Tag Archives: Real Housewives of Orange County

July 25, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Willow Confronts Nina, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Goodnight Dark Prince, Where Are They, Best Kind Of Con, Atypical Animals, A Half-Dozen Quotes & Dreamer

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Brennan found Carly at the pool and suggested a swim. She said the pool was booked for a private party, and he thought it was perhaps a party for two.

Josslyn wondered why Brennan went radio silent after they’d tagged the courier, and she and Vaughn went to his office, but he wasn’t there. Josslyn wondered if was against policy to date an agent’s mom.

Dante worried that Josslyn was a civilian, but Anna said she thought Josslyn had been recruited to be an agent.

Flora had her own show on Home & Heart and welcomed Lucy and Brook. Lucy said Maxie was still in New York and Brook was nervous. Brook said it was the first time she’d handled the pitch, but Flora said she’d be great. She’d inherited her mama’s charm

Jason approached the airline employee and said there was a passenger on the plane to Dubrovnik that he had to speak to now. He tried to buy a ticket, but the guy said it was too late.

Flora asked if Lois was okay, and Brook said Lois was stepping down as spokesperson. In the meantime, she’d be filling in.

Dante wondered if Josslyn was playing spy games, but Anna said Josslyn had been trained. She was younger when she’d been recruited, and Josslyn was a prime candidate. It was understandable that Dante still saw her as a little girl wearing a corn costume. (Ha-ha! They’ll never let that go.) He didn’t want to think of her as doing something dangerous, but Brennan had an eye for talent. She’d talked to Carly earlier and was convinced Josslyn had been recruited to keep an eye on Dalton. He’d reeled her in with Cyrus Renault.

Brennan said he had a nefarious ulterior motive that was classified. They hadn’t spent much time together and he’d missed her. She confessed she missed him too and they kissed.

Lucy told Brook that they started off with great sales and then they’d drop off, but she had a surprise that would hook the viewers.

Anna said Josslyn was determined to prove Cyrus was guilty and had been a convincing spy. Dante said Sonny mentioned Brennan was at Carly’s on Christmas Eve, and Anna thought it had been a test. Josslyn had leads a civilian wouldn’t have access to and she thought Josslyn had been under constant surveillance. If she hadn’t handled it, Brennan wouldn’t have recruited her.

Vaughn told Josslyn to stick to the assignment. This part of her life didn’t exist for Carly. Josslyn wondered if Brennan wasn’t breaking rules, but Vaughn said the last thing she wanted to do was make waves with Brennan. It was the quickest way to a desk job doing data mining in a language that didn’t use vowels. She didn’t want to go against Brennan and had no idea how much pull he had. She asked if he was telling her that Brennan could do whatever he wanted and get away with it.   

Carly asked if everything was okay, and Brennan said he was dealing with a tricky situation, but he’d made progress today. He asked what was going on with her, and she said Daisy and Sasha had left town. Maybe forever. She felt like she’d had a brand-new grandchild magically appear and disappear. She and Michael were both heartbroken and didn’t know if they’d ever see Daisy again.

Brook said she’d do her best, and Lucy said, she always did. Brook said she kept thinking about her mother and how the audience loved her. Lucy said Lois turned into a real pro, and Brook said she missed who she and Lois used to be.

On the plane back to Port Charles, Jason flashed back to his days with Britt.

Anna told Dante that she’d felt alone in the world. She was studying dance and felt there was something more. The recruiter saw something in her and she was sure Brennan had told Josslyn she could make a difference. Dante wondered if Josslyn knew what she was getting herself into, and Anna said she hadn’t, but it filled a void for her. It probably did for Josslyn too. Dante said Brennan represented a purpose, and Anna said the trip to Easter Island was probably a cover for her training. Dalton was the target and Josslyn was already at PCU. She had an internship with Dalton that she went to great lengths to obtain, sabotaging Emma’s research and using it as her own. Anna believed Dalton was doing something bigger than illegal animal testing.

Carly told Brennan that Michael had been supportive of Sasha leaving town. Sasha was convinced someone was targeting Daisy. She told Brennan about the weird things that had happened and that it wasn’t mommy brain. She thought it was strange, but not dangerous, and he said leaving the country was pretty drastic. She said it was killing Michael and her to let them go. She had to stop herself from asking him to fix everything.

Flora went on the air and introduced Brook and Lucy from Deception Cosmetics. They were here to talk about newest product, Youth Truth Serum. Brook said it was the only serum the viewers would ever need, and Lucy said they needed their beloved spokesperson to introduce it. Surprise! Lois was here. Lois hugged Brook and said she was so sorry. Brook said she didn’t know whether to hug Lois or fire her.

Jason had more flashbacks about Britt on the plane, telling her that just because she had the genetic marker for Huntington’s, it didn’t tell her how to live. He remembered them getting busy.

Vaughn told Josslyn that Brennan was the best there was. Whatever compromises he made, the world was better off. Didn’t she want to do some good in the world? She said that’s why she was there, and he said she never wanted Brennan as an enemy.

Carly said it made sense to believe what was happening was connected to Sonny, and she never wanted Sonny and Brennan’s worlds to collide. He’d already bent the rules for her on several occasions and she didn’t want him to think she was using him. He said he wasn’t keeping score, and she said she wanted him to know that he was enough. He said if she was ever in doubt, ask. If there was something wrong, come to him. He wanted to be someone she could turn to.

Anna said she didn’t know what she was getting into at the time, and the good she did came at a personal cost. Dante said his time with the WSB cost his marriage and almost his sanity. He didn’t want that for Josslyn. Anna said it wasn’t his decision to make. She’d tried to warn Carly about Brennan, but the agenda wasn’t Carly; it was Josslyn. Dante wondered if Brennan had been using Carly to get to Josslyn.

Jason flashed back to telling Britt that he was marrying Carly, and Britt kicking him out.

Brook tried to jet, but Lucy suggested she and Lois do a mother/ daughter pitch. Brook said Lois looked more like her sister thanks to the serum and they did a demonstration. Lucy saw the numbers and said Lois and Brook were a hit.

Anna said Dante couldn’t say a word to Carly. She didn’t need to know. Dalton could be one of the reasons the WSB had opened a field office in Port Charles. She didn’t trust Brennan, but if he was going to the trouble to nail Dalton, Dalton was a serious threat, and he would never give up. Dante said, even if it meant sacrificing an agent?

Carly said it wasn’t fair Brennan couldn’t share his problems with her, and he said he thought it was one of the reasons he didn’t have personal relationships. He had to keep a wall between his personal life and his job. He would see his colleagues doing it and it made them vulnerable and less efficient, but just being with her helped.

Flora said they were sold out and thanked the women of Deception. She told them to come back soon and often. They had a rare kind of magic. Lucy wanted to reschedule something, and Brook asked, what the hell was that? Lois said she thought Brook knew she was coming, and Lucy said she’d done it for Deception and them. Couldn’t they move forward? Lois said she was so sorry. She never would have come if Lucy hadn’t lied, but she missed Brook so much. Brook told Lucy that she knew how to make sure this didn’t happen again, and Lois said she’d do anything. Brook said she didn’t have to. She was fired.

Anna said she’d take it from there, and Dante said they’d both lost a lot working for the WSB. He got why she wanted them to stay quiet, but would she have wanted someone to get her out when she was Josslyn’s age? He left.

Carly said it sounded like they had a future together, and Brennan said he hoped they did. They kissed some more.

Josslyn said she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the mission, and Vaughn said, the more people Dalton shared information with, the more dangerous it was going to be. She said she was ready, but he said she was distracted and couldn’t be. Both the op and their lives were on the line. Brennan called Vaughn, and Vaughn told Josslyn that the courier got a connecting flight to Dubrovnik.

Jason remembered saying goodbye to Britt, telling her that he had this, then looking at a tarot card. He flashed back to seeing her get on the plane and frowned.

Dubrovnik, Croatia. Britt got out of a car and the driver said, welcome back. She said it was good to be back.

Tuesday:

Brook met Tracy at the pool because Tracy wanted to celebrate Brook’s appearance on Home & Heart. The product sold out. Brook said, don’t thank her, thank Lois.

Lois flashed back to Brook firing her, and Flora brought her some sweet tea with a little something extra to take the edge off. Flora said they’d sold out in record time and then Lois got fired, but Lois said it was the least of what she deserved.

Portia asked Isaiah to her office, and jokingly asked if he was fired. She said, of course (🍷) not. He wasn’t going anywhere, but she was.

In Laura’s office, Sonny was on his phone, and Sidwell told said Sonny would get what he wanted, but he expected to get the same in return. Laura came in and asked if Sonny was okay after Nina’s interview with the PC Press. He said she needed to cut ties with him, or he’d do it.

Sidwell went to Drew’s place, joining Martin and Jordan for a meeting about Measure C. He told Drew that he had to withdraw his support for Measure C and halt his attacks on Sonny.

Lucas went to see Chase at the station, and said Marco was missing. Sonny had kidnapped him.

Drew said they had to keep the campaign alive, and Jordan said public opinion was turning in their direction. Sidwell suggested that Tracy make up the difference, and Martin volunteered to deliver the news.

Brook told Tracy that part of Lucy meant well and the segment was great. She’d also realized she missed Lois, and Tracy wondered if Brook forgave her, but Brook said, no. She fired her.

Lois said she and Brook had fights before, but not like this. She was trying to protect Brook, but Brook wouldn’t listen to her. Flora said everything was in confidence, but Lois said there were no secrets to keep anymore. She didn’t tell Brook who or where her own child was. She’d thought Brook was ready to move on, but realized it was just Lucy being Lucy. Brook was angrier than she’d ever been and would never forgive her.

Willow gave Elizabeth a formal wedding invitation at the hospital, and said she was glad Elizabeth was coming. She wasn’t sure anyone would. Tomorrow, she officially became Mrs. Drew Cain.

Drew asked, what changed? and Sidwell said if he continued the funding, he’d have to pay too high of a price. Sonny had kidnapped his son.

Sonny said things were worse for Laura. He was linked to Natalia’s death his ex was talking bad about him in press. She didn’t want to be seen with a man accused of abusing women, but he had the feeling the bad press wouldn’t be there forever.

Lucas told Chase that there was no sign of Marco and Marco hadn’t returned his texts or calls. There was no way Marco would miss his mother’s memorial, but Sonny was there talking to Sidwell. Chase said he couldn’t bring someone in on hunch, but ADA Turner interrupted and insisted Sonny be brought in.

Portia said she couldn’t tell Isaiah why, but it was work related. She thought when all was said and done, the board would ask for her resignation. Isaiah wanted to help, but Portia said there was nothing he could do. She’d be compromising herself to do anything, and she couldn’t do that anymore. Isaiah said he’d miss her, and she said it had been a pleasure working with him. He said she and Terry had convinced him to work there, and she said he was an asset to the hospital and a good friend to her. She didn’t want to leave. He told her to honor what she knew was right and if she went down, go out swinging. She said she intended to.

Willow showed Elizabeth a picture of her dress, and Elizabeth said it would be magical day. Willow said it would also be hard without the kids there, and Elizabeth said she still believed there would be a resolution. Willow said the day was about moving forward and getting her kids back and it was all thanks to Drew. (Bleh.)

Sidwell said, in exchange for Marco’s safe return, he had to withdraw funding and stop the attack on Sonny, but Jordan said they didn’t need a campaign. They needed the police. They should bring Anna in on it. Sidwell said it was a life-or-death deadline, and any delay might get Marco killed. Sonny won the battle, but not the war, and as soon as Marco was safe, he’d make sure Sonny paid in ways even he never dreamed of.

Jordan and Drew wondered what kind of retaliation Sidwell was thinking of, and Drew wondered if he meant something like Charlie’s. Sidwell said that was Selena’s work, which sounded reasonable to Drew and Jordan. Drew said Sidwell had to take the piers through Measure C, and Sidwell said he might have another strategy, but wasn’t taking further steps until Marco was home safe.

Sonny told Laura that it was just a feeling, but he still thought she should distance herself. She said she didn’t want to give in to Sidwell’s scare tactics. Turner called Sonny and told him that he had to come down to the station. She knew that he was in the mayor’s office and thought it would be better if he came in voluntarily. He agreed, and Laura said she didn’t want to publicly denounce him to win political points. People would see through it.

Lois told Flora about Brook getting pregnant and how she’d turned to her own mother after promising Brook she wouldn’t tell anyone. Her Cousin Camilla had lost her husband and wanted a child, so she’d adopted the baby. No one was to know except her, Lois, and Camilla. She’d thought about telling Brook the truth, but only got close to doing it when Camilla died. Flora understood why she didn’t, and Lois said she continued to lie to everyone. Flora said Lois had held the family together the only way she knew how, but Lois said it destroyed everything. Her daughter and grandson wouldn’t talk to her, but even worse, ruined Brook and Gio’s relationship.

Tracy said firing Lois wasn’t what she’d expected, and Brook asked her to be less thrilled. When the segment ended, all she thought of was Gio and the lies. Tracy said she endorsed Brook’s plan retroactively, and Brook said it felt like she was taking back control, but now she felt empty. Martin approached, and Tracy said he was like weed – unsightly and good for nothing. What did he want? He informed her that Sidwell had withdrawn funding and support for Measure C and the campaign against Sonny. He wasn’t at liberty to discuss the particulars, but she’d have to fill in the funding, since Drew couldn’t use his own funds to finance the measure. Tracy said it would continue to be fully funded, but she no longer had to tolerate the barnacles – i.e. Martin and Drew – holding onto her for relevance, so they were not to call her. Martin wondered what she’d do if she ever lost all her money, but she said that was never going to happen.

Jordan went to Laura’s office and told her there was a Sidwell update involving Sonny.

Sonny went to the station, and Turner said Marco was missing. The reason was because Sonny had kidnapped him.

Lois told Flora that she’d do anything to fix Brook and Gio’s relationship. She’d still make the same decision today, but with Brook and Gio living under the same roof, and Gio’s father and grandparents close by, she should have told Brook. Instead, she’d doubled down on the secret, and it was her fault. Flora said Lois had been young too and probably felt alone. She tried to do right in every possible way, and turned to the person she’d trusted the most. She’d thought it was her fault, her mistake, and her choice, but the lie started with her mama.

Brook said she didn’t know Tracy was part of the smear campaign. She couldn’t stand Sidwell and Drew. Tracy said, necessity made strange bedfellows, and she was going to disseminate the truth about Sonny. Brook said it was her truth. Gio thought she and Sonny were family, and if she hurt Sonny, she’d hurt Gio, and it would cost her. Tracy said because of Gio, she couldn’t let it go.

Jordan asked if Laura wanted the good or bad news first, and Laura said, the good news. Jordan said Sidwell was pulling his funding and his smear campaign, and Laura said Sonny had thought the bad press would be ending soon. Jordan said Sonny was holding Sidwell’s son captive.

Sonny said Turner had no proof, but she said Lucas was convinced he had something to do with Marco’s disappearance. Sonny said Marco saved his daughter’s life, and Turner said, from the fire he believed Sidwell started. Sonny said they both knew she had nothing. Did she call him here because she missed him?

Isaiah told Elizabeth about renovating the cabin and said he was headed there after work. He wasn’t going to the wedding, but glad Willow was happy. Elizabeth said, happy may be relative. Drew’s drama wasn’t dying down. She hoped he made Willow as happy as Willow thought he did.

Willow went to Portia’s office and gave her an invitation, saying, if there was ever a time to put the past aside, this was it. They’d love to have her and Curtis there. Portia tossed the invite in the trash and said the kid gloves weren’t working, so she’d give it to Willow straight. Willow had no idea who her fiancé really was and it was high time she found out.

Lois told Flora that her mother was guided by her own moral compass and values, which weren’t right or wrong, but she’d gone along with it. Everything that was happening was her responsibility. Flora said the bond between mama and daughter was tough as nails. At some point, Brook would need Lois, and when she did, she’d be back. Lois hoped Flora was right, but in the meantime, she was giving Brook her space. Lois thanked Flora, and Flora told her not to be so hard on herself. Lois said she was going back to Bensonhurst until Brook was ready. When she was, Brook would know how to find her.

Tracy told Brook that she didn’t want Gio to end up on the list of lives Sonny destroyed. Two things could be true. Brook could believe Sonny had a good heart, and she could believe Sonny posed a threat to Brook’s son. Tell her she was wrong.

Laura asked if there was any evidence, and Jordan said, not yet. There was only Sidwell’s word that he met with Sonny, who confirmed he had Marco. His list of demands included pulling the funding and stopping the negative media wave against Sonny, and by association, her. Laura said Sonny knew it was going to end, because he was going to make it end. It was retaliation for the fire at Charlie’s and Kristina nearly dying. Jordan thought there was a possibility that Sonny was no longer the lesser of two evils, Maybe he was as bad as Sidwell.

Sonny said he had no problem with Marco, and Turner said if Marco didn’t surface in 24 hours, she’d have Sonny arrested. Sonny told her to do what she needed to do.

Lucas thanked Isaiah for filling in for him, and Isaiah gave Lucas a very small envelope that someone had dropped off for him. Isaiah had to leave, and Lucas opened the envelope. Inside were a business card and a key.

When Martin came back to Drew’s, Drew gave him a wedding invitation, but Martin said he didn’t do weddings. He got hives at the thought. Drew said Martin worked for him, and Martin said if he’d be working, he was going to bill Drew. Drew left to make a phone call, and Martin saw a colorful envelope under a chair. He pulled it out and saw it was addressed to Monica.

Drew called hospital to find out if Portia was there, and Elizabeth asked if he wanted to talk to her. He said, no, and he’d see Elizabeth tomorrow. The look on Elizabeth’s face said she thought it was weird.

Martin asked if the envelope was something Drew needed, but Drew thought the kids had been using it for scrap paper. He had to leave and told Martin to lock up when he was done. After Drew was gone, Martin took a paper out of the envelope and read: Dear Monica, I’m so sorry you’re ill. I know it’s been a long time. I’ve been meaning…  He kept reading, then stared at the letter in shock.

Willow said, Portia was her boss and it was inappropriate to comment on her personal life. Portia said, not when it came to Drew. He’d been blackmailing her and wanted her to falsify Michael’s medical records so it looked like he was addicted to drugs. That was Willow’s knight in shining armor and the man she was about to marry.

Wednesday:

Spinelli, James, and Obrecht were at the hatchet range. James threw, and Obrecht said, adequate. Let Oma show him how it’s done. She got a bullseye, and James said he wanted to do that. She said, of course (🍷), and told him to home in on the target. Never lose sight of anything you want to achieve. James got a bullseye, and Obrecht said, very nice. Spinelli said, well done and not at all disconcerting. James said he was going to need more axes.

Rocco waited on Carly and Jason at the pool, and Carly said, great kid. Jason said Rocco had been asking about Britt and wondered if that’s what made him think he saw her.

Lying on a chaise lounge, Lulu got Rocco’s attention. He asked what she was doing there. It felt like was hovering, like he was a little kid. He was at work. Could she give him a little space?

Turner asked if Sonny had nothing more to tell her about Marco’s whereabouts, when Dante came in and said someone was there to see her. She left, and Dante said he knew she was questioning Sonny about Marco’s disappearance, but Sonny said it was a conversation they didn’t want to have.

Turner thanked Sidwell for coming to the station and said Lucas was concerned about Marco’s safety and whereabouts. Did he have reason believe Marco met with foul play?

Lucas banged on the door where Marco was being held and called his name. He took out the key (which he might have done first), opened the door, and saw Marco passed out on the chair.

Nina went to see Drew and asked if he’d been told that Sasha left Port Charles with Michael’s baby permanently.  

Willow said she couldn’t believe Portia and Curtis hated Drew so much she’d say something like that, and Portia said Drew wanted to frame Willow’s ex-husband, who she claimed to once love, and make it appear like he was a drug addict. It was illegal and unethical. He wanted her to change Michael’s blood tests so he could steal the children, and it meant nothing? If that was the case, she wasn’t sure she knew who Willow was anymore.

Lucas ran to Marco and told him to wake up. Marco stirred and asked what took him so long.

Dante said he just wanted Sonny to hear him out. His grandsons Gio and Rocco were going through a lot. They admired Sonny and wanted to emulate him, and he was asking Sonny to keep that in mind.

Sidwell told Turner that he wasn’t in the habit of making accusations without evidence or facts, and she asked if he thought his son was in danger. He said he wanted confirmation on his son’s safety that he’d had yet to receive.

Carly asked where Jason saw Britt, and he said, the airport in Paris. He’d caught a glimpse of her getting on a flight to Dubrovnik. Carly asked if he tried to talk to her, but he said she was on the plane already and they wouldn’t let him. She said, maybe Britt was fresh in his mind, and he was tired. He saw someone similar and mistook them for Britt. He asked if Carly wouldn’t question if she saw him, even if she thought he was dead, but she said this was different. Britt was dead. He said, so was he.

Obrecht taught James how to throw the ax, and he came close to a bullseye. Spinelli texted Lulu to come quick, and Obrecht said James was so grown and looked like his father. Spinelli said James was his own person, but had Nathan’s fearlessness and sweetness. She said she’d been absent too long. It was important to connect with family face to face. Why did no one tell her how out of control Willow had become?

Drew told Nina that Willow would be surprised, and Nina said she told Willow. She didn’t mention it? He said Willow was focused on the wedding. He was sure Michael was trying to control Sasha like he had Willow. Good for her that she got away. Nina said, that’s not why she left, and Michael had given her his full support, even making the arrangements. Someone had been targeting their baby.

Portia told Willow that Drew knew Michael had to get blood testing to monitor his burn treatment. He’d fought hard to heal and come back to be with his children and Drew wanted to destroy that. He wanted her to alter the test results to make it appear like Michael abused opioids and would want a large sample to establish a pattern. That was how Drew wanted to get her children back. Willow said, if that’s what it took, she was on Drew’s side.

Lucas said Sonny was a bastard and asked if Marco was okay. Marco asked how Lucas found him, and Lucas said, somebody dropped off an envelope with a key and address in it, and Marco said he had no key to the handcuffs. Did Lucas? Lucas said, no, but his sister Sam taught him how to pick a lock. Marco said he had to hear more about this family, and Lucas got him free. Marco got up, but stumbled, and Lucas caught him. Marco said, his hero again, and they kissed.

Carly said Jason couldn’t be sure it was Britt and wondered why Rocco had been asking about her. Jason said Danny had found a file with Rocco’s original birth certificate and showed it to Rocco, who found out Britt gave birth to him. She asked if Rocco knew Britt stole the embryo and if Lulu knew that Rocco knew, and he said, yes to both. Lulu made it clear how she felt about Britt and that she didn’t want him talking to her son again. Carly said his opinion was different than most people’s, and he said he knew Britt differently. She said she couldn’t judge Britt. Josslyn was alive because Britt died saving her. He said, what if she hadn’t?  

Spinelli said Maxie would want them to cut Willow some slack since she was going through a hard time, and Obrecht said she understood, but was concerned with Willow’s response to it. Friends and family saw her spiraling, but she wasn’t a weakling like some believed. She had untapped potential she was beginning to recognize, and it wasn’t necessarily potential for good.

Nina told Drew about Daisy disappearing, then being found in a bassinet where Sasha and Michael had already looked. Drew said a child disappearing was every parent’s worst nightmare and guessed that it was one of Sonny’s enemies. Nina said everyone was assuming Sonny was being sent a message, and Drew said, but she wasn’t buying it. She said, it made sense, but what if it was someone else? Someone who knew the house and how to avoid the security cameras. Someone who wanted to spite Michael and Sasha and wanted to terrify them without hurting the baby. Someone like him.

Portia said she and Willow were professionals who took oaths and pledges to help people, but Willow said she couldn’t help anyone if she didn’t have her children. Portia asked what Willow thought the children would do when their father was falsely labeled as a drug addict. Michael had survived so much and was a devoted father. Willow said Michael took her children. He used his money, power, influence, and the legal system without a second thought. Drew was the only person who believed and supported her. Michael didn’t fight fair, so why should she?

Marco told Lucas that he’d been treated okay until he tried to escape, and Lucas said Marco needed to get to the hospital. Marco said, before that, he had something else he needed to do.

Turner told Sonny that Sidwell might have questions for him, and Sonny went into the squad room. Turner said Sidwell confirmed that his son had been missing for more than 24 hours, and Sidwell said he feared Marco had been abducted by someone to coerce him into compliance. Sonny asked him to be more specific, but Sidwell said he thought specificity (which I’d thought was just a Spice Girls word) would be a hazard to his son’s health. Turner said she wanted to help, but needed a name. Who did he believe was responsible for taking his son?

Lulu arrived at the hatchet range and asked Spinelli, what was the emergency? He said, if Maxie were there, she’d want Lulu to be informed in person. Obrecht was in Port Charles. Lulu asked, why? and he said she claimed she wanted to see family and was worried about Nina and Willow. But he knew Britt had been the subject of conversation, so there was the timing. He thought she should know. Lulu called Dante and asked him to meet her at the range. It was about Rocco.

Sidwell said his son was a brilliant, heroic young man… Marco appeared and said he thought there was some confusion about where he’d been. He and Sidwell hugged.

Lucas told Carly that Marco was alive, and she said, so he was safe. He said that was yet to be determined, and she said, it was a misunderstanding. He said, hardly. He needed her help, and she owed him a favor.  

Willow said she tried not to bring her personal life to work, and Portia said Drew was blackmailing her. Willow said she was sorry whatever Portia had done put her in this position, but she wasn’t to blame. Michael was. He pushed too far. Portia said Michael wasn’t blackmailing her, and Willow said he was blackmailing her. If she wanted to see her children again, she needed to leave Drew. If this was what needed to be done to get her kids back, so be it. She trusted Drew. He was the only one she trusted. Willow walked out.

Drew told Nina that he didn’t do it. Despite what she thought, it had never been his goal to make anyone suffer. He wanted Willow to get her children, not terrorize a baby. It had to be related to Sonny. His daughter’s restaurant was torched, and Nina gave an interview about Sonny being dangerous. Nina said she wasn’t as certain as he was. Whoever did this was capable of torturing someone just for the hell of it and they were still out there. She left.

Rocco asked if Jason had a minute, and said he’d met with Britt’s mom. Jason said, she was in Port Charles? and Rocco said they met for coffee. There was way more to Britt than people thought. She was more than just some bad person.

At the door to Marco’s room, Lucas told Carly that he and Marco were supposed to meet there. Hopefully, Marco went to GH to get checked out, but he’d had something else to do first. Carly said it sounded like he was okay, and Lucas said he’d found Marco unconscious, beaten, and handcuffed to a chair. If Marco had been killed, he would have made sure Jason and Sonny spent the rest of their lives in prison.

Marco told Turner, Sidwell, and Sonny a story about getting lost, trying to get cellphone service, and falling into a ravine. When he eventually found his way back to his car, he had a flat tire. He fell asleep for the rest of the night, changed the tire, and made his way back to Port Charles. Turner said she assumed if his statement was typed up, he’d sign it, and he said, absolutely. Let him know when. He left, and there were soap looks all around.

Carly told Lucas that Sidwell was dangerous. Marco was his son and lawyer and knew who his father was and what he did. Lucas asked if that made him fair game, and she said he moved to be closer to Sidwell and there was an assumption of risk. Whoever took Marco, did so because they knew who his father was. The blame landed on Sidwell’s door. Lucas said they both knew who took Marco, and she said he’d just met Marco. He was in deep and being naïve. He said he didn’t want to argue. Just one more little favor. Don’t mention Jason or Sonny to him again. Carly left.

Spinelli went to Drew’s and said, according to Maxie, all the RSVPs were in. Drew thanked him, and Spinelli said he wished nothing but the best for him, Willow, and Michael and the kids. Be happy… and good to each other. Drew said he planned to be.

Lulu was throwing an ax when Dante arrived. He said his was being interrogated by the acting DA, and Lulu said she was doing this so she didn’t have a panic attack. Obrecht was in Port Charles. Dante said, why? Since when? Lulu said, recently. Spinelli said she was visiting family, but she didn’t buy it. Dante said he didn’t want Rocco to run int other before they could tell him who she was. Was he at work? She said he practically kicked her out for hovering, and he said they had to talk to Rocco and let him know who Obrecht was. She said, and he needed to know to stay far away.

Jason asked how Rocco connected with Obrecht, and Rocco said he found her email online. He emailed some questions, and she emailed back that they should talk in person. She said Britt was kind of a mess, but not like it was a bad thing. She sounded sort of proud. Britt was brave and didn’t let what others thought influence her. She said Britt loved him. He thought Britt may have been a better person than his mom and dad let themselves realize. Maybe Britt’s reasons for having him weren’t totally bad. Obrecht watched from a distance and said, Herr Morgan, we meet again.

Obrecht said she didn’t expect to see Rocco so soon, and Rocco said he worked there. She said she commended a young man earning an honest wage and told Jason, for a man presumed dead, he looked none the worse for wear. Britt would be pleased. She asked Rocco to help her get settled in and followed him to a chair. Carly came in and told Jason that Lucas was upset with him and Sonny. Jason said he didn’t blame Lucas, and she asked, is that Dr. Obrecht? He said, it sure is and it can’t be a coincidence.

Sidwell said he was relieved more than he could say, and Turner said, Marco told an interesting story. He said, it sounded quite harrowing, and thanked her for looking into it. He left, and Sonny said he was glad it was settled, but it was always nice see her. If there was nothing else… Turner said, actually, there was.

Marco came back to the hotel, and Lucas asked how it went. Marco said he clarified what he could to the police, and Lucas said Marco promised he could look him over. Marco took his shirt off, and Lucas wanted to check for broken ribs, but Marco said he’d been dreaming of a shower for 24 hours. Don’t go away. He left for the shower.

Obrecht told Rocco that when she was being held captive on Cassadine Island, Britt shot her with a spear fish gun. They laughed and Obrecht took a selfie. Dante and Lulu stormed in, and Lulu told Rocco to leave. He stepped aside, and she told Obrecht, get up. She was leaving. Never go near her son again. Obrecht said she apologized if she offended her by being in her son’s proximity. It was a shame they couldn’t peacefully co-exist, since Rocco wouldn’t exist if not for her dear, departed Britta. She left.  

Nina went to Portia’s office and Portia said she’d had a terrifying conversation with Nina’s daughter. Nina asked, what was terrifying? and Portia said, everything. She didn’t recognize Willow anymore. What had Drew done to her?

Turner asked which was the more likely scenario. Marco driving out of cellphone range and missing for 24 hours or Marco’s father setting fire to Sonny’s daughter’s place of business, which almost cost her life, and Sonny retaliating by snatching Sidwell’s son and getting what he wanted in exchange? Sonny said, the first because it was what Marco said happened. She said she thought they had an understanding. They’d both played unfortunate roles in Natalia’s death, and she’d thought he had a conscience. Now she saw he was just as corrupt and soulless as she’d originally thought. He said if he was corrupt and soulless as she thought, Marco would be dead. (Truth!)

Marco came out of shower, and Lucas said when he didn’t hear from Marco, he knew something bad happened. He was terrified he wouldn’t see Marco alive again, that he’d be a casualty of what his dad did and Sonny’s retaliation. Marco said Lucas found him and he was safe. This was about them and no one else let. Let this be just about them. They got busy.

Jason told Carly that Rocco had reached out to Obrecht, and she came to Port Charles. What did she know about Britt’s death? She said only what Josslyn told her. Heather Webber went after Josslyn with a poisoned hook and Britt was able to intercept her, but got nicked in the process. Jason said, and she died? and she said, yeah. He asked who was with her? and she said, her mom. Britt died in Leisl’s arms. Jason said he needed to talk to Obrecht.

Lulu asked what Obrecht said to Rocco, and he said, nothing. They were just talking. She said, about what? and Dante told her, take it easy. She said she’d like to know why Obrecht was coming after her son, but Rocco said he reached out to Obrecht. He had questions and wanted to know more about Britt. Dante said whatever he heard about Britt, she was no hero. Neither is her mom. He can’t listen to what she says. Rocco said he got they hated Britt and had their reasons, but they weren’t his and he didn’t hate her. He left.  

Portia told Nina that Willow hand delivered a wedding invitation, and she thought it was worth it to let Willow know about the man she planned to marry. She told Willow that Drew was blackmailing her and wanted her to alter Michael’s blood tests so the results looked like he was a drug addict in family court. She could tell Nina was horrified, but guess who wasn’t or wasn’t even fazed? Willow.

Willow came home, and Spinelli told her that Maxie thought everything was perfect. She did ask if they could make one addition. Leisl was in town. Willow said Obrecht was her aunt and special to both of them, and Spinelli said he heard the Cosmopolitan was a stunning venue. Drew thanked him and told him to thank Maxie, and Spinelli said that Maxie was now a titan in her industry. He wouldn’t be a bushel in her light. He left, and Willow looked at her tablet. She said the Cosmopolitan couldn’t compare to the Quartermaine grounds, but it would be beautiful. She wondered where to seat Obrecht, when Drew flashed back to what Nina had said. He asked Willow what she did July 4th when he was still in DC, and she said she got a drink with her mom after the fireworks. She barely made it. She fell asleep and almost missed the fireworks completely. Drew looked concerned.

Thursday:

Sonny met Carly at the pool, and she asked if escalating things was the way to go with Sidwell. Sonny said, if he hadn’t, it would have been tough on the family and his business and shown him as vulnerable. She needed to talk to her brother. Lucas turned him into the cops. Michael came in with Wiley.  

Marco and Lucas basked in the afterglow. Lucas said he could get used to this, and Marco said he was thinking the same thing.

Trina ran into Kai at the Bad Jen Café.

Portia was looking at her resignation when Curtis came in. He asked if she stayed at the hospital because she had work, or did she not want to come home? She said it was her last night working at GH and probably as a doctor. She wanted to make the most of the time she had left.

Alexis went to Drew’s to pick up Scout and said Scout was taking this flower girl thing seriously. Drew said he knew Alexis had misgivings, but promised the marriage would be great for Scout. She said, we’ll see.

Obrecht said the chapel was the perfect balance of spare and ornate, and Elizabeth said Maxie made sure it was stunning. Obrecht said she was sure Spinelli executed Maxie’s instructions. She’d suck it up and be polite, her wedding gift. The flowers were magnificent. What a pity they’d been sacrificed for a marriage doomed to fail.

Nina gave Willow a bracelet for something borrowed, and Willow thanked Nina for encouraging her to have a real wedding. Nina said she deserved more, but Willow said, what more could she want? She and Drew were pledging to spend the rest of their lives together and it was all because of Nina.

Portia said she was tendering her resignation, but Curtis said he thought that was only if they’d exhausted all other options. She said they had. She told Willow that Drew was blackmailing her and forcing her to manipulate Michael’s test results. If he had an ace up his sleeve, now was the time to play it. This was her only option to leave on her own terms. She’d asked Trina to come by and they were going to tell her everything before it came out. He told her not to resign or call Trina. Give him one more day.

Kai said he meant what he said when he told Trina how he felt, and she said she knew. He said he knew she felt betrayed, and she said he’d betrayed her and her family. He said his feelings hadn’t changed and he’d give anything for them to find their way back to each other, and she asked why he was wearing a suit. He said Drew and Willow were getting married and he was going to the wedding. She said, that’s why there was no going back, and walked out.

Marco said a perk of being held hostage was getting out of the friend zone, and Lucas said he respected using humor as a coping mechanism, but Marco must have been terrified. Marco said he was uncomfortable and deeply inconvenienced, and Lucas said he was terrified. Marco said, when they first met in Miami, he thought, this guy is special, and it might be his chance. That’s why he wasn’t scared. He didn’t give up easy. Now that he found Lucas, he wouldn’t let anything keep them apart.

Michael took Wiley over to his swim lesson, and Carly said, whatever Lucas told the police obviously didn’t stick. Sonny said he wasn’t even arrested. Marco showed up. He said he’d gotten lost hiking, broke his phone, and had a flat. She asked how Sonny made that happen, and he said he and Sidwell had an understanding. She asked if that meant their family was no longer in danger, when Michael came back and said he’d like to know that himself.

Drew said, Scout loved living with Wiley and Amelia, but Alexis said Willow didn’t even have visitation. He said the kids belonged with Willow and the court would agree. He’d have more time with Scout too, once they moved to DC, but don’t worry. Alexis was still the closest connection to Scout’s mom and he’d do his best to keep that connection alive. She asked if he discussed it with Scout, but he said, not yet, and she said don’t tell Scout until he was sure. Port Charles was her home, where her school, friends, and family were. Alexis knew she didn’t get a vote, but thought it was a good idea for Scout to get used to her stepmother before a permanent decision was made about going to DC. He said she was right and he’d do it her way. Scout was excited about the wedding. Alexis said Scout wanted Drew to be happy, but she knew he’d always put Scout’s happiness before his own, and she went to get Scout.

Willow joined the ladies in her robe, and Obrecht said the day would be special. Willow said it already was because they were there. She didn’t have the words to tell Obrecht how grateful she was. She was only alive and here because of Obrecht and Drew. Obrecht said Willow’s good health and happiness was her reward, and Elizabeth took Willow to check on the bouquet. Nina said Willow looked happy, and Obrecht said, she was smiling as sweetly as when she learned Sasha and Daisy fled Port Charles.

Lucas said he was glad he and Marco didn’t sleep together the first night. Now they could see where this took them. Marco predicted they were headed someplace great, and Lucas asked if he needed to check in with work. Marco said his bosses knew not to except him. Work wasn’t how he wanted to spend his first day of freedom. They got busy.

Sonny told Michael and Carly that he and Sidwell came to an agreement. The media attention would now die down and the campaign for Measure C lost its bankroller. Michael said Sonny did everything he could and he still supported Sasha’s decision to leave with Daisy. Sonny said he thought things would have been different if not for the fire. Drew wouldn’t have had so much influence over Willow. Michael said he didn’t think it mattered, but Sonny said Drew took advantage of Michael’s injury and destroyed any hope of compromise.

Drew told Scout that she looked beautiful and thanked Alexis. Alexis said it only took 5000 hairpins and a lot of hairspray, and Drew said he’d get ready when they left. Alexis said they wanted to make sure Willow got her present before the ceremony, and Drew said he was proud of Scout for making Willow feel welcome. He was the luckiest dad because he had the greatest kid. Scout said she couldn’t wait. All the family could come visit them and she knew they were going to be happy. She and Drew hugged.

Elizabeth asked Obrecht to help with the bouquet, and Obrecht told Nina that she was a doctor, not a florist, and wouldn’t be a party to baby’s breath. She joined them anyway, and Nina flashed back to Drew saying it wasn’t him who messed with Daisy. She remembered Willow smiling after hearing that Sasha wasn’t coming back and started to panic.

Curtis wondered, what if Willow stopped standing by Drew? and Portia said she wasn’t not sure how that would happen. Curtis said Drew was using her to attack Michael for Willow so she could reunite with her kids, but what if Willow wasn’t on board? There was a good chance he wouldn’t need them. Portia said he’d just punish them more. Either way, Drew and Willow were getting married today. Once the rings were on, Drew would be more hellbent on her changing the test results. He said, what if Willow backed out? and she said, why? Did he know something? He said, maybe. He was going to fight to save Portia, even if it meant betraying a friend.

In the bride’s room, Alexis said Scout wanted to make sure Willow got her present before the ceremony. Willow opened her gift, and Nina started to hyperventilate. She said she left Willow’s present in the car, and dashed out. Willow took out a framed photo of her and Scout, and said she couldn’t wait to be a part of Scout’s family. Scout said her too, and asked if Willow wanted to be called mom, which didn’t seem to sit well with Alexis.

Michael said he tried not think about what might have been with Willow. Now that he understood who she was, it was inevitable. Carly said, Drew manipulated the situation, like he did Willow, and Michael said that’s why it was inevitable. She asked how he felt about the marriage, and he said it was hard. He didn’t believe his and Willow’s relationship was a lie, but knew it was over. Sonny asked how Wiley and Amelia were doing, and Michael said they missed their mom, but Willow had shown time and again that she’d put Drew first. He couldn’t trust her anymore. Sonny said it was hard, but Michael was doing the best he could with the kids. Michael said Willow didn’t see it that way. She thought he was punishing her and Drew.

Nina started to cry in the chapel, when Ava came in. She said she thought Nina could use some support. Was she all right? They hugged, and Ava said it was going to be a long day. Things were crazy right now, but would settle down. Nina said, things were so much worse than she’d thought.

Kai brought Drew the passport he’d left at the office and said he didn’t want Drew to miss his honeymoon. Drew said they were going to the south of France for the trip of a lifetime. Willow deserved it. The fallout from their relationship had mostly landed on her and he thought it had taken a toll. He flashed back to asking Willow what she’d done on July 4th, and Willow saying she barely made it to the MetroCourt and almost missed the fireworks. Drew told Kai that he thought the trip was what Willow needed to forget her troubles. When you found the right woman, you knew. Kai said, sometimes you couldn’t keep her. He and Trina had broken up. Drew asked if it was because of what Kai did for him.

Curtis told Portia that it was a long shot, but it was their only option. If it worked, Drew wouldn’t have Willow to protect and no use for them. He’d go to DC and forget them. She said, what if he didn’t? and Curtis said then she could hand in her resignation as planned. She said she didn’t want him to compromise himself for her when she’d gotten them into this mess. Trina came in and said, it seemed important. What did they need to tell her about?

Kai said he wasn’t going to tell Drew at first. He and Trina had agreed it was best to stay out of it, but Drew had been great to him. He had to say something. Trina felt he went back on his word, but he had to tell Drew when he knew Drew was being framed for something he didn’t do.

Portia said, the reason… and Curtis said they were being overprotective. It was his idea to text Trina. They wanted to check on her and see how she was doing, since they knew she broke up with Kai. Portia said they wanted to let her know that she could talk to them, and Trina said their timing was perfect. She just ran into Kai for the first time, and it was hard. All he wanted to do was act like nothing happened. He said he still cared, and she believed him, but it hurt, and she was disappointed. She still cared for him as much as she ever did.

Lucas and Marco went to the pool, and Lucas looked over at Sonny. Marco said he wasn’t in a pool mood, but Lucas said he had every right to be here. He did nothing wrong. Marco said he’d rather it not darken his day, and suggested they go back to the room and figure out something else. Lucas said, give him a minute, but Marco told Lucas not to get into it with his family on his account. Lucas said he was doing it for himself and walked toward the table. Sonny got up to meet him, and Michael told Carly that he didn’t know how to tell Wiley that his mom was marrying his Uncle Drew.

Willow said Scout could call her whatever she liked, but she’d never take the place of Scout’s mom. Stepmom had a bad rap, so maybe not step anything. She could be just someone in Scout’s life who loved her and her dad and had Scout’s back. Scout hugged her, and on the side, Obrecht told Alexis, condolences on the loss of her daughter. There was nothing more terrible. They were members of a terrible club. Alexis said things had been difficult since Scout lost her mom, but Drew promised everything would work out. Obrecht said, has he now?

Nina told Ava about Sasha leaving Port Charles because of the strange things happening with Daisy. Ava said, as someone who’d been gaslit, it sounded familiar, and Nina said, now Sasha and Daisy were gone. Ava said maybe it was wise. Daisy was Sonny’s grandchild, and it came with the territory. Nina said, that’s what everyone thought. She did, but the more she went over it, the less she saw anything to do with Sonny. Ava said she had intimate knowledge of Sonny’s business, but Nina said, what if Willow was targeting Michael and Sasha’s baby?  

Lucas thanked Sonny for sending him the key. Did Sonny think he was doing him a favor? Sonny said he was giving Lucas a word of advice. He should be counting his blessings. He didn’t know who the players were or what was at stake. Lucas said Marco’s life was at stake, but Sonny said Marco seemed healthy. The next time Lucas was worried about Marco, do them favor and don’t call the cops. Sonny left.

Carly said she knew it was hard, but it would be fine, and Michael said Wiley’s lesson was almost over. It was time to tell him what was going on. Carly said he was the best father, and hugged him. Michael went over to Wiley, and Lucas came to the table. He said he didn’t know if Carly saw Marco, but he had cuts and bruises. Carly said she was glad to see Marco, and Lucas said Carly’s ex just told him that he didn’t have the right to be mad because he didn’t know what was going on. She said he didn’t. He’d just proved that by going to the police.

Trina said it would be easier if Kai was a jerk, but he wasn’t, and Curtis said he was just a young man who made a mistake. Trina said he shouldn’t have told Drew, especially after he said he wouldn’t. He felt he did the right thing. Anyone should be able to see who Drew really was, but not Kai. He refused. Curtis said, Kai broke his word, and it hurt, but she needed to realize that sometimes you had to make compromises for people you cared about. Was she okay? Trina said she would be and thanked them for letting her mend. Curtis said he had to go, and left. Trina asked Portia what this was really about and what did Curtis have to do.

Elizabeth said Willow had to get dressed, and Willow wondered where her mother was. Alexis said they’d keep Drew at bay, and Obrecht said, superstitions only have as much power as we give them, but better safe than sorry. Elizabeth said it was time for Willow to get into that fabulous dress.

Ava asked if Nina had proof, but Nina said, no, but Willow had proximity and access. She worked at GH and was there when Sasha was given the wrong baby. She could have easily switched them. Ava said Willow hadn’t lived at the Quartermaines for a while, but Nina said she did long enough to know where the security cameras were. Ava said it seemed like a stretch, and Nina said, more than a mobster goon taking the time to switch a newborn’s onesie to send a message? Ava said it was a bit of a leap. Willow was famously kind, sweet, and compassionate. Nina said, when she told Willow that Sasha left town and took Daisy, she smiled. Her Aunt Liesl saw Willow smile like her plan worked.

Lucas said Carly agreed on a code of silence about Sonny, but they were divorced. Why keep his secrets? Did she rationalize her actions because of Donna? Carly said Donna had something to do with it, and he said she had no choice, but the only way to deal with Sonny came at a cost, including Morgan. She said she wasn’t rehashing her son’s death with him. She accepted her decisions. Sonny was one of them and she had to live with the consequences. Look at himself. Since he’d been back in Port Charles, he’d almost went back with his ex and now he was in deep with a guy he barely knew. He was throwing accusations when he couldn’t see the situation clearly. Lucas said, Sonny kidnapped Marco, but Carly said it wasn’t that cut and dried. Lucas was too blind because Marco was the first guy he’d fallen for since Brad, and that was all he saw. She left.  

Sonny went to see Marco at the hotel and told him that his father had gotten him into the situation, but he was the reason Marco wasn’t still in it. He wanted Marco to stay out of his way.

Portia said she had no idea what Curtis was doing, but it must be important, and Trina said she hoped they didn’t hear about it on the news. Portia said it was Curtis and Drew’s feud, and Trina’s relationship shouldn’t be in the middle, and Trina asked if Portia was saying she should let it go and take Kai back. Portia said, no, but whatever she did, do what was best for her, not what they wanted. People were flawed and weak and failed to live up to their own expectations, much less anyone else’s. She had, so who was she to judge?

Michael told Wiley that his mommy and Uncle Drew were getting married, and Wiley said, no. He wanted her to still be married to Michael. Michael said he was sorry. He knew it was hard, and Wiley was disappointed, but he needed to know his mommy would always love him, and so would he. They hugged. (Hey, I have that MetroCourt towel too.)

Kai said he was heading to the church and wished Drew luck. He knew Drew and Willow had been through a lot. Drew said it had been quite a road getting there, but that’s what would make it all that much sweeter. After this, his focus would be to make Willow happy for the rest of their lives.

Nina told Ava that she’d been in denial too long. Willow probably wanted to punish Michael and felt justified, but this was Drew. As Willow’s mother, she couldn’t stand by and let it go on any longer. She was done. She was finally done. She stormed out.  

There was a knock at the bride’s room door and Curtis came in. Willow said he shouldn’t be there, but he said there was something she needed to know before she married Drew. She said, if it was about Drew blackmailing his wife… but he said when she was falling in love with Drew, before the 4th of July, Drew was sleeping with her mother.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Lucas walks into Carly’s office and asks since when does she just walk away from him in the middle of a fight? She says she owns the hotel and didn’t want to make a scene. He closes her office door and says, good, they’ll finish it here, but she says she doesn’t think it’s a good idea. She thinks they should walk away and cool off before they say something they regret.

In Marco’s hotel room, Marco tells Sonny to let him get this straight. Sonny kidnapped him, locked him in a room, and handcuffed him to a chair, and now Sonny wants him to stay out of his way? Sonny says his problem isn’t with Marco. It’s with his father. He just wants Marco to stay out of it. Marco says, it’s too late for that, and Sonny says Marco has his word that he won’t be touched as long as he stays out of his father’s business. Marco says, that’s impossible. He’s his father’s lawyer. Sonny says he understands Marco only represents his father’s legitimate business holdings and it should stay that way. As a matter of fact, Marco should work for his father from far away. Marco asks what he’s saying, and Sonny says he thinks Marco should go back to Miami.

At Windymere, Lucy says she just wanted to make sure Sidwell was okay after Natalia’s memorial. Is he okay? He says, it has been a tough few days, but he’s fine. She looks stunning. He knows the dress isn’t just for this visit, and she says, the other reason she’s here is that she’s officiating at Willow and Drew’s wedding. She heard he was invited and realizes he’s still grieving, but she thinks it will be quite the affair and was hoping they could go together.

Kristina sees Cody at the pool, and he says, it looks like they both had the same idea. She asks if he’s here to run into Ava? but he says he’s taking the day off from their little arrangement. Ava is at Willow and Drew’s wedding. Thanks to yours truly, Ric and Ava are on pretty shaky ground after their big blow-out at the art exhibit. It won’t be too much longer before she succumbs to one of his many charms and he’ll be able to seduce her away from Molly’s dad. Molly comes in, and Kristina says she hopes his many charms work. He says he’ll keep her posted.

Drew walks into the chapel with Kai and asks how it’s going. Elizabeth says, everything is going according to schedule, and he thanks her for stepping up with so little notice. Everything looks amazing. Elizabeth says, it really does, and asks Kai to help her move something.

Cody goes over to Molly’s chaise lounge. Seeing she’s totally covered up, he tells her, better watch out. She’ll suffocate.  

On the phone, Michael says, let him know if they seem sad or upset… Thank you so much. Kristina asks, what’s up? and he says, it’s Drew and Willow’s wedding today.

Scout comes into the chapel with Alexis, and Drew says, there’s his little girl. You look amazing. Did she get the chance to see Willow? Alexis says, she got a peek at the wedding dress, and Scout says, Willow looks like a princess. Drew says that makes him a prince, and after today, they’re going to live happily ever after.

Nina knocks on the bride’s room door and asks if it’s all right if she comes in. She walks in and says she’s sorry she’s late. She knows she said she went out to get a present, but actually… Willow says she doesn’t need a present. What she needs is honesty. Did Nina and Drew have an affair?

Lucas says he’s sorry if he upset Carly by bringing up Morgan. It was too much. She says, it was, and he says, the point he was trying to make is that her loyalty to Sonny has brought her nothing but heartache and grief. She says she doesn’t need to be lectured about her own life by him, and he says he wouldn’t have to if she’d stop defending Sonny and listen to him. She says she does listen. She just doesn’t agree with everything he says. Sonny is the father of her kids and she cares about him. Yes, he’s got flaws… Lucas asks how she can say that. Sonny is a monster who’s done terrible things. He kidnapped Marco. She asks if he’s going to put that on Sonny. Marco’s father nearly killed Kristina in the fire. Sidwell had to know that wouldn’t go unanswered. He put his own son at risk. Everything that happened to Marco is on Sidwell. He says, what Sidwell did was completely wrong, but Sonny was equally wrong kidnapping Marco. While she may be able to excuse Sonny’s actions, he can’t. Not anymore.

Marco says he has no intention of moving back to Miami, and Sonny says, fine, but if he stays here, he’s putting himself at risk. Marco says, because he has a relationship with his dad? That hardly seems fair considering how close Sonny keeps his own children. Sonny says, Port Charles is his home. He raised his kids here. Marco’s father is the one who moved here causing all kinds of trouble. Marco says he admits when his father asked him to move here, he had no idea what he was walking into. If he’d known he’d get caught in the crossfire, he probably wouldn’t have come, but now he’s created a life here and he’s not willing to give it up. Sonny guesses they’ll have to figure out a way to peacefully coexist. Let him ask a question. Marco says, go ahead, and Sonny says, everybody seems to think he’s responsible for Marco’s mother’s death. Is he one of them?

Molly says, you can never be too vigilant about sun protection, and Cody asks if you don’t need vitamin D from the sun to prevent getting scurvy. She says she’s pretty sure scurvy is from lack of vitamin C, and he says, that sounds right. Is she really going to stay wrapped up like a mummy all day? It’s got to be hot. She says she is a little hot, and he says, heat stroke is a thing too. She removes her coverup, revealing a bikini, and he says, for some reason, he thought she’d be wearing an old timey bathing suit. She says she managed to surprise him, and he says, she always does.

Drew says he’s glad Obrecht could make it, and she says, it was certainly a last-minute invitation. It’s lucky she was already in town, or she’d have to read about her grand-niece’s wedding in the newspaper. He says, sorry about that. It happened quickly. She says, perhaps too quickly. She wishes Willow would have given her decision a little more thought. He says he didn’t realize she had reservations about their relationship, and she tells him that she’ll always appreciate him rescuing her from Greenland so she could save Willow’s life, but stealing a wife from his own nephew? She would say his hero status is a bit tarnished. Elizabeth asks if she can borrow Obrecht, and they leave together.

Elizabeth says, Drew didn’t look happy. Did Obrecht say something un-celebratory? She promised she would be good. Obrecht says Elizabeth promised her an open bar, and Elizabeth says, at the reception, not the church. (Ha-ha!) Obrecht says she’s sorry about Drew. The words just flew out of her mouth before she could stop them. Elizabeth says she understands Obrecht has strong feelings about the wedding, but at this point in time, she doesn’t think anything is going to stop it from taking place.

Nina asks, what makes Willow think that? and Willow says, it’s a very simple question. She’d like an answer. Nina says she doesn’t know what Willow heard, but let her… Willow says, was she sleeping with Drew? Yes or no? Nina sighs and struggles and says, yes. Willow says, oh my God. She told herself it couldn’t be true, that Nina would never do that to her, but she did. Nina had sex with her fiancé. She thinks she’s going to be sick. Nina reaches for Willow, but Willow says, don’t touch me. Nina says she knows how bad it sounds, but when she and Drew first got together, she had no idea about Willow’s attraction to him. Willow asks, when exactly? and Nina says, April of last year. Willow asks how long it went on, and Nina says, until August. Willow says, so what Nina is telling her is, the entire time she was falling in love with Drew, he was sleeping with Nina.

Sidwell says he politely declined Congressman Cain’s invitation, but Lucy says, it’s a gentleman’s prerogative to change his mind. She was thinking it would be good for him, a change of scenery to celebrate a happy occasion. He says, maybe, but things have been a little tense with him and Sonny Corinthos. She says she does care about both him and Sonny, and wishes they could put their differences aside, but she happens to know that Sonny isn’t attending the wedding. Sidwell says, maybe, but as he said, he decided to step away from anything political in Port Charles. He took away his support for Measure C and cut ties with Congressman Cain. Lucy says, wow. Why the sudden change of heart? He says, Marco has been through so much. He doesn’t want Marco drawn into his conflict with Sonny Corinthos.

Marco says his first impulse was to blame Sonny for his mother’s death. Clearly, she had a problem with the way he ended things. The night she died, he told the police that Sonny was responsible, but now that the initial shock of her death has worn off, he realized it’s not that simple. Sonny says he was fond of Marco’s mother and would never want anything to happen to her. It was the police who put her in an unfortunate position. Marco says, to be honest, he wishes she’d taken the deal from ADA Turner. It wasn’t ideal, but maybe she’d still be with them. She was under pressure and dealt with it in her own way like she usually did, by drinking. Sonny says, she did that a lot, and Marco says, more than he was comfortable with. This time, she mixed pills with booze and ended up making a fatal mistake. He may not be Sonny’s biggest fan, but he knows Sonny didn’t put the pills in her hand. Sonny asks if he thinks it was on purpose, but Marco says, no. His mother was a lot of things, but suicidal wasn’t one of them. Sonny agrees and says, Natalia was a strong woman. She wouldn’t go out like that. Marco says, no, she wouldn’t, and Sonny says he owes Marco’s mother a lot. She helped him out quite a bit. He thinks there’s something Marco should know. One of the last things Natalia said to him was how much she loved Marco and that she regretted the fact they were estranged. Marco says, him too. Now they’ll never get the chance to make it right.

Lucas says, for years, he’s gone along with Carly and toed the party line. Sonny’s not so bad. He lost his kids. He donates a lot of money to charity and the hospital. He’s pretended all that negates the blood on Sonny’s hands, even when it was his father. Carly says, Julian attacked Sonny. It was self-defense. He asks if she’s sure about that. All they have is Sonny’s version of events. She asks if he’s doubting that now? Is Marco the reason he’s drawn a line in the sand? Lucas says, no. Sonny kidnapping Marco made him open his eyes and come to his senses. She says, it’s done just the opposite. He’s so caught up in the newness of the relationship, he’s willing to throw out long standing family relationships. She hopes when the newness wears off, Marco is worth it. He says, Marco’s not a rebound relationship. It’s new and there’s a lot he doesn’t know about Marco, but she knows a lot about Sonny and excuses all of it. She says, Sonny could have killed Marco, but all Sonny did was detain him out of respect for her and Lucas. He asks if she hears herself. Is she saying he should be grateful Sonny didn’t kill Marco? That’s insane. And the fact she can’t see that is further proof that she’s been living in Sonny’s world way too long and he refuses to be part of it. He walks out.

Molly puts on sunscreen, and Cody says she must go through a gallon a day. She says she wants to make sure she’s covered. Does he want some? He says he doesn’t need it. He tans easy. She says he should still use it. People who tan easy can still get skin cancer. (Truth! I’m a big promotor of sunscreen all year round.) He says, might as well or he won’t be able to think of anything but cancer now. Can she get his back? She says, sure, and puts some on him.

Kristina tells Michael that Willow is going to come out of her delusion and realize she lost out on an incredible guy, but it will be too late. She looks over at Cody and Molly, and asks if he’s seeing this. Michael says, it looks like something is going on, and she says, that’s exactly what she was afraid of.

Ric startles Elizabeth in the vestibule and says she looks lovely. She thanks him and says she didn’t expect to see him. He says he was invited as a show of appreciation for stepping in for Martin during Willow’s divorce hearing. To be honest, he thinks they needed people to fill the pews. They’re not the most popular couple these days. She says she knows, but she’s doing all she can to make sure it’s a beautiful ceremony for Willow’s sake. He asks if they can share a dance at the reception. Friends dance and he’ll keep four feet between them, even during the slow dances. She says, that sounds weird, and he says he’s trying to respect her boundaries. Ava sees them, then walks back into the chapel.

Obrecht says she was told this was a joyous occasion, but Ava looks like she just drank sour milk. Ava says she’s sorry. Men are idiots. Obrecht says, if it helps, she was assured there is an open bar at the reception, and Ava says, it does help, and thanks her. Elizabeth comes back and wonders where Nina is. Ava says she’s with the bride, and Elizabeth says she’s sure they’re having a sweet mother/daughter moment, and thinks she’ll leave them alone. Ava says she thinks that’s for the best.  

Willow asks how Nina could betray her like this. She confided in Nina and told her that she’d kissed Drew. She told Nina about her feelings and Nina didn’t say anything. Nina says she should have, but at that moment, she couldn’t. She was so afraid. Willow says, of what? and Nina says, losing her. Their relationship then was so rocky. All she wanted to do was be a mother to Willow and finally, Willow opened that door and confided in her. If she told Willow, she’d have shut the door again. Willow says, she was too much of a coward, but that doesn’t explain why she kept sleeping with Drew. Oh my God. Was Nina in love with him? Nina says, no. She hated Drew and still hates him. What they did was twisted and wrong, but she thought she was helping Willow. She convinced herself that she could save Willow’s marriage if she lured Drew away from her. Willow laughs and asks if Nina is seriously trying to say she was doing her a favor, but Nina says she’s telling Willow that she made a mistake. When she realized how important Drew was to Willow, she swears she stopped it, and by that time it was too late to tell her. Willow says, so instead, Nina let her fall deeper in love with Drew and watched as she threw away her marriage and children for a man Nina knew was lying to her, and she did nothing.

Lucy tells Sidwell that she was hoping to end the salacious story about Sonny’s involvement in Natalia’s death, but unfortunately, she didn’t succeed. She’s sorry. He says, it’s all right, and thanks her for being kind during the time he needed support. It means so much. He takes her hands, and she says he’s very welcome. She’s got a wedding to officiate and has to go, but he has one last chance to join her. He says he thinks it’s best he doesn’t, and she says, okay. She hopes Sonny appreciates his effort to get along. He says he hopes so too. For him, it’s all about peaceful coexistence.

Lucas arrives at Marco’s room and sees Sonny. He asks what Sonny is doing here, and Sonny tells him that he’s said his piece. He’ll leave them alone. He doesn’t want trouble with Lucas. Lucas says, he shouldn’t have kidnapped Marco, and he swears, if Sonny does it again, he’ll go straight to the police. Sonny says he’ll keep that in mind, and leaves. Marco thanks Lucas for being protective, but it’s not necessary. Lucas says he knows Sonny. He doesn’t care what Sonny said. Sonny didn’t come here to check up on him, but to intimidate him. Marco should go back to the PCPD and add the interaction to his previous statement. Marco says he didn’t give a statement. He didn’t tell them what Sonny did.

Kristina asked Michael to strike up a conversation with Cody to get him away from Molly. He asks what he should talk about, and she says, anything – sports, taxes, horses. He says, okay, but she owes him one He goes over to Cody and asks if they can talk a second, and Cody says, right now? Michael says, yeah, sorry, and Cody says, sure. He gets up, tells Molly that he’ll be right back, and goes elsewhere with Michael. Kristina takes Cody’s seat and asks what Molly is doing. Molly says, getting some sun, and Kristina asks what she’s doing with Cody. She thought Molly wasn’t interested in him. Molly says she’s not, and Kristina asks if Cody knows that.

Ric says he hasn’t heard from Ava since their tiff at the gallery, and she says, when he spent the night fawning over Elizabeth like a lovesick schoolboy. She saw them in the vestibule. He says they ran into each other at the guestbook and exchanged pleasantries. That’s what she saw. She says, thou shalt not be willfully ignorant in the Lord’s house. The Lord might just smite him. She walks off, and Ric looks up.

Nina says she did try to get Willow away from Drew. She encouraged Willow repeatedly to work on her marriage. She urged Willow not to move in with Drew, but she wouldn’t listen. She warned Willow over and over that it wasn’t a healthy relationship. Willow says, all things now considered, Nina kind of undersold that, and Nina says, it got to the point where she couldn’t say one bad thing about Drew or Willow would be all over her. Willow says, so it’s her fault, but Nina says, no. She’s just trying to get Willow to understand that she did listen. She did everything she could to get her away from Drew. Willow says, Nina tried every way but one. If Nina had said she and Drew were sleeping together, instead of keeping something like that from her, she’d have left Drew in a heartbeat. But Nina lied and let her lose her children. Nina says she was afraid if she told the truth, she’d lose her child in the process, and Willow asks if she hears how incredibly selfish she sounds. What kind of mother is she? Nina says she’s sorry. Willow has no idea how much she regrets her actions, and she’d do anything to make it right. Willow asks how she can possibly make it right. Nina didn’t just lie to her and betray her trust, keeping the truth from her helped her to lose custody of her children. She will never forgive Nina.

Sonny goes to Carly’s office and says she needs to talk to her brother. He completely lost it. Carly asks what he’s done now, and he says Lucas threatened to turn him over to the cops if he even looked at Marco wrong. She says they just had it out here too, and he says she needs to keep Lucas in line. He’s already gone to the cops once and now he’s threatened to do it again. She says, Marco disappearing shook him up. Now that he knows Marco is fine, she’s sure everything will calm down. He says, if it doesn’t, she needs to be prepared. Has she ever said anything to Lucas that could backfire on him? She says, no. She’d never put him or her brother in a compromising position. How could he ask her something like that? He says he’s just asking a question, don’t bite his head off, and she says her relationship with Lucas is hanging by a thread and he’s questioning her loyalty. Her loyalty to him is what has Lucas mad and they’re both driving her crazy.

Lucas tells Marco, so that’s it? Sonny just gets away with kidnapping him? Marco says, it’s a small price to pay if it prevents them from getting dragged any further into a dangerous situation. The tradeoff is worth it. He hopes Lucas understands. Lucas says he wants Sonny to pay for what he did, but it’s Marco’s call. All he can do is respect Marco’s decision. Marco thanks Lucas for having his back and asks if Lucas minds if he gets some rest. He’s exhausted. Lucas says, of course (🍷). He has something he has to take care of anyway.

Molly says she was just getting Cody’s back, and Kristina says, he has a reputation. If he thinks Molly is into him, he could use it to his advantage. Molly says she knows Cody has a past, but he’s changed, and Kristina says, he has a habit of luring in beautiful, rich women for their money. Molly says, what? and Kristina says she was thinking maybe that explains why he’s spending so much time with Ava. And Molly is a beautiful, successful lawyer, and a Cassadine. He could be looking for a payday. Molly says, that’s ridiculous. She’s a civil servant. Besides, they’re friends and he’s never asked her for anything. Kristina says, that’s very good. They should stay friends. She’s just saying there’s nothing worse than getting close to someone and realizing they have an agenda. She doesn’t want that for Molly.

Ava asks for a word with Alexis, and Alexis says, now? Ava says, if it’s okay, and they go into the vestibule. Alexis asks what Ava wants, and Ava says she needs to speak to Alexis about business. Alexis says, this is neither the time nor the place, and Ava says she agrees. That’s why she’d like to meet at Alexis’s office next week. Just the two of them. Ava goes back into the chapel.  

Nina says she knows she messed up and Willow has every right to be furious, but please don’t shut her out of her life. She loves her so much. Willow says she trusted Nina and went against her instincts letting Nina back into her life. She’d thought they’d come so far. Nina says, they have. Spending time as a mother and daughter has meant everything to her. It’s something she didn’t get to do with Nelle, and it means more than Willow will ever know that she had the chance to do it with her. Willow says their relationship was never really real, was it? It was all built on lies. All of it. None of it was real. Nina sits next to Willow, but Willow inches away, and Nina tells her, don’t say that. Willow gets up and says she thought she was so lucky to have her mom by her side. Nina could have saved her all the heartbreak. All she had to do was tell the truth. Nina says that’s why she’s here, to tell the truth, but Willow cries and says, the damage has been done. Because of Nina’s silence, she lost everything.

Willow says she burned every bridge and sacrificed everything for Drew, a man who’s been lying to her their entire relationship, and now he’s all she has left. Nina says, that’s not true. Willow has her. Willow says, sorry. She needed Nina to be a mother when it mattered and would have done some good, but she didn’t. Nina says she loves Willow. Try to understand… Willow says, Nina wasn’t cut out to be a mother. Maybe because her own mother was a total nightmare, but she doesn’t have a maternal bone in her body. She envies Nelle. Nelle died never knowing that Nina was her mother. She wishes she’d been as lucky as Nelle. Nina says, she doesn’t mean that, and Willow says, get the hell out. She opens the door and tells Nina that she said, get out. Nina slowly walks out, and Willow closes the door and cries (completely avoiding and omitting her own part in any of this).

Sonny says he doesn’t want to cause problems between Carly and Lucas. He knows how much Lucas means to her. Carly says, he means a lot, but she doesn’t like him coming hard at Sonny. Suddenly, Lucas sees everything in black and white. Marco’s a saint and Sonny… Sonny says he’s not, and she says, pretty much. He says, looks like Lucas has it bad for Marco, and she says, yeah. He’s taking Marco’s side right now. Sonny asks if she thinks he should lay low and stay away from her place, but she says, that doesn’t work for her. Lucas needs to understand this part of her life is not going to change.

Molly says she doesn’t know where Kristina heard these rumors about Cody, but trust her, there’s no chance he’s seducing her for money. Kristina says, they looked chummy. Even Michael noticed. Honestly, asking her to put sunscreen on his back. Typical sleazy guy move. Molly says she’d just been lecturing him on the dangers of skin cancer, and Kristina says, oh, okay, fine. Maybe she’s being an overprotective sister. She doesn’t want Molly to get hurt. Molly looks over at Cody talking to Michael.

Willow flashes back to telling Drew that Carly said he was manipulating her and saying she chooses him completely.  She remembers Drew promising she won’t lose her kids, and Martin saying that the courts favor married couples and suggesting they get married. She flashes back to saying there’s nothing more important than her kids, Drew kissing her, saying he loves her, them getting busy. She looks in the mirror.  

In the chapel, Lucy says, it’s time, so please take your seats. She goes up front, and the guests sit down. Nina comes in and Obrecht says, it’s an emotional day, but she might want to touch up her makeup. Nina says she has to get out of here. Will Obrecht come with her? Obrecht says, the wedding is about to start, but Nina says, there’s not going to be a wedding. Obrecht asks, why not? when Elizabeth says, everyone. The bride is ready. Obrecht says, it appears Nina was mistaken.

Kristina thanks Michael for his help, and Michael says, sure. Now explain why she’s trying to come between Molly and a guy who obviously likes her. They leave, and Cody brings drinks back for himself and Molly. She asks, what’s this? and he says, a little thank you for putting sunscreen on his back. He thinks she missed a spot. Does she mind finishing? He doesn’t want an uneven tan. What would people say?

Sidwell says he’s so glad Marco is here and hugs him. Finally, privacy. Be honest. How bad was he hurt? Marco says he’ll be fine, and Sidwell says he’s so sorry Marco was drawn into his war with Sonny Corinthos. He knows Marco wanted to stay out of it. Marco says, not anymore. He’s all in now. Whatever it takes, Sonny Corinthos needs to go. They hug again.  

Sonny tells Carly, like he said, he doesn’t want to cause problems between her and Lucas. He hopes they patch things up. She says, at the end of the day, they love each other. When the dust settles, everything will be okay. Lucas comes in and she says she’s glad he came back. He hands her a key and says he’s moving out, and she asks if that’s necessary. He says he’s afraid it is.

Nina says she shouldn’t be here, and Obrecht says, nonsense. She’s the mother of the bride. Besides, it’s starting. Scout walks down the aisle, tossing flower petals. Drew meets her at the front and says she was perfect, kissing her cheek. The organ plays Here Comes the Bride, and there’s a moment where we wonder if Willow will show. Then Elizabeth opens the door, and Willow is there in her bridal gown, holding her bouquet. She walks in and Drew smiles, but Willow just stares straight ahead with no expression.  

Unless she has a bayonet in that bouquet, I’m not going to be happy.

On Monday, Josslyn asks if there’s a problem and Jack says, that depends on her; Molly says, Cody isn’t worried about sun exposure, he just wants her hands on him; Michael asks Kristina, what could possibly be worse than the people she tried to kill; and Lucy says, speak now or forever hold your peace.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I’m going to miss Daisy more. I love those animated babies who look like they actually understand a scene.

https://ew.com/general-hospital-says-goodbye-sasha-actress-sofia-mattsson-11775417

I’m excited too!

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/kelly-thiebuad-confirms-that-shes-back-on-general-hospital-as-britt-im-very-much-excited/

Isn’t this always the way?

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-finn-carr-looked-like-a-complete-lunatic-when-he-met-kelly-thiebaud-exclusive/

It’s not a wedding in Port Charles without a literal or figurative explosion.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/6-general-hospital-weddings-that-were-blown-up-by-the-reveal-of-explosive-secrets/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

Apparently, social media was not kind to Fraser about Chef Anthony getting fired. Although he claimed he’d wanted the chef to get another chance, he told Rainbeau that what he needed was a team who could do the job. If they couldn’t, that wasn’t his responsibility. Preach! Poor mummy had a lot on her plate, trying to keep the love triangle turned quadrangle straight, along with his interior team. Although if he woke me up with wakey, wakey, I’d crack him one.

The Valley

Brittany, Michele, and Janet visited Lala to see her new baby. Brittany said, until there was drug testing, Cruz wasn’t visiting Jax, which is understandable, since he is still batsh*t crazy and high. Michele had a Zen Party, and why the hell she invited Jax is a mystery. He’s about as far from Zen as you get. Why he came is also a mystery, since he smack talked everyone in his interviews. When Brittany saw a lawyer, she explained that after she and Jax got married, their mortgage went from $8000 to $17,000 – yes, you read that right – because he owed so much in back taxes. Jax said he was going to wait until the last day to sign the papers just because, and in her interview, Brittany said she’d had blinders on, but now saw a greasy man child. Yep. Scheana and Brock went to Michele’s party, and I didn’t recognize Brock with a blond buzzcut. Is that on purpose? Michele said it was the most un-Zen Zen Party she’d ever been to, and Zack capped off the night by going apesh*t over Brittany still being friends with Janet.

Next Gen NYC

The group came back from New Jersey after an angst filled seaside trip, and Riley said she thought it was Jersey. No, hon, it’s you. I’m not crazy about the Brooks/Meredith stuff. It’s basically a snoozefest they’re both trying to make happen. After saying he’d give Georgia a million to fund her new club (Emira says, google him), Omar and Georgia broke up. Georgia had to break up with his money too, and was left stranded in Singapore. It was the finale, and I enjoyed Ariana talking about becoming more of New Yorker and pointing out that she’d learned Greenwich was not pronounced Green-witch. But does she know Houston Street is pronounced Howston, not like the city in Texas? Emira would also like you to know that she loves being messy. And she ain’t talking about socks on the floor.

I can’t say I’m surprised.

Real Housewives Of Miami

Stephanie told us that boogers and Birkins don’t mix, so no kids for her. Probably no pets either. Larsa liked how Stephanie put all her cards on the table, and I agree. Marisol said Stephanie did something they couldn’t do in a decade, get Lisa to be on time. Guerdy had a Celebration of Life party which she ended by projecting Julia’s texts to her about the cruise on a big screen and shaming her. She claimed it was good for the group and would allow [them] to move on in a positive and truthful manner. Right. How 14-year-old mean girl of her. In Julia’s interview, she said Guerdy took an even that was supposed to be about conquering cancer and made it about her personal feels regarding something else. Lisa said it was like Game of Thrones, and Marisol compared it to Carrie. It was that whole vibe. Guerdy said it was her party and she could do what she wanted to. She’s not wrong, but that didn’t make what she did right.

Real Housewives Of Orange County

It was hard to pay attention to this since it’s all the same old. Fancy Pants had a fancy un-birthday birthday party with girls in a huge champagne glass pouring coffee champs. No surprise, Shannon got into it with Katie because no party is complete without an argument. Shannon said Katie was worse than Alexis or Tamra. Oh horrors. Even worse Shannon left her grilled cheese behind when she stormed out.

Random Reality Items

They’re back, back in the USA.

I don’t know who this is, but holy! I read about this in the NY Post. What’s wrong with people?

I love a crossover, plus, I have a friend who is friends with Melissa. Brush with fame!

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Trainwreck: Balloon Boy. Netflix. While there wasn’t much new about this story, the interviews were enjoyable, and it was a bit eye-opening to see the overkill of law enforcement. My guess is, the reason Richard Henne took a plea deal was because his wife was not a citizen and threatened with deportation. Seriously?

https://people.com/trainwreck-balloon-boy-true-story-11772282

Brick. Netflix. Like CBR says, the reviews were not great, but I loved this thriller from Germany. It got off the ground quickly – no slow start here – and was full of surprises. My mouth literally dropped open at one of them. The inhabitants of an apartment building suddenly find themselves bricked into their apartments and work together (or not) to find a way out. Of course they toss around theories as to why this might be happening, but the end was still startling to behold.

https://www.cbr.com/netflix-brick-underrated-movie/

Interesting comparison to The Platform.

https://movieweb.com/brick-fans-stream-the-platform-netflix/

Jaws@50: The Definitive Inside Story. Hulu. What you’d expect it to be, but loads of fun trivia and lots of great interviews. It was amusing to find out that Steven Spielberg thought it was going to be the end of his career and discovered it was the beginning.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/jeremyhayes/jaws-50-documentary-facts

Humane. Hulu. This time, the world disaster is climate change and overpopulation. The solution is (mostly) voluntary euthanasia and sterilization. However, if someone in a family volunteers, even though they can back out, there must be a body. A family must decide who’s the one to go, and it became a cross between Agatha Christie and Dallas. IMO, a thoroughly amusing ending.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/humane-film-review-2024

Born to be Viral: The Real Lives of Kidfluencers. Freeform/Hulu. This was more disturbing than a horror film. Every kid wants attention, but making them live in a world of it that’s on view for all to see seems wrong. The worst part was how the parents of these children followed social media trends instead of creating trends. Which would actually take some thought and hanging in there until something sticks. The worst so-called trend was fighting in front of the children to get their reaction. W… T… F…? Even though they claimed it was a fun family activity, the parents were in it for the views equaling money, which made it even worse.

https://people.com/born-to-be-viral-docuseries-trailer-exclusive-11752092

🦇 Mama, He’s Comin’ Home…

There have been way too many celebrity deaths recently, but rather than post a depressing list, I’ll let Ozzy represent. After all, one of his lives was being a reality TV star. Amazing and uncanny how he recently had what was basically a farewell concert. I loved what he had to say about his legacy, that just being remembered was enough. Rock on in the heavenlies, Ozzy.

https://extratv.com/photos/image_jpg_20250722_003fee8f48a2475d9db0ebb3d52af97d/

👛 Just Because…

Loved this movie. Loved the clothes. Loved the chihuahua.

https://ew.com/clueless-cast-where-are-they-now-11771504

🪄 What Happens In San Diego…

Now you can even cosplay at home.

https://ew.com/how-to-watch-entertainment-weekly-2025-san-diego-comic-con-livestream-11778481

https://ew.com/comic-con-2025-issue-11772797

🐾 Uncommon Tails…

🦁 Mufasa is real!

https://people.com/how-a-pride-of-lions-saved-a-kidnapped-12-year-old-girl-in-ethiopia-11768461

🐹 The latest in neon animals.

https://people.com/photographer-captures-first-ever-photo-glow-in-the-dark-marsupial-animal-11774372

🐕 From unwanted to winners.

https://people.com/worlds-cutest-rescue-dog-contest-where-are-they-now-11772840

🪺 Quotes of the Week

The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color. – Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting

Blessed is the man, who having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact. – George Eliot

It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.Eleanor Roosevelt

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. – Albert Einstein

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of their opportunities, and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of their difficulties. – Harry S. Truman

This is syrup. No one drink it. – Brooks Marks, Next Gen NYC

🎶 The Song Sings Itself…

Until next week, stay safe; stay listening to Molly and always using sunscreen – all year round; and stay never losing sight of anything you want to achieve.

July 18, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Jason Spots a Familiar Face, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Coming Soon, Emmy Info, Bonus Material, Off the Leash, Just Over 10 Quotes & Bright

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

At All Saints, Sidwell looked at Natalia’s coffin in front of the altar. Lucy came in and he thanked her for her support. She said she was sorry he had to deal with the media coverage, and he said it made things more difficult for Marco.

Lucas sent multiple texts to Marco, but Marco didn’t respond. Alexis went to Marco’s hotel room to offer her condolences, but also to tell him that no matter what he thought, Sonny didn’t kill his mother.

Michael met Sonny, Carly, and the moss bowl 🎍 in Sonny’s old kitchen. Sonny thanked him for the heads up on the headline, and Michael said he had bad news. He was about to lose his daughter.

At the hospital, Isaiah said he and Willow would be working in the ER, but she said no way would Lucas let her work with him.

Jack left a message for Carly saying he was thinking about her. Vaugn and Josslyn came into his office and he said Anna was clearly probing Vaughn’s cover and onto them.

On the phone, Anna asked for a background check, when Felicia arrived. Outback ran out carrying a shoe of Anna’s and Anna yelled, Emma Scorpio Drake, come in here right now!

Sasha brought Daisy to the pool. Daisy looked adorable in a pool outfit and matching sun hat.

Lulu thanked Jason for coming over, and he said he should have talked to her and Dante before answering Rocco’s questions about Britt. Lulu said he needed to understand he could never talk to her son about Britt again.

Isaiah told Lucas and Willow that the three of them had to work together. Whatever was going on had to stop and they needed to clear the air – like now.

Michael told Sonny and Carly that Sasha and Daisy were leaving town asap. It had been decided because someone was targeting Daisy.

Vaughn said he wasn’t sure Anna bought his cover story, but Josslyn said, Emma did. Jack said there was a big difference, since Anna was a trained agent and brilliant. He expected she’d be looking into Vaughn. Josslyn asked what she’d find, and Vaughn said, nothing. Jack said, for a regular person, that would be a good thing, but for Anna it raised red flags. She was the sharpest, shrewdest, and most cunning agent, and crossing paths with her would make things more difficult.

Anna fought Outback for her shoe and said Emma’s dog just ate her shoe for breakfast. Emma said she must have left the door to Anna’s bedroom open, but she’d get Anna another pair. Anna said she’d gotten them in Milan before Emma was born. They were vintage, irreplaceable, and her favorites. Gio came in and said they had to get to work. He grabbed a Pop Tart out of the toaster and took a bite, when Anna said that was her breakfast… and it was the last one. Gio said, sorry, and he and Emma dashed out, along with Outback. Anna wondered what just happened, and Felicia said, a chaotic morning in a full house. It was kind of nice. Anna wondered how it had become her life.

At the pool, Dalton asked for towels, and Danny said he’d bring them when the fresh ones came out. Rocco brought out towels and told Danny that his parents said it was true that Britt had given birth to him, but the whole thing was complicated. She’d stolen him as an embryo. Danny said she was evil, but Rocco said Danny’s dad thought she was a good person. She’d died saving his Aunt Josslyn. He’d needed answers and still did.

Lulu told Jason that she’d been blindsided. She and Dante had planned to tell Rocco about how they’d trusted Britt, and she stole him as an embryo. It was a dark time, and Britt had stolen almost all of Rocco’s first year. How could Jason paint her in a positive light? He said it was the truth, and she said it was his truth. He said he’d known a different Britt and if he accepted that Lulu’s version existed, she had to accept that his did too.

Lucy told Sidwell that she’d enjoyed working with Natalia. She was a sharp, dynamic, resilient, and resourceful woman, everything that Deception was. Sidwell said, she was a force of nature. He was concerned that Marco would never know peace if he didn’t get answers, and Lucy said she couldn’t imagine that Sonny was involved, and the article hadn’t listed one source. He said it was too early to dismiss any possibilities.  

Alexis told Marco that the article was all innuendo and no facts. When she lost her daughter, all she wanted to do was anyone and everyone, but that made it worse. She was hoping Marco would steer clear of that, especially with Kristina’s dad. Marco asked if that’s why she was there, and she said he’d saved her daughter’s life and deserved the truth, not clickbait. She knew Sonny, the good and bad, and knew what he was capable of. Sonny would never have hurt his mother, him, or Blaze. Family might be the only thing that meant anything to him.  

Michael said security hadn’t found anything, and Sonny said he thought someone was sending him a message. They were proving they could do what they wanted when they wanted. There were no coincidences in his world. With the bombing, what happened in LA, and Charlie’s, someone was trying to get his attention. Carly said Michael had rights and could stop Sasha leaving, but Michael said he didn’t want to.  

Danny asked how Rocco was going to get more answers, and Rocco said he’d emailed Britt’s mom. Dalton shouted for towels, and Danny ran over with some fresh from the dryer. Dalton suggested Danny and Rocco pay more attention to the guests and less to socializing, when Gio, Emma, and Outback came into the pool area.

Lulu said she doubted anything Jason told her would change her mind, and he said he didn’t expect it to. Neither would Britt. She knew how horrible she’d been. Lulu said Jason didn’t let anyone in and wondered how he got involved with Britt, and he said the Britt he knew was different. She wasn’t the same person. Lulu said it was based on six months experience and Britt was an awful person. He said Britt wasn’t a saint, but had changed in a way that mattered. He hurt her when he’d married Carly and couldn’t change that, but the least he could do was make sure people knew Britt’s story – the good and the bad.

Isaiah told Lucas and Willow to find a way to be cordial. Work was stressful enough. Lucas said they were on opposite sides of a contentious family matter, and Willow said Lucas’s sister and his nephew stole her kids. Lucas said he’d asked her not to take Michael’s kids from him. He wanted the best for Wiley and Wiley shouldn’t be around Drew. Willow said Isaiah was right. For the sake of their patients and the staff, they should keep their personal issues outside of the hospital. Lucas agreed and said he was sorry. He’d do better. Willow said she would too, and Isaiah said, that wasn’t so hard, was it?

Jack said Anna had already asked for a background check, and Vaughn said maybe he should leave town, but Jack said it would cause more red flags. Vaughn said the public breakup was a stupid idea, but Josslyn said he’d been all in. Jack said they had to be smarter. Anna was hard to fool, but not impossible. They needed to fully commit and become the most convincing couple ever seen. They had to live and breathe it 24/7 and be real enough to convince even him.

Lulu said it didn’t matter how well-intentioned Jason was, and Jason said he wouldn’t talk to Rocco about Britt again, but she was worried the damage was already done. Rocco was distant and avoiding her. She could feel him pulling away. Jason said he thought Rocco needed time. They were great parents, and Rocco was a great kid. She had to trust Rocco to see how much they loved him. She said that was exactly the right thing to say to make her feel better – since everything is all about her – and he said he was sorry. She apologized for lashing out and admitted her anger was slightly misplaced. Jason left.  

Rocco asked Sasha if the baby knew she was talking to her, and Sasha said she liked to think so. If mothers talked to babies while they were in the womb, she thought the baby recognized the mother’s voice. It had to sound familiar.

Anna told Felicia that she liked her new roommates, and ruined shoes aside, Outback was a sweet dog, but the life she was living wasn’t the one she’d expected to live. Felicia said, aside from the chaos, how were things with Emma? and Anna said she was worried. She thought Emma might be in trouble.

Gio told Rocco and Danny that they were doing great. It was nice to get to know Rocco better on neutral ground.

Dalton (aka jerkface) found Outback sitting on his chaise lounge and called Danny over. Danny said he’d make sure the dog left, but Dalton said, forget it. Between no towels, the lack of service, and the dog, the experience had been terrible. He told Gio that he wanted to speak to the owner. Danny and Rocco needed to lose their jobs.

Lucy asked if Sidwell had reason believe Sonny was involved or did he think Natalia could have mixed the substances on her own. Sidwell said that Natalia never drank to excess when they were together, but Lucy said, maybe it had happened in the last few years or stress had led her to overindulge without realizing it. He said anything was possible. He and Natalia had problems, but they’d been in love once and she’d given him a son. For that, she’d always hold a special place in his heart. He was worried that without a clearcut answer on Natalia’s death and the reasons for it, his son would be haunted for the rest of his life. Lucy said she could call in some favors and get the story pulled out of the news cycle, and he said, anything she could do. Marco was in enough pain without his name and his mother’s name dragged though the press.

Alexis said she knew Marco had the memorial and didn’t want to keep him. If there was anything he needed, don’t hesitate to ask. Take all the time he needed. She left and he looked at the texts from Lucas.

Lucas saw there were no replies to any of his texts to Marco.

Willow thanked Isaiah for stepping in, and he said he was happy to help. He enjoyed working with both of them, and they’d clearly been looking for a fight. Willow said Lucas wasn’t the man she wanted to fight. Michael was. He was punishing her and her kids because she’d followed her heart. She and Drew would be married soon, and Michael would be a divorced dad with children by three different women. He’d look worse on paper. Isaiah said he’d never heard her talk that way, and she said Michael drove her to this. He drove her to all of it. She flashed back to taking Daisy and saying, Daisy’s mom betrayed her, and Daisy’s daddy really did. He wouldn’t let her see her children, so she was going to show him what it was like.

Sonny said he felt responsible and wanted to make sure Sasha was safe, and Michael said he’d offered to get security, but Sasha didn’t want to live that way. He had to respect that. Carly said he didn’t, but Sonny said Michael was right, and the moss bowl 🎍 agreed. Michael said Sasha had been through enough and deserved a peaceful life with their daughter. He wanted to give her that. It was the right thing to do. Sonny said whatever Michael needed, he’d give him, and Carly hugged Michael. Michael said Sasha was taking Daisy for a routine check and vaccinations. After that, Jason would escort Sasha and Daisy to their destination. Carly said, we’ve got you, and Michael said he still had to brace for the next fight. Willow and Drew’s marriage was a ploy for custody. If he lost Wiley and Amelia, there was nothing left for him. He couldn’t let them get custody – not ever.

Alexis went to Lulu’s and said she heard Lulu was back to freelancing. Had she seen the Aurora headline? Lulu said it was a hit piece on Sonny, and Alexis said it didn’t sit well with her. It didn’t seem like Curtis or Aurora’s style. Lulu said she didn’t write it and had nothing to do with Aurora, and Alexis said Lulu wasn’t involved now, but if she helped, she would be.

Anna told Felicia that the guy Emma was seeing seemed too perfect. He was also too old. Felicia pointed out that the age gap was smaller than Anna and Robert’s, and Anna said she was lucky Robert had been a good man. Felicia said, maybe Vaughn was too, and Anna said, maybe, but maybe he was a good spy living his best cover. Emma agreed she shouldn’t be dating him and that’s when alarm bells went off. Felicia said maybe Anna was projecting and being an overprotective grandma, but Anna said Vaughn worked at facilities at PCU. He was in direct proximity to Dalton, and her grandma instinct kicked in. She wondered if Vaughn had anything to do with Dalton in California and thought the professor and Emma ending up at the same university at the same time wasn’t a coincidence.

Emma told Dalton that she was so sorry. She’d snuck the dog in, and the boys had no idea. Dalton said they should have noticed before he did, but Emma said Outback was stealthier than she looked. Dalton laughed, and Emma said she’d make it up to him. Even though she didn’t get the research position, maybe she could volunteer her time and make his days more relaxing. Dalton agreed and said he needed an extra hand. So did his assistant.

Alexis asked Lulu to find out who wrote the hit piece. Since she was a reporter maybe she could approach Curtis peer to peer. Lulu asked what she wanted to know, and Alexis said Sonny was Kristina’s father and it hurt her too. She wanted to know who it was. Lulu said Alexis was protecting Kristina, and Alexis said, always. Lulu said Alexis didn’t need to convince her. She owed everything to the family and would help, for Alexis, Kristina, and Sam.  

On the phone, Anna thanked someone, and told Felicia that Vaughn’s background was squeaky clean. Not even a parking ticket. Felicia asked if that wasn’t good, but Anna said, as a P.I., Felicia knew what it meant when a record was that clean. She was going to do what it took to find out what was going on.

Jack said Vaughn and Josslyn had uncovered a major clue. When Dalton’s phone was cloned, it revealed zero digital communication. That meant he wasn’t updating anyone electronically. It meant a messenger was physically delivering information to Dalton’s employer. They needed to find the messenger.

Dalton walked into the church and apologized for being late. He was sorry about Sidwell’s ex. Sidwell told him to save it. Make it quick. His son would be there soon, and he didn’t want Marco to see them together. Their mutual friend was growing impatient and neither one of them was happy with Dalton’s progress. They were sending a courier to get answers about what was taking so long. If Dalton didn’t have an answer, there would be hell to pay.

Michael met Sasha and Daisy at the hospital, and Willow watched them.

Rocco said Emma working for Dalton was a bad idea, and Gio agreed. Danny said, let him complain. No one would get fired. Emma said nobody would talk to Carly. This was what she’d wanted. She needed access to Dalton’s work and files. She knew him from her old school, and he was a bad guy. He’d experimented on animals there and she was sure he was doing it at PCU too. She’d been trying to get proof for over a year with no luck, so she got creative. Her volunteering to work wasn’t just saving Danny and Rocco’s jobs. It was her chance to get inside and find something to stop Dalton.

Outside of Marco’s hotel room, Lucas told Carly that Marco was supposed to pick him up and never showed. He hadn’t responded to Lucas’s texts, and he was worried. Carly used a keycard to open Marco’s room, but it was empty.  

In a basement room, Marco banged on the door and said they didn’t’ want to do this. Whoever they were, they had no idea what they’d done. Jason came down the hall outside, and Marco yelled, help me! He banged on the door some more.

As he touched the casket, Sidwell told Natalia, may you find the peace in death that life rarely afforded you. He promised to take good care of their son.

The church door opened, and Sidwell said, Marco? but it was Sonny. Sonny said, sorry to disappoint him, but his son wasn’t coming.

Tuesday:

Tracy invited Nina for afternoon tea. She had a proposition that would benefit both of them.

At the hospital, Willow approached Michael and Sasha and asked how her kids were doing. Michael said Amelia was fine, but Wiley was upset and confused thanks to her.

Lucas fretted about Marco, but Carly said, maybe there was a miscommunication. Lucas said, or maybe Sonny had him.

Marco continued to bang at the door and said he knew Sonny was behind this. He was making a huge mistake. If something happened to him, his father would be out for blood.

Sidwell asked what Sonny did with Marco, but Sonny said he should be asking how he’d get his son home in one piece.

Tracy said she despised Sonny, and Nina reminded her about getting arrested on the red carpet due to her rant about him. Tracy said Sonny and Gio had a bond that she didn’t want to get any stronger. The people Sonny loved ended up in harm’s way. Nina asked what Tracy thought she could do, and Tracy said Nina could help drive Sonny from Port Charles for good.

Lucas said Sonny assumed Sidwell set the fire and was getting revenge by targeting Sidwell’s son. Carly said she’d urged Sonny not to resort to violence. He’d listened, then told her to say out of it. Lucas said he’d check the church, but they both knew it was a longshot.

Jason had to take care of something and told the guard not to leave the door and if need be, call for back-up. Most important, don’t let Marco out. He was essential to Sonny’s plan.

Sidwell said he’d done nothing to provoke this reprehensible attack on his family, and Sonny told him not to lie in church. Sidwell said he hadn’t started the fire. Selina was probably behind it. Sonny wasn’t fooled and said he’d rejected Sidwell’s offer, so Sidwell went after his daughter who almost died. That made Sidwell’s son fair game. Marco wasn’t in danger because of him, but because of Sidwell.

Carly left a message for Sonny about Marco, when Drew came by. He said it was the last chance for her to save her grandchildren.

Michael said he’d been protecting his children, and Willow suggested that one day Sasha would have to protect Daisy from Michael.

Tracy wanted Nina to use her media connection to persuade the citizens to vote yes on Measure C. If Sonny lost his base of operations, he’d have to leave. Nina said she didn’t think forcing Sonny to leave was the answer and someone worse could come in, but Tracy said Gio wouldn’t be related to them. She wasn’t sitting back and doing nothing. Sonny killed Monica’s son and she wouldn’t have him be responsible for anything happening to Gio. Nina said Sonny would protect Gio, and Tracy asked if she meant like he’d protected Michael, Kristina, and Morgan. She was sure Nina cared about Wiley and Amelia more than Sonny and would want him gone for her own grandchildren.

Jason went to the church and stood in front of the doors, when Lucas showed up. Jason said Sonny and Sidwell were inside, and Lucas asked what Sonny did to Marco.

Sonny said Sidwell had escalated the situation, and Sidwell reminded him that Marco saved Kristina. Sonny said Sidwell got his own son involved and was the one who needed to get him out. Sidwell asked what Sonny wanted, and Sonny said for Sidwell to clean up the political mess, then get the hell out of his way.

Nina said she was still fond of Sonny, and Tracy asked if she cared more about Sonny than her grandchildren. Nina said, of course (🍷) not, but she’d need an incentive to go against him. Tracy could help Willow get access to her children. Tracy said Nina had misread the situation and thought she could extort a favor. Either speak out against Sonny or she’d tell Willow that Nina slept with Drew behind her back.

Carly told Drew that the children had been removed because Willow was an unfit mother and their father was protecting them. Drew said the kids missed their mother, and Carly said if Willow could prove she’d put the kids’ best interests before her own, she could see them. Drew said he wanted her to talk to Michael. If he wouldn’t compromise, things would get very ugly.

Michael said Willow was making things worse, like what she’d done at the pool. She’d tried to manipulate things, and only made Wiley cry. It made him realize the level she’d stoop to in order to get her own way and she couldn’t be trusted. He’d told Diane to contact the court, and the visitation hearing had been postponed until October.

Jason told Lucas to stay out of it. Sonny and Sidwell couldn’t be interrupted. Lucas said he guessed Sonny was informing Sidwell that in retaliation for the fire, he’d snatched Sidwell’s son. He asked if Marco was going to die or was already dead.

Sidwell said he wasn’t responsible for Sonny’s political mess. He had Laura to thank for that when she put the referendum on the ballot. She’d wanted to duck her responsibility, gambled with Sonny’s piers, and it backfired. There was nothing he could do. Sonny said he liked Marco, but if Sidwell didn’t figure out something, he would never see his son again.

Marco paced for a while, then said he was a diabetic and needed something to eat. The guard put on a mask, got his gun ready, and opened the door. Marco was behind it and raised up a chair, bringing it down.  

Drew said he was willing to do whatever was needed to help Willow gain access to her children, and Carly said, call off the wedding, move to DC, and stay there. He said he wasn’t abandoning the woman he loved to satisfy Michael’s petty need for revenge, but she said it wasn’t revenge. Michael was looking out for the kids’ best interest. Willow had proved her devotion to Drew was more important than her kids. Drew said Carly was a fool and a hypocrite.

Willow whined that she couldn’t go that long without seeing her kids, and Michael suggested she use the time to get her life in order. It would be smart to remove Drew from her life. She said they were getting married, and he told her to prepare never to see her kids again. She asked how Sasha could just sit there. They used to be friends, and Sasha knew what it was like to lose a child. Sasha said she didn’t know what Willow expected her to do, and Willow said Sasha could see her children needed her, but Michael said they didn’t. Deanna came out to get Sasha and Daisy for Daisy’s check-up, mentioning that Daisy would be ready for international travel. Willow freaked, thinking Michael was taking her children away, but he said he wasn’t.

Nina asked where Tracy got the idea she’d been with Drew, and Tracy said, the P.I. Ned hired to follow Drew. She’d been at the Brown Dog Bar the night Cody and Drew got in a fight. She’d taken a video and Cody accused Drew of sleeping with Nina. Nina said Cody had been drunk, but Tracy asked if she thought Willow would buy that. It would at least put doubt in her mind. She’d ask Cody, who would confirm it, and she’d never speak to Nina again. Nina said Willow and Drew hadn’t been a couple yet, but Tracy said Drew had been actively pursuing Willow and professed his love for her. Nina said she and Drew had meant nothing and was over by the time Willow and Drew got together. Tracy wondered why Nina hadn’t told Willow then. Was she going to protect Sonny or her relationship with her daughter?

Jason said he was sorry, and Lucas said Marco had saved Kristina’s life and it had prevented him from getting to his own mother in time. Jason said both he and Sonny understood, and Lucas said he thought a Lannister Sonny paid his debts. Jason said he did, and Lucas said, then let Marco go. It wasn’t right to involve innocent people. Jason said, Sidwell did, and Lucas asked where it ended. With Michael, Dante, Avery, or Donna? What about Danny?

Sonny told Sidwell to pull the funding for Measure C and Boyle’s campaign for mayor and use his influence to stop the media attack on him and Laura. Sidwell said he had no control or influence, and Sonny said he hoped Sidwell figured it out for Marco’s sake. Sidwell said Sonny had terrorized the community for 30+ years and expected him to change their perception. How was this his problem? Sonny said Sidwell made it his problem when he came after Sonny’s family. He was counting on Sidwell to come through and so was Marco.

Lucas said Marco’s blood was on Jason’s hands. He and Sonny were no better than Sidwell. Sonny came out of the church.

Nina asked why Tracy didn’t use the information against Drew, but Tracy thought it was better used for leverage over Nina. People respected her and she’d been married to Sonny. It would be compelling for her as his ex to admit he was dangerous, and she left the marriage because she’d been in danger. Nina said, that’s not what happened, but she’d do what Tracy wanted. She left, and outside, she said she wouldn’t forget about this. Tracy messed with the wrong bitch.

Drew said Carly accused Willow of putting her needs ahead of her children when she’d been with a man who put her children in danger because it was what she wanted. Carly said she never let her feelings for a man be her sole focus or let him do her thinking for her, and he said if Michael didn’t reconsider, he’d have no choice but to go on the attack. She said she wasn’t impressed, and he said Michael didn’t hold all the cards and he’d cause more misery than they could imagine.

In an exam room, Sasha said the doctor told them Daisy was perfect, and Michael said she was also prepared for travel. Sasha said Willow tried to convince her that Michael would take her baby, but it was the other way around. She wished it didn’t have to be this way. He said him too, and she said if it had been any other way, she would have loved for him to be part of their daughter’s life. But it was too dangerous for them to stay in Port Charles. He said it broke his heart, but she was making the right decision. He’d miss them both.

Lucas asked Sonny not to hurt Marco. There was time to turn this around. Sonny said he’d paid his respects and was done, and Lucas said if Marco didn’t show up alive, he’d go to the police. He’d tell them about Sonny’s deal with Natalia. Sonny said it was nothing they didn’t already know, and Lucas said he’d go to Drew. Sonny told him to do what he needed to do, and Lucas went into the church. Sidwell said that Sonny had Marco, and Lucas said he knew. Sidwell said Lucas needed to intervene. Lucas needed to save his son.

Jason asked how it went, and Sonny said Sidwell got the message loud and clear. What happened next was up to him. He asked how their guest was, and Jason said, safe, secure, and not knowing where he was. There was no way he was getting out. Sonny said, make sure it stayed that way.

Carly asked Sonny where Marco was, but Sonny said he wasn’t discussing it with her. She said Lucas was frantic, and Sonny said he ran into Lucas. He understood, but it was none of Lucas’s business either. Carly said Lucas cared deeply for Marco. Marco had saved Kristina’s life and that had to count for something. She was begging him not to do anything. More people would get hurt. Sonny said he didn’t want that to happen, and he’d taken what she’d said into consideration.

Lucas said he tried to intervene, but Sonny wouldn’t listen, and Sidwell said he’d have to try harder. Lucas said he didn’t have the ability to fix this, but guessed Sidwell did. If Marco was alive, Sonny wanted something from him. Whatever it was, give it to him. Sidwell asked how he could trust Sonny. How did he know he’d get his son back alive? Lucas said it was a chance he’d have to take, but Sidwell said it would be seen as weakness. Lucas said, who cared? Marco’s life was in danger because Sidwell decided to go after Sonny. He’d set the fire and put a target on Marco’s back. Sidwell said he knew Lucas would take Sonny’s side. Sonny was the one with blood on his hands and was responsible for Natalia’s death. Now Sonny had his son. Lucas said he wasn’t on Sonny’s side. He was on Marco’s side and wanted Sidwell to do what it took to bring him back. Marco’s life was in Sidwell’s hands. Lucas left.  

Jason asked the guard, what happened? and he said nothing he couldn’t handle. We saw Marco tied to the chair and gagged.

Nina told Sasha that she’d had a boring business meeting with Tracy, and thought she’d stick around to say hello. She knew they were on opposite sides because of Michael and Willow, but she loved Sasha and wished her and Daisy every happiness. Sasha said they’d hashed things out at the hospital, but she was glad Nina stayed. It gave her a chance to say goodbye. She and Daisy were leaving town.

Michael went to see Tracy, who’d been looking for him. She said his father posed a danger to their family and she wanted him to know she was taking steps to make sure nothing happened. Michael said so was he. He was sending Daisy away to keep her safe. He was about to lose his daughter.

Drew came into the hospital, and Willow flew into his arms. He asked, what happened? and she said Michael was here with Sasha and the baby. The visitation hearing had been moved to October, and the court wouldn’t move it back. He told her not to worry. Soon they’d have everything they needed to take the kids from Michael for good.

Wednesday:

Stella went to Curtis’s office and said she had a beef with him. Why was he using his entire media company to poke the cobra?

Kai went to Portia’s office and said he wanted to thank her for her support. He wished his choice hadn’t caused her trouble. She asked if he meant he was sorry he’d betrayed them with Drew.

Jason went to the pool and told Danny he needed a raincheck. He had to leave to take Sasha and Daisy out of the country.

Nina said it seemed extreme, but Sasha said it wasn’t safe for Daisy there.

Tracy asked what Michael was talking about, and he said Sasha was taking Daisy and leaving the country. Daisy wasn’t safe in Port Charles, and he couldn’t come up with another solution. He had custody of Wiley and Amelia. What was stopping him from leaving with her?

Willow told Drew that Michael didn’t play fair and had all the power. Drew said she’d get her kids sooner than October. They were going to give Michael a taste of his own medicine and beat him at his own game.

Kai said he didn’t regret what he’d done, and Portia asked if he was okay eavesdropping on a private conversation in the home they’d invited him into and exploiting it. He said Curtis was going to lie about Drew, and Scout and Willow would be caught in the fallout, but she said she didn’t condone what he’d done to Trina. He’d made a promise to her and chose to break it. He’d taken something she’d recently gotten back – a spark, a smile, the light in her eyes that had been gone a long time. She’d get it back, but for that, Portia would never forgive him.

Danny asked if Sasha was leaving because of Daisy going missing, and Jason said that was part of it. Sasha was taking Daisy away to keep her safe and he was going to make sure they were okay. Danny said he hated that they were leaving, but glad they were going, and Jason said he couldn’t tell Danny where they were going, but if he wanted to say goodbye, do it today.

Sasha told Nina that Sonny thought it was one of his enemies sending a message. He’d offered all kinds of protection, but she didn’t want to live that way. She couldn’t risk putting Daisy in any danger, not after Liam. She was leaving to keep Daisy safe, but it was best Nina didn’t know where they were going. Nina said it sounded like the right thing, and Sasha said as much as she hated it, she knew she knew it was right. Nina said they’d been through a lot together. Their relationship had started with a lie, but it was real now, and she thought of Sasha as a daughter. Sasha said she’d miss Nina, who was always in her corner. She hoped Willow knew how lucky she was to have Nina as a mom. She promised they’d videochat, and Nina said she was the one responsible for Daisy being in danger.

Stella asked what Curtis was thinking attacking Sonny. His son owned Aurora Media. Curtis said Michael understood it was a business decision, but also understood that Sonny could take care of himself. Stella said she didn’t understand. It read more like a hit piece than real news, and going after Sonny would hurt Laura. Curtis said that wasn’t intentional, and she said he’d given that worm Ezra Boyle a boost with his Measure C campaign. He was too loyal for that. He repeated that it was just business, but she said she wasn’t buying it. She wanted the truth. Why was he really targeting Sonny?

Drew told Willow that Michael had twisted the truth, showing her to be an unfit mother. He played dirty and now it was their turn. They were going to make Michael look incompetent, weak, and a danger to his own children. She asked, how?

Tracy said relocating was something her father would have done, but she knew Michael wouldn’t go through with it. He wouldn’t do it because of Monica. It was sad enough that Sasha was leaving with Daisy, but he wouldn’t take Wiley and Amelia away too. Michael said it would feel empty. He couldn’t imagine life without Sasha and Daisy.

Curtis said it wasn’t his idea, and Stella wanted to know why. He said it was better than the alternative. He would make it up to Laura the first chance he got. She said she guessed that’s all she was getting from him, and he promised he’d do the best he could, but didn’t want her involved any further. Besides, things would work out. She said she knew what it was like to have to choose between bad and worse, and he said he was glad she was in his life. He knew if he was about to make a mistake, she’d set him straight. They hugged.

Drew said Michael’s past wasn’t spotless and they were going to use it against him, and Willow said it was hard not to get her hopes up. She couldn’t handle another disappointment. He said he wouldn’t stop until they were a family again.  

Michael said he didn’t know if he’d ever see Daisy again, and Tracy said, if that happened, it was because he put his child first. Daisy may never know his sacrifice, but others would know. She would know and most importantly, he’d know. That’s what would see him through.

Danny said, when Sasha was pregnant, he thought of Daisy as his little brother or sister, and Jason said he was impressed with how Danny helped Sasha. Danny said he was happy to help. He liked Sasha, but she must be scared to believe this was best.

Sasha asked how Nina was responsible, and Nina said she was the reason everyone knew Sonny was Daisy’s grandfather. She told Ric, who ambushed Sasha at the custody hearing. She’d never meant to harm them and would never forgive herself. Sasha said, the truth would have come out regardless. They were leaving before Daisy was old enough to miss everyone and she understood why Nina told Ric. She was doing what she could to help her daughter. She’d forgiven Nina for that already. Nina said they’d both fought to survive when everything was against them and lost more than they could bear, but kept going because they both had daughters to look out for. If Sasha needed anything, she’d always be there. Daisy was lucky to have the best mother in the whole world and she and Sasha were going to have a great life together. Nina left and Sasha wiped tears away.

Willow came into the breakroom as Isaiah discussed a septic tank replacement with someone on the phone. She said it sounded like he was doing renovations, and he said Lucky had given him a cabin, but it felt more like Lucky left him a money pit.

Jason found Tracy in the solarium and asked if she’d seen Michael. She said he’d just left, and she found out Daisy and Sasha were leaving. Michael was paying the price for being Sonny’s son. He was losing his daughter.  

Danny told Sasha that he’d talked to his dad and heard she and Daisy were leaving. She said they were, and he said he’d miss them, especially Daisy. She said he and Daisy had a connection. When no one could get Daisy to calm down, his rocking got her to stop and go to sleep. He had the magic touch. He was an incredible surrogate big brother and been an incredible friend to her. He held Daisy and said she probably wouldn’t remember him, but he’d remember her. No matter what, her big brother loved her.

Portia said Kai had been good for Trina, but he’d chosen Drew over her. He said he was sorry she felt that way (ugh. I hate when people say that), but he’d had to do what he thought was right. She said she got that and could respect it, but he’d stood on his principles and fallen on his sword for someone who wouldn’t do the same for him. Drew came in, and Kai left. Drew asked what that was about, and Portia said, him. Kai was another one of his victims. He must be so proud. Kai and Trina were happy until Drew got his hooks in Kai. Drew said lying might be second nature to her, but it wasn’t to everyone, and she said Kai would see who he was eventually. He’d realize the version of Drew he knew was not real. Drew said the version of Portia that changed test results wasn’t the same as everyone knew, and she asked what he wanted. He said he wanted her to help him take down Michael Corinthos.

Nina went to Curtis’s office and said she wanted to help with his media campaign against Sonny. It was the right thing to do, and she knew Sonny better than anyone. It would be the perfect companion piece to the last article in the PC Press, and she didn’t have to rely on vague allegations. She was Sonny’s ex and the grandmother to his grandkids. She was in the unique position to shed the worst possible light on Sonny. Curtis said he wasn’t sure it was the best idea, but Nina said she thought he’d be happy to get the inside story. He said he would if he didn’t know she genuinely cared about Sonny. He also knew it wasn’t her and she didn’t want to do this. Drew had gotten to her, hadn’t he?

Sasha told Michael that they’d said goodbye to Danny, and Michael offered to watch Daisy while Sasha packed. She said she wouldn’t be long and went upstairs. Michael said he couldn’t believe it was his and Daisy’s last night together.

Portia asked what Michael had to do with her, and Drew said Michael came to GH for bloodwork and tests for his burn treatment. Portia said she had no time for games, and he said he wasn’t asking her to do something she hadn’t done already. He needed her to doctor Michael’s bloodwork, so it looked like he had an opioid dependency that started when he was receiving treatment and in recovery and quickly spiraled out of control. Michael needed to look like an addict so it would hold up in court. She said, so he could take Michael’s kids away.

Isaiah told Willow that Lucky had inherited the cabin from his father, but no work had been done on it for many years. It needed a complete overhaul. She said it sounded expensive and time consuming. Why didn’t he sell it? He said it might sound crazy, but he didn’t want to. It meant something to Lucky, and he wouldn’t feel right selling it to a random person. He wanted to redo the cabin and turn it into a place where he could go to escape the city. It was going to be a challenge, but he thought he was up for it. Maybe one day, he’d have kids to pass it down to like Luke did to Lucky. He apologized for being insensitive and asked if there was any movement with the custody hearing. She said, not exactly, but they had a wedding date at the end of the month. Her mom insisted on a big wedding with a dress from Paris. Nina was handling everything, but she wished her kids could be there.

Jason asked, what changed? and Tracy said Gio was her great-grandson and Sonny’s grandson. She didn’t want him to be Sonny’s next victim. Jason said Sonny wouldn’t let anything happen to Gio, and she said, like he didn’t let anything happen to Michael, Kristina, and Morgan? She was worried about Gio before, but now that she knew he was family. Sonny had to be exiled from Port Charles and kept away from Gio. Jason said, Gio wasn’t a child, and like him and Michael, would make up his own mind about what kind of relationship he wanted with Sonny. She said she was going to do what she could to make sure Sonny was the least appealing option, and he said he expected nothing less. She said she remembered when he asked Jason to take Wiley and Amelia out of the house and Jason. It was a pleasant surprise. He said he didn’t do it for her, and she said he did it for Monica. It showed he had limits when it came to Sonny and valued family loyalty. With that in mind, she had a request.

Kai ran into Stella at the hospital, and she said she was about to text him. She wondered if he and Trina wanted to join her for dinner. He said he didn’t think she was going to see much more of him moving forward. He and Trina broke up. She said she was sorry. They were two of her favorite people and she loved seeing them together. She thought they had something strong and a connection. He said he did something that broke Trina’s trust, and she said, knowing Trina, that would be hard to come back from.

Portia said she wasn’t helping Drew take Michael’s children. She’d compromised her ethics before, but wouldn’t be complicit in destroying a family. He said she almost destroyed his when she’d drugged him. He’d gotten the idea from her. She said she couldn’t and wouldn’t, but he said she’d come around. Unless she wanted to kiss all this – he gestured around the room – goodbye. He left.

Nina told Curtis that Drew was a huge thorn in her side. He knew her well and she hated lying to him. He said they were friends and had to stop tiptoeing around her and Portia’s plan with Jacinda. She said Portia told him. It had failed spectacularly, and his wife was in a mess because of her. Curtis said Portia made her choices and he wasn’t judging. He knew what it was like to be stuck between two bad choices. The common denominator was Drew. They needed to devise a plan to disarm him, and it needed to happen soon.

Tracy said Michael was sending Daisy away at great personal cost and she didn’t expect Jason to help, but she was asking him to not obstruct er effort to get Sonny out of Port Charles. Allow her to protect her family in any way she could.

Stella said, so Kai lost Trina because he stood on his principle. She’d been where he was. She ended an engagement with someone she loved deeply because of an obligation to her sister and her boys. It was her choice, and she didn’t regret walking away from someone she loved to do what was right. He asked if it was worth it, and she said it was to her, but was it worth it to him?

Portia looked at her framed wedding photo and cried. She took her diploma off a shelf, smashed the frame, and screamed.

Nina told Curtis that if she knew how to disarm Drew, she would have. Instead, she had to come out publicly against Sonny, knowing they’d come a long way since their divorce. (Um… has anyone thought of telling Sonny what’s going on? Disappearing Drew sounds like a plan.) She was backed into a corner. She couldn’t say she forgot to mention she and Drew were sleeping together. Curtis said he was sure she could find a tactful way, but she said she had no to way explain how she was sleeping with Drew while Willow was following him around with stars in her eyes. She was so grateful to Drew for bringing them together, she didn’t see that all he cared about was making himself look good. Curtis said, sometimes you had to betray a friend. When there was no other choice, you did what you had to do.

Drew told Willow that his plan was in motion. She may have her children back before the wedding. She said that would be a dream come true, and he said they gave Michael every opportunity to compromise and do the right thing, but he chose not to. Now he was going to pay for that choice, and it was going to hurt – a lot.

Michael told Daisy that he was her daddy. Tomorrow, she was going on a long trip with mommy. He wished he could go with her. He didn’t think she’d remember this place and didn’t think she’d remember him. That might be better. She wouldn’t miss him. But whether she remembered him or not, he’d keep her in his heart until he saw her again. Sasha watched them from the doorway.

Thursday:

At the pool, Danny asked if Josslyn wanted anything, but she told him that she was there to work.

Felicia met with Anna, who was convinced the WSB was running an op in Port Charles. Felicia said they had no obligation to share that with her.

Jason, Sasha, and Daisy took a private jet to the new location. Sasha thanked Jason for believing her. He said she’d made the right call.

Sonny went to see Nina and asked why she lied to the press. She said Tracy was blackmailing her.

Dante met Lulu at the Bistro, and she said she needed a favor.

Rocco met Obrecht at the Bad Jen Café.

Lulu said Rocco was already dealing with a lot and the media about Sonny would confuse him even more, but Dante thought he’d be fine. Mistakes were made by all of them. Lulu said, except Brook, who knew what she was doing in going after their son.

Obrecht said when the day came that Rocco’s parents told him how he came into the world, it merited a face-to-face conversation. It spoke highly of him that he didn’t content himself with one version of the truth. Britt had been his only mother for his first seven months. Her Britta was a mess.

Anna thought the WSB should tell her about running an op in her jurisdiction as a professional courtesy. She thought Dalton was under surveillance and Vaughn was a field agent working for or against the WSB.

Dalton told Josslyn that he wanted to get a swim in before their meeting. A strange girl was there, and we saw a backpack by Dalton’s chaise lounge.

Jason told Sasha that they hadn’t wanted to take any chances because someone was after Sonny. They had no answers and whenever there was a threat, all they thought about was the family being safe.

Nina said Tracy had information that would destroy her family, and Sonny said Tracy was bitter and vindictive and wanted everyone to be like her. Nina was right in wanting to protect her relationship with her daughter. Nina told him that the PC Press had only ran the first part of their interview. There was a second part about Sonny’s questionable mental state.

Lulu said blah-blah-blah nasty stuff about Brook, but Dante thought it was an accident that Rocco found out. He took responsibility for not telling him sooner. She said there was nothing wrong with his decision. Brook knew what she was doing, and Dante was giving Brook a pass because she was Gio’s mom.

Obrecht told Rocco that Britt was brilliant, beautiful, shrewd and a great judge of character. But she had terrible people skills and self-sabotaged. Rocco said he heard she wasn’t the best person, and Obrecht said she had no illusions about who Britt was. She was a messy flawed woman, but also strong and determined. She never wasted her time focusing on what the world thought of her. Her actions were often misinterpreted, and she was special. Rocco said she was brave and loyal and maybe a better person that she thought she was. Obrecht wondered who told him that, and he said, Jason Morgan. She said, for someone who had brain damage, Jason could be wise.

Sasha said it must be tough for Jason, going between Sonny’s world and the Quartermaines, and he said he was glad to spend time with Monica, especially since she had health issues. (Yeah, like being deceased. Seriously, how long are they keeping up this non-charade?) There were years when she hadn’t known where he was or if he was okay. She loved all of them and Danny had a great relationship with her. Sasha said Danny had a beautiful connection with Daisy too. It must be tough living with Tracy who hated Sonny. Jason said Tracy wasn’t bad all the time, and Sasha said she was going to miss her. Jason said Tracy had a point about some of his choices since he was responsible for Danny, and Sasha said, it must be hard without Sam. Being Danny’s sole parent, he must look at the danger differently. He said he’d do what it took to keep Danny safe.

Nina told Sonny that she’d been asked questions about what Sonny was like when he didn’t take his meds. She’d tried to shut it down, but didn’t think they would let go of that angle. He said he knew it would happen eventually, and she said she was sorry. He said it wasn’t on her, but on Tracy, and he could deal with her. Nina told him to be careful. if felt like it might be different now because Tracy was protecting Gio. She thought he was in harm’s way. Sonny said she wasn’t wrong.

Dante said if Lulu wanted to hold onto her anger, fine, but he didn’t want to. She said he was making excuses for Brook and should tell Gio to be angry with her. Then there was a chance he’d get his son back. He said Brook felt the same way, but maybe she deserved grace.  

Sasha said Jason had made Danny a priority and Danny knew it. Danny was protective of Jason too. She got the feeling Danny was worried because he thought Jason was lonely and not happy. Jason always put everyone else ahead of himself, and she wondered if he’d ever stopped to think what he might want.

Sonny told Nina about Gio showing up and saying he’d overheard something about Sonny’s business. He’d told Gio that he loved him, but don’t go near his business. He could handle himself. He thought he hurt Gio’s feelings, but hoped he listened. He could understand Tracy. They were both afraid for Gio. But what Tracy didn’t understand was that she was being used by Sidwell.

Josslyn told Danny that her mom said the woman was a good tipper. He might want to pay special attention to her, but play it cool. Dalton joined Josslyn and they talked about some article revisions. The woman got up, and Danny offered her a fresh towel. Dalton told Josslyn that the exciting work would begin soon, but she said she was exactly where she wanted to be.

Anna told Felicia that Vaughn had a perfect cover and was working in the same building Dalton’s lab was in. He’d shown interest in Emma, the same girl who’d followed Dalton to PCU. She thought Dalton was under surveillance. Felicia said if Anna thought something was off, she was probably right and that’s why she had to drop this now.  

Sonny told Nina that he wasn’t letting anyone run him out of town and not letting Tracy get in the way. He wondered why Nina seemed to be avoiding some work, but she said it was a wedding binder for Willow and didn’t want to look at it. Maxie had left it for her before leaving town. Sonny said their families should never marry and just stay friends, but maybe Drew and Willow could work out. Nina said, nope, no, not happening, and Sonny said the story didn’t always end the way you thought it did. He left.

Danny brought the woman a drink on the house.  

Jason said he had everything he wanted, and Sasha asked if he didn’t ever get lonely. He said that was hard at the Quartermaines, but she said that wasn’t what she meant. She suggested he ask someone out, and he said, with everything going on, she thought him dating was a good idea? She said she did. She thought someone was out there for him and he was a good guy who deserved to share that with the right woman.

Rocco said he asked Jason about Britt because he wanted to talk to people who knew her, and Obrecht said he should talk to people who weren’t his parents. They were biased. He said it was more like they were angry, and they had a right to be, and Obrecht agreed, but said their anger kept them from giving credit to Britt. She’d been his mother, and it didn’t come easy to her, but she loved him very much. She called him Ben. He asked if Obrecht had known him, and she said, of course (🍷). He didn’t cry much, and she liked that about him. He was inquisitive and curious, and his first solid food was avocado. He was intrigued with the new taste and texture. She missed her daughter, and it was good to talk about her, but she was also interested in knowing more about him.

Dante said he wasn’t throwing Brook under the bus so he could have a relationship with Gio, and Lulu asked, why? He said they could either hold on to their grudges and pain or acknowledge that everyone made mistakes and move on. Blaming Brook wasn’t going to help Rocco, and it wouldn’t help Gio to hate his mom. It might feel good in the moment, but it wouldn’t make them a family, and she and Brook were his family. She said she couldn’t compromise. She wouldn’t. Not on this. she left.

Obrecht asked about Rocco’s school and career choices, and he said he had to get to work at the MetroCourt pool. How long was she in Port Charles? She said she’d be there a while, and he said maybe they could talk again soon, in person. She said she’d like that very much, and he left.

Felicia asked, how much was about Emma and how much was about Anna’s pride? but Anna said it wasn’t about her. Felicia said she didn’t blame Anna since Brennan had orchestrated her ouster. She hadn’t trusted him since he’d stabbed Frisco in the back. Anna said maybe she shouldn’t look at it as an agent and look at it more like a grandmother.

Josslyn pretended to drop her sunglasses near the backpack. When she picked them up, we saw a tracker concealed in her hand.

Sonny met Lulu at the pool, and Lulu said the media had been very damaging to him. She couldn’t keep Rocco from knowing what was going on and it was also hurting Laura’s chance at reelection. She thought he should sell the piers. If the piers were taken out of the equation, he’d take away Boyle and Drew’s power.

Dalton saw Josslyn near the backpack. She complained about her cheap sunglasses always falling off, and he left.  

Jason said they’d be landing soon, and Sasha said the flight had ruined her. She didn’t think she could fly coach again. Thanks to Jason, she and Daisy were safe, and she was grateful. She told him to remember what she’d said. He deserved more and she hoped he got it.

Obrecht went to Nina’s office, and they hugged. Obrecht said it had been too long since she heard from Nina. That meant her life was in shambles. She was here to save Nina and asked what trouble Nina had gotten herself into now and how much family mess was she expected to clean up.

Josslyn watched the woman get up. The woman gave Danny a $50 dollar tip, picked up the backpack, and left. Dalton watched from behind a partition, and Josslyn sent a text to Vaughn: Don’t come. Too late. Intercept @ secondary location.

Dante went to Anna’s office, and she said she had a favor to ask him. It involved the WSB.

Sonny told Lulu that he’d had an offer on the piers, but it was a person he didn’t want to sell to. She said it was prime real estate, and he’d find the right buyer. Then Measure C would die down and her mom could get back to campaigning. He said he was dealing with it. Trust him. He’d find a solution. She said she did trust him, and he said he got it. She was worried about Rocco and her mom. They were alike in that they’d do anything for family.

Jason knocked at a door and Robert opened it. Sasha introduced him to his granddaughter Daisy. Aww!

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Robert says, welcome home, girls, and Sasha says they’re so excited to be there and see him, of course (🍷). He says, no one is more excited than Holly and himself.

Anna thanks Carly for stopping by her office, and Carly wonders if she has to call Diane before sitting down, but Anna says, no. Carly says, good to hear. What’s up? Anna says she’s going to preface this by saying she’s being a nosy grandmother, but Carly says, why? She thinks they’ve earned the right. Anna says, in that case, how much does she know about Josslyn’s new boyfriend?

At the airport, Josslyn and Vaughn kiss. She says, it’s confirmed that the courier checked out of the MetroCourt and he says, the spotter confirmed she’s on her way to the airport. They have one chance to intercept her. Let’s make it count.

In the airport security room, Dante asks that the footage for gate 14 and the surrounding area be pulled. He looks through the window above at Josslyn and Vaughn.  

Nina says she wishes Maxie was here, but she’s in New York negotiating a distribution deal for Deception. Obrecht says she’ll catch up with Maxie later. She’s missed so much. Nina says, it’s good to see her, and Obrecht says she’s sure it is. Nina wonders why she said it like that, and Obrecht says, Nina’s clearly in need of counsel. She’s gathered that Nina’s daughter’s life is falling apart in her absence. Willow comes in and asks if they mind if she joins them. Or is her falling apart life excluding her from the conversation?

Portia goes to Curtis’s office, and he says, she didn’t come home last night. She says she slept at the hospital, and he says he figured. She says she can’t take this anymore. It’s killing her. It needs to end and end now. Then Drew won’t have anything to hold over them anymore.

Sasha says she thinks Daisy needs a diaper change, and Robert says he’s got a place set up. She says, that’s incredible, and thanks him. She’s going to get Daisy cleaned up and more presentable. She tells Robert and Jason, you two behave, and leaves. Jason says he could leave if Robert wants, and Robert says there’s nothing he’d love more, but not before he says thank you.

Carly asks if Anna is talking about that Vaughn guy from PCU, and Anna says she is. Carly says, he’s not what she’d call Josslyn’s boyfriend, and Anna asks, what would she call him then? Sorry. She was just under the impression they were dating. Carly says, Josslyn has seen him a few times, but whatever they’re calling it, it blew up spectacularly and in public on the 4th of July. An employee at the MetroCourt told her that they got into it and it ended badly. She hasn’t talked to Josslyn about it, but if it were serious, she would hear Vaughn’s name a lot more than she has been. Anna says, it may not be serious, but whatever is going on isn’t over. Certainly not from what she saw. Carly says, since when is Josslyn’s dating life Anna’s business? and Anna says, since it involved her granddaughter’s future.

Obrecht says, how nice to see Willow, and Willow says, her too, but not what she walked in on. Nina says, she may have misunderstood, but Obrecht says, she understood perfectly. She’s aware Willow was recently divorced… Nina says she told Obrecht nothing, but Obrecht says, she didn’t have to. It’s a matter of public record. Just because she’s not in Port Charles doesn’t mean she’s not aware of what’s going on with her family. Nina says she didn’t realize Obrecht is still so connected, and Obrecht says, as any matriarch worth her salt would be. Willow says, if Obrecht knows she’s divorced, then Obrecht must know she lost custody of Wiley and Amelia, and Obrecht says, of course (🍷). The question she’s grappling with is how a devoted mother who carried her child to term while battling Stage 4 cancer managed to lose custody of her children. Willow says she’ll tell her how. Their father.

Curtis asks what Portia is saying, and Portia tells him that she’s saying there are lines she will not cross. She’s going to the GH medical board and confessing to altering Heather Webber’s test results and she’ll accept whatever penalty they impose. They’ll of course (🍷) be obligated to notify the New York State Medical Board as well. He says, she could be throwing away her medical license, and she says she’s aware. He says, what about criminal charges? Is she ready to face those? She says, if that’s what ends up happening, it will be worth it. She’s not spending one more day under Drew’s thumb. She is out. He wonders what Drew is asking her to do now.

Robert says, decades ago, Jason stepped up for his daughter when probably nobody else would have. Now here they are, decades later, and Jason is stepping up for his other daughter. Jason brought her where she and Daisy are safe and for that, he’s grateful.

Anna tells Carly that she was at the Brown Dog Bar and saw Emma on a date with that Vaughn guy. Alarm bells went off. Maybe it was the age difference. Maybe she thinks he’s too old for Emma. Carly asks if that makes her think he’s too old for Josslyn, but Anna says, no judgement. Anyway, she insisted on buying them a drink. Carly says, who wouldn’t love their Police Commissioner grandmother joining them on a date? That must have been fun for everyone. Anna says she was trying to get more of a sense of him, and Carly asks if she interrogated him. Anna says, not exactly, no… Yes. Before Emma could throttle her for embarrassing them, Josslyn walked in. She marched over to the table to stake her claim, and she and Vaughn went off and had an amorous reunion. Carly says she doesn’t know what to say. Josslyn has always been direct. Anna says, that remains, and Carly says, as far as staking her claim, she hopes Emma isn’t upset, but Anna says, it didn’t phase her at all, which made her wonder if Emma was interested in Vaughn in the first place. Carly asks why Emma would go out with him if she’s not really interested, and Anna says she thinks the real prize was taking him away from Josslyn.  

At the airport, Vaughn says, nice work with the courier at the pool, and Josslyn thanks him. She says, they seemed to have it down. The hand-off was clean. Dalton left the backpack and the courier picked it up. Vaughn asks if the courier saw her, and Josslyn says, she’s a professional. She’s sure that the courier saw a version of her, but she’s taken her hair down and changed her clothes. She’d be surprised if the courier could place her. Vaughn says, she’s on the move. Get in position. Josslyn asks if he’s good, and he tells her to worry about herself. Josslyn gets up and goes to the counter.

Dante watches and wonders, what are you up to?

Portia tells Curtis that Drew has definitely sunk to a new low. He wants her to frame Michael. Curtis says, of course (🍷) he does. What does he want her to do? She says, he wants her to alter Michael’s test results and make it appear as if he’s abusing opioids. Curtis says, so if the GH medical tests come back showing Michael is addicted to opioids, he’ll get destroyed at the court hearing. That’s how Drew will help Willow regain custody. Portia says, it’s pure evil. Not only will she be sabotaging Michael, a father who just went through something incredibly horrific and is still going through the process of healing, she’ll be violating her Hippocratic Oath. She knows she’s made ill-advised choices, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s a good doctor. She helps people and heals them; she doesn’t harm them. Especially not on Drew Cain’s orders. This ends right now.

Obrecht says she doesn’t understand. Michael loves his children, yes? But so does Willow. And she has a history of being an exemplary mother. How could the court decide not to have at the very least 50/50 custody? Willow says, Michael isn’t the man Obrecht remembers. He’s not the man she married. He’s vindictive and cruel. Obrecht says, she’s right. He’s not the man she remembers. She remembers him supporting Willow through a dark time. He sat by her bedside day and night and was a steady loving partner during a time when Willow had little to no hope. Willow says she did have hope because of Obrecht. Obrecht saved her life. Obrecht says she did, didn’t she? and Willow says, so did Drew. He rescued Obrecht and brought her back so she could donate her bone marrow. He was her hero. Obrecht wonders if that’s why Willow couldn’t resist his charm. Or did she misread her own gratitude for affection? Willow says, that’s not what happened. The more she was around Drew, the more she realized how incredible he is. How kind, compassionate, and supportive. She likes who she is when she’s with him and so yes, they fell in love and Michael continues to punish her for it. Obrecht says, perhaps she should have waited to move herself and her children into his house before her marriage was officially dissolved and while her husband was in a foreign hospital recovering from life threatening injuries. Willow says she didn’t know when Michael would return home, and Obrecht says, so she was impatient, but Willow says, they were trying to make a stable home, blending their families into one. Obrecht says she takes it the judge didn’t see it that way, and Willow says, the judge held her to an entirely different standard than Michael. Because guess what? He was unfaithful too, and first no less. But no one cared about that or the fact she delivered his mistress’s baby in the courtroom. Nina says, Sasha is not Michael’s mistress, and Willow says, regardless. She put their past aside and delivered the baby safely, but the court decided she was unfit. Nina says, it was unfair, but Willow says, unfair? Michael has three children living under his roof and she has none. None. Nina says, sadly, that’s no longer the case.  

Carly tells Anna that if Emma doesn’t have a problem with Josslyn and Vaughn dating, she doesn’t have a problem either. She’s there if Josslyn wants to talk about her dating, but she’s an adult. Anna says she understands. Vaughn is too old for Emma, and she doesn’t love the idea of a grown man pitting two women against each other. They have better things to focus on. Carly says she doesn’t know Josslyn and Vaughn’s status, but he’s the first guy she’s shown interest in since Dex died. It was traumatic for her. Anna says, of course (🍷), and Carly says, Josslyn isn’t showing it in the conventional way, but she’s still grieving. Anna says, Josslyn was looking for a different outlet, and Carly says, different than what? Anna says, after Dex died, Josslyn channeled her grief into finding his killer. She’s never seen such focus. Josslyn was absolutely convinced that Cyrus Renault was guilty and fixated on proving it. Carly says, really? That’s news to her.

Jason says, Michael cares for Sasha and loves Daisy and it’s costing him a lot to let her go, and Robert says, no one can steal your heart like a little girl. Jason says, that’s why he was proud of Michael. When Sasha said she wanted to leave, he didn’t fight her on it. Michael respected her decision and knew she wanted to keep Daisy safe. Sasha comes back and says, it doesn’t look like any punches were thrown. That’s a good sign.  

Nina says she went to the Quartermaines last night, and Willow asks, why? She says she had a meeting with Tracy, and Obrecht says, lucky her. Nina says she ran into Sasha who said she was taking Daisy and leaving Port Charles, and Willow says, for good? Nina nods, and Willow says she ran into Michael and Sasha at the hospital and heard them talking about it. He’s not going and taking her kids with him, is he? He said he wasn’t, but he lies. Nina says, calm down. Michael is staying with the children, and Sasha is leaving alone with Daisy. Willow says, thank God. Where are they going? Nina says, Sasha didn’t say, but she was definitely leaning toward maybe going out of the country and putting down roots somewhere else. Willow asks if she said why. It seems sudden and she and Michael were so happy. Obrecht watches Willow like a hawk, and Nina says, there have been incidents. Willow asks, what kind? and Nina says, threats against Daisy. They believe it’s one of Sonny’s enemies sending a message. If they can reach the baby anywhere, anytime, they can reach anyone. Obrecht says, choosing an infant to send a message is sick. She doesn’t care who they are or what the reason. Nina agrees, and says, Sasha is doing whatever she needs to do to protect her little girl. Willow asks if they’re really not coming back, and Nina says, it doesn’t sound like it and if they do, it won’t be soon. Obrecht says, poor Michael, losing his daughter as swiftly as he got her, and Nina says, he’s been great. According to Sasha, he supported her decision. Willow starts to smile, then turns her back and gives an wicked smirk.  

Portia says, Curtis must think she’s a hypocrite, and he says, why? She says, because she is. She manipulated one set of blood tests. Why would Drew not think she’d manipulate another one? He says, that was different. She was afraid for their daughter’s life. She says she doesn’t know if that makes a difference, but he says, it does to him. Heather Webber was a serious problem. She was a threat, and Portia did what she had to do to protect their daughter’s life. Portia says she’d do anything to protect Trina, and he says he knows she would. She’s an exceptional mother and an even more exceptional doctor. She says, not recently. She’s been scrambling. First, at Brad’s mercy, then Drew’s. She’s desperately been treading water to stop from drowning. He says, it sounds exhausting, and she says, it has been, but she’s done doing Drew’s bidding just to placate him. It’s never going to be over and will never be enough. He says, okay, but if she stops, what’s it going to cost her? She says she doesn’t care. This is her right now at her limit. She won’t break her oath never to harm a patient. She worked hard… Scratch that. She worked her ass off, through college, medical school, an internship, and residency. She’s the Co-Chief of Staff at GH and not Drew’s puppet or his minion. She’s taking her power back and Drew can go straight to hell.  

Anna says, Josslyn never told Carly that she was convinced Cyrus killed Dex? and Carly says, no. She understands that Josslyn would want to focus on bringing the killer to justice. It’s the only way you feel in control when someone is taken from you senselessly. She gets that. Anna says, both of them have been there, and Carly says, at least Cyrus is presumed dead. That’s going to have to be good enough for Josslyn. Anna says she hopes so for Josslyn’s sake, and Carly says she doesn’t know how seeing Vaughn is serving Josslyn. If she had to guess, Josslyn is trying to throw herself into something, so she doesn’t have to sit and feel the loss. As far as she can see, Josslyn isn’t doing anything destructive. Anna says, that’s encouraging, and Carly says she had to believe Josslyn has let the whole thing go. She had to when Josslyn decided on the last-minute grad trip to Easter Island. Anna says, it wasn’t planned? and Carly says, no. It fell out of the sky. One minute, Josslyn is telling her about the opportunity, and the next, she’s on a plane. But it was the best thing that could have happened. When Josslyn came back, it was like a switch flipped and the light was back on. When she came back, she hit the ground running. She forced herself into this intense environmental physics class, then landed a research assistant position with a professor. Anna says, Dalton? and Carly says, yes, that’s his name. Anna asks if that’s around the time Josslyn started to see Vaughn, and Carly says she thinks so. They met at PCU. Vaughn works in facilities… What’s going on? Anna is freaking her out. Does Anna know something she should know? Anna says, no. Just being overly cautious. Carly says, from where she stands, it’s a good thing Josslyn isn’t sitting at home being consumed by grief. She’s out there living her life. And if Vaughn is making it happen, she’s okay with it.  

Dante watches Vaughn and asks, who the hell are you waiting for?

Vaughn asks if Josslyn is in position, and ready to move. The courier goes to the desk, and Vaughn says he’s got eyes on her. She leaves the desk, and Vaughn bumps into her, as Josslyn puts the tracker in her backpack. He says he’s sorry. He had eyes on his phone. It’s crazy what you miss when that happens. She asks if that’s a line, and he says, did it work? She says, maybe, and he asks if she’s traveling for business or pleasure. She says, both, and he says, don’t work too hard. She says she’ll try, and he asks if there’s any chance that he’s lucky enough to be on the same flight, but she says she doesn’t believe in luck. Safe travels. He says, her too, and she leaves.  

Portia says she wanted to let Curtis know what her plan was. She knows it’s a new look for her, not blindsiding him. If he or Aurora feel like they need distance from her, she totally understands. He says he’s not worried about Aurora or himself. He’s worried about her. She says she doesn’t know if she deserves that, and he says, she’s talking about throwing away the career she loves and worked so hard for. She says, if she loses it, it’s her own fault. Actions have consequences. He says, they do, but they’re not just hers. What about Trina? She absolutely admires all Portia has accomplished. When everything comes out, she’s going to blame herself. She says, then they’ll have to talk to Trina and make sure she’s okay, and he says, they can talk all they want, but Trina will feel responsible for her losing her medical license. Portia says, they’ll talk through it, but he says, that will be hard to do if she’s locked up. It’s a real possibility. She tampered with evidence in a murder case. Is she willing to risk prison time?  

Robert asks if Sasha ditched the baby already, and she says she took her chances and put Daisy down after she changed her. She fell right asleep. Jason says he should get going, and she says, he’s leaving? He says he’s got to catch a plane, and she says, let her walk him out. Robert says, get home safe, and Jason thanks him. Outside, Sasha says, when she left Daisy in the nursey, it hit her while she was closing the door that she’s not afraid anymore. She’s not looking under the bed or jumping at shadows like she was in Port Charles. Jason says he’s glad, and she says, it makes her feel like she’s doing the right thing coming here. He says, she’s a good mom. She’s putting Daisy first and she gets to spend time with her parents and know what it feels like to be a family. She says, hopefully, she doesn’t run back screaming, and he says, if she does, she’ll always have a home to come back to. Of course (🍷) if she needs anything… She says she knows who to call. She starts to cry and says, sorry. He says she doesn’t have to be, and she says, it’s like losing her security blanket. He says she’ll be okay. Better than okay. She’s going to be great. She thanks him, and ask he’s about to leave, she gives him a kiss on the cheek. She says, that’s from her, then kisses the other cheek and says, that’s from Daisy. She thanks him and Michael for everything, and he says, she’s welcome. She watches him walk away with tears in her eyes.

Nina gives Willow the wedding folder, and Willow says, thank Maxie for pulling it together. She needs to get to work, but it was great seeing Obrecht. Obrecht says, great seeing her too, and Willow asks if she’ll be in town for a while. Obrecht says, that remains to be seen, and Willow says, hopefully, they’ll have more time together. She hugs Nina, and Nina asks what that was for. Willow says, Nina has been a comfort and support for her and Drew. She couldn’t have survived any of this without Nina. She tells Nina that she loves her, and Nina says she loves Willow too. Willow leaves, and Nina says she has to get back to work, but Obrecht closes the door and says, there is something very wrong with your daughter.  

Carly tells Anna that she appreciates the heads up about Josslyn and Vaughn. She knows her kid and once she’s made up her mind, there’s no talking her out of it. If she tried, Josslyn would just dig in her heels more. Anna says, Josslyn has to make her own mistakes, and Carly says, for better or worse. Like her mom. She leaves.

Josslyn asks if the courier is gone, and Vaughn says, affirmative. They both sit down, looking at their phones, and Josslyn says, according to the tracker, she’s on the move. He says, wherever the courier is going, they’ll know.  

Robert says he’s just so thrilled that he gets to spend time with Sasha. They have a lot to make up for. She says, they do and she’s looking forward to it. He says he also gets to spend time with his granddaughter, and she says she’s happy about that. When Daisy was in danger, she was terrified. She didn’t know what to do or where to go, but then it hit her. She had him to call. A dad. Her dad. They hear Daisy cry, and she says, someone’s awake. She’ll be right back. He says he’ll be here, and she says she knows.

Curtis asks why Portia didn’t come home, and she says she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep, so she stayed at GH. He asks if she paced the halls, and she says, pretty much. The whole thing is suffocating. No matter what she does, what choice she makes, people will get hurt. So the real question is, can she live with herself? If she does what Drew is asking, the answer is no. The woman Curtis married would be gone and she’s not ready to give her away yet, especially not to Drew Cain. Curtis says, okay. What about the rest? She says she’s not okay with losing her medical license and she’s not okay with going to jail and she’d rather die than break Trina’s heart, but at least Trina will see her mother standing up. At least she’ll see her mother refusing to be small. Who is Drew Cain anyway? An empty man with a phony smile and a congressional seat? No. He doesn’t get to win.

Obrecht asks if Nina didn’t see Willow’s face when she told her that Sasha fled with the baby – Michael’s baby. There was a devil smile across her lips. Nina says she doesn’t know what she saw, but Obrecht says she does, and Nina doesn’t have the luxury of living in denial right now. Willow is not the same the woman as when she left. Nina says she’s so glad Obrecht is here, and she loves her, but of course (🍷), Willow’s not the same. She lost custody of her children. Obrecht says, precisely. To behave in such a reckless manner with no consideration for the fallout, and all the while her husband is recovering in a burn unit, is inexcusable. (Well, I’m glad someone finally said it.) Nina says, well, that shows how much of an influence Drew is over her. She’d never act that way otherwise. Obrecht says, if Drew is truly responsible for the metamorphosis Nina’s daughter has undergone, they must break the tie between them immediately.

Curtis says he 100% agrees, and Portia says she’s sensing a but. He says, but he’s just not sure they’re there yet. She says she’s made up her mind, and he says he understands and respects that, but they have to be strategic. She has to be certain that the steps she’s about to take are the only steps left. When she goes to the medical board, there’s no walking it back. Portia says she’s prepared to face the consequences, and he says he’s not trying to talk her out of it. She says, another but, and he says, but before she walks away from everything she worked so hard for, make sure she doesn’t see another choice. What if there is? What if there’s another way out, but they have to dig deeper to find it? She says, they’re smart people. They tried to dig their way out. If they haven’t figured a way out of this, it’s because there isn’t one. He says, before she throws away everything she’s worked so hard for, make sure she’s right and this is the one and only move that they have left.

Obrecht says she understands that it’s difficult at times to see their children for who they truly are – the good, the bad, and the ugly – and Nina asks if that’s what she had to do with Britt. Obrecht says, and Britt with her. Add to that the fact that Nina came to motherhood late. Of course (🍷) her instinct is to keep her daughter close and not push her away. Nina says she’s scared that she’s going to lose Willow every day. The fear is a constant current that runs under everything. Obrecht says, it’s all consuming, and Nina says, no one dislikes Drew and Willow together more than her. Drew makes her skin crawl. Obrecht asks if she’s told Willow, and Nina says, not in so many words. She tried to make Willow see reason over love. Obrecht says, try harder, and Nina asks what she’s supposed to do. Obrecht always has the answer. Obrecht says, Drew must have a skeleton in that walk-in closet of his. The man seduced his nephews wife for God’s sake. They need to find something they can use as leverage. Something powerful enough to destroy the hold he has over Willow.

Willow leaves a phone message for Michael. She says her mom told her that Sasha and Daisy left Port Charles. She’s so sorry. She knows how difficult it is and how painful it is to be separated from your child. She would never want that for him or any good parent, but now that he sees how awful it is, is there really no room for compromise? Please. All she wants is to see Wiley and Amelia again.

Sasha brings Daisy back with her, and Robert asks if she’s all right. Sasha says, she’s dry and just ate. She doesn’t know what the tears are all about. He says, she probably just wanted in on all the excitement, and Sasha tells Daisy, this is your grandpa. Robert says, so fragile, so sweet.  

Anna asks what Dante has got, and he says she’s right. All signs point to Vaughn being WSB. He’s pretty sure he planted a tracker. She asks if he’s working alone, and he says, no. He had help and she’ll never guess who it is. She says, Josslyn Jax.  

On the phone, Vaughn says, the courier is on the move. She’s on a flight to Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport. They’ll wait and see if it’s her final destination.

Jason waits for his flight in the Paris airport. An announcement says a flight to Croatia is boarding, group one. Jason looks up and sees someone who looks like Britt boarding the plane.

On Monday, Dante asks if Anna thinks Josslyn has any idea what she’s getting herself into; Josslyn asks if Vaughn is telling her that Brennan can do whatever he wants and get away with it; and Jason tells an airline employee that he has to speak to a passenger on that plane.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Here’s hoping this was the first of many more returns.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-tristan-rogers-announces-he-has-been-diagnosed-with-cancer/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/tristan-rogers-makes-surprise-return-to-general-hospital-after-announcing-his-cancer-diagnosis/

I missed her too!

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-kathleen-gati-on-obrechts-return-i-missed-her-tremendously-exclusive/

I’m guessing through Obrecht, we might get a glimpse of what Britt was like with Ben.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/kelly-thiebaud-opens-up-about-her-general-hospital-return-im-a-little-nervous/

What a mess that whole thing was. They never should have cancelled OLTL.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/kassie-depaiva-on-the-gh-end-of-oltls-todd-and-blair-the-most-heartbreaking-thing-ive-ever-done/

All about those Daytime Emmy Awards.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/the-2025-daytime-emmy-awards-everything-you-need-to-know-about-this-years-ceremony/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

Fraser’s mini Carnivale finally came together and the guests danced the night away. Kyle was still smooching with Solène, in the bathroom no less. I can’t say any… let’s call them romantic gestures in a bathroom are appealing to me, but no judgement. The guests were pretty horrible, but for all their griping, left a $27,500 tip. The crew also got two days off and the owner rented a villa for them. Despite the kudos, Fraser was not happy with the charter and thought they could do better.

Next Gen NYC

Possibly the most amusing thing is what a bunch of babies these kids are. Ava freaked out about a cockroach. In NYC. Are you kidding me? Emira was afraid sharks would get her if she swam in the ocean and kept checking a shark app like she was an addict. I’m guessing she assumes they’re all great whites.

Not really. Just kinda, sorta.

The Valley

Jax kept claiming how he just wanted to be a good father, but every sentence was me, my, me, me, me. This show gets harder to watch every week.

No warning? Really? He should have been gone before he started.

Real Housewives Of Miami

A lot of this was about who was the biggest narcissist and everyone was surprised when someone thought it was them. Another case of, really? Do they know what show they’re on?

Real Housewives Of Orange County

I love how these women act like they don’t gang up on one person. And it’s sooo shocking when someone does something at least half of them have done before. Yeah, everything’s different when it’s you. Not loving Gina, who claims she doesn’t want to get involved in others’ business, but does it anyway like it’s her duty. Shannon is dating and says she’s not a kissing bandit, but she does like a kiss… if it’s good. Gretchen’s advice to new Housewives who ask her how to deal with Tamra? Run. I concur. And poor Tamra couldn’t get Fancy Pants Heather to talk smack about Jenn. Apparently, Emily is not allowed to be friends with Gretchen because, Tamra. Once again, are we 12?

Random Reality Items

The latest in diamonds.

I’m not sure why some fans are against a reboot. The whole point was that they all worked at SUR together. Were they supposed to stay there until retirement age?

I wonder if she’s missing it after her cameos on Next Gen NYC.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Trainwreck: The Real Project X. Netflix. I’m really enjoying this series. I’d never heard of Project X before or the party in the Netherlands that’s the focus of this episode. In a nutshell, the moral of the story is, doublecheck your Facebook settings before sending out invites.

https://people.com/the-true-story-behind-trainwreck-project-x-11767483

Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare. Netflix. This one was a little scary and also scary believable. If you don’t know the story (I didn’t), I don’t want to give too much away, but it was quite an elaborate online scheme. Since catfish is literally in the title, I knew the online love wasn’t real, but my brain hurt with trying to figure it out. And I still didn’t.

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/netflix-sweet-bobby-my-catfish-nightmare-review

Opus. HBO MAX. The review here is not that great and most of them thought the film was somewhat of a mess. Although one positive aspect they agreed on was John Malkovich giving a magnificent performance. A once incredibly famous pop star who hasn’t been heard from in 30 years is coming out with a new recording and he’s invited a select group of media personalities to his private island for a reveal. The island is also home to his own personal cult, and it’s not what the group expected. Personally, I thought this film was weird and captivating, and I enjoyed it immensely.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/opus-movie-review-2025

Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam. Netflix. You’ve already seen this or at least know what it’s all about. The fun part was seeing members of the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC as youngsters. The awful part was them finding out they made just as much money as they did working at Outback. And not to speak ill of the dad, but Lou Pearlman, yuk.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dirty-pop-the-boy-band-scam-netflix-review

Ziam. Netflix. A horror effort from Thailand (dubbed), I liked this so much, I might even watch it again. Combining my two favorite sub-genres, zombies and an apocalypse, this time a global climate crisis has caused a famine along with other calamities, like zombies. The protagonist, Singh, is on a mission to save his girlfriend in the middle of the zombie outbreak. I loved the use of martial arts against both zombies and the living – as usual, it had a the enemy is us component. Singh reminded me of El Wray (Freddie Rodriguez) in Planet Terror, single minded and amazing at kicking ass.

🦑 Watch Of the Future…

Apparently, they’re pulling a Squid Game with breaking up the last season, although it won’t be as long between segments.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/stranger-things-season-5-teaser-trailer

🏆 Best In TV Show…

The 77th Emmy Awards will be live from Los Angeles on September 14th.

https://extratv.com/2025/07/15/emmy-nominations-2025-the-complete-list/

https://ew.com/emmy-nominations-2025-snubs-surprises-11770868

🦸🏻‍♂️ Super Extras…

Some useless information about the new Superman movie.

https://ew.com/superman-post-credits-scenes-explained-how-james-gunn-designed-them-11769775

https://ew.com/superman-cameos-surprise-guests-11769123

🐾 Tails From the Field…

🐈 It’s an Occam’s razor thing.

https://people.com/stray-cat-found-in-michigan-missing-pet-of-person-in-germany-11772558

🐱 Next stop, Washington DC.

https://people.com/massachusetts-cats-running-for-bike-path-mayor-election-11769157

🐶 He’s an experience.

https://people.com/dog-described-as-sentient-middle-finger-viral-adoption-post-11771675

🐕 A summer PSA for your DOG.

https://people.com/when-is-it-too-hot-to-walk-your-dog-amid-heatwaves-according-to-experts-11773560

🦜 Quotes of the Week

You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice. – Bob Marley

It is really true what philosophy tells us, that life must be understood backwards. But with this, one forgets the second proposition, that it must be lived forwards. – Søren Kierkegaard

It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste. – Henry Ford

Forget yesterday – it has already forgotten you. Don’t sweat tomorrow – you haven’t even met. Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift – today. – Steve Maraboli

When you compare yourself to others, you are inviting envy into your consciousness; it can be a dangerous and destructive guest. – John O’Donohue

Short cuts make long delays. – J.R.R. Tolkien

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

Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it. – Gilda Radner

Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them. – W. Clement Stone

The great danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. – Michelangelo

Go to bed, George. Wake up sensible. – Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), The Gilded Age

🏖️ Resting Beach Face…

Until next week, stay safe; stay being mindful of your music volume when at the beach or anywhere there will be other people; and stay acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes and move on, rather than holding onto grudges and pain.

July 11, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Trina Kicks Kai To the Curb, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Coming Soon, Animal Accounts, Practically 10 Quotes & Lobster

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Emma found Gio at the pool and asked if he was trying to get his mind off of Sonny. Gio said it was harder than it sounded.

At a nearby table, Carly saw Josslyn on her laptop researching Dalton, but Josslyn said she was doing research for Dalton. She was having a hard time focusing, and Carly asked if she was sticking around for the fireworks. Josslyn said she was. She wanted to spend more time with the family, since the fire reminded her how fragile life could be.  

Anna went to Windymere to see Sidwell. She said she needed answers regarding his involvement in Natalia’s death.

Sonny told Laura that he found no satisfaction being right about his prediction that there would be violence. Their families were feeling the fallout, but he thought there may be a way to contain the damage.

Brook asked how Wiley and Amelia were handling things, and Michael said he was worried about Wiley. There had been an incident with Willow at the pool, and it had upset him.

Rocco asked Lulu if it was true that Britt gave birth to him, and she said she was calling his dad. He asked if Britt was his real mother.

Josslyn said, what happened with Kristina reminded her of what happened with Michael and Morgan, but Carly said, right now, they were safe, happy, and healthy. She was grateful for that… and Josslyn. Vaughn came into the pool area and Josslyn remembered their kiss. Carly suggested Josslyn go talk to him.  

Gio told Emma that Sonny had been great to him. How could he be the man that Tracy warned him about? Emma said people weren’t one thing. Maybe it was true, maybe it wasn’t, but it probably landed somewhere in between. She suggested if he wanted to know who Sonny was, ask someone, and Gio saw Carly.

Cody asked Sasha if anything else had happened with Daisy, and she said, no. She wanted to believe it was just mom brain or she was exhausted, but Cody said, she wasn’t sure, was she?

Sidwell insisted he’d never harm the mother of his son, and Anna said she’d come alone because she didn’t want to subject anyone else to his performative assurances that he was merely a businessman. She wanted the truth. He said the truth was, he’d been at Windymere signing contracts with Alexis. According to his son, Natalia had been Sonny’s loose end, so why not look to Sonny for answers?  

Laura told Sonny that she didn’t scare or back away from a fight. She didn’t turn her back on friends and he was stuck with her. He said she was still stubborn, and she said, damn straight. They hugged, and Boyle burst into the interrogation room, filming with his phone.

Michael said, whoever Willow was now, she wasn’t the woman he fell in love with, and Brook said she couldn’t believe people weaponizing children. He asked if she was talking about Lulu, and she said Lulu used Gio and hurt him to score points with Dante, sticking it to her for something that happened years ago. She had no consideration for what it would do to Brook’s child. She’d almost stooped to Lulu’s level and had considered getting back at her through Rocco, but she couldn’t hurt an innocent bystander, especially a child. It was wrong.

Rocco asked why they had to wait for his dad, and Lulu said it was important stuff and Rocco deserved to hear it from both of them. Dante came in, and Lulu said Rocco had questions about Britt Westbourne.

Cody told Daisy to enjoy her first 4th of July that she wouldn’t remember. He told Sasha that was going to the boathouse, but grabbing a cooler of beers first.  

Vaughn said he and Josslyn had to figure out how to keep Emma distracted. They’d gotten off track last night. The kiss never happened. She said, what kiss?

Gio told Carly that he was on break and hoping to ask her some questions about Sonny, since she knew Sonny better than anyone.

An officer stood over Boyle and Laura said make sure the film was deleted. Boyle said he had a right to film, but the officer said, not in the interrogation room. Laura told Boyle that it was illegal, but Boyle said the people deserved to know the truth about the mayor consoling the mob boss about his daughter. Or was the hug about Natalia? Laura told the officer to get this jackass out of her sight, and the officer took him out. Laura closed the door.  

Cody was at the boathouse when Brook arrived, and he asked how she could do that to him.

Rocco said he’d found two birth certificates. On one of them, Lulu and Dante were listed as his parents and on the other, the baby’s name was Ben, and Britt was listed as the birth mother. Was he Ben and did Britt give birth to him? Dante said she did, but Lulu said, genetically, Rocco was theirs. They’d planned to tell him when he was older. Dante said it hadn’t happened, but that was on him because he’d felt like they should both be there. Rocco said Lulu had been awake for a while, but Lulu said there had been so much to navigate – her recovery, finding Charlotte, and Lucky almost dying. She wasn’t making excuses, but it had gotten lost in the chaos. She was sorry, but they were here now, and he needed to know that what they were about to tell him didn’t change how much they loved him. Dante said it didn’t change anything, but Rocco said it did.

Rocco asked how Lulu could be mad at Brook, when she hadn’t even known Gio was her son, but Lulu said it wasn’t the same. Dante said they’d been planning on telling Rocco the truth.

Sidwell asked if Anna knew Sonny suffered from a heart condition, and she said, relevance? He said Sonny didn’t want to appear weak, and she asked if he was saying Sonny confided in Natalia. He said, then Natalia confided in him. Who knew how many others she’d told? Perhaps Sonny had discovered she’d broken his trust. She said, perhaps Sidwell couldn’t get over his ex’s indiscretions, and left.  

Brook said it had been her decision, and Cody said he’d never have told her what to do back then. She wondered if he was telling her now, and he said keeping the truth from him was making him complicit in hiding the truth from Dante. Dante was his best friend ever and it felt awful.

Lulu said she and Dante had been trying to have a baby and used IVF. They’d tried to use Maxie as their surrogate, but it didn’t work, so they put it on hold. Dante said Britt was a doctor at GH and stole an embryo, and Lulu said, the embryo was Rocco.

Carly asked what Gio wanted to know, and he said Tracy kept warning him that Sonny was dangerous, that he didn’t know who he was dealing with. The Sonny he knew was decent, more than kind, protective, and generous. Was Tracy wrong or was he blind? They sat down and Carly said it was complicated. Sonny didn’t wake up and choose this life. Gio said, the life chose him, and she said, it kind of did. He had to make tough decisions when he was young and got pulled in before he was old enough to know better. Sonny would admit he wasn’t proud of some things he’d done, but he was one of the most loyal men she’d ever known. He loved his family and Gio was a part of that family, but she’d be lying if she didn’t tell him that there was another side.

Josslyn told Vaughn that the animal thing was his way in. Emma had an organization at PCU called SAC – Students Against Animal Cruelty. Vaughn said that was perfect. He loved animals. He told Josslyn a sad story about the dog he’d grown up with, and she asked if the story was true. He asked if it mattered, and she said if he told it to Emma, she’d eat it up. He said that was his entry point and asked about Emma’s dislikes. What triggered her? Josslyn said she did.

Josslyn said she wasn’t Emma’s favorite person. Emma thought she was privileged, spoiled, and a total brat. Vaughn said if he and Emma bonded over how annoying she was, they’d be dating by the end of the night. Josslyn saw Emma and said it was go time. Emma had seen them kissing, so if he had a shot, Emma would need to think there was nothing going on. Vaughn asked if she was watching, and loudly asked, what’s the problem? He’d thought they had a real future. Josslyn said then he was as dumb as he looked. They didn’t work together. He was a janitor. He said, for the record, he worked in maintenance, and she said, call it what he wanted, but it wasn’t working. They were done. Get over it. She walked out, and Emma smiled.

Michael came in while Sasha was talking to Daisy. He said Sasha was great with her and helped put Daisy to bed. Sasha said they made a good team, and he said they always had. She said it made her believe it would work out with them as co-parents, and he said he knew she was hesitant. She said he was Daisy’s father, and her only concern was Daisy’s safety and well-being. He said his was too, and she said she was glad they were on the same page.  

Marco approached Anna at the hospital and asked if she had Natalia’s autopsy report. He needed to know how she died.

Emma handed Vaughn a drink and said she was sorry about Josslyn. He asked if she saw that, and she said she heard it. The whole pool did. She thought he’d dodged a bullet. Josslyn had always been like that. He said, privileged, spoiled, and self-absorbed. He’d glimpsed it, but chosen to ignore it. Emma said, to brighter days ahead, and they clinked glasses.

Cody said he’d thought he and Brook were friends, and she said they were. She’d trusted him on her hardest day. She knew she could count on him to get her home and keep her secret. She was sorry she let him believe she’d ended the pregnancy. He said he’d assumed it, and she said she’d needed to protect her baby, then she wanted to forget what happened. Her not being upfront wasn’t a reflection on their friendship or how much she cared. He said he believed her and hoped she knew him helping Lulu wasn’t about payback. He wanted to know the truth and wanted Dante and Gio to know too, because he hadn’t known the truth about his own father. She suggested they forgive each other, and he said he was game if she was. She said she didn’t want to lose his friendship, especially over Lulu. He asked if they should hug it out, and they did.

Rocco said, Britt stole him? and Lulu said they’d trusted her. Dante said Britt carried him to term without their knowledge or consent, and Lulu said Britt only cared about herself. Rocco said Britt had done a messed-up thing, but if she hadn’t stolen him, he might not have been born. They might never have used the embryo. They didn’t really want him.

Vaughn brought up SAC, and Emma said she’d started it. Animal rights was her thing. He said he’d love to get involved, and she suggested they have another round and talk about it. He said it was on him, and they went to get drinks while Josslyn watched.  

Carly told Gio that Michael had wrestled with the same questions. So had Dante, but they’d both come back. Once Sonny was in your life, he stayed if you let him. Gio said if he needed more answers, maybe he’d ask Sonny’s son.

At the station, Anna told Sonny that the autopsy showed Natalia had died from a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol. The lack of defense wounds indicated nothing had been forced. Whether it was accidental or intentional, she couldn’t say, but it wasn’t murder. Boyle listened from around the corner. (Does anyone do their actual jobs?) 

Lulu said that wasn’t true. They’d wanted Rocco. Dante said Rocco was seven months old before they figured it out, and Rocco said it was weird to think Britt had been his mom during that time. Lulu said Britt was never his mother. She stole the embryo, broke the law, and took him from them. Rocco said it wasn’t like he’d been theirs. They’d gotten stuck with him after the fact. Dante said they’d gone back because they wanted to try again and figured out an embryo was missing, and Lulu said they’d been desperate to have a child of their own. They’d loved each other and he was conceived in that love, no matter how he came into the world. She wanted him to know he was loved beyond measure. Dante told Rocco, what she said, and Rocco said that explained why the one birth certificate said Ben. It was what Britt had named him. Part of him wished Danny had never found the file. Lulu asked, what file? and he said, it was in a stack of Brook’s Deception stuff. It was mostly about Britt, but the birth certificates were in there. Dante said it was a lot at once, and Rocco said it would take a bit for him to understand. He wasn’t mad, but wished he’d heard it from them, not like this. Dante said, them too, and Rocco went upstairs. Lulu said there was something she had to do. Brook came for her son. Not on her watch.  

Cody, Brook, Sasha, and Michael sat outside the boathouse, and Cody said it was a year ago today he told Mac that he was his son. Sasha said he became a full-fledged Scorpio, and Brook said she remembered Drew announcing he was running for congress. Even granny was proud of him. Michael asked if they were ready for the buzzkill. It was the beginning of the end of his marriage – Drew and Willow’s first kiss. Sasha said she’d love to erase the memory, and Brook said, everything was different a year ago. Her son was living in Port Charles, and they were under the same roof. Maybe this time next year, he’d be talking to her again. Sasha said, things work out, and they watched the fireworks.

Daisy was heard on the monitor, and Sasha said she’d go. She left and Michael stayed with the others.

At the pool, everyone watched the fireworks. Emma looked at Josslyn and took Vaughn’s arm.  

Sasha went to Daisy’s room, but the crib was empty.

Boyle said Sonny must be relieved that he got off scot-free again, and Sonny said Natalia had been his friend. Boyle said the autopsy proved nothing. Sonny was a professional and could finagle an OD in his sleep. Anna said Sonny was free to go, and Laura said she’d walk him out. Boyle said, of course (🍷), and outside, after looking up at the fireworks, Sonny and Laura went their separate ways.

Sidwell watched the fireworks, when Marco arrived. Marco said he talked to the Commissioner and Natalia’s death had been ruled an accident. Corinthos was free and the case was closed. Sidwell said the police might have dropped the matter, but make no mistake, they wouldn’t.  

Rocco came out on the patio where Dante was watching the fireworks. He asked where his mom was, and Dante said she was running an errand. Rocco said he hoped Dante wouldn’t talk to Danny’s dad. It wasn’t Danny’s fault that he found the folder and Dante shouldn’t be mad at him. Dante said he wasn’t mad at Danny. Danny wasn’t responsible for this.

Cody said the drink supply was depleted, and he and Michael left to get more. Brook was left by herself, when Lulu stormed up on the deck. She called Brook a hateful bitch, and said she knew Brook hated her, but to hurt Rocco was unforgiveable. She slugged Brook in the face.

Tuesday:

Sasha went into the nursery, but Daisy wasn’t there.

Lulu decked Brook and said Brook was the same lying backstabber she’d always been. She’d used Lulu’s son to get back at her.

Jason showed up at Lulu’s per Rocco’s request, and Rocco asked Jason to tell him everything about Britt Westbourne.

Marco said they were calling Natalia’s death accidental, but Sidwell said there was nothing accidental about it. Marco said it was his fault, but Sidwell said, he did everything he could. Marco said his mom’s death was on him.

As they set up for a movie night, Alexis asked Kristina what was wrong, but Kristina said, nothing. She’d just been thinking about how good Alexis was to her. Alexis said, being her mom, it came with the territory, but Kristina said she wasn’t feeling the love after Alexis found out about Elizabeth and Ric.

Portia and Elizabeth watched the fireworks at the MetroCourt, and Elizabeth said she was surprised Portia had no plans with Curtis. Ric approached their table and said he thought tonight couldn’t get better.

Nina went to the gallery and told Ava that Willow was dead set on marrying Drew. Ava asked what she had cooked up, and Nina said, to stall as long as she could. She was hoping something would happen to wake up her daughter and show her that she was marrying a man who would help destroy what was left of her life.

Sasha checked the bassinet in the living room, but Daisy wasn’t there either.

Felicia met Mac at the station and told Molly that she was relieved Kristina hadn’t been hurt in the fire. Molly said Cody had been right and she’d been thinking of the worst-case scenarios. Mac wondered what Cody had to do with the fire, but Molly said they happened to be together beforehand and because she was in no state to drive, Cody drove. Mac said Cody was a considerate guy and it was a shame he was single.

Nina said she’d convinced Willow that a formal wedding would look better to the judge, and Ava said she was sorry Ric didn’t do better with Willow’s custody. They may not have gotten his best work, since the morning of Willow’s hearing, he was with Elizabeth instead of working.  

Elizabeth asked Ric where Ava was, and he said, at the gallery. Portia said she couldn’t wait to see Joel Sartore’s new photos, and Ric told Elizabeth that he had box seats to the Port Charles Symphony when they were doing Gershwin. His phone rang and he stepped away, but when he came back, he said he had to run. He left and Portia said it must be something important to peel him away from Elizabeth.  

Jason asked Rocco where Danny got the file, and Rocco said he found it in a stack of Brook’s files. Jason asked if his parents knew, and Rocco said they’d talked. They told him that he was the embryo Britt stole and that she gave birth to him, not his mom. Jason said he hadn’t been in town when that went down, but what did he want to know. Rocco said Danny told him that Britt and Jason had been friends. That must have meant he liked her. Jason said he did, and Rocco said his parents thought she was awful. Jason said they had bad history, and Rocco said they told him Britt went to prison and her parents were psychos. Jason said, her father more than her mother, and Rocco said Britt had died saving Josslyn’s life. Her history was all over the place. Jason knew her. What was she really like?

Brook said she had no idea what Lulu was talking about, and Lulu said Danny found the file about Britt and showed it to Rocco. Brook said, Rocco wasn’t supposed to see it, and Lulu asked why Britt left it lying around. Brook said she hadn’t, but what was in the file was true. She thought Lulu never lied to her children and it was no secret, yet Rocco never knew. Lulu said she and Dante had intended on telling him the truth when he was old enough to understand, but life had been complicated since she woke up from her coma. Brook said, Lulu claimed her son deserved to know the truth, but Lulu said it wasn’t the same thing. Brook said Lulu was a hypocrite with a double standard.

Sasha told Michael that someone took their daughter.

Ava said Ric had lied to her face, and Nina said, if Ric was cheating, get rid of him. Ava said she didn’t think he was, and Ric was fun, sexy, and they made a good team… most of the time. Nina had to go, since she was meeting Willow for a drink, and Ava told her to enjoy the time while Drew was away. They’d also get more time together planning the wedding.  Nina said that was the upside. They were going to look at dresses, something she’d dreamed of doing with her daughter. If only Drew wasn’t the biggest mistake of Willow’s life.

Mac said he knew Cody and Molly got off to a rocky start, but they seemed to be in a better place. Molly said Cody had helped her a few times and he was a nice person. Mac said Cody was the best guy, when an officer said there had been a possible child abduction.

Marco told Sidwell that he should have had Natalia put in protective custody, but she insisted Sonny would take care of her and had a new life set up for her. Sidwell said, all Sonny cared about was that she was a liability, and Marco said she wouldn’t listen, and he’d never forgive himself. Sidwell said Marco was a good man and a great son. They both knew Sonny Corinthos was the reason his mother was dead.

Alexis said Kristina had lost her baby and her sister within months of each other. She’d been estranged from her other sister, then there was Michael’s accident and the insanity with Ric and Ava. It had been too much for her, she’d been pushed too far, and broke. Kristina said that didn’t make it okay, and Alexis said she wasn’t condoning it, but understood. She was doing what she could to keep Kristina out of prison. Kristina said she was grateful, but felt Alexis gave in to Ric and Ava’s blackmail for Molly’s sake. Alexis hadn’t wanted Molly to know she was the reason Ric got hurt. Alexis said she’d done it for both of them. She loved them both. Kristina said she’d thought she’d gone too far, but Alexis said her love was unconditional and nothing could change that.

Ric went to the gallery and told Ava that he’d gotten a call from the bank man in the Caymans. Two of the accounts were overdrawn. Ava said she’d been in a rush to install new lighting, and it was pricey, and Ric said it looked better than the lighting in Pentenville, which was where they’d be if she threw money around, they weren’t supposed to have.

Sasha said no one in the house had seen Daisy, and Michael said the police were on their way. Olivia and Ned came in, and Sasha told them that someone took Daisy. Michael said no one saw any strangers leave the property, and Ned suggested he search outside while Michael searched the house.

Jason told Rocco that Britt didn’t make the best decisions and did hurt people, but she was strong and heroic too. Rocco said, like when she saved Josslyn, and Jason said Britt also helped him out even when it put her in danger. Rocco said everyone told him that she was horrible, but he heard something different from Jason. Maybe she wasn’t all bad, but a good person wouldn’t steal an embryo. Jason said he and Britt didn’t become friends until after that, and Rocco asked if he thought Britt changed. Jason said he did, but the people she’d hurt might not agree. Rocco wondered how he could be mad at Britt, since without her, he might not have been born.

Lulu insisted Brook left the folder where Rocco could find it, but Brook said she didn’t and it wasn’t like she’d unearthed a revelation. It was public record. Unlike how Lulu broke into Martin’s room getting information from a confidential file she had no legal right to. Lulu said Brook had to dig to get Rocco’s birth certificate, but Brook said, unlike Gio, Rocco would have found out because everyone knew. She didn’t hurt Rocco. Lulu did by withholding the truth.

Ric asked, what if someone became suspicious about Ava’s newfound wealth? and Ava told him that she’d say she sold a rare piece. That’s what the holding companies were for, so no one would connect them with the money. Ric said, only as long as they didn’t draw attention to it. They had to work together. Ava said she’d barely seen Ric lately, since he’d been at Beecher’s Corners so much, then admitted that she knew Ric had been with Elizabeth the morning of Willow’s hearing. Laura had seen them.  

Portia asked what was going on with Elizabeth and Ric, but Elizabeth said they were just friends. Portia asked if she liked spending time with him, and Elizabeth said they got along, and he made her laugh. Portia suggested Elizabeth go get some Gershwin. She hated that Ric was the reason Heather Webber had been released, but realized he was just doing his job. Elizabeth said she knew better than to get involved with Ric again, and Portia said, famous last words. Nina came by and asked if they’d seen Willow, but Elizabeth said they hadn’t.  

Lulu said Brook always found a way to justify her bad behavior, but Brook said Lulu was describing herself. She’d lied to her son. Lulu said she and Dante hadn’t had a chance to tell Rocco, and Brook said it was because Lulu was too busy digging into her life. Gio shouted for them to stop it. He’d been looking for Michael and heard yelling. If they were fighting about him, don’t. Lulu said they were fighting what Brook did to his brother Rocco.

Chase asked when Sasha last saw Daisy, and Sasha said, in the nursery before the fireworks. She shouldn’t have left Daisy alone. Michael said there was a night nurse and Sasha had taken the monitor. It had been reasonable to leave her. Sasha said someone had been going in and messing with their daughter. Did he remember the other day when someone had changed her onesie and she’d been facing the other way? And there was the mobile. The first night, someone had turned it on when she was in the shower. Olivia heard something in the living room, and went in. She said Daisy was there. The baby was fine. They went in to find Daisy in the bassinet.

Kristina said she was going to get Alexis out from under Ava and Ric’s thumb by being smart, but not impulsive, and Alexis said she wasn’t convinced it was a good plan, but she liked Cody. Kristina said Molly deserved the credit. She brought out the best in him. The only reason Cody had agreed was that she’d told him Molly wasn’t happy about Ava dating Ric, but the money didn’t hurt. Alexis hoped Ric and Ava imploded and thought it would be fun to watch them go at each other’s throats.

Ric said he’d brought juice to a friend with a broken leg, but Ava said she cared that he’d lied. He said he knew she’d overreact and him omitting the truth didn’t threaten their freedom like her spending the money did. She couldn’t just take it whenever she wanted. Ava said she had work to do, when Cody came in. Ric wondered why he was there, and Cody said Ava hired him to help hang the show, Ric left, and Cody told Ava that he was all hers. Where did she want him?  

Felicia told Molly to ignore Mac, but Molly thought it was sweet. To be honest, it had surprised her that she and Cody became friends. An officer said the missing child had been found, and Mac suggested he, Felicia, Cody, and Molly all have dinner. It would be fun.

Marco told Sidwell that Natalia had shown up at the christening and she and Sonny had a tense conversation. Sidwell said Natalia had intruded on Sonny’s sacred family time, and in so doing, sealed her fate. Sonny wasn’t about to let Natalia cause more problems ever again.

Sasha said it was the first place she looked, but Daisy wasn’t there, and Olivia said Daisy was safe and sound. Sasha said someone had taken her and could still be on the property, and Michael suggested another search. Ned said he’d check the gatehouse, and Michael could check the garage. Olivia told Sasha that the mind could play tricks, especially if you were hormonal, but Sasha said she didn’t misplace her baby.  

Elizabeth told Portia about Lucky proposing before he left. She’d been tempted to say yes, but their lives were going in two different directions and weren’t compatible anymore. Portia commended her for being strong enough to recognize that.  

Nina got a text from Willow, who said there was traffic, and she was on her way.

Rocco said it was strange to think he’d had another mom, another name, and another life, and Jason said, Britt didn’t talk about that part of her life much. It hurt her to remember it, but what she shared was how much it changed her. She didn’t expect a lot, but when she had him, she fell in love with him, and it surprised her. Rocco asked if she was sad when she had to give him up, and Jason said she knew what she’d done was wrong. He wasn’t hers and she had no right to him, but she loved him, and it was hard for her. By the time he knew her, she’d been doing the right things more than she realized. He thought if she saw him now, she’d be impressed with the person he’d become.

Brook said she didn’t do anything to Gio’s brother, but Lulu said she dug up that he’d been carried by someone else. Gio asked if she meant a surrogate, but Lulu said it was more complicated than that and Brook had blindsided Rocco. It was payback for her finding out the truth about Gio. Brook used her son to hurt her, and she’d never forgive Brook. Lulu left, and Brook swore it wasn’t true. She never meant to hurt Rocco.

Brook told Gio that Britt giving birth to Rocco was a matter of public record and not a secret except to Rocco. Gio said, until now. When he heard she and Dante were his parents and everything he’d thought was true wasn’t, it was the worst feeling. Brook said she was sorry, and Gio said she’d done the same thing, but Rocco was younger, and it would be harder to handle. Brook said she never gave the information to Rocco and never meant for him to see it, and Gio asked why she had gone digging. What was the point?  

Rocco thanked Jason and said talking to his parents about it was weird. Obviously, they hated Britt. Jason said he was there if Rocco needed him and left.  

Outside, Lulu saw Jason and asked what he was doing there.  

Willow met Nina and said she was sorry she was late. There had been traffic. Nina wondered what route Willow had taken, since she’d had no problem.

Chase said he spoke to everyone, and no one saw anyone suspicious. There had also been no sign of forced entry. In the foyer, Michael thanked Ned and Olivia for their help, and Olivia said it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Sasha to talk to her doctor. She wasn’t saying it was postpartum, but if it was, early intervention was key. She and Ned went upstairs, and Michael saw Chase talking to Sasha.

Alexis brought out popcorn, when the doorbell rang. It was Ric, who said they had business to discuss. He stopped when he saw Kristina.

Molly said she was swamped with work, and Felicia said, another time. Molly left, and Felicia asked if Mac could be any more obvious. Mac said he thought Molly and Cody were a good fit, but she said forcing it would do the opposite. If it was meant to be, it was meant to be. He said Molly might be the person Cody needed to keep him honest and on track.

Cody and Ava discussed what height to hang a piece of art, when Cody kissed her.

Elizabeth asked if Portia and Curtis were having problems, and Portia said every relationship had rough patches. You could give up and walk away or get down and fight. She’d always been a fighter.

Sidwell told Marco that Natalia discovered Sonny had a heart condition and had been sworn to secrecy. She’d told him, thinking it could entice him to speak to Marco on her behalf. Sonny must have found out, and the betrayal was further proof she couldn’t be trusted. Marco said he didn’t care what the autopsy said. His mother was dead because she knew too much. Sonny couldn’t get away with it. Sidwell said he’d make sure of it, but Marco said they’d make sure of it.

Kristina said Molly wasn’t there, and Ric said, it was worth a shot. Sorry for interrupting. Alexis suggested he text Molly, and he left. Alexis said she was terrified Kristina was going to go off on Ric, but Kristina said Ric and Ava not knowing she knew about the blackmail would work in their favor. Alexis commended her for stuffing her feelings in pursuit of a future goal.

Cody asked if it was okay, and Ava said it was a fine kiss. He said, ouch, and she amended it to a very good kiss. She half-heartedly slapped him and said it could never happen again. He said he totally understood and was sorry. He misread the signs. Wishful thinking. He told her that he’d leave, but she asked if they couldn’t hang the work together without further misunderstandings. He said, 100%, and she said, then back to work.

Jason told Lulu that Rocco had reached out with questions about Britt, and she asked what he told Rocco. He said from his experience, she was a good person, and Lulu said, who stole an embryo with no intention of returning her son. Jason said he’d told Rocco the truth, but Lulu said it was his truth based on his limited time with her. He said that didn’t make it less real and Rocco deserved to know all of it, and he left.

Gio said Brook wanted to hurt Lulu more than avoid hurting his brother. Walking away was clearly the right decision. He never should have come back and wouldn’t make that mistake again. He left and Brook cried.

Sasha said she was never letting Daisy out of her sight and asked Michael if they could move the crib to her room. Michael said they could, and she said she had to protect Daisy. In the foyer, Michael told Chase that he was going to phone a security company to doublecheck the house, and Chase asked, what if Sasha was imagining things? Michael said he’d do what he had to in order to keep Daisy safe, and Chase said, even if it meant keeping her safe from her own mother?

Willow told Nina that she’d really been on the phone with Drew and lost track of time. She flashed back to going into Daisy’s room and picking the baby up. She told Daisy that they were going for a little walk. Daisy’s daddy wanted her children, so she was going to show him how it felt.

Wednesday:

At the pool, Kai told Drew that he was glad he got to meet the DC staff, and Drew said they were the best in the business. Kai thanked him for the internship and Drew thanked Kai for the heads up about Curtis’s ambush.

Felicia told Curtis that her P.I. tracked Jacinda in Sydney and convinced her to fly back. She’d be there in a little over 24 hours.

Trina was surprised Ava had gotten all the photos up, and Ava said she’d had help from a friend.

Cody told Kristina that he’d overplayed his hand with Ava and probably had zero chance of getting her away from Ric.

At the hospital, Ric asked what Elizabeth was doing tonight.  

Carly found Willow at the nurses station and said Michael told her what Will had done and she wasn’t getting away with it.

Michael asked if Sasha would like a break. He was happy to watch Daisy. Sasha said after what had happened, she wasn’t letting Daisy out of her sight ever again.

Jason told Sonny that two bodies had been fished out of the harbor – Selina’s associates. Sonny said, if there were questions, the police should question Sidwell. Sidwell had hired them to come after him and his family.

Sonny said he and Selina had clashed in the past, but their alliance had held up. It was too convenient. Jason said it felt like a set-up, and Sonny agreed. Since the fire, there had been wall to wall media coverage on why he was dangerous for the city and Measure C was getting support. Jason said if it passed, Sonny would lose his base of operation, and Sonny said. whether or not Selina was involved, Sidwell was the brains. That’s why Sidwell needed to answer for almost killing his daughter.

Kristina said she’d thought it was going well with Ava, and Cody said he was in the gallery and he thought they were vibing. So he went in for a kiss, but she slapped him. Kristina asked, what happened after that? and he said she asked him to stay and help hang the photos. She said, interesting. Maybe his game wasn’t as bad as he thought.

Ava told Trina about Cody finding her sunglasses and said he was quite handy. Trina said he’d done a great job, and Ava agreed. She pointed out the new lights, and Trina asked how she could afford them. Ava said her financial hiccup was over and she was now free to splurge, despite Ric’s miserly financial advice.

Elizabeth said she had plans to go to the Joel Sartore exhibit, and Ric suggested they go together.

Carly said she knew about the incident at the pool with Wiley, but Willow whined that she hadn’t seen him in so long. Carly said she could see her kids if she didn’t marry Drew, and Willow said they were getting married. Carly said she couldn’t stop that trainwreck, but she could and would ban Willow from the MetroCourt if it happened again and the judge would find out. Willow said she was heartless, and Carly reminded Willow how she’d called Michael absent when he was recovering. Lucas came by and Willow left. He said he needed a huge favor from Carly. She needed to protect Marco from Sonny.

Carly asked if Sonny was making moves, and Lucas said it was only a matter of time. She said, because of the fire? and he said there was no love lost between Sonny and Sidwell and it wasn’t a stretch to think he was behind the fire. She asked if there was proof, but he said all Sonny needed was a strong suspicion and he’d retaliate. Sidwell went after his daughter, so it made sense for him to go after Sidwell’s son. Carly thought he was jumping to conclusions, but he said no one knew Sonny better than she did. Was he that far off? Could she assure him Marco was safe?

Jason asked how Kristina was, and Sonny said she was rattled, but physically fine. Jason said something had been bugging him about the two fires. Two of Sonny’s kids were involved, but a sophisticated device had been used in the penthouse fire, while the fire at Charlie’s was old school. It didn’t feel like it was the same person behind them. Sonny said he had doubts about the penthouse and the hitwoman in LA. If Jason was right, there was a threat on two fronts. Jason said that made protecting their families harder.

Cody said a woman slapping you wasn’t a sign they were into you, but Kristina said even though Ava hadn’t been open to it, she’d let him stick around. If she turned against Ric, she’d see him with fresh eyes. Cody told Kristina that Ava had said it was good kiss before slapping him. He supposed she could be right, but a big part of him had been relieved. He’d gotten to know Ava, and there was more there than he’d thought. Kristina said, no, there wasn’t.

Ava asked how the guest list was, and Trina said they were at full capacity. Ava asked if Trina’s parents were coming, and Trina said her dad was, but her mom had to work. She thought they were avoiding each other. Ava said she was sorry, but she was sure they’d figure out how to deal with the problems they were facing.

Felicia said she’d let Curtis know when Jacinda was on the plane, but wondered if the interview wouldn’t have been easier to do over the phone. Curtis said he thought it would be more effective if Jacinda told the public herself, when there was a knock at the door. Jordan said she was interrupting again, but Felicia said she was just leaving. She left, and Curtis told Jordan that he’d tracked down Jacinda, who’d agreed to talk. She asked if he still planned on incriminating Drew, and he said blowing up Drew’s life was his best shot at protecting his wife. Speaking of which, he wanted to explain what Jordan had walked in on. Jordan said, Portia wanted to send her a message – stay out of her marriage. She didn’t agree with Portia’s tactics, but Portia was absolutely right.

Kai said he’d struggled with telling Drew, and Drew said he knew Kai cared about Trina, who obviously loved her parents. Kai said he couldn’t let Drew be dragged for something he didn’t do, and Drew said the negative publicity could affect Willow’s chances of getting her kids back. His own daughter was also still dealing with losing her mother, barely saw her brother, and was bonding with Wiley and Amelia, who were now gone. It was too much, but he had a plan and hoped it worked.

Michael said he knew it was scary, but Daisy was okay now. Sasha said they still didn’t know what happened. She was positive she’d left Daisy in the nursery, so how had Daisy ended up in the living room bassinet, especially after she’d checked? Michael said he had no idea, and she said it wasn’t the first time something strange had happened to or around Daisy. There was the mix-up at the hospital, the mobile mystery, and Daisy’s onesie being changed when she was out of the room. It was too weird. He said he was sure there were plenty of reasonable explanations, and she said he thought she was crazy, didn’t he?

Jordan said she hadn’t intended on causing a problem, but Curtis said it wasn’t on her. He’d dragged her into his marital problems when he’d confided in her about Portia’s lies. Jordan had urged him to talk to someone else, but she’d been there for him. He was sorry she’d become a target for Portia. Jordan asked if he meant the iced tea, but he didn’t know what she was talking about. She explained that Portia had confronted her after she’d seen them reminiscing about Baltimore and thrown her iced tea at her. He said he had no idea Portia had seen them, but it was a mess. Jordan said before it got messier, she needed to do the right thing and remove herself from his life.

Elizabeth said she enjoyed Ric’s company, but didn’t want to mislead him, and Ric said he’d always respect her boundaries. He was sorry if she felt he was overstepping. All he wanted or needed was her friendship.

Kristina said any goodness Cody saw in Ava was an act. He knew about the horrible things she’d done. He said he knew about the horrible things that had happened to Ava. She’d told him about Kiki. Kristina said Kiki was tragic, but instead of using it as a turning point, Ava was still out there scheming and ruining lives. Kristina said she didn’t care about Ric, but Molly loved her father and Ric being with Ava didn’t make her happy. It would be better for everyone if Ric and Ava weren’t together. Cody wondered why they didn’t tell Molly what they were up to, but Kristina said she’d never approve. They’d better keep it a secret. Molly walked in and asked what Cody was doing there. And what was that about a secret?

Trina told Ava that she liked the idea of focusing on her own life and she had nothing to complain about. Ava asked if it was due in large part to Kai, and Trina said he’d gone to DC, and she was excited to see him tonight. Ava said Trina deserved for wonderful things to happen, and Trina said she didn’t know how it happened, but even when they didn’t see eye to eye, they respected and supported each other. Ava said it was healthy and mature. She and Ric could learn from it. Trina asked if everything was okay, and Ava said they’d had a fight, but it was nothing. Trina said she hoped Ric knew how lucky he was to have Ava, and Ava said she hoped Kai knew how lucky he was to have Trina.  

Drew said if he blocked Curtis, he and Portia could figure out that Kai tipped him off. It could affect his relationship with Trina. Kai said it was the only thing he’d been thinking about. He was worried Trina would feel betrayed, but he was going to hope she understood that he had to do what was right. He admired her folks, but they were in the wrong, and he hoped they could agree to disagree. Drew said he’d do what he could to keep Kai’s name out of it, but Kai said he thought it was better if he owned up, even if he didn’t like the consequences. Drew said he was proud of Kai, when Willow joined them. Kai said he was going to the exhibit and maybe he’d see them there. He left, and Drew said he was happy Willow had joined him, but she said they should enjoy it while they could. Carly threatened to ban her from the pool. Drew asked, why?

Sasha told Michael that she wasn’t tired or suffering from postpartum. She’d had mental health and addiction issues in the past and could understand why he’d doubt her. He said he didn’t. He believed everything she was saying. He knew her. She was strong and level-headed. He’d seen when she wasn’t and could tell the difference. If she said something strange was going on with their daughter, he was listening. She thanked him and said it meant everything. He said, if she was right, that meant someone who was in the house or had access to it took their daughter and hid her on purpose. She said that’s why she was scared. Someone was deliberately gaslighting her or someone was trying to prove they could get to their daughter whenever they wanted. That was why she and Daisy had to move immediately.

Carly told Lucas that Sonny didn’t go after civilians or innocents and asked how closely Marco was tied to his father’s business. Lucas said he only worked on the legit side. He believed Marco, knew him, and trusted him. Carly said he was in deep, and Lucas said Marco meant a lot to him. He asked her to remind Sonny that Marco saved Kristina. If anyone had the power to sway Sonny, it was her. She said he was overestimating her influence, and he asked her to try. If Sonny went after Marco, it would trigger an all-out war that would affect all of them.

Willow said she’d just wanted to see her son and was being punished, but Drew said they had to tread lightly. They couldn’t give Michael ammunition. Willow said Wiley was happy to see her and if Michael cared about Wiley, he’d let her spend time with him. Drew said she was being punished for leaving Michael, but getting married would fix all this. It would show the court they had a stable, loving home. They’d secure visitation, then get custody. Willow said, in the meantime, Michael had Wiley, Amelia, and Daisy, and her arms were empty.

Michael asked if Sasha was sure she wanted to move, and she said she didn’t feel safe. He said every decision she’d made had been right and he trusted her judgement. Where did she want to go? There was Mac and Felicia’s or his mom. He could also talk to Lucy about getting her a place and he’d cover the expenses. She said he was generous, but the only way she could rest easy and know Daisy was safe was getting outside Port Charles.

Sonny told Jason to increase security and keep eyes on Sidwell and any other threats. Jason said at least Sonny was in the clear about Natalia’s death, and Sonny said whether it was on purpose or an accident, Natalia OD’d on her own. Jason asked if he thought Turner still wanted to pin it on him, but Sonny said, even though Turner wanted to put him away, she didn’t railroad him. She thought turning over the evidence against him was too much for Natalia and they were both responsible for her death. Jason said Turner felt guilty. What about him? Sonny said Natalia thought they had a romantic thing, and he was going with her to Belize. When he told her that wasn’t the case, it was the last straw. Jason said, Sonny still tried to help her. He wasn’t responsible. Sonny said he still wished it had been different.

Molly said, what secret? and Kristina said, no matter how hard Cody tried to hide it, he was a sweet guy. He came over to see how her recovery was going, and he’d been helpful the night of the fire. Molly said it was sweet, and he’d kept their mom from freaking out. Cody said he was going to leave while he was ahead, but Molly said, hold up. Where was he going dressed all fancy? Did he have more legal trouble? He said he was going to a showing at the Jerome Gallery, and Molly said she didn’t think it was his vibe. He said it wasn’t, but he’d helped hang the pictures and the photographs of the baby animals were amazing. He left, and Molly asked what was wrong with Kristina. The one time badmouthing Ava would be helpful, she kept her mouth shut.

Kristina said everyone told her to stop it, but Molly said, not with Cody. She saw him and Ava hanging out by the pool and Ava was like a creepy spider luring him to her web. Kristina asked if Ava was interested, and Molly said, it seemed like it. Ava was supposed to be with her dad. Ava would chew Cody up and spit him out. He’d come to her rescue, and she considered him a sort of friend. Kristina asked if Cody was a sort of friend or did Molly want it to be more.

Cody arrived at the gallery and Trina said she’d check on the caterers. Ava said Cody cleaned up nicely, but he was way early, and he said he wanted a private minute to apologize again for crossing the line. She said, bygones, and he made up for it with the excellent job. He said they made a great team.  

Curtis said Jordan hadn’t crossed any lines, and Jordan said it needed to stay that way. She didn’t want to be responsible for his marriage falling apart, directly or indirectly. Their lives would intersect professionally and with family, but it was best if they didn’t see each other. He said he hated this, but she was right. He’d allowed himself to lean on her in ways they hadn’t been fair to her or Portia. He thanked her and said she was a class act and an amazing woman. She told him, good luck with Jacinda. She was rooting for him to take down Drew. She left.  

Elizabeth asked how Marco was, and Lucas said Marco insisted he was all right, but he and Natalia hadn’t been close and it complicated things, making them worse. Marco had been wondering, if he could have saved Natalia if he hadn’t stopped to rescue Kristina. Elizabeth said they’d never know, but it was possible if Marco hadn’t stopped, both his mom and Kristina would be dead. Lucas said Marco did a heroic thing and he hoped certain people saw that and appreciated it too.

Sonny said, even though there was no evidence, he was going to pull out of Deception, and Jason asked if Sonny wanted him to call Diane. Sonny said his main priority was Sidwell. The fire couldn’t go unanswered. Jason asked what he wanted to do, and Sonny said, send a message. Come after my child and your child will pay.

Lucas asked how it went with Ric, and Elizabeth said he was going to the gallery show and suggested they go together. Lucas said Ric was seeing Ava yet asked her to go. He was the messiest man in the world. She said she made it clear they were just friends, and she thought she got through. Lucas said she’d been upfront and clear about her boundaries, and it was up to Ric to accept that. She said it was the first test, and Lucas said he hoped Ric passed or he would answer to Aunt Ava.

Ric brought Ava flowers, and Trina went to put them in water. Ric gave Ava a card, and she took a check out of the envelope. She said it was a lot of zeros and asked what it was for. He said he’d spoken to Alexis, and she released extra funds to use for the gallery. He wanted to remind her that they were in this together and hoped she forgave him. She said she appreciated a man who knew how to apologize, as Cody watched.

Molly asked Kristina why everyone thought she was interested in Cody. Mac had been matchmaking, but they had nothing in common. Kristina said, so she was definitely not interested, and Molly said she just didn’t want Ava to eat him alive and wondered how they’d gotten involved in the first place.  

Felicia told Curtis that when her P.I. went to pick up Jacinda, she was gone and her place had been cleared out. She was guessing Jacinda got cold feet, but Curtis said, no. Drew somehow got to her. He wondered how the hell Drew knew what he was up to, as Kai listened outside the door.

Drew told Willow that he was sorry, but she said it was Michael’s fault. He said he couldn’t wait to marry her, and she said her only regret was that it seemed like she was marrying him to get her kids back. She wanted them back, but hoped he knew she loved him. He said he loved her too, and they kissed.

Sasha said something was off and she needed to protect Daisy, and Michael asked if that meant uprooting her life. she said, yes. Daisy was her number one priority. She’d already lost one child and wasn’t going through that again. It might seem crazy or extreme, but she needed to protect Daisy even if it meant leaving Port Charles and going into hiding on their own. Michael said he couldn’t let her do that.  

Jason told Sonny that he’d made arrangements for Marco. Say the word, and the plan went live. There was a knock at the door, and Sonny opened it to Carly. He asked what brought her by, and she said she was there to stop another one of their children from being killed.

Thursday:

Ava introduced friend and inspiration Joel Sartore and his new book, Photo Ark Babies. She said that the animals were fragile, magical, and in need of our attention.  

Boyle met Drew at the pool and said he had everything Drew needed to land a public hit on Sonny Corinthos and his good friend the mayor.

At the hospital, Martin told Laura that his physical therapist was a miracle worker, but things would have been different if he hadn’t gotten treatment. Laura asked, why? Was he in some kind of trouble?

Lucas gave Marco Natalia’s personal items, and Marco said the investigation was over. Lucas said he was so sorry, and Marco said he didn’t care what the investigation said. His mother wasn’t responsible for her own death. Sonny was.

Carly said if Sonny went after Marco, Sidwell would have no choice but to strike back, and it would be back and forth until everyone was dead. sonny told her to stay out of it, but she said, not when their children’s lives were on the line.  

Sasha said she didn’t want to fight with Michael, but couldn’t compromise their daughter’s safety. Michael said he meant he couldn’t let her leave alone.

Stella told Portia that she had too much work to go to the exhibit opening, and Portia said Trina would understand. Stella asked if Portia was meeting Curtis, but Portia said he hadn’t shared his schedule with her.

Felicia told Curtis that her P.I. went to pick up Jacinda, but she was gone, and her place was completely cleared out. She was guessing Jacinda got cold feet, but Curtis said, somehow, Drew got to her. He didn’t know how the hell Drew knew what he was up to. Kai knocked at the door and asked for a minute, and Felicia said she was sorry she couldn’t do more. She left, and Curtis asked how much Kai heard. Kai said he heard Curtis couldn’t find Jacinda and he wanted to tell Curtis that he was the one who warned Drew.

Joel thanked everyone and said the new book was a prequel to the main Photo Ark book. He passed out prints, and his wife told Trina that she and Ava had done an amazing job. Trina said, after seeing the photos, she’d never be the same.

Ric said Ava outdid herself. She knew her stuff. Cody watched them, then approached Elizabeth. He told her that he helped hang the photos and knew where the baby sloths were. They walked off together, and Ric frowned.

Martin blamed Tracy for his fall, and Laura said she got it, but if he chose to go to war with Tracy, no one would win.

Sasha said Port Charles was Wiley and Amelia’s home, and Michael couldn’t leave, but she and Daisy could. She and Michael could think of a place together. He said he needed to know that wherever they went, they got there safely. She couldn’t leave without protection. She asked if he was going to hire a bodyguard, but he said he had something much better.

Carly said she knew how the game worked. Sonny could either call for a cease fire or escalate things. If he escalated things, he put everyone they loved in danger. Michael called Jason and asked Jason to meet him at the pool house. Jason left, and Carly told Sonny to admit it. When he heard it was Michael, his heart stopped.

Stella asked if Portia and Curtis were good, and Portia said they were going through a rough patch. Stella said that’s why they needed to remember what they meant to each other and how hard they’d fought to get where they were.

Curtis said, Kai overheard a conversation between him and his wife at their house and took it to Drew. How could Kai betray his privacy? Kai asked how he couldn’t. Curtis wasn’t going to expose a crime. He was going to lie and destroy Drew’s reputation. It wouldn’t just hurt Drew, but it would hurt Drew’s daughter and Willow. Drew had a right to know. Curtis said Kai was meddling in affairs he didn’t understand. Nothing was as simple as he thought. Drew came in and asked if there was a problem, and Kai said he told Curtis what he’d done. Curtis said Kai had no idea who Drew really was or what he was capable of, but he did. Kai said he was sorry, but did what he thought was right. Curtis said Kai didn’t have to explain to him, but he would have to explain it to Trina.

Cody spilled wine on Elizabeth, and Ric rushed over with his handkerchief.

Martin said he couldn’t let Tracy get away with what she’d done, and Laura said he had a right to be angry, but pursuing a feud wouldn’t end happily for anyone. Her best advice was to let Tracy do Tracy and he should focus on his recovery. Martin said he’d try, when Stella joined him. He said if it hadn’t been for her expertise… Stella asked if she could speak to him in private.

Boyle gave Marco his condolences and said he’d do everything to see that Sonny Corinthos and everyone who enabled him was made to pay for the tragedy. A bunch of reporters appeared and asked if Sonny killed Marco’s mother. Was it true she and Sonny were more than friends? Had she laundered money for the Corinthos organization?

Kai was late to the gallery, and Trina texted him. Ava mumbled that Ric couldn’t keep his hands off Elizabeth, and told Trina to let her know how it went. Trina stepped away, and Cody told Ava that he was hearing the show was a huge success. Ava said there was someone she’d like him to meet.

Trina thanked Josslyn and Gio for coming, and they talked about the photos. Josslyn asked, where’s Kai? but Trina said she didn’t know. He was supposed to be there. She was guessing that Drew kept him late.

Kai said he was sorry it turned out like this, and Curtis said so was he. Kai left, and Curtis asked if Drew was proud of himself. Drew said he was proud of Kai, and Curtis said he’d manipulated Kai into spying for him. Drew said Kai had overheard what Curtis was up to and chose to bring the information to his intended victim. Curtis said Drew was no one’s victim, but Drew said he didn’t hire Jacinda; Curtis’s wife had. She’d set him up and drugged him, which was a felony. Curtis conspired to bring her back to make a false statement, which was also a crime. How was he the bad guy here?

Sonny said he’d do what he needed to do and nothing Carly said would change that. She said Kristina would be dead if not for Marco. Was this how Sonny repaid him? He said it wasn’t about Marco. It was about Sidwell. Sidwell had nearly got Kristina killed. He’d torched Charlie’s and had to face the consequences. Otherwise, their kids were in even more danger than they were now. Carly said it was a trap. He’d have to find another way to get Sidwell to stand down. If he couldn’t do it for the kids, do it for Morgan. They couldn’t lose another kid. Morgan had died, Michael had been shot and almost burned alive, and Kristina had been held hostage and almost killed. When they found out Morgan was gone, she would have given anything to turn back to a time when they could have done something different. Sonny said him too, and she said, now is that time. He had to stop the violence before they lost someone else they loved.

Michael said Sasha and Daisy were leaving Port Charles, and Jason asked, why? Michael said Daisy had disappeared. They’d found her in her bassinet, and she was fine, but they didn’t know how she got there. Sasha said Olivia thought she was sleep deprived or hormonal, but someone had broken in and moved Daisy to make her think Daisy was gone. Michael said it could be about anyone, and Sasha said she wasn’t sticking around to find out. Jason asked if Michael was good with this, and Michael said Sasha was right. They weren’t safe here. Jason asked where Sasha wanted to go.

Gio listened in. and Sidwell told Jordan to ask Anna to send a detective to the airport. The night Natalia died, Sonny’s private plane was ready to go on a flight to Belize. Natalia was going to take it and never be heard from again. Perhaps she took her life because she didn’t want to face what Sonny had planned.

Boyle said the people of Port Charles deserved to be safe. Not just from mob violence, like the fire at the club owned by Sonny’s daughter. They needed protection from the coercion of the criminal element that led to Natalia’s death. He asked if Marco had a comment, and Marco said his mother’s death was tragic and those responsible would be held accountable. Laura walked in and Boyle asked if she’d join him in condemning Sonny Corinthos, who was responsible for hounding Natalia to her death.

Curtis said he knew who Drew was, even if Kai didn’t, and Drew said he had proof that Portia abused her position and falsified medical records.  Curtis said Drew would never let that leak and give up his leverage, and Drew asked if Curtis wanted to call his bluff. His first stop would be the hospital, then the PCPD. Curtis needed to do one simple thing or Drew would do that.

Emma told Josslyn that it broke her heart how animals were tested in a lab rather than being out in the wild, and Josslyn said she hadn’t found out anything yet. Dalton hadn’t even let her in the lab. Emma told her to find a way in. Dalton was up to something. Josslyn said she wouldn’t talk to Emma about her job, but Emma said she was just telling Josslyn goodnight. She was leaving to meet Vaughn. Josslyn told her to have fun, and Emma said they both would, and left.

Ric said he could drive Elizabeth home to change, but she said it wasn’t necessary. She gave him back his handkerchief, and Ava asked to speak with Ric privately.

Martin said he couldn’t thank Stella enough for getting his insurance reinstated. Desperation and pain were bad combination, but thanks to her, he was a new man. He intended on writing a letter… She told him to be quiet or they’d both be in serious trouble.

Laura said the investigation into Natalia’s death was officially closed and asked the press to give the family the room they needed to grieve. She’d meet Boyle in a debate, but wasn’t sinking into the mud with him. Boyle asked if Marco knew that Sonny had been held at the PCPD for 24 hours. The police were going to charge him with Natalia’s murder until he was mysteriously let go. Marco said he wanted justice and would release a statement. It was a private matter and Boyle was intending on exploiting his mother’s death. It was an act of manipulation and Marco gave him no support. If Boyle kept harassing him, he’d take legal action against him.  

Gio showed up at Sonny’s and said he needed to talk. Carly told Sonny that she’d said what she needed to say. Please think about it. She left and Sonny asked what was on Gio’s mind. Gio said he came from Ava’s gallery and Sidwell was there. He overheard Sidwell talking about Sonny. He’d said Sonny’s plane was scheduled to fly to Belize on the day Natalia died and he wanted the PCPD to get the flight plan. He wanted them to reopen the investigation. Sonny told him, stay out of it.

Jason said when they got where they were going, he’d secure the location, and get Sasha and Daisy settled in. Sasha thanked Michael for helping and trusting her. She was worried he might be humoring her. Michael said she made the right decision, when Daisy started fussing. Michael picked her up and said he thought she was hungry. Sasha said she’d take Daisy to the house to feed her. Daisy would be sleeping in her room every night until departed. She left and Michael told Jason that he didn’t know how to do this.

Michael told Jason that he loved Daisy so much and now he was going to lose her. He had no idea when he’d see her again. He wouldn’t be there for her first steps or her first words, and his wouldn’t be the face she recognized, but he couldn’t fight Sasha on this. Jason said she had good instincts. For what it was worth (🍷), he’d been in Michael’s position. He’d had to walk away from Danny and Jake more than once. It never got easier, but Michael’s situation was different. None of this was his fault.

Josslyn met Carly at the pool and said she’d gotten Carly’s message. Carly said she was fine. She just wanted to see Josslyn and tell her how much she loved her. They hugged, and Josslyn said she loved Carly too, but she was worried. Did something happen?

Ric said he showed Elizabeth some attention, and Ava threw herself at the hired hand. Ava said they’d been talking about the show, but Ric said she was flirting. She said she was surprised he noticed. He was putty in Elizabeth’s hands when she wanted something and dirt under her feet when she didn’t, but he was too smitten to realize.

Drew told Curtis that he wanted one thing. A front-page exposé on Sonny Corinthos and Natalia Ramirez. Curtis said it sounded like an Invader headline, and Drew said, underneath that headline would be an accurate report that Sonny was held for 24 hours and questioned about Natalia’s death. He also wanted Curtis to publish a timeline on Sonny and Natalia’s relationship. He handed Curtis an envelope and said he wanted Curtis to include a copy of the autopsy report. Curtis asked where he got it, and Drew said, an anonymous source, but Curtis said he needed more than that. Drew said Curtis had more than enough to go to print. It was a small price to pay for his wife’s freedom.  

Jordan told Portia that she came in peace to clear the air. She’d had a conversation with Curtis and told him that she didn’t want to risk blurring the lines. From now on, they’d only see each other on family occasions and when they couldn’t avoid it. She wanted Portia to know that she wasn’t a woman who stuck her nose in other people’s marriages. Whatever happened with Portia and Curtis, she was out. Portia said Curtis must have eaten Jordan’s speech up with a spoon, but she wasn’t buying a word.

Gio said he was sorry. He thought Sonny should know. Sonny said he appreciated Gio coming over, but didn’t want him to go near Sidwell, who was a dangerous man. He didn’t want Gio to be near him either. He didn’t agree with most of what Tracy said, but she was right when she told Gio to stay clear of him. When she’d tried to get Gio not to sign the papers for the trust fund, she was trying to do the right thing. Gio said she was trying to control him, but Sonny said she was trying to save him. When he was a young guy, he made mistakes and thought he’d be the only one to suffer. Then he realized the people he cared about could get hurt, but it was too late. Gio said, for what? and Sonny said, to get out, to change things. So now, all he could do was protect his family. Gio said Sonny was his family too. Didn’t he get to protect Sonny? Sonny said what he wanted Gio to do was not listen in on Sidwell or anyone else. Stay clear.

Marco said he knew about Boyle and wasn’t surprised he’d stoop so low, and Laura said she was relieved Marco saw Boyle for who he was. She wished his father would do the same. Marco said he disagreed with his father on many things, but make no mistake. He held Sonny responsible for his mother’s death and Laura considered him a friend. Shame on her.

Ric said Ava was coming off as ungrateful and he’d been good to her through his misfortune. She said he wouldn’t have known Kristina was responsible for his misfortune if not for her. Without her, he was a lawyer with a schoolboy crush, He said he was going to go before they said something they’d regret. He left and we saw Cody had been listening in.

Stella said if Martin had taken care of his back issue in the past, insurance would have considered it a preexisting condition. She was seeing it more and more, patients being turned down to care they were entitled to. Martin said he wanted people to know how well she took care of him, but she said she just filled out some paperwork, a request to get him the assistance he needed. He said he wanted her to know, if it did get out, he’d do everything and anything to defend her, and she told him to take care of himself. She thought it was better for them both if no one knew how she may or may not have finessed the system.

Trina was alone at the gallery when Kai arrived.

Laura told Marco that she and Sonny shared a grandchild. That made him family, but didn’t mean she agreed with everything he did. Marco said Laura was the mayor and took an oath to uphold the law, and she said she did. Right now, Marco’s emotions were holding Sonny accountable, but from a from legal point of view, it was different story. He said, what about ethically and morally? and she said they all had to follow the dictates of their conscience. She was truly sorry and wished him and his family peace. She left, and Marco told Lucas that Boyle was an ass. He wasn’t going to let Boyle use him, but he did blame Sonny for his mother’s death and didn’t want it to come between them. Lucas said Sonny’s actions were his own and had nothing to do with them, and Marco said, good. Sonny had already cost him his mother, and he didn’t want to lose Lucas. Lucas said he wouldn’t. He wasn’t going anywhere,

On the phone, Curtis said he wanted a full media blast on their website and social media. Did Sonny Corinthos end Natalia Ramirez?  

Sonny said Gio needed to stay away until things cooled down, but Gio said Sonny stood by him and he wanted to stand by Sonny. Sonny said the worst that could happen was Gio getting hurt because of him. Do it for his grandpa. Gio said if that’s what Sonny wanted, and Sonny said it was… for now. They hugged and Gio sniffled.  

Carly told Josslyn that she’d had a conversation with Sonny about Kristina and what happened at Charlie’s. He could have lost a daughter, and she wanted to tell hers that she loved her. She would never ask Josslyn to live her life small, but Josslyn was precious to her. So while she was living her big, beautiful life, be careful. Josslyn said, for her, and they hugged.

Jason told Michael that his working for Sonny was intolerable for Sam. She’d had the right to protect Danny, but Michael didn’t deserve to lose his daughter. He was sorry, but unfortunately, it was the right thing to do. Michael said he’d promised Sasha that as much as he loved his dad, he wouldn’t be that kind of father. He promised that nothing like the fire would ever happen to his kids, but he never thought he’d have to make good on his promise so soon.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Anna walks into the Brown Dog Bar and approaches Isaiah at the bar. She wonders if she can ask him a favor. She’s waiting for Felicia and noticed her granddaughter is here with a man at least ten years her senior. Isaiah asks if she’s concerned, but she says she doesn’t know if she is or not, but she’s definitely intrigued. She’s wondering if he’d mind being her cover.

Trina thanks Kai for hanging around and says she has to clean up a couple of things. Then they can head to the afterparty. She can’t believe he missed Joel Sartore. He was talking about why he does what he does, and it was so inspirational. Where was he? Kai said, something important came up with Trina’s dad.

Portia tells Curtis, it was no surprise Trina put on a wonderful show. Joel Sartore’s photographs were absolutely wonderful. Curtis says he sent Trina congratulatory flowers, and Portia says she’s sure Trina loved them, but she thought for sure he’d make it there before she did. Trina looked for him all night. He says, unfortunately, he was here being blackmailed by Drew again.

Lulu thanks Laura for coming by, and Laura asks, what’s going on? Lulu says, Brook is mad, and Laura asks, about what? Lulu says, about what Brook thinks she did to Gio. Now Brook is going after Rocco. Laura asks what she means, and Lulu says she means now she has Brook to thank for Rocco knowing about Britt Westbourne.

Rocco searches for something on Spyder-Finder.

Chase comes out of the water by the boathouse, and Tracy says, just the man she wants to see. He asks if everything is okay, and she tells him that his stroke is off, and his breathing is too soon in the cycle of the surf. He says he’ll keep it in mind, and she asks if he’s seen Brook. He says, not yet. He was working all night and then came here. Is everything okay? She says, no. She thinks his wife is barreling headlong into disaster and he needs to stop her.

Michael walks into the living room and sees Brook. He says he’s sorry. He didn’t realize anyone was in here. Is she okay? Brook says she’s fine. The room is all his. She starts to leave, but he says, wait. What’s going on? He doesn’t mean to pressure her about anything, but he’s happy to listen. She says she thought things were bad enough when Gio discovered she’d given him up. Now her son truly hates her. Honestly, she doesn’t know if it can get any worse. Dante walks in and asks why the hell she did that to his son.

Laura says, Britt Westbourne has been dead for years. What could Brook possibly say about her that’s relevant today? Lulu says, everything. Rocco knew none of it. She and Dante never told him the story of how he came to be. Or more accurately, they had no chance to tell him. Laura asks why Brook took it upon herself to tell Rocco anything about Britt, and Lulu says, to hurt her. Laura hugs her and says she’s so sorry, and Lulu says, God forbid he find out from his parents who can explain it in a way he could understand. Brook set it up for him to find out in the worst way. All because she wanted to cause maximum damage.

Chase says, with all due respect, he doesn’t think he and Tracy should discuss Brook behind her back. If she’s concerned about her granddaughter, take it up with her. Tracy says, if only it were that easy to rein Brook in. Clearly, he still has no idea what he’s dealing with.

Brook asks what Dante is referring to, but he says, don’t. Not after what she did. Michael asks, what’s going on? and Dante says he knew Brook could be destructive, but being this cruel to his kid is a new low. Michael suggests he step back. He doesn’t appreciate Dante talking to Brook that way. Dante says Michael wants to defend this person who dug up sensitive, ancient history about Britt Westbourne, the woman who stole an embryo belonging to him and Lulu. She planted it in herself and gave birth to Rocco, passing him off as her own. Michael says he knows it was awful, but what does that have to do with what’s happening now? Dante says, ask Brook. She made a file about that horrible woman and left it where Rocco or anyone else could find it. He asks Brook to tell him that he’s wrong. Please. Go ahead.

Isaiah says he’s in. He’ll absolutely cover for Anna. Anna thanks him, and at a table nearby, Vaughn suggests he and Emma get out of here and find a quieter place to talk. This bar isn’t really his scene. Emma says she knows a cool place closer to campus, and he says, sounds great. They get up and head for the door, but Anna intercepts them and asks who Emma’s friend is.

Curtis tells Portia, arrangements were in place to bring Jacinda back to Port Charles, but when the P.I. got there, she was gone. Portia says, she ran? Why? Curtis says, she didn’t run. Drew paid her to disappear. She asks how he knows, and he says, Drew told him. She says she doesn’t understand, and he says he didn’t either, but then Kai showed up and said he was the one who told Drew about the plan. She asks why he’d do something like that… Oh no. Trina. Does Trina know? He says he’s not sure, but he’s sure as hell going to make sure she does, and Portia says, this is very bad. Trina cares for Kai. Curtis says he knows, and Portia says, who knows how she’ll react when she finds out Kai betrayed them? but Curtis says, if he were Portia, he’d be more worried about Drew. Once again, Drew has them where he wants them. She says, all because of her.

Kai tells Trina that the reason he missed the opening was because he went to her dad’s office to talk to him and caught the tail end of Curtis’s conversation with Felicia. Trina says, Felicia works with her mother at the hospital, but he says, they weren’t talking about the hospital. They were talking about that Jacinda woman Curtis was trying to find. She says, the escort? Maybe they should change subject for a lot of reasons. He says she wishes he could for a lot of reasons, but he can’t. Jacinda is gone again. Drew arranged for her to disappear. Trina says she doesn’t know why they’re discussing it when it has nothing to do with them, but he says, it does. The reason Drew knew was that he told Drew what her dad was planning.

Anna asks to be introduced to Emma’s friend, but Emma said they were just heading out. Anna says she’ll buy them a drink. She insists. They sit back down, when Anna’s phone dings. She says, Felicia can’t make it, so she thinks it worked out perfectly. She has more time to get to know… Name? He says, Vaughn, and Anna shakes his hand. She says, nice to meet him. She’s the Police Commissioner. How does he know Emma? He says, from PCU, and she asks if he’s a student there. He says he works in the facility department, and Anna says, oh. Did he attend the university many years ago? Vaughn laughs and says he’s so sorry. He has to use the men’s room. Excuse him. He leaves and Emma asks if Anna is planning on fingerprinting him, but Anna says she hasn’t decided. Does Emma realize he’s at least ten years older than she is? She has questions. Emma asks if Anna never dated an older guy, but Anna says they’re not talking about her. Emma says, come on. He’s hot. And she’s an adult. She can date who she wants. Anna says she broke into the lab at her last university. He works in facility at PCU. Is he aware that she’s using him?

Dante says Brook went looking for information on Britt because she wanted to hurt Lulu, and Brook says, yes, but she didn’t tell Rocco, and she didn’t leave it out. It was one the table under Deception materials. No one was supposed to find it. He says, yet somehow, they did, but she says, they weren’t meant to. It was an accident. Dante says she left a file out containing private information about his son in the house his son lives in. It was like leaving out a loaded weapon. She wanted him to find it. Maybe she planned it – he doesn’t know – but she did it to hurt Lulu, and it’s got to stop. He gets that Lulu upset Gio who thinks Brook gave him up without a second thought, but she can’t blame Lulu. That’s all her. Michael says, that’s enough.

Chase says he doesn’t need Tracy telling him anything about his wife, and she says, how about if she tells him about her and Brook. They’re a lot alike. He says he’s aware of the traits they have in common, and she says, of course (🍷), but she suspects he sees Brook through rose colored glasses. He says he supposes he’s biased when it comes to his wife, and she says, he’s supposed to be. When someone intentionally hurts them, they don’t take it lying down. She’s blown up her own life more than once seeking revenge and she doesn’t want Brook to follow in her footsteps. Chase asks who Tracy thinks Brook is going after, and she says, Brook holds Lulu responsible for what’s happening with Gio and there’s no doubt in her mind that Brook is going after Lulu. Does he think Brook’s justified?

Laura says, that’s just awful, and asks how Rocco is handling it. Lulu says, he’s confused and asking questions. She’s at a loss and thinks he’s overwhelmed. Brook’s main goal was to cause chaos. Laura suggests they focus on Rocco. What he needs right now is understanding. Lulu says she’s his mother and Rocco is her and Dante’s biological son. Britt gave birth to him, but she and Dante are the only parents he’s known. Laura says, and the only parents who have loved him, and Lulu says she knows that. Why does it feel like Rocco is pulling away? Laura says, because at Rocco’s age, information like this can change everything.  

Trina asks if Kai is saying that after they talked, he went and told Drew – her father’s enemy – what her father was planning? He says, yes, and she asks how he could do that. He says, how could he not?  

Curtis says he’s not going to let Drew take Portia down. He’ll do what he has to in order to stop him. Portia says, it’s a beautiful gesture, but he’s not doing it for her. He’s doing it for Trina. She appreciates his moral code and him not letting her hang out to dry, but she wishes he wanted to protect her because she’s his wife. He says, fine. She did cause this and he’s not saving her for her, but for Trina and himself. He wants to be able to look in the mirror and know he honored his vows and did what he could to protect her. She says she’s sorry she’s not worthy of his honorable intentions. She’s sure Jordan is, right? …Yeah. Don’t wait up. She leaves.

Laura says, it’s really painful when you feel your children pulling away, but she thinks it’s inevitable. When a kid finds out their parents have a complicated history, it can’t be easy to explain. Lulu says, a complicated past is the Spencer way, and Laura says, it really is. It can be painful for a child to find out their parents existed in ways they knew nothing about. It can affect how they feel about themselves and how they relate to their parents, but she’s found out over the years that none of it outweighs a strong foundation of love. Lulu asks if she thinks it will pass, and Laura says she does. She thinks going forward, Rocco may look through life with a different lens and he may have questions, but Rocco knows how much they love him. That’s because Lulu is a wonderful mother. Her love has never wavered. Lulu puts her head on Laura’s shoulder, and Laura says, it’s gonna be okay.

Michael says, Dante needs to back off. He has no idea what it cost Brook to give up Gio and has no right to judge. Dante says, he’s right. He doesn’t know what Brook went through. Brook says she appreciates everything Michael said, but she thinks it’s something she and Dante have to work out for themselves. Michael asks if she’s sure, and she says she is and thanks him. Michael leaves, and Brook says, it’s just them, so let her have it – again.

Rocco goes outside, and Laura says, nice to see him. He says, her too, and she says she hears it’s been a rough couple of days.

Chase says, Lulu crossed the line. Tracy knows that. Tracy says, letting Gio find out his parentage at the Nurses Ball wasn’t Lulu’s finest hour, and he says, neither was the harassment, bullying, and threats that led up to it. Although it needed to come out for everyone’s sake, including Brook’s. She says, they’re in complete agreement so far, and he says, now they’re going in different directions. He also believes had it been handled delicately, Brook could have built a relationship with her son instead of praying every night that he’ll forgive her someday. She says, he will. He just needs time. Chase says he’s not so sure. Lulu was relentless and did it in the worst way possible. She asks if he agrees in helping punish Lulu.  

Kai says he heard Trina’s dad plotting against Drew. He said he was going to pay Jacinda to lie and say Drew took the ketamine on purpose. He was standing next to Drew when Tracy flipped the press conference and called out Drew for drug use and said he should be kicked out of office. He knew the truth about what happened. Trina knows Drew has been good to him with the surgery and the internship, but even if he hadn’t done those things, he couldn’t let Drew be accused of something he didn’t do. That’s not who he is. He doesn’t live his life that way. Trina says she seriously respects his sense of loyalty. She just wishes it extended to her.

Michael goes to see Curtis and says he got Curtis’s text. It sounded important. Curtis says, it is. He thought he should give Michael and his family advance warning. Michael says, that doesn’t sound good, and Curtis says, in about an hour, the headline will be the same throughout all Aurora Media platforms and he thought Michael should hear it. Did Sonny Corinthos End Natalia Ramirez? He shows Michael the copy.

At the Brown Dog Bar, Portia asks Isaiah if this seat is taken, and he says, it was, but he believes his companion has moved on. She says she knows how that feels, and he says, long day? She says, they all feel long nowadays. She ran into Jordan who’s trying to steal her husband. She’d be lying if she didn’t say Jordan is right about one thing. If her marriage is ending, she has no one to blame but herself.

Vaughn returns and says he’s sorry. There was a line. Anna says, in the men’s room? and he says, yeah. Emma asks if Vaughn still wants to get out of here, and Anna says don’t let her scare him off. They were just getting acquainted. Josslyn comes in and tells Vaughn, okay. He wins.

Vaughn asks what Josslyn is doing here, and Emma says she can answer that. She told Josslyn they were going out. She can’t explain Josslyn showing up at the Brown Dog though. Is she stalking them? Josslyn says, hardly. She still has Vaughn’s location on her phone. Emma says, yikes. Sharing her location with a guy she just met. Pretty thirsty. Josslyn says, yikes. Snatching up the guy she just broke up with. Pretty desperate. Anna says, okay, ladies. Let’s not resort to stereotypical female behavior in the Brown Dog. Josslyn says, right, and Emma says, Josslyn is here, so make her point. Josslyn says she made it. If she walks out, she and Vaughn are done. It’s either her or Emma.

Rocco tells Laura that the hardest part is, no matter what his mom says, he keeps thinking he might never have been born if Britt hadn’t stolen the embryo that was him. She asks why he keeps thinking that, and he says he feels like his parents didn’t choose to have him. Lulu listens in, and Rocco says he was stolen, and suddenly, whether they wanted him or not, they were parents. Laura says she assures him there was nothing sudden about it. They wanted him. They were desperate to have him. They fought for him and prayed for him and when he showed up, it was nothing short of a miracle. He says, no one has called him a miracle before, but she promises they did, many times. The thing about miracles is, they never happen the way you expect them to. Actually, Rocco knows something about this. All the afternoons he sat at his mother’s hospital bed, holding his mother’s hand, and praying for her to come out of the coma. She came back one day and he got his miracle. It wasn’t the way they expected and certainly not in an easy way, but they’re still grateful, aren’t they? Rocco says he’s always grateful for Sam, and she says, always. She knows it’s a confusing time and knows he’s been left with a lot of questions. That’s perfectly understandable, but one thing he never has to question is his parents’ love for him. That is something he can depend on for the rest of his life.  

Dante tells Brook that what he said about her giving up Gio was out of line. He owns that, but he feels she was out of line too. He knows how much she despises Lulu – Brook says, Lulu feels the same about her too – but to involve his son, who’s now questioning what he’s known… Brook says it was never her intention, and he says he knows, but it doesn’t matter. At the end, it was the same result. She says she wanted to hurt Lulu and Rocco got caught in the crossfire. She regrets it, truly she does. It might be the worst thing she’s ever done.  

Chase tells Tracy that it wasn’t fair, but there was no grand payback scheme or plot for revenge, and she says, Brook is smart and motivated. Lulu made mistakes, and Brook homed in on the worst one, then exploited it. He says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he doesn’t like her talking about his wife like that, but she says, it’s true also that Brook loves him and respects him and wants to be the best version of herself for him. That’s why she thinks he’s the only one who can stop her. He says he doesn’t police his wife or tell her what to do, and she says, no good can come of these two women destroying each other. She loves them both so much. He asks what she wants him to do, and she says she wants him to see if he can stop this from devolving any further. They’ll just end up hurting each other and themselves.

Trina says she gave Kai a heads up that Drew was working against them, but it didn’t matter. His loyalty starts and stops with Drew. Kai says, that’s not true, and she asks if he’s sure. That’s not what it feels like. He asks if she’s saying she doesn’t trust him anymore, and she says, why should she? They agreed to stay out of it, and he’d told her that he wouldn’t say anything, then he did the complete opposite. So tell her, why she should trust him when he betrayed her family and her?

Michael says he takes it that Drew insisted, and Curtis says, correct. He was on the verge of outmaneuvering Drew and getting his family out from under Drew’s thumb when the weasel got out ahead of him. Michael says, he’s not alone. He told Curtis to stop Drew from taking his family down. Curtis says he’s not sure he has any moves left, and Michael says, professional or personal? Curtis says, maybe both. He’s not sure he and Portia have what it takes to make it through this.

Laura says she knows Rocco’s parents are upset. They wanted to be the ones to tell him and didn’t want him to be blindsided. When he talks to them, please try to remember what they talked about. Promise her to remember he is their miracle and always will be. He says he promises and thanks her. She says, one more thing. He’s allowed to ask questions. Ask all of them and keep asking until he gets answers that feel satisfying. That’s important. This is his life. They hug, and he says, she always gets it. She says she tries.

Brook tells Dante that she told herself that Lulu needed a taste of her own medicine, so she’d know how it felt to have someone digging around in her past without her knowledge or consent. He says, she used his son, but she says she never meant for Rocco to see it. Dante says, but he did, and she says she knows. She gets sick to her stomach when she thinks about it. Rocco is hurting and probably questioning everything and it’s all her fault. Now she has to live with that. She’s so, so sorry. He says he appreciates that, and she says, if it makes him feel better, Gio thinks she did it on purpose and hates her more because she hurt his little brother. She can’t tell him that he shouldn’t. Dante says it doesn’t make him feel better. He knows she’s sorry and believes her, but unfortunately, there’s not a way to fix the way Rocco and Gio are feeling. She says she knows. The silver lining is, now that Gio thinks she’s the lowest of the low, maybe he’ll be more open to Dante.  

Vaughn tells Emma that he’s sorry. This is super awkward. Emma says, actually… Josslyn is kind of crazy, and he says he’s into it… and her. What can he say? Sorry. He’ll see Emma around. Emma says, see ya, and Vaughn steps away with Josslyn.   

Tracy tells Chase, don’t misunderstand. The way he sees Brook, the warmth and kindness, is real. But so is the viciousness and fight. He says, she’s not wrong, and she says it would be a tragedy to lose the beautiful part he amplifies. Convince Brook that the way forward isn’t revenge, but building a family with him and a relationship with her son.

Kai says, it wasn’t an easy decision. He cares about Trina and her family. She says he cares about Drew more, but he says, it’s not that. He can’t stand by and let something happen he knows is wrong. She says she told him that her parents and Drew’s situation was complicated. He didn’t have enough information to know what was wrong and decided her parents were the villains. He says he knows what he heard. Her father was going to pay Jacinda to lie about Drew. How can she expect him to sit back and let someone be destroyed for something they didn’t do? She wouldn’t want to be with him if he was a person who was okay with that. She says, right now, she’s not sure she wants to be with him at all.

Isaiah says, Portia is putting her time and effort into competing with Jordan and proving herself to Curtis. She shouldn’t have to do all that. She’s a fabulous doctor and a wonderful woman. If her husband can’t see that, maybe he’s the problem.  

Josslyn says Vaughn is welcome for the save. Did he think it would have worked? He says, probably not. He’s ditching the plan. It’s not worth it if Anna’s eyes are on him. Brennan wasn’t kidding. She’s sharp and she’s onto him. They have to sell this. He kisses her, and Anna tells Emma, they’re a bit intense. Emma says, Josslyn never misses a chance to embarrass herself. She’s got a gift. Anna says she’s sorry. She doesn’t know if Emma is just acting interested, but she thinks it’s better not to involve this guy. It will work out for the best. Emma says she thinks Anna is right, and looks at the master key hidden in her hand.

Isaiah tells Portia that he learned early on, if you play your own game, you have a better shot at winning. Maybe it’s time she played her own game and not Jordan’s. Portia says, the next round is on her, and tells the bartender, two, please.  

Michael says, don’t give up yet, and Curtis says he hopes he and Portia are stronger than Drew’s manipulations. For his family’s sake, he hopes they are. Michael says he meant what he said. Do what he has to in order to protect his family. Curtis thanks him, and Michael says he’s going to protect his and let his dad know about the headlines he’s about to see. He leaves.   

Kai says he thought Trina’s dad was wrong, so he did something about it. That doesn’t mean he’s disloyal to her. She says, that’s what it feels like, and he says, all he did was tell the truth, but she says, no. He made a choice and chose Drew. But one thing about her is that she’ll always choose her family, no matter what, and he will never be family to her. He flounders for a moment and says he loves her, but she says, get out. He leaves and she stumbles back, sitting on a bench.

Chase says, Tracy is right. Brook’s number one priority should be Gio. She missed out on so much time. Tracy says, good. They’re in agreement. He says he appreciates her concern about his marriage, but he loves Brook and he’s going to spend the rest of his life with her. He promises right here and now, there’s nothing Brook could do that will ever drive him away. Nothing.  

Dante says when Brook gave Gio up, she did it with the intention of doing right by their son. He knows she made that decision from a place of love. That’s where it all starts, right? A parent’s love. They absolutely want only the best for you. Gio needs to know that and feel it from both of them. She’s got to believe she’ll get the chance to show him that. She says she hopes so, and they hug.

Lulu thanks Laura so much for her help with Rocco. Laura really helped her too. Laura says, Lulu and Dante have a wonderful son. It may take a little time, but Rocco has such a good head on his shoulders and loves them both to pieces. It’s going to be fine. Have faith in that. Have faith in him.

Rocco emails Obrecht: Dear Doctor Obrecht, You may not know me, and I don’t remember meeting you, but I used to be your grandson.

On Monday, Brennan tells Josslyn if they’re going to do this she has to fully commit

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Well, phooey. But cool she’s living her dream.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-casting-news-kirsten-storms-done-taping-as-maxie-for-the-year-moving-out-of-la/

Here’s hoping GH wins the big one.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/the-52nd-annual-daytime-emmy-awards-the-complete-list-of-soap-nominations/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/stars-from-general-hospital-days-of-our-lives-and-more-react-to-their-daytime-emmy-nominations/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

Captain Kerry said bosun Caio was just surviving and bid him ciao. In Caio’s interview, he said he was surprised, which explains why he got the boot. It was the crew night out and the only ones who made out were Jess and Solène, much to the delight and disappointment of the dudes. Except for Kyle, who felt stupid. I still wonder how the hell they get up for work the next day. I could barely do a desk job with a hangover when I worked in an office. The guests, who owned a strip club, wanted a dinner theme reminiscent of teen shows in the 90s, and because it was Carnivale in St. Maartin, Fraser decided to bring it to a party on the dock. The guests came in hot, and not in a good way. Fraser thought they were rude and classless, and predicted the cruise would be hell. It didn’t take long before the captain told the crew that the guests were becoming rowdy and to let him know if they crossed the line. Demand we can do. Rude and demeaning we cannot do. Maybe it’s me, but you’d think a group of people in the adult entertainment industry would act like adults. Instead, they were like a bunch of drunk kindergarteners. Unfortunately, Fraser’s Carnivale looked like it was about to be the Fyre Festival 2.0.

Next Gen NYC

The group took a trip to the Jersey Shore for Brooks’s birthday, and Charlie continued to be a d*ck, even though he admitted the Shore didn’t suck. Being fascinated with this group is my new guilty pleasure. Who else would get so excited over seeing mac and cheese at a grocery store hot bar?

The Valley

This show is making me weary, since I don’t think I could spend even five minutes with any one of these people. Jax was still clueless, complaining that he’d just gotten out of rehab and Brittany wasn’t giving him a chance. Apparently, he doesn’t understand what divorce papers are or that rage texting her pretty much the entire time was not a good look. He didn’t exactly show anyone that he’d changed. It was interesting to hear Zack calling anyone else messy, since he’s possibly the messiest of all. The group went on a cruise which started off copacetic, but quickly degenerated into a bunch of fights. One of the best moments was Jesse asking if production knew what camel toe was. Um… they work for Bravo.

Real Housewives Of Miami

Ugh. These women. I kind of like Stephanie, and not just because she has a private jet. I appreciated that she was the only one to call out Lisa for being two hours late. Although they were headed to a Greek-themed Narcissistic party, so perhaps it was on point. Seriously though, Lisa has a rep for being incredibly late, and like Stephanie, it’s my pet peeve. You might as well say your time is more valuable than everyone else’s.

Real Housewives of Orange County

Tamra and her screech are back. Shannon is off lemons and on to The Golden Door. The Dubrows have scrapped the idea of reconstructing the skabillion dollar house they bought and want to just move on. Emily and Katie are at odds, with Gina playing referee or pot stirrer. I haven’t decided which. And Jenn is still with Ryan.

Random Reality Items

Not her year. But if you’re making $250K a month, is spending $105K that unreasonable?

https://ew.com/denise-richards-husband-aaron-phypers-files-for-divorce-11767773

More sad news. I don’t think it’s going to go well for him on social media. Scheana is beloved by many.

Apparently, they’ve found more people who are 30+ who want to pretend they’re 14 on the weekends.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel. Netflix. I heard about CEO Dov Charney before, but watching him in action was stomach churning. It’s no surprise that when his disgusting machinations caught up with him and he was fired, Yeezy picked him up.

https://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/Netflix/view/465621/

What Jennifer Did. Netflix. Since this is a true crime doc, the spoilers aren’t really spoilers, and it was pretty apparent what the outcome was from the jump. Interesting info about AI in documentaries in this article. I hadn’t noticed, but then again, I’m usually multitasking.

https://www.slashfilm.com/1562704/true-story-netflix-what-jennifer-did-explained/

I’m Your Venus. Netflix. This was just sad, although the ending had some uplifting moments. Venus Xtravaganza (Paris is Burning) was a trans girl living her best life when that life was taken from her at 23 years old. Most of this was about her family’s battle to get to the bottom of her murder and also have her name legally changed. It was precious to see how much they loved her. Sadly, the case still remains open.

https://ew.com/venus-xtravaganza-documentary-new-details-murder-case-11759646

Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything. Hulu. Bette Midler probably said it best: She did her homework. The best interviewers are the ones who have actually studied their subject beforehand, and Barbara was one of the best. Like Martha Stewart, she was a woman in a man’s world and had to overcome a lot of hurdles. So many women in broadcasting have her to thank for paving the way. She might have been considered rude – again, like Martha – but if she’d been a man, she’d have been admired for her no-nonsense ability to get things done. I actually know someone who was a caterer at a dinner she attended, and he confirmed her rudeness, but it probably becomes second nature. Or she might have just been hangry.  

Sinners. HBO/Max. IMO, a horror masterpiece. One of the best things I’ve seen ever. I love a horror story that parallels the supernatural with real life horror, and like Lovecraft Country, this delivers. Twin brothers open a juke joint in 1932, and some uninvited guests arrive with the KKK not far behind. The story was unique, the special effects more than worthy, the character development was remarkable, the acting superb, and the music phenomenal. There’s a dance scene at the club that’s just incredible and absolutely transported me to another place and time. The film was also sexy without being overt or even showing any nudity. I’m hoping to see this sweep the Oscars and it should have a sporting chance, since the Academy is more apt to honor a horror film than it used to be. I can’t say enough good things about this movie. Just go watch it. Now.

https://theeverygirl.com/sinners-movie-review/

And they went a sustainable route with costumes. Extra kudos!

https://www.slashfilm.com/1905800/sinners-marvel-movie-blade-costumes/

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

Premieres July 22nd.

https://people.com/welcome-to-plathville-micah-girlfriend-faces-the-family-wrath-exclusive-11756749

https://parade.com/news/tlc-reality-star-27-accused-of-verbal-abuse-in-shocking-audio-shared-by-ex

🫏 News From the Wild…

🦛 Baby’s first birthday.

https://people.com/moo-deng-viral-pygmy-hippo-celebrates-1st-birthday-11769791

🦈 Well it is Shark Week soon.

https://people.com/diver-swims-into-real-life-sharknado-encounter-amid-feeding-frenzy-exclusive-11768103

🐕 Superdog.

https://people.com/james-gunn-reveals-how-rescue-dog-inspired-krypto-in-superman-exclusive-11758362

🐐 Quotes of the Week

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. – Pelé

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.Dolly Parton

The greatest deception [humans] suffer is from their own opinions. – Leonardo da Vinci

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

You are not your resume, you are your work. – Seth Godin

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.Oprah Winfrey

The bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep. – E. Cossman (Or sometimes a good stiff drink.)

The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.Bob Marley

You were a little bit the victim of a surgical misadventure. – Dr. Terry Dubrow, Botched

🌌 Touching the Sky…

Until next week, stay safe; stay keeping an open mind and respecting local culture when traveling; and stay remembering that miracles never happen the way you expect them to.

June 6, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Anna Gives Sonny a Warning, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Watch Of the Future, Worth Barking About, Decuplet Of Quotes & Summer  

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Elizabeth asked what Lucky knew about her accident, and he said he knew Kristina caused it.

Kristina went to see Michael and said she had so much to tell him.

Laura told Alexis, as Ace’s legal guardian, she got statements from the trust. It looked like 10 million dollars had been removed from the Cassadine estate in the past month and a half.

Rocco showed Lulu the video of Gio smashing his violin at the Nurses Ball and asked, what happened?

Gio showed up at Sonny’s and said he had a question. Did Sonny know?

Brook told Lois, two things would always be true. Gio would always know she gave him up and she would always know Lois lied to her. Gio didn’t want anything to do with her, and she didn’t want anything to do with Lois. Gloria walked in and told her not to talk to her mother like that. If Brook wanted to have it out with someone, have it out with her.

Brook asked if Lois was hiding behind Gloria, but Lois said she was trying to get Brook to understand. Brook said there was nothing to understand. Two people she’d loved and trusted lied to her. Gloria said that was enough.

Rocco asked if it was true that Brook and Dante were Gio’s parents, and Dante said, yeah. Gio was his son and Rocco’s brother.

Alexis told Laura that what she’d seen were investments and apologized for not telling her sooner. She’d thought it was best to diversify some of the trust portfolio and moved some of it to a mutual fund that was high rated. She wanted to make sure Ace’s inheritance remained strong. There was nothing more important than family.

Elizabeth wondered what Kristina had to do with her accident, and Lucky told her about Kristina cutting the brake line to what she thought was Ava’s car. Elizabeth said, it wasn’t Ava’s car though. It was Ric’s.

Michael asked how the family was, and Kristina said she and Molly were great. Her and her mom were… fine. Family was complicated. She couldn’t believe Michael was finally home and walking into a custody battle, but he said it needed to be settled once and for all. Kristina said she knew he wanted to do right by his kids. If he was telling himself that deep down Willow was a good mother and made compromises, it would be the wrong move.

Sonny said Gio had questions and so did he. Why didn’t he come in and get answers? Gio said Sonny didn’t tell him, no, so he must have known, but Sonny said he didn’t know. The first time he heard was when Gio announced it to the world. He hadn’t known Brook was pregnant, which was surprising since he was so close to Lois. Gio said, if he didn’t know, why had Sonny always been so nice to him? Sonny had paid for his lessons, music, and education. Why had he been so generous? Sonny said he knew Gio was special and that hadn’t changed.

Lulu told Rocco that his dad and a lot of people were trying to make sense out of it, and Rocco said, Gio’s mom was Camilla, and his dad was a soldier who died in the war. Dante said they were led to believe that. Gio was lied to and so was everyone else.

Gloria told Brook to calm down and cool off. Emotions were high. She knew it was a lot to process, but Brook’s mother was still her mother, and she was still Brook’s grandmother. She had to show some respect. Brook had been a pregnant teenager, and it didn’t just affect her. Imagine the position she’d put her mother in. Lois said Brook told her that she wasn’t ready to be a mother and she trusted Brook to know herself and respected her wishes. Brook said, by lying? and Lois said, by protecting Brook and doing the best she thought she could for Brook’s child. Gloria said Brook’s mother lied to spare her and it ate her alive, and Brook asked if that’s what Lois told herself, that she was sparing her. Lois said keeping Gio in the family was the only way to ensure he was going to be taken care of and happy. And he was. Gloria said Camilla was a godsend. Would Brook rather they gave him to strangers, and she never saw him again?

Kristina told Michael that she thought Willow would come to her senses and realize being with Drew was a mistake, but Willow was more consumed with Drew now than she ever was, like how it was with Shiloh. She’d been bouncing the kids around and they hardly saw them anymore. Michael said if Drew had his way, it would only get worse. Word had it that Drew bought property in DC.  

Elizabeth told Lucky that they had to tear the car apart to get them. They both had surgery. Ric almost died. How long had he known? Lucky said, since the night it happened. He’d been covering for Kristina ever since.

Gio said there had to be more to it. Did Lois ask for Sonny’s help? Sonny said, she did. She was his oldest friend and the Cerullos were family. He was more than happy to help. That’s what family does. Gio said, Lois lied, but Sonny said it was more complicated than that. Had Gio heard the story about Dante being his son? Gio said, bits and pieces, and Sonny said, when Lois found out, it was before Camilla died. Gio asked Olivia pulled a Lois and never told him about Dante, and Sonny said, she kept it from everybody. He thought she was worried about his affiliations. He wasn’t defending Lois, but she made her choices for a reason. He and Dante knew where Gio was coming from.

Dante said he didn’t know he had a child and definitely didn’t know it was Gio, and Rocco asked, when were he and Brook together? Dante said they’d been camp counselors one summer. They were kids not much older than Rocco. They were teenagers and got careless. They made a mistake. Brook didn’t tell him that she’d gotten pregnant, had a baby, and put it up for adoption. Rocco said, Brook never told him that he had a son? and Dante said he found out the same way everyone else did – when Gio announced it and smashed his violin.

Brook said, if it was up to Gloria and Lois, she wouldn’t have known Gio was hers. She’d continue hoping and praying her son was out there living a safe and happy life. Lois said, he was happy, and Gloria said Brook was acting like they didn’t make sure Gio was loved and well-protected. He was their priority. Brook said they were acting like they’d done nothing wrong and didn’t regret everything. She asked if Lois regretted giving Gio to Camilla, and Lois said, no. Brook asked if Lois didn’t regret lying to her for 22 years and letting her see Gio, never knowing he was her son. Gloria said they made the decision they thought was best, and Brook said, when Camilla died, Gio was an orphan, but they said nothing.

Laura told Alexis not to overextend herself. The Cassadine fortune carried a lot of baggage. Don’t allow it to add to her stress level. Alexis said she needed to follow her conscience, when Suzanne came in and gave Alexis the balance sheets for the Dolos fund, since Laura had been asking about it. Alexis asked if Laura wanted to go over them, but Laura said, in the future, just keep her more informed. Suzanne said she heard congratulations were in order. Laura’s extended family had a new addition. Laura said, excuse me?

Rocco wondered why Brook didn’t tell Dante that he had a kid. He was the best dad. Dante said he didn’t know how much Brook knew, and Rocco said, she knew she had a baby. Lulu said Dante couldn’t answer his questions yet. He was trying to make sense of it himself. Rocco said Gio was his brother, and he missed out on nearly everything with him, and Lulu said she was sorry. His dad would get answers and so would he. Rocco said it was a lot. If it was some big secret, how did Gio find out the truth?

Brook said, Gio was 12 when Camilla died. Didn’t they think he needed a mother? Lois said, it tore Gio apart. They were just getting him through it. Gloria said, the poor boy would have been traumatized all over again, and Brook said her son was alone at his lowest point, but Lois said he was loved and cared for. Brook said, not by her. She was an adult, and they kept her son away from her when he was all alone. She’d never forgive them for that.

Sonny said now that Gio knew Brook and Dante were his parents, circumstances were different, but he got it. Gio asked if it was easy with him and Dante, but Sonny said, not at all. It changed everything. Dante went from being an adversary to being his son. Gio asked if they were cool now, and Sonny said he was proud of that. It took years and it might take time to build a relationship with Dante. Gio said, what if he didn’t want that?

Kristina said taking Michael’s children away didn’t sound like the Willow she knew. She didn’t recognize Willow anymore. Michael said at first, he thought Drew was manipulating her, but she was responsible for her choices. She chose to prioritize Drew and chose to destroy her family.

Lucky told Elizabeth that Kristina showed up at Charlie’s, then ran out. He went after her. She called Ava to try and warn her. Elizabeth said, Ava wasn’t in the car, and Lucky said he found Kristina pulled over near the crash, totally freaked out. She was in shock when she saw Ric and said she’d thought it was Ava. That’s when he knew she’d caused the crash. Elizabeth asked why he hadn’t turned Kristina in to the police.

Lucky said, Kristina could get charged with three counts of attempted murder and go to prison for life, and Elizabeth said maybe that’s where she belonged. He said she didn’t see Kristina’s regret. It wasn’t premeditated, but a crime of passion, a lapse in judgement. When she realized what she’d done, she tried to stop it. Elizabeth said, but she couldn’t. She and Ric could have died. He said the only reason Kristina wasn’t behind bars was because she didn’t die. It was a miracle she survived, and she and Ric were okay. He didn’t see how it benefited anyone to send Kristina to prison. Elizabeth said, what if it kept Ava from being killed? (I don’t know if I’d consider that a benefit.)

Michael told Kristina that he wasn’t the perfect husband, but he loved Willow. He didn’t think they’d ever seen each other clearly and only showed the parts they wanted the other to see, not the dark parts. Kristina said, that would have been honest, and they’d have handled the dark parts, but Michael said Willow couldn’t have handled his.

Lulu told Rocco that Gio found out the truth because of her. She uncovered some information and thought his dad deserved to know the truth. She investigated and found out the baby was Gio. Rocco said Gio was living with them. He didn’t get why Brook kept it from them, and Lulu said she didn’t know what Brook knew. She’d struggled over the right thing to do, but he needed to understand that she respected adoption as well as Brook’s right to make her choice. She took issue with the lies. Gio was his half-brother, and his dad was an amazing father, so when she found out he was here in their lives, she couldn’t keep quiet anymore.

Sonny said he couldn’t tell Gio how to feel, but Dante was a good man and a great father. If Gio give him a chance, Dante would show him. Gio said Dante didn’t like him. He made that perfectly clear after Rocco’s alcohol poisoning. He wasn’t interested in having a relationship because of biology. Sonny said he understood Gio felt hurt, angry, and betrayed. It wasn’t the best state of mind to make decisions. Take his time and see how he felt. Figure it out then and make a decision to what he was open to or not. Gio said, Olivia lied. Did Sonny ever stop hating her for that? Sonny said he never hated her. He was angry and it took a long time to get past that, but loves her. At times he thought about how much time he missed with Dante, but he forgave her and didn’t regret it.

Gloria said she and Brook’s mother her did their best. Brook owed her beautiful life to Lois. Stop hating her and try thanking her. Brook said her child was in pain because they’d both misled him his entire life, but Gloria said they’d made a decision that wouldn’t destroy her life or Gio’s. Brook said they didn’t know what life she would have given Gio, or he would have given her.

Elizabeth asked, what would keep Kristina from trying to kill Ava again? and Lucky said it was a wake-up call, but Elizabeth wasn’t convinced. Why was it on him to cover for her? Her mother was a lawyer. Lucky said it was too late. He helped cover it up, which made him an accessory. She said, so if he went to the police, he’d be charged too, and Lucky said if she felt the need, he’d go, but she told him not to risk prison. It didn’t just affect them. They had to think of Aiden, Ric, Molly, and Alexis, who was still grieving the loss of Sam. She wasn’t sending one of Alexis’s remaining daughters to prison. Lucky said when he saw Lulu, he thought of how much he owed Sam. He thought that’s what drove him to protect Kristina in the first place and didn’t think she would try it again. Elizabeth said it would only harm more people who didn’t deserve to be hurt. She’d keep Kristina’s secret.

Suzanne told Alexis that she was sorry. She assumed Laura knew what happened at the Nurses Ball. Alexis said Suzanne’s knack of oversharing worked out this time. Mayor Collins had the right to know. There was a knock at the door and Marco said he needed to discuss the Dolos fund statement. Suzanne left and Alexis asked what they needed to address.

Michael said he made an error in judgement when it came to Willow. He’s sure she felt the same way. Kristina said it’s not like Drew would make her happy and Michael said he wouldn’t. She destroyed her life to be with him, so it had to seem worth it. He was more important than the children. Kristina said everyone tried to tell Willow and she claimed the children were happy, and he said, the truth was, Wiley and Amelia were no longer emotionally safe. He was going to take the children, no matter the cost to Willow.

Brook said she loved her Quartermaine family, but didn’t trust them. Not until now did she realize they were the family she wasn’t safe with. Gloria said that wasn’t fair or true. Brook’s mother loved her more than anything and every decision she made was to protect her and Gio. Gio wasn’t hurting because of them. That honor went to Lulu Spencer who was messing around in things that were none of her business. Brook said Lulu hated her, so she didn’t expect anything from Lulu. But if this is how they showed her love, she didn’t want any part of it. Lois said she knew Brook was angrier than she’d ever been, but please say she believed Lois loved her.  

Rocco asked if Lulu told Gio, but Lulu said, no. She thought Gio overheard a conversation between her and Lois. She was going to tell Rocco’s dad, but Gio went public before she could. Rocco asked if they wanted him to talk to Gio, and Dante said he appreciated that, but it was on him. He had to figure out where to start. He left.

Sonny told Gio that if he needed a place to stay, he was Gio’s grandfather, so his home was Gio’s home. Even if he wasn’t Gio’s grandfather, it would still be. If there was anything Gio needed, he was here. Gio thanked him, but said, whatever he did next, he’d do on his own for himself, and he left.

Michael said he put his kids in this situation, and it was his responsibility to get them out, and Kristina said she’d help any way she could. Michael said if there was no other option, he’d break Willow down to nothing to keep the kids away. She was going to see a Michael Corinthos she’d never seen before.  

Marco told Alexis that the company was brand new, incorporated in the Grand Keys and in existence less than a month. Their only asset was the 10 million dollars from the Cassadine estate. It had the makings of a shell company, and he wondered if they were dealing with a case of fraud. Alexis said there was no fraud and assured him that they’d been vetted, and he said he realized he was new, but he liked her and the firm. He’d seen set-ups like this before, and it looked like a set-up for money laundering. Was she sure it was good?

Lucky said he was sorry. He owed Elizabeth the truth. She said she was glad he was being honest, but why now? What changed? He said if they’re really doing this, he couldn’t lie to her. He wanted to be worth of her trust. she was the most important thing in the world to him. If she hadn’t survived the crash, he couldn’t have handled it. She said it would be nice when she got her cast off and could move on from all this, and he said that was all he wanted, kissing her cheek. She said, in some ways, they’d taken a horrible situation and made it surprisingly wonderful. Being under one roof was unexpected and part of her would miss this. He said they could still look forward to amazing things like the dinner he was making for her tonight. He went to the kitchen and Elizabeth moved her blanket, uncovering a ring box.

Rocco said he was sure Dante hated how hard it was on Gio, and Lulu said she thought he was right. She had some regrets too, but now she thought Gio needed to figure out how great it was to have Dante for a father. Rocco said he was a good guy. Gio had to see that. Lulu said she thought he would, and he’d see how great it was to have Rocco for a brother. They hugged, when Laura came to the door. She told Lulu that heard it was a very eventful Nurses Ball.

Dante showed up at Sonny’s, and Sonny said he just missed Gio. Dante said he didn’t just miss Gio. He missed 22 years with his kid. He guessed that was Brook’s fault.  

Brook said she believed Lois loved her and believed Lois thought she was doing the right thing, but it was wrong. Not at the Nurses Ball. Were they thinking about Gio, standing up on stage, all alone, smashing his violin? He left the room shattered with nowhere to go and no one to trust. Think about that and tell her that everything they did was for the best for Lois’s grandson. Lois cried and Gio walked in.

Tuesday:

The pool is open! Trina and Kai went to the pool and met Emma there. Emma said her AC went out coming back from Niagara Falls with Gio, and Trina asked where he was now. Emma said she dropped him off at Sonny’s.

Dante told Sonny that he had a hard time seeing Brook the same way and owed Sonny an apology. When he found out Sonny was his father, he didn’t welcome Sonny with open arms. Sonny said they’d gone past that and moved on, and Dante said his mother lied and he gave her the benefit of the doubt, but he was having a hard time doing the same with Brook. Sonny said Dante could be angry with who he wanted, but the important thing was he had a son who was hurting.

Gloria said, thank God Gio came home to his family, but Gio said he wasn’t home and none of them were family. He was grabbing his stuff and leaving.

Alexis wondered if Marco was asking if she was laundering money, but he said, no. He had experience in international banking law and if she found herself entangled or the investment not working out the way she planned or she got in trouble, he was here to help.

Diane gave Ric her witness list and said she’d offered Willow a generous settlement. Ric said he had a few tricks up his sleeve and saw Kristina on the witness list.

In the hallway, Michael told Kristina that he was ready for this to be over, and Jason told Carly to keep cool on the stand. Do what it took to get her grandchildren away from Willow, even if she had to be civil. Drew and Willow came in with Nina, and Willow said she was terrified. Drew said he was here for her and so was her mother, and Nina said, don’t worry. Everything would work out just fine.

Tracy arrived and told Drew, sorry. She was fresh out of ketamine. Willow and Drew went into the courtroom and Drew told Ric that he was counting on him to convince the judge that Michael was no altar boy.

Sasha worried that Ric knew about her and Michael, but Jason said, he didn’t. But if she was called to the stand, she was good under pressure.

Diane said they were about to start and everyone went in. Michael told Jason that they had a problem.

Nina said hi to Sasha, who barely looked at her.

Lois said Gio had every right to be angry, but Brook had nothing to do with this. Gio asked Brook if they’d made her give him up.  

Dante said Gio was reeling, and Sonny said Dante knew what it was like to meet his father as an adult and could relate. Dante said he had a lot of years to make up for, and Sonny said if he and Dante got past it, Dante and Gio could work their way to each other. Dante said he had to get to the courthouse. He was testifying on Michael’s behalf. Sonny told him to go help his brother for both of them, they hugged, and Dante left.

Diane said she wasn’t putting Jason on the stand. Ric would question him about the incendiary device and would say his proximity to Sonny posed a danger to Michael’s children. He wasn’t wrong. Jason said he still wanted to support Michael, but she told him to support Michael from a distance. She asked if Michael was okay, and Michael said, no, but she was right. She said, always, and Michael said he’d be right in. He thanked Jason for understanding. Even after what she’d done, he hated raking Willow over the coals. Jason said it wasn’t about Willow. It was about the kids, and he had to keep them away from Drew. Michael was a great father, and his kids needed him. Jason left and Michael went inside.

Alexis thanked Marco, but said there was nothing to be concerned about. Dolos wasn’t a shell company, and she was perfectly comfortable with the investment. He said if she changed her mind or the investment came under scrutiny, there were ways to mitigate her personal risk. She thanked him, when her phone rang, and he left. She asked what Ric wanted, and he told her to get to the courthouse now. She said she didn’t have a court date, but he said, Kristina did.

Ric said Diane had added Kristina to the witness list. If she testified, she’d most like tell the story about Willow using Michael’s torched body as a bargaining chip. Alexis said, if Willow was worried about that, she shouldn’t have done it in the first place, and he said, like if Kristina didn’t want to go to prison, she shouldn’t have cut his brake lines. Alexis wondered what Diane could ask Kristina that had to do with the divorce, and Ric said, maybe nothing, but she never knew what her daughter might say that would open up a line of questioning. They were starting, so whatever she wanted to do, do it fast.

Josslyn walked into the pool area and Emma glared at her.

Sidwell and Jordan came to the pool and met Dalton at a table. Sidwell introduced Jordan and told her that Dalton was doing cutting edge research at PCU. Jordan said Sidwell told her that he was about to change the world, and Dalton said that was the plan. Josslyn told Trina and Kai that she had to work, but would see them on her next day off. She went over to Dalton’s table and Emma said she was sashaying over like she owned the place and cozying up to Dalton. Trina said Josslyn was working for him, and Emma said Trina’s bestie sabotaged her and stole the job that was practically hers.

Brook told Gio that she had no idea she had a son, but no one made her give him up. She was a teenager and wanted him to have parents who could love and care for him without needing to grow up themselves. Gio thanked her for being honest and got that she didn’t want him, but she said knowing she couldn’t care for him wasn’t the same thing. Gio said she would have found a way, and Brook said it was the hardest thing she’d ever done and carried it with her every day. Lois said, Brook loved Gio enough to give him a better life, even if it meant never seeing him again.

Judge Haran came in and asked to hear from the plaintiff. Diane said her client was seeking full custody of his minor children. They were going to prove the children’s mother abdicated her parental responsibility, beginning with her actions during an extramarital affair with Michael’s uncle. They were offering a 5-million-dollar settlement. Ric said Willow couldn’t be bought. She was a devoted mother and was seeking full custody. The judge told Diane to call her first witness.

On the stand, Carly said she was present at the Quartermaine Christmas party where the video of Willow and Drew having sex in the children’s nursery played, and Diane asked, what happened after it was viewed? Carly said she realized Willow and Nina had left, so she went to the gatehouse where Michael and Willow were living. She found Willow and her mother attempting to remove the children without Michael’s knowledge. Michael showed up before they could sneak away. Diane asked if he stopped them from leaving, but Carly said, he did not. He wanted to avoid confrontation, and Willow was emotionally unaware of how her actions were impacting the children. They were upset, but Willow was only concerned about how the night’s events were affecting her. Diane asked if it was difficult for Michael to watch Willow leaving with the children, and Carly said, it was heartbreaking, but he understood their well-being came first. Diane asked about Willow accompanying Drew to his inauguration, and Carly said Wiley called her. They were spending the night in a hotel suite, and she didn’t think Willow was aware he’d called. He said she was in Uncle Drew’s room. Diane asked if Michael had authorized the children’s transport across state lines, and Carly said, absolutely not.

Josslyn told Dalton that she’d sent out his proposal, and he introduced her to Sidwell. Sidwell said she seemed familiar, and Jordan said she was Carly’s daughter. Dalton said Josslyn was his new assistant, and Sidwell invited her to join them. Josslyn sat down, and Sidwell asked how she enjoyed working with Dalton. She said she couldn’t wait to get into the lab, and Dalton said his screening process was rigorous. He had to find people he trusted. He’d learned that lesson the hard way.

Chase took the stand, and Diane asked if he’d collected Wiley and Amelia from their grandmother’s penthouse. He said they had a court order to do so, and Diane asked if the children were upset. Chase said, not at all. Wiley was especially eager to go home. Diane asked if he hadn’t once been married to Willow, and he said, yes. She asked if Willow had been faithful, and he said, it was complicated. Diane said, yes, or no? and he said, no, she wasn’t.

Jason went to Sonny’s and told him that Diane changed her mind about him taking the stand. Sonny said he hated that the only thing he could do for his son was stay away and the only thing he could do for his grandson was wait him out. Gio had come by earlier and was angry, but Sonny hoped he could make up with his family. Jason said Gio wanted nothing to do with the Quartermaines, and Sonny said, he was especially mad at Lois and Gloria. Jason said, so were the Quartermaines. They were furious and they weren’t the only ones.

Gio asked why he should believe anything they said, and Lois said maybe he shouldn’t. They’d lied to him for his entire life, and she was sorry for that. Gloria told her not to apologize and told Gio not to act like they did a terrible thing. He had a good home, and Camilla was a wonderful mother. She loved him with all her heart, and he loved her the same. He said, then why did she lie to him every day of his life? Even on her deathbed, she didn’t tell him. Lois said they’d spoken to her before she passed, and she’d agreed it would be too confusing to tell him the truth. Brook said, she agreed? Did they pressure a dying woman into keeping their secret?

Ric asked who Willow cheated with, and Chase said, Michael. Ric asked if Michael knew she was married to Chase, and Chase said, he did. Ric had nothing further, and Diane asked to redirect. Did Willow know she was married to him? Chase said, of course (🍷), but… Diane thanked him. The judge told him to step down, then called for a 10-minute recess.

Drew asked if Ric planned on fighting back or was he going to hand the children over to Michael. Ric said, so far, there had been a lot of pearl clutching, even from Michael’s own mother, about him letting Willow take the kids. There were no kidnapping charges filed, and Diane was retreading old territory while they had new and compelling evidence to offer.  

Alexis got to the courtroom and asked to borrow her daughter. In the hallway, she told Kristina that she was getting her out before Kristina got them both thrown in prison.

Dalton said Sidwell had been generous in his support, and Sidwell said Dalton’s research was going to benefit the whole world. Dalton said, if only everybody saw it that way.

Trina told Emma that Josslyn wouldn’t take a job she hadn’t earned, and Kai said Josslyn would be spending the summer in a lab while they hung out at the pool. He intended to make the most of his freedom before training. He asked if Trina wanted to join him and they went into the pool.  

Gloria said Brook should be ashamed to accuse them of such a thing. It was Camilla’s choice. Lois said she didn’t want to pass on and have Gio grieving and questioning his entire life. Camilla made her wishes clear. She didn’t want to die with Gio thinking she wasn’t his mother. Gloria said if Camilla had wanted to tell him, they would have worked things out, and Brook said she got why they didn’t tell him before Camilla died, but afterward, she could have helped him. They made sure she never got the chance.

Diane told Dante that he was up next. Then Kristina, Tracy, and Michael was last. Dante said, Kristina left with Alexis, and Diane said she was testifying that Willow kept Michael’s family from him while he was fighting for his life in the burn unit. Carly said Diane could put her back on the stand, but Diane said they needed to hear from someone close to Michael who could clearly convey what happened. Michael said he thought he knew who could do it.

Sidwell asked Dalton to tell Jordan about his research, and Dalton said he was devising a process to help generate clean energy. Josslyn’s phone rang, she said she had to take it, and left.  

Back at her office, Alexis told Kristina that she was sorry if her absence hurt the case, but there was no choice. Marco came in and said Diane was looking for Alexis. Why wasn’t Kristina in court? Kristina said she was going to tell Diane that it was too triggering, and she was getting flashbacks from the last time Ric shredded her. It was believable. She told Marco that she didn’t think they’d met and introduced herself as the family embarrassment.

Jason asked how much forgiveness Lois needed from Sonny, and Sonny said he didn’t condone what she’d done, but he stood by their friendship because it was Lois. Dante and Brook were spinning and Gio felt the people he trusted the most lied to him. When he was on stage and broke his violin, it broke Sonny’s heart. (Same.) That instrument was his life, and he destroyed it. Jason suggested Gio was taking out his anger out on himself, and Sonny said he knew what it was like and didn’t want it for his grandson.

Brook told Lois and Gloria that they kept saying they wanted to protect Gio, yet they left him without any parents at all. Get out. They weren’t welcome there anymore. Lois said she’d pack her stuff, but Brook said she’d have the staff do it and send it to Bensonhurst. She wanted them out of her sight right now. Lois and Gloria left, Lois giving Brook a long stare (that I couldn’t exactly read).

On the stand, Dante said Michael wasn’t the intended target of the incendiary device. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Diane said, nothing further, and Ric asked Dante to tell the court what this was, giving him a folder. Dante said it looked like Michael’s criminal record, and Ric asked him to read the flagged passage. Dante read that Michael was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served time in Pentenville, and Ric said, nothing further. Diane asked for a redirect and asked Dante to please describe the surrounding circumstances. Dante said, Claudia Zacchara kidnapped Carly who was pregnant. By the time Michael found them, Carly had given birth to Josslyn. Claudia absconded with the baby and in stopping her, Michael accidentally killed her. So he went to prison for protecting his baby sister. Ric then asked, what was the weapon in question? and Dante said, an ax handle. Ric said, for the record, Michael was charged with involuntary manslaughter, not self-defense or justifiable homicide. He had nothing further.

Tracy was sworn in, and Carly got a text from Josslyn: Stay calm on the stand. Don’t lose your temper. Diane said Michael and Tracy had a publicly contentious relationship, yet she was a character witness. Why? Tracy said they had a contentious business relationship. Michael was the lynchpin of the Quartermaine family and was her late brother Alan and his wife Monica’s only biological grandson. He was the future of her family. Drew wanted everything Michael had, including his wife, who enthusiastically obliged. Ric objected and it was sustained.

Ric asked Tracy to explain her arrest, but Tracy asked, why? It was irrelevant. Judge Haran told her to answer the question, and Ric asked if Tracy was arrested for kidnapping Wiley and Amelia. Tracy said she was babysitting at Michael’s request. The children were restless, so she had her bodyguard Yuri take them for a drive. Ric asked if she was refusing to answer, and Tracy said it wasn’t about her. It was about Willow’s fitness as a parent. Willow professed to being the perfect mother, but she was so willing to let Drew use her children as a weapon against their family. Ric asked if she was charged with kidnapping, and the judge told her to answer. Tracy said, yes.  

Tracy left and Diane said she’d like to call Michael, when Josslyn walked in. Diane said, actually, she’d like to request a brief recess to confer with her witness, but Ric said she could prepare on her own time, not the court’s. Judge Haran said she was inclined to agree. Call her next witness or rest her case.

Sidwell said he had another engagement, but Jordan should stay and enjoy the sunshine. He left, and Jordan said she’d love to read more about Dalton’s work. He said he appreciated her interest, but his research was hush-hush, and she said that made her want to read it even more. Why the need for secrecy? He said, the simple answer was that he didn’t want his work subject to public scrutiny until it was complete.

Kai and Trina called for Emma to come in, and she got in the pool. Dalton looked at her and she looked back. (Again, hard to read. Is he a creeper? Is she annoyed?)

Marco said he was the new associate and had only heard good things about Kristina. He left and Alexis said they couldn’t risk Ric questioning her. Kristina wondered if this was how it was going to be. Ric would say jump and Alexis would ask, how high? Alexis said Kristina tried to kill someone and almost killed two people. She didn’t get to be picky about how Alexis covered it up.

Lois went to Sonny’s and said she and Gloria were heading back to Bensonhurst. Her daughter wanted nothing to do with her. Sonny said, she would, but Lois said they’d see about that. Sonny offered to talk to Brook on Lois’s behalf, but Lois said, don’t bother. She was worried about Gio. He had no one looking out for him. Sonny said he’d do everything he could for their grandson, and she said that was all she could ask. She thanked him and left.

Brook said she’d like it if Gio stayed. They could work through this. He said he got it. They were both lied to, but the fact was, none of them wanted him. The feeling was mutual. He walked out.

On the stand, Josslyn said, Willow used the status of Michael’s medical proxy to bar the family from him. He’d filed for divorce, so they were estranged. Michael needed to be surround by family, but it didn’t matter. Willow used Michael’s life-threatening medical condition to get what she wanted and ignored the impact on the family, putting her child’s father’s health in jeopardy. Diane asked where Drew was, and Josslyn said, next to Willow. Diane gave it over to Ric, who said, when Willow forbade the family from seeing Michael, was it after Josslyn’s mother ruthlessly stole the children from their home? Josslyn said, no, and Ric said she didn’t have her niece and nephew taken by her mother? Josslyn said she did, but they were staying with their grandmother. They weren’t removed from their home. Her mother had a court order, so a judge felt they shouldn’t be under Willow’s care. It was perfectly legal. Ric said Josslyn testified that Willow took drastic action after the family used the legal system to separate her from her children. Wouldn’t any mother do anything to fight for her children? Diane objected and said Josslyn wasn’t an expert in motherhood, and the judge said, sustained. Ric said Willow’s only desire was to be reunited with her children. Wasn’t that all she wanted? Carly whispered, don’t take the bait, and everyone waited.

Wednesday:

Anna thanked Jack for stopping by her office. It wasn’t about official police business, but entirely personal.

Emma got out of the pool and Gio gave her a towel. He said he’d been hired as a lifeguard, but was pitching in. He couldn’t stay with her and her grandmother forever. She asked if he’d gotten all the answers he needed.

Lucky directed Elizabeth, sans cast, to a gazebo where a beautiful table was set for dinner. She asked what the occasion was, and he said, her getting her cast off. He thought she’d appreciate a change of scenery and they had a lot to celebrate.

Sonny met Laura at a table by the pool, and she asked if it wasn’t the day of Michael’s hearing. He said he thought it was better if he stayed away. She congratulated him on his new grandson and said that’s why she wanted to meet. She was afraid it would have huge repercussions for the entire family.

Brook stormed into Lulu’s house and Lulu asked what she wanted. Brook said she wanted to know why Lulu blew her son’s life to hell.

Ric asked Josslyn if it wasn’t true that her sister-in-law only desired to be a good mother, but Josslyn said she didn’t know. They weren’t close. She did recall something Willow said at the Nurses Ball though. They were in the ladies’ room and Willow told her that nothing was more important than being with Drew.

Elizabeth said the cast kept her from doing the things she loved, like dancing with him, and Lucky took out his phone. She said, not here, but he said, why not? and put on music. They danced.

Gio told Emma that he’d gotten some answers from Sonny, who had no idea Gio was his grandson. He went back to the Quartermaines’ to get his stuff and ran into Brook, Lois, and Gloria. It was World War III. Lois confirmed that Brook didn’t know he was her son, but that didn’t change the fact that she didn’t want him. Emma said she was sorry, and he said he didn’t know what to believe. Aside from her, the only person he trusted was Sonny. He saw Sonny sitting with Laura and said, and now he wasn’t sure about that.

Laura said there was tension between Lulu and Dante, when Gio interrupted. He asked if Sonny was keeping tabs on him.

Brook said she’d had another ugly encounter with her son, and Lulu said she wasn’t the one who gave up Gio and lied to Dante. Brook said, but she was the one digging into things that were none of her business and was responsible for Gio finding out in the worst way possible. Lulu went at it with Lois backstage where anyone could overhear. Lulu said if she could change it, she would, but Gio was suffering because Brook’s mother perpetuated a huge lie. That wasn’t on her. Brook said she blamed her mother and grandmother, but Lulu couldn’t deny her part in it. She was no way off the hook.

Willow jumped up and said, that was out of context, and the judge told her to sit down and refrain from further outbursts. Ric asked if there was anything more, and Josslyn said it was fuzzy after that. Things escalated when Drew barged in the ladies’ room, threatened her, and told her to stay away from Willow. He said Michael would lose his kids. Ric had no further questions, and Diane called Michael Corinthos III to the stand.

Diane asked if Michael loved his wife and he said he did. She said he not only married her, but made her the adoptive mother to his biological son Wiley, so he must have held her in the highest esteem. He said he did, and she asked if that continued today. He said he was in love and thought it had blinded him to certain red flags. Willow grew up in a cult, Dawn of Day, and he thought she’d suffered from that upbringing more than he’d realized. Ric objected, saying it was speculation, but Diane said Michael had direct insight on his wife’s character. Judge Haran allowed it, and Diane asked him to elaborate. Michael said Willow was taught not to think for herself and to bend to the will of others. She did that with the cult leader Shiloh and was doing it now. She was willing to do whatever Drew wanted even to the detriment of her children. Diane asked for an example, and he said she was a very damaged person. Unless and until her issues were resolved, he didn’t believe she was capable of providing a safe and stable home for their children.

Dalton sat next to Emma and said it was nice to see her again.

Jack said he’d never heard of Dalton, and Anna said he was a world-renowned physicist working on a highly classified project in Port Charles. He was working at Northern Coastal in Berkeley up until a year ago in a secure restricted lab. A student group tried to break in and vandalize the lab, but security caught them before they did any damage. What he was working on was so classified, rather than risk exposure, they had the students sign an NDA and expelled them instead of pressing charges. Within the month, Dalton left Northern Coastal and wound up in Port Charles. Jack said, it could be innocuous, but Anna said it had the earmarks of someone avoiding scrutiny. Dalton specialized in cold fusion. He asked what she thought was going on, and she said her gut was telling her that he was working on something big and potentially dangerous.

Laura told Gio that she asked Sonny to meet her there. It was her idea. Gio apologized and said he was on overload. Sonny said everything was confusing and introduced Laura, saying she was Rocco’s grandmother. Laura said she’d been meaning to reach out and thank him for what he did for Rocco the night he had alcohol poisoning. He was a good friend. Gio said he wished he’d done more. Now he was Rocco’s half-brother. Laura said she was looking forward to getting to know him better, and Gio said he had to get back to work. He left, and Laura said, clearly, Gio was in pain. Sonny said he wished he could do more to help.

Brook said she’d asked Lulu to back off, but Lulu kept digging, even after she said it would hurt her son. Lulu said once she suspected Gio was Dante’s son, she couldn’t drop it, and Brook asked how she figured it out. Lulu said she got suspicious when Dante ripped into Gio after Rocco’s alcohol poisoning and Lois got over the top protective. Things fell into place, especially when she found out Camilla was never pregnant. Brook said she should have stayed out of it, and Lulu asked if Brook really didn’t want to know she was Gio’s mother.

Ric said Michael alleged that Willow was incapable of giving their children a safe and stable environment due to her upbringing, but they should look at Michael’s. He was raised by Sonny Corinthos, a well-known crime lord. Diane started to object, and Ric said, withdrawn. There was no denying that Michael grew up surrounded by violence. He was shot in the head as a child with a bullet meant for his father and Dante had testified that he was caught in a firebomb at the penthouse, which was why he’d been absent from his children’s lives. Even if he wasn’t the target, it didn’t seem like a safe and stable environment for children to grow up in.

Ric said it wasn’t the first time Michael had manipulated the legal system to exact revenge. He’d sued his own father for custody of his half-sister Avery. Ric wanted to revisit the topic of Claudia Zacchara. Involuntary manslaughter was a serious crime.

Elizabeth thanked Lucky for going to all this trouble, and he said he’d thought about this since they were kids. She said, a picnic in a gazebo? but he said it was just the setting for the main event. She asked, what main event? and he said, this, showing her the ring.

Jack asked how Anna knew about the break-in, and she said she did some digging. He said, because Emma was a student? and she said that’s why it was personal. She would involve herself, but he had more resources and latitude. She knew she was on to something. He said he thought it was more like she was being an overprotective grandmother and wondered if it was impairing her usually impeccable judgement.

Dalton said he knew Emma was upset at not getting the job and hoped she didn’t hold it against him, and she said she was sorry she took it badly. She’d been disappointed. He said he had no idea it meant so much to her, and she said she enjoyed his class. She was jealous that Josslyn got to work so closely with him. Vaughn watched them from a nearby table.

Sonny told Laura that he’d spoken to Gio, who wanted to know if he’d known the truth. He hadn’t and thought Gio believed him. He hoped they could keep building a solid relationship. Laura said she thought they could. Gio knew he could talk to Sonny. Sonny said Gio was upset with Dante and Brook, and Laura said she knew Dante had a terrible fight with Lulu. She expected there would be friction for a while. That’s why she thought it was important for both of them to keep an eye out for Rocco. She had the feeling he could use the extra support.

Brook asked if Lulu expected a thank you, and Lulu said she at least expected Brook to stop acting like it was the worst thing ever. Brook said it was up there, and Lulu wasn’t the heroine in the story. Lulu said she wasn’t the villain either, and Brook said, whatever she had to tell herself. Yes. She’d rather be in the dark and sparing Gio the pain. Lulu said Gio would have a family – a father, brother, and a mother again – but Brook said she didn’t know if that was true. Gio pushed them away, and based how furious he was, she didn’t think that was ever going to change.

Diane asked if Michael had contact with his children while he was recovering in Germany, and he said they spoke on the phone. She asked if Willow facilitated the calls, but he said his sister Kristina did. Diane asked if Willow made a concentrated effort to connect him with his children, but he said, no. She said, since the adultery was exposed, had Willow made every action to separate him from his children? and he said, yes. Diane said Willow transported them across state lines for a trip with Drew and he was not advised? and he said, yes, correct. She asked if he’d been advised that on April 14th, Willow signed and filed a document appointing Drew Cain as the children’s guardian in the event anything happened to her, and Michael said, no. She said, no further questions, and submitted photos of Congressman Drew Cain, the guardian of her client’s children, engaging in a frolic with a woman convicted multiple times for solicitation. She asked for the court’s attention on the monitor and showed proof of Willow’s adultery with her uncle-in-law in the children’s nursery playroom. The video played and she rested her case.

Ric said Nina had seen the footage before, and Nina said, at the Quartermaines’ Christmas party. He asked how it came about, and Nina said, Tracy accidentally played it from Michael’s phone. It was from an app. Michael had secretly installed a nanny-cam without her daughter’s knowledge. (Not sure how this applies, since it wasn’t like he would think that would happen.) Ric said it was odd that Michael knew and never said anything, and Nina said, at first, he kept it a secret from Willow. Ric asked if she agreed with what Carly said went down at the gatehouse, and Nina said they did want to leave, and Carly tried to stop them. But when Willow insisted the children needed be with their mother, Michael never put up a fight and gave her permission to take the children. He asked if the children were upset, but she said, not at all, and he asked if it was fair to say Willow loved her children and they loved her back. Nina said Willow was the best mother she’d ever seen. Her children adored her. In her opinion, Michael didn’t want custody. He was just angry and punishing Willow for falling out of love with him.

Diane asked when Nina last spoke with her son-in-law, and Nina said she tried to speak with him at the Nurses Ball, but he was too busy snatching her grandson. Diane said, just answer the question, and Nina said, not since before he went to the hospital. Diane said, the same night he filed for custody, so her opinion on his motives for wanting custody was just speculation, and Nina said, yes.

Felicia went to Anna’s office and asked if she was interested in a bite, but Anna said she’d lost her appetite. Jack was there and she asked him to investigate something she was suspicious of that involved Emma. He accused her of being over-protective. She asked Felicia to put on her P.I. hat. She’d give Felicia the facts and Felicia could tell her if that was the case.

On the phone, Vaughn said he was hanging by the pool… No problem. He’d come right over. He left.

Dalton asked what Emma’s plans for the summer were, but she said she hadn’t figured them out. She might take an internship with a cosmetics lab, but it wouldn’t be like working in his lab. Was there any chance they could meet met up sometime? She had so many questions about things they’d talked about in class. He said he’d be delighted. His door was always open.

Josslyn’s phone dinged and she told Carly that it was work. She left, and Ric asked Sasha her occupation. She said she’d been the cook at the Quartermaines’ for a little over a year. He asked if during that time she witnessed any interaction between Michael and Willow, and she said she had. She even babysat the kids. He asked her to describe their relationship, and she said there was nothing out of the ordinary until she saw Willow kiss Drew on the 4th of July last year. He asked how she felt, and she said she was stunned and felt bad for Michael. They were friends. He said they were once engaged. Was their romantic relationship sexual in nature? Diane said it was irrelevant, but Ric said it spoke of the nature of their relationship, and the judge told Ric to proceed with caution. Sasha said, during the course of their relationship, they had sex, and Ric asked when their relationship ended. She said, 2021, and he asked, when was the last time they had sex?

Vaughn said he had Dalton under surveillance, and Jack said they hit a major snag. As they suspected, Anna was on to Dalton and close to launching her own investigation. Vaughn said, that could spook Dalton and send him underground, and Jack said, or worse, he could halt his research. They didn’t want him selling it, but they did want the technology for themselves. Anna couldn’t get in their way.  

Felicia wondered how Emma would feel about Anna asking the WSB to look into her professor, and Anna said, Emma would tell her that she was overstepping. But she felt she was on to something. Felicia said, was she, or was she overcompensating because of Robin?

Dalton told Emma to let him know when she wanted to meet up, and she said she’d be in touch.

Laura said she was sure everything would be done to shield Rocco, and Sonny said he was a sensitive kid. He’d figure it out. Laura said she thought it was important that he knew he could talk to them. She thought they should present a united front to show the whole family wasn’t torn apart. Sonny said he thought Rocco had a wise grandma, when Boyle approached the table with his phone recording. He said it was their esteemed mayor with Public Enemy Number One. Smile for the camera. It was a livestream for the people of Port Charles.

Lulu said she was sure Gio would come around, but Brook said she wasn’t. It didn’t have to be this way and would have been different if Lulu had come to her and let her decide. Lulu said she thought Brook would keep lying, and Brook said Lulu made a huge life-changing decision for her and her kid. She should have respected Brook as a mother instead of trashing her entire life. Congratulations. Lulu always wanted to destroy her life and finally succeeded.

Ric asked, when was the last time Sasha and Michael had sex? and Sasha said she didn’t understand why he was asking. He said he thought she did, and Diane objected. Judge Haran told him to get to the point, and he asked if Sasha was at the Brown Dog Bar on October 30, 2024. She said, yes, and he asked what she did. She said, drink, and he asked, how many? She said she didn’t know. She was upset after finding out her boyfriend was her cousin. He said, when she left, was she alone? and she said it was none of his business. The judge told her to answer, and she said she left with someone. Ric asked who she left with and reminded her that she was under oath. She said she left with Michael.  

Vaughn suggested Josslyn get involved, but Jack said she was too green to go up against a former agent. Vaughn said he knew how to handle Devane.

Anna said she’d always regret not being there for Robin when Stone died and she was diagnosed with HIV, and Felicia said she didn’t have to be over-protective because of it. Anna said, what if both things were true? She over-compensated, but she also trusted her instincts and they were telling her Dalton was working on something illegal.

Gio asked, who was that guy? and Emma said her professor. Gio said, the physics guy, and she asked if he was still there. He said, yeah. Why? She took off her towel, revealing her bikini bottoms, and Dalton watched.

Lucky said he’d loved Elizabeth almost his entire life, since the first day they met. They had their had ups downs, and he knew they’d been through so much. It seemed like madness, but they’d also matured a lot – her more than him perhaps, but deep down, the connection was still there. He believed more than ever they could still have the life they’d envisioned since they were teenagers. He got down on one knee and said all he wanted was to spend the rest of his days with her and Aiden and her boys. So would she do him the honor of marrying him… again? She said she loved him so much, but the answer was no.

Sonny said he was in no mood, and Boyle said this was why when the people hit the polls, they should vote for Ezra Boyle for mayor and vote yes on Measure C. Laura asked if he was done, but Boyle said he had so much more. Gio walked by with a stack of towels and accidentally on purpose knocked him into the pool. Gio said he was so sorry. He hadn’t seen Boyle. Laura and Sonny laughed as Boyle flailed around in the pool, and Laura said she liked that grandson of Sonny’s. Sonny said, he’s a winner.

Lulu said it was unbelievable. She was just trying to do the right thing and Brook and Dante were thinking the worst of her. Brook said she was glad to hear Dante didn’t believe Lulu’s act, and Lulu said, at least they knew Gio was their son. How it played out was up to them. She was out. She started to walk away, but Brook asked if she thought it was going to be that easy. Lulu was going to blow up her life and walk away? If she did, she was in for a rude awakening. Brook walked out.

Ric said Sasha and Michael left the bar after consuming a lot of drinks. Did they have sexual relations that night? Unless she wanted her baby born in Spring Ridge, answer truthfully. Sasha said, yes. They left the bar and had sex, and he said, here they were, 9 months later. He understood she was claiming Jason Morgan was the father. Was that really true? Or is Michael Corinthos actually the father? Sasha said Ric was a disgusting creep. Yes. It was true. Michael was the father of her baby.

Thursday:

Lucky asked Elizabeth to marry him – again – and she said she loved him so much, but her answer was no. He asked if she meant no now or forever.

At the pool, Lucas met Marco with a Mai Tai, and they clinked glasses.

Maxie met Sonny at a poolside table and asked why he wanted to meet privately. He said he didn’t want Lucy’s spin on it and asked how badly Deception needed Sidwell. She said, right now, they needed Sidwell more than they needed him.

Curtis told Portia to relax, and she said they were sleeping in separate bedrooms. How was she supposed to relax? He said he didn’t want the family to figure out something was wrong and ask questions.

Kai and Trina arrived at her house, Kai bearing flowers.

Jason met Anna at the park, and she said she needed his help. He’d be helping Carly too.

Jack said, Josslyn saw Sidwell and Dalton together? and she said she’d seen on Dalton’s calendar that he had a meeting at the pool. It being Sidwell was just a lucky break, and she was asked to join them. Jack asked if she’d learned anything interesting, and she said Sidwell was sponsoring Dalton’s research.

Ric said, on October 30th, Sasha had sex with Michael which resulted in her pregnancy, and she said, yes. He said, on October 30th, the night before Willow and Drew made love (gag), but she said she wasn’t there. She had no idea. He said, to the best of her knowledge, as far as she knew, was Michael unfaithful first?

Elizabeth said told Lucky that she didn’t see a way of their lives fitting together, and Lucky said he’d disappeared before and didn’t blame her for thinking he wasn’t going to stick around for the long haul, but he knew he could, and he wanted to. She said she loved having him there, and he’d hold on to the ring and prove every day that he was in it for the long haul. She said she believed him, but he had to ask himself, would it really make him happy?

Trina said she hoped Drew would focus on someone else and get off Portia’s back for a while. The doorbell rang, and Trina opened the door to Marshall. He asked how his favorite granddaughter was, and they hugged.

Maxie said, Sonny’s investment kept Deception afloat at a crucial time, but they’d made the money back several times over. Their Youth Truth serum was going through the roof, and the more demand for the product, the more zincite they needed. Sonny asked if Sidwell was the only one who could access it, and she said if he knew someone else who was sitting on a pile of it, introduce her. She’d heard the stories, and wasn’t happy working with Sidwell, but right now they were making money because of him. Money she needed because her kids refused to stop growing and eating. So she was putting her misgivings aside until he gave her a reason not to. Natalia walked in, saw Marco, went to the bar, and ordered a vodka soda.

Jason asked what Carly had to do with it, and Anna said, the new professor at PCU, Henry Dalton, was doing extensive research. It looked above board, but she was concerned that it was more dangerous than he was letting on. She needed help to prove she was right. Jason said he didn’t see what that had to do with Carly, and she said, Dalton hired a new research assistant – Josslyn.

Josslyn asked if she should get close to Sidwell, but Jack said he’d take care of Sidwell. Concentrate on monitoring Dalton. What was inside this box would allow her to clone the contents of his phone. He also knew Anna was suspicious of Dalton. She said, because of Emma, and he said Anna was determined to go after him. She said they needed to find a way to discredit Emma so Anna would stop looking, and he said they couldn’t attract Anna’s attention to the Bureau and had to let it blow over.

Ric asked, how inebriated was Michael? but Sasha said he’d have to ask Michael. He asked if drugs were involved, and she said, absolutely not. He asked if Michael had cheated with other women, and Diane objected. He withdrew the question and said, her witness. Diane said, let’s talk timelines. Sasha testified that she’d witnessed Willow and Drew share a kiss on July 4th, 2024. In a subsequent conversation, did she tell Sasha about a second kiss in early September? Sasha said, yes, and Diane asked if Willow confessed the nature of her feelings. Sasha said Willow told her that she had feelings for Drew that she couldn’t control, and Diane said, let the record reflect both the kisses and Willow characterizing her feelings happened before October 30th. Judge Haran said, so noted, and Diane had nothing further. The judge told Sasha to step down, but Ric had a redirect and asked how much Michael paid her to hid the fact she was carrying his baby.

Natalia said she was glad she ran into Marco, and he introduced her to Lucas. She said, nice to meet him. She needed to talk to Marco alone. Lucas said he’d be at the bar, and left. Marco asked if she realized how incredibly rude she was, and she said she was sorry, but they had important family business to discuss. Allison still wasn’t returning her calls. Could he please ask her to return one text or call. She’d like to join Allison on tour, and they needed to discuss things. Marco said, despite his better judgement, he introduced her to Lucas, who was important to him. Instead of making an effort, she wanted him to convince his sister to bring her on tour. Natalia said stop making her the bad guy. Allison needed to stop her tantrum and realize she needed her.  

Maxie told Sonny that she needed to take care of something quick and went over to Lucas. She said, please tell her that complete snack wearing the hell out of that swimsuit was Marco. He said it was, and she said she needed details. He could start with what Marco and his mother were fighting about. They didn’t look happy. Natalia told Marco to let her explain, as Sonny watched them.

Marshall said it was good to see them, and Curtis said, Aunt Stella and TJ were sorry, but they had to work late. Marshall said he was sorry he wouldn’t be there long enough to them, but it was just a short stop over, then the tour was back on the road. Curtis said they loved him and were proud of him. He was touring with Wynton Marsalis. Trina introduced Kai to Marshall, and Kai said it was nice to finally meet him. Marshall said he’d enjoyed Kai’s games. He had impressive improv skills and Marshall was sorry his career got cut short. Kai said he was on his way back to playing. It was miraculous. He’d met some who made it their mission to get him on the field again.

Elizabeth said she fell in love so young. The feeling had never gone away, and she couldn’t imagine it ever would. Loving him meant she wanted his happiness as much as her own. He said, being with her made him happy, but she said it meant being in Port Charles, the same town, the same house, and the same routine. She knew it was too small of a place for him and the last thing she wanted was for him to live an unfulfilled life just to prove himself to her. Was Port Charles really where he wanted to be?

Sasha said, Michael didn’t pay… She doubled over and Ric asked if she was all right. She said she was fine, and he asked if Michael told her to keep their tryst a secret, but she said they both felt no one else needed to know. He asked, why? and she said because she worked for his family, loved her job, and didn’t want to jeopardize it. He asked what Michael’s reason was, and she said she couldn’t speak for him, but she knew he still loved Willow, even after he found out she’d kissed his uncle, so maybe that. He said, when she found out she was pregnant, did she tell Michael? and she said, yes. He asked if Michael instructed her to keep it secret, but she said, no. She was the one who insisted. Michael was willing to claim the child publicly, but she asked him not to. She knew what was coming for Michael and Willow and didn’t want her baby going through that. She wanted to protect her baby from a life where the people around them tear each other… She gasped in pain.

Lucky said he loved Elizabeth and wanted to be with her, but maybe she was right. Port Charles would always be important, but it wasn’t his home anymore. Being there full time wouldn’t fulfill him, at least right now. Elizabeth thanked him for being honest, and he said he’d give anything to be the kind of person who was content staying, but she said, if he was, he wouldn’t be the person she loved. He said it was unfair. They’d just found their way back to each other. She said it would be more unfair if she asked him to stay, and he suggested she leave with him instead. They could go see the world together.

Trina told Marshall about the day Josh came early and Kai was on his pain meds. He just kept petting her sweater and saying, fuzzy. They all laughed, and Kai said Josh was a great guy, but he couldn’t wait until he could play again and his part in the documentary was over. Trina said, or they could go out in public without someone following them asking questions. Marshall said it was both flattering and a chore, and Kai said, Congressman Cain was generous enough to arrange and pay for his surgery. He felt the documentary was the least he could do.  

Anna said Josslyn would be working closely with Dalton, and Jason said she needed to tell him everything she knew about the professor. Anna said she became suspicious when the Emma thing didn’t add up. Dalton taught at Emma’s previous university. She was arrested for protesting his research, but instead of charging the students, the university swept it under the rug. It was almost as if the school didn’t want to call attention to it. After that, Dalton turned up there at PCU. Jason said none of that told him that it was worth investigating, but she said, the fact that the WSB was looking into it should.

Marco said Ally had worked up the courage to tell Natalia who she really was, and Natalia pushed her aside, like she did him. Natalia said she was trying to be better, and she was better, but Marco said, not enough. In the years when he needed a mother, she wasn’t there. The best thing to do was leave Ally alone and stay away from him too.

Sasha said she thought she was in labor, and Rick suggested it was cheap theatrics. Michael yelled at him to back off and ran up to Sasha, and Judge Haran adjourned the court while the witness got medical attention. Michael promised Sasha that it would be okay, and she said it wasn’t supposed to happen for another month. She couldn’t lose the baby. It couldn’t be like Liam. He said it wouldn’t. They’d get her to the hospital on time. She said there was no time. The baby was coming now. Willow said, let her help.

Willow asked if Sasha was feeling pressure or the urge to push, and Michael asked if she thought she could make it to the hospital, but Sasha said she wasn’t going anywhere. The pain was too strong. He said the paramedics were on their way, but Willow said they wouldn’t be on time. Sasha’s water broke and her contractions were two minutes apart. The baby was coming any second.

Lucky said they could see the world together. Elizabeth was an amazing nurse. Think of the good they could do. Every day would be an adventure. (Packing now.) Elizabeth said, what about their son? and Lucky said he could come too. His parents bounced around. She said he was born into that life and didn’t know any different. Aiden had friends and family here. He had school and Tobias. He was graduating soon and would apply for college. She didn’t know if he wanted to be uprooted. He said, Aiden came first, but when he went to college, they were free and could go wherever they wanted. Elizabeth said it wasn’t just Aiden. She had a life here too, that she loved. She had friends and family and a career that she didn’t want to leave behind. It would make her as unhappy as he would be if he stayed.

Natalia said she knew she made a mistake and wanted to make it right if Marco would give her the chance, but Marco said he had. And she disappointed him every time. He was done thinking she was going to change and done with this conversation. Go get drunk somewhere else. She walked away and Sonny asked her to have a seat. She sat with him and said, when she tried to fix things with her kids, why did she make it worse? He said they were hurt. She needed to give them space. They’d come around when they were ready. She said Marco’s father was doing everything in his power to keep them apart, and Sonny said, Marco seemed like a smart guy. Sooner or later, he’d realize he needed his mommy. Natalia asked why Sonny was being so nice.

Jason asked how Anna knew the WSB was involved, and she said, Brennan. He said, Jack told her? and she said, he may as well have. When she told him her suspicions, he completely dismissed them out of hand. He said her judgement was clouded because of Emma. Jason asked if there was any chance he was right, and she said she was good at what she did. It didn’t behoove Jack to wave off her suspicions. He asked if she thought Jack was trying to throw her off, and she said she was certain of it. The fact that he said there was nothing there meant there was definitely something there. She had no idea about the WSB’s plan, but if it warranted their attention… He said, it’s got to be big, and she said, and therefore dangerous. Josslyn had no idea what she was being pulled into.

Jack said, in order to avoid Anna’s scrutiny, she needed to believe Josslyn was who she thought Josslyn was, and Josslyn said she was a hard-working college student with a job in a science lab. Josslyn said, if Anna asked any questions, she didn’t know what Anna was talking about. Jack said if Anna popped in the lab, Josslyn would be surprised. Under no circumstances was she to run interference. Was he clear?   

On the phone in the hallway, Carly said, what did they mean, the paramedics couldn’t get through?… There was a protest about Measure C? Tell them that a woman was having a baby and to come now.

Drew told Ric that he was nervous at first… Nina interrupted and said, what the hell was Ric doing? He said his job, and she said she gave him everything, even the contact information on the bartender who saw Sasha and Michael leave together. All he had to do was establish they’d had an affair. Carly stormed over and said, it was her. Nina was the reason Ric found out it was Michael’s baby.

Lucky said he fell in love with Elizabeth the moment he saw her sneaking a cigarette outside Kelly’s all those years ago, and he never stopped loving her. He’d always love her. She said she’d always love him. She wouldn’t be who she was today without him. They used to want the same things, but the people they grew into… He said, not so much.

Lucas asked what was with Marco’s mom, and Marco said, same as always. Lucas said he was sorry. If Marco wanted to talk, he was there. Natalia seemed upset. Marco asked if that was Lucas’s way of telling him that he was too hard on her.

Sonny said he’d been where Natalia was at with his son Michael. They were able to find their way back to each other and he thought her kids would do the same. She had to back off and let it happen. Maxie waved to him from the bar, and he said he had a meeting and asked her to think about what he said. She said, yeah, and thanked him. Sonny left, and she looked at Marco. She called Sidwell and said she was done letting him put her off. He owed her and she was coming over to collect. She drained her drink and left.

Portia said, Michael showed up? and Trina said she left out the part about Willow seeing Wiley running into Michael’s arms. It was quite an entrance and exit. He picked up Wiley and walked out. Portia said she was sorry she missed it, and Trina asked why they had to leave early. Portia said she told Trina. They both had work in the morning, plus her father had to phone some affiliates in Japan. But they were there for the most important part, Trina’s song.  

On the patio, Marshall said Kai seemed like a solid young man, and Curtis said he was and he treated Trina well. Marshall said that was all that mattered, but something Kai said had him worried, and Curtis said he thought positively about Drew. Marshall said they both new Drew Cain didn’t deserve his admiration, and Curtis said Drew had been good to Kai, but he hoped Drew didn’t turn on Kai the way Drew turned on him.

Willow said Sasha was doing great. She could do this. Sasha said she couldn’t lose another child, and Michael said the baby would be fine. From the information she’d sent him, he knew the baby was healthy and strong. She’d done everything right and she was going to come through the pregnancy. She was one of strongest people he’d met, and he knew she could do this one last thing. Willow said the baby was crowning. This was it. Take a deep breath and one last big push. Sasha pushed.

Carly said Sasha was Nina’s friend. How could Nina betray her like this? Drew said it happened because Carly insisted on a court date. Now Michael would know she betrayed him, and he’d lose custody of his children. Carly said he didn’t give a damn about Wiley and Amelia. He was helping Willow to hurt Michael. Nina said Carly was trying to take Willow’s children from her to hurt Willow, but Carly said she was protecting her grandchildren. Willow had lost all sense of decency and common sense to be with Drew. Drew said they loved each other and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. He didn’t know why she couldn’t accept that. Carly said she wasn’t the only one who had a problem with him. She knew for a fact Nina was the one who hired Jacinda and had him drugged.  

Sasha wondered why the baby wasn’t crying. Please tell her the baby was okay. The baby began to cry, and Willow picked up the biggest preemie in history. She said, it’s a girl.  

Elizabeth asked if Lucky planned on leaving Port Charles soon, and he said, yeah. He knew it was sudden, but being here and knowing they couldn’t be together hurt too much. He should find Aiden and talk to him. He had no clue how to tell Aiden that he was leaving again. Elizabeth said she might have a thought.

Josslyn told Jack that if she saw Anna, she was her friendly neighborhood student assistant, and he said he’d take care of Devane. She asked what he was going to do, and he said he was just informing her. It was her job to concentrate on the mission and not question outside her purview.

Anna said she couldn’t be 100% certain her suspicions were correct, but Jason said, the fact that the WSB was interested pointed to her being right. Anna said, now Emma was going after Dalton. Emma denied it, but she knew and couldn’t allow her to get involved where she might get hurt. She needed to find out what Dalton was working on and what he intended to do with it. Jason said, and if Josslyn is in danger, and Anna said she couldn’t get directly involved. Dalton would know the WSB had eyes on him. She needed him to look into Dalton for her, but promise not to confront him directly. He said he’d take care of it.

Sonny thanked Maxie for the meeting, and she said she wanted to make sure he wasn’t offended. He said, no, but he thought they should be more careful. Sidwell knew when he invested in Deception that Sonny was an investor. He was positive Sidwell’s interest in Deception was actually an interest in him.

Lucas told Marco that his relationship with his mom had a lot of ups and downs, but they were both willing to work on their issues and got through it. It was hard to believe she was gone. They lost a lot of time fighting, but when they worked things out… Marco asked if it was Lucas’s subtle way of telling him not to cut his mother out, but Lucas said it wasn’t his place. He was just offering his own experience. Marco said he was glad Lucas did, and took his hand.

A police officer gave Natalia a breathalyzer test and said it was .12, way over the limit. Natalia said she felt fine, but the officer said she was under arrest for driving while intoxicated. She argued as he cuffed her and read her rights.

On the patio, Kai left to get Marshall a refill, and Trina said, so? Marshall said he seemed like a nice young man. Did he make her happy? She said, so happy, and he said that was all they needed to worry about. She said she missed him, and he said he missed her too. More than he could ever say.

Portia said she’d told Trina that she and Curtis left early because they had work in the morning and he had a call from affiliates in Japan, and he said she was good at making up stories these days. Portia said she was sick of it. The snide comments, the tension, and straight up anger he’d been throwing her way. He said, deal with it. They can’t figure out what to do about their marriage until he finds Jacinda and pays her off to say Drew hired her for sex then took ketamine on purpose. (He’s out of the loop.)

Willow gave the baby to Sasha and Sasha said she was so beautiful. Michael said she was amazing, and thanked Willow, who nodded. They all looked at the baby, and the paramedics came in with a gurney.  

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Marshall says he’s overjoyed at how happy Trina is with Kai, but Kai’s admiration for Drew Cain is a bit unsettling. Curtis says he doesn’t like it either, but he hopes Kai sees the truth about Drew. Marshall says he hopes it happens sooner rather than later.

Molly goes into the interrogation room and as she’s looking at a folder, she says she’s here to ask a few questions of… Miss Ramirez. A still drunk Natalia says she doesn’t appreciate being held like a common criminal. She holds up her cuffed wrists and says, look at this. It’s harassment because she knows Sonny Corinthos. Tell the police they’re not going to get away with it.

Jordan says, since the Nurses Ball, Sidwell has been well-received. She thinks he should donate to the July 4th celebration, keeping him in the spotlight as a philanthropist both corporately and as a citizen. He says he’d like to look into it, when Marco comes in. Marco says he doesn’t mean to interrupt, but Sidwell says, he’s not. They’re just wrapping up. Unless of course (🍷) … Jordan says she has one last question, about Henry Dalton.

Jason says he’ll get what he can on Henry Dalton and confirm the WSB’s interest in him, and Anna thanks him. He says he’ll be discrete, and she says she appreciates it. ADA Turner comes by and says, it’s a nice night for a stroll, but a curious place for a chat. Or did she interrupt a meeting?

In Sasha’s hospital room, Michael says, the baby is so beautiful, and Sasha says, the doctors say she’s perfect, even if she did come early. Sonny comes in and says he could have told her that. He and Michael hug, and he asks how Sasha feels. She says, better than ever, and Sonny says, congratulations to both of them. Michael introduces him to his new granddaughter Daisy, and Sonny says, hello, little one. Welcome to the world.

Carly and Felicia hug, and Felicia says, Bobbie would be so pleased. Another Spencer woman in the world who also happens to be a Scorpio. Carly says, Daisy has a flair for the unconventional, which means she’ll fit right in with in both families. She’s just thankful Daisy is healthy and safe. Felicia says she thinks the woman Carly should thank is Willow, and Carly turns to see Willow standing there.

Nina knocks on Drew’s door and says she knows he’s in there. He needs to listen to her. He opens the door and says, don’t waste her breath. It’s too late. Nina says, Willow knows? and he says, not yet, but the second she comes home, he’s telling her that her own mother set him up. She tried to destroy his life and reputation. She says, if he does that, they’ll both lose Willow. She guarantees it.

Curtis says he really missed Marshall, and Marshall says he missed his family too. He’s sorry Portia got called back to GH. He kind of got the feeling that she was using work as an excuse to get out of the house. Is there something Curtis wants to tell him?  

Molly says, according to the arresting officer’s report, Natalia blew a .12 on the breathalyzer. Then she grabbed the breathalyzer out of the officer’s hand. Natalia says she doesn’t want to cause any more trouble. This has taken so much of her time already. Just let her pay the fine or whatever. She wants to go. Can she go? Molly says she doubts that’s going to happen, but it’s up to whoever is prosecuting the case, and Natalia asks if she isn’t it. Molly says, normally she would be that, but she’s going to recuse herself because of personal bias. Otherwise, Natalia’s lawyer could claim she’s not impartial. Natalia says she doesn’t know Molly, but Molly says she knows Natalia, for the homophobe that disrespected her sister.

Sidwell tells Jordan, Henry Dalton has innovative ideas on forms of clean energy and he’s funding Dalton’s research. She says she thinks that would be more proof of him being a philanthropist, but he says, not yet. The research is promising, but he’d like to wait to highlight his involvement once it’s successful. Marco says he assumes this is part of Sidwell’s push to position himself as a legitimate alternative to Sonny Corinthos, and Sidwell says, maybe. Before Jordan goes, he’d like her to show Marco more of the latest polling. She says, the latest polls show that 62% of the voters want Sonny’s piers taken from him using imminent domain. That means Measure C is on track to pass. Marco says, that’s the last thing Sidwell wants.

Anna says, not that it’s any of Turner’s business, but she and Jason were discussing her granddaughter, Emma. Emma and Jason’s cousin Gio left the Nurses Ball together. She can understand their concern. She was there, wasn’t she? Turner says she was, and nothing brings you closer together than family. Jason asks if this is official or is he free to go, and Anna says she doesn’t know. Maybe Turner is going to arrest him for speaking to her or her for talking to him. Turner says, they’re both free to go, and Jason leaves. Turner says, Anna has to see how bad it looks meeting in secret. Even if nothing happened, the implication of impropriety is there. Anna is a public servant and needs to be aware of how she’s perceived. Anna says, suspicious minds will always find something wrong. There’s nothing she can do about that. Turner says, her behavior is compromising the public’s trust in the city of Port Charles and their leaders, and Anna says, save it for her stump speech. Turner asks how Anna knows, and Anna says she respects ambition. In Turner’s case, it’s the sheer volume. She’s obviously set her sights on being the new DA. Turner says, Port Charles needs newer, younger blood and a DA who actually lives in Port Charles and is doing their job. Anna says, Robert is a hard man to beat. She’s going to need more than mudslinging.

Curtis tells Marhsall that when he found out about Trina, he and Portia agreed that the only way they could continue their marriage was to be completely honest with each other. He just found out she’s been lying to him for months. Marshall asks if he’s talking about… Curtis says, she hasn’t been unfaithful. That’s all he thinks he wants to say right now. Marshall says he’s truly sorry, but something is different this time. Whatever happened, Curtis is still here. Curtis asks what he means, and Marshall says, he could have walked away, but he didn’t. Why not?

Nina says, if Drew tells Willow about Jacinda, she’ll tell Willow that while they were falling in love, he was also sleeping with her mother. She’ll turn her back on both of them and be completely alone at Michael’s mercy. Is that what he wants? He says he can’t see Willow forgiving either one of them, but he can’t believe Nina had him drugged and paraded around Port Charles. Nina says, no one made him go clubbing or take body shots off a sex worker, and technically speaking, she didn’t drug him. He asks how she could do this to Willow. Willow’s pain at being betrayed was horrible. What kind of mother would do that? She says, the kind desperately trying to save her daughter from him, but now she knows that’s impossible.

Carly says she owes Willow a huge thank you for coming to Sasha’s aid, and Willow says she’s glad she was there to help. She’s happy for Sasha and Michael, and Carly. Carly thanks her, and Willow says, hopefully this means no more fighting. The truth is out there, and the judge’s decision should be obvious now. Carly says her greatest hope is that her grandchildren, all her grandchildren, end up where they’re safe and loved. She leaves, and Felicia asks if Willow is good. Willow says, yeah, but Carly doesn’t understand. Now that Michael’s secret is out, Michael lost.

Michael says he’s sorry he didn’t see Sonny before this, but Sonny says he hears Michael’s been busy. Michael says he’s not the only one. Sonny’s seen two new grandchildren is just as many days. Gio, now Daisy. Sonny says, life is full of surprises and miracles, and he and Michael hug.

Nina says, Willow is completely in love with Drew and will believe anything he tells her. It’s cost her so much. She doesn’t want Willow to lose her kids too. Drew asks, how could she? It’s out there now on record that Michael cheated first and fathered another child. When the judge rules, they’ll finally be free to get out of Port Charles. Nina asks what he’s talking about, and he says they’re about to start a new life in DC, away from all this. Away from all his haters. She says she knows that’s what he wants, but what does Willow want?

Sasha tells Daisy that she’s been waiting for her all along. She loves Daisy so much. In a baby voice, Cody says, I love you too, mama, and comes in. He says he won’t stay. He wanted to make sure she was okay after her courtroom birth. Sasha says, she’s perfect, and he says, they both are. She thanks him and tells Daisy that this is her big old cousin Cody. He says, hey, Daisy. I have so much wisdom to pass on, tiny grasshopper. He tells Sasha that he guesses he has a few apologies to give to Jason, and she says, yeah, he does. Daisy was conceived on the night they broke up. She was at the Brown Dog Bar, and she was devastated. Michael was there. He says, at least something good came from their doomed romance. He’s glad she found her happily ever after. She thanks him and says she hopes he finds his too.

Natalia says, Molly’s sister forgave her, and Molly says, Kristina has a big heart. Now Natalia sees why she can’t be the prosecutor. Another ADA will come. Natalia asks, how long will that take? She didn’t even get her phone call, and someone has to take these off. She shows Molly the handcuffs again, and Molly says she’ll talk to the desk sergeant. Good luck. She leaves and Natalia says, thanks… for nothing.

Curtis tells Marshall that the knows Portia loves him and God knows he loves her too, but the lying hurts. It’s twice that he knows of and he doesn’t want to make the same mistakes he made with Jordan. Marshall asks what he means, and Curtis says he reached a boiling point. It was one lie too many and that was it. In retrospect, Jordan’s lies were work related. They were tied up around bringing Cyrus to justice. For him to ask her for answers just wasn’t fair. Marshall says, he was just trying to make it work, and Curtis says he was fighting for what they had. He quit and sometimes he thinks he gave up too soon. Marshall says, from the sound of things, maybe he should give Portia the second chance he didn’t give Jordan. Curtis says, maybe.

Michael says, Jason told him that there was another attempt on Sonny’s life, and Sonny says, yeah. Brick saved his life. He’s thinking the person behind it could be responsible for whoever bombed the penthouse. He hates that Michael was hurt because of it, and not for the first time. Michael paid a high price for being his son. Michael says he wouldn’t change it if he could. Nothing his kids could ever do would make him stop loving him and the same went for them. Sonny says, thank God, and Michael says, Sonny did everything in his power to protect him, but now he’s an adult and he’s protecting himself and his family. Sonny pats his shoulder.

Marco says, support for Measure C would be going against Sidwell’s own interests. If Sonny sold him the piers and Measure C passed, it would be his property that would be seized. Sidwell says, it won’t come to that. They’re using Measure C as a strategy to get rid of Sonny. Jordan says, so far the strategy is working, and Sidwell says, in passing Measure C, they’re using it to pressure Sonny into selling the piers. Once the piers are his, the voters wouldn’t care about Measure C. Sonny’s hold on Port Charles will be gone. Jordan says, on that note, good night, gentlemen, and she leaves. Marco says he hopes Sidwell has a Plan B, and Sidwell asks, why? Marco says, Sonny Corinthos isn’t the type of man to give up without fight.

Sonny tells Michael how Diane thought Michael would probably be better off if he stayed away from the hearing, and Michael said he knew. She’d said something to Jason. Sonny asked how it was going, and Michael said, honestly, he didn’t know. When his paternity came out, he thought his biggest nightmare came true, but when Sasha gave birth, he got to be there. It felt like a miracle. Sorry he didn’t tell the truth about the baby. Sonny says, as long as the baby is healthy and he and Sasha are on the same page, and Michael says he thinks they are. Sonny says, Drew has been pulling Willow’s strings, and Michael says, it pushed him to the point where he had to fight for Wiley and Amelia. Sonny says, maybe everybody coming together will bring them an opportunity. A smart man knows sometimes compromise is the only solution. And Michael is a very smart man.

Jason visits Sasha, and he says, the baby is beautiful. It looks just like her. Congratulations. She thanks him for everything he did for them. He took a lot of flak from a lot of people for nothing. The secret came out anyway. Jason says they did the best they could in the situation. The good news is she and Michael get to be Daisy’s parents. She wonders if she can ask one more favor. She’s had no time to run it by Michael, but she’s sure he’d agree. Would Jason be Daisy’s godfather? He says, it would be an honor, when Carly asks if she can come in.

Jordan tells Curtis that she’s sorry to just drop by. TJ told her that Marshall was in town and she wanted to say a quick hello. Curtis says, he would have loved that. Unfortunately, he had a late flight. She says she’s sorry she missed him, but please tell her that they had a good visit. He says, it was wonderful and it couldn’t have come at a better time. He needed his dad’s insights. She asks if Portia is there, and he says, no. She’s at GH. They’re both making a lot of excuses not to be alone together. She says she’s sorry, and he says, so is he. He doesn’t know what’s happening with his marriage.

An officer uncuffs Natalia and gives her phone to her, and she says, it’s about time. Privacy please. She makes a call.

Marco’s phone rings and Sidwell asks if he needs to get that, but he says, no. He’s already said all he needs to say to her.

Natalia says, voicemail. Perfect. She leaves a message saying she gets it. Things ended badly earlier at the MetroCourt, but she’s in real trouble. She needs him, so can he please come to the PCPD as soon as he can? Please, Marco. Please.

Molly goes to the pool and sees Cody with a beer, his feet in the water. He yells, Molly! Come join the celebration! Even she must be off the clock by now. She says she has to be… Why the hell not? and he says, a beer for the lady, but she says, actually, she’ll have white wine.

Turner tells Anna she’s not campaigning. Not yet. She’s doing her job. Two of the city’s top officials – the mayor and the Police Commissioner – have close personal ties to known criminals, Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan. Why not bring them up on charges? Anna says, give her evidence that will stick in court and she’ll arrest them immediately. Turner says, sounds good, but she’s read Mr. Morgan’s arrest record. All the times he was arrested, he never once saw a conviction. Anna says, that’s the DA’s department, not hers, and Turner says, the DA’s office is limited by the evidence collected, or lack thereof, by the PCPD. Anna says, goodnight, and leaves. Turner says, goodnight, and answers her phone. She says, really? They made an arrest… You know what? She’ll take care of it herself.

Sidwell asks if something happened between Marco and Natalia, but Marco says, just more of the same. She is who she is. He suggests they focus on Sonny. It’s not going to be easy dealing with him. He’s been running Port Charles for decades and stopped other hostile takeover attempts. Sidwell says he sees Marco has done his research, and Marco says, you bet. Sonny’s a heavy hitter. He should never be taken lightly. Sidwell says he’s also done his research. Marco’s friend Lucas is an extended member of Sonny’s family. Marco says, another reason he wants nothing to do with Sidwell’s campaign for getting Sonny out of town.

Nina says, Drew is the main reason Michael and Willow’s custody fight got so vicious so quickly, but now they have the opportunity to cool things down. So why doesn’t he step back a little bit and give Michael and Willow room to talk about a custody arrangement that doesn’t include ripping the family apart? If he advocates for that, Willow will give him all the credit. Drew says, Michael is a Quartermaine, and those people don’t stop until they have everything. So the only way to protect Willow is to convince her that Michael is relentless and not to be trusted. Willow needs to get custody of the kids. Otherwise, Michael will take them from her.

Willow sees Michael at the elevator and asks if he’s leaving. He says he’ll be right back. He’s picking up Wiley and Amelia so they can meet their baby sister. He gets in the elevator.

Jason says he’ll give them a minute, but Carly says, don’t go far. He says he’ll be right outside, and leaves. Sasha says, Michael knew everything, and Carly says she understands. She knows Sasha did everything she could to protect Michael’s baby. All she can ask is that they be honest with each other. Sasha thanks her, and Carly thanks Sasha back. She says, if Sasha and her daughter need anything, please ask her.  

On the phone, Drew asks if Willow is coming home soon, but she says she’s sticking around a little longer. Michael is bringing Wiley and Amelia and she’s hoping to see them. He says, don’t worry. Soon she’ll have full custody, and she’ll get to see them every day.

Cody says, get over here. The water’s great. Molly says she has a few more emails and she’s not messing up her suit. He asks if she can’t be the least bit spontaneous, consequences be damned, and she says she’s perfectly comfortable. Besides, the pool is closed. He says, that’s an easy fix. Just turn the sign over. Does she sleep in her business suit? Does she color code her underwear and organize her socks? She says, okay, okay. Fine. She’ll show him that she’s not uptight. She takes her shoes off and rolls up her pants. She sits next to him and puts her feet in the ware. She says, happy? and he says, elated.  

Turner tells the desk sergeant that she heard Natalia Ramirez was brought in this evening, and he says, she was. Is the acting DA taking DWI cases now? She says she’d like to see Natalia’s file, and he gives it to her. She flips through it and says she needs them to check on priors. She wants everything she can get her hands on about Natalia Ramirez.

Sidwell asks how it’s going with Lucas, and Marco says, they’re taking it slow. But he’s not unsure about the feeling that Lucas could be someone special. He doesn’t want to screw it up. Sidwell says he’s happy for Marco and Port Charles to have the both of them. Marco asks why he wants the piers, and Sidwell says, it’s the perfect place to expand his interests as a mineral importer, as well as his less public pursuits. Marco says he’s going to stop Sidwell there. He represents Sidwell in his legitimate business dealings only. That’s their agreement. He has nothing to do with anything illegal. Sidwell says he does business all over the world. What’s illegal in one place is legal in another. Marco says, Sidwell is a successful businessman many times over. Does he really need to push for more?

Curtis says he told Jordan at the Nurses Ball, Drew was pressuring Portia to have him run favorable coverage about what he’d doing. She asks if he found out what Drew has on Portia, and he says, it’s pretty bad. It could ruin Portia’s life. He saw all the signs, but didn’t want to believe Portia would lie to him to do Drew’s bidding. She says she’s sure Portia felt backed into a corner, and he says, the problem is even worse. The pictures of Drew’s mystery woman. Portia set him up. She hired Jacinda and gave her ketamine to give to Drew. Jordan says, wow. What a mess. Curtis says, after Trina, Portia promised him, no more lies. She broke her promise and chose to manipulate him instead of telling him the truth.  

Nina visits Sasha, who says, she just missed the star of the show. Nina says, that’s okay. She’ll go to the nursery and see her through the glass. She came to see if Sasha was okay. Sasha says she’s a bit tired, but so happy, and Nina says, good. She’s sorry for the way Ric went after her. She’s sure the shock of his harsh treatment probably led to Sasha’s premature labor. She never meant for anything to happen to Sasha or her baby. Sasha says, that’s on Ric, not Nina, and Nina says she wishes that were true. She was the one who told Ric that Sasha and Michael had sex.

Jason tells Carly that Michael asked him not to tell her. At first, he only knew they’d slept together, but when Michael asked for her in the burn ICU was when he put it all together. Carly says, what about the rumors he was the father? and he says he didn’t deny them because they were trying to protect Michael and Sasha. She says, that’s awfully noble. She has to know. For Michael, would he have continued to lie to her?

Sasha asks how Nina knew, and Nina says she just recently figured it out. She was in the Brown Dog Bar and the bartender confirmed it. Sasha says, and she ran to Ric. How could she do that? Nina says she hated doing. She’s sorry she exposed Sasha’s secret, but she couldn’t let Willow’s children be taken away. Sasha says she knows Nina loves Willow, but does she really think the children will be better off with Drew full time?

Jordan says she doesn’t believe Portia set out to lie. Fear is the driving force behind a lot of lies and bad decisions. Curtis says he realizes that, but they just want to keep how far apart they are from Trina, and she says, they can’t keep it from her indefinitely. Trina is too smart. Curtis says, she definitely is and will figure it out. Jordan says, the kindest thing for him and Portia to do for each other is not rush to judgment. Take a beat and look for a way to repair what’s broken instead of fixing his discomfort by ending the marriage. He says, easier said than done, but she says he’s the strongest man she knows. If he wants to save his marriage, he’ll find a way.  

Molly says, Cody told her that he was celebrating, and he says, Sasha had a baby. It was a little premature, otherwise, she’s perfect. She says she can definitely drink a toast to that, and he says, it was a big adjustment finding out Sasha was his cousin. He didn’t react well. She says, yeah. She thinks she remembers a few arrests. They laugh and he says he was feeling pretty miserable and sorry for himself. But seeing how happy Sasha is reminded him that sometimes things don’t you don’t expect to be happy turn out to be great.

At the hospital, Anna congratulates Sonny and says she guesses he and Robert are officially related. He should probably expect a box of cigars. He says, the big exploding kind? and she says, even enemies can find common ground. They have Robin and now they have the baby. He says, love is a powerful thing, and she says, it is. In the spirit of peaceful coexistence, she’d like to share a conversation she had with ADA Turner. She’s making it her mission to go after him. He says he’s aware. Many have tried. Anna says, Turner wants Robert’s job, and she doesn’t think Turner will rest until she puts him behind bars.

Wiley runs to Willow, and she says she’s happy to see him. She loves him so much. He tells her, daddy says they have a new baby sister. He’s taking them to meet her. Can mommy come too? Michael says, absolutely. Please join them.

Molly says she’s surprised Cody came here for a one-man celebration, and he asks if she means instead of a dive bar. Dive bars are more his speed. He guesses he was just feeling nostalgic. This was the spot where he first arrived in Port Charles. Actually, he parachuted in right here. He knocked Britt Westbourne into the pool. Molly says she remembers. There’s a GIF out there of Britt looking like a wet rat. He says that was his fault. It took her a while to forgive him. To Britt. They clink glasses. He says, it was three years ago. That’s a long time. Molly says, it’s not that long, and he says, before he lived here, he barely ever stayed in any place more than a few months at a time. This time he’s glad he stayed.

Sidwell says he understands what Marco is asking of him, but respects him too much to tell him what he wants to hear. Instead, he’ll be honest. He has no interest in changing the way he does business or lives his life. Marco asks what Sidwell is telling him, and Sidwell says, the offer for Marco to be his righthand man is still on the table.

Anna says, Turner wasn’t sharing anything, but she knows Turner is actively investigating Sonny, and Sonny says he appreciates the warning. ADA Turner can dig all she wants. He’s a law-abiding citizen and she ain’t going to find anything.

Turner goes to the interrogation room and Natalia asks if her son is here. He’s her lawyer. Turner says, not yet, and Natalia says, Turner can’t ask her anything without her lawyer present. Turner says, fine, and sits down. Why don’t they talk about Sonny Corinthos while they wait?

Jordan says she’s sure Curtis will figure out the right thing to do, and he says he appreciates her faith. He only knows for sure that Portia is completely vulnerable to Drew. He can’t decide what to do about his marriage until he knows she’s safe from Drew.

Jason says, it would have been difficult, and Carly says if she’d asked if Jason was the baby’s father, would he have lied to her? He says he’s glad she never did, and she wonders why Michael didn’t trust her enough to tell her. He says, Michael thought once she knew, she would be too exited and never be able to hide it, and she says she doesn’t know if she’s mad or grateful, but now that the truth is out that Michael cheated, Willow is convinced she’ll get full custody of the kids. He asks if she thinks Willow is right, and she says, yeah. She’s afraid Willow is right.

Nina said she couldn’t defend what Willow and Drew were doing, but she loved her daughter. As a mother, she had to tell Ric about Sasha and Michael. But she loves Sasha and she’s very sorry that what she did hurt her. Sasha says she’s too tired to fight or hold a grudge. She has her daughter now and that’s all that matters. She does feel sorry for Nina though. They both know Willow is making terrible choices and she’s going to keep making them as long as Drew’s in her life.

Michael and Willow look at the baby along with Wiley and Amelia. They smile at each other as Drew watches.

On Monday, Drew tells Portia that they’ve barely scratched the surface of what she can do; Lulu says she and Danny need to get a few things straight; Jason asks if Dante is threatening to charge Danny with manslaughter (again, no one died, so what the…?); and Sidwell wants to make a deal with Sonny to their mutual advantage.  

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Boo! Hiss! I’m not really into the romance on the show, but why is it every time I like a couple together, one of them leaves?

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/its-official-jonathan-jackson-is-leaving-general-hospital/

That whole thing was so powerful, from his violin performance to him smashing it.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/gh-exclusive-how-giovanni-mazza-brought-gios-pain-to-life/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

The OG Deck is back with Captain Kerry and Chief Stew Fraser. I will miss Captain Lee and Kate forever, but this is what we’ve got. Deckhand Kyle is also back, so turn on your closed captions. The other deckhands and stews were all new to the boat. The only stews that stood out to me were Rainbeau de Roos, whose name I would love to steal, and Solène Favreau, who seemed inept, harried, and not good at receiving correction. They were off to a great start, leaving the guests’ luggage at the dock, and the bosun saying too many things were happening. The first charter brought small children, and Fraser playing princess with the primary’s little daughters was precious. Primary Sam was not as precious, using a black light to comb his room and being super nit-picky with the food. After sending steaks back and having the chef making new dishes, he decided they didn’t want them. It didn’t look like anyone else got a vote, so good thing there were more courses. By the end of the episode, Chef Lawrence babbled at production and was ready to quit.

Meet the cast.

The Valley

I really feel badly for Brittany, the recipient of rage texts and failed party plans. She tried – the operative word being tried – to organize a nice trip to the beach, but apparently Jasmine had been storing up beef at Janet and let fly. Apparently, Janet is a sh*t ass friend, a vibe killer, exhausting, had sh*tty friends, and gave Karen energy. Now tell us how you really feel. Seriously, like Summer House, these people are too old for this. Hell, people ten years younger are too old for this.

Next Gen NYC

I already like this series a lot, but whenever a show is set in NYC, I wonder how much of my liking it is about loving the city. Poor Georgia, the only native New Yorker, is wondering why she suddenly feels like an alien when she gets questions like, who the f*** is Ben Affleck? and discovers that no one saw When Harry Met Sally. Riley Burress says she doesn’t know that show. Perhaps it reminds me of my early NYC days. If I’d the looks of a model, the money of a rock star, and an apartment that wasn’t a railroad flat with a triangular closet. Regardless, it was more fun than you can imagine, and I hope to relive a little of that with this group.

Meet the cast.

Summer House

In the Reunion Part 2, there was a lot of rehashing Lexi and Jesse’s on and off situationship. I was very much over this already, so I kind of tuned out. Not to mention how much I cringe everyone someone talks about Toegate. Oddly enough – or maybe not, since motherhood will mature you – Lindsay was the voice of reason, one of the cast calling her Mother Hubbard. Not so surprisingly, Kyle was an a-hole and did his best to steal her thunder. Gabby’s dress, if that’s what we’re calling it, continued to be distracting.

Random Reality Items

Because he got high.

Will make beds to stay there.

Slade Smiley! NOLA! Shannon’s vajayjay! Premieres July 10th.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Creep. Netflix. I thought this film was genius budget-wise. Two actors, one handheld camera, and no need for special effects, this could have been made for about 25 bucks, so kudos. It didn’t hurt that the story was original and pretty intriguing. A filmmaker takes a gig documenting a dying man’s story for his unborn son. It isn’t long before the filmmaker, and the audience, start to wonder if that’s what’s really going on. Well executed, with twists and turns, and an ending I never saw coming, which is saying a lot. This is kind of an old film, 2016, so there wasn’t a whole lot on it, but apparently, there’s a sequel.

https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/creep-netflix-horror-movie-mark-duplass/

Fear Street: Prom Queen. Netflix. Adapted from RL Stine’s book series, this is the third in a trilogy. Nothing new to see here and it’s been done better, but it was worth a quick trip to the 80s. There’s also something to be said for a movie you need absolutely no brain power to watch.

https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles2/2025/06/03/new-release-review-fear-street-prom-queen/

Sirens. Netflix. Julianne Moore is one of my favorite actresses. She is incredible in Boogie Nights, the Midnight Cowboy for the 90s. But I digress. I’ve only watched a couple of episodes so far, but I’ll be in for the rest. The bad sheep sister, who also takes care of a homebound, sick father, tries to rescue her younger sibling from what she believes is a cult. Funny, witty, and keeps you guessing.

Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders. Netflix. A three part docuseries on the obvious cold case. I really didn’t know a whole lot about it, especially what was most disturbing. James William Lewis who was tied to the murders, has never been tried.

https://decider.com/2025/05/27/cold-case-the-tylenol-murders-netflix-review/

Day of Reckoning. Amazon Prime. This was a weird film, and I could see why a lot of people didn’t like it, but I enjoyed it. Fifteen years after a load of weird monsters have devastated mankind, they’re back for the survivors. There’s never a concrete explanation as to why this is happening, or why people aren’t better prepared for their return. The plot has more holes than Swiss cheese, but I didn’t care. I loved the monsters. They were reminiscent of the old Ray Harryhausen effects, but a lot gorier. And they all can’t be Godzilla Minus One. I thought it was a good time.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5742568/

Some user reviews. A few spoilers here.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5742568/reviews/

🔮 Looking Forward To Watching…

The second part of Squid Game Season 6 premieres June 27th.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-3-trailer

Season 7 of Stranger Things premieres November 26th, December 25th, and December 31st. Cute, huh?

https://www.eonline.com/news/1418123/stranger-things-final-season-premiere-date-revealed

https://deadline.com/2025/05/stranger-things-5-premiere-date-netflix-1236414933/

The Black Phone 2 is in theaters October 17th, and will eventually stream on Peacock. I honestly don’t know how I feel about this. The first one had such a perfect ending, I can’t fathom a sequel being as good. That doesn’t mean I won’t watch it though.

https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-black-phone-2-debuts-eerie-official-trailer-for-blumhouse-sequel

🐶 Snips, Snails, Puppy Dog Tales…

🏆 The Stanley Pup returns June 6th on TruTV, as well as on NHL Network on June 8th.

https://people.com/stanley-pup-dog-hockey-game-returns-how-to-watch-11749775

🐕 A dog-endorsed book.

https://people.com/the-dogist-elias-weiss-friedman-new-book-exclusive-11749240

🐩 The ray of sunshine that is Pilaf meets some new friends.

https://people.com/demi-moore-announces-she-and-her-tiny-dog-pilaf-are-caring-for-even-smaller-baby-ducks-11748457

🪅 Quotes of the Week

If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?John Wooden

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. – William Shakespeare

A champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.Serena Williams

Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth. – John F. Kennedy

I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is daring to dare. – Dr. Maya Angelou

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

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

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

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

There’s plenty of time for finger pointing later. Let’s stay focused. – Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom), Beyond the Gates

🎡 Are You Ready For the Summer…

Until next time, stay safe; stay being careful to watch out for rogue waves at the beach; and stay knowing that sometimes compromise is the only solution.

March 21, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Jason Makes a Decision For Carly, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watch, Next Year Already, Surprising Sights, Four Quotes Twice & Melancholy

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Isaiah told Willow that he hoped the ER was going to be quiet tonight. Trina looked at missed calls as she pondered her turtle dove. Kai knocked at the door, but she said she needed to be alone. Sasha looked at her sonogram, when Tracy called her. She needed tea. Gio came in and Tracy asked if he’d seen any government officials or anyone with a bulldozer. Brook asked what she was up to. Martin visited Laura and said they should focus on the positive. Things were starting to look up for their family. Jason told Sonny that the trip wasn’t entirely a success. Carly downed a glass of champagne, when Jack came out of the shower, and Valentin skulked around the door in the hallway.

Jason told Sonny that Valentin had sent the text about Charlotte. His plan was to give Charlotte to her mother. The WSB kill squad showed up and they’d protected Valentin. Sonny asked where Valentin was, but Jason didn’t know. Sonny said now the whole family could now start to heal. Sasha made a pot of peppermint tea and said Tracy was securing the family. Gio said Chase had just been doing his job, but maybe there was a way for Tracy to make the law work for her, and Tracy left for a previous engagement. Kai said after his injury he needed to be alone too, but when Trina was ready to not be alone, he’d show up for her the way she did for him. He left a giftbag, but she opened the door and said maybe she didn’t want to be alone after all. Laura thought it was a good time for Martin and Lulu to get to know one another, but it was going to be an uphill battle. Martin said he’d remain cautiously optimistic, when there was a knock at the door. It was Anna, who said she’d come over a federal matter. She’d brought Marshal Thompson to serve an arrest warrant for Martin. Jack and Carly kissed and she said she would have regretted not giving them a chance. Valentin listened at the door.

Brook thanked everyone for being patient with Tracy. The insanity with the crypt was getting to her. Sasha said it was creepy, distasteful, and disrespectful, like Drew. Tracy visited her parents at least three times a week. Brook said Tracy felt close to her parents and brother there, and Chase said Drew didn’t have to do this. He was only doing it to hurt Tracy. Brook said, because she was trying to get back the family name, and Gio said she was trying to protect her family. Brook said, Drew picked a fight with the wrong broad. Anna said she was there to make sure things were handled appropriately when Martin was taken into custody. He was in arrears with alimony payments in California where he was being extradited. Trina told Kai about not celebrating her last birthday. Spencer had died in January of last year and the loss was still fresh. This year was genuinely a good surprise and she was happy to see everybody, but when she opened Emma’s gift, everything came crashing back. She felt like she was moving on, but the grief would sneak up on her in ways she didn’t expect. She showed him the inscription in the book Spencer had given her – To Trina and Our Shared Passion, Spencer. Sonny told Jason that he had no updates from Brick. It was one dead end after another. Jason said no one was perfect and they’d find the guy soon when he made a mistake, and Sonny said they had to take him out asap. Jason asked about Michael, and Sonny said Carly had spoken to him. He was doing better, but it was going to be a long road. There was nothing he could do about Drew or Willow, but whoever hurt Michael was going to pay. Jason said the incendiary device wasn’t anything the Five Families (alfredo sauce) ever used, and Sonny still thought Sidwell was involved. Carly said the champagne was so good. The vintage was new, something they hadn’t had in the hotel wine cellar before. Jack realized the label was removeable and knocked the glass out of Carly’s hand. She suddenly didn’t feel good and collapsed. Valentin jetted.

Sonny said Sidwell coming to Port Charles just before the bombing was suspicious, and he’d also thrown his hat in with Drew to push Sonny out of the waterfront. Jason didn’t think it made sense, and Sonny asked who else Jason knew with reason to come after him. Jason said few had access to that technology. Anna said it was typically used in the intelligence community, not military or homemade. Either someone bought it off the books… Sonny said, or someone in the intelligence community wanted to take him out. What about Jack Brennan? At the hotel, Jack called 911. Trina told Kai how Spencer could be a jerk. Most of his attitude came from protecting his heart that had been broken by his dad. Given the chance, he was thoughtful, perceptive, and could be hurt easily. When they decided to be an us, they realized they had to protect themselves from everything outside of them. Gio told Sasha that Tracy was tough, but meant well… most of the time. If Sasha didn’t feel the same way, she wouldn’t put up with so much. When the baby got here, she was going to be a real part of the family. Sasha said, on nights like tonight, she thought it might not be such a bad thing. Chase said Brook and Tracy had a lot in common, and Brook said until last night she’d have sworn she had more in common with Gloria, but she was wrong. Laura asked to speak with Martin and told him that she’d thought he had an understanding with his ex-wives. He said he assumed things were civil and he wasn’t behind, but maybe he came into a substantial amount of money with the sale of Valentin’s house. Tracy came in singing and said she thought she’d stop to say hi to Lulu, and Martin said she was behind this arrest. Tracy said, of course (🍷).

Carly went to the hospital and Jack gave whatever details he had. Isaiah took her to Trauma One, and on the phone, Jack said he needed two agents at the hospital and a lab tech for poison identification. He called someone else and said he needed them at GH – now. Sonny and Jason determined it wasn’t Jack, and they had to keep their options open. Sonny asked Jason to talk to Anna. He said Sasha’s pregnancy and safety was important to him, and Jason was connected to the both of them. Make sure he took good care of her. Jason promised he would and left. Chase asked what was going on with Brook and Gloria, and Brook said it was about her pregnancy in high school. She thought it was a secret just between her and Lois, but Lois told her grandma. She should have kept it between them or told her that her grandma knew. Chase asked how she found out and she said, from Lulu. All she knew was, her mom was talking to Martin and Lulu found his notes. Chase wondered if Lois was trying to find Brook’s child. Anna said she was sorry, but had to leave. Tracy said she’d made a phone call, took a shot, and it panned out. She overheard Lucy bragging about her windfall commission on Valentin’s house with Martin as fiduciary. She figured he’d want to squirrel away the payment from his exes. He said he just hadn’t declared it yet and he had one ex that made Blair Cramer look like a teddy bear. They were married in Los Angeles and it was bad. Could Laura help? Laura asked what they had to do to make this go away. Trina told Kai about Esme and how she got pregnant by Spencer’s father. She told him about being accepted by the Sorbonne and going to Paris with Spencer. They were going to get an apartment there. For a moment, they had everything they’d ever dreamed of, then Esme showed up to kill her, but Spencer died saving her life.

Jack gave the bottle to his tech to be tested for toxin and said he wanted a team at the MetroCourt to analyze the security footage. He wanted a guard at Carly’s room. If anyone got past the guard and the guard wasn’t dead, Jack would kill him himself. Isaiah said they had Carly stabilized, but couldn’t do much without knowing what the poison was. Jack said he was working on it and Willow wanted to call Sonny, but Jack said no one got in without his authorization. Tracy said there was nothing to be done. Martin had paved the way for Drew to uproot her family from their final resting place, and there were consequences for that. This was one of them. Laura said Martin had no issue with Tracy’s family, and Martin said her conflict was with Drew, but Tracy said it was with anyone who messed with her family, including aiding and abetting. Laura said it was Drew who made it part of public record. The first thing Edward taught her was that everything was a negotiation which was all Martin wanted to do, and Drew was the driving force behind all of this. Brook told Chase that Lois confessed and Gloria knew the entire time. They’d been keeping a secret from her and weren’t who she thought they were. Chase said they were the same flawed people who always loved her, but Brook said they were the people keeping things from her… and she realized she was doing the same thing to him. Kai said Spencer had been part of Trina and the more he knew her, the more he wanted to know. It was like the painting she’d first shown him. The more he got to know the light and dark parts of her, the more striking she became. They kissed.

Kai gave Trina the giftbag to open when she was ready. He thanked her for telling him about Spencer and left. She immediately looked in the bag, as we all would, and took out a framed photo of them at the painting date. Laura suggested they all take a step back from the brink and Martin said he wasn’t never going to let drew go through with it. Tracy said it was a battle he’d have lost, and Martin said the law was on Drew’s side. Tracy said she was done and told the marshal to do his job, and he arrested Martin. Brook didn’t want to keep any secrets from Chase, but he said there was nothing she could say that would change his love for her. She told him, the baby’s father was… is Dante. When Jason got back to the Quartermaines’, Sasha said they had to talk about the baby. Isaiah and Willow worked on Carly, and he said they needed to know what she’d ingested now. Anna came to the hospital per Jack’s call, and he told her what happened. He was awaiting the results of the bottle being tested. He got a call and asked if they were sure. He told Anna it was polonium poisoning. Valentin skulked around his old house and went inside in the dark. He found a box and took out his passport (probably one of many) as well as Charlotte’s. Sonny came out with a gun and asked if he forgot something.

 Tuesday:

Valentin was getting his and Charlotte’s passport out of the hiding spot, when Sonny came in with a gun and asked if he forgot something. Carly was fading, and Jack found out there were traces of polonium in the champagne. There was a cure, but it had to be synthesized as needed. Anna said she had this, and called Robin. She said Isaiah needed her help, and handed him the phone. She told Isaiah that Robin had developed the antidote. Lucas woke up in his hotel room bed and Marco asked how he was feeling. Bryce found Josslyn, who was reading up on Easter Island so she’d know how to answer questions about her fake trip. She needed a backstory for the photos sent on her phone by the agent who was actually there. Apparently, she was having a grand old time. Bryce said if she was bored, they could send her home. Brook told Chase that it was one summer and she and Dante were dumb kids. Those people didn’t exist anymore. Chase said they did. She had a baby with Dante, something they’d never have. Sasha told Jason about her check up and said the baby was fine, but Michael was at risk. Sonny said Valentin was a trespassing fugitive which made it easy to shoot him.

Brad called Stella and told her that he blew it and needed her help. Lucas wondered what happened after the kiss, which he was mortified about, and asked if they’d done anything. Marco said he just made sure Lucas got back safe after Lucas threw up on him. Brook said she and Chase would be parents; biology didn’t make a family. Chase said it changed everything that Dante was the father, and Brook said she was sorry about all of it. Chase wanted to know everything, and she said she and Dante were wild as teenagers. They were sent to camp to keep them out of trouble. They were counselors in training and she was homesick, so Dante would sneak over after lights out and they would talk. It felt like a piece of home. One night they kissed and one thing led to another. Cody covered for them and drove her to the bus station after she found out she was pregnant. Anna told Jack that Robin was on the phone with Isaiah, and he said the WSB was synthesizing the antidote and would send it asap.

Josslyn told Bryce that his routine was getting old. She’d passed all the tests and took him down multiple times while sparring. He said the biggest challenge was mental and he wasn’t sure she could handle it. This was her life now and she had to get used to telling a good story. Sasha told Jason that Willow had lost her mind and thought moving in with Drew wasn’t problematic. If Willow found out about the baby, she’d use it to shut Michael out of the kids’ lives and they couldn’t let that happen. Sonny asked what Valentin wanted and asked why Valentin had tampered with his medication. Valentin said he was under orders from Jack Brennan. Jack wanted Port Charles under the control of the WSB and Pikeman and wanted Sonny out of the way. It was the most efficient way to neutralize him, and Valentin didn’t have the freedom to refuse. It was just business. Sonny said he understood, but didn’t care.

Brad said he’d told Lucas the truth, and Stella said honesty didn’t guarantee acceptance. He said Lucas wasn’t angry, but disappointed, and she said she was proud of him for his honesty. Brook said she felt like God was punishing her for being stupid and careless, but Chase said, Dante was just as responsible. She said she knew she couldn’t be a kid raising a kid, and the baby deserved better. He said it was the right move, and Brook said Olivia had made a different choice, but she didn’t want that for her life. Keeping the baby would have ruined all three of their lives, and she took the burden of knowing he existed. Chase said he thought she didn’t know the gender and she said, Lulu told her. Chase wondered if Lulu kept her mouth shut about anything. All he wanted was for them to have a kid, and now she and Dante had a son. Did she love Dante? Lulu told Dante that she’d lost so much time with the kids, she wanted Rocco to live with her and Charlotte, but he said it might be asking too much. Sonny said he should have shot Valentin long ago. Valentin didn’t deserve to be a father. It was unforgiveable what Valentin did with his medication, and Diane would have no problem convincing the DA it was self-defense. Lulu and Dante would never have to worry about him again. Valentin said, maybe not, but Michael would. Carly was stabilized and Jack asked if he could see her. Isaiah said, sure, and left. Jack told Carly that he was afraid this would happen.

Lucas said he must have been pathetic for Marco to be so nice, but Marco said they kissed, and it was a good kiss. Lucas wondered why more didn’t happen, but Marco said Lucas was in no condition to give consent. Lucas thanked him for being so kind, and Marco asked how he was doing. Stella said, maybe someday Brad and Lucas could be friends, and Brad said even Lucas said they’d had something real. With Lucas’s love, he’d be a new man. He hung up before Stella could say anything else. Brook said, as a teenager, she didn’t know what real love was and didn’t know until she met Chase. She didn’t see Dante again for a year. It was a closed adoption and closed inside her. It was like the summer never happened when she saw Dante again, as they were dating other people. He asked if she was trying to get back Dante when Carly asked her to help break him and Lulu up. Jason told Sasha that Willow wouldn’t have a chance to get back at Michael. If that meant letting everyone think he was the father, so be it. She said it was important to protect Michael who wasn’t there to fight his own battles. Carly had told her what a great man he is. Would he be okay not telling Carly the baby was her grandchild? Valentin said everyone Sonny loved was in danger. He knew the device used was only used by governments and knew who planted the device. Put down the gun and they’d talk.

Marco got room service and said he wasn’t sorry he met Lucas. Lucas said he wished he could make it up to Marco, but was going home tomorrow. He asked if Marco was a professional good Samaritan, but Marco said, far from it. Jason said he hated not telling Carly the truth, but if they let her in, she’d never keep it a secret, so for now, she couldn’t know. Sasha said part of her wished Michael had been there for the sonogram. She showed Jason the sono photo. Brook told Chase, the ugly truth was, a part of her did it for the money, but she also wanted to see if Dante still had feelings for her. She wanted to rub it in Lulu’s face, but he and Lulu were solid. Chase said, who Dante cared for was all on him, and Brook said it had been nothing compared to what she felt for Chase. Dante told Lulu that he couldn’t just let Rocco go. It would be hard for Rocco too. Lulu said she felt Rocco needed her right now and also to be with Charlotte, and he said Drew was a selfish jerk for taking Scout with him when Sam wanted the kids to stay together. She asked if she was also a selfish jerk. Bryce said they’d provide back-up for Josslyn’s cover stories, but she’d have to sell them. She needed to accept that nothing about her life would be real. She said, of course (🍷) it would, but he said they’d only know her cover stories and it was a lonely life. It was easier to let people go than keep track of a phony life. She asked if he’d sacrificed his personal life for the job. Valentin told Sonny, the device had been manufactured for the WSB, but they weren’t necessarily the ones trying to kill Sonny. When he was in charge at Pikeman, a shipment of the devices went missing. He was tracking them down when the FBI came for him. He didn’t have the name of the person who wanted to kill Sonny, but he could make contact with the buyer.

Carly went into cardiac arrest (this time not due to digitalis) and Isiah used the defibrillator. Dante said Rocco’s life had changed, and Lulu said she wanted to get to know her son again. She didn’t think he’d fight her on it. He said he understood where she was coming from, but couldn’t she wait? She said they were still both grieving Sam, and Dante said he thought they could agree their son needed both his parents. Lulu said she didn’t disagree. Chase said, Dante would want to know, but Brook said the child was a grown adult and Dante would never stop looking. Chase said that’s what he would want, but she said it wasn’t him. He said it felt like it was, and she said he wanted it for Dante because he wanted it for himself. All she wanted was him. He said he was mad as hell, but she had him, and she said she was most worried about what was right for her and Dante’s son. It wasn’t right to upend his life, and it should be his decision. If he came looking, she’d tell Dante, but until then she wasn’t torturing Dante. He was happier not knowing. Marco said Lucas would have shown him the same kindness, and Lucas asked for his phone number to reimburse him for his dry-cleaning. Marco said Lucas didn’t need for that, but to call to tell Marco if he survived the hangover and was okay. Bryce said Josslyn wouldn’t survive if she didn’t toughen up, and Josslyn said he was still trying get her to quit. He said he was leveling with her, and she said she lied to the people closest to her, but wouldn’t be lying when she told them she loved them. And when she missed things, it would be because she was doing something worthwhile and protecting them. Valentin told Sonny that the man’s name was Selinsky. He’d been hired to take Sonny out, but the job wasn’t completed. Sonny could expect a retry. Sonny said, not if he got to Selinsky first. Valentin walked out and Sonny kept the gun pointed at him, but didn’t shoot. Jack gave the antidote to Isaiah just as alarms were going off.

Marco told Lucas not to forget to call, and Lucas said he wouldn’t. Marco left, and Brad came out from around the corner in the hallway. Chase said he and Brook were making decisions for Dante under the guise of protecting him, but he had the right to know. Brook said, nothing was more important than their son’s right to happiness and he asked if she didn’t want to know if he was actually happy. She said, of course (🍷). She had to believe he was, or she couldn’t go on. If he was unhappy, he’d look for his birth parents, and he hadn’t. Chase said, maybe he didn’t know he was adopted, but she said it wasn’t her place to drop it on him, or Dante’s. She knew it was unfair to ask him to keep such a huge secret from an important friend, but he had to promise Dante would never know about the baby. Valentin listened at Laura’s door and almost knocked, but hesitated. Josslyn said she got that the job would push her limits, but she was going to pass all of Bryce’s tests. He said he liked her attitude, but the tests never stopped coming. She would be challenged, pushed, and tested every day as an agent. She said, bring it on.

Jack asked for a minute alone with Carly, and Isaiah and Willow left. Anna asked Isaiah how Carly was, and he said she was stable, but they’d have to wait and see. Willow said she had to call Carly’s family, but Isaiah asked if she wanted the mother of Carly’s grandchildren to get arrested. That’s what would happen if she went against Brennan. Sasha and Jason looked at the sono photo, and Jason said he’d let Michael know that she and the baby were healthy. She asked if he thought he could get a copy of the sono to Michael, and he said he’d arrange it. Anna called Jason and told him, get to GH now. It’s Carly. He ran out. Jack took Carly’s hand when his phone rang. It was Sonny, but he ignored the call. He told Carly that he knew she could hear him. He knew how strong and stubborn she was and that she’d always fight like hell. He knew how happy she was when he told her that his father was a plumber because she liked knowing something no one else knew. He was going to tell her something else no one knew. He did have a heart, and it was all hers. He started to cry, and she opened her eyes.

Wednesday:

Nina found Willow at the hospital and said she wanted to talk somewhere the kids wouldn’t overhear. She thought Willow should reconsider moving in with Drew. Tracy went to see Drew and informed him that his attorney was on an airplane going to California with a special plus one – a federal marshal. At the PC Grill, Ava told her accountant that it was impossible. Run the numbers again. He said it was not only possible, it was her reality, and she asked, what about the loan from Nina? He said it helped, but wasn’t enough. She was still broke. Alexis showed up at the station and Cody said Tracy had given him Alexis’s card in case he was in trouble. She asked what kind of trouble he was in, and Molly said he’d been arrested for grand theft auto. On the phone with Brick, Sonny said he had a lead on the device found in the penthouse. They were looking for a pro – Selinsky – and he’d give Brick more information when he got it. There was a knock at the door, and Dante came in. He told Sonny that he might have just made a huge mistake. Valentin listened at Laura’s door, then used his key, but Laura came out of nowhere and said he wasn’t taking Charlotte with him. She wouldn’t let him. At the hospital, Carly asked Jack, what happened?

Molly said she was assigned Cody’s case, but Alexis said she was representing Cody, so Molly would have to recuse herself due to familial connections. Molly said if she reassigned the case, it would be 48 hours, and Cody would have to spend two nights in jail. Alexis said Cody should be released on his own recognizance or she’d file a motion for unjust detention. It would be easier for Molly to just recuse herself. Ric came by and said, or Alexis could recuse herself. Ava’s accountant said the money paid both gallery mortgages, but unless she unloaded one of the properties, they’d eventually be foreclosed on, and she’d lose them both. She also owed substantial property taxes. Unless she was expecting a windfall soon, she needed to stock up on ramen and her shopping sprees were a thing of the past. She said, that would be professional suicide. She had to maintain her image to keep her clients. And couldn’t they just ignore the IRS for a while? He said, the government would put a lien on her galleries. Imagine what that would do to her image.

Jack said, the doctor would explain everything, but Carly was going to be okay, and she asked how long she’d been there. He said he brought her in earlier tonight, when Isaiah came in and said, welcome back. Jack said he was going to make sure this never happened again, kissed her hand, and left. Isaiah asked, what was the last thing Carly remembered? and she said she was in Jack’s hotel room, and they were drinking champagne. She started feeling terrible. She’d never felt that bad. She didn’t remember what happened after that. Isaiah said she was poisoned. Jack saw a voicemail from Sonny, and Anna asked how Carly was. Jack said she was awake and seemed like herself. He thought she’d be fine, but Anna disobeyed his orders and called Sonny. Anna said she didn’t, and he wondered why Sonny left him a message. Dante told Sonny that Lulu wanted Rocco to live with her and Charlotte and was pushing hard. He didn’t want to take her to court, but wasn’t giving up without a fight. Sonny told Dante custody battles never ended well. Everybody compromises in the end. Compromise now and save the pain of enduing a long battel. Dante said he hoped he and Lulu could meet halfway, when Sonny’s phone rang. He saw it was Jack and stepped into his office. Jack said he’d gotten Sonny’s message, and Sonny said, one of Jack’s colleagues, a certain person of interest who was last seen in South America, was in Port Charles. He had a boat waiting at Pier 55, and if Jack hurried, he could get there first. Jack said he owed Sonny one and was going to even it up now. Sonny’s ex-wife was at GH as a patient. Laura asked what Valentin was doing there, and he said he wanted to see Charlotte. She said he was still wanted by the authorities and had put them in a terrible position. They’d said their goodbyes, and he needed to let that be that. He said if he didn’t reach out, Charlotte would be hurt, but she said, Charlotte was already hurt. She needed to settle in and make it feel like home, and she couldn’t if he made a surprise visit. Charlotte was entitled to her life here with her family in Port Charles. He could help by being a good dad and doing the right thing by turning himself in. That way, he wouldn’t leave her in fear of where he was or whether he was alive.

Drew asked what the hell Tracy did, and she said, nothing. Martin did it to himself. His lawyer was a deadbeat ex who broke some laws and thought no one would find out. Drew’s noble champion had exited stage west. It occurred to her, since his circumstances had dramatically changed, he might consider revisiting the conversation about her parents’ final resting place. He said there were other lawyers who wouldn’t hesitate to tear her apart. Nina told Willow that she heard the situation with Drew and the Quartermaines was getting worse. It could lead to a long, brutal custody battle. Willow said, Michael wouldn’t want that, and she didn’t either, but Nina said it wouldn’t matter. If Willow moved in with Drew so quickly, she wasn’t leaving Michael incentive to compromise. Willow said she’d been thinking the same thing. Carly was brought to the ER and almost died. It seemed she was going to be fine, but God forbid that changed. Nina said another reason to reconsider was the optics if Willow’s children almost lost their grandmother and she moved in with Drew a week later. Willow said, Drew was supportive, steady, and the kids loved him, but Nina said she wasn’t asking Willow to break up with him, just slow things down little. Willow said she couldn’t live with Nina forever, and Nina agreed. That’s why she wanted to buy Willow and the kids a home of their own.

Ava told the accountant that she’d already moved into a broom closet. What more did he want? He said, her credit cards, please, and she handed them over. He said she had to stick to a budget. She was close to making them out. She said she needed one. She was meeting someone for dinner and how would she pay for her drink? He looked through them and gave one back, saying, she had a little wiggle room, but be responsible. Get to know her limit and stay below it. He knew she could do this. He left, and Ava said she just didn’t want to, and drained her martini. The server said, another? and she said, yes… Wait. What did they have on tap? (New York? I’m guessing Coors.) Laura said the most loving thing Valentin could do was turn himself in, but he said, if he did, how long did she think he’d stay alive? She said, as mayor, she would use all her resources to protect him. He was Charlotte’s father and she’d gotten to know him. She knew he was a complicated man capable of good things. Life on the run was no life at all. She’d been where he is and knew how he felt. Valentin doubted that, but she said when she was married to Luke, they were on the run for many, many years. It takes its toll. They weren’t a real family until they settled down and stopped running. He said if he stayed, it would hurt Charlotte more than she’d ever been hurt. At the hospital, Jason asked Anna how Carly was doing, and she said, better. The doctor was in with her. He asked, what happened and why? and she said, Carly was poisoned when she was with Jack. Jason ran to Carly’s bedside, and she took his hand. She asked how he knew she was there, and he said, Anna. He was afraid he’d get here and she’d be… He told her that Isaiah said she was poisoned with polonium, and Anna said she wasn’t the target. Someone was trying to kill Brennan.  

Alexis asked if Molly called Ric, but he said he just happened to be there. Alexis asked if anyone requested his help, assistance, or opinion, and he said, clearly, she wasn’t the right lawyer. Cody needed someone with more perspective and a better sense of humor. Molly told them that Cody had been trying to say something, and Cody said he got arrested for stealing his own car. They could check the registration. It was up to date and paid for. This was a huge mistake. Nina said Willow valued her independence and could use a space all her own, but Willow said, Drew would be disappointed. Nina said Drew loved her and would understand. Nothing was going to change if she didn’t move in right this minute. It would be better from a custody standpoint if she established a permanent home. It was the best possible move to make. Willow said it was a lot to take it and it had been a long shift. She wanted to think about everything. Nina said Willow thinking about it was all she could ask. Tracy said Drew could get a dozen lawyers and she would take every one of them down. She had the time and money. Did he? He said he did and he’d make the time, and she said, he wasn’t the brightest bulb in the shed. If he tried to match wits with her, she’d win every time. And if he persisted in this outrageous pursuit of moving her family crypt, she’d take away everything he had.

Valentin told Laura that if he didn’t go, he’d be killed, and if he didn’t see Charlotte now, he wouldn’t see her again. Laura said Charlotte was with Rocco tonight, and Lulu came out. She asked what the hell Valentin was doing there. Anna asked if Carly was up for answer questions, and Carly said, okay. Anna asked how the champagne was delivered, and Carly said there was a knock at the door, and she found an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Anna asked if she saw the bellman, but Carly said, no. Anna asked, what happened then? and Carly said she poured a glass and drank it. When Jack came out of the shower, she poured another and one for him. Anna asked if there was anything strange about the bottle, and Carly said, no. Before she took a sip of the second glass, she started feeling awful. It hit her so fast, she didn’t know what happened, and she woke up here. Anna said she was sorry this happened. If Carly thought of anything else, call her. She left, and Carly told Jason that she knew that look. She didn’t want to fight with him about Jack. He said he didn’t want to fight either. He was just glad she was alive. She took his hand. Sonny ran into the hospital with Dante and asked Anna how Carly was doing. Anna said she was doing better and Jason was in with her. Dante asked, what happened? and Anna said they both needed to know that Carly wasn’t the target; Brennan was. The champagne he ordered was laced with polonium. She was thinking it was Valentin. Dante said, he was in Port Charles? and she said, yeah. Dante said he had to go. He wasn’t letting Valentin anywhere near Charlotte. He left, and Sonny told Anna not to worry too much. Valetin came back to his old place and met the new owner. He was on his way out of town, but Sonny didn’t think he’d get too far.

Molly said, Cody was telling the truth. The officer transposed the license plate. It never should have happened, and the city apologized for the inconvenience. He still forgot to signal, which is why he was pulled over. Ric said, this could have been over in two minutes except for Alexis’s insatiable need to be right. Alexis said she was nothing compared to him, but he said, most of the time, he was right. Cody suggested he and Ric take a walk and have a chat. He thanked Molly and Alexis, and walked Ric out. Alexis said, Ric kept topping himself with being annoying, and Molly told Alexis to come with her to the interrogation room. Outside, Ric asked what this was about, and Cody asked if Ric ever thought about what his endless crapping on his ex was doing his daughter. Drew said Tracy had no way to back up her threats. She might have pulled strings about Martin, but the law was on his side. She needed to back up, take her hits, and move the crypt. The people in there wouldn’t care. Willow walked in. Nina called Ava and asked if there was any chance they could meet for a drink. Ava said she was at the Grill waiting for Ric, but he hadn’t shown up, so she was going home. The night had veered into depressing territory. Nina said, not yet. She was on her way. Anna said, Sonny called Jack? and Sonny said he gave Jack the information. Anna said Jack would kill Valentin, and Sonny said the world would be better off without him. Anna said he was such a bastard, and left. Lulu told Valentin that he wasn’t taking Charlotte, but he said that wasn’t why he was here. He asked to talk to Lulu alone, and Laura said, of course (🍷). She knew he’d make the right decision. She left, and Valentin said Laura wanted him to turn himself in. Lulu said, she was right, and he said Laura thought she could protect him, but she couldn’t. No one could. His only chance of survival was on the run. Sonny went into Carly’s room and asked what she got herself into this time.

Molly said Alexis couldn’t let Ric get to her like that. She knew he liked to provoke her. Just accept they didn’t get along or agree on anything and walk away. Alexis promised to try. Ric told Cody to take this in the spirit it was meant. Why was it any of his business? Cody said, Molly was his friend. Actually, he wasn’t sure she liked him, but she’d just lost her baby and her sister and could use a break. Ric said Molly was more than nice. She just got out of a long-term relationship, so don’t think he was going to be Mr. Rebound. Cody said he wouldn’t, but that was all the more reason to go easy and dial it back with Alexis. Molly shouldn’t have to play referee. All she wanted was her parents being civil when they were in the same room. Did he think he could at least give her that? Nina thanked Ava for waiting and asked if that was draft beer. Did Ric show up? Ava said, no, it was hers. She ordered it. She panicked and ordered something on tap. She was trying to broaden her palate. Nina said, do it on her own time and told the server they’d have two French 75s. Ava asked him to take the beer away and asked what they were celebrating. Willow said she didn’t expect to see Tracy, and Tracy said she was just leaving. How were Wiley and Amelia? Willow said, fine, and Tracy asked if they missed their family. Not her, but certainly other members of the household, not to mention the horses and dogs. Willow said, sometimes, and Tracy said, what about the gatehouse? Do they ask about home? Willow said, once in a while. They understood that people move and she was doing what she could to make sure they felt happy and secure. Tracy asked, then why move in here with this horrible man who wanted to dig up their great-grandparents out of spite? and Willow said Tracy forgot she knew the family history. Tracy’s family turned their backs on her. How could she possibly claim to know what they wanted?

Sonny said Carly scared him, and she said she scared herself. She was never so sick. She’s grateful Jack got her here quickly. He said he wanted to talk to Jason, and they went out to the hallway. Sonny said, Valentin was the one who poisoned Carly, and Jason asked if he was back in Port Charles. Sonny said, he was on his way out of town by way of the pier, and Jason asked, who else knows? Sonny said, Anna and Brennan, and Brennan was on his way to the pier. Jason asked if Sonny thought Anna would try to stop him, and Sonny told Jason to do the world a favor and make sure Brennan finished the job. Jason left. Lulu asked why Valentin let himself get caught up in this dangerous mess, and he said he wished he could say. It spun out of control before he could stop it. He was responsible for his own actions, and he was the one who would suffer the consequences. She said, unfortunately, so would Charlotte, and he said it was one of his life’s biggest regrets. He was going to go. Lulu thanked him and he asked her to thank her mother for her advice and tell her that he was sorry he couldn’t take it. Tell Charlotte that he loved her more than anything and always would. He would always be with her. He left.

Ava said Nina must be so relieved, and Nina said, somewhat relieved. Ava said, here’s to you, mama, and they clinked glasses. Willow said she was sorry Tracy was so blinded by her hatred and anger that she couldn’t see the kind of man Drew really was, but Tracy said, maybe Willow should get angry herself. Drew said he and Willow were starting fresh and it had nothing to do her, and Willow said, if Tracy had welcomed Drew into the family, he would have bene the most loyal Quartermaine. She had no one to blame but herself. Tracy told her, remember those words. She was going to be saying them into a mirror soon enough. Tracy left. At the station, Dante asked for an APB to be put out on Valentin Cassadine, when his phone rang. Lulu said, Valentin was just there, and she was afraid he was in trouble. Dante said he’d do what he could to find him, and Lulu said, let her know the second he heard. He said he would, and Alexis asked if she just heard him say Valentin’s name. Dante said he was back in town and almost killed Carly. Sonny said he never wanted a call like that again. He was thinking what would the kids do without Carly, then started thinking, what was he going to do without her? She put her hand on his and said he wasn’t getting rid of her that easy. Lulu said she wasn’t surprised Valentin chose to leave, and Laura said she was disappointed. She’d hoped he’d choose differently for Charlotte’s sake. Lulu said Valentin wanted her to thank Laura for her advice, and Laura said she thought he was going to take it, but he said it was too late after what he’d done. Lulu said he may be right, and Laura said she’d mourn the man he could have been. Lulu said she would too. It was so much easier when she hated him, but she just couldn’t. Anna got in her car and called Jack. She said if he was thinking about going after Valetin – don’t. Valentin stood at the pier and heard the click of a gun being cocked. Jack said, it’s the end of the line, old friend.

Thursday:

Lulu said she was happy to see her kids even when they were fighting, and Laura said she felt the same way about Lulu and Lucky. She suggested Lulu take Lucky’s room, since he was staying with Elizabeth, and Lulu said she thought it was time she and the kids found their own place. Sonny brought Donna back to his new/Valentin’s old house and explained that Carly was in the hospital. Carly told Felicia this was the sickest she’d ever been, and Felicia said they didn’t deal with many polonium poisoning cases unless they were dealing with the WSB. Lois told Brook to respect the choices everyone made, put everything in the vault, and move forward. She knew Brook hated that she told Gloria, but she’d needed to confide in someone, and Brook said she’d told Chase everything. At the station, Dante filled Chase in on Valentin. Valentin had wanted to see his daughter and Dante understood. At the pier, Jack told Valentin, it’s the end of the line, old friend. Why hadn’t he stayed gone? Valentin said, Charlotte could have been collateral damage in Prague, and Jack said all Valentin did with the poisoned champagne was seal his own fate.

Laura understood, but said she’d miss Lulu and the kids. Lulu said it felt like her life was finally starting. Dante told Chase that the last thing Charlotte needed was Valentin back in her life, and wondered if Valentin had sent Charlotte home as a distraction. Chase wondered if Lulu would have been better off not knowing about Charlotte. Brook said finding out Gloria knew what happened made her think differently. Finding out someone she loved and trusted had kept something so important from her made her wonder what other secrets they were keeping. She didn’t want any secrets between her and Chase. Lois said Brook had put a terrible burden on Chase. Sonny told Donna that Carly was going to be okay and just needed to rest. Tomorrow they’d go see her after school. Donna said she loved them so much, she didn’t want anything to happen to them, and Sonny said they loved her too, and nothing would happen to them. (Wow. That’s a big promise.)

Felicia said Carly’s poisoning had to do with Jack, but Carly said it was Valentin’s fault. Felicia said Carly was rationalizing the situation, but Carly said she was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong drink. Felicia said all three led back to jack, but Carly said Sonny’s business had put her in danger. Felicia said the WSB was on a whole other level. Jack would always be looking over his shoulder and when you were in the WSB, the danger never ended. Jason skulked around the pier and Jack said he had nothing to do with the sniper in Prague. Valentin had now involved Carly and took it past the point of no return. Valentin admitted he’d been sloppy and realized Jack had fallen for Carly. He’d called Valentin weak about loving Anna. Jack said, enough, and aimed the gun. Anna was rooting through the trash when she ran into Jason.

Laura said Lulu would make up for the lost time that they all deserved, when her phone rang. Sonny wondered if she could come by, and she said she’d get there as soon as she could. Dante told Chase that Lulu’s life was better for having Charlotte in it. It’s why they had to do what they could to make sure Valentin didn’t cause more damage. He left to get Carly’s statement. Lois said Brook gave Chase a secret he couldn’t share with anyone, and she believed it would cause a rift between him and Dante. Brook said her relationship was with Chase, not anyone else, and right now, that was more important. Lois asked if Chase was going to keep it from Dante. Jason said Anna couldn’t save Valentin this time, but she said she was bringing him in. Jason suggested she let Jack handle it, and she asked if he was back-up. He wanted Jack dead because he’d hurt Carly, and she wasn’t going to let him do that. He grabbed her arm, and she told him to let her go. Valentin didn’t blame Jack, since all was fair in love and war. Anna told Jack, drop the gun now.

Laura noticed a lot of security at Sonny’s, and he said Valentin was why he’d called her. Dante asked for Carly’s statement, and she asked Felicia to stay. Dante asked what she was doing in Jack’s room. Jack told Anna to stay out of it, but she said, killing an unarmed man was cold-blooded revenge. Valentin needed to stand trial. Jason asked if Jack was under orders, and Jack said no, but the WSB would be glad to get rid of Valentin. Anna said if Jack couldn’t spare Valentin because of the law, do it for the friends they all once were. Jack said she’d find a way to release Valentin, but she said he’d stand trial, and she needed to be the one to do it. Chase went to see Lulu and said it was about protecting his family. Brook said a lot of this was about Lois protecting herself. She’d kept the secret from people who had the right to know, like Olivia. Lois said Brook was the most important person to her and wondered where the anger was coming from. Brook said finding out Gloria knew changed everything and she wondered if Lois and Gloria pushed her in the direction they thought she should go. She was questioning everything and wondered if she could ever trust Lois again.

Anna kept her gun on Jack, and he lowered his. He said he was going against his instincts, but she said Valentin needed to be held responsible for his crimes. He was going to wait for her to call the PCPD and ask for back-up. If she didn’t, he’d finish what he started. Anna called the PCPD. Sonny told Laura about Valentin breaking in and she told him about Valentin wanting to see Charlotte. She and Lulu convinced him it would just make things harder for Charlotte and he left. She also tried to convince him to turn himself in, but he refused. Sonny said he could have gotten away with shooting Valentin, but didn’t because of her. If he killed Valentin, what would happen to the kids? Charlotte’s father would have been killed by Rocco’s grandfather, and it would have torn the family apart. In the past, he would have just shot Valentin. Laura said she was proud of him, but confused. What changed? Carly told Dante that she’d gone to Jack’s room because they’d had a disagreement, and she wanted to clear the air. She flashed back to being with Jack, and Dante asked how the champagne got there. She said, Jack ordered it from room service. There was a knock at the door, and by the time she got there, she found a cart in the hall, which was standard procedure if guest didn’t open the door. She drank a glass, poured another for herself and Jack, and Jack noticed something was wrong with the bottle. He slapped the glass out of her hand, but it was too late. She felt terrible, and the next thing she knew, she woke up here.

Lois said Brook could trust her and the decision had been hers alone. It was a difficult and confusing time, and there was no handbook to tell her what to do. She supported Brook and always would. What was done was done, and no one needed to know, especially Dante. Brook agreed and said Chase would respect her decision. Congratulations. Lois was off the hook. Chase said Brook told him everything and Lulu said keep his voice down; Charlotte and Rocco were upstairs. She asked if he was telling Dante, but he said nobody was telling Dante – not Brook, not him, and not her. Brook said Lulu had been harassing her and she needed to leave his wife alone.

Sonny told Laura that he’d been thinking about what was important or not in life. He didn’t care about regrets; the past was the past. But what happened to their friendship was a low point in his life and he wanted her to know he was thinking about her. She said she would pick up the phone to call him, then realize they weren’t talking. It was hard on her too. Sonny said he and his brother weren’t close, and Courtney and his father were gone. He always considered her and Luke the family he needed. Lulu said Dante was Chase’s best friend and she thought he deserved to know the truth, but Chase said it wasn’t about what he thought and certainly not what she thought. It was none of her business. She had no say. Only Brook did. Lulu said she was just looking out for Dante, but Chase asked if she wasn’t sure it wasn’t something to hold over his wife. Brook didn’t know he was here because he thought Lulu needed to hear it from someone else. Drop this. Lulu said Charlotte was kept from her and it was devastating. Dante deserved to know he had a child, like she did. Wouldn’t Chase want to know if it was him? Carly told Felicia that it would be nice if her mom was here. No matter how old you were, you wanted your mom to tell you everything was going to be okay when you felt sick. Felicia said all she could think about when Carly was talking to Dante was what Bobbie would say to her. As hard as it was to hear, she had to say it for Bobbie. Anna gave Valentin his rights as he was handcuffed, and an officer took him away. She looked at Jack, then followed. Jack said, it’s done, and Jason said Valentin was dealt with for now, but Jack hadn’t been. What happened to Carly wasn’t just about Valentin. It was about Jack.

Laura said it was like Sonny was determined to make himself a better man, and it was an exciting time to be his friend. She guessed it was inevitable their friendship would have bumps, but after this conversation, they could navigate through it more smoothly. Sonny agreed and said it was like old times. Dante came back to the Quartermaines, and Lois said she thought she and Brook needed space, so she was going to pack and go back to Bensonhurst for a bit. Brook said it was probably for the best, and Lois went upstairs. Dante told Brook that close families fought hard and loved even harder. In the end, they stayed together and could face anything. Lulu didn’t understand how Chase could keep his best friend in the dark, and Chase told her to leave his wife alone. He loved her and would do anything to protect her. Stop inserting herself into Brook’s life. Lulu said, or…? and he said he would think seriously about arresting her for breaking and entering into Martin’s room and looking at confidential client files. Lulu said Martin was her uncle (like this makes a difference), and Chase said, that was for starters. Since she had disregard for the law and authority, he was sure he’d find something pretty quickly. He walked out.

Anna told an officer at the station to call the WSB and went into the interrogation room where Valentin waited. He asked if this was where she smuggled him out, and she said helping him escape was her biggest mistake. She’d compromised her values and wouldn’t let it happen again. He said she didn’t love him anymore, and she smiled. She said her decision had nothing to do with her feelings for him and they didn’t the last time. It had been about Charlotte. She hadn’t had anyone else to depend on then. Now things were different. She had Lulu and Rocco, and they could be her family. Valentin said he may have had something to do with Charlotte. He saw it in Anna’s eyes the day they said goodbye. He could see now that she still loved him. That’s why she saved his life. She said, none of that matters. You’ve committed too many crimes, my darling. You have to face justice. It’s over. Felicia said she thought Bobbie would disapprove of Jack for the same reasons she disapproved of Sonny, but Carly said, Jack was a good man. Felicia said Carly was ignoring the warning signs like she had with Frisco. She abandoned her children for him and got a chance to fix things, but she’d never get back the time she lost and would regret it for the rest of her life. Carly could be smarter. The people who loved her depended on her, and it wasn’t just her children. Carly couldn’t stand by and willingly put herself in the position to be collateral damage in Jack’s life. She needed to end things before it was too late. Jason told Jack that he was the reason Carly almost died, and he wasn’t going to wait around while it happened again. He told Jack, stay away from her, and left.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada:

Trina tells Kai that something seems different, and he says he’s out of the sling. She says, that’s good, but that’s not it, and he says, honestly? He’s nervous about today. She says, this is nothing. He talked to reporters all the time. He says, before or after games. There’s a lot riding on this press conference and he doesn’t want to disappoint Drew. She says, he’s going to be fantastic. The last thing he needs to worry about is the congressman.

Jordan asks Curtis to remind her why she’s doing this again, and he says, the sports initiative is so important to the hospital. He doesn’t want her antipathy for Drew to get in the way. She says, that’s not only reason why. She doesn’t want Drew thinking he’s won.

Drew tells Portia to introduce him as our representative in congress, Drew Quartermaine, and she says, so introduce him as who he is. He says, there’s been a dispute over his name, and he wants to make sure, and she says she can handle it. He tells her not to forget to smile. Remember, it’s all about the kids. (I desperately want to smack him.)

Walking into Drew’s house, Nina says, there are a few listings she can’t wait to show Willow. The houses are perfect for her and the kids. Willow says, Nina has been so generous. She can’t thank her enough for the offer, but she doesn’t need a real estate agent. What she needs is a mover.

On the phone, Alexis thanks someone for letting her know, and Kristina asks if something happened. Is it Molly? Danny? Alexis says, no. It’s Valentin.

A shackled Valentin is brought into the interrogation room where Jason is waiting. Valentin asks if Jason is going to assassinate him in the police station. It’s practical and certainly gutsy. Enough small talk. What does Jason want?

Carly dreams about drinking the champagne. She wakes and says, Jack? Lucas says, no such luck. It’s just him, her baby brother.

Elizabeth sees the couch is empty, when Lucky comes in. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she just thought he left without saying goodbye. He says, him? Never again.

Alexis says, Valentin is in custody at the PCPD and wants to see her, and Kristina says, he can’t want Alexis to represent him. Alexis says, yet he does. He also wants to be released. She’s very flattered that he thinks she can make that happen, but she can’t. Not only is he an international fugitive, he allegedly tried to poison Carly… She’s fine, and apparently, she wasn’t the intended victim. Kristina asks, who was? but Alexis says, that information hasn’t been released yet. Kristina asks what he’s charged with, but Alexis says she doesn’t know. Probably premeditated attempted murder of someone. She hasn’t been told the facts yet. Kristina says, she doesn’t have to do it, and Alexis says she knows that, but even Valentin deserves representation. Kristina asks if he doesn’t have a lawyer, and Alexis says, Martin is in another tricky situation, when Ava comes in. She says she’s sorry to barge in, but she really needs to – she sees Kristina is there – talk.  

Kai ask if Trina doesn’t like his suit, but she says she loves it. Is it new? He says, no. The last time he wore it was the pregame interview before he got hurt. She says, it must be strange wearing it again, and he says, it is, but the way he sees it, it’s being put to good use and so will he. He’ll be using his football cred at long last to help people. She says, wow. That’s a shockingly positive outlook. He says, that’s on her. He wouldn’t be here at all if not for her. He thanks her and they kiss.

Willow says she and Drew talked it through and decided there was no reason for her to move when this right here is perfect for the kids, and Nina says, that’s one of the reasons he chose it. So that she, Wiley, and Amelia could move in. Willow says, that’s hardly a huge presumption, and Nina says, they discussed this. Willow says, Wiley and Amelia love Scout and Drew. How can she ask Nina to go through the trouble of buying a house when they all know she’ll move in here sooner or later? Nina says, it’s no trouble, and Willow says, Nina needs to believe she knows what she’s doing to make the kids happy. Nina needs to trust her.

Portia says she’s done everything Drew asked. Take the win. Drew says, or what? She’ll tell Curtis what she did? Portia asks why he’s pushing, and he says, no reason. (Another smack.) He’s definitely not trying to ruin her life or deprive the hospital of their great Co-Chief of Staff. On the contrary. He’s trying to prevent her paying for crimes she committed. Portia says she can’t tell him how grateful she is for that, and he says, she should be. (One more.) Stop treating him like the enemy. He hopes she can think of him as a friend. He leaves and she literally says, ugh. She sits at her desk and looks at a folder labeled, Drew Quartermaine.

Curtis tells Jordan that he actually wanted to refuse to let Aurora Media cover the press conference, but it would look like he was using it to enact his personal vendetta at the expense of a good children’s health initiative. He refuses to let Drew play him. She says, good for him. Drew won’t stop blaming him for not getting on the Appropriations Committee and won’t ever because his ego won’t let him. Curtis says, exactly. Eventually, Drew’s ego will have him cross the line or make a big mistake. And when Drew does, he’s going to be ready. Trina and Kai join them, and Curtis asks how Kai feels. Kai says, ready and waiting for the congressman to give him his marching orders, and from across the room, Drew says, there he is. PCU’s biggest star.

Carly asks, how was Miami? and Lucas says, not great. And then he finds her almost dying. She says she’s okay, but he says he’ll be the judge of that. He shows her a duffel bag and says he grabbed some things from the house, since she was admitted wearing only a bathrobe. She says she can explain, and he says, what? The polonium poisoning? She says, that’s an easy one. That was Valentin. He has a vendetta against Jack and had a poisoned bottle of champagne sent to the room. She wasn’t the intended target. He says, thank goodness, and she says, everyone warned her, but it’s no one’s business. He says, she was two minutes from death’s door, so that makes it the hospital’s business. Not to mention law enforcement – local and international – and her children, and him. That’s a lot of people. She says, he’s not blaming Jack for something Valentin did. Jack’s not the threat. Valentin is.  

Jason says, Valentin can refuse the visit, but Valentin says, then how can he know why Jason came? He asks the officer to give them a minute, and the officer leaves. Valentin wonders if Sonny is going to settle the score about him altering the medication, but Jason says, it’s about Carly. They sit, and Jason says, Valentin almost killed her. Valentin says, the best laid plans. He knows Jason doesn’t want to spend more time at the station than he has to. What does he want? Jason says, everything that Valentin knows about Jack Brennan.

Lucky says he knows he and Elizabeth had plans that didn’t end with him downstairs snoring. Why didn’t she wake him up? She says, you never wake up a patient when you don’t have to, and he asks if she knows how amazing he thinks she is. Sometimes he wishes she weren’t a nurse. He scrinches around and she asks, what’s wrong? He says his neck is messed up. He thinks she needs a more comfortable couch. She says she thinks her couch is just fine, and massages his neck. She says, next time, maybe he should sleep upstairs.

Valentin says, if it’s information about Jack that Jason is after, he’s Jason’s man. He’s known Jack since they were in their early 20s. In all the years he’s known Jack, he’s never seen him vulnerable or scared, but last night he was scared. Jason says, about Carly? and Valentin says, yeah. Jason says, so was he, and Valentin asks what he’s looking for. Leverage? He can give Jason leverage. He knows everything there is to know about Jack Brennan. But he needs something from Jason. He needs someone to break him out. Jason says, that’s not going to happen, but he might think about doing Valentin a favor at some point in the future. Valentin says, that’s the best he can do? and Jason says, yeah. Take it or leave it.

Lucas says, if Valentin is all Carly’s worried about, he has good news, and she says, he’s dead? He tells her that he said good, not great. He’s in custody. The PCPD picked him up. She says, problem solved, but he says, problem not solved. She’s not automatically safe to date Brennan just because Valentin is in jail. Carly says she knows where he’s going. She heard it last night from Felicia. Brennan is a spy. Spies live dangerous lives. She gets it, and honestly, Felicia gave her something to think about. Save it. They’re not engaged, but he knows she wouldn’t have a one-night stand with a gorgeous spy. He says, don’t try to seduce him by proxy, and she says she wanted to see what it was like. He asks what it was like, and she says, incredible. Until it went terribly wrong. He says, is that all? He’ll ease up.

Jordan says she’s going to check in on Portia, and Curtis says, good idea. He thanks her, and she leaves. Trina joins Curtis and says she’s worried about Kai. He thinks he can trust Drew and they both know that’s not true.

Drew says, it’s the deputy mayor first, then Councilman Boyle. Dr. Robinson will give a statement for the hospital, and then it’s Kai. Kai says, got it, and Drew says he’s seen Kai under pressure on the field. He’s going to be great. Kai says he appreciates it, and Drew asks what his plans are for the future. Kai says he has one more year at PCU. After that, he has to figure it out. Drew says, okay, some advice. Not that Kai is asking, but use his natural gifts. He’s a born leader and has charisma. There are plenty of arenas where he’d be useful. Politics is one of them. Boyle (who looks like a young, shorter Kurt Russell) joins them and says, it’s a great day for the city of Port Charles. Trina says she feels like she should have said something, but didn’t know how, and Curtis says, that’s okay. He does.

Portia is reading Drew’s file when there’s a knock at the door. She says, come in, and Jordan says she wanted to let Portia know that Trina and Kai got here. Portia says she’d better join them, and Jordan asks if she’s still going through with it. She’s going to stand next to Drew? Portia says, unless Jordan changed her mind, Jordan is going to be standing next to her, and Jordan says, nothing’s changed, but these events are the deputy mayor’s job. Portia is Co-Chief of Staff at the hospital. Portia says, she’s publicizing a worthwhile initiative that’s good for the hospital. It’s part of her job. Jordan asks why she didn’t pass it along to Terry. After everything Drew has done, she’s shocked Portia would stand next to him, smile, and sell to the world that he’s a good man. Portia says she and Curtis discussed it and they’re on the same page. She starts to leave, but Jordan lingers. Portia says, they don’t want to be late, and Jordan follows her out.

Ava says she’s sorry to intrude. She’ll come back later. Alexis says, later is not better. Never is better, but she doesn’t have that kind of luck. What does Ava want? Ava says, it’s a legal matter and she thinks they should speak privately, but Kristina says, no. Ava says, what about attorney/client privilege? and Alexis says she’s not Ava’s attorney and Ava’s not her client. Kristina sits down, and Ava says, Alexis has made it clear that she won’t give Ava access to any funds from the Cassadine estate. Alexis says, yet here they are, and Ava says she’s come to accept and understand that Alexis can’t return her settlement money. However, she could arrange for the estate to loan her some money. Alexis says, the estate isn’t a bank, but Ava says, it will be a private loan with scheduled payments at a fair interest rate. The estate would actually benefit. Kristina says, no. No way in hell is Alexis giving a dime to the woman who killed her grandchild.

Willow says she knows Nina is nervous about the repercussions for moving in with Drew, but she’s going to reach out to Michael and explain. Since they have no way to know when he’s coming home, it’s not fair to keep the children’s lives in limbo. Michael has shown he’s willing to compromise, unlike his family, and he won’t use his children as a weapon as long as they’re happy. Nina says, Michael is dealing with his own problems. They need to go to a lawyer. Willow says, that will only make things more hostile. She doesn’t want a civil war; she wants things to stay calm. Michael doesn’t want a custody fight any more than she does. Nina says, that’s true if Willow was in a home of her own, but if she moves in with Drew, she’s going to force Michael’s hand. Willow says she doesn’t see it that way, but Nina says, please. If Willow does this, she’s going to lose her children.

Drew talks football to Kai, when Curtis joins them. He tells Boyle, good to see him. If they don’t mind, he’d like to borrow Kai for a minute. Drew asks if he’s sure it’s just one, and Curtis steps away with Kai. Boyle tells Drew, that kid was the perfect spokesman. Good choice. It’s a shame the city didn’t use the plan to relocate the esplanade. It was good for the unions, public safety, and commerce. Drew says he couldn’t agree more, and Boyle says, if only the mayor hadn’t let her personal attachment to Corinthos get in the way.

Ava says she’ll always regret what happened that day, but Kristina’s fall was an accident. Kristina says, that’s a lie. She was there. It happened to her. Ava pushed her. Ava says she didn’t. Kristina accidentally tripped over some luggage. Kristina says, you are the reason my baby is dead. You. Ava says she wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t her last option. The IRS is going to seize both of her properties in a month if she doesn’t pay the back taxes. Alexis says she’s not going to the estate, and Ava says she’s not asking for a handout. It would benefit the estate, and she can take care of her daughter. Kristina says, the daughter Ava is lucky she has and who should be with her father full time, and Alexis says, stop. Ava must understand as a mother, she has to say no. She would not want to devastate her own daughter in any way, like Ava doesn’t want to devastate hers. Ava says, fine. She’ll go. But understand that Alexis isn’t doing anything to protect Kristina by fueling her delusions. Kristina’s not doing good. She’s not being rational, and Alexis knows that as well as she does. Ava leaves.  

Lucas says he’d love to go easy on Carly. Nobody wants to see her happy more than him. But was it too much to ask her to date someone who won’t get her killed? What’s wrong with a dentist? Carly asks, what’s going on? Lucas is more wound up than before he went to Miami. He says he drank too much in Miami and got the worst hangover of his life. She says, worse than her? and he says, no. If she tells him that it’s a one and done and she won’t go near Jack again, that’s all he needs to hear. She says she loves Lucas, but it’s her decision, not his, and he says, maybe it should be his, because she’s risking her life to date someone like Brennan. It’s not an option. There’s a long list of people who need her and he’s on it. He can’t lose her.

Valentin says Jason has already done him a favor. He supposes he owes him one. He accepts Jason’s offer. Jason says, good. Give him something he can use. Valentin says, the first thing he should know about Jack is that he’s a company man. For all he knows, Jack is head of the WSB. Jason says, former head, but Valentin says, no, current. Just because he’s in Port Charles and a lowly station chief, it could be an elaborate cover. Jason wonders why he said lowly, and Valentin says, station chiefs don’t order drone attacks on other continents. Everything Jack’s asked for, the WSB has done. He has blood on his hands and there are a lot of people who want him dead. Jason says, not just Valentin, and Valentin says, Jack doesn’t care. All he cares about is the WSB. Until now. Jack didn’t try to kill him for the Bureau. He tried to kill him for Carly.

Curtis walks Kai to the side and says he wants to talk about the congressman. Kai says he knows Drew’s personal life is messy, but he tries not to judge. Curtis says, agreed, but it’s not about that. Drew will promise anything to get what he wants, and he has no intention of following through with his promises. Kai needs to be careful. Kai nods, and Trina watches from across the room. Portia comes out of the elevator with Jordan, and Jordan says she’s going to take a minute to go over her speech. She leaves, and Portia sees Curtis talking to Kai. She asks Trina, what’s that about? It looks serious. Trina says, dad is giving Kai the background on Drew, and Portia says she knows Trina is concerned about Kai, but for right now, it’s best everyone just try to get along.

Kai thanks Curtis for the heads up and says he can back out. He can’t be associated with bad politicians. Curtis tells him that he’s not saying Drew isn’t doing good this time. Sometimes you have to work with people you don’t trust. He’d like Kai to know who he’s dealing with so he can protect himself. Kai says he’ll keep his guard up, and Curtis says, he’s a good man. And the initiative is a good thing for Port Charles, the hospital, and the kids. Don’t let Drew get in way of that.

Lucky says he’s glad to hear there’s going to be a next time, and Elizabeth says she hopes there will be. They’ll have the house to themselves soon enough and Aiden spends the night at his friends’ all the time. He says, whether Aiden is here or not, he wants to be with her. He knows what he feels is real and it will never change. She says, funny. She feels the same way. They kiss, and she says she has to get to work. He tells her, like he said, sometimes he hates that she’s a nurse. She says, so does she sometimes, and he says he’ll stick around and take a look at the freezer. She says, if he fixes it, he’ll be her hero. She leaves and he gets a text from Kristina: Where r u??? Need to c u now!

Nina tells Willow to just think about Michael. He’s going through a harrowing, life changing experience and suffering unimaginable pain. He almost died. It will be hard to come out to something like that and think life is beautiful and bygones will be bygones. Willow says, Michael isn’t most people… but Nina says, he’s a Corinthos and a Quartermaine. He’s Carly’s son. He may be out of the county healing, but he could still make life difficult. Willow says she doesn’t think it will come down to a custody battle, but if it does, Michael isn’t the only one with power. Drew is a congressman and would never let Michael take her children. Nina says, please reconsider this, and Willow says she appreciates Nina’s concern, but she’s made up her mind. She gets up and says she needs to get to Wiley’s school for a conference. Nina says, of course (🍷). She’ll walk Willow out. As they leave, Willow says, the kids love it here. They’ll all be so happy together.

Drew says, Kai was amazing, and Kai thanks him and says he had no idea how it was going to go. He’s used to talking about football to reporters. This was different. Drew says, he didn’t miss a beat. He’s a natural.

Curtis says, Trina’s guy is good, and she says, please. He’s amazing. Curtis says, maybe a little, and she says she’s so happy everything worked out. Curtis says, maybe she’s right. She’s amazing too. She stepped up to do what was right.  

Elizabeth asks Lucas to tell her about Miami, and he says he met the man of his dreams. She says, details, and he says he found the man’s credit card on the floor of the hotel bar. He looked up and there he was, handsome, tall enough, Latin, and he had the kindest eyes. She says, he had a meet cute, and he says he did. Then – brace for it – he got so drunk, he got sick all over him.

Portia goes back to her office and looks at Drew’s file. There’s a knock at the door and it’s Ava. Ava says she was going to ask if Portia had a minute, but she seems stressed. Portia says, it started at stress and went up from there, and Ava says she caught the end of the press conference. It didn’t seem that bad. Portia says she’s glad, but in real life, it was awful. She was standing next to Drew when he paraded Kai out in front of the representative. Ava says she’s sure Trina was proud of them both, and Portia says, she should be proud of Kai. He’s a phenomenal young man and the only reason Trina has been smiling lately. Meanwhile, Drew is using him to restore his good name to the public, and she can’t say a thing about it. Ava says, and Drew’s got Portia exactly where he wants her, and Portia says, yeah… or so he thinks.

Nina lets herself back into Drew’s house and says, thanks for the spare key, Willow. She snoops around.

At Elizabeth’s, Lucky gives Kristina a key and tells her it’s the key to Charlie’s back entrance. Try not to lose it. She says she didn’t lose it. She just hasn’t figured out where she left it yet. He asks, what’s going on? and she says, nothing. It’s just one of those days. He says, okay, but if she wants to tell him about it, he promises it will stay between them. She says she’s good… She’s actually not good. She sits down and says, her dad is having a heart problem. He’s going to be okay. To be honest, she doesn’t know, but she thinks so. He’s having surgery, but until he does, he needs to keep the stress down. That’s the whole reason he settled the custody suit with Ava, to keep the stress down. Now Ava can’t afford to take care of their daughter financially. Ava was hitting her mom up. That’s what Ava does. She takes and takes. Ava doesn’t deserve to have a daughter. Her daughter is dead because of Ava, and she still hasn’t paid for it.

Jason thanks Valentin for the intel, and Valentin says, one last thing Jason should know. What Jack wants, he gets. If he wants Carly, he’s going to get her. He’ll use whatever he has to unless Jason intervenes. Jason says, that suits him just fine, and Valentin says, forget him. Think about Carly. She’ll finally be safe.

Lucas tells Elizabeth that he learned more about Brad than he wanted to know, then he threw up on the kindest, sexiest, most beautiful man he’s ever met. She says, he really packed it in. She likes his time management. He says, Marco was the bright spot in Miami, but he’ll probably never see him again. She says, they’ll find a way to travel long distance, and he says he’s sure Marco is waiting by the phone for the man who ruined his shirt. She says, you never know. Not to add to his day, but his aunt is looking for him. She hands him a message, and he says, Ava?

Lucky says, everything Kristina is telling him is true, and she thanks him. He says, don’t hate him for saying this, but there’s nothing she can really do. She says she doesn’t know if she can accept that, and he says he understands, but maybe there’s another way to think about this. Would Adela want her mother consumed with bitterness and hatred, or would she want her mother to find peace? Kristina says she wants to find peace, and he says, then let it go. Not for Ava, but for herself. She says she’s trying. She really is. Every second of every day, but she can’t.

Ava says, Portia needs to be careful. If she lashes out at Drew and it backfires, she could lose everything. Portia says, Drew keeps reminding her of that, and Ava says, think about Trina. If Portia loses her license or God forbid goes to prison, Trina will blame herself. Portia says, because of what she did to Heather because of what Heather did to Trina. Ava says, exactly. Isn’t smiling through a press conference worth keeping Trina happy? Portia says, only as long as she has to, when there’s a knock at the door. Drew walks in and Ava says she saw the conference. It was very exciting. He says, due in no small part to Portia. That’s why he’s here. Before he heads home, he wanted to say thanks for her help. Portia says, it was her pleasure, and he says he couldn’t have done it without her. He leaves and Ava says, he seems chipper. Anyone on the outside might think they were thick as thieves. She notices the folder.

Trina tells Kai that he was amazing. If he was nervous, no one could tell. Kai says he hopes he did the right thing. Her dad filled him in a little on the congressman. He would have backed out, but it was for a good cause. Now he can see through Drew, so he’s also going to watch his back. She says he’s right on both counts. He needs to focus on… He says, her? and she says, that’s always an acceptable answer, but not right this time. He needs to focus on himself and his future. From what she saw, he could run for office someday. He asks if he has her vote, and she says, we’ll see, and kisses him.

Boyle tells Jordan, it’s nice to see her. It’s unfortunate that the mayor couldn’t make it. She says, Mayor Collins’ schedule is pretty packed, and he says, or maybe she’s happy to let the Deputy Mayor do her job. Curtis comes by and says, if Boyle doesn’t mind, he’d like a word with the Deputy Mayor. Boyle says he’ll let Jordan do her job, and Curtis thanks him for coming. Boyle leaves and Jordan thanks Curtis for the save. That man is dull, dumb, slimy, and gunning for Laura.

Nina finds Drew’s safe and opens it. She finds a roll of cash and looks through some papers.  

Valentin thanks Alexis for coming. He’s sorry the accommodations aren’t up to the Quartermaine standard. Alexis says she can live without the cryo chamber and bottomless pit, and sits down. She says she figured he needed legal representation, and he says he knew she was a brilliant lawyer. She tells him that even she can’t save him, but he says, that’s not why she’s here. There’s something else he needs her to do.

Jason asks how Carly is feeling, and she says her brother just left. He’s not happy with her. Jason says he can’t imagine why, and she says, please. Don’t be one more person who lectures her about Jack. He says, no lectures. She and Brennan are done. She can’t go near him again. Her life depends on it.

On Monday, Ava tells Portia not to let fear make her do dumb things; Elizabeth tells Lucas, if something wrong is going on here, she needs to know; Jack says, if Josslyn tells her (Carly?) any of this, she’ll never be a WSB agent; and Carly asks Jason not to quit on her now.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

New guys in town.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/daniel-cosgrove-opens-up-about-joining-general-hospital

I hadn’t realized he was also Natalia’s son. I missed the Marco connection, it’s been so long since he was mentioned.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adrian-anchando-reveals-why-playing-ghs-marco-is-so-important

Talk about missing something. I totally missed this and I love an inside joke. Another surprise is, when he joined All My Children, he took over for a guy who’s now one of my local weathermen, Lonnie Quinn.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/the-story-behind-ghs-will-cortlandt-reference

Polonium. It’s not just for GH.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/polonium-poisoning-on-general-hospital-everything-you-need-to-know

Hmm… I wonder if his mom knows he’s not taking his meds on the weekends. I’m not so sure that’s how it’s supposed to work.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-asher-antonyzyn-shares-his-experience-living-with-adhd

💉 A Dose of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

Pretty soon, everyone will have hooked up with everyone and then what?

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Jennifer talked about getting up at 5 am to brush her teeth and put on makeup so her boyfriend thought she woke up beautiful. In my single days, the only time I had makeup on the morning was from the night before. Once again, it was a whole big thing with Dorit and Sutton with Sutton apologizing and Dorit not hearing it. Ugh. Boz suggested Dorit also apologize, and she gave a non-apology apology. She apologized that her joke about Sutton’s drink made Sutton feel some kind of way. That’s like a murderer saying, I’m sorry they’re dead, not, I’m sorry I killed them. Dorit also had a lot to say about Sutton behind her back.

Boz said she ended up seated across from Mauricio and the child he’s dating at some event and gave Kyle a full report afterward via Voicenotes. She played it during her interview, and at the end, she’d asked Kyle to tell her what she wanted her to do. Because she would run up on a man. She was a girl’s girl. Me too. One time, after meeting a friend for lunch in Manhattan, she saw a bagpiper busking across the street. She thought it was an old boyfriend (no judgement) and said she wanted to go punch him in the mouth. I told her that I’d hold him for her, but make sure it was the right guy, because I wasn’t going to jail for no reason. We crossed the street, but it turned out not to be him.

The way these women dress for a boat – like a catwalk might appear any moment – there isn’t a chance in hell I’d ever want to go with them wearing my Old Navy tankini and no makeup except sunscreen. They were on a fabulous yacht eating fabulous food during fabulous weather, when Sutton dared to apologize again, and Erika thought it would be a good time to bring up all of Sutton’s past sins. From what I saw in the flashbacks, it’s more like Sutton said out loud what everyone else was talking about behind the scenes. In Sutton’s interview, she said Erika had done this before, act like it was all good, then turn around and call her out in public. Erika thought Sutton was kicking Dorit when she was down, bypassing all the bullsh*t Dorit has slung. Just because you’re going through a bad time, doesn’t make it okay to be abusive. And why do they always do this sh*t on a boat where you can’t even walk away? In Kyle’s interview, she basically said Sutton started it. Yeah, by daring to apologize. As Kathy said in her interview, the boat rides aren’t working.  

Best dialogue: Sutton: Is this a tomatah? Kyle: Just shut up and eat it.

What’s to come.

Denise Richards & Her Wild Things

Denise did a cooking video with celeb chef Brooke Williamson, who oddly enough, is also Aaron’s hall pass. (FYI, Denise’s is Brad Pitt.) Afterward, Denise said it was the first dish she’d ever completed on a video. She had lunch with Kathy Hilton, who she’s been friends with for a while. Apparently, there was a time when she and Paris Hilton were neighbors, and in her interview, she said Paris was the sexiest neighbor in the neighborhood. It was especially heartwarming when Denise told Aaron to keep talking while she left to take a pee during their dual interview. Now that’s reality.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/denise-richards-her-wild-things-recap-still-not-a-cooking-show/ar-AA1BcuOd

Summer House

There was a party for Amanda’s 33rd birthday. Kyle continued to whine about Craig, and she was getting tired of it. She also wasn’t too happy about Kyle’s rage texting to Paige about Craig. IMO it was especially rude to display his baby emotions when they were supposed to be celebrating her birthday. I would never want to drink with these people. Never ever. It either gets juvenile to the point of messiness or somebody gets pissed off. LOUDLY. Both Paige and Craig felt awkward, but Paige was annoyed with Craig at not having had a conversation with Kyle about their differences. I dunno. I’m not so sure that would matter. Everything would be cool again, then Kyle would get drunk, and get pissed off all over again. Then they had some kind of pirate party, and we started to see Paige and Craig’s relationship buckle.

Southern Charm

Shep told Whitney that he wouldn’t be crying over his cheerios about Sienna, and he’d only mourned for a few days, but I don’t believe it. Is it wrong for me to hope Shep dies alone? Molly was still being shoved at him, and he asked her to accompany him to the Summer Soiree. Venita talked to Ryan about what JT had said, and I wasn’t too impressed with him. Ryan was mean, rude, and doubled down on JT having said some Black girl was trying to ruin his relationship. He did admit, that was only what the barber told him, but said the barber might have been covering his ass when Leva called and insisted JT said it. When someone uses the words my truth, I’m always suspicious about whether it is true. I’m so not a JT fan, but I don’t buy it. Maybe the barber said that, but I don’t think JT did. Same with calling Patricia a bitch. Since he has enough not going for him, it’s really not necessary for these guys to be making stuff up. 

What’s to come.

The Charm pack does tend to pick on the weak one, although I still can’t feel sorry for Shep.

Random Reality Items

I quit… for the day.

He left because he was a cokehead who got too full of himself.

They love to play revolving houses. I just can’t imagine moving into a 50 room mansion just to move out again.

Where’s Pedro? Where’s Puck?

https://ew.com/25-best-reality-stars-of-the-2000s-11687144

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Chaos: The Manson Murders. Netflix. There wasn’t much I didn’t know, but it was still an interesting watch. It does seem like they always want to make Charlie this mysterious guru, but the bottom line is, he was a manipulator who used drugs to control children.

https://deadline.com/2025/03/chaos-the-manson-murders-review-errol-morris-documentary-1236314760/

Demon City. Netflix. Kind of the Japanese version of Machete. Left for dead, a hitman takes revenge on the demons who have wronged him. Nice fight scenes.

https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/demon-city-review-netflix-1235099517/

The Search for Instagram’s Worst Con Artist. Netflix.  A two-part docuseries about Belle Gibson. I actually liked this better than Apple Cider Vinegar which was a little artsy for me. This was just the facts, Jack.

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-search-for-instagrams-worst-con-artist-release-date-news

After the End. Amazon Prime. If Hallmark made a movie about the apocalypse, it would be this one. After a contagious illness brings on the apocalypse, a 17-year-old prepper joins forces with a pregnant girl and trouble follows. I didn’t hate it, but don’t exactly recommend it either.

The Electric State. Netflix. Gus from Breaking Bad being a character known as the Butcher of Schenectady makes this worth watching. The reviews weren’t great, but it’s based on an illustrated novel fans were already passionate about, which adds another layer. Having never read it, I had no preconceived notions. A lot of the things reviewers didn’t think were funny, I did, and there was also debate about Millie Bobby Brown being too old for the roll, but I had nothing to compare her to in my head, so I was good with it. I did have difficulty with the trip to the cornfield at the end, but we can’t have everything. Amazingly brought to life robots, a fair amount of gore, and Chris Pratt throwing out one-liners was good enough for me. The addition of Stanley Tucci didn’t hurt either.

https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/i-watched-the-electric-state-netflix-not-bad-rotten-tomatoes-score-idicates-chris-prat-millie-bobby-brown

All about the robots.

https://www.indiewire.com/features/craft/the-electric-state-vfx-interview-robots-cosmo-netflix-1235104366/

https://www.cbr.com/millie-bobby-brown-the-electric-state-kid-cosmo/

Borderlands. Starz. I used the On Demand feature on my actual TV to watch this. It was impossible to find a positive review, but again, because I had no preconception of the story or characters, I enjoyed it. Cate Blanchett kicked ass nicely and earned her fiery wings, and seeing Gina Gershon is always a treat.

https://www.filmsfatale.com/blog/2024/8/12/borderlands

While this was more or less about the game, I got absorbed in a very long thread in the comments section. Somebody dubbing themselves LordByronSomethingOrOther made a legit comment about The Last of Us. Someone made an innocuous reply, and it sent off a hailstorm of LordBy’s rage and name calling skills. Several people told LordBy to chill, which only made it worse. I’m pretty sure LordBy lives in their grandma’s basement and is in desperate need of attention. Send an Edible Arrangement along with some edibles asap.

https://www.avclub.com/borderlands-movie-disappointing-but-sold-video-games-take-two

Delicious. Netflix. Reviewers seemed to like it, but the best I can come up with is, eh. The acting was fine, but the long stretches of not much going on along with being hit over the head with the message wasn’t for me. Plus, there was a non-ending ending, which I always find irritating. If it has to be explained (see below), maybe I shouldn’t bother watching it. I got the point five minutes in. It’s old and it’s been done better.

All the spoilers.

https://blavity.com/entertainment/delicious-movie-ending-explained

Kraven The Hunter. Netflix. Saving the best for last. The first three minutes of this was better than the entire film of Delicious. After some family drama and a legendary lion’s blood mixing with his own, Kraven becomes an antihero with animalistic powers. It had a sense of humor without overkill, which was much appreciated since they can’t all be Deadpool and sometimes try too hard. I thought it was an enjoyable ride and especially loved the rhinoceros guy. I would have liked to see more of the surprise talents of Kraven’s brother, revealed toward the end, but I’m guessing they were saving that for the sequel, which is a doubtful event.

https://www.slashfilm.com/1815000/aaron-taylor-johnson-2024-marvel-flop-kraven-the-hunter-streaming-netflix/

https://www.cbr.com/kraven-the-hunter-streaming-success-netflix/

🏆 Next Year’s Envelope…

I guess these things have to be planned in advance.

https://ew.com/conan-obrien-returning-2026-oscars-date-revealed-11697987

Useless Oscar knowledge.

https://ew.com/oscars-biggest-controversies-and-scandals-11688765

🐦‍🔥 Things You Don’t See Every Day…

🦈 Uber Shark.

https://people.com/octopus-rides-mako-shark-video-auckland-new-zealand-11701228

🐵 True story. When I was a kid, my father and I went to a place called Monkey Jungle where you literally walked through a jungle of monkeys. It said not to feed them, which was a signal to my father to toss out a few kernels of popcorn. 5000 spider monkeys came crashing down through the trees, we threw our bags of popcorn to them and ran.

https://people.com/british-tourist-surrounded-by-monkeys-thailand-pool-11700663

🐶 As well they should.

https://people.com/debra-messing-reveals-robert-de-niro-real-dogs-make-big-cameo-the-alto-knights-11699042

🦉 Quotes of the Week

Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment. – Oprah Winfrey

Our greatest glory is, not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Oliver Goldsmith

When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. – Wayne Dyer

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light. – Helen Keller

If you’re looking for a thank you, look in hell. – Dani Dupree (Karla Cheatham), Beyond the Gates

How many legs does a dog have if you call his tail a leg? Four. Saying that a tail is a leg doesn’t make it a leg. – Abraham Lincoln

We don’t know what we’re capable of until we’re challenged. – Adam Connell

You broke the treaty, Mr. Peanut. There will be consequences. – Colonel Bradbury (Giancarlo Esposito), The Electric State

🐰 Off Auditioning For the Cadbury Bunny…

Until next week, stay safe; stay not making every social media post and comment about politics; and stay remembering, everything is a negotiation.

March 14, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Charlotte Comes Home, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watch, Wild In the Wild, 4+4 Quotes & Cheap Seats

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites:

Monday:

Isaiah said he’d leave if Jordan wanted, and she said she didn’t want, but he had a problem with her investigating Sidwell. He said he’d prefer she stay away, but she said Sidwell liked her, giving her an advantage law enforcement didn’t have. If their being together hinged on the investigation, she guessed that was it. Dante asked Maxie about James, and she said it was a clean break, and they were good until James did something else stupid. Dante said he needed her help with Lulu. He was worried she was going to get in a situation she couldn’t get out of. Brook said Lulu was willing to step on lives regardless of consequences. Telling Dante would blow up lives. At the Quartermaine family crypt, Tracy promised her parents to protect the Quartermaine legacy, but Drew was outside with a county surveyor and a demolition guy. (FYI: That’s not how any of this works.) Drew told the guy to blow it up, and Martin said they’d best make sure they could back up their claims. Drew wished he could see Tracy’s face when she found out, when Tracy came out of the crypt and asked what was going on. Ned asked why Lois was okay with Gio becoming Sonny’s charity case, but she said Gio was family. In Buenos Aires, Anna and Jason did surveillance on Valentin, but there was no sign of Charlotte. Anna said, if they were in there, they were alone. Inside with the curtain’s drawn, Charlotte said she didn’t like it there, but Valentin said they weren’t staying long. It was time they said goodbye. Jason said they had a fifteen-minute window to get Charlotte and get out when the guards changed, but Anna thought it was too easy.

Ned said taking money from Sonny came with a risk, but Lois said it was minimal and Gio wasn’t alone. It took Sonny’s financial support to make sure Gio’s talent was cultivated. Ned asked why Lois hadn’t come to him instead of Sonny. Martin said the building had been seized and should be vacated, Drew adding that they had a court order. Tracy ripped it up and said she was calling the police, but Drew said the law was on their side. Dante said Maxie knew something, but Maxie said Lulu wasn’t returning her phone calls and Martin had no clue Lulu had broken into his hotel room. Dante said he didn’t want to know. Lulu was out of control. Brook told Lulu that her son was an adult by now and might not know he was adopted. It was the child’s choice if they wanted to know their birth parents, not hers, Dante’s, or Lulu’s. If Dante knew, he would want to find his child. Lulu said, give him that standing. Drew said it was public land, and Tracy called her surveyor. Drew said, as congressman, he’d gotten someone to protect the public interest. Edward had to steal public land, even though he already had plenty. The area was protected, and Tracy wasn’t getting her way. Emma and Gio showed up, and Emma said, leave the old lady alone. Valentin told Charlotte that this was his fault. They were a good team, but it was dangerous for her to stay with him. He’d texted Rocco pretending to be her, and Lulu was probably on her way already. Charlotte admitted missing Lulu, but didn’t want to leave him. Anna said Valentin had to know the WSB was looking for him after attacking Jack, and Jason said he was expecting them. She said he was expecting someone, when a car pulled in. Anna said that meant the WSB was there, and they had to move. Isaiah said he accepted Jordan’s terms and asked if she’d walk away the second they disagreed. She joked that it depended on the disagreement, but no. He said they’d need to do grocery shopping then.

Drew said the Quartermaines had appropriated public land, and Tracy was interfering with county business. The mausoleum was on protected land. Tracy said she was being denied access to her parents’ final resting place. Emma said Edward had saved her life, and Drew said he was Congressman Drew Quartermaine. Tracy said, Cain. He would never be a Quartermaine. Emma said none of them had jurisdiction and were trespassing, and Tracy called Chase. Lois said Ned was generous, but Sonny didn’t have family or support growing up. He had a good heart, and it was up to Gio who supported him. Gio ran in and told Lois and Ned what was going on at the crypt. Drew said Lulu kept tearing into Brook and he had to defend Brook, but it hurt Lulu. He’d asked Lulu to have patience, but she’d said he was taking Brook’s side. The problem was, they couldn’t talk anymore. Maxie said, because of Sam, and Dante said he was trying to keep the family together. Something was going on with Rocco too. He thought it was the tension between him and Lulu. Brook said she’d do anything to protect her son’s happiness, but Lulu said Brook just didn’t want Dante to hate her. Brook said she’d choose her child’s happiness over all. Lulu had always been threatened by her relationship with Dante, and she should ask herself if exposing Brook to Dante was worth hurting him. How could he miss a son he didn’t know he had? It was agony for her and if Lulu told Dante, Lulu would subject him to the same agony she’d lived with for 21 years. Dante would try to find their son, like Lulu did with Charlotte. Where did that leave Rocco? He knew his dad was there for him, but he’d be abandoned both parents. Charlotte asked if Valentin was letting them find him, and Valentin said she deserved a better life. Anna ran in with Jason and said the kill squad was behind them. Take Charlotte and go.

Tracy told Chase to arrest the trespassers, but Drew said the county surveyor’s preliminary findings shows a portion of the property extended beyond the property line. Tracy said her surveyor found differently, and Emma asked if they had to tear down the crypt. Drew said they could move it, but Tracy thought that was obscene. Gio asked, what was the difference? and Martin said the land was protected and it was illegal to build. Tracy said Drew hated the family, and Emma said he was abusing his power. She started to film and told Drew that he should be helping his constituents instead of traumatizing them. Lulu told Brook not to throw her son in her face, and Brook said she lived with him. When Lulu was in Prague, he was afraid she’d get hurt. He’d just gotten his mom back and she left him again. Lulu said Brook was using her kid to justify lying about her own son. It was lucky she’d given him up and a good thing she was nobody’s mother. Brook took a swing at her, but Lulu grabbed her hand. Dante said Rocco had been struggling since Lulu woke up, and ever since she went to Prague, he was terrified that he was going to lose her. He couldn’t talk to Lulu, but he could talk to Brook, which didn’t make Lulu less mad. For fifteen years, their feud had been going on. Maxie said it wasn’t because of that. Lulu was still in love with him. Anna said, let her handle the WSB, and told Jason not to fire his weapon. Valentin made himself scarce, when two guys arrived. Anna told them that she was the Police Commissioner of Port Charles, New York. Don’t shoot. They asked where Valentin was, and she said he’d just left. One guy told the other to search, but Anna told them to call Jack. The guy said Jack wasn’t running the op.

Anna said, the mission had changed, and they needed to talk to Brennan. Since they obviously weren’t buying it, Jason grabbed one guy, knocking him out, and Anna took care of the other. She thought Valentin was long gone, but he came out with Charlotte and said, not this time. Drew said Tracy wasn’t a downtrodden member of his constituency, but an entitled bully used to getting what she wanted. Tracy said he was using his public office to retaliate against the family that threw him out. Still filming, Emma said, congress was in session now, yet Drew was still here. Your votes in action, Port Charles. Lois and Ned arrived, and Lois said she thought Drew’s constituents had bigger problems. Drew was there when Alexis and Martin tried to work this out, and Tracy had been willing to bend. Drew said he was following the law, and Tracy said his surveyor’s findings were preliminary, yet he got an order without confirmation to seize the building. Emma continued to film. Isaiah showed Jordan how buy groceries online since they had to stay in, and he promised to make cooking with him worth her while. Her phone rang and it was Ned. Dante said Lulu was going to marry Dustin, but Maxie said, the night of the explosion, Lulu broke things off because she was still in love with Dante. Lulu told her and was about to tell him, when she collapsed. She wasn’t telling Dante now and instead, pushing him away and trying hard not to love him. Classic Lulu. Dante said, Lulu had been gone so long, he fell for Sam, and Maxie said Lulu didn’t want him to know. She thought Dante needed to be patient with her. Lulu was doing the best she could. Brook cried as she told Lulu that she was a mother. She went through 12 hours of labor and gave her baby to a stranger from an adoption agency. She couldn’t even let herself hold him. She didn’t know if she’d had a boy or a girl until Lulu told her. Lulu said she was sorry. She assumed Brook knew. Brook said, and Lulu assumed it was easy for her, but it wasn’t. She loved her baby with all her heart and still did. She had to believe she gave him a better life. Lulu asked if Brook didn’t want to know for sure, and Brook said, more than anything, but not at the expense of her child’s happiness or Dante’s. If he wanted to find his birth parents, he would. Brook begged Lulu to leave it alone.

Maxie said Rocco needed both of his parents, and Dante said he knew Lulu was a great mom and she loved their son. Maxie said Lulu knew he was a great dad. They needed to come together. Rocco needed extra assurance. Lulu said she didn’t agree with any of this, but didn’t want to be the one to blow up Dante’s life or her child’s. She wasn’t going to tell Dante. She thought he should know, but thought Brook should be the one to tell him. Brook said she needed the past to stay in the past, and Lulu said Brook should know, she never would have found out if Brook’s mother hadn’t talked to her Uncle Martin. The secret wasn’t in the past. It was now. Brook said she knew, and Lulu left. Brook texted her mom that she needed to see her asap. Ned said he’d called Jordan to help him keep the peace, but Drew said there was nothing to negotiate. The law was the law. Tracy wondered why Martin said Drew was willing to drop it if she allowed him to retain the name, and Emma said, busted. Tracy said she was referring to the meeting where Lois was a witness, and Jordan said she felt Drew was provoking the family and using public funds to fight his personal battle. That wasn’t who he was. Drew asked who he was. Cain or Quartermaine? Valentin thanked Anna and said he was expecting Lulu. Anna asked if he knew about the text, and he said he sent the text. He needed charlotte to be safe. They were going to send another kill squad when the first one didn’t check in. Charlotte asked where her mom was, and Anna said she’d explain it on the way. Charlotte said she didn’t want to go with them, but Jason said he promised Rocco that he’d bring her home and that’s what was going to happen. Valentin said, je t’aime, mon petite, and Charlotte said, je t’aime, papa. He held her for a moment, and then she went out with Jason. Valentin told Anna that he felt like this was the last time he’d see her, but she said it didn’t have to be that way. Come with them and let her bring him in.

Lulu knocked at Maxie’s door, saying she needed to talk to her, but Dante answered. Charlotte asked Jason if Anna was going to kill her father, but he said she wouldn’t do that. They came to bring her home. She probably wanted to try and save Valentin too. Valentin said Anna always came through for him. He was glad he got to say goodbye. She said it didn’t have to be goodbye. Come back. They could make a plea deal. Valentin said he knew too much, and he’d tried to kill Jack. They both knew the WSB wasn’t going to let him live. For Charlotte’s sake, he was free to do what he had to do. Anna told him not to throw his life away, and he said there was a time he thought she loved him, and they were the best months of his life. She said she didn’t think she loved him, and took his hand, saying, part of her always would. He thanked her for that and told her, take care. Charlotte left with Anna and Jason. Tracy said Drew could call himself Smith for all she cared, but he’d never be a Quartermaine. Emma said Drew made his decision based on Tracy’s and had abused his position for his own petty revenge, then searched for, how to recall a congressman. Tracy said he liked that she had grit, and Gio said he did too. The surveyor tried to mark the ground, but Tracy knocked his wheelie thing out of his hand. Drew said that was assault, and Chase asked if the surveyor wanted to press charges. Because he was obviously being paid off, he looked at Martin, who nodded. Chase said he’d forego the handcuffs, told her the Miranda rights, and led her away. Back at the Quartermaines’, Brook walked into the living room and Lois followed. She said she’d gotten Brook’s text. Brook closed the door, and Lois said she looked upset. What could she do to help? Brook asked how much she hadn’t been told about the baby.

Tuesday:

Buenos Aires. Anna brought Charlotte to a room, and Charlotte said her papa was running for his life and it was all Anna’s fault. Sasha went to Carly’s office and Carly asked if she was coming to work at the MetroCourt. Sasha said she was tempted, but decided to stay at the Quartermaines, and Carly said it was Sasha’s life, and she could do what she wanted. Sasha said that was a refreshing take, and Carly asked what had changed Sasha’s mind. Portia went to Curtis’s office and said Drew was probably missing the place, but Curtis said Drew had nobody to blame but himself. At the station, Drew said he hoped there was a free cell in case nothing could be done until morning. Tracy said she didn’t touch the surveyor. It was despicable. Alan was taken way too soon, but the silver lining was, he never had to meet Drew. Laura met Martin, who said Drew was rapidly spinning out control. At the crypt, Emma said she doubted they were going to bulldoze it at night, but Gio said he was staying. Emma said she had the best idea and would be right back. Lulu said she was looking for Maxie and didn’t expect Dante to be there. Dante said James broke his arm and got a cast, so Spinelli and Maxie took him and Georgie out for ice cream as a consolation prize. He was babysitting Bailey Lou. Lulu said she wasn’t surprised, since he was an amazing father. Brook asked what Lois hadn’t told her about her child. Martin had an entire file on her baby and knew Dante was the father. Why? Gloria came in and asked, what in the Bensonhurst is going on here?

Dante told Lulu she was a great mom. It was incredible seeing her and Rocco connect again. Lulu said the last few days had been weird, like Rocco couldn’t be in the same room with her. She’d been preoccupied with finding Charlotte and wondered if Rocco felt like she was choosing his sister over him. Charlotte said she’d never forgive Anna for using her papa and driving him away, and Anna said Charlotte didn’t understand… but Charlotte said Anna had ruined their lives and she hated Anna. Jason came in and asked Anna to give them a minute. Anna left, and Jason said Anna was the reason Charlotte and her father were still alive. Portia told Curtis that she had been grateful to Drew for saving Trina, but she was astonished at how he was treating his family and friends. She didn’t think it was possible for someone to change that much, but Curtis did what needed to be done and won. Curtis said, here’s hoping, and Portia asked if he really wanted Drew as an enemy. He got what he wanted. Maybe now was the perfect time for a truce. Curtis said he wasn’t the one continuing the fight. She needed to talk to Drew. Laura asked how Drew found out about the property line, and Martin said he may or may not have mentioned it. It was his job and his duty to represent his client. Chase came out and told Laura that he’d been ordered by the congressman to lock up his wife’s grandmother in a cell. Laura asked what she could do to help. Drew said he was sick of the hypocrisy, and Tracy said she was sick of the sound of his voice, yet here they were. Drew said, after all the horrible things the Quartermaines had done, all he did was fall in love. Tracy said, falling in love was one thing, and acting on it was another. She loved the way he always left the detail out that it was his nephew’s wife. He said she held him to different standards and she said she did. He blew up Willow’s marriage, betrayed Michael’s trust, and severely hurt the woman who welcomed him with opened arms in to her home – Monica. Brook told Gloria that it was a personal legal matter, but Gloria said it was her Brook was talking to. Brook had been talking to her mother about her baby.

Emma brought chairs, blankets, and a lantern to make Gio’s stakeout more comfortable. She said Drew was a jerk, laying into poor, old Tracy, and Gio suggested she not let Tracy hear any part of that. Tracy could handle herself. Don’t jump into the Quartermaine mess. Emma said it was her thing. Her mom said she was a born crusader. Gio said at least he knew where his mom was and could visit. If someone threatened to move her, he’d be in a cell next to Tracy. Brook said, Lois had told her grandma? and Lois said she’d needed to confide in someone. She didn’t know how to navigate the situation and wanted to make sure Brook and her baby were protected. Gloria said she’d left Brook’s past in the past, and Brook asked, then why talk to a lawyer? Lois flashed back to talking to Martin and asking if it was possible for Brook to find her child. Brook said Lois had told her, everything was fine, but she wondered if that was true. It must not be, or why else would she talk to Martin? Gloria said she’d told Lois to talk to him. Martin told Laura that he was sorry. He’d wanted to use the property as a bargaining chip, so Tracy would drop the cease and desist. Laura said, now the crypt would have to be moved and asked if Chase thought the charges would stick. Chase said, they could, and Martin said she should have just given in. Laura asked if he’d met Tracy, and he asked, what was so special about the Quartermaine name? Laura said Tracy was protecting the family in the only way she knew how.

Tracy said Drew had repaid Monica’s generosity by destroying her grandson’s marriage and happiness in favor of his own. He didn’t deserve Monica’s generosity and should leave Port Charles. Drew said Tracy had been kicked out of Port Charles by the family more than once. What made her think it wouldn’t happen again. Sasha said, the truth was… and Carly said Sasha liked working for the Quartermaines. Sasha said she thought they needed her, and Carly said, of course (🍷) they did, but don’t put herself on the back burner. Sasha said she was in a better financial position. She’d negotiated her way to the beginning of a nest egg. Carly said it was an achievement, but the one thing that made her situation different from the other single mom’s – the baby’s father. Jason said Anna saved Charlotte and Valentin’s lives, but Charlotte said they didn’t need her help. Jason said Anna was the first one to warn her dad. He wanted to turn Valentin in, but Anna convinced him to give him a head start. She’s the reason he had a chance to run and she tracked Charlotte to keep her safe. Charlotte said that Anna felt guilty for shooting her, and he said that was part of it, but Charlotte was her dad’s whole world. Anna was protecting her for him. She cared about them both. Charlotte could feel however she wanted, but Anna at least deserved her respect. Charlotte asked if the WSB would have really killed them.

Jason told Anna that Charlotte was sleeping, and Anna said she needed a favor. Take Charlotte back to Port Charles in one piece. She was going to get a room and make her own way back. It was too hard for Charlotte to be around her, and it felt cruel to force it. Jason said he thought Anna was making a mistake. Portia told Curtis that she remembered the old Drew, the good guy, the hero. That’s why he ran for congress in the first place. Curtis said, Drew’s motives changed, and she agreed 100%. But maybe Curtis could afford to let him keep some of his dignity and back off. Curtis said, Drew’s reputation had been tarnished, and it wasn’t on him to fix. She said, but he didn’t need to rub it in Drew’s face. if he could accommodate Drew a tiny bit, it might work out in his favor. Curtis said he was furious with Drew, but not interested in payback. Aurora was a non-starter, but if there was a path to peace, he was here for it. As long as the terms were reasonable. She said that was all she was asking for, when Jordan came in and said she needed to speak with Curtis. The situation with Drew had gone from bad to worse. Drew was officially out of control.

Drew told Tracy that things were going to change. He was the black sheep now, but not for long. He was a Quartermaine and would get his way. Then she would be on the outside, wondering how she got there. The answer is him. Chase told Drew that the mayor would like a word. Drew went into the squad room and said he was sorry Tracy dragged Laura down there, but Martin said, that was him. Laura urged Drew to do the right thing. Stand down and drop the charges against Tracy. He asked, why? and she said, to be blunt, if he didn’t, it wouldn’t bode well for him, politically or otherwise. Dante told Lulu that he didn’t think Rocco was jealous of Charlotte. Rocco was perceptive, like Lulu, and he could see that she was worried about Charlotte and was trying to give her space. Lulu said it was strange. She was Rocco’s mother, but she’d missed a pivotal stage and was out of the loop. She knew nothing about parenting a teenage boy. Dante said parents never felt like they were doing the right thing. She and Rocco both had to make up for lost time, and she was doing it with grace, love, and patience. He wouldn’t handle be close to handling it as well. Emma said she’d bring a file if Gio and Tracy were locked up and Gio said he liked Tracy. She gave it to you straight, even if you didn’t want to hear it. And she could take as good as she gave. She actually listened to him. Emma said she thought Tracy was smart. She wished she could stay with Gio, and Gio said the lab animals couldn’t free themselves. Emma said she wanted to take him real camping, but in the meantime, stay warm. Gloria told Brook that she’d advised Lois to consult a lawyer to make sure Brook and her baby protected were protected. They’d decided on a closed adoption. Brook said, so her baby could have a happy and stable life, and Gloria said, Brook too. They wanted her to have time to grow up, fall in love, and have a family of her own. Brook said she wasn’t 16 anymore. It made sense then, but made less sense now. She needed to know who adopted her son and where he was.

Sasha said her experience with Jason was different, and Carly said Jason would never tell Sasha how to be a mother, but if she needed anything, he’d be there in a heartbeat. He was the most loyal person she knew. Don’t do him a disservice by cutting him out of the baby’s life. Sasha said the father respected her wishes and said he’d support her in any way he could. It was the second greatest gift he could give her. Curtis said he never thought he’d be sympathetic to the Quartermaines, but Portia said it was family drama. Stay out of it. Jordan said it wasn’t about the Quartermaines. It was about how Drew was abusing his power. First, he blocked the esplanade, then wanted to move it for his personal gain. Now he was focused on settling the score with his family when he needed to be doing his job – enacting laws, securing school funds, and fulfilling his campaign promises. Curtis said, public outcry was the only thing that would stop him, and Jordan said, good thing she knew the head of a media company. Curtis said he made no promises, but he’d see what he could do. Drew told Laura that he wasn’t making this up. They broke the law. The land was public, and they took it. He owed his constituents not to turn a blind eye just because they were family. Laura asked if he thought putting Tracy in jail overnight was the pathway to justice, and Martin said it seemed like more trouble than it was worth. Drew said, fine. Tracy could go home. He’d talk to the surveyor and get the charges dropped, but this was far from over. Gloria said Lois didn’t know the details, and Brook said, but Gloria did. Gloria said she hadn’t been contact since the papers were signed for the closed adoption. Brook said, what if she wanted to find him? They knew she and Chase were trying to start a family. What if she gave away the only child she was going to have? Gloria said, Brook was his birth mother. Act like it. Let the young man be. Don’t put her pain on her son. She made the right decision. Abide by it. Brook said Gloria might be right, but it didn’t feel that way now, and she left. Lois told Gloria that Brook couldn’t know Gio was her son.

Jason told Anna that the only person to blame for Valentin’s situation was Valentin. He may not get out of this one. Anna said, if Charlotte needed someone to blame, it might as well be her, but Jason said Charlotte needed an example. She saw Anna’s mistakes and saw what she did after her mistakes. She saw Anna was accountable and keeping her word. She didn’t need Anna to disappear. Anna said she wasn’t sure she could do that, and Jason said he’d never seen her run. Don’t start now. Gloria said they couldn’t tell Brook. It wasn’t fair to her or Gio. Gio knew who he was and worshiped his mother. They couldn’t take that away. Lois said, Camilla was dead. His birth mother was right here. Don’t they need each other? Brook saw Gio outside the crypt and asked what he was doing. He said his grandma got in a fight with a surveyor and Chase arrested her, and Brook said, it must have been interesting. Gio said he was standing guard, and Brook asked if she could join him. He said he’d love some company. He was keeping his word to Tracy. Why was she here? Brook said, to clear her head. Her other grandmother was here. Gio said, that’s great… unless it wasn’t, and Brook said she knew her grandmother would do anything for her. Gio said Gloria was solid and could be trusted, and Brook said she could trust her grandmother and her mom, but what they were asking her to accept was hard to live with. Lulu said she owed Dante an apology. She was short with him at the Quartermaine’s. He said he was sorry too, and she said they were acting like grown-ups. He said he didn’t think he’d made it better by defending Brook. He didn’t think he’d said enough about how it was a miracle having her back after all this time. He didn’t want to take her being here for granted. She said she needed to tell him something, when Bailey Lou started crying. He said duty called. Hold that thought.

Anna asked if Jason was calling her a coward, and he asked if she was going to run. She said she was going to see it through and keep an eye on Charlotte. Charlotte was smart, resourceful, and believed she was invincible. It was a dangerous combination and Anna thought they’d come after Valentin. He was a target and she was saving Charlotte from herself. It would be a challenge. Jason said he’d take the first watch, and Anna lied down on the couch. Sasha told Carly that she was aware she had it better than most single moms. She asked the father to step back and he didn’t fight her. Carly said that might change when the baby was born, and Sasha said she promised if she needed help from the father, she wouldn’t hesitate to ask. Portia told Curtis, let Drew implode on his own. Let Tracy handle the Quartermaines. Curtis said Drew was failing to represent the people who elected him, and that included them. He wasn’t going to stand by and watch. He got on the phone and said, Brian, rally the troops. There was going to be a big Aurora Media push to expose Drew Quartermaine’s abuse of his office. Martin said Drew was a US Congressman, and didn’t need an enemy like Tracy, but Drew said, everyone else might be afraid of Tracy, but not him. He was going to break her.

Laura asked if Tracy would like the good news or the bad news first, and Tracy said, good. Laura said Tracy could go home tonight, but she didn’t think Drew would back down. Tracy was going to have a battle on her hands. Tracy said, give her the bad news, and Laura said she felt Tracy’s parents would say, choose her battles wisely. Tracy said she was. She wouldn’t allow some grifter to steal the family name and force her to move her parents’ final resting place. If Drew wanted a battle, bring it on. Bailey Lou played with some toys and Dante said, extra play time made it even for the ice cream. He asked what Lulu wanted to say, but Lulu said she couldn’t remember. It must not have been that important. Gloria told Lois that if they told Brook that Gio was her son, it would ruin three lives – Brook’s, Dante’s, and Gio’s. Think of why they made that decision. Lois said, to protect Brook and her child, and Gloria said, nothing has changed. They needed to protect them now. Lois started to cry. Brook apologized for being cryptic, and Gio said they were at a crypt. (BA-DUM-CHH!) Brook said she trusted someone, and they didn’t tell her something they should have. She couldn’t tell him anything else. He said she didn’t have to. They could just sit, look at the stars, and dream of heat. For what it was worth (🍷), Lois and Gloria loved her. Brook said she knew, but they were a lot. He must miss his mom so much. He said, so much every day, and Brook said he had people looking out for him. He had a whole crazy family, like it or not.

Wednesday:

In the steam room, Chase told Dante that he could tell something had changed, and Dante said he and Lulu talked. The Golden Bachelorette guy was in Nina’s office, and she said she’d been a fan of his (Jeffrey Beckett) for a long time. She never read anything like his work as a wildlife journalist. Crimson’s nature and travel series was lucky to have someone of his caliber involved. Plus, he cleaned up nicely for man of the wild. Elizabeth helped Lucky into the house. His condition needed to be watched for the next 24 hours and since Doc and Laura were working, he was stuck with her. He said he guessed it was okay, and she said, just okay? They moved closer on the sofa and the doorbell rang. It was Carly with a food basket, asking, how’s the hero? At the café, Kristina asked if Alexis read the smack piece on Congressman Cutthroat, Drew’s new nickname. He’d used his political influence to get exhumation of esteemed members of the Quartermaine fam and in his quest for revenge, had Tracy arrested. Alexis wondered, what the hell he was thinking and how did they protect Scout? In Curtis’s office, Laura asked if he was behind the article and Curtis said he was. She told him, way to go, and they high-fived. Drew brought flowers to Willow at the hospital, and she suggested they go to the breakroom. He asked if the article got to her and was she embarrassed seen with him. Portia asked Ric to tell her that he found a way out without her losing her career or marriage, but he said it was much worse than she thought.

Carly thanked Lucky and Elizabeth for figuring it out and bringing Cyrus to justice. She asked what Lucky was going to do now that he was home, but he said he had no plans. Carly said she was leaving so they could get into the basket (is that what we’re calling it now?), and she left. Lucky asked Elizabeth, where were we? Nina said although Jeffrey was there for a fitting and photoshoot, she was glad they had time to meet, and he said he didn’t get many calls from magazines. She said they were branching out to satisfy their readers interest in travel and nature, and they talked about his next trip to Turkey. (BTW, dude is no actor.) Nina asked how his wife felt about him being gone all the time, and he said he wasn’t married, but had the feeling he was going to meet someone special soon and had learned to trust his instincts. Nina was straightening his tie, when Ava came in. Alexis looked at the photo of a mean faced Drew on her tablet, and told Kristina, of course (🍷) DeWitt wrote it. That seedy little worm would write anything for clicks. Kristina said she remembered too well when he wrote about her and Blaze, but Drew deserved it. Alexis said, Scout didn’t. There had to be something she could do to protect Scout. Willow told Drew that The Invader was nothing but lies, but she felt like all eyes were on them and wanted to keep a low profile. It had nothing to do with her feelings for him. She asked if he knew who was behind the article, and he said, no, but he had his suspicions. Ric told Portia that if she’d just altered the results, she might lose her job, but the results were tied to a criminal trial, and she faced the possibility of jail time. She could be charged with obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence, fraud, and criminal negligence. If he hadn’t gotten independent tests done, Heather could have wrongfully ended up in prison. Keep playing by Drew’s rules and make sure he never tells anyone. Portia said it was too late. Drew was going to expose her today.

Dante told Chase that he and Lulu ended up babysitting Baily Lou together and both let their guards down. It was their first real talk since she’d woken up. The first time he felt they’d been in sync and had an honest conversation. They talked about Rocco, Charlotte, and Brook. He’d been defending Brook, and it made Lulu feel like he was picking her side. He had to stop doing it. Chase said he never would have thought the animosity would still be there, and Dante said, him too. It had been four years, but he had to be okay with it and let Lulu be Lulu. He didn’t want to be in the middle, but wanted to focus on Lulu being back in their lives and being happy again. Ava said she and Jeffrey had met when she had a Joel Sartore exhibit, and Jeffrey said he remembered. Nina said he was doing a new series for Crimson, and he asked how they knew each other. Ava said they were good friends, and he said good friends were hard to come by. Ava said they certainly were. Kristina said she had a favor to ask Willow. She’d had a video chat with Michael and he missed the kids. Willow said, the kids missed him too, and Kristina asked it would be okay for her to take videos of the kids sending messages to their dad and send them to Michael. He needed all the support he could get. Willow said the kids would love it and she appreciated the update. She had one condition – please focus on them and Michael and say nothing negative about Drew. Kristina told her that she’d never say anything bad in front of the kids. It wasn’t easy for them. Willow said she wished everyone was a bit more like Kristina. Portia told Ric about the article in the Invader. Drew would assume Curtis was behind it and if she couldn’t influence Curtis, Drew had no reason to keep her secret. But wasn’t what Drew was doing illegal? Ric said she couldn’t expose Drew without exposing herself, and she said it was going to be impossible to hide. He said she had two choices. Convince Drew that Curtis had nothing to do with the article or tell Curtis everything now. She might lose her job, but it was a chance to save her marriage. She said maybe she could save both. Lucky suggested he and Elizabeth have a date later, but thought they could get a head start. They kissed, when the door opened and Aiden walked in.

On the phone, Portia asked Curtis to stop by her office. It was important. Laura told Curtis that her opinion of Drew had changed. She hadn’t seen him do one thing he said he’d do during the campaign. (Welcome to politics!) All she’d seen him do was pose for the camera and abuse his power. She applauded anyone willing to expose him. Curtis said Drew’s biggest weakness was his need to be seen as a hero, and she wondered if they could use that to get him act like a hero. Alexis interrupted, but Laura said she was late again and left. Curtis said it was always a pleasure, and Alexis said she hoped he felt like that after what she was going to ask. Jeffrey left, and Ava said she could see Nina had moved on from Drew. Nina said she definitely had, but she wouldn’t be with a rugged wilderness man any time soon. She asked Ava, what’s up? and Ava said she’d had difficulty regarding her finances lately. Nina wondered if Ava was there to ask for a loan. At the hospital, Kristina was about to get in the elevator, when she saw Ric and turned around, but Ric followed her. He told her that her trip to the ballet with Avery wasn’t happening. Carly approached Willow and said she didn’t want to fight. She wouldn’t be there if she didn’t still genuinely care for Willow. She was worried how the negative press would affect her grandchildren. Wiley was old enough to hear things in school. Willow said she’d explain it was untrue, but Carly said it wasn’t. Drew was really doing these things. He’d sunk to a new low. Drew came out of nowhere, since he doesn’t do his actual job, and said, leave Willow alone. Did Carly ever mind her own business? Carly said if it affected her grandchildren and it was her business, but she’d be happy to talk to Congressman Cutthroat.

Dante told Chase that Lulu thought Rocco was acting strange because she was focused on finding Charlotte, but he didn’t think so. Chase said he was kind of the fun uncle and could talk to Rocco. Dante told him to go for it, and Chase said when they were Rocco’s age and distracted, it was about girls. Dante said he’d walked in on Danny and Rocco having an argument over girl. He never talked to his mom about that kind of thing. Chase asked if Dante thought his mom would have liked the girls he was with, and Dante said, one in particular. Elizabeth told Aiden that his dad was staying the night, and Aiden said he was sorry he’d miss it since he was staying at a friend’s house. Ava said she hated asking Nina for a favor. When she married Nikolas, she spent quite bit and thought she’d always have money. She had a generous settlement until the Cassadine curse kicked in. Nina said, of course (🍷) she was willing to give Ava a loan. She’d been waiting for Ava to ask. What took her so long? Drew told Carly that he didn’t care what names he was called. He wasn’t in the wrong. The Quartermaine crypt was on public land. She wondered how he could be the same man who held her at Virginia’s grave (irony!), and he said that was wrong, but this was wrong too. Carly said, it destroyed her and he was doing the same thing. Did family mean nothing to him? He said he was doing it to keep his place in the family that Tracy was stripping him from, and she said that wasn’t the way to do it. If he continued to justify his actions, she saw a recall in his future. Willow said Tracy was no saint. Drew was only fighting fire with fire. It was the only language Tracy understood, and Carly knew that better than anyone. Carly said she came to have a calm conversation with Willow, but there was no point, so she’d leave them to it. Kristina asked Ric, why not? and Ric said it wasn’t her dad’s day. She said it was a special one night only performance and it was impossible to get tickets. She’d talk to her dad and they could switch days. He said it would just confuse Avery, but Kristina said he was going to upset Avery just to get back at her. He said maybe she shouldn’t promise what she couldn’t deliver. Next time check a calendar.

Nina said, it wasn’t a loan, it was a gift, but Ava said she couldn’t. Not even from Nina. She’d have Ric draw up paperwork and a repayment schedule. Money could change things, people, and friendships, and she wouldn’t let it change theirs. Nina said it wouldn’t, but Ava said she’d lost their friendship once and didn’t want to risk it again. Nina said she felt the same way, when Carly came in and said she needed to talk to Nina. Ava said she and Nina would talk later and left. Nina asked, what’s the emergency? and Carly said it was about Drew and Willow. They had to put their plan in motion now. Sasha was waiting in an examining room when Willow came in. She said, Sasha was her next patient, and Sasha said if Willow had a problem with her, say it. Willow asked how Sasha could be such a hypocrite. Sasha turned on her the second she saw Willow kissing Michael’s uncle on 4th of July. Sasha said she didn’t, and Willow said Sasha did way worse. She dated Michael and now she was pregnant by his other uncle. (Wow. That’s a stretch to say that’s worse.) Drew went to Portia’s office and said he was disappointed in her. He thought she’d get Curtis to see reason and move on. Instead, he’s the one behind the article. Portia said she didn’t think so. The Quartermaines were a huge family. It could have been anybody. Curtis had Aurora Media, so why would he use a rag like The Invader when he had reputable sources at his fingertips. Drew said she had a good point, but it could be a great point if she could convince Curtis to do a series of articles focusing on him being a family man, a hard-working congressman (ha-ha-ha! he’s never at work), and an ex-Navy SEAL. Portia said if she defended him any more than she was, it would tip off Curtis, and he said that was unfortunate for her. She said it was one thing to go after Curtis directly, but it was a whole other thing to go after him through his wife. If he found out Drew was blackmailing her, he’d go to a whole other level. Was Drew sure he was ready to take that on? Alexis told Curtis that it was about the article in The Invader. Drew came across as a villain and Tracy a hapless innocent. Nothing could be further from the truth. Curtis asked, which part? and Alexis said, DeWitt wasn’t going to publish a retraction, but she was hoping Curtis might write an article present Drew as more balanced to protect his image. She was worried about the public turning on him and how her granddaughter would feel. Curtis had the resources to help. He said he was sympathetic about Scout, but Drew made himself look bad, not the article. He valued her friendship, but couldn’t help. Did she ever think that by shielding Drew from the consequences of his actions and not holding him accountable, that she was enabling him? Aiden told Elizabeth and Lucky that he was meeting his friends at the movies. It was nice having them together. Aiden left, Lucky said, alone at last, and they started kissing again. Ava came back to her apartment to find Kristina waiting outside her door.

Elizabeth and Lucky began to get busy, when the doorbell rang. Laura said she was sorry she didn’t call, but wanted to thank Elizabeth for bringing Lucky home. She hugged Lucky and suggested they all have dinner tonight. Lucky said, that would be perfect, and he and Elizabeth forced smiles. Ava asked what brought Kristina by, and Kristina said she ran into Ric, and he said she couldn’t take Avery to the ballet. Ava said it was her day and Avery’s schedule had to stay consistent. Kristina said it wasn’t about Avery. It was about getting back at her. Ava was going to deprive Avery of a magical night that would be a core memory lasting a lifetime. Ava said Avery was still going, but with her. The theater owner was a friend, and she got front row center. Kristina said, bitch, and Ric popped out, telling her to watch her temper. Remember the last time she lost it. She said there was a special place in hell for both of them. Chase told Dante that Rocco would grow out of it. They did. He was glad Dante talked to Lulu. Dante said he was relieved. He asked how things were going with Brook, and Chase said, the same. They didn’t know how they were going to become parents. Dante said, take their time. Whatever happened, Chase was going to be a great dad. He was a natural. Chase said it meant a lot coming from him, and Dante said Chase could come to him with everything. Chase said with his dad gone and Finn in Seattle, there weren’t a lot of guys to talk to. His friendship with Dante was important to him. Dante said it was to him too. Sasha said her and Willow’s situations weren’t remotely similar. She and Michael were long over. Willow said she thought there were more similarities than Sasha was willing to admit. The one big difference was, her mom was never a con artist. (Um…) Sasha said Willow didn’t know her mother, and Willow said when Sasha’s plan didn’t work out with Michael’s money, she went after Jason. Sasha said Willow was so, so wrong, and suggested they talk about Willow landing her husband’s very wealthy very uncle. Coincidence? Speaking of coincidence, she thought the article about Drew was what was bothering Willow. It made her realize she’d thrown her life away. She blew up her life and family over a sleaze and couldn’t admit she was wrong.

Portia told Drew that there had to be another way she could help that wasn’t about Curtis writing a puff piece. Drew said they could do a press conference. He could discuss his pediatric sports initiative (🍷– new drinking game! you’ll see) and she could represent GH. Portia said she didn’t see how it would help, but Drew aid, her being there would force Curtis to cover the story and paint him in the best possible light. Curtis walked in and asked what the hell Drew was doing there. Carly told Nina to stall Willow. Keep Willow at her place or find her a place of her own. Whatever it took to keep her and the kids from moving in with Drew. Drew was pushing it and they had to believe somehow Willow knew it was a bad idea. The longer they could keep Willow from moving in with Drew, the better. Meanwhile, they’d work on exposing Drew. Nina asked how she suggested they do it, and Carly said they needed to get in his house and find something so undeniable that Willow would never look at him the same way. Nina asked, what if there was nothing to find? and Carly said they’d make sure there was.

Thursday:

Jason and Anna were flying back to Port Charles with Charlotte. Charlotte wanted to call her mom, but Anna said, hold on. Maxie, Lulu, and Carly were at a table at the MetroCourt, when Jack came in with Jordan. Jordan told Jack that she was the liaison for the WSB, and he said he didn’t think the mayor was his biggest fan. Jordan said, if they eased the tension, it would be better for sharing information. The WSB possessed information that was helpful. Jack asked what she’d like to know, and she said, not what, but who. What did he know about Jenz Sidwell?  Portia wondered if there was another way for her to help Drew that didn’t involve Curtis writing a puff piece, and Drew said he was having a press conference to discuss his pediatric sports initiative (🍷) and she could represent GH. It would force Curtis to print a story painting him in a positive light. Curtis came in and asked what the hell Drew was doing there, and Drew said he was presenting a business proposal to Curtis’s wife. Curtis asked Portia to tell him what was going on. Sasha said, when the article dropped, Willow realized she blew up her life and family over a sleaze and couldn’t admit she was wrong. Willow said she was absolutely wrong to cheat on Michael, but who was Sasha to judge her? No one knew what led up to it except her, Drew, and Michael. Sasha asked if she was sure about that. Lucas was about to leave the bar in Miami when he found a credit card on the floor. As he looked at it, a man approached and said he believed it was his.  Elizabeth asked if Lucky was expecting anyone else to pop in, and he said, no. Her? She said, nope. It was just them for the rest of the night. He said he liked the sound of that and she said she did too, and they kissed.

Anna said she wanted to wait until they were in Port Charles before letting Lulu know Charlotte was back, and Charlotte asked if Anna thought those men would find her papa. Jason said Valentin made the right call by letting her come with them. He could move faster alone. Anna said there was no one better at disappearing and the men didn’t stand a chance, but she knew that didn’t make it hurt less. Jack told Jordan that Sidwell’s dealings in rare earth and minerals weren’t just gold and diamonds. The minerals he spoke of were strictly regulated by those in weapons manufacturing. Jordan asked if he thought that’s why Sidwell was in Port Charles. Did he want to use their port to smuggle his goods? He said there was no evidence of it, but it was in both their interests to keep an eye on Sidwell. Was there something she wanted to share with the class? She said she had one interesting tidbit. Carly was making a valiant effort not to notice him, but failing miserably. Lulu asked, what’s so fascinating? but Carly said, nothing. Lulu asked why she was staring at Jack, but Carly said she was just making sure her patrons were happy. Why would she care who Jack spent time with? While Portia was busy on the phone, Drew told Curtis that he was spearheading a pediatric sports initiative (🍷). He was surprised Trina hadn’t mentioned it since her friend Kai was involved, lending them his local celebrity status. Curtis said, and Drew was in his wife’s office because… Drew said she was Co-Chief of Staff and the initiative involved GH. Portia had already agreed to be at the press conference. Portia said she wished Drew wouldn’t put words in her mouth.

Elizabeth’s doorbell rang and she said it was like Grand Central Station. She opened the door to Ric and told him it wasn’t the best time, but he said it was important and would just take a minute. Lucky said he thought this night couldn’t get better, and Ric said he wanted to start by thanking Lucky. In Miami, the man said that Lucas found his card and offered to show Lucas his ID, but Lucas said it wasn’t necessary. The man introduced himself as Marco and offered to buy Lucas a drink as thanks. Sasha said everyone saw Willow mooning over Drew. She found excuses to be with or around him and even Michael noticed. Willow said her and Michael’s issues started before Sasha moved in and they all made mistakes – her, Drew, and Michael. Sasha said she thought the only mistake Michael made was trusting Willow. Willow told Michael that it was just a harmless crush, that her heart was still with him and the kids. He believed her and when he found out she acted on her feelings, he was devastated. So yes, Sasha would judge her and not feel bad about it. Willow said Sasha got pregnant at the beginning of November, around the time Jason was mourning Sam, and Sasha said, Jason and Sam hadn’t been together in years. Willow said, but their love story was epic and an obstacle to anyone who wanted Jason. (Is she confusing Sam with Carly?) Sasha saw an opening and took it. (This is possibly the most difficult suspension of disbelief for me, since Sasha could so get Willow fired.)

Jason asked why Anna didn’t want Charlotte to call Lulu, and Anna said she didn’t think the WSB would go after Charlotte, but if Brennan didn’t send the men, someone else had a vested interest in shutting Valentin up permanently. Jason said, it might be easier to use Charlotte to lure Valentin than find him, and Anna said, Charlotte’s phone could be tapped. She needed to contact someone else first. Marco said he was in Miami for a client meeting, and Lucas said he was there for a medical symposium. His ex was also on the trip, and it didn’t end well. Portia said she hadn’t given Drew an answer yet, and Drew said, it was just wishful thinking. Portia said the program was his baby and he should take all the credit, but Drew said it was a partnership. What happened to one of them would happen to the other, and the intention was to benefit the kids. Portia said then she’d do it, and Drew said it was a worthy cause. It would also generate a ton if positive publicity for GH, creating an influx of donors, which would help all of the patients. He knew how quickly things would change, and bringing money in would help her keep her position. Curtis said it would also help people forget Congressman Cutthroat, and Drew said he’d like to offer Curtis and Aurora the opportunity to cover the kick off. Willow said, while she was acting on her sincere feelings, Sasha acted out of greed. Jason was wealthy and adding the Quartermaine connection, her having his baby was the best con she ever pulled. Sasha wondered, what about Willow telling Michael that she would love, honor, and cherish him until death they did part? Think what she wanted about Sasha’s choices, but she didn’t break any vows or hearts. Willow said, give it time, and left. Anna called Jack and told him that she had Charlotte Cassadine. He said he didn’t suppose she had Valentin as well, and she said, negative. They were on a jet and would be at the Sussex airfield in an hour. She needed him to bring Lulu there without alerting anyone. Was it something he could do? He said, not a problem, and Anna told Jason that Jack was going to meet them on the tarmac. Jason asked if she was sure about trusting Jack. How did she know the men weren’t lying, were there under Jack’s orders, and they were delivering him the means to eliminate Valentin?

 Anna said, Jack may be on the hunt, but he knew if anything happened to Charlotte on his watch, Carly would never forgive him. Jason said Jack didn’t care about Carly, but Anna said he did. When it came to Carly, he didn’t have an ulterior motive. She thought he was smitten. She wasn’t saying he was a good guy, but he wanted to see Charlotte reunited with her mother as much as they did. Ric thanked Lucky for saving Elizabeth and gave Elizabeth a manila envelope. He said it was a hard copy of the Medical Review Board’s final decision. She was officially exonerated from responsibility in the deaths of Sylvia Mullen, Dex Heller, and Sam McCall. He also got her back pay for the days of work she was forced to miss. She thanked him, and he said his only regret was that Terry had to call him to represent her. It was good to have such a good friend, but Elizabeth should have called him in the first place. She said she didn’t know Terry had called and didn’t know how serious it was until she was in the middle of it. He said if she ever needed a lawyer or wondered if she might, he should be her first call. He couldn’t bust down doors or duke it out with lunatics, but if she called, he’d always pick up. Lucky rolled his eyes. Marco said Lucas’s ex being there couldn’t be easy, and Lucas said, ex-husband. Marco asked how long they were married, and Lucas said, three years and they had a son. He apologized and said, Marco offered to buy him a drink, not listen to his sob story, and Marco ordered two more. He said he loved long stories, the sobbier, the better. Tell him about his son.

Curtis said Aurora wasn’t the only game in town and Drew could find another media outlet, but Drew said, Curtis’s wife was on board. It would look bad if Curtis didn’t cover it. It was a win-win for all of them. Curtis said he needed time to think about it, and Drew said, fair enough. He left, and Curtis said, what the hell was that? Maxie, Lulu, and Carly discussed the Quartermaine crypt incident, and Jack told Jordan that he hated to cut the evening short. Jordan’s phone rang, and she said she’d be there as soon as she could. Jack went to Lulu and said he was sorry to interrupt, but she had to come with him. It was urgent. Lulu asked if it was about the search for Valentin, but he said he couldn’t give her any details. She’d have to trust him. Carly said she could trust Jack, and Lulu left with him. Maxie asked Carly, what was going on with her and Agent Brennan? Anna thanked Jason for coming and having her back. He didn’t need to get involved. He said he did, but Anna said she let Valentin escape. Jason said he went along with it, and she said, because she asked him to. He said he chose to. It was on him too. They both let Valentin take Charlotte. Anna said, and now they were bringing her back. Lucas told Marco that he gave Wiley back to his father, he and Brad got divorced, and Brad spent six months in prison. Marco said Lucas’s ex must have loved him. He did a terrible thing, but believed it was to spare Lucas pain. He risked his freedom. He risked everything. Lucas said Marco was the first person to hear the story and have that reaction, and Marco asked if Lucas disagreed. Lucas said, no. That was the part that killed him. He knew Brad did it because Brad loved him. He’d always wanted a family of their own, and Brad thought it would break his heart not to have a child, so Brad gave him one. Marco said, and broke his heart anyway, and Lucas said, it hurt a lot of other people, and no amount of love or good intentions can change that. Marco said, it couldn’t erase Lucas’s time with Wiley or Brad either. Wiley may not be his son, but was still a part of him. He was a child of Lucas’s heart and always would be. Lucas said he had a year and a half of being a dad. The memory was his forever, and no one could take it away. Ric told Elizabeth to put the papers in her records asap, and she went upstairs. Lucky suggested Ric send a messenger next time, and Ric asked if he detected hostility. Lucky said, just impatience, and Ric said he meant it when he said Lucky was a hero. And it got him a nice comfy spot to recover. Lucky said it was harder when random people kept dropping by with unnecessary things, and Ric asked if he could drop Lucky off at his mother’s so she could tuck him in. Lucky said thanks for the offer, but he was solid, and Ric said, that was the first word that came to mind when someone thought about Lucky – solid and reliable. Elizabeth could do so much better. Lucky said, like with Ric? Portia told Curtis that she agreed with Drew about the initiative. It would be good for the kids and for the entire hospital. As a doctor and as a mother, she had to support it, no matter what she thought or felt about Drew.

Curtis said if it was just Drew, there was no way he’d get involved, but did Portia want him to cover it? She said she did, for the reasons she said, but also for Trina. Kai was involved and Curtis’s support would mean so much. Don’t let Drew’s awfulness keep him from contributing to a good cause. Don’t let Drew have that kind of power. Jordan went to Drew’s office and said she didn’t have much time. Make it quick. He told her that he was having a press conference to announce his pediatric sports initiative (🍷). Portia agreed to be part of it and he was hoping Aurora would provide coverage. He’d love for her to be there as a representative of the mayor’s office. Jordan said, give her a break. Drew was trying to get himself a nice bouquet to cover the stench of The Invader article. Drew asked if she was going to help organize the support of the community or walk away just to spite him. Jordan said she’d take it under consideration, and left. Lulu asked why they were watching a jet landing and Jack said her daughter was on it. He didn’t have any details, but Anna told him to bring her. He assumed it was to secure her safety. Lulu started to cry and said she couldn’t believe it. Her daughter…

Marco asked if Lucas was doing better, and Lucas said he wasn’t in Boston drowning himself in work. He’d gone to Boston, didn’t date at all, and barely had contact with his friends and family. Marco asked, what changed? and Lucas said his mom died. Marco said he was sorry to hear that, and Lucas said, it was a wake-up call. Our time here was so limited, and they had to do as much with it as they could. Love people while they were still here. Marco said, so he went home, and Lucas said he still worked a lot. There was no action on the dating front, but he wasn’t hiding from life, so there was that. Marco said it was a lot. It took courage to face the things that scared you. How was it? Lucas said his family and friends were great. Shockingly, it hadn’t been so horrible seeing Brad. Marco said, it stirred up old emotions, and Lucas said, sort of. He remembered why they fell in love and how happy they were once upon a time. Brad helped him through a terrible time and made him less lonely. Marco said someone who did that would always have a place in your heart. Not the place they used to, but a place. Lucas said, when he found out Brad was at the symposium, he thought it was a sign. Brad was the kind, supportive person he fell for, and he started to feel something he hadn’t felt in a very long time. They were just at the brink of putting it back together, but then Brad decided to tell him how he got to go on the trip, and he’s still the same lying manipulative person he was. Still driven by love for him, but maybe that was the problem. Marco said, love? and Lucas said it couldn’t be the only answer to loneliness. Marco said, companionship came in all shapes and sizes, and Lucas said maybe it was as simple as finding a gorgeous man and taking it from there. He added, more accurately, from here, and kissed Marco. Jordan went to see Portia and said she spoke to Drew about his new pediatric sports initiative (🍷), and Portia said he asked her to be at the press conference. Jordan said she heard Portia was on board. Drew also said Aurora might get involved. Is that the truth?

Carly told Maxie that she and Jack’s lives were incompatible, and Maxie asked how he took it. Carly said, quietly. He walked away and she hasn’t seen him until now. Maxie said it sounded like the rejection hurt his feelings, but Carly said Jack had a woman in every city. She was just the one in Port Charles. She couldn’t go down that road when Jack would never commit. Maxie asked, to what? What kind of commitment was Carly looking for? Sasha got her ultrasound, and the nurse (not Willow) asked if she’d like to know the sex. Coming out of the elevator, Drew saw Willow and asked if she was okay. She seemed down. Willow said she was coming from a difficult patient, and Drew said he wouldn’t blame her if she’d let the Congressman Cutthroat nonsense get to her, but she said she already told him that she didn’t read that garbage and didn’t listen to anyone who told her about it. He said it seemed like there was more than just a difficult patient that got to her. Anna and Jason brought Charlotte to Lulu.

Ric said he’d get out of Elizabeth’s hair, and she thanked him for everything. He told her that he meant what he said, and she asked if he wasn’t trying to annoy Lucky. He said it was an added bonus, but he wanted her to be happy. He left and Elizabeth said, finally, they were alone, but Lucky had fallen asleep. Maxie asked what Carly was looking for. Did she want to settle down and get married? Carly said she would be happy never to be married again, and Maxie wondered if she could possibly be overthinking things. If she died tomorrow, would she regret not sleeping with Jack? Curtis said he was going to cover the press conference, and Jordan said, if they were on board, she’d be there. She left, and Portia thanked Curtis. Curtis thanked her for helping see the right thing to do and they hugged. Willow told Drew that she could handle it and so could he, but Scout and Wiley were a different story. Drew said he was working on reminding everyone of the good work he was doing on behalf of the citizens. The old headlines would be gone and forgotten. It was going to work out. Willow told him that when he said it, she believed it, and they kissed. Sasha came out and looked at her sonogram, then saw Drew and Willow. Lucas asked Marco, what now? and Marco said he thought Lucas should give him his room key. Lucas slid the key to Marco. Charlotte and Lulu hugged, and Lulu said, Charlotte was finally home.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada:

We see bingo cards and tchotchkes being set out. Yuri says, O-65, retire and thrive… Correct? Gloria says, perfect, and Gio says he never heard that before. Got it! Lois says she’s got nothing, and Gloria says she taught Yuri all the bingo lingo. That man is a natural. Gio says he can’t believe she brought her bingo kit from Bensonhurst, and Gloria says she never leaves home without it. Yuri says, call your doctor. Time for a shot of B-12. Gio says, bingo! and shows his card. Gloria says, a four-corner win, and Lois says she’s impressed. It’s hard to beat ma. Gloria says, they all know Gio is a star and can do pretty much anything, when Brook walks in. She says, of course (🍷) Gloria brought her bingo set with her, and Gloria says she can’t risk getting rusty. Gio says, Brook can take his spot. He’s got to meet Emma. Gloria says, Brook is lucky. That seat is hot. Yuri says he’ll bring the car around for Gio, and Gio tells them, see you later, and leaves. Gloria says, Emma? and Brook says, Emma Scorpio Drake. She’s the Police Commissioner’s granddaughter. Gloria asks, what’s going on with them? and Brook wonders if they’re all going to pretend they just found out, when all along they knew the baby was Dante’s.

On the phone, Laura says she doesn’t want to be interrupted… Yes, it’s that important.

Lulu brings Charlotte home to Laura’s apartment and looks at her. Charlotte says, it’s okay. She’s really here. Lulu says she can’t believe it. She’s been dreaming about this for so long. She smooths Charlotte’s hair and says, there’s so much she wants to tell her, but she wanted to wait until they were alone. They hug, and Lulu says, thank God she’s here and safe. Charlotte says, don’t thank God. Thank papa.

Sonny thanks Isaiah for making a house call, since doctors don’t do that anymore, but Isaiah says, some do for some patients. Sonny says he appreciates it. He doesn’t want his children knowing about his condition. Isaiah says, he’s welcome. His blood pressure is a lot better. Sonny actually seems to be listening to his advice. Sonny says he’s been taking his medication and reducing stress. He even called a truce with his daughter’s mother. It seemed to help. Kristina walks in with Rocco and asks, what’s going on? Rocco asks if Sonny is okay.

At Trina’s apartment, Kai asks if their third date is living up to their first, and Trina says, when he asked her to the museum, he didn’t say it was a date. On Valentine’s Day, she didn’t know it was a date, so it doesn’t count. And since they’re staying in tonight, this doesn’t either. He says, Valentine’s Day was definitely a date and so was painting. They were good dates too. What can he do to make tonight feel more datelike? Would a kiss help? She says, it might, and they kiss. She says, yeah. It definitely feels like a date now, and they kiss again.

On the phone in his hotel room, Jack asks, what’s the update on Josslyn Jax… Is that right? Good to hear. Keep pushing her. There’s a knock at the door and he says, they’ll talk tomorrow. He opens the door to Carly and says, if he remembers correctly, the last time they spoke, she wanted nothing to do with him. So what is she doing here now? She says, fixing a huge mistake, and kisses him.

Trina’s phone rings, but she says she’ll ignore it. Kai says, what if it’s an emergency? and she answers. She asks Ava, what’s going on? and Ava says, thank God. She locked herself out of the gallery and can’t find her key. It’s freezing and her phone is dying. Can Trina come quickly please? Trina tells Kai that Ava locked herself out of the gallery and needs to be let in before she freezes. He says he gets it. Ava is her boss and friend. He was about to head out anyway. Trina thanks him for being cool about it. She’ll see him tomorrow. He says, for sure, and leaves.  

Gloria says, no one is pretending anything. Brook’s been avoiding her all day and she thought that meant Brook didn’t want to talk about it. Brook tells Gloria that she didn’t know what to say. Finding out Gloria knew all along knocked the wind out of her. Gloria says she’s sorry to hear that, and Brook says she told her ma alone. She had no idea Lois ran off and told Gloria. It makes her wonder who else knows.

Lulu says she’s glad Charlotte’s father kept her safe, but she wouldn’t have been in danger in the first place if he hadn’t taken her on the run. Charlotte asks why it matters. She’s here now only because of her papa. Lulu says she didn’t even know Charlotte was coming until before the plane landed. How did Anna and Jason know where she was? Charlotte says, papa texted Rocco and told him where they were. He thought Rocco would tell Lulu and Lulu would come and get her, but Jason found out. Lulu says, Valentin wanted Charlotte back in Port Charles because he was worried about her safety after someone took a shot at him in the Prague café. Charlotte says, he was trying to do what was best for her, even if it means he doesn’t see her every day anymore, and Lulu says, Rocco didn’t tell her that he’d gotten the text. She would have been on the first plane. Charlotte says, papa thought so too, and Lulu says, Rocco’s been avoiding her and she couldn’t figure out why. It makes sense now. She never once gave up hope that Charlotte would come home. Charlotte says she knows, and Lulu says she wishes it had been her that came to get Charlotte, not Anna and Jason. Charlotte says, actually, she was glad Lulu wasn’t there.

Jack says he thought Carly didn’t want to do this, but Carly says she overthought it. It’s what she does and it’s not great. She shouldn’t have thought the worst about him. He says, she changed her mind and he’s supposed to forget and be at her beck and call? How does he know she won’t change her mind again tomorrow? She says, he doesn’t, but she won’t, and he says, he knew she had doubts, but he thought it was about the WSB and how dangerous his job is. She’d be putting herself at risk. But she questioned his character and his feelings for her. That’s a very different thing. She says she knows, and he says he was very clear and very consistent about the way he feels. If she still doubts his intentions, she was right to end whatever it is they had. She says she was completely wrong. That’s why she’s here. He asks, what changed her mind? They haven’t not spoken, so it’s not him. Why the change of heart?

Sonny tells Kristina, everything is fine. He’s just under the weather and called Lucky to get ahold of Dr. Gannon to check him out. They know each other? Kristina says, they met at Charlie’s. Nice to see him. Isaiah says, her too, and she says she brought Rocco by to see the new place. Rocco says, it’s not new. He’s been here, but not since Charlotte lived here. Sonny says he made some changes, especially in the backyard. Does Rocco want to check it out? Rocco says, cool, and he and Sonny leave. Isaiah says he’s going to go, but Kristina says, if her dad had a cold, he would have had Isaiah call in a prescription, not have him come to his home and examine him. What’s really going on with her dad?

Trina lets herself into the dark gallery and says she got here as fast as she could. She turns on the light and her family and friends yell, surprise! She says she can’t believe they did this, and Curtis says, she didn’t think they’d forget her birthday. Trina says she knows her parents are successful and driven and figured they’d be running the hospital and Aurora, but Portia says, they’re never too busy to celebrate their birthday girl. Stella asks if she can get in on that birthday love, and hugs Trina. Trina thanks her for coming, and Stella says she wouldn’t miss wishing Trina a happy birthday. She knows Trina is going to have an incredible year, and it will only get better. Trina says she likes the sound of that, and Stella says she was supposed to be a distraction, but she thought of someone better for the job. Trina sees Kai, who smiles at her, and Stella says, was she right or was she right? Trina says, she was right, as always.

Charlotte says she’s glad Lulu wasn’t there. It was so dangerous. After papa sent the text, Jason and Anna showed up and told them to run. Lulu says, it must have been terrifying, and Charlotte says, it was. She and papa hid, but they could hear everything. The WSB came in and Jason and Anna had to fight them off. She doesn’t think Lulu could take them on like that. Lulu says she’s scrappier than she looks and would do what it takes to keep Charlotte and her brother. Charlotte says she knows. She’s happy to be home, but it feels kinda weird. Lulu says, good weird or bad weird? and Charlotte says, good weird. Lulu says she knows the feeling. It will feel normal soon, she promises. Charlotte wonders how, without her papa.

Outside, Sonny asks what Rocco thinks, and Rocco says, looks good. Sonny asks if it’s missing anything, and Rocco says, Charlotte. It feels weird being here without her. Sonny asks if they’re close. Does he miss her a lot? Rocco says he does. Can he tell Sonny something? Sonny says, anything, and Rocco says he got a text from Charlotte, but didn’t tell either of his parents. He remembered how dangerous it was last time. He told Danny, who told his dad, and Jason promised to bring Charlotte home. Sonny says, he did the right thing. He was looking out for his family and in a tough spot, but he handled it like a champ. Rocco says, but he hasn’t heard from Jason. What if he can’t find Charlotte? Sonny says, Jason is good at finding people, but if Rocco doesn’t hear from him soon, he’ll step in. Rocco thanks him, and Sonny says, you’ve got it.

Isaiah says, whatever questions Kristina has, the answer is the same. Talk to her dad. Kristina says, since he’s here, there must be something to ask about that he’s not telling her, and he says, ask her dad. Kristina says she thinks he’d tell her if it was bad, but he doesn’t have to. Obviously, it’s bad if he’s here. If Sonny was fine, he wouldn’t be trying to cover it up. Isaiah says he’s not covering up anything. He’s respecting the oath he took and doctor/patient confidentiality, which is the law. She says she’s Sonny’s daughter. He’d tell her if Sonny was in the hospital. Be honest. It’s kind of the same thing. Isaiah says, it’s not, when Sonny and Rocco come back. Sonny asks, what’s going on? and Kristina says, Dr. Gannon confirmed something serious is going on. What is it? Sonny looks at Isaiah, who shakes his head.

Jack asks, what changed? and Carly says she realized that life is short. If something happened to either one of them, she’d regret not exploring whatever this is. She’s sorry. She was wrong. And she doesn’t usually admit to either. He says, sorry for what? and she says, not trusting him. She saw him with Vivian and Vivian was flirting. He was so nonchalant, it threw her, and she dismissed all the good things he’d done. But she realized ending things had nothing to do with him. He says, what about Vivian? and she says, that was just an excuse. She got so scared because of how much she was starting to feel for him. She tried to push him away and that’s not her. She’s not the kind of person to run from her feelings. He says, or much of anything else. Exactly what kind of person is she? She says, stick around and find out, and they kiss.

Lulu says, Charlotte knows she wishes Valentin could be here, for Charlotte’s sake. She’d love if it was different, but Charlotte is safer here and has stability. She can’t live life on the run. Charlotte says, it wasn’t that bad. She and papa saw a lot of different places and he made sure she had everything she needed. Lulu says, now that she has Charlotte here, there’s so much she wants to ask. She has so much to tell her and not just about Charlotte’s time away. Her time too. She missed so much in the last four years. Charlotte says she can’t wait to tell Lulu everything. She’s happy to be back home. It might not seem like it, but it is. Lulu says she knows Charlotte had a crazy day. Who is she kidding? Charlotte had a crazy year. Charlotte says she knows things were weird, but her papa always kept her safe and brought up Lulu whenever he could. Lulu says she knows how much Charlotte loves her papa, and she’s so grateful he kept her safe. She’s more grateful that he sent the text, so Charlotte would be brought home. She knows how hard it was for him. Charlotte says she couldn’t believe it when he told her, and Lulu says she’s sure it was lonely being out there with just her dad, and Charlotte says, it was. Lulu says, they need to make up for that. She’s going to make a quick call.

Gloria says she swears on the family bible. No one else knows about the baby. Brook asks how she can be sure, and Gloria says she’d never betray a trust that way. Lois says, listen to her grandma. Gloria knows all the family secrets and never let any of them slip. Gloria says she sensed something was eating away at Lois, and Lois says, Gloria had to pull it out of her. Brook asks why Gloria wouldn’t tell, and Gloria says she was respecting Brook’s privacy and the privacy of Brook’s mother. She never talked about it. Brook says, never? Not even at confession? Gloria says, not a word. She put it in the vault, and it stayed there where it belongs, and she suggests they do the same.  

Laura tells Trina, happy birthday, and hands her a giftbag. She says, these are from Ace. He made the card himself. Trina says, it’s ridiculously cute, and thanks Laura for letting him make it for her. She thanks Laura for being here, and Laura says, there’s no place else she’d rather be. Besides, she thinks it’s what Spencer would want, for her to be here. She knows last year was tough and she’s very glad to see Trina in a better place and willing to celebrate her birthday. Trina says, that doesn’t mean she forgot Spencer or doesn’t miss him every day, and Laura says she’d never think that about her. Neither of them will ever forget Spencer. He was one of a kind. Trina says, yeah, and Laura says, he loved her so much. He would be so happy to see how happy Trina is. She missed seeing the light in Trina’s eyes and she’s glad it’s back. Spencer would be very glad it’s back. Her phone rings, and she says, sorry. It’s her daughter. Trina moves on and Lulu asks if Laura can come home. She has a surprise for her.

Jack leads Carly to the bedroom. They get busy and there’s a song part.

Kai says he’s in a group of athletes who are working at the hospital, visiting sick kids in the pediatrics wing. He tries to spend as much time there as he can. It’s fun in the middle of the hard stuff. Trina says, it’s sweet of him to get involved, and he says he met the guy who came up with the program. He’s a congressman. Emma says, the guy who slept with his nephew’s wife? and Kai says, he seemed okay. He doesn’t know about the guy’s personal life and doesn’t care. The program is changing lives. Emma says, that part is great. Is he sure that he’s not taking on too much? If he wants to back out of her animal fundraiser, she understands. He says, since he’s not playing football, he has plenty of time, when Curtis comes out. He says, it’s time for cake, and the cake is brought out. Trina says, it’s gorgeous (agreed), and Portia says, sing Happy Birthday! They sing and Trina smiles. Kai says, make a wish, and Stella says, make it good. Trina blows out the candles and everyone applauds.  

As they bask in the afterglow, Jack says, this isn’t at all what he expected when he opened the door and saw Carly standing there. She says, he showed up at her hotel room and gave her one hell of a kiss in Germany. She thought she’d return the favor. He says he’s glad she did. He’s been thinking about this for a long time. She says, her too.

Laura comes into the apartment and is immediately absorbed in taking off her coat. She says, sorry she’s late. She got stuck at the party saying goodbye to so many people…  She sees Charlotte, quietly freaks out, and they hug.  

Gio gives Trina a giftbag and says, it’s from Josslyn. She’s sorry she couldn’t be here, but she’s still in Easter Island. She made sure she had it sent to the Quartermaines’ in trust of him delivering it. Trina takes out a sleep-aid set and says, Josslyn is amazing. Josslyn knows she has a hard time sleeping. She loves Josslyn so much. Stella says, here’s the last one, and Emma says, it’s from her. The guy in the bookstore said it’s a must have. Trina opens the present and it’s the same art book Spencer got her shortly after they met. She thanks Emma and says, it’s amazing. She thanks everybody for all the thoughtful, amazing gifts and says, go have another slice of cake and more to drink and just party. Portia tells Trina, happy birthday, and kisses her cheek. Trina looks sadly at the book.

Isaiah says he didn’t tell Kristina anything, and Sonny asks if Rocco doesn’t have homework. Kristina says, since Isaiah is on his way out, could he drop Rocco home at the Quartermaines’? Isaiah says he’d be happy to, and Rocco thanks Sonny for the tour. Sonny says, anytime, and Rocco leaves with Isaiah. Kristina says, Sonny knows she’s going to find out. What’s going on? She can always tell when he’s lying, so tell her. Whatever it is, it’s worse in her head. What she’s imagining isn’t good. What’s going on? Sonny says he doesn’t want her to worry. What he’s got is treatable. He’s fine. She says, treatable? Just tell her what’s going on. He says, there’s something wrong with his heart.

Lulu asks if Charlotte is sure she’s all right, and Charlotte says she’s fine. Just tired. She’s going to go shower. Laura suggests she lie down and get some rest, and Charlotte says, that’s probably a good idea. Laura says, they can catch up tomorrow. She wants to hear about everything Charlotte was doing. Charlotte says, most of it was boring, and Lulu says, don’t get too comfortable. She’s got the idea there might be more visitors. Laura says she’s really happy Charlotte is home, and Charlotte goes to shower. Laura asks if they found Valentin, but Lulu says, no. He’s still out there somewhere, but he’s the reason Charlotte is here. Charlotte said he took good care of her and made sure Charlotte didn’t forget her. Laura says, that doesn’t surprise her. She knows how much Valentin loves Charlotte, but she’s still better off away from him. Lulu agrees and says she hopes he stays away for Charlotte’s sake.

Brook says, all these years, she thought she was keeping the secret from Gloria, but Gloria was keeping the same secret from her. Gloria says, if the devil himself was mad at her for not telling, so be it. She would do anything for Brook. She would suffer anything. As long as her girls and their future was protected. She loves them both so much. Lois says, they love her too… even though sometimes she makes it hard, and Brook says, yeah, but this brought up so many things she wasn’t letting herself think about for so many years. It’s going to take time to wrap her head around it. (Hello 1960s!) Lois tells her, take all the time she needs. They’ll be here when she’s ready. Brook leaves.

Jack tells Carly that he needs to refresh and is taking a quick shower. He gets out of bed and heads for the shower and says, that was an invitation to join him. She says she knows, but someone has to answer the door for room service, and she’s a little bit thirsty. He says, suit herself, and she stays in the bed, looking all happy. She hears him singing in the shower and gets up.

Gio says, Emma’s been great lately, and she asks what he means. He says, she put an activist group together and moved forward. She kept him company at the crypt and gave Kai a good pep talk. She asks why he’s surprised, and he says, the first times they met, she didn’t come across as someone who would do that. She seems different. She says, this is who she is now, and he says, it makes him wonder who the real Emma is. She says she’d like to know her too.

Stella asks Curtis about meeting with Congressman Henderson, and Curtis says, he helped with some obstacles. Drew is now focused on his pediatric sports initiative (🍷) and he’s planning a press conference. Portia is going to talk, and Aurora Media is covering it. He hates that he’s helping rehab Drew’s image. Stella suggests he pick his battle. He can elevate Portia, but if he gets in the way, he could hinder her success. She deserves to shine. Drew be damned.

Portia thanks Ava for referring Ric and being there, and Ava says, of course (🍷). She thanks Portia for confiding in her. If the truth came out, it could hurt Trina. Portia says, it could have been devastating.

Trina slips out of the party.

Ava tells Portia, Drew has a lot of powerful enemies – Nina, Carly, Curtis, Jason, Michael. All the Quartermaines hate him and it’s only a matter of time before his house of cards collapses and one of his many other enemies takes care of him for her. Portia says, someone needs to do something and do it soon.

Curtis can’t find Trina and hopes she’s okay, but Stella says she was here quite a while. It was almost like having the old Trina back, but she might have gotten overwhelmed. A party like this might have had her thinking about Spencer. Curtis says he hates to think it put a black mark on Trina’s special night, but Stella says, it didn’t. Grief doesn’t have a timeline and it’s often felt in our happiest moments.

Kai looks around the party, then sends a text.

Sitting on the window seat in her dark apartment, Trina takes out the art book Spencer gave her. She looks at the inscription and holds the book to her chest.

Lois checks to make sure Brook is gone, and Gloria says, if Brook is this upset about finding out she knew about the baby, imagine how angry she’ll be that they know who the baby is. Lois says she knows, and Gloria says, Brook can never know, and what they did tonight proved why.

Rocco comes home and Lulu asks, how was grandpa’s house? Rocco says, he changed stuff, and it was weird without Charlotte. Charlotte comes out and says, it doesn’t have to be weird anymore, and they hug.

Carly joins Jack in the shower, and he says he had a feeling she’d change her mind. She tells him, make room, but before she can take her robe off, there’s a knock at the door. She says she’ll be right back, and he gives her a kiss and says, hurry.

Kristina says, Sonny has a heart condition? How long has this been going on? He says he’s okay. He’s fine. She says, then why didn’t he want to tell her? and he says, she’d worry for no reason. She says, of course (🍷) she’d worry. What did Dr. Gannon say? He says, it’s from an injury that happened a long time ago and Isaiah put him on the right path. He’ll have to do a procedure, but everything will be fine. He just has to reduce stress. She says, that’s why he agreed to joint custody. he didn’t want the stress of a trial. He says, that’s part of the reason. He didn’t want to watch Ric put her and Avery on the stand. He didn’t want to put either of his daughters through that.  

Carly finds a serving cart in the hallway with a bucket of champagne and two glasses on it. She makes a happy sound, brings them into the room, and closes the door. Valentin comes out from around the corner, and boy, does he look pissed.

On Monday, Anna says, the marshal is here to serve an arrest warrant; Brook says, Drew picked a fight with the wrong broad: and Jack tells Carly, don’t! and knocks the glass out of her hand.  

🧼  All the Soap News Fit To Print…

It looks like there will be a new lawyer in town and maybe a love interest for Lucas.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adrian-anchondo-cast-as-marco-on-general-hospital

Gloria returns!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ellen-travolta-returns-to-general-hospital-2

Maybe he had a good time, but it was painful to watch. This guy is no actor. He sounded like he was reading it and didn’t even read it well.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/the-golden-bachelorettes-guy-gansert-guests-on-gh

Two requests of the fans.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-cameron-mathison-makes-a-special-request

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/eva-larues-warning-to-her-fans

Side gigs. I haven’t read Jon Lindstrom’s book yet, but I want to. Although now I can just wait and see the movie. Well done!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jon-lindstroms-book-to-become-a-movie

I don’t know how exciting this is, but if she’s happy, I’m happy.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-announces-an-exciting-new-project

This was weird/sad, but it sounded like he was getting treatment.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/rick-springfield-learns-he-has-brain-damage

Victor has moved on from the building.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/days-of-our-lives/charles-shaughnessy-returns-to-days-of-our-lives

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I didn’t see this, but it seems to fluctuate between dangerous accidents and nookie.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Boz was hosting a trip to St. Lucia and informed us that it’s the only country named after a woman. We watched as the women packed, and I’m not sure why Erika called my shorts ho shorts, but I was offended. Aren’t shorts supposed to be short? When getting a less than enthusiastic response about an outfit from son Phoenix, Dorit told him, it’s Poca Rabone, like that meant something to him. Boz said getting them all together to travel was like herding cats, so they were meeting in Miami. In her interview, Boz said, beautiful views, delicious cocktails, a steel drum band. Who would complain? Really? Has she met them? In Jennifer’s interview, she talked about not fitting in when she was young, and Sutton cried over her long road with the women and how Garcelle had been the only one to support her. Kyle would say, you two, but never point the finger at Dorit alone. Mauricio visited Kyle and talked about going on  It was the usual, just in a different vacation setting. PK met with Dorit, where the D-word was used, yet Dorit is still in the denial phase. Kyle, however, was sliding into acceptance after Mauricio visited and told her about his quest for weed spiritual healing.

Some non-news. Maybe she’s a girlfriend; maybe she’s not.

Denise Richards and Her Wild Things

I love this show so much. A lot of episode 3 revolved around a Cuban iguana named Godzilla who had passed away at age 30. He’d belonged to Charlie’s ex, Brooke, and was dropped off at Denise’s house when Brooke went to rehab. He liked Fig Newtons and had an entire suite to himself. They had him for nine months, and a memorial was planned. There were a lot of flowers, as well as some heartfelt speeches. Denise also met with Erika (RHOBH) and they clinked glasses and made up. Another thing I love about Denise is her love of animals. She even got a little picnic table for the squirrels outside, one of whom she called Fat Fred, but she insisted she wasn’t fat shaming him. Sami was getting a nose job and said she’d been bullied in school about looking like her dad. Recently, someone had made a comment that she’d never be as pretty as her mom. WTF? Ugh. It’s one of the things I hate about the internet. Anonymity has created mean AF a-holes.

Summer House

Kyle discussed his misdirected rage texting with Paige and said he was super upset. Aww. Poor baby. He’s always super upset about something. I’m pretty sure he lives off of super upset energy. One thing I really hate about this group is their tendency to play telephone. Really, their tendency to just make sh*t up to suit themselves. Lexi had asked Jesse not to be so flirtatious in his comments on the other girls’ social media and somehow this got changed to her demanding he not comment at all. And that literally came from horse Jesse’s mouth. She needs to dump this dude asap. One minute he’s all in love like never before, and the next, he’s making it up as he goes along. The tail end of the show was in NYC with Paige and Craig. When Paige said she never wanted to live a slow life, that said everything. While no judgement about relationships that are ephemeral, if you’re not on the same page regarding commitment, it’s for certain someone is going to get their heart broken.

Southern Charm

Craig told Paige about making up with Austen and how he thought his admission that he couldn’t drink was like holding up a mirror to Austen. He might not be wrong. Paige complimented Craig on his self-awareness. Austen later came by for a visit, and I forgot which show I was watching for a moment. The big topic once again involved JT. Venita wanted him to be her plus one at a summer soiree Madison was giving. JT was hesitant, but said he’d think about it. He talked to Leva about it and said he didn’t know if it was appropriate while he had a girlfriend, and also admitted he’d probably encouraged Venita by flirting. But the best was yet to come when Leva told him that Ryan used the same barber, who apparently told him that JT said some Black girl was trying to bust up his relationship. Once again, although I’m no fan of JT, I couldn’t see him saying something like that. Neither could Leva or Venita, but in Venita’s interview, she said, Ryan’s husband was Black, so why would he lie? Why indeed. JT was livid, since it made him sound racist. On top of it, racist about someone he cared for. Leva said he should call the barber immediately and get it cleared up for Venita’s sake. Translation: So we can get it on the show. He did and the barber seemed surprised, saying, the only thing he remembered JT telling him was that there was a cute Black girl named Venita on the show. When JT called Venita to tell her, I’m pretty sure all she heard though was that he loved her.

On the upside, Brett got the cancer all-clear on his last test and Molly and Taylor took their dogs out for ice cream.

What’s JT up to? Not much. No surprise. I can’t blame him for jetting though. The Reunion should be interesting.

Random Reality Items

VPR 2.0 is on the way.

This is the weirdest thing ever and I can’t believe it’s still going on.

Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.

What a shame. Hopefully, those left in the cast invested in real estate.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Extinction: The G.M.O. Chronicles. Amazon Prime. I am a die-hard zombie fan and I did enjoy this. There was precious little info out there and this review is less than stellar. There is the trailer though.

Okay. This guy liked it more, but there are a few small spoilers.

The Night Eats the World. Amazon Prime. This film won awards, and I didn’t hate it, but there were long stretches of not much going on and the main character chatting with – or rather, to – a zombie he had corralled in a stalled elevator. Be forewarned, the ending is not a happy one.

https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/night-eats-the-world-review-zombies-tribeca-1201954987/

Beyond the Gates. CBS/Paramount+. I finally got serious about watching this and I’m hooked on watching it with my dinner now. It’s oddly old-fashioned and trendy at the same time. Beautiful people, an inclusive cast, fabulous wardrobes, and a gun drawn at a wedding. You can’t really ask for more.

https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2025/03/cbs-beyond-the-gates-promo-tv-critics

🙀 Things You Don’t See Every Day…

🦒 I’m not letting my dogs read this. It might give them ideas.

https://people.com/athletic-giraffe-escapes-arizona-zoo-to-get-snacks-11695093

🐻‍❄️ Pretty as a picture. Oh wait, it is.

https://people.com/photo-sleeping-polar-bear-wins-nature-photography-contest-11690907

🐾 It’s a ferret! It’s a ferret’s ghost! It’s a stoat!

https://people.com/rarely-seen-animal-caught-on-camera-in-pennsylvania-11693659

👄 Quotes of the Week

Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. – Charlotte Whitton

You’re in pretty good shape for the shape you are in. – Dr. Seuss

You are not your resumé; you are your work. – Seth Godin

Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient premises. – Samuel Butler

You aren’t learning anything when you’re talking. – Lyndon B. Johnson

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. – Vincent van Gogh

Remember: Always walk in the light. And if you feel like you’re not walking in it, go find it. Love the light. – Roberta Flack

The mosquitos are d*ckheads out here. – Channelle (Aisha Dee), Apple Cider Vinegar

🍀 Top O’ the Month To Ya…

Until next week, stay safe; stay not using St. Patrick’s Day to be a green beer drunken mess (also don’t be another kind of Karen and drive drunk); and stay loving people while they’re still here.

January 31, 2025 – Lulu Confesses Her Love For Dante, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Performing, Animal Tales, An Even Number Of Short Quotes & Mountain

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

Tara from Turning Woods had info for Elizabeth, but when she and Lucky showed up, Tara was out sick. Natalia told Lucy that she could land an account in LA, but the contact only wanted to meet with her and the silent partner – i.e. Sonny. Kristina went to see Sonny and asked him if everything was okay since he didn’t show up at Charlie’s. She said they had to keep Avery away from Ava and she’d decided to testify at the custody hearing. Anna told Jason about Sidwell being in Port Charles. She asked if he or Sasha were willing to go on record about Sasha’s kidnapping.

Curtis told Nina that Drew was going to undermine the company in congress if he didn’t get his stock back. Chase visited Willow, who whined about Drew being ostracized by his family. Drew met with Martin and told him that Monica wasn’t speaking with him. He was her first truly lost cause, and he wondered if he’d ever really been a part of the family. Anna told Jason not to go after Sidwell on his own. Lucky told the Turning Woods rep that Cyrus wanted a list of his patients who had died so he could send condolences to the family. Curtis told Nina that things had a way of getting out and encouraged her to tell Willow that she’d been sleeping with Drew. Drew told Martin, if they thought banning him from the Quartermaine grounds would keep him from Willow, they had another thing coming.

Jason told Anna that he couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Mr. Furner came in while Lucky and Elizabeth were there. Lucky distracted him by threatening a lawsuit while Elizabeth waited for the printout. Chase told Willow that he and Brook were trying to have a baby.  Nina told Curtis that she’d made the devil’s bargain with Drew. She couldn’t tell Willow about Drew, nor he about her. She hoped with time, Willow would trust her more than Drew. Curtis said he had a plan and needed Nina’s help. Anna said the best way of getting Sidwell was to get criminal charges that would stick, but Jason said he had to do it for Michael.

Natalia conferred with Sonny about the LA trip. Anna asked if Jason could guarantee he would be the only target for retaliation. He could break the cycle of violence by not retaliating. Curtis told Nina that he wanted to sabotage Drew’s connections in DC. Chase showed Willow his lab results and she told him to see his doctor. According to the results, he couldn’t father a child.

Tuesday:

Ned told Tracy to show some respect to Willow or she’d be out on her high-class derriere. Tracy said two fingers of bourbon for everyone, and no one was leaving until they figured out what to do.

Felicia took Anna for a manicure and told Anna that she’d seen Emma clubbing. Emma joined them and Anna questioned her. Emma said, it wasn’t a spa day; it was an interrogation. Carly couldn’t figure out Jack’s angle. He said when he first came to Port Charles, he was on a mission. He had no intention of pursuing her until she visited him in prison. He considered her a friend, not an asset. Kai told Trina that his vertebrae was cracked, and he couldn’t play football because he’d risk a spinal injury. She suggested he talk to her mom. Portia told Alexis that Sam had been murdered and how they came to that conclusion. It had been a pattern. Alexis said she wasn’t leaving it to the police and was going to find answers.

Ned said the mess was all on Drew and they should give Willow a chance to create distance. Tracy said they had to make rules and asked what Chase thought. Brook told Lois that she was able to have a baby. Lois asked if she regretted giving her baby up, and Brook said it was the hardest choice she ever made, but she never regretted it. Chase said Willow was a good person and they should respect her. Tracy said Drew would use Willow to his own ends, but Ned said, if they pushed things, Willow would run back to him. Sasha said Tracy was being dramatic, then Tracy screamed because she saw a mouse. She said Sasha was out if she didn’t climb up and get it (like the mouse wasn’t in Chicago after Tracy screamed), but Sasha said she wasn’t climbing anywhere because she was pregnant, quickly adding, it’s not Cody’s.

Sasha said if anyone had complaints or judgements, oh well, and Gio said he didn’t grow up with a father and turned out fine. Alexis talked to Isaiah about Sam. Trina asked Portia to talk to Kai. Anna said Emma was allowed a social life, but not allowed to lie to her and sneak around. Emma said she’d been to a fundraiser and wondered, since when was Anna so uptight? Jack offered to have Michael’s cultures forwarded to Germany from the WSB to expedite things for Carly.

Tracy wondered why they offered daycare to everyone, and Ned said she’d just kidnapped two more. Portia said Kai wasn’t necessarily sidelined. Anna said there was a difference between uptight and responsible, and she was the latter. Emma said she never saw Anna because she worked so much. Carly called Felicia about the cultures, and Felicia told her to proceed with caution when it came to Jack.

Emma made a deal that if she got straight A’s, Anna would go clubbing with her. Jason asked Sasha if Michael knew about the baby. Chase told Brook that his tests came back, and he couldn’t get her pregnant. Portia suggested Kai get a second opinion from a specialist in sports medicine. Kai said Trina’s mom was amazing and he knew where she got it from. Alexis said she wasn’t going to stop until she found the killer. Jack went to the hotel spa and Felicia warned Carly that Jack had an agenda, but Carly said Jack was intriguing and she wanted to know more. Valentin showed up at the spa to kill Jack.

Wednesday:

Chase told Brook that he was sterile and couldn’t be a father. Olivia and Lois took Tracy for a manicure to destress. Sasha told Jason that Michael knew she was pregnant, and he was the father, but they had a deal that he’d stay out of it. At the hospital, Anna told Lulu that she was glad no one was hurt in Prague. Lulu said she was glad her daughter didn’t get shot a second time. Valentin pretended to be a masseuse and tried to strangle Jack while he was on the table.

At the Quartermaine mansion, Emma told Gio that she wanted to do a fundraiser to stop animal testing. She wanted him to play at it because something classic and boring would get the old people and boomers to contribute. Olivia said asking invasive and intrusive questions was Tracy’s love language, but she should let up on Sasha. Martin came into the beauty salon and said, good luck with that. Sasha said it was none of Jason’s business, but he said Michael had a right to know. Anna said she didn’t have the words to tell Lulu how sorry she was, but Lulu said she could see how it was an accident because of the circumstance. She thought Valentin was dangerous and bad things happened when he was around. Carly went looking for Jack at the spa.

Anna said she had an eye open for Valentin, and Lulu thanked her. Gio agreed to play at Emma’s fundraiser, but wondered if it was a scam to get extra cash. Jason told Sasha that Michael had asked for her and thought it was because he knew she was carrying his child. Sasha said if he wanted to help Michael, make sure no one else found out. Chase didn’t want Brook to miss out on the experience of being pregnant, but she said she loved him more than anything and they’d get through it together. Tracy said Martin would defend anyone and she’d been trying to protect the kids. He said she had a bad habit of rolling over people’s lives and just wanted to hurt Drew. Lulu told Dante that she was the best judge of what she could do, but he said, obviously not. Carly heard a noise in Jack’s room, but an employee said it was nothing.

Jack was lying on the floor when Carly came in and cracked something over Valentin’s head. Chase said he didn’t deserve Brook, but she said he was stuck with her. Emma said she was sick of people treating her cause like it was a joke, and Gio said he was only kidding. She said she’d volunteered for a shelter when she was younger. Some puppies were bought by a lab, and it stayed with her. Cody showed up looking for Tracy. He wanted to apologize for missing their ride, but Gio said she was pretty upset, so Cody should wait on that. Martin said just because Tracy disliked someone didn’t make them disreputable, and Brook called Lois, asking her to come home. Portia told Anna about the pattern of suspicious patient deaths and that someone had injected the patients with a large, unprescribed dose of digitalis that resulted in a heart attack. Carly told Jack to wake up or she’d tell the world he died wearing his bathrobe, and told the employee to call an ambulance.

Brook told Lois about Chase and said she felt like her soul was broken. Gio told Cody about Sasha being pregnant and Jason promised not to tell anybody that Michael was the father. Sasha had no doubt Willow would use her pregnancy against Michael, and she’d do what it took to keep her baby away from the Q’s. She also wanted Sonny to be kept in the dark. Anna told Portia about the Angel of Death syndrome, but Portia said two of the cases involved healthy patients, Sam and Dex. Lulu said she was no longer helpless, but Dante said she was human and had limits. She said he focused on someone else to ignore his own pain and didn’t want to think about losing Sam. Jack said he was fine and the WSB would handle Valentin. Carly asked what he was going to do now, but he said, that’s classified.

Jack made a call to have Valentin killed on sight. Tracy asked what Martin’s problem was with her, and he said she had an obnoxious misguided sense of entitlement. She felt entitled to judge him and Willow and had prevented him from having a relationship with Lucy. Tracy said he should thank her instead of ruining her zen. Lois said Brook and Chase could be as sad as they wanted for as long as they wanted. Brook said Chase suggested IVF, but he was just sacrificing his feelings for her. She thought she should tell him that she’d been pregnant before. Dante said he didn’t blame Lulu for Sam’s death and she asked what he was doing for himself. She knew her presence was a complication in his life. He said he’d never be sorry she was here. Anna asked to talk to Dante. Jason said Sasha didn’t have to do it on her own and he was on her side.

Anna told Dante that Sam was murdered. Sasha let Jason feel the baby move. Carly and Jack kissed.

Thursday:

Hitting the heavy bag, Chase flashed back to his and Brook’s baby journey. Brook told Lois that Chase was mourning the life he’d imagined for them. She wanted him to know the pain and anguish she’d felt giving her baby up so he didn’t feel so alone. Alexis told Diane that Sam had been murdered, while Lulu told Maxie. Cody listened in on Sasha talking to Jason about the baby, but slipped away before he heard Michael was the father. In Baden Baden, Jack went to Carly’s suite and kissed her. She said she needed a minute, and he apologized if he’d read things incorrectly, but she said he didn’t. She just didn’t want to do something she regretted. He said he wasn’t there to sleep with her and had something much different in mind.

Molly visited Cody at the stables to drop off his paperwork from the station. He was less than hospitable. He said his feet were held to the fire while career criminals got away with everything. Jason wanted Michael’s side of the story, but Sasha said she didn’t owe Jason anything. He said she owed Michael. Lulu said she owed Sam everything, but Maxie said, feeling guilty over something she had no control over would go nowhere. Lulu admitted still being in love with Dante. Brook said she’d have to tell Chase the whole truth, that Dante was the father of her child. Dante told Chase about the murders at GH and that Sam was one of the victims. Alexis didn’t know what to do with her feelings about Sam being murdered, and she threw stuff around the office.

Jack brought Carly to the rooftop, where he had a fire going and they had champagne. Carly said, it was cozy, beautiful and private. He toasted to her changing her mind about coming to the spa. Jason told Sasha that he’d back off the second he talked to Michael. Sasha said they were done, but if he talked to Michael, tell him that she was thinking of him and praying for his recovery. Cody said, clearly Molly had an agenda, but she said she was there as a favor to Mac. He said he appreciated it and she left. Diane wanted to say the right thing, but Alexis told her that there was no right thing to say. Diane said, whatever Alexis wanted, she was all in – whatever she needed, whenever she needed it. Alexis said she had to tell Molly and Kristina, who were on their way there. Diane got a text from Jason and promised she wouldn’t tell him anything. Kristina came in and wondered what had happened.

Brook said if she told Chase, she’d have to tell Dante, and she felt sick. Dante told Chase about the digitalis murders, that Dex was one of the victims, and Michael had been saved by Isaiah’s quick thinking. Maxie said she was surprised Lulu admitted she still loved Dante, but it would be weird if she didn’t. Jason met with Diane and told her about Sasha’s pregnancy. Alexis told Kristina and Molly that Sam was murdered. Carly wanted to know what was going on between Jack and Valentin. She thought it was crazy that Valentin tried to kill him. Jack said, Valentin had been a friend, but after tonight, he wasn’t protecting Valentin any longer. He figured Valentin assumed he was the one who fired the shot in Prague. He hadn’t, but he was at that point now. It was a winding, complicated story. Carly told him to order another bottle of champagne.

Dante unloaded on Chase about Lulu and said she had to stop taking risks and be careful for her sake and Rocco’s. He was happy she was there, but Sam was gone because of it. Every time he looked at Lulu, he’d think of Sam and what they’d all lost. At the MetroCourt, Cody saw Diane with Jason. He apologized to Maxie about the other night and told her that Sasha was pregnant. Then he realized she knew already. Jason said Carly couldn’t know anything about this. He was going to the clinic to see Michael, but wanted Diane to keep an eye on Sasha. Jack told Carly that he wanted to rise in the ranks at the WSB and an alliance with Valentin was a smart move, so he sought out Valentin’s friendship. Valentin was the iron fist, and he was the velvet glove. Valentin needed him as much as he needed Valentin, and they became true friends.

Diane promised to keep an eye on Sasha and let her know when Jason got clarity. The fact Michael never told her spoke to Sasha’s credibility. Jason said if he was wrong, he’d gladly admit it, and she said she wanted a ringside seat for that. Maxie asked how Cody found out, but he said it didn’t matter. Maxie said Sasha was clear that she had no plans to tell the father, and Cody said the father was Jason. Sasha told the baby that they could do this on their own and promised she’d always be there. Lois said she didn’t want to influence Brook’s decision, but Brook said she needed Lois’s advice. Lois said Brook was a grown-up now and it was only her choice to make. Brook said she and Chase had to be open and honest and she had to tell him. Dante asked Chase what was up, and Chase said he’d talk when he was ready. Alexis promised they’d find out who did this to Sam. They were going to shield the truth from Scout and wanted to wait for more information to tell Danny. She’d ask Anna to keep it away from the public for as long as possible. They’d have to stay strong and present a united front for Sam.

Carly said there was more to Jack than met the eye. She admired his loyalty. He said there was a big difference between them. She was a good person. She said he wasn’t the bad guy he wanted people to think he was. To her, he was the guy who’d done awesome things for her and expected nothing in return. They kissed by the fire.

Friday’s Enchilada:

In his hospital room, Kai struggles to put on a brace belt and Trina walks in.

Jordan is surprised to find Drew at Volonino’s, and asks if he’s allowed through the doors of Aurora these days. He asks if she means his company, and she wonders if he’s trying to drive away anyone who ever thought they knew him.

Curtis meets Portia at Beradino’s and says, Aurora’s new CEO is looking fine. He says he aims to please, and she asks, what’s with the good mood? He says he’s at breakfast with his beautiful wife. Why wouldn’t he be? She says she saw on the news that there’s a holdup with the McConkey esplanade. It was a big project for him and Aurora. Curtis says, it still is. Don’t worry. He’s steps ahead of it. Since no one eats at home, at another table, Ric says, even though it was gruesome, the fire strengthened Ava’s case. She asks if it’s strong enough to rescue her daughter, and he says he thinks it should. Given her present financial situation, he has a proposal to present to Diane. With any luck, it will convince Diane to wrap things up with her and Sonny. Ava says, that would be ideal, and thanks him. His generosity had been so helpful. He says, what generosity? and she says, him representing her pro bono. He says he’s not doing her case pro bono, and she says, he’s not? Since he stopped hounding her to pay, she assumed… He says, that his service was gratis? Why? Because they kissed?

Lulu meets Laura at the bistro and apologizes for being late. Everything she does seems like something she has no chance with. She was here with Rocco and her baby boy is now a coffee drinker. Laura says, he’s a coffee snob, and Lulu says, he gets that because of Sonny. Dante is so good with Rocco. He’s a great dad, but… Laura says, she’s still in love with him, isn’t she?

Dante bursts into Anna’s office and asks, what the hell is going on? Mac said she ordered him locked out of Sam’s murder investigation. She says, he’s correct, and he asks, why?

Brook goes to the stables and asks Cody if they’re alone. He says, yeah, and she says, good. She needs to talk to him. He says, about what? and she says, the summer romance she had with Dante, and he asks if she means the summer she got pregnant.

In Diane’s office with Kristina, Sonny says he’s going to LA on business for Deception, and she says, that’s a long way to go for a silent investor. He says, Natalia wanted him to go and he wants to go over some things before he leaves. Diane says, that’s why Kristina came, and he says, there are things they all need to discuss.

At Volonino’s, Brad does push-ups, and his trainer suggests a break, but he says, no breaks. The trainer hands him some water and says, he needs to hydrate. Brad takes a drink and says, if he’s going to hit his goal before Miami, he can’t afford breaks.

Ava asks if Ric thinks she kissed him in exchange for legal fees, and he says he hopes not. It was a good kiss, but hardly covers his retainer. He’s attracted to her, but business is business. He’s extending her grace in deferring his payment. She says, he’s a beacon of charity. At this juncture, it’s like the kiss never happened and it’s not likely there will be another. He says, ever? and she says, not until she gets her daughter back. After that, they’ll see what’s on the table. He says he guesses he should be going then, and leaves.

Curtis tells Portia that Drew is stalling the project, and she says, that’s so sad. He says he can think of two other strong words, and she says, Drew is using his office to exact petty revenge. She’ll stick with sad. Tell her about his next steps. He says he’s going to need an ally on Capitol Hill who has more connections than Drew. Nina is setting up something, but if it doesn’t work, he has a back-up. Meanwhile, his focus is on the next step with Aurora, and it involves her, him, a beach, and daquiris on a tropical island.  

Drew says he understands that Jordan is upset about the esplanade, and she says, he brought the project to her, and they worked on it together. Now he’s stalled it. He’s damn right she’s upset. He says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he’s sorry, and she says, explain why he’s doing this. He says he’s just trying to hold onto what’s his.

Brook says, of course (🍷) she’s referring to that summer, and Cody says he thought the subject was verboten. She says, it was, and it is. Did he ever tell Dante? He says, she swore him to secrecy, and he drove her to the bus station. She left and he didn’t see her again until he started working here. She asks if he ever told Dante, but he says, no. He hasn’t even thought about it since then. She says, thank God, and thanks him, and he says, no problem. She says she’s sorry to make a big deal out of it, but she had to be sure. He says he gets it, but it was like, a million years ago. Why bring it up now?

Anna says she wants to reiterate how sorry she is, but Dante says he doesn’t want her sympathy. He wants Sam’s file. She says, he barged into her office and asked for access to a case… He says, because Sam  was his fiancé and he loved her, and Anna says, that’s precisely why she can’t let him get anywhere near the case.

Trina offers to help Kai, but he says he’ll do it himself. He struggles some more, and she says, it will be easier when his arm isn’t in a sling. He finally asks her to help him, and she puts the belt on him. As she wraps it around him, they gaze at each other for a moment.

Lulu tells Laura that she loves Dante, but not… He’s still grieving Sam… They were already divorced, but she ended things with Dustin. She was planning on telling Dante that she never stopped loving him, but unfortunately, she never got the chance. Now she’s finally awake, but Dante is grieving Sam… He totally should. Laura says, good to know, and Lulu says, it’s probably better. Things between them are worse. Laura asks, how so? and Lulu says, they fight all the time. When she went to Prague, Dante brought it on himself to follow. It’s a habit and they know how she doesn’t like being handled. Laura says, they do indeed, and Lulu says she wants to try and get along, but he makes it impossible. Laura says, maybe she’s pushing him away, but Lulu says, it’s not that. If anything, she thinks she’s holding herself back.

Sonny tells Diane that he’s concerned Charlie’s is going to be scrutinized. The business is clean, but he did sell it to Kristina. Diane says, she’ll stay ahead of it and tells Kristina to call if there’s a problem. Kristina says, if the Feds tap her phone, she’ll ask for a copy of the recording to help her keep track of things. Sonny says he doesn’t want what he’s done to interfere, and Diane says she’ll make sure of it. She’s about to leave when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it to Ric and Ava, and Ric says, good. They’re already here. That makes it easier.

Brad kisses his bicep (he’s pretty jacked) and says, woo!

Kai thanks Trina for her help and says he’s sorry for snapping. She says she gets it, and he says he appreciates her coming, but he’s not in the mood. He’s still trying to rap his head around what he’s going to do with his life. She says, that’s why she’s here. Since he was injured in a game, PCU can’t revoke his scholarship. She brought him some catalogs for inspiration. He says he can’t think about classes. He’s barely managed to schedule his rehab. She asks if that means he got a second opinion that was positive, and he says, they told him, no promises.  

Drew tells Jordan that he’s the ultimate team player. He’s dealt with Tracy, navigated Ned’s fragile ego, and sat through his fair share of family squabbles disguised as ELQ board meetings. He does one thing the family doesn’t approve of… Jordan says, he had an affair with his nephew’s wife, and Drew says, and the rest of the Quartermaines are saints compared to most people. Monica banned him from the grounds, and he was pushed out of his own company. Jordan says she gets it. His life as a rich congressman is in shambles. Welcome to politics. They’re not here to talk about Quartermaine infighting. He’s stalling the progress for the good of the city he’s been chosen to represent. He says, it could still happen. That depends on what Curtis chooses to do with Aurora.  

Portia says, Curtis’s plans for Aurora involve them on a beach? and he says, not just any beach. St. George Island, potentially the first site of Aurora’s new resorts. Portia says she loves it, and he says, of course (🍷) he wants to experience the island before moving forward and he can’t without her. What does she say? She says she can feel the sand between her toes, when Curtis’s phone rings. Jordan says she’s calling in a favor, and Curtis says, which one? She tells him to meet her at Volonino’s as soon as he can.  

Anna says, when she told Dante that Sam was murdered, she was speaking to him as a private citizen. That’s why he can’t be involved. He says he can help find out who killed her, and she says she’d let him if the victim was anyone else. He says, because it’s Sam, and she says, imagine if he finds the killer and it goes to trial. What does he think the defense is going to do? He says, object because of his conflict of interest, and she says, they won’t need to. We won’t have a case. It will be thrown out because he was involved in the investigation. He asks if that’s what she wants, but she says, no, but she has to look at it. What if he finds the killer and decides to take the law into his own hands? He asks if she thinks he’d do that, and she says, in this instance, she doesn’t know. He asks what she means by in this instance. Does she have a suspect?

Brook says she’s sure everybody knows she and Chase are trying to start a family, and Cody says, word got around. She says, it’s bringing up a memory for her, living in the same house with Dante. She needs to be sure. He says he never told Dante. He hasn’t even thought about it in years. If she had told Dante back then, he’s sure Dante would have stepped up, unlike other guys. She asks what he means, and he says, it’s an obligation and the guy has to step up. He can’t leave the woman hanging. Brook asks what he’s talking about, and he says, Sasha is pregnant and she shouldn’t be in it alone.  

Drew works out with the weights, when Curtis comes in. He asks if this is why Jordan needed him, and she says, Drew told her that the future of the esplanade depends on Curtis. Care to elaborate? Curtis says, Drew wanted to push Michael out of Aurora, and Jordan says, while he’s in Germany, recovering from third degree burns? Curtis says, yeah. And if Drew doesn’t get what the wants, he’s more than willing to sabotage Aurora. Hence the delay on the esplanade. Jordan says, is that right? and Drew says, Curtis couldn’t be more wrong.

Kai tells Trina that the doctors told him to manage his expectations and set reasonable goals. Don’t get ahead of himself. She says, that’s good advice, and he says his teammates’ doctors said the same thing. She asks if they played again, and he says, one did. The rest never set foot on a field again. She says she’s sorry, and he says him too. He knew it was a possibility, but he told himself that it would never be him. How could he be so stupid?

Lulu tells Laura that Dante would jump in to save any chance he got, whether she needed him to or not. Laura says, Dante just lost someone he loved and maybe he doesn’t want to lose someone else. Lulu says, maybe… probably. She hates seeing him and Rocco in pain and not be able to help. Dante sees her as the woman his fiancé died trying to save. What is it going to be like for the rest of their lives? Laura says she knows what Lulu thinks, but unless she’s spoken to Dante directly, she doesn’t know how he feels.

Anna says she has no suspect yet, but there’s a person of interest, and Dante asks, who? She says, it’s not his case and she’s not disclosing more information. He says, she hasn’t told him anything. Dammit! She needs to tell him… She says she thinks he should go home. She’s placing him on one week’s paid leave and would like him to see the department psychiatrist. He asks if he can say no, but she says she thinks he knows the answer to that. He says, fine, and leaves.

Diane tells Ric to come back when he’s made an appointment, but he says he has an offer regarding the custody hearing. Sonny says, let’s hear it, and Ric says, the recent incident at his domicile caused the destruction of property and injury to his son. Ava says, it was obviously an attempt… and Ric says, it’s obvious Sonny can’t provide a safe home for Avery. At best, Sonny is going to lose. He’s made an effort to save them time and expense. He gives Diane the paperwork and she laughs. She says, visitation every other weekend and Ava has sole custody and all major holidays? Ava says she’s willing to give up Arbor Day, but Diane says she won’t even entertain it. Ric says, then they’ll go to court, and Sonny says, let’s do it. Ric says he’s going to call Kristina to the stand, and Kristina says, no problem. He asks if she’s sure. He’s going to ask about her father’s brutal assault on Dex Heller and his long list of mental and emotional instabilities. He’ll also bring in her impulsiveness and hot-headed temper that led to the attack on Ava and also the death of Kristina’s child. Sonny says, that’s enough, and Kristina says she looks forward to making sure Avery ends up with the right parent. Ric says, it’s impressive, but her keeping it together in her attorney’s office for five seconds doesn’t hold a candle to keeping it together on the witness stand… which she knows. Ava tells Sonny to spare the agony for both him and his daughter and take the deal. Sonny leans on his desk and asks, when’s the date? Diane says, February 25th, and Sonny tells Ric, see you there. Ric says, it’s their final offer, and Sonny shrugs. Ric says, it’s over, and he and Ava leave. Diane says she knows one thing, and Sonny says, they’re desperate. Diane says, right, and he says, Ava’s funds have dried up. Kristina says, Lucy mentioned to her the other day that Ava took a place far below her standards, and Sonny says, Ava wouldn’t trade down if she didn’t have to. Kristina says, that’s good news. If Ava can’t afford it, all they have to do is wait, but Diane says, they can’t rely on that. Ric and Ava’s argument is stronger than theirs.

Dante sees Brook at the stables and asks if Cody is around. She says, he was, then he wasn’t. She doesn’t know if he’s coming back. Is Dante okay? He says, obviously not, and she asks if there’s anything she can do. He says he doesn’t know. Sam was murdered and Anna won’t let him find the bastard who did it.

Lulu says she knows Dante loved Sam, and Laura says, and Sam loved Dante. She’s grateful they gave a good home to Rocco. Lulu says her too, but she’s a little jealous. And by little, she means really jealous. Laura says, Sam is gone now, and Dante has to find a way to live with the loss, and Lulu says, it’s a big loss and here she is, swooping in. Laura says, Lulu is entitled to be here, and Lulu says, Sam is too, but she can’t be. Laura says, but Lulu can, and Dante is afraid he’s going to lose her too. He practically camped out by her bedside and fought like hell for her. She says she knows, and Laura says, from her own life, she knows it’s possible to love two people at the same time. Dante absolutely loves Lulu. Maybe not in the same way she loves him right now, but there’s definitely a place in his heart for her. Lulu says she knows it’s not rational, but she feels like it’s her fault Sam died. If she feels that way… Laura says, maybe Dante does too?

Trina says, Kai isn’t stupid. He doesn’t know how rehab is going to turn out. His first orthopedist told him that he’s never play again. He says he doesn’t feel like a lecture. He needs to figure out rehab now. As for class, he doesn’t know if he wants to go back. She says, why? Even if he never plays again, he’s been given an amazing opportunity. A scholarship most kids would kill for and PCU is an amazing school. He says he knows Trina thinks she’s helping, but she’s not.

Drew says, when he pitched the esplanade, he did it on behalf of his company. Now he’s pitching for his constituents. Jordan asks, then why hold up the project that will give his constituents jobs? and he says, the environmental report was of concern, so it’s been put on pause for review. She says, it’s going to die because he has an ax to grind, and he says, it’s Aurora’s project. Curtis is the CEO and it’s up to him to clear up the issues. Curtis says, Aurora will be fine without the esplanade, and Drew says, there you have it. Curtis says, Drew is screwing them over, and Jordan says, it was a project for the constituents that was supposed to carry on the name of the man who gave Drew a seat in congress. (Good point!) Drew says, Curtis seems tense. What does he say to them working it out in the ring?

Diane says she hates to admit it, but Ric had good points. It’s of public record that the penthouse fire was deliberately set. Sonny says, Avery was at Carly’s, and Diane says, that’s the only reason Sonny still has custody. As for Kristina, she was magnificent back there. Kristina thanks her and says, hate is a powerful motivator. Diane says she has to advise Kristina, no matter how cool and calm she is on the witness stand, Dex’s assault is going to count in Ava’s favor. Sonny says, Ric is all about money. The only reason Ric is representing Ava is to hurt him. He’s going to use Kristina to do that. Kristina says, let him try. She can’t allow Ava to have Avery. Diane says she knew Kristina would say that. She’s going to let them talk. Take all the time they need. She leaves and Sonny says, Diane is right. Ric is going to hammer her on the stand like last time. Kristina says, let him. Ava’s not going to win this case. She doesn’t get to have her daughter back after she took Kristina’s from her.  

At the MetroCourt bar, Ava says, Sonny is itching to take them to court, but Ric says he’s not so sure. Ava says, he has enough money to drag this on forever, and Kristina, with her hair trigger temper, didn’t take the bait. Ric says, no matter. It comes down to Sonny. If he doesn’t want to move forward, it’s all over. She says, too bad he and Diane are determined to do that, and Ric says, maybe he’s wrong, but he thinks something is going on with Sonny.  

On the phone, Anna says, come back to my office and we’ll go over your allegations about Cyrus. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, it’s open. Cody comes in and asks if she’s seen Mac, but she says, he’s out on a call. Is everything okay? He says he needs to get a message to Mac’s brother and doesn’t have a way to reach him, and she says she can reach him. He says, it can wait, and she says, is he sure? It seems urgent. He says, it is… It isn’t important. It’s not like they need to contact international law enforcement. Anna tells him, just say it, and he says, Sasha is in trouble and it’s Jason Morgan’s fault.  

Brook tells Dante that she’s sorry, and he says, the minute he found out Sam was murdered, he wanted to hunt down the piece of garbage who did this. He’s a cop. She says, the best, and he says, Anna told him under no uncertain terms that he’s too close to the case. She says, maybe he is, and he says, obviously. He went to Anna’s office to show her how he’d handle it, and instead, he proved her right. He lost it on her. He yelled at his boss, and she sent him home. Brook says, Anna made the right call, and he says he knows that. For Sam to die like that, in a hospital bed, confined, unable to fight… If she could have gotten up, she would have fought tooth and nail. Brook says, damn straight, and he says, Sam was there because of him, and she’s gone because of him. He doesn’t know how to live with that.

Lulu asks Laura, how does she not feel responsible? The only reason Sam was in a hospital bed was because of her. Laura says, it’s human to feel like it’s her fault, but it’s completely untrue. She’s not responsible for Sam’s death. Only one person is – the murderer. Lulu says she knows that. It’s just so hard to silence the voice telling her that it’s her fault and to think about how Dante sees her. Laura says, he’s grieving, so she can’t assume to know how he feels, but she could ask, and Lulu says, just like that. Laura says, with the connection they have, yeah. It may not be the best time to tell him the full breadth of her feelings, but she can love him as friend.

At the hospital on his phone, Brad orders the deluxe spa package, while Portia tries to quietly go past him. He trots after her and asks if she has any idea where Dr. Jones is. She says, he switched his shift. She can imagine why. He says, speaking of schedules, is there any chance he can get an extra vacation day in Miami?

Curtis says, Drew wants to see him in the ring? and Jordan says, she brought them together hoping they could compromise like the adults she assumed they were, and Curtis says, it was a noble thought. But they both know Drew makes decisions based on what Drew wants. Drew says, and Curtis never misses the opportunity to get on his high horse. Curtis says, it must be real difficult for Drew to see that high up, being so damn lowdown, and Drew asks what Curtis says when the common denominator of the people keeping secrets from him is himself.

Anna asks how Jason is involved with Sasha, but Cody says, forget it. She says, he doesn’t barge into her office saying Robert’s daughter is in trouble and then drop it. He says he wants to talk to Robert directly, but she says, they’re close. What happened? Is Sasha in danger? He says, no. It’s not a crime or a legal thing. She tells him, just say it, and he says, Sasha is pregnant, and Jason is the father.  

Ric tells Ava, the thing about having a brother as an enemy is, they can read each other. He has a strong feeling something was off with Sonny just now. She asks how he can tell, and he says, Sonny may talk tough, but he has the sense Sonny doesn’t want to see this through. She says, when he dreams, he dreams big. Sonny doesn’t give up. He says, Sonny knows cutting her out will hurt Avery. Maybe he’s starting to care a little. She says she hopes he’s right. She needs to have Avery with her. The sooner he can make that happen, and the sooner she’s back on her feet, the sooner she can pay him. Once he gets paid, maybe after that they can see where things stand between them.

Kai tells Trina that he figured out how to put the brace on and it’s an accomplishment. He appreciates Trina coming, but he needs time to himself. She says, okay. She’ll leave him to it. She goes to the door and says, just so he knows, he doesn’t need to do this alone. She leaves, and he gets on the bed with his phone. He puts on an old game, and the announcer says, PCU is down three and going for a Hail Mary pass… They win, thanks to the golden arm of quarterback Kai Taylor! He puts the phone down, and Trina sees him through the window. She takes out her phone and makes a call. She says, when you get out, come and meet me at GH. Nothing is wrong. I just need help.  

Portia says she’s made accommodations for Brad, and he knows why. Brad says, just because he forced her doesn’t mean it’s not appreciated, and she says she does have limits and if she sticks to them, they shouldn’t have a problem. He says, understood… That said… She says, if he starts asking too much too often, people will start to notice. Don’t push his luck any further than he has. He says, so… is that a yes? and she says, enjoy your vacation day. She jets, and he says, thank you.  

Curtis says, his friendship comes with loyalty and wonders if it’s too much to expect in return, and Drew says, so his friendship is transactional. He’s not applying undue influence to sink Aurora. They’re not in court. Curtis says, let him remind Drew that he’s brand new to congress. He’s alienated his backers by seducing his nephew’s wife. He overextended himself and left himself wide open. Curtis and Jordan walk out.

Sonny asks what Kristina wanted to see him about. Is everything okay? She says, actually, no. The hospital investigated Sam’s death, and it turns out it’s not an accident. Sam was murdered. He asks if they know who, and she says, no, but they know how. She was given a drug she wasn’t supposed to have. Digitalis killed her. He says he’s going to ask a question she might not be able to answer. Does Dante know? She says, probably. The police are looking into it. Should she worry? He says he doesn’t want her to worry. Let him worry. Everybody has a breaking point and she’s carrying too much.

Brook says, it’s not Dante’s fault. She knows he can’t see it, so she’ll let him get there on his own, and he will. He says, she’s right, and she says she knows he’s saying that to get her off his back. She’s here if he needs anything. He says, she’s a pretty good friend when she tries, and she says, don’t tell anyone. He says, they wouldn’t believe him anyway, and they hug. Lulu walks in.  

On Monday, Laura tells Lucky that she has some news; Gio tells Emma that he has a bad feeling about something; Maxie tells Sasha that the more she stonewalls, the more it looks like she has something to hide; and Lulu tells Dante, nothing can be further from the truth.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Looks like a good time. Especially for that random dog who’s probably been stealing food all night.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/gh-star-tabyana-ali-celebrates-her-birthday-see-the-party-pics

Sage advice for any condition you might be suffering from: If you are suffering, you have to be your own advocate to keep going… If your doctor doesn’t get it, find a new doctor that listens to you and believes in you, and doesn’t just want to stick you on an antidepressant.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/gh-star-tabyana-ali-celebrates-her-birthday-see-the-party-pics

Side gig. I still say Adam Huss was the best Nikolas and they should bring him back.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-huss-wraps-a-movie-with-tuc-watkins

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

In making a sushi dinner for multiple people who don’t eat fish, Cloyce said he had nothing to do but laugh, bang his head against the wall, and innovate. It must be tough for any woman who dates Cloyce to get past him giggling like Anderson Cooper. Captain Glenn joined the guests for dinner and was impressed. Glenn said he still believed in Gary, which is beyond my scope of understanding. In his interview, the captain said, if Gary wanted to step up the ladder, he’d have to grow and mature. Good luck with that. Mixing his metaphors, Captain Glenn said, the crew knocked it out of the park and suggested they put this baby to bed. He’d seen growth and thought they finished the season on a high. The tip was $21K or 2000 euros each, and they’d made a total of $188K for the season. Gary told Daisy that he wanted them to live a fairytale life. She was like, hard no, and wondered why they couldn’t get to a level they could agree on. After the crew night out, Gary waited alone at the jacuzzi while everyone else went to bed. He had a lightbulb moment in his interview, where he said if he was going to be in Glenn’s position, he’d have to start taking more responsibility for his actions. I still can’t figure out what the problem was with the stews and Daisy, except that she wanted them to work. Gary thought there was still hope for him and Daisy, and we flashed back to them over the years. He was intrigued to see what the future held. Glenn said, it was a crazy season and it was done. Margarita time.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

In Kyle’s interview, she said she was alone in the house more often because the kids wanted more time away from her. Um… yeah, that’s how it works when kids get older. Boz and Dorit have gotten tight, which surprises me, since Boz doesn’t seem like she’d suffer fools or rambling talkers gladly. Garcelle pointed out that Kyle saying she’s never shared anything PK has said to her sounded like it was more than memes, but Kyle insisted that they’d never discussed PK and Dorit’s marriage. Kyle apologized to the group for yelling and leaving, but in Sutton’s interview, she wanted Kyle to apologize for acting better than everyone else and not being accountable. Kyle used the old it’s not who I am backpedal. I hate when people say that because, if not you, who? It was who you were in that moment and to say that is distancing yourself from accountability.

Dorit and Kyle went for a walk on the beach, and Dorit asked where Kyle’s loyalty lay, with her or PK. Dorit wanted the same respect from Kyle that Kyle would expect from her. In her interview, Kyle said she understood and if it was what Dorit needed, she’d do it, but IMO, she should have understood it without Dorit having to tell her. Dorit was also wrestling with Jagger having asked if she and PK were divorced, since he’d gleaned it from social media. In Erika’s interview, she said it was impossible to shield children in this day of the internet, but I wonder if you even should in the first place. By all means you should explain things at their level and make sure they know you’re there for them (and your partner too, if that’s a factor), but I’m not so sure kids should be shielded from negative situations entirely. God forbid they hear it from someone else like this poor kid. The show ended on an up note for once.

Real Housewives of New York City

It was the Reunion Part 1, so… There’s never a lot to say about these, since it’s just a rehash of the season’s arguments and them getting mad all over again. There was Jenna coming out in robe and turban, which was… original. Brynn spoke more about her assault, and sad to say, it’s someone she’s required to inhabit the same space with on a regular basis. It seemed hard for Erin to understand how difficult it is to out someone like that when it’s a he said/she said situation. There was a big deal with Brynn having said Pavit wasn’t the love of Jessel’s life, when they’d been talking about crazy hook-ups. Jessel was pretty upset about her family seeing the show. It looks to be a lively Part 2.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Ugh. The Reunion Part 2. In a word, tedious. Meredith almost walked off because… Okay, I lost track of the whole thing, but it had to do with something she said or didn’t say and who said she said or didn’t say it. You see how I could get lost, right? Angie said that for a new Housewife, Bronwyn put herself out there and that’s why everyone loved her. Agreed. Seth was a jerk, trying to explain away why he called Whitney a bee-yotch during a dinner. No excuse for that, dude. As NeNe so succinctly put it, stay out of women’s business. Period. End of story. With the exception of RHONJ, where the men should have their own show, the husbands need to stay quiet. It’s not called Real Househusbands. Still this season’s MVP, Mary was the exception. Lots of tears over Robert Jr.’s story, even from Andy. And it shut the other women up for once. That’s quite a feat. Whitney said it helped her kids understand why they didn’t have a grandpa as she hasn’t spoken to her (addicted) father since Season 1.

Southern Charm

Poor JT. I almost have to feel sorry for him. Almost. He’s so clueless as to how he’s going wrong. Although Venita doesn’t see it. She admitted to having a crush on him and I thought, oh, just do it already. Craig called Austen and wanted to hang out, which surprised me, but it didn’t seem to surprise Austen. Shep hadn’t heard from Sienna, who texted that she needed a moment. It made Shep nervous, which made me laugh. He said he wanted beautiful babies and a Bahamian house, making me laugh harder. Patricia and Madison had a pajama party, complete with caviar in bed, making me rethink my friend group, and Patricia said Sienna had approached Whitney on Raya before meeting Shep. Venita invited JT for dinner, and he told her that he was seeing someone. It wasn’t the answer either one of us was hoping for. I don’t like him, but she does, so I felt bad for her. He professed faithfulness, but IMO, he’d been leading Venita on. Not a gentleman.

I don’t remember this guy from Summer House, but I’m not always paying attention.

Southern Hospitality

I tried to watch this. I really did. But it’s just a bunch of relationships that are more complicated than they need to be. I’ve seen enough to know Emmy is a drama queen, so I can just imagine when she finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Red flags have been thrown her way before, which she’s put her fingers in her ears and gone la-la-la about, but this seems to be irrefutable evidence. Rut-roh.

There was this priceless quote though: Even though I’m 33, that’s like 50 in gay years, so I’m basically dead. – TJ

I feel the opposite. While the diversity is commendable, the personalities aren’t so diverse. We even have Maddi being James Kennedy 2.0. Sans the alcoholic rants. Wait for VPR’s reboot if you want to relive the glory days. Or actually watch the original glory days on several streaming services.

Random Reality

The latest in Atlanta. Twirl on, Kenya. Twirl on.

Why not? And I actually don’t mind Slade. They seem to be a good match. Maybe he’ll marry her on his deathbed.

Get your lemons ready.

I’m sporadic in watching this, and like with Survivor, I get lost with the challenges, but when I see it, I enjoy it. Alan Cumming is the best host, all theatric and Scottish.

Take the tour.

https://ew.com/the-traitors-host-alan-cumming-season-3-castle-tour-exclusive-8766966

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Sleep. Hulu et al. I was a fan of Korean cinema long before it was popular, and Netflix had a Korean for beginners category. While this wasn’t one of my favorites, that didn’t make it less intriguing. A story of possession masked as a sleep disorder, it has creepiness a plenty. I wasn’t thrilled with the ending, which left me kind of hanging, but the style and atmosphere were worth the time spent. I hadn’t thought of it as a metaphor for a deteriorating relationship, but there’s that too. Those of you who feel, if I want to read, I’ll get a book, be forewarned; this one has subtitles.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sleep-korean-film-review

https://nofspodcast.com/sleep-review-new-korean-horror-is-a-methodical-slow-build-of-simmering-scares

Saturday Night. Netflix. This is the telling of the story of the first episode of SNL, and how no one thought it would get on the air, much less stand the test of time it has. A dramatization for sure, but the real-life drama may have seemed heightened since there were so many roadblocks. From John Belushi refusing to sign his contract while ice skating in a bee costume to Milton Berle flashing his legendary junk, it’s a fun watch.

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/saturday-night/

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/saturday-night-netflix-review

The truths and the nots.

https://people.com/how-much-of-saturday-night-is-true-8725801

Some of this is a stretch to connect to SNL, but six degrees and all that.

🎸 Who’s Playing For Who…

The Super Bowl performers.

https://ew.com/super-bowl-2025-performers-kendrick-lamar-halftime-sza-jon-batiste-8779483

The Grammys performers.

https://ew.com/everyone-performing-at-2025-grammys-charli-xcx-sabrina-carpenter-more-8779877

🐾 Send In the Furbabies…

🐶 It’s always nice to see a celebrity using their powers for good. This must have been incredibly rewarding. I’ve loved Paris since Tinkerbell wrote her book.

https://people.com/paris-hilton-reunites-her-foster-dog-from-l-a-fires-with-the-dog-s-family-8781373

🐎 What would the Super Bowl be without the Budweiser Clydesdales?

https://people.com/super-bowl-2025-budweiser-clydesdale-horse-commercial-8780322

🐕 And don’t forget the best Bowl of all.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/2025/pb-xxi-gallery

https://www.discovery.com/shows/on-tv/puppy-bowl/see/2025

🐐 Quotes of the Week

Anyone who wants to achieve a dream must stay strong, focused and steady.Estée Lauder

A dead end street is a good place to turn around. – Naomi Judd

Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read. – Groucho Marx

If your dreams don’t scare you, they are too small. – Richard Branson

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. – Pablo Picasso

You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old. – George Burns

Words are the clothing of our thoughts.Jonathan Swift

A ship in a harbour is safe, but it’s not fulfilling its potential. – Susan Jeffers

If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment. – Carlos Santana

I don’t know why they say alcohol is a depressant. It fixes everything. – Joyce (Swoosie Kurtz), Mike & Molly

🍫 Like a Box Of Chocolates…

Until next week, stay safe; stay being adaptable in social and professional settings; and stay managing your expectations, setting reasonable goals, and not getting ahead of yourself.

November 21, 2024 – Michael Confides In Sasha, A Merciful End To OC’s Reunion, Salty Talk, Social Pets (!) & Affair

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

At the boxing gym, Dex introduces himself to Kai, and says, they know someone in common – Trina.  

At Bobbie’s, Josslyn tells Trina that they’re supposed to be sharing the fries, but she’s eating them herself. Trina says she’s thinking about Kai. She’s not sure she should be working with him. He should have been here by now. Josslyn says, it’s too late for him to drop the class, but Trina says, they’ll waive anything to accommodate him and he’s flaking out on her. Josslyn says, if Trina goes back on her word, she’ll be the flake. He’s not that late. Trina says she can do the work herself rather than wasting time waiting for Kai and explaining everything to him, and Josslyn says, it seems like Trina is looking for a reason not to work with him.

Jordan finds TJ at the hospital and says she could use someone to help her eat the take-out she got. He says, her timing is right and if she doesn’t mind eating in the breakroom, he’d be happy to help her put a dent in it. She says she didn’t come for the ambiance. She came for the company.

Sasha is rolling out dough in the nook when Michael walks in. He says he’s looking for a snack, and she says she can heat up some leftovers for him. What is he in the mood for? He says, surprise him, and she says she didn’t see him at dinner. He says, there’s been a lot going on. He can’t believe Sam is gone. She says she’s sorry she missed the funeral, but she had something she couldn’t get out of. He says he heard and asks if she’s okay, but she says she doesn’t want to talk about it. He tells her to forget it. He’s not really hungry. She asks why he’s really here? Is there something going on? He says he’s here because he can’t go home.

Kristina is having dinner with Sonny at Pozzulo’s, and she asks if she can help him. He tells her to sit back and be spoiled by her dad, and she says, that sounds really nice. (I suddenly wonder why there are never any customers in Pozzulo’s.) He asks why she’s restless, and she says she’s worried about Ava’s trial. What if she screws up? It will ruin the only chance she has to make Ava pay for Adela’s death. He says, she’s been in tough situations before. She’s going to hit it out of the park. She says, what if she doesn’t?

Chase sees Sam’s apartment door open, and quietly goes in. He hears something and draws his gun, but it’s Dante with a duffel bag. Dante asks what he’s doing, and Chase says, the door was open and there was no answer. Dante says he left it open. What brings Chase by? Chase says he wanted to see if Dante needed anything. Is he taking a trip? Dante says he and the kids are going to the Quartermaines, and Chase asks if he thinks they’re coming back to live here. Dante says, if it was up to him, he’d never leave. It was the last place the whole family was together.

Drew meets Alexis at her office, and says, she wanted to discuss something with him? She says she didn’t want to do it on the phone. But before they start, who did that to his face? Jason walks in, and everyone looks uncomfortable.

Trina says she doesn’t want to waste time dragging Kai through a class he doesn’t want to be in. People take Art History because it’s a requirement or they’re interested in art. It might be an art course, but it’s a hard class. Josslyn says she imagines Kai is used to hard work, and maybe he likes art. Trina says, yeah. He’s probably a regular Renaissance man. She decided to meet because he said he never gives up and can accomplish anything he sets his mind to. Josslyn says, give him a chance, and suggests Trina can be a control freak. Trina says she found life is easier when she’s in control.

Kai asks how Dex knows Trina, and Dex says his girlfriend is her roommate Josslyn. He thinks she and Kai met. Kai says he’s pretty sure she convinced Trina to talk to him. He’s Trina’s partner in art class and she thinks he’s not pulling his weight. Is Dex a student at PCU? Dex says he’s a cop, a rookie, and Kai asks if Trina sent Dex to arrest him for loitering or disturbing the peace. Dex says, Trina can be intense, but she’s a sweetheart, and one of the smartest people he knows. Kai is lucky to have her as a partner. Kai says, then maybe Dex can convince her not to dump him. He asks if Dex spars. He could go a couple of rounds. Dex asks if his coach wouldn’t freak out at the thought of Kai getting injured, but Kai says, not if he doesn’t know.

Sonny says, everything that’s going on is affecting Kristina’s confidence, and Kristina says she wants to make sure Ava pays and is punished. It’s all she can do for her daughter. If Ava goes free because of her… Sonny says he doesn’t care. If Ava is in prison or gets off scot-free, Kristina will survive. She says she doesn’t want to just survive. She wants justice. Losing Sam and Adela, she’s never faced so much pain and loss. He says she needs something to concentrate on, and she says, like what? He says, working for him.

Dante tells Chase that he was worried that the apartment wouldn’t feel like home, but Sam made him and Rocco feel welcome. It still feels like she’s here. He still expects to see her. There are a lot of memories here. Chase asks if there’s any reason he can’t stay, and Dante says, it’s home, but he has no claim to it. And even if he did, the family who lived here no longer exists.

Drew asks what Jason is doing here, and Jason says, Alexis asked him to be here. Alexis apologizes for the subterfuge, but she didn’t think they’d come if they knew the other was going to be here, and it’s important. Drew says, tell Jason and she can tell him later, but she says, it concerns Sam. Drew asks if she has to tell them at the same time, and she says, if they loved Sam, listen, both of them. Jason asks what it’s about, and she says, Sam’s will and what she wanted for Danny and Scout.

Kristina says she appreciates the offer, but she can’t, and Sonny says, why not? She says she doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life, and he says, she can figure it out while she’s learning his business. She says she’s not qualified to run any business, but he says, she’s good with numbers and has organizational skills. She’s good at working with people. She’s overqualified. Bounce around Corinthos Coffee and see how she feels. She says she’ll think about it, and he says, salute. They clink glasses. (I think he should train her to be Lady Mob Boss.)

Jordan asks how TJ is doing. She knows he liked Sam. He says, the service was simple, but meaningful. She’s going to be missed. Jordan asks, how’s Molly? but he says he’s not sure. She and her mom took off after the reception. Jordan says, the more emotional is gets, the busier they get, and he says he and Alexis have something in common he wishes they didn’t. They both forgot Molly’s birthday.

Chase asks what Dante thinks is going to happen to the place, and Dante says, it’s Sam’s, so he assumes she left it to Scout and Danny. Chase asks if she had a will, and Dante says, they talked about wills because he had a dangerous job. How’s that for irony? He decided he wanted her to have custody of Rocco, shared with his mom, so they could keep the kids together. He changed his will to make arrangements and now he’s got to find a place for the two of them to live. Chase says, it’s going to be hard leaving, and Dante says, Scout and Danny will be leaving. What choice does he have? He’s not their father.

Jason looks at the will, and Alexis says she made a copy for each of them to show to their lawyers. She has the original. Jason asks why he wasn’t told. He’s Danny’s father. She says, he wasn’t told because nobody expected this. Drew says, Sam asked him to be Danny’s guardian, and he agreed, but Jason says, look at the date. It was before Sam knew he was alive. He wonders if Sam intended to grant Drew custody no matter what, and Drew says, she wanted the kids to stay together. Alexis says, Sam told her the same thing, and Jason says, at that time. She says, the law is on Jason’s side, but even considering how Sam came around to Jason being part of Danny’s life, she doesn’t think Sam would want him to have full custody, especially now that they know she wanted the kids to stay together. So she has to ask, what is he going to do?

Sasha gives Michael some coffee and asks why he can’t go home. He says, the kids are asleep, and Willow went to bed early, and she asks if he thinks Willow is avoiding him. He says, it doesn’t matter. He can’t be in the same room, the same bed, or even under the same roof as Willow right now. She says, it’s still his home, but he says he doesn’t know what kind of home or marriage he has anymore.

Dex and Kai spar, and Dex says he boxed in the service. Kai says, a military man. Respect. He asks if Dex is a PC fan, but Dex says he likes the Llanview Bobcats. Kai says, he’s going to be disappointed when they dust his team. Trina mentioned that he and Josslyn like to go to games. He can give Dex comp tickets to the Llanview/PC game. He has to go. He doesn’t want to be late meeting Trina. Dex says, cool about the tickets. Off the field, Kai seems like a decent guy. Kai says he hopes he can convince his study partner of the same.

Josslyn says she understands where Trina is coming from. Depending on someone new is tough. Trina says, maybe, but she doesn’t want to depend on anyone, and Josslyn says, Trina can always depend on her. Trina says, likewise, and Josslyn says, there are some things in life you can’t control. Just give Kai a chance. Maybe he’ll pull through. Trina says she’s already given him a chance and it’s his only one.

Chase suggests Dante buy the place, but Dante says, it wouldn’t feel right. Chase says, they can stay at the Quartermaines, but Dante says he doesn’t want Rocco involved in whatever’s going on with Drew and Jason. Chase says, it’s too bad Danny and Scout are, and Dante says, it’s the last thing Sam would want. Chase says, that’s why he thinks it’s a major mistake for Dante to move out.

Jason says, the best thing for Danny isn’t what they want or what Sam wanted. What’s best is to ask Danny what he wants. He’s old enough to choose, and he told Danny that Danny can live with him if that’s what he wants. He’ll make it a home for Danny. Alexis asks if Drew is okay with that, and Drew says, he could live at the Quartermaines with Scout and Rocco so they won’t be split up, but Jason says he doesn’t want Danny to think he can’t live with his dad or is unwelcome. That’s not the case. Drew says he thinks Danny would like living at the Quartermaines a lot, but Jason says, don’t tell him about his son. Alexis says she thinks Danny has a lot of feelings and they should be taken into account. Clearly, there’s a level of animosity between them and she doesn’t want to be caught in the middle of their drama. Yet here she is. So she’s going to ask. How did they get the bruises on their faces? There’s silence, and she says, the fact that they’re not answering suggests a fistfight… and their silence confirms it. Here’s the thing, and she’s just going to say it once. If they ever truly loved her daughter and their children, cut the crap and start talking.

Josslyn says, Trina’s not leaving, but Trina says she’s done waiting. Josslyn says, he’s ten minutes late, and Trina says she texted him and he didn’t even give her the courtesy of a reply. She can do the work herself at the apartment. Kai walks in and Josslyn says she’s going to get take-out for Dex. She jets to the counter, and Kai tells Trina that he’s sorry. He knows he’s late. He didn’t realize about the traffic and had to go back to get his laptop. He’s sorry. (I’m liking Kai, but what happened with Gio? Is it going to be a battle for Trina’s heart?)

Josslyn sits at the counter, and Kristina says, does Josslyn mind if she sits down? Josslyn says, of course (🍷), and Kristina says she thought she’d grab a chai latte. Josslyn says she’s waiting for take-out and asks how Kristina is doing. She’s sorry about Sam. Kristina thanks her for coming to the funeral; Adela’s too. It meant a lot. Josslyn says, of course (🍷). She’s sorry for both of Kristina’s losses. Is she taking care of herself? Kristina says she’s trying. She’s glad she ran into Josslyn. There’s something she needs to say. She owes Josslyn an apology.

TJ tells Jordan that he had a gift, but he didn’t remember on the day. He heard Ric wish Molly a happy birthday. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have remembered. Jordan asks what Molly said, and TJ tells her that Molly said it was fine. He wishes for once she’d say it wasn’t and lose it. Jordan says, then she wouldn’t be Molly. She’d be Kristina. He says he’s not that guy. He doesn’t forget his partner’s birthday. She says, it was the day before Sam’s funeral. No one was thinking about birthdays. He says, Kristina and Ric, the two most self-centered people he knows, remembered, and he forgot. It’s totally on brand for them as a couple, but he will make it up to Molly.

Chase says, Dante has been Danny and Scout’s father figure, and they depend on him. Dante says he was enjoying being a stepdad to them, but he’d never get in the way of their actual fathers. Sam figured those things out. The best thing is for him and Rocco to find their own place.  Chase asks, what’s the rush? Dante just lost someone who means the world to both him and Rocco. He and Brook were living in their own place when his dad died, and they moved into the Quartermaines because of Violet. He’s glad they stayed because it kept him from feeling lonely, even with the Quartermaines’ shenanigans. Just think, Dante’s mom is there, he’s there. There’s no need for a sudden move. It’s okay to let the family in, including himself. Dante says, Chase wormed his way into the family now, and Chase says, you’re not alone, partner. You’ve got me.

Alexis asks if Jason punched Drew, and Jason says, yes. She says, they had a fight after the kids lost their mother? Did they see the bruises? Drew says, they did, and she asks what story he gave them. He says he walked into a door, and she says, and they bought that? He says he thinks Scout did, but he doesn’t think the boys did. She asks what Jason said to Danny, and Jason says he told Danny the truth, the facts. Danny asked if he punched Drew, and he said, yes. Alexis asks, what provoked the fight? and Jason says he’s going to tell her what he told Danny. The matter is between him and Drew. Drew agrees, and she says, great, they agree. Jason says, and he agrees that Danny has the right to choose what he wants. He walks out.  

Michael says he can’t keep track of all the lies he and Willow have told each other, and Sasha says, the whole thing is a mess. Willow was upset that she confided in Cody about her kissing Drew. She tried to tell Willow that she was sorry Cody blurted it out at the Brown Dog Bar. Michael says, that’s low on the list of things to feel sorry about. There’s more to Willow and Drew than she knows. She asks if something else happened, and Michael says, they slept together. She asks if he’s sure, and he says he is. She asks how he found out, but he says, she doesn’t want to know. He’s positive Willow doesn’t know how he found out. She asks if he’s going to confront her, but he says, if he tells her what he knows, he’ll have to tell her about them.

Michael says, if he does tell her, he’ll keep Sasha’s name out of it, and she says she appreciates that. She needs her job. He says, it’s hard to know what to do next, and she asks what he wants. He says he wanted to fight for his marriage, then he found out Willow slept with Drew. He confided in Jason, which was probably a mistake. She says she wondered what prompted the fight, and he says he never wanted that to happen, but he needed to confide in somebody. Then he was watching his wife tenderly patch up her lover. The way Willow was looking at Drew is how she used to look at him. Sasha says she’s so sorry, and he says he wonders if Willow loves him. She says, Willow told her that she did, and he asks if Sasha believes her. He needs somebody he can trust and he trusts her. She says she believes Willow when Willow says she loves him and the kids, but for her to put all that on the line… He says, she wouldn’t risk everything unless she felt something more for Drew.

Alexis tells Drew that Sam wouldn’t approve of him barring Jason from Danny’s life, and he says, Sam also didn’t want to split the kids up. She says, regardless of Sam’s intentions, this is the official will. Rocco isn’t their decision; Dante is his father. And Danny’s father is Jason. Drew says his bruises are an indication of what kind of father Jason will be, and Alexis says she doesn’t know what caused the fight. Drew says, they both know Jason. Does she think it’s really okay to let Danny live with him? Alexis says, no. That’s why she came up with an alternative. What if Scout and Danny live with her?

Sonny tells Jason that the will was made years ago. Diane will have it thrown out. Jason says he has to figure out his next move, and Sonny says, custody issues are messy. This whole thing with Ava is a pain in his ass. Jason says he’s trying to avoid that. Danny is hurting. He just lost his mother, and he doesn’t want to abandon his sister. He’s taking care to respect that, but he sure as hell doesn’t want Drew raising his kid. Sonny says, they were never close, but what changed? and Jason tells Sonny that he’ll just say, Drew took the name Quartermaine and he’s living up to it. He doesn’t trust a word Drew says. He wants the best for his son. Why would he want Drew to be Danny’s guardian? Drew thinks he doesn’t care, but nothing can be further from the truth. Sonny says, everybody knows that, including Danny. Everybody knows Jason loves his son.

Trina goes over the schedule with Kai, who makes fun of her for using a planner. His grandma was using it when he was a kid. She says, it still works, and she likes to use one. It’s helpful for project management. They need to make a list of books for their research. He tells her to check her email. He found a list books. He finished it at 3:45 in the morning. It can be hard to sleep. He has a lot on his mind.

Kristina says she didn’t get a chance to thank Josslyn for saving her life. She remembers being in the ambulance, and doesn’t remember what Josslyn was saying, but seeing Josslyn’s face and hearing her voice was comforting. Josslyn says she was so nervous she was doing something wrong, but Kristina says she’s alive because of Josslyn. Josslyn says she was just doing her job, and Kristina tells her to take the compliment. Josslyn says, she’s welcome, and Kristina says she’ll never forget how Josslyn stepped up despite their past. Josslyn says she’s sorry for everything Kristina has been through. She doesn’t deserve any of it. How is she managing with the trial? Kristina asks if Josslyn is testifying, and Josslyn says, she’s so sick of seeing Ava get away with everything. It’s time her luck ran out and they get justice once and for all. Kristina says, for her daughter and Morgan.

Kristina says she’s going to get some rest, and Josslyn says she’s getting take-out for Dex. Kristina says she’s glad they’re back together. Dex is a good guy. Josslyn says she thinks so too. She sees Trina and Kai leaving and adds, and besides, they can all use a little bit of love in their lives. Outside Bobbie’s, Kai tells Trina if she’s up and needs to chat, he’ll be up reading the books he bought. She asks why he doesn’t just use the library, and he says he thinks his grandma went… She tells him, shut up, and he says, goodnight.  

TJ says, Jordan hasn’t seen Drew, has she? He was at the service wearing makeup. She says she never took Drew to be a smoky eye type guy, but he could pull it off. TJ says, he was covering a black eye. He wonders if she knows where he got it, but she says she has no idea. He says, for what it’s worth (🍷), Jason has a bruise too. He thinks she needs new friends. She says she may have a new friend he’d approve of, and he asks, who? She says she’ll tell him when she knows more.  

Michael says he’ll do everything to keep Sasha’s name out of it, and she says she appreciates it. If he ever needs to talk… He says, same, and she asks if he knows what his next move be. He says, not entirely, but no matter what’s going on, he’s going to protect his family.

Chase says he’ll see Dante at home, and Dante says he sees what Chase did. Don’t get ahead of himself. Chase says, think about what he said, and Dante says he will. Chase leaves, and Dante picks up his bag and keys. He looks around the apartment.  

Alexis says, if Scout and Danny stay with her, they’ll be together and not in the middle of the animosity. Drew says he doesn’t doubt Alexis’s love and concern, and she says she’s worried about Danny. He wants to be with Scout and Sam wanted them to be together. Drew says he appreciates that and doesn’t want to hurt the kids, but Scout needs to be with her father and there’s no way she’s going to be anywhere else but with him.

Jason tells Sonny that they’ve been through this a few times, but never when the kid’s mother died. Sam told him that he’d let Danny down in the past. He wants to do what’s best for Danny. What would Sonny do in this situation? Sonny says, the reality is, Sam is gone, and Jason is still here. His son is still here. He has to do what’s best for his son. If he were Jason, he sure as hell wouldn’t let Drew anywhere near Danny. If this is a fight, he has Jason’s back.

Tomorrow, Mac has something for Sasha from her dad; TJ tells Stella that Ava’s trial is the last place he should be; Ric guarantees he and Ava are going to win; Michael tells Curtis that he won’t be Aurora’s CEO for much longer; and Jason tells Dante that there’s no way he’s handing Danny over to Drew.

🍊 Making Oranges Out Of Lemons…

Ugh. I hate these Reunions, and this one was no exception. There is almost always that point where everybody is screaming talking at once and you can’t understand a damn thing. This is a good argument for having the closed captions on, but even they have to pick and choose. This was part 3 and the end of what even Fancy Pants Heather had to agree was an endless season. We were plopped back into the much ado about Alexis.

Emily said Alexis was the dumbest broad [she’d] ever f***ing met. I appreciated her use of the word broad. The origins of it are murky, but it always reminds me of Frank Sinatra and the old Rat Pack movies. Alexis responded with asking if Emily wanted to hit her, then claimed she had a degree. Gina said she knew a lot of dumb people with college degrees (same), but I’m guessing it’s probably a degree from clown school or something. Andy kept trying to put a pin in the loan discussion, but that hamster wheel kept turning. There was a weird John/Alexis interview, where Johnny J. said he never intended on releasing the videos, but if Shannon wanted to see what a monster she was, he’d be glad to show them to her personally. Alexis told the group that she hadn’t wanted to bring up the videos – but you did, Blanche, you did! – and she didn’t know it was on camera. This was when I looked at the camera like Jim from The Office. I doubt any of the women – okay, maybe Jenn – believed that for a second, especially since it wasn’t a one-off or a blurting out when drunk. Alexis brought it up on several occasions and it was definitely meant as a threat.

When blessed relief came in Alexis leaving, Emily summed it up by saying, every trashcan needs a lid, and she thought Johnny J. had found his. Tamra apologized to Shannon and said she was starting therapy. They hugged it out and Andy produced espresso martinis and mocktails for those not imbibing. Fancy Pants gave the worst toast ever, saying something like, since it was the 100th season of the franchise, to love and success for all of them. Really? All the pontificating and advising, wanted or not, all season, and that was it for the 100th season? Pfft! Then came the plot twist.

36 hours later. We saw the core group – Fancy Pants, Gina, Emily, Tamra, and Shannon met at (I think) Gina’s house. We found out that the beans had been spilled about the videos during a dinner after the Reunion. Apparently, Johnny J. had heard the crash and wanted to go out, but his daughter stopped him. She went out and saw Shannon peel out. So then, not almost running her over as we’d heard from Katie in an earlier episode. He said there had been an altercation earlier between him and Shannon, and Shannon had hit him. Shannon said she heard tell that she’d punched Johnny J., but I wondered what kind of punch she could actually pack. I mean seriously, Johnny J. couldn’t fend her off or walk away? Oh that’s right, he was busy filming.

The scary part though, was that Shannon remembered none of it. She should be grateful for the rest of her life that she didn’t kill herself or kill someone else. Gina said alcohol equaled bad decision making, and Shannon had changed her relationship with alcohol. This didn’t make her a terrible person. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Shannon over the years, but I have to say, I think all this makes her a brave person. Not many of us would want to show our worst moments to the world, but it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish, and I hope she finishes as strong as she was in that moment. No surprise, there was a group hug.

On a side note, we found out that Alexis had also bought Johnny J. an $800 pair of shoes. Can’t that guy buy his own shoes?

https://people.com/real-housewives-of-orange-county-recap-cameras-pick-back-up-shannon-beador-dui-reveal-reunion-8749901

Interesting how Alexis constantly claimed not to be involved with the lawsuit, but always used the word we when referencing it.

https://people.com/shannon-beador-officially-settles-ongoing-lawsuit-with-ex-john-janssen-8748123

🧂 A Pinch Of Salt…

A full recap from yesterday. As for Todd scolding Bronwyn, he wasn’t wrong.

🐩 Will Work For Likes… and a Biscuit…

My favorite – Peggy!

https://spotpet.com/blog/lifestyle/most-influential-pets-2024

https://wagwalking.com/daily/top-12-celebrity-pet-instagram-accounts-to-follow

🦃 Turkey Trotting…

Come on by tomorrow for a full bar of soap and what to watch (or not). Until then, stay safe, stay not only talking to people you know at a party, and stay changing your relationship with alcohol if you’re making bad decisions.

November 14, 2024 – Jason Punches Drew, New Lulu, First Soap, Gates Open Soon, A Friend Joins the OC Reunion, Salty Talk, Prank Slam, Charming Exit, Latest House, Surprise & Cosmic

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Alexis says, if Kristina wants her help to get justice, she’ll do everything she can to help. Kristina says she wants to prepare for Ava’s trial and do everything she can to see that Ava is found guilty of killing Adela.

Ava meets Ric at the Grille, and he tells her that he’s going to be upfront. Her case isn’t a slam dunk. An innocent baby is dead, two mothers are grieving, and there’s a photo where Ava has her hands on Kristina. Ava says, it’s not what it looks like, and Ric says he believes her, but he doesn’t know if a jury will. Ava asks if he doesn’t plan to paint Kristina as an explosive, unpredictable woman, and he says, like her?

Trina sees TJ at the boxing gym, and he tells her that it’s good to keep busy. She says she’s sorry about Sam. How’s Molly? He says he’s barely seen her.

Molly sits at Bobbie’s reading a book. She puts it on the table and looks at her phone. As he’s walking by, Isaiah knocks the book off the table. He picks it up and says, Little Women. She must be in the mood for a good cry.

Willow says, it seems something is bothering Michael, and he says, there is something on his mind. There’s no good way to ask, so he’s just going to ask. How does she feel about Drew moving to DC?

Jason is waiting in the foyer when Nina comes in with Drew. She tells Jason that his brother is a congressman, and Drew walks toward Jason, holding out his hand. Jason punches Drew in the face. (Jason is all of us right now.)

Nina says, what the hell? and Jason and Drew struggle. Jason hits Drew again and draws blood. Nina yells, stop! when Lois and Brook come out. Brook says, that’s enough, and Nina says, Drew is hurt. Drew asks Jason, why? but Jason says, you know why. He leaves, and Ned comes in. Ned asks if Drew wants to tell him what the hell that was about.

Willow says she understands it might be difficult to believe, but she’s glad Drew is leaving for DC. He won’t be a constant reminder to Michael, and the longer he’s gone, the easier it will be to get past this and the less it will matter. Michael asks if that’s what she wants, and she says, it’s all she wants. He says he’s glad to hear it, and she says, he doesn’t seem as happy as she thought he’d be. He says he’s not sure it solves their real problem and wonders if it’s enough to save their marriage. Or is it too little too late? Willow says, of course (🍷) it’s not. It will give them a chance to work on their relationship. He says he knows where he wants to start, with the truth.  

TJ tells Trina that losing Irene was devastating. They don’t have closure. Trina says, maybe they need more time, but TJ says, they’re burying themselves in work and avoiding each other. They used to love spending time together. She says, grief changes you. She always thought she was outgoing, but after Spencer died, she felt alone. He says, when they lost the baby, he thought they’d tackle it together, but they feel separate. She suggests they’re just going through a rough patch and will figure it out, but he says, with Sam being gone, Molly is more distant than ever. She’s not confiding in him, but he doesn’t blame her. The loss is too much.

Molly tells Isaiah that Little Women is her favorite book. It comforts her. He says, it doesn’t look like her first copy, and she says, it’s the newest edition. It was her birthday gift to herself. Her birthday is today. He tells her, happy birthday, and she says, he’s the first person this year to wish her happy birthday. He may be the only one. He asks if everyone forgot, and she says, seems like it. It’s not as bad as it sounds. Her family has a lot going on. He says, that’s no excuse, but she says, it kind of is. She doesn’t mean to unload on him, but her sister just passed away. They’re all in shock and dealing with planning a funeral. He says he’s sorry, and she says, it doesn’t feel real and doesn’t make sense. He says he hopes she doesn’t mind him asking, but what happened? Was she sick? Molly says, she died unexpectedly after a routine surgery. She was a liver donor. He asks if her sister was Sam McCall.

Kristina tells Alexis that she’s not worried about the outcome. She has faith that justice will prevail, and they’ll find Ava guilty of killing her daughter. She wants to be as prepared as possible. She’s been working with the DA’s office, but she trusts Alexis more. Besides, they could use the distraction. Alexis says, it’s a good idea to be as prepped as possible and know what she’s going to say on the stand. Kristina says she does. She’s going to tell the truth. Alexis says, of course (🍷), and Kristina says, it’s an open and shut case. Alexis says, it’s possible the case may not work the way Kristina wants.

Ava asks how Ric can say that when he knows she’s hanging on by a thread, and he says, the prosecution is going to portray her in the worst possible light. She says she’s not the monster people make her out to be, and he says, she needs to be prepared for what the ADA is going to throw at her. They way she reacted to what he just said might not bode well on the stand, and the cross-examination by the prosecution will be harder. She says, it’s not her first time, and he says, they’re going to leave no stone or bad deed unturned. Every time she jaywalked, they’re going to dredge it up. It’s his job to see how well she holds up under pressure.

Kristina tells Alexis, of course (🍷) it’s going to go her way. The truth is on her side. Alexis says, unfortunately, that’s not going to matter. Not when Ric is involved. He doesn’t care about her feelings or her grief or her pain. Kristina says she can handle Ric, but Alexis says, he’s smart and shrewd and will set a trap. Kristina will walk into it and he won’t bat an eye. She’ll do what she can to help Kristina be prepared, but it may not go the way she wants. Kristina says she’s not going to fall into Ric’s trap, but Alexis says, she already has, at the Grille. Don’t think he won’t use that to make her look unstable. Krisina says, Ric won’t blindside her again. With Alexis’s help she’ll be ready for whatever Ric throws at her.

Ava asks Ric why her past needs to be brought up. Isn’t it inadmissible? He says, that motion is always shot down. Character is definitely relevant to establish a pattern. Ava says, there’s no pattern, but he says, her brushes with the law are admissible. Her taking the stand is the only real weapon in their arsenal. She has to confront her past and accept what she’s done. She says, probably nobody will understand why she’s done the things she’s done.

Willow asks what Michael means by the truth, and he says he’s done a lot of thinking. It’s all he’s been thinking about. He loves her and he wants them to move past this. She says she does too, and he says, she has no idea how happy he is to hear her say that. They haven’t exactly been truthful. She says she’s sorry she kept her and Drew’s kiss from him, but he says he’s not just talking about the kiss. They’ve both kept secrets from each other. He didn’t tell her about his and Dex’s plan to take down his father, and didn’t tell her that Nina was the one who called the SEC. It’s easy to keep secrets because it’s become their pattern (WOTD). She says she wanted to tell him. She hated lying to him. It was tearing her apart. He says, they’ve both lied. He wants to feel like they can be honest. To make it work, there have to be no more secrets, and he can’t be the only one who wants that to happen. She needs to want it too. Is she ready to be completely honest?

Drew is helped to the living room, and Ned tells them not to let Drew bleed on the upholstery (ha-ha-ha!). Lois asks, what’s wrong with him? and he says he’s thinking about Monica. If they keep the damage to a minimum, she never needs to know. Nina says, Drew was just attacked by his brother, and Brook says, that will be upsetting to Monica. She leaves to get ice, and Lois says, Drew needs to go to the emergency room, but Ned says, no. The family can’t endure another scandal. Lois says, Drew needs medical attention, but Drew says, Ned’s right. It will draw too much attention that they don’t need.

Molly says, Sam is her sister, and Isaiah says, this is a strange coincidence. He’s the surgeon who operated on Lulu. They introduce themselves, and Molly says she didn’t know who was operating on Lulu. They were so focused on Sam and Lucas, it didn’t occur to them to ask. He says, there’s no reason they should have. He’s sorry for her loss. From what he heard, Sam was an amazing person. Molly says, she was, and thanks him. She says, if he’s not meeting someone, would he like to join her? He says he’d love to, and sits down. He says he can understand why her family forgot. He’s sorry he was harsh. She says, even if they’d remembered, she’s not in the mood to celebrate, but he says, even on the hardest of days, it’s important to enjoy yourself. Birthdays are only once a year. It would be a shame to waste it. He has something to take care of, but he’ll be right back. He leaves the table.

Trina works the heavy bag, and TJ says, she packs a hell of a punch. She says, it comes in handy when somebody cuts in line at the coffee shop, and he says he has to get back to work. It was nice to have a sympathetic ear. She says she’s here for him, and he packs up. He tells her to enjoy her workout, but she sees Kai is there and says she doesn’t see that happening. Because of that guy. He says, Kai Taylor? and she asks if he knows him. He says, everybody knows him, but she says she didn’t before the other day. He tells her all of Kai’s football accomplishments, and she says, he’s messing up her GPA. He’s her partner for a project and hasn’t showed up for any classes. TJ suggests she talk to him.  

Kristina says she’ll do what it takes to beat Ric, and Alexis says she believes Kristina can do whatever she puts her mind to, but she’s not sure it’s going to work. Kristina says she can’t accept that. Ava has tortured their family long enough. Ava killed Morgan and Connie, and it’s not fair there were never any consequences. Ava belongs in prison for everything she’s done. Ava is responsible for the fact she can never hold her daughter or experience being a mother. She wants Ava to experience the unbearable pain of having Avery ripped out of her arms and know it’s because of her.

Ric says he knows what it’s like not to be proud of your past, and Ava says she had good reasons for doing the things she did. He says, that’s what they try to convince themselves and the people they love, doing mental gymnastics. One small bad deed leads to another until they’ve painted themselves so far in a corner, they don’t know how they got there. And the worst part is, when it’s over, they’ve lost the people they love. The people they love hate them, and they’re left alone wondering where they went wrong. They live with the guilt and the person they’ve become, becomes familiar. Maybe they’re not so different. He’s not going to judge her when he’s not ready to judge himself. She tells him, do his worst, and he says, Miss Jerone, how did you feel when you pushed Kristina Corinthos-Davis out of the window? Similar to when you shot Connie Falconari in cold blood?

Lois asks if they know a doctor who will make house calls, and Nina says she’ll get Willow. She thinks they should call the cops, but Ned says, the attention the police will attract is worse than an ambulance. Nina says, they can be discreet, and if the press finds out, she’ll mitigate the fallout. Jason needs to be held responsible. She leaves, and Ned says, so they all agree, no cops. All he saw was a disagreement between brothers. Lois says, it was more than that, but Drew says, no cops, no ambulance.

Willow says she wants a life with Michael. It’s what she’s always wanted, for them to have a family together. He asks if that’s what she really wants or is she saying that because she feels obligated? but she says she’d never think of him as an obligation. He says he wants to make sure they’re on the same page and both want to fight for their marriage. She says that’s exactly what she wants. Where do they start? He says he thinks it’s time they were completely honest, when there’s an urgent knock at the door. It’s Nina, and she says, Willow needs to come to the house. There was a fight and someone was injured. Michael says, who? and she says, Drew and Jason had a fight and Drew was hurt. They leave.

Isaiah brings Molly a cupcake with a candle in it, and she says, that’s very sweet. He says he’s embarrassed to admit it, but he’s a big birthday guy. But it’s not a go until she makes a wish. She asks if he thinks it’s okay if she wishes for something that’s not possible, and he says, that’s the best kind of wish. She blows out the candle.

Ava says she did not kill Connie, but Ric says, she was arrested for Connie’s murder. She says, the charges were dropped, and he says, because the evidence disappeared. Just like the bags Kristina tripped over. Ava says she explained that to the police. She panicked and moved them. He says, the same bags Kristina fell over when Ava pushed her out the window and killed her baby? Ava says she’s done terrible things that she wishes desperately she could undo, and he says, like killing Morgan? She says she didn’t kill Morgan. She loved Morgan. He asks if she didn’t replace Morgan’s bipolar medication with placebos causing him to have mental breakdown and be in the wrong place at the wrong time, causing his death. Remember, she’s under oath. She says, his breakdown was her fault, but she’s not responsible for the explosion. She put Morgan in a vulnerable position, but she never intended for him to die. Morgan was the most beautiful person she’s known. She’s not denying she switched his medication and prays for forgiveness for the part she played in his death. It haunts her. But as tragic as it was, it was nothing like what happened with Kristina’s baby.

Alexis says she’s never heard Kristina talk like that, and Kristina says she’s never experienced what she’s been through. Alexis says, it’s not about revenge. The law is about justice. Kristina says, not if the guilty don’t pay for their crimes. Ava deserves to be punished. Alexis asks if she knows who she sounds like, and Kristina says, her father? Alexis says, she sounds angry and cold and she’s talking about Ava like she’s not human. Act like this, and Ric will exploit it. Kristina says she’s not going to let him get to her. She’s more focused and has clarity. Ava needs to be punished. Alexis says, revenge isn’t the same as justice, but Kristina says, in this case, justice and revenge go hand in hand.

In the nook, Lois says she can’t believe what happened. She hopes Drew is okay. Brook says, his eye looks terrible. She wonders what caused Jason to lose his temper, and Lois says, he’s still grieving Sam. Brook says, that’s probably it, and Lois asks, what’s that look, like she knows something? Spill it. What’s this big secret thing they’re not letting her in on? She’s Brook’s mother. Brook can trust her. Brook says, she can’t keep a secret. It’s big and it’s better Lois doesn’t know. Lois says, it’s affecting her life in this house, and she has the right to know what’s going on. Brook says, she does have a point. Promise not to tell a single living soul. Lois gestures locking her lips and putting the key down her bra, and Brook says, Drew and Willow kissed. Lois says, holy cannoli, and Brook says, obviously, Jason knows. This is really bad.

Willow asks, what happened? and Nina says, Jason happened. He attacked Drew out of nowhere. Willow asks why he would do that, and Ned says, let Willow take a look at Drew while he talks to Michael in the foyer.

Ned says, Michael told Jason? and Michael says, it just kind of happened. Ned says, Michael knows that Jason likes to take matters into his own hands.

TJ leaves, and Trina walks over to Kai. He asks if she’s going to dump her water on him too, and she asks what he’s doing here. Doesn’t he work out in that fancy gym on campus? He says, it’s under maintenance, and she says she’s sorry he has to slum it with the rest of them. He says he doesn’t think of it like that, but she says she doesn’t care where he works out, as long as it’s not in her space. He says he thinks they got off on the wrong foot and he wants to make things right. He got his schedule and he’s going to come to class for the rest of the year and work hard. She says, don’t bother. She already asked for a new partner, and when it gets approved, she’ll never have to think about him again. She walks out.

Isaiah says, it’s a book he’s read many times. Maybe Molly should just read part one, the happy part… happyish. She says she means this as a compliment, but she never met a man as familiar with Little Women as he is. He says, when he provided medical services to refugees in Africa, it was the only book he could get his hands on. He must have read it ten times, maybe more. She says, it’s a great book. It’s definitely gotten her through some hard times. He says, immersing yourself in a book is better than something less constructive, like binge drinking, and she says, self-destructive coping mechanisms aren’t her thing. Those are more Kristina’s speed. He says, so she’s one of several girls. That’s why she loves the book. She says, they all have different fathers and her mom is the one who bonds her together, like Marmie. He asks, which sister is her? and she says, Meg, the responsible one. Kristina is Amy, spoiled and impulsive. Sam is definitely Jo, independent and outspoken. She was Jo. She doesn’t think she’ll ever get used to referring to Sam in the past tense.

Lois says, Chase missed everything, and Brook says, he was called out on an emergency. Lois says, it’s best he wasn’t here. He would have had to arrest Jason. They head to the living room with the ice, and Lois says, that’s what happens when you kiss someone else’s wife. Brook shushes her.

Ned asks what Michael was thinking. Now the whole town will know Drew and Willow were playing footsy. Michael says he needed someone to talk to, and Ned says he hopes it was worth it.

Willow tends to Drew’s eye, and Brook brings her the ice. Lois says, it looks awful, and Nina agrees. Nina, Brook, and Lois leave, and Willow asks Drew why Jason attacked him. Does he know what happened? Drew says, that’s impossible. They’re the only two who know.

Outside Bobbie’s, Isaiah’s phone rings. He asks what he can do for Terry… Can he ask what it’s about?… Sure. He’s headed over there now.

Molly gets up to leave Bobbie’s, when Kristina comes in. She hands Molly a present and says, happy birthday. Molly opens it, and it’s a gold necklace with a tiny M initial charm. Kristina says she knows Molly loved hers, so now she’s got one of her own. She hopes Molly doesn’t mind that they’re matching. Molly says, of course (🍷) not. She loves it. Kristina says, happy birthday.

Ava says, Kristina’s fall was a terrible accident. If she hadn’t tripped… If she had it to do all over again, she would never have let Cates leave his luggage. That bag is the reason she’s in this mess to begin with. She shouldn’t have moved it. That’s what makes her look guilty when she’s not. How could people think she’d hurt a pregnant woman? That’s a line she would not cross. She’s barely slept since it happened. She lays in bed remembering the look on Kristina’s face before she fell. How shocked she was. She remembers the sound of glass breaking and Kristina’s scream, so panicked and scared. She’ll never forget it. Kristina lost the baby daughter that she loved and couldn’t wait to meet. Just like Ava lost her precious Kiki. She knows how horrible the pain is. It rips you apart. She would never inflict suffering like that on another mother. Shame on people who think that. If she could, she’d give up everything to give Kristina back her baby. Ric says, that’s it. Perfect. That speech is exactly what he wants her to say on the stand. Her heartfelt sympathy is real and if she takes accountability the way she just did, they’ve got the win locked up.

Kristina fastens the necklace on Molly, and Molly says, it means more than Kristina knows, this year especially. Kristina says, Sam wishes her a happy birthday too. They hug, and Jason walks in. Kristina notices his bloody knuckles, and he quickly goes to the back.

Willow tells Drew that the cut will need to be cleaned. She’ll come back in the morning. Michael looks into the living room, and because these two don’t learn, he sees Drew and Willow alone, Willow’s hand against Drew’s cheek. Willow says she wanted to make sure Drew was okay. She’s sorry this happened. Drew says he’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.

It’s not often I feel sorry for Michael, but yeah, this is one of those times.

Tomorrow, Felicia tells Anna that Sasha doesn’t know something; Lucky asks Sonny why he should stay if what he’s looking for isn’t here; Jason says, all Carly needs to know is that Drew got everything he deserved; and Ric asks Drew to please tell him they’re pressing charges.

🩺 And Suddenly…

I’m thinking Terry called Isaiah because there’s been a good change in Lulu’s prognosis.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/alexa-havins-teases-her-debut-as-ghs-lulu

🧴 Gotta Start Somewhere…

She could do worse than Rice Plaza at Christmastime.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/days-star-bryan-dattilos-daughter-delia-cast-on-gh

🧼 Opening the Gates…

Beyond the Gates begins February 24, 2025 CBS – the next day on Paramount+.

https://parade.com/tv/beyond-the-gates-season-1

🍊 These Oranges Are Moldy…

It’s the second part of a three part too long RHOC Reunion, and the Jenn/Ryan topic is still raging. Tamra annoys me immediately, saying she misspoke in her tirade about the FBI, having heard gossip on the street. First of all, let’s look at the word misspoke that’s being used incorrectly here. The actual definition is mispronunciation, but what’s worse is how this word is constantly used by people who are actually talking about gossiping or lying. You didn’t misspeak. You passed along something without knowing if it was true or not, and presented it as fact. Tamra said she was plastered and didn’t remember it the next day. She ended up getting a cease and desist letter. Alrighty then.

There was a lot about how Jenn is a dimbulb who doesn’t even understand where her rent payment is coming from or even if it’s being paid. She did finally spill that she’s supposed to get $6K a month from her ex and it’s an ongoing battle. Still, this woman needs to learn how to take care of herself. Then there was the subject of the $2000 dress. Jenn and Katie thought it was mean girl of Fancy Pants Heather to check the price tag and tell Tamra, but Fancy Pants said it was just gossipy. Because mean girls don’t gossip? Fancy Pants ultimately said she brought up the dress because Jenn didn’t take her financial suggestions. A debate over mean girl versus gossipy ensued, and in reference to being gossipy, Emily said, we all do that. My next bone of contention after misspoke. This statement is equal to the person who says, we were all drunk, when they alone did something incredibly stupid while drunk. No. It wasn’t all of us. It was you.

Jenn said, Tamra went lower than the rest of them, and she wondered when it stopped. She said, everybody would rather be by Tamra’s side than go against her, so they weren’t her targets. Tamra confessed that she was starting therapy, and Andy asked, what took so long? Tamra said, when everybody tells you you’re dead, it’s time to lie down. This gives me hope, but not really. Emily told Jenn that her ex was probably going to string things out forever, and she wanted Jenn to create something for herself. Or as Gina put it, be her own hero.

We found out that Gina and Travis are still living apart, but Gina was more forthcoming about the problem being Travis’s ex. Apparently there had been incidents that affected Gina’s children, making them fearful. Gina said she and Travis saw each other every day, but she didn’t think things would ever improve with his ex, even after the divorce was finalized.

There was a blah-blah-blah about Katie’s kids saying Fancy Pants was mean. Funny, for someone who insists they don’t exhibit mean girl behavior, the word mean comes up a lot in conjunction with her. Evidently, Katie’s daughter is also telling the world via TikTok that her mother works with fake-ass bitches. She’s not wrong. The women were all like, my kids would never, and said, no matter how old they were, they’d force their kids to remove it. Maybe. But bottom line is, Katie’s daughter is an adult and her own person. Maybe she’s bucking for her own show. Who cares? Andy had to finally shut the conversation down citing the beating-a-dead-horse clause.

Alexis was brought on in the last 15 minutes and was the same idiot she’s been on the show. When Andy asked how she was feeling about coming back to RHOC, Alexis acted like it was a return to her fabulous career as a television star after a hiatus. Shannon asked how many times she’d practiced, there’s the door, Shannon Beador, when there was no door. Technically, there was, but they were outside, and Shannon going inside would defeat the purpose of showing her the door. Alexis pretended that she’d never intended to bring up the videos and it somehow just slipped out. Once again, a receipt of unseen footage told us otherwise. The general consensus was that she should stop being Johnny J.’s mouthpiece.

Another peeve, Fancy Pants going, no, no, no, no, no, like Brynn did on RHONY. Is this a thing now? No. Just one no.

It seemed like they saved a lot of the fun times footage for flashbacks of things we never saw the first time. They used to do that with the lost/found/secret footage specials. I think we need to see more fun on the actual show. Maybe I’d dislike these women less.

Next time, Emily says, Alexis is the dumbest girl she’s ever f***ing met. That’s enough to get me to show up.

If that wasn’t enough.

https://people.com/rhoc-recap-shannon-beador-slams-alexis-bellino-being-john-janssen-mouthpiece-reunion-fight-8745852

🧂 Adding Some Salt…

Yesterday’s recap, lengthier than mine.

Another teaspoon. I found this pretty amusing, especially when Angie called it a random blog.

🗽 Not a Fan…

Is he kidding? That’s the best episode I’ve seen of RHONY 2.0 since it began.

🍹 Time To Bounce…

No great loss, but so did things not go well with Venita or…?

https://people.com/jarrett-jt-thomas-announces-exit-from-southern-charm-amid-filming-for-season-10-8742246

💣 Moustaches Are Twirling…

I don’t watch this show faithfully, but every time I catch it, it’s a lot of fun. There’s a big difference between Teresa haranguing her brother and screeching about false love bubbles on RHONJ, and Teresa deliberately acting the villain and strategizing as such in a game. And I love Joel McHale.

🐨 Australian Meet Cute…

It’s a shame it tried to bite, but what an experience.

https://people.com/australia-couple-comes-home-find-koala-in-bed-8745155

🍂 Jumping In a Pile Of Leaves…

Join me tomorrow for soap, what to watch (or not), and watchful words. Until then, stay safe; stay making a contribution to your local food bank/soup kitchen for Thanksgiving; and stay enjoying yourself, even on the hardest of days.

November 7, 2024 – Holly Asks Jason For the Diamonds, Reunion In the OC, Skyrocketing, Look Out Below, Her Name Is Fiona & Rain

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Alexis looks through photos and flashes back to talking with Sam about her engagement. Sonny says he wishes he could do more for her aside from bringing her tea, and she asks how he went on after Morgan died. He says, it wasn’t easy. He kept living like she’s going to do for her kids and grandkids. She says she has to make arrangements. After that, she doesn’t know. She can do tasks and funerals require tasks, but afterward, people go back to their lives, and she can’t see that. He says, she’ll get there, but she says she doesn’t want to. She doesn’t want to picture a world without her daughter in it.

Brad says he saw what happened with Dr. Robinson, but Lucas says, nothing happened. Brad says he’s sorry, and Lucas thanks him, but says he can’t do this right now. Brad says, Lucas doesn’t have to hide being upset and stressed with him, but Lucas says he can’t. Brad says, can’t what? and Lucas says, face the possibility that he might be the reason his sister is dead.

Curtis asks if Portia had a bad day, and she says, the worst day. She’s dealing with it. He says, she never has to pretend with him, and hugs her.

Jack says he knows Carly couldn’t go to the police, but she’s not without resources. She has Sonny and Jason and others, he’s sure. Why come to him? She says, Jason and Sonny just lost someone close to them and they’re shook up. He’s the next best thing. He says he’s flattered she thought of him, and she says she decided to trust him. Don’t make her regret it. He says he appreciates her faith in him. He’ll take it from here. He opens the door, and she wonders if he’s asking her to leave. He says, as much as he enjoys her company, yes. She needs to go.

Anna tells Robert that there were live cameras at the Quartermaine estate. They can access the footage and track the vehicles that left after Sasha was kidnapped and mobilize them. He says, no police, and she says, okay. They’ll play it his way. Sidwell is a ruthless criminal, and he’s kidnapped Robert’s daughter. She doesn’t understand why he’s not losing his mind. He says he doesn’t think like a father. He thinks in terms of a mission. Get the diamonds, give them to Sidwell, take Sasha home. End of story. She says, Sasha’s life depends on it, and he says, Holly will get the diamonds, and she says she believes Holly will, but there’s no guarantee she’ll hand them over. She might just take off.

Holly goes to Pozzulo’s and sees Jason. She asks, where’s Sonny? She needs him. Jason says, this is the worst time for Sonny, but she says, it’s the worst time for her too. It’s an emergency. She needs her diamonds back. Screw the deal. Things have changed. Jenz Sidwell’s got her daughter.

Sasha pounds on the door and yells for Sidwell to open it. Let me out, you bastard! In the hallway, Sidwell tells the guards, feisty… just like her mother, and laughs.

Lucas tells Brad, it was supposed to be a simple procedure. He switched to surgery because he wanted to do more to help more people and save more people. But he came home, and his own sister dies after he operates on her. Sam begged him to perform the surgery because she trusted him. Now she’s dead. Brad says, it’s not his fault, but Lucas says, they don’t know that. He’s been wracking his brain trying to understand what went wrong, what mistake he made. Brad asks if he found one, and Lucas says, agreeing to the surgery. Brad says, he agreed because he knew he should. Sam knew too. What happened would have happened no matter what. Lucas says he’ll never know, but Brad says he knows Lucas as a man and a doctor. Lucas knows what it’s like to hold someone’s life in his hands. He’d never be careless, especially with his own sister. He was the right man for the job. Lucas tells him, that’s what Sam said, and Brad says, she was right. He didn’t make a mistake. It’s not his fault.

Portia tells Curtis that Sam’s pre-op was perfect. Everything was going well, and suddenly, this. He says he’s having a hard time accepting it, and she says she knows they were close. She’s sorry. She was on the team that tried to resuscitate Sam. Lucas fought with all he had in him. They all did, but it was no use. She saw the moment Lucas realized Sam was gone and had to say those words… time of death. She saw the look on his face. She loves her job, but sometimes it’s hard.

Carly wants to watch Jack take Sidwell down, but he says, she can’t always get what she wants. She asks how it’s different from watching the drone strike, and he says, it just is. She asks if he’s working with Sidwell, but he says he’s not. She asks why she has to leave, and he says, she saw Sidwell when he abducted Sasha. She’s a witness and that’s dangerous enough. She can’t get in deeper. She says, he’s worried about her.

Robert says, Holly isn’t going to let anything happen to Sasha, and Anna asks if she disclosed having the diamonds before today. He says, no, and she says she’s not surprised. He says, whatever Holly was doing in Africa, she had good reason for it, and Anna says, a million of them. He says, Holly isn’t going to let anything happen, and Anna says, Holly knows he won’t. She knows he’ll come to the rescue. She’ll make a hasty exit with the diamonds and leave him to pick up the pieces.  

Holly tells Jason that Sidwell kidnapped her daughter, who she’s been estranged from for years. He’s demanding the diamonds in exchange for Sasha. She needs them now. He asks her to wait, and she says, once she has the diamonds, he’ll never have to see her again, but he says, they’re not done yet, and goes into Sonny’s office.

Sasha says, Sidwell is making a big mistake. He kidnapped the wrong person. He asks if she’s not Holly’s daughter, and she says, Holly will never come through with the ransom. If he’s dealt with her mother, he knows she can’t be trusted. She won’t pay him one penny. He says, then he’s in luck. He doesn’t want money. Holly took something from him – many somethings – and he wants them back.

Jason gives Holly the diamonds, and says, tell Sonny that she’ll make it up to him. Time is running out. Jason says, Sidwell is dangerous, and she says she know. He says, that’s why he’s going with her.

Robert says he’d go to the ends of the earth to protect their child, and Anna says she’s not going anywhere. Whatever happens, they’ll get his daughter back. Robert says, it’s time. Let’s go.

Carly says, Jack is concerned about her, and he says, Sidwell is a dangerous man with a long reach. The WSB plane was ransacked and the pilot is dead, along with other operatives that got in his way. Carly was only left alive to carry the message. So she has two options. Leave and pretend she never contacted the WSB or he takes her into protective custody. She says, fine. He wins. She leaves, and Jack gets on the phone. He says, there’s a woman leaving his office and he wants eyes on her. (Writing Mrs. Jack Brennan on my notepad.)

Brad says, Lucas is carrying the weight of the world and doesn’t have to, and Lucas says, Brad was always so good at pep talks. Unfortunately, it’s not helping. He sits, and Brad says, sometimes terrible things happen and it’s no one’s fault. Lucas says he can still hear the alarms. He can feel the sensation of the paddles and the jolt with each shock. Watching the monitors and hoping for a response. Then the terrible silence. He cries and says he did everything he could think of. He tried every damn thing he could. Brad sits down and takes Lucas’s hand. He says, Lucas gave Sam every chance. There was nothing else he could do. Sam was gone. They hug.

Sonny tells Alexis, it’s a terrible thing for a parent to outlive their child. It’s a freak of nature. She says, it feels like there’s no color. Everything is grey. She’s not whole. There’s a piece missing. Sonny says he’s not going to pretend she can get it back and asks how Kristina and Molly are doing. She says, they’re doing their best, and he asks about Danny and Scout. She says, Danny is inconsolable, but she doesn’t think Scout understands what’s going on; she’s too little. She wonders if Sam looked like Scout when she was little. She missed Sam’s entire childhood and her teens, literally half of Sam’s life. Now there’s no time left. She should have never let Sam go.

Curtis gives Portia a glass of wine to take the edge off, and she says she appreciates him spoiling her. He says, she deserves it, and she says she hated asking Lucas about the surgery. She knows he’s grieving, but the hospital has to investigate. He says he’s sure Sam’s family would appreciate knowing what happened, and she says she’s worried about the autopsy. Part of her feels responsible. He asks, why? and she says she should have listened to her gut and not let Lucas operate on his sister.

Carly comes into the locker room and tells Brad, back off! She wants him to stay the hell away from her brother.

Sasha says, what Sidwell wants from her mother, he won’t get by keeping her. Holly could not care less about her. Holly dumped her on her grandmother and went off running cons across the globe. Is that what she did to him? Sidwell says he supposes it could be called a con, and she asks if Holly pretended to be in love with him. He laughs and says, long enough to get her hands on his diamonds, and she says she hopes they were insured. She doubts Holly will give them back. He says he finds that hard to believe with her here, and she says, the biggest con Holly ever ran was pretending to be a mother. She lost her baby, then her husband died less than a year later, and she never heard a peep. Does that sound like someone who gives a damn whether she lives or dies? He says, it’s not fair she has to pay the price for her mother’s neglect and betrayal, but Holly stole from him. He can’t let that stand. She says, he shouldn’t, but if he really wants his diamonds back, use her to get them. Let her go and she’ll get him what he wants.

Anna and Robert go to Jack’s office, and Anna asks, where’s Holly? Jack says, not here, and Robert says, she will be. Anna says, they should consider her not showing up or at least have a Plan B, but Holly walks in with Jason and says, that’s not necessary. Here. She gives Jack the diamonds and says, get her daughter back.

Alexis tells Sonny, she was so tiny and perfect. How could she have given Sam up? Sonny says, she was a kid, and she says she was Sam’s mother. He asks what she thought would happen to the baby, and she says she thought Sam would have a wonderful life with loving parents who knew what to do. He says, she made a responsible decision, but she says she made a terrible decision. She did what her father told her to do, and Sam had a terrible childhood and terrible parents. She had to fight for whatever she had. He says, she’ll never know what would have happened, and she says she had no contact. After she surrendered Sam, she went to school and more school. She was the perfect student. She wanted to make the sacrifice worth it, and it paid off. She had a successful career. Sam had a horrible one. He says, no one blames her, especially Sam, but she says she blames herself and she’s being punished now. He puts his arm around her and she leans on him. She says, if she could go back in time, she’d never give Sam up, and she cries.

Curtis asks if it wasn’t Sam’s call, and Portia says, yes. He says, then they can assume she was aware of the risks, and she says, Sam went on faith. She doesn’t have that luxury. She has to question her colleagues’ choices and reassess their procedures. He says, in no way was she at fault, and she says she hopes no one is. She’s praying the autopsy doesn’t say surgeon error, but she’s afraid it might.

Sonny says, Alexis had reason to believe Sam would be well taken care of, and she says, it’s not like she had much choice. He says, don’t judge yourself by the girl you used to be. Give yourself credit for the woman you are now. She says she tried to make it up to Sam now, but she doesn’t know if it was enough. Sonny says, Sam lived a tough childhood, like them, but they made it. Sam made it. She became like her mom – strong, independent, caring. Sam lived a great life, and she knew Alexis loved her. And she loved Alexis. Don’t ever doubt that.

Carly asks why Brad thinks Lucas would want anything to do with him, and Lucas tries to interrupt, but Brad says, if Lucas wants to talk, he knows where to find him. He leaves, and Carly says, they’re not back together. Lucas says, no. He was in a rough spot and Brad was being supportive. She says, he’ll use their tragedy to worm his way back into Lucas’s life, but Lucas says, he’s just being kind. She says, he has so many people to turn to. Don’t let it be Brad.  

Holly apologizes for taking so long. She hit an unexpected roadblock. She came because she’s worried about Sasha’s safety. Anna says, Holly needed a fence and had Sonny hold the diamonds, and Holly says she couldn’t go to Robert or Anna. Anna says, she should never have gotten involved with a dangerous man and now she’s got Sonny involved. How did Sidwell figure out Sasha was her daughter? Robert says, he has connections. They need to proceed carefully. He thanks Jason, and says, now they have to find Sasha. That’s all that matters. Jack thanks Anna and Jason, and says, they have everything they need. Now to the business at hand. He trusts they know their way out. (Carving JB + TK on my desk.)

Curtis gives Portia a massage, and she asks, how was his day? He says, bittersweet. He saw Alexis. She was devastated, but she’s hanging in there. That’s more than he imagines Dante is doing. Portia says, it’s heartbreaking, and he says, it got him to thinking. All he’s been thinking about is his beautiful wife and spending quality time with her. He thought, what if he lost her and could never see her again? He never wants to take her or them for granted again. She says, they won’t. She cherishes every second with him. He says he cherishes her, and they kiss.

Lucas asks, what brings Carly to the hospital? and she says she was worried and wanted to check on him. He says he’s all right, but she says she knows he’s not. He says, any inquiry will be focused on his actions, and she says, the prescreening must not have detected an underlying condition. He says, maybe. Even if it did and he’s not at fault, his sister is still gone. She says, he did the best he could, and he says he didn’t want to do it. He let Sam talk him into it. She got him worked up to be on the team to save Lulu’s life. He never expected Sam to lose hers in the process. Carly hugs him and says, Sam loved him so much and she knew he loved her, and he says he can’t help but wonder, was operating on family the right choice? She says, he did what Sam asked, and if it was her, she’d ask the same thing. Sam wouldn’t want him blaming himself or thinking that her death was for nothing. They hug.

Alexis tells Sonny that she remembers when Sam arrived. Sam hated her. Sam blamed her for everything, and it haunts her now. He says, she understood that it was hard for Alexis to give her up, especially after she became a mother, and Alexis says, because of the trauma with her mother, she didn’t take to motherhood easily. She had to work at it. Sam is a natural. Sam was a natural. She was patient, firm, and loving. He says, she was tough. She stood up for the little guy. She saw Lulu needed help and didn’t think twice. Does Alexis know why? She learned it from her mom. She had a pretty damn good role model.

Sasha says, Sidwell knows how vain Holly is. She’ll get Holly talking about the diamonds and Holly won’t be able to resist bragging. She’ll bait Holly into showing them to her, then she’ll retrieve them, and Holly will never get them back. She can get them. Her mother taught her well. She knows all of Holly’s tricks, but he has to let her go if he wants to see his diamonds again. He says he spent a lot of time with Holly and also learned her tricks. Now he got to know Sasha a little, and even though Holly abandoned her child, one thing is for sure… like mother, like daughter. No deal. No compromise. He’s looking forward to seeing Holly again and letting her know how he feels about her betrayal. Sasha says, it’s too bad Holly will probably be long gone, and he says, too bad indeed. Because if Holly doesn’t give him what he wants, Sasha will pay for her dear mother’s crime.

Anna says, Jack can’t push her off this case. It’s in her jurisdiction. Jack says, she knows the fewer people involved, the better. And Sidwell stipulated that the police not be involved. She says she’ll do it without the sanctioning from her higher ups, but he says she’ll be duty bound to go by procedure. Figuring out negotiation strategy and getting clearance. They don’t have the time. She says, Robert is the DA, and Jack says, if he wasn’t Sasha’s father, he’d be showing Robert the door. He’s giving her deniability. Robert tells her to back off for him, and Holly says she’s begging Anna for Sasha. Help them save their daughter. Time is running out.

Jack says, leave it to him. He’ll reach out to Jason and Anna if there’s a reason. Jason says he knows Jack will and asks Jack to give them the courtesy of a heads up if he has to take extreme measures. Jason and Anna leave, and Robert says he wants to know what Jack has on Sidwell, and not the version he gives to the public, the black box version. He wants to know everything about the man who’s got his daughter. Jack says he’ll give Robert what he has, when Holly’s phone rings. She says, it’s Jenz.  

Curtis says he never wants to be without her, and Portia says, he’ll never have to be. They get busy.

Sonny says, there’s nothing in Alexis’s refrigerator, and she says she doesn’t have much of an appetite. He asks if she wants to go through photos for the obit. Whatever she needs, he’s here. He’s doing it for her, but also for Sam. She thanks him, and he says, she may not have been there in the beginning, but she was there at the finish. She should be proud and grateful for the time she had with Sam. She did real good. Sam was one in a million. Alexis links her arm in his and puts her head on his shoulder.  

Holly asks what Sidwell wants, and he says he was just getting to know her delightful daughter. Holly says, you son of a bitch. Touch Sasha, and I’ll kill you. Sasha says she’s here and she’s okay, and Holly tells her, hang on. Jack gestures for Holly to keep talking, and Holly says she’s coming to get Sasha. Sidwell says, only if she follows his instructions to the letter. Arrivederci. He hangs up, and Jack and Jason look at each other.

Tomorrow, Alexis tells Tracy that she thinks Scout and Danny should live with her; Tracy says, Cody dodged a bullet; Ric wants to know where Anna got something; and Jason says, you show me Sasha, I’ll show you the diamonds.

🍊 Rotten Oranges Part 1…

It’s the RHOC Reunion, and yay, just the first part of three. Shannon’s drinking was rehashed, and 😴. Shannon said she no longer used alcohol to cope, and a viewer wondered why Gina had been supportive when Shannon was less than about Gina’s DUI. Gina said, now that Shannon had walked a mile – or driven as it were – in her shoes, Shannon had a different perspective. Emily told Tamra that her constant talking about Shannon being an alcoholic was counterproductive. You can’t bully someone into not drinking. Truth! And it probably just makes them want to drink more, so don’t do it. Tamra admitted she’d just been angry, and kinda, sorta apologized, but IMO, continued with her attempts to gaslight Shannon. Shannon accepted Tamra’s apology, but didn’t want to be her friend anymore. Can’t say I blame her and that’s probably the wisest choice she’s made since being on the show.

After the break, everyone felt the need to talk about their bowel movement habits, and Shannon said she was about to poop right now. Thanks for sharing! The Fancy Pants Heather/paparazzi thing bounced back, and again 😴. Fancy Pants and Emily ganged up on Katie about some ten year old story. Katie tried to explain, and Fancy Pants said her story was different from that of the police… because the police would/could never lie. That was my looking at the camera like Jim from The Office moment for the night. Emily agreed and said, Katie always had a different story from the other person’s. I guess the other person be wrong. I was shocked that Emily, being an attorney who works with the wrongly convicted, could think it isn’t possible for the police to lie. A nice coda was, after Andy called for a break, Fancy Pants told Katie how sorry she was. Save it, sister.

Fancy Pants, Emily, and Tamra sat together and steamrolled whoever their target of the moment was, not letting them get a word in edgewise. I also think they believe whatever they read on the internet. Ryan’s misdeeds were discussed, and it ended with Emily complaining about Jenn doing her Tammy Wynette thing, standing by her man. She needed to be accountable. I dunno. It seems like Ryan’s done more good than harm as far as Jenn is concerned, and if Jenn’s happy, leave her be happy. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was happening with Emily’s hair.

Next time, Shannon calls someone an a-hole.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/rhoc-reunion-recap-heather-goes-to-the-gutter-for-gossip/

💫 Career Officially On Blast…

The next time ex-Spencer sees Port Charles, it will be when he caught GH on TV.

https://ew.com/nicholas-alexander-chavez-playing-real-person-incredibly-hard-8739980

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/nicholas-alexander-chavez-lands-an-exciting-new-role

🦝 Just Hanging Around the Airport…

I saw this on the local news. I’ll bet he wondered where the blip he was. Run, little friend. Be free.

https://people.com/raccoon-falls-from-ceiling-spirit-airlines-terminal-new-york-city-airport-8741530

🐶 It’s Not Easy…

Too bad they don’t stay green. That would be awesome.

https://people.com/pit-bull-gives-birth-to-green-puppy-named-after-fiona-shrek-8740642

🍂📞 Autumn Is Calling…

Join me tomorrow for soap, spilled tea, and other amusements. Until then, stay safe, stay adding fall color to your wardrobe, and stay not judging yourself by who you used to be and give yourself credit for who you are now.