Tag Archives: Real Housewives of Orange County

Jul12

July 11, 2024 – Felicia Hears Cody’s Side, Soap Suds, Fresh Oranges, Scary Stuff, Teresa Talk, Have Some Whiskey, Happy Half Birthday & The Park

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Felicia goes to the stable, and Cody asks, what brings her by? He’s probably the last person she wants to see. She says, now that she knows he’s been lying to her family for the last two months, she has plenty say, and asks him to promise to hear her out. He says, absolutely, and she tells him not to give up on a relationship with Mac. She believes the best way out is through, so don’t even think of leaving.

Mac arrives at Maxie’s house, and she says she’s glad he’s home and available to stop by. He asks where the kids are, and she says she had Spinelli take them to the pool so they can blow off steam and she and Mac can talk with no interruptions. He asks if it’s about Cody, and she says, of course (🍷) it is. Mac forgave her when she messed up. Now he has to forgive Cody.

Portia shows up at Jordan’s office and says she knows Jordan is busy, so she’ll get straight to the point. She’s going to gather signatures to put a measure on the fall ballot to recall the vote and remove Laura. If it passes, the new mayor will be Jordan.

At the Pentenville visiting room, Heather thanks Laura for coming. She needs to talk to her. Laura says, before she forgets, she has a photo of the most beautiful grandson. She gives Heather an envelope, and Heather takes out a picture of Ace. She says, he’s getting more adorable each time she sees him. Can she keep it? Laura says, of course (🍷). She’ll try to bring one every time she visits. Heather says she had an unexpected visitor, Curtis Ashford. He told her that Laura was looking into her case and thinking of challenging her sentence. Laura says, all she’s done is request transcripts, but it’s possible a lawyer might find grounds for a petition to reopen her case. Heather says, that’s what she wanted to talk to Laura about. She appreciates Laura caring, but don’t do it. She needs to stay locked up.

Brook lets Kristina in and says she invited her and Blaze over to explore strategies. Kristina wonders if there’s a strategy to uncancel someone, and Brook says she thinks they can mitigate the negative damage. She asks if Blaze has spoken to her mother, and Kristina says she doesn’t know if Blaze did, but she did, for all the good did. Brook asks if she thinks Blaze would be willing to make a public statement denouncing her mother’s words, and Kristina says, what Natalia did was wrong, but she’s still Blaze’s mother. Brook says she can’t imagine how Blaze feels, and Kristina says, Natalia did the damage, but Ava is the one who should have to pay.

Ava tells Sonny to howl at moon for all she cares. Then listen to himself and decide how suitable a judge will find him as a parent. Sonny says he’s not going anywhere, and suddenly, John is in the doorway. He asks if there’s a problem here, and Sonny tells him to mind his own business. Ava says, Sonny won’t leave and he’s threatening her. If John doesn’t believe it, he can listen to their conversation.  

John asks if it’s true Sonny threatened Ava on tape, but Sonny asks why he’d record Ava. She has nothing to say. He holds up his phone, and it says, no audio. He asks if John is going door to door for the FBI asking for handouts, but John says he’s staying here. He heard voices and isn’t surprised it’s Sonny fighting with someone. Ava was living with him a week ago, and she’s the mother of another of Sonny’s children. Sonny says he cares about his kids and fights to keep them safe. What about John? Where’s his son? To be continued. Sonny leaves.

Cody asks how Felicia isn’t angry, and she says she likes to hear all sides before making up her mind. It’s his chance to tell his side. Just be honest. He’s wasted enough time already lying to her family. He asks, what’s the point? Mac made it clear there’s no place in his life for him. She says, Mac is hurt and lashing out. It doesn’t surprise her. He’s been a wonderful father to her children, but he never had a biological child of his own. He accepted the fact it was something life denied him, but when he thought Cody might be his son, he was delighted. When Cody told him they weren’t a match, it was a crushing disappointment. Now that he knows Cody lied, what is he supposed to think? He doesn’t feel wanted and who can blame him? He thinks the only reason Cody came forward now is that he has an agenda. Cody asks if they think he’s hustling for a kidney, and Felicia says, is he? He says, no, and she asks if he doesn’t want to accept that he and Mac have a connection. He says, it was never that.

Kristina says, she’s sick of Ava’s petty BS. She was upset that Sonny didn’t invite her to the wedding and took Natalia. Brook says, there were no circumstances where Ava would have been welcome. She murdered Connie Falconari, and all the Falconaris and Cerullos know it. Kristina asks if she thinks Ava cares. She pretends it never happened and assumes everyone else will too. She plunked herself into Sonny’s apartment and his life, and when he wised up and kicked her out, she retaliated. She had dirt on Natalia and used it, and now Allie is collateral damage. She’s devastated that the label dropped her. Brook says, it’s their loss, and Kristina asks if there’s anything that can be done to turn it around. Is it even possible? Blaze arrives, and Brook says she’s trying to set up an interview to give Blaze an opportunity to respond, not just to Natalia’s words, but the public reaction, the online cancellation. Blaze says she thinks it’s a great idea, and Brook says, but it needs to be a joint interview. Kristina needs to be there too.

Portia says, people on the community message boards are outraged that Heather might be roaming the streets, and Jordan says, Portia may disagree with Laura, but she has to acknowledge that Laura is the epitome of fairness. She’s just asking questions. She has no specific goal or outcome. Portia says, her point is that Laura isn’t thinking about the consequences. Lives will be at risk if Heather goes free. Jordan says, Portia knows Heather’s judgement was impaired. Can she be held fully responsible for the decisions she made? Portia says, Jordan’s responses sound like something a politician would say. Not someone who used to be Police Commissioner.

Ava says she appreciates John’s assistance, and he says he was in the right place at the right time. She says she’s only been here a couple of nights, but he knows that since he’s having her followed. He says, when he’s following someone and it reaches a point where he’s not getting anything relevant or useful, he suspends the surveillance. He asks if she wants him to call security, and she says, he sounds almost chivalrous. She knows how to discourage Sonny, but does he want to stay and have a drink?

Cody tells Felicia that he asked himself the tough questions like, who would want a son like him? No one was the obvious answer. Felicia says, he couldn’t be further from truth. The first thing she noticed about him was how alike he and Mac are. They both have a sense of decency and are kind and patient people. And they’re both good with kids. The kids love Cody. She thinks they’re both teachers at heart. Cody says he spent most of his life making a buck, and played fast and loose with the truth, but she says, he’s not alone. Mac can play when he wants to. He says he doesn’t believe it, but she says, that’s because he hasn’t known Mac long. When Mac was his age, he got in all kinds of trouble. Cody says, maybe he does take after him.

Mac tells Maxie, it’s not complicated. Cody doesn’t seem like someone begging to have a relationship with him. Maxie tells him that she’s not saying Cody’s a saint, but he hasn’t screwed up nearly as much as she has, and Mac never decided she was irredeemable. He always gave her support. Why is he taking a hard line with Cody?

Sonny visits Alexis, and says, Ava served him over sole custody of Avery. Alexis says, first her, then their daughter, now him. He says he doesn’t want Ava to ever see Avery again, and she asks if that isn’t an overreach. He says he had sole custody before. He’s going to come after Ava with everything he’s got. All he needs to know is if she’ll support him.

Laura asks if Heather is saying she wants to stay in prison, but Heather says, of course (🍷) not. It’s like some kind of hell. She hates not seeing her grandchild and hardly sees the light of day. She can’t talk to the inmates, since most of them have done something horrendous, but she knows what goes on inside is real. Laura asks what she means, and Heather says, she can’t remember why she killed people. She knows she did it, and remembers doing it, and even thinking that it was somehow justified. Laura says, she was suffering from cobalt poisoning, and Heather says, from a bad hip replacement. It was removed, and in theory, she’s thinking more clearly, but she can’t be sure if she’s let out that she wouldn’t hurt anyone. She doesn’t know if she’d do it again and doesn’t want to put it to the test.  

Blaze says, Kristina’s not a public figure and it wasn’t her idea to keep their relationship a secret. She feels guilty enough dragging Kristina into the spotlight. Brook says, Blaze isn’t to blame and doesn’t need to apologize. Her personal life is nobody’s business. The public can think what they want. The interview is to engage the people who haven’t made up their minds and let the fans know what’s going on with her. Show them who she and Kristina really are; sweet, loving people who are at ease with one another. She has some contacts, and she’s confident she can find the right one. Kristina says she’ll do it, and Blaze asks if she’s sure she’ll be okay in the limelight. Kristina says, telling the truth is easier than hiding it. They’re in.

Alexis tells Sonny that she loathes Ava with the heat of a thousand suns, but as a mother, she’s uncomfortable keeping a mother away from her child completely. Is visitation out of the question? Sonny says, Ava takes every chance she can to poison his daughter against him. He’s not letting her do that anymore. Alexis says she can’t agree to help him unless he acts within the confines of the law, and he asks if she’s willing to take the stand and say he’s a good father to Kristina. She doesn’t have to talk about Ava. Diane will figure that out. She says she’ll testify that he loves his daughter, but if they ask if she approves of what he does for a living, she’ll have to tell the truth.

Felicia says, Cody made a mistake, the same one more than once, but it’s not the end of everything. Unless he can stand here and tell her that he doesn’t want any part of the Scorpio/Jones family. He tells her that he can’t say that.

On the phone, Brook says she’ll be in touch. Chase comes in and gives her a blackberry. She says she’s surprised they’re ripe already, and he says, it’s an early season because of the warm spring. He and Violet were picking blackberries. Now she’s at the gatehouse impressing Wiley and Amelia with her skills. Brook says she’s glad the kids are getting along, and Chase says, obviously, Violet misses her dad, but with all the kids and so much to do, she’s engaged now and seems happy. She says she knows he was up checking on Violet all night because she knows the kind of guy he is.

Cody says he’s been alone so long he doesn’t know how to feel part of a family, especially one he already knows, and Felicia asks if he’d like to find out. He says he got to know Maxie and the kids, and it felt watching life through a window, but she says, he’s not so far removed. When Maxie needed help, he was there. He loves the kids, particularly James who loves him already. James even told her how he asked Cody to be his brig brother and Cody accepted, and how they spit on their hands and shook on it. It’s a sacred bond. There’s no way he can go back on that. She shows him a photo of him and James eating hotdogs on 4th of July, and Cody says he couldn’t believe James asked him to be his big brother, but that was before he told Mac. Mac is furious now and told him to stay away from James. He said he can never trust Cody again. Felicia says, Mac will be fine. Give him a little time and he’ll find his way to forgiveness. Cody tells her, that’s what Maxie said, and she says, that’s because they know Mac inside and out. It will never happen overnight, but he always forgives the people he loves. Cody says, Mac doesn’t love him, but she says, Mac doesn’t know him. She believes with all her heart that if Cody is willing to give Mac time, he and his father will both get what they really want.

Maxie says, maybe Mac and Cody will have the chance to be father and son, but Mac says, Cody doesn’t want love and acceptance and to make up for lost time. He denied they were father and son. Maxie says, he made a mistake. He’s changed. She thinks he wants to be Mac’s son. Mac asks, why now? What does Cody really want? What’s his ulterior motive? He wants nothing to do with Cody.

John asks, where’s Avery? and Ava says, at Sonny’s. She’s not happy about it. Sonny is doing everything in his power to turn Avery against her. Now he’s trying to take Avery away, and it’s cruel. Avery needs her mother. John says, they seemed to be getting along. What caused the rift? Ava says she has no idea. It’s been difficult dealing with Sonny lately; he’s so volatile. John saw how he was behaving. She’s been walking on eggshells. She’s doing what she can to keep Avery safe and wants to get her away from Sonny. John asks how she plans to do that, and she says, prove Sonny is unfit. John knows how he treated Karen and must agree that he has no business having sole custody, especially of a little girl. John says, no question, and Ava says, he’s known Sonny for decades. Would he be willing to make a statement to her attorney Scott Baldwin?

Portia says, Laura has undone all the hard work Jordan and the PCPD did to get Heather off the streets, but Jordan says she doesn’t see it that way. She was proud to play her role in getting Heather off the streets, but as a cop, she realizes evidence is evidence, even if it if comes at an inconvenient time. She advised Laura against pursuing this. She knew it could be a lightning rod and could hurt Laura’s career. But unlike most politicians, Laura’s main concern was fairness. Portia laughs, and says, fair? Heather targeted Trina because Spencer fell in love with her and not Esme. Was it fair for Heather to murder people? Jordan says, she had a medical condition that compromised her judgement, and it may be fair to reconsider her case. The law isn’t just for people they like and approve of. No more than giving them medical treatment.

Brook tells Chase that she’s in the process of setting up an interview with a major outlet and thinks both Blaze and Kristina are on board. She hopes it works. He tells her that his bereavement leave ends tomorrow, and wonders what that means for Violet. Brook says, there’s no problem with childcare, but he wants to make sure Violet knows she’s their priority. Brook says she can work from home, and he says he can pitch in. She asks if he’s going to detect from the boathouse, but he says he’ll talk to Anna and Mac and see about a three-day week. They’ll do what it takes to make sure Violet has a loving home and family.

Felicia can’t find her phone and asks Maxie to call it. Maxie does, and Cody picks up. Maxie hangs up and asks if they heard anything. Maybe it’s really lost. Mac says, maybe it’s in the kids’ room, and goes to look. Maxie and Felicia smile at each other.  

Kristina goes to Alexis’s house, and Alexis asks if something else happened. Kristina says, no, but it’s going to. She and Allie have been debating how to respond, and they decided not to address Natalia’s comments directly, but show the world who they are, two people in love. There’s something wrong with the world if they can’t accept love in whatever form it takes. Alexis asks if they’re hoping the scandal dies down and cancelation moves on to someone else, and Kristina says, Brook set up an interview where they can present themselves as they are. Sonny says, it’s a good strategy. Show they have nothing to hide. Alexis says, it’s great as long as it’s handled right, and Kristina says, they always taught her to know who she is and to stand up for herself and what she believes in, and she thanks them for that.

Heather says, her blood runs cold to think she could be a killer, and Laura asks if she wants to kill again. Heather says, no, but what if she finds herself in a situation where the feelings come back and consume her and she’s doing terrible things again? She can’t risk it. Whatever Laura is thinking of doing, don’t. She’s in here for a reason and it’s where she belongs. Laura says, what if she was triggered by her medical condition and had no control? She’s just trying to help. Heather says she knows, but if Laura really wants to help, take care of her grandson. Visit once in a while and bring pictures. Let her pay for her crimes in peace, as much as she can get in a joint like this. Laura says, okay, if that’s what she really wants, and Heather nods.

Jordan says, there were toxins in Heather’s blood and Portia was on the team who diagnosed it. Portia says she was doing her job. She believes Heather should get proper medical care, but not absolution. Jordan says, Heather has rights like anybody else, and Portia says she has the right to question the legitimacy of the mayor. Jordan says, it’s just an inquiry. Laura is just asking questions. Give it time and see where it leads. Portia says, if Jordan thinks she’s going to sit around and wait for Heather to be released, she’s got another thing coming. She wonders if Heather had targeted Jordan’s son or murdered him, how Jordan would feel then. She storms out.

Kristina says she’s lucky she has parents who have experience with the press and appreciates their advice and guidance. Alexis says, of course (🍷), and Kristina says, they raised an outspoken daughter who tends to step in it. She can’t afford to make a mistake. Alexis says, it’s a good plan, and Kristina says she has to get it right. Allie’s career is at stake. Sonny says, she’ll be great, and Alexis hugs her. Kristina says she wanted to ask how they’ll feel seeing their kid doing an interview on national TV, and Sonny says, he’ll feel more proud than he already is, and hugs her.  

Brook asks if Chase wants to play croquet with her and Violet, and he asks if she doesn’t have to work. She says she’s waiting for a call back, but be warned, she’s a fearsome croquet player. He says, bring it on, and Brook says she’s a lucky girl. Most brides don’t get a preview of how their husband will be as a father. She saw him with Bailey Lou and now Violet. She picked the right guy. He says, they need to schedule time after croquet to argue about who picked who, and kisses her.

John says he knows Scotty; he was Karen’s dad. He’s an accomplished attorney and a great guy. Ava says, he’s spoken highly of John too, and John says he’s in Port Charles in a professional capacity. He has history here, but he’s not in brief to get involved in a custody battle. She says she’s not asking him as an agent, but as John, a father. She fears for Avery, and they both know she’s the one who will ultimately be hurt. She wants to keep Avery safe. Wouldn’t he want to protect his son from Sonny? He says he can’t promise anything, but he’ll think about it, and she says she needs all the help she can get. He says he doesn’t think she needs to worry too much. Before long, Sonny is going to be behind bars where he belongs if he has anything to say about it.

Maxie asks how it went with Cody, and Felicia says, he definitely wants another chance. What about Mac? Maxie says, stubborn as a mule. Mac comes back and says, there are people who lose things who don’t really lose them, and people who lose things that are gone forever. After all these years, he thinks Felicia might be the second one. There’s a knock at the door, and Maxie opens it. Cody says, Felicia left this at the Quartermaines… He and Mac lock eyes, and Felicia says, it’s not gone forever.

Tomorrow, Sasha says, if she tells Cody, she has to swear him to secrecy; Mac asks, what’s the point of this humiliating experience; and Portia tells Curtis, the worst is yet to come.

🛁 More Soap Bubbles…

I wondered if/how the latest Sonny arc was affecting him. So glad he was able to cope. Frank Valentini has always done right by his actors. I doff my cap.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/maurice-benard-reveals-why-he-had-to-take-time-off-from-gh

This sounds like a fun trip!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-and-anthony-geary-reunite

 Extra, extra.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-cameron-mathison-has-an-exciting-new-role

What’s next.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-reveals-whats-next-after-gh

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gregory-harrison-is-back-on-tv

🍊 O Say Can You C…

The messiness is back. It didn’t take long for Shannon to try and get into it with Alexis, bringing up some old lawsuit she insisted Alexis was involved with, yet she had no receipts. It was at that point, Alexis suggested the real issue was that she was with Shannon’s ex. That’s when she said, if Shannon didn’t like it – all together now – there’s the door Shannon Beador.

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18, Episode 1 Recap: Shannon and Alexis Go Head-To-Head

A little more about Beador.

https://people.com/rhoc-recap-alexis-bellino-and-shannon-beador-square-off-john-janssen-romance-past-8676867

💎 Worse Than Being Chucky’s Bride…

She’s going to be a great addition to the cast. Hopefully, she can keep her poker face on and not engage in the drama. Or if not, give as good as she gets.

Jennifer Tilly Says Joining ‘RHOBH’ Is ‘Scarier Than Chucky’

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/chucky-jennifer-tilly-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-friend

👙 No Love Bubbles To See Here…

Oh well. We can dream.

https://ew.com/teresa-giudice-rumor-leaving-real-housewives-new-jersey-8675092

Nice try. What’s really funny is, at one point, she said she loved the comments. So why did she disable them?

https://people.com/teresa-giudice-addresses-larsa-pippen-bikini-photoshop-fail-8675214

🐶 Never Mix Whiskey and Fireworks…

This dog. I can’t.

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/bri-bagwell-rescue-dog-whiskey-fireworks

🎂 A Very Merry Half Birthday To You…

My eldest Peke, Marco, is 17½ today. Seems like he was a puppy just yesterday.

Baby Marco

🏊‍♀️ Life’s a Beach…

Come on by tomorrow for soap, a little tea, a bit of talk, and a tune. Until then, stay safe; stay keeping an eye on your children or pets in public areas, and don’t allow them to be intrusive to others (although if it’s me, you can allow your pets to intrude); and stay always forgiving the people you love.

Jun29

June 28, 2024 – Jason Pleads With Carly, His Exit, Not Her Season, Kathy Time, Claims, Low Moments, WWDD, Dynamic Duo, Grouchy Dancer, Rescued, A Round Number Of Quotes & I Am   

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

The moss bowl🎍is back!!! Jason walks into Sonny’s old kitchen and asks why Carly needs to see him. She says, because she knows.

Chase comes back to the Q mansion and Brook hugs him. She asks how it went with Finn, and he says, okay, he thinks. He’s really owning what happened. He apologized for the lies and the other things he said. Finn thanked him for getting the restraining order. She asks if he actually said the words, and Chase says, he did. For that and for taking custody. He realized what he’s putting Violet through and he’s kind of torn up about it. She says, good… She means that in the most supportive way possible. He says he knows, and she tells him, when Violet said, I thought you died like grandpa, she lost it. He says he had to pull over on the drive back, and she leads him into the living room. She asks how he thinks the rehab is, but he says he didn’t go inside. Finn wanted to take that step on his own. She says, he made sure Finn went in, right? and he says, yeah. He watched him go all the way inside. But the outside was nice. Even at night, it was very peaceful. She says, sounds like just what he needs, and Chase asks how Violet is doing. Is she in bed? Brook says, she was out like a light. She was exhausted. They didn’t get a chance to discuss this before when Finn was here… He says, discuss what? and she says she had a long talk with her grandmother. She made a very strong case about how she thinks they should proceed. He asks what the empress had to say, and Brook says, she thinks it would be best if the two of them move in here with Violet.

Natalia meets Sonny at the pool (the glowing pool balls are back too!), and he thanks her for coming. She says she’s flattered he asked, and he says, it’s not too late for her, is it? She says, no. She’s a total night owl, always has been. And he couldn’t have picked a better location. Her room is right downstairs. The server asks what he can get them, and Sonny says, North Sterling scotch, neat, for the lady – she says, he remembered, and thanks him – and he’ll have the same thing. The server says, coming right up, and Natalia asks, what has Sonny up so late? He says he’s been feeling a little stifled lately at his place, and she says she can imagine. He says, so he had to change the living situation. She asks if he traded in the luxurious penthouse for the MetroCourt presidential suite, and they laugh. He says, nah, and she asks what he means then. He says, Ava moved out, and Natalia says, she seemed pretty ensconced. He says, even so, it’s time to go.

Ava thanks Laura for coming by so late, and Laura says she got Ava’s message. Has she heard from Nikolas? Ava says, not since he’s been transferred. She’s sorry. Did Laura think this was about him? Laura says, more like she was hoping. She hasn’t heard from him either. Anyways, she’s here. She didn’t realize Ava was staying at the MetroCourt. Ava says, as of this morning. It turns out she’s safer here than under the same roof as Sonny Corinthos.

Kristina looks at some paperwork with Blaze and says, some of this sounds impressive, but she can’t tell if it is or it’s a total line of BS. For example, oversaw the distribution of priority communication throughout a complex interdepartmental network. Sounds impressive or… Blaze says, sounds like mailroom? Is Kristina sure she wants to hand over the day to day running of the LGBTQ center to someone else? It is her baby. Kristina says she doesn’t want to. The Corinthos-Davis House was her idea. She’s really passionate about it, but she wants someone else to take charge right now. That’s what’s best for the center. Blaze asks, how exactly is Kristina stepping back what’s best for the center? and Kristina says, because she came up with a really powerful idea, but there are people more qualified than she is who can run the center and make her vision a reality. Besides she doesn’t want to start back up again at the Corinthos-Davis House, then have to go on maternity leave five seconds later. Blaze says, maternity leave?

Chase asks if Tracy’s suggestion they move in here an invitation or a demand? and Brook says, it was a very strong invitation. He says, she decided this unilaterally? and she says, Monica and Olivia both signed off on it. He says, Monica and Olivia agreed with Tracy? Both of them? She says she knows. It’s like the Seven Seals of the Apocalypse all burst open at once. Of course (🍷) she said she wasn’t going to make any decisions without discussing it with him first. He says, okay. Let’s discuss it. What are the pros? Brook says, her grandmother first pointed out that they can’t move into his brother’s place with Violet, what with her grandfather dying there and her finding her father passed out and bleeding on the floor. Chase says, that’s a good point. So they’ll move into his place. Brook says, yeah, it’s just… He says, that it’s too small. They can get a bigger place. They’ve been talking about doing that anyway. What better time? She says, they could, and he says, where would they stay here that has more privacy than their own place? She says, there’s a suite with two bedrooms and a private bath, and there are tons of kids running around. Not to mention, Monica and Olivia and Willow and Sasha. Lots of positive, nurturing maternal energy. He tells her that she didn’t say Tracy, and she says, neither did she. He says, so those were Tracy’s talking points, and she says, pretty much. She also said, Violet needs consistency now. Not when they move, but right now. He asks if she agrees, and she says she thought they were really good points. What does he think? He says, when he was driving back from the rehab place alone, he was thinking about something Finn said to him about how he was being the big brother, taking care of him. Chase’s whole life he had his dad to take care of him. Now he’s responsible for his family, to provide for them and make sure they’re safe. When he was driving, every minute, every mile, he was coming up with a plan and revising it because he’s never had a kid, and now he has custody of one. He knows it’s just temporary, but he doesn’t know how long it will be. Not really. But the whole way back, he thought, yes. He can step up for his niece. He can give her the home she deserves.

The server brings the scotch, and Sonny thanks him. Natalia says, after what Ava did to Kristina’s mom, she can imagine it got pretty tense in the house, and Sonny says, but not for long. He doesn’t know what he was thinking, letting her move into his place. She says, he was thinking about his daughter Avery. By the way, she thinks she can guess who came up with that name. He says, she’d be right. Still, he thinks it suits his little girl. She agrees, and says, it’s none of her business but… He says, fire away, and she says, aside from this recent cohabitation, Ava doesn’t seem like she’s the one who got away. He says, Ava can’t get far away enough, and she laughs. She says, to long distance, and they clink glasses. He says, there is one person he thought he could count on until his dying day. She turned her back on him. She asks if that’s his wife Nina, but he says, no. Nina was a different mistake, but what she did happened around the same time. These people he could count on, he figured out he couldn’t count on them at all. She tells him that he said people, so more than one, and he says he discovered that these two people were the closest to him of anyone, and they were conspiring against him. At that time, he didn’t think Ava was, so he let her in. He should have known better because Ava was and always will be a treacherous viper.

Laura says she knows Ava and Sonny have a complicated history, but she thought they’d come to an understanding of late. Ava says she certainly thought so. As far as she knew, she and Sonny were closer than ever. They’d become… Friends might be too big a word, but they’d begun to let their guard down. They were confiding in each other. There was a kind of trust. Laura says, and now? and Ava says, now she’s living in a hotel, scrolling through real estate apps. Laura says, it’s not like Sonny to put the mother of one of his children out on the streets, and Ava says she’s not exactly destitute. Laura says, that’s very true. Would Ava mind telling her what happened between them? Ava says she wishes she knew. She’s sure Laura’s noticed how erratic Sonny has been lately. He’s lashed out at almost everybody, and up until now, she’s avoided being a target of his wrath. Laura says, and she has no idea why he suddenly turned on her. Ava says, none. She wouldn’t be able to correct it even if she did. Because with Sonny, any offense is a capital crime, real or imagined. Laura says she’s aware of how he feels about loyalty, and Ava says she sees Laura’s been the brunt of it herself. Don’t worry. She won’t pry. Laura thanks her, and Ava says, if anything, she’s been trying to support Sonny, and he seemed to be appreciating it. Then today, he became completely irrational. He picked a fight with her over she doesn’t even know what. It was so unsettling. It was so unmoored from reality, she had no choice but to leave. Laura says she’s become aware just recently that Sonny is not the man she thought he was. Except that lately, it seems like he’s been giving in to all of his worst impulses. But she hasn’t known Ava to be a completely helpless victim, so come on now. Why doesn’t Ava tell her what they were really fighting about?

Carly says, the FBI used her to strongarm Jason into being an informant. Which means it’s her fault he lost two and a half years of his life that he could have spent with his family. He asks, who told her? but she says, it doesn’t matter. He says, it does matter. He needs to know. She says, Sam. Sam’s not happy about it and blames her and she gets it. He asks how Sam found out, and she says, how does he think? He says, Spinelli, and she says, Sam got Spinelli to hack into the FBI’s evidence file and they found a recording of her at that meeting with Cyrus Renault and the Five Families, announcing to everyone that she was head of the Corinthos organization. Spinelli wasn’t able to delete the file. He says, that’s good. He thinks they’d notice that. She says, he was able to make a recording though, and Sam played it for her. Jason had a choice. His freedom and his family, or her. Why did he pick her? (Ugh. Just get a room at the MetroCourt already.)

Ava says, apparently, Kristina made some petty accusation against her. And because Kristina is the apple of Sonny’s eye, she got the boot. She’s sure Kristina is throwing a party somewhere as they speak. Her concern is that the person who will suffer the most from her moving out is Sonny. Laura says, how so? and Ava says she’s tried to be a stabilizing influence. She hasn’t been very successful, especially considering what happened at that wedding. Laura says, what wedding? Oh, Brook Lynn and Chase. Ava says, yeah. Sonny beat a man within an inch of his life at the reception. Laura says, oh my God, and Ava says, it’s no surprise Laura hasn’t heard about this, because as usual with Sonny, no charges were filed.

Kristina tells Blaze that she just meant maternity leave like in the sense of the time period a woman takes after she gives birth, whatever that time period is called. Blaze says, so family leave, and Kristina tells her that she said whatever. Blaze says, obviously, she will need time to recover, but isn’t that like twelve weeks? and Kristina says, yeah. Blaze says, isn’t that so the new parents can get acclimated to raising their newborn? and Kristina says, it’s for whatever they need it to be for, but yes, most importantly for that. Blaze says, but if she’s not raising the baby, can’t she return to the center in the amount of time the doctors recommend? Kristina says, six weeks, and Blaze says, why give up running the center she built from the ground up when she can just start six weeks in? Kristina says, because she doesn’t know what’s going to happen. She doesn’t know if Molly and TJ are going to break up or if they’re going to stay together. She doesn’t know if they’re maybe going to stay together and then maybe a year later, they’re going to break up. She doesn’t know. And if TJ decides that he does want full custody, and he does because it’s his biological and legal right… Blaze tries to interrupt, but Kristina says, stay with her. Molly has no legal or biological claim to this child, but she does. Blaze says, hold on a second. Is she saying she would actually try to get custody for Molly?

Natalia says she hasn’t had much interaction with Ava, but Ava always seems so disingenuous to her, and Sonny says, that’s putting it kindly. She says, if she ever crosses paths with Ava again, she’ll have her guard up, and Sonny says, do him a favor. Don’t cross paths with her. She’s going in a different direction. Natalia laughs and says she’ll keep that in mind. She doesn’t scare easily though, so she doesn’t like to give anyone that power over her to be afraid. He says he’s not telling her to be afraid. He’s just saying, don’t underestimate Ava. She says, duly noted, and enough about her anyhow, and Sonny says, here you go, raising his glass. They clink glasses, and Natalia says, on to more pleasant topics. What were they talking about before her? He says, betrayal, and she says, that’s pleasant. He says, it’s a downer, he knows, and she says, well, it’s a beautiful night in a beautiful place. And the scotch is amazing… and the company... He says, loves misery, but she says, no. Not afraid of the dark. He says, to the darkness, they clink again, and she says, and to the light that follows. She doesn’t want to belabor the topic, but there just is no pain quite like the wound of betrayal. She’s so sorry he had to go through that. He says, the same. What about her? Did she ever forgive the person who betrayed her? She tells him, who said there was just one? and he says, oh, there was more than one. He didn’t know that. She says, forgive? She doesn’t know if she forgives. She moves on. She doesn’t forget. The Lord wants her to forgive, so she tries. What about him? He says, no, and she says, just no? That’s it? They laugh and he says, actually, with family he forgives. And his family forgives him. That’s what families do, right? She says, right, but doesn’t he find it harmful not tempering anger with mercy? He says, sometimes. He’s been thinking lately about the people who turned away from him, who he trusted, that they believed in him. They all have one thing in common – me.

Jason says he never wanted Carly or the moss bowl🎍to know about this, and Carly asks, why? It’s her life. She’s the one who could be charged. He says he made sure she wouldn’t be, and she says, by sacrificing himself. He says, because he knew if she found out, she would confront the FBI and dare them to charge her, and that wouldn’t make any sense at all. She says, and him becoming an informant does? For more than two years? He says he didn’t think it would be that long. He thought it would be six months. One undercover operation and he’s out, she’s safe, but then it was another year, and another year after that. She cries, and he says, there was never a moment when it was too much. He never once thought about bailing. She says, of course (🍷) he didn’t. This is what he does. He always protects her, but this time, she was the target. She deserved to know, and she should have a say in how they handle things. He says, there is no we. He’s handling it the way he’s handling it. She says, that’s not an option anymore. She’s not going to let him throw his life away because… He says he’s not throwing his life away. He agreed to do a job and that’s what he’s doing. She asks how he knows Cates won’t double-cross him. How does he know Cates won’t say, thanks for your help; here’s you next mission? Does he honestly believe the FBI and John Cates are ever going to let him go?

Kristina says she just wants to know what her options are, and Blaze says, options that keep the baby in the family so Molly can raise it, or does she want the baby for herself? Kristina says, now who’s going into hypotheticals? and Blaze asks if she’s actually looked into these options. Kristina says, no, she hasn’t, but she did ask her mom for guidance. Her mom just didn’t want to give her opinion. Blaze says, very wise, her mother, and Kristina says, her mother did direct her to the legal statute involved, if hypothetically, she did want to pursue custody. Blaze says she guesses that’s not so bad, and Kristina says, and she did draw up a mock petition that could arguably be filed in court. Blaze says, Kristina… and Kristina says she thinks her chances are better than 50%. The baby’s not just a package you can hand over. If the courts agree with her and she gets custody, she’s the one who’s going to have to raise this child. Blaze once said she wished this baby were theirs. How would she feel about co-parenting?

Laura tells Ava that this is the first she heard Sonny attacked someone at the wedding. Who was the victim? Ava says she tried to ask him, but Sonny was pretty distraught himself over losing control in front of Kristina. Laura says, Kristina saw it? and Ava says, from what she understands, Kristina witnessed the whole thing, and she became extremely upset. Not that it matters now, because all is forgiven. Kristina and her father are once again thick as thieves. Laura thanks Ava for telling her this, and gets up. She gets her bag, and Ava says she knows it’s not the happiest news to impart, but she thought Laura should know. Although it’s not why she asked Laura here. Laura says, oh. She didn’t think so actually. Ava says, but it is about Sonny. He’s become so erratic, she doesn’t know what he’s going to do from one moment to the next. And the way they left things, she’s afraid he’s become so unhinged and paranoid, that he’s going to try and get their custody agreement overturned to keep Avery for himself. She cannot allow that to happen.

Brook says, Violet is Chase’s niece, so of course (🍷) he wants to take the lead in figuring out the best course of action for how she moves forward. She gets up, heads for the door, and says, so she’s going to tell Tracy that they’re going to leave… He says, wait, and follows her. He’s so grateful to her and her family – she says, they’re his family too – for wanting to help and take the three of them in. She says, of course (🍷). He knows how much her grandmother loves Finn, and Chase’s father, may he rest in peace, and she also loves making decisions. He tells her, what he was trying to say earlier. When he was driving and planning and worrying what to do about Violet, he walked through the front door and saw her. And it made him realize, he doesn’t have to do this alone. He has his wife – he takes her hands – the best partner and co-pilot and teammate he could ask for. She says she not only loves him, she admires him, because he shows up for the people he loves most, and he never complains. He says he complains sometimes, and she says, he’s kind and strong and gentle and he leads with his heart. He says, she should write all this down for when they renew their vows, but she says she’ll remember, and kisses him. So now that they’ve said all those things, what does he think of Tracy’s idea?

Carly says, Jason has no way to be sure the FBI will ever let them off the hook, not now, not ever, and he says, no, he doesn’t, but that’s the risk and he’s willing to take it. She says, but she’s not. That’s why she started exploring other options. He asks who she’s been talking to, and she says she talked to Diane because she wanted to know her chances of acquittal if she turned herself in. He says he hopes Diane said zero, and Carly tells him, she said 30. He says, Diane’s a great lawyer, but he would round that number down, and she says she gets it. They’re not great odds. But what are the odds of the FBI letting him go and him getting his life back? The only way to stop them is to call their bluff. He says, she keeps talking about the time that he’s lost with his family. If she turns herself in, if she goes to prison, then everything he did – he raises his voice – everything he sacrificed to protect her means nothing. So please, do not throw all of that away.

Chase says, here’s the deal. When he married Brook, he knew that a boatload of Quartermaines, Falconaris, and Cerullos came with the package. Brook says, for better or for worse, and he says, and now that he’s met them… She tells him that she knows what he’s going to say, but they really do mean well, and he tells her that he was going to say, he definitely thinks it’s to the better. She says, oh. Well, they do mean well. Except for Cousin Patty; she’s a mess. Anyway, what was he going to say? He says he came from a pretty small family to begin with, and now that his dad’s gone, his mom is off to parts unknown, and Finn is getting back on track, her loud, crazy family full of meddlers and busybodies… She says, he’s skating on thin ice, and he tells her that he’s just saying, he shouldn’t be surprised that they’d welcome him and Violet into the fold. She says, of course (🍷). They adore Violet, and she’s pretty sure they already prefer him over her. He says he thinks it’s because he’s easier to get along with, and she says, that’s a lot of words for pushover. And yeah, the Qs and the Cerullos are a crazy mixed bag, but we love each other. He says, even Cousin Patty? and Brook says, she keeps getting invited to stuff, so she guesses so. Which only proves her point. When something is up with one of them, they come together. They step up for each other, and Chase and Violet are a part of that family. He’s stuck with them. They kiss, when Gio walks in. He says he’s sorry for interrupting. Violet heard him tuning his violin. She came looking for the sound and she got lost going back to her room, so he helped her find it. She was pretty tired, so he’s pretty sure she’s asleep now. Chase thanks him for looking out for Violet, and Gio says, if nobody minds, he’s just going to go outside and practice. Brook asks if this is for Ava’s gallery, and he says, yeah. She says, play badly, and he says, if only he knew how. He leaves, and Brook asks what Chase thinks of the move. He gives her a quick kiss and says, hold that thought. He’s going to check on Violet. He dashes out.

Laura asks if Ava wants her to assist in a custody battle with Sonny, and Ava says, yes. Laura says she really shouldn’t be getting involved with that, and Ava says, Laura once told her that they’re family, even after she and Nikolas divorced. Did she mean that? Laura says she did, because she believes Ava truly loved her son, and actually, she thinks Nikolas still loves Ava. Ava says she loves him too, but oil and water, and Laura says she knows. Ava says, at this point in her life, other than Avery, Laura and Trina are the closest thing she has to family. That means something to her. Laura says, family means a lot to her too, and while she cares about Ava, don’t dare use that to work her. If there’s something Ava wants from her, be direct and ask her. Ava says, okay. Cards on the table then. She spoke to Scotty, and he said if Sonny tries to smear her in court, it could work, and she cannot let that happen. She cannot let Sonny have Avery. He’s barely fit to care for himself. Laura says, she’s right, and Ava says, as she sees it, the best defense is a good offense, right? So she’s looking for character witnesses. Just in case. So may she give Laura’s name to Scotty as someone who would be willing to appear in family court on her behalf?

Chase finds Brook asleep on the sofa, kisses her forehead, and sits on the coffee table. She wakes and asks how Violet is doing. He says, she’s fine. Seeing her sleeping peacefully up in her bed, then coming down and seeing Brook sleeping peacefully on the couch, has him thinking, there’s no better place for the three of them to spend the summer. She says, really? Is he sure? He says, it’s the right thing to do for Violet. She’ll have kids to play with, boats to ride, docks to swim off of, horses… Brook says, she’s super jazzed about the horses, and he says he’s super jazzed about spending the summer with his amazing wife and her massive family – their massive family. Tomorrow, he’ll start moving their stuff, and Violet’s too.

Laura says she understands Ava’s need to keep Avery really close to her right now, especially since lately, Sonny’s behavior has been genuinely concerning. Ava asks if that means Laura will help her. Can she give Laura’s name to Scotty? Laura says, yes, but that’s because if Avery has to have only one custodial parent right now, she believes it should be Ava. Ava thanks her, and Laura says, don’t make her regret this. Ava says she won’t. She promises. Laura’s faith and support mean everything. She’s sure Scotty will be contacting her. Laura says, okay, and goes to the door. Ava says she promises if she hears from Nikolas, she’ll let Laura know. She really does want only the very best for him. Laura thanks her and says her too, and leaves.

Jason says, if Carly goes forward with this and gets convicted, this life she has now, with the moss bowl🎍, the kids, Bobbie’s, the hotel, it’s all done. She’s probably going to go away for twenty years. Josslyn and Michael can take turns bringing Donna to visit her until she’s old enough to visit Carly on her own. And all for what? All because she wanted to turn herself in when she didn’t have to. How’s Donna going to feel when Carly abandons her for him? Carly says, Donna will always know she loves her, and he says, enough to stay out of prison for her? She says, that’s not fair, but he says, that’s a fact. Here’s another fact. If she goes to prison, he’ll blame himself every day for the rest of his life. So if she doesn’t want her daughter to grow up without her and doesn’t want him to carry that guilt, just stop. Just back off and let him finish what he started. She says, okay, fine. She gets it. She gets that he has to follow through with all this. She gets it. He breathes a sigh of relief and thanks her. She says, but what if she can’t stand it?

Kristina says, honestly, if the situation presents itself, would Blaze want to co-parent this child with her? Blaze says, does she want kids at all? She thinks, someday maybe, but right now with her career on the upswing, she just doesn’t think it’s a good time for her to be a mom. She hopes Kristina’s not too disappointed. Kristina says, no. How could she be? It’s not exactly the right time for her to be a mom right now either. In a perfect world, Molly and TJ would peacefully and blissfully raise this child on rock steady ground. She wouldn’t have to think about this. Blaze says, then why think about it at all? Couples fight. She knows, not Molly and TJ, but yes, Molly and TJ. It will all blow over and Kristina will have wasted a lot of energy over nothing. Kristina says, no. She has to be prepared. If this goes badly and TJ wants custody of this child, she has to make sure her sister has access to this baby. And the only way to do that is by suing TJ for custody.

Natalia pushes one of the glowing pool balls with her foot and asks if Sonny usually has trouble sleeping. He asks if he looks tired, but she says, no. Restless maybe. But that might just be her projecting. There are so many nights that she lies awake with a million thoughts racing through her head. It almost feels like ghosts. Has that ever happened to him? He says, all the time, and she says she thinks he has the right idea. In situations like this, when you’re being swarmed by ghosts, you need to reach out to a friend – she picks up her glass – have a drink in the night air. It’s a good way to make all that noise stop. He raises his glass and says, to finding our friends in the darkness. They clink glasses, and she says, cheers. He says, cheers, and drains his glass.

Ava walks on to the patio with her martini. She says, to new beginnings.

Carly says she admits Jason is right about all of it, and he says, good. He’ll take it from here. She says, but what if it’s too much of a cost for her? What if she can’t live with knowing she’s the reason he hasn’t had a day of freedom since November of 2021? He says, she doesn’t have to live with it. He does. She says she wouldn’t be the person she is today if not for him. Her life wouldn’t be what it is if she hadn’t met him. So how does she let the FBI use him, knowing she had the power to stop it? He says, she told him that she was going to do this his way, and she says she knows, but she changed her mind. He says, she can’t change her mind, not about this. He chose to take the FBI’s deal. So please, he’s asking her, do not get in the way of it.

On Monday, Ava says, there’s got to be something Trina’s herd that she can use; Natalia tells Maxie, this is not what they agreed to; Josslyn tells Sonny that she’s not going to make the same mistake twice; and Kristina can’t stop thinking about what’s going to happen to her.

😭 Nobody Wants This…

Get out the tissues.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-jophielle-loves-emotional-farewell

On YouTube June 30th.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/dont-miss-maurice-benards-interview-with-michael-easton

🍊 More About Beador…

All we know is, she wasn’t caught by the paparazzi picking up trash on the highway.

Shannon Beador Finishes Community Service Following DUI

Well, she is just a wee bit volatile.

Why Shannon Beador Might Be Isolated During RHOC Season 18

I almost feel sorry for her. It’s like they did it on purpose.

Why John Janssen Might Be Alexis Bellino’s Happily Ever After

🎤 Hey Rapper Rapper Rapper…

Could his name have been Hunky Dory?

Kathy Hilton Called Out Rapper for Ignoring Fans

🥣 Stirring the Pot…

Not a fan of hers, but that doesn’t mean she’s wrong.

Brandi Glanville Claims RHOBH Producers Knew About Taylor Armstrong’s Domestic Abuse

📺 Watch the Worst…

I’ll bet there were moments worse than these.

15 Years of Watch What Happens Live: The Show’s Worst Moments

⚰️ Carol’s Turn…

The definitive date for Season 2 is September 29th. Be there or be an octagon.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/finally-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-release-date-has-been-revealed-plus-new-images-01hzq6smywpm

https://collider.com/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-3-update/

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/norman-reedus-sets-high-expectations-of-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-01j08qn5shvk

🦸‍♂️ Together At Last…

How it all came to be and how it’s going to be. I don’t go to the movies a lot, but I’m definitely going to see this one.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-wolverine-news-hugh-jackman-one-in-a-billion-idea-1235932988/

https://www.cbr.com/deadpool-wolverine-mcu-x-men-elements/

https://ew.com/sabretooth-deadpool-and-wolverine-return-first-look-teaser-8671139

🩰 Dancer Unchanged…

Still confusing children everywhere she goes.

https://ew.com/abby-lee-miller-calls-fan-obnoxious-8670388

🐈 All About Them Rescues…

Dolly looks skeptical.

https://people.com/kaley-cuoco-adopts-dog-dolly-as-newest-pack-member-8671438

Well, she couldn’t just leave them.

https://people.com/meet-halle-berrys-two-new-kittens-boots-and-coco-8671178

Life imitates art.

https://people.com/lupita-nyongo-refused-change-her-rescue-cat-name-exclusive-8669582

🐝 Quotes of the Week

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

Redemption is through service. – Judge Greg Mathis

In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current. – Thomas Jefferson

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. – Heraclitus

The most effective way to do it is to do it. – Amelia Earhart

She gets what she wants. We had to give her a Sweet 16 on her 13th birthday. – Jeremy Grey (Christopher Walken), Wedding Crashers

Success does not consist in never making mistakes, but in never making the same one a second time. – George Bernard Shaw

You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. – John C. Maxwell

A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life. – Muhammad Ali

If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. – Zig Ziglar

👠 Sissying My Walk…

Join me on the first Monday of next month for soap and TMI on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay letting your Pride flag fly no matter how you identify, and stay never giving anyone the power over you to be afraid.

Jun27

June 26, 2024 – Finn Meets With Chase, Why Goodbye, Best Yet, Twirling Out, Lighter, New VanderStaff, Calling It Off, Celebrations, World’s Ugliest & Freedom

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Trina knocks on Sonny’s door, and says she was asked to grab Ava’s day planner. Sonny tells her to check Ava’s room, and Trina tells him that Ava said… He says, Ava told Trina that he threw her out because he did.

Kristina startles Alexis, who’s snoozing on her sofa next to her open laptop. Kristina says she knocked, and Alexis says, and when she didn’t answer? Kristina says, naturally, she let herself in. What is Alexis working on that she was so focused? Alexis slams her laptop shut, and Kristina says, not too suspicious.

Trina says she also wanted to give Sonny Ava’s suite number at the MetroCourt, but he says, that’s not necessary. She asks if he wants her to tell Ava anything, and he says, tell her that she’ll be hearing from his attorney soon. He and Ava aren’t of the same opinion that it’s not suitable to raise a child in a hotel, even part time. It was good seeing her. He opens the door, and Trina leaves.

Finn sees Chase on Gregory’s memorial bench, and Chase says he can take off, but Finn says, it’s his bench too. Good thing he came. It might be the only way to get Chase to talk to him. He doesn’t remember the hill being so steep. Another reason to stay sober. Chase says nothing, and Finn says, he remembers when Chase was furious at him for not communicating with their dad. Chase asks what Finn wants him to say, but Finn says, Chase knows exactly what he wants to hear. He’s left messages and texts. He’s desperate to know how his daughter is, and Chase couldn’t even call him back.

Chase and Finn sit on the bench, and Finn asks, how’s Violet? Chase says, confused and worried about him, and Finn says, because she walked in, and it scared her seeing him passed out. Chase says he reassured her that Finn was okay, but she’s more concerned he’ll think she abandoned him or doesn’t love him anymore. Finn says he would never think that, and Chase says, that’s what he told her. Brook’s been great with her; everybody at the Quartermaine’s has. Finn says he hopes Violet isn’t mad at him, but Chase says, he’s Violet’s hero. They have that in common. Finn says he’s a lot of things, but not a hero, and Chase says, that’s not true. He’s looked to Finn for guidance. He didn’t mean to come here, but it’s where he ended up. Finn says him too, and Chase says, that has to count for something.

Brook says she’s not sure how much Violet slept, and Tracy says, if Violet is like her, not much. Brook says, she’s playing a board game with Leo. He seemed to intrinsically know she needed distracting. Tracy says, he’s a special boy, and Brook says she’s scared about what comes next. Tracy asks if she means the big picture, and Brook says, what if Violet asks to call her father? Tracy says, Brook will think of something. She always does. Brook wonders, what if Violet asks when she’s going home? She’s like their little adorable prisoner. Tracy says, in an enormous, gilded cage, and Brook says she gets that they’re lucky. Tracy asks if she’s considered the possibility that this could be a permanent situation.

Sasha tells Cody that she feels bad for Violet. She’s not her usual boisterous self. She barely at breakfast and picked at her lunch. Cody suggests the food was subpar, and she says, excuse you. Violet looked tired too. She’s worried there’s something serious going on. Cody says, Violet just lost her grandpa. She’s probably still sad and still processing it. Why is she here and not home with her dad? Sasha says, that’s the thing. Whatever is happening has to do with Finn. She overheard Olivia and Tracy talking about Brook, Chase, and Violet moving in here permanently.

Trina delivers Ava’s planner, and Ava thanks her. She couldn’t bear the thought of facing Sonny again. She asks if there was any hint of him being upset or remorseful, but Trina says, he was cold. All about business. She wanted to get out of there. Ava asks if Natalia was there, but Trina says, Sonny was alone. She offered him Ava’s suite number… Ava says, let her guess. He didn’t want it. That’s fine. If he wants to know, he can ask the front desk. Trina says, he did have a message for her. She’ll be hearing from his attorney about whether a hotel is an appropriate place to raise Avery, even part time. He definitely was making a point. Ava says, that son of a bitch is planning to take away her daughter.

Ava says, Sonny kicked her out before she could find a place, and Trina says, it’s not fair. Ava says, it’s criminal. This isn’t a permanent solution. Him going after Avery is a payback thing. He wrongly thinks she’s responsible for his friend losing her law license, but she brought it on herself. Sonny is violent, impulsive, vindictive, and selfish. She did what she could to co-exist, and now he’s paying her back by taking her daughter. Trina asks what she’s going to do, and Ava says, fight back. Sonny isn’t the only one who knows a thing or two about threats.

Tracy tells Brook that she had a long conversation with Olivia and Monica about when and if Finn goes to rehab. She and Chase can’t move into Finn’s apartment. That’s where Violet lost her grandpa and saw her father drunk and bleeding on the floor. Chase’s apartment is a one-bedroom and they’re newlyweds. She’d like to think they’ll eventually get back to that. Brook says, they can get a bigger place. They have the money, and the situation warrants extra spending. Tracy says, Violet needs stability and consistency right now, and she’d like to offer Violet a home for as long as she needs it, provided Brook and Chase come with her.

Josslyn is cleaning the new apartment, when there’s a knock at the door. Gio says he thought he’d check in, and wonders why she’s cleaning. Josslyn says, it’s what people do, and he asks if he didn’t do enough. She says, this is a me thing. Trina was supposed to help, but she has to run errands for Ava. Gio says he gathers Josslyn isn’t a big fan, and she says she respects Trina’s relationship with Ava, but she more than dislikes her. She does have one redeeming quality. She created Avery. Although she probably shouldn’t badmouth the woman who hired him to play at the gallery. Maybe Ava has two redeeming qualities. She has great taste in musicians.

Kristina says she looked up the information from the link Alexis gave her and drew up a petition. Can Alexis look it over? Alexis asks what the gist of it is, and Kristina says, if Molly and TJ split up, the baby stays with them.

Finn says he’d do anything to change what happened and be the father Violet deserves, and Chase asks if Diane served him with the papers. He didn’t have a choice, and it wasn’t easy. Finn says he knows. He’s been so angry at Chase, Elizabeth, and the hospital, when the person he really hated was himself. He’s found himself back where he started, unable to control the urge to anaesthetize. Chase says, that’s the first step. He’s sorry Finn is here, but thankful he’s still alive. Finn says he doesn’t deserve to be, but Chase tells him, don’t say that. Finn says his daughter found him unconscious on the floor in their home and she was scared. He did that. Chase says, he didn’t mean to, but Finn says, it doesn’t matter. The choice he made caused Violet pain and it makes him want to die. Something broke in him. He’s broken.

Alexis says, us meaning? and Kristina says, the Davis family. Alexis says she thinks Kristina should ask Molly, but Kristina asks her to please look it over. Alexis says she distinctly remembers saying she wouldn’t advise Kristina, lest it look like she’s choosing sides, and Kristina says, if they split, Molly has no legal claim. Alexis says, the last time she saw them, they were fine, and Kristina says, they’ve been annoyingly agreeable since high school, but stress breaks some couples. She has to be prepared. Alexis wonders if subconsciously, deep down, Kristina wants TJ and Molly to break up, but Kristina says, no. Why? Alexis says, she just has a feeling Kristina might… There’s a knock at the door, and Alexis says she hopes it’s not Kristina’s sister. She opens the door to Sonny and says, thank God. (I’ll bet that’s the first he’s heard that in a long time.)

Josslyn asks how much Ava is paying Gio, unless it’s none of her business. He doesn’t have to answer if it’s private. He says, 100 bucks, and she says, an hour? He says, for the whole thing, and Josslyn calls Ava a cheapskate. Gio says he’s telling himself it’s good exposure. He’s living at the Quartermaines, so he has no living expenses. She says, Ava should pay him what he’s worth, and he says, she should be an agent. She says, and deal with demanding talent like him? He starts to help her, but she says, his hands are his meal ticket and he’s got to protect them at all costs.

Tracy says she knows this isn’t how Brook envisioned married life, but they have the perfect set up; a suite with adjoining rooms that’s bigger than Chase’s apartment. No offense. Brook says, none taken, and Tracy says, and this place is crawling with maternal energy. Brook says, her? but Tracy says, no. Monica, Olivia, Lois, Sasha, and Willow in the gatehouse. There are also plenty of father figures and tons of children coming in and out. Brook says, all the reasons she told Chase, and Tracy says, and he told her yes to it temporarily, but she’s offering the possibility of something more permanent. Brook says she’ll have to talk to Chase. He’s the one with emergency custody. Tracy says, they need to consider the possibility that it may become more permanent.

Ava says, separating her from her child is not happening, and Trina says she gets that Ava is upset, but fighting Sonny? Ava asks what choice she has, and Trina asks if Ava wants her to open the gallery, but Ava says, it’s Trina’s day off. Go enjoy what she has planned. The gallery will survive being closed one day. She has to get situated. Trina says, let her know if she needs anything, and Ava hugs her and thanks her. When Trina leaves, Ava gets on the phone.

Sasha says she hopes everything is okay with Finn, and Cody says him too. For Finn’s sake, but mostly for Violet’s. Sasha says she knows what it’s like growing up without a father. It’s not easy. Cody says, luckily, he had a lot of stand-ins. It helps a lot, but it’s not… Sasha says, it’s not the same as having a dad. Mac comes in and asks if it’s a bad time.

Chase says he just wants to help Finn, and Finn says he knows. Chase says he’ll give Finn whatever support he needs, but he has to take the first step. Finn takes out his phone and calls Sky Meadow Lodge. He says he believes their holding a bed for him, and the woman says, they are. He says he’ll be checking in tonight, and she says, glad to hear it. They’ll see him then. Chase says he’s proud of Finn, but Finn says, he might want to wait until he’s there. Chase says he has faith, and Finn says, 90 days. Chase says, he’s got this, and Finn asks if Chase can give him a ride. Chase says, he’ll also give him a ride home when he gets out, and Finn says he has one more favor. Chase says, anything, and Finn says he wants to say goodbye to his daughter.

Alexis asks to what she owes this visit, and Sonny says he found out Ava was the reason she was disbarred and he’s furious. She says, join the club, and he says, she had him fooled. He doesn’t know why he let Ava live with him. Alexis says, he got to spend time with Avery, and he says, if he would have known… He’s glad he knows now. He told Ava to pack her bags and move out. He should have listened to what people were telling him. Alexis says, he didn’t have the information. None of them did. Sonny says he knows they don’t see eye to eye on everything, but as far as Ava goes, they’re on the same side.

Mac says, after Cody left, Maxie went on about how Cody stepped up for the family and he wanted to thank him. Cody says he loves them, and Mac says, they love him too, especially James. He keeps asking when Mac is going with him to his next lesson. Cody says, he’s welcome any time, and Mac says, Sasha has made some new decisions too. She’s gone from the Face of Deception to a private chef. She says, Cody also lets her help out, and Mac says, she’s a welcome addition. He’s sorry for having suspicions about Cody once upon a time. He had Cody pegged as a con man who couldn’t be trusted, but that’s obviously not the truth. Cody is Superman to his family. Will he accept Mac’s apology?

Trina shows up at the apartment and says she’s sorry she’s late. Josslyn says, Trina is so late, she got a new roommate. She’s kidding. Gio is helping. Is Trina okay? Trina says she had a strange interaction with Ava. Ava went off about Sonny. Josslyn says she thought they were getting along, but Trina says, he threw her out and she was full of rage, all directed at Sonny. Josslyn says, it’s not their first showdown, and Gio asks if Ava could be a threat to Sonny. Josslyn says, physically? She doesn’t think so. Trina says she disagrees. This afternoon, Ava seemed capable of anything.

Brook looks at a photo of Edward and Lila, and Tracy asks how she’s doing. Brook says, overwhelmed but grateful Tracy is in a position to help Finn if he chooses, and that they’re collectively in a position to help Violet. She thinks Violet will be okay. Tracy says she does too, but she was talking about Brook. Taking on a child is an enormous responsibility, especially this early in a marriage. Brook says she’ll think of it as training for when she and Chase have kids of their own, and Tracy says, she’s proud of Brook. She’s handling this with enormous grace, compassion, and patience. She’s supposed to be on her honeymoon. Florence, this is not. Brook says, she hopes they get there some time, but home is just where they belong right now, and Tracy says, Brook is handling it better than she would, but Brook says she thinks under the bravado, Tracy’s got a big heart. Tracy says, don’t tell anyone, and Brook thanks her for saying all the right things, the things she needed to hear. Tracy hugs her and says, this too shall pass.

Cody says, there’s nothing to forgive, and if there were, it would be done. He loves Mac’s family. Mac says, and he fits right in, and Cody says, it feels that way to him. Mac says, it makes sense, considering Cody, Sasha, and Maxie were working together at Deception. They got to know each other. He means Cody and Maxie, and now Cody gets to spend time with Sasha. Sasha says she lives in the kitchen, but she’s here now because she’s in between meals. Cody says, they’re just co-workers, and Mac says, sure. He tells Cody to expect an observer at James’s next lesson, and leaves. Sasha says she can’t take it anymore. What’s wrong with him?

Scotty says, her favorite lawyer at her service, and Ava says, she and Sonny hit a rough patch. She has every reason to believe he’s going to go for sole custody of Avery, and she can’t let that happen. She won’t. She can’t lose another daughter. He asks if she thinks Sonny will argue that she’s unfit, and she says, most likely. He asks if she is, and she says, of course (🍷) not, but it doesn’t matter. Sonny will do what he always does. Pay someone off to get the result he wants or lie on the stand. Scotty says, either strategy could work.

Chase comes back to the Quartermaines, and tells Tracy and Brook that he saw Finn. They had a long conversation on their father’s bench. It was dicey at first, but they’re in a good place. Finn is obviously upset that they kept Violet from him, but he understands, and he said it was the right thing. Tracy asks if he’s going to rehab, and he says, Finn called to confirm it in front of him, and he’s taking Finn tonight – on one condition. Tracy says, his or Finn’s, and he says, Finn’s. He wants to see Violet before he goes.

Alexis says she was going to wait, but she can’t. She has news, and since Sonny brought up Ava – she shows them the document – she’s no longer disbarred. Her disbarment was vacated and her two-year suspension has already been served. Kristina hugs her, and Sonny says, congratulations. Alexis says she has to catch up on her continuing education, but after that, she’ll be reinstated. Sonny says, justice prevails, and Alexis says she’s joining Diane’s law firm. Sonny says, the dynamic duo, and Alexis says, Diane is still his lawyer, not her. He says, good, because he’s about to have a legal battle on his hands.

Tracy wonders, what if Finn manipulates Violet? but Chase says he’ll be observing the conversation. Finn has one chance and if he observes Finn going off the rails, he’ll shut it down. Not to give him a chance to see her when he’ll be gone for three months… Brook says, it would be cruel, and Tracy agrees. She says, Chase is Violet’s guardian, so it’s his call. Chase says he appreciates the support, and she asks, where and when the meeting will be. He says, here and now. Finn is waiting outside in his car.

Sasha says, Cody had the perfect opportunity to come clean. He obviously loves Mac’s family and wants to be part of it. She would too. Cody says he has to wait for the timing to be right. If it’s off, he might lose everything he has. It’s too big a risk. Sasha says she wants him to be happy, and he says he is. She says, the happiest he could be, and he says, it’s new territory for him, wanting to be part of something. It’s usually been me, myself, and I. Until he found out Mac was his father, he was fine with things the way they were. She says she thought they were trying a better way, and he says, old habits die hard. He almost told Mac. She says, maybe next time, he will.

Josslyn says she knows Gio loves his uncle, and Gio says, she doesn’t. She says she used to once upon a time, and he asks, what happened? Or is it none of his business? She says, family stuff. Her mom was married to Sonny, more than once. They had and have a volatile relationship, and their last breakup was pretty bad. Gio says, and she sided with her mom, and she says she did, but she made a mistake getting involved. It was none of her business. Her mom is more than capable of taking care of herself. She has the right to live her own life, and so does Sonny. She and Sonny don’t agree on pretty much anything, but she doesn’t want anything to happen to him. Gio asks if Trina thinks it’s possible that Ava poses a real threat, and Trina says she doesn’t know, but she wouldn’t rule it out.

Scotty says, Ava and Sonny both have a spotty past with the PCPD. Family court is going to look at it like bad versus even worse. Ava says, Sonny is a mob boss, but he says, allegedly. It’s not on his tax return. She says, plenty of people know he’s violent and impulsive, going from one mental health crisis to the next, and he says, they could testify or not. She has to protect herself. In cases like this, it’s usually a mutual disaster for everyone. She says she’ll take her chances. There’s no way she’s leaving Avery with Sonny permanently. Is he going to be her lawyer or not? He says he’s in, and they shake hands. He says, since he’s going up against Killer Miller, he’s going to need stunt pay.

Tracy hugs Finn and cries. He thanks her for letting him do this, but she says, it was Chase’s idea. He felt it was good for Violet, and that’s all that matters. Brook comes down the stairs and says, Violet is ready. Tracy asks Finn, is he?

Tomorrow, Jason asks someone if they’re sure they’re ready to do this; Violet begs Finn to take her with him; and Dante tells Sam that she can’t tell anybody about this.

😕 WTF Over and Over…

It doesn’t say for sure, but the wording makes it sound like he was let go. Are they kidding? He’s just done some of the best work of his career. I hate when they change writers. There are always casualties.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-says-goodbye-to-general-hospital

🍊 If He Says So…

Yeah, okay, we’ll see. Premieres July 11th.

Andy Cohen Says RHOC Season 18 Is ‘Possibly the Best Season Yet’

🍑 Gone With the Wind Minus Fabulous…

No surprise. What a shame. You’d think she’d have had enough sense to understand it was crossing the line. Which is probably pretty hard to do in the Housewives franchise.

Kenya Moore Officially Exits RHOA Following Suspension, Before Thanking Fans on Social Media

https://people.com/kenya-moore-exits-real-housewives-of-atlanta-after-suspension-for-explicit-photos-scandal-8669281

🐪 Walking On Air…

I’ve always liked Caroline. I’d love to see her and LVP together… or maybe not.

https://okmagazine.com/p/caroline-stanbury-life-real-housewives-dubai-lighter-ladies-london/

🍸 Changing the Rules…

It’s not like any of the cast we know still works there.

https://okmagazine.com/p/vpr-fans-go-wild-lisa-vanderpump-new-sur-staff-show-hiatus/

📑 What’s Mine Stays Mine…

I don’t blame her. I can understand why there might be some hurt feelings at having it sprung on him – they should have had this conversation earlier – but what’s the big deal with signing a prenup unless you’re in it for the money? Especially a dude. Come on. And why is everyone getting three wedding dresses? I swear, all you need is one per wedding.

https://extratv.com/2024/06/26/kelly-bensimon-calls-off-wedding-to-scott-litner-4-days-before-ceremony/

🪅 Nobody Does It Better…

No one will ever top PUMP/SUR for Pride Day. I’ve been to quite a few celebrations in NYC, but I only did the march once. It’s a looong walk.

Bravo’s Best Pride Celebrations

🐶 He Makes My Heart Sing…

There are no ugly dogs, just dogs that are cute in a different way. Although I’m pretty sure if they’d combed his hair, he might not have come away the winner. Congrats, you Wild Thang!

https://people.com/a-pekingese-named-wild-thang-wins-the-2024-world-s-ugliest-dog-contest-8668102

🧘‍♀️ Watching the Tide Roll Away…

Stop in tomorrow for soap, a little tea, and a little music befitting the month. Until then, stay safe, stay using your headphones when listening to music at the beach, and stay taking the first step if you need to.

Jun22

July 21, 2024 –Carly Hears the Audio File, On Returning, No Social, Almost Brandy, OC Drama, Coming Deck, VanderJunk, Expectations, Reunion, Animal Tales, Jesting, More Than 8 Quotes & Love

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Carly says she’s sorry to keep Sam waiting, and Sam says, crisis averted? Carly says, more like crisis handled for now. Sam says, good, because she’s going to need Carly’s undivided attention. She only wants to do this once. Carly says, do what? and Sam says she knows why Jason let them think he was dead.

Anna tells Jason that she’s having dinner at Valentin’s house tomorrow. She’ll find the opportunity to search. Then she’ll get the evidence that he’s running Pikeman. Jason says his way is simpler, and she says, if by his way he means he’s going to break in, search, and if he doesn’t find anything, he’ll beat the truth out of Valentin, that’s not going to work. He says, her way will? and she says, yes, because she’s Valentin’s blind spot. She can take him unawares. Jason just has to be patient. Jason says he sacrificed over two and a half years to protect Carly. He will not let this go to waste. He needs to prove to the FBI that Valentin is their guy.

Chase says, Brook really went all out for dinner, and she says, it’s their first homecooked meal as a married couple. It’s a big milestone. It doesn’t matter that she’s cooked a ton for him in the past. This was the first official one. He says, then he officially declares it delicious, and she asks how he’d rate it. He says, five stars. And the food was pretty good too. He kisses her.

Maxie says, Bailey Lou has had her second bath and is in bed, and James asks her to tell Georgie that he didn’t throw food as a baby. Maxie asks Violet if they’re still fighting about this. Who’s winning? Violet says she thinks it’s a tie, and James says, that means he won. Georgie says, no, it doesn’t, and Maxie says, they’re all winners. Why doesn’t Violet get her stuff and she’ll take her home. Georgie says, they really don’t want Violet to go home. Can she please sleep over? Spinelli comes in and says, hello, family, and the lovely Violet. He’s sorry he missed dinner. Maxie says, he also missed clean-up. How was work? He says he’ll fill her in after dinner, and James asks if Violet can’t stay. Maxie says, maybe next time. Violet’s dad really wants her home. Violet says, it’s okay. She had a lot of fun today, but she hasn’t to go home now. Her dad gets really sad and lonely when she’s not there.

Finn lies on the couch, his phone playing morose music alongside an open bottle of tequila. (Why? Why is it always tequila?) He wakes with a start, sits up, and holds his head. He picks up the bottle and takes a swig. (Ugh. It’s bad if you’re drinking straight from the bottle, and Michael Easton is so good, he’s making me feel ill.) He notices a smear of blood and some glass on the table, and looks at his hand, realizing he has a piece of glass imbedded in his palm. He pulls out the glass, takes another swig, and pours some tequila on the wound, which is obviously painful. He tries to get up, but falls on the floor and stays there.

Sam puts her phone on Carly’s desk and says, what she’s about to hear isn’t all about her, even though she knows Carly is going to make it that way. Sam’s life and her children have been affected. Elizabeth and Jake, and anyone who’s ever loved Jason and mourned his death.  Carly asks where she got this and how she knows it wasn’t altered, and Sam says, it’s real. Spinelli got it from the FBI’s evidentiary database. And of course (🍷) Carly will be able to confirm its authenticity. Sam hits play, and Carly’s voice says, as you all know, my husband is dead, but his organization isn’t. It’s still strong and stable. The only thing that’s changed is the person who sits in Sonny’s seat, and from now on, that will be me.

John comes into the warehouse and asks, where is she? Jason says, where’s who? and John tells him not to play games. He knows Anna was here. Jason says, and now she’s not. John asks what they talked about, and says, Jason had better have been smart enough to record it. Jason says he never records conversations, and John says, then they have a problem. Unless he’s figured out another way to prove Anna is the one running Pikeman. Jason says, John’s not going to find anything on Anna because there’s nothing there. Or does proving it not even matter anymore?

Anna says, sorry she’s late, but Valentin says, don’t worry about it. He’s just glad she wasn’t canceling. She says she did think about it, but she wanted to see him. He says he’s glad, and she says, whatever he’s cooking smells delicious. He says, coq au vin, and she says, the classics. They never get old. She’s always loved how he decorated this place. He says, that makes him happy because it’s all for her. He bought this house hoping they would share it. Does she know what goes well with coq au vin? A Bordeaux he brought back from his travels. Would she like a glass? She asks how she could say no, and he says, she can’t. He’ll be right back. He goes into the kitchen, and she says, take your time. When he’s gone, she starts snooping around.

Violet thanks doorman Carl for walking her up and he says, anytime. Tell her dad he said hi. She closes the door and sees Finn on the floor. She says, dad? and runs to him. She shakes him and says, she’s home. Wake up. She sees the blood on his hand and takes his phone off the table. She sees he missed a call from Tracy, and she hits the number to call back.

Tracy picks up and says, it’s about time. She’s left him three messages. She was beginning to think he was avoiding her. Violet says, her dad needs help, and Tracy asks, what’s wrong? Violet says she thinks he’s dead, and Tracy says she’ll be right there. She calls 911 and says she needs to report an emergency. 347 Portside Road, apartment 9.

Spinelli kisses Maxie, and says, it seems as though she may be somewhere else. Is something wrong? She says, no. She’s just worried about Violet. He asks if something happened when she dropped Violet off, but she says, it was a completely normal drive. She just really heard what Violet was saying while she was here. How she needed to get home and be with her dad because she was worried about him. It kind of sounded like she was raising Finn, not the other way around. Spinelli says, she does seem responsible for her father, but what if that’s just their normal relationship? After all, in the dictionary, under the word precocious, there’s a picture of Violet. Maxie says, even so, it’s possible for a child to be too sensitive. She feels like there might be something going on at home.

Tracy runs into Finn’s apartment, and Violet says, he won’t wake up. Tracy says she called an ambulance, and asks Violet to wait by the door until they get here. She checks Finn, and the paramedics come. Violet tells them, he’s over there, and they go over to him. Tracy says, his daughter found him like this when she came home. Luckily, Violet had the good sense to call her. She tells Violet that she thinks her dad is just sleeping, and Violet says, on the floor? Did he fall? Tracy says, maybe, probably, and Violet asks why there’s blood on him. Tracy says she thinks he cut his hand when he fell. The paramedics will take care of it and they need to give them room. She’ll talk to them. She tells Violet to stay where she is, and asks one of the paramedics how bad Finn is hurt. The paramedic says, the cut? and Tracy asks if they checked his airways and his heart. The paramedic says she’s sorry to put it this way, but drunk is not an emergency. Tracy says she knows that, they know that, but Violet doesn’t know that. She has to get her out of here, so she’ll be back. She tells Violet that the paramedics want a little time to help her dad. Grab her bag. She thinks they should visit her Uncle Chase. Violet says she’s already been gone too long today, and Tracy says, her dad didn’t hurt himself because she was gone. She knows how happy it will make her Uncle Chase to see her, and she’ll come right back here and make sure her dad is as good as new. Violet says she doesn’t want to go, and Tracy says she understands, but she would say her dad needs to rest, wouldn’t she? Violet says, what if he doesn’t wake up like grandpa? but Tracy says, it isn’t the same thing. Her grandfather was really, really sick. Does she remember all the doctor’s appointments and the special things he needed to walk and to breathe? Her dad just needs a little time to feel like himself again. Violet asks if she’s sure, and Tracy says she is. Violet asks if she can give him a kiss before they go, and Tracy says she wishes Violet could, but they need to give them room to work. Violet says, okay, picks up her bag, and leaves with Tracy.

Carly says she can’t believe this, and Sam says, she didn’t know the FBI had evidence against her? Carly says, no. All Jason told her was that he was an informant. She assumed they had evidence against him. It never occurred to her… Sam says, that it was her, and Carly says she can’t believe this recording even exists. It took place over three years ago with the heads of all the families under incredibly tight security. Sam says, obviously not tight enough, because the FBI was able to record the whole meeting, including Carly’s declaration that she was taking over for Sonny as head of his organization. Carly asks why Sam even went looking for it, and Sam says, because she wanted to know what the FBI was using to force Jason to cooperate. So she was able to borrow and copy Agent Cates’s credentials, and Spinelli was able to hack into the evidentiary database. Their plan was to get rid of the evidence once they had it, but Cates’s access did not allow for him to alter or delete the file. So all Spinelli could do was make a recording of the audio file. Carly says she can’t believe Jason was protecting her. Everything he’s been through… Poor Jason. Sam says, he’s not the victim here. Jason abandoned his children and let anyone who ever loved him think he was dead.

Anna rifles through Valentin’s desk, listens for him coming, then looks on the shelves. He comes back with two glasses of wine and says, sorry to keep her waiting. He hands her a glass and she says, some things are worth the wait. He asks if she found what she was looking for.

Chase opens the door to Tracy and Violet, and Tracy says, sorry to come by unannounced, but she told Violet how happy they’d be to see her. Chase says, of course (🍷) they are. He can always use some more Violet time. He invites them in, and Brook says, they were just talking about how much they miss her and want to hang out with her, and here she is. Perfect timing. She just made dessert – apple pie – and they were about to dig in. She’s sure Violet wants a piece. Violet says, that’s okay. She’s not hungry. Chase asks if she wants some hot cocoa. She can put all the marshmallows she wants in it. (All I can think is, Chase, it’s 90 out today.) Violet says she’s fine, except she was in the pool all day and put her wet swimsuit in her bag. It gets all gross if she leaves it in there. Brook says, come with her, and they’ll hang it up. She and Violet leave, and Chase asks Tracy, why is Violet with her and what’s going on?

Anna says, Valentin caught her. She was just looking at all the titles on his books; they’re so interesting. He knows how she’s always pretending she’s going to read at night instead of going to sleep as soon as her head hits the pillow. He says he always loved the untouched stack of books on her bedside table. She’d never let him move them because she said she was going to get to them. She says she promises she will one day… when she retires, and he says, it sounds like her work is very busy. She says, the Commissioner’s job is never done, and he tells her to try the Bordeaux. She takes a sip and says, that’s delicious. Yum. He says he’s glad she likes it because there’s plenty more where that came from for them to share in the future. She says, that’s a bit presumptuous of him, and he says, hope springs eternal, darling. She says she did actually find out an interesting piece of information in her work about Jack Brennan, and he says, he’s ancient history, but she says, he’s not so ancient. He was injured recently in Pentenville. He was taken to GH for treatment. He got caught in a knife fight. He says, that’s unfortunate. Still, you can count on Jack to make enemies of those he’s stuck with behind bars. She says she was alerted when he was taken in for treatment. Jurisdictional courtesy and all that. She went to see him. Valentin says, and? and she says, he knows Jack. You can never get a straight answer out of him. But he did strongly imply that he did stab himself in the hopes he’d get a visit from Carly of all people. He says, hopefully, he’ll recover. He’s really not interested in discussing Jack. He’d really rather discuss her. She says, he’s so good at deflecting, and he says he learned from the best. He suggests they adjourn to the patio and have dinner.

John tells Jason, the good people of Port Charles may have been fooled into seeing Anna as a dedicated public servant, but you don’t have to dig very deep into her background, especially her time at the WSB, to uncover evidence that proves Anna is the head of Pikeman. Jason says, the evidence can be interpreted any way he wants, and he wants Anna to be guilty. John says he won’t be lectured by a man who spent years working for Sonny Corinthos, and Jason says, John is also derailing his investigation by targeting the wrong person. John says he’s following the evidence, and if Jason won’t or can’t find him what he needs to shut down Pikeman and close this case, he won’t go back to Quantico empty handed. He will take Carly Spencer with him. He walks out.

Carly closes the door and says, Sam knows Jason didn’t want to leave Danny and Jake or anyone else he loved. He was doing it to protect her. Sam says, yes, because he loves Carly more than he loves his own kids, and Carly says, it isn’t Jason’s fault. If Sam wants to blame someone… Sam says, blame her? Don’t worry. She does. She thinks Carly is just as responsible for this as Jason. She showed up at a mob meeting. She claimed to be running Sonny’s organization. She incriminated herself. And instead of paying for her actions like the adult she is, Jason abandoned his children and abandoned his life to cover for her. Carly says, Jason was doing what he thought was right, and Sam says, how convenient for her. She doesn’t ever have to pay for her mistakes. Carly says, why doesn’t Sam direct some of this anger toward Agent Cates? He’s the one who started all this, not Jason. Sam says, Carly will always stick up for Jason like Jason sticks up for her. What about everyone else? What about the people who believed in Jason? What about the people he left behind… for you? Sam walks out.

Tracy tells Chase, Violet just walked in on her father, passed out, drunk, and bleeding on the floor, and Chase says, bleeding? She says, he cut his hand. It wasn’t serious, but it was messy. Violet didn’t know it wasn’t serious. She actually thought he might have died while she was having fun on a playdate. She blamed herself because she left him alone all day. He asks how she found Violet, and she says, Violet saw missed calls from her on Finn’s phone and called her back. Violet told her that her father needed help. He says, poor Violet, and Tracy says, he should have seen the look on Violet’s face when she walked in there. She was terrified. He says, Tracy wanted to get her out of there, so she brought Violet here, and she says, Violet adores him and she thought maybe he could distract her from what she just saw. He asks, where’s Finn now? and she says, he’s at home with the paramedics. She called 911 and hopefully, they got him bandaged and sobered up by now. She will soon see. He says he’s coming with her, but she says, no, he’s not. He says, of course (🍷) he is. Why wouldn’t he? She says, because when Finn wakes up, he’s going to want to see Violet and he just can’t. Not like this. So she wants him and Brook to take Violet back to her house. He asks, why? and she says, he doesn’t have the room here for Violet to stay here, and what if Finn decides to come and get her back? Does he really want Finn pounding on his front door, putting her through that after everything else she’s been through tonight? He says, God no, and she says she can handle Finn. He needs to comfort his niece. She needs her Uncle Chase to make her feel safe. He says, okay. He’ll do it here way, but she has to keep him posted on Finn’s condition. She says she will. She has Violet’s keys so she can let herself back in. He thanks her for all of this, and she says, he knows she loves Finn. He’s her friend. And she also knows this is what his father would want, and she’s grateful she can help his son any way she can. He says he can’t believe Finn would let Violet see him like this. The pain he must be in to let this happen. He wants to be here for his niece, but he feels like he’s failing Finn if he doesn’t go with her. She says, he’s done everything he can to help his brother, and truthfully, she can say things to Finn that he can’t. And what she’s going to say to him, he really needs to hear. She leaves.

Spinelli and Maxie snuggle on the sofa, when there’s a knock at the door. Maxie asks if Spinelli is expecting anyone, and he says, no. She says, great, and gets up to answer it. She opens the door to Sam, who says she’s sorry she didn’t call. She has to discuss something with Spinelli. Maxie says she owes the kids some butterfly kisses, and leaves. Spinelli says, Sam left him earlier quite expeditiously. Dare he ask where she was going? She says she went to see Carly, and he says he thought she’d go see Jason. He should have anticipated her need to confront Carly. She says she wanted to see what Carly knew about Jason and the FBI, and he says, she played the recording for Carly? She says, Carly can lie like a pro, but her reaction was genuine. Tonight was the first time she knew that Jason spent the past two years under the control of the FBI so she didn’t have to face charges of racketeering.

There’s a knock at Carly’s office door, and she says, come in. John asks if she’s got a few minutes, but she says she’s a little busy. He says he’ll make it worth her while, and holds up a bottle of champagne. Full disclosure, even though she owns half the hotel and could get this bottle for free, he charged it to his suite. She says, he didn’t expense it to the FBI? and he asks who she thinks pays for his suite. He just never thanked her properly for coming to his rescue that night in the alley or spending the night nursing him in his suite (WOTD). Things could have gotten a lot worse had she not been there, and he appreciates her help. She says, he’s welcome, and he says he’s also grateful that she didn’t tell anybody about it like he asked. She says, and that deserves an expensive bottle of champagne? and he says he just thought he should celebrate. His investigation is almost finished. A little more time wrapping things up and he’ll be heading back to Quantico. She says she’ll be sorry to see him leave Port Charles, and he says he won’t miss much about Port Charles, but he will miss her.

As they walk back inside, Anna tells Valentin that his coq au vin is perfect, and he says he’s glad she liked it. But he can’t take full credit. It’s not his recipe. She says she appreciates honesty. It’s so rare these days. He says, and all the more precious because of it. In the spirit of honesty, he has an armagnac that makes the perfect digestif. He pours them each a glass, and asks, what should they drink to? She says, their lovely conversation under the stars, and he says, that is cause for celebration. Anna says, or they can talk about something they haven’t touched on yet. Like his success at ELQ. He seems to be jetting around all over the place lately. What exactly is he up to these days? He says, most of his trips to Europe are just excuses to pop in and see Charlotte. It’s one of the perks of having access to a corporate jet. She says she wouldn’t know. And the rest of the time? He says he’d bore her to tears with all that corporate stuff. He thinks her work is far more interesting. What case is she working on now? What mysteries is she solving at the moment? She says, everything she’s working on is classified, and he makes a pouty face. She says, which reminds her, she has a very big day tomorrow. This is really lovely. Thank you, but I have to go. He takes her hand and says, no. Please don’t. There’s something he has to tell her.

She says, sounds serious. Should she be concerned? He says, it is serious. They’ve been dancing around this for a long time. A long time ago, the trust between the two of them was damaged. She says she expects that’s true for both of them, and he says he really only believes 30% of what she tells him. She says, that’s interesting. Her percentage for him is actually a lot lower. He says he supposes he deserved that. If he hasn’t completely drained the trust tank, he’d like to say something to her, and he thinks she’s going to understand it’s completely honest. She says, and that is? and he says he loves her. He always has. It’s in his DNA; it’s like the color of his eyes. Being apart from her is the hardest thing he’s ever done, and he keeps wishing that this hopeless feeling of loving someone he can’t have will fade away. But it doesn’t. He doesn’t think it ever will.

Carly says, since John is opening up a bottle of fancy champagne and celebrating heading home, does that mean he’s rounded up all the bad guys and put them in prison? He says, wouldn’t that be nice? and she asks if that means he hasn’t. He says, investigations are rarely cut and dried. One thing about bad guys, there’s always one more out there. She asks if this one more is really dangerous, and he says he’s not sure what they’re capable of, but this person has done some very bad things. She says, interesting choice of words – this person. Does that mean the bad guy is really a woman?

Spinelli asks if Carly is worried about the information on her that the FBI is holding over Jason’s head, but Sam says, they really didn’t talk about it. She was more concerned about what Jason was up to. He says, perhaps when she has time to process, she’ll realize the great jeopardy. The recording incriminates her for possible RICO violations… Sam asks why he’s worried about Carly being charged. That’s never going to happen. Jason made his choice. He turned his back on everyone to keep Carly safe. Now he’s going to have to live with those consequences.

Chase says he knows Violet is scared and worried about her dad, but he promises her dad is going to be okay. She asks how he knows that, and he says, sometimes, grown-ups just know things. Brook says, he’s not lying to her. Her Uncle Chase is a cop. He’s telling her the truth. Violet asks if Chase knows how to cook, and he says he sure does. She asks if he thinks he could teach her how to make stuff besides sandwiches. Maybe her dad won’t look so tired or be so sad if she can make him some good things to eat when he comes home from work. Chase says he knows she wants to help her dad, but it’s not… Brook shakes her head, and he says, it’s not that hard to – Brook nods – to make something special. How about this? They’re going to go and spend the night at the Quartermaines, and in the morning, he’ll make some French toast. Sasha can cook for everybody else, but he, Violet, and Brook will have their own thing. It’ll be his special recipe with cinnamon. Violet says, with whipped cream on top? and he says, of course (🍷). It’s no good any other way. He puts his arm around her and hugs her to him.

Finn half sits/half lies in a chair, his hand bandaged. Tracy comes in and says, hello? She looks around and says, they just left him like that. She kicks one of Finn’s feet, but he barely stirs. She kicks him again, but nothing. She sighs and gets her phone out of her bag. As she fights back tears, she takes pictures of Finn, the broken glass, and the nearly empty bottle, with the blood smear next to it. She gathers her composure and takes another photo of Finn. (Reality check. It’s highly doubtful the paramedics would have left Finn alone and passed out. If something had gone sideways, like him dying from alcohol poisoning, they could be sued.)

As he opens the bottle, John says, if he didn’t know any better, he’d say Carly was trying to worm confidential information out of him. She says, he’s the one who showed up here with champagne trying to lower her defenses. He says, maybe he just wants to celebrate the beginning of the end, and she says, by all means. He pours the champagne and says, as for the gender of the bad guy, a good agent never tells. He hands her a glass, and she asks if he’s a good agent. He says, the best, and she says she’ll drink to that, and they clink glasses.

Anna says, as much as she tried to fight it, she’s still very much drawn to him. And like him, she wishes she didn’t feel it. It’s late. She really should go. She’s had such a lovely evening. She takes his hand, and he thanks her. He kisses her hand and says he loved it too. He just wishes it didn’t have to end. She says, maybe it doesn’t, and he kisses her. They continue to kiss, as Jason lurks around the front of the house. He sees them through the window. He looks… I don’t know. It’s Jason. He never looks any kind of way but Jason.

Violet says, spending the night at the Quartermaines will be fun, but she didn’t bring her PJs. Brook tells her not to worry about that. Scout has a bunch at the house she can borrow. Violet says, all right, but she still has to call her dad and ask if she can come. He cut his hand, and it was bleeding. He might need her help tonight. Brook suggests she give Violet’s dad a call and make sure it’s okay. She thinks she left her phone in the kitchen and asks if Violet wouldn’t mind grabbing it for her. Violet says, sure, and goes to the kitchen. As soon as she’s gone, Brook says, all she wants to do is take care of Finn. It’s breaking her heart. Chase says he knows. Him too. She says she didn’t think she could love him any more than she does, but watching him be such a great uncle to that little girl… He says, is she kidding him? He’d do anything for that girl. He hates lying to her. It feels wrong. Brook says, no, it’s not wrong. There are certain things children need to be protected from. What Finn is going through right now is one of them. Violet is too young to understand the truth of what’s going on. It will only scare her. They’re keeping Violet safe. So any time he starts to feel guilty, remind himself of that, okay? Brook calls to Violet that she found her phone. She called dad and he said it was okay for her to spend the night at the Quartermaines.

Tracy walks into the living room with Finn’s medical bag. She fishes around in it and comes out with a capsule of what (I think) they used to call smelling salts. She pops it open under his nose, and he sits up, coughs, then groans. He says, what the…? What happened? Tracy says, you tell me, and Finn looks at her for a moment, then says, where’s Violet? Where’s his daughter? Tracy says, she’s gone. She’s not coming back.

Tomorrow, Carly says she has to fix this and make this right; Kristina asks if Ava wants to do the honors, or should she; Violet asks Brook, what if he thinks she doesn’t love him anymore; and Finn tells Tracy, if anyone tries to stop him, he’s calling the police.

🧼 After His Break…

It’s great how GH gives actors wiggle room and also fosters their other talents.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/dominic-zamprogna-opens-up-about-his-break-from-gh

🔌Ryan Unplugged…

Can’t say I blame him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ryan-paevey-explains-why-hes-retreating-from-social-media

🥂 Valentin’s Digestif…

I’d never heard of this before. The more you know…

https://www.liquor.com/articles/brandy-armagnac/

🍊 That Boy Is a Monster…

Looks like someone has been on Ozempic. Maybe everyone. Most of this is just sad. I don’t remember a lot about Alexis, but I’m guessing she’s not super bright. Rhyming door with Beador isn’t exactly poetic genius.

VIDEO: See RHOC Season 18 Trailer! Shannon Calls John Janssen a “Monster” as Alexis Taunts Her, Travis Moves Out of Home With Gina, & Heather is Accused of Lying, Plus Ryan’s FBI Drama, Shannon’s DUI, and Meet Newbie Katie!

🛟 Preview On Deck…

What’s coming up on the next Med.

Below Deck Med Season 9, Episode 4 Preview: Captain Sandy Sees ‘Huge Red Flag’ With Chef Jono

🍸 Perception Of the Rules…

The VanderQueen herself.

Lisa Vanderpump Discusses Ariana’s Potential Exit, If They’re Feuding, and Lala Nearly Quitting Vanderpump Rules, Plus VPR Pause, Ann Maddox’s Future on Show, and Credits Stassi for Start of Series

This season’s MVanderP.

Lala Kent Says She Was Approached for ‘The Traitors,’ and Shares Update on Scheana Friendship, Plus She Talks Tom Sandoval’s Casting, Katie & Ally’s Convo, Due Date, and What She’s “Most Excited” for With Baby No. 2

On the VanderOutskirts.

Billie Lee Says She Staged “Intervention” for Tom Sandoval After Finding “Drugs” as She Explains Why They’re No Longer Friends, Plus Claims Tom’s Girlfriend Victoria Wanted Ariana’s Stuff Out of House & Dishes on Their “Toxic” Fights

⚰️ Setting the Bar…

Wake me when September starts.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/norman-reedus-sets-high-expectations-of-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-01j08qn5shvk

🎸 Together As a Hole…

I loved this band. Whatever else you think of Courtney, she’s a brilliant musician.

https://people.com/hole-courtney-love-melissa-auf-der-maur-reunite-in-studio-8666898

🃏 A Joke…

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said, Jesus knows you’re here. He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more, after a bit, he shook his head and continued.

Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard a voice say, Jesus is watching you. Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

Did you say that? he hissed at the parrot. Yep, the parrot confessed, then squawked, I’m just trying to warn you that he is watching you. The burglar relaxed. Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?

 I’m Moses, replied the bird.

Moses? the burglar laughed. What kind of people would name a bird Moses?

The same kind of people that would name their Rottweiler Jesus.

🦄 It’s Okay To Be Different…

Kind of like that eagle in Strays.

https://people.com/intersex-tortoiseshell-kitten-found-in-oregon-8661653

Who knew he was a farmer at heart? Or is he hoping to hatch a dinosaur egg?

https://people.com/chris-pratt-chickens-washington-state-ranch-8665857

The donkey has found his people… er, elk.

https://people.com/pet-donkey-missing-5-years-found-living-with-wild-elk-8667442

🐓 Quotes of the Week

Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased. – John Steinbeck

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

Behind her back, like a lady and a professional. – Kate Chastain (Below Deck) on how one should gossip

The great Western disease is, I’ll be happy when… When I get the money. When I get a BMW. When I get this job. Well, the reality is, you never get to when. The only way to find happiness is to understand that happiness is not out there. It’s in here. And happiness is not next week. It’s now. – Marshall Goldsmith (Or my favorite, when I lose weight.)

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. – John Burroughs

The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same. – Colin R.Davis

Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment. – Rita Mae Brown

Sometimes when you have a lot of bars and a lot of people, people make bad choices. – law enforcement officer, Drugs Inc.: The Fix

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

🤽‍♀️ Coming Up For Air…

Enjoy the first weekend of official summer, or the A/C if it’s too hot where you are, and join me on Monday for soap and what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay always using sunscreen, stay saying the things a friend needs to hear, especially if others can’t. 

Jun21

June 20, 2024 – Spinelli Finds the Prize, Get Your Own, She’s a Tease, Sold, It’s Them Not Her, New Traitors, A Farewell, Posteenth, The Cutest & Don’t

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

At the coffee warehouse, Carly asks Jason if he’s busy, and he says he’s working. She suggests he check in with Drew. What Drew is doing might affect him.

Terry asks if Elizabeth wants to grab coffee, but Elizabeth says she can’t. She has paperwork. She doesn’t how Epiphany did it. Terry says, they’ll call it a meeting. They do have catching up to do. Elizabeth says, that sounds ominous, and asks if something happened with Terry and Yuri. Terry says, it’s about Elizabeth and Finn.

Finn tells Violet that everything she needs for a pool day with Georgie is in her bag, but Violet thinks it would be more fun if they had a take your daughter to work day. Finn says, they’ll do that another day. He has to arrange it in advance. She tells him that he said there were surprises at work all the time, and Finn asks if there’s some reason she doesn’t want to go to the pool. She says she doesn’t want to leave him here alone.

Mac and Felicia make out on the sofa, and Felicia says, before they get caught up with their reunion, this isn’t their house. Mac says, the kids are out with Maxie and won’t be back for a while, and Bailey Lou is fast asleep. The babysitters have the run of the place. Felicia reminds him that Spinelli lives here now, but Mac says, Spinelli said he had a rendezvous. Mac wants that to remain a mystery.

Sam goes to Spinelli’s gamer den, and he tells her that he found something. She asks him to please not tell her that the FBI is onto him, and he says, her lack of faith in his ability wounds him. Cates still doesn’t know they’re using his credentials. She says, they can’t get sloppy, or they’ll get caught, but he says, that’s not the issue. He found their prize, but now they have a new problem.

Finn says he’d rather hang out with Violet than go to work, but his patients need to see him. He’ll probably be so busy, he won’t miss her. He wants her to go have fun and not worry about her dad. He’s fine. Georgie arrives to get Violet, and Finn tells Violet to have lots of fun. If she needs anything, call him. They hug, and he says he loves her so much.

Terry says she doesn’t want to pry, just check-in, and Elizabeth says, obviously, she’s hurt and confused. She loves Finn and wishes she could be angry and write him off, but she can’t. She knows he’s a good man, but he’s sick and needs help. Terry says, they’re both medical professionals, and have seen this more times than they can count. No one can force Finn to get help. He’ll have to ask for it. Elizabeth says, it’s hard enough to watch Finn spiral, but she’s worried about the toll it will take on her boys. They built a beautiful relationship with Finn, and she’s afraid it will create a void. Terry says, it’s tough, but she’s a great mom and will get them through it. Elizabeth says, but what about Violet? How is she going to get through it?

Finn takes out a bottle and glass, and looks at his hospital ID. He puts the bottle and glass back, and leaves.

Jason wonders what Drew has going on besides running Aurora, and Carly says, there’s no reason his and Drew’s relationship should be as messy as the one he had with AJ. Drew broke up with her because he knew she’d put Jason first. She thinks he was hoping she’d deny it. Jason says he’s sorry, but she says she and Drew are fine. Drew seemed good at Willow’s surprise party. Jason should have come. He would have heard the announcement. His brother is running for congress.

Mac tells Felicia that he’s glad to be home. He missed her. She says, good, and he says he’ll never take off without her again. It drove home how lucky he is. Frisco gave an honest accounting of his mistakes with her and the girls and didn’t whitewash his behavior. (Hmm… Could Frisco be coming back? Is Morgan a red herring?) Felicia says, it must have been awkward, and Mac says, it was, but it was liberating. Frisco was grateful and thanked Mac for being a father to the girls when he wasn’t. He thinks Frisco understands how much he missed out on in leaving Port Charles. He made damn sure Frisco understood how extraordinary the three women he left behind are. She says, they’re lucky to have him in their lives. He made sacrifices for her girls, and she’s sure he felt it would have been easier to take off and start his own family. He says, never. They’re family and he never wanted anything else. There’s a knock at the door, and Mac says, whoever it is has godawful timing. Felicia opens the door to Anna and Robert, who says, there’s a rumor the old man has returned. Anna says she’s here to arrest her brother-in-law for an unlawful absence, and she and Robert hug Mac.

Finn tells Elizabeth that he doesn’t want it to be strange or awkward, and asks if she wants to check his blood alcohol content. She asks if she needs to, and he says, she doesn’t need to do anything, but they have to work together. That’s it. She says she knows he’s hurting, and she still loves him. He’s still family. He says, she’s Violet’s aunt, and before she asks, Violet is at the pool with Georgie and Maxie is supervising. Elizabeth steps away, and Portia greets Finn. He thanks her for the time off and says he’s eager to get back to work. He wants to check his patient files before rounds. Portia says she and Terry would like a word, and he says, lead the way, following her to Terry’s office.

At the pool, Gio tells James that Josslyn is the lifeguard today, and asks what that means. James says, no cannonballs, and Gio says, they can still have fun. If they follow the rules, maybe he can hook them up with ices later. Georgie says, James has to listen to her, but James says, she’s not the boss of him. Maxie says, correct, and tells Georgie and Violet to go in the pool. James missed a spot with his sunscreen. Nina comes along, and says, like father like son, and James says, Mac is putting in a treehouse for him with Cody. Nina says she hopes she’s invited to the housewarming. Or are girls not allowed? He says, she is, but not Georgie. Maxie lets James go into the pool and tells Nina that she handled Natalia’s complaints. Nina says, good. She trusts Maxie. Maxie is surprised she didn’t hear complaints from Nina about Natalia, but Nina says, she went to Willow’s surprise party and she’s walking on air. Maxie says, they must be getting along better than she thought, but Nina says she had to find Drew and ended up invited. Maxie asks if Nina expects her to believe she was just looking for Drew because of business, and not planning to attend the party. She wasn’t born yesterday.

Carly tells Jason that McConkey is retiring and convinced Drew to run for his seat. Jason says he thinks Drew would make a good congressman. She doesn’t agree? Carly says she thinks Drew has great qualities for a politician. He’s photogenic, he can talk to people, and has a great life story. (Apparently, she doesn’t expect a lot from a political candidate.) Jason asks why she has a problem with him then, and she says, there will be public scrutiny. It will take zero minutes to pick apart Drew’s story and they’ll dig for dirt. With the Quartermaines, there’s plenty to find. AJ’s drunk driving, Jason working for Sonny, all the way to Dante’s shooting, and Jason can’t afford scrutiny

Spinelli tells Sam that he can’t corrupt or delete the file. It’s accessible, but not assailable. Unfortunately, the FBI will be holding onto it. Sam asks what he means by accessible but not assailable, and he said it’s like a real-only file, but they can only listen to it. They can play it, but not delete it. Sam tells him to just play it. Maybe knowing what it is will help them find a way to neutralize it.

Terry tells Finn that his patients are under capable supervision, and Portia says, this conversation can’t wait. They want to discuss Finn’s responsibility to GH and his patients. He says he’s anxious to see how his patients are doing. They can find a time that works for all of them and circle back. Terry says, there’s no need, and Portia says, they’ve cleared his calendar for the day. Terry says, they’re here as his colleagues, but also his friends, and Finn says, the last time they had a meeting like this, he was told to have a lawyer present, but Terry says, they want to keep it informal. Finn asks what this is really about, and Portia says, his drinking.

Josslyn says, Trina is the nicest person she knows, and asks how Gio got in trouble with her. He says, it was just a misunderstanding. They’re fine now. Josslyn tells him that Trina has been going through a lot, but she’s too close to get an accurate reading. It’s been a rough year for Trina. Her boyfriend died unexpectedly in February. Gio says, Trina told him that she’d lost someone close. He’s sorry for her loss and he’ll tread carefully. She thanks him and says she doesn’t mean to tell him what to do. He says he’s used to it. She’s kind of bossy, but nothing compared to his aunts and some of his uncles. Dex walks in wearing his uniform.

Anna says she’s happy Mac is back. She could use his advice and they have a lot of catching up to do. He congratulates her on becoming Commissioner. With respect to Jordan, he always thought she was the best person for the position. Felicia says, Mac was no slouch, and Robert says he raised the bar for everyone. Anna says she tries daily to live up to his high standards, and Robert says, at least he didn’t have Cates breathing down his neck. Mac asks if he means Jagger Cates. Is he back in Port Charles? It will be good to see him. Anna says, he goes by John now and he’s not the sweet young kid Mac remembers.

Carly says, the people who love and care about Jason can be hurt. How does he think Monica would want to see the front page splashed with all of that? Or Danny and Jake reading it? He’ll be thrust in the spotlight against his will. Jason says he’s been through worse.

Sam says, it explains so much, and Spinelli says he thought Jason would rather go to prison than he an informant. He was acting out of love. Sam says, for Carly. That son of a bitch.

Finn asks, who said he was drinking? and Portia says, they were approached by a concerned party. Finn says, Elizabeth. They’re taking the word of his ex as proof of a problem. Terry asks if he’s denying using alcohol, but Finn says he’s denying nothing. He’s seen them drink. Have they ever seen him be impaired at work? He’ll submit to a blood test if they think he’s drunk. Portia says, everyone is different. Finn has a narcotics addiction. Terry says, they can’t risk him treating patients, and Portia says, he can treat them supervised, but has to submit to the physician’s health plan. He’ll have to go to meetings, they’ll monitor his attendance, and he’ll have to authorize his sponsor to give them updates, as well as get drug testing on a regular basis. Finn asks, what if he says no? and Terry says, it will have to go before the Executive Committee, which will make it official. Then the committee will have to notify the Medical Board, which will make it public. They’ll give him a choice of seeing patients under supervision or he could lose his license altogether.

Trina joins Josslyn, and says, Dex is looking official. She tells Gio that there are no more towels, and he says, duty calls. Trina says she’s going with him, and they leave. Josslyn tells Dex, nice uniform. It suits him.

Nina says, possibly Drew arranged for her to show up, and Maxie says, uninvited. Nina says, once she was there, Willow invited her, and Maxie wonders what would have happened had Nina been asked to leave. Nina says, of course (🍷) she would honor Willow’s wishes, and Maxie says, Nina and Willow’s relationship was happening naturally. If Nina hurries and manipulates it, she risks it being worse than before. Nina says, it’s different from her earlier misfires… Her lies, schemes, and cringeworthy sucking up. Now she has Drew on her side and Willow thinks he walks on water.

Finn tells Portia and Terry that they’re smearing his reputation. If he determines there’s slander, be warned. He knows everything about this place. He saved the hospital from going under. If not for him, neither of them would have jobs. GH exists today because he signed his patent to the Blackwood’s cure. Terry says, no one is denying his contribution, and Portia says, they want him to remain to build on it. Finn says, they’re not being friends. They’re bureaucrats and hypocrites. Portia says, they’re looking at him like a valued member of the staff and as a friend, but he says, friends don’t blindside him and threaten to take away something he loves. He’ll save them the trouble. He quits. He walks out.

Carly says, Drew gets to live a great life while Jason slaves at the warehouse, lives in a room above Bobbie’s, and Sonny tells everyone that he’s a traitor. (Um… Isn’t Jason loaded? It sounds like his choice.) Jason says, let Drew have his life. He doesn’t want it. Carly says, it’s not about what Drew has; it’s about what Jason doesn’t. Jason says, it’s not Drew’s fault, and Carly says, it was two years Jason could have spent with his family and that his family spent grieving. Why? What was so important that it was worth him losing that time?

Sam tells Spinelli that Jason lied to her. He’d said he had no choice, but everything he did was because of Carly. Cates has evidence about Carly running Sonny’s organization, and Jason put her welfare above everyone, including his children. Carly always comes first. Spinelli says, it must have been the hardest decision Jason ever had to make. There’s some nobility… She tells him, don’t you dare. There’s no nobility in abandoning his kids so a grown woman can escape the consequences of the life she chose. Anyone who says otherwise never heard a son crying for his father because he’s dead. She asks if Spinelli can make a copy, and he says he can. Why? She says, just do it.

Jason says, there’s an important job he has to do. Otherwise, he never would have left his sons and his family. Once the job is finished, he’ll take his life back. It’s the only life he wants. Carly says she hopes Drew’s campaign doesn’t get in the way. She’ll do everything in her power to defend him. She knows he’d do the same for her. Jason says, okay, and she says she’s glad he agrees. She hugs him and says she’ll see him soon. She leaves and Jason gets an audio file from The Jackal.

Spinelli tells Sam not to do anything hasty, but she says she’s going to do the one thing a good mother does – protect her children at all costs. No matter what it takes. She leaves.

Mac says, maybe he can talk to Jagger and get him to back off, but Felicia says she thinks Anna can handle Cates. Anna says she’d prefer he keep out of it, when her phone dings. She tells them that she has to deal with something, but she expects Mac back at his desk at 5 am sharp. No excuses.

Maxie tells Nina, be careful. Willow’s opinion of both her and Drew could change if she finds out about their affair, and how they hate each other, but can’t keep their hands off each other. Nina says she could keep her hands off Drew if she wanted to. They’re consenting adults, and he got plenty. Because of her connections and advice, he’s running for congress and Willow is his biggest supporter. She’s going to make sure he’s elected. Willow will be grateful, Drew will owe her, and they’ll all be happy. Everyone wins.

Finn sees Elizabeth when he comes out of the elevator and asks if she’s happy now. She got her revenge. She wanted him out, so he’s out. He just quit. She reported him before he had a chance to explain, with no concern how it would hurt him, his patients, or Violet. The only thing that mattered was getting back at him. She says she did turn him in, but she did it for his patients, Violet, and most of all, him. He’s jeopardizing everything good in his life, and it was the way to get back the Finn she knows and loves. The compassionate, brilliant, loving man who would never put anyone in harm’s way. Finn asks if she knows how many lives he’s saved. Of course (🍷) she doesn’t, because she doesn’t know him at all. Maybe she never did. He doesn’t want her near Violet. Don’t call her, don’t see her, and don’t spend time with her. She says, he agreed… but he says, that was his mistake. He thought he knew her, but he was wrong. Stay away from him and Violet.

Gio says, that’s the second time Trina ran interference for Josslyn and Dex, and asks if they’re back together. Trina says, not yet, but maybe they’ll figure things out. She’s trying to give them room to talk things out. He says he likes seeing her look out for Josslyn. She cares about her friends as much as they care about her.

Dex says he could use Josslyn’s help. The department is having beach volleyball. It’s not his game, but he volunteered to break the ice with the other cops. Tom Cruise, he’s not. Josslyn says she’d love to help, but she can’t this weekend. She and Trina are moving to a new place. He says he’s glad for them, but sorry to lose her expertise. She says, He has to learn to negotiate. She’ll give him some pointers if he helps her move. He says, deal, but he would help regardless. It’s the PCPD’s motto to protect and serve.

Portia thanks Elizabeth and says she was right. She saw the way Finn was, and Elizabeth absolutely did the right thing. Elizabeth thanks her and says, when Finn sobers up, he’s going to realize what he threw away. She hopes someday, somehow, he can pick himself back up, but what is it costing Violet?

The kids go back to Maxie’s after the pool, and James wants to talk about the treehouse, but Mac says, Cody needs to be here. Georgie says, Violet’s done some camping and has ideas, and James asks if Violet can stay over. They can camp out. Violet says, her dad won’t let her, but James says, she hasn’t asked. Maxie says, another night. Violet’s dad is expecting her.  

Finn comes home after a hard day of being a jerk. He takes out the bottle and glass and takes a drink. He pours another and drinks that too.

Anna goes to the coffee warehouse, and Jason asks if she’s made any more progress with Valentin. She says she’s going slow and treading carefully, and he says, Cates is getting impatient and wants results. Drew is running for congress and it’s going put him in the public eye. The spotlight will be on him, and if his profile is too high, he’ll be useless to the FBI. He didn’t go through all this for Cates to arrest Carly. He knows Anna wants to do this her way, but he’s running out of time. Cates will get what he wants, and he’ll bust Valentin.

Sam finds Carly, and says, there’s something she needs to hear.

Tomorrow, Cates promises to make it worth Carly’s while; Chase wants to know why Violet is with Tracy; and Jason says, he’s not letting this thing go to waste.

🏊 Must Have…

Well, I’m definitely getting one of these. Although I’d rather have the actual pool.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/get-your-own-gh-metro-court-pool-towel

🍊 New Slice Of the Orange…

Premieres July 11th.

Heather Dubrow Teases ‘Must-See’ RHOC Season 18 and Tamra Judge Friendship

👰🏼‍♀️ Love For Sale…

Dresses. Plural. I had one. Great charity choice though.

https://people.com/summer-house-star-lindsay-hubbard-selling-wedding-dresses-after-broken-engagement-carl-radke-8666037

👠 Never Her Fault…

Yeah, that must be it.

https://ew.com/teresa-giudice-says-feds-targeted-her-because-rhonj-producers-had-her-pay-cash-in-scene-8666098

🚬 Twirling Their Mustaches…

This season’s Traitors.

https://extratv.com/2024/06/05/the-traitors-tom-sandoval-sam-asghari-and-more-join-season-3-cast/

She’ll make it nice.

The Best Dorinda Medley on Traitors Memes

📓 Goodbye Professor…

All the great movies he made, and yet, whenever I hear his name, I think of Animal House.

https://ew.com/donald-sutherland-dead-mash-actor-was-88-8666623

🎉 Celebrations…

How the stars celebrated Juneteenth.

https://extratv.com/2024/06/18/stars-reflect-on-juneteenth-celebrate-the-freedom/

🐶 Mine For the Win…

You can try though.

https://people.com/worlds-cutest-rescue-dog-contest-2024-submissions-8666051

El Wray sez: I iz a shoo in.

🩱 Got My Suit Damp…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a pre-weekend kiki. Until then, stay safe, stay having a back-up plan when hosting an outdoor party, and stay asking for help if you need it, whether it’s with moving or something bigger.

Apr12

April 11, 2024 – Chase Changes the Honeymoon Plans, Blame Game, VanderMoments, Shading Shannon, Dead Talk, Pet (!) Diversity & Normally

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly wakes up in the chair and looks over at John sleeping on the sofa.

Brook says, what if they made a mistake? but Lois says, they didn’t. Brook says, what if the style’s all wrong? but Lois says, it won’t be. Brook says, what if the lace is like a gross shade of ivory? but Lois says, that’s never going to happen. Brook says, what if they ruined Lila’s dress for nothing? and Lois says, Lila’s dress was already ruined. Unsalvageable, said the seamstress, except for the best part, which they’re putting to perfect use. So what is she really afraid of? Brook says, what if she doesn’t like it? and Lois says, if she doesn’t like her wedding dress, they’ll scrap it and find her something she loves. Because there’s nothing more important than her happiness on her wedding day. Capisce? Brook says, capisce, and Sandrine walks in with an assistant carrying a garment bag. She says, ladies, are you ready? The wedding gown of your dreams.

Curtis walks slowing into Drew’s office, and Drew says, look at him. He can’t believe this progress. It’s incredible. Curtis says he firmly believes if you do the work, you can achieve anything, and Drew says he was in Greenland with Curtis, so he’s not going to underestimate him, but walking this soon after surgery is next level. Curtis thanks him, and Drew says, and he can take a compliment. Curtis says, Trina’s been on him about absorbing good energy. It sounds a little woo-woo to him, but he’s trying. Drew says he’s happy for Curtis, and Curtis says, don’t keep him in suspense. Why is he here? Michael walks in and says, what’s going on? Drew says, let the meeting of the minds commence.

Alexis says, Nina did not just say that, and Nina asks if she denies it. Alexis says, that she’s being mean to Nina’s precious gossip slinger? Are they in second grade? Nina says, DeWitt is not just The Invader’s society columnist, and Alexis says, ugh, that title. Nina says, he got a promotion. He is now associate publisher. Alexis says she knows that. Nina reminds her of that all the time. How could she possibly forget that Nina has hired someone so incompetent? Nina asks, says who? and Alexis tells her, says me. And it’s not DeWitt’s fault that he’s going to make an ass of himself. That honor belongs to Nina.

TJ meets Marshall at a park bench, hands him a coffee, and says, good morning. Marshall says, and what a beautiful morning it is, and TJ says he has egg sandwiches too, handing Mashall a bag. Marshall says, that’s very thoughtful of him. Not that he wasn’t thrilled to get TJ’s call, but since he has the morning off, why isn’t he spending it with Molly? TJ says he considered it, but he knew how the conversation would go. Marshall asks, how’s that? TJ says, she’d thank him for wanting them to do something together, then she’d say she has an arraignment in five minutes, but she’ll make it up to him tonight. Then that would turn into her trying too hard and both of them faking it through whatever she thought of, or even worse, she stays late at the office to avoid the situation altogether. Marshall asks who they’re talking about here, because that doesn’t sound anything like TJ and Molly.

At the MetroCourt, Anna thanks Valentin for meeting her and apologizes for it being so last minute. He says, lucky for her, he had no breakfast plans, and they sit down. He says he ordered her tea and pours her some. She thanks him for being thoughtful, and he says, she called, and he came. What’s this about? She wonders if he can help her with a case, and he says he’ll always help her. What’s the case? She says, Pikeman.

Brook says she doesn’t know what she was so afraid of. The dress is perfection. Lois says, the only thing more beautiful than that dress was her in it, and Brook asks if she’s crying again. Lois says, get used to it. Her baby girl is getting married in the most magical wedding gown. Brook says she doesn’t know how Sandrine did it, but she really captured the spirit of Lila’s dress to a T. Lois says, it feels like she channeled Lila, all of her kindness and her warmth and her acceptance and her generosity, because that’s who Lila was. Brook says, Lois is so lucky she got to wear Lila’s gown, and Lois says, Brook gets to be a part of that too. Brook says, in the tiniest way, but Lois says, no. In her own way. That’s what makes it so special. Brook gets to have a piece of Lila while still being who she is. Beautiful, amazing, incredible her. Brook thanks Lois for doing this with her, and Lois says, is she kidding? Is she insane? She would have busted that door down if she hadn’t gotten an invite. Brook says, then she’s glad Lois did, and Lois says she’s so happy for Brook. And she’s happy for Chase. She’s happy for all of them really. Brook says she’s happy for them too, and they hug.

Alexis says, why doesn’t Nina just admit it. Nina hired DeWitt to piss her off. Nina says she actually does think he’s an asset, and Alexis says, and the fact he’s a colossal thorn in her side? Nina says, that’s just a perk, no doubt about it. Alexis asks, why? and Nina says, why does she enjoy steam shooting out of Alexis’s ears? Alexis says, why is she doing this? She doesn’t even work here anymore. Nina says, that’s exactly why she needed a replacement, but Alexis says, Nina didn’t need a replacement. Alexis was doing just fine and would do even better if Nina would stop breathing down her neck. Nina asks if Alexis wants people to read her publication, and Alexis asks, what kind of question is that? Everything was fine before Nina got here. Nina says, but is it better since she brought DeWitt on? Be honest about that. It is, because there’s a measurable rise in website traffic. Alexis says, and she thinks that’s because there’s a gossip column? and Nina says, yes, partially. Alexis has to court their readers. She has to give them something delicious and irresistible, so they stick around for the hard news. What she can’t do is decide what’s good for them and ram it down their throats. You have to woo them. Alexis says, what if she just quits? and Nina says, there’s the door.

Michael says, it’s good to see Curtis back on his feet, and Curtis says, it’s good to be back. He hears Jason was exonerated. Michael says, yeah. They’re all relieved about that. Curtis says, when Jason was suspected of taking shots at Sonny, he thought maybe there was a chance he tried before last summer at the MetroCourt. It’s nice to know Jason didn’t put him in that wheelchair. Drew says, he didn’t stay in that wheelchair very long though, did he? and Curtis says, no. He was lucky. He had experimental surgery and it worked. Drew says, come on. The surgery just gave him a chance to walk again. Curtis is the one who made that a reality. All the rehabs, learning how to walk again… Is Curtis kidding him? He can’t imagine what that was like for Curtis. Curtis has all his respect for making it through that and getting to the other side. Curtis thanks him and says he doubts Drew brought them here to compliment him on walking again. Why are they here?

Carly asks how John is feeling, and he says, sore. She says she bets, and he says, and very tired. She says, really? He didn’t sleep well? He says, it’s hard to get a good night’s sleep with her waking him up every couple of hours. She says she’s sorry. Should she have let him monitor his own signs of concussion? He says, is he, by the way, concussed? and she says, no. He’s bruised and bloody, but somehow, his head came out unscathed. He asks if that’s her professional opinion as his almost nurse, and she asks if he’s going to start arguing with her this early in the morning. He says he already knows it won’t do any good.

Sandrine says, Lois might surprise Brook, but Brook says, nothing her mother does surprises her. She’s well-aware of her mother’s flair, shall they say, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Lois comes in, and Sandrine tells Brook, like she said. Wearing a midi dress with a black lace overlay and a short white jacket along with pearls, Lois says, ta-da. Brook says, wow… ma… that’s… Lois says, she hates it?

Alexis tells Nina that she always says that – there’s the door – but they both know Nina needs her. Nina says, agreed. And she’s been agreeing with Alexis the whole time. Her point is, she thinks the paper would benefit if they just had DeWitt’s expertise and experience. Alexis says, no, and Nina says, that’s it. Just no. Alexis says she will not sit by and let The Invader be turned back into a tabloid, and Nina says, then don’t let it. Alexis says she’s trying, but Nina is making it very difficult. A messenger comes to the door and says he just needs a signature from Alexis. Alexis signs the form, and Nina says, you know what it’s going to say on Alexis’s tombstone? Alexis says, death by frustration? and thanks the messenger. He leaves, and Nina says, no. It’s going to say, Alexis Davis, didn’t play well with others. Alexis says, and now they’re back to the schoolyard, and Nina says, because Alexis refuses to grow up. DeWitt stays. End of discussion. She leaves, and Molly walks in. Alexis says she hates that woman, and Molly tells her, take a breath. Alexis says, how? She sucked all the air out of the room. Molly says, professional differences? and Alexis tells her, you could say that. She invites Molly in and says, tell her something wonderful that has nothing to do with this publication. Molly says she would, but she can’t. The Invader is actually why she’s here. Alexis puts her head on the desk.

TJ asks if Marshall has ever looked back at a decision and known he should have gone with his gut, and Marshall says, too many times. TJ says, when Molly pitched the idea of Kristina being both their surrogate and egg donor, his instincts were screaming, this is the wrong move. For a million reasons, but the most glaring being that Kristina’s too close. There’s no finish line. There’s no cutting ties at the end. Why? Because there couldn’t be. She’s Molly’s sister. Marshall says, and since Molly couldn’t go forward without his buy-in, that was TJ’s moment to shut it down. TJ says he should have explained why he was against it, calmly and unequivocally, before anything got too far. Instead, he went with the short-term gain of giving Molly what she wanted. Marshall says, some would call that being supportive, but TJ says he calls that being a coward. She was so wrecked. She was utterly devastated that she couldn’t get pregnant. So when she pitched the idea, he knew that for Molly, the closest thing she could have to carrying her own baby was for her sister to have it for her.

Anna tells Valentin that she and Dante were ambushed on the docks by Roman Hume. He worked for Pikeman. It’s just so strange. All roads seem to lead back to this one, ultra secretive organization that’s run by a ghost. He says, a ghost? and she says, Pikeman’s ties to the WSB are clear, but no one seems to know who’s at the top of the pyramid. So she needs information. She was hoping maybe he could provide it for her. He says, Pikeman? and she says, he was working for them as recently as last summer. He says, as an intermediary, a glorified messenger, and she asks how that job came about. He says he did some contract work for them back in the 90s, and they felt comfortable asking him to introduce them to Sonny, but whether Sonny and Pikeman did any work together after that was none of his concern. She says, okay. Maybe she can pick his brain about something else. Or someone. He asks, who? and she says, Jack Brennan.

Lois asks, what’s wrong with it? and Brook says, absolutely nothing. Lois says, well, something, but Brook says, the dress is lovely. It’s classy and elegant and tasteful… Lois says she feels a but coming, and Brook says, no buts. It’s just not really Lois’s style. Lois says, it’s just and but are exactly the same thing, and Brook asks if Lois thinks that’s her style. Lois says, to go out on a Saturday night? No, but she was under the impression that what you wear to your daughter’s wedding isn’t what you wear to go clubbing. They’re two completely different things. Brook says, it doesn’t have to be this different. What kind of nails would she even do with that? Lois says she was thinking maybe just clear, and Brook says, what? Lois says she’s the mother of the bride. She’s supposed to be understated. Brook says, there’s no supposed to be here. This isn’t a royal wedding. There areno standards she has to live up to. Brook just wants her to wear what she wants to wear. Something that makes her feel like her. Lois says, this definitely doesn’t feel like her, and Brook says she didn’t think so. Back to the drawing board. Lois tells Sandrine, let’s pull some colors, some swatches… Maybe show some skin this time. You know what? Maybe a plunging neckline. Brook says, let’s not get carried away, when Chase walks in. He asks if he missed it, and Brook says, missed what? What is he doing here? Sandrine says, there’s been a special order for the bride-to-be, and Brook asks what they’re up to. Sandrine says she was commissioned to design a dress for Brook’s honeymoon, and Brook asks if Chase really thinks that’s necessary. He says, very, and Sandrine takes out a beautiful black cocktail dress. Brook says, it’s gorgeous, and Chase asks if she likes it. Brook says she’s obsessed with it, but it’s long sleeves. Doesn’t he think she’ll be a little warm in Palm Beach? He says, they’re not going to Palm Beach.

Molly says, The Invader ran a piece on the DA’s office being opposed to the overturning of Heather Webber’s conviction, her multiple convictions of assault and homicide going back nearly twenty years. Alexis says, that would be with the metallosis diagnosis. Yes. She signed off on that. Molly says, then she knows the article cited an unnamed source, and Alexis says, yes. Molly says, mom, and Alexis says, what? Molly says, everybody at the DA’s office assumes that source is her. Alexis says, it isn’t, and Molly says, Alexis knows that, and she knows that, but her colleagues, specifically DA Scorpio, do not know that. Alexis asks what Molly wants her to do about it. The story checked out. Molly says she wants Alexis to help her prove that she’s not the one who broke confidentiality and discussed the case with a reporter, and Alexis asks how exactly Molly wants her to do that. Molly says, tell her who did.

Marshall asks if Molly knows TJ has misgivings about Kristina being the surrogate, and TJ tells him that he wouldn’t say it exactly like that, but yeah. Molly has her worries too. He thinks that’s the problem, because whenever he tells her his concerns… Marshall says, about what, besides the being too close part? and TJ says he just doesn’t think Kristina is taking the best care of herself. (Huh?) She’s out late, she’s not avoiding stress, plus the small fact that she’s out with her dad, who’s getting shot at on the regular. Marshall says, points taken. So when he brings all these things up to Molly… TJ says, she takes the position of defending Kristina, even though he knows they share the same concerns. That’s why they avoid the topic altogether. He just feels like, during this time, he and Molly should be closer together, but he just feels more and more distant from her. Marshall says, and what about Kristina? Has their relationship been affected? TJ says, how can it not be? Any time he shares a worry he has with her, she accuses him of overreacting. It’s as if Kristina is having the baby and she’s going to let them know when it’s here. He sounds ungrateful, doesn’t he? Marshall says, no. He sounds human. TJ tells him, that’s what mom said. Marshall says, smart woman, your mother.

Drew says he’s been doing some research and Floodgate Consultancy Group says, the wellness and fitness space is booming out there. They’re all across the country, but especially in the high-end areas, with both residential and urban people spending so much money not only to look good, but to feel good. Really laying the foundation for health, wellness, and longevity. Michael says he read that report too. 40 is the new 25, and with the right fitness regimen and the right products, you, too, can achieve it. Drew says, so thoughts? and Michael says he thinks it’s a good time for Aurora to diversify. Crimson and print media is still a front burner for them, but it is drying up. They need to find alternative revenue streams. He thinks dipping in to an expanding market makes sense. Curtis says, an expanding market like health and wellness, and Drew says, which is where Curtis comes in.

On the phone, Carly says she just ordered toast and eggs. She doesn’t understand what’s taking so long. John comes in, wearing only a towel, and Carly says she’ll hold. She tells John that she bets the shower felt amazing. He says, it did, and she says, it’s amazing what hot water can do, but he says, not so hot really. Carly tells the kitchen that she’s still holding, and looks at John. He says, the water never got too warm, and she says, he’s got to be kidding her. Back on the phone, she says, she’s here. She’s still here… No. She’s pretty sure there’s no food in her hotel room… What? They left the food outside the door, without knocking…?… Okay. She hangs up and says, they’ve got to be kidding her. No hot water, shoddy room service… This hotel is definitely going downhill. She opens the door just as Nina is walking by, and Nina says, oh. Good morning to you. She looks at John standing behind Carly in the towel.

Valentin tells Anna, what he remembers about Jack Brennan is, his rapid rise to director of the WSB was followed by a spectacular fall. He singlehandedly orchestrated Frisco Jones’ ouster and a year later, he was out himself. She says, he knows Jack is in Pentenville, right? and he says, yeah, thanks to her. She says, in part. She went to visit him the other day. Valentin asks, why? and she says, curiosity? Valentin hasn’t been to see him yet? Valentin says, has he been to see Jack Brennan in Pentenville? No, he has not. Why would he do that? She says, because they were close back in the day, when they were all coming up together at the WSB, but he says, no, not really. Jack Brennan did really well academically and even better with the ladies, but he was in the back of the room, not making eye contact. She says she distinctly remembers them at that pub they used to go to… The Archangel. The two of them were playing dice or something. Whatever it was, they were laughing because they’d aced an assignment that the rest of them just botched. He says, that sounds like Jack, but it doesn’t sound like him. If he was at The Archangel, he was lurking. He wasn’t hanging with the cool kids. Not like her. She was at the center of the circle. Jack was too. He thinks she probably has him mixed up with someone else. She says, he and Jack were just feeding off of each other. They were pushing each other to be better, to be smarter… He says, if anybody was pushing anybody, Anna was pushing Jack. They were the best of the best. Everybody knew that. Valentin was on the fast track to a desk job. He and Jack Brennan have never shared more than ten words together.

Alexis says she cannot and will not reveal the identity of her sources, and Molly tells her that now she’s going to say journalistic integrity. Alexis says, very good, counselor, and Molly says, that’s crazy. Leaked, privileged information is not protected speech. Whoever that source is, not only violated their professional conduct guidelines, they also jeopardized future cases. Alexis says, that sounds like a DA problem, not her problem, and Molly says, it’s a very big problem if the article affected the fairness of a trial. Alexis says, what trial? Heather’s already been convicted on multiple counts, and the DA has already refused to revisit any of those cases. And without a case on the docket, Molly can’t argue that a leak compromised anything. Molly says, she’s impossible, and Alexis says, that’s part of her charm. She holds out her wrists and asks if Molly would like to lock her up until she cracks.

Marshall says, TJ is in a tough and undesirable situation. Life hands those to us sometimes. When one was handed to him, he went for the big fix; he left his family to protect them. But had he stayed, had he gutted it out, it turns out he probably would have had a pretty decent life. TJ says, so Marshall is telling him that he made a huge mistake? but Marshall says, no. He’s saying it’s human nature, or more specifically male nature, to go for the big fix. Sometimes that’s not always the answer. Sometimes you can just let it breathe and settle, and that can be the way to go. TJ says, unfortunately, that ship has sailed, and Marhsall laughs. He says, not for the here and now. Kristina is who she is. And yes, she’s carrying TJ’s baby, and he can’t change that, he can’t erase that. But what he can do is step back and take a look at the whole picture and focus on what really matters. His relationship with Molly.

Carly closes the door and steps out in the hall, telling Nina, stalk much? Nina says, just doing her regular rounds. Carly remembers. Carly says, vividly. Although this hotel is definitely not what it used to be. Nina says, better? but Carly says, not quite. Nina says she didn’t think Carly could surprise her anymore, but she’s done it. An FBI agent? What’s Sonny going to think? Or Jason, for that matter? And poor Drew, forever the runner-up in the twin department. Carly asks if she’s finished, but Nina says she could keep at it all day. Carly looks at the food under the cloche and says she’s happy that Nina’s here. Nina says, no one could be happier than her, and Carly says she’d like to file a complaint about room service. Nina asks if Carly even has time to eat, because she seems quite busy, and Carly asks why Nina doesn’t spend less time worrying about her private life and more time managing her hotel. Nina tells Carly to enjoy the rest of her stay, and leaves. Carly pushes the cart into the room, mumbling about Nina, and John comes out fully dressed. He says, friend of hers? and Carly gives a short laugh.

Curtis says he’s listening, and Drew says, as he mentioned, the wellness/fitness space is booming. Aurora wants to move into that business, but they need someone to spearhead the initiative. Curtis says, meaning? and Michael says, someone with practical experience and knowledge of the fitness industry, a strong leader with customer service experience, and multi-level management skills. Drew says, which are skills Curtis has. The Savoy is a huge success. Curtis asks how they see Aurora moving into the business, and Michael asks what Curtis would do. Curtis says, the most practical thing might be for Aurora to buy up some of the small gyms around the country, rebrand them, and combine them into a national high-end fitness club. People are spending a lot of money in wellness. Meditation rooms, plunge baths, yoga, Pilates, physical training… A mind body connection and combined with a training-slash-fitness facility, this is a one-stop shop. It might require significant capital. Drew says, which they have… Nina walks in, saying, Drew won’t believe this. She just saw Carly… She stops when she sees the other two.

John says he gets the sense Carly and Nina don’t get along, and she says, he must be an FBI agent. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she doesn’t let Nina get to her… She tries not to let Nina get to her. He says he knows a little bit about their history, and she says, lucky him. He says he takes it there isn’t enough water under the bridge yet, and she says, there’s not enough water in the world. Sorry about the eggs. He says, it’s not her fault. Besides, coffee is the only necessary component. (Agreed.) She says, when she owned the MetroCourt, this would have never flown. If a customer complained about their food, they would redo it at no charge. She refills his coffee, and he says, she’s big on customer service. She says, it’s literally what the hospitality industry is all about, and he says, she must have had her fair share of jerks blow through here though. She says, yeah, sure, but for the most part, people were great. And she loved it. She loved making people feel happy and comfortable and special. He asks if she doesn’t get to scratch that itch running Bobbie’s, and she says, to an extent. She loves Bobbie’s – she really does – but it’s a restaurant. Full stop. In this place she got a taste of all of it, really curating a space. From the carpets to the linen to the lighting. Even the music. Putting all of those things together to create the ultimate experience. She loved it. He says, sounds like a symphony, and she says, it kind of was. He says, and she was good at it, and she says, she was great at it. He asks if she thinks she’ll ever do it again, but she says she doesn’t know. She tells people that she will, that she’s going to get her half of the MetroCourt back, but she thinks that’s just a pipe dream, The MetroCourt belongs to someone else, two someone elses. She’s just going to have to accept that.

Chase says he’s been working on a surprise for Brook, and she says, but he’s terrible at keeping secrets. Chase says, it’s true. Her mom has been helping him keep this under wraps. Lois says, guilty as charged, and Brook says, so no more Palm Beach? Chase shakes his head, and she says, please tell her that he’s not working. It’s their honeymoon. He says, they’re still going away, but there has been a change in destination. He leads her over to the loveseat, and she says, okay. As long as it’s not a downgrade, she’s in. Everyone else quietly leaves the room, and she says, so what are they talking? Miami? Charleston? Palm Springs? She’s never been to the desert. He says, think a little further away than that, and she says, like out of the US away? He nods, and she asks what he did. He says he’s marrying the woman of his dreams. No, scratch that. He never dreamed of her because he didn’t know someone this wonderful could exist, and he wants their honeymoon to be a reflection of that. He wants her to remember this trip for the rest of her life. Because she deserves it. She deserves everything. She says, he’s the sweetest man on the planet. So where on this planet is he taking her? He says, Florence, and she says, he’s kidding. He says he’s not kidding, and she says, Florence, Italy? He says, her mom told him that she wanted to go, and she says, only for her entire life. Oh my God, Florence? She jumps up and says, not only does she get to go, she gets to go with him? He asks if she’s happy, and she says, happy doesn’t even begin to cover it, and kisses him.

Molly says, so she guesses Alexis wins – again, and Alexis says, freedom of the press wins – always. Except she has no idea why she’s fighting so hard for it when it comes to this paper. Molly says, because she cares about her job and the integrity of her paper, and Alexis says, integrity the new associate publisher will undoubtedly destroy. Molly starts to leave and picks up the envelope the messenger delivered. She asks, what’s this? and Alexis says, a messenger dropped it off when she was fighting with Nina. Molly asks if she’s looked at it, but Alexis says she was too consumed with rage to care. What is it? Molly says, it’s from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and Alexis says, they’re handling her appeal. Molly says, it’s probably her decision, whether they’ll review her case, or she’ll stay disbarred. Open it. She holds it out to Alexis, who backs up, saying, no. She can’t. She tells Molly to do it, and Molly asks if she’s sure. Alexis nods, and Molly opens the envelope.

As Molly reads what’s inside, she looks sad, and Alexis says, it’s okay. It was a longshot anyway. So the appeal was denied… Molly says, they’re giving her a hearing. They set a date and everything. Alexis grabs it from her and looks at it. She says, they’re giving her a hearing, and Molly says, not just that. They’re giving her hope. This is hope. They hug and jump up and down.

Marshall says, TJ needs to find reasons for him and Molly to come together that aren’t about the baby. It’s those moments of now, those moments where it’s just the two of them. Those moments are precious too. Now, as much as he enjoyed that egg sandwich and this beautiful park… TJ says, and the incredible company of his grandson, and Marshall says, that too. Get his behind over to the store and buy all the ingredients for Molly’s favorite dinner. Just make sure it’s reheatable in case she does have to work late. Wouldn’t it be nice for Molly to come home and see her favorite meal on the table waiting on her? TJ says, Molly would love that, and Marshall says, don’t spend the next three months wringing his hands over what Kristina is or isn’t doing. Spend the next three months with his partner, being just that – partners – before they become parents. Molly is a very special woman. TJ agrees she is and thanks Marshall. They bro hug.

Chase says, mimosa for the bride-to-be, handing Brook a drink, and she thanks him. They say, cheers, and clink glasses. Brook says she can’t believe it’s true, and he says, believe it. She says, Florence… the Uffizi, the Duomo, David… He says, whoa. Who’s this David guy? She says, and they have to take a day trip to Pisa and an overnight to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. He says, she’s thought a lot about this, and she says, this is like a bucket list thing for her. And she can’t wait to look up all the best restaurants and they’re going to have gelato every, single day, no exceptions. Okay? He says, yes, ma’am, and she says, they’re going to drink wine at sunset in every piazza they can find. It’s going to be so incredible. He says, she’s so incredible, and they kiss. She says, they have so much planning to do. Wait. He asks, what’s wrong? and she says, a honeymoon to Florence is a lot more expensive than one stateside. The airfare alone. He says, that’s okay. He has the money for it. She asks, how? and he says he sold his truck.

Anna says, Valentin and Jack weren’t friends, but they certainly knew each other, right? He says, of course (🍷) they did, and she says, when he was working with Pikeman, in his dealings with them, did he ever get the sense Jack was involved? He says, she believes Jack Brennan was working with Pikeman? and she says she does. She can’t get him to admit it, but when Valentin was an intermediary, did anything jump out at him? He says he wishes he had something useful to offer her, but sadly, he doesn’t. She says, okay. It was worth a try. Maybe when she goes back to see him again. He says, don’t. Pikeman and Brennan are dangerous. If they’re working together, then they’re not to be messed with. She thanks him for his concern, but says she can take care of herself. He says, please do, and she thanks him for breakfast and leaves.

John opens the door for Carly and says, thanks again. She says she doesn’t think he thanked her the first time, and he says, then thank you. Not just for saving his hide on the docks, but for getting him back here and keeping an eye on him all night. She says he’s welcome, and he says, and he guesses they get to be friends, even if it’s just for a minute. She says, just for a minute? Are FBI agents not allowed to have friends? Oh. Worried he’s going to divulge classified information? He says, something like that, and she says, makes sense. But how does he know he doesn’t talk in his sleep? She leaves and he watches her walk down the hall.

Drew tells Nina, they’re at a meeting, so try back later, but Michael asks what she was going to say about his mom. And what did Nina do now? Nina says she didn’t do anything. She just thought Drew would want to know Carly moved on quickly from him and is now sleeping with everyone’s favorite FBI agent, John Cates.

Tomorrow, Tracy tells Brook, disrespecting your husband is no way to start a marriage; Maxie asks why Lucy is insisting on taking this all on herself; Alexis tells Gregory that it’s a risk she can afford; and Carly says she did something that someone isn’t going to like.

🛟 Here It Comes…

Now it’s somebody else’s fault she was a pita. Maybe she confused Fraser by answering every time the primary was asked a question.

Jill Zarin Blames Chief Stew Fraser Olender for “Disaster” on Below Deck Trip, Calls Out Crew’s “Attitude,” and Reveals What Fraser Promised at Start of Charter

🍸 Between Rules and Reunion…

I can’t believe anybody actually monitors who follows who. Aren’t they busy not opening restaurants and stuff?

Vanderpump Rules’ Lala Kent Unfollows Katie Maloney & Ariana Madix on Instagram as Their Feud Continues, See How Fans Are Reacting

It’s not about the pasta mirror.

Ariana Madix Claps Back at Sandoval’s Claim That She Doesn’t “Pay for Anything,” and Discusses His Counter-Offer, as He Accuses Her of Lying & Insists He Made “Top Market” Offer

🍊 Shady John…

Andy leaps with glee as he twirls his moustache.

John Janssen Seemingly Shades Ex Shannon Beador as a “Narcissist” Who ‘Lies’ as Girlfriend Alexis Bellino Calls Out “Smear Campaign”

⚰️ About Those Dead…

Like the franchise is ever going away.

The Walking Dead Franchise Has A Very Unsure Future

Ha-ha! I thought it said giant zombie heads. Now that would be a variant.

https://screenrant.com/walking-dead-new-villain-zombies-season-1-return

Carol’s turn coming up.

https://www.cbr.com/daryl-dixon-book-of-carol-release-date-cast-news

🐕 From Around the Globe and Back…

Bollywood babies.

Say hello to your favourite Bollywood celebrities’ furry friends

Backup pups.

https://people.com/meghan-trainor-stars-in-music-video-with-dogs-8629755

☔️ April Showers Bring More April Showers…

Stop by tomorrow for pre-weekend soap, the Summer smack talk promised, and shenanigans. Until then, stay safe, stay thinking twice before engaging in online debates, and stay doing the work. If you do, you can achieve anything.

Apr9

April 8, 2024 – GH Eclipsed, Drop Dead Gorgeous Blond Australian Stew On Deck, Poor Ant, At the Villa, Arguing Already, Farewell Too Soon, He Will Finish, Behold the Echidna & Total

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Not today, eclipse.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Is Preempted on Monday

Below Deck

Fraser thinks Anthony bit off more than he can chew, and he’s worried the chef is not quite there yet. Jill badgers Fraser about the dinner start time, and I already want to smack her. Anthony tells Fraser that he’ll try to make the magic happen. In Barbie’s interview, she says she’s taking the brunt and giving a fake-ass bullsh*t smile that she doesn’t feel. She’s not a complainer. The captain joins the guests for dinner, and Fraser asks for the primary’s dinner preferences first. As Melinda tries to tell him, Jill butts in since she thinks she’s a primary. Anthony tells Fraser that instead one main course, he has to make three different main dishes at the same moment. He can’t build all the plates at the same time. Guest Jen ends up without a plate, but she tells the others not to wait. Jill says her food is cold, and Fraser says, it’s the worst day of his life. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, this is the worst dinner service all season, but if he looks pissed, the others will get pissed. To top it off, we have Jill. In Dylan’s interview, he says, when he was growing up, no one told him that he was good looking. Now he gets hit on by guys and girls. He tells Ben about dating a guest, and in his interview, he says he likes the hunt. When he sees a hot girl at the bar, he does pushups and asks, what’s going on baby? Seriously? I don’t care how hot he is. No, just no. The guests finish eating, but dessert isn’t ready, and Fraser says, they have to kill 20 minutes. The stews make up a concoction of rum and almond milk, with a touch of strawberry. The captain tells the guests about meeting his girlfriend on a ship, when the French chocolate souffle comes out. IMO, it’s well worth waiting for. Fraser says, Barbie seems quiet, and she says her fake smile only lasts so long. In the captain’s interview, he says he needs to talk to Anthony after the charter. There’s no use doing it now.

Fraser tells Xandi that tomorrow is going to be the sh*ttiest night. Everyone is so sensitive, the energy is horrific, and they have no stew. Barbie sees Xandi and Fraser talking and tells Kyle that Xandi is talking sh*t about her. In Anthony’s interview, he says, dinner was disappointing. He doesn’t want to be on charter. He wants to run in his room and cry all night. Ben talks about choosing lead deckhand to Fraser, and says, Dylan is like a puppy, interested in everything, but Sunny knows the boat. On the minus side, obviously they’re sleeping together. In Ben’s interview, he says, on paper, Dylan is fantastic, but Sunny works well with the crew and he can rely on her. He has to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Fraser tells him that the person who puts the most effort in needs it. Barbie sighs as she works, looks in the laundry, and says, f*** you. I’m not helping. Stupid-ass bitch. Nice.

In Sunny’s interview, she says she wants to love and connect. She wants to feel feelings. She’s got butterflies over Ben (ick). Captain Kerry gets a text that a new stew is arriving. Anchor is in the pocket and the yacht is en route to Port Louis Marina. Xandi says, this trip might kill her, and in Barbie’s interview, she says she’s ignoring Fraser. She doesn’t know how to communicate with him. He dismisses what she feels, and she can’t win. She can’t be herself and feels defeated. Ben and Sunny are called to the bridge, and the captain says, today is windier. In his interview, he says, the wind is at over 30 knots. The last time he was in this kind of wind, he lost the bow. If anything goes wrong, he’s going to smash into the dock and hit a concrete bank. Fraser wonders why Barbie is ignoring him, and in the captain’s interview, he says, the wind is coming in and there are two steel workboats to the side. If the wind doesn’t back down, he’s going to hit them. It’s a very difficult docking. The wind is holding him off. Jill says, he’s in trouble, because she knows all about being a captain and docking a massive yacht.

Jill says, blah-blah-blah, and Melinda says, this is giving her anxiety. I’m not sure if she means the docking or Jill babbling about it. Captain Kerry manages to dock the boat without incident, and the crew change into their whites. To their happiness, the guests pack. In Fraser’s interview, he says he’s never wanted anything more than to drop these guests in the sh*tter. He’s done. Fraser tells Barbie, well done, and Jill says she’s so sad. She hates this part. They had fun and she hopes she wasn’t too much work. 😐 Melinda thanks the crew, and says, it’s the best vacation ever. The deck crew was flawless, and she knows they were the hardest to cook for with all their different preference. She gives the captain the tip envelope, and they finally leave the crew in peace. Captain Kerry says, that was a fun charter. He’s cracking a beer now. Fraser asks Barbie, what’s happening? and she says, nothing. Kerry calls Anthony to the headmaster’s office. He says he’s going to tell Anthony straight. Dinner service was bullsh*t. His food was cold and two guests were without food. What the f*** was going on? Anthony says he was looking for the best solution for the guests to find dinner amazing. He’s upset with himself. Captain Kerry says he shouldn’t have kicked off with sushi and been laser focused on one guest, and in Anthony’s interview, he says he failed this one. It reminds him of bad moments when he was younger. He was called a loser at school and sees the teacher in his head. Born a loser and dies like a loser. I feel badly for him, but not too dramatic. The captain tells him to do the stuff he can do with his eyes closed. Fraser tells Barbie that she seems off, and she says, it’s an off day. He says, when it’s aimed at him, he thinks she’s in a bad mood and it’s not conducive to the team. She says she went to bed pissed and woke up pissed. He could have told her that he and Xandi were going to the beach to meditate. He says, it’s not like they were chilling, and she wasn’t talking yesterday. She says she’s scared to communicate with him, and he says he can’t deal with it. She says she’s flipped the switch back, so it’s good now.

It’s time for the tip meeting, and Captain Kerry says, it feels like they’ve gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson. His hat’s off to them. The tip is $20K or $1667 each. We hear crickets, and in Kyle’s interview, he says, it’s the worst tip they’ve gotten, but it’s still a lot of money. His mom recently found out they have a Native American heritage and a huge extended family in Montana. He’s going to spend a couple years there, and it will be nice if he can support himself. The captain says, they have tomorrow off, and they’re heading to a resort. The new stew is arriving tonight and will meet them at dinner. In his interview, Fraser says he’s excited. It’s like Christmas has come early. The captain says, the new stew’s first day is a day off. He’ll drink to that. Ben says he’s going on a two-day bender. Barbie tells Kyle that she wants to quit, but he says, mama didn’t raise no quitter, which is pretty funny to hear with his accent. Anthony says he’s ready to party, but he’s sad inside. He feels people know he made a mistake. He’s trying to stop thinking about it, but it not going to be a great night. Kyle drinks some liquor straight from the bottle and says he’s good to go.

New stew Paris arrives at the restaurant. In their interviews, Ben, Kyle, Anthony, and Sunny all say, wow. In Fraser’s interview, he says he knows who Paris is. She’s the ex of a dear friend. We flash back to two seasons ago, and see Fraser with his friend Jake, who’s talking to Paris on the phone. Fraser says, to him that means she’s gold. He tells the others that he worked with her ex, but this is their first time meeting in person. In Paris’s interview, she says she’s a sailing stew. She’s outgoing, funny, and loves mayonnaise. She says what’s on her mind because she has no serotonin left and regains it though people’s suffering. She laughs and says, that’s not true. She’s not evil. She is Australian though, and in Sunny’s interview, she says she’s definitely jealous. Paris is drop dead gorgeous, blond, and from Australia. She feels a little worried about what Ben thinks. Barbie tells Paris that she looks like she can take it emotionally, which is actually kind of rude. Ben and Kyle talk on the side, mostly about Paris. Paris says she’s had four years’ experience, and Fraser says she must be competent with housekeeping. Anthony tells Barbie that he needs them. He’s alone in his department every day. In her interview, Paris says she started in the Mediterranean, then the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and America. She doesn’t know the dynamics on the boat and it’s like a new school. The crew gets back to the boat, and Paris finds out she’ll be bunking with Xandi. She meets Captain Kerry, who says, everyone is nice, but the captain is an a-hole. Sunny and Ben have sex in the bathroom (ick again), when Barbie asks if Sunny can throw out a tampon. It’s an emergency. Sunny says, they were c*ck blocked so hard. What happened to the tie on the door thing?

In the morning, on the way to the resort, Paris says she lives in the country, and they have two kangaroos. She tells them that the echidna (which kind of looks like a hedgehog – see below) has a four-headed penis. Fun fact! They get to the resort and head for the pool. I’m jealous even though I live near the Atlantic Ocean, one of the biggest pools in the word. I need to get a friend who has a pool or talk one of my existing friends into getting one. Barbie tells Ben that Fraser wants to fire her, while Fraser tells Xandi, in the beginning, Barbie was amazing with her work, but her attitude is feral. Barbie whines to Ben that she doesn’t eat or take breaks, and Fraser tells Xandi that Barbie is talking about him now, because he has bat ears. Barbie tells Fraser that she doesn’t feel like she can talk to him because she works for him, not with him. He says she’s horrible to work with when she’s in a mood, and she asks if Fraser wants her to go, but he says, no. He just wants her to accept that this is the job. She then whines to Paris, and in Paris’s interview, she says, this is awkward. Fraser feels comfortable venting to her, but he’s her boss. She just got here, and she feels like Dr. Phil. Everything can be fixed with conversation, a hug, and tequila. Fraser tells Barbie that if she can’t move on, he can’t, and she says she doesn’t feel safe telling him her feelings. He says, if she doesn’t like it, she can f*** off, and she says, that shows how much she can’t trust him. In her interview, she says, Fraser doesn’t like her even though he likes the way she works. He doesn’t care about her or her feelings. In Fraser’s interview, he says, speak up, bitch. Don’t be passive/aggressive. She tells Fraser that she loves him, but he says she doesn’t act like it. She’s a horrible person when she doesn’t want to speak. She says, he wants her to go, but he says he wants her to understand how this works. If she can do it, fantastic. If she can’t… She says, okay, cool, and they part company. In Anthony’s interview, he says he’s still learning. It’s tricky. The restaurant business is different. There’s a guy for everything, and here, he’s by himself. He promised his younger self that one day he’d be successful, and he has to keep that promise. Sunny wonders if Xandi and Ben could have been a thing, but Xandi says, if he was ten years older. Sunny asks if she likes them old, which would be like 40, and Xandi says she’s done raising people’s husbands, whatever that means. Paris asks Barbie if she’s okay, and Barbie tells Paris that she and Fraser are too different, and they clash. They don’t get each other, and personally trigger each other. Paris thinks there’s a resolution if they communicate, if they if don’t trigger each other’s defensiveness. Barbie says she can’t, and in Paris’s interview, she says she feels Barbie and Fraser are similar and the issues cause both of them to be defensive. They’re also out in the sun drinking, which makes them all drama queens. What started from a small issue has grown into a mole hill. She tells Barbie, if it doesn’t work out, it’s his neck on the line. Fraser tells Ben that he’s done with Barbie. Ben says, what about one more charter? but Fraser isn’t having it. He says, she’s impossible to work with. In his interview, Fraser says, he’s given more chances in the past than he should have, and now he’s not about giving more chances. You show your true colors after two chances. We flash back to Barbie’s first, second, third, and fourth chances, and Fraser says, if it’s not great after the fourth, you’re off. He needs to pull the cord earlier. He tells Ben that he’s done.

Ben hugs Fraser and suggests he sleep on it, and in Ben’s interview, he says he thinks Fraser is taking it too far. The problem is Fraser’s lack of management skills in making people gel. Dylan asks if Paris likes Steve Irwin, and she wonders what kind of question that is. He’s a national treasure. Dylan says he watched Steve while growing up, so it must count for something. Paris says, if he was here, he’d say, crikey, that’s cringe. In her interview, she says, Dylan is gorgeous, but so awkward personality-wise. If he was mute, he’d get more action. Dylan leaves and Ben comes along. Paris asks if he put out the fire, and he puts his hand on her knee. He gets even more handsy, and no surprise, Sunny sees. Xandi says, good God, and Sunny says, sayonara. In Sunny’s interview, she says, Ben touching another woman makes her uncomfortable, jealous, and angry. It’s mad disrespect. Paris tells Fraser that she thinks he and Barbie are upset because they’re similar, but he’s like, no way. Barbie calls her mom as she puts on her makeup and cries. She says she doesn’t want to be here and she’s mad at herself for giving up, but she has to quit. She wants to go home. Fraser tells Paris that he’s supported Barbie and tried it all. He won’t look after someone who speaks to him like she does. She’s a subordinate and he’s the chief. Barbie tells her mom that she can’t get through to him and can’t fix it. She has an amazing life at home and doesn’t need to be with people who don’t understand her and she clashes with so much. She doesn’t like giving up. Fraser tells Paris, welcome to the circus.

Next time, in Sunny’s interview, she says, Ben looks like an a-hole; Sunny tells Ben, it’s not okay; Anthony makes fish for a guest who doesn’t eat fish; Barbie says she’s sorry her and Fraser’s contention affected everybody; and Fraser goes to the captain about Barbie.

⚓️ Atlas Of the Deck…

It’s doubtful he’s carrying the show, but despite his faults, he’s one of the best chefs they’ve had.

How Anthony Iracane Is Carrying Below Deck Season 11

🏰 Viva La Villa…

I started watching this and the venue is magnificent. Not so much the employees who are already drinking too much and arguing in front of the guests. But Lisa is there along with Puffy (!), so all will be well.

Vanderpump Villa Premiere Recap, Episodes 1-3: Welcome to the Lux Life
Vanderpump Villa Episode 4 Recap: Who Is Managing Eric?

🍊 That Didn’t Take Long…

Apparently, Tamra is already causing problems and the horse hasn’t even left the gate yet.

Audio Leaks of Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador Fighting in London

🥀 Sad OC News…

Today’s PSA: Drug responsibly and for the love of all that’s holy, stay away from fentanyl.

https://people.com/real-housewives-lauri-peterson-son-josh-waring-dead-at-35-8627969

https://www.eonline.com/news/1398971/rhoc-alum-lauri-petersons-son-josh-waring-died-amid-addiction-battle-his-sister-says

🐎 Not Done Yet…

They lost me somewhere in season 4. I think it was a big mistake to open things up to the real world so early. Westworld stopped being Westworld and turned into something else.

https://ew.com/jonathan-nolan-still-intends-to-finish-westworld-8624582

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/westworld-season-5-storyline

🦔 Cute But Mighty In Its Own Way…

Behold, the echidna.

https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/echidna

But wait, there’s more.

https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/echidna

🌚 Stars Aligning Now…

Join me tomorrow for soap and VanderExploits. Until then, stay safe, stay not leaving puddles around the sink in a public restroom, and stay remembering that everything can be fixed with conversation, a hug, and tequila. And also, that the echidna has a four-headed penis. You’ll be a real hit at parties.

Mar23

March 22, 2024 – Jason Does the Only Thing He Can, Background, Next Wives, Post Reunion, Dead Talk, 2 For 2, Festival Time, A Hug, Pets (!) Online, A Frame’s Worth Of Quotes & Night

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Maxie says, let’s just kind of put this whole Bellpo thing behind. Things got a little tense for them for a second. Sasha says she’s an educated woman having a serious conversation with other intelligent women about how she has to look less wholesome. How nuts is that? Lucy says, her face is really perfect, and Sasha says, except it’s not edgy enough. She’s willing to change her look, but not the way Lucy means it. Lucy says, that’s fine. It’s just that this cover for Bellpo was a huge, huge score, and now they have nothing. Maxie says, there are other magazines in town and they all have covers, but Lucy says, no. She doesn’t get it. Bellpo is the jewel in the industry’s crown. They have to have this exposure if they’re going to pull Deception out of this financial hole. They need those jewels and need Sasha on every single cover they can get. Sasha says she’s been doing this for a while now, and she thinks it’s been long enough, and Maxie says, take some time to think about it. They all should. Sasha says, fine. She’s not hurt. She’s not offended. Not at all. She’s been hearing comments about her appearance since the day she started modeling. It’s the nature of the job. Lucy says, see? She’s a pro and she gets it. And she gets Lucy. Sasha says, after what she’s been through in the past year, especially last summer, she realizes there are more important things in life. More important things in her life than being paid to be looked at. Maxie says she can pretty much guarantee they’re not going to get anything productive done tonight. So she would consider it a personal favor if they could just schedule the time in the future to discuss everyone’s concerns properly. Brook says, sounds good, and Sasha says, good for Maxie. Sure. Lucy says, no. They’re going to settle this right now. Maxie says she really thinks it would be best… Lucy says, they cannot just hug this out this time. She doesn’t think that what just happened to them with Bellpo isn’t going to get out right away. If they stand any chance of salvaging their reputation and recovering all the losses they suffered last summer, they need to do something. And she’s not about to let this tank her company. Brook says, excuse me? Your company?

Cody walks into the stables and says he hopes Comet likes looking at this face, because he’s going to be seeing a lot more of it. He kind of lost it at Deception today. He doesn’t know if he told Comet, but he was the official male Face of Deception. He knows. Didn’t make any sense to him either and he hated it. Anyways, today Lucy told Sasha that her face was too wholesome, and she needed to be edgier. Then Lucy said some more stuff. He doesn’t really know what it was because he kind of tunes her out. He picks up some carrots and says, anyways, what he said to her was, if she’s gonna replace Sasha, she’s gonna replace him too. And then Lucy said he was a bad model anyway… Yeah, he knows, right? So he quit. He gives Comet a carrot and says, you know what? It felt really good to stick it to Lucy. Now he’s wondering if he made the right decision.

Diane meets Robert at the PC Grill and apologizes for being late to lunch. He asks what kept the redhead this time, and she says, interesting question. Nothing but the pursuit of justice.

Chase leads a bunch of children wearing play badges into the squad room and tells them, this is where the action is. Donna asks if this is where they bring bad guys, and he says, yes, and then we question them in there. That is the interrogation room. It’s quieter, a little more private. This is his desk. This is where he works on his cases or helps other detectives work on their cases. He doesn’t just arrest people. Donna points to Dante’s desk, and says, that’s her brother’s desk. He’s a detective too. Chase says, Dante Falconari is one of their best detectives, and Donna says, he got hurt. He’s in the hospital getting better. Chase says, he sure is. So that’s Dante’s desk, this is his desk. They also talk to witnesses here and in the field and collect evidence. Being a police officer can be very dangerous. Officers sacrifice practically everything to keep this community and them safe.

Michael asks how Jason is feeling, and Jason says, better, thanks to him and Willow. Michael says, it looks like he’s moving around better, and Jason says he is. Michael says, that’s good, and Jason asks, what’s wrong? Michael says, Jason has to leave.

Brook says, Lucy’s company is majority owned by her grandmother, and Lucy says, by the thinnest of majorities. Brook says, still, the majority. Any discussion about the Face of Deception – past, present, or future – will involve Tracy. Got it? Lucy says, her grandmother Tracy does not care about the future of Deception, and Brook knows that. Otherwise, she’d still be here, instead of throwing her weight around at some hospital board meeting. Brook says, she didn’t leave the country. She’ll be back. Lucy says, that would be so nice for all of them, and for Deception, if she would just leave the country, but Brook says, it wouldn’t matter. They can’t make a move without Tracy’s involvement or her proxy. Maxie tells them, this is why she said they weren’t going to get anything productive done right now. She’s got to say, a little break is looking better and… Lucy says she founded this company. It was an idea in her head, and she made it a successful reality. Brook says, and somewhere along the way, she left herself vulnerable to a lawsuit, and Lucy says, that’s it. End of discussion. They’re not going to discuss anything now, after a break, ever. Because she doesn’t care what kind of stake Tracy has in the company. It’s more hers than Tracy’s. It’s more hers than anybody else’s, so guess what? If there is a problem, she’ll find a way to handle it, and she’ll fix it. And if Brook doesn’t like it, there’s the door.

As Cody brushes Comet, he says, how dumb is modeling as a job anyways, right? There’s these people standing around, touching your face, your hair, your clothes, putting on makeup. Being around Sasha and Maxie, that was pretty great, but he hadn’t really thought about how this is going to affect them. But they want him to be happy, right? And they’re more than capable of taking care of themselves. He hears Olivia ask if he’s around and he says, in here, Mama Q. Olivia comes in with a casserole dish, and he asks if everything’s okay. She says, Dante’s the same. Sam is with him right now. She came home to get some rest. She tried to take a nap, but it turns out, she can’t relax. So she cooked instead. He thanks her for bringing it down, and she says she guesses she had an ulterior motive. It’s very peaceful here, and she could use a little bit of that right about now.

Michael says, the numbers in the GH pharmacy didn’t match up to what they had in storage, and Jason says, because Willow took meds out to help him. Michael says, the computerized update doesn’t always happen in real time and only a few bottles were taken. They weren’t the kind that had any real value on the streets, so nobody was panicking, but Elizabeth is the head nurse, so… Jason says, so she would have been held responsible for the missing drugs, and Michael says, and Willow would never let her take the fall for this, so he contacted Spinelli. He hacked into the inventory and adjusted the numbers, so Elizabeth and Willow are in the clear. Jason says, that kind of medicine, the amount, it took Spinelli two minutes to figure out who the meds were for. Michael says, he didn’t, but Jason says, too many people are getting pulled into this. Michael says, he’s right, and he feels like crap for saying this, but he can’t keep putting Willow in this position. The FBI are asking questions and it’s not fair to Wiley and Amelia to be taking these kinds of chances. Jason says, Michael is right. He has to leave. Michael says he agrees. And that’s why he found a way for Jason to disappear.

Olivia tells Cody that she’s been talking to Dante non-stop, repeating all those crazy stories from his childhood, the crazy things he did. It’s a miracle she didn’t have fully stark white hair by the time she was 25. It really struck her looking back at how resilient Dante always was. He still is. Cody agrees, and she says, sleep can be very healing, and that’s what her son is doing right now. He is healing. So she talked herself hoarse, and now Sam is talking herself hoarse, and Cody’s got a free meal. He takes the dish from her and says, the day he turns down any of her cooking, she knows he’s been kicked in the head by one of these guys and it’s time to have him committed. She tells him not to get excited; it’s standard issue manicotti. He says, it smells amazing, and she says, it was relaxing to actually do something for someone instead of just sitting around and waiting. He says, no one is good at the kind of waiting she’s doing. If she could spare the time, he’d really love the company. If she doesn’t mind the horse smell of course (🍷). She takes off her coat and says, it’s better than the smell of the hospital. She sits down and says she can see why Leo likes it down here. To be around healthy living things is really nice.

Diane tells Robert that she’s looking into having Alexis’s disbarment vacated. Alexis didn’t even get a hearing. Evidence was just presented that she perjured herself at Neil Byrne’s medical board hearing. Robert says, as he recalls, he was her therapist and she was sleeping with him, but Diane says, oh no. He wasn’t her therapist at the time. They simply didn’t wait the requisite two years before… enjoying each other’s company. Unfortunately, in a regrettable lapse of judgement, Alexis decided to tell the board they were not sleeping together in order to save Neil’s license, but then that lie was discovered and her license was yanked. He says, lawyers who perjure themselves are generally frowned upon, and she says, yes, but they didn’t even give Alexis the chance to challenge the charge. They simply yanked her license and washed their hands of her. He says, she’s a smart woman. She could have appealed. Diane says, she’s a very smart lawyer and she deserved to have a hearing. Everyone deserves to be heard. Robert says, that’s certainly true, and she says she wants to find out who exactly was sitting on the committee at that time, and why the process moved so quickly, and was so under the radar. He says he thinks it was an open and shut case. True? She says she thinks a lot of things are possible. That’s not one of them. She can feel it in her bones. He says he’s intrigued. He loves watching her mind work. He wants to see the sparks fly. She says, don’t go looking for any fire extinguishers, because she’s just getting started.

Lucy says, Sasha knows this crazy business. Has she said anything that isn’t true? No. She had to sacrifice more than anybody else here for this business. She’s given her heart, her mind, her body, her soul, her bank account to make a success of all of this. Sasha says she knows. She cares about this company and its success too. Just not the way she used to. Lucy asks what she’s saying, and Sasha says, hearing Cody speak made her realize what she’s been feeling. She’s so grateful to Lucy for giving her the opportunity to work at Deception. Lucy changed her life. And she loved coming in every day and seeing them. She loves them, but she thinks she’s over all of this. Effective immediately, she’s resigning as the Face of Deception.

Diane tells Robert, at her core, Alexis will always be a lawyer. You can take her bar card away, but she’ll always be driven by the pursuit of justice. It’s one of the things that made them such great friends, this passion that borders on obsession. He says, which plays to the more colorful versions of some of her clients, and she asks what she can say. A life of muted tones is not for her. Alexis has a fondness for colors too. That, and her incredible skill, made Diane offer her a job at her firm. So when her license is reinstated, he’s going to have to go up against both of them in court. He says, and when he wins, he takes them all out to celebrate, and she laughs. She says she knows him – you generous thing – he would anyway, and he says, let’s just hope it happens for Alexis. Diane says she’s contacted everybody she knows, she’s called in almost all her favors, and she will find out why Alexis was barred in such unceremonious fashion. He says, if he can help in any way, he’s at her disposal, and she thanks him and says, that’s very sweet of him. He says, so she’s not going to need him, is she? and she says, no. She has it well in hand. He says he would never bet against her, and she says, only a fool would bet against her and he’s no fool.

Olivia tells Cody that she shouldn’t be here right now. She’s Dante’s mother and should be at his bedside, channeling all her energy to him until he wakes up. She starts to get up, but Cody puts his hand on her arm, and says, an actual mama bear doesn’t have anything on her, but she needs to give herself a break. Otherwise, she’s going to end up in the bed next to Dante. He wouldn’t want that. No one does. She sits back down, and he says, she’s an amazing mom. Dante always says it. She says she knows. You hear those stories sometimes about the moms seeing a kid pinned under a car or something, and they get a big rush of adrenaline, and pick the car up like some kind of superhero. He says he kind of thinks she’s sort of a superhero. She’s been dealing with an incredible amount of stress lately and she’s practically living at the hospital. Any mere mortal would have been crushed by it all. He’d grab her cape and prove it to her, but it’s at the drycleaner. She laughs, and he says he knows if anyone can pull through this, it’s Dante. That same strength is in every fiber of his being. He got it from her.

Maxie asks Sasha, please think about this. Deception needs her. Brook says, she’s right. Deception wouldn’t be where it is without her. Sasha tells them, thank you, and she meant what she said; she loves them. But it’s time. Lucy says, that’s it. It’s time for Sasha to take a vacation. They’ve been expanding the marketing so fast, and all that pressure has been on her. Sasha’s been carrying this all alone. That’s why she thought of maybe a second face, someone who could help her carry the burden, just help her to breathe. Brook tells her, that’s not why she said what she said, and they all know it, and Lucy asks if Brook is living inside her head now. Brook says, God forbid. No wonder Sasha wants out. Lucy says, if Brook is so miserable, she’s not being held hostage. Go. Brook says, should she ever want to leave Deception, she’ll discuss it with the majority shareholder, her grandmother. As for Sasha, she could hire a thousand new Faces of Deception, but it won’t matter. Lucy asks, why is that? and Brook says, because Lucy will run every single one of them off too. She walks out, and Lucy asks, is that true? Is Sasha quitting because of her?

Michael says he can get Jason on the ELQ jet and send him to the Grand Keys. It will only take a couple phone calls to get a doctor to meet him there to oversee his recovery. Jason says, the workers, the flight plans, the money transfers, everything can be traced back to Michael, but Michael says he’ll charter a jet. Jason says, too risky, and Michael says, for Jason, it’s a risk he’s willing to take. Jason says he appreciates that, but Michael knows he can’t let him do it, and Michael says he’s not going to let Jason take off in the middle of the night by himself. What happens to Jason matters to him. Jason says, even if he makes it to the Grand Keys, it would do no good. He told Michael, somebody has leverage over him. If he runs, there’s going to be consequences. Michael asks what he’s going to do, and Jason says, the only thing he can.

As Brook watches, Chase tells the kids that they are now official friends of the Port Charles Police Department. Everybody, raise your right hand. Do they solemnly swear to uphold the law; to be kind, thoughtful, and respectful to other people in their family, school, and community? They nod, and he says, all right. He hereby elevates them to honorary deputy status. Be proud. Cutest child in the world Donna says, this is awesome, and thanks him. Chase says, she’s welcome. The teacher tells them, let’s go get your coats, and leads them out. Brook gives Chase a kiss and says, they’re so cute. He says, it’s definitely one of his more interesting tours, and she says, seeing him be adorable with a bunch of kids is exactly what she needed. He says he thought she was supposed to be at Deception, and she says, she was. She could no longer be kind and helpful and respectful, so she took a break and came here. He asks, what happened? and she says, same thing as always. Lucy Coe. What started off as a simple meeting, turned into a mini disaster because of Lucy. If she strangles Lucy, can she plead temporary insanity? He says she can plead however she wants, but he’d still have to arrest her. Could she maybe hold off on the strangling? At least until after their wedding? Very few people get her the way Lucy does. Brook says, she has a unique… gift, and he says he’s worried about her. Is she sure it was the right thing, going back to Deception? She says, not anymore. She’s starting to think her plan to hand Maxie back Deception is just making everything worse all the way around.

Sasha says, it’s not Lucy’s fault she’s leaving Deception. Lucy is not driving her out. Lucy says, great, and thanks her. She knows they can work something out because she doesn’t want Sasha to leave either. Sasha thanks her for saying that, but she’s not going to change her mind. Lucy knows she never wanted to be a model. Then Michael negotiated an amazing deal for her that included a stake in the company, and she couldn’t say no. Lucy says she remembers. He made that deal with her. Sasha says, she was, and still is, so grateful to Lucy, but she’s not the same person she was when she signed on. The things she’s lived through, the things that she’s lost, they’ve changed her. She isn’t sure what she wants out of life, but she’s sure she doesn’t want to stand in front of cameras getting her picture taken. Or try to fit anyone’s concept of who they want her to be or what she’s supposed to do. Lucy says, okay. She guesses if Sasha feels that’s necessary to live her very best life… She picks up a folder from the desk and says, she would be remiss though, if she didn’t remind Sasha of a couple of the deal points that were in that contract that they all signed together – her Deception shares and her leadership position. If she resigns and she’s not their spokesmodel anymore, then she has to give up both of those. Maxie looks disgruntled.

Diane’s phone rings, and it says, Michael Corinthos. She asks Robert to excuse her. She has to take this. She goes out to the hallway and asks what she can do for Michael. Jason says, it’s not Michael, and she says she’s been expecting this call. What took him so long? He says, the timing wasn’t right, and she says, well, timing is everything. Tell her what he needs.

Talking with his mouth full, Cody tells Olivia that he doesn’t know exactly what time it was, but they were at camp. Dante, being Mr. City Kid, had no idea which end to milk the cow from. (Come on.) Olivia laughs and says, in his defense, we didn’t milk a lot of cows in Bensonhurst. He says, it didn’t matter though, because in three days, Dante was like Bear Grylls. She says, and that’s a good thing? and he says, it’s a great thing. Bear Grylls is like this outdoor British survival guy. He could survive on air and bark if he needed to, and Dante was so smart. He could adapt to changes in altitude, time of day, terrain, better than anyone. He started racking up badges right away. Canoeing, first aid, tracking… She says, whatever happened to making lanyards and tying knots? and he says, oh, they tied knots. He laughs and says he practiced tying knots on Dante. He tied Dante into a canoe and pushed him into the middle of the lake. Olivia says, Cody… but Cody says, don’t worry, Mama Q. He pulled a full Houdini. He got out and brought himself back in like, fifteen minutes. And that only took so long because he actually took a nap in the middle of the lake. She laughs, and he says, the fact that his knots didn’t slow Dante down almost cost him his badge. She says, Dante could fall asleep anywhere, and Cody says he knows when Dante wakes up this time, he’s going to look at him with the same look at me, dummy smile that he had last time. She says she hopes so. She should go. She should get herself back to the hospital. She thanks him for cheering her up, and he says, anytime. Thanks for lunch. She hugs him and asks him to do her one favor. He says, anything, and she says, don’t tell her any more stories about camp. He says, all right, and she leaves.

Maxie asks if Lucy hasn’t done enough, and Lucy says she’s just trying to be honest. She wants Sasha to know the consequences if she just walks out. She wants Sasha to understand, to be perfectly clear about what happens. Maxie says, and she’s already dug a hole for them, so why not make it deeper? and Lucy tells Sasha, there is something else. If she resigns and walks away from Deception, she has to sell back her shares at market price. Sasha says, fine. Just send her a check. Lucy says, no. It’s not fine. They’re not worth what it used to be. The market price has gone way down. So if she could just wait until their market strategies work, then maybe when she leaves, she can end up with a big chunk of change. Because right now, she’s going to walk away with 30% of not much, which equals… not much. Sasha says, Gladys basically cleared her out, so whatever she gets, it will be more than she has now. And you can’t put a price on happiness. She leaves, and Lucy looks at Maxie. Maxie says, what the hell is wrong with you?

Chase says, Maxie is lucky to have Brook as a friend. What she’s doing will change Maxie’s life. Brook says, that was the idea, but now Lucy’s over there having a tantrum that she can’t do whatever she wants whenever she wants. That she has to answer to Tracy, and by extension, Brook, and if she can’t… He says, share her toy? and Brook says, exactly. The way things are going, at this point, there might not even be a company to hand over to Maxie, assuming she can pry it out of her grandmother’s hands, which was a long shot to begin with, and is getting longer every day. He says, she can’t control Lucy’s actions. No one can, including Lucy. But she comes from a long line of accomplished schemers, and she’s emerged as one of the family’s best. She can handle Lucy Coe. She tells him that he says the sweetest things, when Diane walks in. Chase asks if she has someone in lock-up today, and she says, no. She’s accompanying her client, who is – she speaks louder – surrendering voluntarily. She goes over to the door, opens it, and Jason walks in. Jason says, yo. Not really, but it looked like he should.

Lucy tells Maxie that they still have an ace in the hole. Blaze. Remember? Maxie was really excited about having her be the Face of Deception before Tracy shot them down. Maxie says, and she still could, but Lucy says, there are so many more possibilities now for Blaze. She doesn’t think Tracy can say no. Think about it. Blaze is really a big deal now. She brings lots of fans and followers. Think of all those folks she could bring to them. Maxie says, yep. She’s right. Blaze is a bigger deal. So she might not be interested or available. And even if she were interested, who’s her manager again? Oh, that’s right. Brook Lynn. And somehow, by the magic of Lucy being Lucy, she’s managed to get even more on Brook’s bad side. Lucy says, come on. This is Deception they’re talking about. Blaze will be interested, and she’ll make herself available to them. She can fix this. She swears. Maxie puts her head in her hands and tells Lucy that anything she does will be temporary. Because she’s not a partner. She’s a one-woman wrecking ball. Lucy doesn’t consult with her. She just does whatever the hell she wants and to hell with everyone else. Their lives don’t matter. Does Lucy have any idea what it’s cost Maxie to stick with her? She can’t even look at Lucy right now. Lucy says, please… but Maxie says, no! This is still her office. Please leave. Lucy picks up her bag, looks back at Maxie, whose head is in her hands again, and she leaves.

There’s a knock at the stable door, and Sasha comes in. Cody says he always knew the stables were the hip place to be, and she says she likes the regulars who hang out here. He asks how she left things at Deception, and she says she’s done at Deception. She walked too. He says he wasn’t pushing her to do that. She didn’t think that, did she? She says, no. Does he think she’d let him push her into doing anything she didn’t want? Relax. She did it for her. She’s been feeling like she needed a change, but she didn’t quite know what that looked like. It’s kind of dumb. He says, not really. It’s hard to see things clearly when you’re in the middle of them. She says, when he just walked like that, something clicked for her. She thinks it was so much harder leaving Deception in her head than it actually was, and he asks if she’s sure. She has history and friends there. She says, they’ll still be her friends. But she’s so tired of hearing about how she looks all the time. If she wakes up with Troll doll hair, she wants to just go with it. He says he’s not sure how that would happen, but he’d love to see it, and she says he might regret saying that. He says, just tell him if he’s overstepping, but is she going to be okay financially? Gladys didn’t help her there. She says her rent is paid for the rest of the month and after that, she’ll think of something. She always does. And she’s not above enhancing her resumé a little bit. He says if she needs a reference for her time spent as CEO of Comet Incorporated, tell them to give him a call. She says he can count on it. Cody gets more carrots, and she asks if he always knew what he wanted to do with his life professionally. He says he never had any idea. You’d think that a guy who made a living getting tossed off of horses would make some kind of plan for the future, but no. There was never a time where he was like, one more year and it’s back to school and off to his real career as a brain surgeon/astronaut. In hindsight, he probably should have been a little smarter. She says he doesn’t really mean that, and he says, she’s right. He was never cut out for a suit and tie kind of job. She asks if it made him nervous when he didn’t know how he was going to pay the rent the next month, and he says, yeah, sometimes. He was also free to pick up any gig interesting or fun. That kind of freedom comes with a price. He gives Comet a carrot, and Sasha says, anxiety? Sleepless nights? He says, sometimes. That kind of life isn’t for everyone. He’s not even sure if it’s for him anymore. She says, that’s a change, and he says he guesses so. He’s happy living here in Port Charles, working for the Q’s. And because he stayed, he has family and friends… horses. Sasha says, really good friends? and he says, yeah. And because of the money that he made standing around and smiling – horribly, apparently – he can afford to have some new dreams. She says, like Serenity? and he says, that’s one of them. She asks, what’s the other? and he just smiles. She says she’s excited for the possibilities. She knows there’s a truly fulfilling career out there, and she’s going to find it. He says, yeah, she is. Here is to her new career. He hands her a carrot, and they clink carrots. Cody takes a bite of his, then gives it to Comet.

Michael goes into the boathouse and texts Willow: No groceries. Boathouse is empty. He says he hopes Jason is right about this.

Chase gives Jason his rights, and Diane congratulates him on his scrupulous recitation of her client’s Miranda rights. Now if Chase doesn’t mind, she’d like a moment to confer with him. Chase says he does mind. She can talk to him after he’s been booked. Diane says she can cite any number of cases where defendants needed to be released due to technicalities that occurred during the booking process, specifically when the booking process was used as a stall to deny defendant’s counsel. She’s sure that’s not his intention, but the easiest way to ensure the booking process goes smoothly at the proper time, is to let her talk to Jason first. Chase looks at Jason, who stares straight ahead, and says, fine. Right this way. He takes them into the interrogation room and closes the door on his way out. Chase tells Brook, Dante is lying in a bed unconscious and the guy who put him there looks just fine to him. She says, looks can be deceiving though, right? It’s a good thing Jason came in. They need to hear what he’s going to say. Chase says, he’s not going to talk. He has Diane for that. He wishes he could… He raises his fists, but Brook puts her hands on his and says she knows. But he has a bunch of honorary deputies out there and they need him here, doing his job, keeping them safe.

Diane says she sure hopes Jason knows what he’s doing. He’s looking at some very serious charges. Two counts of attempted murder, one against a police officer with armor piercing rounds. That alone carries a special circumstance charge. She’ll try to get an arraignment for tomorrow. He thanks her, and she tells him that if she hasn’t said it already, it’s very, very good to see him again. She just wishes it were under better circumstances. He says, him too, and she says, any chance he’s going to tell her what this is all about? He says he can tell her this. He won’t be in here for long.

On Monday, Elizabeth tells Willow that she just wishes she knew anything about Jason; John asks someone what the hell they’re doing here; Chase tells Brook that he’s going to get answers for Dante’s sake; and Michael says he has some news about Jason.

🧼 Filling In the Blanks…

All about the original Stone.

Who Was Stone Cates on GENERAL HOSPITAL?

All about Blair. This was suddenly in the headlines on Soaps In Depth, so I wonder if she’s coming back.

Who Was Blair Cramer on GH and OLTL?

👠 Duck and Cover…

New Housewives coming up. I have to admit to being intrigued by the whole Alexis thing. You can’t tell me Andy/Bravo didn’t know this would set Shannon off like a firecracker.

Everything We Know about Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18

And what’s wrong with McDonald’s?

Everything We Know about Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 5

💎 After the Reunion Is Over…

Can you blame her?

Rumor: Kim Richards Was Supposed To Appear at RHOBH Reunion

Can you blame her? And seriously, Dorit felt manipulated? If you don’t like it, ignore it and do what you want.

Kyle Richards ‘Hasn’t Spoken’ to Dorit Kemsley ‘At All’ Since RHOBH Reunion

He’d like to stop it, but he’s too busy raiding the refrigerator after an attack of the munchies.

Kyle Richards Has Hired Divorce Lawyers: ‘Finally Pulled the Trigger’

Even if nobody asked her to.

Lisa Rinna Will ‘Never’ Return To The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

⚰️ Upcoming Ones…

What’s on the burner for Sunday night.

https://www.cbr.com/the-walking-dead-towl-105-clip

https://screenrant.com/walking-dead-ethanol-fire-ones-who-live-ending-hint

🐉 Dragon Times Two…

A peek at Season 2.

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-dueling-trailers-ryan-condal-breaks-down-secrets-8611648

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-trailers-black-vs-green

🎸 It’s On…

All you need to know.

https://www.lollapalooza.com

🌊 Gentle Giant…

One of my favorite animals!

https://people.com/footage-manatee-hugs-surfer-board-in-water-8608177

🐕 Socialized Pets…

I’m all about Redford. He reminds me of Jim on Mike & Molly.

Celebrity Pets That Have Their Own Social Media Accounts

🦜 Quotes of the Week

Don’t try to be young. Just open your mind. Stay interested in stuff. – Betty White

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

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. – Colin Powell

For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the sheltered will never know. – Wise Man (Scott Glenn), Sucker Punch

When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. – Wayne Dyer

It is, of course, quite true that God will not love you any the less, or have less use for you, if you happen to have been born with a very second-rate brain. He has room for people with very little sense, but He wants everyone to use what sense they have. – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (He sounds like Anthony Hopkins in my head.)

Live your vision and demand your success. – Steve Maraboli

Church is meaningless if you’re a monster once you step outside into the real world. – Allen Clifton

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. – George Washington

I haven’t seen this much sh*t since my last bowel movement. – Jack Warner (Stanley Tucci), The Feud: Bette and Joan

🚣‍♀️ Rowing the Boat Ashore…

You go, Glen Coco, but then join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap and a murderous Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay not interrupting workers when they’re helping other customers; and stay being kind, thoughtful, and respectful to other people in your family, school, and community.

Dec27

December 26, 2023 – Nina Makes a Confession, Premature Exit, Silent Night, What They Did, Switching Wives, Paige Tells All, Christmas Lists, Merry Chickmas & My Year

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the hospital, Carly tells Laura that Christmas Eve never gets old. Did she see how magical it was for the kids? Laura says, it’s the same for her. It was even more magical because she got to see Ace seeing it for the first time. Where does the time go? Carly says, Josslyn’s in college. How did that happen? Sonny joins them and says he thinks he enjoyed Laura’s reading more than the kids did. Laura says, rumor has it that Sonny funded the festivities at the hospital, even more generously than before. He says, rumor has it, and she says, a lady never reveals her sources, but thank you. It’s a shame Nina wasn’t here to see it. She remembers the year Nina headed the committee to plan the party, so obviously, it means something to her. Carly says, Sonny told them she was coming, and Sonny says, Willow told him that she decided to stay in church a little bit, but she’ll be here.

In the confessional, Nina tells the priest, really Cyrus, that she’s never been to confession before, but she didn’t know where else to turn. She wonders if it’s okay that she’s here, but Cyrus says, God is eager to help all His children. Go on. She says she did something terrible. She was spiraling out of control and knew the second she did it, that it was wrong, but she had no idea it would hurt so many people so much. He asks who she hurt, and she says, people who may not be saints, but they didn’t deserve what happened because of her. He asks who these people are, friends, family? and she asks if it matters, but he says, to truly advise her, he needs more information. Let go. Open her heart. God wants to hear everything.

Spencer tells Trina that he doesn’t think he’s ever seen Ace fall asleep that fast. He was out before his head hit the pillow. She says, he’s probably exhausted from all the excitement of the party. He was so happy being around all those people fussing over him. Spencer says, not half as happy as he was. How did he get so lucky to spend Christmas with her and his little brother? She says, Esme was generous to let him have Ace for the night, and he says, maybe this is part of her turning over a new leaf thing, and Trina says, maybe. Or maybe there’s another explanation. Maybe she wasn’t being generous. Maybe she just had plans. He says, doing what? and she says, maybe Esme had a date.

At Windymere, Esme flashes back to setting up the revenge porn, then turning in Trina for it. Then she remembers telling Spencer that he’s delusional if he thinks she’s going to let Trina off the hook, and she remembers taunting Ava, saying Ava drove Kiki to her death. Then she flashes back to setting the Christmas tree on fire in the tower room.

Ava comes into Windymere, and sees the broken window. Her phone rings, and it’s her security company. They tell her that they received a signal of a break-in, and the PCPD should be there shortly. She thanks them, takes out her gun, and says, it may be too late. Dante says, police, don’t move, and then realizes it’s Ava. He asks what the hell she’s doing here.

Spencer asks Trina who Esme would be dating. She doesn’t know that many people here, and the ones she does, know her history. Trina says, Esme’s circle might not be as small as he thinks. She’s got a new job and a new apartment. Maybe she met someone who only knows the new Esme, a co-worker or a neighbor. He says, and she thinks Esme’s on a date with that person? and she says, it’s possible. Would that bother him if she was? He says, absolutely not. Esme is a grown woman; she can do what she wants. If Esme were to start dating, the only thing he’d worry about is how that person treated Ace. Esme should feel free to go off and have a life of her own. Trina says, good, and he says, especially if it leads to more nights like tonight where Ace is asleep in the other room and they’re here alone. They have the place to themselves. Whatever will they do? She says she wonders what, and they kiss. His phone rings, and he says, speak of the devil. Trina says she’ll get them something from the kitchen, and Spencer answers. Esme says she’s so glad he picked up. She has something to talk to him about. He asks if something is wrong, and when she doesn’t answer, he says he gets it. It’s her first night away from Ace after getting the new place, and she’s naturally worried about it, but she doesn’t have to be. Ace had a fabulous time at the party, and now he’s asleep in the other room, dreaming about all the presents he’s going to open tomorrow. She says she’s glad, but that’s not exactly what… She hears Trina asks if Spencer wants cinnamon in his eggnog.

Laura says she thinks this is the first time she can remember being at this party without Bobbie being here. It’s taking her so long to settle Luke’s estate (😕). Carly says she thought Bobbie would be done weeks ago, and Sonny says, estates can be complicated. Knowing Luke, he’s sure Luke left Bobbie a few surprises. Carly says she spoke to Bobbie on the phone earlier, and she sounded cheerful, but when isn’t she? She did say Luke’s affairs were a mess, but she’s making headway. Laura says she guesses they’ll hear all about it when Bobbie gets back.

Nina says, if she had one wish, it would be to turn back the clock. Then she wouldn’t do all the damage she’s done. Cyrus says, this spiteful act, did it cost someone their life? and she says, not their life, but something almost as bad. His freedom. Someone went to prison because she reported them to the authorities when she didn’t have to, and he suffered, and so did the people who love him. She’s also letting an innocent man take the blame for reporting that crime, because she’s a coward. People are so angry with him when they should be angry at her. Cyrus says he understands. Go on. She says she’d like to change it, but it’s too late to make it right. he says, it’s never too late, and she asks if he really thinks so, because she’d do anything to fix it. He says, then she needs to confess to the people she hurt, not just him in this confessional, but she says she can’t. She wishes she were strong enough to tell the truth, but if she tells her family what really happened, she might lose them. She could lose everything. He says, if she doesn’t, the guilt will continue to eat away at her conscience, and it will destroy any chance she has at future happiness. The truth will always set you free. She says, to be free of this burden, this pain, if only, and he says, anything is possible. Be courageous.  Be strong and correct the wrongs she did, and remember, she doesn’t walk alone. God is always with her. She says, God is with her, and thanks him. She says she won’t forget, and leaves the confessional. He says, neither will he.

Dante says he thought Ava and Avery moved into Nina’s place, and she says, they did, but she hasn’t sold Windymere yet. It’s still her property. He says he guesses he can’t stop her from wandering around her house with a loaded weapon, and she says, so he’s not taking her in… for defending herself in her own home after a break-in? He asks if she’s defending herself or looking for an intruder to shoot.

Carly says she couldn’t get over the kids’ faces as Laura was reading, when Nina comes out of the elevator. She hugs Sonny and says she’s so sorry. She can’t believe she missed everything. How did it go? Laura says, it was amazing, due in no small part to her husband’s generosity, and Nina says, the man she married is pretty great. Did he take a lot of pictures? He says, no, but Carly took a great picture of Donna. Could she send it to him? Carly says, sure, and Laura asks if she can see. Carly shows Laura her phone, and Nina asks if Willow didn’t tell Sonny where she was. He says, at church, but he expected her sooner, and she says he didn’t have to worry. Frank drove her here and she felt totally protected and safe. He asks if she got what she needed at the church, and she says she thinks so. He tells her that Willow said she was thinking about Nelle, and she says, yes, Nelle… and others.

Esme tells Spencer that it sounds like there’s someone else there, so she’ll make it quick. Trina asks Spencer what she’s calling about, and he says he doesn’t know, but it’s not going to take long. He asks if Esme is still there, and she says she just wanted him to know that she’s not going to be picking up Ace tonight. He can wake up with Spencer on Christmas morning, and she’ll pick him up later tomorrow. He says, okay. Wow. That’s great. He’d love to be able to spend Ace’s first Christmas morning with him. Is she sure she doesn’t want to take him home? She says, positive. Merry Christmas. He says, merry Christmas, but she’s already gone. Trina asks what all that was about, but he says he’s not sure, but he’s starting to wonder. Maybe Esme does have a heart after all.

Nina tells Sonny that she really needed something tonight, and found it at All Saints, with a new understanding. He says, about what? and she says, it’s probably… His phone dings, and he says, it’s Ava. There’s been a break-in on Spoon Island. Nina says, what? and Laura says, tell her to call the police, but Sonny says, the police are there right now. Dante’s there, but Ava wants him to go because Dante’s his son and he can keep it unofficial. Laura says she might be able to help; she’ll go with him. Sonny says he doesn’t think it’s a big deal, but Laura says she wants to go. It was her son’s home and if this break-in is somehow related to him in any way… If for some reason he might be back, she wants to be there. Sonny says he understands, and asks Carly to tell Donna that he loves her and merry Christmas. Nina says she’ll take care of Avery. She wishes she could go with him. He says he’ll talk to her later and thanks her for picking up Avery. She says, of course (🍷), of course (🍷), and Sonny and Laura leave. Carly says she’s going to pick up Donna and go home, but Nina asks if she can wait a second. She has something to say to her. She stayed at the church today because she wanted to ask the priest for guidance… about Carly.

Spencer tells Trina that Ace didn’t even flinch when he stubbed his toe and said a word his grandmother definitely wouldn’t approve of. He thinks it’s safe to say he’s out for the night. Trina says she should get home because her mom is planning a whole breakfast and opening presents tomorrow morning. She has to get started early. He says, that’s a bad idea. Stay here, because it’s so much harder to be away from her, especially after their trip to New York. She say she feels the same way, and they kiss. He asks if something’s wrong, and she says, it’s just that she can’t stop thinking about something else. He says, that’s just what every man wants to hear after he kisses the woman he loves, and she says, it’s Esme. He says, of course (🍷) it is, and she asks if he really believes what he said, that she’s had a change of heart. He says he doesn’t know. He’d like to. She put his grandmother and Ace first tonight. That’s a big step for her. Trina says, it is, and he says he’d really like to think Esme’s turning a corner here, but they don’t know that. So doesn’t she think they talked about Esme enough for one night? She says, they’ve talked enough about Esme for a lifetime, and he leads her to the sofa, saying, so maybe they should stop talking about her altogether. They kiss.

Ava asks if Dante thinks she’d be reckless enough to go after a burglar all on her lonesome, and he asks if she really wants him to answer that. There’s a knock at the door, and Ava open the door to Sonny and Laura, who says she decided to tag along. They go into the living room, and seeing the broken window, Laura says, whoever did this wasn’t looking to hide themselves, were they? Ava says, and everybody knows this place has a security system. Whoever did it thought it was worth risking getting caught. Sonny says, let him take her home. Let Dante do his job. Ava says, absolutely not. She’s not leaving until she finds out who broke in here. Laura suggests she and Dante take a look around, but Dante says he doesn’t think it’s a good idea. The house has been declared a crime scene. She says she used to live here, and her son owned the property for many years. She knows her way around this very large, very confusing home. She’s happy to show him around if it doesn’t interfere with his procedure at all. He says, it probably falls under some kind of grey area, and she says, great, let’s do it, but he says, they don’t know if the house is empty. Please stay behind him. She says, sure, and follows him out.

Esme looks at a photo of Spencer on her phone and wonders what she was thinking. Did she believe she was just going to own up, and he’d forget about all the things she did to Trina? That he’d congratulate her and say, great news, and forget all about Trina, and the things she did? And she, him, and Ace would have this happily ever after? He only cares about Trina and protecting her, and if she told him what she did… She cries and hears footsteps. She puts her ear to the door.

Sonny says, so Ava thinks whoever broke in here is the same person who sent her the pictures of dead Austin? It’s possible, but there’s no way to know. She says she’s sure the intruder is long gone by now.

Carly says, Nina asked for guidance about her? and Nina says she did. Whenever they’re together, they’re always sniping and arguing, and since it’s Christmas Eve, in the spirit of Christmas Eve, she thought it would be nice if they spent some time talking. Carly says, talking about what? and Nina says, when she was sitting in church, she realized, after all the pain, everything she’s been through in her life, she’s so blessed to be able to spend Christmas Eve with her family. She never thought she’d be able to say that. Spending Christmas Eve with her daughter and her children… Carly says, she’s a lucky lady, and Nina says she is. She’s very grateful for all of her family. She and Carly thinking a lot of family in common, and she started thinking about Carly and what she’s been through this year. The accusations of insider trading and financial problems and Drew going to prison… Carly asks if there’s a point to this because she has to go get Donna, and Nina says, there is. She’s sorry, and she’s trying to ask for Carly’s forgiveness. Carly says, forgiveness for what?

Nina says she not proud of herself, that her need for revenge is what drove her to hurt Carly and not tell her that Sonny was alive in Nixon Falls. Carly says, Nina has told her this before, and Nina says, something shifted. She wants to be a better person. She wants to be the kind of mom Willow brags about and the kind of grandmother that Wiley and Amelia are proud of. Sitting in that church – maybe it’s because of all the love around her, and support and peace – she realized there’s still a part of her that’s broken. There’s a part of her that still wants revenge for her daughter… Carly says she’s going to stop Nina right there. She knows what Nina is going to say.

Ava tells Sonny, anyone could have broken in here tonight. Maybe some kids playing a prank. He says, on Christmas Eve? and she says, why not? There’s no neighbors on Spoon Island, and it’s not exactly a professional job, right? It looks like something kids might do. He says, it’s possible, but there’s somebody out there sending her pictures of a dead guy and leaving a gun in her apartment. Now he’s broken in here. So does she think that would be kids or somebody playing mind games? She says she’s so sick of the whole damn thing, and he says, sick enough to do something reckless? That’s not going to happen, because he’s going to do everything he can to keep her safe. She thanks him, but says she thinks he knows she can protect herself. He says, what if she’s not the real target? What if he is?

Esme runs around looking for a place to hide, as Laura and Dante approach the tower room. They go in and Dante looks around with a flashlight. He says, the turret door is open. He’s going to check it out. She says, not without her, and he tells her to please just stay behind him. As they go into the turret, Esme runs out, dropping a glove.

Laura asks if Dante saw anything, but he says, nothing. Maybe forensics can find something. She says she’s sure they can. This person wasn’t really concerned with hiding their footsteps. He says, whoever was here didn’t get out by jumping off the turret, and she says, can they really be sure the intruder was in here? It’s possible Ava left the door open before she moved out. He says, it’s freezing in here. If Ava left the door open, it would be colder than the city. Someone must have left the door open more recently than that. She says, he’s right, and it is cold. She’s going in. They go inside, and Laura says she’s going to check on Ava. She seemed really shaken up. Dante says he’ll be down in a minute, and she starts to leave, but he says, wait. He picks up the glove with a pen.

Sonny tells Ava, the cops haven’t found the gunman who put Curtis in a wheelchair. The target could have been Anna, but it could have just as easily been him. She says, so he thinks whoever took that shot at the MetroCourt pool is sending her pictures of dead Austin and breaking into Windymere. He says, could be if it’s Cyrus, and she says, so he thinks Cyrus is stalking her to get to him? He says, they can’t rule anything out, but she says, as much as she’d like to blame him for her current situation, she does have enemies of her own. He says, whoever hurts her, hurts Avery, and he can’t allow that. So that’s why he’s taking a personal interest in her security.

Nina says, Carly knows? and Carly says, it’s really not that hard to figure out what’s going on here. Nina went to church and got caught up in the emotion of it all. Maybe it was the glow of the candles, or maybe it was the way the priest looked at her. She doesn’t know, but Nina’s guilty conscience started to get to her and now she feels the need to apologize. Nina says, that’s partly… and Carly says, but what’s really going on is that Nina feels that forgiveness is the last gift under the Christmas tree, and she really wants to open it and enjoy it. It makes sense because Nina’s gotten everything else she’s ever wanted. She’s got Sonny, Willow, her grandchildren, and the MetroCourt. Nina says, yes. She’s been very blessed this year. Carly says, at least Nina isn’t going to insult her by pretending she doesn’t see it. So why not feel entitled to ask for forgiveness too? She’s sorry to disappoint Nina, but she’s going to have to seek redemption somewhere else. Carly walks away.

The priest sees Cyrus and says, excuse me. Cyrus asks if there’s something wrong, and the priest says he was supposed to hear a confession and he was unavoidably delayed. Did he see a lady waiting? Cyrus says, as a matter of fact, there was someone here, but he saw her leave. The priest says he’s sorry he missed her, but hopefully, she’ll be back soon. Cyrus says he’s curious. How does he do it? The priest says, do what? and Cyrus says, when the lost come to him, unburden the heaviness of their souls, how does he help them? The priest says, it sounds like Cyrus is asking about someone in his own life, or himself, and Cyrus says, he’s very perceptive. He is asking for someone he knows, but it’s not him. He’s thinking about a friend who’s feeling lost and alone tonight. The priest says, the holidays can often make people feel that way, and Cyrus says he’s felt that way a time or two himself, but tonight he wants to help them, and he’d appreciate any advice the priest might have about how best to do that. The priest says, his friend is lucky to have him looking out for them. Confession is good for the soul. Merry Christmas. Cyrus says, merry Christmas, and the priest leaves. (Not very good at giving advice, is he?) Cyrus says, confession is good for the soul, but if Nina doesn’t do what’s good for her soul, he might have to do it for her. He dips his hand in the holy water, blesses himself, and leaves.

Nina follows Carly and says, please. It’s Christmas Eve. It’s a time when people are supposed to come together, and Carly still won’t give her an inch? Carly says she’s given Nina more than an inch. She’s given Nina more than a mile. She’s invited Nina to family gatherings and stood there while Wiley’s given Nina a hug and a kiss, and bit her tongue until it bled. And she tells herself over and over again that for his sake, she has to try and make things work. Then she has to remind herself that Sonny’s happiness affects Donna and Avery, so she keeps things pleasant, but that’s not good enough for Nina. Nina helped herself to Carly’s husband and her hotel. Now she wants Carly’s forgiveness on top of it? And she assumes she’s entitled to it. That sappy smile and saccharine speech is going to get her everything she wants? She doesn’t get to demand forgiveness; it’s a gift, and she’s not giving it to Nina. Nina says she’s come to Carly with the best of intentions, and Carly’s decided to stomp all over them. She’s not even listening. So much for peace on earth and good will to men. What does Carly want to do next? Does she want to kick over that Christmas tree? Carly says, Nina is unbelievable. She doesn’t get what she wants, and she’s so put upon. She loves playing the victim. Nina says she doesn’t want to fight with Carly. She didn’t come here to fight with Carly. She came here to make peace, to tell Carly her truth. She’s been sincere. Carly says she’s had a really long day. She wants to grab her little girl and go home to her family and enjoy what’s left of Christmas Eve. She walks out. I just have to interject that Carly keeps making it sound like Nina stole the hotel out from under her. She stole Sonny maybe, but Nina didn’t want the hotel in the first place, Carly had to sell it because of financial problems of her own making, and I’m sure Nina paid top dollar. I’m tired of them making it sound like she swindled Carly out of it.

Spencer asks Trina to tell her mom that she couldn’t get a Ride Share. Because of all the holiday parties, they were just awesome busy, so she had to stay a little bit longer. She says, they’re trying to get her mom to like him, remember? So keeping her daughter away from her on Christmas Eve is not a good idea. He says, that’s true, and she says she stayed longer than she planned, and she promised her mom and Curtis that she’d open one present at midnight. He says, fine, but if he had it his way, he’d spend this entire holiday with her. She asks how he’s so sweet, and he says, must be the Spencer side of his DNA. They kiss, and her phone dings. She tells Spencer, it’s her car, and he says, fine. He’ll let her go as long as she promises he can see her in the morning. He kisses her hand, and she says she still has to give Ace his present. He says, then it’s a date. Merry Christmas, Trina Robinson. She says, merry Christmas, Spencer, and they kiss.

At a sparse cemetery, Esme says she doesn’t even know what she’s doing here. It’s not like he was some great father who raised her from birth, and it hurts to live without him. He was as far from that as possible. But she can’t tell anyone else that she’s got her memories back. She thinks he and crazy Heather Webber are the only people who would understand her keeping it a secret. How messed is that? Her parents would be the ones telling her to lie. She guesses it’s true what they say, Christmas Eve is the loneliest night of the year. This year, she’s talking to a serial killer who just happens to be her dad. Talk about desperate. But why is it so hard? It should be easy to be a good person. She should want to take that path, but he never showed it to her. She had to learn it all on her own, and even then, it’s only because she lost her memory. But she’s made a good life here in Port Charles. She has a good job and an amazing child and her own apartment. With Ace’s stuff scattered all around the place, it really feels like home. Their home. And she’s happy. At least she thinks she is. The feeling is still so new to her. But there is another path too, the crooked one that he showed her. It would be so easy to go back, but what if she doesn’t have a choice? What if it’s out of her control and she’s supposed to be bad because it’s in her DNA? That is the legacy he left her. She goes to put on her gloves and realizes there’s one missing.

Dante puts the glove in an evidence bag and asks if Laura recognizes it. She says she doesn’t know. Does he think it could be Nikolas’s since he’s always been into ladies’ gloves? Dante says he knows she’s been looking for Nikolas, but he doesn’t see anything to indicate Nikolas was here, and this isn’t a man’s glove. This wouldn’t fit him. She says, of course (🍷). He’s right. She’s sorry. She’s not thinking rationally, is she? She guesses because it’s his house, she just thought maybe… She doesn’t know. He says, it’s okay. Maybe it’s Ava’s.

Ava says she doesn’t want or need Sonny’s goons following her around. Does he know what it’s like trying to get anywhere with them in tow? He says, very well actually, and she says she can handle whatever this world throws at her and he knows it. She always comes out swingin’. He says, sometimes she needs a little help. Like the help she got from Dante and Dex when she was kidnapped by Mason. She was grateful to them. He has to do what he needs to do. It’s not just about her. She asks what he has in mind, and he says he doesn’t like this any more than she does, but Avery will. She says, why? and he says, until the figure out what’s going on, she’s living with him.

Tomorrow, Brook tells Chase that it’s going to need to happen faster than they anticipated; Felicia asks why Robert can’t get over it; and Alexis tells her daughters that she doesn’t think it’s entirely true.

🥀 Too Soon For Goodbye…

So sad to hear this. I really liked him on OLTL.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE Star Kamar de los Reyes Dead at 56
https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/one-life-to-live/stars-remember-kamar-de-los-reyes

🎸 Channeling Eddie…

Eddie’s alter ego gives us a Christmas serenade.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/watch-wally-kurths-beautiful-performance-of-silent-night

🎄 Soapy Celebrations…

What the soap stars did for Christmas. Probably the same thing you did.

See How Your Favorite Soap Stars Celebrated Christmas!

🍊 Wait… What…?

Wow. I missed something somewhere, but yes, let’s get her on RHOC ASAP. However, a promise ring? How old are we? 14?

PHOTOS: Alexis Bellino Declares Her Love for John Janssen as He Gives Her a Ring, Plus She Reveals If They’re Engaged as Kelly Dodd Reacts & Shares Ring’s Alleged Price

🍹 Spilling Charming Tea…

Paige gives the lowdown on her relationship with Craig. It’s definitely one I never saw coming, so I’m guessing it will somehow work out.

Paige DeSorbo Discusses Surprising Scene With Craig That Didn’t Air, Why She Feels Bad for Him, and When She’ll Move to Charleston, Plus Talks Being Hesitant to Get Married

🎬 For Those Not Done Yet…

The classics.

https://ew.com/movies/essential-classic-christmas-movies/

And the not-so classics.

https://ew.com/movies/best-christmas-horror-movies/

TV episodes worthy of a ho-ho-ho.

https://ew.com/tv/best-christmas-episodes/

🐔 A Chicken For Christmas…

And they come with a lifetime of free eggs.

Victoria Beckham Gifts David Beckham Chickens for Christmas

We actually raised chickens when I was a kid, but I had no idea this was a thing.

Cluck, Cluck! Amanda Seyfried and More Stars Who Have Pet Chickens

👖 Sisterhood Of the Elastic Waist Pants…

Stop in tomorrow for soap and an assortment of useless knowledge. Until then, stay safe, stay not drinking and driving on New Year’s Eve (there are so many options today, there’s no excuse), and stay making sure it’s a priest you’re confessing to if you go to confession.

Dec9

December 8, 2023 – The Not Perfect Tree Is Lit, Her Return, The M.E., Side Gig, Barrier Breaker, Sisters, Problem, Hamster Wheel, You’re Fired, LVP Report, Hannukah Pups, Quote Octet & Hollis

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Elizabeth and Finn walk to his door, and he thanks her for doing this. She says she wouldn’t miss it, and from inside, Violet asks if it’s Finn. He says, it is, and she says, don’t come in until she tells him to. She says, he can come in now, and throws open the door. She says, look at her tree, and Gregory says, she picked it out herself. The tree isn’t quite Charlie Brown, but it’s pretty janky.

Molly is about to knock on Kristina’s door, when TJ asks if she really wants to do this. She asks if he’s having second thoughts, but he says, let’s call it an abundance of caution. Sometimes life doesn’t give you time to think things over. You make a snap decision and have to live with the consequences, but they have time to take a moment and review and reevaluate. She asks where he’s going with this, and he says, she’s the smart Davis daughter, Sam is the resourceful one, Kristina is the impetuous one. Are the 100% sure they want her to be their surrogate?

Anna goes to Valentin’s house and asks if Charlotte is here. He says, she’s with Laura. It helps her to spend some quality time with her grandmother. Anna says, that’s perfect really. Laura is a wonderful presence in Charlotte’s life. Charlotte’s lucky to have her. He says, she’s got a dad too, and asks what he can do for Anna. She says, nothing. She just came by to give him an update. He says, on? and she says, on the arsonist who set fire to her house. It wasn’t Charlotte.

Lois looks up the stairs and says, this is a disaster, and Olivia says she knows. Lois says, not one inch of this entire gigantic house has been decorated for Christmas.

On a plane, Tracy hears the stewardess say that they’re anticipating landing in an hour. She looks at her phone and sees her and Luke’s wedding picture. She starts to cry and puts on her sunglasses and a hat.

Lois tells Olivia that Lila would be so upset. She’d have Reginald… Olivia says, who? and Lois says, Reggie. He was the butler when she and Ned were married. She would have Reggie and the entire staff decorating this house by the first of the month. Everything would be out except for a few things that came out on Christmas Eve. She’s thinking of a specific train set that Alan was very fond of. It was a family heirloom given to him by his grandfather who was in railroads. Olivia says, like an engineer? but Lois says, no. Great-grandpa Quartermaine owned railroads going upstate into Canada, and this particular train set was an exact replica of one of his trains. Alan was so proud of it, but by then, it was an antique, so it only came out on Christmas Eve, but everything else was everywhere else. There were wreaths on the doors, there was a garland going all the way down the staircase, and everything by December 1st. She can’t believe Olivia wasn’t more on getting the decorations up. Her family’s house, her father’s garage was like a Christmas wonderland. Olivia’s own apartment… She could tell Olivia’s room on the street just by looking up. Olivia says she still enjoys Christmas decorating, but early on in her marriage to Ned, she and Monica sort of clashed over the Christmas décor. She wanted a fresh tree; Olivia put up something more… effusive. Monica made it very clear that this was her house, it was her choice, so Olivia just let it be. She let Monica take the lead with the Christmas decorating. Lois says she appreciates the sensitivity, but they can’t leave this house bare while they’re waiting for Monica to come back from her medical conference. Olivia says, okay, then let’s go for it, and Lois says, if her vote has any weight to it, she would appreciate a natural tree as well. Olivia says, she can do natural. Look at her fingernails. If they’re going to get a tree, they’d better get moving.

Violet says, it wasn’t as pretty as the others. If she hadn’t picked it, it might have not gotten picked at all. Finn says he thinks she chose the perfect tree, but Violet says, the whole point is that it’s not perfect. Finn says, but he thinks it’s perfect for them, and Elizabeth says she agrees. Violet is really getting into the spirit of Christmas. And she promises they are going to make this tree look spectacular. Gregory says, the first step is putting on the lights. Who’s going to do the honors? Violet says, daddy, and Finn says, how about a nice cup of hot cocoa first?

Molly says, from the moment she and TJ decided to have a baby, they faced nothing but setbacks. Sometimes she thinks the universe is trying to tell them something. Maybe they’re not meant to have children. He tells her, he never said that, and she says, so he does want to have a baby. He says, absolutely, and she says, so does she. Anytime she thinks about giving up and accepting they’re not going to have kids, she gets this pit in her stomach. That’s why she was crying in the park when Kristina found her. The thought of never having a family with TJ broke her. He says he’s so sorry, and she says, that’s when everything started to shift. Think about this. She’s never in the park in the middle of the afternoon. She’d be in her office or be in court. What are the odds she’d be there and so would Kristina? About a million to one. That’s got to be fate, right? Fate that her sister would find her. Fate that her sister would offer to carry their child again. And she has no interest in fighting fate. She can feel it in her heart that this is the right thing to do, and she’s 1000% sure about Kristina. He says, then so is he. Let’s do this. She knocks on the door, and Kristina invites them in. She asks what brings them over, and TJ says, this is more of a sister thing, so he’ll let Molly explain. Kristina says, spill it, sister, and Molly says she’s here to officially ask Kristina for a huge favor, one that will dominate her life for the next nine months… Kristina says, yes, she’ll be their surrogate, and Molly asks if she’s sure. Kristina says she’s never been so sure of anything in her life, and hugs Molly.

Valentin says, Charlotte has always denied burning down Anna’s house, but she lies about a lot of things. Anna says, she didn’t lie about this, and Valentin asks how she can be sure. She says, forensics collected some scraps of fabric in the bushes around her house and they all tested positive for the accelerant that started the fire. And they lifted some DNA which matched someone who isn’t his daughter. He says, thank God, and sits down. She sit’s next to him and says, it’s a relief. She didn’t want to think Charlotte had gone that far. He wonders why he didn’t believe her. Why didn’t he have faith in his own daughter? She said there’s a DNA match. Who’s the arsonist? She says she can’t tell him that.

Gregory says, the whole point is that it’s not perfect, and chuckles. He sits on the sofa, and Finn asks if he’s all right, but Gregory says he’s fine. He just sat down a little more quickly than he intended. He really wants this to be a good Christmas. Finn says, one to remember, when Elizabeth comes back with Violet and says, cocoa’s ready. They all take a cup, and Violet says, they should put up the lights. Finn says, since she did such a good job making the cocoa, it seems a shame to gulp it down, but Elizabeth says, don’t worry. She can make more. There’s a knock at the door and Finn answers it to Chase and Brook. Finn asks how Chase is with Christmas lights.

Anna gets up and says, she just wanted Valentin to know his daughter’s not responsible for the fire at her house, and he says, if there’s a DNA match, that means the arsonist is in a data base somewhere. So who is it? She says she can’t share that information with him, and he asks if it’s classified. She says she doesn’t know. She would imagine there’s someone somewhere who considers it classified. He says he’s not talking to them, he’s talking to her, so who burned her house? She says, he doesn’t need to know, and he says he doesn’t understand. She says, really? It astonishes her that he doesn’t understand, because she feels she made herself quite clear the last time they saw each other. She can’t tell him who burned her house down because she can’t trust him.

Kristina says, Molly was so emotional the last time she saw her, she wondered if, in thinking about it more, Molly might not want her to be her surrogate. Molly says, life’s been a roller coaster since she found out she can’t get pregnant, and when Andrea miscarried, she and TJ were devastated. TJ says he can quote her the odds on miscarriage, but none of that prepared him for when Andrea told him that she lost their baby or having to tell Molly. Molly says, when Andrea miscarried, she realized she needed to do some real soul searching. For the first time in her life, something she really wanted wasn’t going to come to her because she was smart and prepared and willing to work hard. She felt entitled to being a mom. Like whenever she and TJ were ready, whenever it fit into their schedules, she’d get pregnant, and they’d have a baby nine months later. But when that couldn’t happen because of her, because she’s basically infertile – she tears up – she jumped right into finding a solution, solving the problem. She could do that, so she picked Andrea to be their surrogate and she got pregnant. Everything was going according to plan… until it wasn’t. And it’s only now she realizes she has to do the thing that scares her the most. She has to accept that she’s not in control and ask for help.

Olivia and Lois come into the mansion, and Lois says, at least they made a start. Olivia says she’ll get the other garlands and wreaths from the florist, and Lois says she’s so glad they got the tree from PC Pioneers. It makes you feel so good knowing you gave back to the community, and those kids in their uniforms, so cute. Olivia says, it makes her think of little Dante when he was that age, and Lois asks if he was a Pioneer. Olivia says, no, he wasn’t, but it’s not for her lack of trying. She signed him up and took him to his first meeting. The kid jumped out the window and escaped before she even got her car out of the parking lot. Lois says, no, and Olivia says, hand to God. She got a call from the troop leader. He was apologetic, beside himself, and she told him, calm down. She went and checked the corner lot, and who is there playing baseball but little Dante Falconari. She wanted to grab that kid by the back of his hair and drag him home, but then she said, you know what? Who is she to dictate his dream? If her kid wants to play sandlot baseball and dream of a career in the major leagues instead of learning the fundamentals of camping, who is she to say? He’s her kid and she should support him, so that’s what she did. Lois says, that’s always been one of her favorite things about Olivia. She just takes people as they come and loves them for who they are. She doesn’t try to make them who she thinks they should be. Olivia says, it’s a fine line sometimes. With your kids, you’ve got to accept them, but you’ve also got to provide some guidance. Lois says, it’s like being a carpenter and a gardener, but Olivia says she doesn’t follow. Lois says, a carpenter builds a house based on his plans. The wood has no say. But a gardener is different because he raises what he has. He may tend the soil, fertilize it, pull the weeds, give it water, a little bit of love, but he doesn’t plant a pine tree expecting it to grow into an oak. He just raises the very best trees he can. Olivia says, Lois has definitely done that with Brook. She’s a spectacular young woman. Lois thanks her, and says, Olivia’s done a pretty good job with Dante and Leo as well. Olivia says, they’re both very good gardeners, and Lois says, that they are. Olivia says, Cody is going to be here with the tree any minute. They’ve got to get the Christmas ornaments. They both race up the stairs.

Molly says, people always tell her that she’s generous, and Kristina says, and humble. Molly says, what she never realized is that the person who is giving is in charge. They’re deciding when and how much, and hopefully, they’re doing good, but they’re in control. And they all know how much she loves to be in control. TJ says, she’s being way too hard on herself, and Molly says, asking for help means giving control to someone else. And that would be hard for her under any circumstances, but it’s excruciating when the person she’s asking for help is someone she’s treated unfairly. Kristina says, if Molly means her, she’s forgiven. Not that there’s anything to forgive. Molly says, what about the fact she was a total witch the first time Kristina offered to be their surrogate? but Kristina says she didn’t really think it through. She didn’t realize what was at stake. TJ says, he and Molly were pretty raw in those first weeks. Neither of them made an effort to see where she was coming from. Molly says, especially her. She realizes her reaction back then had less to do with Kristina and a lot more to do with her being messy and irrational, things she tries to avoid. It hurt that Kristina could carry a child and she can’t. It would be easy for Kristina, which doubled down on her pain, which makes no sense, she knows. Kristina says, please. She wrote the book on being messy and irrational, and if Molly had taken her up on her original offer, it would have been a huge mistake. They weren’t ready. As painful as it was going through this process, it made them ready. She is ready and she wants to do this. Molly thanks her and says she’s so lucky to have Kristina as her sister, and as her surrogate. Kristina says she’s the lucky one, and they hug.

Anna says she really does want to be clear on this. Valentin lied to her, and because he lied, she had no idea the intruder in her apartment was his daughter. He says, she’s right and he takes full responsibility, but she withheld information too. She’s far too good an agent to shoot at pointblank range without a confirmed target. She was gunning for someone that night, wasn’t she? Charlotte got in the way. She says she guesses they both have to live with that for the rest of their lives, right? She heads for the door, but he says, wait. He’s sorry. He wishes he’d told her. He didn’t tell her that Charlotte was stalking her because he was afraid. He was afraid if she knew, she’d leave him; she’d end their relationship. She asks why she would. She doesn’t know that she would have ended the relationship, but they’ll never know because he didn’t give her a choice. He didn’t tell her the truth, so she couldn’t make her own decisions. It’s too late for them, but it’s not too late for his daughter. He needs to focus on her and get her the help she needs.

About to plug in the lights, Chase says, everybody cross your fingers, but Brook says, wait. She brings Violet in front of the tree and tells her that if she makes a wish the moment before the Christmas lights come on for the first time, it’ll come true. Get her wish ready. Violet closes her eyes, and Brook says, okay. Chase plugs in the lights, and Violet looks at the tree. She says she knew it would be beautiful.

Olivia and Lois look through the Christmas ornaments, and Lois asks what this reminds Olivia of. She holds a silver ball by each ear, and Olivia says, how about St. Finbar’s their sophomore year? Sister Joanne Claire was so mad when she realized it was them sneaking into her office and moving around pictures of the saints. Lois says, they would swap Peter and Paul, and Olivia says, they got themselves detention and they had to decorate the auditorium for Christmas all by themselves. Lois says, they were there until 3 am, and Olivia says, 3:17, but who’s counting? Lois says, when they came out that morning and their parents were waiting for them, she doesn’t think she’s ever seen her mother so angry, but her father was disappointed. Somehow, that was so much worse. Olivia says she got a speech the whole way home. She can still hear it. Your cousin Connie would never do anything like this. Lois says, that’s because her cousin Connie never stepped a toe out of line. Although she’s got to say, she wishes she’d followed Olivia’s cousin Connie, because she was grounded with a 5 pm curfew until the following April. And by the way, Olivia was supposed to be grounded too. Olivia says she was, technically. Does Lois remember her bedroom window? It was a joke. Lois says, Olivia snuck out of that bedroom window so easily, she might as well have been on the ground floor. Oliva says, right out the window and into the nightclubs in the city all night long. Lois says, her poor parents, and Olivia says, honestly, she looks back and feels bad for all the worries she gave them, but at the time, she really enjoyed herself. Lois says, yeah, she did, when Cody comes in. He says he grabbed the tree and got some garland. Where do they want them? Lois says she’s so glad he asked.

The stewardess gives the spiel to prepare for landing, and Tracy buckles her seatbelt. She looks at her phone and says, damn you, Luke Spencer. I miss you.

Valentin says he doesn’t think Anna is in a position to tell him what Charlotte needs right now, and Anna says, she needs counseling. Charlotte was stalking her for months. That is not normal behavior. He says, she saw the letter from Victor. She knows Charlotte’s actions weren’t malicious. She says, maybe not, but they are unquestionably illegal, and he says, Charlotte thought she was protecting him. She thought Anna was a threat. Anna tells him that he’s not doing Charlotte any favors by making excuses for her. He’s enabling her. He says, she was manipulated by a master manipulator. Victor exploited her love for her father and need for a family. She thought Anna was dangerous. Then of course (🍷), when he released her file, and the world knew Anna had been acting as a double agent… She says, don’t throw that in her face, please, and he says he’s not, but she can’t refute it; it was true. Charlotte thought she was protecting him. Think about that. A teenage girl standing against a master spy. So they can say what they will about his daughter, but she’s not a coward. She did what she thought she had to do. Anna says, he’s proud of her? but he says he’s appalled at what she did, but he’s proud of her courage and determination. He’s sickened that Victor twisted her for his purposes. She says, he didn’t tell Charlotte to write the word murderer on her door or break into her hotel suite and trash her clothes and write a threatening message on her mirror. Charlotte came up with that all on her own.

Molly says she can’t believe this is actually going to happen, and TJ says, sometimes the universe finds a way. She says all she knows is, she’s grateful. This feels right. Kristina comes out with three filled champagne flutes, and says, it’s time the expectant parents celebrated up.

Cody, Olivia, and Lois all help with putting a fabulous garland on the staircase banister. Lois says she’s been meaning to ask Cody, why does he call Olivia Mama Q? He says, she’s Dante’s mother. What else would he call her? Olivia says, if Lois tells him zia, she’ll murder her where she’s standing. Cody asks, what’s a zia?

Violet says, they need tinsel and ornaments, and Chase says, before they get to the real decorating, he and Brook have an announcement to make. Violet asks if he can announce fast. They have to decorate. Elizabeth says, it might be important. Don’t rush them. Violet apologizes and tells them to take as much time as they need. Brook thanks her and says she thinks Chase should do the honors. Chase says, okay. Dad, Finn, Violet, Elizabeth, Brook has agreed to be his wife, and they’re getting married. Everybody is all, yay! and Brook and Chase kiss.

Kristina hands out the glasses and says, to the baby to come. No child will ever be more loved or more welcome. TJ says, hear, hear, and they clink glasses. Molly says, it’s ginger ale. Not that there would be anything wrong with drinking right now, and TJ asks if Kristina is jump starting a healthy new lifestyle or is this the only thing with bubbles she had in the fridge. Kristina says, both. She had a friend bring a really nice bottle of champagne over actually, but it didn’t last very long in this house. Maybe she should get an early start and indulge in all the caffeine and alcohol while she can. TJ says, they know she’s giving up a lot, but Kristina says, it’s well worth it. TJ says, to Molly, to Kristina, and to this… Kristina says, to this expanding family. They all say, cheers, and clink glasses.

Valentin says, it’s true. Victor never told Charlotte how to stalk Anna. He imagines she got that off the internet or some book. Anna says, he imagines? Did he question her about this? He says he hasn’t interrogated his teenage daughter, no. She’s been traumatized. She’s recovering from a gunshot wound. Anna says she’s aware, and he says, she needs time to heal. Anna says, she needs her father to stop making excuses for her. He’s not protecting her. He can’t keep blaming Victor for what happened. He says, Victor’s to blame, and she says, if Charlotte had been arrested for the crimes she committed, what was she going to plea? My dead grandpa made me do it? It doesn’t matter what Victor wrote to her. It doesn’t matter what lies he told her. Charlotte is responsible for her own actions, and he has to make her understand that. And he has to get her the help that she needs, before she does something irrevocable.

Everyone congratulates Chase and Brook, and Gregory says, Chase is a lucky man. Brook says she’s the lucky one, but Chase says, they both are. Gregory says he wishes them both a lifetime of love, and Violet asks if Chase gave Brook a ring. Chase says he did, and Brook says she kept it hidden as to not ruin the surprise. She takes it out of her pocket, and Chase asks if Violet wants to see him put it on her finger. Violet says, yes, please, and Chase takes the ring. Violet says, wait. He’s supposed to get down on one knee. Brook says, he did when he asked her to marry him, and Violet asks if he can’t get down on one knee again. She wants the complete picture. Finn says, him too, and Chase says, of course (🍷) he can. He does and puts the ring on Brook’s finger. They kiss and everyone applauds. Violet asks when Finn is going to give Aunt Elizabeth a ring, and Finn is like, uh… Elizabeth says, time to decorate the tree.

As they decorate the tree, Cody asks, what’s so bad about being called a zia? Olivia says, nothing… or everything, depending on your circumstances. He says he doesn’t get it, and Lois says, zia means auntie, which could refer to your mother or your father’s sister. Olivia says, or your sister-in-law, and Lois says, or it could be distant cousin or any female relation. But it could also be a term of affection. Olivia says, or someone, a woman, who you’re close with, but aren’t actually related to, and Lois says, but there is a generational aspect to it. It’s for somebody older. For example, you would never refer to her Brookie as zia. He says, but he could call her zia, and she says, no. Technically yes, but absolutely no, he cannot. She would prefer it if he’d continue to call her Lois. He says he totally understands, and Olivia says, this tree looks so beautiful. It’s so nice having Cody to help out. Cody says, it’s his pleasure, and Lois asks how he likes working for the Quartermaines. He says he really likes it. It’s the first place in a long time that feels like home.

Olivia thanks Cody and says, they couldn’t have done it without him. Lois says, he gets extra points for patience, and he says, it was a lot of fun. He learned a new word, although he’ll never call either of them zia. And it got him into the spirit of the season. He might grab a tree for the stables. He thanks them for a fun time, and leaves. Lois tells Olivia, you know what? She’s got to say, this looks a lot better than the auditorium at St. Finbar’s. They laugh and clink glasses.

Anna tells Valentin, Charlotte has to know what she did was wrong, and that she can’t solve her problems by breaking into people’s houses and writing threatening messages. He says he agrees. Charlotte needs limits, and she’ll get them. She needs counseling and she’ll get that too, but they have a big problem. Victor convinced Charlotte that Anna was dangerous, and Anna shot her. So in Charlotte’s mind, Victor was right. Anna chokes up and says she hopes he gets through to his daughter, and that he gets her to understand that Victor was never right about anything. She walks to the door, and he says, wait. She turns to him, and he says he’s sorry. She says, so is she, and leaves. When she gets outside, she cries.

Brook says, that is one gorgeous tree, and Chase says, it might be the best tree he’s ever seen. Elizabeth says, it certainly is lovely, and Violet says, Brook was right. When you make a wish on a Christmas tree, your wish comes true. Hers already did. Finn asks what she wished for, and she asks if it’s okay to tell. Brook says, absolutely, and Violet says, she wished for this to be the best Christmas ever and it is. Their tree is beautiful, Uncle Chase and Brook are getting married, and she has a present for all of them. Gregory asks, what kind of present? and she says, stay here. She’ll be right back. She winks at Chase and runs off. Gregory asks if Chase has any idea what this is, and Chase says, it could be beaded necklaces. Finn says, he’s kind of secretive. Is he sure he doesn’t have any idea what this present is? Chase says he can neither confirm nor deny, when Violet comes back with a guitar. She hands it to Chase and says she’s going to sing a song that she wrote herself, and Uncle Chase will accompany her. Chase plays, and Violet sings about, when there are no lights, I want to shine for you. She’s very good for one so young. They applaud and cheer.

Kristina asks, what happens next? and Molly says, they talk to their fertility specialist, let them know they have a surrogate and they’re ready to move forward. TJ says, once they have a more concrete timetable, they’ll get back to her about scheduling, but they’re hoping it will be soon. Kristina says, the sooner, the better. Now that they know what they’re doing, there’s no point in waiting around. TJ thanks her, and they hug. Molly says she’ll be grateful to Kristina forever, and they hug. Kristina says, it’s her great honor, and Molly and TJ leave. In the hallway, TJ says, this is really happening, and Molly says, they might just get their miracle after all. They hug, and inside, Kristina sends a text to Blaze: Want 2 talk I have big news.

Olivia says, they do good work, and Lois says, Sister Joanne Claire would be proud. Olivia says, they’ve got a lot of house to go, but these two rooms look beaut-tee-ful, and Lois says, they do. They hear the front door slam, and hear Tracy say, no. Olivia and Lois go to the foyer, where Tracy is walking through with her luggage carrier, saying, no, no, no, no. She tells them, this will not do. Not at all. Lois and Olivia look at each other.

On Monday, Curtis tells Marshall, if he gets his wish, he’s never going to ask for anything again; Josslyn tells Dex not to joke about this; Tracy says, she’s home in the nick of time; and Sonny says he’ll talk to Michael on Nina’s behalf, but she says, no.

💝 Revisiting Irene…

All about Marshall’s first love.

Who Is Irene Ashford on GENERAL HOSPITAL?

🔬 Livingston We Presume…

I thought I’d seen him around.

Yes, That’s Barry Livingston on GENERAL HOSPITAL!

🚗 Drive She Said…

When she’s not singing, she’s driving a Honda.

Yes, That’s GH’s Jacqueline Grace Lopez in the New Honda Commercial!

🥀 Goodbye To a Game Changer…

Farewell to a soap legend.

Remembering ONE LIFE TO LIVE Legend Ellen Holly, 1931-2023

💎 Shoots Own Foot…

If she knows it’s going to cause her angst, why does she keep talking?

Kyle Richards Talks Receiving “Legal Letter” From Kathy Hilton Over Show as She Opens Up About Family Drama and Feud in RHOBH Preview

🍊 Spilling On Shannon…

It wouldn’t surprise me.

RHOC: Gina Kirschenheiter Suggests Shannon Beador is Still Drinking After DUI & Has Drinking “Problem,” Talks Andy Cohen Feud & His Apology, Why She & Travis Aren’t Married, & If Vicki Should Return

💐 Exes With No Charm…

These people are too weird. Although I wish I’d been a fly on the wall at BravoCon.

Olivia Flowers Discusses Backstage Fight With Austen Kroll at BravoCon, His New Girlfriend, and Where They Stand, Plus Their Bahamas Trip and Last Hookup With Southern Charm Costar

🍹 Not So Hospitable…

I watched this. Coupled with her poking the bear on Southern Charm, I’m starting not to like Leva so much.

Boss Babe Leva Bonaparte Fires 2 Servers in ‘Southern Hospitality’ Premiere

🍸 All About That Pump…

I can’t wait. Chateau shenanigans…

Lisa Vanderpump Teases ‘Off the Hook’ New Show Vanderpump Villa

She’s basically pleading the fifth.

Lisa Vanderpump on Recent Rinna Meeting and Kyle Richards’ Weight Loss

Six degrees of LVP.

Ariana Madix Fans Slam Lisa Rinna for Chicago Role Shade: ‘Sit Down’

🐶 Festival Of Dogs…

Furbabies ready for the holiday.

Chag Sameach! 20 Adorable Hanukkah Dogs [PICTURES]
20 MORE Dogs Who Are Ready For Hanukkah [PICTURES]

You, too, can include your pup.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/celebrate-hanukkah-dog-220838396.html

🐧 Quotes of the Week

Get up. Bring your butter. – Heather Gay, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

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

Healing comes from taking responsibility: to realize that it is you – and no one else – that creates your thoughts, your feelings, and your actions. – Peter Shepherd

We can have peace if we let go of wanting to change the past and wanting to control the future. – Lester Levinson

The opportunity of a lifetime is to pick yourself. Quit waiting to get picked; quit waiting for someone to give you permission; quit waiting for someone to say you are officially qualified… and pick yourself. – Seth Godin (For those who were always picked last in gym class.)

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. – Anatole France

True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice. – Saint Francis of Assisi

You know what a gift card says? You do it. – Carl MacMillan (Reno Wilson), Mike & Molly

🤹🏽‍♀️ Jingling Only Partway…

Make a return trip on Monday really Tuesday for soap and what little the Med has to offer. Until then, stay safe, stay extending acts of kindness to those with no family, and stay taking people as they come, loving them for who they are, and not trying to make them into who you think they should be.