge Young says he’ll allow it. He tells Diane to get where she’s going, and she asks Rory if Josslyn and Trina were in The Highsider to purchase a black market phone. He says, no. They were looking for the bartender to ID Esme Prince. Diane says, and did he? and Arden objects, saying, hearsay. Officer Cabrera wasn’t present when Miss Jax and Miss Robinson allegedly spoke to Mr. Haggerty. The officer has no idea what was said, if anything. The judge says, sustained, and Diane says she has no further questions. Judge Young calls for an adjournment, and the bailiff says, all rise, as he leaves the courtroom.

In the hallway, Curtis says he thinks there’s reasonable doubt for sure, and Josslyn says she hates the way the ADA twisted her words. Trina says she doesn’t blame Josslyn. She knows Josslyn is just trying to help her. Jordan comes out, and she and Curtis nod to each other. Rory follows, and he and Trina exchange a look. Portia tells Trina, just hang in there, and hugs her.  

Tomorrow, Cody wants to get to know Britt better, if she’ll let him; Finn tells Chase that something is too good to be true; Brook tells Linc that she’s found something she wants more than fame; Sasha insists she’s not addicted; and Sonny tells Brando that he’ll take care of something.

👠 I Loved Her Too, But…

Lois was better than LisaR on her best day, but she wasn’t a cast member, nor is this The LisaR Show. I totally understand her grief, but this is going overboard with being demanding.

https://people.com/tv/lisa-rinna-slams-rhobh-for-not-properly-honoring-late-mom/

🍊 OC Slam…

Apparently, Tamra is not too happy with Jill outing her return.

https://www.etonline.com/tamra-judge-slams-jill-zarin-after-she-seemingly-spoils-her-rhoc-return-announcement-go-fk-yourself

But Jill claims she’s not the source. They were on Watch What Happens Live together tonight, so they must have kissed and made up. I wasn’t really listening.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1338372/jill-zarin-clarifies-comments-about-tamra-judges-rumored-rhoc-return

💎 Another Day, Another Suit…

I think Erika is a little smarter than Teresa Giudice, who I believe signed things just because Juicy Joe told her too. I wouldn’t say she was in on it, but I think she turned a blind eye.

🦘 I’ve been watching Below Deck Down Under, and while it’s entertaining enough, I’m a little disappointed. Some of the crew could vie with Jax Taylor and the most recent Sailing Yacht cast for worst people ever. It looks like mostly the deckhands are d-bags, one being a very entitled bad sport. I haven’t absorbed enough of it to get a good handle on the interior, except that they flirt shamelessly with the captain. I can’t say I blame them, since he’s movie star handsome. I also love Aesha, originally from Below Deck Mediterranean. She’s the chief stew on this one, and I remember her as always being positive and fun. And of course there’s the Barrier Reef. I don’t think it gets much more beautiful.

https://www.bravotv.com/below-deck-down-under

Beating the Clock…

Join me tomorrow for soap and those awful women from Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay not beating yourself up over the past, and stay being the type of friend who sticks around when everybody else turns and runs.