Tag Archives: Real Housewives of Orange County

Jan13

January 12, 2022 – Alexis Won’t Cooperate, Noella Pinpoints James & Stars

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brook comes out of the hospital elevator, and literally runs into Austin. She says, her bad, and he asks what she’s doing here. He hopes she’s not terminally ill. She says she’s meeting Chase and Bailey; Chase brought Bailey in for her check-up. He’s such a devoted daddy. Austin says, probably just trying to make up for lost time. Not that it was his fault. Have a beautiful day. He walks away, but she follows him, saying, wait. She knows they got off on the wrong foot, and a lot of that was on her hands… He says, all of it was on her hands. Sorry, he interrupted. What was she going to say? She says, a lot has happened since they saw each other last. She was hoping they could hit rewind, and start over. He walks away.

Alexis meets Sam at Charlie’s, and Sam says, it’s good to see her. Molly sends her regrets; she got hit by some work thing. Alexis says she remembers working in the DA’s office and getting hit by that thing. Sam says they wanted Alexis to know how proud her daughters are that she’s the new editorial voice of The Invader. Alexis says it was her daughters who inspired her. Make sure Kristina knows that too. They’ve always held her to a higher standard. Sam says, don’t do that. Alexis deserved this; she worked really hard. She just hopes Tracy pays for what she did.

Tracy looks out from behind bars, and says, this is persecution. She’s being pilloried by the proletariat, all because she carries the Quartermaine name. Do they know what a burden that is? Dante says, she might want to drop the poor little rich girl routine. It’s not going to get her any traction with the jury. Ned says, good morning, mother. He just posted her bail. She’s welcome. She says, he wants her to thank him? Look how long it took him. He says, actually, the one she should thank is her lawyer. He’d like her to meet Martin Grey. Martin says, no thanks necessary. He took the case as a favor to his sister, Mayor Laura Collins. She says, the long lost brothers. The Kentucky fried lawyer, and the ponytailed gangster. He says, that’s them. So what does she say they get her out of here? Get this over with. Sit down and cut her a plea deal.

Olivia is at MetroCourt hostess stand, when Robert asks if the place still takes walk-ins. She says she thinks they can fit him in, and hugs him. She asks if there’s any news about her erstwhile mother-in-law, and he says, now, now. She says she knows. He can’t discuss the details of the case. The last thing she wants to do is put him in a compromising position… She means… He says he knows what she means.

Valentin goes to Nina’s office, and says, she summoned him? She says, he seems surprised, and he says, it doesn’t happen very often. The only time in recent memory is when Peter forced her, but she doesn’t seem to be in any danger. She says, yes, well… and he asks if she thinks he can’t refuse her. She’d be right. She says she’s happy to hear him say that.

Sonny looks at the message about renewing his prescription, when Avery and Donna run into the kitchen. He says, his two favorite girls, and hugs them. He says he packed up their lunches, and knows they already ate breakfast, but before Frankie takes them, they have to take their gummi vitamins. Avery says they’ll take theirs if he takes his, and he says, of course (🍷). He gives them their vitamins and their lunches, and Carly walks in. Avery says, daddy made them lunches, and Carly says, wow, daddy thinks of everything. She hugs them, and tells them, have a great day in school. She loves them. She thanks Frankie, and he leads them outside. She tells Sonny, she thought they agreed he wasn’t staying last night, and he says he guesses she thought wrong.

Alexis tells Sam, she’s not saying she’s forgiven Tracy for framing her for that DUI, and of all the reasons; Tracy was trying to hide what happened between Alexis and Ned. Sam says she’s sounding merciful, but Alexis says she’s just thinking that maybe losing Luke is punishment enough for Tracy. Sam says, what happened to Luke was an accident. What Tracy did to Alexis was deliberate. You can’t set out to destroy someone, and expect to get a pass when… nothing happens. Alexis turns around, and sees Harmony has come in.

Tracy says she wants Martin to get the charges dropped, dismissed, expunged. Make them go away. Martin says, the DA has enough evidence to send her for a not insubstantial stay at Pentenville, but Tracy says she has the influence of the Quartermaine name. Martin says, just because she’s a member of a prominent family doesn’t make her immune to consequences, and she says, really? She thought they were in Port Charles. Ned says, this makes no sense. There’s no reason for Tracy to stay here. She asks Martin his name, and he says, Martin Grey; they’ve met. She tells him that he’s fired.

Brook follows Austin into his office, and closes the door. He says, no. he’s not going to press stop and rewind, or whatever she said. She tried to get him fired. She almost destroyed his professional reputation. She says, look at little Leo. Thanks to Austin’s diagnosis, Leo is finally getting the help that he needs, and it brought her dad and Olivia back together. And the cherry on top is, look at him and her dear friend Maxie. They’ve become great friends, so what does he say? Can’t they just let bygones be bygones?

Nina says, Valentin has been through a lot since he came to her rescue in Nixon Falls. For what it’s worth (🍷), she’s very sorry about what happened with Bailey. He thanks her, and says, Charlotte’s taking it surprisingly well. Her attitude seems to be, I loved Bailey when Bailey was my sister, why should that stop just because she isn’t? Nina says, that sounds like Charlotte, and he says, Charlotte feels the same way about her, if she ever wants to stop by. She says she’d love that, and he tells her, say the word. Charlotte is almost a teenager. She says, God help him, but of course (🍷) he has Anna, and she’s sure Anna is full of wisdom about those things. He says, indeed, but she didn’t call him just for a catch-up. What can he do for her? She says, she was hoping they could join forces, and he says, they’re not talking about Crimson and Deception. She says, no. She’s talking about a personal threat. He asks, what kind of personal threat? and she says, she’s made a new enemy, and it turns out her enemy is also his enemy.

Carly says, she thought she told Sonny last night, if he was here this morning, she was going to leave. He says, he knows what she said, and she says, but here he is. This is how he respects her feelings? He says he respects their marriage enough to not leave it hanging, and she says, but not enough to tell her that he and Nina did everything except tumble into bed together. He says, he remembered who Carly was. He remembered her face, her hair, the way she walked and talked. That’s why it didn’t go any further with Nina, because he remembered who Carly was and how much he loved her. And how much he still loves her. Isn’t that enough? Yeah, well, we all know that’s not entirely true.

Harmony starts to leave, but Alexis asks her to join them. Harmony says she knows how hard these mother/daughter moments are to come by, so some other time, and Sam says she’s sure Harmony has something else to do. Alexis says, please. For her sake, could they come to some kind of a truce? She was alone in that prison for a long time, and then Harmony was her only friend. Not only that, on New Year’s Eve, she was sitting right there, staring at a bunch of champagne flutes that she was really thinking about downing, and Harmony stayed there and talked to her until she came to her senses. So things would have gone a lot differently if it weren’t for Harmony. She has Harmony to thank for that.

Ned asks Martin not to quit, and Martin says, he didn’t. Leona Helmsley here gave him the boot. Ned says he hired Martin; Martin is working for him. Tracy says, Ned is fired too, and Ned says, for the last time, she can’t fire her children. They’re not like husbands. Dante says, this is super fun and everything, but he’s giving them five minutes to sort this out, and he’s going to escort Tracy from the building so she can wait for her court case to start. He tells Tracy, it’s a blast as usual. He’ll probably see her back in here sometime soon, and Tracy says, et tu, Dante? She can’t believe he’s kept her as a villain. It was Alexis who went nuts and stabbed him. He says, yeah, that sucked, but she did her time, and went to jail, but got out early. Maybe the same thing will happen with Tracy. Ned says, listen to reason. Let Martin sit down with Robert on her behalf, and negotiate a deal. If Luke was here, isn’t that what he’d want her to do?   

Robert and Olivia sit at a table, and he says he’s been meaning to contract her. He wanted to thank her for telling him about Luke. He was touched she thought of him. She says, of course (🍷) she thought of him; he was the first person she thought of. Also, it gave her an excuse to call him. He says, she doesn’t need an excuse, but she says, really? Lately it seems like he’s been making himself scarce. He says, he thought he was doing her a favor be keeping his distance, and she says, because of Ned? He says he doesn’t want to get in the way of whatever is going on between them, but she says it wasn’t about Robert; it never was. He says he doesn’t know whether he should be glad or sad.

Austin says Brook really is a piece of work. She did everything she could to destroy him; then forced him to relinquish his rights to his own family’s legacy. Now she wants him to just let bygones be bygones? No. He can’t do that. He’s just not wired that way. She says, the rest of the Quartermaines are. She knows this may be new to him, but believe her, he came out of this pretty unscathed. He says, no, he didn’t, but at least she wasn’t as destructive with him as she was with Valentin.  

Valentin asks Nina to narrow it down. Right now, he’s focused on Brook. She says she hopes he’s not too hard on Brook, and he asks, why not? She says, because, Brook’s family made her feel like an outcast; he knows what that’s like. And she felt the only way back into the family’s good graces was to reclaim her voting shares of ELQ. He says, it would be one thing if he was the only one hurt, but Charlotte lost her sister. He’s not going to forgive Brook for that. Is that it? Is it something against the Quartermaines? She says, just one. Michael Corinthos.

Carly says she doesn’t doubt Sonny loves her: not any more than he should doubt she loves him. He says, then what are they doing sleeping in separate bedrooms, drawing lines in the sand? They have what most people would die to have; a marriage that’s stood the test of time. Whatever people have thrown at them, they’re still here. She says, she needs more than words and the memories they’ve shared. She needs time to deal with what he told her. Time to deal with the fact he doesn’t think what Nina did was criminal, and time to deal with what he didn’t tell her, and she found out on a witness stand; that he has feelings for Nina. That’s why she said if he wouldn’t give her the time and space she needed, she was going to leave. He tells her, people say all kinds of things in the moment, then the next morning, it’s a different ballgame. She says he’s doing it again. He’s acting like they can go back to the way things were before Nina. He says, forget Nina; that’s in the past. She says, then why was he with Nina on New Year’s Eve? And why the hell did she have to hear about it from Nina?

Alexis says, thanks to Sam, Tracy has been arrested, and Harmony says, the woman who framed Alexis? Alexis says, tried to. As it turns out she’s the only one who can send herself to the slammer. Harmony says she’s glad Tracy is paying for what she did to Alexis, and Sam says, she started to. Harmony asks what she missed, and Alexis says, she was protecting her family. Sam says, that’s no excuse for what Tracy did to Alexis, and no reason to ease up on her, and Alexis says, Sam’s not wrong. She asks what Harmony thinks, and Harmony says she thinks Tracy took away Alexis’s agency when she framed her, but Alexis is in control of what happens next. Alexis says, she’s right. She’s in control of what happens next. She asks them to excuse her; she needs to make a phone call. She leaves, and Sam tells Harmony, before she gets back, they need to get things straight about Harmony and her mother.

Olivia tells Robert, Ned was the one who crossed the line. He jeopardized their marriage when he cheated with Alexis. Robert says, so he really was just her plaything, and she says, stop it. It was more than that, and he knows it. He says, she found out she did love that bugger, and she says, guilty as charged. Robert’s phone rings, and he says he has to take it. Olivia says she has to go, and leaves. Robert asks, what’s up? and Alexis says she needs a favor.

Tracy tells Ned, Luke would expect her to fight, not cave to Johnny Law. Ned says, Luke seems to have rubbed off on her, and she thanks him, but he says he didn’t mean it in a good way. She says she knows. She won’t accept a so-called plea deal that involves jail time, probation, community service, or even the most tacit admission of guilt. Martin asks Dante for a word, and they step away. In the hallway, Martin says, Tracy is obviously impervious to logic. Dante has some kind of relationship with her; can’t he intercede with the DA on her behalf? Please.

Ned tells Tracy, no offense, but is she out of her mind? She says she’s never been more sure or sane in her life. Luke’s affairs need to be settled, and in order to do that, she has to get on a plane to Amsterdam asap. She can’t do that if these charges are hanging over her while she’s out on bail. He asks why she didn’t say that before, and she says, because it’s nobody’s business. And by the way, she’s not leaving this jail cell or the country until they’ve had a conversation about Ned’s daughter. He says, fine. Tracy hunted him down at the MetroCourt to tell him something about Brook. What is it? She says, it could be nothing; it could be something; it could be everything. He says, just tell him. Why is she being so mysterious? She says, it has to do with his granddaughter, and he says, Bailey? What about her?

Brook tells Austin, she’s genuinely sorry she hurt Valentin, and especially his daughter Charlotte. Austin says he doesn’t believe her. She had to have known what was going to happen. She had to have known people were going to get hurt, and she did it anyway. She asks if he’s really that different. Wasn’t he prepared to do anything for his father, to keep his promise to get him a seat at the family table Austin believed was rightfully his? Austin says, it was rightfully his, and she says she understands his sense of loyalty; she even admires it. So she’ll talk to the rest of the clan. They can’t give him a seat at the table, or ELQ shares, but she’s sure there’s something they can do. He says, sure. There has to be something she can do to buy him off.

Nina tells Valentin, Michael is furious, and there’s very little he won’t do to keep her out of Wiley’s life. She’s already lost a daughter, she’ll be damned if she’s going to lose her grandson, especially when New York state guarantees her rights. He says, rights are one thing, but if she’s going to take on Michael, she’s not just taking on the Quartermaines. She’s taking on the Corinthos family, and that means Sonny. He can’t imagine Sonny was too thrilled to find out she’d been keeping him from his family. She says, she and Sonny have made peace about her… decisions, but Valentin wonders how long that peace is going to last when Sonny finds out she’s going after his grandson. She says, he’s her grandson too. Mike understands that. He asks, who’s Mike? and she says, that’s the name Sonny used in Nixon Falls. He says, maybe Mike understands, but he doesn’t think Sonny ever will.

Carly says, Sonny spent New Year’s Eve with a woman he claims is in the past he left in Nixon Falls. He says, first of all, he didn’t spend the night with her. He was shaken with everything that went down at the hearing. After he left Carly, he went to Charlie’s. He had too much to drink, and it so happens Nina was there, and drove him to his penthouse. She says, and? and he says, then she left, and he woke up with a hangover. Does that make her happy? She says, none of this makes her happy. Does he think she enjoys thinking the worst about him, or suspecting him? Or wondering when’s the next time Nina just so happens? She hates it. She hates feeling like their marriage is built on quicksand. She wants to trust him without thinking about it, like she used to, but now… He says, he’s trying to be honest here, but since… Does she want to call it quits? Is that what she’s saying?

Tracy says she can’t tell Ned, and he says, why not? She was so fired up to tell him this little secret, she came out in the open, and got herself arrested. She says, it gave her time to think, and she needs more information before she gets him involved. He says, are they talking a crime or just a conspiracy? and she says, that’s what she has to find out. Go talk to Harlan Sanders, Attorney at Law, and she’ll find out exactly what Brook is hiding. He says, no. She can’t imply Brook is involved with something, then just drop it. Dante comes back with Martin and Robert, and says, good news, everyone. Robert says, the DA’s office revisited the case, and Martin says, they don’t have one. The guard opens the cell, and Ned says, excellent. It’s what Tracy wanted; let’s go. Tracy says, wait a minute. This is too good to be true. What changed? Alexis walks in, and says, she supposes she did.

Brook says, first of all, there’s no reason for her to buy Austin off. He already relinquished his claim; there’s nothing to buy. Austin says, agreed. Don’t even bother then. She says, there’s the family, and there’s the family business. The problem with a lot of people in the family, including herself, is they don’t separate the two. They literally don’t know how. He says he noticed that, and she says, if there was a document, a codicil to her great-grandfather’s will that said he’d recognized Austin’s dad, then that would be that, but there’s nothing. So for her to even suggest… He asks why she’s doing this. She’s just trying to ease her own conscience by purchasing his. She says, Mister Man of Principle. If he didn’t care about money, he never would have come knocking on her family’s door. Now that there isn’t any, he can say it was never his intention. He says, it’s just not about that. It’s about her family recognizing his father, and realizing he deserves to be remembered, and deserves to be respected. She’s so blinded by her privilege, she assumes everyone else in the world is as greedy and self-serving as she is. She used Leo, tiny little Leo, as a pawn in her game, when all he did was react as any doctor worth a damn would react. She asks if he’s finished, and he says he’s finished with that point, but he’s just getting started. He walks out of the office, and she follows him.

Nina tells Valentin, forget it. She got caught up in all the drama with Michael and the family, and got carried away. He says, when he learned she’d been keeping Sonny’s identity from him, he just assumed it was retribution for Carly keeping Nelle’s identity from her. She says, it was at first, and he asks if she had feelings for Sonny. Did they have feelings for one another? She says, they were both very lost in different ways, and he says he’s not judging. He thinks it’s better if he doesn’t keep track of the details of Nina’s life; he’s getting pretty good at that. She says, he’s moved on, and he says, it seems they both have. She says, which means they can help each other without complications? but he says he doesn’t know if going toe to toe with Sonny is without complications. She asks if he’s saying he’s not going to help her with Michael, and he says, it’s not just Michael, is it? She’s talking about fighting a war on two fronts, with a child in between. He can’t help her in that, but please don’t go against Michael. He’s not going to make life easier with Sonny. It’s good to see her. She says, he really has changed. Is he really telling her to turn the other cheek? He gives her a slight nod, and leaves.

Carly asks if Sonny is saying he wants to call it quits, but he says, he’s here, isn’t he? Even after she told him to leave last night, he slept in the guestroom. She asks if that’s because of his pride, but he says, it’s because he loves her; he doesn’t care if they sleep in the same bed. She says, it was her love for him that made her sleep apart from him, and he says, that doesn’t make sense. She says, it’s the only thing that does make sense, because if this marriage is going to work, they can’t force it. They need time to figure out what went wrong, and what they can do to make it right. He says, she’s over-complicating it. Here’s what happened. He fell off a bridge, and into the river. He went on shore, and woke up; he didn’t know who he was or where he came from. She says, and along came Nina, but he says, Nina can’t come between them if they don’t let her. She says, Nina is here. She’s in this room, she’s in their marriage, and unless or until Sonny can forget her… He asks if Carly is going to forget Nina. Or is she using Nina as an excuse not to get back with him because a part of her is already gone? And it went with Jason.

Sam says she knows Harmony has changed; she’s seen it, and believe her, she didn’t want to. Harmony thanks her, but Sam says, don’t thank her yet. She can’t imagine how hard it was to testify against Shiloh, but after what Harmony did to all of those women, and Sam’s sister… Harmony asks if Sam thinks it doesn’t make her sick, thinking she was helping those women when she was drugging them, including her own daughter. When she looks back on that time, it’s a hell of a nightmare to wake up from. She has to live with it every second of every day, and she’s doing everything she can to atone for that. So if there’s more she can do for Sam, or her mom, and especially Kristina… Sam says she’s glad Harmony asked, because actually, there is. Harmony says, name it, and Sam says, her mom is trying her hardest to turn her life around, and she’s doing a really good job, but she’s in a fragile state. One little slip, and she destroys everything. So Sam is asking Harmony to be straight with Alexis, as her friend. Harmony says, of course (🍷), and Sam says she doesn’t mean just being honest. if Harmony says she’s going to do something, do it. Harmony says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she truly believes that she and Alexis can help each other. Sam says, because Harmony is Alexis’s friend? and Harmony says, and because Alexis is hers, and that’s what friends do. Unless Sam thinks her mother would be better off alone.

Tracy assumes Alexis is there to gloat, and Alexis says, what about? She just informed Robert that she’s decided not to cooperate with The People versus Tracy Quartermaine. Ned asks what that means, and Robert says, without Alexis’s testimony, they won’t pursue the case. Dante says, not that they couldn’t. They still have Sam’s testimony, and his mother’s. Alexis says, but if she doesn’t cooperate, there is no victim, and Martin says, and in the absence of a victim, there’s no crime to prosecute. Robert says, as such, the DA’s office is going to pass on this one, and Tracy asks if she’s free. Dante says, unless Alexis changes her mind, and Ned says, they’ll take that as a yes. Tracy jets, and Martin says, not so much as a thank you. Ned says, he’d apologize for his mother, but… Alexis says she thinks that’s as good as it’s going to get from her, and Ned says, knowing her, she has another fire to put out. Dante says, she’s probably going to start one.

Austin says he’s glad he ran into Brook today. He’d almost forgotten the kind of people they come from, so thanks for the reminder. She says, he’s welcome. The Quartermaines are full of righteous indignation. He says, he noticed, and she says, but they never storm out of a room without figuring a way back in, but he did, which proves he’s not really one of them. He says, but he is; his father was. He was Edward’s son. She says, so what? and he says, that’s her argument? She says, bringing Jimmy Lee back into the fold was completely up to Edward. He didn’t do it, and now he’s gone, and the more Austin insists on having some claim on her family, the more reason they have to shut the door in his face. He asks if she thinks that’s going to stop him, when Valentin comes along. He asks Austin if something is wrong.

Carly says, she and Jason told Sonny everything. How their friendship turned into something more when Sonny was presumed dead, while Nina kept him from his family. So if he wants to compare that with what he kept from her since he’s been back, and not just what happened in Nixon Falls, but how he still feels about Nina… Is he kidding her? He says, it’s not just how he feels about Nina. She has to admit, there are more than three people in this marriage; there’s four. She says she’s not going to apologize for mourning Jason, and he says, of course (🍷). In time, Jason is going to be a memory; an unforgettable memory, but part of her past. As long as Nina is alive, there’s no chance for their marriage. He asks if that’s a threat, and she says, does he think she’d risk losing her kids to end Nina? That’s up to him. Sonny needs to kill Nina off, not physically, but in his heart. Until he does, there’s no chance for them, and they can’t both live here. She’s going to be the one to go, because Avery and Donna are so happy he’s home. She’s not going to traumatize them again by making daddy go away. She’ll be back in the morning to start their day, and come again at night to put them to bed. She walks out, and Sonny sighs and rubs his forehead.

Sam tells Harmony that Alexis is hardly alone. She has her daughters, Diane Miller, Shawn Butler; she’s got a great new job, and a really beautiful looking future. So whatever Harmony is selling, she’s not buying it. She puts on her coat, and Harmony gets up, saying, she’s not selling anything. Sam says she wishes she could believe Harmony, but after what Harmony did to her and her sister, she won’t forget. Harmony says, no one is asking her too. When she looks back on that time… She needs to prove herself, if Sam will just let her. Sam says, okay. Harmony can try, but she’ll be watching. She leaves. 

Robert thanks Alexis as she signs off on a document. She’s saved him and the city a lot of time, trouble, and money. She says, anything for Port Charles, and he says he’ll get on this right away, and have the charges dropped. Dante says he has to get back to work, and asks if Alexis is sure about this. She says she is, and he leaves. Ned says he knows his mother was less than appreciative, and Alexis says, surprise, surprise. Good thing she didn’t do it for Tracy. He says, then why? She didn’t do it for him, did she? She says she did it for Luke. A little bit for Ned, but she did it mostly for herself.  

Brook tells Valentin that she and Austin were just setting some things straight. Now if he’ll excuse her, she’s going to be with Chase and their baby. She leaves, and Austin laughs. He asks if Valentin caught that. She just twisted that knife a little bit. Valentin says, apparently, some people think he’s softened; that he’s lost his edge. Austin asks if he has lost his edge, but Valentin says, he doesn’t know; maybe Austin can help him answer the question. Has Austin forgotten how the Quartermaines treated him? Austin says, no, why? Is Valentin interested in making Brook pay for what she did to him?

Tracy runs into Brook at the hospital, and says, she thought she’d find Brook there. Brook says, she thought Tracy was in jail, but Tracy says, they need to talk. She pulls Brook into the elevator, and presses a button. Brook asks if they can’t do it later. She needs to see Chase and her baby. Tracy says, Brook means Maxie’s baby.

Nina sits at her desk, but can’t concentrate on work. She calls Martin, and he says, what a pleasure. Or should he be asking what Valentin has done now? She says, nothing, which is the problem. He says he doesn’t follow, and she says, it’s just a joke she has with herself. Is he free for lunch? She needs legal advice.

Carly sees Olivia at the MetroCourt, and Olivia says she thought Carly was working from home today. Carly says, as of now, the MetroCourt is her home. Olivia says she hopes it doesn’t mean what she thinks it means, and Carly says, it means the house isn’t big enough for her and Sonny, so she’s moving in here while they take a time out. Olivia says she knows it’s none of her business, but she’s going to butt in anyway. Is Carly sure? Carly says, one of them had to go. He couldn’t. She could. So she did.   

Sonny puts the scotch decanter on the kitchen island. He looks at his prescription bottle, throws it across the room, and pours a drink.

Tomorrow, Chase asks Brook how screwed they are, Anna needs Maxie’s help, Drew says he has some things to clear up with Victor, and Peter asks someone if they’re looking for anyone in particular.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Heather and Max went to an intuitive reading of their auras. In Heather’s interview, she said she loved any kind of reading, and we flashed back to a psychic from several seasons ago. She says, it has two purposes. Mother/daughter moments are incredibly special and necessary. They went to the aura photography area, and had a photo taken of their hand on a sensor. Heather was disappointed in how hers looked, and in her interview, she said, a messy blobby aura is not cute. The reader said Heather needed to nurture herself to find balance. Max’s aura was one of the most social and artistic, and Heather told Max that she was excited to see her fly; it was her moment. In her interview, Heather said that Max suffered from social anxiety and became a shut-in during lockdown. She came out as bisexual during that time, turned it into a podcast, then turned it into a book.

Gina visited Noella, who said she found James. She had access to a credit card he was using, and she discovered he was in Mykonos, an island in Greece. A mid-life crisis made sense, but this wasn’t who she thought he was. In Noella’s interview, she said it was time she moved on. She needed to take off the dirty robe, get out of bed, and stop crying over a man who doesn’t deserve it. She told Gina that she wanted to slap a man. Maybe it’s not a good idea for her to date right now…

Heather, Emily, and Jen went to a sauna, and Emily hoped they’d be doing lunch too. Emily asked if Jen had always intended to be breadwinner, and Jen said, after she and Ryne had gotten married, her ex-boyfriend sued her. He said his gifts had been loans, and she and Ryne went through some hard times. In Jen’s interview, she said she’d met her ex after her father died. He was intelligent and wealthy, and said he was divorced. She broke up with him when she found out he was really just separated. Three days after she married Ryne, he sued her. We saw a headline that said, Billionaire Sues Cheating Ex. His purpose was to hurt her and her relationship. She told Heather and Emily that Ryne stayed home and watched the kids, and she was able to build her career. Emily asked about resentment, and she said she’d been there with Shane. In Emily’s interview, she said, there was a point when she didn’t think she and Shane were going to make it, and we flashed back to some of that. Her advice was to put the work in. No one dates a forty-five year old with kids in Orange County. You’d have to move. Emily took a sandwich out of her bag, and Heather reminded her they were detoxing. Emily said it was turkey, and in Heather’s interview, she wondered why Emily had a turkey sub in her purse. Eating a sandwich in the sauna was not a thing. They followed up the sauna with a nail appointment. Champagne was served, and Emily said the strawberries in it were her daily dose of fruit. Heather suggested a girls trip to Cabo, and asked how Jen was feeling about Noella. Jen said she’d texted Noella about going out for drinks, but there was no response. Heather said she’d invited Noella to Max’s book party, because she was sweet to Max, but now she knows that Noella’s been talking about her, calling her a phony bitch. And she’d be a phony bitch if she pretended she didn’t know what Noella had said. In Jen’s interview, she said, Noella was going through some things, but there was never an excuse to be rude and condescending. Heather wanted to say she was hopeful, but said, they’d see.

Shannon and her daughter’s visited Shannon’s mom Pat in Nashville. In Shannon’s interview, she said, with all the girls’ activities, it was easier for her mom visit them. Seeing how happy her mom was, made Shannon feel the need to come more often. They toasted to being together for the first time in a long time, and Pat said the girls had done a good job with the divorce. Shannon said they’d been exposed to an unhealthy marriage, and in her interview, she said her parents divorced when she was 17. She was a living example of repeating a parents’ patterns, and she didn’t want her kids to continue the pattern. She wanted to break the cycle. Sophie said she saw herself marrying boyfriend Reese one day, and Shannon said that broke her heart. In Shannon’s interview, she said she got married at 36, and Sophie was 20. In Sophie’s interview, she said she’d never been in a relationship before, and it was all new. She understood that her mom was nervous because she didn’t want to see her get hurt, but she already lived 1200 miles away, and was on her own as it was. Shannon said, her good part started at 55, and in her interview, she said she knew the girls were still carrying everything that continued to happen with David.

Heather invited Noella over, and Noella arrived while Heather was filming an infomercial with Terry. Heather motioned for Noella to stay quiet and sit down. In Noella’s interview, she said, Heather was the one who scheduled this. She wanted Noella to see it, and feel impressed. She wasn’t there to go toe to toe with Heather, but if Heather brought it, Noella would end it. After Heather was finished, she took Noella to her podcast studio, saying it was the only quiet place. In a fifty room house. In her interview, Noella said she had her suspicions before, but this was concrete evidence that Heather was a narcissist. If she wasn’t so creeped out, she’d be impressed. Heather told Noella that she’d heard some things, and felt weird not suggesting they sit down and talk. Nicole had said Noella called her a phony or fake bitch. We flashed back to that, and Noella said fake bitch. Noella told Heather that she was very emotional, and was really angry with James. Heather’s name was brought up, and she lashed out. Heather said she understood. When she heard all Noella was going through, she let it go, but Gina also said that Noella told her not to trust Heather. We flashed back to the racetrack, and Gina telling Heather that Nicole said she wasn’t to be trusted. Heather asked why Noella felt distrustful of her, and Noella said, she and Nicole had been friends, and Nicole changed based on a phone call with Heather. We saw a clip of Nicole telling Noella that she was a mean girl, and saying they weren’t friends. Heather said if there was a chance of friendship between her and Noella, this was no way to start, and Noella said, they started with her being in the house when Heather was slamming people up against walls and yelling. Heather said she didn’t slam anyone up against a wall, and in her interview, she said she was getting psycho vibes. Was she being punked? Heather said Noella had a lot going on, and she didn’t take it personally. Noella said she didn’t mean it personally, and Heather said she wasn’t sure she was the right friend for Noella. In Heather’s interview, she said she felt bad for Noella, but she wasn’t giving this life. Noella said she didn’t need deep friendships with everyone, and was happy with some social friendships. Heather said Noella should focus on her family and take care of herself.    

Noella’s driver picked her up for Max’s party, and I wondered how she was still paying for a driver. She talked to him about having to play Matlock with James, which I thought wasn’t the smartest thing, since she wanted to keep it on the DL. In Emily and Shane’s car, Emily talked about falling asleep early all the time, and in her interview, she said, every night, Shane asked what movie she wanted to sleep through. Maybe she needed to stop eating turkey.

Max’s party for her book, I’ll Give It To You Straight, was pretty crowded, and had a booth for chakra readings. In Heather’s interview, she said, despite Noella being off the rails, and telling tales about her, it was Max’s night. Enjoy yourself over there. We’re good. It’s worth noting that Nicole’s purse looked like a sparkly old school portable phone. Her other accessory was boyfriend Vic. Noella noticed there was no hug for her, and told Gina that she’d tried to invite Nicole to lunch, but Nicole hung up on her before she even got there. In her interview, she said, if Nicole can’t go deep at Noella’s deepest, most painful part of her life, the friendship was officially over.

Noella and Jen were friendly now, and in Jen’s interview, she said she was glad Noella was owning the lies she’d told about her, but she was still a little guarded. We saw a clip of Noella apologizing, and Jen said they were building trust. Taking baby steps. She was married to Ryne, and used to baby steps. Jen explains how Ryne changed the spelling of his name from Ryan, and in Emily’s interview, she said, all it did was confuse people and make it difficult to pronounce. Noella relayed the news that Shannon had taken the red-eye back, and woke up with chest pains. In her interview, Emily said that she and Shannon had a history, and still had not worked everything out. We flashed back to Emily confronting Shannon, and Emily said she was going to take any opportunity to take a jab at Shannon because she deserved it.

Travis hung out on the sidelines with Shane, who wondered if they were being rude or smart. Emily got her aura read, and said she thought the red energy in her vagina field might be a stop sign. She was 45, tired, and just wanted to watch Netflix. Heather said she and Terry had met on a blind date, and at the end, he said, let’s never speak again… because it couldn’t get better. Jen said for her, it was love at first sight, and Ryne said he was still coming around. In Heather’s interview, she wondered what he actually meant. Ryne hasn’t decided if he likes her? Of course he hasn’t decided on a name either. Emily mentioned Cabo to Noella, who said she wasn’t invited. In Noella’s interview, she said, the last time she and Heather met, she didn’t kiss Heather’s ass. She was sensing her invitation was going to get lost in the mail.

Heather got everyone’s attention, and thanked them all for coming. She said she was so happy to have them there. She was impressed with Max, at how raw, open, and honest she was; maybe too honest sometimes. What she’d shared was special, and she was proud of Max. Max took the mic, and said she wasn’t one for emotions, but she hoped the book would help readers with their mental health, sexuality, or whatever they needed. In Heather’s interview, she said, that her child could take a time in her life that sucked and use it to help others, what more could she ask for? Everyone partied, and Emily said she was so drunk, she should go home. Noella said she thought Emily and Shane must have the hottest sex of any of them, and Emily said, when she stayed awake. In Noella’s interview, she said, never count the little man out.

After doing a comedy routine using Nicole’s phone purse, Emily asked Jen if her ex had paid for her school, but Jen said he hadn’t. Emily wondered what why she had to pay him back for anything, and Jen said, it was anything and everything he could think of, and she did it to get him to go away. Emily asked if he was hot, and Jen said, no, but he was smart and interesting. Emily didn’t believe Jen was attracted to his personality, and told her to admit she liked the money. She yelled over to Gina, who quickly came over, and said she thought maybe it was time for Emily to go home. In Gina’s interview, she said she’d seen where these conversations tend to lead, and we flashed back to Emily’s confrontations with Kelly and Nicole. Gina didn’t want to end this night with a negative comment, and steered Emily away. Seeing Heather, Emily got excited about Cabo, and realizing she was loud, asked Heather if Noella was invited. Heather said, no, and Emily said, but she was invited, right? Heather said she was, and in Heather’s interview, she said, Noella had been lovely tonight, and brought a gift for Max, but she didn’t want to take a trip with someone who lied about her. They were good. Emily wanted Shane to help her pee, apologized for falling asleep the night before, and promised to put out when they got home. Shane wasn’t sure if that was likely.

Next time, the trip to Cabo, riding horses on the beach, Gina advocates for Noella to Heather, Jen is having a breakdown, and Noella shows up.

📤 Outgoing…

I’m hoping to catch an extra Z tonight. Or maybe even an LMNOP. Join me tomorrow for soap and hair-dos on the Runway. Until then, stay safe, stay living within your means if possible, and stay leaving the righteous indignation to the Quartermaines.

Jan7

January 6, 2022 – Ava Wants Every Delicious Detail, Real Housewives On the Runway & Colder

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Tracy tells Bailey that she’s had an interesting life so far. Or should she call her Louise? She wonders, if the baby could talk, would she tell her what Brook is up to. Brook comes back, and asks, what makes Tracy think she’s up to something? Tracy says, isn’t she?

Maxie runs into the office, and Lucy says, at least one of them is here. Maxie says, sorry she’s late, and Lucy says, not as sorry as she is. Tell her, is she the only one who’s excited about taking Deception public? Maxie says she’s excited too. She was just putting out a fire. Lucy asks, what is more on fire than their IPO? Think about the substantial amount of money they stand to make as a company and as shareholders. Not to mention the fact, the sense of accomplishment. Look at them. Three women who had a dream. They brought it to fruition. It’s a reality. Deception is their baby, and she wants to see their baby thrive. Maxie flashes back to asking Brook if Tracy knows Bailey is Louise, and Brook saying, Tracy just knows Bailey isn’t hers. Lucy apologizes, and says she shouldn’t have used the word baby. Baby’s a dumb word. What she should have said is, Deception is a beautiful flower that’s worth millions of dollars. Maxie says Lucy is right. Deception is their baby, and you’d do anything to protect your baby.

At the MetroCourt, Sam tells Alexis that she wants to celebrate Alexis being the editor of the new and improved Invader. Alexis says, yeah, and Sam asks if she’s having second thoughts. Alexis says, of course (🍷) she’s having second thoughts. Just because she edited The Law Review doesn’t make her a journalist. Sam says, there’s no one better than Alexis who will know how to get the paper out of the jungle, but Alexis says, which is why they have a legal department, which she can’t join because she’s not a lawyer. Sam says, but she does know the ins and outs of the law, and Shawn wants his paper to be able to fight for justice. And that makes her perfect for the job. Alexis says, what it makes her, is terrified. She likes that.

Brando meets Gladys at the bar, and they hug. Gladys says she’s so glad to see him in person finally, and he says it’s good to see her too. She says she’s been so worried about him, but she didn’t want to nudge him with a thousand messages. He says, just a hundred and fifty or so, and she says, it’s only because she cares. He says he knows she does, and she says, losing her precious little grandson is like a knife in her heart. She cries every day for Brando and Liam. He says, and for Sasha? and she says, of course (🍷). Isn’t she joining them? He says, she called to say she couldn’t make it, when Sasha walks in behind him. Gladys says, is he sure?

Ava walks into Nina’s office, and says, so, is it true? Did that judge in Pennsylvania throw out those ridiculous charges? No more trial. No more smug look on Carly’s face? They set Nina free? Nina says she sees Ava’s heard, and Ava says, yeah, she heard, but she heard from some gossip at the spa. Why didn’t Nina tell her right away? They hug, and Ava says she’s so happy for Nina. She really is. She told Nina that Scotty was a great lawyer, and Nina says, he’s certainly effective. Ava asks what kind of rabbit he pulled out of his hat this time, and Nina says, he didn’t pull out a rabbit, just a witness that dropped a bomb on Sonny and Carly’s marriage.

Carly tells Avery that she can have the last cookie, but Avery says she’s saving it for daddy. Carly says, that’s sweet. She bets Avery is wondering why her daddy didn’t come down for breakfast this morning. Avery nods, and Carly says, she doesn’t want Avery to worry. He’s not going away again; not like last time. Avery says, then where is he?

On the phone, Sonny tells someone to have Tony oversee the shipment. He’s going to have a sit-down with Selena Wu. There’s a knock at the door, and he says, come in; it’s open. Dante comes in, and Sonny tells whoever to have Tony text him when it’s finished. He asks how Dante found him, and Dante says he talked to Michael. How’s Sonny doing? The last time he saw Sonny… Sonny says, let’s just forget about New Year’s Eve. Dante asks how they’re supposed to forget about New Year’s Eve? Sonny is there at the penthouse instead of home with Carly and his kids.

Brook says she’s late for a meeting at Deception, and she’s bringing Bailey with her, and Tracy says, take your daughter to work day? Brook says, they have wonderful daycare, and Tracy says, quite the role model; juggling work and motherhood. Maxie’s going to be there too, isn’t she? Brook says, her point? and Tracy says, Felicia is concerned that Maxie is getting overly attached to Bailey, using her as a substitute for her lost daughter. Brook says, with all due respect, Felicia worries too much. If Maxie being around Bailey is helping her cope with her own loss, she doesn’t see the harm. Brook picks up the car seat, and tells Bailey, let’s go to mommy’s office, and Tracy says, very interesting. She never, ever thought of Brook as the maternal type. Brook says, neither did she, but it changed. Tracy says, maybe. Maybe she just got better at hiding it.

Sasha gives Brando a kiss, and he says he’s glad she changed her mind about joining them. Gladys asks if she can order something for Sasha, but Sasha says, no thanks. Brando says they haven’t really seen or talked to each other since Liam’s funeral, and Sasha says she’s sorry. She just needed to be by herself. He says he understands, and she says she knows. How is he? That’s a stupid question. He says, it isn’t a stupid question. He’s glad to see her out and about. He thinks it’s good for her, even if it means sitting down with his mom. Sasha tells Gladys that she’s sorry she didn’t return her text; she’s been holed up in her apartment. Gladys says, no need to explain. It’s good to see her. Brando says he’ll go grab them a table, but Sasha says, actually, she can’t stay. It’s a big day for Deception. They’re getting ready to launch their IPO. Gladys says, oh yeah. Deception’s going on the stock market. Is that about right? Sasha says it is, and thinks the best thing for her is going back to work. Brando says he thinks Lucy and Maxie will understand, and Sasha says, she knows, but she can’t stare at her walls any longer, where she’s reminded of everything she wanted to do with Liam. He says, of course (🍷). He understands. She says he told her that he was back at the garage, so she figured, why not get back to work herself? He says he’s glad she stopped by, and she says, her too. He tells her that he loves her, and she says she loves him too, and leaves, giving Gladys a wave. Brando tells Gladys, she’s okay, and Gladys says, mm-hmm.

Alexis says, here’s to lessons learned, and she and Sam clink coffee cups. Sam says, and bravery, and Ned approaches the table. He says he called Alexis’s house, and Kristina said he could find her here. She asks if he’d like to join them, and he says, for a few minutes, if they don’t mind. He sits, and congratulates Alexis on her new job. She says, she just got this job five minutes ago, and it’s news already? Sam says, welcome to journalism in the 21st century, and Alexis thanks Ned for his good wishes, but says, something tells her that he didn’t track her down to celebrate her new career. He says, no. He has some bad news. Luke died. Sam says, no, and Alexis asks if he was sick. Ned says, no. He was killed in a terrible accident. They might have heard about it on the news; the cable car in Austria? Sam says, Luke was in that? and he says he’s afraid so. Alexis asks where he heard this, and he says his mother told him.

Ava tells Nina that she wants to hear every delicious detail, but Nina says she doesn’t take joy in any of this. Ava says, but she does; that’s why she’s here. So tell her, who was this witness, and what was the big bombshell? Nina says, Scotty called Willow to the stand and asked her to reveal what she knew about Nina’s relationship with Sonny back in Nixon Falls. Ava says, and as God is her witness, she could not tell a lie, and Nina says, she told the truth. She overheard a conversation Nina and Sonny were having about how they fell in love when he thought he was Mike. Then Sonny and Carly… Ava says she can just picture it. Sonny, sitting there with his guilty conscience, and Carly wanting Nina to walk the plank. And her, without a front row seat.

Carly says Avery’s daddy is away on business, and Avery asks, for how long? Carly says she’s not sure, but he’s not far, and he’ll be back really soon. Olivia comes in, and says she hopes it’s okay, and Carly says, sure. They were just talking about how Avery wants to leave a cookie for her daddy. Olivia asks if Avery has a hug for her Aunt Olivia, and Avery hugs her. Carly asks Avery to check on Donna and Pilar, and Avery leaves. Olivia says, she’s getting big so fast. When she comes back in this room, she’ll be ready for the prom. Carly tells her, don’t say that, and Olivia says she’s been trying to reach Carly all week; she probably noticed this morning especially. Carly says, sorry. It’s been non-stop since she got back from Pennsylvania. Olivia says she knows Nina skated. What she doesn’t know is why. Carly says, because Nina fell in love with her husband, and it turns out he felt the same way about her.

Dante says, when he left Sonny last night, Sonny was three sheets to the wind. He took Sonny’s keys, by the way. How’d he get here? Sonny says, Nina showed up after Dante left. She wanted to drive him home, but he did as Dante asked, and told her to drop him off here. Dante says, and did she? Drop him off? Sonny says, if Dante is wondering if she stayed, the answer’s no. Dante says, did he want her to?

Alexis says, Ned’s been in contact with Tracy? and Sam says, the last they heard, she was on the run from the PCPD, and fell off the grid. Ned says he knows what his mother did was unconscionable, but Luke’s death has really hit her hard. Sam asks how Tracy got ahold of him. Did she email him, because the last thing she would want is to be in front of Alexis. Tracy comes in, acknowledges Sam and Alexis, and tells Ned that she’s glad she found him.

Brook dashes into the office, saying, sorry she’s late, and Lucy thanks her for joining them finally. Brook says she needs to talk to Maxie for a second, and grabs Maxie’s arm. Lucy says she can’t, and Brook says, but she is. Maxie says, give them a second to get whatever it is out of the way, and pulls Brook outside, Brook telling Lucy, they’re going to be ahead of schedule in no time. Outside the office, Brook says, Tracy not only knows Bailey isn’t hers, but she suspects she’s Louise. Maxie says, and she left the baby with Tracy? but Brook says, no. She brought her to daycare. Lucy tells them, come on; they have a lot of work to do. Maxie says, one second, and tells Brook, they need to bluff this out. See if Tracy’s actually going to pursue it. Brook says she doesn’t have a better plan, so… They go back in, and Lucy says, yay, finally. They have so much to do. They have to schedule a press conference to announce the actual date of the IPO. Then they have to arrange for all of them to get to the stock exchange, because one of the partners has to ring the opening bell. Since Deception is her brainchild, she volunteers to do that very high profile honor. Maxie says, too bad it can’t be the Face of Deception, and Brook says, she knows she’s only staff, but shouldn’t the face of the company be the face of the company when they go public? Lucy says, that’s a fair argument, but Sasha was only supposed to take maternity leave, and now it’s turned into bereavement leave, which means all of them have to stick together and pick up the slack. Sasha walks in, and says, that’s sweet, but it won’t be necessary. She’s back, and ready to give her all for Deception.   

Ava tells Nina, don’t stop now; they’re getting to the best part. What happened after Willow threw Sonny under the bus? Nina says, the judge called Sonny to the stand to confirm or deny Willow’s testimony, and Ava says, he tried to deny it, didn’t he? Nina says, no, he didn’t. He actually talked about his feelings toward her when he thought he was Mike. He not only talked about her falling for him, but also him falling for her. Ava says, so he told the truth. What did Carly do? Nina says, Carly left the hearing before the judge could dismiss the charges, and Ava says, Carly walked out on Sonny, and left him to Nina.

Olivia says, so Willow overheard Nina and Sonny talking about their past in Nixon Falls, but it’s still no secret Nina kept Carly from knowing Sonny was alive. Now they know why, because Nina had fallen for her husband. Carly says, and he fell for Nina, but Olivia says, according to Nina. Carly says, he didn’t deny it, and Olivia says, he didn’t know who he was, and Nina knew that, and took advantage of him. She’s not saying Sonny’s not a dog; all men are dogs. For example, Ned. Olivia happens to be a dog lover. But just because Nina had feelings for Sonny, doesn’t mean he has feelings for her. Carly says she asked him that question, and he said he loves her. Olivia says, and? and Carly says, she told him that wasn’t an answer. Then she told him not to come home. Olivia looks at her, and Carly says, what? Does Olivia think she was wrong? Olivia says, not at all, and she’s not comparing the two situations in the slightest, but what did Sonny say when Carly told him about her feelings for Jason?

Sonny tells Dante, part of him – the Mike part – wanted Nina to stay, but that was just a hangover from the past; the memories that were stirred up by the drinking, and thinking about the mistakes he made when he came home. It would have been very easy to just have her stay, think about Nixon Falls, and how easy it was, or how easy he thought it was. Damn. It’s like, Carly was the one who brought him back to himself. It’s who he wants; his home. Know what he did before he conked out? He was hoping when he woke up in the morning, Nina would be forgotten. So he wakes up, opens his eyes, and the feelings are still there. And you know what? He can’t get rid of them.

Tracy says she needs a word with her son, and Ned says, she needs to get out of here before someone tips off the police. Alexis says, actually, Tracy has just done her an enormous favor. She was just sitting here, worried she didn’t have the chops to be a journalist, but it turns out that Tracy, being the giver that she is, just gave her a brand new headline. It’s all about privilege and the abuse of power.

Brando tells Gladys, he tried backing off. He tried giving Sasha time to grieve. Gladys says, it’s killing him, isn’t it? You don’t want to send a single message or God knows, call her. You’re worried even the slightest gesture will make her think you’re hounding her. You’re worried if you don’t reach out, it will seem like neglect. He says she hit the nail on the head, and she tells him not to look so shocked. She understands because she’s been doing the same thing with him. Her instinct is to love bomb him like crazy; shocking, she knows. She’s been listening to this podcast about loss, and it says, grief is like a daffodil. You plant it in the wintertime, and wait for spring until it blossoms. Or wait. Is that the podcast on gardening? Maybe it’s both, but he gets the idea. He says he’s not sure he does, and she says, she’s just giving him space until he’s ready to talk about it. He takes her hand and thanks her, saying, he appreciates that. She says, he’s welcome. Anything for her son. So, is he ready to talk about it?

Maxie says, Sasha shouldn’t be here, and Lucy says, it’s too soon. Brook says Sasha needs to take care of herself, and Sasha says, losing Liam was the hardest thing she’s ever known, but it would dishonor his memory if she curled in a ball and stopped living. Brook says, in that case, she’s been keeping a folder with all the information on the IPO for her. Sasha thanks her, and Lucy says, actually, publicity has asked her if they have any new photos for the press release. Sasha says, she’s ready for anything, and a woman comes in with Bailey. She says she’s sorry to interrupt, but Brook must have left Bailey’s pacifier in her bag.

Nina says she hates to burst Ava’s bubble, but Sonny followed Carly out of the hearing, so they could talk things through. Ava says, of course (🍷) he did, and of course (🍷) Carly took him back, right? She wishes Nina would have given her a heads up. She could have used the information Willow had to extract a confession on the child custody front. Nina says, if Ava is going to make everything about her, when Nina’s done what she can to honor Sonny’s wishes and not come between him and Carly, she can go. Ava says she’s sorry. She knows it must have been hard when Sonny turned his back on Nina and returned to Carly, and they lived happily ever after. Or did they?

Carly asks what Olivia means about her and Jason? and Olivia says she was at the wedding. She saw Carly coming down the aisle, and she looked very much like a woman in love. Carly says she told Olivia before about bottling things up, and Olivia says she told Carly, it’s not healthy. Carly says, they were extraordinary circumstances she and Jason were thrown in, and Olivia tells her to go ahead and just say she fell in love with her best friend. Carly says she did, but when Sonny came home, she put those feelings aside. Olivia says, Carly bottled them up, and Carly says, okay, she bottled them up, but the point is, she went back to the man she loves. She chose Sonny. She made a choice. Obviously Sonny can’t do the same.

Dante hates seeing Sonny seeing tear himself apart like this, and Sonny says, it’s like there’s two of him. The father Dante knows, and the guy he never met, Mike. Carly never met Mike either. Dante says, Nina met him, and Sonny says, he’s gone and doesn’t exist. It’s like that place; it’s magic every hundred years. Dante says, Brigadoon? He had to do that musical in elementary school, about a magical town that shows up every hundred years. Sonny says she can’t see Dante in a musical, but Dante says he was pretty good, thanks to Sister Mary Joseph. Sonny says, then what happened? and Dante says, boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy travels back in time, gets girl, and walks off into the sunset, and the curtain falls. Sonny says, that’s make believe, and Dante says, kind of what Sonny and Nina went through, except that’s over. Unless Sonny is telling him it’s still real.

Ned tells Tracy that she shouldn’t be out and about, but she says, she’s not an invalid. Sam says, but she is a fugitive, and Tracy says, and Sam’s mother is a so-called journalist, while the man she loves is gone. Alexis says she’s very sorry to hear about Luke. She and Luke had a very fulfilling, yet complicated relationship. Tracy says, he told her, but then her mind would begin to wander, and Alexis tells her, having said that, there is no such thing as bereavement leave when you’re on the lam. And her loss, devastating as it may be, has nothing to do with her not owning up to what she did. Tracy says, Alexis wants her to go to prison? She’s already in the house with Monica, who, when she’s not telling her, it’s my house, Alan gave it to me, is moaning about some Russian. Ned says, Belarus, and Tracy says, whatever. In any case, something is going on with Ned’s daughter, and she needs to talk to him about it. Don’t talk to her about privilege. Alexis says, Tracy avoided arrest by fleeing the country on a private jet, and Tracy says, and Alexis has become a so-called journalist by failing her way to the top. Or did she sleep her way to the top this time?

Sasha asks if Bailey knows how lucky she is. Her mommy and daddy are even luckier, because they have her. They will always have… She tells everyone that she’s fine, and Brook gives Bailey her pacifier. Lucy says, about those publicity shots… and Sasha says she called Suzanne, her go-to makeup artist, on her way over, and Suzanne should be there soon. So she’ll just freshen up before they take the photos. She leaves, and the women look at each other.

Nina says, if Ava is going to take everything she’s saying and use it as ammunition to hurt Sonny, then no. She doesn’t want Ava to use it to gain advantage involving Avery’s custody thing. Ava says she was just kidding around. Seriously, she doesn’t want to see Nina end up holding the short straw. Nina says she’s not. As a matter-of-fact, last night she was helping Sonny out. She found him at Charlie’s, all alone and overserved. Ava says, he was smashed at Charlie’s? Really? Was he a mad drunk, a sad drunk, or an amorous drunk? Nina says, none of the above. He didn’t have his keys, and didn’t want her to drive him home, so she drove him to a penthouse at Harborview Towers, and she dropped him off. Ava says, Nina didn’t go inside with him and make sure he got to bed okay? Nina says she made sure he was safe, they had a little conversation, and she left. Ava says, damn. Nina really loves that guy, doesn’t she?

Olivia wonders if Carly and Sonny are all that different. They’re strong-willed and stubborn as hell. She sympathizes because she and Ned have a lot of that too. They have their pride, albeit in significantly smaller doses. What they do have is Leo, and doing what’s best for him is bringing them back together. It makes her kind of guilty to talk about this because of everything Carly is going through, but Carly says, she’d love to hear some good news. Olivia says, they decided Ned is going to officially adopt Leo, and they’re going to renew their wedding vows, and Carly says, that’s wonderful. Olivia says she thinks so, and Carly says, it’s great because they’re going to have challenges ahead. Olivia says, honestly, the marriage part worries her more than the… She has to get used to saying it. Autism. Carly says, Leo’s a great kid, and Olivia says, that’s not going to change. Carly says, that’s a great way to look at it, and Olivia tells her, don’t waste time like she did. Marriages and families, there always going to be a challenge. Most marriages end in divorce. Families with cousins cutting each other out of the picture books. Don’t be those people. Carly asks what she’d do without Olivia, and they hug. Olivia says, Carly will never know; she’s not going anywhere. Carly and Sonny are destined for each other; until death do us part. The man even died and came back to her. Carly laughs.

Sonny tells Dante, the love he has for Carly and for his family is real. I suddenly notice a big plant in bowl on the coffee table. It’s no moss bowl 🎍, but still distracting, and I wonder who’s been watering that if no one lives there? Who’s been cleaning this place? Sonny says he doesn’t have to tell Dante that; Dante knows that. Dante says, of course (🍷), and Sonny says, when he was in Nixon Falls, he told Carly, he would always have this vision. He would dream, and see a blond woman. He’d try to touch her, and he couldn’t, and she woudn’t come to him. It happened quite a bit. Then, when he came close to dying, it all rushed back to him. The blonde woman was Carly, and he knew that’s where he belonged, with her and with his family. This whole thing with Nina, the feelings and all, doesn’t really matter. Dante says, he believes Sonny, and Sonny asks how he makes Carly believe him. Dante says he thinks Sonny has to stop telling him about it, and talk to Carly about it.

Ned says he’s taking Tracy home, but she says, not until she has a word with him in private. Ned says, excuse them, and they step away. Sam asks if Alexis is okay, and Alexis says she’s great. Mixing it up with Tracy is invigorating. Sam says, as amazing as that all was, Tracy needs to pay for what she did to Alexis.

Brando says, he admires the way Sasha’s able to cope, and Gladys says, he’s sweet to admire how well she’s handling this, but trust her when she says this. A woman can’t carry a child for nine months, and lose it, and turn the page overnight. You can’t wallpaper over a hurt like this no matter how hard you try.

Brook wonders if someone should check on Sasha, and Maxie says she knows her experience with Louise is different, but Sasha might need some time alone to pull herself together. Lucy says, you never ever really get over a loss like that. Maybe this is too soon, and Sasha’s pushing too hard to get over it. Brook says, if she is, they’ll be there for her, and Maxie says, in the meantime, they just have to hope Sasha knows what’s best for Sasha.

Sasha looks at herself in the bathroom mirror, and says, get it together, Gilmore. Your friends and your partners are counting on you. Do not let them down. She takes a lipstick out of her bag, and her hand shakes, but she takes a deep breath, and puts some on.

Nina tells Ava that she’s never denied her feelings for Mike, and what she still feels for Sonny. Ava tells her, what Nina’s not saying is… Nina says, go ahead. Ava is dying to say it. So say it, and get it out of her system. Ava says, it’s clear how Nina feels about Sonny, but what Nina’s still not able, or willing, to face, is how Sonny feels about her. Nina says, she knows it’s hard for Sonny to forget what they went through together in Nixon Falls, but they’re back in reality, back here. Ava says Nina still doesn’t get it. Nina thinks Sonny is caught between the past and the present, but that’s not what this is about. He’s caught between Carly and Nina.

Carly says, she knows Sonny came back from Nixon Falls, but Mike came with him. Olivia says, Nina is the one who won’t let Sonny go, but don’t worry; she’ll get what’s coming to her. Carly asks if she promises, and Olivia says she does. They don’t call it karma for nothing. Carly needs to think about what she wants. After everything that happened in Nixon Falls, and knowing what she knows and how she felt about Jason, be honest. Can she expect Sonny to be there totally and completely for her, if she’s not there totally and completely for him?

Sonny tells Dante, he’s not sure Carly wants to see him right now, the way they left things. Dante says, she was hurt, and she was angry, and Sonny couldn’t make it better, so he tried to drink himself numb. He took his time out, and it didn’t work. So now he has to go back there and talk to her, and it’s going to hurt, but that’s the way it is. Dante’s phone rings, and he says, it’s Sam. Sonny tells him, go ahead, and Dante steps away. He asks Sam, what’s up? and she asks how soon he can make it to the MetroCourt. He says, it’s too late for lunch, and too early for dinner. Are they talking business or pleasure? Sam asks if it’s not too late to make an arrest.

Brando suggests Gladys grab a table while he settles the tab. She says he doesn’t have to, unless he insists. She asks if he knows how proud of him she is, and he says, of what? She says, he admires Sasha for being strong, and getting on with her life. She thinks he’s just as strong, if not stronger, for letting himself hurt.

Sasha says, sorry to keep waiting them waiting, and Brook says, she looks… wow. Maxie says, of course (🍷) she does; she’s the Face of Deception. Lucy says, yes she is, and Sasha looks awesome. She thought while they were waiting for Sasha’s makeup artist, they could what Sasha is going to say at the press conference. Maxie and Brook step outside, and Maxie asks what exactly Tracy did to make Brook think she believes Bailey is Louise? Brook says, it’s nothing she did or said. It’s that crocodile smile. Like she knows that Brook knows that she knows. Maxie says, can they trust her? She’s a liar and a schemer. Tracy would exploit them in a way that would benefit her own agenda. They need to come up with a plan. Before Tracy blows it, and Peter finds out they’ve been hiding his daughter in plain sight.

On the phone, Ned tells someone to let him know if there are any new developments. Tracy asks if he’s done, and he says, it was about ELQ. Normally she’d say, there’s nothing more important. She says, this time there is, namely, his daughter. He asks what Brook has done now, or rather, what is Tracy accusing her of having done. She says, it’s about that baby of hers. He says, Bailey? What about her? She says, Bailey. What kind of name is Bailey? While they’re on the subject… Dante walks over to Tracy, and she says, just a minute; this is important. He says she’s under arrest, and handcuffs her. Sam and Alexis clink coffee cups.

Nina tells Ava, Sonny loves Carly. End of story. Ava says, maybe this story has a sequel. She picks up her bag, and says, stay tuned. She walks to the door, and says, Sonny may love his wife, but he still has feelings for Nina and can’t shake them. Deep down, Nina knows it’s true.

Carly looks at her phone, and tells Olivia that her mom keeps calling her. She wonders what that’s about. Olivia says Carly should call her, and find out. Carly says, she will, but first, she wants to hear Olivia’s news. Olivia said she had something to tell her. Was it the whole Leo and Ned thing? Olivia says, no, but she thinks it’s Carly’s mom’s news to tell, but suggests they talk after, and about the other stuff they talked about. Sonny told Carly about how he feels about Nina. Carly told him how she felt about Jason on her wedding day, but has she told Sonny how she feels about him still? Sonny walks in.

Tomorrow, Ava tells Spencer that they’re not finished, Finn asks if Elizabeth is having second thoughts, Nina wonders what if Sonny’s happiness lies with her, and Sonny says he doesn’t want to spend one more minute without Carly.

Project Runway

There were seven designers left, and Chasity said she was feeling the pressure like never before. She felt she had to push harder. She had some little Black girls looking up to her as their hero, and couldn’t fail them. The designers gathered at the runway, where there were containers of apples, oranges, and flowers, and Christian said they played an important part in the challenge. This week, it was the Real Client Challenge. They’d be working with some women who were real, and knew what they wanted. From The Real Housewives of New York City, it was LuAnn and Leah; The Real Housewives of Potomac, Grande Dame Karen, Gizelle, and Wendy; and from The Real Housewives of Orange County, it was Shannon and Gina. The designers’ task was to create the ultimate Reunion show look for Real Housewife, Christian reminding them that each one had her own particular needs and wants. LuAnn said the Reunion was something they waited for a whole year, and they had to look amazing. More concisely, Leah said they needed to look effing fierce. We saw some clips from the Reunions.

The designers were paired up with a Housewife: Anna with Gina, Aaron with Gizelle, Chasity with Karen, Kristina with Wendy, Bones with Shannon, Shantall with LuAnn, and Coral with Leah. Leah told Coral that she wanted to look like a sexy Disney princess, but in Coral’s interview, she said she had more warrior goddess in mind. She didn’t do Disney. The designers were instructed to balance their personal vision with what the client wanted.   

They had 30 minutes and $700 in Mood. While Coral had promised Leah an emerald color, she was drawn to a fabric with cut-outs that was a nude, and hoped the color change was okay. Leah might have wanted flowers and ruffles, but she wasn’t doing that. Gizelle had told Aaron that she thought of herself as a Barbie, which he thought went along with his forte of fashion meets costume.  

Instead of models, the designers got the Housewives. In Aaron’s interview, he said, they don’t give a sh*t, are highly opinionated, and always extra. They needed to love their looks. Coral’s dress looked beautiful, but it definitely wasn’t what Leah asked for. When Leah first saw it, it looked like things might go south. Instead, Leah said it wasn’t what she was expecting, but it was epic. It was better than what she’d come up with in her own head. In Coral’s interview, she said she’d taken a huge risk, but it totally paid off. Leah said she effing loved it.

Since it’s impossible to have Housewives in a room without drama, Kristen had created a pantsuit for Wendy that had a bustier top with wide-leg flowy pants. Wendy said she’d just gotten new boobs and new butt, and wanted to show them off. She wasn’t mean, but obviously unhappy, and Kristina started crying. In Aaron’s interview, he said you could learn techniques in school, but the only way to learn to do custom work was to actually work with clients. Kristina ran out to calm down and have a smoke, and Anna and Gina followed her to lend support. They also told her smoking was bad for her, although that probably wasn’t the time for that lesson. Gizelle asked if Wendy had made Kristina cry, and Christian said, it was down to the wire, and Kristina was probably just emotional. In Kristina’s interview, she said it was very stressful and intense, and reminded her of school in Antwerp. She’d had a nervous breakdown, but the school had psychotherapy, and she took advantage of that. She recovered, and was able to go back to work. Still, she sometimes got emotional under stress. She and Bones had a drink, and let out a scream on the rooftop.

In his interview, Aaron said, it was runway day, and that meant chaos was about to ensue. The Housewives came for their final fittings, and Kristina had made modifications to the pantsuit, and added a long, flowing scarf. It seemed like Wendy still wasn’t too thrilled though. To be fair, Kristina had said she could do a gown or pantsuit, and Wendy had said she didn’t really care. In Bones’s interview, he said he thought Anna wasn’t as focused as she had been, and felt he’d be able to stay longer in the competition. Meow. The Housewives went to hair and makeup, and I thought the outfits didn’t look ready, although Wendy actually ended up looking pretty good.  

Brandon hoped the designers had gotten through the challenge without having wine thrown at them, and Andy Cohen was introduced as guest judge. It went this way. Gizelle wore a pink jumpsuit with one long, dramatic sleeve. In Aaron’s interview, he said she was perfection. She was using the sleeve, and living her best life. She was a vision. Karen wore a sparkly black gown, and in her jumpsuit, Wendy used the scarf all over the place. Gina wore a skirt and top; the top having space age shoulder pads, and the skirt being a more relaxed pencil skirt; the whole thing very boxy and constructed. Shannon wore a just above the knee black cocktail dress, with an asymmetrical hem. There were two sleeves – one of her must haves – but one was lacy with feathers. In Bones’s interview he said, Shannon’s ex should feel sad, because she looks sexy AF now. Leah’s neutral gown was sheer underneath, with the overlay of the cut-out fabric, strips of it flowing at the waist. LuAnn wore a black gown that was a combination of business and cabaret party, with one sleeve, a corset top, and a high slit skirt, lace peeking from the slit. All the Housewives worked the runway, and afterwards, Elaine said she felt like she just got off a roller coaster ride. Andy said, welcome to the Housewives.

The Housewives stayed behind as well, to give their opinions, and Elaine said they’d do it by franchise. NYC was first, and LuAnn said she liked to dress classically, but also loved cabaret. Nina said the dress was fit for a countess, and Brandon said it had gotten one of his highest scores ever. He said there was an understanding of women in Shantall’s work that was rare. I thought of Oscar de la Renta, since I feel that way about him. Leah loved her look as well, and Andy said he’d thought it wasn’t what she would wear, but he liked the overlay, which was hippie-ish and her style. Brandon said he was worried the color would wash her out on camera, but Elaine thought she looked commanding. From the OC, Andy thought Shannon’s look was her, but it was refreshing to see her in black. Shannon said it felt slimming, and Nina thought she looked fabulous. Andy liked the drama of Gina’s shoulders, but it wasn’t his idea of her. Nina thought it was poorly made, and that Gina had a hard time walking, and Brandon thought it felt gothic. Gina said she thought they were both trying to make each other happy, and Elaine said, communication was key. Representing Potomac, Elaine thought Wendy’s metallic hot pink was dated, and Wendy said it was more like compromise than collaboration because she knew it was a competition, and wanted Kristina to work in her wheelhouse. Gizelle thought Aaron had killed it, and she felt like she could cut a bitch out. Andy asked Karen what she thought about Gizelle’s outfit, and Elaine accused him of stirring the pot, but Karen said it was the best she’d seen Gizelle look. Aaron said it was about giving Gizelle a moment with the one long sleeve. Brandon said they made a good duo, and Gizelle said Aaron was going where she did. Elaine said it seemed like there were good vibes with Karen and Chasity, and Karen said Chasity was willing to listen, but put herself in it as well. Nina thought it was a little safe, and Brandon said the look wasn’t new, but Karen looked like she was in charge like the Grande Dame should be.  

Andy said pleasing Housewives was difficult, and he was impressed. Elaine said overall, they’d done a good job, and Andy said the Housewives were not only happy, they looked great. The judges deliberated, and Brandon said Gizelle looked comfortable and confident. Elaine said it was a match made in heaven. Andy said, LuAnn liked a sequin or 500, and the gown was a departure, but still in sync with who she was. Brandon thought she’d never looked better. Nina was disappointed in Chasity, although Andy said Karen was happy. Brandon said it was all about the client, but the gown wasn’t very original. Andy said Gina’s outfit would be savaged on Twitter; they wanted glam, not Goth. The Reunion was their Superbowl moment, and there was nothing Superbowl about it. Nina said, Wendy almost had a Janet Jackson moment, and Andy said she obviously wasn’t happy with the collaboration. Brandon said it was obvious there was a struggle, and a designer should quietly and poetically inject themselves into what they’re creating.

Everyone came back out, and Nina said Shantall was the winner, LuAnn’s gown being elegant, intelligent, and modern. Andy said it was elegant, sophisticated, and perfect for both LuAnn and the Reunion. Nina pointed out that was two in a row for Shantall, who said she was honored to be among such talented personalities. In Shantall’s interview, she said the win would help her be recognized as a designer, and would be an opportunity to make her brand grow. LuAnn told her that she was a great designer, and deserved it. Bones and Coral were declared in without fanfare. Nina said Chasity was in, however, she needed to push herself in the next challenge.

Elaine said it was painful to see the strongest designers up there. Nina said Kristina’s collaboration with Wendy didn’t go well, and the scarf was ill-conceived. Anna’s outfit for Gina was executed, and not appropriate for the Reunion. Anna was out, Bones’s prediction coming true, but Nina said she was still a huge fan of Anna’s work. She was sorry, but it was getting close, and the most painful part of the competition. Although she was crying, Anna said she appreciated their encouragement. Elaine said Anna would do incredible things, and in Anna’s interview, she said she was disappointed because she knew she could deliver more. She felt the competition helped her discover a part of herself she never had before. She said her goodbyes to the group, and Christian said she’d do unbelievable things. She made stunning, gorgeous clothes. In her interview, Anna said, Asian Americans were conservative and held themselves back a lot, and the competition had allowed her to show herself off. She was excited to see what she was going to do in the future.

Next time, collaborations with up and coming stylists, the look inspired by the hairstyle of the model; and Aaron wonders what he needs to do to win.

🚉 Next Stop…

Set a spell tomorrow for some soap, tea, and a knowledge drop or two. Until then, stay safe, stay cultivating common sense, and stay out of the spotlight if you’re on the lam.

Jan6

January 5, 2022 – Tracy Figures It Out, Gina Gets an Invite To the Track & Long

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Wiley is at the table in the nook, drawing, and Willow tells him, on the paper not the table this time. Deal? They fist bump and Wiley says, deal. She says she can’t wait to see his masterpiece. Michael comes in to get coffee, and she asks if there’s any word from Sonny or Carly. He says he spoke with his mom briefly, and Willow asks how she is. He says, not good. He’s worried about her, but she wanted space, so he’s giving it to her. She says, and his dad? He says, according to Tony, he’s fine. He can’t believe the judge said what Nina did isn’t a crime. She says she’s sorry. She wishes more than anything that she hadn’t gone to the chapel that day and overheard Sonny and Nina, but she did. Then she made the choice to keep it from all of them. He says, no one blames her for that; he doesn’t blame her for that. That’s why he did what he did with DA Sheridan. They were both protecting their family.

Brook asks Tracy to keep her voice down. She knows everyone in this house has supersonic hearing. Tracy says she’s waiting for an answer. Brook is not the mother of that baby. How does she know that? Because Brook was never pregnant. How does she know that? Because Brook called her asking for help finding a black market baby. Brook says, and Tracy hung up on her, so she had to take matters into her own hands. Tracy says she can see that. How did Brook get the baby? And please do no tell her, the old-fashioned way.

At Charlie’s, Anna asks Felicia how she think Maxie is going to react to this plan of theirs. Felicia says she’s not sure. She knows Maxie loves Louise, and wants nothing more than to have her daughter home… Anna says, but? and Felicia says, the way Maxie is dealing with it worries her. Anna says she knows. Like, the other day when she was so positive Louise was going to be back with her by next Christmas. She wants that too, obviously, and wants Maxie to have that kind of hope, but it’s really strange. Whenever she tries to bring up the subject of searching for her baby, Maxie seems kind of reluctant. Felicia says she thinks she knows why.

Maxie comes out of the hospital elevator outside Peter’s room, and Britt asks what she’s doing here. Maxie asks if she’s talked to Peter, but Britt says, not yet. Maxie says she’d like to know when he’s being shipped off to Pentenville, and Austin says, not before his condition stabilizes. Maxie says, and that will be… Britt says, he’s being guarded 24/7; Maxie doesn’t have to worry. Maxie says, she doesn’t have to worry? Peter has escaped from this hospital once already. She can’t deal with that again.

Victor sips coffee at the MetroCourt, when Valentin comes in. Victor says it’s good to see him, and Valentin tells him that he’d say the same, but he’s not going to lie. Victor says he did as Valentin requested, and gave him space to enjoy the holidays with his daughter, and Valentin asks if he’s back to his campaign as father of the year. Victor asks if Valentin and Charlotte had a nice Christmas, but Valentin doesn’t answer. Victor says, all right. How is Valentin holding up? Valentin says, tip top, patting his side. Almost back to 100%. Victor says he wasn’t talking about Valentin’s gunshot wound. He heard Valentin lost a child.

Britt tells Maxie, she knows it’s hard to believe after everything she’s been through, but Peter isn’t going anywhere. Martin comes along, and says, perhaps they could direct him to Peter’s room. Austin says, his room is right there, but it’s approved visitors only. Maxie asks why he wants to know, and Martin thanks Austin. He goes over to the guard, produces his card, and says, Martin Grey, Attorney at Law. Britt wonders what the hell is going on.

Martin goes into Peter’s room, and Peter says, he made it, and thanks him for coming. Martin asks what he can do for Peter, and Peter says he’d like to hire Martin to be his attorney. Martin says, to do what exactly, and Peter says, to prove he did not kill Franco Baldwin.

Alexis tells Shawn, she appreciates him trying to help, but he says, it’s not charity. Running The Invader is going to take a lot of work. She says she’s sure it is, especially since he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He says, so she’s afraid of trying something new? and she says she’s not afraid. He says, so she’s good? and she says, pushy, pushy. There’s a knock at the door, Alexis opens it, and tells Sam to come in. Sam asks if everything is okay, and says hi to Shawn. Alexis says, Shawn’s non-profit just bought The Invader. Shawn says he knows it used to be no better than a tabloid, but he’s changing the mission completely. Sam says, good for him, and Alexis says he wants her to be his second in command. Sam says, wow, and Alexis says, crazy, huh? Sam says, not necessarily, and Alexis says, what? Sam says, hear her out. She always thought that Shawn was a discerning kind of guy. Shawn thanks her, and Sam says, he must have his reasons for wanting Alexis to be part of the paper. What are they?

Michael says he knows he should have brought Willow into the loop about having Nina arrested, but she kind of did the same thing by not telling him about dad and Nina’s relationship. (I say, nice try, Michael.) What he’s saying is, moving forward, maybe they could give each other a little grace, because as parents, they’ll have to make executive decisions in the moment. Willow says, they’re not the same thing. The secret she kept from him had nothing to do with Wiley or parenting. It was about two grown adults who fell in love. He says, one of whom was his father, and both of whom are Wiley’s grandparents. She says, still… and he says he thought they were on the same page. What is he missing?

Maxie says, Martin isn’t going to take Peter’s case, and Britt asks how she knows. Maxie says, because he wouldn’t stoop that low.

Martin says he’s extremely reluctant to take Peter’s case. The list of allegations against him is epic, and it wouldn’t do Martin’s record any good defending him if he gets locked up. The only way he would consider accepting someone like Peter as a client is if the compensation were generous and prompt. Peter says, in other words, Martin can be bought, and Martin says, no, but his services can be acquired on a limited basis for a $50,000 retainer. Peter says, done, and Martin says, however, to be perfectly clear, he’s only willing to defend Peter on the charges of murdering Franco Baldwin. As for the rest of it, the catalog of heinous allegations against Peter is some other lawyer’s problem. Peter says, understood. So tell him, what is he up against? Martin says he doesn’t know yet, and sits down. He says, he’d have to look at the official files, and see what the PCPD has held back from public record. However, based on what he’s read, he thinks he can poke a hole or two in the prosecution’s case. Peter says, excellent, and Martin says, still, even if Peter is exonerated – and that’s one big if – there is an avalanche of charges waiting for him in other jurisdictions. Peter says, one battle at a time.

Felicia tells Anna, Maxie is in denial about Louise’s disappearance. She’s convinced herself that wherever her baby is, she’s safe and well cared for. Anna says, you kind of have to do that, don’t you? How else would you carry on? Felicia says, absolutely. She thinks that’s how Maxie finds the strength to be a mother to Georgie and James right now. Anna says she remembers doing that. She convinced herself that Robin was happy with Philomena when she couldn’t be with her. Felicia says she felt the same way when Mac was raising the girls, and Anna says, they were right. Their children were happy and safe, and they knew where they were. Maxie doesn’t have that. Felicia wonders how much longer Maxie can go on, not knowing if her daughter is alive, but Anna says, don’t say that. She doesn’t know.

Martin comes out, and Maxie says, he’s not going to take that monster’s case, is he? He says he’d appreciate if she referred to his client by his name, and Maxie says, no. He says, yes. He’s been retained to represent Peter in his upcoming murder trial. She says, what about New Year’s? She helped him and Lucy sneak out. He says he knows, and sincerely thanks her for the assistance, but business is business. New Year’s Eve was purely pleasure. He gets in the elevator, and the doors close.

Valentin tells Victor, Bailey isn’t lost; she’s perfectly fine. Victor says, but she’s lost to Valentin; no longer his little girl. Valentin says, that’s right, she’s not, and Victor says he’s very sorry about that. For both of them. He’d have loved another granddaughter. Valentin tells him not to get any ideas, because he’s never going to see the one he already has. Victor says, never say never, and Valentin says, if Victor thinks he’s ever going to let him anywhere near Charlotte, he’s crazy. Victor says he’s sorry. He didn’t mean to push. Valentin says, he’s all about restraint, isn’t he? and Victor admits he’s more a man of action. He finds it intolerable what Brook did to Valentin. He assumes Valentin is going to retaliate, and Valentin says he can handle Brook. Victor says he doesn’t have to do it alone. Why don’t the two of them show her that no one crosses a Cassadine?

Brook tells Tracy that she found a mother who couldn’t raise her baby, and she helped. Tracy says, that’s really generous of her, and Brook says she did it for the family. She wanted to gain control back of ELQ from Valentin. Tracy asks if that worked, and Brook says, not for long. Valentin found out she was lying, and took back his shares. Tracy says, and now Brook is trying to pass off Detective Chase as the father, and Brook says, she couldn’t admit she faked the pregnancy. Tracy asks, why not? and Brook says, how would she explain the baby? Tracy doesn’t understand. Brook had already been found out. Why not tell the truth? She could understand if the adoption was illegal, but if the mother was on board… Oh no. Don’t tell her Brook was stupid enough to steal a baby. The doorbell rings, and Brook says she’ll get it.

Maxie joins Felicia and Anna, and says, sorry she’s late. Martin Grey has taken Peter’s case. Anna says, he didn’t, and Maxie says she ran into him at the hospital. Felicia asks what she was doing there, but Maxie says she didn’t see Peter. Don’t worry. She just wanted to make sure he was still there. So when’s Peter getting shipped off to prison to await trial? Anna says she doesn’t know. As far as she’s aware, he’s kind of incapable of being moved right now, physically and medically. Maxie says, he’s kind of famous for breaking barriers, and Felicia says, not anymore. Peter’s going away for the rest of his life. But enough about him. Maxie says, this was a great idea, the three of them getting together; relaxing, laughing, destressing. Anna says, actually, they have something important they’d like to discuss with her, and Felicia says, it’s a difficult subject, but they’d like to talk about the search for Louise. Anna says, it’s not been easy, there aren’t many leads, but everyone is very determined to bring Maxie’s baby home. Robert comes in, and Felicia says, on that note… He approaches the table, and Anna asks if he’s okay. He says he’s got a bit of bad news. Nothing to do with Robin. There’s been a rather tragic cable car accident in Austria. Felicia says she heard about that on the news, and he says, according to Tracy, Luke was on that cable car. Luke’s gone.

Harmony walks into the nook, and says, knock, knock. Happy New Year. Willow says, mom, and Harmony says, Brook pointed her in this direction. She got the feeling Brook was in the middle of something. Michael says, she usually is, and Harmony thanks them for letting her bring Wiley his gift. Willow says she’s sorry it took this long to find a good time, but Harmony says she’s just happy for the invite. Willow brings Wiley over, and asks if he remembers his Grandma Harmony. Wow. Three grandmothers. How lucky is he? Harmony squats down to Wiley’s level, and says she’s sorry she didn’t get to see him last week, but she’s been thinking about him the whole time. She puts a large gift in his hands, and says, merry Christmas. Willow asks what he thinks it is, and they bring it over to the table.

Britt walks quickly through the hospital, slows down, then walks again. Austin comes up behind her, and asks, whatcha doin’? She asks if anyone ever told him not to sneak up on anyone, but he says he’s not sneaking, just walking. She says she’s going in there, indicating Peter’s room, and he asks if she thinks that’s a good idea. She says she thinks she didn’t ask for his opinion, and he gets in front of her, and says, hold on. They both know she’s not Peter’s doctor, is she? She says, no, but she is Co-Chief of Staff, which gives her free reign in this hospital. He says, fair enough, but help him understand something. Why does she want to go in there? When was the last time she saw Peter? She says, Cassadine Island, where he killed Jason, and almost killed her and her mom. He says, exactly, and she says, which is exactly why she needs to see him. She starts to walk, and he says, it’s not a good look, the Co-Chief of Staff is arrested for murdering one of the patients. She says, believe her, if she wanted to hurt Peter she wouldn’t get caught, and he says he does believe her, but he didn’t hear the part where she says she’s not going to hurt Peter. She says, very observant, doctor, and tells the guard that she needs to monitor the patient. She goes in, and Austin watches from outside. Britt closes the door, and Peter says, hey there, sis. He raises his hands, showing her he’s chained to the bed, and asks, what’s up?

Brook tells Tracy, let’s keep our voices down. Better yet, let’s table this whole discussion permanently. Tracy says, so Brook did steal her, and Brook says she didn’t steal her. Her hand to God, Bailey is absolutely positively not stolen. Tracy says, good. Good news finally. Brook says, now that’s settled, and the rest is really none of Tracy’s business. Tracy says, except that’s not true. Brook is trying to pass that child off as a Quartermaine, which makes it all her business. Back to Chase. Why couldn’t Brook just say she had a one-night stand? Why did she have to involve a police detective? Brook says she didn’t involve Chase. He decided all on his own to help her out. Tracy says, Brook means lie for her, and Brook says, whatever. Tracy says, so Brook and Mr. Law and Order? but Brook says, it’s not like that. She and Chase are just friends. Tracy wonders why she finds that so hard to believe.

Wiley pulls out a train made of colorful blocks, and says, cool. Willow asks what he says, and he says, thank you, looking in the wrong direction. Harmony says, he’s welcome, and gathers up the wrapping. Michael says, that train set is pretty legit, and Willow says, it must have been expensive. Harmony tells her, don’t worry about it. She’s been saving up so she can spoil him. Wiley asks if he can show Leo, and Michael says he can, but he should say goodbye to Harmony first, because Toby’s mom will be picking him up soon for his playdate. Wiley brings Harmony a drawing, and she says, he’s such an amazing artist. She knows exactly where she’s going to hang it. (On the refrigerator.) She hugs Wiley, and he scampers off with his train. Harmony thanks Willow for calling. When she didn’t hear from Willow, she thought Willow changed her mind. Willow says, sorry about that. There’s been a lot going on. Harmony says, she heard the charges were dropped against Nina after the preliminary hearing. How do she and Michael feel about that? Willow says, Michael is understandably angry that Nina got off Scot free. That wasn’t the worst part. Some things came out during the hearing that Michael thought Nina purposely withheld to blindside the family. Harmony asks what Willow thinks about it.

Felicia says, it seems impossible, a world without Luke in it, and Robert says he knows. Anna asks if they suspect any tampering, but Robert shakes his head, and says, first thing he checked. It would appear his luck just flat ran out. Maxie says she’s so sorry. She knows how important Luke was to them. Robert says, his best friend. Brother, actually. No amount of time or distance could change that. Felicia asks if Bobbie and Laura know, and Robert says, yes. He called to check on them afterward. Olivia had broken the news. They’re both pretty devastated. Bobbie’s taking it particularly badly. Felicia says, of course (🍷) she is, and Anna asks if Bobbie wants to see anyone. Robert says, no. She asked to be left alone until she can process all of this. Felicia feels it’s the last thing Bobbie needs, but she’ll respect Bobbie’s wishes for now. Anna asks, what about Tracy? but Robert says he hasn’t spoken to her yet. Maxie gets up, and says she thinks she’ll stop by and offer her condolences, and Felicia says she’d like to drive her. Maxie says, yeah, and Felicia gets up. Felicia says she loves them, and cries a little, and Anna hugs her. Maxie and Felicia leave, and with tears in her eyes Anna says, first Holly, now Luke. She’s glad Robert’s here. She takes his hands, and he says, right back at her. He looks stunned.

Shawn tells Alexis and Sam, he doesn’t need another journalist. What he needs is someone with a conscience who can lead and guide the paper. Someone to fight for what’s right. Sam says, that sounds like her mom, and Alexis asks why he didn’t just say that in the first place, instead of calling her a chicken. He says, he didn’t call her a chicken, but she says, he called her a chicken. Sam laughs, and Shawn says, the bottom line is, he needs a warrior, and Alexis is the smartest warrior he knows. So what does she say?

Peter says, he was wondering when Britt would drop by. He was hoping his sister of all people… She says, don’t call her that. They’re not family; they never will be. He says she can’t deny blood, and she says, watch me. Jason is dead because of him. He says, the tunnel collapsed. It’s not exactly in his control. She asks, what about the shootout? Was that in his control? Because that’s what caused the cave-in, dumb ass. Not to mention, if it weren’t for him, they never would have been on that island. He says he understands… and she says, understand this. She’s so glad she didn’t grow up with him. She’s so glad she never knew they were related, because all he does is bring pain and suffering to everyone, most of all Maxie, whose life he essentially ruined. He says, that’s not true, and she says, thanks to him, Maxie’s daughter is God knows where, possibly crying, injured, or scared. Or alone, if she’s even still alive. He tells her, don’t say that, and she says, aww. I’m sorry. Did that hurt? Was it hard to hear? Good. She didn’t know it was possible to actually despise a person. It is. She despises him. He says, point taken. He’ll make sure to let the authorities know. They’re still searching for the person who poisoned him. She laughs, and says, please, moving closer to him. If she’d poisoned him, she’d have gotten the dosage right, and they woudn’t be having this conversation. Besides, she doesn’t want him dead. She wants him rotting in some supermax prison for the rest of his life, knowing he’ll never lay eyes on his daughter. She wants him alone, until he joins their father in hell.

Willow and Harmony have coffee, and Willow says, Nina’s reaction after everything came out, she seemed genuinely upset. Maybe she’s just being naïve. Harmony asks if that’s what Michael said, and Willow says, no. They definitely have different opinions when it comes to Nina, and her role, if any, in Wiley’s life. Harmony tells her to trust her instincts. If she really feels that Nina means no harm, isn’t it better for Wiley to have a grandmother who loves him, than for her to disappear? Michael comes in, and Willow asks if Wiley’s off. He says, Wiley’s off, and insisted on bringing his train set on the playdate. Harmony says she’s glad he likes it, and Michael asks what they were talking about. Willow says, Nina, and Harmony says, Willow didn’t give her any details, but she urges Michael to trust her daughter’s instincts. He says he doesn’t mean to be disrespectful, but how is that any of her business?

Valentin says, so Victor wants to team up like some dynamic father son duo, and Victor says, stronger together, as they say. Martin runs in, and Valentin asks Victor to excuse him; he has a meeting with his attorney. Victor says, by all means. Just think about his offer. Valentin and Martin go to a table. Martin says, before they discuss ELQ, there’s something Valentin should know, and he thinks Valentin should hear it from him. Valentin says, that sounds ominous, and Martin says, he’s agreed to represent Peter August.

Britt comes out of Peter’s room, and sees Austin leaning against the wall. He says, hey, and she says, you again? He says he didn’t hear any bells or whistles, so he’s going to assume Peter is still breathing. She says she has to get back, and he asks her to come sit with him for one tiny little second. They sit on a bench, and he asks if she feels better. She says, because she’s sitting? and he says, no, because she confronted Peter. She says she does. She could tell her words really hurt him, and it felt good to see him in pain. He says he totally gets it, and she says, he doesn’t think she’s a horrible person? He says, not at all. Not even a little bit.

Shawn says he and Alexis make a great team; she knows they do. The fact that he’s sitting there a free man says it all. Just think about it before she says no. She says she will, and he gets his coat. He asks Sam to work on Alexis for him, and Alexis says she heard that. He leaves, and Alexis says she’s going to take a moment and think about it, so don’t try to talk her into anything. Sam says, okay, but Alexis has been very clear that she doesn’t think she’s qualified for the job. Alexis says she’s not, and Sam says, okay, but does she want the job?

Felicia and Maxie come into the Quartermaine living room, and Felicia says, they heard about Luke. Maxie says, they’re so sorry, and Tracy thanks them. She knows it’s a loss for them as well. Felicia says, they have a whole lot of memories, but nothing compared to what Tracy and Luke shared. Bailey cries, and Maxie goes over to her, Tracy definitely noticing. Felicia asks if Tracy was in Austria when it happened, and Tracy says she wasn’t. She’s sure they can imagine how much she regrets that. Brook goes over the bassinette, and says, someone needs to be changed, taking Bailey out. Maxie says she’s going with Brook, so her mom and Tracy can talk. Brook says, good idea, and they go into the foyer. Brook says Bailey smells like roses, and Maxie asks, what are they doing out there then? Brook says she has to tell Maxie something she’s not going to like. Her grandmother knows Bailey isn’t hers.

Tracy asks Felicia if something is wrong, and Felicia says she’s just worried that being around Bailey might be painful for Maxie. Tracy asks, why? and Felicia says, Maxie’s daughter is still missing. Tracy says she’s so sorry. She heard about that. It must be hard on Felicia and Mac as well. Felicia says, it’s terrible. She and Mac never got to meet their granddaughter. She was taken just after Maxie gave birth. Tracy asks if there are any leads on her whereabouts, but Felicia says, no. She has to believe in her heart that Louise is safe, but after seven months… She starts to cry, and Tracy says, seven months? So Brook and Maxie’s babies are the same age? Felicia says, yeah, and Tracy says, that must make it particularly hard. She looks at the bassinette.

Austin brings Britt coffee, and she says, it better not be decaf. He says he’s not a monster, and asks if she doesn’t go home soon, but she says she’s in no rush. She has nothing waiting for her at the MetroCourt. He says, she lives in a hotel? and she says she never has to make a bed. He says, it’s true, and she says, to be honest, she does better at work. Her social life is lacking. He says he’s been in Port Charles for like, six months, and barely knows anyone outside of GH. She laughs, and he says, it’s funny? She says, no, but if he’s really lonely, she knows a matchmaker. He says, she does not, but she says she does. Her mother signed her up for a matchmaking service, as a Christmas present no less. He says, wow, that’s… wow. Britt says, she’s really obsessed with the get out there and meet someone nonsense. He says he thinks that’s exactly what Britt should do.

Alexis tells Sam, everything Shawn said about the Invader job appeals to her, and Sam says, except? Alexis says, except she doesn’t know what she’s doing, and Sam says, no one knows what they’re doing on a new job. She’ll learn. Alexis tells her not to finagle it, and Sam says she’s not. When you boil it down, aren’t opening and closing statements just appeals for justice? Alexis says, yes, but… and Sam says, to get the jury to do the right thing. Alexis says, that’s in a courtroom, and Sam says, so? Alexis is an amazing public speaker. All she has to do is, put it down on paper. Alexis asks if Sam really thinks she could do this, and Sam says she believes in Alexis. Alexis needs to believe in herself too.

Maxie says, Tracy knows that Bailey is Louise? but Brook says, no. She just knows Bailey isn’t Brook’s. Maxie asks, how? and Brook says she’s so sorry. Before they came up with a plan, she told Tracy that she was faking a pregnancy. Maxie says, Brook didn’t think to tell her this until now? and Brook says, she’s sorry. Her grandmother, all the way in Amsterdam, knew she was faking a pregnancy. No, she didn’t. Maxie says, this is bad, but Brook says, don’t panic. Maxie says, it’s too late for that. What if Tracy figures this out? Brook says, she won’t. Why would she? No one else has. Maxie says, because no one is as sneaky as Tracy, or as suspicious.

Anna tells Robert, she remembers the first time she met Luke. He laughs, and says, it was unforgettable. He certainly knew how to make a dramatic entrance. She says, he knew how to make a splash, and Robert says, no one ever did it better. He certainly lived life to the fullest. She says, he was a very loyal friend. He really helped her when they thought Robin was dead that time. Remember? He says, he wouldn’t have made it through that, literally, and she says, they don’t get to say goodbye. It doesn’t really surprise her, because Luke was always on the move. He says, no time or patience for sentimentality, and she says, on the surface perhaps. She’s really going to miss him. Robert says, so is he.

Valentin says, that’s why Martin was late? For taking on a new client who absolutely deserves to be behind bars? Martin says, he has the right to a defense just like everyone else, but Valentin says, Martin doesn’t have to be the one who provides it. How much is Peter paying him? Martin says, please, he has bills to pay. Mother’s care is extremely expensive. It’s not like Cyrus is going to cover it anymore. He couldn’t work when he was in witness protection, and on top of everything else, he has to pay alimony three times over. Valentin says he has to go, and Martin says, then he’s to be punished. Valentin says, Martin was late, and he has somewhere else he has to be. Martin asks, what about their meeting? and Valentin says he guesses they’ll have to reschedule. Valentin gets into the elevator, and as the doors are about to close, Victor gets in, saying, room for one more?

The doors close, and Victor asks if Valentin has given any more thought to him helping put Brook in her place. Valentin asks, why he should work with Victor? and Victor says, they have a common enemy. Valentin says, Brook’s never done anything to Victor, but Victor says, she disrespected the Cassadine name. That effects all of them, and there have to be consequences. And he wants a relationship with his son. So what does Valentin say? They work together to right this terrible wrong? He knows family is important to Valentin, as it is to him, so let’s start acting like one. The fact is, Brook used Valentin. She lied to him, and Victor can’t believe it doesn’t make him furious. Valentin says, of course (🍷) it makes him furious, and Victor says, then accept his help. The doors open, and Victor says Valentin knows where to find him. Valentin says, wait. What does he have in mind?

Tracy thanks Felicia and Maxie for coming; it means a lot. Maxie says, they were so sorry about Luke, and Felicia goes over to the bassinette. She says, and you are getting so big and so beautiful. Brook must be over the moon. Brook says she really is.

Shawn comes into Charlie’s on the phone, and says, tell me you have good news for me. Alexis says she thinks so, and he says, she’ll take the job at The Invader? She says, they’re going to turn this paper into a mission for justice. She is in. He says, hot damn. When can she start?

Harmony tells Michael that she’s sorry; she overstepped. She was just trying to express that she trusts her daughter’s judgement. He says, so does he, which is why she’s standing in this house, despite what happened to his sister. She says she hopes he knows she’s changed a lot since then, and all she wants is a relationship with her family. He says, for her sake, he hopes that’s true.

Britt says, Austin thinks she needs a matchmaker? but he says, no. She says, but…? and he says, if she’s looking for a wingman, he’s trying to figure out his personal life in Port Charles too, so he’s volunteering. If they’re in this together, how bad can it be?

Brook asks Bailey if she’s still hungry, and says she’ll make her a bottle. She asks if Tracy can watch her for a sec, and Tracy says, of course (🍷). Brook asks if she’s sure, and Tracy says, please. She raised Brook’s father and her uncle. She can be alone with an infant for five minutes. Just to be clear, if Bailey needs anything, she’s calling Brook. Brook says, got it, and leaves. Tracy tells Bailey that she’s had an interesting life so far, hasn’t she? Can Tracy call her Louise?

Tomorrow, Alexis asks where Ned heard this, Sasha thinks the best thing for her is to get back to work, and Dante asks if Sonny is telling him it’s still real.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

We started where we left off, at Emily’s party for Shawn, with Heather telling Shannon that she’d lose more than friendship if Shannon ever came after her family again. It was going to cost a lot. It wasn’t a threat, but a promise. She’d defend her family until the end. She’d thought she and Shannon were good, and it was like a big f*** you. Shannon said she was horrified by the whole thing, and Heather said she didn’t know if she could trust Shannon 100%, but she was willing to forgive Shannon. Shannon said she had a lapse in judgment and apologized, but in Heather’s interview, she said, Shannon wasn’t crying because she felt bad or had remorse, but because she got caught. Heather told Shannon again, don’t f*** with my family, and Shannon said she wasn’t going to. Then they pinky swore. I’m not making that up. We flashed back to Heather kicking Shannon out of her house, and in Shannon’s interview, she said, they’d worked through a rough start. Only time would tell. Heather said she needed Shannon to apologize to her husband, and went off to find Terry. In her interview, Shannon said she felt like Heather was a grade school teacher grading her, and she’s 57. Shannon told Terry that what she did was wrong, and she wasn’t that type of person. Terry said he didn’t get why she even brought it up, since it was so long ago, but he appreciated the apology. He thought they should just move on and forget it.

Noella, Emily and Gina declared themselves Charlie’s Angels, and the buffet happened. It looked pretty extensive and impressive. Shannon’s boyfriend John asked if Heather and Terry were gracious, and she said Terry was. She told him about what Heather said, and he said it was not okay. In their dual interview, John said his heart broke for Shannon because what Heather said was underserved. Shannon said she’d never had someone in her life that she knew had her back. Heather told Noella that if she needed them, just call. In Jen’s interview, she said Jen had been acting snotty and rude to her all night for no apparent reason, and she wanted to clear the air. She told Noella that she felt there was tension between them. She knew Noella was going through a lot of stuff, but if she’d done anything to upset Noella, she’d like to make it right. In Noella’s interview, she said, the few times she and Jen had met, it was superficial, and Jen had been quick to do a selfie. Noella said she wasn’t necessarily upset, but found it disturbing that Jen had posted a picture of herself – in bad light – and tagged her. She works with MedSpa and had to report it to Instagram to have it removed. Jen said she didn’t remember tagging Noella, and Noella said, it wasn’t even a cute photo. In Jen’s interview, she said she felt like she was dealing with a child having a temper tantrum. Noella said she felt thirsty energy from Jen, and she should go be relevant somewhere else. In her interview, Jen said she’d be happy to be relevant somewhere else. Yeah, Noella is starting to seem kind of weird.

Jen told Heather about the exchange, and Noella told John and Shannon about it. Heather told Jen that Noella had said she was a fake bitch, but she was choosing to let it go. Sometimes people in a bad place lashed out. Jen said she didn’t think being rude was ever the answer. Noella stomped over to Jen, and Jen said she hadn’t liked Noella’s condescending talk, and Noella whined that she’d had the worst week. Jen said she’d reached out to Noella, and gotten treated badly. Heather said they couldn’t do this at two parties, and led Noella away. Seated at the table chowing down, Gina said she didn’t know what was happening, and she was happy about that. Shannon and John cruised the buffet, and Shannon decided to stick to what she knew. I was kind of surprised she wasn’t very adventurous when it came to food. Even more surprising was how Shannon picked up something with her hand – I’m not sure what; it might have been half of an onion – and then put it back. The one who’s paranoid about her health apparently doesn’t care about anyone else’s. Gina introduced Travis to Heather, and Shannon told Noella that Heather was ignoring her. Noella said Shannon had done good with her apology tour. Heather said she and Terry had extra tickets for the track, and asked Gina and Travis to come with them. In Shannon’s interview, she said, you don’t invite people to an event when there are people around who aren’t invited. She’d been officially blackballed from Heather’s invite list.

Emily asked for everyone’s attention, and said she was excited to celebrate Shane taking the bar. He did it with a wife and five children, and never gave up. She was so proud of him, and felt she’d won the lottery when they married. Shane said they didn’t agree on a lot of things, but… Everyone toasted to Shane, and the belly dancers did their thing. Everyone put on jingle belts, and danced.

Shannon went out to lunch her dad Gene, the girls, and Stella’s boyfriend, who was a budding podiatrist, so Shannon tried to hit him up for foot advice. In Shannon’s interview, she said her dad was calling himself Gene the Machine, which was at least better than what Kelly called him. We flashed back to Kelly dubbing Gene Big D*ck Daddy, and Shannon said her father thought he was a lady’s man. She hadn’t seen him in action, but would be horrified. Gene talked about living in Bel Air, and Dean Martin sitting next to him. Shannon said the kids didn’t know who that was, or Frank Sinatra. In an interview with two interchangeable daughters, they looked up Rat Pack, and thought it was a musical group. Shannon talked about the girls going to college, and said, she had two years left, and then the girls were all gone. Gene thought maybe she’d like to spend more time with her father, and in Shannon’s interview, she said she hadn’t seen a lot of him when she was a child.

In Heather’s interview, she talked about her friendship with Gina, and said sometimes you just clicked when you met people. She didn’t know if it was a New York thing, or Jews and Italians, but she and Gina clicked. Heather went over the kids’ schedules with them, and said she was proud of their family dynamic. It was loving, nurturing, and accepting of everything.

Noella took Shannon to her energy healer Tracy. In her interview, Noella explained that Tracy put her hands on your body to give it a fine tuning. It was a big sign of their friendship for her to share Tracy with Shannon. Shannon commiserated with Noella about Jen, and told her about what Heather had said. In Noella’s interview, she said, Heather was manipulative and controlling, and it was not cool. In Shannon’s interview, she said the fear that kept her up at night was not being able to provide for her kids. She felt she’d failed them in many areas, and wasn’t letting them down again. Tracy had Shannon take a deep breath, and Shannon said it was twice as big as the breaths she’d been taking. Noella said Tracy was her miracle woman, but I think Shannon just relaxed for a hot minute.

Nicole brought a Louis Vuitton suitcase filled with cheese to Jen’s house, and made a charcuterie board. Emily and Gina joined them, and in Jen’s interview, she said she hung out with her employees during the day. It wasn’t easy to make new friends, and her employees were nice to her because she was the boss, but she didn’t think they cared as much about her as she did about them. Emily said she was confused about Noella, and Jen said, when she and Noella first met, Noella kept changing her story about her marriage. She didn’t think Noella and James were really married. In Emily’s interview, she said, it was salacious to say Noella wasn’t really married. She thought Jen just didn’t like Noella. Jen said she thought Noella needed professional help, and Emily agreed she needed direction for her anger.

Shannon video chatted with mom Pat, who’d been living in Nashville for ten years. Shannon was planning a visit with the girls, and had only visited there once since her mom moved there. In Shannon’s interview, she said now she understood how her mom was preoccupied with an unhappy marriage. We saw a clip of Pat telling Shannon to concentrate on her own life, and what she wanted to do. Shannon said her mother was happier now, and her own life was busy and full, but she needed to make time for the mom she was lucky to still have.

At the Del Mar Racetrack, a lot of people were dressed up, and Gina bought a hat before she went inside; not like a ballcap that said Del Mar on it, but a nice sunhat. She and Travis joined Heather and Terry in the winner’s circle. In Gina’s interview, she said everything Heather touched turned to diamonds, but she had champagne taste on a beer budget. She wondered if Heather would adopt her. I’ve always hoped LVP might adopt an older child. I swear, she’ll never even know I was there. They had lunch at a fancy table, and in her interview, Gina said she’d been to the track before, but was confident being with Heather would be a different experience. I went to the track once; the Belmont Stakes. I placed a small bet, but the only thing I won was a drunk trying to pick me up outside the ladies room. I would have appreciated a different experience. Travis and Terry made some bets, and they toasted to new friends. Gina told Heather that Noella had warned her to be careful of Heather. Although she hadn’t given a reason, Noella felt that Gina needed to be on the defensive. Heather said she wasn’t negating what Noella was going through, but her remarks were uncalled for. In Heather’s interview, she asked if she’d missed something. Had she run over Noella’s cat? She told Gina that she’d invited Noella to her party because she’d been nice to Max, and Gina said she didn’t want to be collateral damage from anyone’s problems. She thought Noella was a bomb that was going to go off at some point. The William Tell Overture played as the horses ran.

Emily paid a visit to Noelle, who said she’d put out a sadcuterie. Her heart hadn’t been in it, but as soon as the champagne hit her mouth, the better her life would be. She told Emily that she didn’t want the divorce. She still loved James, but felt she’d be a fool to let him back into her life. A man had come to the house with beautiful flowers, and when she’d asked where the note was, he asked if she was Noella Whatever-her-last-name-is. When she said, yes, he said she’d been served. I have to say, that is a pretty creepy thing to do, and Emily said it was next level. In Noella’s interview, she said, the first time, her mother had answered the door. Because she hadn’t technically received the papers, he’d sent flowers to make sure she’d come to the door. Emily asked if she had a good lawyer, but Noella said the goal was to be as non-litigious as possible. Emily told Noella that Jen had questioned her marriage being real, and said she’d had a fake wedding. In Emily’s interview, she said she thought Jen was presenting Noella as someone she wasn’t, which made her question Jen. Noella said she didn’t think Jen was authentic, and Emily said she was clinical. In Noella’s interview, she said, that’s not how divorce works. You have to be legally married to get a divorce. She was going to be leaning on Gina. Emily, and Shannon. Emily suggested they throw the flowers out, and shoved them in a dumpster outside. She made Noella throw the vase in as hard as she could, smashing it, and said, bye, James.  

Next time, Emily brings a sandwich into a sauna, Max promotes her book, and Heather confronts Noella.

🚌 Hopping On the Bus, Gus…

Come on over tomorrow for soap and the Runway dressing the Housewives. Until then, stay safe, stay appreciating the beauty of winter, and stay not letting any amount of time or distance change your friendships.

Dec31

December 30, 2021 – New Year’s Eve In Port Charles, What’s On, Who’s Gone, Backlash Defense, Lala’s World, Bad Idea, Celebrations, Traditions, 22 Quotes for ’22, Eve Talk & Another One

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Today’s drinking game will include extra words because, New Year’s Eve (🍷).

Portia comes into The Savoy, and Curtis says she looks stunning. She tells him that he cleans up pretty nicely himself. He says, it’s a big occasion, and she says, happy New Year (🍷). He says, not just New Year (🍷); new beginnings. Right here with her, where it all started. He kisses her. Martin comes in with Lucy, and says, good evening and happy New Year (🍷), to Nika, who’s playing hostess. He asks if Valentin has a reservation this evening, and Lucy wonders why he needs to know.

At Kelly’s, Valentin sees Anna, and asks if the seat across from her is taken. He sits, and she asks if this is when he asks her about the conversation with his purported father. He says he couldn’t care less about anything Victor says or does, and she says, her either, but she thought he’d want to hear what was said. He says, not really. He and Anna have been tiptoeing around each other for far too long. He’s over it, and thinks she is too. So why doesn’t she let him take her out tonight? They can kick this wretched year to the curb, and start 2022 (🍷) fresh, the best way he can think of starting it – with each other.

Holding a gift bag, Drew knocks on Sam’s door, and when she answers, he says, surprise.

On the phone, Josslyn says she was really looking forward to them having her dad’s house to themselves, and Cameron asks if she’s sure she can’t get away. She says, unfortunately, something major happened with her mom, and she’s sorry, but she can’t leave. She’s really going to miss being with him tonight. He says, him too; she has no idea. She says she thinks she does. She’ll call him at midnight.

Michael tells Willow that Dante just texted him. He found Sonny. Willow hopes he’s okay, and Michael says, he’ll be fine, but he thinks it’s best if Sonny keeps his distance for a little while after he hurt mom. She says she’s so sorry. She can’t believe the mess she made. He says, she did nothing wrong. She told the truth about his father, which is something his father should have done a long time ago.

Carly takes down Sonny’s stocking from the fireplace, and looks at it. Then she looks at a picture of the two of them. Michael comes in, and says, mom? Carly says, excuse her, but he says, just talk to them. Willow says she’s so sorry about what happened in court, and Carly says, when Willow testified that she’d known for weeks about Sonny and Nina, did it ever occur to Willow to let her know her husband had fallen in love with someone else?

Maxie and Nina sit down at the Savoy, and Maxie asks, what’s wrong with Nina?. She gets to ring in 2022 (🍷) free as a bird; she should be celebrating. Nina says she should, but she’s not exactly in the mood. Scotty’s legal maneuvering kept her out of jail, but he blew up her life. And possibly Sonny and Carly’s.

Sonny knocks back drinks at Charlie’s, a stack of crumpled bills on the bar, when Dante walks in. Sonny asks what he’s doing there, and Dante says, Michael called him. He was looking for Sonny. Sonny says, congratulations. Dante found him. Dante says he can see that. Michael also told him about the hearing, that Willow took the stand and testified that Sonny and Nina fell in love in Nixon Falls. Sonny says he did not fall in love with Nina. That was Mike. He didn’t know who the hell he was, but he can’t get Carly to see that. She kicked him out. What if he never gets her to understand? What if he’s lost her forever? He slugs back another drink.

Drew apologizes for not calling first, and tells Sam, he promised Scout that he’d drop by with something special for New Year’s Eve (🍷). She says, it’s fine. Scout will be happy to see him. He says, here’s hoping, and she says, enough with the false modesty. Their daughter adores him.

Martin says, Valentin is his most lucrative client, and Lucy says, so the more the merrier. He says, no, far from it. As a matter-of-fact, Valentin made it clear that his and Lucy’s association is a bit of a conflict of interest. So much so, he issued an ultimatum; either his business or her. She says, obviously he chose her, but he says he doesn’t see why he should have to make a choice at all. He’s not here, and he’s not going to be here. The way Martin sees it, if they don’t make a scene, he can have his hummingbird cake and eat it too. How does that sound?

Maxie says, so Willow said Nina and Sonny fell in love. In court. On the stand. Nina says, yep, and Maxie says, wow. That is so dramatic. How did she even know? Nina says, Willow overheard her and Sonny talking in private, and she convinced Willow to keep it a secret, but Scotty pried it out of Willow. Maxie asks how Scotty found out, and Nina says she has no idea. Obrecht joins them, telling them, happy New Year (🍷). She sees Nina’s face, and says, what?

Scotty gives Cameron and Aiden what look like cassette tapes, and says he’s sorry he didn’t get these to them before Christmas. He tells Elizabeth that he has one for Jake too, but she says, he’s at a sleepover. She’ll make sure he gets it. He says he didn’t know Violet was going to be there, but Finn says, it’s okay. Scotty says, who doesn’t need five bucks? and Cameron says, Franco used to say that. Finn says, okay, and Violet takes the money, thanking Scotty. Scotty says he bets Franco did; he was always bumming five bucks from him. Aiden wonders what the gift is, and Cameron says, they’re old school tapes of sorts. Scotty says, it’s Franco’s music. He thought they could listen to it and keep Franco’s memory alive on New Year’s (🍷). Franco always liked this really crazy music. What do they think? Elizabeth looks sad.

Michael says, Willow came to apologize, and Willow says she’s so sorry. She never wanted to say what she had to at that hearing, but she had no choice. Carly says, she had a choice before. She chose to keep it to herself. Willow says, was she supposed to tell Carly that she overheard Sonny and Nina talking about how he fell in love in Nixon Falls, when he didn’t know who he was? It was over. Sonny is back, and Carly is the one he loves, not Nina. She didn’t want to hurt their marriage. She didn’t want to hurt Carly. Carly whirls around and says, but you did, Blanche! Oh wait, wrong drama. Carly asks if Willow didn’t want to hurt her, or did Nina ask her not to?

Dante says, Sonny has to give Carly some time. She’s got to remember that Sonny is Sonny. He’s not that guy who fell for Nina in Nixon Falls. Mike is gone; he doesn’t exist. Sonny says he told her, and it doesn’t matter, but Dante says, eventually, it will. How many times have they broken up? Sooner or later – hopefully sooner – Carly will come around and realize there’s nothing left between him and Nina. That’s right, isn’t it? There’s nothing left? Sonny asks if Dante shouldn’t be with Sam, but Dante says he’s got to get Sonny squared away first. Sonny says he just wants to be with his wife. There’s nothing Dante can do about that. Dante says, just like there’s nothing Sonny can do about falling for Nina when he thought he was someone else. That’s love. It’s like chemical stuff. There’s nothing you can do to control that. Nina is the guilty party here. Sonny didn’t do anything wrong, and Carly’s going to see that. Sonny says, that’s not the problem; not the whole problem anyway. He should have told Carly what happened in Nixon Falls before it came out in that courtroom. Dante asks why he didn’t.

Michael tells Carly, attacking Willow isn’t going to make this any better, and Josslyn says, Michael’s right. The blame is not on Willow; it’s on Nina. She’s the one who let Sonny keep thinking he was Mike. Michael says, and when they fell in love, Nina kept this whole sorry charade going. Carly asks Willow if Nina asked her to keep her and Sonny’s secret, and Willow says, yes, she did. Carly asks if Michael knew, but he says, no, not until the hearing. She says, and he’s okay with that; that Willow chose Nina over him. Over the family who welcomed her with open arms.

Nina says, it was Obrecht who told Scotty about her and Sonny, and Obrecht says, gerne geschehen (you’re welcome). Nina says, Scotty figured out that Willow knew something. How could she? Obrecht says Nina is free; that’s all that matters. Nina says, at what cost? She and Scotty might have wrecked Carly and Sonny’s marriage. Obrecht says, pity, and calls for more champagne. She asks why they’re not drinking yet, and Nina says, and destroyed her life. Obrecht says, all the more reason she should be drinking, and she didn’t destroy Nina’s life. On the contrary. She saved it.

Curtis tells Portia, he’s allowed this club and his father to monopolize his attention when he should have been giving her his time and energy. She thanks him, but says, all the time and energy he’s put into this club has been totally worth it. The Savoy is a success. And so is he. He thanks her, and says he didn’t think he needed to hear that, but he did. She says, as far as his father goes… He says, he doesn’t really want to talk about that man when he’s trying to have a special evening with his lady. She says, that’s always nice to hear, and he says, in fact, he’d like for them to be closer. She says, what a coincidence, because she wants that too, and he kisses her.

Scotty says, they’ve got to remember all the times with Franco, but they’ve also got to live their lives; he would want that. He tells Elizabeth that he’s sorry, and asks if he stuck his foot in it again. She says, no. Cameron just said something to her like that, and Scotty tells Finn that he’s got to watch his step. This is his family. They’re his heart. Finn says, his too, and Scotty says, but don’t tell anybody he has a heart. Finn asks who’d believe him? and Scotty says, nobody. He tells them, happy New Year (🍷), and leaves, and Finn asks if Elizabeth is okay. She says she’s just glad he’s here to help her bring in a brand new year.

In the kitchen, Elizabeth tells Aiden to bring the cake in, and she’ll clean up in here. Finn says, he’ll do it, and she says, she’ll wash; he’ll dry? He says, deal, and she puts her wedding ring on the shelf above the sink.

Sam brings Scout downstairs, and Drew says she looks adorable. Does she remember he said he’d bring something special by for New Year’s Eve (🍷)? She nods, and he says he hopes she likes them. He takes a pair of gold 2022 (🍷) sunglasses out of the bag, and asks if he can put them on her. She says, yes, and he does. He and Sam rave about how she looks, and Drew says, 2022 (🍷) coming. He has noisemakers too, and Sam tells Scout not to make too much noise for mommy, but Drew suggests she make noise all night. He thought Sam would look good in a pair of them too, and gives her a silver pair. She says he knows she loves a good pair of sunglasses, and Scout asks if Drew will stay until midnight.

Willow says she saw that Carly and Sonny were happy together. Why change that? Carly says, because Willow knew Sonny was in love with someone else. Michael says, he’s not defending dad, far from it, but Sonny doesn’t love Nina, and Mike from Nixon Falls doesn’t even exist anymore. Carly says, last night, she asked Sonny point blank if he still had feelings for Nina, and he couldn’t answer her. Josslyn asks if Sonny’s been cheating on Carly, and Carly tells her, he says not. Josslyn asks if Carly believes him, but Carly says she doesn’t know. She doesn’t know what to believe. Sonny says he still loves her, but she doesn’t know how he could, when a part of him is still in Nixon Falls with Nina. She says she doesn’t know what the hell to believe, and storms out.

Sonny tells Dante, when he got his memories back, when he knew who he was, he lashed out at Nina, like she was a stranger and enemy. Dante says, when it came to filing charges, it was Michael’s call, not Sonny’s; why? Sonny says, he wanted it to be over. He didn’t want to relive it in a courtroom. He was going to tell Carly privately, then Jason died. They were grieving, then Sasha and Brando’s baby died, and he thought it would be cruel to tell Carly then. He wanted some distance from all the loss, and he waited too long. He asks for another drink, and Dante says, so when it came to Sonny’s testimony, he said what Nina did to him was not a crime, right? Sonny says, she lashed out. She was hurt. That’s what people do when they’re hurt. Dante says, so is he saying he feels sorry for Nina, after she kept him from the people who love him? Sonny tells him, he didn’t say he felt sorry for her, and Dante says, but he felt something? Sonny says, yeah, and Dante asks if he still feels something. Sonny says, yeah, and Dante wonders what that something could be. Sonny says, here’s the problem. It’s like Mike is still in him. He didn’t leave all of Mike behind in Nixon Falls. He still carries a small piece of Mike’s heart, and God help him, that small piece of Mike’s heart belongs in some way to Nina.

Carly goes out on the terrace, and says, Jason, where are you? Why aren’t you here?

The kids bring their dishes into the kitchen, and Violet tells Aiden, that cake was super delicious. Cameron says he agrees, and says, it was top-notch. Aiden says he can’t take all the credit; it was Franco’s idea. Cameron says, Aiden baked it, and Elizabeth says, the fireworks are about to start. She tells them to get ready, and they go upstairs. Elizabeth tells Finn, she’s sorry if Franco’s presence… They just really miss him. He says, it’s okay. It’s nice they can share their memories. Franco obviously did a lot of good for the family, and her. She feels around the shelf, and looks around the sink, and says, her ring; it’s gone. It must have fallen down the drain.

Drew says, he’d absolutely love to stay, but something tells him, midnight past Scout’s bedtime. Sam asks Scout if she remembers that she wanted to wait until her brother got home to celebrate, but Scout says, that was before they got these glasses. Drew says he has to get home, but how about if he gives her an airplane ride all the way upstairs and tucks her in? Sam says, sounds like fun, and Drew says, one… two… takeoff! He picks Scout up and spins her around, then takes her upstairs.  

Dante says, he doesn’t entirely understand what Sonny went through, but Sonny can’t just forget what happened while he was Mike. Those feelings and experiences were real. It’s a real part of him; it doesn’t just vanish. Sonny says, a shadow, an echo; Mike is still in here. Don’t get him wrong, it’s not like the feelings he has for Nina have anything to do with the love he feels for Carly. Nina’s like an ex. He laughs, and says, she’s just going to fade away. Dante says, it might not happen while Sonny is drinking himself into oblivion though, and Sonny says, it needs to start fading tomorrow. Tomorrow is New Year’s Day (🍷). It’s a good time to hit the… Dante says, reset? True enough. Sonny laughs, and says, the last thing he wants is to have Dante sitting with him at a bar, when he could be ringing in the New Year with Sam. Dante says, okay, he’ll go, and asks Sonny where he’s staying; he’ll drop Sonny off. Sonny says, he’s fine, and Dante asks if he’s is sure he’s okay? Sonny says he’s a big boy; he can take care of himself. They hug, and Sonny thanks Dante for being him, and a great son. Dante slips Sonny’s keys in his pocket, and says he wants Sonny to know that everything he said stays between them. Sonny thanks him, and Dante tells him, be good, and leaves.

Josslyn says she can’t believe Sonny did this, and Michael says he gets that Sonny was protecting Carly by keeping it a secret, but that doesn’t excuse it or make it right. Josslyn says, what’s that saying? It’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up. Willow says, sometimes the worst things happen when we try to shield our loved ones from knowing the truth, when Carly comes back in. She says she’s sorry. She knows they’re here for her, and she loves them for that. All of them. She takes Willow’s hand.

Scotty walks over to Obrecht’s table, and asks, where’s the champagne? Life’s a ball, and we’ve got a lot of living to do here. Obrecht says she’s afraid Nina doesn’t see it that way, and Scotty asks if Nina is still upset. Nina says, the last thing she wanted was for her and Sonny’s feelings for each other in Nixon Falls to be used as a weapon. He says, funny. He didn’t think she’d want to rot in a prison in Pennsylvania. If he  blindsided Willow, he had to; they would have lost. Nina says, she would have taken the risk. Now, Sonny and Carly are hurt; the whole family is devastated. He says he didn’t know the Corinthos family morale was of such importance to her. Maybe Nina should have told them Sonny was alive a year ago instead of keeping it a little secret. Nina says she’s so sorry. She can’t stay here. She tells Maxie that she’s sorry; happy New Year (🍷); she loves her. She’s mad at Obrecht, but happy New Year (🍷). She leaves, and Maxie says, unbelievable. Scotty is as tactless as he is rumpled. She follows Nina, and Scotty asks, what’s this rumpled business? Obrecht just looks at him, and he asks what he did. She tells him that he said too much that wasn’t necessary, and he says, he got the charges dropped. She says, he didn’t have to rub Nina’s nose in her mistake, and he asks if they’re having a little love spat.

Martin says, as much as he loves showing Lucy off for this crowd, how would she feel about coming back to his place? She says she kind of knows exactly what he’s doing, and kisses him. She says, okay, and they get up. He sees Valentin come in with Anna, and leads Lucy out the back door. He says, this is not an exit, and she says, it’s kind of like they’re hiding out. He wonders how they’re going to get out of there, and she says, it would be very simple if he’d just fire Valentin as a client and pick her.

Curtis says he’s been thinking about the first time he and Portia were together. It was so wrong, but so much was so right, because it brought him here tonight, making memories with a caring, kind, intelligent, beautiful woman. Portia asks if he’s saying he’s feeling her, and he says he’s feeling her. He’s fallen for her.

Valentin tells Anna, oh look, Martin’s here. That means Lucy Coe can’t be far behind. She asks why that matters, when Martin approaches their table. He says, if it isn’t his favorite client, and his favorite operative. Happy New Year (🍷). He tells Anna that she looks exquisite. As a matter-of-fact, they’re a matched set. Come to think of it, it’s kind of sad. Valentin asks, what’s sad? and Martin says, he looks as good as they do, but he has no one to dance with. He’s alone; bereft of company, on the busiest date night of the year.

In the back, Lucy puts on a New Year’s hat and glasses. She sees Maxie, and says she needs Maxie’s help desperately. If she doesn’t get out of here without Valentin seeing her, Martin is going to lose his most lucrative client. Please, please, please. Maxie relents, and Lucy thanks her. They go inside, and Maxie says, stick with me. She’s got Lucy’s back.

Finn messes around under the sink, and Elizabeth asks if he’s sure he knows what he’s doing under there. He doesn’t strike her as the handy type. He says, really? He’ll have her know, he put himself through two years of medical school working at a plumbing company. She says, really? and he says, really. He drops the wrench, and we hear water splash. He comes out, and she asks if he’s okay, handing him a towel. He wipes his face, and stands up, saying, refreshing. He holds out her ring on his pinkie, and she thanks him. She starts to put it on, but stops, and looks at Finn.

Sam lets Dante in, and he says, nice sunglasses. She says, Drew got them for her and Scout. It was a surprise. Drew comes downstairs, thanking Sam for letting him tuck Scout in. He sees Dante, and Dante holds out his hand, saying, happy New Year (🍷). They shake hands, and Drew says, happy 2022 (🍷) to the both of them. Have a good night; he’ll see them around. He starts to leave, but Sam says, Drew. He turns around, and she hugs him, saying, any time, while Dante pretends to look at something on the desk. Drew leaves, and Sam says, he only stopped by to see Scout. He says she doesn’t have to explain anything to him. He gets it. Sam says, okay, and he says, it’s all good. He takes her hand, leading her to the couch, and says, the countdown’s about to begin. In the hallway, Drew puts on his coat, and leaves for real.

Carly makes a beeline for the door, and Josslyn asks where she’s going. Carly says she needs to get out of the house and unthink. Michael asks if she’s okay to drive, and she says she is. It’s a lot to take in. She needs to deal with her thoughts. He tells her, just be careful, and she says she will. She leaves, and Josslyn says, she’s going to be okay, right? Michael says she knows mom. When things are tough, she puts her guard up. That’s how she deals. Josslyn says she’s going out for a bit, and Willow asks if she’s going to follow her mom. Josslyn says, no. The way she drives, she’s halfway to wherever she’s going by now. Josslyn leaves, and Michael says, it must be almost midnight, and Willow says, pretty close. He says he’s not in the mood to celebrate, and Willow says, yeah. He takes her hand, and pulls her into a hug.  

The guests at The Savoy count down, and yell, happy New Year (🍷)! Maxie brings Lucy through the club. Scotty and Obrecht kiss. Valentin and Anna kiss. Martin slips out after Lucy and Maxie, and he and Lucy leave together, Maxie giving them a thumbs up. Curtis and Portia kiss, and there’s lots of horn blowing, but no confetti. I’m guessing Curtis doesn’t want to clean that mess up.

Sonny looks around, and sees Nina come into Charlie’s.

Curtis and Portia go back to one of their places – a bedroom with a lot of lit candles – and get busy, while a female vocal of Auld Lang Syne plays. Fireworks go off, both figuratively and literally. The song continues to play in the background for the rest of the show.

Anna and Valentin kiss some more. He says, they should do this more often. I concur.

Nina tells Sonny, she just stopped by to say hello to Phyllis, but he says, Phyllis isn’t there. He has to go. She says she doesn’t think he should drive, but he says he’s fine. He wonders where his keys are, and she says if he needs a ride, she’ll drive him home. He says he’s not going home, and she says, then she’ll drive him wherever he wants to go. He grabs a glass of champagne going by on a tray, and drains it. he says, let’s go, and follows her out.

Carly goes to the footbridge, and watches the fireworks. She says, Jason.

Dante and Sam kiss, and Sam asks, what took him so long? He says he was with his dad, and Sam asks if Sonny is okay. Dante says, yeah. He’s going through some things right now, but he’ll be fine. At least he got his dad to open up to him; they talked a little. She says, if Dante feels like he needs to be with Sonny, she’s not kicking him out, but… He says, no. He offered, but… She asks if Sonny is drinking, and Dante says, he took Sonny’s keys. He needed some space, which evidently leaves them here alone. He kisses her.

Elizabeth looks at her ring, and puts it in the drawer of the kitchen island. She turns to Finn, and he holds her.

Cameron watches the fireworks with Avery and Aiden. Josslyn arrives, and he says, she’s here. She says, of course (🍷). She couldn’t let 2022 (🍷) start without this. She kisses him, and the little kids smile.

Willow looks out the window at the fireworks. Michael comes up behind her, and puts his arms around her.

Carly hears something on the footbridge, and turns to see Drew.   

Tomorrow, a rerum from February 24th. Next week, Britt says Victor certainly has a lot to celebrate, Drew asks if it’s possible that Carly blames herself, and Nina tells Sonny to sleep it off.  

🎉 And the Rest…

Which soaps will be on New Year’s Eve.

Find Out if Your Favorite Soaps Are Airing on New Year’s Day

🥀 Those Who Have Gone On…

The soap stars we lost in 2021. Farewell, sweet prince.

Remembering the Daytime Stars We Lost in 2021

⚖️ In Defense…

Tamra is the worst. I’ll just leave it there.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/23/tamra-judge-defends-herself-after-shannon-beador-comment-backlash/

💋 Giving You Lala…

Like he can do better.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/27/lala-kent-says-there-is-proof-of-randall-emmett-cheating/

Interesting how she never wanted Randall involved with her brand. No muss, no fuss now.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/29/lala-kent-focusing-on-beauty-bran-after-randall-emmett-breakup/

This surprised me, since GG and Reza were at Lala’s party. And like GG hasn’t stuck with a few red flagged partners.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/28/gg-gharachedaghi-defends-pal-randall-emmett-slams-lala-kent/

⚰️ Just No…

Unless Alan Ball is writing it, I say let Six Feet Under stay six feet under. It was the perfect ending. Let it go.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/six-feet-under-follow-up-in-the-works-at-hbo/

🍾 Auld Lang This Syne…

Enjoy some New Year’s Eve celebrations.

https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/holidays/photos/new-years-eve-around-the-world

And some New Year traditions.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/g25360543/new-year-traditions/

🥠 Quotes of the Week

No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again. – Buddha

Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start. – Nido Qubein

Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life. – Robin Sharma

Packaged inside of every mistake there lays a great lesson. And while I don’t want to take the mistake into the New Year, I most certainly want to take the lesson that’s packaged inside of it. – Craig D. Lounsbrough

You are never too old to reinvent yourself. – Steve Harvey

You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. – Martin Luther King

Be so busy loving your life that you have no time for hate, regret or fear. – Unknown

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice. – T.S. Eliot

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. C.S. Lewis

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. – Seneca

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. – William E. Vaughan

You do not find the happy life. You make it. – Camilla Eyring Kimball

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man. – Benjamin Franklin

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. – Maya Angelou

Listen. I wish I could tell you it gets better. But, it doesn’t get better. You get better. – Joan Rivers

The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become. – W.E.B. Du Bois

Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on. – Hal Borland

It always seems impossible until it’s done. – Nelson Mandela

It is never too late to be what you might have been. – George Eliot

The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are. – J.P. Morgan

On New Year’s Eve the whole world celebrates the fact that a date changes. Let us celebrate the dates on which we change the world. – Akilnathan Logeswaran

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. – Albert Einstein

🗓 See You Next Year…

We’re back on Deck January 3rd of the New Year. A bit about that. If you’re a resolution maker, start early, and make one not to pressure yourself about resolutions. And resolutions or not, don’t pressure yourself about New Year’s Eve. It doesn’t matter who you spend it with, even if it’s only yourself. I’ve spent it more ways than I can count. On a cruise around Manhattan, in a lavish restaurant, a hot club, and a dive bar. I’ve seen Barry Manilow sing It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve at Radio City when the clock struck twelve, and I’ve stood in the middle of Madison Square Park watching the clock strike twelve. I’ve spent it with a lot of people, a handful of people, as part of a couple, and alone. The only thing I’ve never done (and never will) is Times Square. Back in my single days, my roommate went. She said someone spilled beer on her, somebody else peed on her, and when the crowd moved, you moved. It was a first and last for her, and a never for me. But my point is, one thing for sure, January 1st came and another year began, no matter what I did the night before. In the eloquent words of Bill Murray in Meatballs, it just doesn’t matter.

So no matter what New Year’s Eve path you choose, stay safe in all ways, stay being moderate in all things, and stay having a Happy New Year, no matter where you’re at. Or at least a Tolerable New Year.

Dec30

December 29, 2021 – Judge Milford Makes a Decision, Second Act Flop, Maybe She’ll Stay, Christmas Leftovers & What

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer sees Josslyn in a classroom at PCU, and asks what she’s doing there. She says she’s taking a seminar; is he? He says he’s trying to withdraw from the classes he scheduled for next semester. He doubts PCU has a remote learning platform for students in Spring Ridge.

Stella goes to Portia’s office, and asks if she’s busy. Portia says she’s never too busy for Stella, and invites her in. Portia asks if Stella is okay, and Stella says she’s fine. She’s there about Curtis. Portia gets up, and asks if something happened with Curtis, but Stella says, no. She’s sorry. It’s really about Marshall.

Marshall says, it’s good to see Curtis; it’s a surprise. Did Curtis use his P.I. skills to track him down? Curtis says, Aunt Stella told him where to find Marshall, and Marshall says, it’s not very fancy, but it will do until he finds a place of his own. Curtis asks if Marshall is looking for an apartment in town, and Marshall says he thought he’d stay and get to know his family… TJ and Curtis. Does Curtis coming there mean it’s a possibility?

Alexis walks into the seminar, and Spencer asks if she’s looking for someone. Alexis says, Professor Kahn. She signed up for the Sociology of Crime seminar. Josslyn says, her too, and Spencer asks why Alexis signed up. Alexis says she’s interested in the sociology aspect, and since she can’t practice law anymore, she thought she’d look into mediation or conflict resolution; something law adjacent. Josslyn says Alexis can sit with her, and Alexis says, cool.

Willow asks if Nina used her, but Nina says she had no idea Scotty was going to put Willow on the stand, or that he even knew that Willow knew something. Willow has to believe her. Michael says, he believes this is what Nina wanted, and Nina says, this is what she wanted? For the whole world to know about her relationship with Mike in Nixon Falls? Is he crazy? She begged Willow not to say anything. Michael says, Scotty blindsided his father and the DA to inflict maximum damage by calling Willow. Nina managed to evade the law, and hurt his family at the same time. Nina says, Michael is the one bent on revenge. If he hadn’t pressed the Llantano DA to arrest her, then none of this would have come up. Her relationship with So… Mike would have stayed a secret.

Sonny calls to Carly, saying, wait. She stops, and he asks her to let him explain. Will she listen to him? She says, listen to who? Sonny? Mike? Or someone else entirely different? He says, her husband, and she says, tell her that he’s not still sleeping with Nina. He says he didn’t sleep with Nina, and she says, he remembered his family before he could? Is that it? He says, he remembered his family and came home to her, where he belongs, and she says, he fell in love with someone else. (Pot, meet kettle.) Where does that leave her?

Curtis says, so Marshall thinks he can just show up there and plant roots? and Marshall says, he just started looking. He’s not sure how long it’s going to take. Curtis says, so Marshall intends to play house in Port Charles, after all this time? Where has he been? Marshall says, everywhere and nowhere. He never stayed in one place very long. Curtis says, that’s it? That’s all Marshall’s got for him? Marshall says, they keep going over this thing. He can’t give Curtis an explanation that will satisfy him. All he can say is how ashamed he is for all the time he lost with Curtis. That’s why he’s here; that’s why he’s staying. He wants them to get to know each other. Curtis says, Marshall wants to get to know him now. Well, guess what? It works both ways. All those years he and Tommy grew up without a father, where was he?

Spencer asks if Alexis has to go back to school to be a mediator, and she says, that’s what she’s trying to figure out. She thought if she just took a three-week seminar during winter break, it might help her decide if she’s ready to be a student again. He says, that’s valid, and asks why Josslyn is taking classes on her winter break. Josslyn says, they’re reading Professor Kahn’s book in her Introduction to Sociology class, and it’s pretty great. When she saw the professor was giving a seminar, she thought it was a great opportunity. He asks if she’s ever explored this concept he calls leisure. He was good at it until his dad fell under Ava’s spell, and his life became a complete dumpster fire. The professor comes in, and asks everyone to take their seats. They have a lot to cover in very little time. She introduces herself, and says she’s passing around a sign-in sheet. If they don’t sign it, they won’t get credit for this lesson. She hands it to Spencer, who just stands there, and she asks if there’s a problem. Josslyn says, no problem, and grabs Spencer, pulling him into the seat next to her, and telling him to be quiet. He might actually learn something.

Willow tells Nina, don’t you dare try to turn this back on us. Michael didn’t come after Nina for revenge; he wanted justice. What Nina did to his father was criminal. What’s worse is, Nina came and went in and out of their lives the whole time. She stood by, and watched Sonny’s family grieve for months. It’s not just criminal; it’s cruel and selfish. Nina says she realizes what she did to Sonny and his family was horrible. She’s said it a million times. That’s why she stayed quiet. She realized Sonny wasn’t telling anyone one about their… her and Mike’s relationship. It was over. The only reason it came out was because Willow overheard a private conversation, and she’s not going to apologize for that. Nina stomps back to the courtroom, nearly running down Scotty on his way out, and telling him, not now. Willow follows Nina, and Michael says Scotty miscalculated, using Willow like that, threatening her and badgering her on the stand the way he did. He won’t forget that. Scotty says he was defending his client, and Michael says, they both know there’s no legal defense for the hell Nina put his family through. Scotty says, Michael must have missed the part where the judge called his father back to the stand, and he testified that he was not Nina’s victim. So don’t blame him if dada was having a good time in Nixon Falls, and didn’t want to come home to his family. Michael punches him in the face.

Sonny says, he and Carly belong together; she knows that. She says, he fell in love with Nina, and he tells her, that was in Nixon Falls. He had amnesia; he wasn’t himself. She asks if he forgot his life as Mike when he remembered he was Sonny? and he says, no. She asks why he didn’t tell her, and he says he was going to, but Jason died, and he didn’t think it was the right time. She says she knew something was wrong, but she thought it was her. She blamed herself because of everything that happened with Jason, but Sonny was lying to her. When she found out Nina knew he was alive – not from him, but from Maxie – what did he say to her? He said, let it go. Now she knows why. He was protecting Nina. He says, he didn’t want to lose her in a war with Nina. He didn’t want to waste any more time with Nina. Nixon Falls is done; it’s over. She asks how he can stand there and say that to her, and he says, because it’s the truth. She says, he’s not just lying to her. He’s lying to himself.

Professor Kahn says, you can track the changes in society by seeing how the laws change in that society while it develops. Take for instance the United States versus Porter. In that case, Arthur Porter was charged with assault when a man broke into his home. Despite putting that man in the hospital, he was found not guilty because he was defending his property. Alexis says, well… and the professor says, excuse me? Alexis says, nothing. Carry on. Professor Kahn thanks her, and says, this is an example of property being valued over people. Alexis says, not really, and the professor asks if she knows the case. Alexis says, actually, she does. Porter was defending his wife and child, so she could argue that Porter was concerned with their well-being and safety, which was the deciding factor. The professor says, oh, she could.

Portia asks if Stella is telling her that Marshall has an ulterior motive for getting back into Curtis’s life, but Stella says she doesn’t know. She hasn’t seen Marshall in years, and has no idea what kind of man he is now. Portia asks, what kind was he? Was Stella unhappy he married her sister? Stella says, no. Irene and Marshall loved each other; that much she does know. But Marshall wasn’t always the easiest person deal with. Portia says, running off from his family, and letting them believe he was dead for decades certainly fits with that description. Stella says, what concerns her, is how Curtis is dealing with it. Earlier, Curtis told her something she never knew; how he and Tommy would make up stories about their heroic dad when they were kids. Portia says, so they painted their father as a hero; it’s not uncommon. And now that childhood fantasy is back from the dead. She gets the sense, that even with all Curtis’s misgivings, he really does want to know his father. Stella says she knows, and she’s worried the reality is going to crush Curtis.

Marshall says Curtis thinks everything he’s saying is lip service, but he’s truly sorry his sons had to grow up without him. If he’d had a choice, it wouldn’t have happened. Curtis says, he keeps alluding to this choice, or lack thereof, whatever that means. As far as he knows, Marshall left and pretended to be dead. Marshall says, it was the hardest thing he’s ever done in his life, and Curtis says, then why did he do it? Marshall says, he thought what he was doing was best for his family, and Curtis says, leaving his mother to raise two boys on her own was best? Marshall says he knew their Aunt Stella would be there to help, and Curtis says, and she did, thank God, but it wasn’t her job. She’s not their father. That’s what they needed – their father. It’s been so long, Curtis barely remembers Marshall. Marshall says he remembers Curtis. He has fond memories of Curtis and Tommy. Giving them piggyback rides up and down the stairs. They used to wear superhero PJs, and drape a towel around their neck like a cape. Marshall tears up, and says, Curtis’s smile was the greatest part of his life. Curtis says, if they meant that much to Marshall, why did he leave? He didn’t care to see them grow up? Marshall says, more than Curtis knows, and Curtis asks, then why did he leave?

Scotty says, that is assault, but Michael says he doesn’t care. He tells Scotty, arrest him, and walks out.

Willow approaches Nina back in the courtroom, and asks if she was wrong this whole time. She gave Nina the benefit of the doubt, and said nothing to Michael or his family, and Nina used her to hurt the people she loves. Nina says, she didn’t do that. For the last time, she didn’t tells Scotty about her and Mike, let alone that Willow knew about them. She’s not responsible for Willow’s choices. Willow says she had no choice, but Nina says, she could have lied.

Carly asks Sonny to tell her the truth. She wants to know every single thing that happened in Nixon Falls. Sonny says, he had no past; he had no ties. He only had a watch with a message engraved on it, to Mike, so that’s what he called himself. Then Phyllis and Lenny took him in and they were great to him. Then Nina showed up; she was Phyllis’s friend. Carly says, Nina knew exactly who he was, but Sonny says he didn’t know that she was lying to him. Then this con man Elijah Crow was trying to take the Tan-O from Lenny and Phyllis, and Nina helped Mike stop him. Carly says, and he fell in love with Nina, but Sonny says, he didn’t remember Carly. She says, maybe he didn’t want to. (I know I wouldn’t.)

Stella says, she’s sure Portia thinks she’s a busybody, but she can’t sit back and wait for Curtis to admit he needs support. Portia says, Curtis needs to work it out in his own way, but Stella says, not if it means leaving him on his own. This isn’t the time for Portia to give Curtis space. It’s the time for her to step up, and show him that he’s not alone.

Marshall tells Curtis, it’s not easy for him to talk about his past. He had some really bad years. Sometimes, he didn’t know if he was going to make it through, but he turned things around. Now he’s finally in a place where he can give Curtis the support a father should. Curtis says, he’s a grown-ass man. He doesn’t need Marshall’s support now. What he needs are answers, but Marshall doesn’t seem to be in a place to give them. He could have used this fatherly support when he was growing up. He and Tommy were teased by the kids. They didn’t believe Marshall had died. They said he was probably in jail. He can’t remember the number of fights he got into defending Marshall’s name, and it was all a lie. Marshall says he’s sorry if he hurt Curtis, and he’s sorry if he hurt Tommy. TJ told him that Tommy had PTSD when he died. He never knew. Curtis says, how would he know that, and what does it matter? Marshall says, everything matters to him about Curtis and Tommy, and Curtis says, then he should have stuck around.

Nina says, when Scotty asked Willow if she knew another reason Sonny  wasn’t coming after her, Willow could have said no. Willow says, she was under oath. Scotty was threatening to have her charged with perjury. Nina asks, who would contradict Willow? Who would have stood up and said Willow was lying? Not her. Not Sonny. No one. She hurt Sonny in so many ways, and this was her one chance to do something good for him, and Willow took that away. She starts to walk away, but Willow tells her to get over herself. Not everything is about her. She grabs Nina’s arm, but Nina jerks away, saying, don’t. Willow says, she kept Nina’s secret, but she wasn’t going to lie on the stand for Nina, or put herself at risk to cover up Nina’s mess. Nina says she already told Willow, she wasn’t at risk, and Willow tells her, she also said she didn’t tell Scotty that Willow overheard her, but unless he’s psychic, Nina must have let something slip. Once she was on the stand and under oath, she had to tell what she knew. Nina says, all right. God forbid Willow should get down in the mud with the rest of them. Congratulations. She told the truth, and devastated the family she claims to love in the process.

Sonny says, Carly can’t possibly think he chose not to remember her, but she says she doesn’t know. She didn’t know he and Nina had a secret. He says, that’s not the way it was, and she says, how many times has she found him and Nina together? She was so stupid. He says, there is no him and Nina, and she asks what Willow overheard then. He says, something she didn’t understand, and Carly asks how many times he’s met with Nina. He says, he only met her the one time, to get her to understand the way things were, and that once he remembered Carly and his family, she was nothing. Carly says, before that did she make him happy? He says, he had dreams about Carly when he didn’t know what his name was. The deepest part of him remembered her. He’d have dreams of a blonde woman, and he’d try to touch her, but he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t see her face, but somehow he knew she was his and he was hers, and he’s still hers. Can’t she see that? She says, not after what she heard in that courtroom.

Curtis says, this was a mistake, but Marshall says, don’t go. Curtis says, he doesn’t like carrying around this anger any more than he liked growing up without a father. Marshall just doesn’t get it. He grew up lost. He didn’t have a man to show him how to be a man, the man he wanted to be. Marshall says, yet here he is, and Curtis says, through a lot of hard knocks and stumbles along the way. By the grace of God, he’s here. No thanks to Marshall. Curtis open the door, and Marshall says, please. He can’t change the past, but give him a chance to make things up to him now. Curtis says, not unless Marshall tells him where he’s been. What’s more important than family? Marshall sighs, and Curtis says, all he’s asking for are answers; clear answers, with facts and dates. If Marshall can’t give that to him, don’t bother staying in Port Charles.

Willow asks if Michael is all right. Scotty’s threatening to file a complaint for assault. Did he really punch Scotty? Michael says, right in the face. He knows it was wildly inappropriate. He let Scotty get under his skin, and he lost it. He talked to Diane, and she already cut a deal citing harassment and provocation. Willow says, that’s one less thing to worry about, and he says, he’s sorry DA Sheridan opened the door for Scotty, and put her on the stand. She says, she’s the one who kept Nina’s secret. If she’d told him, none of this would have happened. He says, it’s not her fault. Nina manipulated her. She says, she was trying to protect his parents’ marriage. She didn’t want to be the one to mess things up, and now she did anyway. He tells her not to blame herself. This is all on Scotty and Nina. He just hopes the judge didn’t buy their tactics. He asks if his parents came back, but she says, no. She doesn’t know where they are. Sheridan comes by, and says, this is it. The judge has made his decision.

After class, Spencer wonders if Alexis is going to write an addendum to the professor’s book; Alexis really schooled her. Alexis says, she just takes exception when people don’t state all the facts; she likes facts. Josslyn says, she definitely made the lecture more interactive. It was more like a debate, and Josslyn liked it. Professor Kahn calls to Alexis, and Alexis says, rut-roh. The professor says she’d like a word, and Spencer and Josslyn make themselves scarce. Alexis says, she realizes she overstepped. She gets passionate. She’s sorry she disrupted the lecture. The professor says she recognizes Alexis’s name; she’s the defense attorney. Alexis says, she used to be a defense attorney, and Professor Kahn says, she read Alexis’s article in the Law Review on jury bias; she made some very interesting points. Alexis thanks her, and she asks how Alexis has time to take the seminar, and why would she want to? Alexis says she’s looking at a career change. Her days in the courtroom are over. The professor says, then she’ll cut to the chase. Alexis is wasting their time being here. Alexis doesn’t belong in her class.

Sonny says, he didn’t know who Carly was in his dreams, and she says, she used to see him. She see him, and talk to him when times were bad. He says, that’s because they belong together; she knows that. She says, he kept a part of himself from her. Was he ever going to tell her about Nina in Nixon Falls? He says, yeah. He wanted to so many times, but Jason died; then Brando and Sasha’s baby was in crisis. He wanted to tell her, but he’d get interrupted. She says she thinks he believes he was going to tell her the truth, but she doesn’t. She thinks it was a story he told himself to justify the secret. Meanwhile, he locked away his time with Nina somewhere in his heart, and kept telling her there was nothing wrong; there was nothing between them. He says she keeps putting Nina between them. She’s going to have to let that go. She says, he’s dodged every time she’s asked him. Just now, she asked if he fell in love with Nina, but instead of answering, he said he couldn’t remember Carly. That’s not an answer. He says, it is. He wouldn’t have looked at Nina if that blonde woman in his dream had turned around, and he’d seen her beautiful face. He loves her. She tells him, he said that. What he hasn’t said is how he feels about Nina. Right here, right now, today.

Alexis says, if Professor Kahn is worried she’ll interrupt, she promises to try and control herself, but the professor says, that’s not what she’s talking about. Alexis should be teaching. The students could benefit from her passion for the law, and it’s clear she’s not shy about public speaking. Alexis says, really? and the professor says, she happens to know about a professor who’s retiring. There might be an opening at PCU. Maybe Alexis could start off as an adjunct, and work her way up. Alexis says she never thought about teaching, and Professor Kahn tells her, think about it. It could be just what she’s looking for.

At Portia’s office, Curtis says he hopes Stella wasn’t telling Portia an embarrassing story, like when he lost a tooth trying to ride his bike off their front stoop. Portia says, no, but she’d definitely like to hear that story another day. What brings him by? He says he just left from talking with Marshall, and needed to see her beautiful face. She asks how it went, but he says that’s not why he’s here, and kisses her.

Judge Milford says, this court is here to interpret and uphold the law, not mediate personal disputes. In reviewing all documents and evidence, it is the court’s determination that the Commonwealth has failed to prove Miss Reeves’s actions meet the legal definition of fraud. He’s dismissing all charges against Nina Reeves, and this case is hereby dismissed. This court stands adjourned. The bailiff says, all rise, and the judge leaves. Willow tells Michael, she’s so sorry, but he says, this isn’t over. Sheridan says he’s sorry. He’s also stunned by Judge Milford’s ruling. He wouldn’t have brought the charges if he didn’t think they had a strong case for fraud. Michael says Sheridan made a strong argument, and assures him ELQ will continue to support his campaign. Sheridan says he appreciates that, and apologizes to Willow for calling her to the stand. If he’d had any idea Scotty was going to ambush her, he’d have left her in peace. Willow says she’s just sorry Scotty was able to use her testimony to his advantage, but Sheridan says, actually, Mr. Corinthos’s testimony was the deciding factor. Michael asks what he’s talking about, and Sheridan says, once Mr. Corinthos said he didn’t consider himself a victim, in his mind at least, no crime was committed. Michael says he wasn’t in the courtroom for that, and Sheridan says, it’s an interesting question of law. He wishes he’d done better with it. They leave, and Nina sits at the defense table, looking dejected. Scotty asks what’s with all this business? She’s free as a bird. She asks how he knew about her relationship with Sonny, and he says, that’s what she pays him for, but she says, this is not what she wanted.

Sonny asks if Carly doesn’t think he’s angry at Nina for letting Scotty pull that stunt. She says, and? She asked him how he felt about Nina. Sonny rubs his head, and she says, Sonny. He says, okay, okay, hold on. She has to understand what it felt like to wake up in the woods, not knowing who he was, alone, scared. Phyllis and Lenny took him in. They gave him a job, an anchor. Then Nina… when he sees her, he sees her as Mike’s friend, his confident. But he also sees what she did to Carly and to his kids. It’s really all jumbled up in here, he indicates his heart. She says, Nina let her believe he was dead, and he still has feelings for her after everything she did. Sonny says, let’s go home, but she says she needs time to think. He asks what that means, and she says, she needs some time apart.

Spencer finds Josslyn on a bench in the hallway, looking at her phone, and says, success. The dean’s office was still open; he’s enrolled. She says, see? It worked out. He asks, what’s going on? and she says, Nina’s preliminary hearing was today, but she still hasn’t heard a word from anyone. He says, no news is good news, and she asks when that’s ever been true. Fingers crossed, the judge will throw the book at Nina Reeves, bind her over for trial, and revoke her bail. He says, Josslyn’s not vengeful or anything, and she says she hates Nina. She’s the worst kind of hypocrite. She acts all sweet and sympathetic, when all she really cares about is herself and what she wants. He asks why she doesn’t hate Ava that way, and she says, she does hate Ava that way. She’ll never forgive Ava for what she’s done to Morgan. However, she is Avery’s mom and Trina’s mentor, so she has to suck it up and has to coexist. However, she will never buy into Ava’s BS, and she’ll never think Ava is a gracious lady, but she chooses to keep the peace. If he’d come to her before he went on his stalking kick, she’d have told him the same thing. He says he wishes he had. Josslyn would have shot his stalking idea down in flames, and he wouldn’t be looking at 30 days in Spring Ridge. She says, he’ll be okay; he’s stronger than he thinks he is. He says, he hopes so. In the meantime, while his freedom lasts, this trip should erase any traces of lingering tension between her, him, Cameron, Trina, and Esme. They’ll get to know each other better. Josslyn says, she certainly hopes so.

Professor Kahn tells Alexis that she’ll send an introductory email to the chairman of the department. She knows it’s winter break, but she (the chairman) is a workaholic. Alexis says, maybe she’s just passionate about what she does, and the professor says, good. Use that approach. Alexis says she kind of likes this idea. She might like teaching at PCU, but hopes she has the proper qualifications. The professor says she’s certain Alexis does, especially as an adjunct. Who knows? They might want her full time with her credentials. All she needs to do is ace the interview, and pass the routine background check. Alexis says, background check. Of course (🍷).

Marshall lets Stella in, and says, Curtis came by to see him today. She says she figured he would. He had questions, so she told him to come talk to Marshall, but Marshall didn’t tell Curtis, did he? She saw Curtis a while ago, and he surely would have mentioned it. Marshall says, he left dissatisfied, and she says, Curtis is not going to stop until he gets answers. Marshall says, he’s not surprised. Is that why she’s here, to warn him? She says she’s worried about how it will affect her relationship with Curtis, but he says, don’t worry. He’ll never, ever tell Curtis that she knew he wasn’t dead. She’s like a hero to his sons, and he doesn’t want to take that away too.

Portia says, not that she’s objecting at all, but Curtis didn’t answer her question. He says, that’s because he doesn’t want to talk about Marshall. He wants to focus on her. She says, that’s fine with her, and he says he hopes she’s ready for tomorrow night, because he has big plans for them on New Year’s Eve.

Michael says his parents aren’t answering their phones, and Willow hopes they’re all right. He says, they’re really going through it right now. He wants to let them know, according to the judge, Nina’s actions aren’t criminal at all. Willow asks what he’s going to do, and he says he doesn’t know, but what he’s not going to do is sit back and let Nina get away with her crimes against his family.

Nina tells Scotty that he’s not going to stick around for the paperwork; she’s got to go. He says she can thank him, but not just with a check. He did his job. She’s not going to prison. So she’s welcome. She says she can’t think about that right now. She’s too worried about Sonny.

Sonny says, Carly doesn’t need time. He wants her; he wants their family together. She knows that. She says she knows Nina still has a hold on him, but he says, she doesn’t. She asks him to look her in the eye and tell her that Nina means nothing to him. He says he doesn’t know what she wants him to say. Listen… He reaches out to touch her, but she says, stop. He says, they can still work this out, but she says, they can’t. Don’t come home tonight. She walks off, leaving Sonny alone.

Tomorrow, Curtis says he’d like to be closer to Portia, Scout asks if Drew can stay until midnight, Valentin says he’s over it and thinks Anna is too, and Dante asks Sonny if he felt something.  

👰🏼 That Was Quick…

I wonder what Vicki predicted for this one.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/24/joe-bidens-nephew-cuffe-biden-owens-meghan-king-split/

🍼 Picking Lanes…

Now that she’s without Randall’s paycheck, hanging out with the SUR crowd doesn’t seem so unattractive.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/28/lala-kent-reconsiders-vanderpump-rules-return/

🎄 Not Done Yet…

The last day of Christmas is technically January 5th, so here’s some post-Christmas Day cheer.

Some blessings:

https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/irish-christmas-blessings

Some lights:

https://nypost.com/2021/12/18/a-stunning-look-at-the-famous-dyker-heights-christmas-lights/

And some celebrities. Who knew Diana Ross liked the matching family PJ thing?

https://www.essence.com/celebrity/celebrity-christmas-photos/

⛄️ Before I Melt Away…

Once again, tomorrow will be this week’s Friday, so join me for soap, tea, quotations, and a seasonally appropriate tune. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping your expectations realistic for both yourself and the new year, and stay not telling yourself a story to justify a secret.

Dec23

December 22, 2021 – Christmas Day In Port Charles, Heather Makes Shannon a Promise & Swinging

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Epiphany sees Marshall walk into the hospital, and says he looks lost. And he’s carrying a clarinet case. Is he one of the volunteers playing tonight? He says he is, and she says, welcome. She organizes the gig. She’s Epiphany Johnson. She holds out her hand, and he shakes it, saying, Marshall Ashford. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Dr. Johnson.

Curtis sees Portia in a red dress, and says, wow. Is all of this for dinner with Aunt Stella? She says she doesn’t want to get on that woman’s bad side ever again, and he says, understood. He says she has his aunt’s seal of approval. She knows that, right? She nods, and says he looks like he’s in a good mood, and he says he’s just been more relaxed lately. She says, it probably helps knowing he and Drew are going to work together to unravel the mystery of his father.

Drew puts out a punchbowl at the Quartermaines’, and Monica says, nobody ever likes the non-alcoholic wassail, but Alan wanted it every Christmas, so when it’s time to spice it up, she has some high-octane vodka. He takes the bottle and puts it on the bar, and says she doesn’t have to pretend. He knows how hard this Christmas is for her without Jason. Brook brings in Bailey, wearing a little plaid dress, and says, look who appeared for her first night of Christmas. Monica says, she’s adorable, and Brook puts her in the bassinette. Monica tells Drew that she misses Jason more than she can say, but she’s so grateful for the rest of the family. She takes his hand, and says, she’s really grateful to have him home. She goes over to Bailey, and says, hello, gorgeous. She heard a rumor that Santa was really good to her. Brook says, very good. In fact, she thinks Santa spoiled Bailey this year.

Alexis’s family gathers at her house, and Scout says she loves her gift. Sam says, a tambourine. Who thought that was a great idea? Kristina raises her hand, and Sam goes to get another gift. She suggests Scout open the gift from Molly and TJ, and slyly takes the tambourine. Molly says she guesses Kristina isn’t the only one to blame, because she and TJ had a similar idea. Scout opens it, and Sam wonders why she’s scared. It’s a child-sized accordion, and Sam says, how about that? What in the world were they thinking? Molly says, when Sam was away with Dante, she, Kristina, and TJ had Scout and Danny over one afternoon to give them a break from the Quartermaines. Kristina says, and possibly give the Quartermaines a break from them, and TJ says the found a show on TV all about musical instruments. Kristina says, Scout fell in love with the show, and Molly says, she was even playing along with imaginary instruments. TJ says, Scout wasn’t the only one, and Danny says, look what Grandma Alexis got him, showing them bongos. Shawn thanks Alexis, and she says, for the musical interlude? but he says, for the best Christmas he’s had in a long time. She says, both of them. Last year, she was drunk. He says, last year, he was in prison. He’d like to propose a toast, to new beginnings. They clink water bottles.

Obrecht puts a gift under the tree, and Maxie says she thought Obrecht already gave Georgie and James their gifts. Obrecht says, this isn’t for James or Georgie; it’s for Louise. It’s a Christmas angel, waiting for her when she comes home. Maxie glances at Nina, and says, that’s very sweet. Nina says she’s sure Louise will come home soon, and Obrecht can give it to her in person. Obrecht says she looks forward to the day. What about Nina? How dare those people not let her see Wiley on Christmas? Michael Corinthos is trying to put her in prison. This could be her last chance to be with her grandson.

Carly jokes that Wiley doesn’t like his gift, and Michael says, worst Christmas ever. Willow says she thinks there are a lot of gifts for Wiley to open, when Rocco comes in with a shopping bag. He says he was passing the guardhouse, and the guard gave him these for Wiley. Carly says, let her guess; Nina? Michael looks at the card, and says, yes.

Dante is putting on his coat in the foyer, and Sonny says he’s glad Dante came by to celebrate Christmas with the fam, and Dante says he is too. Last year, he came by to drop presents off, and that’s when Carly told him that Sonny was missing. Sonny says, last year wasn’t a good time for any of them. He’s sure Carly appreciated Dante’s company. Dante says, actually, he had an ulterior motive. He’d found out Sonny had secretly paid for his and Lulu’s house, and wanted to thank him. So here he is, a year later. Thank you for our home, and for coming back to yours. They hug.

Drew holds Bailey, and tells Monica that he remembers when Scout was that age. Those were such good times. She says she understands he had a visit from his daughter the other day, and he says he did; Sam brought her by. Scout actually found his favorite Christmas ornament, the star on the top of the tree in the nook. Apparently, it was in the playroom, and Rocco was using it as a sheriff’s badge. She laughs and says she’s not surprised Scout tracked it down. He asks if she knows what’s his favorite part of Christmas, and she says, what? He says, helping Scout put that star on the tree.

Chase asks if Brook wants him to spike some wassail for her, and drops the bottle cap. He bends down to pick it up, and she looks at his behind, flashing back to seeing him naked in the steam room. She says, no thank you. She doesn’t want anything from him. She jets, leaving Chase puzzled.

Brando wheels Sasha out to the reception area, and Deanna says she needs Sasha’s signature on some paperwork. Sasha asks what it is, and Deanna says, assurance someone will be staying with her for the next 24 hours. It’s policy; for her protection. Gladys says, Brando will do that, and Brando asks her to take Sasha’s bag to his car on level A. He’ll meet her down there. She gets in the elevator, and Brando says, Sasha just had surgery, and he thinks Deanna’s right. Someone should be with her. Please come home with him.

Scout plays the accordion (play being open to interpretation), while Danny bangs on the bongos. Sam suggests they go to the kitchen for some cookies, and they leave. Alexis says, full house at the Quartermaines’; they’ll have a huge audience. Kristina asks if Dante will be there, and Sam says, yeah, with Rocco. Alexis says she heard Drew is living there too. Is that going to be a problem for her? Sam asks, why would it be? and Kristina says, the two men in her life. Talk about an embarrassment of riches. Sam asks, how old are they? She and Drew are focused on Scout, and only Scout, and Dante is okay with it. Alexis says she hopes so.

Sonny says he’s sure last Christmas wasn’t easy for Dante, and Dante says, Sonny means everything with Lulu? Sonny says he wishes he’d been there for Dante, but Dante says he’s here now, with his family where he belongs. Sonny says, nothing better than family, and Dante says, speaking of… Sonny says, Olivia’s expecting him, and Dante tells Rocco that they have to go. Rocco thanks everyone for the presents; they’re really cool. He leaves, and Josslyn asks Carly if she thinks Michael and Willow are upset that Nina got Wiley a gift. Carly says she thinks they expected it. She suspects they’re thinking about Sasha and Brando. Josslyn says, they all are. What happened with their baby is just awful. Does Carly think they’ll come by later? Carly says she doesn’t know. She invited them, but doubts they’re feeling up to it. Sonny says, they’ll be here, and smiles.

Sasha says, she and Brando said goodbye to Liam together. He’s the only one who knows exactly how she’s feeling, so yes, she’ll go home with him, but just for tonight.

In the parking lot, Gladys throws the baby seat that had been waiting for Liam into the trunk.

Brando and Sasha get in the car, and Brando tells Gladys, let’s get Sasha home. Gladys says, they have one stop to make first. He asks, where? and she says she promises he won’t be sorry.

Epiphany tells Marshall, Nurse Johnson, although sometimes she feels like she could teach the doctors a thing or two. He says he has no doubt, and asks if she’s a musician. Is that why she’s in charge of the volunteer gig? She says, no. She does it to show the patients some joy on this very special night. He says he’s sure they’re very appreciative of her thoughtfulness. Does she play? She says, no; she’s a singer. He says, so she’ll be singing with the band tonight, but she says, no band, just a combo, and no vocalists. It’s General Hospital’s tradition. He says, he’s a firm believer that some traditions are made to be broken, and she says she believes he means rules. He says, what are rules if nothing but traditions? She laughs, and tells him the other volunteers are already up on the 5th floor. They’ll start there, and work their way down. He follows her into the elevator.

Curtis thanks Portia for listening to him as he goes on about his father, and she tells him that he’s welcome. She says, Marshall unnerved her at first too, and he asks if something happened between the two of them that he needs to know about. She says, Curtis had a lot on his mind, and she didn’t want to bother him, but Marshall appeared at the MetroCourt when she was having breakfast with Trina. He says, Marshall had no business talking to her when she was with her daughter, but she says, it was fine. He asks what Marshall said, and she tells him that Marshall admitted to Trina that he’d abandoned Curtis, his mother, and brother when Curtis was very young. He asks how Trina handled that, and she says, it made Trina think of her father, and why Taggert made them believe he was dead. Curtis says, in Taggert’s defense, he did have a more compelling story, and he wasn’t gone nearly as long as Curtis’s father. She says, the point being, Trina forgave her father. She’s spending Christmas night with him. He says, that’s not going to happen with him and his father, when Epiphany goes by with Marshall.   

Nina suggests they not get into it about Wiley today; it’s Christmas. Obrecht says she just doesn’t see how that family can be so uncharitable. She would have thought they’d make an exception on Christmas, and let Nina see that beautiful little boy. Nina says, they all know Carly has a big problem with her, and that was true before everything that happened in Nixon Falls. She just dopped off Wiley’s present at Sonny’s on her way here. At the guardhouse. She wouldn’t dare go inside. Maxie suggests they figure out a way they can finesse this situation. She thought Nina told her that Willow was an ally, and let her see Wiley in Rice Plaza. Nina says, she did, but she’s afraid Willow will never let her see Wiley again. Obrecht says, why? What changed?

Sonny tells Wiley, nice toy, and Wiley says, yep. Sonny says he loves seeing Wiley having fun, and asks where he got it from. Wiley says he got it from the bag, and Willow says, Nina. Josslyn says, she dropped it off with the guards.

Outside on the phone, Michael asks if everything is set for tomorrow. Everything is in order for Nina’s preliminary hearing?… Good. That’s what he likes to hear. He gets a creepy smile on his face, and goes back inside. Carly asks what he’s doing out there; it’s freezing. Business on Christmas is not allowed. It’s their day to be together and appreciate each other. He says he’s all for that, and the doorbell rings. Josslyn leaves to get it, and Carly tells Sonny that she can’t believe how early the girls got them up, looking for Santa. He says, it started a little after five, and she says, they were able to hold them off until 6:30, thank God. Josslyn says, look who’s here, and Brando, Sasha, and Gladys walk in.

Shawn tells Alexis, it’s a beautiful tree, and she says he must feel pretty good; all settled in his new place. He says, it’s a little sparse on the furniture, but it has a great view of the harbor, and it’s an easy walk to the office. She asks where his office is, and he says, ready to be surprised? He asks for everyone’s attention, and says, Christmas isn’t over yet. He has a really great gift for Port Charles. They’re looking at the new publisher of The Invader.

Drew says he’s happy to see Scout and Danny. Scout looks so beautiful, and Danny looks so handsome in his jacket. He looks just like his dad. Danny says he really thanked Santa for this jacket, and Drew says he bets Danny is missing his dad right now. If it makes him feel any better, he wants Danny to know that his dad was an incredible hero, and so proud of him. He knows Danny loves to see the Chucks play, so maybe this summer Drew can take him to a game. Dante comes in with Rocco, and Rocco says, Danny goes with him and his dad, but Dante says, they can all take in a game together. Drew says, sounds great, and they wish each other a merry Christmas. Dante tells Rocco that they need to find his grandma to thank her for the baseball glove and cleats.

Chase ask if he said something to offend Brook, or did she not like the Christmas gift he got her? She says, the meditation app? Why would she hate that? She’s obviously someone who loves to sit still and chant ohm for hours. He says she just seemed so down in the steam room, he thought it would help, but clearly, he can’t do anything right with her right now. She tells him to stop making this about him.

Nina says she doesn’t want to push the Wiley issue on Willow, and put her in the middle. Obrecht says, Willow’s a grown woman. She allowed Nina to visit Wiley before; why wouldn’t she allow it again? Nina says, it’s not going to happen, and Maxie says, why not? Nina flashes back to Willow telling her that she overheard Nina saying she and Sonny fell in love, and she doesn’t regret it. Nina says, trust her. She can’t ask Willow for any more special favors. Willow is already doing enough for her. Obrecht says, not that she can see. It’s Christmas, and Willow hasn’t lifted a finger to help Nina see her precious grandson. She picks up her phone, and says she’s going to give that Willow a piece of her mind.

Carly says she’s glad they could make it, and asks Josslyn to help with their coats. Gladys goes to get something from the car, and Carly says she’s so glad Sasha’s here, and hugs her. Sasha says, me too, and Willow says, me three. Michael says, me four, and Willow hugs Sasha. Brando hugs Sonny, and thanks him for having them. Sonny says, no problem. They’re all in this together. Liam Mike was a beautiful boy, and right now, he’s with his Uncle Mike. Brando says, that’s what he said to him. He said…

Willow says she’s so sorry about Liam, and Sasha says, if anyone knows what it’s like, it’s Willow. Willow says, it sounds cliché, but it’s true. Someday, Sasha will be able to live with the pain, and she’ll find herself smiling again. Gladys comes in with some shopping bags, and says she hopes there’s room under the tree; she shopped. Sasha thanks Carly for opening her house up to them, and Gladys tells Sonny that she hijacked them like he asked her to. Sonny says he just wanted to help them out; distract them a little bit. It’s Sasha’s first night out of the hospital. Brando says, he didn’t realize until he saw all their faces, that this is exactly where he needed to be. He hopes Sasha feels the same. She nods, and Carly says he heard Sasha felt like she didn’t have a family. She’s wrong. Sonny says, she’s part of the family now, and Carly says, that’s right. Welcome to the family, and hugs her.

Drew looks at a scarf, and tells Scout that he loves it so much. Danny says Scout picked it out herself, and Drew says, he knows she did, because hot pink is her favorite color. Now it’s his too. He puts it on and asks Scout to help him adjust it, and Rocco comes out, telling them that grandma says there’s cake in the nook. Scout says she wants cake, and Drew says, there’s also presents under the tree in the nook. They might want to check those out too. The kids leave.

Chase asks Brook what he did now, and she says, nothing. How about doing something that will get her out of her bad mood, and make her  remember why it’s so important they’re in this fix? He says he’s all for that.

Epiphany introduces Marshall to Stephan, saying, he plays the clarinet. Portia tells Curtis, the hospital does this every Christmas, and he says, he knows. Musicians volunteer to entertain the patients. She asks if he knew his father played the clarinet, and he says, absolutely not. She says, there’s probably a lot he doesn’t know about his father, and maybe it’s not all bad.

Marshall asks what Christmas songs Epiphany likes to sing, and she says she already told him, this is not her gig. He says, he heard her, but maybe one tune? Come on. Everybody loves the lyrics to Christmas tunes. She told him that she does this to bring joy to her patients. Why not double the fun?

TJ says, Shawn bought The Invader. How? Shawn says, he’s not the owner; he’s the administrator of the non-profit that owns The Invader. TJ asks, when and how did Shawn become the administrator of a non-profit? and Shawn says he has his ways. Kristina tells him, she’d say congratulations, but she’s pretty sure his non-profit just bought themselves a boatload of problems. Molly says, The Invader’s philosophy is to exploit and embarrass anyone and everyone, but Shawn says he’s giving The Invader a new mission, to expose injustice. He’s going to make The Invader a platform to advocate for the greater good. TJ says, maybe he should have gotten Shawn a cape for Christmas, calling him, Mr. Superhero, and Shawn says he’s still got time. Molly asks if Alexis is okay with this, and Alexis asks, why wouldn’t she be? Kristina says, Shawn found his purpose, and she’s still looking for hers. Molly asks if Kristina has heard of tact. She promises Alexis will have an important role in the world again, and Kristina says, she already does; she’s their mom. They have a three-way hug. 

Nina grabs Obrecht’s phone, and says, enough; she can’t call Willow. Let it go. Obrecht says she won’t let Nina stand there missing her grandson. Give her back the phone. Maxie gets in between them, and says, stop. It’s Christmas. They need to behave. Obrecht says she’s sorry. The last thing she wants is to upset Maxie. Nina says, the same; she’s sorry. Can Obrecht not pursue this with Willow? She’ll give the phone back, but let this be the end of it. Obrecht flashes back to Scotty saying he wishes he knew something that could turn the DA’s narrative on its head, and her telling Scotty that she believes Nina and Sonny fell in love. Scotty is at the door, and says, I’m here, my dove. Maxie tells Nina that she doesn’t think he’s talking to them. Obrecht opens the door, and Scotty says, he was just working on Nina’s preliminary hearing, and Obrecht says she’s missed him since they opened their naughty gifts this morning. She needs some private time with her sweet, noble savage. She pushes him out in the hallway, and closes the door behind them. Maxie says, wow, and Nina says, no kidding. In the hallway, Scotty says, let’s go home and play, but Obrecht pushes him back and says, someone knows Sonny and Nina were in love in Nixon Falls.

In the foyer, Josslyn says she wanted to give this to Willow in private. She wrote Willow a letter to say how happy she is that Willow is a part of her family. Kristina came by this morning, and Donna and Avery are asleep upstairs after a long day of opening Christmas presents. She loves having so many sisters in her life, and that includes Willow, so she wanted Willow to know that. She hands Willow the gift, and Willow says she never had a sister, and now she knows what she’s been missing. She thanks Josslyn, and they hug.

Sasha thanks Carly for letting her into her family’s life, and for forgiving her sins. Carly says, forget about that. Sasha deserves so much happiness. She and Sonny can’t make up for what happened to Sasha and Brando, but they can do everything in their power to make things easier for them. They hug.

Brando says Sonny and Michael are amazing. They’ve both suffered losses. How do they have the room to be so generous to him and Sasha? Sonny says, because of the losses they went through, they understand his. Jason and Morgan will always be part of their lives, but they have no limit to how many people they can love, right? Michael says, grief shouldn’t always be private. It should be shared, so maybe in some small way it can be alleviated. Brando thanks them, and goes outside. Sasha excuses herself, and follows him. Outside, she puts her arms around him, and says, it’s rough; she knows. He says, it’s better with her here.

Alexis comes out with a bottle of champagne, and says, an ex-client of hers, who has apparently lived in a bubble for the last year, sent her this for Christmas. So she’s going to let them toast with the hard stuff, and she’ll stick with the soft stuff. Molly says, they can go alcohol free, and Shawn seconds that. She says she appreciates the solidarity, but that’s not the way it works in the real world. TJ says, people drink, and Alexis says, some people drink a lot, but now that she’s in the real world, she needs to get used to it. TJ says, it’s part of life, and Alexis tells Molly, see what a great domestic partner she has? Molly agrees, and Alexis says, let’s celebrate Shawn, and this beautiful Christmas night together.

Maxie asks if Nina is nervous about her preliminary hearing tomorrow, and Nina says, is it that obvious? She thought she was putting up a good front, but Maxie says she gets it. The hearing is supposed to give her and idea of how her trial is going to go, but she thought the whole point of the hearing was for Scotty to get the charges thrown out. Nina says, he’s not going to succeed. There’s too much evidence against her. She did lie to Sonny all those months, just like she lied to his family. Maxie says she’s still rooting for Nina, and Nina takes Maxie’s hands. She says she really appreciates Maxie forgiving her for letting Peter get away in Nixon Falls. Maxie says, Peter was threatening James. Nina had no choice.

Scotty says, wowza. Is Obrecht sure Willow knows about Sonny and Nina? Obrecht says, Nina is good at keeping a secret, but Nina is no match for her incredible intuitive skills. There must be a way for him to put Willow on the stand. He says, it could take a little maneuvering, but he’s not sure it’s worth the risk. She says, he wanted someone who could testify that Nina and Sonny were in love in Nixon Falls, and she gave him that person. He says, yes, but how does he know Willow will tell the truth? She’s a Corinthos, and also a Quartermaine, which is just as bad. Obrecht says she knows Willow would never do anything to hurt Michael, and Scotty says, if she lies on the stand, it could make it worse for Nina. She says, they have to try it. Otherwise, her niece has no defense. Nina will go to prison. He says, he’ll do anything for his schnitzel, and kisses her. Brook arrives with Bailey and Chase, and says, oh please.

Maxie says, you know what she’d love for Christmas? and Nina says, what? Maxie says, she wants Peter to die today, and Nina says, then the very best present will come after that. Maxie’s daughter will come home for Christmas. Brook knocks on the door, and comes in with Bailey and Chase. She says, someone wanted to wish Maxie a very merry Christmas. Maxie takes Bailey from Brook, and everyone smiles.

Willow flashes back to eavesdropping (let’s call it what it was) on Sonny and Nina in the chapel. Michael says, a candy cane for her thoughts, and she says she was thinking about how much she loves him and this family. He says he likes those thoughts, and they kiss.   

Brando tells Sasha that he’s been thinking. They created Liam by accident, during one, crazy, impulsive night. They could have gone their separate ways after that, but Liam brought them together. Now Liam is gone, and he doesn’t want to lose her too. He loves her with everything inside of him, but if he’s too painful of a reminder of Liam, he’ll walk away; no harm, no foul. He doesn’t want make their loss worse for her, but he’s hoping something good can come of their son’s short time on this planet. She says, Liam left them a legacy; he left them each other. She loves him too. They kiss.

Epiphany says, Marshall is getting on her last nerve. Okay. Let’s do O Christmas Tree. The combo plays, and Epiphany sings a jazzy version. As she sings…

Curtis and Portia come closer to the music, and Curtis nods to Marshall. He and Portia leave.

Alexis toasts to Shawn, and Shawn says, to Alexis. He wouldn’t be here with TJ and his family if not for her. Cheers.

Scout hugs Drew.

Rocco shows Dante a video game, and says, look what he got. Dante says, sweet. His old man might even be able to beat him at this.

Monica shows Danny a photo, and says, that’s his dad on a motorcycle. Danny says he wants to learn to ride that when he’s old enough. She says, he has to be very careful, and enjoy every single moment of it. That’s what his dad would want. We see the picture of Jason.

Obrecht and Scotty watch as Maxie cuddles Bailey, and Brook smiles at Chase. Nina sighs, flashing back to kissing Sonny.

Sonny and his family have cake and cookies by the Christmas tree.

Sasha and Brando put their heads together, and look up at the sky.   

Tomorrow, Josslyn tells Cameron that she’s not changing her opinion, Esme says the worst thing has happened, Victor tells Obrecht not to get in his way, and Scotty asks Sonny why he didn’t press charges.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Jen visited with Heather, and asked her about working in anti-aging. Jen said she thought about it every second of the day. In Jen’s interview, she said, if they looked like they had work done, she hasn’t done her job. There were a lot of ladies with cat faces in the OC. Jen thought Noella was condescending to her at the party, and Heather said she was sorry things had happened the way they did. She was good with Gina, but not everything was worked out. She wondered why someone wanted to hurt her family, or make Nicole look bad. We flashed back to Heather telling Terry that if Shannon can’t take accountability, they can’t move forward.

Noella met Nicole for lunch, and in Noella’s interview, she said yesterday, she was served divorce papers. Today, she doesn’t even know where he is. She told Nicole that the papers were thrown at her mother, and she needed to track husband James down regarding the credit cards and bills. Nicole said she didn’t think alcohol was always the answer, but today it was all right. Noella tried calling James right then and there, but there was no answer. Nicole said at least she wasn’t blocked, and Noella started crying, saying, she needed a hug, so Nicole gave her one. In her interview, Noella said she didn’t know what the next step was, and had never had a day in her life when she didn’t know what to do. Geez. Welcome to the real world. Nicole said he’d surface, and it would all work out. Noella said, for the first time, she needed friends to show up for her, and cried, saying, her life was falling apart.

In Shannon’s interview, she said things were finally happening for her company Real for Real. She’d hired Stella as an assistant, but didn’t know if it was a good or bad thing yet. In her interview, she whined that she’d gotten two lump sums from David, and a monthly check that didn’t cover her monthly expenses. There had been a laundry list of things not negotiated, and she might have to pay for her kids going to college. It could add up, especially if she suddenly had to be responsible for that too. It was too much to pay for everything. Again. Welcome to the real world.

Gina and Travis had a double-date for dinner with Emily and Shane. Emily was glad they were at the point where Shane could do Shane, and Gina wasn’t offended. They rehashed Heather’s party again, and Emily said she did really like Nicole. She told them about Shane’s party, and said belly dancers would be coming. Gina said she’d seen an article about James’s tax issues, and then Noella called to tell her about the divorce papers. Noella couldn’t even read them; they were in Spanish. In Emily’s interview, she said, in California, there it was automatic that finances and credit cards couldn’t be shut off. Maybe in Puerto Rico it was different, but it made no sense to cut off access to money when there was a kid. Emily asked where Gina was with Shannon, and Gina said she knew where she stood, and was setting different boundaries for their friendship. We flashed back to Shannon saying she’d gone out of her way to be kind to Gina, and Emily said she didn’t like Shannon saying they weren’t trustworthy and were manipulative. She felt that Shannon would always protect Shannon first.

Shannon took Stella to Dr. Moon, and we flashed back to some of his… unconventional treatments. Stella had hurt her back playing volleyball, and in her interview, she said she wasn’t a huge believer in holistic medicine. She was just making her mom happy. Stella asked Dr. Moon to check her emotions, and he wondered who she was angry at. In Shannon’s interview, she said she’d been in a marriage that wasn’t healthy, and her kids saw that. She didn’t want what they’d seen or been through to crowd any good in their lives. In Stella’s interview, she said she wanted her mom to be happy, but didn’t think Shannon was truly there yet. It would make her happy to see her mom thrive.

Noella visited with mom Nancy, who said the process server had been dreadful, throwing the papers at her. In Noella’s interview, she said her mom had always been the one to call her home when she was lost at sea. She refused to meet James the first year they dated, since she hadn’t thought James was good news for her. Then she became more of a mother to him than his own mother. Noella said he wasn’t their James, and she wanted to fight to keep her family intact. Nancy thought he was gone, but Noella insisted he’d wake up.

Everyone got ready for Shane’s party. Shannon and Noella video chatted, and Shannon read Heather’s text to Noella, saying, she thought it was harsh. Noella said she’d thought it was all good, and was surprised. In Shannon’s interview, she said Heather didn’t let go of a lot of things. When they first met, Shannon had to apologize over and over. We flashed back to several of those apologies, and Shannon said she’d done a lot of work to get past it, and felt like she was back at square one. Nicole and her boyfriend went to the party in a limo with Heather and Terry. In Heather’s interview, she said she had no problem with Nicole. The problem was the sh*t stirrer who started it. Nicole told Heather that Noella had called her a fake bitch, surprising Heather, who said Noella had been sweet to Max. She’d also texted after the party, and Heather had thought they were good. Nicole said she didn’t think Noella meant it, and didn’t think she remembered saying it. I wondered, then why even bring it up? but, oh yeah, screen time. I was sure Heather would remind Noella in the middle of Shane’s party, since appropriate is a Housewife’s middle name. We flashed back to the tough times when Shane was trying to pass the bar exam, and in Emily’s interview, she said it was her party and Pary’s party, as well as Shane’s party.

Heather surprised me, and instead of ambushing Noella about what she’d said, she gave Noella a gift for being nice to Max. In Heather’s interview, she said, Noella was going through a difficult time. Let’s not ruin two parties in a row. In Noella’s interview, she said she thought there was a lack of genuine connection and caring with Jen, and it put her off. Emily confronted Shannon about saying she and Gina couldn’t be trusted, and were manipulative. In Shannon’s interview, she said, from her experience, she couldn’t trust them, and we flashed back to Emily and Gina talking about John being drunk on the golf course. Emily said she didn’t like that those were the only adjectives Shannon used to describe them. She’d thought she and Shannon were friends. Shannon insisted she hadn’t said that, and Emily asked if she was saying Heather was a liar. Emily dragged Heather in, and Shannon backtracked, agreeing that she’d said they couldn’t be trusted, but not that they were manipulative. Heather insisted that was exactly what Shannon had said, and was like, talk later. But Shannon wouldn’t have it, telling Emily and Gina that she needed to have this conversation, and following Heather.

In Emily’s interview, she said she felt compassion for Noella. She and Shane had their ups and downs, and she didn’t always know what was going to happen, but she always knew it was her choice. Noella didn’t have a choice. Heather asked Emily if there was a private place for her and Shannon to talk, seeing she wasn’t going to shake Shannon, and not wanting to give the whole party an earful. Emily showed them to a beautiful little side courtyard, and they sat on a bench. Shannon said her friendship with Heather meant something, and cared about Heather and Terry. She’d never wanted to hurt Heather. What she did was wrong, but it wasn’t her. Ugh. I hate when people say that. Yes, it was you. You’re the one who did it. Shannon said she wasn’t a gossip, and I nearly choked on my coffee. Heather said she’d heard from everyone, and had a good understanding of the facts, so nothing was going to change her mind. She thought Shannon had a lapse in judgement, and was sorry if she sounded harsh, but this was how she felt. If Shannon ever came after her or her family ever again, Shannon would lose more than her friendship. It would cost a lot. She wasn’t saying it as a threat; she was saying it as a promise.

Next time, a pseudo Kentucky Derby, Jen asks if she upset Noella, Noella says Jen is thirsty, and Gina relays to Heather that Noella said to be careful of her.

🛳 Leaving Port…

Looks like it’s a new GH tomorrow, but Friday is a rerun from February 23rd. Because God forbid they should air something more appropriate for the season. Like an old Christmas episode. Bravo is airing movies, but FYI, there is a marathon of this past season (13) of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, starting at 7 am, if you’re up for that. So it looks like tomorrow will be this week’s Friday, where a mix of tea and wisdom will be served with the usual soap. Until then, stay safe, stay not being pressured into making merry if you’re not feeling it, and stay free to break traditions, and make new ones.

Dec16

December 15, 2021 – Brad’s First Day Of Freedom, Shannon’s Non-Apology Tour & Rest

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In the gym steam room, Chase says, Finn was right. He should have taken it easy, but it’s just so frustrating being on suspension. Finn is a million miles away, and Chase tells him, this is where you say, you shouldn’t have punched Valentin, Chase. Finn flashes back to Elizabeth kissing him and running out of his office, and Chase says he knows Finn has an I told you so locked and loaded. Finn asks if Chase is implying he rubs it in when Chase blows it, but Chase says, he’s implying Finn is a know-it-all. He never misses an opportunity to trash talk Chase. Something’s on his mind.

Portia sees a sign that says yoga class is canceled. Terry and Elizabeth join her. Portia says, it’s been a week since she could take a class, and now it’s canceled. Terry says she was looking forward to it too. Portia opens the door, and says, it looks like they have the room. She says, Terry is as good as Stacy, and suggests Terry teach the class. Terry asks if Portia really thinks she’s that good, and Portia tells Elizabeth to back her up, but Elizabeth is busy flashing back on kissing Finn. Terry asks if Elizabeth is up for a do-it-yourself yoga class, but Elizabeth says she doesn’t know. Portia says, Elizabeth must have gone straight to the meditation phase, and asks what Elizabeth’s mantra is.

Walking through Rice Plaza, Willow tells Michael that she still can’t believe Brad was paroled. She doesn’t understand. After hearing Michael’s statement, how are they not convinced Brad should remain in prison? He says, Celina must have more pull than he realized. She obviously got to the parole board. It was a done deal before it even began. Willow is glad he suggested Kelly’s. If they’d stayed home, Wiley must have picked up on their anger. Lord knows, they’ve had to sit on it a lot these past few weeks. They’re just going to have to figure out a way to make peace with Brad being back in Port Charles. How long before he’s released? He says, they told him within a few days. Whenever it is, Brad better never come anywhere near Wiley.

Celina and Brad walk into the MetroCourt, but Brad says he’s not really feeling this. Walking into Carly’s restaurant just after being released is not good luck. Celina tells him to hold his head high. She and Sonny have an agreement. Brad says, about him? and she says he has nothing to fear from Sonny or his family, as long as he doesn’t attempt to see Wiley. He says he knows he has no place in Wiley’s life, and doesn’t want to cause anymore grief. He’s just grateful to have a fresh start. And he’s grateful for her help in making this happen. Although he doesn’t know whether to call her Miss Wu or auntie. They’ve never spoken before yesterday, and she collected him from prison, and here they are having breakfast. She tells him, call her Aunt Celina; that’s what she is. Brad is her brother’s son. Since he was adopted, she wanted to respect his adoptive parents, but she’s always kept tabs on him. He asks why she’s reached out now, and she says, it became clear he needed help when he went to prison, so when he was released, she reached out to help him get back on his feet. She arranged for him to have a place to stay, and a job. She sees great potential in him; potential she wants to encourage – if he listens to her. Britt walks in, and Brad yells her name. They run to each other, and hug.

Kristina walks into Alexis’s house, and asks if that’s Molly in the daylight. She must be hallucinating. Molly says she’s been working a lot, but this is her first trial, and she has to be ready. Alexis says she’s so proud of Molly. She remembers her first trial and how excited she was. She worked for weeks, and she’ll have that enthusiasm again for something else when she finds that fit. Sam says she feels that rush when a case starts to come together. Maybe Alexis will come to love it as much as she does. Kristina says, Alexis is going to be a P.I.? She and Sam are going to be working together? Alexis says she’s thinking about it. It could be interesting. Kristina says, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Michael asks why Willow chose an outdoor holiday fair, when they could be inside a cozy, warm restaurant. Willow says she likes supporting the local artisans, and once she’s shopping, she won’t feel the cold. But if he’s cold, he can take off. He says he’s in no hurry, as long as he can keep his arms around her. She says, then she’ll feel guilty for enticing him to blow off work, and he says, entice away. She tells him, go; she’ll be fine. Olivia should be here any minute. He tells her to have fun shopping, and leaves. Olivia arrives, and says she’s sorry for being late, but look who she found. Brook says she just loves a holiday fair. Mind if she tags along? Olivia says, the more, the merrier, right? and Willow fake smiles.

Brad says, it’s so good to see Britt, and she asks when he got out. He says, yesterday, and asks why she wasn’t at the hearing. She says she meant to come, but there was a sensitive situation at the hospital. Very sad, actually, but she guesses her letter of support made a good impression on the parole board? He says, it made a good impression on him too, and he’s going to try to live up to those words. Celina says their table is ready, and Brad introduces his Aunt Celina to his best friend. Celina says she’s very well-aware of who Dr. Westbourne is, and Britt flashes back to Celina telling her to stay out of Brad’s life. Britt says she had an interesting conversation with Brad’s aunt the other day, and Celina says, yes, and repeats their table is ready, and she doesn’t want to keep Britt. She’s sure Britt must be very busy. Britt says she has nowhere pressing to be, especially when her best friend just got out of prison. He hugs her again, saying, he’s missed her so much. Britt looks at Celina over Brad’s shoulder.

Chase asks if Finn is with him, and Finn says he’s listening. Valentin. Who doesn’t want to punch that guy in the face? He’s wanted to punch Valentin a few times himself. Chase says he hates knowing he has six months of suspension ahead. He was just about to get out from behind the desk. Finn says, but isn’t it a really good time? Chase can spend all this time with his baby girl. Think about it. There was tension with Willow; Chase didn’t know whether he wanted kids or not. Now he and Brook have a beautiful daughter together. That’s got to be a lot to process. Chase tells Finn, stop looking for something that isn’t there. Bailey is an amazing, beautiful, precious baby, and when he holds her, he wants nothing more than to protect her with his life. Finn says, that sounds good, but it seems like when Chase talks about his feelings for his daughter, he’s holding a lot inside. If he’s having doubts about being a father, it happens to all of them. Chase can talk to him.

Alexis says, they were just looking over a missing person’s case; Todd Worth’s daughter. Sam says, actually it’s more of an estrangement than a missing person, and Molly wonders where she knows that name. Alexis says, he’s CFO of Deany (not positive on the name, but until I am) Shipping Partners. Was Sam aware? Sam says, yeah, so? and Alexis says, his company was responsible for the big oil spill in the Arctic. Molly says, Deany Shipping Partners have a horrible environmental record, and Alexis says she is kind of surprised Sam took him on as a client. Sam says, she’s working for Worth, not Deany Shipping Partners, and Alexis wonders, what if he’s looking for the whistleblower, and claiming she’s his daughter so Sam will find her? Sam asks if Alexis thinks she hasn’t vetted her client to make sure the daughter is real. She knows how to do her job. Kristina says, three minutes. Longer than she thought.

Terry says, now mountain pose, feet hip width apart; spread those toes, balance your body weight. Roll the shoulders back, and settle the moment. Portia says, something is obviously on Elizabeth’s mind. Is she sure she’s up for this? Elizabeth says she needs this; yesterday was an intense day. Terry says she can imagine, especially with Peter being brought in while she was working. Palms together, interlace the fingers. Reaching down, stretch up, and release the arms slowly to the side. Elizabeth flashes back to holding the scalpel, and says, she reacted badly. Portia says she’s so sorry. She wishes she could have been there to support Elizabeth. Terry says, her too, but Elizabeth says, Finn was very supportive and understanding. She felt like she could lean on him. Terry says, it sounds like they’re getting closer. She knew something was going on between them. Portia says, well? and Elizabeth says she kissed him.

Britt highly recommends the French toast, or the eggs benedict, with… Brad tells her, whatever she’s going to say, yes. Everything looks amazing. He’s here for all of these things. Britt tells him, watch out. He doesn’t want to ruin that beach bod he’s been working at. Has he found a place to live? Celina says, her nephew will be staying with her, and Brad says, for the time being. Britt says, how generous, and Brad says he can’t wait for Britt to catch him up on all the GH latest. Speaking of which, is Lucas seeing anyone? Celina says, it’s important for him to look forward, not backward. Who his ex-husband is seeing shouldn’t matter to him now. Britt agrees. She understands how hard it is to let go, but that’s what he should do now. Finally and completely; that means no holding out for hope. He says he knows he and Lucas are over. What he did was unforgivable. Lying to him, lying to everyone about Wiley being their son. Britt says, let it go; guilt, shame. She knows he can get through this. In time, people will forget all about what happened. Michael comes in, and stomps over to the table, asking, what the hell is Brad doing here?

Willow tells Olivia, she loves this time of year, especially now with Wiley. Olivia says she’s always loved Christmas, especially with the little ones around. She already got all the Christmas shopping done, but there’s always room for stocking stuffers. Willow says, or that special something that catches your eye. Brook asks if Willow has bought a gift for Monica yet. She’s always the hardest to shop for, but maybe if they put their heads together… Willow says she and Michael already have something for Monica, and Brook guesses she’s on her own. What about Leo? He won’t stop talking to her about octopuses, or octopi. She wants to get him a cool T-shirt or something. Willow says he talked to her about it too. Brook could try an online shop. Olivia asks what’s going on between the two of them, and Brook says, Willow hates her because of Chase. Olivia says she means Willow is upset because Brook lied about Valentin being Bailey’s father, when she was Chase’s daughter? Brook says, yes, that, and Willow says she’s still processing and Michael’s jerkface ways are rubbing off on her. She’s still coming to terms with what Brook put Valentin and Chase through; the whole family actually. Brook tells her, she said she’d get over it, and Willow says, yesterday. It’s going to take more than a day for her to work it out. She walks away, and Olivia says, Brook just had to push it. That’s why Brook is here. She knew Olivia was coming there to meet Willow. That’s why Brook practically knocked her down, waving her arms around in the parking lot. Brook says she just wants everyone to get along for Christmas, and Olivia says she wants that too; for all the holidays actually. But it seems like maybe it’s the impossible dream when you’re a Quartermaine. Brook says, Olivia’s forgiven her, and Olivia says she’s being cool in the spirit of the season. She hasn’t forgotten what Brook’s done, and Brook can’t expect everybody, Willow included, to just shrug their shoulders and say, oh well. Willow comes back, and says, they’re here to shop. She’s going to start over there. Brook suggests they get everything out in the open, but Willow tells her that she’s said everything she needs to say. Brook says there’s no room for Willow to judge her. Willow cheated on Chase while they were still married.

Alexis wants Sam to know that she thinks Sam is a competent, responsible P.I. What she does is so necessary and important. Sam says, Alexis doesn’t have to placate her. She knows she’s good at her job, and she likes what she’s doing. Alexis says, Sam’s not good; she’s terrific. She’s oversensitive, and doesn’t want Sam to wind up like her, making the wrong choice thinking she’s doing the right thing. Molly asks what she’s saying, and Alexis tells her that she just doesn’t trust her own judgement. She lost her license over Neil; what was she thinking? She gets self-destructive when things get normal; normal isn’t normal to her. Molly asks if Alexis thinks she’s the same person she was when that happened, and Alexis says she’s been through a lot, so probably no. Molly says, so chances are she wouldn’t make the same mistakes. A small child learns not to touch a hot stove after burning themselves once or twice. She’d think Alexis’s life lessons would impart wisdom. Alexis says, one would think. No matter what, she’ll never be as wise as her soon to be victorious in court daughter. Molly hugs her, and Sam says Molly is such a show-off. Molly says, who? Me?

Brad tells Michael that he got out this morning; his release was expedited. Michael asks what Celina did to leverage the parole board, but she says, she did nothing. He says, we’ll see, and turns to Brad, saying, Brad had the audacity to enter his mother’s restaurant. Celina says, Carly is co-owner of this establishment, and the two of them are friends. Brad asks if he can speak to Michael for a moment privately, and Michael says, most definitely. They leave, and Britt asks, what’s really going on here? Why is Celina using Brad to try and stick it to Carly and Sonny? Clearly, she doesn’t know who she’s messing with. Celina says she thought she made her wishes clear. Britt has no place in her nephew’s fresh start. Yet here she is, crashing their breakfast. Seems like they have a problem.

Finn says, Chase didn’t get nine months to wrap his head around being a father, but Chase says, it’s not that. He’s good with being Bailey’s father. He knows she needs him, and he wants nothing more than to be there for her. In fact, he’s honored. Finn says, that’s one way of looking at it; detached but honored is good. Chase asks if there’s anything he can say to get Finn off of this, and Finn says, okay, Mr. Sensitive, no more questions. Well, just one. When do they get to meet her? Dad and Jackie will be on a plane so fast, it will make his head spin. Chase says, that’s exactly why he’s not telling them. They’re still settling in, and the Quartermaines are a lot to handle. He promises he’ll tell his mom and dad. Finn says, what about Violet? She was talking again last night about a new baby sister; it’s her favorite subject. Chase says, really? The last time he talked to Violet, she was going on about Finn and Elizabeth, something about wishing on a wishbone at Thanksgiving. Finn asks if they weren’t talking about Bailey, but Chase says, now they’re talking about Violet, and Finn and Elizabeth. How’s that? Finn says, he doesn’t even know what to say. There was one thing. She kissed him.

Terry tells Elizabeth, that’s what she’s talking about. Go after what you want. Portia says, if that is what Elizabeth really wants, and Elizabeth says, she didn’t plan on kissing Finn; it just happened. She thinks he was as surprised as she was. Then she ran out of his office. Portia says she’s been known to make a hasty exit too, but if Elizabeth would have stayed… and Terry says, he would have kissed her back. Elizabeth says, all she could think about was getting out of there, and Portia says, she hears her, but maybe this is about more than just a kiss. Elizabeth is still wearing her wedding ring. Elizabeth says she hasn’t been able to take it off. She still loves Franco, and always will. Terry says, of course (🍷) she does. It’s perfectly understandable, and healthy. Elizabeth says, but should she be getting involved with Finn if she still feels this way?

Willow says, Brook is right. She wronged Chase. She was living a lie. Brook says, then she realizes she’s in no position to throw stones, and Willow says, her reasons for marrying and staying married to Chase were a lot more complicated, and Brook knows it. Brook says, how does Willow know hers weren’t? and Olivia says, they’re in the middle of Rice Plaza right now. Let’s just say, nobody has any room to throw stones at anybody right now. She personally feels Brook’s lie had a bigger impact on the family as whole. She may need to work a little harder to regain the family’s trust. Brook says she wishes for once she’d be the one to get the benefit of the doubt, especially since she was just doing what she thought was right for the family, and to protect Bailey. Willow asks how passing off Bailey as Valentin’s daughter could ever be the right thing to do. How is that protecting her? Brook says, Willow will never be in her shoes, so she doesn’t know what she would have done. Willow says she knows she went to jail rather than tell Shiloh where to find her son. Brook used her daughter as a bargaining chip. Brook says, never mind. They’re all right. Willow is a better person than she is. She’s just the family screw-up. Olivia says, everyone take it easy, and Willow says, she  didn’t pick this fight. Olivia suggests they take a breath and cool down. Brook walks away, and Olivia asks if Willow is still in the mood to Christmas shop. Willow says, she needs a minute, and sits by the Christmas tree. Harmony comes into the plaza, and says, hi. 

Elizabeth says, what they’re saying is true. After Franco’s funeral, she felt like she was walking in a nightmare; life didn’t feel real. Then she had to snap back for her boys, and it was off to the races. Not that she didn’t welcome it. Anything to keep her busy, and keep her from feeling the emptiness when she closed her bedroom door. She eve slept on the couch for a while, until she realized it was making Jake and Aiden sad. Terry says, she’s such a good mother, but she’s a woman with needs too. Loving and letting herself be loved is one of them. Elizabeth asks, but is it fair to get involved with Finn? and Terry says, fair to who? Elizabeth says, Finn? Franco? Herself? She doesn’t know what to feel and think right now; she’s so confused. Portia says, that’s understandable, but as long as she’s figuring it out, it’s okay to take it slow. Terry says, there’s slow, and there’s glacial, and Elizabeth says, that’s what she means. Is it fair to string Finn along while she figures it out? Portia says, Finn is a grown man, and can make his own decisions. It sounds to her like he’s decided Elizabeth is worth the wait. Elizabeth says, no matter how long? and Terry says, she’s seen the two of them together. They both light up; there’s obviously a connection. She thinks, if they’re honest with each other, and talk about their feelings and concerns, it will work out the way it’s supposed to. Elizabeth say, what if they can’t talk about their feelings and concerns? and Portia asks why she thinks that. Elizabeth says, after she kissed him, neither of them knew what to say.

Chase says he’s glad Finn and Elizabeth are moving forward; Violet must be thrilled. Finn says, Violet might be jumping ahead a few steps, and Chase says, Finn just told him that Elizabeth kissed him. Clearly, things are moving in the right direction. Finn says he doesn’t know, and Chase asks, what’s the problem? Talk to him. Finn says he has no idea what the kiss meant to Elizabeth, and Chase says, why? Does she go around kissing people all the time? Finn says, he would hope not. Of course (🍷) not. She was going through something emotional at the time, something heavy. Then afterwards, she ran away. Chase says, well, that’s not the best response, and Finn says, no it isn’t. Now he’s wondering if she just got caught up in the moment and now regrets it. Chase says, absolutely not. He’s not letting Finn do this again.

Harmony says, she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to bother Willow, but Willow says, wait. She’s not mad at Harmony. She just had a thing. It’s good to see her. Harmony says, really? She’s glad to see Willow too. She hopes Willow doesn’t mind, but she couldn’t resist getting a gift for Wiley. Willow can tell him it’s from Santa, or whatever makes her comfortable. Willow says she’s not going to pretend Harmony doesn’t exist. She wants Wiley to know his family, especially since his other grandmother won’t be anywhere around him this year.   

Kristina comes out of the kitchen, and asks what she missed. Alexis says, just a crisis of confidence. She’s all better. She tells Sam, thanks for trying to help. Clearly (WOTD) this P.I. thing isn’t a good idea. Molly says, that means she’s not busy, right? She can look over Molly’s opening statements. Alexis says, Molly doesn’t want her two cents, but Molly says she would love Alexis’s two cents; her five cents, ten cents, twenty-five cents. Sam says, stop before she makes it to a dollar, and Molly says, Alexis is the most amazing lawyer she’s ever known, and Alexis holds out her hand for the papers.

Celina says she thought Britt was an intelligent person. Was she mistaken? Britt says, not at all. She’s intelligent, and brave, loyal, and amazingly resourceful. That’s why she has no intention of abandoning her best friend. Celina says, Bradley is with his family now, who will provide for him, and Britt says, a family he’s known for 48 hours? Let’s be real. Brad barely knows Celina. Celina says, it’s time that changed.

Brad tells Michael that he doesn’t want any trouble with him or his family, and Michael says, then why have breakfast at his mother’s restaurant? Brad says, it was his Aunt Celina’s idea, not his, and Michael says, Brad’s Aunt Celina has taken quite an interest in Brad. What does she want in return? Brad says he’s not sure; he’s just glad to be out. They both know Michael’s father could have blocked his parole if he wanted to, but he didn’t. For whatever reason, Sonny’s given him a second chance. Michael says, it was a transactional arrangement between Celina and his father. Bottom line, his dad made a deal, but he didn’t. Brad gets no second chances with him

Willow asks how Harmony is doing, and Harmony says, keeping busy. She’s enjoying her work at Spring Ridge actually. Willow says, is that it? Just work?  Harmony says, what else is there? and Willow says, she gets to have a social life too. Does she have any friends? Harmony says she tends to keep to herself. Her friend group is a little limited to begin with, and after she got out of prison, and Dawn of Day dissolved, she opted to stay away from that crowd. Willow says, good decision. Still, it must have been lonely. Harmony says, don’t worry about her. She needed to focus on herself without distractions. She respected Willow’s need for space, and isn’t trying to make her feel bad. She supports the decisions Willow made for herself and Wiley. She’s sorry she overstepped and showed up at Wiley’s birthday. Willow says, they’re past that now, and Harmony says she’s glad Willow is doing so well; with Michael, and making a loving home for Wiley. It’s important that we live our truth, isn’t it? That’s what she wants to do. She wants more to life and she feels more sure of herself, so hopefully, when Willow is comfortable, Harmony would like to have a relationship with her grandson and her daughter. Does Willow think that might be possible?

Brad says he swears to Michael, if he even sees Wiley, he’ll turn around and go the other way. Michael gets in Brad’s face with his finger, and says, never speak his son’s name again, or he will end Brad. Ugh. I’m so tired of this new tough guy persona. Go back to being boring.

Michael comes back, and Britt asks, where’s Brad? He says, processing; he gave Brad a lot to think about. Britt excuses herself, and leaves. Michael tells Celina, bringing Brad to his mother’s restaurant is a sign of disrespect. She’d be wise to remember that. Celina gets up, and asks if he’s threatening her.

Portia tells Elizabeth, she remembers obsessing over a spontaneous kiss she gave Curtis. She was mortified and she bolted too. Terry says, just talk to Finn, and Elizabeth tells her, and say what? She didn’t know what to say then, and obviously doesn’t have the words now. It’s going to be so awkward the next time she sees him. Terry says she’s overthinking things. They probably both feel the same way. Portia says, Terry’s right. Curtis wanted to talk about it just as much as she did. Elizabeth asks what they said, and Portia tells her, they said what they were feeling. It’s all the what ifs and worst case scenarios rolling around in her mind that will drive her crazy. She doesn’t need yoga to be still and listen to her heart. She just has to trust what’s there. It won’t steer her wrong.

Alexis tells Molly, great job with the evidence, but don’t get too detailed; it’s just the opening. She thinks admitting the neighbor is an unreliable witness is kind of gutsy. Molly says she knows the defense is going to go after her, and she… Alexis says, no, it’s a good strategy, but maybe if Molly…  just ignored her. Molly has her own style, and she’s got this. She’s going to be great. Molly thanks her, and says, it’s good to have her back. Sam and Kristina come back in, and Sam says she seconds that. Kristina thirds it, and Sam says, if private investigation isn’t Alexis’s thing, they’ll come up with something she enjoys. Kristina says, unless Alexis wants to chill. She just got out; no rush. Sam pokes her, but she adds, maybe Alexis should just take her time. Alexis says she has an errand to run, and Sam says she thought Alexis was free this morning. Alexis says she forgot she had something to do, and could use a little fresh air. She thanks them for their help, for the food, for their love. Sam says they do love her, and support her, and they’re here for her, whatever she needs. Alexis says she loves all of them, and jets. Sam tells her sisters, they need to get a few things straight.

Chase says he gets why Finn is gun-shy after how things ended with Anna, but he’s not going to let Finn talk himself out of something potentially great with Elizabeth, for both him and Violet. Finn says, that’s exactly why he needs to be more careful this time. Violet is becoming very attached to Elizabeth. Chase says, as is Finn. That’s why the kiss rattled him so much. Finn says, it’s so confusing. Elizabeth is a really good friend, and they work well together. He doesn’t want to ruin that. Chase asks if that’s why Finn let her run out without following her, and Finn says, at first, he was in shock, and secondly, he didn’t want to push. Chase says, there’s pushing her away, and there’s letting her know he’s still interested. He deserves to be happy. Doesn’t Elizabeth make him happy? Brook walks in, and says, there Chase is. Why hasn’t he answered her texts? Chase says, because he doesn’t keep his phone on him in the steam room, and Finn says, the men’s steam room; the place she shouldn’t really be in. She says she’s seen it all before, and Finn says, that might be true with Chase, but… Never mind, he’s leaving. At the door, Finn tells Brook, Chase is a good man. Bailey is lucky to have him as a father. She never should have kept Bailey from him. Brook says, message received, over and over. His towel’s slipping. Finn leaves, and Brook tells Chase, that is exactly the problem. He asks what she’s talking about, and she says Chase needs to defend her.

Brad tells Britt, it’s true his aunt has taken a sudden interest in him. It’s kind of scary. She says his aunt is definitely used to getting her own way. When they had their little chat, Celina threatened her, telling Britt that she had to stay away from Brad. Brad asks if she’s going to listen, and she says, hmm… like she’s thinking about it, then says, of course (🍷) not.

Celina says, Michael forgets himself. There’s an agreement in place with his father. No retaliation against her nephew. Michael’s body language is aggressive, and he says, the agreement will last as long as Brad stays away from his family. Seriously, Michael is behaving like real jerk, and now has a pattern of crying before he’s hurt. Is he on drugs or something?

Olivia joins Willow and Harmony, and asks if everything is okay. Willow says she and her mom were just getting caught up. She’ll find Olivia in a minute. Olivia moves on, and Harmony says, it’s nice to hear Willow call her mom again. She reaches for her shopping bag, and says, here’s Wiley’s present, but Willow says, keep it. Maybe Harmony can give it to him herself. Harmony says, any time; she has zero plans. Willow says Harmony is going to be alone on the holiday? and Harmony says she’s fine. She’ll just be counting down the days until she sees her grandson. Willow says she’ll speak to Michael and see when they can set up a visit. Harmony thanks her, and says, Willow has given her the best present of all. Willow says, goodbye, and leaves.

Finn dashes into the hospital, and sees Elizabeth by the elevator. She says she thought he wasn’t on until this afternoon, and he says he’s not. He wanted to see her.

Sam tells her sisters, she didn’t expect mom to sign on as a partner forever. She just wanted to give her something to do. She’s floundering without a purpose. Kristina says she wishes Sam had given them a clue. She wouldn’t have opened her big mouth. Molly asks if Sam is really worried about mom, and Sam says, this is a really hard time for her, and she’s vulnerable. If they don’t help her find her way, who will?

Harmony sees Alexis, and calls to her. Alexis says she almost didn’t recognize Harmony without the florescent lighting. It’s nice to see her out in the wild. Harmony says she breaks free now and again. How is Alexis coping now that she’s back? Alexis says she’s not quite sure what to do with herself, and Harmony says she gets that. She usually dives into work, but she’s resolving to find more balance. If Alexis needs a friend, she’s available.

Brook says, do something, and Chase says, what? She says, everywhere she turns, she’s getting grief. Even Willow’s mad at her, and she gets along with everyone. He says he doesn’t know what she wants him to do; he’s supposed to be the injured party. She says, this was his idea, and he says, not all of it. She says, she’s tired of being painted as the bad guy when all she’s doing is protecting Bailey. She fans herself, and says, it’s sweltering in here. She thought he was just coming to the gym to work out. He says he was. His shoulder hurt, so he thought he’d take some steam. He asks how she found him, and she says, the attendant told her. He says, not to be a prude, but can they discuss this after he showers and changes? She says, gladly, and tries to open the door, but it doesn’t budge. She says, the door won’t open. She thinks they’re stuck in here.

Tomorrow, Olivia tells Carly, sometimes dreams do come true; TJ tells Curtis that it wasn’t his place; and Brando tells Nina, maybe Sasha is right not to give up hope.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Shannon went to get some work done on her face, and in her interview, she said, last year she’d pumped six vials of filler into her face, and still couldn’t recognize herself. Noella came along for support, but had a hard time watching needles go into Shannon’s face. Noella talked about her son, and said, his autism was a curveball they hadn’t anticipated. In her interview, she said, it wasn’t a membership she thought she’d be part of, but she was proud of their son. She told Shannon that she and her husband had a house in Puerto Rico; it was beautiful, but a nuisance on the finances. Her husband hadn’t told her that there was not one, but two, tax debt liens on it. On top of it, at first, he’d told her $2.6 million was owed, but it turned out to be $4 million. It was difficult not having trust in the marriage. Shannon said, trust was essential in any relationship. In Shannon’s interview, she said, after David’s infidelity, they’d had a day of truth where she’d asked questions she didn’t like the answers to. She thanked Noella for her support at Heather’s party. She asked if Noella had spoken to Nicole, and Noella said, what Shannon had done was something a lunch couldn’t fix.

Jen’s husband Ryne had been visiting her mom in Jackson Hole. She’d always wanted a close relationship with her mom, and never got it, but her husband did. Gina told Travis all about Heather’s party, and I wondered if he was tired of hearing about these women. In Gina’s interview, she said she didn’t like being the girlfriend since she was a grown woman with three children, but Travis wasn’t there yet. She told Shannon told Heather not to trust them, because she was trying control situation that was already f***ed up. She said Shannon had been there for her in the past, and we flashed back to Shannon helping Gina when she got the DUI. In her interview, Gina said, Shannon was taking shots at her personal integrity. Shannon was consumed with not looking like a bad person, and didn’t give a sh*t who got destroyed.

Heather visited Terry at his office, and told him Nicole called her, feeling bad that she’d ruined the party. We saw a clip of Nicole and Heather talking, and Heather said, Nicole had nothing to do with it. She was as much a victim as they were. Heather didn’t know what Shannon’s goal was, but this wasn’t cool. She said Shannon had texted her, and read the text to Terry, along with her reply. Every time he thought she was finished, and was about to say something, she continued. Shannon texted that she felt badly about the way things ended. She wanted to continue their conversation if Heather was open to it. Heather texted back, among other things, that she didn’t have time to listen to more of Shannon’s rhetoric. Shannon had passed information on that could be twisted, and could hurt Heather’s family. She’d also spread private information about Nicole that could have hurt her as well. It had all happened years ago, and was none of Shannon’s business. Shannon replied that her apology was genuine, but Heather pointed out that there had been no apology in the text. Unless Shannon took accountability, they couldn’t move forward. In Heather’s interview, she said, Shannon hadn’t liked her from the get-go, and we flashed back to that. Shannon was never wrong, it was never her fault, and she was never the problem. Heather begged to differ.

Noella and Gina had a cryotherapy session, which supposedly releases endorphins. They got into booths wearing earmuffs, mittens, socks, and little else. Noella said the cold went up her who-ha, and in her interview, she said being cold was among the top three things she hated, but she’d committed to go with her friend. When they got out, Noella demanded alcohol, and told Gina about the tax debt. She said she thought her husband should just pay it, but he was fighting her on that. Afterward, Gina called Shannon and said she was upset about what happened at Heather’s party. She thought they should sit down and figure it out.

Shane had finally passed the bar, and Emily asked if he was excited. He said, super excited, with the usual lack of enthusiasm. In Emily’s interview, she said, when Shane graduated college, he didn’t even tell his mom, and she was still pissed to this day. Annabelle was being baptized into the Mormon religion, and Emily said she needed to allow the children to follow in their father’s footsteps. She told the kids how their father hadn’t had an issue with her not being Mormon, but with the pandemic, their dad getting sick, and things being dark, she could understand how people had faith. In her interview, she said in the past, she wasn’t open to them being baptized as Mormons, but as she got older she understood how people looked to faith and religion for guidance. She wanted to have a more open view.

Noella, Nicole, and Shannon met for lunch, and Noella asked Shannon if everything was good. True to dismal form, Shannon said, not really, but it’s not important. She was sorry about what happened at Heather’s party, but wanted to explain her frame of mind. She thought it didn’t make sense that the Dubrows would be friends with someone who’d sued Terry. Nicole said, it was never the time or place to discuss someone’s medical history, never mind that the lawsuit never happened. Noella said it wasn’t a lawsuit; it was a non-suit. Nicole said, Heather and Terry hadn’t been mad about it, and she’d felt attacked by Emily. Shannon said she’d stupidly told Emily and Gina about it, but had made them promise if Nicole was the same Nicole, they wouldn’t talk about it. She took full blame, and shouldn’t have said anything. Nicole felt that Shannon was sincere and forgave her, but I’m sure she’ll be sorry for that later in the season. Noella asked if Shannon had talked to Heather, and Shannon said she’d reached out, but Heather had no interest. In her interview, Shannon took back her earlier ownership by saying, she was owning her part, but was anybody else? Maybe Nicole should have communicated that she’d sued them, and Gina was the sole destroyer of the dinner party. The bottom line, and the thing Shannon never seems to get, is that none of it is any of her business. Noella wondered how Shannon could move forward with Heather, but Shannon didn’t know.

Ryne brought Jen’s mom back with him for a visit with Jen and the grandkids. In Jen’s interview, she said her mother had been born and raised in England. She’d been strict, but now as a grandma, she was more relaxed. They talked about Jen’s father, and Jen wondered if he was proud of her. Her mother said he’d been on Jen’s team 100%. In her interview, Jen said her father had died just before she was taking the test for medical school, and it had been traumatic. He’d been riding his bike, and a motorcyclist, going the wrong way down a one-way street, hit him. He’d been the glue that kept the family together. His death brought them together briefly, but without him there to keep it that way, they fell apart. Her mother had been depressed, and Jen felt alone. It forced her to become independent very quickly.

Noella called Shannon, and said she’d been served with divorce papers from Puerto Rico. Everything was in Spanish, so she’d had to get someone to translate. His stuff was still all there, including his cars. His life was there, but he’d shut off the credit cards. In Noella’s interview, she said she was lost. She didn’t know what to do or think. It was a bad dream. She told Shannon that she’d talked to an attorney. She never thought this would be the end of her marriage, and she’d be a single mom. Their son had just been diagnosed, and her mom had recently been hospitalized. Shannon asked if there was no way to reach out.

Gina met Shannon for drinks and appetizers, and Gina said Noella had called her. She was glad she was past her own issues, and in a place where she could help someone else. In Gina’s interview, she said she could completely sympathize, since she’d been through it. It had consumed everything, and she felt like she was trapped in an effed up bubble where it was all bad. They called Noella, and asked if she wanted to join them for a well-needed cocktail, and Noella said she’d love it. Gina told Shannon that she wasn’t happy with what had happened at Heather’s party, but she didn’t want to be fighting. Shannon said it still didn’t make sense that Heather and Nicole wanted to be friends, again not grasping that, one, it’s none of her business, and two, it wasn’t really an issue to begin with. Shannon said she’d wanted to believe they had each other’s backs, and Gina said the day she’d found out her husband was having an affair, he’d brought her to the woman’s home. Everyone knew but her. Shannon wanted to focus on being right, and she didn’t care if Shannon was right. Shannon said she’d gone out of her way to be kind to Gina, and Gina said she didn’t need to go out of her way to be kind to people; she just did it. If it was that much of a burden to Shannon, she needed to reevaluate the friendship. Shannon had told Heather that she and Emily couldn’t be trusted, so why did Shannon tell them? And why was she talking sh*t about them behind their backs in the first place? Shannon said she made a mistake, and was an a-hole for doing it. No argument there, but I don’t think she quite understands what her mistake is. Gina said she could only work with what she had, but she genuinely cared about Shannon. In Gina’s interview, she said she and Shannon had recently gone to New York together, and she’d thought their friendship was on a deeper level. She felt Shannon was pulling her back to a place she didn’t want to go. Shannon said she’d been in a positive, happy place. The last thing she’d wanted was drama or anything negative. In her interview, Gina said she wanted to put this to bed and move on, but she was going to keep one eye open. She wished she had three eyes, so she could keep two open. Gina said it was out of control, and Shannon said, lesson learned. Although she was frazzled to the max, Noella showed up looking gorgeous. She said her husband shutting off the credit cards was a big no-no when she had their son. In her interview, she said she had no savings account, and no access to a line-of-credit. Her husband controlled the family finances. She wondered why this was happening, and had more questions than answers. Here’s where I stop, and say, ladies – or whoever has a partner who’s the main breadwinner – know what’s going on with your household finances, and always have your own money stashed away. I don’t care what the situation is. I have a friend whose father died, and it took her and her mother a year to figure out what was going on financially. Don’t let this happen to you. Noella told them, it wasn’t a safe place for her to be, and thanked them for being helpful. Shannon said both she and Gina had been blindsided, and Noella said, they’d been forced to sell the house in Puerto Rico, and that’s when she found out about the liens. She couldn’t understand why there was this emotional attachment to the house. They’d only owned it for seven months. Why was it a big deal? It was a weird time in her life.

Ooh. I wonder if he has another family in PR.  

Next time, Heather visits Jen, Noella’s life is falling apart, Emily has a party for Shane, Emily confronts Shannon, and Heather tells Shannon, if she ever comes after Heather’s family, Shannon will lose a lot more.  DUN-DUN-DUNN!

🗄 Closing Out the Drawer…

Tomorrow, soap of course, and seeing what fashion can be made out of barware. Until then, stay safe, stay believing you can, and stay living your truth. It’s important.

Dec11

December 10, 2021 – Peter Feels Threatened, Back Home, Rebuttal, Holiday Duo, Busy Countess, Ouch, Pulled Over, Another One, Maybe, People’s Carpet, Before His Time, Close To 10 Quotes & So It Begins

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny finds Carly working at a table in the MetroCourt, and says she left so early, he didn’t get a chance to say good morning. She says, good morning. Christmas will be there before they know it, and it’s on a Saturday, so she thinks they’ll be busier than ever. She looks at her phone, and says, what? She tells Sonny that she just got an email from her supplier, and there’s a shortage of marzipan. She has to talk to the chef; she’ll be back. She leaves, and Celina comes in. She says, Sonny’s wife certainly throws herself into her work, doesn’t she? He says, the holidays are busy, and Celina says, true. She supposes she’d fill up her days with work too, if she’d lost a good friend like Jason. She trusts Sonny is keeping himself busy too.

Peter wakes with a start in his cell, and says, who’s there? The guard tells him, take it easy. He has a visitor. Peter says, no visitors, unless there’s bullet-proof glass between them, but the guard says, relax; it’s law enforcement. Anna comes in, and asks Peter, what’s wrong? Did he have a bad dream?

Brook opens the door to Chase, and asks, what’s wrong? He says, what isn’t? He hates being suspended from work. It was one thing when he was sick, but he feels useless. She says she gets it, and she’s so sorry. He says he can’t stop thinking about the look on Willow’s face when she found out he was the father to Brook’s baby, and Brook says, just for clarification, she didn’t make him do that. It was his choice. He says it was all he could think of to protect Maxie’s secret. That’s the most important thing, right? Keeping Peter from finding out Bailey is really Louise? She asks if he’s there to face the music, even if it means Willow will never speak to him again, but he says, no. He’s there to step up. To assume the role of Bailey’s father. Everyone has to believe he’s the real deal, so he’s going to start changing diapers, and playing with Bailey, and doing what any proud papa would do.

Brando adjusts Sasha’s covers, and she wakes up and kisses his cheek. He says, good morning. She’s in a good mood this morning. She says, isn’t he? and he says he’s a little stiff from sleeping in the chair. She says she thinks it’s a small price to pay to wake up and face this day together. Can he believe it? Today is the day their baby will be coming home.

Nina asks Britt if there are any updates on Sasha’s baby, but Britt says they’re still on hold, and if she had information… Maxie says they understand; it’s confidential, family only. She can only imagine what’s going through their minds right now; hoping for the best, and worried the worst might happen. The hardest part is not knowing. Britt takes Maxie’s hand, and says she still has faith Louise is going to come home to her. Maxie thanks her, and says she has faith too. Of course (🍷) Louise might already be home if Nina had just called the police when Peter showed up in Nixon Falls. Nina says, maybe she should just go to Crimson, but Maxie says she won’t have any of that. There’s no point in second guessing anything. Choices were made. Peter will get what’s coming to him, and her baby will come home. Britt says she truly hopes so, but at what cost? and Maxie says, whatever it takes.

Willow tells Michael that Wiley was hoping daddy had some time to help pick out a Christmas tree for the gatehouse today. Michael says, maybe tomorrow, and Willow says, so he hasn’t changed his mind about appearing at Brad’s parole hearing? He says, it’s his duty as Wiley’s father. He’s going to do whatever he can to make sure Brad never comes near their son again.

Sonny tells Celina that he instructed his friend on the board to vote in favor of Brad’s parole, but she has to understand something. Michael wants to be at that hearing. He wants Brad to serve out his full sentence. So Sonny doesn’t know what guarantee she has of things going her way. She says, things might be different if Jason were around to guarantee it, but he says, Jason might not be able to influence Michael any more than he would. She says, admirable, but she has to think others might be influenced by Jason’s presence, if he was still around. She’s avoided talking about this topic out of respect. She thinks it’s in everyone’s interest if Sonny just… He asks if she’s saying they should move on, and Carly comes out. She says, move on from what?

Sasha tells Brando, it feels like she’s been counting every second for the last 71 hours and – she looks at her phone – and 42 minutes. All the stress will be worth it when Britt and the other doctors say the therapy to cool Liam’s brain worked, and the EEG confirmed it. He rubs her hand, and she puts her hand on top of his. He asks if he’s rubbing her too hard, and she says, he’s done everything right. From holding her hand to making her laugh to sending her pictures of their sweet little boy, so she can be reminded what it’s all about. She loves this one. She shows him her phone.

Willow says she knows Michael is committed to keeping Wiley safe, just like she is. That’s their first priority. He says, but? and she says, but if his dad is willing to give Brad another chance… He says, this is just a business move for his dad. Brad’s Aunt Celina is a business associate of his father’s, and he thinks she can keep Brad away from Wiley, but Michael doesn’t agree. She says, she doesn’t claim to know all the ins and outs of his dad’s business, but it doesn’t seem smart for Brad’s aunt to break her word with his dad. He says, that might have been true before, when Jason was still there, but now that he’s gone, the level of enforcement is gone. She says she knows he’s grieving for Jason, so why don’t they forget about the parole hearing today? Forget Brad, forget Nina, and forget everyone else Michael thinks he has to protect them from. Let’s enjoy today. The three of them have a chance to shop for a Christmas tree. Wiley’s old enough to really enjoy that. Let’s celebrate that. Brook and Chase walk in.

Anna says Peter looks like something scared him half to death, and he says, not something, someone. Sonny Corinthos has all but put a bullseye on his back. Anna says, it’s hard to believe there’s room for yet another target, and he says, look around. Which one of the guards is on his payroll? Even in solitary he doesn’t feel safe. Not with a Corinthos hit out on him.

Sonny tells Carly, they were just discussing Celina’s nephew’s parole hearing, and Celina says she hopes they can move forward from the mistakes in judgement Bradley made. Carly says she knows Sonny has agreed not to interfere with Brad’s parole as a favor to Celina, but her son has a mind of his own, and plans on testifying against Brad at the hearing. Celina says, these situations have a way of sorting themselves out, as her husband knows. Sonny flashes back to telling Celina that his family is best served with Peter taken care of, so see to it that it happens. Sonny says, as long as everyone keeps up his or her end of the bargain, they’re good. Celina says, consider it done, and leaves. Carly says she always liked Celina. As the only woman running one of the families, she’s tough and she’s fair, but business is business, right? He says, agreed, and she asks, exactly what bargain did she walk in on just now.

Nina goes into Sasha’s room, and says, this isn’t fair. No one should look this beautiful after a C-section. Sasha says she has her new stylist to thank for that, looking at Brando, and Nina says they’ll just have to add that to Brando’s list of talents. Georgie forgot her lunch, so Maxie had to bring it to her, but she’ll be here in a second. She asks if there’s anything Brando can’t do, and Sasha says, if there is, she hasn’t discovered it yet. Lucy walks in, and says, hello there. She comes bearing goodies she got past the nurses station. She didn’t want to face the wrath of Epiphany, but guess what? She pulls out a bag, and says, Sasha’s favorite; gummi bears. Brando says it looks like he’s literally the odd man out, so he’ll leave Sasha with her friends. Sasha says, if he sees Britt, send her in right away, and he promises. He leaves, and TJ sees him getting in the elevator.

Brook says Chase has a lot to learn. Can they believe this guy doesn’t even know the name of their diaper service? Willow says she just thinks they’re lucky to be able to afford to use one. Cloth diapers are so much better for the environment than disposable ones. Chase says he couldn’t agree more. Violet was way past the diaper stage when she came into Finn’s life. This is all new to him. Michael says, too bad he didn’t come forward as Bailey’s dad. Instead, Chase focused on making Willow feel guilty for wanting to be with him and Wiley while she was married to him. I used to not like Michael because he was boring; now I don’t like him because he’s a jerk. Chase says he didn’t come forward because he didn’t know, and Michael says, but he did know he slept with Brook around the same time she got pregnant. The fact that he didn’t ask is a pretty clear indication that he just didn’t want to know. Brook picks up the monitor, and asks if Chase heard that. Bailey really needs them. Chase says, here’s the deal. The other day when Michael and Willow rushed off to be with Sasha and Brando, it was before they could deal with this news, but they can’t keep avoiding this forever. Is there any way they can get past this?

Anna says she’s not going to deny she has some satisfaction in seeing Peter like this, but the reality is, he’s safer there than the gold in Fort Knox. He says, Sonny wants him dead, and she says, she’s sure he does; so do a lot of people. But Sonny’s hands are tied. He knows that since he got back to town, he’s been in the spotlight. Peter asks if she really expects him to believe there’s no credible threat on his life, and she says, Sonny is too smart to risk it. Trust her. Sonny knows law enforcement has been watching his every move. Still, they both know Peter has made a lot of enemies. He says, meaning what? and she says, meaning, if he wants to stay alive, he’s going to have to save himself.

Sonny says, Celina suggested it’s time they start thinking about replacing Jason, and Carly says, replace Jason? That’s impossible. He’s… Sonny says, irreplaceable. She says he knows that, and he says, Jason was like a brother to him, but like his dad always said, the graveyards are full of indispensable men, and Jason was one of them. She says she knows, and Sonny is irreplaceable. Nothing was the same, or could be the same, without him. She means that. Sonny says, she had to carry on for the family and the life they built together. Nobody understood that more than Jason, but when he came back, it threw him that they were together. It doesn’t matter, because there was a void, and Jason had to fill it. Now that he’s gone, because of how much they loved him, and how much he loved them, they have to do the same.

Lucy says, Deception has been doing absolutely great lately, and it’s largely because of Sasha’s role as the Face of Conception. The public is so excited, and everything is turning out so well. There’s a financial institution that really wants to get behind them, so – drumroll – they’re thinking of taking the company public. They’ll all get their initial investment back, not to mention, Sasha has to think about the future. Sasha says, it sounds very exciting, and she’s glad Lucy shared the news with her, but the only future that matters to her right now is lying in an incubator in the NICU.

Britt calls Dr. Fleming to confirm they can go ahead with the EEG on Liam. She says, great. Please send her the results as soon as she gets them.

In the chapel, Brando kneels, and says he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He can’t remember the last time he came to church. He certainly can’t remember the last time he made a confession. Liam has opened his heart in so many ways he never thought possible. He doesn’t know why Liam was born with so many obstacles to overcome. TJ stands in the doorway and listens, and Brando says he guesses that’s why he’s there. Until he can hold Liam in his arms, will God make sure Liam feels loved, and feels safe? Let him know that his mom and dad are here for him, and always will be, and they need him too. He crosses himself and gets up, seeing TJ.

Britt asks what brings Nina back to her office, and Nina says, she thinks there were some things they didn’t get a chance to say last night. Or more accurately, avoided saying. Britt says she was just trying to be gracious, and avoid having this conversation. Nina says, Britt is a doctor. She knows it’s not healthy to stuff those feelings deep down inside. Britt says, no, but talking about it isn’t going to change anything. So what’s the point? Nina asks if Britt doesn’t want to say it to her face; that her life could have been different if Nina had just told  the truth about Peter. Britt says, okay. Nina wants to go down that road, they’ll go down that road. Why didn’t Nina call the cops when Peter showed up in Nixon Falls?

Michael asks why Willow should make it easier for Chase. Chase wanted them to feel guilty for being in love, and the whole time he knew he’d slept with Brook. Brook says, Michael is her cousin and she loves him, but she’s not going to let him call Chase out for this. He didn’t lie about being Bailey’s father; he didn’t know because Brook deliberately kept it from him. She needed to get her ELQ shares back from Valentin, and couldn’t think of another way. So if he’s looking to blame someone, blame her. Willow says she knows how betrayed Chase felt when he learned about her and Michael, but eventually he was able to make peace with it. She’d be a hypocrite if she didn’t do the same with him. But Brook is a whole different story.

Peter asks Anna what she expects him to do now. What deal could he possibly cut? She tells him, who said anything about a deal? He has to confess. He says she can’t possibly mean that, but she says he has to own up to everything he’s done. Every single crime, and they’re not going to stop there. He’s going to give up his rights to his daughter, so that Maxie can have some peace of mind that somewhere down the line, whoever has Louise will return her. In more simple terms, he has to take his punishment, and he has to do it like a man. He asks why he’d do all of that, and she says, because if he faces up to it and stops all his endless games, maybe, just maybe, there’s something she can do for him.

Carly says no one could ever replace Sonny; Jason didn’t even try. And now, there’s no way they can replace Jason. It’s impossible. Sonny could find someone to take on Jason’s responsibilities, someone he trusts, but they’re just going to be following in Jason’s footsteps, right? Sonny can’t replace Jason, and if he thinks he can, he really did change while he was in Nixon Falls.

Lucy says she’s sorry. She thinks it was just her misguided way of taking Sasha’s mind off things for a little minute. Being a mom is tough, huh? It’s sometimes the most healing, breathtakingly beautiful thing in the world, and other times, it breaks your heart. She doesn’t talk about this too much, but she had several miscarriages, and wanted to be a mom so badly. She’s not the only woman in the world who ever had a miscarriage, but that’s why she’s so grateful, because her friend Dominique asked her to carry Serena, and also asked her to help raise Serena with Scotty. She can’t tell Sasha what that meant to her, and even though her girl is living all the way across the ocean, Serena will always be her daughter, in every way that counts. What she’s trying to say is, she knows this is overwhelming and so hard, but eventually, somehow you manage to cherish each and every moment, no matter how very, very scary. Sasha thanks her, and says she’s trying to do that; cherish every single moment.

TJ says he didn’t man to intrude. He heard Brando’s baby is in the NICU, and wanted to see if Brando was okay. There was a time they used to be friends, then stuff happened. Brando says, TJ rearranged his jaw, and TJ says he hopes they’re past that now. He saw Sasha’s friends in her room talking, and thought, if Brando needed someone to talk to… Brando says he was actually talking to someone, and TJ asks if they talked back. They laugh, and Brando says his mom wanted to be an altar boy so bad. Father Hogan would make him say ten Hail Marys and run ten laps if he made a joke like that. TJ says, his Aunt Stella would have made him wash his mouth out with soap for sure. Brando thanks TJ for making him forget for two minutes that his son’s in the NICU fighting for his life. All he can do is wait for him to win.

Nina tells Britt that Peter was blackmailing her. He said he’d hurt James. He also said he was going to tell Carly that Sonny was alive and well Nixon Falls. Britt says, and avoiding trouble with Carly was more important than making sure Peter was stopped. Nina says she thought she could do both, and Britt says, by turning to her mother instead of the police? Nina says, in retrospect, she knows what she did was wrong. She was desperate and needed someone she could trust and confide in. It was Obrecht’s idea to go after Peter, and Britt knows better than anyone else, once Obrecht gets something in her mind, there’s no stopping her. Britt says, too bad Nina didn’t think of that before she got her mother involved. Nina says she’s sorry, and Britt says, Nina does realize, she could have gotten her mother killed. Nina says she does. She loves Obrecht. At least Peter’s in prison. Britt says, Jason is dead, and Nina says Carly believes his blood is on her hands. She’s sure Britt does too.

Chase says Brook didn’t tell him because she knew how he felt about Willow. She kept silent about Bailey’s paternity so they could be together. Willow says, there’s a little more to it than that. She also did it so the Quartermaines could regain control of ELQ. Michael says, that’s what they were taught their entire lives; put the company first. Willow says, obviously, she grew up with a warped idea of what family is supposed to be. She thought other families, real families were different. Maybe not this one. Chase tells Brook that he came to see their daughter, and she suggests they go upstairs. Willow asks them to wait. She says, their kids are around the same age. They’re both Quartermaines, so they’re going to grow up together. She can’t speak for Michael, but for the kids’ sake, she promises to get past this. Brook thanks her, and says she hopes Michael can forget about it too.

Peter can’t believe Anna would suggest he give up his parental rights to Louise. That would mean giving up all hope of being a family with Maxie. Anna says, come on. That was an illusion; it died a long time ago. He says, Louise and Maxie are what keep him human. He won’t give them up. The guard says, time’s up, and Anna says, that means Peter’s arraignment is starting soon. All the pain he’s caused, all the lives he’s ruined and cut short, that isn’t good enough for him. The trouble with her is, she still believes in the justice system. If he owns what he’s done, she’ll do what she can. She leaves.

Sonny says he can’t say the time away from Carly didn’t change him. But when he came back, it wasn’t to pick up where they left off; he wanted them to get closer and just be better for their kids. She says she wants that too. It doesn’t matter what Celina Wu wants, or the people who think they know what’s best for them. They know what’s best. They know what they want. He says he wants her, and she says, she wants him; only him. No one’s here; we’re not open yet. He asks if she thinks that’s going to stop him, and kisses her.

TJ tells Brando, try not to let his imagination get the best of him. Enjoy the fact that Sasha survived a difficult birth, and she’s doing better. Focus on the positive. Brando says, the tests will also come when they come. He thanks TJ, and says he’s been trying to do that. They walk to Sasha’s room, and Brando says, when he left, Sasha’s friends had her laughing. They go in, and Sasha says, Lucy was just showing her the latest Deception baby care products. Lucy says, organic, hypo-allergenic, of course (🍷), and adorable if she does say so herself. Brando says he hates to ruin the party, but they should be hearing from the doctors soon. Lucy says, she didn’t know she’d been there that long, and hugs Sasha. She says she’s rooting for Sasha; for all of them. Then she says, bye, instead of ta, and I puzzle over this longer than I should. TJ says Brando has his number. If he has any questions with medical lingo or anything, call him. Brando says he appreciates it, and TJ leaves. Sasha says, Lucy did a terrific job of distracting her, but they can’t avoid it any longer. It’s almost time, right?

Britt says she’s not playing the blame game with Nina. Nina made choices, and so did she. She’s pretty sure if Nathan was still here, he’d probably tell her to go pay it forward, and go help Nina. Nina thanks her, saying, she sounds exactly like Jay. Britt says, if she can come back, so can Nina. Nina says, Britt will be there for her? and Britt says, Nathan wouldn’t have it any other way. Britt’s phone rings, and she says she’ll be right there. Nina asks if it’s news about Sasha’s baby.

Brook says, that went well, and Chase says, as opposed to what? A firing squad? She says, they have to take what they can get. It seems like Willow is going to give him a pass, whereas everyone thinks she’s the next Cruella de Vil. Chase says he hopes Brook knows what she’s doing is very noble, and she says, that’s not exactly a word used to describe her – ever. He says, one day, her family will know the good thing she’s done, but while Peter is still a potential threat to Maxie and Louise, they’re in this. She says, what other choice could they have made?

Michael kisses Willow, and she says she’s not complaining, but what was that for? He says he’s amazed at how generous she is, and willing to forgive. She says, let’s be clear. Forgiving Chase is one thing. Brook is a whole other story. Michael says, that’s going to be a longer road for sure, and Willow says, while they’re on the topic of forgiveness, if she forgave Chase, and hopefully soon, Brook, does he think he could find it in his heart to forgive Brad?

Peter’s breakfast is slid into the opening in the door by an inmate worker, but he says he doesn’t trust it. The guard says, fine; they’ll give it to the next inmate. It’s removed, and Peter says, wait. Bring it back. The inmate puts the tray back, and Peter takes it.

Carly says, the happiest day of her life was when Sonny came back, and Sonny says, that makes two of them. It all started with the dreams. A blonde woman in the dream; then she became a reality.

Michael says he has to feel consistent, and do what he can to keep his family safe, and that includes keeping Brad in prison and away from their son. The same rules apply to Nina. This is a black and white subject for him; there’s nothing grey about it. Willow flashes back to hearing Sonny tell Nina, that what happened in Nixon Falls has to come from him – and it will. She remembers Nina saying that the love she and Sonny shared was the purest thing she’s known in her life, and she’s so sorry, but she can never regret that. Michael says he understands how Willow can give Chase a pass, and someday forgive Brook. He also gets that she and Brad were close in the past, but he can’t help but wonder how she’s so forgiving about Nina.

Brando says he knows he and Sasha can lean on each other, but it’s nice having friends who can back them up too. Sasha says, when the doctors give them the news, they’ll deal with that. Whatever it takes to give Liam a long and happy life. Starting today. Dr. Fleming and Britt come in, but they don’t look happy. Britt closes the door.

Brook asks if Chase is ready for some diaper changing 101, and he says he’s up for the challenge. He thinks with a little practice, he could be good. He does hope for Maxie’s sake, all the lies stop soon. She says, her too, and they head upstairs. She says, it isn’t enough that Peter’s in custody. It seems that Maxie and her baby won’t be safe until Peter is dead and buried.

Sonny says the second he remembered Carly, he remembered all of it, and all he wanted to do was come home. He just wanted to be with her, his family, and his life. This is where he belongs; this is his home. Anna comes in, and says, she’s sorry to interrupt. She tells Carly that she just wanted to say how sorry she is about Jason. Carly thanks her, and tells Sonny that she has some things she needs to do. She goes behind the bar, and Celina comes in. Carly says, she’s back, and Celina says, the more she thought about it, the more she recognized that the subject of Jason might have caused a miscommunication. But it’s all about wanting to protect Carly and her family. That’s what she and Sonny both want, right?

Anna says, if Sonny wanted to put the fear of God in Peter, mission accomplished. She just came from Pentenville, so can he leave it at that, and let the law run its course? He says she gives him too much credit. Peter is behind bars 24/7, with guards. Even if he wanted to get his hands dirty, how would he do it?

Peter finishes his breakfast, and starts choking. He falls to the floor.

The inmate worker brings back empty trays, and wheels them away. We see it’s Brad.

On Monday, Stella asks TJ what’s going on with Curtis, Trina tells Portia that she doesn’t want to blow this, Epiphany tells Maxie that it’s a bad idea, and Sonny thinks Carly deserves to know the truth.

👯‍♀️ Coming Home For Two…

Kristina on GH.

Lexi Ainsworth Is Back at GENERAL HOSPITAL!

And the Christina of Christmas fame.

Christina Comes Home For Christmas on GH — Everything You Need to Know

🗣 Ingo Rebuts…

I don’t think his itchy Twitter finger helped him much.

Ingo Rademacher Opens Up About His GENERAL HOSPITAL Exit

🦚 Days On Peacock…

A look at DOOL’s Christmas movie.

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

🎄 Not a Hallmark Movie…

This actually looks intriguing. Like The Big Chill gone sideways.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cassandra-james-stars-in-a-christmas-sunset

🎤 She’s Keeping Busy…

I’m not sure which is a worse sounding project.

Luann de Lesseps Is Releasing A Rap Song Inspired By Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip
https://pagesix.com/2021/12/09/luann-de-lesseps-shares-her-ultimate-guide-to-flirting/

❗️ Long Island Real…

Gina doesn’t mince words.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/09/gina-kirschenheiter-says-braunwyn-windham-burke-sucks/

🍷 He Should Have Had a V-8…

I doubt he only had a glass of wine with dinner.

Dorit Kemsley Breaks Her Silence After Husband PK’s DUI Arrest

🎃 It Keeps On Ticking…

Yet another Halloween movie in the works, including Kyle.

Kyle Richards Returning For Another Halloween Movie, “Halloween Ends”

🏖 Make It Stop…

New, no doubt awful, people added to the already awful cast.

https://ew.com/tv/meet-the-cast-of-bravos-summer-house/

👋🏼 Lala Hints Bye-Bye…

I don’t know how much of a loss she’d be, but surprisingly, she’s been the voice of reason this time around. They probably need one of those. LVP has enough to do.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/09/lala-kent-posts-quote-after-hinting-at-vanderpump-rules-exit/

👠 Color the Carpet Red…

The best part of any awards show.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/33624/peoples-choice-awards-2021-red-carpet-fashion

🎸 Leaving the Stage…

IMO, he was the most talented of the group. He was doing music videos long before MTV was a thought. And his mother invented Liquid Paper. Micky Dolenz must be getting pretty nervous though.

https://people.com/music/monkees-star-michael-nesmith-dead-age-78/

https://people.com/music/heartbroken-micky-dolenz-pays-tribute-to-monkees-bandmate-michael-nesmith/

👩🏽‍🏫 Quotes of the Week

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. – Viktor Frankl

The best protection any woman can have is courage. – Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Vision without action is daydream. Action without vision is nightmare. – Japanese Proverb

Mistakes are part of the game. It’s how well you recover from them, that’s the mark of a great player. – Alice Cooper

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is. – Oscar Wilde

True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country. – Kurt Vonnegut

I still believe that the unexamined life is not worth living: and I know that self-delusion, in the service of no matter what small or lofty cause, is a price no writer can afford. His subject is himself and the world and it requires every ounce of stamina he can summon to attempt to look on himself and the world as they are. – James Baldwin

If you’re going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now. – Marie Osmond (Who knew she was such a philosopher?)

🏀 Dribbling Off the Court…

If you’re in a work mindset, another weekend has arrived. For those who’ve moved on from that, another seven Xs have been put on the calendar. And for those people who are already in a holiday panic, you’ve got two weeks until Christmas. No Dead are Walking for a while, so I’ll see you for a little soap, a little Deck on Monday. Until then, stay safe, stay respecting others’ personal space, and stay not second guessing anything. There’s no point.

Dec9

December 8, 2021 – Willow Confronts Nina About Sonny, It’s Sort Of Real, Heather Shuts Down Her Sushi Party & Love

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Martin picks up Laura’s plate, and she says, yummy. She can see why hummingbird cake is his mother’s favorite. She’ll have to remember to order one when she gets home. He says, maybe. Or maybe they could just order another one and have it brought here. She says she still has to get back, but he says, she still can’t. Not while there’s a threat out there. She says if she chooses to assume the risk, that’s her business, and he asks if they have to keep going over this. Does she really want him to tell Silva that she’s going to make a break for it? She says his devotion to her is astounding, and he says he is devoted; live with it. They’re stuck here, and they’re going to make the best of it. As a matter-of-fact, he has a surprise for her later.

Gladys looks through the NICU window at baby Liam, and dabs at her eyes. Carly hugs her.

Michael goes to Sasha’s room, and sees she’s sleeping. Brando dozes in a chair, but hears Michael, and wakes up. They go outside, and Michael says he didn’t want to wake Brando. Sorry he got there so late. Brando says he wasn’t sleeping, and Michael asks how he’s holding up. Sasha calls to Brando, and says she’d like to see Michael too.

Willow and Nina go into an office, and Willow says she thinks this conversation calls for privacy. Nina says, she and Sonny thought they had privacy in the chapel too, but that turned out not to be the case. Willow was there. Willow says she wishes to God she hadn’t been. She wishes she hadn’t heard a single word.

Maxie goes to Austin’s office, and asks if she can come in. He says, of course (🍷). He’s just a little surprised to see her. Is she there to tell him that he’s wrong again? She wouldn’t be wrong; he was wrong. He really shouldn’t have interfered with Brook and Valentin. He asks why she’s there if they’re not friends, and she says she doesn’t know where she is with that, but there is someone who thinks they’re friends. Maybe even more than that. He says, her ex, Peter August.

Peter dozes in the interrogation room, when Sonny comes in, slamming the door and startling him awake. Peter asks how he got in there, and Sonny laughs. He says, funny thing about Jason. Some of the cops hated him, and some of the cops liked him, but they all respected him. Peter asks if Sonny really expects him to believe the police thought Jason was an honorable man, and Sonny says he doesn’t give a damn what Peter thinks. Look around. Nobody’s there but the two of them. He killed Jason; all rules go out the window. Nobody wants to protect him, and everybody wants to see him pay. So it looks like Sonny is going to do the honors.

Silva tells fake cleaning lady that he called the management office, and it seems Nancy called in sick. She’s good to go. He’s sorry she had to wait and stay later. She says, it’s okay; she can use the overtime.

Inside, Laura says, nothing in the news about Victor Cassadine’s release. Then again, she supposes they wouldn’t tell the press. Most people don’t know him anyway, but she… Martin says, there is nothing she can do about Victor from here. She’s not leaving. It’s final. It’s too dangerous. She says, it’s not just Victor; she misses her family. He says he empathizes. He feels bad that he selfishly has her to himself. It’s not like he has anybody to miss back home like she does. They hug, and he says he’s sorry. He’s going to make sure Agent Silva gets a slice of this wonderful hummingbird cake, since he’s the one who arranged it. He opens the door, and Silva tells him to close the door and stay inside. Fake cleaning lady digs in her pseudo cleaning supplies, and Martin says he just wanted to make sure Silva got a slice of hummingbird cake. Enjoy.

Austin says he was on duty when Peter came in, so he treated him. Peter saw his name on his ID badge, and recognized him as the one who delivered her baby. Then he insinuated Austin kidnapped Louise. Maxie says, he did what? She’s so sorry. What did Austin say? He tells her that he reacted with professional detachment. Until he didn’t. Because he kind of reacted like an angry middle schooler. He stuck Peter a couple extra times with the syringe when he was drawing blood. Maxie tries not to laugh, and asks what he said about her and him, and their friendship, or lack thereof. He says he told Peter the truth. He told Peter that he’d do anything to keep him from hurting Maxie.

Sonny asks if Peter doesn’t get it. They’re all their friends. They want him gone, and he has the power to make that happen. Peter says he didn’t kill Sonny’s precious Jason, and Sonny says, Peter shot at him, and caused a cave-in, and Jason was buried in that godforsaken island. He doesn’t deserve another breath. Peter says, yet here he is – he takes a deep breath – still breathing. Sonny says, not for long. Peter says, Sonny’s not going to kill him, because if he does, his little secret is going to come out.

Carly tells Gladys, she knows it must be terrifying to see her grandson like that, and Gladys says she wasn’t prepared. She knew there were issues, but she was trying to be good about giving Brando and Sasha space. She didn’t visit. Then Brando gave her the okay, and she came straight here. He’s so little. Hooked up to all those tubes and machines. Carly says, it’s overwhelming. The first time she saw him, she was visiting with Sasha, and Brando brought Sonny there. Gladys asks if Carly heard the name they gave him – Liam – and Carly says, it’s a nice name. Gladys says, it’s not rugged, or stylish like Brando. It sounds like a character in a fairytale book. Not like Brando, one of the most fantastic movie stars in all of movie history. Carly says, Liam Neeson’s a pretty big movie star too, and Gladys says, not like Brando. She tried to offer names, but did they listen? No. Liam, it’s such a lackluster name. It must be a millennial thing. Probably Sasha’s idea.

Michael gives Sasha a giftbag, and says he got this for Liam. She thanks him, and says she loves getting gifts for Liam. She can’t wait to see him in his nursery, playing with all of them, making a mess. Maybe his cousin Wiley can show him how to play blocks. She remembers Wiley being obsessed with them, and Michael says he can’t wait to see them together. She asks if Willow is there, and he says they showed up together, but when he was talking to his parents, she must have wandered off. He’s sure she’ll be here soon.

Nina says, Willow must have misunderstood what she heard, or maybe took it out of context. She and Sonny were talking about Peter, and they were both really upset. She doesn’t know if Willow knows this, but Peter tried to kill her. He set the bar on fire when she was in there, and Sonny rushed into the burning building, and saved her life, so they had a friendship back in Nixon Falls when he didn’t know who he was. They had a bond… Can Willow just tell her what she overheard? Willow says enough to know that Nina and Sonny fell in love, and Nina doesn’t regret it, because it was the purest thing she’s ever known.

Maxie tells Austin that she appreciates chivalry, but Peter might have interpreted it as something more. He says, Peter kind of fished around about that, and he told Peter that he’d be proud to be her friend. She asks what Peter said, and Austin tells her that he thinks Peter senses he’s not in that hallowed circle, and said he’s going to do everything he can to keep it that way. She says, he threatened Austin? and he says, Peter mewled like a cornered little kitty cat, instead of yowling. What’s going on? Why is she asking him all of these questions? She says she went to see Peter, and he asks why she’d do that to herself. She says she needed to prove to herself that she could stand in front of Peter and show him that she’s not afraid of him anymore. She wanted him to know he means nothing to her; that she feels nothing for him but contempt. He says, how’d that go?

Michael says, Liam is a great name, and Brando says, Liam Mike Corbin. Michael says, Mike goes on, and Brando says, he was a helluva guy. Michael says he’ll put the gift with the rest of the collection, and Brando says they’d like to ask him something. Michael asks, what’s up? and Sasha says, it involves Willow too. She takes Brando’s hand, and says, it would mean so much to them. Brando asks if they’d do them the favor of being Liam’s godparents, and Michael says he thinks he can speak for Willow in saying, yes, absolutely. They’d be honored to be there for Liam. He and Brando hug.

Gladys tells Carly, she likes the Mike part of his name; she’s going to call him Mike. Carly suggests she let Sasha and Brando decide what they want people to call their son. Gladys says she’s not people; she’s the grandma, the one and only. She doesn’t have to share him with anybody. She bets Carly hates having to share hers with that awful Nina Reeves after what Nina did to her and Sonny. Carly says she’s just glad Wiley has a lot of people who love him, and Gladys says, depends on the people. Carly says, you know what? Liam’s going to have a big extended family. He’s going to have tons of people who love him. Gladys says she can’t wait to take him to the park, or show him off at Carly’s restaurant. Carly laughs, and Gladys says she wants to be there for his first smile, his first steps, his first word. Wouldn’t it be good if it was grandma? Carly says she bets Gladys will stop at nothing to make that happen, and Gladys says she was so young when she had Brando. She wasn’t ready for a baby, and she missed so much. She hopes she can make up for it. They look in the NICU window, and Gladys says, he looks like Brando, don’t you think? Carly says she sees both Sasha and Brando in him. Both of his parents have strong, fighting spirits.

Nina says, Willow deserves to know the truth. She was good to Nina when she didn’t have to be. Willow says, when she didn’t know the whole story. She was willing to bend the rules for Wiley, even though Carly kept pounding it into her how toxic Nina was to their family. She just didn’t realize how toxic, and my God, Sonny’s been insisting that Michael and Carly let go of their hostility toward her. Is it because they’re in love? Have they been sneaking around all this time? Are Nina and Sonny having an affair? Nina says, no, it’s not like that. Yes, they were in love, but as soon as Sonny found out who he really was, it ended. Willow says, so they had an affair in Nixon Falls? but Nina says, no, they never went that far; it never went to that level. It’s exactly what Willow heard her say; it was pure. It was just love. Willow says, and Nina’s not over it.

Sonny says, are you trying to run a bluff on me, Petah? and Peter says, look at Sonny. So calm, and cool, and collected. Nothing like Mike in Nixon Falls. Poor Mike. He was too simple to even know he was being duped by Nina. Does he remember… Can he remember how righteous he was? Telling Peter all about how he found himself in that little town. What he found for himself was a whole lot of Nina, and guess what? He recorded all of it. He has a great picture of that kiss too. It’s all on a thumb drive, safe in a vault, locked away, ready to be opened in the event of Peter’s death. So if Sonny kills him, he’s just going to breathe life into that little secret about Nina and him.

Martin says he doesn’t know how Laura does it, and she says, do what? He says, maintain a stable marriage. He never could. She asks, why not? and he says, simple. He was a terrible husband. She asks if he thinks it’s because his father was a terrible role model, and he says, possibly. Possibly it was because he was always overly attached to his mama, especially after the family went sideways. On the upside, if it wasn’t for his daddy’s philandering ways, he would be without his magnificent sister. He holds up his coffee cup, and says, to you, beautiful. They clink cups, and she says, if he’s trying to cheer her up, it’s working. He says, excellent, and she nearly does a spit-take. He asks if she’s ready for her surprise, and she wonders if it’s a new video game. He says, no. It’s something to get them in the holiday spirit with everyone’s favorite holiday classic Christmas film. He puts on the TV, and she says, not Christina Comes Home for Christmas? (I wonder, is that a real thing? See what I found below.) She can’t watch that movie; she just can’t. She’s sorry.  

Maxie tells Austin, she doesn’t believe she didn’t see through Peter until now. She used to try and protect him, change him. She’s such a fool. Austin says, he doesn’t think so. Don’t beat herself up. She’s a generous person, kind-hearted, and Peter took advantage of that. From the little time he spent with Peter, he can turn the charm on when he wants to. She asks what he means, and he says, Peter has this way of talking, like heightened language, pretty words. He does seem certain the two of them will be together someday. She says, that’s all Peter’s got; dreams and delusions. He says, Peter mentioned fate, but he doesn’t believe in fate, and told him so. She wishes he hadn’t done that. He probably made himself Peter’s newest obsession. He says he’s not worried about that, and she says, make no mistake. Peter sees him as a rival for her, and that could be dangerous for him.

Peter says, Carly won’t have to know anything about Sonny and Nina, as long as he stays alive. Sonny says, Carly will know everything, when the time is right. Peter can keep his little threats to himself. He doesn’t believe for a second Peter has anything stashed in a vault. Even if he did, does Peter think Sonny would let him hold Nixon Falls over his head? This is bigger than Nixon Falls. He took Jason away from him and his family; he terrorized Maxie. Does Peter think Sonny would let him hurt anyone else? Peter asks if Sonny is going to kill him right here in the police station, but Sonny says, no. He’s going to let Peter wait, and wonder, when he hears those footsteps approaching his cell. He’s going to think to himself, did he send somebody? Am I going to die tonight? Hopelessly obsessed with a woman who despises him, he’s never even met his daughter, and doesn’t know where she is… dead or alive. Peter jumps up, and tells Sonny, don’t say that. Don’t you dare say that to me. Sonny tells him, sit down; relax. Wherever she is, she’s better off there than with him.

Gladys tells Carly, Brando was born so healthy. She didn’t know how lucky she was. Then when he succumbed to drugs, she told everyone he was dead, instead of supporting him through it. How could she have done that to her own son? Maybe this is punishment for her being such a bad mother. Carly says, it’s not punishment. Gladys was a young mother, who probably didn’t have the support she needed, and did the best she could under the circumstances. Brando arrives, wheeling Sasha, and hugs Gladys. Gladys says she was giving them space. Their baby is gorgeous. She asks how Sasha is feeling, and Sasha says she should be up and around in a day or two. Gladys says, that’s great. Now will the two of them tell her when her sweet little grandson gets to come home?

Nina tells Willow, it doesn’t matter how she feels about Sonny. He doesn’t love her; he never did. It’s Mike who fell in love with her. Willow says, because Nina didn’t tell him who he really was; that he had a family here, missing him, grieving him. Nina says she swears she didn’t want it to happen. She fought against it. She tried leaving Nixon Falls, but it would always draw her back. When she left Port Charles, she was in such deep pain and confusion, and she found peace in Nixon Falls; a new life, a new her, and Mike was a part of that. Then Michael called, and told her that she could be part of Wiley’s life again. She thought she’d go back to Port Charles and tell the truth, but that didn’t happen. Willow says, all that time, Nina knew Sonny was alive, and never told them. She played with their son, and never said a word. Nina says she wanted to tell them about Sonny, but then Mike would call, and say he missed her or Phyllis needed support. She couldn’t turn her back on them, and went back to Nixon Falls, and there he was. Mike behind the bar, this man that was so sweet and good. He didn’t want to know who he really was. She tried to stop it, but she fell in love with him. Willow says she knows, and Nina will never regret it. But what about Carly? She understands why Nina hasn’t said anything, but why hasn’t Sonny? Nina says, because it’s over. Why would he tell her? There’s no reason to. Willow says, because they’re still sneaking around, having hushed conversations. Nina says, okay. Willow knows the truth now. What is she going to do? Is she going to tell Michael and Carly?

Carly says she’s going to find Michael, and Sasha says, he’s in her room. He was kind enough to offer to pack up the gifts, and take them to Liam’s nursery. Carly says she’ll lend him a hand, and tells them to call if they need anything. She leaves, and Gladys says, sometimes she’s not so bad. What’s the matter with her little Mikey? Brando says, he was deprived of oxygen, and there was a problem with Sasha’s placenta. No one knew what was happening until Sasha went into labor, and that’s when things turned serious for her during the delivery. Gladys says, but Sasha’s okay now, right? And what about the baby? He’s okay too, right? Aren’t they taking him home soon? Sasha leans on Brando’s arm.

Austin says Maxie doesn’t have to worry about him. Peter is under constant supervision; the PCPD, the WSB. Even if he does somehow manage to escape and come after him, Austin will just kill him, and call it self-defense. He thinks Peter has a lot of enemies. Probably someone else will do him in before it comes to that.

Sonny says, Peter really messed up this time. He has two little girls that are a delight. Thank God Peter’s daughter never has to know the horror show he is. When Sonny is playing with his little girls, and his whole family is loving him back, Peter is going to be meeting his maker. He’s going to be in his cell, alone, asking for mercy, and he ain’t gonna get it. Peter says, Sonny, of all people, feels like he’s qualified to judge him, and end his life? Sonny says he’s doing this with peace in his heart, in the name of all the people Peter has hurt and killed. Jason is at the top of that list. He wants Peter to remember that when they come for him, Sonny sent them. They’ll tell when it’s finished, and he’ll smile, and guess what? Everybody is going be so happy that Peter is done, and it’s the end, especially Maxie. They never have to think about him again. He tells Peter, have a nice life, whatever’s left of it, and leaves.

Michael tells Carly, it’s so unfair. Brando and Sasha should be laughing and having fun, planning where they’re going to put all this in Liam’s nursery, not terrified he’ll never get to play with any of it. She says, it’s hard, and she’s sure it brings up painful feelings for Michael over Jonah. He says he grieved for over a year until he got his miracle. He hopes Sasha and Brando don’t have to wait as long for theirs.

Willow tells Nina that she knows about running away and starting over. She also knows something about secrets and loss. She’s been both the recipient and perpetrator, and knows how they can fester and grow. She knows how you can feel trapped in them and by them. Nina says, that’s how she feels, but Willow says, the thing is, someone always gets hurt, and that pure love of hers was based on deceit. She kept Sonny’s identity and whereabouts a secret. Was it because Nina fell for him, and didn’t want him to leave? Nina says, not at first, but toward the end… it got kind of confusing. She knows what she did was wrong. There’s no excuse for it. Keeping Sonny away from his family caused so much pain, but why should Willow compound it by telling people what she overheard; that Nina and Sonny fell in love in Nixon Falls, when it’s over? Willow says, is it? and Nina says, yes. Sonny is with the woman he loves. He’s with his wife and his family, and she respects that. The fallout from all this has been brutal. Why make it worse for Carly and Sonny’s family? Willow asks if Nina means why make it worse for her?

Martin says he doesn’t understand. Everyone loves Christina Comes Home for Christmas; why doesn’t Laura? She says she does love it. She watches it every year. It’s part of their family Christmas tradition, and she can’t do it this year. He says, because she watches it with Doc, and she says, because it reminds her too much of home. It reminds her of her children and her grandkids, her family and friends, everything she’s missing right now. Going out Christmas shopping, the tree lighting in Rice Plaza. She can’t watch a movie where a woman is struggling to get home when she can’t get home. He says, it might be cathartic. How about they watch it tonight, have a good cry, and wake up feeling better tomorrow? She says, but they’re not going to feel better tomorrow, because Christina gets to go home. She gets her happy ending, and they’re going to be stuck there in this damn house. He says he knows that. He’s trying to make the best of the situation. She says, he’s not. She can’t take it anymore. She’s getting out of here. She gets up, and he gets up, saying, stop talking about it, dammit. Don’t do this. He’s begging her. She just has to hold on a little bit longer. She has to do the right thing, the responsible thing, and that means keeping the faith and sitting tight. This too shall pass, but not if she does something stupid. What good will it do for all those people in Port Charles who she loves and misses, who love and miss her, if she gets herself killed? She says, he’s a pretty good lawyer, and he says he has his moments. She says, she does too apparently. She’s sorry she freaked out. She wants to do the responsible thing, for him and herself, but she can’t watch that movie. He says, understood. How about if he pours her a nice glass of cognac, and she can have a nice soak in that oversized tub? She says, for about two hours? He’s totally going to watch that movie, isn’t he? He says, oh yeah, and she says, pour her a glass. She’ll give him the room. They hug.

Nina says, it’s true. If Willow shares what she overheard, that she and Sonny fell in love in Nixon Falls, it will make her bad situation even worse. Carly despises her, but Sonny loves Carly, and Carly loves Sonny. Does Willow really want to drive a wedge between that? One that doesn’t need to be there? Willow says, the secret is driving the wedge between them. Nina asks if Willow has ever heard it’s best not to confess everything to your partner that’s going to hurt them. It might even be selfish to do so, but she’s begging Willow to keep quiet. Not for her sake; she can take whatever Carly throws at her. Carly already hates her, and Michael got her arrested, and told her that he doesn’t want her to see Wiley anymore. She’s begging Willow to keep the secret. Willow doesn’t owe her anything, and she gets what Willow thinks about her, but just let her do this one good thing. Please keep it to herself. Willow says she doesn’t know what she’s going to do, but she has to go, and leaves.  

Michael tells Carly, he knows the situation is hard enough without Nina hanging around, but Carly says she’s not going to let it get to her. There are more important things. She just came from visiting little Liam. Has Michael seen him? It’s heartbreaking. Michael says he wanted to give Brando and Sasha some alone time, but Carly says, they’re not alone. He asks if Willow is with them, but she says, no, Gladys. She thought Willow was with him. The elevator opens, and Willow comes out. Michael says he told Sasha and Brando they’d bring Liam’s things to his nursery, and she says, Liam is such a beautiful name. How is he, and Sasha? Michael says, Sasha is on the mend. She and Brando are hanging in there, waiting for word on their baby’s heath. They have a long night ahead of them. Carly says they were wondering where Willow was. Nina almost comes around the corner, but ducks back, and Willow sees her.

Austin says he wanted to keep an eye on Peter, and volunteered to be his physician, but Maxie says, undo that. He says he wants to do it for her sake. There’s nothing she can say that will change his mind, so save her breath. It’s the least he can do. She asks what he means, and he says, this whole Brook baby daddy thing; he gave her a hard time. He’s not sure why she’s so invested in Bailey’s paternity, but it doesn’t matter. He’s truly sorry, and he can see now that for whatever reason she and Brook are very close. Maxie asks if they can stop talking about it, and he says, that would be great, because he’s been thinking about it a lot, and like he told her ex, he’d do anything to get back in her good graces. She says, and could he stop talking to Peter and asking questions. He asks, why? and she says, anything and everything. He says, cool, and asks if they can be friends, and she says, sure. He says, congratulations by the way, and she asks, for what? He says, facing Peter, and she says, thanks. It feels pretty good. She leaves.

Sasha says Gladys raised a terrific son. She couldn’t have gone through this alone. She can’t believe she even considered it. Being a single parent must have been hard for Gladys. She can understand why Gladys was worried that she wouldn’t be prepared. Gladys thanks her, and says, she was just telling Carly, she hopes she can make up for her mistakes with Brando with her new grandson. She doesn’t want Sasha to worry. She’s going to be around all the time to take care of their little guy. Brando says, they need to wait and see what Liam’s prognosis is. Then they’ll know when they can take him home.

Michael asks if Willow was checking her nursing schedule this whole time, and Willow says she should have known she’d get caught up in things. She should have come straight here. Michael says, she’s here now. He hopes she doesn’t mind, but Sasha and Brando asked them a big favor, and he took the liberty of answering for both of them. They want them to be Liam’s godparents, and he said yes. She says she’s glad he did. Of course (🍷) they will. He says, as their first official act, they should get the gifts to the car, and go see the baby together. Nina continues to listen in, as Carly redistributes the packages. Carly says she’s so happy they’re so supportive of Brando and Sasha. They need to be surrounded by them right now. Family’s really important. Willow says, yes, it is, and glances at Nina.  

Sonny runs into Maxie, and she says she’s so happy to see him. He asks if she’s coming from Sasha and Brando; he was just going to see them. She says, no; she’s planning on visiting tomorrow. She wanted to talk to him about Peter. He says he just saw that son of a bitch. What’s on her mind? She says, what is Sonny going to do about him? Is he going kill him?

Laura says she’s really glad she and Martin got this time to make up for the time they lost not growing up together. He says, on the other hand, they might have driven each other crazy, and she says, there’s still time. She loves him. She gives him a hug, and he says he loves her too. She goes into the other room, and he puts the movie on. There’s a knock at the door, and fake maid says she has their laundry. He opens the door, and says they were told Nancy was sick. He appreciates it. Of all the things he misses about being home, doing laundry isn’t on the list. He sits back down on the couch, and tells her to put it wherever she sees fit. Behind him, she takes a cord out of the laundry basket, and wraps it around his throat. She tightens it, and he struggles against it.

Tomorrow, Ava says, if Nikolas has anything to tell her, the time is now; Britt wonders why she feels like she’s being judged; Nina says, Jason’s death is her fault; and Carly tells Michael, they’re not on the same page right now.

🎄 She’s Coming Home…

I don’t remember this at all. You can find the episode on YouTube, but it’s in parts.

https://daytimeconfidential.com/2008/12/10/christina-comes-home-for-christmas

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Heather’s sushi party was all fabulous, and Heather introduced Nicole to everyone. In Emily’s interview, she thought it made no sense for Heather to be friends with someone who’d sued Terry. Heather had gotten a photographer, and wanted to do a group shot, which I thought was pretty odd, but she has too much money and needs to spend it. In Shannon’s interview, she said that Nicole wasn’t the Pam Anderson lookalike she’d met 16 years ago. The skimpy dress was the same, but not much else. Meow. Because the expense just kept on coming, each place setting had a personalized box, which I assume held chopsticks. Jen and Nicole literally banged a gong, and Heather asked if they should all go have a nibble, which made me cringe. In her interview, Shannon thought it was bizarre that Nicole was friends with Heather and Terry, when she’d sued Terry. God knows what happened in 16 years, but apparently quite a bit. Gina wondered how Shannon could smile to her face, and talk sh*t about her behind her back, and told Emily the lawsuit had been over an alleged (my word; left over from RHOBH’s last season) botched boob job.  Emily engaged Nicole in a conversation about boob jobs, and Nicole said hers were a long story. It had taken four and a half years for her to get where she was. Shannon found out she and Noella went to the same healer, and Terry stopped by to get screen time. In Gina’s interview, she said she felt like she was participating in something to make someone look stupid. Taking Heather aside, she explained what Shannon had told her and Emily about Nicole.  

Emily asked Shannon if she’d told Heather about Nicole, but Shannon said she wasn’t out to hurt anyone. Shannon went to talk to Heather, and saw Gina had beat her to it. In Shannon’s interview, she said she’d made them promise that if it was the same Nicole, they wouldn’t talk about it. While all that was going on outside, inside, Emily told Nicole about what Shannon had blabbed.

Gina said Shannon always made a big thing out of nothing, and Shannon said Gina had promised to keep her mouth shut. Gina said it wasn’t the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and she hadn’t known Heather when Shannon told her about Nicole. Gina split, going back inside to Emily, and Noella came out. Shannon told Noella that she didn’t trust Gina. Heather stomped around saying the show was over. Nicole explained to Emily that she’d made a mistake as a young model. Her attorneys had forced her into a lawsuit. Heather went upstairs, and told Terry that she was leaving the show, and kicking everyone out. That didn’t take long or much.

Shannon told Noella that she became loose-lipped when she drank, and thought she could trust Gina. In Shannon’s interview, she said Gina had no place talking to Heather. They’d just met, and now she was Gina’s good friend. Who TF did Gina think she was? Emily thought if Nicole and Heather were going to be friends, they should clear the air, and in Jen’s interview, she said it was the worst thing in the world to sue your doctor. They were the ones who took care of you, and no one who’d sued her or her husband would be sitting in her house. I get the last part, but it depends on the situation whether it’s the worst or not. Nicole said they’d figure it out, and she hadn’t asked Emily’s opinion, nor did she need it right. Emily told Nicole not to get in her face when she was being a friend. Nicole said she’d only known Emily for 20 minutes, and told Emily, sit down. This was the stupidest thing ever, since, as Emily pointed out, she was already sitting. Emily told her to put her anger somewhere else, and Nicole said Emily was stupid. Go eat sushi, bitch. I might want that on a bumper sticker. Then the yelling started, and Gina suggested Emily walk away. As she walked away, Emily told Nicole that she was trash. She had no education, and had never had a job. F*** you. Then she demanded Gina come with her, which Gina did. This reminded me why I don’t like these shows. It’s not even that I mind the cat fighting, but get a thesaurus, and stop ordering your friends around.

Emily wanted to leave, but Jen coaxed her back inside. Emily joked that she’d handled it well, and Gina said at least she hadn’t called anyone a sloppy chihuahua. We flashed back to Gina calling Braunwyn that. Noella got all excited to meet Heather’s daughter Max, as they were both bi-sexual. Actually, Noella seems like she’s excited about everything all the time. Gina suggested Shannon table it, and Shannon whined that Gina had made a promise.  

Heather and Terry went hunting for Nicole, found her alone, and beat the crap out of her. Not really, but Terry said Nicole had sued him, and Heather asked why Nicole hadn’t told her; they’d been friends for years. Terry said she’d had a complication, and Nicole said she hadn’t thought Terry did anything wrong. She’d been in her 20s, and pushed by her attorneys. She started crying, and Terry said it was fine; Nicole had dropped it, and it went away. In Heather’s interview, she said doctors got sued all the time, and it wasn’t a big deal. It was years ago, and Nicole was allowed a fresh start. I worked for a clinic, and she’s right about them getting sued all the time. That’s why their insurance premiums are so high, and in turn, their fees. The more you know… I was, however, confused at how insane Heather acted, and then she was practically shrugging it off. Terry suggested they hug it out, and Heather said if Nicole left, she’d be super upset. Noella said there seemed to be love and hurt feelings on both sides. Heather asked to talk to Gina and Shannon, and told Gina that people said don’t shoot the messenger, but she was going to. If it didn’t exist in her world, she didn’t know about it. Gina only knew because Shannon told her, and she thought it was sh*tty that Shannon did this. She shouldn’t have said anything. In Shannon’s interview, she said she’d been looking forward to rekindling her friendship with Heather, and she was livid. Heather walked away, and said the party was over. In her interview, she said thousands of dollars of sushi went to waste. Is it me? Who’s fault was that? I wouldn’t have shut down my sushi party for this nonsense. Not to mention, why should Nicole stay if there was going to be no dinner?

Shannon said she hoped someday Heather would know her heart. She hadn’t wanted to hurt Heather. Heather said she was disappointed. She’d honestly thought they had a chance to be real friends. Shannon insisted she was loyal and trustworthy, but Heather said Shannon wasn’t. Shannon could have given her a heads up. She told Shannon, let’s just be done.

The next day, Emily asked Heather to have lunch with her and Gina to sort things out. Shannon called Noella, who was still processing, and thanked her for being supportive. In Shannon’s interview, she said, maybe she wasn’t on an island by herself. Part of her felt horrible. She shouldn’t have said anything, but she didn’t intentionally hurt Heather. She told Noella that she hoped one day her apology would be accepted. Terry and Heather discussed the previous night’s events, and Terry said it had been more like a misunderstanding. He wondered what prompted Shannon, and Heather said, no matter what, it was none of Shannon’s business. The only thing she could come up with was that Shannon wanted to hurt them. Terry said it was like a social acid trip, whatever that meant, and maybe Shannon was harboring something from the past. We flashed back to Shannon telling everyone that Terry and Heather wanted to take the Beadors down, and Shannon screeching that everyone would know the truth. Heather told Terry that the party had cost $36K, and they hadn’t even gotten to the entrée. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, all the wrong people have the money.

Jen met her husband for lunch, and he brought the chihuahua. I love him now. In her interview, she said, when she met him, he’d been shirtless, holding a chihuahua, and that was pretty much how he always was. He was an avoider, who didn’t handle high stress well, but she thrived on it. She was looking to have more balance in her life. Emily and Shane went out to dinner for a date night, and in Emily’s interview, she said they were in a good, loving place in their marriage and not fighting. She asked him if he could believe they’d been married 13 years, and he said he thought he’d be dead by now. Emily said she did too. We flashed back to quarantine, and Shane getting covid, and Emily said there was a time she thought he wouldn’t make it. They talked about the afterlife, and Emily said she wanted the kids to feel like they had a purpose in life. She thought Shane could give them a better example, since she didn’t have roots in any kind of faith. In Emily’s interview, she said, growing up, she’d had no structure, and it felt chaotic. She thought that’s why some of the anger she felt as an adult bubbled up. She wanted her kids to have something to turn to in troubled times.

In Gina’s interview, she said she’d f***ed up Heather’s party. As they waited for Heather at the restaurant, she told Emily that she hadn’t thought what she said would have such a domino effect. Then Heather scolded her like a schoolgirl. As soon as Heather got there, Gina told her that she felt bad about messing up the party. Again, is it me? Heather messed up her own party. Heather said she understood Gina was in a difficult situation, but there was a time and place; it wasn’t good judgement. Gina said, hindsight, and told Heather about her ex bringing her to a barbecue at the home of the woman he was having an affair with. Everyone knew, and she found out later; no one had told her. So she did what she thought was the best thing. Heather said she felt bad, and had she known, she would have treated Gina differently. In Heather’s interview, she said she and Gina had connected, and it had been disappointing and confusing. Now that she had an explanation, she was ready to move on. Emily wondered what Shannon’s goal was, and Heather said, success bred contempt. She didn’t like the J-word, but couldn’t come up with anything else. She hadn’t run over Shannon’s cat. Shannon said she’d trusted Emily and Gina with the info on Nicole, but that was a lie too. Earlier, she’d told Heather that they were manipulative and not to be trusted. Which was it? Emily said, same old Shannon, and Heather said a leopard didn’t change its spots.

Next time, Gina and Noella do cryotherapy; Heather wonders about Shannon’s goal; and Gina confronts Shannon.

🐓 Moving Like Jagger…

Tomorrow, I’ll be serving soap with a side of Runway, so come join me. Until then, stay safe, stay having high ideals, and stay cultivating a strong, fighting spirit.

Dec4

Nina Runs Into Peter, Catching Up, Getting Out, Adieu, Returning, Staying, Christmas Quad, a Parade, Not So Shamazing, For Sale, a Feud, Not Funny, Up For Grabs, Brainless, Not Twelve Quotes & Boudoir

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In the elevator, Carly says Sonny is going to have to help her keep it together. She doesn’t want to cry in front of Sasha and Brando. He says, they have to help Sasha and Brando. He doesn’t want them to feel alone, and he doesn’t want her to feel alone. They get out of the elevator just as Nina turns around at the reception desk. She asks if they’re here to see Sasha and Brando; there aren’t any other visitors. Carly says, they don’t need an update, and they keep walking. Nina says, it’s just that they’re trying to tough it out, but they’re pretty fragile, so please be gentle. Carly glares at her.

Brando tucks Sasha in, and asks if she’s worried about the news about their baby, but she says she’s not worried. Is he? He says, of course (🍷) not. In fact, when the three of them get home, he’s going to buy their son his first baseball mitt. She wonders if he’s a little young to be playing catch, but Brando says, not with a name like Liam Mike. He’s strong willed, and like Mike Corbin, he’ll be able to defy the odds and live his life to the fullest. She asks if he knows what the name Brando means, but he says he doesn’t, and she says, sword or fiery torch. He says he will fight for their family with a sword or fiery torch, and she says she knows he will. He says, one day, they’ll tell their grandchildren about their heroic dad who was strong willed and defied the odds, and she says, they’re going to say they were worried for nothing and laugh at them.

Brook tells Chase, Maxie is emotionally exhausted. Not that she blames Maxie, but second guessing isn’t going to get them anywhere. They’re in this thing now; they’ve got to see it through. He says he doesn’t know. Maxie made some strong points. Brook says, she did, but they’re committed, which means they have to deal with it, especially now that Valentin is furious with her. With them, and there’s no telling what else Valentin might do. The doorbell rings, and Brook opens the door to see Valentin on the porch. Chase says, they had enough trouble the last time Valentin was there, so turn around and walk away. Anna joins Valentin, and says, no one wants any trouble. Brook asks, then what does he want?

Drew is getting some coffee at the Quartermaine’s when Maxie walks in, saying, sorry. She just wanted to get a glass of water. He turns around, and says, hi, Maxie; long time no see. She says, Drew, and he says, in the flesh. He’s not a hologram or a figment of her imagination. She says she heard he was alive. She just hadn’t processed it yet. He says, until now, and she hugs him, saying, it’s so processed.

In the hospital, Peter says he’s fine, despite Jason Morgan’s best attempt to kill him, and Austin says, he’s a lucky man. It’s good he was only shot in the arm. He might have some nerve damage, but nothing serious. Peter says, not like getting shot in the chest, right? and Austin says, no. If he was shot in the chest, he’d be in the ICU. Peter takes it Austin doesn’t believe the rumors, and Austin says he hears a lot of rumors. Which one is Peter talking about? Peter tells him, the ones that say he doesn’t have a heart, and Austin says, don’t be silly. If he didn’t have heart, he wouldn’t be alive. Peter says, how clinical of him – he looks at Austin’s ID tag – Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt. Now where does he recognize that name… Of course (🍷). Austin delivered his daughter.

Valentin says he’s not there to hurl accusations or make threats, and Brook says, why not? He did plenty of that before he moved out. Don’t tell her that he lost steam. Chase says, or maybe Valentin found out he was suspended from the force for throwing a punch at him, and came there to gloat. Valentin says he regrets that happened, and Brook asks if he regrets feeding Thanksgiving dinner to the family dog. Valentin says, not really, and Anna says, she understands that passions were running high. It was Thanksgiving; that’s what happens on family occasions. Valentin says, he’s not family, and Chase says he knows this doesn’t help, but when he started putting things together, he was totally blindsided to find out he was Bailey’s father. Valentin says, Brook used both of them, and Brook says, she had her reasons. Anna suggests they not rehash that; it’s not why they’re here. Brook asks if Valentin is there to talk ELQ business with her dad, now that he’s solidified his position as CEO, but Valentin says, no. He’s just there because he wants to say goodbye to his… to Bailey.

Maxie says, Anna told her that Drew was back, but the story was too incredible to be true. Peter faked a plane crash, and then held him captive for over two years? Drew says he wouldn’t have believed it himself if he hadn’t lived through it. Unfortunately, others weren’t so lucky. She says she still hasn’t wrapped her mind around Jason’s death. If only she could go back in time, before Peter was in their lives, when Nathan was still alive. He asks how she’d change the past. Could she stop Nathan from being killed? She says she would if she could, but she guesses at best, she would go back to before she met Peter and fell in love with him. He says, but they can’t go back in time, no matter how much they’d like to. When he was in prison, he just kept focusing on the future, holding on to that, when he’d see Scout again. She says, and Sam… Oh wow. She should just keep her big mouth shut. He says, it’s okay. He went to see them first thing, both of them. She says, Scout and Sam? How did that go? He says, Dante was with them, and she says, it’s been sort of a slow process with them. They kind of got together trying to find him. James is going to be excited to see him. He says he can’t wait, and asks how James is doing. She says, great, and he says she doesn’t have to protect his feelings. He and Sam were done long before Peter abducted him. She asks if he’s saying he’s okay with Sam and Dante, and he says he’s trying to be. It’s not like he has another choice. She says, it must have been great to see Scout, and he says, it made everything he had to do to get home absolutely worthwhile. She says she knows what he means. If she could go back in time, she doesn’t think she would, because then, she wouldn’t have Louise. He says, she found her daughter? Is Louise finally home?

Peter asks Austin to tell him about the circumstances surrounding Louise’s birth. It kills him that he wasn’t there to welcome his daughter into this world. Austin says he certainly was not. He was too busy running from the police to make it to the cabin; Austin’s cabin. And the nurse he hired to kidnap Maxie tried to induce birth. Peter put Maxie, and his own child, at great risk. Peter asks, who’s been feeding Austin all of this? and Austin says, he was there. Peter knows that. Thank God he was hiking in the woods. When he found Maxie, she was already in labor. Peter says, then Austin may have been the last person to see his daughter before she was abducted, and Austin says, it’s a possibility. Peter says, then Austin was in the right place at the right time. Austin knows what became of his daughter.

Sonny wonders if they should take turns visiting Sasha so she’s not overwhelmed, but Nina tells them, go ahead. She just got done visiting Sasha. Carly asks why Nina is still there, and Sonny says, Carly… but Nina says, it’s fine. She knows Carly is upset over the loss of Jason. Carly says, don’t say his name. Nina knows nothing about her and Jason. Carly tells Sonny that she can’t. She’s going to go see Monica. Sonny says, let him come with her, but Carly says she’s just going to go, and walks away. Sonny circles back to Nina, and says, baby’s fine? Nina says, yeah. Sasha should hear an update soon. He says, all right, and walks in toward Sasha’s room.

Sasha says, how can anything possibly be wrong with their baby; look at him. He’s adorable. It’s just that… Brando says he knows. All those tubes are hooked up to Liam, but she has to remind herself, those are making their little boy healthy. She says, yeah, like the cooling blanket, and he says, exactly, and the love of his mommy and daddy. What else does the little guy need? Britt comes in, and says she wants to introduce them to Dr. Fleming, their baby’s neonatologist. Sasha tells the doctor, she’d say it’s nice to meet her, but… Dr. Fleming says she understands, and Brando says, they were told she has news about their baby.

Anna promises Valentin isn’t there to make a scene, and Brook asks if Anna is there to vouch for him. Valentin says, Anna is his friend. This isn’t easy for him. Chase says, of course (🍷) this isn’t easy. None of this is easy. Anna says, especially for Valentin. Brook allowed him, in fact encouraged him, to fall in love with her little girl, knowing he wasn’t her father. Does she expect him to just throw a switch and not love her any longer? Chase says, nobody’s thinking that, but first, Valentin showed up mad as hell, lashing out at Brook in the most hurtful way imaginable, and now he’s here asking for her understanding? What does he want her to believe? Brook feels guilty enough. How much longer is he going to pile it on? Valentin says, he’s not there to pile on any more guilt. That’s not why he’s there. Chase asks if he wants closure with Bailey, but Valentin says he doesn’t believe in closure. Do they think just because he says goodbye, he’ll stop loving her? Chase asks, then why is he here? and Anna says it’s her fault. She insisted he needed to do this. Valentin says, no. Nobody makes him do anything he doesn’t want to do. Bailey is far too young to understand any of this. He hasn’t told Charlotte that she doesn’t have a sister, and he isn’t going to be able to do that until he says goodbye to Bailey. Brook stomps off, and Chase follows her. Valentin tells Anna, he knew this was how she was going to react. She’s not going to let him see Bailey.

Maxie tells Drew, Louise isn’t back yet. She’s just holding out hope that she will be. He asks if there are any breaks in the case, and she says she’s just hoping now that Peter is in custody, whoever has taken Louise will feel it’s safe to bring her back. He says, so she thinks someone took Louise to protect her from Peter? and she says, he thinks she’s deluding herself, doesn’t he? He says, no. He thinks she wants her little girl back more than anything in the world, and if he could make that happen, he would. She thanks him, and says, but she knows in her heart that Louise will be home one day, and it will make all of this worth it. He says, all of what? and she says, things she had to do because of Peter. Things she never thought she’d be forced to do. He says he knows what she means.

Austin says, even if he did know where Louise was – and he doesn’t – Peter is the last person he would tell. Make a fist. That way he can draw blood. This won’t hurt a bit. He plunges the syringe into Peter’s arm, Peter jumps, and I laaaugh. Austin says, oh, goodness me. He’s so sorry; he seems to have missed the vein. He’ll just try that one more time. He does it again, Peter jumps again, and Austin says, oh yeah, there we go. Success. Sorry about that. Normally, he’s not so clumsy. I officially love Austin. Peter says, he’s enjoying this, isn’t he? and Austin says, absolutely. He loves his job, always. Peter says, and that Hippocratic Oath he took to be a doctor? and Austin says, yeah, right, do no harm. It’s sticky though. That’s the question; who gets harmed and who does not? Peter says he supposes it’s the patients who aren’t to be harmed, but he couldn’t tell by the way Austin just stuck him. Austin says, that’s his point. Maxie is also his patient, so do no harm should apply to her as well. Peter asks, and what is Maxie to Austin?

On the phone, Carly says, she went by Monica’s office, but she wasn’t there. She wanted to talk to Monica in person, but it’s probably better it’s on voicemail; she can just hang up if she wants. Carly really hopes she doesn’t. She’s so sorry about Jason. She’s so sorry Monica has to grieve him all over again. He was Carly’s best friend, but he was Monica’s son, and Carly knows what that kind of pain feels like. In all the years of squabbling and fighting, she doesn’t know if she ever thanked Monica for Jason, for the incredible human being he was. He loved Monica so much. Carly knows Monica knows that, but she thought Monica might want to hear it. That’s all. She hangs up, and we see Nina sitting alone on a bench elsewhere at GH.

Sasha asks Dr. Fleming if it’s about Liam’s hypothermia therapy. Is it working? Brando asks if Liam can come home soon, and the doctor’s phone beeps. She says she’s sorry; there’s an emergency in the NICU. Not their baby. Britt says, it’s okay; she’s got this. Dr. Fleming leaves, and Britt says, getting back to their question, hypothermia therapy can take up to 72 hours, as they know. They still need to give the baby’s brain time to cool. What Dr. Fleming wanted to tell them was, the EEG has been scheduled. Sasha says, then what happens? but Britt says they won’t know until they get the results. But they have an entire team dedicated to caring for Liam, and she’ll be the liaison between them and Brando and Sasha. Brando asks what they can do to help, and Britt says, just keep doing what they’re doing, sending a lot of love to that beautiful baby boy, and let the team at GH give him the best possible care. Sasha says, the waiting is so excruciating, and Britt says she knows, but they have to take it a day at a time. Let the therapy run its course. In the meantime, their baby needs them to take care of themselves. Brando tells Sasha, Liam’s strong, but they have to be stronger, and she says, they will be.

Maxie says she knows this is going to sound ridiculous, but she kind of envies Drew. He’s not sure why, and she says, he got the chance to confront Peter. Drew let Peter take his best shot, and he survived. He actually came out on top. He says, at the cost of Jason’s life, and she says she knows. She hates that part, but at least Peter doesn’t have power over Drew anymore. She’d give anything to take away Peter’s power to frighten her. Drew says, when Scout and Danny would have a bad dream, he’d tell them, look under the bed, look in the closet, and when you see nothing but dustballs and clothes, you’ll know that the boogie man has no power over you anymore.

Peter says, do tell. Just how friendly is Austin with the mother of his child? Austin says, Maxie has a lot of friends. He’d be happy to be one of them. Peter says, but he’s not? He suggests Austin keep it that way. Austin asks if that’s a threat, but Peter lifts his hands, showing he’s cuffed to the bed, and says he’s clearly in no position to threaten anyone. But he is a born romantic, and does believe the fates will conspire to reunite his family. Austin says he doesn’t believe in fate, but Peter says he does. Sometimes fate needs a helping hand. Austin smiles, and starts to walk out, and Peter says, bye-bye. Such fun meeting him today.

Carly is looking at a picture of her and Jason on her phone, when Britt comes by. Carly calls her over, and says, Sonny is around here somewhere. They just came to see Sasha. Britt says she just came from Sasha’s room, and Carly asks how she is. Britt says, she’s good; strong. She’s sure Sasha would love to see Carly. Carly says, maybe in a few minutes, heaves a sigh, and sits. Britt is about to go to the desk, but turns back, and sits next to Carly, asking her how she is. Carly says, she just went to say fine, and kind of laughs. She says she came here to support Sasha and Brando, but it’s not like there’s anything she can do for them. Just like she can’t do anything for Jason. How is she? She’s sad, and scared. She doesn’t know what the rest of her life looks like without him. Britt says Carly will figure it out. Know how she knows? Jason told her. He had complete faith in Carly, and she knows Jason doesn’t say things just to be nice. He said it because he believed it; that Carly is strong enough to get through anything. Carly says, she was, when she had Jason to back her up. She didn’t have to be good enough or strong enough for Jason. She could just be her. That’s an amazing feeling, to have someone you can count on no matter what. Jason gave her that feeling. Now he’s gone. She knows how grief works, and the only way out is through. Then someday, when she says she’s fine, she’ll mean it. Britt says, right now, Carly can’t even imagine that day, and Carly says, no. Britt says, her neither; it sounds ridiculous. Carly says, it doesn’t; not to her. She tells Britt to take care of herself, and gets up to go to Sasha’s room.

Chase comes back, and tells Valentin, he’s sorry. Brook wanted to be alone. Valentin says he did warn Chase that honor is in short supply in this house, and so is compassion. If he were Chase, he’d take that beautiful daughter and go far, far away before Brook turns her into a Quartermaine. He tells Anna, let’s go, but Brook says, not yet, walking in with Bailey. Someone misses him very much. She gives Bailey to Valentin, and both Valentin and the baby smile. Chase thinks maybe they should give Valentin some privacy, but Valentin says, that’s not necessary. He and Bailey have no secrets, unlike others in this house. He tells Bailey that she’s a beautiful girl. He has to go, and they may never see one another again. At least not for a long, long time. But he wanted to say goodbye, and he doesn’t know how to find the strength to do that. So what shall they call this? He kisses Bailey’s head.

Carly sees Sonny in the hallway, and asks if he’s been in to see Sasha, but he says he was waiting for her. She thanks him, and says she’s ready. He says, let’s do this, and takes her hand. Brando asks if he can get Sasha anything, but she says, the only thing she needs is for their baby to get healthy, and she knows he will. No child made by a sword and defender of man can be otherwise. He says, Sasha means defender of man? and she says she looked it up when she looked up Brando. He says, strong willed son, daddy is a sword, and mommy defends them both. They’re quite the family. She says, family. She can’t tell him how good that sounds. Family, people she can lean on. Brando says, when she’s scared, and vulnerable, and she says, she’s not the Face of Deception. He says, he’s her family, she’s his family, and Liam’s their family. She says, small… and he says, but plenty big in heart. There’s a knock at the door, and Carly and Sonny come in. Carly says, rumor has it they’re up for visitors, and Sasha says, the more, the merrier. Carly hugs her, and Sonny hugs Brando. Sonny tells Brando, they have his and Sasha’s back. If they need anything, just ask.

Austin sees Britt, and says he just met her brother. She says, he’s not a brother to her; they share a father. Austin says Peter is his patient now, and Britt asks if he wants to be taken off the case, but he says, not at all. He wants to keep on it.

Peter is wheeled down the hall, accompanied by two officers, and he says, how about if he passes on that CT scan? He’s been feeling claustrophobic since that tunnel fell on him. No? All right. In that case, he’ll take a very large muscle relaxant. At the other end of the hall, the elevator doors open, and Nina comes out on the phone. She says she’s running late, and probably won’t make it to the office. She turns to get back in the elevator, but the doors have just closed. Peter is being wheeled toward her, and says, Nina Reeves. Look at her. Still alive and well. It looks like they’re both extra hard to kill.

Valentin shows Bailey a tiny stuffed bear, and says, this is the oldest thing he has. It was his, and got him through some tough nights. He wants her to have it. Drew and Maxie stand quietly just outside the door, and Valentin says, and one day, Bailey will ask her mommy and  daddy where it came from, and they’ll have to tell her it came from someone that loved her so much.

Carly says, they came to cheer Sasha and Brando up, not make them emotional. Brando tells her, they were just saying how important it is to have family to lean on, and Carly says, it is, and Sasha and Brando have them. And they have each other. She and Sonny know how terrifying it is waiting to hear about your baby’s health. Sasha says, Brando told her that Donna had spina bifida. They must have been scared out of their minds. Sonny says, that’s an understatement, and Brando asks how they got through it. Sonny says, they leaned heavily on each other, and Carly says, when she was scared, Sonny let her be scared. He really was strong for her. Sonny says, and she was for him. Carly says, frightening as it was, it brought them closer together, and Sonny says, he’s sure it’s doing the same for them, right? Sasha says she’s sorry they missed Thanksgiving. It must have been wonderful having everyone together. Sonny says, next year, all three of them are coming, and Brando says, they look forward to it. Carly asks if they’ve named their son yet, and Brando says, Liam Mike, short for Michael, after the man who was so good to him when he was growing up. Sonny says his dad would have been very honored, and Brando asks if Sonny wants to see him. Sonny says he’s been waiting for Brando to ask, and they leave. Sasha says, Brando wants to be so strong for her, and Carly takes her hand.

Maxie jets, and Drew follows. Chase tells Brook, he knows Valentin said otherwise, but let’s give him some privacy. Valentin asks Anna not to go, and she stay’s behind. She tells Bailey, it’s quite a little gift Valentin is giving her, and tells Valentin, so beautiful. Outside, Drew asks Maxie, what’s wrong? and she says, it upsets her to see someone separated from a child they love. Brook says, it couldn’t be helped, and Chase tells Drew, Valentin thought he was Bailey’s father, and Drew says, and Chase is; Monica told him. He knows Valentin and the Quartermaines have had their issues, but he might not be there if not for Valentin, Anna, and his brother Jason, may he rest in peace. Maxie quickly walks away.  

Britt asks if Austin feels this loyalty to all the mothers of the babies he’s delivered, and he says, given the circumstances of Louise’s birth, and her bizarre disappearance, can she blame him? She says, maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep an eye on Peter, and he says, right. Your enemy’s enemy and all that. She says he has a peculiar habit of being around when things go wrong, whether it’s Maxie giving birth in the woods, or Peter showing up at GH, and he says, and when she loses a dear friend? He doesn’t think things could get much worse, so let’s hope they get better soon.

Nina asks why Peter is here. Why isn’t he locked up in Pentenville? Peter says, she didn’t hear about Jason nearly killing. Because of Jason, he requires medical attention. Nina says, what a shame. Too bad his aim wasn’t better. Peter tells the officers that he and Nina are practically family, and they know how family squabbles can get. Tell him, did her friend Mike finally fly to her rescue, or what? She gets down so they’re face to face, and says, you son of a bitch. There’s a place in hell reserved just for you. He says, people keep telling him that, but he ventures to think she’ll beat him there.

Sasha tells Carly, she made a vow; no more waterworks. Her baby and Brando need her. Carly says, Liam and Brando need her to be healthy, which means she needs to rest. And like it or not, it means doing what the nurses tell her. Sasha says, Epiphany and Elizabeth are having great fun bossing her around, and Carly laughs, saying, she bets. She knows it’s not the experience Sasha looked for, but it sounds like she’ll be able to go home soon. Sasha says, and they’re taking Liam Mike with them. Carly says she likes the name. She kisses Sasha’s forehead, and says she’s going to go, and let Sasha rest. Sasha thanks Carly for being a good friend to her, and Carly says, her pleasure. She’s always here for Sasha. Always. She leaves, and Sasha picks up her and looks at Liam’s picture. She says, you hear that, Liam. You will be coming home with us.

Brando tells Sonny, the tubes feed Liam, and he has a special blanket to cool him down, to help his brain recover from the lack of oxygen. Sonny says, it sounds backwards, and Brando laughs, saying, you’d think it was to keep him warm, but it’s the opposite. Sonny says, you’re never more raw and vulnerable as when you become a father, and Brando asks how Sonny does it. How does he handle the constant fear? Sonny says, you just don’t let it dominate your life. He always pictures Donna’s smile, Avery’s laugh. Kristina, Michael, and Dante are all grown up, but he still worries about them. He’s not Josslyn’s biological father, but he considers her his daughter; he’s her dad. One thing he’s learned about raising kids is, you have absolutely no control. Brando says, that’s a lesson that’s tough for him to learn, but Sonny says, Brando did a great job. He gave his son a great name; Liam Mike. A little Irish charm; his dad’s fighting spirit. Brando asks what makes Sonny sure Liam’s got it, and Sonny says, what makes him think Liam’s not a quitter? Because it runs in the family.

Britt says she has the feeling Austin doesn’t want to keep tabs on Peter out of some professional interest. Austin says he is concerned about Maxie’s physical and emotional well-being, especially now that he’s met the father of her child. Britt says, no one is underestimating the harm Peter is capable of causing, but he’s under guard 24/7, and once he’s released from the hospital, he’ll be locked away for the rest of his unnatural life. Austin says, maybe, but after spending even just a little time with him, he doesn’t sound like a guy who’s giving up on getting his family back. He sounds like a high stakes poker player who’s very pleased with himself because he still has an ace up his sleeve.

Valentin walks into the foyer with Bailey, and tells her, in France, they say, au revoir, mon cheri, which means, until we meet again. Au revoir, mon cheri. He tries not to cry, and gives Bailey to Brook. He and Anna leave, and Brook sighs. Outside, Valentin cries, and Anna holds him. She asks, it’s done. Is he okay? She takes his face in her hands, and says, ready to go? He nods.

Maxie grabs her coat and bag, and says, too many lies, too many hearts broken and lives destroyed. This has to stop. She walks out.

Nina asks the guards if she and Peter could have a second. He’s not going to go anywhere; please? Peter tells them, he’ll be fine. They can go. They leave (highly unlikely IRL), and Nina leans down again, and asks what Peter is intending. He says, me? and she says, yeah, you. He says he doesn’t have to lift a finger. She sealed her own fate in beautiful Nixon Falls when she fell in love with another woman’s husband, and not just any woman, the feisty Carly Corinthos. Frankly, he’s surprised to see Nina in town. He would have thought Carly had run her out of town on a rail by now, right after tarring and feathering her first of course (🍷)… or doesn’t she know. Nina gets up to see Carly standing behind Peter. Rut-roh.

On Monday, Chase says there’s something someone needs to know, Laura wants out of the safe house now, Sonny sees why Britt was special to Jason, and Peter tells Nina to let Carly be the judge of that.

🩰 She Knows Him…

I did know she had a dance background, but didn’t know about Cats.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/finola-hughes-catches-up-with-lionel-richie

🏚 She Wants Out Now…

Laura returns to the Port Charles canvas.

Genie Francis Returns to GENERAL HOSPITAL!

🥀 What a Dahl…

Another farewell. I’d forgotten she was Lorenzo Lamas’s mom.

https://people.com/movies/arlene-dahl-actress-turned-beauty-mogul-dead-at-96/

👸🏼 The Princess Returns…

Mac’s better half is home for the holidays.

Kristina Wagner is Returning to GENERAL HOSPITAL!

⚖️ Oh No She Isn’t…

I hadn’t heard this rumor, but I’m glad it’s not true.

Is Diane Leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL? — Carolyn Hennesy Speaks Out!

📽 Four’s Not a Crowd…

It must have been like old GH home week on this set.

Catch Four GENERAL HOSPITAL Stars in Most Wanted Santa!

🥁 Soaping the Season…

A good time for a worthy cause.

Soap Stars Shine in the Hollywood Christmas Parade!

🏔 She’s Too Good…

Ugh. This woman. She’s like the fly in the Salt Lake ointment.

https://pagesix.com/video/rhoslc-recap-jen-shah-says-she-helps-too-many-people/
https://pagesix.com/2021/11/22/jen-shahs-assistant-pleads-guilty-in-telemarketing-scam/

📿 Housewife Side Hustle…

Garcelle sells her glitzy wares.

https://pagesix.com/2021/11/25/garcelle-beauvais-glitzy-jewelry-line-is-on-sale-for-black-friday/

🧨 Already It Starts…

And one of them isn’t even on the show.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/02/heather-dubrow-has-no-regrets-about-calling-kelly-dodd-trash/
https://pagesix.com/2021/12/01/kelly-dodd-responds-to-heather-dubrow-calling-her-pathetic/

🃏 I Resemble That…

Eboni did not find it a laughing matter.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/02/rhony-star-eboni-k-williams-storms-the-stage-at-comedy-show/

😭 Boo-Hoo-Hoo…

Attention ladies, Juicy Joe is once again available.

Joe Giudice Confirms Split From Girlfriend Daniela Fittipaldi: ‘I’m Just Doing My Thing’

📺 Sadly, She’s Right…

I’m sure I lose many braincells every time I watch reality TV. Actually, it’s surprising I have a brain at all at this point.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/02/adele-on-why-she-doesnt-watch-housewives-my-brain-will-die/

📡 Quotes of the Week

It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err. – Mahatma Gandhi

A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it. – George Moore

Rather, ten times, die in the surf, heralding the way to a new world, than stand idly on the shore. – Florence Nightingale

To be a revolutionary you have to be a human being. You have to care about people who have no power. – Jane Fonda

It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting. – Paulo Coelho

Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast. – William Shakespeare

Success is a collection of problems solved. – I. M. Pei

With no positivity, there is no hope; with no negativity, there is no improvement. – Criss Jami

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education. – Mark Twain

Is your secret job in a red flag factory? – Kalani Faagata, 90 Day Fiancé

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

🗼 Au Revoir, Not Goodbye…

Enjoy your next two days off, or on, or whatever your status. See you at the finale of the Dead. Until then, stay safe, stay living without regret, and stay knowing that when you see only dustballs and clothes, the boogie man has no power over you.