Tag Archives: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

June 29, 2022 – Shareholder Vote Fallout Begins, Diana Is Soulless & Calm

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly asks Drew to just tell her; did the Quartermaines get rid of Valentin as CEO of ELQ?

At Kelly’s, Anna checks her phone, and Felicia asks if there are any messages from Valentin. Anna says, sorry? and Felicia says, Anna hasn’t heard a word she’s said in the last fifteen minutes. Anna says, Felicia confronted Ryan Chamberlain. Felicia told her three times. Felicia says, message received. She guesses she’s still running on adrenaline from the experience. Anna’s turn now. Tell her everything about her date with Valentin; spare no details. Victor comes over to their table, and says, what’s this about Anna and his son? Outside, Valentin looks through the window, and sees Victor talking to Anna.

TJ asks Epiphany how her Juneteenth was, and she says she spent most of it studying, but she did manage to come up for air, and go to a prayer service and a barbecue. He says he admires her time management skills, and she says, between her and him, she’s beat, but she can’t let on, or her nurses won’t fear her anymore. He says, her secret is safe with him, and she sees the stack of books in his hands, and says, doing a little light reading? He says, they’re for her, to assure her nurses fear her for years to come… Dr. Johnson.

Ned follows Olivia into the living room, and tells her, allow him to explain. She asks if it’s going to sound any better in here, and he says he’s trying to avoid Brook with another tirade. Olivia says, from what she can hear, Brook is totally justified, and he tells her, but she said… She tells him, she said they shouldn’t make any judgements until they have all the facts. Now what facts caused him to throw away his family’s legacy?

On the phone, Michael asks how soon Dex can meet. He has another idea, but they’ll have to get creative… He’ll meet Dex there. Sonny won’t see this coming. Leo asks what he’s doing to Uncle Sonny.

Sonny asks, what happened with ELQ today? but Willow says she doesn’t really want to be the go-between. She suggests he reach out to Michael himself, and if Michael doesn’t respond, it means he doesn’t want to discuss ELQ with him. Nina says she doesn’t think now is the time to pressure Willow; she isn’t feeling very well. Maybe they should get an ice tea or something. Sonny says he understands, but if something happened, he needs to know, and Nina says she’ll reach out to Valentin. He’ll tell her what happened. Sasha says, if Willow won’t go to GH, she’ll take Willow home, but Willow insists she’s fine. Willow looks a little spacy, turns, and keels over, Sonny catching her. Obrecht says, lie her down and elevate her legs, and Sonny says, call 9-1-1. They put Willow on a chaise, and Obrecht asks if Willow can hear her.

Drew says, some of the Quartermaines voted to remove Valentin, and Carly says, some? Not all? He says, everyone except Ned, and she says, Ned sided with Valentin against his own family? That doesn’t make any sense. Ned was leading the charge to force Valentin out. Drew says, ultimately, he wasn’t happy with the plan to merge ELQ and Aurora. Ned felt that the role he and Michael offered him was beneath him. She says, but Drew and Michael worked so hard to ensure ELQ was back under Quartermaine control. Doesn’t Ned think the merger was good for the company? Drew says, they thought he’d come around. It was bad judgement on their part. She says, so Ned betrayed his family to serve his own ego, but that doesn’t mean Valentin had enough votes to stay in control. Who turned?

Michael tells Leo that he was just discussing a surprise for his Uncle Sonny with someone, and Leo says, Brook is mad at his dad, and he heard her talking to Granny Tracy. Michael isn’t sure Tracy likes being called that, and Leo asks, why not? Michael says he guesses it makes her feel old, and Leo says he has to talk to his mom. Michael suggests Leo give his mom and dad a minute, and he asks if his mom is mad at his dad too. Michael sits down and says, sometimes Quartermaines get mad at each other, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. Leo says, then why do they fight? and Michael says he guesses it’s in their nature. Leo says, like an instinct, and Michael says, they were born to be mad at each other, but still love each other. Leo says, okay, and tells Michael that he’d like to cut up some apples, but can’t do it on his own. Michael offers to help him, and they go inside.

Ned says, Olivia knows Michael and Drew were trying to put him out to pasture. Siding with Valentin was the only way he could stay in a position of power at the company. She says, his family’s company, and he says, yes, his family’s company, where Michael and Drew would have sidelined him if this merger had gone through. So what was he supposed to do? Just stand back and let it happen? She says, he was supposed to make a deal, and asks if he’s ever heard the word compromise, but he says, there was no compromising with Drew and Michael. They wanted him to do all the sacrificing, while they got everything they wanted. She tells him, she’s not saying they were right; she’s saying he has to look at the bigger picture. He says, which is? and she says, is it really worth alienating himself from all his loved ones?

Anna says, they’re having a private conversation, and Victor apologizes, saying, he didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Felicia says, didn’t he? but he says, no. He just heard his son’s name, and it caught his attention. Valentin comes in, and says, this is a surprise. Anna says, for everyone, and Valentin says, well, there are plenty of tables outside. It’s nice to see them. He starts to leave, but Victor suggests they make it a foursome.

Obrecht says, Willow’s breathing is steady and seems normal. Did she hit her head or sustain any injuries before she fell? Sonny says, no, at least not in his presence. Obrecht tell Nina to ask the bartender for a glass of juice, and Nina leaves. Willow opens her eyes, and asks, what happened? Obrecht tells her, lean back and rest. Does she remember what happened? Nina comes back with the juice (that was fast), and Willow says, no. Obrecht takes the juice, gives it to Willow, and says, drink up. She asks if Willow feels dizzy or lightheaded, but Willow says, no; she’s fine. Obrecht tells Sasha, Willow doesn’t need emergency care, but she should be examined at the hospital. Sasha asks if she needs an ambulance, but Willow says, no, and Obrecht agrees it’s not necessary. Sasha says she’s going to take Willow to GH, but Willow says, there’s really no need. She starts to get up, but sits back down, and Sonny tells her that she has to listen to the doctor unless she wants to stay here while Sasha calls for the ambulance. Willow says, fine, and Sonny helps her up and out of the MetroCourt.

Michael’s phone rings, and he asks Sasha if everything is okay. She tells him, Willow fainted at the MetroCourt pool. They’re taking her to GH. He says he’s on his way.

Valentin says, Anna and Felicia don’t want him and Victor intruding on their lunch, but Victor says, why not? Valentin and Anna are friends. Very close friends as he understands it. Felicia says, but he knows the old saying; two’s company, and four’s a nightmare. Victor suggests he and Valentin take a raincheck. He’s sure Valentin would rather catch up with his friends anyway. Valentin asks if he’s sure, and Victor says, of course (🍷). They can catch up later. Business can wait. He tells Anna and Felicia, ladies, always a pleasure, and leaves. Valentin says, that’s his father; can’t stop making decisions for other people. Do they want him to leave? Felicia says, no, join them… if it’s all right with Anna. Anna says, of course (🍷). She’d love to hear about this business Valentin has with his father.

Drew tells Carly, once Ned sided with Valentin, the votes were split right down the middle, and they had a tie-breaker. She says, Lucy, of course (🍷), and he says, she voted with Valentin. He remains CEO, and Ned is Chairman of the Board. She says, so Valentin promised Ned a more important role in the company in exchange for his vote. What about the merger? He says, the merger’s dead, and she says she’s sorry. She knows how badly he and Michael wanted this to happen. It can only strengthen ELQ. She can’t believe Ned is so blind. Drew says he’s not blameless here. He just assumed Ned would always side with the Quartermaines. He should have done more to assure that. She says, come on, no one saw this coming, but he says, Valentin did. He outmaneuvered them – again. He’d almost admire the guy if it wasn’t his family company. She asks what this means for Aurora.

Nina says she hopes Willow’s okay, and Obrecht says, it’s me, Liebchen. She doesn’t have to pretend she cares about that woman. Nina says she’s not a monster; that woman is Wiley’s mother. Obrecht says, adoptive mother who’s denying Nina visitation with her grandson. Nina says, it’s torture being kept from Wiley, but Sonny did remind her that one day Wiley will be able to make his own decisions about who he spends time with. Hopefully, Michael and Willow won’t totally brainwash him into hating her. Obrecht asks what she’ll do until that day comes, and Nina says she has a whole life to throw herself into. She doesn’t lack for distractions. Obrecht asks if one of those distractions is a certain mafioso? and Nina says, she’s so silly, and it almost sounds like Obrecht approves of her and Sonny. Obrecht says she approves of Nina being happy, and if Nina’s happiness means being with the man who hates her Scotty, she won’t make a fuss. Nina says, at least not much of one. Obrecht knows Nina wants her happiness too, right? Nina holds out her hand, and Obrecht takes it, saying, she knows. Nina says, then why did she turn down Scotty’s proposal?

TJ tells Epiphany, he took an MCAT prep course at PCU, and the instructor did a really good job at breaking down the hard subjects. She says, like physics? and he says, especially like physics. So he dug out the textbooks; he thought she could use them. She thanks him, and he says, the entire GH staff is pulling for her. He knows Portia is helping her, but if she needs anything, say the word. Sonny and Sasha come in with Willow between them, and Sasha says, they need help. Sonny tells them, Willow collapsed, and TJ sets up the wheelchair. Willow says, it’s not necessary, but he says, she collapsed a few months ago. Epiphany says, because she wasn’t eating, and Willow insists she’s eaten today; it’s not that. TJ says he’ll get her to an exam room and find out, and wheels her away. Sasha tells Sonny, Willow was out cold; what does he think it is? He says, TJ and Epiphany will find out. She’s going to be okay. Sasha says, he doesn’t know that. Bad things happen here. He says he knows she’s worried about Willow, but that seems like an overreaction. She says, every time she comes here, something terrible happens. Willow’s mom dying, losing her baby… He says he knows she’s going through a rough time, and he’s sorry, but maybe she should put her energy into supporting Willow. Thinking about what happened in the past isn’t going to… Michael walks in, and asks Sasha, where’s Willow? How is she?

Epiphany says, Willow’s blood pressure is 80 over 150, and Willow says, that’s pretty low, but she feels better. TJ asks if there have been any more fainting spells between now and three months ago, but Willow says, none. He says, any spells of weakness or dizziness? and she says, not really. He asks if she wants to be a bad patient or a good nurse. Come on. She says, four times in the past few months. Some lightheadedness, but it quickly passed. She figured it was stress. Between nursing school, being a good mom, and everything else she has going on in her personal life, it’s like she’s juggling hundreds of balls in the air, and she’s afraid to drop any of them. He says, that makes total sense, but this is her second time collapsing. He’s going to run some tests. He thinks stress might be a trigger, but doesn’t think it’s the cause.

Obrecht asks how Nina knew she’d turned down Scotty’s proposal, and Nina says, maybe Obrecht shouldn’t have said no in the middle of a busy nail salon with Lucy Coe present, and Obrecht says, the blabbermouth must have told Nina why she turned down Scotty’s proposal. Nina says, she did. She said Obrecht didn’t want to be staid or settled. Just explain how marrying Scotty would make her feel tied down. Obrecht says she’s an independent woman. She doesn’t need a man to make her feel complete. Nina says, of course (🍷) she doesn’t, but she thought Scotty made Obrecht’s life better, and Obrecht says, in many ways. Nina asks why Obrecht doesn’t make him a permanent part of it, and Obrecht says, he proposed on a whim, as a way to make up for upsetting her. She deserves more. Nina asks, what if Scotty proposed to her under the right circumstances? Would she say yes?

Valentin tells Anna, it’s not really business. His father has resumed his mission to keep family close. Anna says, Valentin was never interested in family bonding before, and he says he’s not; he’s pretending, to keep an eye on Victor. That was her suggestion. She says, it was. Good luck with that. He thanks her, and suggests they change the subject. Felicia says she’ll drink to that. Isn’t he glad he ran into them? They’re an upgrade from Victor, doesn’t he think? He says, he certainly does, and Felicia says, that’s her cue to get a refill. She goes to the counter, and Valentin asks how Anna has been. She says, since he saw her two nights ago? and he says he hasn’t stopped thinking about her. Does she think of him? She says, once or twice, and he asks if she wants to elaborate, but she tells him that she doesn’t think there’s anything else to say.

Ned tells Olivia, he’s thought this through, and yes, he’s part of the Quartermaine family, but she, Brook, and Leo are also part of his family, and he has to think about what’s best for their future. She says she doesn’t care about this company, but she cares about him and his relationships with his family. All the other Quartermaines voted to keep Valentin out. Does he know how rare it is for the Quartermaines to come together for a common purpose? He’s going to be the enemy that everyone is rallying together against. Is he really okay with that? He says, Michael and Drew left him no choice, but she says, he had a choice, and he made the wrong one. She doesn’t think he realizes how bad this is going to get for him. He says he can handle whatever Michael and Drew throw at him, and she says, they’re not his enemies, but his choices have made them his opponents. One day, he’s going to need his family, and they might not be there for him. He asks why he needs them when he has her, Brook, and Leo, and she asks if he doesn’t think his standing in this family affects Leo. Did he think about that, or does he just not care?

Drew tells Carly, news of the ELQ vote got out almost as soon as it happened, as well as news of an angel investor trying to inflate the stock value, so the shareholders left in droves. She says, so Aurora stock took a hit, and he says, a pretty big hit, yeah. She says, and the shares she bought? and he says he’s sorry. She likely took a pretty big hit as well. She says, he has no idea, and he says, she took a risk helping him and Michael. He’s going to help her. She says she thinks it’s a little late for that, and he says he’s not going to let her lose her house. She says, her house? and he says he’s assuming it’s one of the assets, but she says, it’s bigger than that. She sold her half of the MetroCourt.

Michael asks if Willow hurt herself, and Sasha says, she’s conscious, and being examined by Dr. Ashford. Sonny says, Willow walked in under her own power, and Michael asks why Sonny is involved. Did he say something to upset her? He doesn’t have time for this; he needs to see Willow. Sasha points the way, and he goes to the exam room.

Michael asks if Willow is okay, and she says she’s perfectly fine. Epiphany and TJ are being overly cautious because it’s the second time she’s fainted in the past several months. TJ says he’s running tests to find out the underlying cause. He tells Willow to rest, and he’ll let her know when the test results are back. He and Epiphany leave, and Michael asks who he’s going to believe; the doctor, or the woman he loves downplaying her health concerns? She says, he knows how doctors are, all doom and gloom. She should just record, I’m fine, into her phone, and hold it up when someone asks. He hugs her.

Sasha asks Epiphany, how’s Willow? and Epiphany tells her, all she can say is, she’s alert and being treated. Sasha says, promising, right? and Epiphany says, keep thinking good thoughts. She leaves, and Sonny asks if he can get Sasha anything, but she tells him, she’s good. She thanks him for his help, and says, sorry about Michael. She knows things have been rocky between them. He says, family’s family, and Willow is the mother of his grandson. She says, he always takes good care of his family; he’s been really good to Brando. It means a lot to him, to both of them, that Sonny was there for them when they lost Liam. He says, there’s nothing worse than losing a child, and she says she never realized you can lose what you love in an instant, but now she’s trying to focus on being grateful for what she does have. He says, that’s what you’ve got to do, and tells her that he has to go. She asks if he’s avoiding a confrontation with Michael, and he says, his son has enough to worry about right now. She says she hopes he knows, even though he and Michael aren’t getting along, Michael knows Willow is in good hands with Sonny, and Sonny says he hopes so, and leaves.

Valentin says, how about that second date? and Anna says, sure, but they didn’t make plans. He says, they can fix that, when Felicia returns, and asks what she missed. Anna says, Valentin was about to tell her about his ELQ shareholders meeting this morning, and he says, he’s still CEO of ELQ. Anna says, congratulations, and Felicia says, she can only imagine how the Quartermaines feel. He says, Ned knows he’s good for business, and the others will come around or they won’t, and Anna says, now that his tenure has been renewed, she supposes his schedule will be full. He says, he’ll always make time for her, and his phone rings. He says he’ll have to call her. This is business he can’t ignore. He leaves, and Felicia asks, what the hell was that about?  

Obrecht tells Nina, her relationship with Scotty is a new experience for her. He’s very different from Cesar and Victor. Nina says, because he’s not deranged? and Obrecht says, love was always a war of wills with those two. Nina says, Obrecht was obsessed with Faison, and Victor was obsessed with her. Obsession is not love. Obrecht says, with mein Scott it’s fun, and Nina says, it’s a first for Obrecht. Obrecht says, just like Sonny is a first for Nina. She’s never seen Nina lose her heart so completely before. Nina says, she’s not with Sonny; they’re taking it slow. Obrecht says, any slower, and they’ll be standing still. Nina says, falling in love with Mike… or just falling for Mike in Nixon Falls was unexpected. It was easy. They just hit it off. It hasn’t been quite the same thing with Sonny. Obrecht says, he came with baggage, which he has since shed. Don’t make the relationship more complicated than it has to be. Nina says, her history with romance hasn’t been very smooth, and Obrecht says, and her relationships with Cesar and Victor have been positively tortured. She thought all relationships were supposed to be difficult. Nina says, it’s easy with Scott, isn’t it? and Obrecht says, just like with Nina and Sonny. If she’d run from her feelings for Scotty, she’d still be with a narcissistic megalomaniac. Nina subtly points, and Obrecht turns around to see Victor.

Michael asks if Willow needs anything, and she says, what she needs is for him to stop worrying. He says, don’t think he hasn’t noticed how low energy she’s been lately, and she says she wonders why. He says, she was busy and preoccupied, but so are thousands of people who don’t pass out twice in a few months. She looks down, and he says, don’t tell him that she passed out more than twice, but she says, no, it’s not that. She kind of lied to TJ. She doesn’t remember eating breakfast. Michael says, and she told TJ she did? and she says, she had been taking better care of herself since the last time, but she had so many things on her mind. It’s possible she just forgot a meal, or two. He says she has to tell TJ, but she says he’ll just tell her to get some more rest; there’s nothing to worry about. So what’s the point? He tells her, okay. Whatever you say.

Carly says, her financial advisor is coming over to discuss her options, and Drew says, she sold half the hotel to invest in Aurora? She says, she has a contract to buy her half back, plus 3%, which would not have been a problem if the merger had happened, but it didn’t, so she doesn’t know what she’s looking at. He says, they’ll figure this out. We just need regroup, assess the situation, and find a solution. She says, there’s no we. She made the investment, and she’s the one on the hook for the losses. He says, she doesn’t have to be in this alone, he wants to help her, but she says, what if there’s nothing he can do? He puts his hand on her shoulder, and says, if there is anything he can do, he’s here to help her, even if it’s just someone to lean on; at least that’s something. Can she let him do that? She puts her hand on his, and says, she can.

Ned tells Olivia, of course (🍷) he cares. He would never do anything to hurt Leo, or her. She says, guess what? He did. He says, she just told him that she doesn’t care about the company, and she says she doesn’t. She cares about their marriage, and he kept her out of the loop. When she ran into him and Valentin at the stable, were the two of them plotting about this? He says, no. Valentin was there to try to convince Ned to vote with him, but he hadn’t made up his mind yet. She says, it didn’t occur to him to confide in her? How does he think that makes her feel? She’s his wife. Even when they disagree about things, she’s still on his side. He didn’t think he could trust her? He says, it wasn’t about trust, and she says, then what was it about? He made a promise; he said he was going to keep her in the loop. After everything that led to their separation… He promised they were going to be a team, and he kept her in the dark, and that’s not what a teammate does. They renewed their marriage vows because she really thought he’d changed for the better. He says if he’d realized how this would make her feel, he would have told her everything, and she says, you know what scares her? That he didn’t realize it. Leo comes in, and Olivia asks, what’s the matter? Is he okay? Ned asks if Leo hurt himself, and Leo says he messed up.

Anna tells Felicia, that was so abrupt. Valentin’s usually smoother than that. Felicia says she can’t figure out what was weirder; the part where he took off without making plans with Anna, or the part where he’s having lunch with Victor. Anna says, they’re equally weird, and Felicia says, Anna never did tell her about their date. Anna says, they had a lovely time, and Felicia says, details please. Anna says, he took her to a double-feature at a drive-in. They saw Notorious and Casablanca. Felicia says, espionage and intrigue. They must have felt right at home. Anna says, they kind of did, and Felicia says, please tell her they made out in the front seat and missed half the movie, but Anna says she’d never tell Felicia that. Felicia says she’ll take that as a yes, and they did agree to make plans, right? Anna says, yeah, but as Felicia witnessed, they didn’t firm up those plans. Felicia says, Valentin did just solidify his position as CEO of ELQ, and that company is never without its drama. Anna says, that’s true, but her gut tells her, something else besides ELQ is going on.

Obrecht asks what Victor is doing there. She thought vampires burst into flame when touched by daylight. Victor chuckles, and asks her to promise never to lose her wonderful sense of humor. As for why he’s here, he’s here for a business meeting, so he thought he’d come by the pool and relax for a while. In a suit? Sonny has come in, and Obrecht tells Nina that she can handle Victor; enjoy herself. Nina tells Victor, if he harms a hair on her Aunt Liesl’s head… He says he promises to leave Aunt Liesl as pristine as he found her, and Nina joins Sonny. Victor relaxes on the chaise next to Obrecht, and she says she didn’t invite him to join her. He says he heard a rumor that her ambulance chaser proposed to her, and she turned him down, and she says, this is his business because…? He says, because it signals to him that he wasn’t not wrong hold out hope all this time. There’s still a chance for them to be together.

Sonny tells Nina that Willow is resting comfortably, and TJ ran some tests and is waiting for the results. She says she’ll keep her fingers crossed that Willow’s okay. Did he see Michael? He says, can they… Yeah. Michael wasn’t too happy to see him. She says, if he hadn’t been there to catch Willow, she could have been injured. Michael should be grateful he was there. Sonny says, can they not talk about Michael, just for one second? and she says, okay. What does he want to talk about? He says, can we just talk about us? and smiles, working those dimples.

Carly tells financial advisor Reggie to cut to the chase; what are her options? Drew says he’ll give them some privacy, but Carly tells him to stay. She wants him to hear this. Reggie tells her, Stillwater Venture Group is exercising their option to sell her half of the hotel. She says she has 30 days to pay the loan, but Reggie says, she could sell off all her investments, and it still wouldn’t be enough.

Willow asks, what happened when she left the house? and Michael says, things got ugly. She asks if Ned tried to justify voting with Valentin, and he says, Ned just came up with the same old excuses. She says, it was good for business, it’s what’s best for his family… and Michael says, don’t worry. He and Drew are going to come up with a strategy to turn things around. He tells her that she looks cold, and goes to get her a blanket. She leans back and closes her eyes, when TJ comes in. He asks if she’s feeling dizzy, but she says she was just resting her eyes. Any news from the lab? He says he got the results of one of her tests

Drew says, there has to be something Carly can do to hang on to the MetroCourt, but Reggie says, she doesn’t have the capital to buy the hotel back. Drew says, so they raise the money, and Carly says, they have 30 days. Reggie says, Stillwater doesn’t have to wait the full 30 days. If Carly can’t demonstrate solvency – and she can’t – they have the option to sell as soon as they find a buyer.  Carly says, so she’s going to lose the MetroCourt?

Olivia cleans Leo up, and Leo says he wanted to feed Comet. Michael helped him cut the apples up. She asks if Michael helped him feed Comet, but he shakes his head, and says, Comet looked like he wanted to be brushed, but no one was around to help. He got a stool, and he fell. Ned says, they obviously need to hire a new stable manager as soon as possible, and Olivia asks, why didn’t Leo come and get her and Ned? Leo says, she was mad at dad, and he didn’t want to bother them. She hugs him and says, he would never bother them. He can always come get her or Ned. Ned says, it doesn’t matter what Leo thinks is going on between him and Leo’s mother; Leo comes first. They’ll always make time to help him. Olivia says, they’re a family. They’re Quartermaines, and Quartermaines stick together. Leo says, even when you’re mad? and Ned says, even when we’re mad.

Obrecht asks Victor, how many stars are in the universe? and he says, billions. She says, those are the odds of them getting back together, but he says, come now. In her heart of hearts, she knows that blathering Mr. Baldwin could never satisfy her. She says, but he does, and Victor says, she believes he makes her happy now, but she’s a woman of the world. She has degrees in academic fields that courtroom clown can’t even pronounce. That’s why she turned him down. She’s leagues ahead of him. She tells him, leave, before she makes him exit from the roof. He says, she can deny it all she wants, but she know she’ll always carry a torch for him… as he for her. They belong together. He leaves, and she looks a little wistful.

Nina tells Sonny, all right. Why does he want to talk about them? He says, maybe talk isn’t the right word, and she says, okay. What does he have in mind? He says, her, and kisses her.

Anna tells Felicia, Valentin got a text the other night while they were on their date, and he reacted exactly the same way; he was so flustered. Felicia says, interesting, but Anna says, maybe it’s nothing. Felicia says, don’t downplay her. Anna has good instincts. She knows it’s probably something. Anna asks if that’s a pep talk, and Felicia says, she’s just validating Anna’s instincts. And whatever Valentin is up to, it has nothing to do with his feelings for Anna. Anna asks, what makes her say that? and Felicia says she could see it in his face just now; he’s crazy about her. Anna says, she’s crazy about him too, but she can’t ignore the fact he brings a lot of complications with him. Felicia says, Victor? and Anna says, yeah. And as long as Valentin’s in her life, so is his father, and that’s the man she thinks is responsible for murdering Luke. Felicia says, you and me both, but Valentin is not his father. Anna says, but family ties are hard to break.

Victor knocks at Valentin’s hotel room door, and Valentin says, long time, no see. Victor apologizes for the change in location, but they couldn’t very well discuss their business in front of Anna and Felicia. Valentin says, it wouldn’t do for them to catch on to their plans, and invites Victor in.

Sasha sees Michael at the hospital, and asks, how’s Willow? He says, she knows Willow. She says she’s fine, but can Sasha tell him anything more about her collapse? Sasha says, she didn’t look well at the pool. She was upset about what happened at the Quartermaines? Next thing Sasha knew, she passed out. He thanks her for being there for Willow, but she says, actually, it was Sonny who caught Willow before she hit the ground. He brought her into the hospital; he was very worried about her. Michael asks if Willow told Sasha anything about how she’s been feeling, and Sasha says, she insists that she ate. He says, well, she lied. Willow told him that she didn’t remember if she ate or not. Sasha says, that’s not good, and when Willow tries not to worry him, the more worried he gets. He says, exactly, and this is the second time she collapsed. He’s trying not to get too dark about it… Sasha says, it’s hard, and he says, what if something is really wrong with her?

Willow tells TJ, don’t make her wait. What do the test results say? He says he can’t make a definitive diagnosis until all of her results are back, but this could explain why she fainted. She says, is it serious? and he says, in a good way. She’s pregnant.

I’d actually thought that was a possibility, but she looked so God-awful, I figured it must be some horrible illness.

Tomorrow, Trina tells Curtis that she has to do something now; Sam tells Spinelli that he’s not going anywhere; and Britt says, if Spencer doesn’t leave in 20 seconds, she’s throwing him out.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Garcelle meets up with friend Sheree (not of the She by), who was married to Will Smith, and has a son with him. We see a clip of Sheree and son Trey, and Sheree tells Garcelle that she and Will have no relationship outside of that with Trey. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, she and Will dated after the divorce, but she didn’t know Sheree then. She tells Sheree that she and Will set the t one for co-parenting; even though they’re not together, they’re still family. She wanted to mirror that with her own situation. We see a clip of Garcelle with Mike and the kids, and in her interview, she says, she raised the boys with Mike, and feels they’re in a good place. That’s all she wants. She tells Sheree that she’s excited about her birthday. She wants to go all out, dance, and have her friends there. Son Oliver is flying in. Sheree thinks it’s going to be a fabulous time, and Garcelle thinks there won’t be any drama. Did she forget which show she was on?  

Crystal makes a cooking video for Instagram. Her brother Jeff is visiting, and Rob gets home after being away for a while. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Jeff was in China releasing an album. It’s great he’s home. Rob tells them about meeting with the publisher of a children’s book, How Winston Delivered Christmas, that they’re turning into a film. He jokes around, pronouncing Norfolk like Norf***, and insisting that’s the correct way to say it. In her interview, Crystal tells us, she always says she has four kids, including Rob. Rob wants to hear about Mexico, and Crystal says, it was challenging, but everything worked out. Rob asks how Diana did, and Crystal says, it was like her first trip. We flash back to her perceived violation, and she says, Diana just went through a miscarriage, and it was hard on her; she wanted to leave a few times. She learned that when you jab at Diana, it turns nuclear.

Kyle bastes a turkey, so I assume it’s around Thanksgiving. Or they have one hell of a spread on Sundays. Kyle tells Mauricio that it’s going to be Garcelle’s birthday, and the guys are coming. He asks, who else is going? and Kyle says she guesses Diana isn’t coming. She sent Diana text on Sunday, telling her to rest up for Garcelle’s party. She wrote back in a group text, saying it’s not something she would normally talk about this way, but her doctor has her on bed rest. She had continued bleeding after her miscarriage and four major surgeries to save her uterus. This isn’t a thing she’d normally do in a group text, but… In Garcelle’s interview, she reads, Garcelle – misspelled – might think I’m rude. So there it is. Kyle tells Mauricio, it’s super awkward.

Erika is doing a photo shoot, and in her interview, she says, she’s proud to be back in business with Pretty Mess. It’s a great distraction from the heavy stuff. There were moments when she wondered how she’d pull herself out. There were a lot of people she did business with, but the phone wasn’t ringing. No one was going to magically save her. She had a special connection to her grandmother; she was tough, but big hearted. She tells her crew that it used to embarrass her how her grandmother would pull over to take a chair from the side of the road. But then she would reupholster it, and it would be stunning. She was beyond creative, and also loved the garden. In Erika’s interview, she says, her grandmother helped her move to L.A.; they drove cross country together. She digs out a letter she’d written to her grandmother: Hi. I love you. I’m never coming back. She knows if she could talk to her grandmother, she’d say not to give up the fight. She’d be whooping Erika’s ass.

Sutton visits Dorit, and says she needs a vacation from the vacation. I know the feeling, but that’s because I had too much fun, not because I was having a screaming match. Dorit introduces mom Rachel to Sutton, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, after the break-in, she knew she had to call her family. She grew up with a strong sense of family, and they’ve stayed close. We see a clip of Rachel giving Dorit a piece of her grandmother’s jewelry, and Dorit says, her mother worries about everything, yet when her grandmother had a heart attack in a plane, Rachel looked after her. Dorit thought she would have crumbled under the pressure, but she took full control. Dorit asks how Sutton is feeling about Diana, and Sutton says she’s not happy. On the plane back, it was like trying to sit at the cool kids’ table, when she was told, no, go to her original seat. She thinks it was punishment. Diana got in the crossfire – we flash back to that – and Sutton apologized immediately. Diana seemed fine with it. Dorit says, Diana hurt Sutton’s feelings, and Sutton says, she thought everything was okay. In her interview, Dorit says, Diana told her to wherever she wanted. Sutton refers to Diana’s text, where she said it was so Garcelle doesn’t think she’s rude, and Dorit says, Garcelle’s birthday party is coming up. She wonders if Diana is going to be  there. Sutton says, she was watching Diana, and thought she was gentle, but now she wonders if Diana is a sniper. Thanks for the plane. Next time she’ll get her own.

Garcelle tells the family about the cast of The Real bringing out balloons and a video, and Oliver surprising her by coming out with flowers. We see a clip of that, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, seeing where Oliver is now, is everything. She’s seen him struggle over the years, and to see happy and thriving now, she’s proud of him. She goes upstairs with her tailor Eliseo to get her dress fitted for the party.

Sutton calls Kyle, who says, Denise is coming, but she’s guessing Diana’s not coming. Sutton said she’d sent Diana a text to be nice, and Diana said see you tonight, but she doesn’t want to make a mountain out of molehill.

Garcelle’s cake looks like a Birkin bag, and I want to eat the handles. In Kyle’s interview, she says, it’s adorable, but she’d rather wear one than eat one. Garcelle arrives, looking spectacular in a white off-the-shoulder dress, and Diana comes in shortly after. In Diana’s interview, she says, she think Garcelle believes she’s a diva, but she wants to honor Garcelle’s birthday, so no one can call her rude. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, she thinks there’s a language barrier. Maybe her doctor didn’t say bed rest, but take a nap. She’s happy the bitch has rallied. Diana presents Garcelle with a copy of her Room 23 book, surrounded by flowers, and tells Garcelle that she even signed it. In her interview, Diana says, the book is sold out; it’s a very limited edition. She gave Garcelle one of her copies. It’s very special. In her interview, Garcelle says, it would be nicer to get a bag, but she’ll take the book. On Sutton’s interview, she says, Diana is on her deathbed, and two days later, she’s ready to party. Maybe Jesus came. He still heals. Erika tells Crystal that her legal problems are far from over, but she’s feeling better. Garcelle tells Kyle that Kathy sent her a cake, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, she doesn’t have a Birkin. She can’t wrap her head around paying that much for a bag. Mama needs a Birkin. She tells Erika, if she can’t have the bag, she’ll have the cake, and we find out the cake is $500, which is more than I’d pay for a bag. Crystal says, Garcelle is manifesting, and Garcelle introduces Sheree around. Diana points out that her Birkin was $250K, and in her interview, she says, when there were fires in Malibu, she had a trunk of Birkins, Banksys, and diamonds. Sheree says she thinks 2020 was bad for everyone, but there was also a spiritual awakening. She made peace with her vagina. Crystal (I think) asks if she was at war with it. Erika brings up Pantygate of all things. Just when you think you won’t hear about something again… PK arrives on cue, but wisely leaves pretty quickly.  

Diana tells Kyle and Mauricio that she doesn’t do jabs; she brings the bazookas. Kyle mentions Diana telling Sutton to sit in her assigned seat on the plane, and Diana says, in her phone, Sutton is Bacon Eating Vegetarian. She’s learned it’s better to take a breath, since she wants to come on like destruction. Mauricio suggests she take it slower, and Diana says, understand where they’re coming from… then you kill. It’s cake cutting time, and afterward everyone dances and acts stupid, and Diana tells everyone what her bag is worth again. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Rob loves to dance. Their friends call him Hip-Hop Rob. Kyle does the splits, and in her interview, she tells us, every time she says she’s never going to do the splits again, something happens. She has other tricks up her sleeve; she just hasn’t pulled them out yet. She can wrap her leg around the back of her neck, but that costs money.

Sutton asks to talk to Diana, and they sit on a loveseat. Sutton says she wanted to check on Diana, since she was on bed rest. Diana says she still is, and in her interview, she says, obviously, Sutton thinks highly of herself to think Diana owes her something. Does she want to see a doctor’s note? Um… I think she’s reading way too much into this. Diana says she lost a baby 12 weeks ago, and Sutton says she’s had two miscarriages, but Diana says, it’s more than that. Fake doesn’t work with her. Bring it on. In Diana’s interview, she says she’s done being nice. Get ready to meet a different person. It’s a new game. Sutton says, this isn’t a conversation, and Diana says she’s Bosnian, and doesn’t respond to yelling. Sutton tells her, she said she was sorry, but Diana says, she’s not sorry. Sutton is the fakest person she’s ever met, and she’s boring. She’ll forgive everything but boring. She regrets talking to Sutton and Garcelle on the boat, and talking about a painful memory. We flash back to Diana talking about her brother being killed, and in her interview, she says, she tried to open up on the boat. Sutton talks a lot, but Diana doesn’t think she listens; she doesn’t have empathy. Sutton says, Diana talking about her brother resonated with her, and in Sutton’s interview, she says she’s not fake. She doesn’t have fake anything. Diana’s fake, so okay, projection. Kyle plops down on another loveseat, and Sutton says she wants to talk to Diana one-on-one. Garcelle joins them, and asks, what’s happening? Diana says she told Sutton that she was boring. Rude, isn’t she? Garcelle tells her, she said that because Dorit was trying to engage, and Diana shut her down. Diana has a chip on her shoulder that they have nothing do with it. Sutton says, this is a different Diana. Bed rest did her good. I laugh. I have sympathy for Diana, if all that did happen to her, but it’s no excuse for her acting like some bizarre queen. When they come in swinging, I always wonder if they want screen time. And the way she talks about being Bosnian is the way Sophie talks about being Polish on 2 Broke Girls. All roads lead there.

Diana calls Sutton a bacon eating vegetarian for the 452nd time, and Garcelle asks what that has to do with it; it’s stupid. Does Sutton show a lack of integrity because she likes bacon? Kyle suggests they reassess the situation, and Sutton says, she was having a calm conversation. She said she was sorry about Diana being on bed rest. Diana says, Sutton should apologize for being fake, and Garcelle says, that’s a sh*tty thing to say. Diana just met Sutton. Sutton puts her hand on Diana’s knee, and Diana says, don’t touch her. Garcelle says, wow, which prompts Diana to ask if Garcelle is Sutton’s bodyguard. She knows Sutton is frail… Garcelle says, Diana is being mean, and Diana says she is. Garcelle says, she’s not doing this, and gets up. She says, this is her birthday, and her kids are here. She leaves, and in her interview, she says, Diana seemed sophisticated and worldly. This is not a good look. As she walks away, she says, what a bitch.

Sutton says, she’s done here. Diana is an a-hole, and she’s got Diana’s number. Diana says she gave it to Sutton. Garcelle goes to sit with Erika and the others, and Erika orders another margarita. Garcelle asks if they noticed anyone missing… Denise. Erika says, she told Garcelle, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says she stood up for Denise, and her not showing up hurt her feelings. Erika tells Garcelle that she said Denise would never show. Denise isn’t a friend to her. Garcelle says she’s good, and Erika says, if she’s not, she’s a punk ass. F*** her ass. In her interview, Garcelle says, calm down. Where did I told you so come from? She doesn’t think Erika ever said that. Sutton and Diana go back and forth with some really stupid nyah-nyah, no, you stuff, and Diana says she gave birth to a dead baby. She asks Sutton if it’s too much information, and Sutton says she has empathy. How dare Diana question that? Diana says, Sutton has no empathy, and Sutton says, Diana is soulless. For whatever reason, this freaks Kyle out, and she tells Sutton that she can’t say that. Diana says, they need a new villain? Here she is. What did I say about screen time?

To be continued…

🙃 Alrighty Then…

It’s been a long night, but come back tomorrow for some fresh-as-a-daisy soap and some Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay sociable outside of social media, and stay knowing being mad at someone doesn’t mean you don’t love them. (Just don’t get mad on the Quartermaine scale.)

June 24, 2022 – The Shareholders Vote, Stopping By, Ultimate Ex, Grand Slam, Confirmation, Sorry Diana, Kim Spills, Shah Spin, Who’s That Lady, New West, Confirmation, Nearly Nine Quotes & Radio

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the hospital, Brad holds out a bag to Britt, saying, croissants from Eckerd’s. She says, almond or chocolate? and he says, one of each. Whichever one she doesn’t want, he’ll take. She snatches the bag from him, and he says, or she can have them both. So is he forgiven… even a little bit? She says she knows he didn’t intentionally set out to make an ass of her, and he says, never. She says, fine. She forgives him. He says, and he promises to never, ever… wait a second. That was way too easy. She says she has ulterior motives, and he says, great. By all means, use him. What does he have to do? She says, all he has to do is listen. She has a little mystery she’s dying to talk to someone about. He says he’s dying; spill. She says, the parachute guy? and he says, Cody. She says, whatever. She found him in an alley the other night; someone had beat the spit out of him. Brad asks if he said who, but she says, no. She’s been going through possible scenarios, and… He says, she can stop. He knows exactly what happened.

Cody sees Dante having breakfast at Kelly’s, and asks why Dante didn’t invite him. Dante asks why Cody is talking about. Cody spent the day on the couch, barely forming any words. Why would Dante think today would be any different? Cody says, it would be nice to be invited, and Dante asks if Cody is sure he should be up and about. Cody says, it’s hard to leave town if he’s just going to be laying on Dante’s couch the whole time, and Dante says, so he’s feeling better? Cody says, stellar, and Dante says, excellent. Maybe now Cody can answer some questions he’s been avoiding.

Linc sits in Jordan’s office, and says he’s honored the Commissioner herself wants to speak with him. She says, any incident involving a civilian and one of her officers warrants her attention. She understands he’s pressing charges against Detective Chase. Linc says, he’s got a mean right hook, that one. He was under the impression Chase is already on suspension for punching a guy, just like Chase did to him. Jordan says, that’s correct, and he says, obviously, the detective hasn’t learned his lesson.

Outside Kelly’s, Brook asks when Chase is meeting with the Commissioner, and he says he’s just waiting for a call. Just like he was five minutes ago. She says she’s sorry, and he says, that’s okay. She says, he’s going to be okay, right? Especially since he’s still on suspension, it’s not like the Commissioner can punish him, right? He says, it doesn’t work that way, and she says, so he’s had two strikes, so to speak? He says, yeah, and she asks if he gets a third strike. Or is he already out?

Olivia and Carly sit by the pool, and Carly looks through a binder, saying, they have a full house. Between wedding receptions, seminars, and conventions, they’re booked through the fall. Business is good. Olivia says, meanwhile, her hair is falling out by the fistful, and Carly asks what she’s talking about. She’s handled busy seasons before; what makes this time any different? Olivia tells her, let’s just say, the energy at the crazy house is up to eleven this morning. With the ELQ shareholder meeting this morning, everyone is just wired. She’ll be so happy when this whole thing is over. Drew and Michael have bent over backwards to get Valentin out of ELQ finally, once and for all. Carly says she thinks it’s exciting, and Olivia says, she must be so proud of Michael for pulling this off. Carly says, she is, but she has a personal stake in this as well. They see a casually dressed Valentin come in and set up a chaise lounge. Martin walks in, and asks Valentin if they’re here for a morning business meeting or some poolside R & R? Valentin says, maybe a little bit of both. How’s the day going? Martin says his day is going just fine so far; how about Valentin’s? Is he ready for his day of reckoning?

Michael asks if Willow wants coffee, but she says, no thanks. Is he sure he needs one? He’s literally bouncing. He says, it seems like he’s been waiting for the shareholder’s meeting forever. He can’t wait to see Valentin ousted as CEO. She yawns, and he says, not everybody is as excited about the family business. She says, sorry. Wiley had her up early this morning. Michael says he didn’t hear Wiley, and Willow says, that’s because their son knows she’s a light touch, and she’ll get up to make him pancakes, even if it’s at the crack of dawn. Drew comes in, saying, good morning. It’s a beautiful day. Michael says, it certainly is, and gives Drew a cup of coffee. He says, to today, and Drew says, the day everything changes.

Britt leads Brad into her office, and says, is this better? He says he doesn’t mean to seem paranoid, but she says, that’s fine. You never know what judgy eavesdropper is lurking in the halls. Now tell her, how does he know what happened to parachute boy? He says, Cody, and she says, whatever. Who beat him up, and why? Brad says, he really only knows some of it, and she says, and that would be…? He says, Cody was at his Aunt Selina’s poker game, and she says, of course (🍷) he was. Let her guess. He made bets he couldn’t cover, and now… Brad says, Cody won big, and his aunt was furious. She asks if he’s saying his aunt ordered Cody’s beating.

Cody says he’s an open book. If Dante has questions, fire away. Dante says, how about if they start with how Cody ended up on his doorstep, beat up, with Britt Westbourne? Cody says he saw a way to make some fast cash, and it didn’t exactly work out. Dante says, so Cody still plays cards, and Cody says he’s better than he was when they were in summer camp. He had an off night. Dante asks if Cody knows who did this to him, and Cody says, they didn’t exactly introduce themselves. Dante asks if Cody can identify them, and Cody says he’d love to. Dante suggests Cody come down to the station, and they’ll get some photos out, but Cody says, it was really dark. Dante wonders how he knew Cody was going to say that, and Cody says, Dante is an excellent detective, clearly. Dante asks if Cody thinks they’re still after him, and Cody says, maybe. He’s not going to stick around and find out. Dante asks if they let Cody keep any of his winnings, and Cody says, they did. Dante asks, how much? and Cody says, fifty dollars. Dante takes out his wallet, and says he’ll spot Cody some cash until he gets back on his feet, but Cody asks if they didn’t already have this conversation. He’s not letting Dante pay his way. Dante asks if Cody wants to get his ass kicked again, and Cody says, yes, he would, taking a piece of bacon from Dante’s plate. Dante says, stubborn idiot, and Cody suggests that’s why they get along so well. He laughs, then grabs his side, and Dante says, they worked him over pretty good. Cody says, Doc Westbourne said he should be fine, and Dante says he still can’t believe Britt stopped to help Cody. Cody asks if that isn’t what doctors do, and Dante says, typically, yes, but Britt usually does whatever’s best for Britt. Cody says, it sounds like there’s some history there, and Dante says, there is, and none of it good.

Drew says, the market has already reacted to the potential merger; Aurora’s stock just keeps going up. Their first priority should be to talk to the VPs, and confirm the merger. Just get everybody up to speed. Ned walks in, and Willow tells him, good morning. He says, good morning, all. He sees the two of them are already making plans, and Michael says, they are. In fact, now is a perfect time to loop Ned in. Lucy joins them, and says, Quartermaines; what a sight to behold. Michael says, it’s good to see her too, and Drew thanks her for coming. She says, it’s her pleasure. She always loves revisiting the Quartermaine manse; she loved living here. And it’s so lovely to see all the heads of the family together. Look at them. My how times have changed.

Valentin tells Martin, they’ll be a reckoning all right. He just doesn’t think it will take all day. Martin sits down, and says, Valentin looks really calm. Does this mean he’s heard from Ned?

Olivia asks Carly, what’s Valentin doing? The meeting is in less than an hour, and he’s lounging by the pool. Carly says, he’s bluffing, to give the impression he knows the vote is going his way. Olivia says, he looks pretty convincing; like he knows something they don’t.

Chase tells Brook, cops don’t usually get a third strike when it comes to altercations with civilians, and she says, he could be fired? He says, maybe. He’d probably fire him. She say, absolutely not. How can a good guy like Chase get in trouble for slugging a sleaze like… She gets up, and says, maybe not. He says he knows that face; that is her plotting face. she says, this is the face that’s going to fix everything. Problem solved. She knows exactly what to do. She starts to leave, but he grabs her arm, and says, whoa. What? She says she can’t tell him because he’ll try to stop her. He says, only if it’s a bad plan, and she says, just trust her this time, but he says, tell him. And then he can poke holes in it. She says, another reason she can’t tell him, and he says, but if he pokes holes in it, she’ll know where the flaws are, and she can cover them up, and exonerate him in the process. She says, all right; here it is. She goes to the PCPD and amends her original statement. She’ll make sure all of his colleagues know he saved her from a violent criminal. He says he can’t let her lie to the police for him, but she says she’s not lying. It’s just that now that the initial shock is wearing off, she realized that her original statement didn’t covey how terrified she really was when Linc attacked her. He says, terrified? Really? She says, if she’s lying, she’s dying, and he says, but to him, and presumably Rory, she just seemed mad. She says, which is how she copes with extreme fear. She puts on a façade of extreme rage. The bottom line is, if Chase hadn’t stepped in to save her, she could have been abducted by Linc. He says, Brook Lynn… and she says, okay, abducted is a strong word, but the point is, it was Chase’s civic duty to defend her from a predator. Case closed.

Jordan says, throwing a punch in a club doesn’t usually rate criminal prosecution, and Linc says, it’s still battery though, isn’t it? She says, it is, and he says, and shouldn’t police be held to a higher standard? She says, of course (🍷). She doesn’t condone what Detective Chase did, but she’s also not convinced it’s worth pressing charges. He says, why not, may he ask? and she says, judges are cracking down on nuisance lawsuits. He won’t be doing himself any favors if the court feels he’s wasting its time. He says he only wants to see justice be served. So if he drops the charges, what are his options?

Cody says, how is this even possible? and Dante says, Britt is a fertility expert, and her mother is a scientist. So they stole his and Lulu’s embryo, and implanted it. Cody says, then she carried the baby, Dante’s baby – Dante says, Rocco – to term. Then tried to pass the kid off as her own child. Dante says, mm-hmm, and Cody says, how is she still a doctor? Dante says he doesn’t know, but she had her license taken away when she went to prison, and when she got out, they gave it back to her. Cody says, prison? He thought Britt was this morally upstanding outraged citizen. Dante laughs, and says, the only person who would probably think that’s funnier than him is Britt. Britt’s been involved with some shady stuff, and that’s not even talking about her being on the run with her father. Cody says, back it up. On the run like a fugitive from justice? Okay, who’s her father? Dante asks if Cesar Faison rings a bell, and Cody says, Britt’s father is Cesar Faison? Dante says, was. He died about four years ago. Cody says, it’s a lot to take in; the whole embryo stealing thing, and to top it off, she’s Faison’s daughter. Dante says, it kind of explains things, doesn’t it? He tells Cody that he has to go, and Cody says he’ll come with Dante. He starts to get up, and sits back down, saying, that hurt. Dante asks if he’s sure he’s all right, and Cody says, Britt told him these are just ribs that are bruised, but he’s wondering. Dante says, they’re going to GH, but Cody says, Dante knows he doesn’t like hospitals. On second thought, yeah. The hospital sounds like a great idea.

Britt says, if Aunt Selina had Cody beaten up over a poker game, what will she do to Brad if he screws up? Brad says, the beating wasn’t her doing, and Britt says, she didn’t think Selina did it herself. Then again, what does she know? He says, she just had Cody thrown out of the game, but he’s totally fine. She says, right, and he says, now that he’s solved the Cody mystery, maybe she can answer a question for him. What was that look between Britt and her mother? The look that passed between them right before Obrecht kicked him out of Britt’s room. Clearly he said something that upset her, but he has no idea what. Does it have anything to do with what’s been bothering her? Britt says, yes.

Valentin says he hasn’t spoken to Ned, and Martin asks how Valentin can be sure Ned will throw over his family, and vote with him. Valentin says, because if he remains CEO, Ned maintains a shot at keeping some influence, so Ned will vote to keep him. Martin says, far be it from him to question a sure thing, but as long as they’re on the subject of family, he has an important update on Valentin’s. Valentin says, the Cassadines? and Martin says, as far as he knows, that’s the only family Valentin has.

Carly tells Olivia to stop staring, but Olivia says, don’t interrupt her; she’s in the middle of a curse. Carly tells her not to let Valentin get in her head. Drew, Michael, and Ned know what’s at stake. They’re all going to come together and oppose Valentin. Everyone’s doing their part, including her. Olivia asks, what’s going on? This is the second time Carly mentioned herself. Carly says, she didn’t have a chance to tell Olivia. The merger isn’t just going to be good for ELQ; it’s going to be good for her. She’s now a major shareholder in Aurora.

Ned gives Lucy some coffee, and she thanks him. She says she takes this to mean that Valentin is on his way out, and Ned says, yes. If they all vote against him, there’s absolutely nothing he can do. She says, from her perspective, she thinks the Quartermaines owe Valentin a great big huge thank you, and Ned chokes on his coffee.

Drew tells Michael, he knows this family loves him as much as he loves them, but he and Sam created Aurora to have something of their own. The merger between ELQ and Aurora kind of feels like two separate parts of himself coming together. Michael says he gets it. It’s like a union of sorts, between Drew’s past and the present he fought to get back to. And now there is no escape. Settle in, because he’s not going anywhere.

Brad says he’s been waiting for Britt to open up about this, whatever it is, and she says she knows. She just hasn’t been ready to talk about it; not a lot of people know. He says, not a lot of people know, and one of them isn’t him. It must be pretty heavy. What’s going on? Britt’s phone rings, and she tells them, she’ll be right there. She tells Brad that she has to go, and he says, come on, but she says, she has a patient, and this isn’t a conversation she wants to rush, and she leaves.

Valentin sits up, and says, what does Martin know about the Cassadines? Martin tells him, relax; it’s a good thing. Valentin says, let him be the judge of that, and Martin says, Valentine’s Victor problem will soon be over. His sister thought of a brilliant, but simple way of getting rid of him. She’s pulling strings to have Victor deported. Valentin asks if that isn’t a little outside of her reach, but Martin says, not at all. Laura is both well-connected and determined, and it makes perfect sense. Victor has a criminal record that goes back decades, which is ample reason to deport him for – wait for it – moral turpitude. Valentin’s phone beeps, and he says he has to go. The Quartermaines await. He jets, going past Carly and Olivia’s table. Olivia says, Aurora’s stock price is climbing, and Carly says, on the rumors of a merger. Once the merger is officially announced, they’re going to skyrocket. Olivia says, and the Q’s will once again be in charge of ELQ. She has to say, Drew’s idea to merge companies was brilliant. Carly says, which is why she sold her half of the MetroCourt to raise the capital to help Michael and Drew, and Olivia says, I’m sorry. You did what now?

Lucy asks if Ned is okay, and he says, he’s fine, but what in God’s name would this family possibly have to thank Valentin for? She says, ELQ has thrived under Valentin’s… tenure. Not to mention the fact, he’s united them together against a common foe. Ned says, yes, and that unity deserves to be fought for and protected. She says, the Quartermaines are nothing if not excellent fighters. Just think what they could do if they all worked together for once.

Willow tells Michael that she’s going to check on Wiley, and she’ll be right back. She starts to go upstairs, but has to stop and sit down.

Britt comes out of the elevator, and Cody says, Dr. Westbourne. She says, oh God, you? and he says, there’s that bedside manner she must be famous for. She says, all the doctors in this hospital, and he asks for her? and he says, she’s the one most familiar with his case. She says, he has bruised ribs. It’s not like he’s a case study the medical world is going to marvel at. He says, turns out he might be more banged up than she thought, and she says, the ER is right down the hall. She’ll call an orderly to wheel him over. He says, come on. Can’t she just check him out? She says, she’s an OB/GYN, and he says he’s heard. She says she’s sure he has, and looks at Dante. He says, here’s the problem. As he told her the other night when she was kindly taking him to her car, a trip to the ER isn’t in the budget right now. She says, right, and he doesn’t have insurance, and whoever beat him up, took his money. She can’t treat him off the books. Dante says he’ll cover Cody’s bill. They can’t put him on a bus out of here if he’s got broken ribs, right? She says, he’s leaving town? and he says, that’s the plan. She says, right this way, and leads him to an exam room, as Brad watches.

Chase says he can’t let Brook lie to the police, and she says, it’s a valid interpretation of the events of that night, but he says, it’s not. She asks, who’s going to contradict her? and he says, a club full of witnesses? She says, please. A bunch of hipsters who were three sheets to the wind? She’s not worried; it will totally work. He takes her hands, and thanks her. It means the world that she would do this for him. She says, he pretended to be Bailey’s dad; it’s the least she can do. He says, the bottom line is, he got himself into this mess, and he’s ready to face whatever happens next. His phone rings, and he says, he’ll be right there. He tells Brook, it was Jordan’s assistant. The Commissioner is ready to see him.

Lucy tells Ned, the Quartermaines united to run ELQ. That would be so incredibly formidable. That’s never going to happen though. He asks what she means, and she says, when Valentin leaves, all that infighting that Edward so successfully cultivated, is going to resurface, which is really a shame. Her phone rings, and she tells Ned that she has to take it. He says, of course (🍷), and she steps away. She pauses, seeing Willow on the stairs, but Willow continues on up. Lucy says, okay; she’s alone. Martin says, now she knows how he feels. He missed waking up to her this morning. She says she misses him too, so much, but with this slot coming up on the Home and Heart Shopping Channel, she has so much work to do for Deception, and she had to come to the shareholders meeting, which is going to be a total waste of time. Martin says, you never know, but she says, Michael, Drew, and Ned are all united on this crazy Valentin front. She doesn’t get to vote unless there’s a tie, which there’s not going to be, which means she’ll just sit around, twiddling her thumbs. She’s going to feel totally superfluous. He says, that is nonsense. She’s definitely the center of his world. She thanks him, and tells him that he says the sweetest things. He says, she’s more important than she knows. Far more.  

Carly tells Olivia that she sold her half of the MetroCourt to Stillwater Venture Group to get the money to help Michael and Drew. Olivia says, so now she’s partners with Stillwater Venture Group? but Carly says, no. She would never do that to Olivia. She has 30 days to buy back her half of the hotel. The price has already been set, and she’s going to have more than enough money. Aurora’s stock is gaining value by the hour. Olivia says, sounds risky, but Carly says, no way. She has faith in Drew, and she’ll always bet on Michael.

Brook goes into Kelly’s to get a refill on her coffee, when Linc walks in. She wonders if they don’t make an ointment to get rid him, and he says he doesn’t like the tension between them. She says, this isn’t tension; this is hatred. He says he sold another one of her songs, and she asks, which one? He says, Morning Rain, and she says she wrote that when her cousin died. He says, that’s very touching. Sof-T paper towels thinks it’s perfect for their new commercial. She says, her song is going to be used in a paper towel commercial? and he says, a national paper towel commercial. So when anyone in the entire country hears it, they’ll think absorbent. He’ll be making a nice chunk of change from it too. He bets if she tried, she could come up with some catchy jingles. Then they could make money together. She says, she’d rather never write another song… Does he really want to work with her again? He says, he does. Why? She says, fine. She’ll do it, if he recants his accusation against Chase.

Chase goes to Jordan’s office, and she tells him to close the door and have a seat. She hopes he realizes how disappointed she is to find him in this position again, and so close to the end of his suspension. He says he’s sorry; he acted in haste. He was provoked, but it’s still no excuse. She says, if there’s no excuse, why say he was provoked? and he says, accuracy. Of course (🍷) now that he’s facing assault charges, she can’t bring him back to the force. She says she spoke with Linc, and he’s agreed to drop the criminal charges. Chase won’t be facing prison time. He thanks her for going to bat for him, but she tells him, he can save his thanks. Linc still wants him to lose his job.

Dante says he hears Brad is working for his Aunt Selina now. What is he doing for her? Brad says, this and that; entry level stuff. Errands and whatnot. It’s super boring. Dante says, Brad has no idea what he’s getting himself into, does he?

Britt walks into the exam room, and sees a shirtless, bruised Cody. She says, colorful, and he asks if it’s okay that it hurts to breathe. She says, that would be a sign a rib punctured his lung, and he says, it doesn’t hurt that bad. She puts on gloves, and says, we shall see. She puts the stethoscope on his back, and tells him to breathe. She listens, and he says, it hurts. She says she should send him for an x-ray, but he says, if she just wraps him up, he’ll be fine. She says, a moment ago, it hurt to breathe, and now he’s fine? He says, she must have the healing touch.

Drew says, they’re all set. The proxies are here; they’re good to go. Willow comes in, and Michael asks if everything is all right. She says, Wiley is fine, and he says, what about her? Is she okay? Before she can answer, Ned walks in with another man, and says he thinks they all know Pascal. Pascal shakes Drew’s hand, saying, they spoke several times on the phone; it’s a pleasure to meet him in person. Drew says, it’s good to be seen, and Pascal says hello to Michael. Michael says, they’re just waiting for… There he is. Valentin walks in, and tells them, what say they begin? He doesn’t think it will take too long. Michael says, it certainly will not.

Britt finishes wrapping Cody, and he says, he and Dante were talking about her earlier. She says she’s sure Dante had a lot to say, and he says, Dante’s definitely not a fan. To him, it sounds like she got a raw deal. She asks how he figures that, and he says, her mom and dad weren’t the easiest role models to live up to. She says he can get dressed, and he says, he just meant, it must be hard to live up to her dad’s legacy. She says, meaning what?

Linc says, let him get this straight. He drops the assault charges, and Brook will write songs for him again. Brook says, no charges, no civil suit, no complaints or demand for an apology. No comment to any reporter that Chase attacked him. This never happened. He goes to the DA and the Commissioner, and tells them that he lied. He makes this go away forever, and she’s all his. He says, it’s a tempting offer, but no deal. All he cares about is that her detective friend loses his job for good. But look on the bright side of things. He’s come around to her way of thinking. Some things truly are priceless. He gets his takeout order, and leaves.

Cody tells Britt, he just means, it must be tough to live down Faison’s reputation. He was one of the WSB’s most wanted, wasn’t he? She says, continue with the ice packs. If the pain persists for more than two days, see a doctor. Have a nice trip. He asks, what just happened here? and she tells him, Dante said he was getting on a bus. Bon voyage. She walks out.

Jordan tells Chase that Linc is filing a complaint with the Civilian Review Board. As he knows, the outcome of the Board’s investigation could be censure, or even dismissal. He says he knows he was in the wrong. In the heat of the moment… She says, this wasn’t a life threatening situation. No one was in eminent danger, except Mr. Brown. Once again Chase has proved he can’t keep his head in a situation, especially when Brook is involved. So answer her this. Why shouldn’t she fire him right now?

Carly tells Olivia that she’s planning a deluxe family vacation in a few months. She feels like they deserve it. So, should they go to the beach or some foreign city? Olivia says, that depends on who all is going, and Carly says, her and Donna of course (🍷). She’s hoping Michael, Willow, and Wiley, and she was going to ask Ava if she could take Avery. Olivia says she wouldn’t hold her breath on a yes for that question, and Carly says, she and Ava… Olivia says, hate each other, and Carly says, but they will move heaven and earth for Avery, so maybe there’s a possibility. Olivia says, listen to the optimist, and Carly says, after the year she’s had, things are finally going her way.

Valentin says, as CEO, he’s calling this meeting to order. Everyone sits down, and he says, any new business? Drew makes a motion to remove Valentin as CEO of ELQ, and Michael seconds it. Valentin asks if anyone wants to make a statement supporting his removal, but Michael says, he thinks they should just get this over with. Valentin says he’ll take that as a no, but he wants to make a statement on his own behalf. ELQ has grown significantly during his time as CEO. It’s no secret, the rumored merger between Aurora and ELQ, but it’s also no secret it has nothing to do with the strength of their company, and everything to do with making Drew a majority shareholder. And that’s a dangerous reason to make this decision. Anyone else want to say something? No one does, and Valentin says, then he’ll entertain a motion to put this to a vote. Ned says, so moved, and Drew says, seconded. Valentin says, then they’ll vote on the motion, and turns the procedure over to their chief counsel Pascal. Pascal says, a motion to remove Valentin as Chair. Before they get to those present, are there shareholders represented by proxy? Drew says, there are, and hands the proxies to Pascal, saying, these are the family members who couldn’t attend in person, authorizing him to vote on their behalf. Pascal asks how they vote, and Drew says, they all vote yes on the motion. Pascal says, very well. Then to those present. Chairman Cassadine? Valentin votes no, and Pascal says, Mr. Drew Cain. Drew says, yes, and Pascal says, Mr. Michael Corinthos III. Michael says, yes, and Pascal says, Mr. Ned Quartermaine.

Britt comes out, and says, Brad is still here? Brad says, they weren’t done, and she says, about that… He says, it’s okay. He knows now is not the right time for whatever this conversation is, and she thanks him. He says he does want her to know he’s here for her. Whatever’s going on, she can count on him. They hug, and she says she knows, but she had a chance to think about it, and she’s fine. If anything changes, she’ll let him know, but for now, he should focus on his fabulous new job. Brad looks like he’s not really buying this.

Brook waits for Chase outside of Jordan’s office. He comes out looking grim.  

Cody comes out and tells Dante, bad news. Dante says, broken ribs? and Cody says, just badly bruised, but the doc ordered him to take it easy, so no hours on a bus right now. Dante says, so he’s sticking around? and Cody says, if that’s okay. Dante gives him a key, and says, he’s got to go, but he’ll call Cody a Ride Share. Cody says, he’ll take the bus. It’s just a ten minute ride to Dante’s; he thinks he can gut it out. Dante says he’s in awe of Cody’s courage. Seriously, he’s happy Cody is sticking around. he leaves, and Cody thanks Britt for the TLC. She says, he’d better hurry. She doesn’t want him to miss his bus again. He says he is taking a bus, but it’s local, to Dante’s. She says she doesn’t care where he’s going, as long as he leaves her hospital. He says he found a reason to stick around Port Charles, so see her around, and leaves.

Olivia says, Carly is going to be sitting pretty when this merger goes through. Her whole life is going to be a vacation. Carly says she’d be bored in a month, maybe two, and Olivia says, maybe a business trip. World domination. Carly says, Olivia is right. She’s going to build a hotel empire. The MetroCourt will become an international brand. They clink mimosa glasses.

Pascal reminds Ned that the motion on the floor is to remove Valentin as CEO of ELQ. Does he vote yes or no? They wait, and Ned finally says he votes no. Pascal says, very well. Between Mr. Corinthos, Mr. Cain, and the proxy votes voting yay, and Mr. Cassadine and Mr. Quartermaine voting nay, we have a 50/50 split. Michael tells Ned, what the hell? It was his idea. He’s the one who started this. He wanted to force Valentin out. Valentin says, the meeting will come to order. They have not finished voting. Pascal says, Miss Coe, as bequeathed by your late ex-husband, Alan Quartermaine, you have the tie-breaking vote. Lucy laughs, and says, would you look at that. The last time she had a vote, she felt a wee bit of pressure, but this time, she gets to vote her conscience. She votes a no-no. Pascal says, the motion fails. Valentin Cassadine remains the Chief Executive Officer of ELQ. Valentin says, excellent, and thanks Pascal for his time and service. Pascal says, always a pleasure,  and leaves. Valentin says, on to the next order of business, namely the rumored merger between Aurora Media and ElQ. It is not happening.

On Monday, Brook says she’ll do whatever it takes to get Chase out of it; Valentin asks for a show of hands; Carly says, her family’s future is brighter than ever; and Brando asks Sonny if he’s sure someone got the message.

🏥 Touching Down…

Soon to be visiting Port Charles. I love Morgan Fairchild.

And I actually remember Susan Batten from OLTL.

🏰 Ultimately Nice…

Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether Dorinda actually works for Bravo, or she just works for Bravo in her mind.

https://ew.com/tv/dorinda-medley-the-real-housewives-ultimate-girls-trip-ex-wives-club/

💎 Yet Another Apology…

All of them should just have I’m Sorry tattooed on their foreheads. On another topic, I can totally see the resemblance in Diana’s photos. I don’t think she’s had any serious work done.

🐇 Let’s Talk About the Husband…

If I spring for that book, there had better be something.

The Beard speaks.

🥼 Thirsty As Ever…

What is up with Kyle? Even the stuff she makes up is boring.

💰 News On Sunset…

Yes! I would love a spin-off with these three.

I see they’re on Trevor Noah’s page of counsel not cancel.

🕶 Excuse Me, Miss…

How funny.

https://ew.com/tv/leslie-jordan-thought-lady-gaga-extra-american-horror-story-roanoke/

In other Gaga news, I love how they have room for everyone. They just make it another universe.

https://ew.com/movies/lady-gaga-harley-quinn-joker-2-joaquin-phoenix/

🐎 Difference In the West…

Returning on June 26th.

https://ew.com/tv/evan-rachel-wood-playing-different-character-westworld-season-4/

🐉 Write Faster, George…

I love that he’s involved with the spin-offs, but I wish he’d speed it up finishing that last GoT book.

https://ew.com/tv/george-rr-martin-confirms-game-of-thrones-sequel-jon-snow-kit-harington/

👄 Quotes of the Week

Each of us must decide whether it is more important to be proved right or to provoke righteousness. – Bernice King

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. – Ovid

No matter how wonderful things used to be, we cannot live in the past. The joy and excitement we feel here and now are more important. – Marie Kondo

You can’t get rich in politics unless you’re a crook. – Harry Truman

Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others. – Groucho Marx

As I get older, I am becoming more selective of who I consider a friend. I find that I would rather have 4 quarters then 100 pennies. – Steve Maraboli

The border to eternity is never ahead of us. It runs parallel to life and can be crossed over at any moment by old and young. – Reinhard Bonnke

It takes two to tango, and he doesn’t want to dance. – Dr. Phil

👠 Don’t Be a Drag, Just Be a Queen…

Give your all to the next two days, and when you’re done, come by for some soap and a Deck Reunion. I almost wrote D*ck, which might actually be more accurate. Until then, stay safe, stay expanding your vocabulary, and stay knowing, no matter how well you plan, the motion still might fail.

June 22, 2022 – The 15,000th Episode, Beverly Hills Says Goodbye To Mexico, Jellyfish Sting & Bless

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura gets out of her car and looks at the hospital. Her voiceover says, all my life, this place has been a sanctuary. A place where I felt safe and welcome; almost a second home. And today will be no different, no matter what trouble I’m facing.

Portia quizzes Epiphany, and gives her a gold star. Britt says, this stuff is like algebra; you’ll never use it in real medicine. Laura walks in, and says, the MCATs are coming up soon, right? and Epiphany says, yep, and she’s ready. Laura says she’s rooting for her, and Epiphany says, it means a lot. Laura heads for the elevator, and Portia asks if they’re going to see her at the softball game. Laura says, it’s a Port Charles tradition; she woudn’t miss it. Laura gets in the elevator, and Britt says, that is amazing. Portia asks, what is? and Britt says, how calm Laura is. You’d never know that was a dead woman walking.

Sonny sits next to Violet in the waiting area, and she asks what happened to him. He says he overdid it in boxing, and notices her scratching her arm. He asks, what about her? Did she run into some poison ivy? She says, poison oak, and Finn tells her, he knows it itches, but what did he tell her about scratching? She says, not to, but she saw Uncle Chase do it, and he asks, what would happen if they lived their lives according to Uncle Chase? They both say, we’d only have half a jar of pickles in the fridge, and Finn says, exactly. Sonny says, she has to listen to her dad because he’s a smart guy, and Finn asks what he told Sonny about boxing. Sonny says, not to overdo it, but Uncle Chase overdid it. Laura joins them, and asks, what’s with the walking wounded? Finn tells Violet, if the mayor told her something, she’d have to do it, right? and Laura asks how she can help. Finn says, they sort of ran into some poison oak, and Violet says, it itches. Laura says she bets Violet’s dad told her not to scratch it, and he is absolutely right. You can’t scratch it because it might leave scars. Next time she wants to scratch it, does she think she can remember not to? Violet says she can, and Laura says, good girl. Sonny gets up, hobbles over to Laura, and says, he saw that piece in The Invader, but she says she’s fine; like water off a duck’s back. Finn says he knows she’s got a lot on her plate right now. Why doesn’t he drive the boys over to see Elizabeth? He won’t go inside; he’ll just wait in the car. She thanks him, but says she’s got it. She does need Finn to work his magic on Sonny, because he’s batting clean-up today. She moves along, and Finn tells Sonny, it doesn’t look like she’s feeling any pressure. She’s got this, right? Sonny says, she usually does, but it doesn’t hurt to have a back-up plan.

Doc comes out of his office, and sees Laura. He says he was just coming to get her. How’s she holding up? She says, sometimes she feels sick, and he tells her that she doesn’t need a tidal wave of votes to know she’s loved. She’s surrounded by people who love her. One of them is looking her in the eye right now. She says, don’t make her cry. It’s a bad look for the mayor. He says, no such thing, and asks if she’s ready. She says she is, and he tells her, she’s got this.

Laura and Doc walk into one of the conference rooms, and Scotty tells her, welcome to the first meeting of the committee to save her hide. Carly says, why don’t they get down to business? and Laura says, the first thing they must do is say goodbye to Mac, but Mac says, he’s not going anywhere, not while their mayor is under attack. She says she’s flattered, but the city pays his salary, and this isn’t a criminal matter; it’s a political one. She can’t afford to have any sense of impropriety, even the appearance thereof, so thank you and goodbye. He says he wants to stay, but Sam says, that’s why she and Curtis are here. Curtis says, they’ll pick up the slack, and Mac tells Laura that he’s pulling for her. She says she knows, and he leaves. They all sit down, and Scotty says he’s calling this meeting to order. Robert says he thinks they need to ascertain how this circus got started, and asks Alexis, what’s happening with that rag of hers? Alexis says she had to run the story. Like it or not, it was legitimate news. Robert says, it’s not news; it’s a crime. Scotty says, there’s no way these yahoos have collected enough signatures to put a recall on the ballot, but Doc says, it would appear otherwise. Robert says, they get that, but this letter is so clearly biased and it’s in the op-ed section. Scotty picks up the paper, and says, this jerk blames Laura for the serge in crime, a lackluster police department, strife at our port. It’s past time for ordinary citizens to take our city back. Today we announce we’ve collected enough signatures to have a recall on the election for the mayor. Join our movement. Mayor Collins must go. Signed, the Friends of Port Charles. Carly says, it doesn’t sound very friendly to her, and Alexis says she wishes there had been another way, but it had the required amount of signatures, so what could she do? Laura says, it’s okay. The writer had a legitimate point of view, and the right to express it. This is free speech, and no one has the right to silence it. Curtis says, but it’s not the only voice. As a fairly new business owner, the mayor’s office has been a huge help to him. Carly says, and the writer of that op ed clearly wants Laura out of a job. She thinks they can all agree they don’t want that outcome. Sam says, Laura is an excellent mayor; exactly the kind of mayor they need. Alexis says, unfortunately, not everyone feels that way, and Doc says, which is why they need to strategize. How do they respond? Scotty says he has a four-point plan. He tells Alexis, first of all, save room in her paper for Laura’s rebuttal, and Alexis says, consider it done. He says, number two, he and Robert will devise a legal strategy before this even gets on the ballot, but Laura says she’s not comfortable with that, and she doesn’t think their DA should be risking his political capital on her behalf. Robert says, he’s in. What’s the point of political capital if you can’t use it in an emergency? Scotty says, they need to police the moral and financial support for their mayor. He would do this, but they have to win the hearts and minds of townsfolk over, and it takes a bit of a delicate touch. It’s not exactly his strong suit. Doc says he thinks Scotty means they need someone with tact, and Alexis says, humility. Sam says, grace, and Scotty says, all right. They made their point. Carly says she’s not one for a soft touch, but she can do it on special occasions, and Doc says he can help with that. and Scotty says, first, they need to find out who the Friends of Port Charles are. Curtis says, he and Sam are all over it; they’ll divide up their leads. Scotty says, they all have their assignments, so disassemble.

Ned picks up a bloody Mary, and says, it’s time for the family meeting. They need to strategize. Michael says, they take their summer softball seriously, and Ned says, today, they restore their family honor. Sam and Carly walk in, and Carly says, what honor? They never had any to begin with. Olivia asks what they’re doing here, and Sam says, they’re on a mission. Ned says, which is? and Carly says, calling out the snake in the grass. As the former mayor of Port Charles, they all know Ned is the one behind the Friends of Port Charles, isn’t he?

Laura says, Scotty really pulled out all the stops, and thanks him. He says, she’s the mayor, and she’s his friend. Actually, she’s a lot of things to him. We flash back to the dinosaur age, when Laura and Scotty got married. Laura says she’s touched by his loyalty to her, but hopes it doesn’t get him in any hot water with Obrecht. He says, don’t worry. He has Obrecht right where he wants her. He opens his briefcase, saying, Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten this. He takes out a folder, and Laura says, what is this?

Last night. At a bar, a woman is seated at a table near the front, and Obrecht asks if that’s the petition to unseat the mayor. The woman says, it is, and Obrecht says, the state of the city is pathetic. Just now, she saw someone feeding pigeons outside. They’re nothing more than rats with wings; so unsanitary. She drags the woman outside to see, and Scotty takes pictures of the petition. Laura says she doesn’t want to know how Scotty got his hands on those signature papers, and he says, he knows, protect her deniability, but look at the signature he circled. She says, oh my God, and he says he thought she’d feel that way. So now it’s not what they’re up against, but who they’re up against.

Laura goes to one of the offices in the hospital, and asks how long Bobbie has been waiting to even the score. Bobbie says, of course (🍷) she wants payback, and Laura says, really? For what? Bobbies says, last year, Lucy allegedly struck her out with a wonky spitball, so today she plans on slamming a line drive way out of left field. Laura says, Bobbie is talking about softball? and Bobbie asks what Laura is talking about. Laura shows her the petition and asks if it’s her signature, and Bobbie asks if it’s for saving the whales. Laura says, it’s to get her removed from the office of mayor, and Bobbie says she read about that in today’s Invader. What’s that group called? Laura says, Friends of Port Charles; they want her recalled. Bobbie says, she signed a petition to save the whales. Does Laura think they’d do a bait and switch? She’d never sign a petition to recall Laura. Is that what Laura thought, after everything they’ve been through? Laura says she didn’t want to think it, and Bobbie says she can see how Laura would have thought the worst of her – forty plus years ago, and Laura asks if that’s how long it’s been since they fought over Scotty. We flash back to Bobbie answering Scotty’s door when we were all in diapers. She tells Laura that she’d invite her in, but three’s a crowd. In the present, Bobbie says, they were so young, and they thought the world revolved around Scotty Baldwin. Laura laughs, and says, they were all just kids. Bobbie says, look at her now, the Port Charles mayor, and Laura says, not if the Friends of Port Charles have anything to say about it. Bobbie says, they’re a minority; a loud obnoxious minority, but the average citizen doesn’t believe that. Laura says she’s not so sure about that. She put her whole heart and soul into this job. Maybe her love for her town isn’t enough; maybe the job requires more. There’s a lot of unhappy people here, and they got enough signatures to recall the ballot. Bobbie says, but how many of those signatures really want her out? How many of those people thought they were signing a petition to save the whales, like she did? Laura says, that op ed was such a personal attack, wasn’t it? and Bobbie says, they’ve both dealt with a lot of dirty dogs in their day, and this is politics. Laura says she just wants to know who would do this to her, and Bobbie says, Laura’s real friends are on her side, and she is one. They have her back. Laura says she appreciates that so much. She feels terrible now, being suspicious of seeing Bobbie’s name. She feels ashamed. Bobbie says, well don’t. There are a few crazy people out there who aren’t on Laura’s side. The hell with them; she’s with Laura. Laura thanks her and they hug.

There’s a knock at Sonny’s office door, and he lets Selena in. She says she got his message to meet. What precipitated this command performance? Sonny says, they need information, and Curtis asks if Selena was aware her nephew was aiding and abetting the Friends of Port Charles’ efforts to remove Laura as mayor? She says, of course (🍷). She volunteered him for the job.

At the MetroCourt pool, Victor raises a glass of champagne, and says, to the Cassadines. May we own the plate and dominate the pitch. Ava says, actually, it’s a field, not a pitch, and Alexis says, even she knew that. Laura walks in, and says, so the Cassadines are going to dominate the softball field, are they? Like they tried to dominate the world once? Not while she draws breath.

Sonny tells Selena, Laura is a good friend of his. Laura’s got enough problems, so get her people to back off. Next time Selena needs a favor, he’ll remember this. Selena says, very well, and Curtis says he’s seen the Friends of Port Charles public filings. He would have noticed a donation from her, or any of her friends. She says she prefers a more direct approach, to make sure her money is used in the way she wants. Curtis says, they need the names of her contacts. That way, they can figure out who’s pulling the strings. Sonny says, okay, two favors.

Ned says he has no desire to remove Laura from office. He’s moved on from politics; his interests lie solely in his family. Michael says, and the family company, and Olivia says she can confirm Ned hasn’t talked about politics in a long time. Michael says, it’s understandable they’d suspect Ned, and Brook tells him, come on, be fair, but Michael says, it’s not an insult to Ned. It’s just that the Quartermaines aren’t known for being true blue. Olivia says, the Quartermaines may be a little bit backstabby, and occasionally money grubbing, and once in blue moon, a little bit blood thirsty. Nobody ever said this family didn’t have… Brook says, foibles? and Michael says, faults? Brook says, fatal flaws, and Olivia tells them, she was going to say moments. But show her what family doesn’t. Because what this family does have, and it has it in droves, is heart. And when one of their family members stumbles and falls, sure, the first thing they all do is crack a joke, but then they help that family member get back up on their feet. Ned says, and then go right back to sniping at each other. Brook says, it’s the Quartermaine way, and Michael says, and it’s better than most.

Victor says he has no idea what’s curdled Laura’s cream this time; she always suspects him of something. Alexis asks if he wrote that anonymous op ed Friends of Port Charles piece, and he asks if that’s what Laura thinks. She’s the mother of his nephew and Spencer’s grandmother; that means she’s family. Laura says, he still didn’t answer the question, and Ava says she can see him wielding a poison pen. Alexis says, most of the time, he just uses plain poison, and Victor says, if he ever did launch some screed against Laura’s leadership, trust him, he’d never do it anonymously. He thinks they all know by now, he’d be happy to put his name to it. Nikolas says, Uncle Victor knows better than to make a threat against his mother, because it would unite the family against him. Laura’s phone rings, and Victor says, there it is. The family united for the first time, and it’s all in service to Laura. Laura says hello to Curtis, and he says he’s got good news and bad news. She tells him to give her the good news first, and he says, he and Sonny picked up the money trail, and it led to the mastermind of the Friends of Port Charles. She says, what’s the bad news? and he says, she’s not going to like where it led them.

Laura goes into the visitor’s room at Pentenville, and sits behind the glass. Cyrus sits opposite her, and picks up the phone. He says, sister. So you read my letter.

Curtis brings Portia a baseball cap, and she says she loves it, but she thought she was supposed to meet him at the ballfield. He says, something came up, and he wanted to tell her about it in person. Cyrus Renault has been transferred from Flatland Federal Prison back to Pentenville. Jordan has promised him that she’ll be working closely with the warden at Pentenville, and make sure he’s locked down tight. She says, it’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, they’re going to kick Northside’s butt. There’s no way she’s letting the mention of that evil man ruin their beautiful day.

Laura says, so Cyrus is the one who wrote the anonymous op ed for The Invader, and he says, people tend to take your opinion less seriously if they know you’re behind bars. That’s why he didn’t sign it. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for self-examination, revisit all the enemies she’s made over the years. She says, so he’s the mastermind of the Friends of Port Charles? and he says he can hardly run a grass roots campaign from prison; he’s merely an advisor. She says, then who’s in charge? and he says, Friends of Port Charles is a group of like-minded, ordinary citizens, who long to make their city a better place. She says, by recalling her, and he says, by finding someone more suited to the task. Is it really that hard for her ego to accept people are disillusioned by her performance? Crime is on the rise. Sonny Corinthos and Selena Wu run roughshod over a police department of her cronies. They have major corporations like ELQ and Cassadine Industries fleecing taxpayers, while everyday people pay too much in taxes to prop up aging institutions like General Hospital. Immorality is rampant, and the families of Port Charles yearn for a North Star to show them the way. Tell him. When was the last time she went to church? She says, her religious preference aren’t a problem for the people of Port Charles, and he says, he’s sorry; then what is? Her failed leadership? She’s presided over far more conflict and bloodshed than prosperity. She says, she thinks there’s been quite a bit less since he’s been in here. Tell her. If these Friends of Port Charles members have such high moral standards, why have they chosen a convicted felon advice? He asks if she even hears herself. It is God’s place to judge – he taps the window, startling her – not hers. She takes far too much pleasure in condemning him here, while she continues to sin freely out there. Turn back to the path of righteousness, sister. She says she hears him talking a lot about God, but she has a question for him. When he wrote that scathing and embarrassing op ed, an attack on her, where was God in that? He says he’s spent his life hating. He can’t change his nature on a dime. At least he’s trying, but her… She tells him, Cyrus, I forgive you. He lets the phone slip from his hand, and she thanks him for watching out for the people of Port Charles. She hangs up, and he looks like he might cry. She leaves, and outside, she leans on the wall, lets out a breath, and shakes her head.

Sonny thanks Selena for coming through for him, and she says, she never would have given her support to the Friends of Port Charles if she’d known Cyrus Renault was behind it. He says he’s glad to hear her say that. Mayor Collins is the best thing to happen to Port Charles in a long time.

At Kelly’s, Robert tells Scotty that on their website, the Friends of Port Charles doesn’t even  mention Cyrus. Without that official connection, his hands are tied. Scotty says, that’s because he’s the DA, and Robert says, back in the day, he and Luke would ride in cowboy style, and round up a couple of Cassadines, never mind the rule book. Mac approaches, and says he’ll pretend he didn’t hear that. Scotty says he’s with Robert; break out the zip ties. Doc joins them, and says, he thinks Laura is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. It doesn’t need to go to DEFCON-1 just yet. Mac says, and to Scotty’s ex to boot, and Robert says he was kind of wondering what Obrecht would have to say about this. Scotty says, first of all, no girl tells him what to do. He can still have Obrecht as his girlfriend and help Laura. Doc and Mac both say, can you? Scotty asks what they’re driving at and stomps out. They all laugh.

Anna, Felicia, Sam, and Bobbie are at the salon, and Anna asks if they shouldn’t do this after the game. Obrecht and Lucy walk in, and Obrecht says she knew this was a bad idea. She starts to leave, but Lucy grabs her arm, saying, oh no she doesn’t; she’s stronger than that. She pulls Obrecht inside, and Felicia says, it looks like they all had the same idea; getting pedis. Anna says, which she doesn’t think is a good idea if they’re going to be chasing down flyballs. Lucy says, she’s not going to be chasing flyballs when she pitches. It’ll be strikeout city. Bobbie says, only if she brings the pine tar, and Lucy says she doesn’t cheat. Bobbie says, not at softball, and Lucy says she thinks Bobbie is still mad about being struck out twice last year. Bobbie says she thinks it helped Lucy that Scotty was calling the balls and the strikes. Scotty was always soft on her. Lucy says, Bobbie is just mad because she’s stayed very, very, very close to her exes, and Bobbie says, if she was Obrecht, she wouldn’t turn her back. You never know when Lucy might try to steal another man. Obrecht says, she’s not worried about Lucy or even Laura. She’s a proud, capable, ravishing woman, and any man would be lucky to have her. If Scotty can’t see that, he can something-or-other-in-German. Scotty rushes in, and says, sorry for interrupting their beautifications. He needs them to witness something. Obrecht asks, what? and he gets down on one knee and says he’s laying his heart at her feet. It was wrong of him to come to Laura’s aid without keeping Obrecht on the same page. She’s everything to him. He’d been running wild, then he met her. When he wakes up with her, his heart skips a beat. She’s just everything to him. She puts the pep in his step. She puts the leder in his hosen. So what does she say? Will she make him the happiest guy on the planet? Felicia asks Anna, is it just her, or is this the most romantic thing she’s ever heard? Anna says, it’s pretty good for Scotty Baldwin, and Scotty says, what does she say? Obrecht says, with all her heart, she says… no. Doesn’t he see? She’s already his. He struggles to get up, and Lucy helps him. He says, let’s make it official. Come on, marry him. She says, they can’t get tied down now. Leave marriage to these other fools. They have each other. What more do they need? He says she’s right about that, and kisses her.

Finn comes out with Violet, and Chase asks, what’s the diagnosis? Violet says, the doctor gave her medicine, so she won’t be itchy anymore. What about him? He says, his is clearing up on its own, and she asks if he’s been practicing his swings like she told him to. She wants two home runs in this game. Finn asks how someone as cynical as him have daughter that’s pure joy, and Violet asks Chase, what’s a cynical? Chase says, her dad is a great example. Finn puts Violet on Chase’s back for a piggyback ride, and says, they’re out of here. Britt tells Epiphany that she’d better bring her A-game to softball. She and Terry agreed, slackers will be on bedpan duty. Epiphany laughs, and says, she always brings her A-game, and she’s serious about her softball, especially when the proceeds go to Stone Cates’ AIDS wing. Britt says, on a day to day basis, it’s easy to get caught up in the red tape, but at the end of the day, here at General Hospital, they’re doing lot of great work for the community. Epiphany says, doesn’t she know it.

In the visitor’s room at Shadybrook, Maxie takes things out of her bag, and tells Laura, she’s not even sure why she’s here. It’s not like she and Elizabeth are close. Laura says, Maxie told her that she wanted to come because Lulu couldn’t be here, and Maxie tells Laura, she did say that, and she does want to, but does Elizabeth even want to see her? Laura says, just let her know you care. Maxie can start with all the beautiful products she brought Elizabeth. Maxie says she likes that, when Elizabeth comes in. She hugs Laura, and thanks her for coming. Laura says, of course (🍷), and Elizabeth says hello to Maxie. Maxie says, Elizabeth is probably wondering why she’s here. All of them at Deception wish her a speedy recovery, so they sent these products to keep Elizabeth beautiful while she’s recovering. Not that she’s not already gorgeous, but institutional lighting and everything. Elizabeth thanks her, and says she hopes her boys aren’t running rings around Laura. Laura says, they’ve been swimming at the MetroCourt pool a lot. Carly gave them an open tab at the snack bar. They’re keeping busy, but they miss her. Elizabeth says she misses them too, and Laura says, they made her promise to deliver a message. They want Elizabeth to know that they’re okay. They don’t want her worry about them, and want her to concentrate on getting better. Elizabeth tells Laura to thank them, and tell them she’s thinking about them all the time. Maxie asks if Elizabeth’s doctors ever wonder if she’d recover quicker if she was around her kids. She’s only asking because she feels better around hers. Elizabeth says she does worry about the boys not having her around, but then she reminds herself that they’re surrounded by friends and family, starting with Laura and Doc. Laura says, it’s not just them. Of course (🍷) there’s Violet and Finn. Scotty checks in on them on a regular basis. As do Nikolas and Spencer, and everyone at General Hospital. Elizabeth is so loved; everybody wanted to step up. Elizabeth says, she’s relieved; it’s nice to hear. It’s hard to remember on the dark days, but she’ll try to focus on that. Maxie says, she will get better soon, and Elizabeth says, she’s right, because this place is full of people who care. Right now her family needs a hand, and one day, it will be another family. Laura says, and then it will be Elizabeth’s turn to step up. That’s what makes their town special.

Laura walks into an empty Charlie’s, but she’s not alone for long. Everyone from the softball game pours in, each one hugging her. Bobbie tell her, hang in there, and Laura says she’s fine. Everyone is eating and drinking and having a good time, when Sonny comes in. He says, Laura was late for the game, and she says she had an errand to run. He asks if it was about the Friends of Port Charles thing, but she says, no. Something much more important than that; tending to a loved one. He says, it must have worked out; she seems happy. She says, how could she not be? Look at all these smiling faces. These people are her community; they’re her people. Alexis walks up, and says she’s sorry about the op ed ruining her day, but Laura says, honestly, it’s fine, and it might end up being one of her best days. She’s ready to publish her rebuttal. Alexis says, awesome.

While everyone celebrates, Laura’s voiceover says, the people of the Friends of Port Charles are not entirely wrong. Their town is not perfect. We have our problems, and always will, but we have always faced them together. In their haste to point out what’s wrong with Port Charles, they left out what was right. It’s our police, who not only make us feel safe, but make us feel welcomed with a tip of the hat. It’s the doctors and nurses at our fine medical institutions, like General Hospital and Mercy. It’s our small businesses, and our charming and historic downtown. Mom and pop establishments, like Charlie’s and Kelly’s, where I hung out after school as a kid, and decades later, my kids did, and now my grandchildren do. We are a strong community. Our soup kitchen has never run out of supplies, including firewood, so no one gets too cold in the winter. I am proud to be a citizen of Port Charles, as are many of you. We’re not just a town, we’re a family. We take care of each other… Doc says he’d like to propose a toast. To his wife, a beacon of light if there ever was one. Everyone says, hear, hear, and Sonny says, and the best damn mayor this town has ever seen. Curtis says, and a great friend, and Nikolas says, and the greatest mother. Spencer says, a terrific grandmother, and an even better role model. Bobbie says, and Laura will always be her sister-in-law – always. They hug, and Laura thanks her. Violet says, and to Mayor Collins, and everyone cheers. Laura’s voiceover continues. And if I lose this recall, so be it. And if the person who replaces me is another son or daughter of Port Charles, a lifer like me, I know we will continue to grow. In new ways perhaps, but hopefully always to our betterment.

Tomorrow, Jordan isn’t convinced something is worth pressing charges; Britt tells Brad that she has ulterior motives; Dante says, maybe now Cody can answer some questions he’s been avoiding; and Drew tells Michael, today, everything changes.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Still burdening Mexico with themselves, the women gather in Diana’s presidential suite for a nightcap. Diana breaks out the tequila, and in her interview, she says she wants to escape everything, and needs something stronger than champagne. Maybe tequila will help. We flash back to her getting weepy at dinner. Kyle and Sutton arrive after the others, and in Kyle’s interview, she says, we will come to your room, and we will drink your alcohol, even if we’re mad at you. They talk about their exes, and if the exes remarried. In Diana’s interview, she says, it was a simple divorce. She trusted her ex-husband to give her half. Both their marriage and divorce weren’t about money. Kyle says, her ex never remarried, and he’s a great guy. In Kyle’s interview, she says, they had a daughter, and cared about each other; that never went away. For both of them, Farrah comes first. Sutton says her ex was a good person, but she had wanted out from underneath his thumb. Erika identifies, and in her interview, she says she was concerned about sharing Tom’s burden, but at the end of the day, she didn’t do anything wrong. Sutton asks if Erika feels responsible, but Erika asks if a doctor’s wife is responsible for his patients, and Sutton says she hadn’t thought of it that way. In Erika’s interview, she says she wishes she had more times like this with Sutton. There are times they’re almost there, then poof! they’re not. They cut the evening short, since they have an early day tomorrow, and we see a clip of Dorit saying, a yacht trip has been planned. They can go swimming or stay on the boat and drink. Sutton promises not to yell, and if anyone is stung by a jellyfish, she’ll pee on them (an old wives tale – it won’t help – see below). Erika says, this could be the beginning of something.

It’s morning, and in LisaR’s interview, she says, no one knows what you need or what you should do when your mom dies. Her mom would say, get off your ass, get on the plane, and go with your girlfriends. She says hi to Lois, looking up as she stands on the balcony. Sutton tells her makeup person that she yelled at Diana, and all she does is apologize to people. Kyle, LisaR, and Dorit gather for a tapas breakfast, while Garcelle, Sutton, and Crystal meet separately for more traditional bacon and eggs. Dorit says, last night was strange, and Kyle says, Erika and Sutton were talking. Garcelle asks Sutton how her night was, and Captain Obvious Crystal points out that Sutton was very talkative with Erika. There was an air of nothing happened. Garcelle says, nothing is settled with Erika, and in her interview, she says she thinks Erika is tired of talking about Erica. She’s being distracting so no one asks questions. No one is discussing it, and they seem happy to drop it. Crystal is on a roll, and says, Sutton is a vegetarian who eats bacon, and Sutton says she has one piece a day when she’s on vacation. Sutton brings up Erika attacking her, and calling her the c-word, and Garcelle reminds Sutton that she called Erika a liar. Crystal says, Sutton called her a liar, but she would never attack. At the other breakfast, Dorit thinks Crystal should move past it, and LisaR wonders if Crystal knows she’s playing the victim. Dorit says she thinks it’s second nature, and in her interview, she says, Crystal got married young, and didn’t have too many experiences to learn and grow. Garcelle asks Crystal if she holds stuff in a lot, and Sutton says, that’s why people think she’s manipulative. Crystal says, she holds on to things internally until she can resolve them, and it comes out when she’s not expecting it. Garcelle says she understands, but it throws people off. In Sutton’s interview, she says, this is the Fancy Drew novel, The Case of Crystal, chapter three. There’s so much more, but she thinks they’re getting somewhere. Garcelle says, so to them it’s manipulation, but Crystal is really processing, and Crystal says she’s going to challenge herself to hold on to things for a shorter time, and open her mouth more.

Already drinking in the car, Erika announces that she took an extended release Xanax. Dorinda says she loves a drunk Erika, but Erika says she’s a medicated Erika. In LisaR’s interview, she says she’s known Erika for seven years, and never seen her tipsy like this. (Is that what we’re calling it?) She says, they have to be good friends and make sure Erika doesn’t go overboard. When they get to the dock, Erika says she’s so lit. She’s going to walk beautifully like Diana Ross. Kyle thinks Erika’s shoes and cocktails are a bad combo, and sure enough, Erika stumbles going up the steps to the boat. She teeters to the lounge, says, this is her and she’s found her landing spot, and plops on a couch. In Diana’s interview, she says she loves being on the water; it’s the ultimate luxury. This is a day boat though, not a luxury yacht, and size matters when it comes to boats. I want to like Diana, especially because of her background, and I have nothing against her enjoying her wealth, but those kinds of statements are annoying. The mine is better than yours stuff. Dorinda says, there are drinks and food, and Erika says, she doesn’t need another drink; she’s lit beyond belief. In Sutton’s interview, she says they have a great southern dessert called mud pie, and Erika is mud pie messy. And she’s melted all over the plate. They ship out, and wave to the other boats. A guy moons them for their trouble. An amazing food spread is brought out, but Erika lies down to sleep. She drunkenly babbles that they had a boat called The Illeagle. It was a yacht fisher, and they kept it in La Paz and went fishing. She says she’s done, but when Kyle checks on her, she says she’s fine. Kyle encourages her to drink her Coke for the caffeine, and Erika says she just needs five minutes. Sutton, Garcelle, and Diana are sunbathing, and Garcelle asks how Diana how she grew up; did she have any brothers and sisters? Diana says she had a brother who was killed in the war when he was 21. In Diana’s interview, she says, he was with the peace keeping police, and was killed during an ethnic cleansing. It took her a long time to process. She tells Garcelle and Sutton that they thought her brother might have been kidnapped, but he was found in a ditch. Her dad had to identify the body. Sutton says, her father committed suicide, and you don’t get to say goodbye. In her interview, Diana says, all roads lead to Sutton. She doesn’t feel like it’s a conversation. Sutton wants to talk about Sutton, and she doesn’t need Diana for that. Diana goes inside the boat, and Garcelle proclaims her and Sutton sun sisters. Again with Diana. I don’t view Sutton that way. I think she’s trying to identify since Diana didn’t get to say goodbye to her brother either. I also think Diana just plain doesn’t like Sutton, and Sutton is damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t at this point.

Erika babbles about the meals she would be served when she was living the high life, and wonders if there’s food on this Gilligan’s Island three-hour tour. Clueless Kyle tells the others that Erika seems to be having fun. She’s lighter, like a different person. Erika finally comes back to life, and joins them. Kyle says, she lives, and Erika says, she’s fine, just drunk. She drank liquor and took medication, and now she needs food.  Kyle says she’s looking for a song to dance to, which somehow leads to Erika asking, if Crystal had a choice for a threesome, who would it be? and if she and Garcelle pulled up one night, would she and Rob do it? In Crystal’s interview, she says, they’re beautiful women, but that’s not her jam. XXpen$ive plays, and the women sing along and dance, but Sutton tells Garcelle, she can’t celebrate this song. Diana jumps off the boat to go swimming, and immediately gets stung by a jellyfish. The steward, or whatever he is, puts antiseptic ointment on it, and Erika tells Garcelle to pee on the new girl. Garcelle says, you do it, and Erika says, she might get fetishy over it. Kyle says she’s not going in now, and Sutton says she’s not being Natalie Wood today. Erika goes back to sleep, and in Kyle’s interview, she says, Erika is knocked out cold, and Diana was stung by a jellyfish, but it’s still one of their better boat rides. We flash back to some unsettling ones, and Diana gets back in the water, along with LisaR. Erika suddenly says she’s sorry Diana got stung. It wasn’t her intention, and Garcelle says, for someone who’s so tired, Erika sure is talking a lot. They all start talking about their moms, and Erika says, she and Sutton were brought up in the south. Her mother wasn’t cuddly; she was a steel magnolia. Sutton says, her mom was like that, and we flash back to Sutton’s mom telling her that she didn’t miss Sutton’s dad. Erika says, they don’t f*** around, and Sutton says, and don’t mess with the people they love. Kyle says, they’re gangster, and Erika says, they’re a people of agriculture. Agriculture is their thing because they didn’t have textiles or something. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she has no idea what Erika is talking about, and Erika says, if you didn’t work, you didn’t get paid. She’s putting her hat on and going to sleep.

Erika sleeps while everyone parties. The boat docks, and Erika says, we here? and gets up. LisaR tells everyone to get their purses and shoes, and Erika thanks the whoever for a lovely afternoon. Someone points out that Erika ruined the couch, and wonders what it’s going to cost. In Sutton’s interview, she says, maybe try not wearing so much body makeup. That happened on Below Deck once too.

Dorit calls PK, and makes sure he’s not watching anything they watch together. He swears he’s not, but I wonder. Everyone gets ready for dinner, and Garcelle calls Sutton. She says, WTF with Erika? and Sutton says she thinks Erika is tired. Garcelle says she’s nervous about Erika mixing medication and alcohol. In Sutton’s interview, she says, Erika lost everything. Maybe it’s a cry for help. All she knows is, Xanax and alcohol are not a good combination. While Erika is having an impromptu photoshoot, Sutton tells Garcelle that she thinks Erika will be buttoned up tonight. Garcelle says, until she has a cocktail.

They have a drink at the hotel before going to dinner, and Erika says, she’s already had three espressos. Garcelle drinks to health, and Erika says, to being awake. We see a clip of Kyle throwing bread at a passed out Erika, and in Erika’s interview, she tells us, what can she say? It was not that great of a day. At the restaurant, Garcelle invites everyone to her birthday party, and says, no gifts. She just wants everyone to have fun and dance. Kyle says, gifts not necessary, but welcome, and Erika says, and if you don’t bring one, we’ll notice. In Sutton’s interview, she says, Garcelle is a can opener, and she’s going to give her a fancy one for her birthday. LisaR says she’s meeting Harry in NYC, where he’s filming The Hot Zone: Anthrax; he’s playing Tom Brokaw. Garcelle says, Denise will be coming, and she can’t believe LisaR won’t be there. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she thought both of them would show, and they could fix things on mutual ground. In LisaR’s interview, she says, she and Denise have a whole lot of history, and we flash back to the whole Brandi debacle. She wonders if Garcelle would have told her ahead of time if she was going, but they’ll never know. LisaR says she reached out to Denise about a month ago. She sent Denise a text, apologizing for how she’d behaved. We flash back to the Reunion, where LisaR was a complete a-hole, and LisaR says, Denise texted back. She thinks they had nice moment. In her interview, LisaR says, Garcelle was adamant about wanting her to reach out, but it’s not about Garcelle; it’s about her and Denise. Dorit asks if Denise received it well, and LisaR says, Denise thanked her, and said she appreciated it. It wasn’t a long exchange. In her interview, Garcelle says she’s texting Denise to see if she heard from LisaR. She’s not saying LisaR is lying… She laughs, and says, Denise just texted back, when? They order, and Diana says, she’d never been on a girls trip. They’ve been good to her and she felt love. Garcelle says, some more than others, and Diana says, there was a moon eclipse and she had a meltdown, but she thinks all of them are spectacular. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, it’s more BS. Diana would rather be stung by a jellyfish than talk to them. Garcelle says, at their other dinner, it felt like Diana didn’t want to talk about her book, and we flash back to that. Garcelle says, it felt rude, and Dorit says, they were trying to find out about Diana, and she shut it down. Diana says she gets uncomfortable tooting her own horn, which is clearly not what she said in her interview at the time, but okay. In her interview this time, Diana says, Garcelle was the most unwelcoming. It’s her loss. They have calamari, and Erika says, she told her son it was chicken with holes. Garcelle asks if they ever got the leg pieces, and mixes up the word tentacles with testicles. Sutton says she has a date when they get back, and Erika gets all interested. They look at his photo on Sutton’s phone, and Crystal tells LisaR, can you believe it? LisaR says, they’re still talking, and Sutton says she doesn’t want a boyfriend. Erika says she doesn’t either; she just wants a lot of d*ck. In Sutton’s interview, she says, Erika acts so tough, but sometimes Erika is funny, and she likes funny people. Dorit starts to comment on them talking, and Sutton says, small steps. Erika says, she’s not putting expectations on anything. It was a nice moment, and nice moments work out to steps in the right direction. In her interview, Erika says she doesn’t do well when people force sh*t on her. Why does it have to be a big deal? Can’t she just be herself? Sutton tells Erika that she hopes Erika has been real this weekend, and Erika says she thinks Sutton would have felt it; she’s not dumb. In her interview, Sutton says, they’ve walked this walk before, and we flash back to Erika apologizing to Sutton, and then saying she hates Sutton in her interview. Sutton says, it’s not easy, and Erika says, that’s why it doesn’t need commentary. In Sutton’s interview, she says, she’s not scared of Erika, and that scares Erika. She’ll take one for the team and be a friend. She’ll be the bigger person; she’s the adult this time. She and Erika clink glasses, and Sutton asks if they shouldn’t raise a glass to Lois one last time. LisaR says, there will never be a last time, and they thank Dorit for the trip. LisaR gets up, and says she got apprehensive to leave her bubble after Lois transitioned, but she felt safe and okay. She appreciates them being here, and Lois does too. She thanks them, and Dorit says she loves LisaR’s zest for life, and thinks she got it from Lois. Everyone agrees it was a nice trip, and they thank Dorit again. Dorit says, learning about one another, growing, having conflicts… She rambles and they just listen. In Kyle’s interview, she pretends to nod out. At the end, Dorit says, all I can say… and Kyle finally bursts out laughing. Erika says, the bitch is dying, and Dorit thanks them. They clink glasses.  

Back at the hotel, LisaR tells them to be quiet in the lobby. People go to bed at a decent hour. Kyle, Diana, and Dorit go to the bar, and in Kyle’s interview, she wonders why she’s the only one who knows how to have fun. Dorit says, Erika and Sutton were walking arm-in-arm, and Kyle says, there’s no grey area with Sutton. She threw Diana off, because Diana wasn’t used to it. She asks why Diana got so emotional, and Diana says, because she was trying to help. Sutton contradicts herself all the time. Dorit brings up the bacon, and in her interview, Kyle says, Diana isn’t fragile, but when she’s quiet, something is brewing. Diana says, when she and Sutton had lunch, Sutton said she didn’t like screaming, so she was surprised at how Sutton came at her. At the same lunch, she’d told Sutton she only gives one chance. In Dorit’s interview, she says, Diana is a sweetheart, but she’s not letting anyone push her around. She admires that. Diana says she’s worked hard on herself. Sutton could have gotten headbutted. Diana is Bosnian.

They head back to the private jet, and Diana tells them to sit anywhere. Until Sutton asks if she can sit with them, and Diana tells her to sit where she was. In Sutton’s interview, she says, okay, meanie pants. She sits with Garcelle, and relays what just happened. Garcelle says, it’s rude, and Sutton says, it’s retaliation. They see how it works. In her interview, she tells us, Diana says she doesn’t hold a grudge, but she clearly does. Sutton tells Garcelle, she doesn’t tell people where to sit on her plane, and Garcelle says, if she sends Diana thank you flowers, don’t add her name. Sutton says, she’s not sending any.

Next time, Erika does a photoshoot; Crystal says, if you jab at Diana, she goes nuclear; Garcelle wants to go all out for her birthday; and Diana says, they need a new villain? Here she is. Alrighty then.

🐡 About That Jellyfish…

Peeing on the sting is not the way to go.

🐄 More Cowbell…

Stop by tomorrow for soap (I think) and the latest in Southern Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay evolving, and stay remembering, nice moments can work out to steps in the right direction.

June 21, 2022 – GH Deferred Again, 15000, Soap Dads, Reunited, Heated, Not Skimping, Diana’s Room, Worst Ever, New Med, Chris’s Pups & Nights

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Foiled again.

🎉 Still Standing…

A definite reason to celebrate. The episode we would have seen today, and will hopefully see tomorrow.

👔 More Celebration…

The fathers of GH.

❄️ Hell Officially Frozen Over…

Did Bravo meet Bethenny’s unaffordable figure? https://realityblurb.com/2022/06/21/photo-bethenny-frankel-and-jill-zarin-reunite-on-a-plane-as-andy-cohen-jokes-a-crew-is-en-route-with-their-paychecks/

🤼 Sparring Again…

I dunno. Joe #2 might be a hothead, but Luis is starting to not look so good.

💋 Gotta Have Glam…

It looks like she’s not skipping any meals either. Sorry. I know that was mean, and not something I’d normally say, but I can’t stand her.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10929081/Erika-Jayne-arrives-Elite-Aesthetics-medical-spa-claiming-afford-2-2M-tax-bill.html

🚪 Pricey Room…

She didn’t want to talk about it on the show, but I’ll bet she cashes the royalty checks.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a40310562/diana-jenkins-book-room-23-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills/

🎤 Fillers Can’t Buy You Class…

Wow. Worse than Tardy for the Party? That’s pretty hard.

🛥 Steering Closer…

The latest on Below Deck Med’s new season, beginning July 11th.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/below-deck-med-season-7-cast-premiere-date-trailer

🐕 Squee When Ready…

Chris Evans + puppies. What’s not to like?

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ehisosifo1/chris-evans-puppy-interview

🧜🏽 Boogie Oogie Oogieing Out…

Hopefully, all will be right with the world tomorrow, and you can join me for some soap and Beverly Hills drama. Until then, stay safe, stay discerning in all things, and stay taking comfort in the fact, no matter how bad it gets, there are always puppies.

June 16, 2022 – GH Preemptus, Dorinda’s World, He’s an Idiot, Bad Fit, Keeping It Real, Cryptically Salty, Pets (!) & Forgive

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Thanks to the not-so-patriotic heathens who attacked the Capitol, there was no GH today across the board.

🗽 Oh Yeah, John…

Dorinda gives an update on how she’s making it nice these days.

And ignoring the not-so-nice. One might even say stalkerish.

Unfortunately, there are no pie charts or graphs.

https://screenrant.com/rhugt-dorinda-medley-vicki-gunvalsons-feud-explained/

🖥 Men…

Apparently, he’s the picture of good parenting. I’m totally in agreement with how Denise is handling this. She’s right. Her daughter is 18, and she’ll do what she wants, with or without her parents’ approval. If Denise had come down on her, she’d only distance herself.

👠 You Can’t Fire Me…

When was she a good fit? When she accused the Richards sisters of smoking meth? When she slapped LVP? When she weaseled her way onto the show by attacking Denise? When?

💎 Taking Sides…

I hate that cryptic post stuff. This is what happens when they hire a twelve year old to be on the show. At best, Crystal belongs in middle school.

On the other hand, I think these two should have their own spin-off. Poor Sutton. Awkward for sure, and perhaps at times inappropriate, but not malicious.

https://okmagazine.com/p/garcelle-beauvais-rhobh-sutton-stracke-reality/

🧂 Speaking of Cryptic…

We haven’t heard too much from the Salt Lakers lately. It took them a while to hate each other. The Dubai group came in swinging.

🦥 Ending On a High Note…

I’m partial to the kinkajou.

https://collider.com/celebrity-pets-too-cute/

🦘 Bouncing On Out…

Hopefully, all will be well in the world of soap tomorrow, so stop by for some, along with tea, weekly quotes, and a piece of music from the vast catalog in my brain. Until then, stay safe, stay not making snap judgements, and stay not posting cryptic things on social media. It’s just annoying, and screams, desperate need for attention.

June 15, 2022 – Austin Meets Someone In the Woods, Kyle Says Crystal Plays the Victim Card, Old Charm & Everybody Dance

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase sits in front of the TV, shirtless, eating a bowl of kids’ cereal. His phone rings, and Brook asks where he is. They were supposed to meet at the pool. He says, he’s watching the game… Shot put violation. Dammit! She asks what he’s eating, and he says, cereal. She says, so he’s watching the game and eating cereal when he could be hanging out at the pool with her? He says, yep… No, he means he’ll be there soon. She says, when? and he says, soon. He looks at the TV, and says, come on!

Sonny asks what Nina is doing, and she says she was just headed home. He asks if she can reconsider that and stay with him. Please? She says she really shouldn’t, but he says he’ll make it worth her while. He takes her hand, and they go to a table.

Dante comes back to his table, and Sam says, so, Sonny and Nina? He says he’s going to make like they’re not here, and she calls him a chicken. He says, totally, but he’s here with her and doesn’t want family drama ruining his night. She says, good. That gives him more time to fill her in on what kind of trouble he and Cody got in back in the day.

Cody watches as Zelda goes into a hotel room. Spinelli comes out with a room service tray, and Cody ducks back. Spinelli takes a bite of something, dashes back in the room, and puts the do not disturb sign on the door handle. Cody comes out, and says, this is getting interesting.

As he’s going into The Savoy, Curtis gets a text from Selina: Making some last minute arrangements for tonight. TJ joins him, and Curtis asks what he’s doing here. TJ says he went by Curtis’s house to see Marshall, and found out Curtis was coming in early, so he thought he’d stop by. Curtis says he knows he owes TJ a conversation… but TJ says, Marshall explained everything. He came here to see about Curtis.

The kids sit around the campfire, and Finn asks Gregory, what’s the verdict? Did he overstep asking Gregory to speak to Cam? Gregory says, not at all. He thinks Cameron appreciated it. Finn says, the kid has some weight on his shoulders right now, but Gregory says he thinks Cameron is strong enough to carry it. If he isn’t, he has Finn to help. Finn says he doesn’t think Cameron wants his help, but Gregory says, give him time. His bet is, Cameron will come around.

Wyatt hands Aiden the guitar, and Cameron says, Aiden is holding it wrong. Does he want Cameron to show him? Aiden says he wants to learn himself. Back off.

Trina and Josslyn go into The Highsider, which looks like a biker bar, but a really, really nice biker bar. Trina says they should have stopped and gotten a fake tattoo before they got here, and Josslyn says, not really her vibe. Trina says, never mind the aesthetics. They need to blend in so they can get some answers. Josslyn says, this place is pretty close to Spring Ridge, which is where Esme interns, and very convenient to pick up an untraceable phone. Trina says, so what now? She doubts there’s a counter that sells black market cell phones, or a guy that says, hi, can I help you? Josslyn says, Trina is hilarious when she’s out of place. They just need to stay calm, and the main goal, they just need to strike up a conversation with the clientele. A guy comes over and asks if they’re lost or something.

Maxie says, if these sticks are more to Austin’s satisfaction, have at them. She, for one, is more invested in the chocolate. He says he loves chocolate, but she should know, he’s a marshmallow man, and a gooey marshmallow is what defines a s’more. They hear something in the woods, and Maxie says, what was that?

Chase gets to the pool, and Brook says, finally. His pina colada is melting. He says, sorry; it was a great game. The lead changed nine times in the last two minutes, and the 3.5 favorite lost on a buzzer beater. She says, nice, and he says, nice? She says, it’s heartbreaking for the 3 point favorite. Is Chase going to swim tonight? It’s perfect weather. He says he’s just going to sip on this pina colada. He picks up his drink, and says he’s really glad she asked him to hang out tonight. He knows she’s been focused on taking down Linc, but they need a break, a night to just chill. Brook says, uh-huh, and looks at the doorway where Linc is talking to Selina. Chase says he guesses that was just too much to ask for.

Curtis says he appreciates TJ giving him and Marshall space to talk to Aunt Stella. He’s sure TJ has his own questions, but it really meant a lot. TJ says, Curtis needed answers. Now that he has them, how is he feeling? Curtis says he’s not going to lie; confused. It’s a lot to process. TJ says, for him as well. Even though he’s a medical professional, he felt a pit in his stomach when he saw Marshall’s medication. And when he said that his diagnosis was schizophrenia, he had an immediate visceral reaction. Curtis says, that’s understandable. Medical strides have come a long way, but it is a complicated diagnosis. He wonders how Marshall felt, hearing that 40 years ago, and TJ says, he must have been terrified. Not only from the stigma, but what could happen to him. Curtis says, which is why he chose to leave and stayed gone for so long, and TJ says, at least Curtis knows it wasn’t out of neglect. It was out of love for him and TJ’s father. Marshall wanted to protect them, even from himself, if it came to that.

Nina says, cheers, but Sonny says, it’s bad luck to toast with water. Nina is out of luck in the drinking buddy department tonight. She says she’s heard about that, but what if the water is as sparkly as his eyes? He laughs, and she says, besides, she’s had all the bad luck a person is allotted in one lifetime… and she’s to blame for most of it. He says he doesn’t want to tempt fate, but he thinks her luck is going to turn around. She says, do tell, and he says, because the hearing is over. No more secrets and betrayal; no more waiting for the other shoe to drop. The divorce is over, and he thinks it’s time they stopped denying there’s something between them. Is there?

Maxie says, Austin heard that, right? and he says he did. It’s probably nothing; nature’s noisy. She says he’s right. She needs to stop watching slasher movies before she goes to sleep. He says, that can’t help; does it help? They hear twigs break, and Maxie says, that was definitely something. He says, it’s probably just a fox, but she says, that doesn’t make her feel any better, and he says, stay here for a second while he checks it out. She grabs his arm and says, he’s not leaving her. He says, okay, let’s go to the camp, and she takes his arm. He says, skunk? Maybe it’s a skunk. She says, it’s definitely time to go, and they turn around. They’re startled to find Gregory with Violet there, and Violet says, boo!

Cameron tells Aiden, relax. He was just trying to help. Aiden says, he just wants to figure this out on his own, and Cameron says, okay. Jake says, relax. Cam crushes on the guitar. He’ll have Aiden playing in no time. Aiden says, Cam won’t always be around; he’s in college. And Jake will be in college soon too. And if mom doesn’t come back… He just needs to learn stuff by himself. Okay? Jake says, he doesn’t need to get upset. Cam was just trying to help. Finn gets Wyatt’s attention, and Wyatt steps away with him. Wyatt says, do you need me, Dr. Finn? and Finn says he needs a favor; two actually. Wyatt says, of course (🍷). How can he be of assistance? Finn asks Wyatt to call him Finn. He appreciates Wyatt acknowledging the whole doctor thing, but all his friends call him Finn, and he’d like to think of Wyatt as one of them. Wyatt says he’d like to think so too, and Finn says, so no more doctor. Wyatt says, no more doctor. What’s the other favor? Finn says, Aiden is going through a pretty tough time right now. He was wondering if Wyatt could include him in whatever he’s doing. It’s probably not enough time for him to learn guitar before the singalong tonight, but if Wyatt could include him in some other way, Finn would like him to participate. Wyatt says he thinks he knows of a way. Leave it to me, Doc… Finn.

Trina tells the bar guy, they’re not lost; they’re just from out of town. Josslyn says, they heard about this place, and thought they’d come check it out. Trina says, it’s a definite vibe, and the guy says, they’re a little older than the usual clientele. Josslyn says, sometimes they like to hang around people who are different than their friends, but he says, that’s not what he meant. They got ID? Josslyn says, yes, and they fish ID’s out of their bags. He looks at them, and says, okay, Jane and Kara. He hates to break it to them, but these are totally bogus.

Wyatt asks if Aiden can help him with something, and Aiden says, sure. Wyatt says he’s thinking of switching the song for the campfire singalong. Can he play some possibilities, and Aiden can help him pick the best one? Aiden says, sure.

Cameron tells Finn, it seems that Wyatt found a way to make Aiden feel better, and Finn says, good. He’s glad everything worked out. Cameron says, it’s almost as if someone knew, to make Aiden feel better, he needed to be in control of the situation, especially with everything in his life spinning out of control. Finn says he guesses the important thing is, Aiden is coming to terms with his emotions, right? It doesn’t matter how it happens. Cameron says, actually, it does.

Trina says her license isn’t bogus, and neither is Kara’s. They would never do something like that. The guy says, really? If they’re both 23, tell him about dimpled chads. Trina says, they’re really cute guys, and Josslyn says, boy band. He says, not even close. Beat it. He hands back the IDs, and says, next time, invest in better fakes. Trina says, that’s actually why they came. They heard there’s somebody who can get things like that; phony IDs, unregistered phones. Josslyn says, they can pay in cash, and he looks at the bartender and says, that’s the guy they’re looking for, but make it quick. He leaves, and Josslyn says, Trina sure got over her jitters quickly. Trina says she wasn’t about to let their last hope go down the drain. They say desperation gives you strength.

Zelda tells Spinelli, she’s done dealing with that parachuting charlatan. That was not part of their agreement, but don’t worry. Cody listens outside the door, and she says she handled Dr. Westbourne. No lawsuit; no chance of exposing what’s really going on here.

Sam says, so summer camp? and Dante says, he was twelve. His buddy Tommy Fazio had just gotten busted for shoplifting, and his mother was convinced he was going to be next. Sam says, and off he went, and he says he wasn’t thrilled about nature, but then it dawned on him that he’d be away from his mother, and the 200 other relatives who lived near them, and whose sole purpose in life was to guide him and supervise him. She says, she’s assuming nature was the downside, and he says, nature to him was the church parking lot, and playing stickball. He wasn’t opposed to nature, but it wasn’t his first choice. Sam says, on the upside, no supervision, and he says, limited supervision. There were counselors, but at least he was related to any of them. She says, and then he met Cody, and he says, yeah. Most of the kids there were like him, city kids. Cody was a country kid. He was different; he was comfortable out there. He saw Cody, and thought he should take some pointers from that kid. She says, Cody seems to want to remind him of the trouble they got in back in the day, and Dante says, he does. They had some good times.

TJ says he’s surprised Curtis came to work tonight. Isn’t the owner entitled to take a night off now and then? He tells TJ, sure, when Selina arrives, and he says, but he has something going on tonight.

Chase says, something tells him tonight wasn’t just about hanging out. Did Brook know Linc would be here? She says, so? She saw Linc checking in, in the lobby earlier. Don’t jump to conclusions. She knew Linc was up to something, and she was right. Chase tells her not to jump to conclusions, and she asks if he saw Linc talking to Selina Wu. Fishy, right? He says, Selina Wu has never been convicted of anything. In the eyes of the law, Linc isn’t committing a crime by associating with her. Brook says, don’t give her the whole eyes of the law thing. Isn’t his detective’s intuition tingling? He says, his detective’s intuition tells him that she’s trying to make up excuses to go after Linc. She says she doesn’t need an excuse; he’s holding her songs hostage. He tells her, he said he’d help her get her songs back, but she has to let him take the lead. They have to do it the right way. She says, he just doesn’t get it. Music to most people is something they listen to when they’re bored, but to her, it’s home… grounding… purpose… it’s her life. Ever since her mom took her to Tower Records on West 4th Street and Broadway to get a Jets cassette. He says he doesn’t know that band, and she says they’ll go over his deprived childhood another time. Ever since she knew she could sing, it was the only thing she wanted to do. Now she can’t sing, but thanks to him, she can participate in that part of her life through her song writing. It’s the only thing she has left in that area of her life… Oh hell. Linc’s coming over here. Linc strolls over, and asks how his favorite personal ATM is doing this fine… She asks why he’s back, and he says he’s just relaxing in Port Charles, in between taking meetings about her catalog. It’s amazing how much more valuable those songs are without her attached to them. Chase gets up, and tells Linc, it’s time to take a walk. Linc puts up his hands, and says, he’s just living life; enjoying the night. Brook knows he’d never do anything to upset her. He only wanted her to know how profitable her songs are; profitable for him anyway. He intends to continue tapping that. He leaves, and Chase puts on his shirt. Brook says, just let him be. He’s just trying to press her buttons. Chase says he’s just going to have a little conversation with him, and goes over to the bar. He asks when Linc is going to get it through his thick skull, leave Brook alone. Brook goes through Linc’s jacket pockets, and Linc tells Chase that he’s just making conversation, but Chase says, Linc is harassing her. The lewd innuendos, the rubbing it in her face that he cheated her out of her songs. Who the hell does he think he is talking to her like that? Brook takes out a card from The Savoy, and Chase says, he doesn’t care if Linc is on some big power trip – Brook turns the card over and sees, 11 pm, Password: Vesper – or he just gets off on being cruel, but Linc doesn’t talk like that to her again – ever.  

Selina says, Curtis’s business continues to thrive. Who’s his friend? Curtis says, this is his nephew, Dr. Ashford, and Selina says, a pleasure to meet him. TJ says, her as well, and Curtis asks TJ to order them a round; N’neka knows what he likes. He needs to talk to Miss Wu. He says, he got her text; is there a problem? She says, thankfully, no. Curtis went off the grid to deal with a family matter. Curtis says he’s sure his staff and her nephew handled things quite nicely while he was away, but she says, nonetheless, she was compelled to confirm the details with him for tonight’s game. There is a very influential player who will be joining them for the first time.

Dante tells Sam, one of the activities at camp was horseback riding. The closest he’d been to a horse was when they’d go to the city as kids, and see them pulling carriages in Central Park, or cops mounted on patrol. So there he is, twelve years old, staring up at this giant beast, its nostrils flaring, and he’s thinking, I don’t want to get on that beast. So Cody sees this, and comes over, and Dante is thinking, great. This guy is going to give him a hard time because he’s scared, but Cody didn’t. He was super chill, and taught him how to stand, how to approach the horse, how to be respectful toward the horse. Dante was comfortable with the horse, the horse was comfortable with him, and Cody said, horses can sense human emotion; it’s their gift. At that point, Dante figured he was a good guy, and they’ve had each other’s backs ever since. Sam says, the guy’s got layers. She thinks that’s why Dante’s been able to tolerate some of the more questionable ones. Dante says, he may be screw up for sure, but he’s got a heart of gold.

Spinelli comes out of the hotel room, and Cody clears his throat. Spinelli asks if he can help Cody, but Cody says, he thinks they can help each other. He knows what’s really going on with Spinelli and Zelda. So let’s talk about what it will take to keep it quiet.

Sonny says, Nina got quiet all of a sudden. Did he say something uncomfortable? She says she doesn’t feel uncomfortable, but she’s maybe giving pause. As much as she loves sitting across the table from him, she can’t help noticing his own son hasn’t even acknowledged their existence since they sat down. Sonny looks over, and nods to Dante. He tells Nina, that’s just Dante. He’s just enjoying himself like Sonny is. Don’t worry about Dante; he’s been very non-judgmental. She says, even after the hearing? He can’t be okay with what Sonny said, or that he’s with her. Sonny takes her hand and asks if she wants to go someplace else that’s more their speed. She puts her other hand on his.

Violet says, they don’t have to be scared. Did they really think it was a bear? Maxie says, maybe she overreacted, but in all fairness, she didn’t expect to see people that far away from the campsite. Gregory says he’s sorry if they started them. He’s found he can’t resist the charm of a certain granddaughter. When she asked to come along to gather sticks for… Violet says, s’mores. Can they make them now? Austin says, there we go. A girl after his own heart. He loves a good s’more. He can eat ten s’mores. Can Violet do that? Violet nods, and he says, let’s see. They’ll wash the sticks, get them dry, and he promises he won’t munch any marshmallows in the meantime. Violet giggles.

The bartender asks what he can get Josslyn and Trina, and Josslyn says, IDs and an unregistered phone. Trina says, they heard he’s someone who can hook them up, and he says, heard it from who? They look at the bar guy, and the bartender says he might know a guy. They both want IDs? Josslyn says, actually, they want the phone first, and it should have working email, internet, and a camera. Does he have phones that could handle all of that? He says, well, sure. It’ll set them back about a grand. Is that a problem? Josslyn says, no, and puts her bag on the bar, but Trina says, wait. They’ve been burned before. They don’t want to get scammed again. Their friend said she got her phone here, and she wants to make sure he’s the right guy. She shows him a picture of Esme on her phone, and asks if he remembers selling a phone to her.

Sonny and Nina walk into Charlie’s, and she says, he’s absolutely right. This is more their scene. He tells her to grab a table, and he’ll get the drinks, but she says, how about if he grabs a table. This round is on her. She goes to the bar, and he smiles.  

Chase says, why doesn’t Linc be decent for once in his life, and relinquish control of Brook’s songs; or at least split the profits with her? Linc asks if Chase is her manager all of a sudden. Is he looking for a payday? She’s already rich; she’s not hurting for cash with that family of hers. Linc walks over to Brook and says, a man can’t get a drink in peace. She has to sic her pit bull on him? Chase tells Linc, watch his tone, and the entire conversation was his idea. Linc says, next time he gets the urge, don’t, and Chase says, keep clear of Brook and they won’t have to worry about that. Linc picks up his jacket, and says, don’t worry. He has better places to be. He leaves, and Brook says, she bets he does. Chase says, what? and she asks what Chase said to him? Chase says, just that he can’t talk to her like that again. He’s sorry he lost his cool. She says, don’t apologize. It was incredibly reactive and old school, and really… and it was the perfect diversion. Linc’s up to no good, and now she knows what.

Curtis tells Selina, everything’s ready. He’s honored their deal, even during his family emergency. She says, his family matter must have been most distressing. Are things better now? He asks if she really cares, and she says she knows he may not think of her as a friend, and that’s fair. But she can provide an ear if he needs to vent, as an ally. Their businesses are dependent on one another

Gregory shows Violet how to put marshmallows on the stick, and Cameron tells Finn, his dad is a really cool guy. Finn says, he is, and Cameron says, he helped explain this whole Title IX situation. Cameron assumes Finn asked Gregory to talk to him, and Finn says he hopes it was okay. Cameron says, it was; it really helped. He thanks Finn, and Finn says, he’s welcome. Finn just wants… Cameron says, Finn just wants what’s best for him and his brothers, because Finn cares about their mom and them. Finn says he does. They’ve been pretty great, the way they welcomed Violet. Cameron says, it’s not hard. Violet’s Violet. He’s sorry for jumping on Finn about his mom. He knows Finn only wanted to help. The truth is, he’s really scared, and seeing Aiden, he understands Aiden is scared too. Jake probably as well. Finn says he’ll let Cameron in on a secret. He’s a little scared himself, but he promises Cameron, they’ll get through this together. Cameron holds out his hand, and says, together, and they shake

The bartender says, he sold Esme a phone a while back. Kinda had an attitude on this one. Josslyn says, that sounds like Ezzie. Does he remember when she came in, around last January? He nods, and a tall bald guy comes between Trina and Josslyn, and says, hello. He knows them. Josslyn says, he doesn’t, but he says, he recognizes them both; they were all over the news a couple weeks ago. Josslyn says, he must be mistaken, but he says he never forgets pretty faces. He remembers everything about their story, and Trina’s father, the cop.

Nina says she knows it’s not the Tan-O, but with her and Sonny there, it’s close enough. That pocket universe where all the reasons why they shouldn’t be near each other disappear. That’s a fantasy, because they can’t go back to the way it was. He says, they can’t, but what they can do – now that it’s in the open – they can take the universe out of their pockets, and suddenly, they have free space. She says, free space to do what? and he says, to think about us and what happens next. He kisses her.

Dante asks if Sam wants to get out of here, and she says she would love nothing more. They get up, and Dante says, let’s go, but Cody appears, and says, they’re not going anywhere, are they? The party’s just getting started.  

Chase says, Brook went through his coat pockets? and she says, focus Whatever’s happening is happening at The Savoy. He says, for starters, they don’t even know if there’s anything illegal going on, and she says, he had a password. Chase never saw that movie where all the guests were wearing masks and costumes, hiding their identities, so they could indulge themselves in debauchery and drugs? He says, at The Savoy? and she says, they know slimeball Linc’s involved. Chase says, they don’t want to rush into anything without a better understanding of what they’re dealing with. Because that would be reckless and counterproductive. She says, God forbid, and he asks what happened to them enjoying each other’s company on a fine summer’s evening? She says, he wins. Shouldn’t the winner get the next round? She leans back in the chaise, and when he goes to bar, she slips out.

Curtis passes Linc in the back, and does a double-take. TJ is at the bar, and Curtis says, he’s sorry. There’s a lot he wants to unpack with TJ about Marshall, but he can’t right now. TJ says he understands. He’ll just chill, and maybe they can talk later. Curtis says, Molly is home, right? Why not fill her in. He’s sure she wants to know everything, and the two of them can talk about it. TJ asks if Curtis is trying to get rid of him.

Trina says, her father isn’t a cop, and tall bald guy says, right. Former cop. The bartender says, what the hell is this, some kind of sting? Josslyn says, no. This man is making it up. Tall bald guy says, Josslyn’s the PCU campus porn queen, and puts his arm around her. She says, get off of me, you creep, and pushes him. He says, touchy, and Trina says, let her go. Bar guy tells him to leave Josslyn alone, and tall bald guy says, mind his own business. He punches bar guy, and a huge fight breaks out. Josslyn and Trina cringe.  

Everyone sits around the campfire, and Violet says, Wyatt is going to play a song. He said Aiden picked out a good one. Cameron sings with Wyatt.

Curtis says he knows the situation with Marshall is on TJ’s mind, but if TJ sticks around, that’s all he’ll be thinking about too. Does that make sense? TJ says, it does. It’s been a long day for him too, anyway. How about if he stops by Curtis’s place first thing in the morning? Curtis doesn’t know about first thing, but that sounds fine. He thanks TJ for understanding, and they bro shake.

Selina finds Linc, and says, this way please, Mr. Brown. Curtis watches as Linc goes with her.

Some of the others sing along, and Wyatt and Curtis finish their song. Everyone applauds, and Maxie looks around for Austin, but he’s gone. She says, Austin?

In the woods, Austin says, all right. You made your point, but understand something. The next time you want to talk to me, you find me when I’m alone. You leave Maxie alone. Leave her friends out of it; leave her family out of it. Got it?… Now what do you want?  

Nina asks Sonny if this is part of having the space to figure things out, and he says he guesses. She says she thinks she can get used to this, and they kiss again. She asks where this newfound wisdom came from, and he says he’s made peace with the idea that his life moving forward will look more like what they had in Nixon Falls, as opposed to his past here in Port Charles. There’s no going backwards, and Carly made it crystal clear that they’re done. She says she’s sorry. Is he saying that kiss just happened because he got in a fight with his ex-wife?

Dante says, Cody left. He hightailed it out of here. They thought he was long gone. Cody says, his bus doesn’t leave for a few hours. They can stick around for a little bit, right? For old time’s sake? Dante says he doesn’t think so. He’s taking this one – Sam nuzzles his shoulder – and getting out of here. It was good seeing him. Cody says, it was good seeing Dante too, and they bro hug. Dante says, hit him up if Cody’s ever in town again. Sam says, it was good to meet him, and Cody says, her too.

Spinelli comes back to the hotel room, and Zelda asks, what took him so long? She was getting worried. He says he had to make an unexpected trip to an ATM. They’ve got a problem. Mr. Bell is going to be an issue.

Cody goes to the bar, and tells N’neka that he’s looking for a Bradley Cooper. She says, he’s in the back room, down the corridor, to the left. He says he appreciates it, and heads for the back. In the hallway, he takes out a wad of cash.  

On the phone, Chase tells Brook, okay. This is the second voicemail. He’s looked all over for her. She can’t be in the ladies room for this long. Where the hell is she?

At the entrance of The Savoy, Brook’s phone rings, but she ignores the call. She looks at herself in her camera, primps a little, and says, that’ll do in a rush. She wishes Chase was here. He doesn’t know what he’s missing. She goes inside.

The bar fight continues. A patron gets thrown across the room, a waitress cracks a chair over someone’s head, and there are head butts. We hear sirens, and Trina says, he’s getting away. The cops pull up, and Josslyn says, they need to get out now. Bar guy says, the cops, and Josslyn says, the cops.

Chase tells Brook that she’s in a far worse position than when she started; Brad tells Selina, there’s a problem with the game; Josslyn says, bust her, and let Trina go; and Drew tells Carly, he was hoping the rules could be bent for him a little.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Punta de Mita Mexico. The women get ready for their day, several of them using glam squads. In Erika’s interview, she says, she doesn’t mind downsizing except for the glam, but surprisingly, I agree with Crystal, who says, why spend the money? She just throws on some lip gloss. They meet for an amazing breakfast spread outside. Dorit says she didn’t sleep, and in her interview, she says she had a lot of anxiety going into this trip. She wasn’t sure she could do it. She’s been struggling, and toyed with the idea of going back home. It took a lot of conversations with PK to get her to a place where she can go through the trip and feel safe. In Erika’s interview, she says she spent many a morning waking up feeling hopeless. We flash back to her saying she’s taking Lexapro, and she says she’s trying to stay in the moment, not the past. She tells the others that she was called a bully in court, and in her interview, she asks if she’s supposed to take it and not fight for herself. No one is going to do it for her, and if that makes her a bully, so be it. Sutton says she wants to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), and Erika says she can help tutor. It doesn’t seem like she’s being sarcastic, so I can’t figure this one out. LisaR tells a story about talking to a medium around the time of Lois’s death and how she told them to look for birds. They noticed that the paintings in Lois’s hospice room had birds in them; then LisaR found a ceramic baby bird in her bag. Neither of these things seems earth shattering to me, but if they have meaning for LisaR, that’s what’s important. In LisaR’s interview, she says, everyone has an idea of what grief is like until they go through it themselves. She’s trying be open and honest about it. They toast to Lois as a bird flies by.

There’s a surfing instructor on the beach, and LisaR, Erika, and Crystal go for a lesson, while the others go shopping. As usual, Diana is taking her time, and in her interview, she says, traveling is the biggest privilege. For 18 years she couldn’t travel, and being near water is a luxury. The instructor tells the neophyte surfers that it’s like yoga. In Erika’s interview, she says she can couch surf, and I laugh. In LisaR’s interview, she says, there’s risk taker in her; it’s like a drug. She doesn’t know where she gets it from, since neither of her parents were that way, but she doesn’t want to break her neck. She has lipstick to sell. They all stink at surfing, and no one stays up on the surfboard. The other women go into town, and on the way, Kyle says, she and the family come here often; they have offices here. We see clips of her and Mauricio having a  good time. The group goes to a bar/boutique, and Garcelle tells them about buying the beach house. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she’s envisioning it for weekends or when family is in town. She sees it as communal, although she’s saying that now… In Dorit’s interview, she says she had reservations, but now she’s in her element. There’s nothing like retail therapy. In Sutton’s interview, she says she always likes the most expensive thing in the store; it’s a gift. I identify, but don’t have her budget. LisaR tells the Crystal and Erika that they’ll say they surfed. Diana arrives, and Erika says, the others pussed out and went shopping. Kyle buys the same kind of lingerie you could get at Victoria’s Secret, and I wonder, why that? Dorit says there were strong feelings with Crystal last night, and Sutton says, they’re starting their friendship from the beginning, but she has a problem with Crystal twisting words. Kyle says she thinks it’s bigger than that. Meanwhile, Erika tells Crystal that she has to have the hard conversation. What’s going on?

Erika says, Sutton called Crystal a liar, and we flash back to that. She says, Sutton will never stop coming for Crystal, but I think it looks like it’s the other way around. Crystal says she doesn’t want conflict, but Erika says, Sutton invited it. She called you a liar last night, baby. If you don’t open your mouth, you allow others to fill in the story for you. Erika is spot-on there, but clearly she’s trying to stir up a fight between Crystal and Sutton. Crystal says she’s doing her best, and Erika says, if she doesn’t stand up and fight for her side, she’ll be run over. Crystal starts crying, and Erika tells her, it’s going to be all right. In Diana’s interview, she says, Erika is straight to the point, and doesn’t mince words. She responds well to that. Crystal needs to grow bigger balls. Erika says, Crystal can’t take being called a liar on the chin. At the boutique, Sutton says she thinks Crystal is a good person, and Kyle asks if Sutton just doesn’t want a problem with her. Sutton says she’s not scared of anyone, and Kyle tells her, when Erika says something, she’s being reactive, but Crystal is more manipulative, which makes her scarier. Sutton says she wants to help Crystal be better. Friends don’t go behind your back and tell lies. Garcelle says she heard Crystal had done that to other friends, and in Sutton’s interview, she says she heard from a friend who was also Crystal’s friend, that it’s a behavior pattern. Kyle says, Crystal wants to be liked and have approval. She wants to look good, so she makes Sutton look bad,. In her interview, Kyle says she heard about this, but she has no intention of talking about it. She wants to give Crystal the benefit of the doubt, but it’s not matching up. On the beach, Erika tells Crystal, it’s not okay, and in LisaR’s interview, she says, she heard about Crystal falling out with 14 friends; she knows some of them. Being dropped by 14 friends is a lot. She doesn’t even have 14 friends. Erika says, calling her a liar is the worst thing you can do, and we flash back to several times Erika has put her finger in someone’s face for just that. Hmm… Who’s the common denominator? She says she’s torn up a few people about it. Kyle wonders what Crystal has to gain by throwing Sutton under the bus, even though she just explained that herself two seconds ago. Dorit says, Crystal was defending herself to Garcelle, and we flash back to Crystal saying, a lot more was said that was dark. Kyle suggests Crystal wants to be liked and look like a victim at the same time. Crystal and Erika go to the tiki bar, and Crystal broods. Erika says, it will be fine; just tell your truth. In Crystal’s interview, she says she thinks Erika is biased because of her history with Sutton for sure, but she also thinks Erika’s advice comes from a good place. Erika wants to protect her. Sutton is relentless, and Erika doesn’t want to see her walked over. Kyle asks if Sutton wants Crystal to admit she created this whole thing, but Sutton says, that’s on Crystal.

Kyle squeals about giant bugs or lizards or something in her room. In her interview, she says, note to self: shut the door when you leave. Next it will be an iguana. LisaR visits Erika’s room, and tells her that today was a nice distraction. When she came back, she had a good cry. Erika says, it’s therapeutic, and Kyle calls. Erika says, they were smarter to go shopping; they had their asses kicked. Kyle asks how Crystal is, and LisaR says, she cried the whole time. Kyle asks what was said, and Erika says she doesn’t remember, but Crystal cried to her through three margaritas. Kyle asks if they want to help her iron, but has no takers. I wonder, who irons anymore? And let me just point out that Crystal was having a fine time until Erika prodded the tears out of her.

The women get super dressed up, and go to a gorgeous outside table. Both Crystal and Diana are wearing bird earrings in honor of Lois, and LisaR says she’s been seeing birds all day, like this would be unusual here. LisaR asks if Diana wants to tell the story about her Room 23 book, and Diana says she thinks they already did. We see a clip of them discussing a book Diana put together, and the women encourage Diana to talk about it, but she obviously doesn’t want to. In Diana’s interview, she says, she doesn’t want to discuss it. It took a lot of money and time to achieve the book she wanted, and it backfired; rumors started. We see an article from Jezebel where it says, Diana’s subjects are all clients and call girls. From what we see of the book, it looks like artsy/nakey pictures. A producer says, so Diana isn’t a sex trafficker or high-class madam? and Diana says, it’s so ridiculous. She can’t believe it caught on. It’s very dangerous. Fake rumors can destroy your life. It was a painful time. Some people come out to do a ceremony for a cleaning of energy. First, they have to drink a shot of black tea, and in Crystal’s interview, she says she’ll do anything. She’ll pour it over her head or bathe in it. She needs the energy cleansed. A woman goes around burning (I assume) sage, and in LisaR’s interview, she says she doubts this will make them have a good dinner, but she’s willing to try. In Erika’s interview, she says, all the sage in Sageville won’t cleanse this. A guy blows a conch shell, everyone is startled, and Kyle and Dorit scream. Kyle asks what the women did after surfing, and Erika says, they talked about last night. Garcelle asks for specifics, and Erika says, Sutton called Crystal a liar. She would have to ask who gave Sutton that information. In Sutton’s interview, she says she could say she had a conversation with Jesus, and Erika still wouldn’t like it.  

Erika says, Sutton told them she’d talked other people in Crystal’s group of friends. Who’s in the group, what did they say, and how does it fit in here? Sutton says, when you have a reputation for doing this… In Crystal’s interview, she says, Sutton has no idea what happened with her friends. Sutton has never met them, so she doesn’t want to breathe life into it. Sutton says, other people heard it, and LisaR says she has. Erika says if she’s not willing to tell them, why bring it up? Crystal said she feels like an easy target, and nothing she says will be good enough. In Kyle’s interview, she says she’s not buying it. She just doesn’t like Sutton; be honest. In Sutton’s interview, she says, they could have been talking about a lot of things. Why not talk about where Erika is with her legal stuff? Garcelle says, when Crystal stays quiet, it feels like they’re ganging up on her, and Crystal says, she knows her choice of words can be confusing; that’s on her, but she’s trying. Sutton says, Crystal keeps attacking her character, and Crystal says, Sutton attacked hers. Sutton says, she apologizes for bringing up hearsay, and Crystal says, rumors. Sutton says, that was unfair, and she takes it back, but she’s not taking back saying that Crystal has done this repeatedly to her, and she needs to stop that. Crystal says, Sutton needs to understand how she feels, and Sutton tries to interject, but Erika says, let her finish. Garcelle asks why Erika is all in this. Let them figure it out. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she thinks Erika is tired of talking about herself, so she’s making up for lost time, getting in the mix with everyone else. Crystal says, moving forward in her and Sutton’s friendship is important to her, and Sutton says she needs to hear Crystal say it, that she’s not going to do that to her again, so she can trust Crystal. She genuinely likes Crystal and wants to be her friend, Crystal says, Sutton also said she hated her, and Sutton says she hates what Crystal did. Everyone agrees that’s not how Sutton put it, and in Diana’s interview, she says, Sutton just contradicted herself again. She’s realizing there’s more to Sutton than she thought. And not in a good way. Sutton says she’s a good person, and Diana says she didn’t say Sutton wasn’t. Sutton says, let her finish, but Diana says she’s trying to find a solution. This frustrates Sutton more, and she tells Diana that she’s going to keep saying it until Diana hears her. In her interview, Diana says, Sutton’s reaction is shocking and embarrassing. To turn on someone who’s trying to help isn’t normal behavior. Kyle says, Diana is just trying to diffuse the situation, and Diana says, Sutton told her at their first lunch that she didn’t respond well to yelling, and wasn’t violent, yet Sutton just screamed at her. Sutton says she needs a break, and Kyle asks if she needs someone to come with her. She and Sutton leave, and go to the bathroom, Kyle tells Sutton, it’s not that big a deal, and to take a breath.

In Sutton’s interview, she says she’s trying to be calm. She doesn’t want to look crazy. At the table, Dorit says, Sutton’s aggression was misdirected; Diana felt genuine and kind. Diana gets all weepy, but says she’s good. In her interview, she says, this is the most vulnerable she’s been in many years. Being hormonal post-pregnancy makes you more vulnerable and softer. She likes to appear like she’s got it together even when she doesn’t. Kyle tells Sutton to hold her head high. She lost it for a second, but she got it together. Garcelle says, everyone is too much. She can’t eat her artichoke. Sutton comes back, and says she’s sorry. She asks if she and Diana are good, and Erika says, Diana started crying. Sutton says she lost her cool, and she’s sorry. Diana says, it’s all good, and Diana, Crystal, and Dorit go to the bathroom to fix Diana’s makeup. Kyle says, Crystal put herself in this position, and Garcelle says, Crystal takes it, literally caves in with her body language, and that makes it feel like Sutton is coming for her. Kyle says, that’s the victim card. She thinks it’s intentional. In her interview, Kyle says, Crystal wants sympathy. She doesn’t feel comfortable, and she guesses Crystal thinks this is the best way get their attention. But guess what? It’s not. Erika asks if they really believe Crystal is manipulative. She doesn’t think Crystal has ever been challenged by a friend group, and Kyle says, maybe the 14 friends challenged her. In Kyle’s interview, Crystal must have done a little something wrong to piss off 14 friends. Garcelle doesn’t think Crystal is to be trusted, and Kyle says, she’s intentionally murky. Erika warns them that she’s coming back, and not to say what they don’t want heard. Kyle says, they need to move on, and Garcelle tells Sutton not to say her and Crystal’s friendship is great. Sutton says, they’ll grow from where they are, and Erika says, they’ll get past what this is. Crystal has to stick up for herself. Dorit says, Crystal felt genuine, and Sutton says she’s willing to start over to build a friendship. She wants to. LisaR says, lovely, and Kyle throws a piece of bread at her.

Next time, Diana says, Sutton could have gotten head-butted when she came for her; Garcelle says, Denise is coming to her party, but LisaR won’t be there; LisaR says she reached out to Denise; and Erika gets what Sutton calls mud pie messy drunk on a boat trip.

🍹 Southern Charm is beginning their new season soon, so FYI, there are lots of old episodes, watching with the cast, and where are they nows on Bravo right now.

🐣 Tweet Dreams…

Meet me tomorrow for soap and whatever else I can come up with. Until then stay safe, stay never losing your sense of humor, and stay knowing if you don’t open your mouth, you allow others to fill in the story for you.

June 10, 2022 – Spencer Almost Spills To Ava, New Guy, NeNe Says No, Juicy Hit, Some Dish, Diamond Whine, No Return, Guilty, Winners, Lucky Number Quotes & Come On Baby

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

As the car is packed for a camping trip, Violet asks Cameron if he’s sure they have enough marshmallows and chocolate. He says, they have enough for an entire month; it’s only a weekend trip. Laura comes by, and says she loves seeing everyone pitching in together. Violet says, they’re going camping, and Laura says, what a wonderful idea. Elizabeth is going to be happy to hear they’re going on a trip as a blended family. Cameron says he’s late for work, and leaves. Finn thinks he should talk to Cameron, but Laura says, no; she’s got that.

Portia reads from her tablet to Epiphany, when you are visualizing vectors. Do you do it in A) one-dimension, B) two dimensions, or C) three dimensions? Epiphany says, vectors… visualizing vectors… Is it A? Portia says, no, it’s B. Two dimensions, babe. Epiphany says, who is she kidding? She’s never going to pass the MCATs and get into med school, and fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor. Portia says she remembers she said the same thing when she was going through them, and Epiphany says, but Portia was still young when she became a doctor, and she had more time and energy. Portia doesn’t know what to tell her there. They haven’t invented time machines just yet. (If only.) Epiphany says, at the very least, does she have any study tips? and Portia says, someone did help her once. They said, don’t think about it as a test. Think about the questions as if you’re dealing with an actual patient; someone that came to you for answers. Epiphany asks if that did the trick, and Portia says, it did. It reminded her of why she wanted to be a doctor in the first place, and it wasn’t to do good on some test. It was to help people. Curtis walks in with Marshall, and says, then it looks like they came to the right place. Marshall smiles and nods at Epiphany, and she smiles back.

Laura asks if Cameron isn’t going with everyone else on the camping trip, but he says he has his hands full here with his job, his second job at the MetroCourt pool, not to mention dealing with things with Joss. She says she doesn’t want to pry, but it’s summer, after his freshman year in college. Doesn’t he think he deserves to have a little fun? He says, roughing it in Pautuck State Park isn’t his idea of a good time. She says, not fond of sleeping in a tent? Or is it maybe the fact that his mom won’t be there?

Trina looks at her phone, and says, confidential message from the office of the Dean of Students. Josslyn says, they don’t know for sure if this is bad news, and Trina says, yeah, but once she opens this email, her life won’t be the same.

Spencer says, Ava is way off base. He’s back with Esme. She asks if he’s trying to deny his feelings for Trina, and he says he doesn’t owe her any explanations. She says, he knows how much Trina means to her, so she wants the truth. What kind of game is he playing?

Nikolas grabs Esme’s arm, and says she can’t be serious. Ava can never know that he… that we… She says, made love? (bleh) and he tells her to keep her voice down. She tells him, she’s only saying, if the guilt of it is too much to bear, and he needs to unburden himself to Ava, he won’t be alone. She’ll be right by his side.

Mac comes into the hospital and sees Felicia. He says he takes it that Maxie and Bailey Lou are still upstairs with the pediatrician, and she says, yes, they are. And when they’re finished, she was hoping he’d join them for a family dinner. He says, sounds fine to him. He can’t get enough of that little angel. She says, everything is new through a little one’s eyes, then looks behind Mac, and says, no. Ryan is wheeled out of the elevator by several guards and Rory.

Laura hugs Cameron, and says she’s sorry. She knows he misses his mom; they all do. And she knows he also feels pressure to earn money and be the man of the family, but doesn’t he admire what Finn is doing; trying to keep things as normal as possible for Jake and Aiden? For Violet too, for that matter. He says, they can’t pitch a tent in the woods and pretend everything is normal when mom’s suffering, but she says, his mother chose to get help, and she’s working on getting better. He says, but they don’t know how long it’s going to take. He doesn’t know what to say anymore when Jake and Aiden ask why they can’t see their mom. Things will not get better until mom gets home.

Curtis says, he brought his father in to have his bandage changed, and maybe have another scan, and Epiphany says she heard about the mugging; she’s so sorry. Marshall says, his son came to the rescue. He throws some punches in the air, and says, thanks to Curtis, they came through all right. Epiphany says she’s not surprised Curtis came through for him, but she’s sorry he didn’t get there before Marshall got injured. Marshall says, he may be the worse for wear, but she should see the clarinet. Epiphany laughs, and says she’ll show Marshall to his room, and let the doctor know he’s here. Portia thanks her, and Epiphany says, no, thank you, for the tutorial. She leaves with Marshall, and Portia says, when she left Curtis at the house, he and his father had a lot to unpack. Curtis says, a whole suitcase full, and she says, if he doesn’t feel comfortable talking to her about it, they can talk another time. He says he doesn’t want to talk about it, but he has to. Because what he learned might affect her too.

Josslyn says she and Trina can do this, and they open the email. Josslyn says, oh no, and hugs Trina.

Spencer tells Ava, yes, he cares about Trina, but his loyalty is to Esme. Why is that so difficult for her to understand? She asks why he’d care about Trina if he thinks she’s the one who hurt his friends, while claiming Esme’s behind that revenge porn? Doesn’t that make him angry? He says he doesn’t have to explain himself to her, and she says, she’s the one in control of his trust fund. It’s her decision to give him an allowance, but what she gives, she can take away. So out with it. What is he up to?

Nikolas says, he and Esme have both been given second chances; her with Spencer, him with Ava. The last thing they want to do is throw those chances away, right? She says, if he can forget what happened between them, so can she. Nikolas flashes back to… It’s like a bad penny; it just keeps showing up. He says, Ava took the first step toward reconciliation, and he needs to find a way to reciprocate, and she asks if they’re talking diamonds or rubies. He says, none of the above.

Felicia tells Mac, she knows Ryan can’t hurt her because of his condition, but still… He says, wait here, and goes over to Rory, asking what Ryan is doing here. Rory hands Mac some paperwork, and says, the desk sergeant gave him this assignment, to provide back-up for the Spring Ridge guards during transport. The patient is going to undergo a series of tests at GH. Is there a problem? Mac says, unfortunately, no, handing the papers back to Rory. Everything seems to be in order. Mac goes over to Ryan, and bends down to his level. He says he knows Ryan can’t talk, or even move a muscle, but Ryan can hear him, so listen up. He knows it’s legally the correct thing to do to offer Ryan medical treatment, but if it were up to Mac, he’d have taken Ryan down a long time ago. All Ryan’s victims, all the people he killed, he never gave them a chance to survive. So even though he can imagine Ryan hates his life as a vegetable, trapped in a body that can’t do anything, it’s still way better than he deserves. Ryan lets out a yell, and leaps out of his chair, pushing Mac onto the floor, and getting on top of him. He says, Mac never was very bright, and Felicia screams. Ryan tears at Mac’s throat like a zombie, and looks up and says, Felicia, so nice to see you. Felicia whimpers, but it was all somebody’s daydream – I’m guessing Ryan’s. Mac tells Rory to escort the prisoner to the exam room, and make sure the room is secure before he hands Ryan over to the guards. Rory says, yes, sir, let’s go, and Ryan is wheeled away. Mac goes over to Felicia, and she says she’s okay. Evil like that, pure evil, can’t win out. He says he wishes it were that easy. Does she have a silver bullet? She says, something better, a baby.

Ryan is left in the exam room alone (really?), and makes a fist with his hand.   

Gregory asks Finn how things went at Shadybrook, and Finn says, Violet told him. Gregory says, nothing gets past her, and Finn says, Elizabeth is getting the help that she needs. Gregory asks why he senses there’s more to the story, and Finn says, Elizabeth made it clear his presence there was making it worse for her. She kind of asked him to leave. He goes over to Violet at the car, and asks if she’s ready for this.

Laura says, when she saw Cameron’s mother, she had only one concern; her boys, not herself. Cameron asks if that isn’t the problem. Shouldn’t her entire focus be on herself and getting better? She says, when he gets older and has kids, he’ll see that you never stop worrying about them or putting their needs first, but he’s right. She should be focusing on herself right now, but she won’t be about to do that if she knows Cameron is putting his life on hold. It will only add to her anxiety. He says, so him going on this stupid camping trip will actually make her feel better? and Laura asks if it’s really stupid to spend time with his brothers right now. Go for a walk in the woods. Maybe they’ll run into a family of deer. Anything to distract their minds from what’s going on with their mother. He says he guesses, and she says, he likes Finn, right? and he says, sure he does. She says, everybody says Hamilton Finn is a genius who can cure incurable diseases, and they’re right, but he’s also a human being. He could use Cameron’s help right now. She knows Cameron’s mother was counting on him to help right now. If ever there was a time for a family to come together, it’s now.

Portia asks how Marshall’s story affects her, and Curtis says, because it affects him. He doesn’t think he’s betraying any confidence in saying this. Marshall is well aware there have been way too many secrets, so he’s okay with him telling her everything. She says, she’s here to listen, so take all the time he needs. He says, after she left them at the house, Marshall opened up. It was like somebody opened the window, and let the sun shine in after a lifetime of being lost in the dark. He just let it all out; all those years he was away from them, thinking he was protecting them. When in reality, all the while, he was suffering. If TJ hadn’t found those pills… She says, the pills she found Curtis holding? and he nods. He says, after Marshall was mugged, the doctors in New York asked is he was on any medication. Curtis knew he was on heart medication, but didn’t know what kind or what dose. He and TJ had the keycard to Marshalls hotel room, so TJ went to look for the pills. They were just trying to help the doctors with any information they could. She asks if he’s saying Marshall’s heart condition is worse than he initially let on, but he says, no. He’s saying there was no medication for a heart issue. TJ found antipsychotic medication. All these years, Marshall has been taking medication for schizophrenia.

Trina reads, this is to inform you that you have been found in violation of regulations enumerated in Title IX. You’ll be contacted by the Dean’s office to schedule a meeting, at which time sanctions against you will be stipulated and possible expulsion will be addressed. Josslyn says, they still get to meet with the Dean. So there’s a chance they’ll impose sanctions while allowing Trina to stay enrolled in PCU. Trina says, thanks for trying to stay positive, but she doesn’t need a pep talk. Actually, in a way this decision did her a favor. Josslyn says, how? when Rory comes to the doorway and listens. Trina says, it’s like climbing a high diving board. It’s scarier to climb back down than just take a deep breath and jump. Josslyn says, okay, but what is Trina jumping into? Trina says, the way she sees it, if anyone’s going to clear her name and prove she’s not guilty, it’s her. Josslyn says, just know that Trina’s got her family, and her, and hopefully Cameron. Rory comes in, and says he hopes there’s room for one more supporter.

Esme says, she and Nikolas are in this together, so tell her. What does he have in mind for Ava? He says, Ava made a huge gesture by returning home to him. She even accepted Esme, and reinstated Spencer’s trust; those are huge concessions. He has to come up with a fitting response. She says she can’t wait to hear how the story ends, and hugs him. She says, this is for good luck, even though he doesn’t need it.

Spencer says he’s not up to anything, and Ava says, for once in his young irresponsible life, he’s got to be honest. Whose side is he on? Trina’s or Esme’s? Nikolas walks in with the ice, and says, what did he miss?

Gregory shows Violet how to tie a square knot, and says, now it’s her turn. It’s okay if she doesn’t get it right the first time. He sits with Finn on the back of the car, and Finn says, his advice never changes, does it? The whole it’s okay if you don’t get right on the first try thing. Gregory always let him and Chase figure things out on their own. Gregory says, if memory serves, Finn and Chase rarely took his advice, and Finn says, very true, but he’s starting to. Instead of hovering over Elizabeth, he’s taking the boys and Violet on this camping trip. Gregory says, that’s very healthy, very mature, but if he knows his son, and he thinks he does, Finn is already planning some other way to help Elizabeth, whether she wants it or not.

Cameron tells Laura, that’s not fair, her bringing up his mom’s expectations of him, when he’s been disappointing her for a long time. Laura tells him not to do this to himself. He made a mistake, just like everybody else. His mother is really proud of him, and beating himself up right now is not productive. He’s just going to get bogged down in all of that, and then he can’t be present to help anyone else. What sense does that make? The best thing he can do for his mother is go on the camping trip, and spend time with his younger brothers. So what does he say?

Marshall says, Epiphany doesn’t have to stick around until the doctor shows up, and she asks if it ever occurred to him that she might have another reason for sticking around. The last time she saw him, it was, hello, goodbye, and have a nice life. He says, he thought it was best, and she says, best for who? He encouraged her to go for her dream of becoming a doctor. Then when she takes him up on it, he’s out of here. Not so much as a postcard from the road. He asks if she’s telling him that she’s going for it, and she nods. He says, is she grabbing that brass ring? and she says, with both hands. They laugh, and she says, he may have run away from his family, but she’s not running away from her future. He says, he may have run away, but if she’s not going to hide from her future, he can’t run away from his past. He’s back to face it, and he’s back to stay.

Portia asks if Marshall happened to mention when he was first diagnosed, and Curtis says, it’s been at least 40 years ago. He’s been saying there was more to Marshall’s story, and he was right. That explains everything. Marshall walked away from his family because he was protecting them; there was never any unknown enemy. He was protecting them from himself. As long as he and Tommy believed he was dead, he was sparing them from the pain, grief, and stigma of that disease. She says, 40 years ago, a lot less was known about that condition, and he says, can she imagine the courage it took to walk away from his family; to face that illness alone? Or the courage, even more so, to come back and tell the truth? She says, it is very brave. Did he happen to mention if he had any recent episodes? Curtis says, the medication keeps it under control. He believes Marshall’s biggest fear isn’t what he’s about to do, but what he’s already done by passing on his DNA. He’s read this disease can be passed along genetically. Is that true?

Trina asks if Rory always listens in on conversations, and waits for the right time to make an entrance, and he tells her, people say there’s never a cop around when you need one. Now she can tell them they’re wrong. Josslyn says, she can’t get ahold of Cam, but she’s glad Rory is here. PCU may have made a decision about the Title IX findings, but there’s still time before a judge rules on Trina’s case. Rory says, he’s on the clock right now, but once he’s off duty, they can come up with a strategy to exonerate Trina. Trina says she’s touched by their support, but if there are any clues to find, she needs to find them. She can’t involve a member of the PCPD, and she can’t involve Joss and Cam. She needs to do this one on her own.

Spencer says, Cameron is expecting him at Kelly’s, and Nikolas says he admires Spencer’s dedication. Even though he can draw from his trust fund, he still feels an obligation to his friend. Ava says, that’s our Spencer, loyal to a fault. Spencer leaves, and Ava says, Nikolas’s timing is not great. She was so close to finding out what Spencer’s up to with Esme. He asks what makes her think Spencer is up to something, and she says, he’s a Cassadine, isn’t he? They’re all going to be under the same roof. She’s going to do everything she can to get along with Nikolas’s son. Unlike his father, Spencer’s choice of companionship leaves a lot to be desired. She gets closer to Nikolas, and frowns. He says, what’s wrong? and she says she knows that fragrance. It’s Esme’s.

Mac says, he and Felicia have been dancing around this topic for months, but never seem to go there. So let’s go there. They sit, and he asks if she’s saying that she… that we… Is she pregnant? She says, God no. Is that what he thought? What she meant was, they have Bailey Lou, a new life of hope and promise. Ryan has nothing, no one, except his twisted self. He says, then she’s not upset they never had a baby of their own? and she says, absolutely not. He helped her raise two beautiful daughters, and that’s good enough for her. They kiss, and Esme comes out of the elevator. She tells the guard at Ryan’s room that she’s here to visit him, but he says, no visitors. Another guard says, wait a minute. She’s the intern from Spring Ridge. Esme says, Dr. Gould asked her to sit with the patient in case he needs to communicate. The guard lets her in, and closes the door. She says, hello, daddy. She’s about to make all of his dreams come true.

Finn says, it’s difficult for him to fight the impulse to solve a problem, and Gregory says, and in Elizabeth’s case? Finn says he’s been thinking about reaching out to her parents, and Gregory just looks at him. Finn says, that’s it? Gregory has no opinion? That’s not like him. Gregory wonders if Finn is genuinely asking for his opinion, or has he already made up his mind?

Spencer runs into Kelly’s, and tells Cameron, he has great news. He sees Laura, and says he didn’t know she’d be here. She says, don’t let that stop him. He’s got great news; let’s hear it.

Portia tells Curtis, yes, there’s a genetic component to schizophrenia, but his father’s condition isn’t necessary something he’d inherit. He says, that’s a relief, and he thinks Marshall will be relieved as well. She says, there are so many factors that could have gone into this diagnosis, and medicine’s come a long way in 40 years. Whoever treated his father back then was just learning about what they were dealing with, but still… He asks what she’s saying, and she tells him, if he wants to be absolutely sure, he could go in for genetic counseling and testing.

Rory says he admires Trina’s courage and independence, but she’s going to need more than that to prove her innocence. Let them help her. She says, she appreciates that, but she can’t involve anyone else. Josslyn says, it’s a little late for that. She’s in this too, not only as a victim of revenge porn, but as Trina’s friend. This is happening to both of them in different ways, and they need to work together. Screw it. Let’s just go straight for Esme. They’ll make her tell the truth. Trina says, and when Esme accuses them of assault? Josslyn says, fine. Trina can stay here. She’ll take her chances. Trina says, no, she will not. Neither of them are committing a crime, not even to save her from a crime she didn’t commit. Rory says, she knows all the right words, but fair or not, the burden of proof is still on her. Trina says, that’s why she needs to find a way, her own way, to prove that Esme set her up.

Nikolas tells Ava, it’s no shock Esme’s perfume lingers here. She just stopped him outside. She asks what Miss Muffet wanted this time, and he says, now that Esme and Spencer are back together, she hopes he and Ava will forget the past, and be closer than they ever were before. She says, and Nikolas believes her? He says he believes she wants to be with Spencer, and Ava laughs, saying, or Spencer’s trust fund. He says, maybe both, but Esme realizes if things are going to work out with her and Spencer, their happiness – his and Ava’s – is essential. She says, happy wife, happy life, is that it? He says, she took the words right out of his mouth, and they kiss.

Esme says, Ryan’s plan is working to perfection. The fuse has been lit, and it’s only a matter of time before it blows up Ava and Nikolas’s marriage. She gets the alphabet board, and sits down. Ryan asks what she did, and she tells him, let’s just say she made Nikolas an offer he couldn’t refuse. He says, pray tell. What did she offer Nikolas? and she says, me.

Finn says he hasn’t exactly made up his mind, and he’s asking for Gregory’s opinion. Gregory tells him to look at his daughter. See what she’s doing? Finn says, she’s tying the knots Gregory taught her, and Gregory says, then she’s untying them. He didn’t teach her that. She figured that out on her own. Finn says, it serves him right for having a teacher as a father

Spencer asks if he and Cameron can have a moment alone, and Cameron says, anything Spencer can say to him, he can say to their grandma. Starting with why he was late to work again. Spencer says, Cameron told him that he had to choose, and Cameron says, and did he? Spencer says, it’s all taken care of, and Cameron says, good, because he’s going camping. Is Spencer going to be able to take care of everything else here? He hands Spencer his apron, but Spencer says, there’s been a change of plans. If he’s going to take care of everything, he doesn’t have time to buss tables. He hands the apron back, and says, consider this his notice.

Curtis tells Portia, if there’s any chance he could inherit his father’s condition, he wants to know all there is to know about genetic counseling. She says she can put him in touch with a specialist. The more Curtis knows about his father’s condition, the better prepared he’ll be to help his father. He says, if there’s one thing he found out the hard way, it’s that there’s a fine line between helping and interfering. Before he commits to anything, he’ll wait for the okay from Marshall. Portia says, of course (🍷); she understands. He says, unless it means that much to her, but she says she wants him to do what’s best for him. He takes her hands, and says she’s amazing. She’s always thinking of other people and not herself. So if it means that much to her, say the word, and he’ll speak to a specialist.

Rory says, before Trina says anything else, this is where he gets off. She says, because he’s a cop? and he says, the less he knows, the more freedom she has to do what she needs to do. All he can say is, good luck… to Esme. Josslyn asks what he’s talking about, and he says, if she and Trina coming for her, Esme needs to look out. He leaves, and Josslyn says she likes that guy.

Ava says, she and Nikolas can’t sweep their problems under the rug. They went off the rails because they didn’t trust each other enough to be completely honest. He says he admits it was wrong of him to invite Spencer and Esme to live here without consulting her first, and she says she admits, although she and Spencer have reached a kind of détente, Esme is a different story. He says, forget about Esme. Speaking of happy wives, he has something he wants to give her.

Felicia says, just her and Mac are more than enough. And this year, their Christmas newsletter will be embarrassingly filled with all of their blessings. And they can add Bailey Lou this year. He says, sounds good to him, when his phone dings. She asks if it’s about Ryan, and he says, no. They need him at the station, but it shouldn’t take long. Can he meet her at the restaurant? She says she’s a cop’s wife; she’s used to waiting. He tells her not to worry about Ryan. The only place he’s going is back to Spring Ridge. She walks him to the exit doors, then turns around and looks at Ryan’s room, three guards standing outside.

Ryan says, Esme had sex with her boyfriend’s father? and I say, thanks for reminding me. She says, the plan was to break Nikolas and Ava up, right? He says, if there weren’t guards outside the door, and he wasn’t handcuffed to this chair, he would hug her. So tell him everything. How did Ava react when Esme told her? Esme hesitates, and he says, she did tell Ava that mewling idiot she married cheated, didn’t she?

Portia says, Curtis has gone his whole life without knowing about his father’s illness, so there’s no rush to see a genetic specialist. Curtis and his father have been doing so good lately. Why doesn’t Curtis wait and talk to Marshall; see what he thinks about it. He thanks her for understanding, and says, as soon as he gets the all clear, he’s taking Marshall home. Home. Sounds good, doesn’t it? She says, it sounds real good, and he kisses her, saying, home, one more time before he goes out the door. Portia leans on the table a moment, then picks up her phone. She says, this is Dr. Portia Robinson, and she’d like to set up a consultation with one of their counselors… She has a few questions that require a genetic specialist.

Josslyn says she can’t believe they’re back to square one with Esme, but Trina says, not necessarily. Josslyn says, she has a new idea? and Trina says, yeah. They have to forget about breaking up Esme and Spencer. They need to break down Esme’s story to prove she’s the guilty one. And Trina knows exactly how to do that.

Epiphany says she doesn’t know where Marshall’s doctor could be, and starts to leave, but he says, they have some unfinished business too. She says she thought he said his clarinet was damaged, and he says, instruments can be repaired easier than people can. Besides, they never got around to that second date. She says, is he asking her out? and he says, is she saying yes? mimicking her with his hand on his hip. They laugh.

Gregory says he knows how much Finn wants to help Elizabeth, but he thinks the best thing Finn can do for her is take care of her boys, and trust Elizabeth to know what’s best for her. Violet runs over, and says, she did it, showing Gregory her knot. He tells her, good job, and they high-five.

Laura says, Spencer is quitting his job? and Spencer says, Ava restored his trust fund allowance. He thinks he should be able to get by on ten thousand. Cameron says, ten thousand a year? but Spencer says, no, a week. Violet pops her head in, and tells Cameron, it’s time to go. They have a trip to get to. Cameron tells Spencer that he’s on the schedule tonight. Cameron has no one else to cover for him. Finish his shift. Cameron hands back the apron, and says he’s got to go. Spencer says, one last shift won’t hurt, and Cameron says, bussing tables is a lot easier than living at Windymere with Ava, Esme, and Spencer’s dad. He hopes Spencer knows what he’s doing. He thanks Laura, and hugs her. She tells him that he made the right choice, and to have fun. Cameron leaves, and Laura looks at Spencer. He tells her, say something, and she says, she was wondering, if Ava is giving him an allowance, what is he giving her in return?

Ava tells Nikolas, she doesn’t need presents. All she wants is for them to be open and honest going forward. He says he totally agrees. That’s why he thinks he found the perfect way to thank her for giving him a second chance. He wants a divorce.

Esme tells Ryan, she’s playing long game; finding just the right time for Ava to learn about Nikolas’s infidelity. He says he sees, and she says she knew he’d understand, and takes his hands. He say, indeed he does, and she tries to pull away, but he holds on. She says, that hurts, and he says, it’s meant to. Because words can’t possibly express his disappointment.

Felicia walks toward Ryan’s room.

On Monday, Ava asks Nikolas, what happened to working things out; Spencer says, the key is in Esme’s past; Carly thinks they should give credit where credit is due; and Sonny says, Jordan has something of his, and he wants it back.

🪂 Dropping In…

Parachute guy shares his feelings.

✋🏾 Not Having It…

Nobody wanna steal nobody else’s problems, okay? Enough said.

🍇 Just What She Wanted To Hear…

It was bad enough he hit on her. Now the world knows about it.

🎙 Watching What Happens…

Andy throws some stuff out there.

💎 Tsk, Tsk…

This girl is way immature, and doesn’t realize she can’t assign any definition she wants to a word. And regarding gaslighting, I do not think it means what Crystal thinks it means.

⛵️ Ciao To the Chef…

While I’m sure Glenn is sorry to see Marcos go, it’s understandable. Isn’t it time for Chef Ben to show up somewhere?

⚖️ Chrisley Will Know Prison…

Hid income from what? What do these people do for a living??? I still don’t know.

🍿 And the Popcorn Goes To…

This is actually a kind of fun awards show.

https://www.mtv.com/news/3187264/movie-tv-awards-winners-2022/

🥠 Quotes of the Week

I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. – Jimmy Dean

I love my cats more than I love most people. Probably more than is healthy. – Amy Lee

The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. – John F. Kennedy

Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Wherever there is fear, there is control.Shana Schutte

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. – John Powell

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. – Martin Luther King Jr.

🦁 Easing On Down the Road…

There’s nothing Dead this Sunday, but I’ll be here on Monday (well, really Tuesday, but really, really early) for soap and the final Deck charter. Until then, stay safe, stay putting some Variety Spice in your life, and stay remembering, it’s okay if you don’t get it right the first time.

June 8, 2022 – Dex Pays a Visit To Michael, Beverly Hills Inflicts Themselves on Mexico, a Thought & Raining

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Selena brings Sonny an envelope, and says, it’s from their most recent gains. He says, any one of her guys could have brought it. Why the special delivery? She says she needed to speak to him, and asks if he’s aware the harbormaster was fired. He says he heard, and she says, he was her point person when her shipments came in. Sonny assured her easy passage for her merchandise. Without Vince, will that change?

Dante sees Brando at the gym and asks if he’s coming or going. Brando says, going; he just finished a workout. Dante asks if Sonny is around, and Brando says, Dante just missed him. He asks if Dante knows Sonny’s new guy, Dex, but Dante says he hasn’t really spoken to Dex. Why? Brando says he saw Dex earlier with Sonny. He couldn’t hear everything, but they were talking about Michael. It didn’t sound like good news. Dante says, Sonny would never hurt Michael, if that’s what Brando is worried about, but Brando says he’s not; it’s Dex. There’s just something about him. He’s seen guys like Dex in the service, real eager to please the commander, or boss, sometimes taking matters into their own hands. They’re trying to deal with a problem to score points. Dante asks if Brando thinks Dex sees Michael as a problem that needs to be solved to try and impress Sonny, and Brando says he does.

On the phone with Drew, Michael says, things got pretty tense, which is about average for this family. Dex walks in, covering the gun in his waistband, and Michael says he was hoping Drew could come up with something better… They’ll talk. He sees Dex, and asks if he can help him. Dex says he hopes so, and Michael asks what he’s doing here. Dex says, showing initiative.

At the pool – which I’m sure we’ll see a lot of now – Brad approaches Brook, and says he didn’t get a chance to say hi at the Society Set-Ups mixer. She tells him to cut to the chase. He’s clearly working up to something; just say it. He says, she’s big on social media, right? and she says she has a presence. He says he was wondering if she happened to see the GIF from the other night, and she says, Britt slogging her way drunk and drenched out of the pool? She laughs and says she saw it; everyone saw it. He says he’s just curious. What was the giveaway that Britt was overserved? She says, you mean wasted? Britt was drinking like a fish at the mixer. He should know; he kept refilling her drinks. He says he was trying to be a friend, and she says, friends don’t let friends make public rants about how love is futile. If anything, that parachute guy saved her some embarrassment from saying something more embarrassing. Now the only embarrassment she has to live with is the existence of that GIF. Any idea who posted it? He says he only sent it to one person, and she says, that was him? How could he do that to his supposed best friend? He says, Britt is absolutely his best friend. And yes, in retrospect, it was absolutely a bad idea to send that footage off to an influencer, but it’s just one GIF in a whole world of GIFs. Cody walks in, looking at said GIF on his phone, laughing.

On the phone, Britt says, it’s character assassination. That video was taken without her knowledge or consent… Yes, she knows it was a public place, but still, she wants that GIF deleted off the face of the earth… It’s a threat to her livelihood. She’s Chief of Staff at General Hospital. She can’t have her image smeared this way… Yes, she meant to say Co-Chief. Do they want to get fired? Since they’re so particular about details, find a legal way to get fix this before they both lose their jobs.

Gladys lies on the couch eating cookies, when Sasha comes past. Gladys asks if she’s going somewhere, and Sasha says, the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Does Gladys need one? Gladys says she’s good, and asks if Sasha would like a cookie; they’re delicious. Sasha says she knows. That’s why she bought them. They’re for the Deception support staff to thank them for their hard work. She was bringing them to work tomorrow. Gladys says, whoops. She guesses she’s support staff too, although she’s really suited for more, but there’s more cookies in the bakery box. Sasha says she’ll just save them for Brando and get more. Gladys says she’ll go with Sasha, but Sasha says she won’t. Gladys has to stop this; she’s driving Sasha crazy.

Britt leaves a message for Obrecht, and says she’s sorry she missed her again. She’s going to keep calling until Obrecht talks to her. They both said things they shouldn’t have. She doesn’t want to leave things this way. She’s not playing the degenerative disorder card, but Obrecht said it, life is short. Call her. She leaves her hotel room.

Sonny says, the new harbormaster won’t be an issue, and Selena asks what the basis is for his assurance. He says, the basis is he’s going to handle the situation. Understand? It’s his territory. Has she forgotten who controls what goes on here? Him. She says she meant no disrespect. She’s become aware that Sonny has a competitor for his coffee business. Now the unexpected firing of his associate. Since they’ve agreed to keep each other informed of possible challenges to their territories, she thinks it’s only prudent to ask – is someone new making a move?

Michael says, Sonny sent Dex? but Dex says, Mr. Corinthos doesn’t know he’s here, but he made sure no one saw him on his way to the stable. Michael says, make sure no one sees him on his way out, and turns his back, but Dex says, that was rude. Michael says, apparently not rude enough for Dex to get the message. This is private property, and Dex shouldn’t be here. Dex says he isn’t done. He came here for a reason. Dante walks in with Brando, and says, what reason would that be?

Brad tells Brook, parachute guy is back. She looks at Cody, and Brad says, by all means gawk. He can’t say he blames her. He looks hot in actual clothes too. Brook says she can’t disagree, and she has very high standards. He’s coming. Cody asks how it’s going, and Brad says, amazing. Cody asks if they mind if he joins them; he forgot to book a chaise. Brad says, yes… I mean, no… I mean we don’t mind. Please, join us. Cody says he appreciates it, and introduces himself. He shakes hands with Brad, who has a hard time letting go, until Brook gets up and steps between them, introducing herself. She says, he made quite the entrance the other night, when her phone dings. She says, it’s work; she has to go. She says, nice to meet Cody, and leaves. Cody says, if Brad has to go, Brad doesn’t have to stick around for him. Brad says he has nowhere else to be, and sits back down. Cody sits, and Brad says, Brook was right. That parachute landing was a real attention grabber. Cody says, it didn’t exactly go as planned, but Brad says, people were still buzzing about it. Cody says, about him, or the hot mess that fell in the pool? Britt walks up, and says she didn’t fall; he slammed into her. Cody says, we meet again.

Sasha says she agreed with Gladys living with her, but she didn’t agree to Gladys acting as her babysitter, or warden, or whatever she’s doing. Gladys asks, what is she doing? and Sasha says, Gladys is following her around everywhere, like she’s afraid to let Sasha out of her sight. Gladys says she’s just concerned about her favorite daughter-in-law, and Sasha says, that sounds cute and charming, but they both know what’s going on here, don’t they? Gladys says, maybe she’s hovering a bit too much, but she saw that paparazzo try to tempt Sasha with drugs, and doesn’t want Sasha to fall back into addiction. Sasha says she didn’t take the bait, and Gladys says she’s glad, but since Sasha won’t tell Brando about the pills, she has to stay close so she can recognize the signs if Sasha slips. Sasha says, she won’t slip, and Gladys tells her, says you. Who is Sasha fooling here, Gladys or herself? She’s done this dance before. They say, once an addict, always an addict. They have to stay vigilant. Sasha says she has to stay vigilant; her. Gladys can’t do it for her. Gladys can’t protect her from her addiction. If Gladys wants to know the truth, she can get drugs anytime. In their business, people are around everywhere, using or selling. She’d be surprised. Gladys says, not if she has anything to say about it, and Sasha says, that’s exactly her point. If she wanted to use, she could. She doesn’t care how much Gladys tries to helicopter her or run interference, she would find a way, and it wouldn’t be difficult. She went through a rehab program, remember? After her heart attack from tat cocaine laced with dextroamphetamine Cyrus gave her. That was a real wake-up call. She knows that in order to stay clean, she has to want to stay clean. And she does. Gladys asks if it isn’t good to have back-up, and Sasha takes Gladys’s hands, saying, she appreciates Gladys’s concern. She knows it’s coming from a place of love, but Gladys has to believe her; she’s completely fine. There’s a knock at the door, and Sasha finds a box outside. She asks if Gladys ordered something, but Gladys says, no, and Sasha sees it was forwarded from her old apartment. Gladys puts the remaining cookies in the kitchen, and Sasha opens the box. She takes out a tiny pair of work boots, and Gladys asks, what is it?

Britt says she saw Cody being led away in handcuffs. Why is he not in jail? He says he didn’t do anything wrong, and she says, he was arrested. He says, she was hammered. Maybe that’s why her memory is so spotty. How’s her head feel? Did she get enough water before she went to bed last night? The waiter brings Cody’s order, and Cody says, they can bill it to his room. Oh, he forgot; he already checked out. He wonders if the front desk still has his credit card info, but Brad says he’s got this. He tells the waiter to add it to his order, and put it on Selena Wu’s tab. Britt asks what he’s doing, and Brad says, just being friendly. Cody says he appreciates it, and Britt asks if she can talk to Brad a minute. They walk over to the bar, and Britt asks why Brad hates her. First he makes her an internet laughingstock, now he’s aiding and abetting the enemy? And since when is he comfortable living large off auntie dearest? Brad says, that’s a lot to unpack. First, he doesn’t hate her; he adores her. And he’s sorry. He was a little tipsy when he sent that footage of her climbing out of the pool to a friend. Secondly, Cody didn’t mean to knock her into the pool. She says, Cody? It’s Cody now? Brad says, that’s his name, and Cody approached him. Britt says, he did? She didn’t see that coming. He says he wishes, but sadly, it’s nothing like that. Brook was with him, and then she took off. Britt says, and he stayed to buy Cody lunch and a drink on auntie’s tab. He says, nothing wrong with showing some hospitality, and as he mentioned, Cody didn’t knock her into the pool on purpose. She says, right. She was just in his way. Brad says, she was standing awfully close to the edge when he landed, and she says, Brad means when he literally dropped out of the sky in an unsafe manner? He says, unsafe, but spectacular. By the way, congratulations; her memory is coming back. She says, if only she could forget, and looks at Cody, who’s already looking at her.

Gladys asks Sasha if this is supposed to be a joke. What kind of sicko would send those? Sasha says she bought them when she was still pregnant. She thought Brando would get a kick out of them, but they were backordered. She completely forgot about them. Gladys says she’ll make sure they’re returned, and Sasha says she knew they’d be too big for a newborn, but – she cries a little – but she figured Liam would grow into them eventually. There’s a knock at the door, and Gladys says, it better not be more deliveries, but it’s Brook. Gladys tells her, come in, and Brook says Gladys seems strangely happy to see her. She sees Sasha holding one of the boots, and asks, what’s going on? Sasha says, they were for Liam.

Dex says, Detective Falconari and Michael’s cousin; it’s a family reunion. Dante asks if Michael invited this guy onto the property, but Michael says, he doesn’t know who he is or why he’s here. Brando says, allow him to introduce Dex, Sonny’s new hire. Michael says he sees. He thinks Dex took a wrong turn, and Dex says, must have. Michael tells him, have a nice day, and Dex says he’s going. Brando follows him out, and asks if Dex is headed back to work. Dex asks, yeah, why? and Brando says he thinks he’ll follow, and tell Sonny about Dex’s bad sense of direction.

Dante asks if Michael is okay, and Michael says he’s fine. Dante asks what Dex wanted. Was he here about Sonny’s problems with his coffee business? Michael tells Dante, he said he was fine. Dante can drop the whole big brother thing, and mind his business.

Sonny tells Selena not to concern herself. He’s taking care of the situation. He thinks he knows the source. She says, which is? and he says, he’s handling it. She says she’s sure he is, but if there’s anything she can do… He says, Miss Wu, all due respect, like I said before, it doesn’t concern you. Leave it alone.

Britt tells Brad not to think he skated past what he did to her by recording that humiliating video. Cody orders another drink, and tells the waiter to put it on the same tab, and give himself a nice tip. Britt says, she’s still furious, but Brad says, he just wanted to record what she said for posterity. She says she didn’t believe that excuse the first time either, but he says, she seemed a little persuaded. She says, it was just an act for her mother’s sake. If she smells fear, Britt is done for. He says, it sounds like her mother is just worried about her, and she says, since when is he on her mother’s side? He says, it’s not about sides… She says, what? and he says, he gets that she’s upset that he sent that video. He was trying to be relevant or something, but it was wrong, and not okay. And even though he was a little lubricated himself, he should have been looking out for her, like he’s trying to do right now, but she makes it impossible sometimes. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says, something’s going on with her and he’s worried. She’s been acting weird for a while now. At first he thought it was about Jason, and he’s sure that’s part of it, but there’s something else. They’re besties, right? Talk to him. Tell him what’s going on with her… for real.

Gladys tells Brook, Sasha forgot she ordered them, and they were delivered here. Brook says, it must have been a real shock, appearing out of the blue like that, but Sasha says she’s fine. Brook says she doesn’t see how that can be true, and Sasha says, it has to be. She’s okay. Really. What brings Brook by? Brook says, just some Deception business; they can talk about it tomorrow. Sasha says she’d love to talk business. What’s up? Brook says, Lucy heard from the people at the Home and Heart Shopping Channel. They want to give Deception a one-hour slot. Sasha says, that’s amazing. What do they have to do? Brook says, they don’t have to do anything but get Sasha ready. She’ll chat up the talk show host, talk up the products, maybe do a little demonstration. Gladys says, this is great. They’re going to have to increase their inventory. She loves the Home and Heart. She’s seen stuff sell out in 20 minutes, and then the host has to vamp for the rest of the hour. Awkward. Brook sees Sasha look panicked, and says, that won’t happen. Gladys wonders if she has more faith in their products than  Brook, but Brook says she has no doubt their cosmetics will sell. She just has to remind Maxie and Lucy to bulk up their inventory before they go on the air. They’ll make sure they don’t sell out. Sasha’s hands start to shake, and she says she’ll be right back. Gladys asks where she’s going, and Sasha says, the bathroom. Please offer Brook some lemonade and cookies. She leaves, and Brook asks how Sasha is really doing. In the hallway, Sasha leans on the wall.

Dante tells Michael, mind his own business? They came because Brando had a bad vibe about that Dex kid, and it turns out he was right. Dex came here to intimidate Michael or rough him up. They wanted to make sure she was okay. Michael says, Dante doesn’t need to get involved, but Dante says, it’s too late; he is involved. Dex is one of Sonny’s guys apparently, and Sonny’s business has had some setbacks lately; Corinthos Coffee has lost some lucrative contracts. The harbormaster was abruptly fired, and the new one is being obstructive. Does Michael know anything about that? Michael says, every business has it’s ups and downs, even Sonny’s. Dante says, that’s what he thought. Why can’t Michael see that going after Sonny makes everyone’s lives worse? Is it all worth it just to try to humiliate their father?

Sonny comes out of his office at Pozzulo’s, sees Brando with Dex, and asks, what’s going on? Brando says, he and Dante found Dex with Michael. Michael’s okay; they got there in time. Dex asks what Brando is talking about. They were just having a conversation; he wasn’t going to clip the guy. Even if they hadn’t rolled up, Michael would have been okay… eventually. Sonny says, Listen. Dex even touches one of his kids, and he’ll kill Dex himself.

Britt says, Brad is right; she’s been going through some things. He asks if she wouldn’t feel better talking with someone like him. She’s making it hard on herself just keeping it all in. She says she can’t say anything if he doesn’t stop talking, and he says, talk then. She says she was about to, and now she has to compose her thoughts again. Sometimes he’s on her last nerve. Brad says, he’s coming, and Brad says, who? What? Cody asks if she’s done yelling at this guy, putting his arm around Brad’s shoulders. If this is how she talks to her friends… She says, how she talks to her friends is none of his business, and something he’ll never experience. Now why doesn’t he leave before she changes her mind, and sues him for bodily harm? He looks her up and down, and says, her body doesn’t look harmed to him, and she asks if he ever stops. He says, unlike you, Dr. Westbourne, I prefer to be nice to people; smile and not bark. She asks how he knows her name, and he says, it’s all over his feed, and shows her his phone.  

Gladys tells Brook, stupid supply chain. Sasha turned pale as a ghost when she saw these. It didn’t feel good to her either. Brook says she’s so sorry. She’ll take them when she leaves, and donate them. Gladys thanks her, and says, the sooner they’re out of here, the better. Brook says, she and Chase gathered all of Bailey’s belongings when she moved home with Maxie; her clothes, her toys, the 552 baby accessories you didn’t even know existed until you were caring for a child. But they still forgot some things in the nursery at the Quartermaine mansion; some onesies she outgrew, a stuffed animal. A few weeks after Brook moved home, she went into the nursery to get a toy for Wiley, and she stopped in her tracks. She started going through the drawers and the closets, and that’s when she found the stuffed animal. She just sat in the rocking chair and bawled. And that’s with her knowing Bailey is alive and well and living with her real mom. She can’t imagine what it’s like for Sasha to be reminded of Liam. Gladys says, maybe she should check on Sasha, but Brook says, she hasn’t been gone long. Gladys says, she’d still feel better if she looked in on her, and Brook says, she understands Sasha is upset, but is there another reason Gladys is concerned about Sasha? Gladys says, Sasha’s her family. There’s no such thing as being too concerned. Brook says, but she seems overly worried. Is there a  reason for that?

Michael says he doesn’t want trouble with Dante, but every time they talk, it’s clear Dante is siding with Sonny. Dante says, he’s not siding with anybody; he’s just trying to keep the peace. Michael keeps escalating things. Sonny’s not working against him. Michael says, Sonny’s siding with Nina; he testified for her. Apparently, it’s not her fault that she didn’t tell Sonny he had a family waiting for him, and then Sonny tells the judge that Nina should be able to see Wiley. It wasn’t a surprise, but it still felt like a betrayal. Dante says he can’t defend Sonny on that one. He doesn’t agree with what he did in court. Michael says, and Sonny’s testimony was just a start. Then Scotty started questioning him about Claudia Zaccara’s death. According to him, Michael bludgeoned a helpless woman, and Nelle was justified in hiding Wiley from him. Dante says, who cares what Scotty says? He’s full of crap. Michael says, he was acting on Nina’s orders, and there was Sonny in the courtroom, sitting on her side. So don’t talk to him about peace. He doesn’t want peace. Sonny didn’t just betray Michael and his family; he betrayed himself, his code that he instilled in Michael his whole life. Family first, right? Sonny doesn’t care about his family; he proved that. Dante says, maybe Michael can tell him how messing up Sonny’s business balances the scales, but Michael says he’s not doing anything illegal. Dante says, Michael got the harbormaster fired, and Michael says, they all know he was on the take. Dante can’t tell him that as a law enforcement officer, he’s unhappy that guy is out of commission, but Dante says, he couldn’t care less. He cares about Michael. This isn’t like him. Michael says, because it’s on him to forgive and make allowances, while Sonny gets what he wants, takes what he wants, and everyone around him has to pay the price. No more. He wants Wiley to grow up the son of a successful businessman, not the grandson of a mobster. Dante says, he wants Wiley to grow up the son of a successful businessman obsessed with revenge? Does that make Michael better than Sonny? If Michael wants to cut Sonny out of his life, do it, but he’s never going to be done with Sonny if his entire life revolves around revenge.

Sonny tells Dex, my family, everyone in it, and that includes Michael, is off limits. Does he make himself understood? Dex says, absolutely understood, boss, and Sonny tells Dex to wait while he walks Brando out. Sonny says he’s grateful for what Brando did, but why did he go after Dex in the first place? Brando says, when he was at the gym, he heard part of Sonny and Dex’s conversation. He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop; he couldn’t help it. Sonny says, go on, and Brando says, there was something about Dex’s attitude that rubbed him the wrong way. It was instinct, you know? Sonny says he appreciates everything Brando does for his family, and Brando says, anytime. Sonny tells him, go to that beautiful wife of his, and Brando leaves. Sonny says he gave Dex a job; what was it? Dex says, to find out if any other vendors have canceled orders with Sonny’s business, and Sonny asks where he heard Michael in that order. Dex says, nowhere, sir, but… and Sonny says, no buts. When he gives Dex an order, Dex needs to obey it. Do what he wants; nothing less, nothing more. Dex says, that doesn’t work for him.

Britt says, delete it, reaching for Cody’s phone, but he dances away, asking, why would he do that? She says, the video was taken out of context. It doesn’t show him knocking her into the water. He says she should be thanking him for his skills. If he had plowed into her at full speed, who knows? She asks why he’s even standing here. He should be locked up for creating a public nuisance, and flying a parachute without a license. Cody says he doesn’t know if that’s an offense, and she says, as far as she can tell, he’s just a drifter who literally blew into town, who she can’t wait to blow back out. The only reason she hasn’t sued him is that she doesn’t want him hanging around for the court date. He says, she’s welcome to try; he doesn’t really have anything worth taking. He was paid to parachute into that pool, which he did. He can’t be held responsible because she was standing too close to the edge. Furthermore, he has evidence she wasn’t injured as a result. He knows she walked out of that pool of her own considerable glory. He flashes his phone, and she says, if he brings that up again, the phone is going to end up at the bottom of the pool. Selena walks up and says hello to Britt. She says, and he is…? Cody tells her, Cody Bell; he’s blowing through. Selena says, she and Brad have a meeting, and Brad says, that’s why he’s here. She says, shall we? and they leave, Brad telling Britt, play nice. Britt says, Cody can leave now, and he says he will once he gets what he’s owed. She says she doesn’t owe him anything, and he says, not everything is about her. He’s waiting for someone. She tells him, wait somewhere else.  

Brook asks Gladys if there’s something she doesn’t know about. Is that why Gladys is staying here? Gladys asks if Brook thinks it’s strange they’d want her here, and Brook says, come on. Sasha isn’t just her friend; she’s a pivotal part of Deception. She wants to know so she can help. Sasha comes back, and says she’ll be okay. She just needed to splash water on her face. Home and Heart is a huge opportunity for Deception. She’s excited for them, but has to admit she’s a little nervous, being on camera, having all the focus on her. That’s why she wants to prepare. It’s the best way she knows to conquer her jitters. Brook says she totally understands. They’ll prep her, coach her, they’ll beat those jitters into submission. Sasha says, let’s get to it, and they all sit. Sasha says, they should discuss which products to present, and the order to present them to maximize sales. Brook says she’ll take notes to forward to Lucy. She thinks they should start with a bang to get the audience’s attention. She was thinking lips. Sasha tells Gladys that she’s not on the clock, so she doesn’t have to stick around for this, but Gladys says she’s not going anywhere. This is fun. Just pretend she’s not here.

Selena says she’s impressed with Brad’s work so far. He’s accomplished every one of the tasks she’s given him. Last night at the poker game, Judge Abbott told her that he was quite charming. Selena smiles for the first time ever, and he says he’s actually enjoying it so far. She says, he sounds surprised, and he tells her that he had his heart set on working at GH. He was thrown when she intervened, but he had no idea what the job would entail. She says she’s aware he was hesitant to get involved with one of her enterprises, however, she has a talent for matching people with the task they’re best suited for, and so far, he’s impressed her. He says, that’s great to hear, because he thinks he’s ready for more. He wants to make a real contribution to the family business.

Sonny asks what Dex said, and Dex tells him, with all respect, he doesn’t think Sonny wants a robot. He wants someone who can think for himself; who can anticipate problems and deal with them so he doesn’t have to. Sonny says, Dex thinks that’s him? Sonny barely knows him. Dex hasn’t earned his trust. Dex says, yes, sir. He’s sorry for going to see his son. He knows he went too far, but he was trying to impress Sonny. He knows he can do more for Sonny, and wanted to prove it. He didn’t think it through. He blew it and he’s really sorry. He just wanted a chance to show his initiative. Sonny says, he appreciates Dex’s enthusiasm, but he’s not there yet, and the way he’s going to get there is to listen to what Sonny says, and obey his orders. Dex asks if that means he didn’t screw it all up. Is Sonny giving him another chance?

Britt looks at her phone, and says, ten emails from the Board… Now eleven. She sighs.

Selena says, Brad has no experience with her organization. He needs to study and learn the business; then complete the necessary training. He says he’s up for the challenge, and she tells him, so you say. Why should she invest in him now? He says, because they’re family? and she says she’s been let down by family before. He says, who? and she says, it’s time to go. He can prove his dedication right now. She leaves, and he follows her out.

On the phone, Britt leaves a message for Terry, saying, she wouldn’t blame Terry if she was avoiding her calls. She’s probably not coming in today, for obvious reasons. If Terry is fielding calls from the Board, she’s so sorry. She’ll talk to Terry later. Cody sits on the chair next to hers, and says, careful; her face is going to freeze that way. She says, this whole pool debacle is ruining her life and her reputation. How is anyone going to take her seriously now? She swears she should sue. He says, she absolutely should.

Sasha comes out to the kitchen, and takes what looks like an OTC pill bottle out of her bag. She opens it, and Gladys comes flying out. She says, no! and knocks them it from Sasha’s hand, scattering pills everywhere, when Brando walks in.

There’s a knock at Sonny’s office door, and Frank says, it’s Dante. Sonny asks if Dante is here about Michael. He knows all about what happened. Dante says he figured Brando would have told him. Who is this Dex guy? What is he doing? Sonny says he had a conversation with Dex, and put him on notice. He can tell Dante right now, Dex isn’t going to do anything without checking with him first. He’s going to follow Sonny’s orders, believe him.

On the phone, Michael says he’ll circle back with Drew when he gets back to the office. He’s running a quick errand. Dex shows up, and Michael says, twice in one day. Is everything okay? Dex says, sure thing, boss. Sonny slapped his hand, and he promised to be good from now on. Michael says, Dex coming to the Quartermaine estate was out of line. His family is off limits. Dex says, he’s heard that one before, and Michael asks if he looks like he’s joking. Dex says, it’s just ironic considering Michael hired him to take down his father.

Tomorrow, Sasha insists she’s not using drugs; Spinelli asks if his outfit meets with Sam’s approval; Esme says, love is all around; and Cody tells Britt to take back her power.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Garcelle brings her sister Chantal to a beach house she bought, and is planning on tearing down. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, she didn’t grow up knowing anyone who had more than one home; some didn’t even have one. Buying a beach house is a big deal. Her vision is to build something that’s 2700 square feet, modern, with different decks. She wants a place where her kids can go, have fun, and create memories. So when she’s gone, they can say, cool. Mom did this. She tells Chantal that she’s thrilled to be able to work and do this, and Chantal says, it’s the work ethic that was instilled in them; hard work pays. Their mom said, work hard and study hard, and it will work out. Garcelle says she’s proud of herself, and Chantal says she’s proud of Garcelle too. In her interview, Garcelle says, she has four sisters and two brothers, and she’s the baby. Chantal lives in Miami, and visits the most. They don’t see each other often, but they talk on the phone. Chantal is the type of person who laughs at her own jokes, and sometimes Garcelle wonders if Chantal needs her one the phone, but they have a good time when they see each other. They go to the beach, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says she loves the beach. It reminds her of growing up in Haiti, bringing her favorite fruit, kenap, and hanging out. She would see the homes, and think, one day… and one day is here. She tells Chantal that it’s her happy place, but where’s her man? Chantal says, he’s in the water, and they laugh.

Dorit meets Erika for lunch, and tells her about the therapy session. She feels it’s good and helpful, and Erika says, it’s painful too. Dorit says, it’s draining, and in her interview, she says she’s doing EMTR therapy, and we flash back to her session. She says, the more she does it, the more she’ll find the tools to manage her anxiety, which is the ultimate goal. Erika says, because Dorit got into therapy right away, she’s on her way to recovery, and Dorit asks if Erika got an update on Lois. Erika says, it’s bad, and we flash back to LisaR telling Dorit that Lois is in hospice, and has a do not resuscitate order. Dorit tells Erika that she feels broken hearted, so she can only imagine how LisaR feels. In Dorit’s interview, she says, PK told her to take the girls out of town, and Diana said she’d fire up the jet. She tells Erika about the plan to go to Mexica, and says, they’re taking a PJ courtesy of Diana. Erika says she’s excited.

In a different restaurant, Kyle meets Crystal for lunch. Crystal says she texted Kathy, who said, planning Paris’s wedding is a nightmare. In Kyle’s interview, she says, all eyes are going to be on them, so everything has to be perfect. There’s a lot of pressure on Kathy and Paris. They talk about Crystal getting triggered, and Crystal says she’s not used to conflict. It was a hard topic, and she held it in; she didn’t want to talk about it. Kyle says, Crystal brought up something from a year ago, and we flash back to Kyle saying she doesn’t remember Sutton saying anything horrific. She says, in Crystal trying to defend herself to Garcelle, she threw Sutton under the bus. And in not saying what it was, she left it open for people to interpret it was worse than it was. Crystal says she’s not going to repeat it, and Kyle tells her, she shouldn’t have said it then. In her interview, Kyle says, Sutton made the I-don’t-see-color comment – we flash back to that – Crystal corrected her, and she apologized. Kyle is confused. She asks Crystal what was so dark, but Crystal tells her, it’s not her place to say the details. Kyle says she thinks Crystal is gaslighting the situation, but Crystal says she’s just being careful. Kyle asks if she isn’t being dramatic, and Crystal asks Kyle to give her the benefit of the doubt. Kyle says, Crystal needs to start being direct, and not passive/aggressive, and Crystal promises to do everything possible to be more open and direct. I’m actually surprised that, not only is Kyle having Sutton’s back, she hit the nail on the head as to what Crystal’s issue is.

Diana visits Kyle, whose dogs try steal the food while she’s answering the door. Kyle says she’s tired from wedding, but it was beautiful, and Paris was funny and sweet. In Kyle’s interview, she says, last night was the beginning of Paris’s three-day wedding. It was a small event with around 200 people. We see a clip, and Kyle says, it was a special moment she’ll never forget. She tells Diana that she couldn’t sleep. She also got the exciting news that Farrah is engaged; she turned her ring around at the wedding. She asks Diana how the baby is, and Diana says, too brave. In her interview, Kyle says she can’t imagine having a toddler at this point, but maybe in one year she’ll be nana, grandma, or granny. It’s weird to think about. Diane says, it’s cute that Eli trying to walk, but it’s a lot of work. She wants more babies, but after Eli was born, she got pregnant again. She was five months along with a boy, and everything was going well, but then she went to an appointment and found out the baby had died. In Diana’s interview, she says, they had figured out the baby had been dead for a couple of weeks, which can be dangerous for the mother because of infection. She tells Kyle, to have a miscarriage past twelve weeks is rare, and she almost bled to death. In her interview, she says, it felt like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. She went from being on top of the world to nothingness. Kyle asks if she can try again, and Diana says, they told her, it’s fine now, but they have no idea what happened. In her interview, Diana says, she’d like to give it one more try, so it doesn’t end on that note. But God laughs while we make plans, so they’ll just see how it goes. She tells Kyle that it’s the first time she’ll be away from the baby when they go to Mexico.

Garcelle meets Sutton for dinner, and says, last night was strange. Sutton says, she and Crystal talked it out over the summer, and Garcelle asks what it was Sutton said. Sutton says, she told Crystal a story about looking out… We flash back to Sutton telling Crystal that she was looking at the pool, and saw her white child, with children who were Black, Chinese, and a red-headed Irish Catholic. She thought, this is what it should be. Crystal says she doesn’t disagree with Sutton, but she doesn’t believe it’s enough anymore. Sutton has to do more. Garcelle wonders what Crystal found dark, and Sutton tells her, that’s exactly what she said. In Garcelle’s interview, she wonders if she’s missing something. Sutton views it as light, and Crystal as so dark. Is there a missing piece to this puzzle? Sutton says she wants to move on, and Garcelle says, they will when everyone knows what Sutton said. That can’t be the only thing. Sutton says, it’s all she can think of, and Garcelle tells her to watch her back. Crystal alluded to something dark, and that’s not a friend. Sutton says, it’s very scary.

November 15, 2021. In LisaR’s interview, she says, her mom passed away in hospice. She was 93½, and you know it’s coming, but you want to keep your loved one alive. Lois had stipulated no feeding tube, no resuscitation, nothing. We see pictures of Lois throughout her life, and LisaR says, the hardest decision in that moment was making the decision not to keep her alive. It was really hard. She cries, and we flash back to Lois on the show over the years. I am definitely no fan of LisaR’s, but I feel for her. The loss of a parent, or someone close, is a feeling of grief that’s universal. LisaR says, the world loved Lois, and to be able to share her was a great gift. She was such a good human being. She was such a light, and LisaR feels lucky to come from that. Kyle calls Erika, and Erika says, she didn’t feel comfortable asking when LisaR was coming back, but she understands if LisaR doesn’t want to go on a girls trip just after losing her mom. Kyle says she hopes LisaR comes; they can toast to Lois. Erika says, many times, and Kyle says, when you’re going through something like this, you want a distraction.

They meet at the airport, and Kyle hugs LisaR, saying, she’s happy LisaR decided to come. In LisaR’s interview, she says, they were there over a week, and took care of the stuff you have to take care of when someone passes away. She knew she had to go on the trip; her mom would be mad if she didn’t. She talked to the girls and Harry, and they said, Lois would want her to go. In Dorit’s interview, she says she knows it will be nice for LisaR to be around people who will make her laugh and support her. She hopes it’s a good experience and trip for her. They get on the PJ, and Kyle says, first class all the way.

On the plane, Dorit says she thinks they should go to the hotel and freshen up, then have a nice dinner at the restaurant in the resort. The arrive at Punta de Mita, and take two limos to the hotel. Kyle says, Sutton, Erika, and Crystal are in the other car, and wonders if there’s awkwardness. Garcelle is also in the other car, and there’s heavy silence until she says she bets Dorit is speaking Spanish to the driver. Sutton says, they always respond in English, and sure enough, we see she’s right. Garcelle says, Diana always flies in her people ahead of her, and we see Diana’s team fixing her suite. In Diana’s interview, she says she travels so much, she sends people ahead to set up the place the way she wants it, and to make sure wherever she’s going is in good condition. She knows her team is taking care of it, and wherever she goes will be amazing. Diana’s stylist Lia asks if they can make the closet taller. The women arrive and the hotel manager says, they’re nestled in paradise. They’re met with a drink made from raicilla (similar to tequila) and ferment of coconut. Dorit pronounces it yummy, and I think, it would have to be to get me to drink it. It sounds disgusting. Diana gets to the presidential suite, and she and Lia check out the view. Diana says she can’t wait to get in the water.

They go to dinner, and LisaR says, it hasn’t hit her yet, but Kyle says, it’s only been two days. LisaR says, you think differently when it’s your mom, and Kyle says, no matter how old you are, you want your mom. LisaR says, it wasn’t how she wanted to see her, and Kyle says, she lived an incredible, vibrant life. LisaR says, she had all her faculties, and could hear and see, and Kyle says, she was surrounded by her entire family. LisaR says, Lois loved being famous. She would ask how many likes a post got. Diana says, she was so cute, and they toast to Lois. Dorit apologizes for being late, saying, she has a room on the ground floor. There were people outside, and it was very triggering. In Dorit’s interview, she says, she was put in a beautiful suite, but she already had anxiety over going on the trip. Feeling safe is an obstacle she’s trying to overcome.

LisaR asks if she missed anything while she was gone, and Sutton says she had her store event. Out of phony politeness, LisaR asks how it went, and Sutton says, it was successful, and thanks everyone for coming. LisaR says, the pictures looked fun. She’s glad it went well. There’s serious radio silence at the table, and LisaR says, they’re awfully quiet. Sutton says she’s been busy, and missed a lot too. There was a conversation without her at Crystal’s party. Kyle says she filled Sutton in because it felt strange to have the conversation without Sutton. We flash back to Garcelle filling Sutton in, and Sutton says she doesn’t want to be misconstrued. Crystal said they’d had a dark conversation, and Crystal knows her character and her family. They come from a place of love, and in her house, they express love to everyone. She wanted to make that clear, and doesn’t want any untruths to be spoken that might be damaging. We flash back to Crystal telling the women, a lot more was said that was very dark. Crystal says, it made her uncomfortable, but they talked through it. Sutton says, it was last year, and she wants to be able to trust the friendship they’re developing. Crystal says, the tone was heavy and uncomfortable, and Dorit says, Crystal told them what was said was a lot worse, and it was dark. Crystal says, words are like Rorschach tests, and Garcelle says, what’s that? Someone says, a blot test, and Crystal says, she knows these are big words. Really? I have no words. Garcelle says, they understand big words, and in her interview, she says she has some big words for Crystal, but she doesn’t want to use them. It might make her feel uncomfortable. Diana says, Crystal is the youngest, but Dorit says, 38 isn’t a baby, and Diana says, when she was in her 30s, she was naïve. Sutton says, she was coming from a place of love, and Crystal tried to assassinate her character. That makes her nervous about their friendship. Erika says, she’s in awe of what she’s hearing. It’s kind of what she was saying last year. Sutton says, she wasn’t trying to assassinate Erika’s character, and Garcelle agrees, this is different. You can’t compare the situations. In her interview, Garcelle says, Erika was being judged by the whole world. Sutton was just asking questions, wondering if they’d be in trouble because they knew too much. We flash back to Sutton saying she talked to an attorney, and Garcelle says, Crystal deliberately tried to assassinate Sutton’s character; that’s the difference.

Kyle asks if Crystal isn’t making things up, but Crystal insists she’s not. Sutton said things that were hurtful. When are they going to stop denying her experience? Kyle says, Crystal told them, the things that were said so horrible, she couldn’t talk about it. That’s what she means by Crystal gaslighting. In Crystal’s interview, she says, if LisaR or Erika said dark, no one would care, but because she did, it’s horrific; it’s too much, too intense. They see her as someone who’s easy to attack, judge, and poke at. I seriously doubt either one of them would have used that word, but okay. Garcelle says, they’re talking like Sutton’s not here, and Sutton says she knows what she said. Erika asks what she thinks Crystal is accusing her of, and Sutton says she doesn’t want any insinuation about her personal character. Erika wonders if Sutton wants Crystal to say she doesn’t think Sutton is racist, and Dorit says, it’s not about the content of the conversation, but the insinuation. Erika says, the insinuation that she’s a racist, and LisaR says, this is where it gets dangerous. Crystal is dangling a dangerous carrot. Erika says, people will fill in the blanks with something worse, and Sutton says, here we go again. She’s f***ing pissed.

Sutton tells them, she said nothing wrong and nothing bad; that’s the truth. Crystal says she didn’t bring it up, but Sutton says, she did. She has a pattern with this with friends. She makes up lies behind their backs, and she needs to stop it. Sutton is telling her this because she likes Crystal. Erika wonders how the friends figure in, and in Sutton’s interview, she says, Beverly Hills is a small town. People who were no longer friends of Crystal’s warned Sutton that Crystal likes to make sure she’s best friends with the most powerful girl in the group. And she’ll do anything to get there. In LisaR’s interview, she says, she heard what Sutton is talking about, but chose not to use it. Kyle says she’s not trying to go back, and Crystal says, then go forward. Kyle says she was the only other person there, and has no choice but to say this is what she witnessed. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Kyle is choosing to focus on what serves her, not what’s important and might be hurtful to Crystal or people of color. In other words, she’s not focusing on Crystal. Kyle says, Crystal made it sound worse than it was, and in her interview, she says, it is possible she missed something that triggered Crystal? She’ll give Crystal that, but then say what it was. Erika tells them, someone tell her what was said, and Sutton says, it was about how she’s raised her family to have multicultural friends; everyone is welcome. In Kyle’s interview, she says, now she gets it. Crystal is confused. The conversation didn’t take place at the same time as the one in Tahoe about not seeing color; it was the next day. We flash back to the flash back, and Kyle says, she did hear the story, just not when Crystal said. She didn’t think it was dark then, and doesn’t think it’s dark now. Garcelle says, Sutton didn’t say anything horrible. It didn’t seem dark to her; not as dark as Crystal made it out to be. Crystal asks if Garcelle doesn’t find it problematic? and Garcelle says, no, thereby debunking Crystal’s theory about people of color. She says, Crystal alluded to something that could hurt Sutton’s reputation, and Sutton says, the shame of it is, she likes Crystal as much as she hates her. Crystal says she’s sorry, and Sutton says, thanks a lot.

Next time, surfing – or not; Erika tells Crystal that Sutton called her a liar; Sutton needs to take a break; and Garcelle says, Erika is bugging the sh*t out of her. I love Garcelle.

💡 I have an idea. Why don’t they accept the fact that Crystal likes to over-dramatize things, and translate it in their heads? Like when a guy has the man flu and says he’s dying. You know this means he’s just feeling like crap. Seriously, it would solve the biggest problem on this show besides Erika’s insecurities. Probably everybody has one friend with whom they have to translate what they’re saying into normal words. I love how she said words were like a Rorschach blot. Nope. A chair is a chair, not a cloud.

💃🏽 Dancing Like No One’s Watching…

Join me tomorrow for soap, soap news, and random cups of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay childlike, but not childish, and stay not letting your life revolve around revenge, or you’ll never be rid of the target.

June 3, 2022 – Sonny Won’t Let Nina Go, Why, Opening Up, Joining Salem, a Farewell, So She Claims, Reaction, VanderNews, Premieres, New Motel, Quotes of Eight & Somebody

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny picks up Nina’s necklace from in front of Nelle’s gravestone. I knew it!

In a cab, Nina tells the driver that she’s going to the airport; the international terminal. Her phone dings, but she brushes it aside.

On the phone, Sonny tells Phyllis not to worry. He’s going to find her.

Sam says, when Cody said, partners in crime, is he talking about Detective Falconari? Cody says he can’t wrap his head around the cop part. This guy’s mom sent him to summer camp to keep him out of trouble, and he got in a lot more while he was there. Dante says, that was because of Cody, and Cody says, right. He’s the one who led Dante astray; Dante’s the innocent one. Sam says, they’ve known each other that long? and Cody says, we were twelve? Thirteen? Dante says, twelve. He came home from school one day, and his mom had a bag packed. He was going to camp for the summer. Stay out of trouble and get into nature. Sam says, and Cody was the bad influence that corrupted Dante? Cody says he was a bad influence, but so was Dante back in the day.

Josslyn sees Cameron at the pool, putting out towels, and says, two shifts? Kelly’s, now here? He says, with everything going on with his mom, he figured he could use the extra work, and she asks if they can talk about what’s going on with them.

In front of her house, Trina says she can’t believe she and Rory stayed out so long, and he says he guesses that means they were having a good time. She says she guesses so, and thanks him for everything back at the pool, and for dinner, and for ice cream. She’ll pay him back for everything. He tells her not to worry about it, and thanks her for introducing him to that amazing food truck. She says, right? She only knew about it because it goes by PCU on certain days. He says, another testament to her incredible taste. Good art, good food. He can’t wait to see what else she introduces him to.

Spencer says he promises whatever Esme has to say, he’ll listen, but can he please go first? He’s had a lot of time to think about what she said to him; how he takes her for granted, and how Trina gets under his skin. But he evades every time she calls him out on it, and he realized she’s right. She deserves some answers.

Ava says, don’t tell her that he hired a divorce lawyer already, and Nikolas says, no, but he was ready to give up on their marriage. She says she was too. She drew a line in the sand, and she was ready to walk away. Thankfully, she realized it was the last thing she wanted. They can find their way back from this, can’t they?

Dante says, Cody didn’t corrupt him, but he definitely coerced Dante into going along with his more harebrained schemes. Cody says, like Dante didn’t have any suggestions, and Dante says, Cody knows it wasn’t his idea or choice to take a canoe out in the middle of the lake, and tip it over on purpose. Cody starts laughing and banging the table, and says, they pretended they were drowning, and yelled, help! help! until the prettiest CIT came over. Dante tells Sam, that’s Counselor-in-Training, and Cody says, she swam over. She – air quotes – rescued us – end air quotes – and boy she was mad. Dante says, they got banned from the beach for the rest of the summer, and Cody says, then Dante stole all the camp director’s cigarettes out of his cabin. Dante says, and why did he do that? and Cody says, because he dared Dante to. Dante says, they got busted because this guy smoked every cigarette in the pack, and started puking all over the place, and Cody says, nothing like a little adrenaline rush to let you know you’re alive. Sam says, it’s like jumping out of a plane and crash-landing on an unsuspecting woman, and Cody says, talk about mad… and pretty. She actually reminds him of that CIT. Still, if she hadn’t been there, it would have been a perfect landing. Dante says, instead of a potential negligence lawsuit, and Cody says, look at Dante, former renegade, embracing the straight and narrow path to a humdrum life. Dante says he doesn’t know if staring down the barrel of a loaded gun is as dangerous as jumping out of a plane, and Cody says he’s just messing with Dante. He’s going to get another round for that dinner Dante is going to buy him. He gets up, and puts his hand on his back. Sam asks if he’s okay, and Cody says, that tumble just fired up some old injuries. He’s good. A little pain just lets you know you’re alive. He goes to the bar, and Sam wonders why Dante never mentioned him before. Dante says he doesn’t know. They saw each other at summer camp, had a helluva time, but they lost touch after Dante stopped going. Sam says, that’s too bad. He seems like a good guy. Dante says, he is a good guy. Good at getting in trouble.

Josslyn says she feels like she and Cameron should be able to tell each other everything by now. Unless this is something bigger. Does he feel like they need time or something? He says, no. He doesn’t want that. Does she? She says she doesn’t know what else to do. Clearly, something is going on. Cameron flashes back to telling Spencer that he’s not going to lose Josslyn because Spencer can’t keep his head in the game. Make it happen, or he will. Cameron says, Josslyn is right. There’s something he has to tell her. She says, okay, when Adam walks in. Cameron says, isn’t that…? and she says, the creep who tried to hit on her when she thought they were just study buddies? Adam says he’s sorry to interrupt, but he really needs to talk to her.

Taggert tells Portia that he was hoping Trina would get home before he left, and she says, Trina is actually supposed to be back by now, but she has been working a lot. Dealing with everything hanging over her head, Portia doesn’t blame her. She wishes there was something she could do to make things better, and Taggert says, she will. He asks her to give Trina a big hug from her dad, and she says she sure will. Trina’s still a daddy’s girl; don’t worry. Taggert opens the door to find Rory and Trina standing there, and asks, sweetheart, who’s your friend?

Nikolas downs a drink, and Ava says, they had a fight; so do most couples. She just had to remember everything they’ve shared. How they’ve survived, despite everyone’s predictions to the contrary. Because they love each other. Because they understand each other. It’s going to take a helluva lot more than an argument to sever that bond. He flashes back to… I don’t want to talk about it, and says, to be fair, it was more than one argument. There are things between them that aren’t easy to resolve. She says, nothing between them has been easy, and it hasn’t stopped them yet, but he says, she walked away from him; from them. He thought it was over. She says she thought so too, but it’s because they’re both stubborn, passionate people. When they’re at odds, things can get really ugly, but when they’re together, they’re unbeatable. That’s the problem. They stopped working as a team. They started to let their own agendas drive them, and forgot to protect this life they’ve created together. That life is beautiful. It’s remarkable, and utterly their own. And she’s not going to let Spencer and Esme tear it down.

Spencer says he’s so sorry for how bad things have gotten between him and Esme. He’s so sorry for the way he treated her. He takes her hand, and asks if she’ll please forgive him.

On the phone, Sonny asks if Brick can track down Nina for him. She’s not returning his calls, his texting, or nothing… He’s just afraid she’s not in a great state of mind, and she might do something she’s going to regret.

Nina thanks the driver for making the stop; she left her passport in the office. She realizes her necklace is gone, and asks him to wait. They have to make another stop before he drives her to the airport.

Cody comes back with beers, and says, to Port Charles finest. That means Dante. Dante says, to unexpected reunions, and they clink bottles. Sam says, no wedding ring; he’s not married? He says, free as a bird, and she says, no kids? He says, no, and she asks if there’s anyone special in his life. He says, she asks a lot of questions, and Dante says, Sam is a private investigator; occupational hazard. Sam says, it’s like jumping out of a plane and landing on a roof. It’s sort of like skydiving. Is that what Cody does for a living, or is it his side hustle? Cody says, actually, for a long time, he was a stunt horseback rider, and Dante says, cool. Cody was always good with horses. Cody says he grew up around them, and when he moved out west, he worked on ranches. That’s where he learned stunt riding, but after too many tumbles, he had to hang up his saddle. Now he makes a living doing short term gigs. Sam asks if dropping out of the sky isn’t hard on his back, and he says, yeah. He’ll probably have to quit that too. So how long have Sam and Dante been together? Dante asks if Sam wants to take that one, and she says, they’re coming up on a year. Cody asks how they met, and Dante says, Sam has been a family friend for years. Sam says, her ex-husband was best friends with Dante’s father. Cody says, Dante found his father. He remembers Dante wanted to know who he was. Dante says he got to know his father a little over 10 years ago, and Cody says, that’s significant; tell him about him. Dante says, he’s a businessman in Port Charles, and Cody asks, what’s his business? Dante says, Corinthos Coffee, and Cody says, his dad is Sonny Corinthos?

Sonny tells Brick, talk to him… a plane ticket, where?… Dammit. Milan?… How soon?… All right. He’s on it. He starts to leave, but meets Nina, who’s coming into the cemetery.

Cameron says, if he was Adam, he’d get the hell out of here, but Josslyn says, it’s fine. Let’s hear what he has to say. Adam asks if they can talk in private, and Cameron says, he’s joking, but Josslyn says, it’s fine. He’s got a minute. Cameron steps away, and Josslyn says, one wrong word, and he’s in the pool, and she’s pretty good at it. He says he’s been afraid to talk to her at school, but he saw her come in there, and figured it’s now or never. She says, for what? and he says, an apology.

Nikolas tells Ava, as convenient as it would be to blame Spencer and Esme, they’ve struggled with trust and honesty from the beginning, and he takes his responsibility in that. Ava says she knows they have legitimate issues to work through, but despite that, there’s love here. There’s a kinship even, and there’s certainly no denying their attraction. Surely those things can see them through. What does he say? Is still in this with her? He says, don’t call him Shirley.

Esme says she appreciates Spencer’s acknowledgement that he’s treated her badly, but it’s not that simple. She removes her hand from his, and gets up. He follows and says, he knows he messed everything up. He’s trying to work it out. He wants to be the man she deserves, but in order to do that, he may need a second, third, or fourth chance, and he doesn’t even know which one he’s on now. Just believe he’s trying to do better by her. She says she needs more than trying, and from where she’s standing, it doesn’t look like he’s trying very hard, except to justify his behavior. She’s been willing to stand by him, no matter what, but she hasn’t gotten anything close to that from him. She deserves better. His father reminded her of that.

Nikolas says he’s with Ava, always and forever. She moves to kiss him, but he backs up a little. She says, forever lasted all of four seconds, and he says she just surprised him. She says, and his instinct was to recoil; that’s not very reassuring. He says he’s as in love with her as ever. He wanted to grab her in his arms so many times, and he had to restrain himself. They came so close to the edge of giving up. It might take time for him to feel normal. She says, there is still one giant thing between them. If they really want to move forward, they have to settle it once and for all.

Spencer says, Esme talked to his father about him? and Esme flashes back to – oh! My eyes! She says, among other things. Nikolas saw her suitcase, and she accidentally broke the news about Ava’s offer for them to move out of Windymere in exchange for an allowance from his trust fund. One thing led to another, and she told him they fought, and she was on the verge of walking out on him. Spencer asks what Nikolas said to make her stay, and she says, Nikolas cares about Spencer and doesn’t want to see him hurt, so he talked her down. He gave her a new perspective on relationships. It was a lot to take in, but it made her realize she has to be honest in what she needs from Spencer. He says he knows their relationship has been rocky. He’s been in a bad head space ever since he came back from Spring Ridge, but he’s ready to do whatever it takes to make this work between them. She asks if he really means that.

Portia asks if she can get Rory anything to drink, but he says he’s fine. Trina asks if Taggert wasn’t supposed to be leaving, and Portia thinks she remembers Rory. Wasn’t he at the courthouse at Trina’s arraignment? He says, yes. It was the first day he officially met Trina. Trina says, Rory got her a soda when she was in the interrogation room. Portia says, well, that’s an interesting story, and the three of them force a laugh. Taggert says, mm-hm, and Rory says he heard how Taggert and Commissioner Ashford took down Cyrus Renault. Great work. Taggert says, ya think? He broke the law. He had to convince his ex-wife and daughter that he was dead for nearly six months. Trina says, which she had a problem with at first, but then she realized he was just doing what he had to do. Rory says, it sounds like Taggert did what he needed to do to protect his family and community. He admires that. Taggert asks if Rory likes breaking the rules. Is that the real reason he’s hanging out with Taggert’s daughter?

Josslyn says, Adam wants to apologize? and he says he does. He’s sorry for being a total jerk. He had no right to say the things he said. She says, no, he didn’t; so why did he? He tells her, he’s ashamed to say it now, but all he saw was a hot girl in a video. He didn’t think about how it felt to have her privacy violated. Then he read her article in The Invader. Reading about what she went through, it was seriously messed up, and made him check himself. If someone did that to his sister, he would be furious. He’s really sorry, and sorry he made it worse for her. She thanks him, and says she accepts his apology. He asks if they should hug it out or something, and she says, remember the pool? Don’t push it.

Dante says he’s guessing Cody knows the name Sonny Corinthos, and Cody says, he knows Sonny roasts a mean bean. Can Dante hook him up with some free coffee? Dante says, some things never change; always looking for an angle. Cody says, it’s not what you know, and Dante says, it’s who you know. Cody asks what Dante is up to tonight. Does he want to raise a ruckus to honor the old times? Dante says he has an early morning, and Cody says, Dante has to keep those bad guys off the street. Dante says, and get his kid to school. Cody says, look at Dante. He’s a dad with a great job, and a cool girlfriend. He didn’t think Dante had it in him. Cody is happy for him. It looks like he grew up to have a full life. Dante thanks him, and says, it looks like Cody got the life he wanted too. Cody says, more or less. He’s glad they had this chance to catch up, even if it’s just one night. Sam says, they’re having dinner at her place tomorrow night. Why doesn’t Cody come by?

Sonny says he was worried about Nina. He called and texted, but she didn’t return his calls. She says she put her phone on silent; she wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. He says he heard her petition to see Wiley was rejected. He’s sorry. She asks if he’s upset about how she let Scotty go after Michael, and he says he doesn’t like to see Michael in pain, but can’t he feel for her too? She says she won’t be hurting Michael or anyone anymore. She’s headed to the airport as soon as she finds… He says, this? holding up her necklace. He won’t give it to her, and she says, she’s running late; there’s a car waiting for her. He says, too bad. He’s not letting her go.

Ava says, her offer to Spencer wasn’t only to get him and Esme to move out; it was for her and Nikolas. Nikolas says, she wanted to give them space to work on their marriage, but it hurts that his son chose money over their relationship. Ava says she means no disrespect, but in Spencer’s eyes, Nikolas did the same thing. As a gesture of good faith and to show him she’s committed to their marriage, she won’t make Spencer choose. He says, if she reneges on their deal, Spencer will be furious, but she says, no. She’ll still give him the money, on the condition he remain here. Of course (🍷) she’ll still have to put up with Esme. He says, not necessarily. Esme and Spencer might be breaking up. Esme seems to think so. Ava says, maybe that’s why Spencer was looking for her. Maybe she’s gone already. This calls for a toast. Things are looking up already.

Spencer tells Esme, he means it with all his heart. He wants them to make it. Can she please accept his apology? She takes his hands and says she loves him. She wants to make this relationship work, so yes, she forgives him. She hopes this can be a new beginning for them. He says he wants that too. He’s ready for all this drama to be a thing of the past. She says, the best part is, she knows he means that.

Portia tells Taggert, this isn’t an interrogation, but Rory says, it’s a fair question. Actually, he’s a by-the-book guy. That’s why he looked it up, and there’s no rule he’s not allowed to be friends with Trina while she’s awaiting trial. Taggert says, he’s a rookie, right? There’s something Rory needs to understand about law enforcement; there’s written rules, and unwritten rules. Rory says, yes, sir. He takes that seriously. Just like he takes seriously their oath and motto, to protect and serve; that’s why he was drawn to the job. He’s not violating the oath or motto by hanging out with Trina. If someone has a problem with that, it’s on them, not him. Portia asks what Rory likes to do in his spare time, and he says, Trina is teaching him about art; she has a great eye. Trina says she keeps telling him, art is subjective, but she guesses she’s been around it more. Rory says, no false modesty; own it, lady. Trina says she guesses she’s pretty good at it, and Rory says he likes to keep active; play sports, swim, work out when he can. The job keeps him pretty busy, and the whole work/life balance is tough. Portia says, let her know when he’s got that figured out, and he says, right now, he’s trying to remind himself to make more time for the things he enjoys. He and Trina smile at each other.

Cody tells Sam, he appreciates the offer, but he’s got to hit the road tomorrow. She says, no way. He’s only there for the day? He says, life in the gig economy. His next job’s in the Finger Lakes area, but Port Charles seems like a nice town. Sam says, it is. Too bad he can’t stick around and get to know the place. Cody says he never gets too comfy in one place; got to pay the bills. Sam asks if he’s looking for something long term, and he says, since he quit riding, he just goes where the wind blows. He’s open to opportunities. Why does she ask? She says she might know of a job that’s a good fit, if of course (🍷) he’s interested.

Nina tells Sonny, she can’t stay here. She hates losing him, leaving him, but she can’t keep doing this. Her mistakes have cost him everything, and they’ve finally caught up with her. He says he meant what he said on the stand; he forgives her for what she did to him. She thanks him, and says, it means everything, but it doesn’t change the fact she lost Wiley, her grandson, her flesh and blood, the last link she’ll ever have to her daughter. He says, she doesn’t know that for sure, and she says, Michael and Willow won’t let her see Wiley after everything that happened in court today. He says, Michael and Willow can’t keep her from her grandson forever, but she says, they can. They won’t let that little boy see anything redeemable in her. Willow accused her of being exactly like Nelle. And Nina said terrible things. She has a habit of lashing out when she feels cornered. She missed her chance at getting what her mother stole from her. She won’t know Nelle, and now she won’t know Nelle’s son. The only thing she has left of them is that necklace. Please give to her so she can go. It hurts too much to stay here. He puts the necklace in her hand, and asks her to do him a favor. Before she leaves; let him ask her one thing. How does she think Wiley will feel when he finds out she gave up on him?

Sam tells Cody, her kids spend a lot of time at their grandmother’s. They have stables and horses. They just got a new horse, and they’re actually looking for another handler. Cody says, so old money? New? She says, does it matter? He said he worked on ranches. Does that mean he has experience in managing and grooming horses? He says, yeah. When he was a kid, his family tended to some horses that were on an estate near the camp. He helped out, and even took over for a couple years before he went out west. She says she can’t promise anything, but she and Dante can get him a foot in the door, but Dante says, he thinks it’s a good idea, but he doesn’t think it’s the right one for Cody. Never too comfy in one place, right?

Cameron gets a text from Spencer: All good. Plan on track. Josslyn comes back with Adam, and Cameron says, everything okay? She says, yeah, and Adam says, he was telling Josslyn that he read their article in The Invader, and how sorry he is everything went down the way it did. They’re really brave, and he appreciates them both. Cameron says, cool, thanks, and Adam leaves. Cameron asks if he’s legit, and Josslyn says, actually, yes. He apologized, and told her that when he read the article, he changed. They changed his perspective. It’s just more validation that they made the right decision in agreeing to do the article. He says he guesses they did. He’s glad she’s finally getting some closure. She tells him, she wouldn’t say that. She won’t get any closure on any of this until Esme gets what she deserves.

Spencer and Esme walk in, and Ava says she’s glad Spencer is here. She has some news. She’s decided to amend their agreement. Spencer says, she’s giving him full control of his trust fund? but she laughs, and says, no. She’s still giving him an allowance like they agreed, except Spencer won’t be moving out. He’ll stay, and work things out with his father. Spencer says, she wants him to stay here? and she says, yes, and it seems the timing has worked out perfectly. Nikolas told her what happened. Esme looks at Nikolas, who gives a small shake of his head, and Esme asks Ava, what was that exactly? Ava says she understands Esme and Spencer have been having some difficulties, and are looking to take a break. She’s not going to insult Esme’s intelligence by saying she’s sorry to hear that. She’s sure Esme will land on her feet; find some other family to terrorize, as long as it’s not hers. Esme says, that’s where Ava is wrong. She and Spencer worked everything out. He stays; she stays. Does that alter Ava’s terms? Ava looks at Nikolas.

Nina tells Sonny, she’s not giving up on Wiley; she’s fighting to stay in his life. Sonny says, until now. She had one setback, and she’s going to throw in the towel? She says she can’t sit on the sidelines and watch that little boy play out the rest of his life without her, knowing his family poisoned his mind against her. It just hurts too much. He says, if she runs away, Wiley is going to believe the lies. He’s going to grow up, and want to know his mother and her family. He’s going to seek Nina out, and maybe want a relationship with her when he finds out how great she is. She says she doesn’t see that happening, but he says, they don’t know the future, but he can tell her right now, she’s not going to have a relationship with Wiley if she’s not here. She says she just feels hopeless, and he says, so she’s going to run. That’s what she does; it’s her pattern. She has to break that pattern. Otherwise, Wiley is going to grow up believing all the lies people are telling him. She says, what if it’s too late? but he says, that’s her fear talking. Remember what she said to him? The only way she could make it up to Wiley is to prove how much she loves him. She believed that then, believe it now. She says she doesn’t know what she believes, and he says, stay here. She has a life here. She could have one with Wiley, but she’s never going to know if she runs away.

Cody thanks Sam for the offer, but says, it’s not the right gig for him. Dante says, ever since they were kids, Cody’s had adventure in his veins, and Cody tells Sam, he’s right. Dante’s always had his number.

Cameron says his break’s just about over, and Josslyn says, he was going to tell her something before Adam interrupted them. He says, it’s not really important; it can wait. She says, really? Because she can’t shake the feeling he’s hiding something from her. He says, no. He’s sorry. He’s probably giving off weird vibes; he’s worried about his mom. She says, right. She’s sorry, but he knows he can tell her anything, right? He says he loves her, and she says she loves him too, and they hug.

Ava says, the most important thing is that Nikolas and Spencer work out their problems. If Esme and Nikolas are back track, it seems that Esme will be sticking around. Nikolas says, that is if Spencer decides to stay; the decision is his. And Nikolas supports whatever he decides. Esme says, seems like win-win to her, and Spencer says, how can he refuse such a generous offer? but the look on his face is skeptical. Ava says, then it’s settled. As a welcome home gift, she’ll wire his first payment. She jets, and Spencer says he’ll come too. He follows Ava out, and Esme tells Nikolas, she thought they’d never leave. In the hallway, Spencer asks if Ava is really okay with Esme staying here. She says she’s committed to her marriage, just like she’s committed to Spencer and his father moving forward. If that means putting up with Esme, Ava will do her best to tolerate her. She walks away, and inside the room, Esme says, so Nikolas didn’t tell Ava? She doesn’t suspect? Nikolas says, no, and what happened between them can never happen again. They’re back together with their partners, and have another shot at making it work. He thinks it’s best if Spencer and Ava never find out, and Esme says she totally agrees. Ava and Spence never have to find out. Nikolas leaves.  

Rory says, it’s nice meeting Portia and Taggert, but unfortunately, he has an early morning. Portia says, it was nice meeting him too, and Taggert says he was just leaving; he’ll walk Rory out. Rory says, see Trina soon, and leaves with Taggert. Trina laughs, and picks up her phone. Portia says, he was nice, and he was cute too. She picked up a little connection. Trina tells Portia, like she said, he’s a nice person, but she barely knows him, and Portia says, okay. Whatever Trina says. They both squeal.

Nina touches Nelle’s gravestone, and tells Sonny, okay. She’ll stay in Port Charles, for Wiley. He says, she’s making the right choice, and she says, she’ll watch that sweet little boy become a stranger to her, or worse, afraid of her because of what his family has said about her. She’s not sure how she’s going to handle that. He says, she’s not going to handle it alone. She has him, Phyllis, her family and friends. He takes her hand and says they’re here for her, and she says, that’s a good thing. He says, every step of the way, and she says, because she doesn’t know how she’s going to watch Wiley grow up without her, or how she’s going to live without him. Sonny holds her, and she cries

On Monday, Portia asks if Marshall gave Curtis a reason to trust him; Valentin tells Ned, everything has a price – what’s yours; Willow tells Carly that dealing with Nina helped her come to a big decision; and Elizabeth tells Finn that he’s hurting her more than he realizes.

⌨️ Why the Temp…

It was a little startling. The weird thing was, I kind of thought he made a better Michael than the regular Michael.

🏍 It’s All Good…

I’ll bet it was nothing in comparison to his wife having a baby with another dude.

🧼 Joining Beyond…

The latest actors to jump onto the Salem bandwagon.

🥀 Goodbye Too Soon…

I vaguely remember him from Melrose Place. It was sad to read he’s leaving behind a wife and 8 children.

https://people.com/movies/brad-johnson-always-and-melrose-place-actor-dead-at-62/

🍷 Have Some More…

So how many f***s do you think she gives now?

🚗 Smarter Than the Average Car…

I don’t get the attraction either.

🍸 At the Pump…

Is this the royal we, or is she having a change-of-life baby?

We’re not sure how Lisa can show a text that [neither PK nor Dorit] can show on their phone, so we don’t know, [Kyle] Richards, 53, told us last week.

Unhinged? More like the worst human on earth.

Aww! They’re all growed up.

📺 Coming Right Up…

TV premiere dates for 2022.

https://ew.com/tv/2022-tv-premiere-dates/

👠 In the Pink…

I can’t wait to see this show. I love Trixie.

https://www.queerty.com/trixie-motel-book-queer-5-reasons-tune-discovery-pride-season-20220602

🏓 Quotes of the Week

Trust is lost in buckets and gained in drops. – Judge Faith Jenkins

The hardest thing to understand in the world is the income tax. – Albert Einstein

If I were to search for logic, it wouldn’t be among the English upper class. – Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith), Downton Abbey

I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles. – Audrey Hepburn

I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers. – Kahlil Gibran

Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them. – Orison Swett Marden (Or smack them out of the way.)

There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.Nelson Mandela

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

🧍🏽‍♀️ Just Taking a Step To the Right…

Come hither again when the Dead are Feared. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping your priorities straight, and stay not letting your pattern be running away. And if it is, break it.

June 2, 2022 – Judge Foster Makes a Ruling, Temping, Crystal Finds a New Word, New Girl, Dubai Wives & Colors

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Maxie finds Britt at the pool, and Britt says, finally. Where has she been? Maxie says, at Deception. She got stuck with Home and Heart on the phone. Britt says she thought Maxie had an attack of common sense, and decided to skip this ordeal, and Maxie says, what ordeal? It looks like everyone is having a good time. Britt says, look closer, and Maxie asks, what’s the problem? Britt says she doesn’t know what she’s doing here, and Maxie says, staying open to possibilities? If Britt would just put herself out there, she’d have guys falling all over her. Britt wonders if that’s what she even wants, but Maxie says she won’t know unless she tries. They’ve both been through hell and deserve some good karma. What’s better karma then donating to a worthy cause, while sipping cocktails by the pool? Britt says she’ll give Maxie that one; the cocktails are delicious. Maxie says, Britt just needs to follow her lead. Forget the past, and focus on the future. She’s looking forward, and likes what she sees. Austin comes over and gives Maxie a drink, saying, he’s glad she made it. Maxie asks if Britt is okay, and Britt says, better all the time. Brad is coming with her next drink… Brad spills the drink on her.

Sam says she knows Spinelli doesn’t like Austin for Maxie, and he says, that’s exactly it. She’s the mother of his child; he’ll always be connected to her. They sit, and Spinelli invites Drew to join them. Drew says, Spinelli looks amazing, and it goes without saying, Sam always looks good. Sam says, it’s always nice to hear, and Drew says, it’s the truth. Spinelli says he can’t wait to hear about everything Drew has going on.

Brook says she swears she’s not mad at Chase… Okay, she’s not mad at him anymore. They both got a little heated. He says, they definitely need to clear the air, and they both say, you first. Brook says she’ll go first, and Chase says he’s listening.

Nina tells Scotty, Judge Foster said she didn’t need a lot of time to make a ruling. Is that good or bad? He says he doesn’t know, but he’ll know shortly. Willow asks Diane why they’re not hearing closing arguments, and Diane tells her, it’s a hearing, not a trial. Judge Foster heard all she needs to make a decision. Temp Michael (see below) says, how much damage does she think Scotty did with that rewrite of what happened with Claudia? but Diane says she’s not going to speculate. They’ll just have to wait for the judge to come back. She asks where Carly is, and Michael says, his mother had an errand she needed to do. Willow says, it must be very important. Otherwise, she’d be here. Michael says, who knew the judge would come back with a decision so fast? He’s going to text her. He’s sure she wouldn’t want to miss this.

At the hospital, Carly stares at the envelope with the DNA results. She’s about to open it, when her phone dings. It’s a text from Michael, saying: Judge ready to rule. Come back ASAP.

Ava is wrapping things up at the shooting range, and Valentin walks in. He wonders why he’s not surprised to find her here, and she says, the same reason she’s not surprised to see him here. He says, it’s probably not a bad idea, brushing up on her gun skills, given the company she’s been keeping, and she asks if he has any idea what he’s talking about. He says, that wasn’t her, dining with Victor at the MetroCourt? She says she doesn’t remember seeing him there, and he says he wasn’t there, but he has sources. Apparently, they were getting pretty cozy. Is she thinking of upgrading from Nikolas? She says, Valentin’s father is certainly more charming than he is, when Anna walks in, and tells Ava, she wouldn’t say that. Valentin has his moments.

Spencer lets himself into Windymere, and flashes back on Esme saying, if he leaves, she may not be there when he gets back. He sees her suitcase, and says, no such luck.

Esme and Nikolas kiss, and he steps back, saying, he’s sorry; he shouldn’t have done that. Then they go back to kissing. I can’t say, ew! enough times. It’s not the age thing – I’m okay with that – but… I don’t know what it is. Just ew!

Carly comes back just as the bailiff is saying, all rise. Judge Foster says, it is the opinion of this court that parents have the right to decide who’s in their child’s life, just as they are responsible for anything that affects their child. However, the law in New York state is very clear. It allows a biological grandparent, such as Miss Reeves, to petition to see their grandchild. That law is why they’re here today, and the only reason she allowed this circus to go on as long as it has. The law gives Miss Reeves the right to be heard, regardless of the merits of her case. She’s heard both arguments for and against visitation. The respondent party has proven the petitioner’s presence in Wiley Corinthos’s life would be detrimental. She hereby denies the petition of Miss Reeves to visitation with the minor child. Willow says, thank God, Michael says, we won, and they hug. Nina looks devastated, and Carly looks at the envelope she’s already opened.

Brad tells Britt, he’s so sorry; somebody bumped into him. She says she knows, and he asks her not to use it as an excuse to leave. Britt says, no harm. Just get her another cocktail. Austin says, Britt has great reflexes, and Brad says, she’s like a panther. Maxie says, they’re going to sit down, and let the two singles mingle. Mingle. They leave, and Brad gives Britt his drink, saying, take mine. None of it spilled, and it’s the right price – free. He tells her, there’s a lot of hot guys here, and did he tell her how sexy she looks in that outfit? She tells him, easy. She might think he’s trying to boost her confidence. Terry joins them, and says, hello there. Britt asks if Terry didn’t say she didn’t need a singles mixer, that she was seeing someone, and Terry says, it looks like it’s not going to work out. Britt asks, what happened? Terry said they had great chemistry. Terry says, they did, but he just got a job offer in Chicago. He tried to turn it down, but she told him not to; the opportunity’s just too good. Britt sees a passing waitress with a tray of drinks, and Britt says she’s just going to take this whole tray. The waitress says, no, and they struggle for a moment. Britt says, we need them, and the waitress lets go. The drinks slop over the sides of the glasses a little, and Britt tells her, look what you did.

Valentin says, he’s here as Anna requested. He can’t wait to see what she has planned. Anna says she thinks he’s going to like it, and Ava says she’d warn Anna not to trust him, but something tells her that Anna wouldn’t listen. She leaves (wearing very LOUD shoes), and Valentin asks if Ava said something. Anna asks if he cares, and he says, he does not. He was a little worried she was going to stand him up. She asks if he was afraid she was going to pay him back for all the times he disappeared on her, and he says he has a bad habit of doing that. Sorry to be such a disappointment. Can he take her invitation to join her here as a sign she’s willing to give him a second chance? She says, a second chance? She thinks he’s on about 99 at this point. He says, yet here we are, and she says, here we are. Did he choose his weapon? He asks if he’s going to need to defend himself.

Nikolas and Esme get busy to music with a heavy beat. I don’t think I can watch.

Spinelli says, Sam tells him that Drew is going to be Scout’s swim coach. He knows Drew is a Navy SEAL, but how good of a swimmer is he? Are there going to be other kids there around Scout’s age? He assumes the pool will be heated. Drew says, Scout is in the 7 and 8 group at the country club. He just pitches in when the staff needs some help. He just wants to make it fun. He doesn’t want to make it feel like it’s Olympic training. Dante joins them, and apologizes to Sam for disappearing. She asks if he wants a drink, and Spinelli says, allow him, but Dante says he’s good. He asks if he can talk to Drew for a minute, and Drew says, sure. They leave, and Sam asks Spinelli, what’s going on? Why is he so desperate to get away from her? He says, perish the thought, but she says, stop. He’s dodging her question. What’s going on?

Brook says, she can admit she went too far, asking for Chase’s help in getting Linc. He says, she means when she asked him to entrap Linc, and risk getting thrown off the force for good, and she says, yes, that. It wasn’t a good idea at the time, asking the one on suspension to do something potentially… He says, catastrophic? and she says, not strictly legal. He’s helped her so much in the past, she guesses she got carried away, but he also overreacted. They can agree on that, right? He says, sure, and she says, great; they’re good. He says, she does realize she never said she’s sorry, and she says, I’m sorry. Now can they move on? He tells her that he has one more thing to say about that, and she says, of course (🍷) he does. He says he’s decided he’s going to help her take Linc down after all.

Britt asks Terry, what happened? and tells Brad that he should talk to that really hot waiter over there. He says, where? and makes a beeline toward the bar. Britt asks if Terry is sure it’s not going to work with this guy; she seemed so happy about him. Terry says, she’s disappointed, but it’s okay, and Britt says she’s not buying it. They both know quality men are few and far between. Terry says, she and Chet met by accident, they texted a lot, but they only went on one follow-up date.  They weren’t officially a couple. Britt says, love sucks, and Terry says she’s definitely not talking about love. She and Chet had potential. She’s just sorry she’s not going to see where that leads. Britt says, this is what happens. Life offers you something, then snatches it away.

Maxie tells Austin that she loves what a happy baby Bailey is. It’s kind of incredible, considering the first year of her life was a roller coaster. Here she is again, rambling about her kids. She’s so sorry. He says, don’t be. He loves when she talks about her kids. She kind of lights up, and it looks beautiful on her.

Spencer brings out a sandwich, and says, Esme’s probably in her room, waiting for him to come looking for her. He sits on the couch, and takes out his phone. He eats, and sends a text to Esme: Where are u? He takes another bite, and sends a text to Cameron: Screwed up with Esme. Lost my cool. Preparing to grovel. Any tips?  

Brook says, Chase changed his mind, and wants to help her with Linc? He says he does, and she says, he made her apologize to him. He says, because she needed to, and she says, he’s right; she did. He says, and he accepts her apology. So let’s go get that slimeball.

Drew asks if there’s a problem, and Dante says, that depends. Is Drew backing Michael’s vendetta? Drew asks what he’s talking about, and Dante tells him, Michael said he’s going to dismantle everything Sonny built. Drew says, it’s unlikely Michael is going to start firebombing Sonny’s warehouse, and Dante says, of course (🍷) not. Drew asks what it has to do with him, and Dante says, Michael is going to use ELQ to target Sonny.

Judge Foster says, Scotty’s mischaracterization of Michael bordered on slander. The court is perfectly capable of reading and comprehending a criminal record. Scotty’s distortion wasted the court’s time, tried its patience, and did his client no favors. As far as the court is concerned, this matter is closed. Court is adjourned. She bangs her gavel, and Michael says, it’s over, hugging Diane. Scotty tells Nina, it was a legitimate argument. If she’d just listened. He’s sorry. He gave it his best shot. Diane tells Michael and Willow that she’s happy for them, and Michael hugs Willow. Willow asks Carly, what’s wrong? and Nina walks over to them. She asks Willow and Michael to please reconsider.

At the shooting range, Anna says, a PPK, and Valentin says, it’s a classic. What about her? She says she has her own; it is a classic. She tells him, let’s decide on the rules for our little competition. Whoever gets the cleanest set of kills, wins. He says, what are the stakes? and she says, if he wins, she’ll have dinner with him. He says, and if she wins? and she says she doesn’t know. She’s not sure yet. He says, what if it’s a draw? but she says, it won’t be. He says, she’s using her own weapon. He’s never used this one before. She has an unfair advantage. She asks if he wants time to practice, and he says, that sounds fair. He fires one shot, and says, okay. She says, one shot; that’s it? That’s what he calls practice? He says, he only needs one. She should know that about him. Once he gets a feel for it, he always hits his target.

Nina tells Willow, please don’t cut her out of Wiley’s life completely, and Michael says, Nina was the one who brought this case to court. Her petition was denied; there’s nothing left to say. Nina says she knows that legally she has no right to see Wiley; she’s at their mercy. Willow says, now Nina is asking for mercy, after trying to destroy Michael’s reputation. Nina says, she’ll take anything. Supervised visitation. She can come to their house, and they can both can be there the entire time. Willow asks, why would she ever let Wiley spend time with a women who had her lawyer tell lies about his father on the stand? All Nina proved today was that she’ll do or say anything to get her way. When it doesn’t work out, then Nina starts crying, and says she didn’t mean it, or she was misunderstood. Nina is the one who pushed the issue by taking it to court. There’s no going back now. Michael asks if Willow is okay, and Willow tells Nina, she and Michael are Wiley’s parents, and like the judge said, it’s up to them to decide what’s best for him. And they don’t think Nina can be trusted with him. It’s really that simple. Nina says, they can’t change this; she loves Wiley, and he loves her. Michael says, he doesn’t know any better. That’s why they’re protecting Wiley, from her. Scotty takes Nina’s arm, and says, let’s get out of here, and Diane tells Willow and Michael that Nina should sue Scotty for malpractice. The stunt he pulled by attacking Michael totally alienated her from the judge. Michael says, it’s over, and the judge found in their favor, thanks to Diane. Willow thanks her, and says she didn’t want this hearing, but she’s glad that it’s now legally settled. Diane tells them to thank themselves, Michael for the most part. He held up beautifully under Scotty’s attack. And Willow was nothing short of brilliant on the stand. Willow says, she was fighting for Wiley, to make sure Nina has no chance to hurt their son. We keep seeing Carly, who doesn’t look happy, and maybe a little sad. I’m guessing she didn’t like the test results.

Spencer finishes his sandwich, and wonders why Esme isn’t texting him back. Oh, he gets it. She wants him to beg. That’s not going to happen. He hears someone come in and gets up, but it’s Ava calling for Nikolas. She says, oh, it’s you, and he says, obviously. She asks if he’s seen his father.  

Ewwwwww! Nikolas wraps a blanket around Esme and himself, and she thanks him and says, he’s always been so considerate. He says he can’t believe that happened. Is she all right?

Drew tells Dante, he knew Michael was planning on cutting Sonny out of his life, but he had absolutely no idea Michael would use ELQ resources to take him down. Is Dante sure? Dante tells Drew, Michael said he was going to take Sonny down. He didn’t say he was going to use ELQ to do it, but call it an educated guess. Drew says, he gets Michael’s anger toward Sonny. His dad chose the woman who kept him away from his family for mothers over Michael’s own mother. If it’s a legitimate deal that benefits ELQ, but damages Sonny, he can’t stand in Michael’s way. But that said, he would never do anything to weaken ELQ. Dante says, but does Michael know that?

Austin says, it’s June, so he was hoping to get in some hiking, and was wondering if Maxie would like to come with him sometime. She says, absolutely. As long as it’s not in Pautuck. She’s not ready to go back there yet; she’s sorry. She knows he loves the woods there. He says,  he does, but they’ll find a place in Port Charles. Someplace that’s new to both of them. She says, deal, and he says, great. Britt mocks them, saying, great, great, and drinks some more. Austin asks if there’s a problem, and Britt says, by all means, do their thing. Just explain one thing to her first. What are they even doing at a single’s mixer? Maxie says, this is also a charity fundraiser, and Britt says, oh my God. She’s officially a charity case.

Brook says she’s excited Chase is on board, and he says, not so fast. He has conditions. He’ll keep an eye on Linc, and see if he’s involved in any illegal activities, but he will not set Linc up. She says she would never ask him to do that, but he tells her, it’s what she said. She says, that was before; she’s moving on now. Any help he gives her is appreciated. She was afraid she was going to have to deal with Linc herself. He says, well now she doesn’t have to; not on his watch. She says, he’s the best, and hugs him.

Anna and Valentin finish shooting, and Anna asks how he did. He says he held his own. What about her? She says she doesn’t know. It’s less of a challenge when the target isn’t moving. Unlike him, who is so hard to pin down. He says he meant what he said. He’s ready to stay put for a while. But she’s always liked a moving target. Will it work for her? She says, it depends if there’s anything to stay put for, and he says, there will be, he promises. She asks if they should see who won, but he says he thinks they already know the answer.

Britt sees the same waitress, and says she’s just grabbing this one drink. Maxie and Austin come over, and Maxie asks if Britt doesn’t think she should slow down. Britt says, drinks help her mingle. She’s not here for charity. She sings, I’m here because I’m single, and asks why she’s talking to them. Maxie says she’s still going to be Britt’s friend after this, and they high-five. Austin suggests they leave her to it, but Maxie doesn’t know. Brad says he’ll keep an eye on Britt, and Terry says, they both will. Austin and Maxie leave, and Britt says she’s fine. She tells Terry and Brad, all right wingman and wingwoman. They need to find her someone. She looks around and says, too short… still lives with his parents… had his teeth whitened too many times… Just no; too many freckles.

Drew thanks Dante for the heads up. He knows first-hand how easy it is to let anger consume you, and Michael doesn’t deserve that. Dante agrees, Drew says he’ll talk to Michael, and leaves.

Nina fingers her heart necklace, and Scotty tells her that he’s got to sign some court documents. Does she want him to call Obrecht? She says she doesn’t want to talk to anyone. She can’t believe it’s over. He says, it’s a hard loss, and she says she thought for sure they were going to win. Maybe she just convinced herself of that because she couldn’t bear the thought of losing Wiley forever. He says, maybe Michael and Willow will reconsider, and she says she’s got to go, and jets.

Sam says she’s still waiting, and Spinelli says, okay. He cannot lie to her. Yes, something is going on, but he’s not ready to talk about his new… thing just yet. She says, just promise her that he’s not in danger, and he says, heaven forbid; it’s nothing like that. Can they just leave it at that for now? Britt says, look at that hideous shirt, and Spinelli checks himself before turning to look at her. Britt dances, and Terry tells her to lower her voice. She’s getting loud, and obnoxious. Britt asks if she’s causing a scene, and Brad says, not yet, but she’s well on her way. Britt makes a face, and says, that won’t do. She moves to the front of the room and tries to clink on her glass with a celery stick.

Chase says, he and Brook have been talking around something, and he doesn’t want to ignore it anymore. She says, her neither, and Britt whistles with two fingers. She says, listen up. This is going to blow your minds. Get ready. She drains her drink.

Spencer tells Ava that he has no idea where his father is, but there’s this hot new invention. It’s called texting. She should try it sometime. She says, he’s not responding to her texts, and Spencer says, he wouldn’t either if he saw her name. She says, never mind; she’ll find him herself. Spencer says, they need to talk, and she says, the just tried that; it didn’t work very well. He says, he and Esme are moving out, and she says, good. She saw Esme’s suitcase in the foyer. He says, the deal was, if they move out, he gets access to his trust fund, but she says, their deal is that she gives him a weekly allowance. Is there something else? He says, they’re not moving in with his grandmother and Doc, and she says she’s sure Laura will be happy to hear that. He says, they’re going to stay in five-star hotels for a while, and she says, so that’s what he’s going to do with his money. She doesn’t think it’s very wise, but you do you. He says he’s going to need his first payout, but she says, not going to happen. He says, they have a deal, and she says, they’re still here. He doesn’t get any money until he and his girlfriend are really, truly, totally and completely out. Not until they have a new place. He says, she doesn’t trust him? and she says, God no. And she trusts Esme even less.

Esme says, she can’t believe they did that, and Nikolas says, he’s so sorry. He never expected this to happen. Is she okay? She says she’s great. If she’s being totally honest, she’s been fighting these feelings for a while. Has he been struggling too? He says, he’s sorry. He feels like he took advantage of her. She says, he didn’t. If anything, he saved her. She’s been so lonely and sad. Spencer’s been so cold to her, and he’s been so kind and caring. It’s nice to feel close to someone again; to feel safe in his strong arms. <gag> She says she’s sorry Spence isn’t the man she thought he was, and she’s sorry Nikolas’s marriage is over, but she’s nothing but glad that they found each other. He says, what they did was wrong. Spencer is his son. She says, she and Spence are finished. To be clear, it was Spence’s choice, not hers. Going forward, Spence has no say in what she does. Nikolas says, Spencer will never forgive him for this, but she says, Spence never has to know. Ugh. She says, for both their sakes, Spencer should never find out, and he asks if that’s what she wants. She says, even though Spence has made it perfectly clear he doesn’t give a damn what she does, the last thing she wants to do is cause trouble for him. She just couldn’t resist Nikolas; he’s been so good to her. She kisses him, and I can’t unsee this.

Michael says, now that it’s over, how is Willow feeling? She says, it’s been draining; Nina put them through so much. But now that it’s over, she’s pretty sure she’ll sleep well tonight. Michael thanks Diane for everything. He doesn’t know how she does it; nothing seems to rattle her. She says, that’s not entirely true, but thanks him for the compliment. It’s her job not to lose her cool, and Nina gave her so much to work with. Now they have a legal ruling. If Nina comes anywhere near Wiley, they can have her arrested. Willow says, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but it’s good they have that protection. Diane says she loves it when the good guys win. Enjoy their victory. On her way out, Carly thanks her, and Diane says, it’s her pleasure. Carly gets bonus points for holding it together when Sonny testified. Carly  says, anything for Wiley, and Diane says, of course (🍷) Carly would feel that way, but she has some idea of what it cost her. Well done. Diane leaves, and Michael says he’s glad Carly could make it back in time for the verdict. Now, they celebrate. Carly says she definitely agrees justice was served. She asks Willow, any second thoughts? and Willow says, no. Why would she? Carly says she knows Willow struggled the most in denying Nina contact with Wiley, but Willow says, not anymore. She sees Nina very clearly now, and she’s thrilled they have protection legally. They never have to see that awful woman again. Carly fingers the envelope, and Michael asks, what’s that?  

Britt says, what are they doing here? Supporting a charity? She doesn’t think so. Terry tells Brad, do something, and he starts filming. Britt says, they’re shelling out their hard earned money on a search for love. They’re all suckers. Save their money, and get a pet. Spinelli says, everyone wants to find their special someone, and Britt says, once you care, they leave you. Spinelli says, you just have to find the right one, and Britt says, oh yeah, the mythical right one. The one who will complete your life. The one who will stand by you to hell and back. The one who will trust you more than you trust yourself. You’ll always have Paris, right? Wrong. Haven’t they seen how the movie ends? She flies off with the other guy. Because it’s just a sappy movie. There is no right one. They hear a plane overhead, and Dante asks, what’s going on right now? Spinelli tells Britt, have faith. Her time will come. The plane gets louder, and people are starting to look up. Britt says, Port Charles is the anti-Cupid. No, actually it’s not; it’s a place, not a person. Cupid’s not a person either; he’s just a chubby baby thing. Terry says she’s made her point; come eat. Britt says, no. These people have to understand. Maxie comes in, and says, oh my God, and Britt says, there is no love in Port Charles. All the good ones are taken or dead. You might as well wait for someone to fall out of the sky. The plane is really loud now, and Dante tells Britt, look out below. Something falls on her and pulls her into the pool.

As their targets come forward, Valentin counts Anna’s shots. He asks if she fired one less round than him, or did she miss her target entirely? That’s not like her. She points out the middle of the forehead, where she fired twice in the exact same place. He says, she won the competition. Is she going to give him a second chance to have dinner with her? She says, she’ll do him one better, and he says he’s listening. She says, she decided for her prize, they get to spend the evening together. He says, doing what? and she says, he’ll figure it out. Pick her up at 7. She leaves, and Valentin gets a call from Victor.

Spencer picks something up from the floor, and tells Ava, it’s Esme’s jacket. He calls out to Esme, and inside the room, Nikolas and Esme break apart. Nikolas says, Spencer. In the hallway, Ava shrugs, and Spencer reaches for the doorknob.

Nina goes to Nelle’s grave, and drops to her knees. She says she lost the right to see Nelle’s son. What is she going to do, now that she’s lost Nelle and Wiley?

Drew walks into the courtroom, and Michael asks Carly if it’s bad news. Carly remembers saying, sorry, Michael, and opening the envelope. She sees it’s 99.9999+ probability that Patient A is Patient B’s mother. She says, if this is true, Nina is Willow’s mother. Michael says, mom? and Drew watches.

Britt is under a parachute in the pool, and scrambles out. She asks, what the hell just happened? The parachutist pops up and says, now that’s interesting. Hello, Port Charles!

Tomorrow, Chase tells Brook, happily ever after is hard to come by; Cameron says it was perfect, and asks where Spencer went wrong; and Phyllis asks Sonny, if he could do it over, would he make a different choice?

🎡 Revolving Michaels…

Boy did this startle me. I was like, you’re not Michael.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Still in La Quinta, Kyle makes a million eggs for breakfast, and calls caterer Miguel for bloody Marys and mimosas. She tells him, it’s a 9-1-1 situation. Dorit says she didn’t sleep, and in her interview, she says, there’s a lot going on in her head. All she wants is to be able to put this behind her, and feel like herself pre home invasion. LisaR suggests Dorit talk to her mom, and we flash back to when we found out Lois had been attacked by a man she worked with, who turned out to be a serial killer. In LisaR’s interview, she says, it’s on the same level of violation, and Lois lived through it to have a beautiful life after a life altering trauma. She’s a survivor and so is Dorit. Garcelle asks if Kyle talked to Sutton, and Kyle says, Sutton is having breakfast with Crystal and Diana. Garcelle says, Crystal texted her last night that she wanted to go home. Kyle thinks there has to be more to it, and Garcelle wonders what the trigger was. Kyle says, maybe Crystal felt they cared more about Dorit than they had about her last year, even though it’s apples and oranges.  She says, they’re like detectives, even though that’s not what I’d call it. Kyle goes to the front door, where the drinks have been left, and brings them in; to-go cups in a coffee holder. Very festive. Garcelle calls Crystal, and asks how she is. She says, great, but she’s being facetious. Garcelle asks if Crystal wants to talk; everybody is worried about her. They don’t know what triggered her. It’s that she didn’t feel validated, right? Garcelle moves to another room to talk, and the rest of the women strain to listen. Garcelle tells Crystal, they didn’t realize she was holding onto stuff from last year, and suggests Crystal come by and clear the air. Then they can go home feeling she’s okay. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she doesn’t want another year to go by where they don’t talk about something. She tells Crystal, ten minutes, and Crystal says, okay. Garcelle convinced her to come. Garcelle hopes the talk goes better than it did at Sutton’s party.

Kyle says she can’t believe it was a year ago when they were here, and Erika says, her life was a shamble. She hates the living room sofa. Kyle says, Erika is like night and day, and Erika says she’s so glad she’s moved past it. She thanks them for accepting her for the wild animal she was, and we flash back to that, although frankly, I’m not so sure anything is different. Erika says she felt backed into a corner every day, and in her interview, she says, it consumes every part of life, then you get over the bridge. She’s far from done, but she can catch her breath. She says she was dragged through the mud for something she didn’t do, and Garcelle says, she didn’t show compassion. Erika says, you can’t when you’re in a legal situation like that; every word counts. They’re not even sure people weren’t paid. Dorit asks if she means there’s a chance the victims are lying, and Garcelle says, no way. Erika says, way, and in Garcelle’s interview, she wonders why there would be lawsuits if there was no merit. In Erika’s interview, she says, people want it to be true. They don’t care about the truth; they just want her to fail. It’s not going to happen. She tells the women, she can’t admit to something she doesn’t know happened. The best way she can serve the rightfully wronged is to comply with the justice system.

Crystal arrives, and Garcelle says she’s tipsy. Erika says she’s lit, and Crystal tells them that Sutton and Diana are headed back to L.A. At the hotel, Diana goes to Sutton’s room, and Sutton asks if she wants to eat, since there’s an entire buffet in the room. Sutton says she hasn’t eaten meat in a long time, but there’s something about bacon she can’t resist. In Diana’s interview, she says, a bacon eating vegetarian isn’t a thing. I like Diana, but Sutton didn’t say she was vegetarian. Diana wonders, what happened last night? and Sutton says, why Crystal was crying? It came from nowhere. Diana says, everyone has different triggers. Hers is when someone makes fun of her accent. It brings her back to people laughing at her. Sutton says, it’s low, and Diana says, and saying stupid stuff about her country. She tells them to find it on a map. She’s a Leo, and relishes confrontation. Sutton says she doesn’t mind confrontation, but doesn’t like screaming. Diana says, she used to be aggressive because she was scared. In her interview, she says, she grew up in the Sarajevo ghetto, and she was angry with the world, explosive. Now she just doesn’t give second chances. Sutton tells her that she’ll have to give these women more than one chance. Maybe several. Diana wonders, how many?

LisaR asks Crystal to talk about how she’s feeling, and Crystal says she feels like this is some weird therapy. She wants to be clear that she wants to get through this conversation, and doesn’t want to talk about it again. Garcelle asks, what triggered her? and Crystal says she doesn’t actually… like being emotional… Dorit tells her to take her time, and Crystal says, what was upsetting was, when she was struggling with Sutton, they were telling her how to feel. It was like a massive campaign to negate how she was feeling. We flash back to the whole violation thing, which we will never, ever be allowed to forget, and Crystal says, it isn’t easy to pour her heart out. Then she was told she used too strong a word, and the focus shifted to something that wasn’t the focus. Garcelle asks if she means it’s not safe for her emotionally,  and Kyle says, she told them it wasn’t a safe space. In Dorit’s interview, she says, it’s not a safe space just because a group of adult women don’t agree with her? This is a vacation compared to what she went through. Dog Bambi feasts on the cheese board, and we flash back to her eating charcuterie one day ago, or one week in dog years. Kyle says she’s a fixer, but Garcelle says, she’s a stirrer. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, this is Kyle’s idea of fixing, and mimes stirring a pot. Kyle tells Crystal not to wait a year holding in something that bothers her. Garcelle says, if she’s 100% honest, she’s been holding onto something she knows may be explosive. She feels that when Crystal and Sutton had their thing, no matter what Sutton said – she could have said, the sky is blue – Crystal was going to say, are you that girl? It felt like a set-up. Crystal says, now that Garcelle knows her, does she still think that? but Garcelle says she doesn’t know. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Garcelle blindsided her. After knowing her, does Garcelle really think that’s something she’d do? It’s out of her character. Crystal tells them, there was a lot more said prior to that, and it was very dark. Erika says she wishes they’d known that, and in LisaR’s interview, she wonders why Crystal didn’t just say that at the time. She’d be pissed if she was Sutton. Crystal says, Kyle was there, but Kyle says, she doesn’t remember Sutton saying anything dark. So Crystal makes a CYA move, and says, Kyle was drunk. She’s not going there. Garcelle steps away to talk to her son Oliver on the phone, and Erika asks what was said, but Crystal isn’t spilling. In Erika’s interview, she says, when you’re not specific, you allow the person you just told to fill in the blanks with the worst possible sh*t. Garcelle comes back, and announces that Oliver got a great job working with LVP. Kyle says, on that note, let’s go home, and Erika says, to Los Angeles, where they belong. It sounds like the last line in a corny movie.

Dorit tries to persuade PK to replace some of his Diet Cokes with water, and finds it stressful trying to get him to change his lifestyle. He asks how she is, and she says she’s holding it together, but something changed inside. Her reactions aren’t the way they used to be. In Dorit’s interview, she says, in her new normal, her day is filled with palpitating anxiety and navigating triggers. The kids come into her room every night, and when she hears the sound of the bedroom door, she can’t catch her breath. She tells PK that she doesn’t know how she’ll feel at any moment, and wants to process this. He suggests she take a few days off, and bring her friends to Punta Mita. She asks, what if she feels anxious, and he says, then she can come home. She says she feels like that would feel nice. He says, he’ll watch the shows they watch together, and then just watch them again when she gets back, but she gives him a hard no. He says he’s got to watch some shows, but she says, everything they watch together, he can’t watch. She suggests he watch things she wouldn’t like.  

Sutton gets ready for her store event with Alexis Mabille. In her interview, she says, he’s the Paris darling of couture, and finally got in the country. We flash back to Sutton whining about the hold-up to Kyle, and Sutton says she’s having a Parisian party. How fun to have couture come to L.A. She tells us, when you do a party like this, there’s a big list of things to do. There’s the guest list, the food, and bar. We see clips of Sutton overseeing those aspects, and she says, and for this one, they needed mannequins. She gets very nervous. She tells the staff, they’ve got to watch the clothes; don’t mess them up.

Diana’s glam squad makes their magic, and her stylist Lia asks if Diana has been to Sutton’s store. Diana reminds Lia that she’s allergic to stores; she thinks it’s the chemicals. In Diana’s interview, she says, designers know her style, taste, and size. They put things aside for her, and send them over. Dorit tells PK that she spoke to LisaR. Kyle got a message saying, Lois had a stroke, so LisaR was going to Medford. She didn’t have any more information, but asked them to keep Lois in their prayers.

Kyle tells Dorit that LisaR had a serious conversation with the doctor. It’s all about making Lois comfortable now. We see a clip of LisaR saying that Lois is going into hospice, and has a strong directive not to resuscitate her or put her on a feeding tube. Kyle says, her mother knew what was going on, but had them bring her home. She didn’t want to die in a hospice. Dorit asks if they also brought in a nurse, but Kyle says, no. She and Kim did everything. It wasn’t easy. She remembers them trying to bathe her mother, and almost dropping her. She couldn’t communicate, but they were all laughing. In Kyle’s interview, she says, LisaR is where she needs to be. Hard as it was, Kyle wouldn’t have missed being there for her mom’s last breath. She checks her phone, and tells Dorit, a paparazzi was taking photos over her fence. Dorit says, that’s triggering, and Kyle says she’s sorry. It was just the paparazzi. Dorit says, it makes her thinks someone is casing Kyle’s house.  

On her red carpet, Sutton says has Alexis’s spring/summer 2022 collection on display, and to celebrate they’re doing a Paris night. Garcelle asks Sutton if all the girls are coming, and Alexis asks who she’s really asking about, but Garcelle insists she’s just asking. At Erika’s place, she tells Mikey that she’s finally figured out the thermostat after a year. She tells him that Sutton is having a designer come in for a store event, but she’s not going. It was a group invitation, and when everyone was apologizing and kissing asses, she’d asked where her apology was, but Sutton said she didn’t get one, since she didn’t like Erika. We flash back to that, and in Erika’s interview, she says she has a date with a vibrator; she can’t make it. She tells Mikey that she’s glad she doesn’t have to dress up, put on a face, and pretend to be nice.

At the store, Crystal says she’s worn leather in honor of Sutton, and we flash back to the ugly leather pants incident. Dorit and Kyle get out of the limo, and Dorit wonders why the press is here. In Dorit’s interview, she says, she can’t talk about what she went through, except close friends and family. How can a friend not give her a heads up? Is Sutton that self-absorbed? I admit to being a Sutton fan, but I also call a spade a spade. I’m totally empathetic to what Dorit is going through, but she’s really expecting too much. This is the second time she believed someone should have been thinking about her situation when it’s understandable why they wouldn’t be. Kyle talks to a reporter on the carpet, saying, Dorit is unbelievably strong, but the aftermath wasn’t so easy. Kyle asks Sutton if this is the infamous border guy. There are lots of air kisses, drinking, and checking out clothes. Kyle asks if everything is okay with Sutton and Crystal, and Crystal says, it was an awkward conversation at Kyle’s house. Kyle says, Crystal didn’t tell them what Sutton said that was so dark, and in Kyle’s interview she says, either Crystal is confused or she is. Her money is on Crystal. Sutton tells Dorit, she doesn’t know why they’re going backward. She doesn’t want to relive or rehash it. They’ve grown out of it, and grown better. Let the tree stand tall, not cut it down. In Sutton’s interview, she says she’s staying calm because she didn’t say anything she’s ashamed of or that was dark. Garcelle tells Sutton, what Crystal alluded to was that it was something that would change the dynamic between them; like she’d said something crazy. Watch your back with your new friend.

In Garcelle’s interview, she says, friendship is about trust. One minute, she felt like Crystal was in Sutton’s corner, then she threw Sutton under the bus. Sutton says, she doesn’t want go backward; let’s move forward, and work together; that’s sisterhood. In Kyle’s interview, she says she’s confused. A year ago, Sutton was sensitive and emotional about everything. We flash back to that, and Sutton says, she wants all of them to be positive. In her interview, Kyle says, she doesn’t know if Sutton took happy pills, but there’s nothing there; zero emotion. Sutton says, stop talking about her behind her back, and Diana takes off her shoes, saying, she hasn’t worn heels in two years. Kyle sits with Garcelle, and says, obviously, Sutton doesn’t want to go back. Sutton and Crystal pose for pictures on the carpet, and Kyle says, Crystal is leaving it open for guessing. When you let people assume, they assume the worst. Crystal asks, what’s going on? and Kyle says, they were talking about the conversation they had earlier. Garcelle had feelings, and instead of defending herself, Crystal brought up Sutton. Kyle was there, and Sutton didn’t say anything horrific. Crystal says, maybe she doesn’t remember because it doesn’t affect her, and Garcelle says, they’re thinking the worst. In her interview, Garcelle says, again it’s Crystal’s word choice. Dark is a dangerous word. It sounds like something that would affect their friendship when it came to race. Crystal says she doesn’t want to focus on the word. Sutton said something problematic, but forgivable. Garcelle says, why bring it up then? and Crystal says, the question they asked was damaging. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Garcelle was accusing her of setting Sutton up; it’s a massive accusation. If she was accused of murder, just saying, I didn’t do it, wouldn’t suffice. It was all she had. Sutton sits with them, and Kyle says, the conversation involves Sutton; she should be here. Sutton says, normally she’s not around for that, and Garcelle says, she told Crystal that she felt like she set Sutton up when she’d asked, are you that girl? Crystal said, it wasn’t prefaced that way; Sutton had said something dark. Sutton says she’s apologized, learned, and changed a lot. She doesn’t know what was said, but she can’t take it unless they can go forward. Kyle says, sounds nice on paper, and Garcelle says, it got them thinking whatever it was, was worse than it was. In Kyle’s interview, she says, Sutton probably is afraid she said something she doesn’t remember, so she wants it dropped. She was there, and that’s not what happened. By now, everyone has gravitated to this conversation, and Diana says, in defending herself, Crystal opened a can of worms. She can defend herself without saying something she’s not prepared to say. In Dorit’s interview, she says, Crystal knows what she’s doing. She’s creating the worst case, and adding insult to injury, she refuses to say what it is. She’s playing dirty. Sutton says, the worms are dead, and Diana says, this is hard to follow. Crystal says, she had to answer a question and defend herself, and Garcelle asks why she used the word dark. In Crystal’s interview, she asks how dark is a strong word? Don’t tell her what words to use. Garcelle says, Crystal planted the seed, and they’re left in the rubble. Crystal says she didn’t want to bring it up because it’s been resolved. In her interview, Garcelle says, it’s not resolved at all, and Crystal says, they questioned her integrity. and that’s where it’s going to stop.

Dorit tells PK that she’s going to an EMDR session, and he says, it’s going to help. She says, there’s something different inside her, and PK says, George made a valid point. The thieves took their belongings,  and invaded and violated their home. Don’t let them take your life. In Dorit’s interview, she says, they took so much more than material things; her ability to feel safe and whole. Knowing PK is supportive, strong, and capable means a lot. PK clears out, and therapist Val arrives. In her interview, Dorit says, this type of therapy is good for trauma victims. It reprograms the brain to think of the traumatic moment and associate it with peace and joy. Dorit tells Val about going to Sutton’s event, and Val says, Dorit’s home has been her cocoon. When she’s outside, she feels activated, and it’s a normal response. She gives Dorit some cord things to hold, and says, they vibrate, and it causes left/right brain activity like when we’re sleeping. When trauma happens, early on, we separate it into frames. She wants Dorit to think of the frame where there’s a gun to her head, and she’s thinking, it’s not safe. Where is she feeling it? Dorit says, in her chest, and Val says, allow her mind to go where it usually does, and Dorit says, she’s thinking about the kids. Val says, go with it, and Dorit starts to cry. Val tells her, let whatever comes up, come up, and Dorit says, God forbid anything happens to them. She can’t shake feeling scared, worried, afraid, and sad. Val says, Dorit knows she’s safe, here and now, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, when she closes her eyes, she sees the headline: Mother found dead in bedroom; kids shot dead in their bed. It’s a thought that’s going to haunt her for the rest of her life. Val tells her, take a breath. Dorit says, it feels like she’s far from where she needs to be. Like she has a lot of work to do.

Next time, Kyle accuses Crystal of throwing Sutton under the bus; Garcelle questions Sutton about what she said; Dorit plans a girls trip to Mexico; and LisaR says, Crystal is dangling a dangerous carrot.

👠 Lady Diana…

All about the latest RHOBH addition.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a39664138/diana-jenkins-rhobh/

💰 The Real Housewives of Dubai is definitely worth a watch. Lots of bling, and an interesting cast, including Caroline Stanbury (Ladies of London), the only blonde in the bunch. Once again, Caroline’s very cute little dog proved that pets are the great leveler by peeing on her bed. It did end up with some screaming (not Caroline), which was a little disappointing, since it’s only the first episode. Model Chanel Ayan was the instigator, and it looks like there will be more to come from that one.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/real-housewives-of-dubai-season-1-taglines-revealed

https://people.com/tv/real-housewives-of-dubai-series-premiere-recap/

🏖 Unofficial Start Of Summer…

Stop by tomorrow for soap and tea. Until then, stay safe, stay letting your Pride flag fly, and stay knowing, when you let people assume, they assume the worst.