Tag Archives: Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Feb24

February 23, 2022 – Maxie’s Ordeal Finally Ends, No OC, Isaac’s Fave, Salty Talk, Reaction, Paternity, a Tease, Blank Slate, Sloth Fun & Mary

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna and Drew approach Felicia’s car, guns drawn. The car is empty, and Drew says, it looks like there’s an abandoned car with no damage. Maybe this car crashed, and the other one stopped to help? She says, or that one ran this one off the road, and he says, maybe Maxie’s running away from Peter.

On the embankment, Peter tells Maxie, he doesn’t have much time. Someone picked up his trail. Now climb back up here… Now. She tells him to hear her. She would rather die than go one more step with him. So go ahead, pull the trigger. But when he does, it’s the end of telling himself there’s one shred of goodness left in him, or that he can turn his life around. If he’s going to kill her because she doesn’t love him, admit he’s a monster. He says, she was supposed to save him. Instead, she abandoned him. This is all her fault. Felicia runs out of the woods behind Peter, and whacks him in the head with a tire iron. He tumbles down the embankment, the gun flying from his hand. Maxie goes down the stairs, and says, Peter? She picks up his gun, and tells him that she has it, but he doesn’t move. Felicia asks if he’s dead, but Maxie says she doesn’t know.

At the hospital, Austin asks if they’ve heard anything about Maxie, but Britt says, nothing yet. He says, if it ends up Maxie gets hurt because of something he’s done, he’s never going to be able to live with himself. Brook walks up with Chase, and she says, he thinks this is his fault? She should have known. What did he do now?

Sonny goes into Charlie’s, and sits at the bar. Bartender Johnny says he hates to disappoint, but Phyllis isn’t here. Sonny says he’s sorry to miss Phyllis, but he’s not here for her. He’s here for that. He points to the scotch, and says, scotch, single-malt, make it a double.

Sasha sits in Kelly’s, working, and Nina runs into Lucy outside. Lucy fans herself (with an actual fan) and says, isn’t this warm day absolutely glorious? They could have the meeting outside if they wanted to. Nina says she thinks that might be pushing it, but it’s nice not to have a coat and gloves. She suggests they go inside, saying, maybe they have air conditioning. Lucy grabs Nina’s arm, and says she really wants to talk to Nina first. Nina asks if they can talk inside; Sasha’s waiting. Lucy says, Sasha’s what she wants to talk about.

Mac is on the phone, when Robert walks into his room. Robert asks who he’s talking to, and Mac says he’s trying to reach Felicia. He should have known better than to think she’d be okay with standing on the sidelines, when Maxie’s missing with Peter. Come on, Felicia, pick up.

Felicia asks if Peter is breathing, but Maxie says she can’t tell. Felicia comes down the stairs, and takes Peter’s gun from Maxie. Anna calls to Maxie, and asks if she’s all right. She asks Felicia what she’s doing here, and Drew runs down to check Peter’s pulse. Drew says, he’s still alive, and Anna asks what Felicia is doing here. Drew says, he’s barely breathing, and Peter groans. Anna, Felicia, and Drew keep their guns on him.

Brando says, it’s good to see Sonny, and sits next to him. Sonny says, is it? and Brando asks if everything is okay. Sonny asks if Brando wants to join him in a drink, and Brando says, okay. Sonny says he was going to call Brando, but then lost track of time, but Brando says Sonny doesn’t have to check in. After everything that went down with Liam, it’s about as well as can be expected. Sonny doesn’t need to keep tabs on him. Sonny says Brando isn’t an obligation. He’s family, and family takes care of each other when times are tough. They remind you that you’re not alone. Brando says, in that case, this family thing’s a two-way street. If Sonny ever needs to talk… Sonny says he had a bad day, but Brando has a lot on his plate; losing Liam, and Sasha pulling away from him. Brando says he did make a little progress on that front. He and Sasha actually talked. Now he’s hopeful they’ll still have a future together.

A woman comes up to Sasha’s table, and says she hasn’t seen Sasha in ages. Sasha says, hi, Sienna. She tells Sienna hat she’s really been busy with work, and Sienna says, busy, huh? If Sasha needs anything… Sasha says, no thanks; she doesn’t do that anymore. Sienna says, no worries, but if Sasha ever needs a little pick-me-up to help her with all that work, Sasha’s got her number. Sasha thanks her, and Sienna goes to the counter.

Nina says, what’s wrong with Sasha? Other than the obvious, she’s grieving over the loss of her baby. Lucy says, yeah, that’s just it. This meeting she called. It’s after hours, and Sasha called her yesterday and made her pitch. She told Sasha it was really unnecessary. They can’t move ahead with the IPO until Maxie is found, so there’s really nothing new to discuss. Except maybe she should be cuddling up to Martin right now, instead of discussing new marketing strategy. Nina says, this is what she was afraid of. Sasha throwing herself into work so she doesn’t drown in grief over losing Liam.

Brook says, after everything she and Maxie did to keep Maxie’s daughter safe, Austin blows it by buddying up to Victor Cassadine? Austin says, he didn’t buddy up. He’s not buddies with that guy, and Brook has no right to judge him after everything she’s done. She lies so much, he’s surprised she and Victor aren’t buddies and BFFs. Chase suggests taking it down a notch, and Britt agrees. They’re all stressed and worried about Maxie. The two of them sniping at each other doesn’t help. Brook says, Britt’s right. Now is not the time. Austin agrees, and says, the only thing that matters is Maxie getting home safe.

Drew says, if Peter doesn’t get medical attention soon, he’s not going to make it. He realizes it’s not going to be a great loss; he’s just saying. Anna says she’ll take care of it, and steps away. Peter says, Maxie… and Drew says, you, shut up, and steps in front of the women. He tells Peter, shut up and stay still. They’re calling him an ambulance, believe it or not. Peter croaks out, Maxie, please wait.

Sonny raises his glass, and says, to things getting better for Brando. Brando clinks his beer bottle against Sonny’s glass, and thanks him. Sonny says, he knows what it’s like to lose a child, but at least Brando has Sasha to lean on. Brando says he’s trying to, but like he said, he wants to be there for Sonny too. He asks if this is about Carly, and Sonny says, this? indicating his glass. He hasn’t had a great day. He was with Carly the last part of the day, with her attorney and his attorney to hammer out a deal. They’re getting a divorce. He doesn’t want it; she wants it. She wants to cut her losses. The only thing she wants from the marriage is the house by the lake, and joint custody of Donna. He’s going to spend time with Avery at the penthouse, so they’re going to see less of each other, and Avery, all because their dad messed up. Brando says, they know Sonny loves them, and Sonny asks how Brando knows that. Brando says he’s seen Sonny with them; it’s pretty obvious. Sonny says, you should never assume the person you love knows how you feel, and drains his glass. He says, like Brando and Sasha. He’s glad they talked. What’s next? When is Brando going to see her again? Brando says, they hadn’t really talked about anything, and Sonny turns to him with a smile, and says, Brando has to change that. They’re making progress, and Brando has to show her how much he loves her.

Nina and Lucy sit with Sasha, and Nina says, she’s intrigued. What was so urgent, it couldn’t wait until tomorrow? Sasha says she knows they’re in a holding pattern with the IPO, but they have to be ready to hit the ground running once Maxie is back. Nina says, Sasha… but Sasha barrels on, saying, she has some ideas, but they’re more of a jumping off point. She hands them some folders.

Chase and Brook come into Mac’s room with Louise/Bailey, and Brook asks if anyone is up for a visit. Chase says, they tried driving her around to get her to sleep, but no dice, so they brought her here for a visit. Mac says he’s always thrilled to see his granddaughter, and introduces Robert to his great-niece Louise. Brook says, for right now, she responds to Bailey. They’re trying to call her Louise from time to time. (Here’s a suggestion. How about calling her Bailey/Louise for a while?) Robert says, look at that face; she looks just like Maxie. Brook says, she does, doesn’t she? and Chase says, speaking of which, have they heard any news? Mac says, not yet, and Brook asks, where’s Felicia? Mac says, that’s a very good question.

Peter whimpers Maxie’s name, and she asks if he’s wanting her sympathy. She strides over to him, saying, five minutes ago, he tried to kill her. All he’s done is leave a trail of destruction and broken lives. Liesl paid for his crimes; Drew lost two years of his life. Jason and Franco are dead thanks to him. It’s his turn now, and he deserves it. Peter says, please believe him. He never wanted this to happen. Drew says, he’s so wrong. Maxie is so far out of his reach; so is his child. He doesn’t get it. He survived this, and he’s going to spend the rest of his life in a cell, which Drew has to admit he finds kind of fitting. He knows Peter will have it so much better than he and Jason did, when they were in captivity, but they knew they were innocent. They had lives to come back to. Peter has nothing. He did it to himself. There’s nobody left to care about him. Nobody. Anna comes back, and says, medics are on the way, and asks if everybody is all right. Drew says, yeah, and she tells him to lead Felicia and Maxie up to the road. Felicia asks if she’s in trouble, but Anna says, no; they’ll sort it out. It was self-defense. She was saving her daughter’s life. Peter whimpers to Maxie that he’s scared, but Maxie says she’s leaving. She, Felicia, and Drew go up the stairs, and Peter says, Maxie, please. They leave, and Anna stays behind. Peter says, it’s just you and me, and Anna says, yeah. Just the two of us.

Lucy says she’s impressed, and Nina says, her too. Obviously, Sasha has been putting in a lot of hours and research. Lucy’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Marty, and asks if they’ll excusez-moi. She says she’ll be right back, and leaves. Nina says she had no idea Sasha knew so much about IPOs, but Sasha says she didn’t until recently. It’s amazing how much information you can get online. Nina says she hasn’t seen Brando around much lately. How’s he doing? Sasha says, she’s been avoiding him… but not anymore. They had a good talk. Even though seeing Brando makes her think about Liam, she knows Brando needs her, and she wants to be there for him. She loves Brando, and doesn’t want to lose him too.

Brando tells Sonny that he and Sasha grieve differently, and he doesn’t want to push her into something she’s not ready for. Sonny says he doesn’t want Brando to push her, but he has to let her know he wants to get together. It’s not good to be alone. Brando says, Sasha told him that she’s been avoiding him because she can’t look at him without being reminded of Liam. Sonny says, they need a change of scenery. Brando’s got to take her out of town, someplace romantic, and let her know how great they are together. He’s got a place in Niagara Falls; he’ll hook Brando up. Brando says, he likes the sound of that, but Sasha might not be feeling romantic. Sonny says, if Brando thinks she’s slipping away, he has to keep her close, because time apart is not good for anyone. Brando can trust him on that.

Peter asks if Anna is staying with him to gloat, but she says he’s her responsibility. She protected him when she believed that he could change. He says she’s always been so soft-hearted, and she says she does try to find the good in people – she crouches down next to him – even though some people don’t have any good in them. They embrace their evil tendencies until it controls them. He’s so like his father. Obsessed, entitled, convinced that he can just take whatever he wants. While he’s still alive, Maxie and Louise can never truly feel safe. He says she didn’t call the ambulance, did she? and she says, no, there’s no ambulance coming. She did, however, call the WSB to tell them that he’d been apprehended. She made it clear that the location wasn’t secure, and they shouldn’t approach. He says, so, a killer in the end, but she says, it depends on your perspective. He says, so now what? She walks away and leaves him to die? She says, no one deserves to die alone, not even him. She does hope wherever he winds up, he finds some measure of peace. He lifts his hand as much as he can, and she takes it. He breathes his last, and she cries a little, and says she’s sorry. She closes his eyes, and checks his pulse. She cries a little more, and says, it’s over. Goodbye, Peter. She goes up the stairs, and Peter lies in the snow.

Brook asks Chase, can you believe it? All that driving around, and she’s still awake. Mac’s phone rings, and he says, it’s Felicia. He asks if she’s all right, and she says she’s fine, and much more important, she found Maxie. She’s fine. He says, thank God, and Brook says, what does that mean? Did she find Maxie? Mac says he’s going to put Felicia on speaker. Brook’s here and so is Robert. Can she repeat what she just said? Felicia says, she found Maxie, and they’re both fine. Someone wants to say hello. She gives the phone to Maxie, who asks, how’s Louise? Mac says, she’s three feet away from him in her stroller. He holds out the phone, and says, look, Brook and Chase are here. Brook says she’s so glad Maxie is okay, and Chase says, her daughter is safe and sound, and she’s going to be thrilled to see her. Robert says, this is great news, but he has to ask the big question. What happened to Peter? Chase says, please don’t tell him Peter got away again, but Maxie says, for once, Peter did not get away. Mac asks what that means, and Maxie says, Peter was about to shoot her, and mom attacked him with a tire iron. Mac says, that bastard didn’t hurt her, but she says she’s fine. Anna is with him. She called an ambulance and they’re waiting to go to the hospital. Robert says, she means he’s still alive? and Maxie says, for now. He’s badly injured, and might not make it.

Sonny looks at Carly’s name in his phone contacts, and says, bad idea. He tells Johnny, another one, and Johnny says, got it.

Brando comes into Kelly’s, and approaches Sasha’s table. He says, sorry to interrupt. He sees they’re having a work meeting. Nina says, Sasha wanted to talk about some issues tonight, and Sasha says, they were just wrapping things up. Lucy says, we were? We were… just wrapping things up. Good to see him. What a good meeting; they got a lot done, didn’t they? Okay, ta. She leaves, and Nina says she’s going too. She tells Sasha to call if she needs to talk, and says, it’s nice to see Brando. She leaves, and he sits down. He says he can really clear a room, and Sasha says she’s happy to see him. He says, good. It gives him some hope… that she’ll agree to run away with him.

Drew says Felicia and Maxie have to take him through what happened. How did they find each other? Maxie says, it’s all thanks to her mom. She remembered a place Peter loved, a place he was sent in his summers away from boarding school. She caught a plane to Europe to check it out. Felicia says, meanwhile, Maxie ran away from Peter. She made it to the road and flagged down a car. Maxie says she was obviously surprised to find the driver was her mom, and Felicia says, they headed to the Autobahn, when suddenly she saw headlights in the rearview mirror. They were getting closer and closer. Drew says, Peter, and Felicia says, he ran her car off the road. Maxie says she thought her mom was hurt, and wanted to lead Peter away from her, so she went to the embankment. Felicia says, she wasn’t hurt. She just had the wind knocked out of her from the airbag. But once she caught her breath, she grabbed a tire iron from the trunk. She went down to the embankment, heard gunfire, and there was Peter, ready to shoot her daughter, and she did not hesitate for one second. She swung that tire iron as hard as she could. She doesn’t think she’s ever hit anything as hard in her entire life. Peter went down the embankment, and Drew knows the rest. Anna comes out of the woods, and asks if everything is all right. Maxie says, the ambulance hasn’t gotten here yet. What’s going on with Peter? Anna puts her hands on Maxie’s shoulders, and says, Peter is dead. Maxie asks if she’s sure, and Anna says she watched him take his last breath. She holds Maxie, and I wonder if Peter is going to be like Michael Myers and disappear.

Brook tells Britt, Austin, and Obrecht, good news. They found Maxie; they’re all safe. Austin says, that’s great, and Brook says, it sounds like Peter put Maxie through quite the ordeal, but the most important thing is, she’s not hurt. Britt asks, what about Peter? Is he in custody? Chase joins them, and says, after Brook left, they got word. Peter August is dead. Britt asks if he’s sure; they’ve heard this before. He says, Anna confirmed it to Mac, and Brook says, thank God it’s over. Obrecht says, this calls for a celebration. Does Britt have any libations in her office? Britt says, the bottom left in the credenza, and Obrecht jets.

Sasha asks Brando, run away together; what does that mean? He says, Sonny knows a place in Niagara Falls, and offered it to them if they wanted to get away for a few days. Just the two of them. If that’s too much, they could maybe get a B&B in Beecher’s Corners. They don’t have to talk about Liam. He just misses them, and was hoping they could reconnect, going someplace new where they don’t have any memories. They could just focus on the here now, rather than the past. She says, let’s do it, and he says, that’s fantastic. Which option interests her most, the grand majesty of Niagara Falls, or a cozy B&B? She asks if he has a preference, but he says he’s thrilled either way. She spaces out for a moment, and he says, Sasha? She says, let’s go to Niagara Falls.

Sonny makes a call, and gets Nina’s voicemail. He says, it’s me. Does that mean Sonny or Mike? Sonny’s not doing too good these days, so Mike might be a better option for her. He knows how much she loves Mike. Damn. He’s being stupid right now. It’s him, good or bad, and it’s not really good right now. He’s at Charlie’s. Where is she? He just needs to talk to somebody, and they always had nice talks. He just wants to say… He looks at the phone, and says he doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing.

On the phone, Robert says, she was there at the end, right? and Anna says she did what she had to do. He says, that guy’s plagued this town for far too long, and she says she’s got to go. She’s got to call Valentin and break the news to him. Robert says, if she really must. Obrecht comes by with a bottle and some cups, and he asks what she wants. She says he must have heard, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and he says, they both despise Peter. She asks if he wants to join her celebration, and he takes a cup.

Austin says, Britt shared her feelings about Peter with him, all the things he’s done, but he’s still her brother. So, checking in. Is she doing okay? She says, Peter made her life hell, just like he did everyone else, and honestly, what she’s feeling most is relief. Relief in knowing her father’s demented bloodline dies with Peter. He says, no kids for her then, huh?

Felicia asks if she can talk to Anna for a second. She knows Anna well enough to recognize when she’s holding something back. Anna says, she didn’t call the ambulance. She needed to know he was dead. It’s unlikely he wouldn’t have survived even if they got here in time, but she hopes Felicia understands. Felicia says she hopes Anna knows that she 100% thinks she did the right thing. Anna says she doesn’t know if it was right, but it was necessary. Felicia says, at one point, Anna cared about Peter; they all did. Does she regret his death now? Anna says, what she thinks she regrets is that she couldn’t figure out a way to stop him sooner. She thinks the Peter she cared for, that at one time she believed was her son, never really existed. Felicia says, he hurt too many people, and too many people are dead because of him. But now, because of Anna – Anna says, us – this nightmare is finally over.

Chase gets a bag of chips from the vending machine, and gives them to Brook. She thanks him, and says she’s so relieved Maxie is okay, she didn’t realize she hadn’t eaten all day. She’s starving. She tells him to take some; he’s probably hungry too. They eat, and he says, it’s good seeing her this happy. She says she’s ecstatic. Peter’s finally gone. Maxie can finally tell the whole world Bailey is her daughter. He says, it’s going to be hard for her to let Bailey go, and she says, when she gave Bailey to Felicia, she was a wreck. It’s going to be hard not to see that beautiful little face every day, but that was the whole point, to keep Bailey safe. Now Maxie can raise her daughter without being concerned Peter will take her away. How can she not be happy about that? He says, part of the reason this whole scheme worked is that people thought the worst of Brook; that she’d lie about her baby’s paternity to get her stock back. He can’t wait for people to know the truth, and see what a noble gesture it really was. She asks what that look is for, and he says, she’s really incredible. She says, he had a lot to do with this scheme too, and he says he knows. They made a good team. He kisses her, and she drops the chips.

Anna says, Dante’s already at the airport, so they can meet him there, and Felicia says, that’s it? There isn’t going to be any police investigation? Anna says, the Bureau has agreed to be a liaison with the Swiss authorities, so they can give their statements on the plane. Maxie says, they’re going home? It’s really over? Anna says, she knows in the past, Peter has survived and haunted them again, but he didn’t make it this time. So let’s go. The cars are here and ready to take them to the airport. Maxie says, when she and Brook made this plan, to hide Louise in plain sight, she could only imagine this moment. She can’t believe this is happening. She cries happy tears, and says, they’re finally safe. Felicia says, she can bring Louise home, and she can finally meet Georgie and James. They hug, and Maxie says she can’t believe this is happening. Felicia mouths thank you to Anna, and Anna smiles at Drew.

Robert says, so Henrik Faison is finally dead, and Mac says, and Felicia’s the one who took him out. Robert says, because he was trying to shoot Maxie, and Mac says, she’d do anything to protect her daughter. Robert says, still. He didn’t see this one coming. Mac says, him either, and tells Louise, you know what means? Her mom will be home soon.

Britt says, kids aren’t part of her future, and Austin says, you never know. She says she’s pretty sure, and tells him, he knows what this means. Maxie might be back in Port Charles tomorrow. He says, looks that way, and she says, the threat of Peter is finally over. He says, Maxie can finally be a mother to Louise, and Britt says, Maxie can go back to her life. He says he’s not sure what she means, and she says, disingenuous is not a good look for him. What’s going to happen when he sees Maxie again?

Brook says, that’s one way to celebrate good news, and Chase says, in a good way, right? She says, look at the mess she made, and starts picking up the chips. He says, let him help, and she says, it’s been quite the day. He says, they should probably get Bailey home, and she says, she’s glad Maxie’s going to be okay. Still, it’s going to be their last night as Bailey’s parents.

Brando and Sasha leave Kelly’s, and he says he’s so glad Sonny suggested Niagara Falls. It’s going to be really good for them to get away; just him and her. She kisses him, and says, she’s never been; it’s supposed to be spectacular. He asks her to text him when she gets home so he knows she’s safe. She says she will, and he leaves. She debates internally for a millisecond, and goes back inside Kelly’s. She sits next to Sienna at the counter, and Sienna says, she thought Sasha left. Sasha says, she changed her mind about what Sienna offered earlier. She definitely needs something to get her through the next few days.

Sonny gets off the barstool, and Johnny asks if he can call Sonny a car, but Sonny says he’s fine. Johnny goes back to work, and Sonny takes out his keys. He says, it’s not that far; he can drive. Nina comes in, and he smiles at her.

Tomorrow, Nina tells Sonny, they have to stop meeting like this; Maxie says it’s her turn to do something for Brook; Anna tells Robert, it’s not something she’s proud of; and Carly asks if Ava really wants to test the flavor of the month against her.

❗️ Surprise! No new RHOC tonight. They had last week’s episodes with bonus scenes, or what I call a cheap show. I definitely felt ripped off, since I’d just seen all that. The only thing of any value was Emily talking about her sister, since I didn’t know she had one.

🛥 On Watch What Happens Live, Isaac Mizrahi said Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip was the best show he’d ever watched in his life. Clearly, he needs a Netflix subscription.

🧂 Extra Salt…

The RHOSL recap.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City Season 2 Finale Recap: The Land Of Make-Believe Friendship

The denial.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/22/jennie-nguyen-denies-throwing-glass-at-mary-cosby-on-rhoslc-finale/

The blame game.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/18/lisa-barlow-blames-producers-for-rhoslc-rant-in-reunion-teaser/

https://www.eonline.com/news/1320381/lisa-barlow-storms-off-set-after-slamming-rhoslc-producers-in-season-2-reunion-trailer

Maybe she can get time served for being on the show.

https://www.distractify.com/p/jen-shah-jail-time

🍤 Warning, Warning…

I remember Bethenny having a severe fish allergy. She gives some simple, but good advice here.

https://people.com/health/bethenny-frankel-had-medical-emergency-accidentally-eating-fish/

🍼 He Manned Up…

Here was a boatmance that never should have happened.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/21/below-deck-sailing-yacht-gary-and-daisy-address-jean-lucs-paternity/

⛵️ Can’t See It…

Kate and Ben had a love/hate relationship too, but them I can see. I don’t know what to make of these two.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/21/below-deck-sailing-yacht-stars-daisy-gary-king-tease-romance/

💃🏽 Not Much To Know…

An article on DWTS loaded with no information whatsoever.

https://parade.com/1339394/mikebloom/dancing-with-the-stars-2022-season-31/

🦥 On a Slow Note…

Something to make you smile.

https://slothconservation.org/10-incredible-facts-about-the-sloth/

🚪 Sneaking Out the Back Door…

I guess it must be President’s Week, since Bravo has nothing new tomorrow either. Although an episode of Galley Talk (always fun!) can be seen at 8 pm, followed by America’s Got Talent: Extreme, whatever the hell that is. I can only imagine. If you’re so inclined, you can join me tomorrow for soap and whatever the hell I can dig up. Until then, stay safe, stay knowing the difference between being honest and being mean, and stay never assuming the person you love knows how you feel.

Feb19

February 18, 2022 – Lots Of Arrivals In Switzerland, Star Scare, Vet Return, Terry’s Date, Pick Up, Last One, Again, Wife Check, Full-Blown, Engaged, New Deck, Meme This, Half Presidential Quotes & Good

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Visiting at Spring Ridge, Laura hugs Spencer, and says he doesn’t look too much worse for the wear. He asks her to please not say prison is agreeing with him, and she says, no, never, but it doesn’t seem to be hurting him too much either. He says, there’s a heatwave going on and no AC in his cell. Maybe as mayor, she could pull some strings. She says, it’s a state level issue, but she’ll do what she can. How is he doing? He says, as much as he’d like to spin some awful tale of woe, other than being bored and restless, he’s doing fine. His Uncle Victor is looking out for him. She says, that’s what she’s afraid of.

At the MetroCourt, Ava asks if it’s hot in here or it’s her, and Nikolas says, it’s definitely her. She tells him, focus. They have a lot to do before their vow renewal. Even a small ceremony needs planning. He says, the vows aren’t going to write themselves, but she says she’s not writing any. He asks if she’s going to wing it, and she says she’s just going to be spontaneous. She’s going to say what’s in her heart at the moment. Why? Is he planning a big speech about love, obsession, and eternity? He tells her, he wouldn’t say that, and she says she can’t wait. Even at his most Cassadine-esque, it won’t be too much over-the-top. He says he wants it to be poetic, and she says, like, there once was a girl named Jerome, who made Spoon Island her home. He laughs, and says, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach. I love thee with breath and smiles, tears and with all my life, and if… Victor walks up, and says, and if God chooses, I shall love thee better after death.

Austin tells Obrecht, what Spinelli says, is the bug they planted on Victor didn’t malfunction. She says she knew it, and he asks if she thinks Victor just found the bug and destroyed it. She says, at least it worked long enough for them to overhear his plans for Drew Cain, and he says, but they’re still no closer to finding out where Peter took Maxie. Sam says, maybe they’re not, but Drew is, and he brought back-up.

WSB Field Office – Swiss/Austrian Border. Agent Malone lets Anna, Dante, and Drew into the office, and says, their resources are at Anna’s disposal. Malone wants to assure them that apprehending Peter August, aka Henrik Faison, is their highest priority. Anna thanks her and Agent Kreger, and reminds her that Drew and Dante have full clearance. Malone says, it’s good to see Dante is recovering from his ordeal in Ankara, and he says, she knows about that too, huh? She says, of course (), and tells Drew, and knowledge he has from his captivity with Peter would be of great use to them. Drew says, anything he can do to help, of course (🍷). Anna says, Malone interviewed the woman who found Maxie’s SOS on the mirror in the bathroom? and Malone says, yes. She was able to identify the photo of the hostage. Surveillance video captured an image of the car with two passengers, and they also have a license plate. Anna says, that’s great, and thanks her. She tells Dante and Drew, with any luck, they’re one step closer to finding Maxie.

On a plane, Felicia flashes back to Anna explaining why she doesn’t want Felicia coming along. She looks at car rentals on her tablet.

Maxie and Peter walk into a house, and Maxie says she gets why he felt safe here when he was a boy. This house is like one big architectural hug. He says, aptly put. He does love it here, out in the middle of nowhere, and since no one cared about him or his childhood, no one will ever associate him with this place, which makes it the perfect refuge. No one will ever find them here.

Spencer gives Laura some coffee, and she tells him that she gave Trina his gift. He asks if she liked it, and Laura says, she loved it. He has very good taste in friends. Trina is a lovely young lady. He agrees, and says, Trina is awesome, but if Laura can trust his judgement about his friends, can she trust his judgement about Uncle Victor? She says, Trina’s a very good person. His Uncle Victor, on the other hand… He says, she has a low opinion of him? and she says, his Uncle Victor is responsible for countless abductions and deaths, and let them not forget that he, and his brothers, and his father had a plan to take over the world by using that giant diamond, the Ice Princess, to mess with the weather patterns to freeze the world. He says, all he knows is, if it hadn’t been for Uncle Victor, he would be in Pentenville. She says, if he can find the good in Victor, why can’t he find the good in his own father?

Victor says, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the way she could turn passion into poetry is unparalleled. Ava says he surprises her. She thought he’d be more of a Sophocles fan. Victor says, he is – he brings a chair over to the table – but Sophocles couldn’t write a love story to save his life. Whereas he’s an incurable romantic. One of his hobbies is collecting romantic poetry; first editions, original letters. Actually, did they know – he sits down – that even today, if you were to acquire a genuine firsthand epistle, you could find a lock of the owners’ hair within? Ava says, the better to clone them with, and he says, sharp as a briar this one. Nikolas married well, but Ava’s assumptions of him are a little outdated. The most valuable lesson he learned as head of the WSB, was authoritarianism leads to admin. Not as much fun. Nikolas says, what a relief, and Victor says, even though he no longer wishes to control the world, he’s determined to save it. Preferably, one life at a time. Nikolas says, starting with his former co-conspirator, Peter August? and Victor says, Peter betrayed him in Greece. Why on earth would Victor want to help him? Nikolas says, so he could escape the law, and Ava says, good riddance. Everybody wants him dead, gone forever will suffice. Nikolas says, too bad he had to take Maxie with him, but Victor wouldn’t know anything about that, would he?

At the hospital, Sam tells Austin, Dante and Drew are with Anna in Zurich. They have a lead on Peter. Austin says, if they find Peter, they find Maxie, and Sam says, hopefully. Obrecht says, don’t assume it will be that easy. Despite Anna’s effort to apprehend him, Peter has slipped through her grasp at every turn. Not to mention the possibility that Drew might still be under Peter’s influence. Nein. If there’s any hope of catching and killing Peter, she needs to go to Zurich herself. Coming down the stairs, Britt says, no, she doesn’t. Obrecht says, as if Britt could stop her, and Britt says, by going after a homicidal fugitive, Obrecht is endangering herself and others. Involuntary commitment to the psyche ward for 72 hours. Boom. Obrecht says, Britt would abuse her power that way? and Britt says, to protect her from Peter and herself? Yes, she would. Obrecht says she’s impressed by Britt’s willingness to pretzel the rules, and touched by her concern, and yet, she’s still going. Britt says, try it, and she’ll harpoon Obrecht with a spear gun – again.

Malone says, the suspect was last tracked going into the Zurich mountains. Unfortunately, there are so many winding roads there, it’s difficult to search. Drew wonders if he could have headed back to the Audubon and to the border, but Anna says, the guard there would catch them. Dante says, they could ditch the car and find another one, or probably hike, and Malone says, unfortunately, it’s very possible for them to cross the border to France on foot since Switzerland is such a small country. Drew says, in other words, they’re running out of bread crumbs.

Peter says, Maxie will find it’s quiet here. It’s peaceful, and this place is equipped with everything they’d ever want. They can live here together peacefully and comfortably, without ever having to see anyone, except the caretaker. She asks if he really believes it’s possible to disappear, and he says, this property’s private; it’s isolated. None of their friends, family, or colleagues have any idea about it. And if he’s wrong, he has an escape plan all set.

Victor says he washed his hands of Peter back in Crete, but let’s not waste time on him. Not when they’re planning a family celebration. Ava says, actually, she and Nikolas decided to keep their vow renewal a very private affair. They won’t need anybody but the two of them. Victor hopes they change their mind, especially as he’s already picked out the perfect gift. Nikolas says, thanks, but no thanks, and Ava says she’s not one to turn down a Fabergé egg. Nikolas says, even if it’s stolen? and she says, depends where from. Victor says, actually, he was thinking of something a lot more valuable, and Nikolas says, such as? Victor says, a reunion between Nikolas and his son.

Spencer tells Laura, when he thinks about how close he and Nikolas were when he was a kid… What happened to that guy? She says she knows he feels like his father abandoned him, and he says, he pretended he was dead. It didn’t only feel like his father abandoned him, he did abandon him. She says, okay, but Spencer’s punished him for that, many times. Both he and Ava. He says he hates Ava. He knows she probably finds that a strong word, but it’s not. And as angry as he is at Ava for breaking her promise to him, and letting Valentin off the hook, his father did far worse. She says, his father never did anything as bad as Victor; never. He says, his dad was the reason Britt was a fugitive for years. He married Hayden, then turned against her. One by one, his dad has systematically removed the people Spencer cares about from his life, and who does he keep? Ava. And sure, Uncle Victor may be far from perfect… She asks if he heard the part about world domination, and Spencer says, at least he puts his family first. She says, a lot of evil has been done in the name of the family, and he says, he feels safe in here, knowing Victor Cassadine has his back. She looks at Samuel, and says she should go. Spencer says he understands; she has a city to run. She says, just remember, his father told him that he’s not alone, and Spencer said when he came out, he’d be willing to… He tells her, he said maybe, and she says, that’s a start. She tells him she loves him, and leaves.

Obrecht tells Britt, this is no time to stand on the sidelines; Maxie’s life is at stake. Sam says, even if Obrecht was able to gain access to a private jet, Zurich is at least eight and a half hours away. Who knows where Peter and Maxie will be by then? Austin says, Sam is in touch with Dante, right? but she says, it’s not like he keeps her posted on his every move. Austin asks, isn’t somebody keeping tabs on Victor? and Obrecht says he’s just grasping at straws, but Britt says, if Victor’s involved, Obrecht needs to tell them what she knows. Austin says, it seemed like a good idea at the time, and Britt asks what he did. He says, planted a bug on Victor Cassadine.

Anna says, Maxie left one earring with Louise when she and Peter dropped her at the firehouse, and the other one she left where she wrote her plea for help on the mirror in the restroom. So obviously, she’s actively trying to leave a trail for them, but unfortunately, point A and point B are two different continents and an ocean apart. Dante says, it really is amazing Peter didn’t find that message in the restroom, and Drew says, Maxie’s trail has led them as far as it can. They have to start thinking like Peter. Anna says, he’s right. For Peter, the mountains are any number of choices where he can hide.

Maxie says, so this place is difficult to find, but easy to leave? and Peter tells her, let’s just say he always finds his way out, and if they ever need it, it’s a short trip to the Audubon and over the borders. She asks, which border? Please say Italy or France. He says, this place was once a sanctuary to him; now it’s their refuge. In time, he hopes she’ll begin to see it as their home. He can see it now; her and him, and their little… She says, what? Why is he looking at her like that? He asks, what happened to her earrings? I say, maybe he is a keeper. What guy notices whether you’re wearing earrings or not?

Nikolas says, if Victor really wants to heal the rift between him and his son, he’ll respect their boundaries, and leave them to heal on their own. Victor says he’s been doing that for some time, and hasn’t noticed a lot of progress. Ever since that poor boy got back to Port Charles, he’s been bounced from place to place. Nikolas says, Spencer’s made his own choices, and Victor says, yes, he has, there’s no denying that. But one choice he didn’t make is his current surroundings in prison. Ava says, he did though. It’s called consequences. Victor asks if she really wants to cast herself as the wicked stepmother, locking the mischievous little prince up in the tower, and she says she gave that little prince every opportunity to make amends, and he has been unrepentant. Victor says, so this is how she intends to retaliate; denying him a place in their renewal celebration, a place in their lives? That’s what she wants for her stepson, to keep him looking in on his own family from afar? Come on. If Nikolas won’t listen to him, maybe he’ll listen to her. Laura approaches the table, and says, her son doesn’t need Victor’s help. Neither does Spencer. Nikolas asks how she can be so sure, and she says she’s just come from Spring Ridge. Victor gets up and asks her to sit, but she says she’s fine. Nikolas asks how Spencer is doing, and she says, better than anyone could have imagined because someone is looking out for him on the inside. Nikolas asks why he’s not surprised, and Ava says, an inmate, a guard, what? Laura says, at least one guard, and asks if Victor has anything to add. He says, if he’s taken steps to insure his great-nephew’s safety, then he can’t see any harm in that. He’s going to leave them to their lunch. Perhaps the ladies can talk some reason into Nikolas where he can’t, for Spencer’s sake. He leaves, and Laura says, yuk. She thought he’d never leave. She sits down, and Ava tells them, she hates to be the one to say it, but she thinks Uncle Victor has a point.

Austin tells Britt, on paper, the plan made a lot of sense. He threatened Victor, and her mom swooped in to his rescue, and planted a bug on his lapel. Britt asks if it worked, and Obrecht says, it did. They were able to overhear an entire conversation he had with a Yohan, certainly a henchman of some sort. Sam asks what they said, and Austin tells her,  Victor wants to find Peter as much as they do. Britt asks if he gave them a clue or lead, or something that could tell them where Peter’s taken Maxie, but he says, no; the bug was destroyed. Sam says, great. Victor knows they’re onto him. Britt asks if it occurred to either of them, that instead of Victor leading them to Peter and Maxie, they may have just tipped him off? Obrecht says, of course (🍷), and Britt says, of course (🍷) what? Obrecht says, isn’t it obvious?

Dante asks, what if Peter is just hiding in plain sight, playing tourist? and Malone says, there are plenty of places the suspect and hostage could hole up. Drew says, how about places where people still expect privacy? Where no one will notice if they stay in. Malone says, they have plenty of tourist towns with attractions, and Dante says, offbeat attractions? She says, there are plenty; museums and nature trails. There’s even an old salt mine that’s now a museum and boutique. Anna says, salt mine? Maybe Peter is telling them where he’s going in his own words.

Felicia looks at Zurich on her tablet, and says, think. What was that place called? She remembers talking to Peter, and saying, she hopes Maxie can forgive her for not making the wedding. He says, they both understand that her great-aunt is very ill, and if she didn’t mean the world to Felicia, she wouldn’t be traveling all the way to…  She says, it’s so small, it’s not even a town; it’s just a census designated place. He says, it sounds charming, and she says, it is. Maxie should bring him to visit sometime. It’ll give him a sense of scale. He’s such a city boy. He says, not always. In fact, his favorite place on earth is in the Swiss Alps, miles away from anywhere. On the plane, Felicia says, the Swiss Alps… where?

Maxie asks if Peter is really worried about her earrings, and he says, she’s never without them, yet here she is. She says she noticed on the plane that she’d lost one, probably in the mad rush out of Port Charles, when they had to leave their daughter. Since it was random costume jewelry, she threw out the other one. He says, it doesn’t matter. It’s only diamonds and rubies for her from here on out. She says she really doesn’t care about jewelry. She just wants her children to be safe. He says he misses their daughter too. They just have to give it some time; let the trail go cold. So all those agencies and his enemies find themselves discouraged. Then, one day when it’s safe, they can bring Louise to them. In the meantime, should the worst happen and they’re discovered, he’s prepared. He takes a gun out of the back of his waistband.

Nikolas says, Ava has to realize, his uncle’s offer to broker peace between him and Spencer is intended to achieve the exact opposite. Ava says, but if he succeeds where they’ve failed… Laura says, he will have ingratiated himself to the whole family, and indoctrinated Spencer to his cause. Nikolas says, Victor’s cause is going to be far worse than Spencer’s ever done to them, and Laura says, absolutely. Victor is devious in a very deadly way, and far more dangerous than Spencer could ever be. Ava says, the fact that they’re discussing him means they’re onto him. They’ll see him coming a mile way. If they play along, he might reveal his agenda. Nikolas says, it’s still a risk. It would be a mistake to underestimate his uncle. Laura says, she doesn’t think they’re doing that though. There is an alternative, one that could reunite Nikolas with his son, and undercut Victor at the same time. Nikolas says, what’s that? and Laura says, swallow his pride. Go visit his son at Spring Ridge.

Victor hugs Spencer, and says, he seems well, all things considered. Spencer says, whoever calls this place a country club has never actually been to one. Victor assumes Samuel is keeping an eye on Spencer, and Spencer says he’s well-protected. He knows he has Victor to thank for that, and he’s grateful. Victor says, even though Spencer’s grandmother considers him a bad influence? and Spencer says, is he? Victor says, to be completely honest, he’s given her little reason to think otherwise. If his concern for Spencer’s well-being is making it harder for him here… Spencer says, it’s not. Other than his grandmother, Victor is the one person he can count on. Victor says he finds that a little hard to believe. What about the lovely Esme? Spencer says, he thinks him being stuck here is a strain on Esme’s devotion, but Victor says he’s sure it’s just a lover’s spat. The ups and downs of life, as they say. She blew up a car for him. If that isn’t devotion, he doesn’t know what is. As for Spencer’s grandmother, the last thing Victor wants to do is get between him and his family. Spencer says, Victor is his family. They may want him to forget that, but he won’t.

Britt says, whatever Obrecht thinks is obvious, does it have something to do with where Peter’s taken Maxie? Obrecht says, that’s the obvious part; she knows where to find Maxie. Austin asks if she’s going to share, but she says she can’t waste her time explaining. She needs to contact Anna.

Anna says, Peter wrote this novel. It’s called The Severed Branch. Malone says, there’s a copy with the other materials, and gets it. Anna says, basically the whole book is an allegory for his childhood. She seems to remember he refers to working in the salt mines. Drew says, that’s a common expression, and she says, she knows, but in the book, the character refers to the salt mines with affection. Drew asks if she’s saying that’s where he took Maxie, and she says she doesn’t know. Her phone rings, and she says, it’s Liesl. She asks Obrecht, what’s going on? and Obrecht says, salt mine. Find the salt mines, and you’ll find Peter and Maxie. Anna says, that’s what they were just figuring out. Malone says, there are three salt mines in the country. Two up here – she points to the laptop screen – and the one she mentioned. Anna says, that’s a pretty large area, and asks if Obrecht can narrow it down. Obrecht asks if Peter ever mentioned the farm, and Anna says, what farm? Obrecht says, where he became the man he is today.  

Felicia says, what was the name? Peter said it; it was V something. She remembers Peter saying it was a quaint picturesque farm, tucked away from the world. The closest place is a tiny, remote village, miles away from anywhere. If it were any tinier, it would be a census designated place. She asks what it’s called, and he says, versteckte Wiese. It’s German. It means hidden meadow. On the plane, she looks up hidden meadow in the German translator.  

Maxie asks if Peter can put the gun away; he doesn’t need it right now. He says, of course (🍷), but he’s sure she doesn’t mind if he keeps it handy, and tucks it back into his waistband. She says, whatever he thinks is necessary, and he says he appreciates her faith in him. She says she can’t tell if he’s being sarcastic… not that she could blame him. There’s something she’s been struggling with for a while. She’s spent so much time being angry with him, and the whole time, he just said he  loved her, and he’s been doing everything for her and Louise. She didn’t believe him, and she was wrong. He was willing to leave Louise behind at that firehouse, the child he’s been longing to hold and care for. That’s not selfish; that’s the opposite. That’s when she realized love is what’s driving him. She takes his hands, and says, his love is the kind of love they can build their lives around. It’s not going to be easy, but one day Louise, Georgie, and James will be with them, and she just has to live in hope for that day, no matter what.

Nikolas says he’s not sure Spencer is going to be open to a visit from him, and Ava says, he’s Spencer’s father. He has to try. As angry as she has been with Spencer, she urges Nikolas to repair his relationship with him. He knows what she would give for another chance with Kiki. He says she’s right; he’ll reach out. Ava tells him, go, hurry. She thinks they all know where Victor was going when he left here, and Laura says, straight back to Spring Ridge to make sure she didn’t turn Spencer against him. Nikolas says, and if Victor has already put his plan in motion to reunite him and Spencer? Laura says, if Victor’s scheming and plotting ends up bringing them together, she’s all for it. Isn’t he? He says he’ll give it a shot, and she hugs him, saying, he won’t regret this. She’s proud of him. He leaves, and Ava says, giving Uncle Victor a pass, are we? Laura says, for now, and Ava wonders what she’s up to.

On the phone, Victor says, thanks for the update, and Spencer asks if everything is all right. Victor says, everything is splendid, except for one thing; he has to run. Spencer says he appreciates the time. Victor is a busy man. Victor says, nonsense. Spencer is family, Spencer says, likewise, and Victor thanks him. That’s why he wants Spencer to know he’s doing everything he can to change. At least change people’s perspective of him. Despite what people think, all he wants is what’s best for his family. Spencer says, he just wishes his grandmother would give Victor a chance, and Victor says, leave Laura to him, and keep his eyes on the prize; his freedom and his future. Spencer says, he’ll try, and Victor says, when Spencer leaves, he wants Spencer to walk out with his held high. Big things are in the wind. They’re going to need to stick together as a family, that includes Spencer and his father. Spencer says, his father… and Victor says, is a Cassadine. The future belongs to them, and Spencer. He’s the heir to all that and more.

Obrecht tells Anna, there was a youth camp where Peter used to spend his school holidays as a child. Find that farm and she’ll find Peter, and do what she has to do to bring Maxie home. Anna thanks her, and tells the others, this book could be a roadmap. Drew says, if it’s an allegory, how clear are the directions? Anna says, she doesn’t know, but there was a farm, and if she remembers it was close to the oldest salt mine. In the book, Peter refers to it as a place with all kinds of animals… and children.

Peter says, Maxie is right. They’ll make this place a real home for their whole family. She says, somehow she doesn’t see Mac and Felicia understanding, but if there’s anything he’s proven to her, it’s that there’s nothing he can’t make happen. He says he tries. This place is really well-equipped, but they should still make a list of personal items and requests, things they might want, for Gustav the caretaker to get for them in the village. She asks if this village has a name, and he says, versteckte Wiese. She tries to pronounce it, and he says, close enough. It’s so small, it only appears on local maps. It might be considered census designated place. She says she can’t wait to see it… when he trusts her enough. He says he knows she’ll love it. If she wants to familiarize herself with the area, there are some paper maps in the cabinet. The GPS signal is pretty spotty up here. She says she doesn’t want to get a signal. She just wants to get used to her new surroundings. She tells him, it’s cold in here, and he says he could turn the heat up. Or how about if he builds them a fire? She says she’d like that, and as soon as he turns around, she looks in the cabinet.

Spencer asks Samuel if there’s nothing anyone can do about the AC, but Samuel says, this is a government facility. Even Spencer’s uncle can only swing so much. Spencer says, anything’s possible, right? Who knows? Maybe one day he and his family will learn to get along. Nikolas walks in.

Laura tells Ava, Victor is bending over backwards to try and impress and win over Spencer. And that can only mean one thing; he’s going to use him. Ava asks if Laura has any idea what he’s planning, and Laura says, no, but she will find out.

Victor waits in an alleyway, and says, good God. It feels like Santorini in the middle of an eruption. (Is it February or August in Port Charles?) Osiris himself would be at home. He takes off his jacket, and sits on a crate, when Yohan arrives. Victor says he’s impressed. He didn’t think Yohan would be amenable to this kind of climate. Yohan says he can handle the heat, and Victor says, the question is, can Peter August? Yohan says, their man reports that Anna Devane has arrived overseas with Detective Falconari, and Drew Cain. Victor says, then their man needs to solve this problem right now. He wants Peter August dead. Is that understood? Yohan says, completely, and Victor says, good, and tell their man, Anna and Dante are expendable. If they get in the way, he shouldn’t hesitate to eliminate them, but Drew Cain is much too valuable to him to lose.

Britt says she believes Austin has rounds, and suggests he get back to them. He says, helping find Maxie isn’t interfering with his patient care, and she says, it might interfering with finding Maxie. Let the professionals do their job; they’ll keep him posted. He starts to leave, and Sam tells him that he doesn’t have to worry. Dante, Drew, and Anna will bring Maxie home. He says he hopes she’s right, and leaves. Obrecht says she shares Sam’s faith, but must remind her that, at one point or another, that schwein Henrik has outmaneuvered them all, herself included. Britt says, which is not easy to do, and Obrecht says, if Peter really is the severed branch from Cesar’s poisoned tree, believe me, he will not go down without a fight.

Malone says, if the book is any indication at all, the farm should be located somewhere here in the mountains. She points to the screen again. Agent Kreger’s phone rings, and it’s Yohan, who says, their mutual friend would like to know if he’s located the gentleman. Kreger goes out in the hall, and says, let’s just say he knows where to find him. Yohan tells him, just do what you have to do, and Kreger asks if there’s any additional instructions. Yohan says, Devane and Falconari are expendable; Drew Cain must not be harmed. Kreger says, that complicates things, and Yohan says Kreger is paid to handle complications. Get it done. Anna says, Peter is so arrogant, he won’t be able to resist proving he’s one step ahead of them, and he’s left them a clue, one that he thinks only he knows. It will link him to the farm, and that’s what they have to find.

The flight attendant says they’re about to land, and Felicia smiles. We see a map showing versteckte Wiese on her tablet.

Peter comes in as Maxie is looking at a map. He asks if she’s planning a hike, and she says she was thinking they might take a walk, and talk some more. He says, what a lovely idea, but he’s afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow. It’s getting dark soon. That’s when the wolves come out.

On Monday, Trina says she’s been keeping something from Josslyn; Spencer asks Nikolas to join him; Maxie says, all Peter will get is the truth from now on; and Dante says, they’re back to square one, and that can’t happen.

🩺 Yikes…

Glad to hear one of our National Treasures will be okay.

AMC Alum Susan Lucci Reveals Health Scare

🏥 Coming Back…

Weird how he has the same name as a head writer. How common could it be? It’s not like Joe Smith or something.

What Happened to Chet on GENERAL HOSPITAL

💘 Terry’s Valentine…

I’m hoping it works out with Chet.

Cassandra James Opens up About Terry’s Valentine’s Date on GH

💎 Recovery Time…

I needed to get myself together after just watching it.

RHOBH’s Sutton Stracke is Still Picking “Up the Pieces” After Aspen Trip, Addresses Erika Status, and Says She’s “Tired” After Mind-Boggling Season

🧂 Not So ShahMazing…

It’s not a good sign to be the last one standing. Unless you’re playing Squid Game.

Jen Shah’s Last Co-Defendant Changes Plea to Guilty as RHOSLC Star is Headed to Trial in March, What Does This Mean for Her?

🐹 Hamster Wheel…

Out of one suit and into another. And I don’t mean the kind they sell at Brook’s Brothers.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/18/erika-jayne-named-in-suit-for-aiding-and-abetting-tom-girardi/

📠 Progressive Vetting…

Oh please. Like it’s that hard to look up stuff about people.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/11/andy-cohen-admits-housewives-vetting-is-work-in-progress/

🍸 No Way To Live…

I’m surprised being on the show didn’t give her an eating disorder.

https://people.com/health/vanderpump-rules-ariana-madix-had-a-full-blown-eating-disorder-when-she-joined-the-show/

🛥 I Really, Really Liked Him…

He’s one of my favorite Below Deck yachties of all time. I’m glad he’s met his match.

https://extratv.com/2022/02/09/below-deck-star-josiah-carter-engaged-to-longtime-bf/

🦘 Deck Down Under…

The latest in the franchise. There will still be no one like Captain Lee. Ever.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1319902/heres-your-first-look-at-the-below-deck-down-under-trailer-and-the-sexy-new-captain

🏈 Bowling For Memes…

Best memes of the Super Bowl.

The best and funniest Super Bowl halftime show memes, starring upside-down 50 Cent

https://www.stadiumtalk.com/s/super-bowl-memes-cfc7e6b3e6064775

💡 Quotes of the Week

I’m not concerned with facts. Not if they interfere with my beliefs. – Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski), The Gilded Age

A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. – Jack Dempsey (Apparently, I’m a champion every morning.)

Sodies are bad. – Amy Slaton, 1000-Lb. Sisters

What I did or said should never be more important than why I did it or said it. – Andrea Kelly

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Confucius

If exhausted from severe and long-continued thought, he had to touch the earth again to renew his strength. When this weariness set in he would stop thought, and get down with a little dog or kitten to recover. – William Herndon, Abraham Lincoln‘s business partner

Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error. – Andrew Jackson

It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. – Harry S. Truman

99% of failures come from people who make excuses. – George Washington

Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching. – Thomas Jefferson (And today, they might be.)

By leadership we mean the art of getting someone else to do something that you want done because he wants to do it, not because your position of power can compel him to do it. – Dwight D. Eisenhower

🧱 Another Brick In the Wall…

The Walking Dead is back with the next part of its final season, so join me in what will no doubt be the wee hours of Monday. Or that day when you used to report to work after the weekend, for those no longer punching the clock. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping it real, and stay wary of great-uncles bearing protection.

Feb11

February 10, 2022 – Maxie Convinces Peter To Leave Louise, Lindsay’s Message, Good Stuff, Celebration, Suspended, Salty Talk, Jurassic Trailer & Gifted

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Maxie approaches Louise, and says, it’s gonna be okay, sweetie, but Peter backs up. He says, Maxie is going to see Louise on his terms now. She asks, what are those? and he says he’s leaving the country with Louise. He wants Maxie to say goodbye to her, here and now, knowing it’s the last time Maxie is going to see her… or she can come with them. They’ll be a family, forever. Maxie suggests she take Louise someplace warm, but he says, their daughter will be warm and comfortable on the journey to their new home. The question is, will Maxie be joining them?

On the phone, Chase says, keep him posted. Brook says, no news on Peter’s whereabouts? and Chase says, it’s like the guy disappeared into thin air. Brook wonders how you can do that with a baby. Isn’t it supposed to make him easier to spot? She can’t believe she let her guard down. She can’t believe Peter just waltzed in, and took Bailey from upstairs. He says, this isn’t her fault. This is on Peter, and Peter alone. The PCPD isn’t going to stop searching until they find Maxie’s baby and bring her home. The bell rings, and Chase opens the door to Finn and Elizabeth, who says, they got there as soon as they could. Finn asks if there’s any news, but Chase says he’s afraid not. Elizabeth tells Brook, she’s so sorry. She knows this is every parent’s nightmare. Finn says he knows Peter is nuts, but what would he get out of taking Bailey? Is he looking for ransom? Is he hoping the Quartermaines will pay him so much, he can just disappear forever? Brook looks at Chase, and Elizabeth asks, what’s going on? Finn asks if they know something, and Brook nods. Chase says, Bailey isn’t Bailey.

Charlotte asks what happened to Valentin, and he says he’ll tell her everything, but first, she has to tell him who took her. She says, Peter August. She thought he was the pizza delivery man. She opened the door, and he grabbed her before she could run away. Then he blindfolded her. Valentin hugs her, and Anna asks if she can ask Charlotte something. Did he hurt her? Charlotte says, he wouldn’t let her take the blindfold off. He took her someplace in his car, then locked her in. As soon as he was gone, she took the blindfold off. It was a warehouse. She was trying to find a way out when Grandpa Victor found her. Victor says, quite the introduction, wouldn’t she say? and Laura says she has a million questions, but she has to get in touch with the PCPD and let them know they found Charlotte. She thanks Victor as she walks past, and Valentin says, thank you, father, for being a hero; being in exactly the right place at the right time. Anna says, it’s almost as if he knew where to find Charlotte.

In the hallway on the phone, Laura tells Dante, she said it was Peter August who grabbed her… She’s been checked out. She’s absolutely fine, thank goodness. She has no idea what Peter’s motivation could possibly be. Maybe to get them panicked, and distract them from finding him and Bailey… him and Louise. Austin comes out of the elevator, and Laura tells Dante that she talked to Mac’s doctor. He’s expected to make a full recovery. So that’s something they have to be grateful for. Please keep her posted on the search for Peter and Louise. Austin says he didn’t mean to overhear, but Laura knew Louise was masquerading as Bailey? Laura says, Robert Scorpio filled her in, and Austin takes it Louise hasn’t been found. She says, no, but every available officer on the force is looking for her and Peter August. She knows he has a personal interest in the baby being found; he delivered her, right? He says, he did, but it’s not just that. He might be responsible for Louise being taken.

Peter tells Maxie, there’s not much time. Don’t think she can stall until the cavalry arrives; it’s not happening. But he’s going to give her the choice she never gave him. He’s taking the baby regardless, but if she comes with them, she’ll never have to suffer the heartache that still haunts him, all the questions. Where is his daughter? Is she safe? Will she grow up never knowing who he is? She looks out to the water, and asks if that ship is taking them somewhere; where is it going? He says, there’s no time for questions. She has to make a choice now. Is she coming with him and Louise or not? She says, it was hard enough saying goodbye to Louise when she gave birth to her. She’s not sure she can do that again. He says, even if it means saying goodbye to her family and friends forever? Maxie says, Louise is her whole world. Everything she’s done, she did to protect her. He says, from him, and she says, yeah, but he found her, because he loves Louise as much as she does. He says he loves Maxie. That’s why he called her. Otherwise, he would have just left with Louise. She asks why he didn’t, and he says, because he wants them to be a family, the way they were supposed to be, but only if she wants to. She says, Louise is her family. She made Louise with him, so there’s no choice, is there? He says, sounds good on paper, but what’s the catch?

Finn says, what does Chase mean, Bailey isn’t Bailey? Chase says, it started over a year ago, and Brook says she should explain. Chase only got involved because he wanted to help. She was in on it from the beginning. Elizabeth asks, in on what? and Brook says, protecting an innocent baby from her psycho father. Finn says, Chase is a lot of things, he’ll admit, but psycho’s a little harsh, but Brook says, not Chase; Peter August. Maxie wanted to make sure Peter never got his hands on their daughter. Elizabeth asks what that has to do with Brook’s baby, and Brook says, she never had a baby. She was never even pregnant. She faked the pregnancy, and when Maxie gave birth, she told everyone that the nurse Peter hired handed the baby off to some mystery accomplice, and she disappeared. Elizabeth says, that was a lie? Brook took Maxie’s baby and passed her off as her own? Brook says, that’s right, and Finn says, Bailey was really Louise, and Brook said the baby was hers to help Maxie keep her daughter away from Peter. Brook says, yeah, and asks how much they hate her. Elizabeth says, nobody hates her. She thinks Brook’s amazing. Finn says, she certainly went above and beyond to help a friend, and Brook says, she and Maxie weren’t friends; at least, not at first. She only helped Maxie for selfish reasons. She wanted to get one over on Valentin Cassadine.

Victor suggests they discuss the details about how he found the lovely Charlotte later, and Valentin tells Charlotte, all that matters is, she’s safe and unharmed. Charlotte says, thanks to Grandpa Victor, and hugs him. Victor promises they’re going to keep her safe. Peter August is going to be very sorry for what he did to her. Very sorry.

Austin tells Laura that he took on the Quartermaines, and made an enemy out of Brook. It cost him is place in the Quartermaine family, and almost cost him his place at General Hospital. Laura gathers he was looking for payback, and he says, he was, so he approached Valentin. He thought maybe they could join forces and plot some kind of revenge against Brook, and Valentin’s father Victor managed to insert himself. She laughs, and says, no surprise there. Victor never met a revenge plot he didn’t like. He says, so Victor came to him with a sonogram that he said he found on the street, and all of the personal information was missing. He told Victor how he could find out who the sonogram belonged to. She says, and somehow the sonogram led Victor to believing Brook’s baby was really Louise? and he says, he assumes so. Who else would have passed along that kind of information to Peter August? What he doesn’t understand, is why it mattered to Victor. She says, Victor and Peter formed an alliance in Greece, so whatever matters to Peter – he says, like finding his daughter – would also matter to Victor. And if Victor could find Louise’s whereabouts, he could also use that information against Peter to get him to do whatever he wanted. Austin says, like what? and she says, she doesn’t know, but she’s going to find out.

Maxie says, she’ll go with Peter. There is no catch, she promises. He says, all the while plotting to run off with their child the first chance that arrives? and she says, she can’t just jump into his arms and say, all is forgiven, and she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. He says, he didn’t think so, and she says, but she thinks if they get away from Port Charles, the place that brought out the worst in him, he’ll start to become the man she fell in love with again. The one who was kind, considerate, talked her off the ledge when she was spinning, or made her laugh when she wanted to pull her hair out. The one she trusted and believed in. He sets the carrier down, and says, yes. He swears to her, on their daughter’s life, that will happen. He’ll be the best man and husband for her and Louise that a man could possibly be. She looks at Louise, who’s sleeping peacefully, and says, not Louise. He says, excuse me? and she says she’ll go with him, but if he loves their daughter as much as he says he does, he’ll understand why they have to leave her behind. He says, leave Louise? After he spent a year trying to find her; risking his life to find her and be with her? She says she understands the sacrifices he’s made. She’s asking him to make one more; one that they’ll make together. He asks why she’s doing this, and she says, the world knows him as Peter August, wanted by every law enforcement agency. It doesn’t matter where he takes them. They will constantly be on guard, waiting for someone to tap him on the shoulder, and take him away in handcuffs. He says, it hasn’t happened so far, and she says, he’s done a good job, up until this point. Robert and Anna found him. They arrested him and brought him back to Port Charles. It’s only a matter of time before the WSB or Interpol is on his trail. The longer he stays in one place, the better the chance someone will recognize him. They’ll constantly be changing their names and identities. They’ll always be on the run, never able to build a stable home for their daughter. Is that something he wants for the child he claims to love?

Brook tells Finn and Elizabeth, thanks to Austin’s vendetta, and Gladys Corbin’s big mouth, Valentin grew suspicious. When he finally cornered her, she was about to tell him the truth. That’s when Chase came in, and claimed Bailey was his. Finn asks if Chase knew Bailey was Louise all along, and Chase says he didn’t find out until the day he claimed to be Bailey’s father, but once he put the pieces together, he couldn’t let Peter find out the baby was his. Brook says, that’s when Finn’s brother came to rescue. She got into this for selfish reasons. She went to Maxie, and offered a mutually beneficial arrangement, one in which Maxie would have a safe place to hide her baby, and she would get some leverage over Valentin. She starts to cry, and says, but when Bailey… Louise actually got here, she was this living, breathing little baby that was solely dependent on her. She never knew how much she’d grow to care. Chase puts his hands on her shoulders, and Finn asks if Valentin knows Bailey is Maxie’s daughter. Brook says, she doesn’t know; why? Finn says, somebody found him, passed out drunk behind a dumpster and called the paramedics. Brook says, what? How did that happen? Valentin doesn’t go on benders. Elizabeth says, the tests showed there was no alcohol in his system, and Chase says, alcohol was poured on him to make him appear drunk? To what end? And if he didn’t pass out from alcohol… Elizabeth says, they’re waiting to hear back from toxicology to find out if he was drugged, but right now, they have more questions than answers. Brook jumps up, and says she has to see him. Chase says, he doesn’t think that’s a good… but she says she’s sorry, grabs her coat, and runs out.

Anna tells Charlotte to say goodbye to her dad, and Charlotte hugs Valentin. He tells her, je t’aime (I love you), and she says, feel better. He says he always does, and Anna takes her out. Victor says, an impressive young lady that Charlotte. She does the Cassadines proud. Valentin thanks Victor for finding her, and bringing her safely back to him. He knows that Peter kidnapped his daughter; he just wants to know why

Austin says, he knows his father had a beef with the Quartermaines, and pretty much everyone else in Port Charles, but whenever Laura’s name came up, Jimmy Lee always said, there’s a woman to reckon with. She says, and Jimmy Lee would be right, but Austin must also be someone to be reckoned with for Maxie to have entrusted him with the truth about her baby. He says he just wishes he’d known the truth before Peter snatched Louise. As for Maxie, after he told her that he was probably the reason Peter found out about Louise, she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Laura asks if he can blame her.

Maxie tells Peter to think about his life with his father. Faison dragged Peter from place to place, so he could be one step ahead of the law or a vengeful enemy. Think of how much he resented that life. (Um… wasn’t Peter sent to boarding school? We’ll let that pass.) How it gave him scars that still haven’t healed. Does he want that for Louise? If they leave her here in Port Charles, she can grow up in a safe and stable family. He says, a family that despises him; a family that will plant lies in her head about him. He picks up the carrier, and says he can’t do it. He can’t be abandoned again. She says she’s leaving Georgie with her father, and she’s hoping her parents will take care of James. She’s even hoping one day she and Peter can have another baby, one that won’t be taken from them. He says, she is? and she says, doesn’t he get it? Their love can live again. They just have to start over. Just the two of them. He says, she upended her entire life just to ensure he’d never see Louise. She made him believe Louise was stolen, and gave her to Brook to raise as her own. Not to mention all the accusations she made to his face, the anger and hurt that still haunts his dreams, and now he’s supposed to believe she can simply forget all that, and start all over with him? She says, maybe not forget, but weigh the past and the things they regret against what really matters. They made Louise; she connects them. And by giving her up, they can be connected again. A second chance. She’s willing to take it. Is he? He says, of course (🍷) he is. She knows he is. He hugs her, and she looks at Louise.

Finn says, he knows all Chase cares about right now is the safe return of that little girl, but has he given any thought at all to what this is going to mean to his life, to his career in law enforcement, when this comes out? Chase says, it’s already out. Ned came by earlier and gave him an earful. Bailey was safe as long as she was under Ned’s roof, but he came along and came up with the brilliant idea to bring Brook and Bailey here, just so they could keep up the lie. Then Peter comes, and takes Bailey. He’s a cop. This is his job. Finn tells him, shut up, and hugs him. Chase cries, and Finn says he’s got this. He did good.

Victor asks, what makes Valentin so sure he knows what’s going on inside Peter’s twisted mind? He doesn’t know. Perhaps Peter took Charlotte hoping the PCPD would focus on looking for her, rather than looking for him and Brook’s baby. Valentin says, Brook’s baby? and Victor asks if he’s saying she’s not. Valentin says, Victor found Charlotte minutes after the police issued a missing child alert. How did he know where to look? Victor says Valentin shouldn’t be taxing himself with all kinds of questions right now. As Anna said, he needs his strength. Get some rest. Valentin says he wants some answers, about Charlotte’s kidnapping, and what happened to him. He was just headed to his car, walking through the GH parking garage. He’d just left Victor, and the next thing he knows, he’s flat on his back by a dumpster, smelling like a distillery. Did Peter do that, or did somebody else? Victor asks if Valentin is suggesting he knocked out his own son to help Peter, and Valentin says, he’s known since Crete that Peter has something Victor wants, or he’d never have put up with him. Victor saw him at the hospital, collecting Bailey’s medical records. Did he figure out Bailey was Peter’s long-lost daughter Louise? Victor asks if Valentin thinks he made some kind of devil’s bargain with Peter; help Peter get what he wants, and Peter helps him get allegedly what he wants? What does Valentin think that would be? Valentin says, if he knew the answer, he wouldn’t be asking the question. He does know Peter kidnapped Charlotte, and Victor knew where to look because Victor made a deal with Peter. Victor says Valentin has a vivid imagination, and Brook runs in. She says, thank God Valentin is okay, and Victor says, no thanks to her.

Austin says he doesn’t know how to make up for his mistake if Maxie won’t return his calls or texts, and Laura says, maybe she can’t. He says, she doesn’t think… and she says, she doesn’t want to think the worst, but just in case… Anna brings Charlotte out, and Charlotte tells Laura that she can go. Anna says, the doctors checked Charlotte out, and she’s fine. Laura says, good, and Anna asks, everything all right?

Maxie says, if she and Peter are going to leave Louise, they should do it now. She asks for his phone since she left hers behind. She’s going to call someone she trusts. Peter asks, who is this person she trusts; Brook? Maxie says she promises Brook will take Louise and look the other way when they get on the ship. She won’t ask any questions. Peter says, absolutely not, but Maxie says, Brook couldn’t love this baby more if she was her own. They can’t leave her here for some random person to find her. He says he has no intention of putting their daughter at risk. He hands her the carrier, and says, this is how much he loves her. He’s giving up the child he searched for so long for. He knows where they need to go and what they need to do. Maxie says, lead the way, and follows him.

Maxie and Peter arrive at a firehouse safe place, and Maxie says, they can’t leave her here, but he says, the firehouse has a special drop-off for parents who can’t care for their infants. No surveillance cameras; no questions asked. She says, it’s so anonymous, and he says, that’s the point. They open a special door, and put her inside. When they close it, it triggers a silent alarm and notifies the firefighters that she’s here. He promises that she’ll be well taken care of, and opens the door. Maxie cries, and says, she can’t.

Chase says, he did good? How can Finn say when he lied to him and everyone else? Finn says, but his heart is good, and he lied for the right reasons; to protect Maxie’s baby when Peter was one step closer to finding out Bailey was his. Chase says, given Peter still found out, he feels he only made things worse. Finn says, that’s what this guy does. He takes you to the dark side where he lives, and makes you do things you wouldn’t normally do. Chase says, like try to kill him?

Valentin asks Victor to leave him and Brook alone for a minute so they can talk, and Victor says, he’ll be right outside if Valentin needs him. He leaves, and Valentin says, forgive his father. Brook says, forget his father. What happened to him? He says, he doesn’t know, but it begins and ends with Peter August. She says, it’s all her fault. He woudn’t have even been on Peter’s radar if she hadn’t lied about Bailey. He says, come on, her name’s Louise, and she says, he knows. She says she’s so sorry she lied to him about being pregnant, and he says, it was creative. She got her ELQ shares back, and protected the life of an innocent child. It was a smart move. She says, even if it made him suffer? and he says, better him than Bailey.  He guesses it makes him grateful.

Laura tells Anna, she and Austin were just talking about Maxie. It seems she’s not answering her phone. Anna says, for Maxie to leave Mac’s side, it had to have been extremely important. Austin thanks Laura for what she shared, and tells Charlotte that he’s glad she’s doing well. He leaves, and Charlotte yawns. Laura says she’s a very brave young woman who needs some rest. She needs one second with Anna, and then they’ll go home. Charlotte says, take as long as she needs; she’s good at waiting. Charlotte parks herself on a bench, and Laura tells Anna, she knows it’s a big ask, but the PCPD is stretched so thin… Anna  says, it’s fine; she’s on it. She asks what Austin was doing. What was Laura showing him on her phone? Laura says, somebody who might be able to help him locate Maxie. She’s grasping at straws, but it was all she had.

Austin calls Spinelli, introducing himself, and saying, they met at Jason and Carly’s wedding. He got Spinelli’s number from Mayor Collins. He needs Spinelli’s help. Maxie Jones is AWOL and radio silent, and Mayor Collins said Spinelli is his best hope of finding her.

Peter says, Maxie is the one who convinced him they can’t take Louise. Or was everything she said about leaving town together and starting a new life just one more lie?

Chase says he’s sorry for bringing up bad memories, and Finn says, it’s all he can think about. Peter throwing the antidote off the roof at GH, the antidote that was keeping Chase alive. Chase says, Finn would have done the world a service if Peter had died when Finn shoved him down the stairwell. Finn says, it would have cost him everything he believes in. That’s the evil Peter brings to the table, right? He turns people like us into people like him, that’s why he has to be locked up forever. Do him a favor; no more blaming himself. Chase says he can’t help it. He and Brook were outside on the patio when Peter broke in and took Bailey. He should have been more aware. He should have known Peter figured it out.

Peter says Maxie can do this, but she says she can’t. He says, she has to, and opens the safe space door. She puts Bailey’s carrier inside, and Bailey is still snoozing away. She says, my little one. She knows it probably seems like she’s always saying goodbye, but she knows Louise is going to be safe and cared for by people who love her. Maybe one day Louise will forgive her, and understand that nobody loved her more than her mommy did when she gave her up. He says, they have to hurry, and Maxie says, Louise, my little angel. Peter says, this isn’t goodbye. One day the three of them will be together again. He closes the door.

Finn says, the first thing they’re taught in medical school is, you’re not God. Not even close. You can’t control all the circumstances all the time. All you can do is your best, and Chase did that. Chase thanks him, and Finn tells him, that being said, it’s a good thing he didn’t tell dad and Jackie about his sudden fatherhood. Chase said then he’d have to break their hearts and tell them Violet is their only granddaughter. Finn says, speaking of broken hearts, he has to figure out a way to tell Violet she’s minus one cousin.

Brook says, Valentin is grateful she lied? and he says, he’s grateful she protected Bailey. She’ll always be Bailey to him. He’s grateful she protected Bailey from that sick son of a bitch who gets to be her biological father. She says, there were times when they were together with Bailey and Charlotte. She knew it was make believe, but… Valentin says, it felt like a family? and she says, yeah. She’s really sorry she took that away from him and Charlotte. He says, him too.

Anna talks to Laura, while Charlotte is stretched out on the bench, asleep, and Victor puts his coat over her. He says he thought Laura was taking her home, and Laura says, she is, but she also has a job to do. Evil people are at work in her city. She guesses he hasn’t noticed. Her phone dings, and she tells Anna, take a look. Anna does, and says, got it. She leaves, and Victor asks if there’s anything he can do, but Laura says, she thinks he’s done enough, hasn’t he?

Austin strides through the hospital on the phone with Spinelli. He thanks Spinelli for giving him the location of Maxie’s car, and tells him to call the cops.  

Chase tells Finn, obviously Valentin was drugged and left in an alley, but why? It couldn’t have been Peter; he was locked up at the time. Finn says, he doesn’t know, when Chase’s phone rings. Chase says, it’s Anna, and asks, what’s up? She asks if he’s up for some freelancing tonight, and he says, Peter? She says, yeah. It’s unofficial. He says, he’s already in hot water with the department. Why not kick it up a notch? She tells him that she was hoping he’d say that. She just sent him directions. He looks at his phone, and says he got them. She says, good, and Chase… He says, don’t worry. He’ll come prepared. Finn asks what Anna wanted, and Chase says, he’ll tell Finn on his way out. He goes to get his coat, and Elizabeth comes out. She tells Finn, Cameron said Aiden baked an Austrian pastry, Violet picked movies – Disney princesses, of course (🍷) – and Jake is asleep on the couch. Chase comes back, putting his gun in his waistband, and putting on his coat. He says, he’s so sorry, but Anna needs a favor. Finn says, don’t forget he’s suspended, and Chase says, lock up, and jets. Finn says he’s going after Chase, but Elizabeth says, don’t worry; Anna’s with him. She’s going to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. Finn says, he’s not thinking straight right now; he’s taking risks he shouldn’t be taking. He’s on suspension. She says, that’s his choice to make, not Finn’s. She knows he want to be the big brother and protect Chase, but as long as Peter is still out there with Bailey… she means, Louise, then this nightmare’s never going to end. Somebody has to stop him. He says, she’s right as usual, and she says, she knows he’s worried about his brother, but if he goes after Chase, she’s going to worry about him. And what about Violet? He says, she plays dirty, and she says, all’s fair when it comes to their kids. He says, okay. He’ll take her home and grab Violet. Hopefully, she didn’t eat too much Australian cake. Elizabeth says, Austrian, and she has a better idea. Why doesn’t he put Violet to bed in her guest room, and they can both spend the night? He says, safety in numbers, right? and she says, you can never be too careful or safe. He says, no, you can’t be, and helps her on with her coat. He says, he’s sleeping on the sofa, isn’t he? and she says, the pull-out bed is surprisingly comfortable, and they leave.

Laura tells Charlotte, it’s time to go home, and Victor asks if he can give them a lift. Laura says, no thank you. She has a police escort; she’s not taking any chances. He says, in that case, he’ll settle for a goodnight kiss from his granddaughter. Charlotte hugs him, and he tells her, goodnight, and sweet dreams. She says, him too, and Laura says, what about her? He says, of course (🍷), and hugs her. She quietly tells says in his ear, if she can prove he aided and abetted Peter August, he’ll share Peter’s fate. She steps away smiling, and says, goodnight, and leaves with Charlotte.

Chase meets Anna at the firehouse, and she says, they got an emergency call that a baby was dropped off here tonight who fits Louise’s description, so she texted ahead that they might have an ID. A fireman comes out, and Anna introduces herself and shows him her WSB badge. Chase introduces himself, and says, they worked a few arson cases together. The fireman says he’s glad to help out. He’ll be right back. He goes inside, and Chase says, he wants to believe they have Bailey, but it can’t be that easy, right? She says, that’s why she turned to him. She didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. The fireman brings Louise out, and Chase says, that’s her. He tells Louise that she’s not alone anymore, and takes the carrier, thanking the fireman. Anna tells the fireman, this child was kidnapped by Peter August. Did they see who left the child? The fireman says, all drop-offs are anonymous. A silent alarm is triggered by the door, and they found her in the safe place. She thanks him, and he goes back inside. Chase says, he doesn’t get it. Why would Peter just give up the baby? She says, Maxie. Maxie convinced him to. That’s the only explanation that makes sense. Maxie met up with Peter. She thought Maxie was brave before, but she just made the ultimate sacrifice; she convinced Peter to give the baby up. Anna takes an earring out of the carrier, and says, it’s Maxie’s. She was wearing it tonight. He asks if she thinks Maxie left it on purpose, as a clue, and Anna says, she did. Where did Maxie and Peter go? That’s what they have to find out.

Austin arrives at Pier 55, and calls to Maxie. He sees a boat pulling out, and yells her name as it leaves. He makes a call, and says, there’s been a kidnapping. Send the PCPD and the Coast Guard. They’re in a boat. If the boat gets to international waters, it could be too late.

Maxie and Peter are in a car, and Maxie asks why they’re not heading back to the pier and the ship. He says, the authorities will be checking all the ships, and she says, he has it all figured out, doesn’t he? He says, soon they’ll be away from Port Charles and their past will be behind them. She looks at the other earring in her hand, and stares straight ahead.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth says, it sounds like Finn wants to crash on her couch again; Portia says she knows so; Carly says, seeing them together gave her the clarity she needed; and Sonny tells Phyllis that Carly’s (I think) calling the shots, and he ain’t having it.

📝 That Was Fast…

Regular Sam was back before the ink dried on the recast.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/lindsay-hartley-has-a-special-message-for-gh-fans

🏥 Coming To a Soap Near You…

What else would they say? It’s going to stink?

GH Stars Promise “So Much Good Stuff” Coming Up!

🎉 Happy Anniversary…

It wouldn’t be GH without her.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Celebrates Genie Francis’ 45th Anniversary – See the Pics!

🎣 Can’t Win…

Off one hook, and on another.

RHOBH Star Erika Jayne’s Company EJ Global Suspended by Tax Board as Attorney Claims It Was Used for “Improper Tax Deductions”

🧂 A Little Salt…

The meltdown was epic.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City Recap: World War Zion

🦖 We Gather Together…

The gang’s all here for the latest in dinosaur adventure. Looks good.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jurassic-world-dominion-trailer-has-jurassic-park-fans-losing-it-over-franchise-reunion/

🌞 Going To My Happy Place…

Swing by tomorrow for soap, tea, and quotable words. Until then, stay safe, stay composed, and stay being someone to be reckoned with.

Feb5

February 4, 2022 – Carly Meets Drew On the Footbridge, Suds Sweep, AMC News, a Pledge, a Goodbye, Dating Again, Threatening, Carol Tattles, Whining, Salty Talk, Puppies (!), Practically 10 Quotes & People

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Mac asks Dante if there’s any sign of what caused Kendall (apparently the driver’s name) to lose control of the vehicle. He and Dante look around the van with flashlights. Inside, the guard tells Peter that Kendall must have hit an icy patch and gone off the road. Dante says, all four tires have been punctured. They didn’t hit ice; they’ve been sabotaged. They see headlights coming toward them, and draw their guns.

Brook tells Bailey to sleep well. Mommy loves her.

Maxie says she’s glad Austin finally knows the truth about Louise. It’s been awful lying to him. He says he can imagine she’s had to juggle a lot of lies to really well-meaning people. She says she had to do what she had to do, and he says, he can’t help but wonder if her kissing him now is just another diversion.

Nina comes in to Charlie’s and, walking past Obrecht, she asks the bartender if Phyllis is around. Obrecht asks how long Nina is going to avoid her, and Nina says, Obrecht is responsible for her relationship with Mike coming out in court, so she doesn’t know. Obrecht says she did Nina a favor, and they both know it.

Chase asks if Bailey went down, and Brook says, like a champ. She had a big day. He says, all those people cooing over her. It must be exhausting being that cute. She says he should know, and he thanks her. She says she means when he was a baby. She bets he had really chubby cheeks. She puts her feet up, and he says he’ll never understand wearing shoes that hurt you. She asks, what is there to understand? These boots make her legs look amazing. He says, they do. Believe it or not, he really enjoyed today. She says, her too. She’s just glad they got out of there before the WSB came to arrest granny. He says, it woudn’t be a Quartermaine party if the police weren’t involved, and she says, that’s so true. He says he hopes it didn’t mar Ned and Olivia’s big day, but she says, no way. Nothing could diminish their happiness after how hard they worked for their marriage. He says, she’s right. Sometimes two people just belong together.

Sonny stands on the deck of the Haunted Star, wearing a white tux and holding a red rose, when Kristina comes out. She says, look at him. Carly won’t know what hit her. She asks what he’s doing out here; it’s freezing. He says he didn’t want to wait inside. He’s getting anxious, and wants to see Carly arrive so he can greet her with his rose. She says, very romantic, and he thanks her for what she did inside. She says her pleasure, and what he did to the state room looks amazing. It definitely has an island vibe. He says, not too much? but she says, no. Carly will see all the effort he put in, and see how much this night means to him. He says he just wants everything to be perfect, and Kristina says, it won’t be if she’s still here, so she’s out. She hugs him, and says, good luck, and he says he hopes this makes it right for him and Carly.

Carly walks on the footbridge, and flashes back to Sonny saying, if she’s not ready now, maybe she never will be. Drew comes onto the bridge, and says, they meet again.

Mac says, it could be an ambush, and Kendall comes up behind Dante and slugs him.

Brook tells Chase, she and Olivia have had their issues. She’s had them with her dad too, but she’s come to appreciate how good Ned and Olivia are together. He says, he’d hoped his mom and dad would find their way back to each other, but he’s had to accept that’s probably never going to happen. Maybe they don’t have what Ned and Olivia have; that connection, that something that makes you want to fight against all odds. She says, no one’s ever fought that hard for her, and he says she deserves a love that strong. She tells him that he doesn’t have to say that, but he says he said it because he believes it. She says, it’s a mighty generous thing to say to a person like her, and he says, a person like her? What is that supposed to mean? She says, it means he can cut the act. She knows what he really thinks of her. She stomps off, and out to the patio.

Felicia tells Anna, she still wishes she could have gone with Mac and Dante. She wanted to watch Peter get locked behind bars. That way, she could have taken a picture and sent it to Maxie, and Maxie would know for sure, and get on with her life. Anna says, now that Peter has been dealt with, they can get on with finding Louise. Felicia says, Maxie’s been through so much already. A dangerous psychopath is the father of her child, and all those fruitless searches for Louise. And the whole time, she’s had to handle it alone. Anna says, maybe Austin will change that, and Felicia says she likes him. He seems like a really good man. Lord knows Maxie deserves that. She doesn’t know what she’d do without Mac. How long has it been again? Anna says, not long. She’s waiting for a message from Valentin. Felicia says, Anna told her that Valentin had a lead on Louise. Wouldn’t it be wonderful? Peter behind bars, and a chance to bring Louise home? Anna says, everything would finally come together.

Maxie says she thought Austin understood, and he says he understands she was under a lot of stress, and it was really hard for her that the people she loves were really worried about Louise. She says, and she hated every minute of it; she told him that. But that has nothing to do with their kiss. She wanted to kiss him. He says he can’t help but wonder if there aren’t other factors in play, given her state emotionally. She says, that is a very clinical assessment, doctor. She knows how she feels. He says, she’s been lying to him. She’s been keeping a secret from him since the moment they met. Did she befriend him out of some kind of necessity? Everybody in this town knows her very well, and would know something was up, so she turned to him to keep them at bay because he’s new and safe. She says, he’s anything but safe. She and Brook lived in constant fear that he was going to remember what went on in the woods that night. She should have stayed away from him like she intended to, but she was drawn to him because she feels something for him. Is she alone in that? His phone rings, and he asks if they can talk later. She says, sure, and he jets.

Nina says she would have risked prison before betraying Sonny’s trust like that, and Obrecht says, that’s easy to say now, knowing it won’t happen. Nina starts to leave, but Obrecht says she doesn’t want to fight. Nina is her niece, and knows she’s always on her side. Who did Nina call to help her with Peter in Nixon Falls? Her. Nina says she did, and Obrecht almost died because of it. Obrecht says, that’s all over. She understands what it’s like to make bad choices for love’s sake; to be condemned for following your heart. If Nina needs a friendly face, here it is. Let’s sit. Nina says she was looking for Phyllis, and Obrecht says, Phyllis isn’t here, but she is. Please? They sit down, and Obrecht asks if Nina has eaten. She was supposed to have dinner with Britt, but she was a tiny bit late, and Britt ditched her. Nina says she’s not hungry, and Obrecht says, then they’ll drink. What happened to ruin her appetite? Nina says she had another run-in with Carly. It doesn’t seem to matter where she goes, Carly is there, and no matter what she says or does, Carly takes it in the worst way possible. With good reason, but Nina gets the feeling Carly is more interested in hating her than she is in helping her own husband. Obrecht asks, why does Sonny need help?

Drew asks if Carly is missing Jason, and she says, always. He was her sounding board, her voice of reason. Even when she didn’t agree with him, he never held it against her. He says he’d be willing to listen, or he can just go and let her think in peace, but she says she doesn’t want him to go. What about him? Is he thinking about Jason tonight too? He says, actually, Oscar’s been on his mind, and she says, she and Josslyn miss him a lot. Oscar and Josslyn used to come to this bridge all the time. He says he’s grateful for the few years he had with his son; he just wishes they’d had more time. She says, life is precious, and he says, they shouldn’t waste a second. She wonders why she’s stuck on this bridge trying to make a decision, and he asks what she’s trying to decide. She says, about her and Sonny.

Sonny sets the rose down on the steps, and leans on the deck railing. He says, she’ll be here.

Felicia tells Anna, still no word from Mac. She knows it’s silly of her to try. He’s got a lot going on, but she can’t help it. He said he’d call her as soon as he got to the prison. Shouldn’t he have gotten there already? Anna says, the roads are frozen. It might have slowed them down. Felicia says, maybe. Does Anna really believe that? Anna wonders if Felicia thinks something’s wrong, and Felicia says, when has dealing with Peter ever gone right? Anna says she’ll meet Felicia in the car, and takes off, Felicia not far behind her.

Carly’s phone rings, and it’s Kristina. Kristina says, it’s probably none of her business, but she wants her dad to be happy. He’s waiting for Carly on the Haunted Star. Does she want to show up? Carly says she knows Kristina loves her father, but she’s right, this is none of her business. Kristina says, he’s standing on a freezing deck with his heart on his sleeve. Can’t Carly at least meet him halfway? She helped him put everything together, and trust her, he’s pulled out all the stops to show Carly how much their marriage means to him. She can’t turn her back; it will crush him. Carly says, that’s not what she’s doing. All she asked for was a little bit of space. Kristina says, well, just show up. Please tell her that she’ll at least hear him out. Carly says she can’t do this right now. Goodbye. Drew asks if Carly is okay, but she says, no.

Nina says she wanted to talk to Obrecht, but how could she after what happened in court? Obrecht says, she only told Scotty what she suspected to keep Nina out of prison, and it worked. Thanks to Scotty’s brilliant strategy, she’s a free woman. These are different circumstances. Whatever’s going on now, she promises not to say a word to anyone; she swears. Nina says, Sonny is having some health issues, and it got so bad, she was afraid to leave him alone. She even spent a harrowing night at his place. She’s just thankful she got him to realize that he needed some help. Right after that, she ran into Carly, and tried desperately to tell her that her husband was in trouble, but Carly refused to listen to her. Obrecht says, Nina told her Sonny was sick, and she didn’t care? but Nina says she never got that far. Carly wasn’t hearing anything Nina had to say. Obrecht says, it sounds like she wasn’t trying very hard, and Nina says she’s a little conflicted because Sonny doesn’t want Carly to know what he’s going through. Obrecht says she doesn’t care what Sonny or Carly want; she cares what Nina wants. And she doesn’t think Nina wants Sonny and Carly to get back together.

Chase comes onto the patio and says, Brook can’t just tell him something like that and storm out. He puts a blanket around her shoulders, and says, besides, he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She says, please. He acts all nice, but she knows the truth. He asks, what truth? and she says, when they first moved in, she overheard his conversation with Dante, telling him what a horrible person she is. How he wants to protect Bailey from her influence. He says he’s been trying to figure out why she’s been so hot and cold with him lately. That was just talk; he didn’t mean it. She asks why he said it, and he says, because he slipped. He said it would be a mistake if he developed feelings for her. She says, much better. Thanks for clearing that up. He says he was referring to Bailey. That’s what they’re doing here, right? If he developed feelings for her, it would complicate things, so he had to downplay it to Dante. Dante is a sharp guy, so he said all that crap about her not being his type. She asks if he really had to take it that far. He said awful things about her character. He tells her, she said herself that he’s a terrible liar, so he went too far to make sure Dante bought it. She says, so he doesn’t think she’s a horrible person? and he moves closer to her, saying, just the opposite. He says, he’s come to realize what a truly good person she is.

Spinelli tells Sam, crisis averted. James just wanted a glass of water. Where were they? Her and destiny; choosing a path. New life with Dante; second chance with Drew… She says, things with Dante are great. She loves seeing him with Scout and Danny; he’s a great father. He’s really stepped up, and taken care of all the kids’ needs. He says, what about her needs? and she says she’s not discussing her sex life with him. Okay, no complaints; none. He says, but by her own admission, she has unfinished business with Drew, and she says, if Jason hadn’t come back, they were starting a whole new life together, so it’s hard not to say what if? He says he sees no harm in asking, when Maxie walks in. She says she didn’t know Sam was here. Are Georgie and James sleeping? Spinelli says they’re both asleep, and Sam asks if something’s wrong. Maxie says, she kissed Austin, okay? Sam says, and? and Maxie says, it was horrible.

The police radio asks what the status is; please advise. Lying on the ground, Dante reaches for the radio, and says, 10-99. He repeats, 10-99. Officers down. Multiple injuries. The radio falls from his hand, and we see another man down by the van.

Carly tells Drew that Sonny planned this elaborate surprise at the Haunted Star. He’s recreated Martinique. Drew says, which is where they got married, right? She says, second wedding. Sonny really knows how to make a romantic gesture. He asks, so what is she doing here, and not there? and she says, she doesn’t need romance right now. She needs some space to figure out her feelings. Sonny wants her to commit right here, right now to fighting for her marriage. Is she wrong for not wanting to meet him halfway? He says, back up a moment. She just said she didn’t need romance; she needs time. And she said this to Sonny? She says, yes, and he says, and Sonny went ahead and planned this elaborate surprise, and wants her to come despite how she’s feeling right now? She says, yeah, and he says, that’s not about meeting Sonny halfway. That’s just Sonny being Sonny, trying to fix things on his timetable. The fact that she’s here right now is proof she has doubts. She’s 100% justified in feeling the way she does. She thanks him, and says she’s so glad he understands. He says he thinks he does, which is why he’s going to ask this. Is she positive she doesn’t want to go?

Brook asks if Chase really thinks she’s a good person, and he says, he doesn’t think; he knows. Look what she did for Maxie. Not to mention she put herself at risk to protect Bailey from her lunatic father. She says, and she lied to her family… So much lying. He says, good thing she can lie with the best of them, and she laughs. She says she never thought she’d hear Detective Harrison Chase condone duplicity, and he says, what she did was incredible. It might not have started out for the noblest of reasons, but she came through with flying colors. She stuck to her promise, and protected Bailey. Brook treated Bailey like her own daughter, all while she was taking serious hits to her reputation and character. She says she’d do anything to protect that little girl, and he says, him too, because they’re partners, which is exactly why they can’t be any more than friends. She says, but has he considered it?

Anna walks around the van, gun drawn. She looks in the van, and sees only the guard, lying across the seat. She checks for a pulse. She says, all clear, and Felicia comes out and checks Dante. She says, he’s just unconscious, but where’s Mac? Anna says she doesn’t know; be careful. Anna turns Dante over, and asks if he can talk. Felicia sees Mac, on the ground, shot, and says, oh my God, Mac. Dante asks, where’s Peter? and Anna says, he escaped.

Sonny sits on the steps, and takes a new wedding ring set out of his pocket and looks at them. He hears footsteps, and goes to the railing. He says, Carly?

Nina says, Obrecht told her that she doesn’t want to fight, but then accuses her of not wanting Sonny and Carly’s marriage to work. She gets up and grabs her coat, but Obrecht says, slow down and calm down. She’s not accusing Nina of anything, except perhaps not going after what she wants. She’s on Nina’s side, and wants her to be happy. Tell her, does she love Sonny? Nina says, Sonny is committed to his marriage, and Obrecht says, that wasn’t her question. Nina sits back down, and says, Sonny fell in love with her when he was Mike, a man without a past. Obrecht says, he was Sonny then, and he’s still Sonny now. Scotty told her that Sonny even admitted under oath that he loved Nina; that doesn’t just disappear. Nina says, it does when you have a wife and children. She can’t forget about that little detail. Sonny loves Carly. Obrecht says, perhaps he loves Nina too, but Nina says, she cannot be the woman who breaks apart Sonny and Carly’s marriage. Obrecht tells her, don’t be ridiculous. Marriages break up all the time. Is Nina going to live her life based on what others think? Does she think Sonny and Carly do? If Nina loves Sonny, and he loves her, why shouldn’t they be together?

Kristina tells Sonny, sorry; it’s only her. He says he saw her leaving, and she says, she did, but she came back. She thought he’d see her coming up the dock, but he says he was busy. He shows her the rings, saying, when he came back from Nixon Falls, he lost his wedding band, so he bought two more, since it’s the beginning. She says she’s sorry, and he says, she doesn’t have to be sorry; Carly is always late. She knows how important this night is to him. He asks what she’s doing here, and she says she wanted to be there for him… because Carly’s not coming. She called Carly. He says she didn’t have to do that, and she says she couldn’t help herself. She knows how important this night is for him, but Carly said she couldn’t do it. He says, do what? and she says, meet him halfway. He says, Carly told her that? She didn’t even want to try?… So Carly’s not coming? Kristina shakes her head.

Carly tells Drew that she can’t decide what to do. Does she show up at the Haunted Star, or call Sonny and tell him that she can’t come? He says he gets it; let’s work it through. She says, okay. She knows this much. Champagne and candles are not going to fix what’s wrong between her and Sonny, and he should respect her request for space. Drew says, agreed but is that something Sonny would really do? She says, who knows anymore? Sonny has been all over place since he came back from Nixon Falls, but he should at least try for her her sake. He says, absolutely, and she says, this is typical Sonny though. He has to be in control of everything, and he made tonight feel like an ultimatum; show up or else. Drew says, what if it is?

Mac is on a stretcher, and the paramedics tend to him. Felicia says, they have to get him to General Hospital, but a paramedic says, if they move him before he’s stabilized, they could lose him. Felicia tells Mac, please hang in there; she loves him so much. Dante asks Anna, what’s going on? and she says, Mac was shot. They’re trying to stabilize him right now, then move him to GH. He says he can’t believe he let Peter escape, and she asks if he can tell her what happened. He says he was in the van with Peter and the guard. The van lost control and was swerving everywhere. Then it just stopped. She says, spike strips; she managed to avoid them. He says he’s glad somebody did. He got out, and left Peter and the guard in the van. Mac joined him in searching for what caused the accident. He noticed the tires had been punctured. Then a light came from over here. He points, and she says, a car? Description? He says, no. It was an SUV because the lights were too high. He sensed someone walking behind him, and it was Kendall. He hit Dante over the head. Anna asks if he knows who shot the Pentenville guard or this man, pointing the guy near the van, but he says, no. He came to, and called the dispatcher. He asks, how’s Mac? He doesn’t hear any sirens. She says, they’re still working on him, and he asks if there’s any sign of Peter, but she says, no. Her guess is, he and Kendall took someone’s car. Dante says, he could be anywhere, and she says, they’ll find him. They have to.

Spinelli says, for clarification’s sake, Austin’s kiss was not satisfying? Maxie says, what? and Sam reminds her that she said it was horrible. Maxie says, that’s not what she meant. The kiss was great. It just got really messed up afterwards. Sam says she needs to hear this, when Maxie’s phone rings. She steps away, and says, Austin, hi. Austin says, they have patients coming into the ER. There was a shooting on Route 31. Maxie says, that’s the road to Pentenville. Sam asks, what’s going on? and Maxie says, there was a shooting on Route 31. Spinelli says, he’s on it, and goes to his laptop. Maxie tells Austin that she’s putting him on speaker, and asks, who was shot? He says he doesn’t have any details, but he knows one cop was injured. Sam says, that must be the prison van, and Maxie says, oh my God, Mac and Dante. Sam asks if there’s any other information, and Austin says, this is what he can tell them; multiple injured and two fatalities.

Drew tells Carly, Sonny has to know he’s in the wrong. He’s got to know that he shouldn’t be pushing like this, but it’s almost like he can’t help it. Because he can’t stand the idea of losing her and the kids and the family. All of it is way too much for him to lose. What if it’s not an ultimatum, and it’s more of a cry for help? He’s got to believe they have a future together, so what if instead thinking of it as caving, she thinks of it as throwing him a lifeline?

Sonny closes the ring box and looks like he might pitch it into the water, but he doesn’t. He opens the box, takes one of the rings out, and looks at it.  

Brook tells Chase, what is she saying? Of course (🍷) he’s considered it. He’s hot; she’s hot. He says, that’s not what he meant, and she says, he doesn’t think she’s hot? He says, no… yes… definitely. He was talking about her as a person. He likes her – Brook Lyn. That’s why they’re friends. He moves closer, and she says, friends, right. Because anything more would be too complicated. He says, exactly. So it’s out of the question. She says she never even considered it, and he says, neither did he. They look as though they might kiss.

Nina tells Obrecht that she’s going to the ladies room. Feel free to order without her. She’s leaving her stuff; don’t steal anything. Nina leaves, and Obrecht says, a drink it is. Kristina comes in on the phone, saying, she was already late for work as it was. She gets the point; he’d rather not let her see him in pain, but she should have seen the look on his face when he realized Carly wasn’t coming. It broke her heart. He told her to leave, now her dad is all alone on the Haunted Star… Right… She knows. She’ll give him some time, but she’s calling him when she gets off work. Speaking of work, she’d better get going. Thanks for listening, mom… Love you too. She sees Obrecht standing at the bar.

A detective asks what Anna thinks, and she says she thinks Kendall saw the strip in the middle of the road and did nothing to avoid it. That he intentionally disabled the van to allow the gunman, or gunmen, to move in. She needs tire track prints from the other car on the shoulder. An officer walks up, and asks if there’s any news on the chief, and she says, he’s on his way to the hospital; thanks for asking. What about Kendell? Did they find him? The officer says, five miles up the road, and Anna says, great. She’ll follow him in her car. She wants answers. He says, she won’t get them from Kendall. Kendall’s dead.

Maxie and Sam come into the hospital, and Maxie asks Austin if there’s an update. He says he doesn’t know; he just got here. Felicia comes out, and hugs Maxie. She asks where James and Georgie are, and Maxie says, they’re with Spinelli. What happened? Is Mac…? Felicia says, Mac was shot. He’s lost a lot of blood, and it took forever to stabilize him, but he’s here now. It doesn’t look good. Maxie says, he’s going to be okay. Sam asks Austin about Dante, and he says, table two. She thanks him, and goes in. Dante is hooked up to a couple of monitors, but she hugs him anyway. He says, he’s okay; he’ll be fine. He’s sorry to put her through this though. He guesses it’s the downside of dating a cop. She says, there is no downside to having him in her life, and he says he’ll make sure she remembers that. She says she’s lucky to have him in her life. He says, he’s lucky to have her, and they kiss

Obrecht orders a vodka tonic, and goes back to the table. Nina has come back, along with a glass of wine that magically appeared. Obrecht says, now’s Nina’s chance, and Nina says, for what? Obrecht says, she just heard Sonny’s daughter on the phone. Kristina was saying Sonny is in a bad way. Perhaps he’s still sick. Nina says, she thought he got his medication, but maybe he didn’t. He could be in trouble. Obrecht says, there’s only one way to find out. Sonny’s on the Haunted Star… all alone.

The detective tells Anna, they’re checking for signs Kendall was injured here. He probably succumbed to his injuries, and was dumped where the police found him. Anna says, don’t waste your time, and the officer says, Kendall was shot point blank. He died instantly. His guess is that Kendall and Peter had a disagreement, but Anna says, no; it was planned. Peter hates loose ends. She tells them to send an update that the prisoner is traveling alone, and should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.

Maxie asks Austin, what about Mac? Can they see him? He says, one of them can go in there, and only for a minute. Maxie says, that would be Felicia, and Felicia goes. Maxie asks Austin to please tell her one of those dead bodies was Peter, but he says, no; he checked first thing. Peter’s still out there.

Carly tells Drew that she’s not ready to give up on her marriage. So this isn’t about what’s fair. It’s about what they both need emotionally. He says, okay, and what does she need right now? and she says she needs Sonny to know she’s still in this. She’s not giving up, but they can figure things out without closing the door on their marriage. Right? She thanks him and gives him a hug. She says, thanks for talking to her and clarifying things. He says, always. He’s glad they bumped into each other. She says, her too, and his phone rings. He says, Anna… Wait… What happened to Dante.

At the van, Anna asks if he can hear her. Mac and Dante were transporting Peter to Pentenville, and they were ambushed. They’ve both been hurt. He says, what about August? and she says, there’s no sign of him. He says, dammit, and Carly says, what? He tells her, Peter August escaped.

Sonny closes the ring box, and says, that’s that. He turns to leave, and sees Nina walking out onto the deck.  

Chase says, they should get back, and Brook says, of course (🍷). Chase’s phone rings, and he says, Dante, what’s up? At the hospital, Dante says, there’s something he should know. Mac was shot tonight. Chase asks, how bad? but Dante says, they don’t know. He’s on his way to surgery now. Chase asks, what happened? and Dante says, the transport van was ambushed. Peter escaped. Brook says, what? and Chase says, the transport van was ambushed. Mac was shot and Peter escaped. She says, oh no, and runs inside. Chase runs after her, and Dante asks if he’s still there. Brook and Chase run into the nursery, and Bailey’s crib is empty. Brook starts to cry, and says, no, no, no!   

In a moving car, Peter tells Bailey/Louise, hello, sweetheart. Safe and snug. They’re together, and he’s never letting her go.

On Monday, Austin says, it’s a helluva story; Chase says, all signs point to Peter; Anna asks if Robert wants to go down that path; and Sonny says, his and Nina’s time together never happened.

🧹 Sweeping Up…

What’s to come on the soaps this month.

February Sweeps Preview

👄 La Lucci Speaks…

The diva of Pine Valley tells all.

Susan Lucci Talks ALL MY CHILDREN’s Future
Susan Lucci Shares an Update on the AMC Reboot, PINE VALLEY

👩🏾‍⚕️ Front Line Help…

She might not be a nurse off-camera, but she’s just as caring.

GH Nurse Sonya Eddy Pledges To Help Real-Life Nurses!

☄️ Farewell To a Star…

Another loss to the soap world.

Donald May, Beloved Star of The Edge of Night, Texas, Dead at 94

👠 She’s Available…

Randall is an idiot.

https://people.com/tv/lala-kent-dating-again-after-randall-emmett-split/

🍊 OC Delusion…

I wanted to like her, but I’ve come to the conclusion she’s batsh*t crazy.

https://www.monstersandcritics.com/tv/reality-tv/rhoc-newbie-noella-bergener-talks-feud-with-heather-dubrow-says-costar-sees-her-as-a-threat/

🗽 Accessing Production…

Like this matters anymore.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/31/carole-radziwill-bethenny-frankel-had-access-to-rhony-producers/

🛥 Ultimate Complaint…

What a shock. Brandi is mean.

Vicki Gunvalson Calls Brandi Glanville “So Mean” as Brandi Responds, Talks Cancer Battle, Shades RHOC Ratings, and Says New Cast Members Are “Cheap”

🧂 Rubbing Salt In the Wound…

This week’s recap.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/30/rhoslc-recap-lisa-barlow-implies-meredith-marks-cheated-on-husband-seth/

Exit stage Mary.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/03/mary-cosby-exits-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city/

Everybody is getting into the act.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/04/john-mayer-drags-rhoslc-star-lisa-barlow-in-andy-cohen-tribute/

🐶 They’re Coming…

All you need to know about the upcoming Puppy Bowl XVIII.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/puppy-bowl-announcement

🦜 Quotes of the Week

Fashion is a movie. Every morning when you get dressed, you direct yourself. – Thierry Mugler

For a New Yorker anything is possible. – Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), The Gilded Age

Don’t let anyone who hasn’t been in your shoes tie your laces. – Judge Faith Jenkins

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. – Maya Angelou

The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. – Ida B. Wells

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. – Alice Walker

Above all else, go with a sense of humor. It is needed armor. Joy in one’s heart and some laughter on one’s lip is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life. – Hugh Sidey

Don’t lose your sense of humor. – the only advice my father gave me when I left home. I’ve come close.

Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied. – George Washington Carver

🚶🏽‍♀️ Time To Skedaddle…

It’s here – the weekend for those still doing the 9 to 5, and the next two days for those off the work grid. Come join me on the third day for soap and a Deck Reunion. Until then, stay safe, stay pragmatic, and stay off any yacht you’re not invited aboard.

Jan29

January 28, 2022 – Peter Sees His Daughter, Subbing, Connections, Parry’s Start, New Venture, Rinnafish, Salty Talk, Unfollowed, Calendar, Puppies (!), a Countdown’s Worth Of Quotes & 28th

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brook backs into an examining room with Bailey in her stroller. Chase is there in his briefs, and she says, sorry to interrupt. TJ said he’d be in here, and it’s really important. She turns around, and says, oh, hi.

Esme asks if Spencer heard what Josslyn just called her. Trina’s a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, and somehow that makes her a manipulative bitch? Josslyn asks if she wasn’t clear. Esme’s always been a bitch from the moment she got into town. Playing that stupid drinking game is just her stupid way of proving it. Cameron thinks it’s settled; the bar is closed for tonight. No more alcohol for any of them. Josslyn says she’s not going to let Esme blame alcohol for what happened tonight. She’s jealous of Spencer’s friendship with Trina, so Esme deliberately set out to humiliate her by dredging up the past. Trina ran out of here in tears, but she’s guessing that’s exactly what Esme wanted. Esme says, really? Josslyn thinks it was her goal to hurt Trina? Josslyn says, hurt her, embarrass her, one or the other. Josslyn looks at Spencer, and says, and what about him? Can he finally see Esme for who she really is?

Stella meets Curtis at Charlie’s, and he says she looks fantastic. She thanks him, and sits down. He says, her time at the wellness center agreed with her, and she says she can’t thank him enough for arranging that. She feels better than ever. Catch her up on everything. She doesn’t need to hear about him and Portia; she can tell by the look on his face. He says, that obvious, huh? and she says she’s happy for both of them. TJ’s been texting her about the latest doings at GH, but there’s at least one empty space in her family album. How are things going with him and Marshall? He says, improving. Kind of. But at least he’s not in the dark anymore. Marshall told him everything. She says, he did what?

Marshall (temporary Marshall – see below) walks into Kelly’s, and puts a little plant on the table Epiphany is sitting at. He says, he was told he could find her here, and sits down. She asks, what’s up with the plant? and he says it’s to thank her for looking out for him after he spoiled their date. She says, he didn’t spoil anything. He had a health crisis. She’s just glad it wasn’t anything serious. He says, it was his serious chance to get to know her better. He just hopes he gets another crack at it.

Martin sees Laura at the Bistro, and she says thanks for meeting her. He sits down, and says he’s just sorry he missed Luke’s memorial. He never met the man, but he wanted to be there to support her. You know what they say about the life of an attorney; it’s either feast or famine. She says, right now, as she understands it, he’s feasting on Peter August’s retainer, and he asks, who told her? She says she’s the mayor, remember? The DA is a good friend of hers. Does he have any idea what he’s in for?

Peter pulls at his handcuffs, and flashes back to talking to Victor saying, Brook and Maxie conspired to pass off Louise as Brook and Valentin’s child, so Peter would be convinced his child had been kidnapped and disappeared into thin air. Dante comes in, and Peter asks if it’s an official visit, or is Dante just dropping by as a concerned friend? Dante laughs, and says, he’s there to tell Peter that he’s now being transferred to Pentenville tomorrow. They want to do some more tests; make sure they dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s. Peter says, they already cleared him to go, and Dante asks, what’s a few more hours? Does he have someplace to be? Peter laughs.

Valentin shows the reception nurse his driver’s license, and says, she can check Bailey’s file and see he’s her father. The nurse leaves, and Victor says he couldn’t help but overhear. What does Valentin want with Bailey’s medical records? She’s not his daughter. Valentin says, legally, she still is. For whatever reason, Brook hasn’t updated Bailey’s birth certificate or medical records. Victor says, makes you wonder, doesn’t it? and Valentin says, wonder what? Victor says, whether Brook is hiding something.

Chase puts on his pants, and asks if Brook ever knocks. She says she’s sorry. When the nurse said he was in this room, she didn’t mention he’d be doing a strip routine. He says, that tends to happen when you’re having a physical, and she asks if he’s all right. Did he have a setback? He says, no. His blood pressure’s stabilized, and he passed with flying colors. She says, good, and he says, which is ironic. If he wasn’t suspended, he’d be cleared from desk duty and back out in the field. But the upside of being suspended is, he gets more time with Bailey. He tells Bailey that she’s the best little workout buddy. He’s never run so many miles so fast. Brook says it’s too bad Chase is her father in name only. Bailey could get used to having him around.

Esme tells Spencer to say something, and he asks, how’s Trina? Is she okay? Josslyn says, no, she’s not okay. He saw her; she ran out of the room in tears. She won’t even come out of the room. Josslyn had to talk to her through the door. Cameron says, the alcohol hit her hard, but Josslyn says, the problem was not what was in the mug. Cameron says he’s never seen Trina drink before, and he thought that might have been it. Josslyn says, the problem was Esme implying Trina had feelings for Cameron, but Cameron says, it doesn’t make sense. It’s ancient history. Why would it bother her now? Esme says, maybe it never stopped bothering Trina, or she didn’t want to bother them with it. Or maybe Trina’s just a drama queen. They had plenty of those at boarding school. Spencer says he doesn’t think Trina’s a drama queen. He thinks she’s legitimately upset. Esme says, Josslyn and Cameron must be thrilled. Now they’ve even got Spence doubting her. All roads lead to Trina. Trina has Spencer wrapped around her little finger, and he doesn’t even see it. She stomps off, and Josslyn asks if Spencer heard her; how she’s trying to make this Trina’s fault. What is wrong with him? Trina is his friend. She’s given him chance after chance. Why can’t he call Esme out for the snake she is?

Stella asks Curtis, when he said Marshall told him everything, what exactly did he mean? Curtis tells her, he said he got mixed up with some shady characters, and he was afraid they were going to use his family as a bargaining chip to keep him in line. So Marshall decided, in order to keep his wife and kids safe, he would disappear and make everyone think he was dead. She sighs, and he asks if she’s okay. He knows it comes as a shock. She says, he has no idea, and he tells her, Marshall didn’t say it in so many words, but his father was in the Witness Protection Program. She says, he believes that? and he asks if she’s saying he shouldn’t.

Epiphany says, Marshall needs to keep taking those new pills the doctor prescribed, and focus on lowering his blood pressure, and she needs to get back to work and finish her shift. He says, the medication is working already; he can feel it. But why does she sound like the one with a problem? She says, no problem. The doctor that wrote him the prescription reminded her of something. That there are some dreams, no matter how sweet, that deserve to die.

Peter tells Dante, the only place he’s going is the courtroom, and the sooner, the better. His attorney is going to get all these charges dismissed, and he can move on with his life. Dante says, the only life Peter is going to have is inside a prison. The question is, is it going to be in Pentenville or Steinmaur? Peter tells Dante, he’s going to beat these charges. Then he’s going to do what everyone, including the PCPD, failed to do. Find his daughter. Dante asks, what makes him think he’s going to find Louise when no one else has? Peter says he has some resources that have yet to be tapped into, and Dante says, like what? Peter says, he could tell Dante, but then he’d have to kill him, and Dante asks if he’s threatening a police officer. Peter asks if Dante is trying to entrap an innocent man. Come on. Don’t they have some tests to run to initiate his transfer? Or is Dante going to risk getting charged with police brutality by compromising Peter’s mortality?

Valentin asks, what makes Victor think Brook is hiding something? and Victor says he’s not the one looking into Bailey’s medical records. Think about it. He starts to leave, but Valentin says, hang on. If he tells Victor something, can he trust him?

Spencer asks what Josslyn wants him to say. Esme’s his girlfriend. Back in boarding school, when he thought his father was dead, she stood by him. When they came to Port Charles, she repeatedly had his back. She thought she was going to be living at Windymere, and when he told her that he’d decided they were living at his grandmother’s house, she didn’t complain at all. Josslyn and Trina made it well-known that they don’t like Esme. She hasn’t felt accepted by any of his friends. Josslyn says she knows that Esme has some kind of hold over Spencer, but he’s got to wake up and see all the hurt she’s done. When she’s not burning down a car, she’s burning down his friendship with Trina. He asks what Cameron thinks. Cameron has always tried to mediate, and see Esme’s perspective. Cameron says he can’t believe Spencer has to ask him that. Cameron saw how Esme treated Trina. The question is, did Spencer?

Esme goes into the master bedroom, and says, perfect.

Stella tells Curtis that she’s not saying he should doubt Marshall’s story. It just really surprises her. He says he’s sorry if it upsets her, but at least now they know why Marshall felt the need to disappear. But when he tries to find out more, like who those guys were and if they’re still a threat, Marshall tells him to back off. It’s funny to him, since he was the one who wanted no part of Marshall. Now Marshall is telling him to lay off. She tells him, maybe he should do as Marshall says, and set aside his interrogation for a while. He says, wait a minute. She’s his Bible scripture quoting auntie, who’s always reminding him that the truth shall set you free. So where is it written that Marshall gets a pass?

Marshall tells Epiphany, dreams don’t die, unless you give up on them. He doesn’t know her well, but she doesn’t strike him as a quitter. She says, that’s the thing. She thought she knew what kind of treatment he needed, but that wasn’t her place. He says, her place was to speak her mind, and he’s grateful she did. She thanks him, but says, it’s the last time she’s going to tell a doctor what to do. He says, even if the doctor is wrong? but she says, that’s the thing; Dr. Rose wasn’t wrong. Marshall just needed to adjust his blood pressure medication, right?

Martin tells Laura, every defendant is entitled to legal counsel. It’s right there in the Constitution, and Peter August is no exception. She asks if he’s saying he took the case in the spirit of justice under the law, and he asks, why shouldn’t he? His little sister isn’t the only person who cares about the public good. She says, how noble of him. And does doing the public good come along with a big, fat check made out to Martin Grey, Esquire?

Victor says he’s Valentin’s father. Of course (🍷) Valentin can trust him. Valentin says, but he’s a one-time ally to Peter August, and Peter says, it was strictly a business arrangement that terminated on the Island of Crete, when Peter crossed the line. Doesn’t he remember? It was the first time he and Valentin teamed up together. And when he got back to the states, he provided information to help track Peter down. What does he have to prove? Whatever’s troubling Valentin, he shouldn’t carry this burden alone. It’s too bad lovely Anna isn’t here by his side. And why this interest in medical records of a child that’s not even his, and what has it got to do with Peter?

Chase says, he could get used being around… Bailey, and Brook says, he missed a button. She fixes it for him, and says she hopes he gets to be a real father someday. He’s got the touch. He says, so does she. She didn’t tell him why she was looking for him. Did she hear from Maxie? She says, no. She’s been sitting on pins and needles. What if being in Pawtuck somehow jars Austin’s memory, and he remembers Maxie handing Louise off to her? He says, Maxie knows what’s at stake; keeping her precious little girl away from Peter. Come on; let’s go home. They leave, as Peter is being wheeled around the corner. Peter looks at Bailey, and I wonder, did Peter get a perm???  Peter says, what a beautiful baby, and Brook says, they think so. Chase says he’s one proud dad, and Peter says he’s sure Chase is. Chase asks Dante what Peter is doing here, and Dante says, a final bit of clearance before Pentenville. Peter says, he never saw the resemblance before, but now he gets it. Bailey looks just like her mother. Chase says, get him out of here, and Dante says, sure thing, and they wheel Peter into the elevator. He stares at Bailey until the last possible second, and then gives a creepy smile.

Martin tells Laura, they were in hiding for months. He couldn’t work. It’s not like he doesn’t have expenses; his mother’s around the clock care for one thing. Then there’s the herd of ex-wives, none of whom will ever get married, because they’re having way too much fun playing the alimony mambo. Of course (🍷) there’s his private wine collection. It should be a tax deduction, since he only has it to impress his clients, but try telling that to the IRS. She asks if he’s going to tell them about the expenses of courting Lucy, and he says, no, and neither is she, especially when Valentin is around. He’s got this thing about conflict of interest. She says, as the mayor, and defender of their Constitution, she wholeheartedly believes in Peter’s right to competent legal counsel, but as his sister, does it have to be him? Peter has hurt so many people; Maxie and her baby. He says, about that. She doesn’t think Peter will ever get his hands on that little baby girl, does she? Nobody’s known about her whereabouts for months. She says, that’s her point. The only way Peter will get his hands on that little girl is if someone as smart as Martin finds a way to exonerate him. Martin says, fine. Laura is going to make a play for the cheap seats.

Valentin tells Victor that Brook used Bailey to help the Quartermaine family regain control of ELQ. He would say, turnabout is fair play, wouldn’t Victor? Victor says, so Valentin is hoping to find something in the medical records he can use to his advantage. Like what for instance? Valentin doesn’t know; he’s fishing. He’s throwing a line in the water and seeing if anything bites. Victor tells him, happy fishing. He hopes Valentin catches something. The nurse comes back with Bailey’s folder, and asks if there’s something in particular Valentin is looking for in Bailey’s records.

Marshall tells Epiphany, changing medications isn’t going to heal the family he abandoned. She says, but he came back. He’s here now, and the longer he lives, the better chance he stands of making his family whole again. He says he’d rather talk about her dream of becoming a doctor, and she says, while she appreciates his interest, she thinks he should save some of his concern for that family of his.

Stella says she’s not giving Marshall a pass. She’s just asking why Curtis can’t accept his father’s version of events, and move on. Or is he using this as an excuse to keep from letting his father into his life? He says, Marshall’s already got one foot in the door. This is about his family’s safety; him, her, and TJ. What if the trouble that caused him to leave all those decades ago is still out there? If he opens that door just a little more, and trouble follows Marshall in, doesn’t she think he deserves to know what to expect? Or is none of this news to her? Does she know something he doesn’t?

Esme comes out with her coat, and says she’s leaving, but Spencer suggests taking a minute to cool off. She says she’s not spending another minute with small-minded people who have never, and will never, accept her for who she is. Josslyn says, the problem is, they know who she is. That’s why they don’t accept her. Esme asks if Spencer is coming or not, and he says, they all had those hot toddies, and with icy conditions, he doesn’t think it’s safe for either of them to drive right now. She says she ordered a car, but it seems he’s made his choice. He’s choosing them over her. Spencer says he’ll go with her, but first, he’s going to check on Trina. Then he’ll get their bags, and he’ll meet her outside. Esme says, Trina’s asleep, and they can send for their things; let’s go. Spencer says, sorry, guys, and follows her out. Cameron says, so much for their weekend getaway. He’s so sorry this all blew up. Josslyn says she’s not. She can’t stand Esme, and she’s thrilled that she doesn’t have to pretend otherwise. She feels horrible for Trina, but remember when they got drunk on the Haunted Star? The only cure is to sleep it off, so she guesses for now, it’s just the two of them.

Outside, Cameron tells Josslyn, the stars are very beautiful tonight; very close. Josslyn says, the more she thinks about it, this whole getaway was Esme’s idea. He says, so? and she asks if he thinks this was Esme’s plan all along; to embarrass them, and humiliate Trina? He says he hopes not. The funny thing is, he always thought Esme was so sure of herself, but after tonight, he realizes how insecure and terrified she is of losing Spencer. She says, here’s hoping by the time they’re down from the mountain, Spencer realizes Esme was trying to hurt his friends, and he dumps her. Cameron says he’s tired talking of talking about Esme, and Spencer. He thinks they should stop talking altogether. They kiss, and she nods, and they go inside. 

Stella tells Curtis, honestly, until this moment, she never suspected Marshall was mixed up in dirty business. He says he’s not trying to upset her, but now that she knows, does it ring any bells? Can she think back 40 years ago, and remember any names or faces that might have been mixed up with Marshall? She says she wasn’t even there, and Irene is no longer with them. All the more reason to consider what Marshall is saying, and leave things alone.

Marshall says, things are good with TJ, and getting better with Curtis, but Epiphany says, that’s not what he said when they went out to dinner. He says, while Curtis owns a nightclub, he still thinks like a P.I.; he questions everything. But he’s sure in time, Curtis will come around. She says, remember what she told him about her son? and he says, yeah, that they don’t always have as much time as they think they do. But doesn’t that apply to her as well, with her dream of becoming a doctor?

Brook asks if Chase saw the way Peter was smiling at Bailey. It’s almost as if he knows the truth. He tells her, Peter said she looks just like her mother; he meant her. She says, did he? What If he suspects the truth? What if he was saying Bailey looks like Maxie? Chase says, she has to remember, that’s just who Peter is. He wants to get under your skin, if not with poison, than with words. But Peter can’t possibly know. Laura approaches them, and says, Peter can’t possibly know what?

Peter says he can’t wait to get back to Pentenville, and Dante says, really? The place where he was poisoned, and it almost killed him? Peter says he’ll take the risk of lax security if it means getting to trial faster. (Ha Security doesn’t get any less lax than at GH.) Martin walks in, and Peter says, speaking of which, here’s his attorney. Martin asks if Dante will do him a favor, and give him five minutes with alone with Peter. Dante says he’ll be right outside, and leaves. Peter asks, what brings Martin here? Good news he hopes. Martin says, that depends on which side of those handcuffs you’re on. He’s sorry, but he finds it necessary to recuse himself from Peter’s defense. Peter says he sees. If Martin no longer wishes to represent him, they’ll go their separate ways; no hard feelings. Martin asks, what’s the catch?

Valentin asks if he and Victor can meet later, and Victor says, of course (🍷). He’ll make a reservation at the PC Grill. Valentin thanks him, and he leaves. Valentin thanks the nurse for getting his daughter’s file, and she tells him that the file can’t leave this floor. He says, understood. He’s looking for a sonogram from the third trimester. He’s a bit of a sentimental, and wants a copy. He’ll treasure it for always. He flips through the file, and says, there’s no sonogram in the file. How’s that possible? He was there when it was taken. Did somebody deliberately remove it? She says, no, it was never in here, and he says, of course (🍷). It would be in her mother’s file. He doesn’t suppose she could let him have a look at Brook’s information without permission, and she says, no. He says, so he can be prepared in case of an emergency, his daughter’s blood type is O negative, right? She says, no, his daughter is O positive, and he thanks her.

Brook tells Laura, they were just talking about what an awful human being Peter is. How much harm he’s caused to Maxie, and Elizabeth; to her family, especially to Monica. Between Jason dying, and Drew being locked away in that prison for all that time, Peter deserves to be locked up until the end of time. Chase says, they’re hoping when Peter goes to trial, he’ll be convicted, and sentenced to life. Laura says she has the same hope. It’s really easy for young adults, new parents, to lose their sense of faith with all the responsibility, but they can’t let that happen, for Bailey’s sake. Because she will grow up in a better, safer, kinder world, where Peter can’t come back to haunt any of them. Brook says, amen to that, and Chase tells Brook, anything to protect Bailey

Peter tells Martin, there’s no catch. If Martin can’t give his defense the time and attention it deserves, he’ll find someone who will. Martin thanks him for being so understanding, and Peter says, naturally, Martin will be returning his retainer. Martin says, ordinarily, he’d deduct the time he’s already spent working on Peter’s case, but what the hell? It’s a small price to pay for his conscience. Peter says he didn’t know Martin had one, when Dante comes back. He asks if everything is okay here, and Martin tells him, he’d say so. Peter no longer requires his services. He wishes them both a good night, and leaves. Dante says, Peter fired Martin? but Peter says, no. Martin walked away from him. Dante says, smart man. He’ll leave Peter with Officer Bridges in case he gets scared. Peter tells him, sleep tight, and Dante says he’s sure he will, and leaves.

Epiphany tell Marshall that she doesn’t have time for dreams, and her break is almost over. He says he was about to go too, but not before she hears him out. Whatever Dr. Rose told her, he had his reasons, but he wants her to know that he trusts her with his life any day. He knew he was in good hands that night because she was there. He puts some money on the table, and tips his hat. He leaves, and Epiphany smiles.

In the car, Spencer asks Esme, was Joss right? Did she get everyone to the cabin to humiliate them, and blow up his friendships? She looks at him coldly.  

Cameron and Josslyn go into the bedroom, and there’s a song part. They kiss, and he asks, is she sure? She says, she’s so sure, and they get busy. I used to work at a women’s clinic, and a brochure popped into my mind that had a cartoon condom saying, wait! Stop! Put me on!

Esme asks Spencer, what difference does it make what she says? He’s so ready to believe the worst of her. He says, that’s not an answer. He needs to know if what Joss accused her of is actually true. Esme remembers going into the master bedroom, and looking in the mirror. She wipes some tears away, and takes out her phone. She sets up the phone behind some plants on a dresser, pointing the camera toward the bed, and putting it on to film. In the present, she tells Spencer, all she wanted to do was get to know his friends better, and for him to make great memories before he goes to prison. Does he think she planned this weekend to be something diabolical? It just makes her sad.

Basking in their first afterglow, Cameron tells Josslyn, wow. Don’t get him wrong. He’s glad they waited, but…  She says she’s glad they waited too, but she’s also really glad they had this moment. To think how close they came to letting Esme ruin this for them… He says he doesn’t want to think about Esme right now. He wants to focus on her. They start getting busy again, and we see the phone camera filming. I have to say, I don’t see the purpose. They’re exclusive and in college, for Pete’s sake. Even if Esme was going to doctor it in some way, both Cameron and Josslyn are sober, and who would everyone believe?

Stella says, Curtis clearly has a choice to make. Does he want answers that might tell him things he doesn’t want to know, or does he want his father back in ? Marshall walks in, and says, small world. Do they mind if he joins them?

On the phone, gliding through the hall, Martin says, la Lucy, his sexy, sexy thing. His schedule just opened up. What say they catch a flight to the Big Easy and get themselves a nice heaping helping of Mardi Gras?

Laura goes into Peter’s room, and he says, madame mayor. To what does he owe this honor? She says she just saw Martin, and he was smiling ear to ear, because he no longer represents Peter. He told her that Peter didn’t argue or put up any fight to try and keep him. She had to wonder, why so magnanimous? Peter flashes back to seeing Bailey, and saying she looks just like her mother. He says he has faith in the system. Somehow, he just knows things are going to work out for the best.

Valentin walks through the hospital parking lot, leaving a voicemail for Anna. He tells her to call him. He’s got a lead on Louise. A thug runs up behind him, chloroforming him, and knocking him out. Someone picks up Valentin’s car remote, and we see it’s Victor. He says, be careful; that’s his son. He opens a hatchback, and a fancy – and very clean and spacious – trunk opens up. He tells the thug, oh, and cancel his dinner reservations. The thug puts Valentin in the truck, and it’s closed up.  

On Monday, Phyllis asks if she knows Stella, Esme says she doesn’t want to go home with Spencer, Carly says that happiness seems further away, and Ned tells Sonny that he should reconsider whatever he’s planning.

👨🏽‍🔧 Filling In…

For how long, no one knows.

https://www.soapoperanews.net/2022/01/damien-leake-books-role-on-general.html

👥 Shared Experience…

I love how Maurice Benard has mastered his illness, and used it, and his position, for good.

Maurice Benard Connects With Fans Over Sonny’s Important New Storyline

🎬 First Time Out…

Before he was Brad, he danced. Sort of.

GH’s Parry Shen Shares a Clip of His Very First TV Appearance!

🧼 Nuevo Suds…

This looks pretty good, and it’s got some great people in it.

SOAP STARS IN NEW SERIES

💋 Checking Motive…

I tend to agree that it’s probably a bad spray tan job.

https://screenrant.com/rhobh-lisa-rinna-blackfishing-image-erika-jayne-instagram/

🧂 Bringing the Salt…

What went on in Salt Lake City last week.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/23/rhoslc-recap-jennie-nguyen-broke-husbands-ribs-in-fight/

I have the feeling she’s not coming back.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/22/mary-cosby-has-not-filmed-anything-for-rhoslc-season-three/

The cast keeps getting smaller.

https://people.com/tv/bravo-fires-jennie-nguyen-from-rhoslc-after-racially-insensitive-posts-resurface/

🚫 Next Comes Blocking…

I can’t believe people keep track of this stuff.

https://people.com/tv/rhobh-sutton-stracke-garcelle-beauvais-feuding-with-erika-girardi-source/

🏆 All the Awards…

This year’s calendar of events.

https://www.etonline.com/sag-awards-grammys-and-more-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2022-awards-season-177460

🐕 Pup Alternative…

I can’t think of better hosts.

https://people.com/pets/martha-stewart-and-snoop-dogg-hosting-puppy-bowl-2022/

A sneak peek.

https://ew.com/tv/puppy-bowl-xviii-first-look-penalty-french-bulldog/

🐘 Quotes of the Week

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. – Indian Proverb

It’s like a summer camp for drunk third graders. – Kate Chastain, referring to some guests on Below Deck

Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost. – Robert H. Schuller

If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. – Bruce Lee

There are no regrets in life. Just lessons. – Jennifer Aniston  

Maturity is achieved when a person accepts life as full of tension. – Joshua L. Liebman

Speak out on behalf of those who have no voice, and defend all those who have been passed over. – Proverbs 31:8 (TVT)

Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance. – Jean Antoine Petit-Senn

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. – Leonardo da Vinci

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

🚙 Am I There Yet…?

I’ll be stepping out until another month is ripped off the calendar, if you’re still using one of those. Three sunsets for the rest of you. See you then for some soap and the Deck. Until we meet again, stay safe, stay bending, but not breaking, and stay remembering, dreams don’t die, unless you give up on them.

Jan22

January 21, 2022 – Memorial To an Anti-Hero, a Return, Reunion Woes, Baby #2, Summer Tea, Moving, Loss Of a Legend, Dead Talk, Close To 10 Quotes & Objects

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura looks at a portrait of Luke behind the bar on the Haunted Star. Curtis comes in, and says, hello, friend. Laura says she didn’t know he was going to be here, and he says, Doc called and said he had a patient emergency. Laura says they talked about it, and she’s fine with it, and Curtis says he knows memorials can be hard. He wanted her to know he’ll be here for her, assuming she doesn’t object. She says, not at all. She’s prepared to do this solo, but she’d rather do it with a friend by her side.

Dante finds Sonny in Charlie’s, and Sonny says he and Phyllis are going to have a shot in memory of Luke. Does Dante want to join them? Dante declines, and Sonny asks if Dante is keeping tabs on him, but Dante says, no. He saw Frank outside, and figured Sonny was in here. Dante says, he knows how important Luke was to Sonny, and Sonny throws back a shot. Dante says, Luke was important to him too, as Lulu’s dad. Sonny says he knows Dante can’t be with Lulu because she’s in a coma, but he can be with Carly, and thinks they should be together when they say goodbye to her Uncle Luke.

Bobbie meets Carly at Kelly’s, and says she couldn’t bring herself to wear black. Luke would hate that. She thanks Carly for meeting her, and says she doesn’t think she could get through this memorial without Carly by her side. Carly says she was just thinking about Uncle Luke and how he always called her Caroline. He insisted on it, and not because he was trying to make fun of her. It was a reminder that he knew exactly who she was, and to never forget where she came from. She asks how Bobbie is; Luke was her big brother. Bobbie says she’s a little wobbly, but just like when Aunt Ruby died, they’ll get through this together. Carly hates that Lucas has to work; he should be here. Bobbie named him after Luke. Bobbie says she thinks Carly’s brother hasn’t quite gotten over losing Wiley, and she thinks working is easier for him than facing his family. Carly says, yeah, but they need him too. Bobbie says she needs Carly by her side, but something tells her that her bright, beautiful, incredibly brave daughter might need her even more. Carly says, more than she knows, and Bobbie takes her hand.

Felicia and Anna arrive at the memorial, and Anna says, it’s very Luke. Laura says Anna should really be saying that to Tracy. It’s her event. Laura is just here to pay her respects and see her friends. Anna says she keeps half-expecting Luke to show up (as we all do), and Felicia says, the man is a legend. Anna says, in so many ways, and Laura thanks them for coming. She tells them to help themselves to a drink. She doesn’t know where Tracy is right now. Anna and Felicia go to the bar, and Nikolas comes in with Ava. He asks how Laura is, and she says, better now that he’s here. Ava says she’s so sorry to hear about Luke, and Laura thanks her. Nikolas asks if she’s heard from Lucky and Ethan; are they going to make it? Laura says, unfortunately, they’re not. There was an outbreak of cholera in the village where Lucky is volunteering, so for him to come home, he would have to quarantine in Africa for two weeks, but Tracy is having another memorial in Amsterdam in a few weeks, so hopefully Lucky and Ethan will both be at that. Nikolas says, it’s nice for Lucky and Ethan to have each other, like he’s here for Laura now. Ava and Nikolas go to the bar, and Spencer says, hello. grandmother. Laura says she’s happy to see him, and he tells her, Esme sends her regrets. She’s interning at Spring Ridge, but he’s here for her. He hugs Laura, and Victor tells him, well said. Tonight they are indeed all one family, despite their differences. Oh Luke. In life, he always cast a large shadow. To die in such a random accident just doesn’t have the sense of poetic beauty one would have expected of him. Laura tells Victor, get out of here, and – she gestures toward his bodyguard – take his burly Doberman with him. Victor says, Yohan isn’t just there for him; he’s there for all of them. Luke may be dead, but he has a long list of enemies, and they’re all still very much alive.

Tracy stands on deck, holding a beautiful covered urn. Alexis approaches her, and asks if that’s what she thinks it is. Tracy says, yep. Luke.

Dante says he knows Sonny wants to be with Carly, and he knows it’s hard, but she’s asked for space and he has to respect that. Sonny says, Carly moved out. How much time does she need? Luke is her uncle, and his longtime friend, and they should be together. They lost almost a year of their lives. They can’t get that time back. What does Dante think Luke would do to get just a couple seconds of that time back? He’s not wasting any more time.

Alexis asks if Tracy is okay. Would she like Alexis to call Ned? Tracy asks if Alexis doesn’t think she’s capable of calling her son herself. And why wouldn’t she be okay? She’s holding Luke in a jar. Everything is peachy keen in her life. Alexis says she’ll see Tracy inside, and Tracy says, wait. She’s sorry. She didn’t mean to snap at Alexis. Alexis says, Tracy is having a hard time; she understands. Tracy says, does she? Because she wouldn’t after what she did to Alexis.

Anna says Victor knows he doesn’t belong here, and Luke would be the first to tell him that, so get out. Victor says, unless Luke is silent, and likely to remain so, and Felicia says, Mac will be happy to send a patrol car to get Victor off the boat. Victor asks if calling the Police Commissioner isn’t a bit of an overreach, and Felicia says, not when he’s her husband. Curtis tells Victor to ask himself if he really wants this to escalate. The time to tap out is before things get broken. Spencer says, a gentleman shouldn’t stay when he’s been asked to leave, and Victor says, he’s so right. He tells Yohan that they’re leaving. Do give Luke his best. Laura says, hopefully, Victor can tell Luke himself, in person, the sooner the better. Victor laughs and leaves.

Bobbie tells Carly, so much of her history with Luke is so dark. Carly knows their story. Their dad was an alcoholic and beat their mother. When mama died, she and Luke just took off; they went to Florida. They moved in with dad’s sister Aunt Ruby. They loved that woman. She did the best she could, but honestly, she and Luke raised themselves as much as Ruby did. Then when Bobbie came back to Port Charles, Luke followed her. It was like a second chance for them to make something of themselves. Carly says, and Bobbie did it. A nursing degree, a career, a family; she should be so proud of herself. Carly is extremely proud of her. Bobbie thanks her, and says, if she managed to survive, even thrive here, it was always because she knew her big brother had her back. She was the one who recruited Luke to come back to Port Charles. Granted, her plan was to have him break up Scotty and Laura, so she could have Scotty all to herself; that wasn’t exactly noble. Carly laughs, and Bobbie says, but she called Luke to help her, and he came running, just like he always did. Now she doesn’t know what she’s going to do next time she needs Luke’s help. Carly tells Bobbie, look at her. Bobbie is going to call her, or Lucas, or Josslyn, or Michael, and they’ll come running. Bobbie says, okay. That’s a two-way street. Carly says she knows, and Bobbie says she has the rest of her life to grieve her big brother. Meanwhile, her daughter is living in a hotel, trying to figure out how to save her marriage. Talk to her. Carly says, that’s the thing. She doesn’t know whether there’s a marriage left to save.

Dante says, Sonny may have lost time in Nixon Falls, but he wasn’t alone. Sonny says, Nina is not the problem, but Dante says, she is to Carly. Sonny’s got to see that. Carly’s got to know that it’s over between Sonny and Nina. When Sonny got on the witness stand and said he wasn’t a victim, that didn’t help things. Sonny says, it is over between him and Nina. What does he have to do to prove that to Carly, so she’ll give him a chance?

Robert and Scotty walk into Charlie’s, and Robert asks what they’re doing there. When they left the courthouse, the idea was to go to the Haunted Star for Luke’s memorial. Scotty says, Robert got an invitation. He’s going to have to crash that thing, so he needs a couple of cocktails to do it, and if anybody’s boo-hooing over Luke, he won’t care. Robert says, if Scotty ever loved Laura, he strongly advises against it. Dante and Sonny watch them, and Robert says, he knows Scotty hated the guy, and he probably had his reasons. Let’s just go. Scotty tells Dante and Sonny, if life was a horserace, it would probably be neck-and-neck as to who he hates more; Luke Spencer or Sonny Corinthos. Guess what? Sonny wins, by a photo finish. Sonny says he doesn’t know if Scotty knows or not, but he owns this bar, and nobody comes in there and insults Luke. Dante says he has an idea. Why doesn’t Robert take Scotty to the memorial? and Robert says, sounds like a great idea; let’s go. Scotty says he’s not going anywhere until he’s had a couple of drinks. So why doesn’t Dante take daddy here and vamoose? Sonny laughs, and tells Dante to go ahead without him. Dante asks if he’s sure about that, and Sonny says Dante should be with Laura. Dante says he wants to be with Laura, but remember, it’s a about Luke. Sonny says, yeah, and Dante leaves. Sonny tells Phyllis to give these two gentlemen whatever they want to drink on his tab, but Scotty says he doesn’t think so; they buy their own drinks. Sonny walks up to Scotty, and says, Scotty thinks he scored a touchdown at the hearing for Nina. Robert suggests he and Scotty go to the MetroCourt; he’ll buy the drinks. Scotty says he kind of feels bad for Carly, but it made his day that Sonny got caught stepping out on his wife. He pokes Sonny in the lapel, and Sonny tells Scotty not to put his hands on him. Scotty asks what he’s going to do. Come on.

Bobbie asks if Carly is going to return home, but Carly doesn’t know. The man who disappeared over a year ago is not the man who came back to her. Bobbie says, losing his memory, and living as another man changed Sonny. Carly says she gets that, but in the past, she and Sonny would have a knock down drag out fight. She never doubted that Sonny loved her. Bobbie says, now she does? and Carly says, Sonny refuses to acknowledge that what Nina did to them was awful. He refuses to acknowledge the damage, and the hell Nina put Carly and her family through for her own selfish reasons. Sonny claims Carly comes first in his life, and she told him the way he could prove it was to kick Nina to the curb, and he won’t do it. Maybe he can’t do it. And that’s a dealbreaker for her. If Sonny can’t put her and her family first, then all his promises mean nothing.

Nikolas says, with Victor mercifully gone, they can focus on the celebration of Luke’s life, and Laura agrees. Spencer says, Nikolas really is shameless. He’ll use anything, even Luke’s death, to make himself out to be the good guy. Laura asks if they can drop this for one night, and Ava says she’s going to do Laura a favor. She’s going to take these two guys out of here. Spencer protests, but Ava says, too bad, and steers them away. Curtis asks if Laura is okay, and she says, honestly, she could use some fresh air. He says, luckily, they’re on a boat; a boat with several decks. Let’s go.

Anna tells Felicia, she feels like Luke would have loved this, and Felicia says, 100%. The only thing Luke would have loved more is if someone would have punched Victor Cassadine in his smug face. Anna says she was so close.

Robert says, emotions are running rather high at the moment. Let’s all go to our respective corners. Phyllis says, he’s right. Aren’t they all honoring someone’s memory tonight? Sonny says she’s absolutely right. In memory of Luke, he’s going to teach Scotty a lesson. Scotty says, all right, then shut up and fight, and Frank asks Scotty if there’s a problem. Scotty says, there it is. Same old story. A stooge does all the fighting for you, chicken. Sonny tells Frank, back off, and takes off his jacket, saying, it’s about time he teaches this guy… Robert says, now listen, he is the DA. They don’t want to be doing this in front of him. Scotty takes off his jacket too, and says, then get lost. Phyllis tells Sonny, she’s asking, as her friend, please stop this now, when Victor comes in with Yohan. Victor says, look what we’ve just walked into, and Robert says, a Cassadine, just what they need. Victor says, the mob boss and the ambulance chaser. Too bad Luke Spencer isn’t here. He was just crass enough to enjoy this sort of thing. Sonny says, who’s he calling crass? and Scotty says, who’s he calling an ambulance chaser? Sonny tells Scotty, what do you say? and Scotty says he thinks he hates Victor more than he hates Sonny. He’s in. Victor takes his jacket off, and says, it’s time they were taught a lesson. Sonny shoves a table aside, and Phyllis yells, stop it now. They start slugging each other, and Phyllis runs out from behind the bar, yelling for them to stop.

On deck, Curtis says, better? and Laura says, definitely. He says, life sure has a lot of twists and turns, doesn’t it? and she says, tell her about it. She and Luke were quite a team. He was a part of her, and she was a part of him. Curtis says, must have been hard to let him go, but Laura says, he’s been gone for a long time. Not all at once; it was in stages. First they got separated, then divorced. Luke fell in love with Tracy, then she met Doc, thank God. She mostly feels sad about the grandkids. The only way they’ll know Luke is from pictures and stories, and some of those stories will be true.

Ava takes Spencer and Nikolas to a state room, and says, get in there, both of you. Spencer says he resents being treated like a wayward adolescent, and she says, then don’t act like one. He says she doesn’t get to tell him what to do, and she says, enough. Can the two of them please just set aside their differences for one night, and think about somebody else? Nikolas says, she’s right. He should be focused on his mother, not himself. Spencer says, with all due respect to grandmother’s loss, Luke Spencer was a grifter; he was a con man. Ava says, Luke Spencer came from nothing, and he made something of himself. People loved him, respected him, admired him. Spencer came from everything. He had everything handed to him on a silver platter, and he throws it all away.

Dante comes in to the memorial, and asks where everyone is. Did he miss it? Felicia says, they’re just walking around the boat; the memorial will start soon. Anna says, since they’re here to remember Luke, she thinks he should expect the unexpected. They hear a crash, and Felicia says, what was that? Anna says she doesn’t know, and they all go to investigate.

Tracy says she knows if Alexis had chosen to testify against her, she’d be headed to trial and quite possibly to a stay at Pentenville. And because she didn’t, Tracy gets to be a free woman and come here and say farewell. Alexis says she did what she did for Luke, because she knows he was better off with Tracy than without her. She also did it for herself, and she did it for Tracy, because everyone deserves a second chance. Tracy thanks her, and Alexis says she’s welcome. Now how about if they go in there, and get the party started? Tracy asks how she sums up a life as complicated as Luke’s, and Alexis says she can’t, but if Tracy doesn’t do it, someone else will. She understands Lucy might be making an appearance, and she has a 42 page speech prepared. Tracy asks what they’re waiting for, and they go inside.

Sonny asks what Victor is waiting for, and Phyllis pulls him away. She asks if he’s happy now, and he says, yeah. He definitely feels better. Scotty says, so does he, and Robert dabs at his mouth, saying, that’s what he gets for trying to mediate. Scotty tells Sonny that he has a helluva right cross, and Sonny says Scotty did pretty well himself. Phyllis asks which one of them is going to pay for the damages, and Sonny says he owns the bar; he’ll make up the cost. Victor says he’s got this. He insists on paying for everything, but Scotty says he’ll pay. Victor says he’s heard Scotty is as tight as a bad oyster with his money, and Robert asks if they’ve all forgotten there’s a memorial to attend. Sonny tells Frank, let’s go, and they all walk out, leaving Victor and Yohan behind. Victor tells Yohan, nice work. It looks like all those hours at the gym are paying off. He’s got a nice fat bonus coming to him. Outside, Sonny looks through the window, and says, they’re laughing. He’s going to smack Victor right now. He starts to head back in, but Robert says, enough. Carly is waiting. Sonny says, that’s right, Carly. Whatever.

Tracy puts the urn on the bar, and Ava comes back in with Nikolas and Spencer. She wonders if they missed something, when Laura and Curtis come back in. Laura hopes she didn’t keep everybody waiting, and everyone gathers. Everyone is wearing black, and even Bobbie has dark purple on. They look so solemn, and I’m thinking, Luke wouldn’t have wanted them to wear black. Tracy says they should get started, but Anna asks if she can wait a minute. Tracy asks, why? and Dante wonders if someone is trying to send them a message. Who brought in the giant TV? Tracy says she didn’t order it, and Anna says, they heard a crash. When they went to investigate, they found an envelope with a DVD and a note. Felicia takes the note out, and tells them, all it said was, play me. Nikolas says, maybe Lucky sent a message from Africa, but Laura says, he didn’t mention anything on the phone, besides, he’s in a very rural area. She doesn’t think so. Alexis says, her money’s on Luke. He always did want to have the last word. Anna says she wonders if he had an inkling this day was going to come sooner rather than later, and Dante asks what Tracy wants to do; this is her event. Tracy says, if it’s from Luke, she wants to hear it, and Dante puts the disk in the TV. Helena appears, and says, hi. We meet again. Alexis says, oh my God, and Laura says, Helena.

At the dock, Scotty asks Robert if he looks presentable, and Robert asks, why start today? He suggests they board the Haunted Star, but Sonny says he’s going to wait for Carly. Robert asks if Scotty is in, but Scotty says he doesn’t think so. He was at the Luke and Laura wedding. Robert says he remembers, and Scotty says, he caught the bouquet; he got a black eye then too. Robert says he’ll see Sonny over there, and he and Scotty go in separate directions. Carly arrives at the dock with Bobbie.

Helena asks if she surprised them, and laughs. Nikolas says, leave it to his grandmother to upstage a man at his own memorial. Helena says, if they’re seeing her now, it’s because she went first, and Luke Spencer has finally done the world a favor by following her into the Great Beyond. Tracy says, she hates that woman, and Helena says she hopes they’ll pardon her if she gloats, but she always told Luke that she would have the last word. And now, she’s going to have it. Nikolas says, here she goes, and Helena says she always considered Luke a parvenu, and since none of them is familiar with that word, let her explain. A parvenu is somebody who’s suddenly reached the level of unaccustomed power and wealth, but has not yet gained the prestige and dignity associated with it. Luke was a cheap, tawdry rhinestone, even though he fancied himself a diamond in the rough. The truth is, Luke Spencer was always destined to lose in the end. Laura pulls the plug on the TV, and says she doesn’t know about the rest of them, but she’s heard enough out of that woman to last her a lifetime. Dante says, here, here, and Anna says, thank you.

Bobbie tells Carly, they’re going to be late, but Carly tells her to go; she’ll meet Bobbie there. Bobbie goes past Sonny, giving him a look, and gets on the boat. Sonny tells Carly, he knows he’s not her mother’s favorite person at the moment, but he’s here, and she’s here, and that’s all that matters. Why don’t they go say goodbye to her uncle? He tells Frank to go get in the car, and asks Carly if she’s ready. He holds out his arm, and she asks, what happened to his hand? He says, Luke happened, and she says, he has to go to GH after Luke’s memorial and make sure he didn’t break any bones in his hand. He says, it’s fine. The night wasn’t a total loss. Does she know why? She asks, why? and he says, believe it or not, he and Scotty teamed up, and ripped Victor a new one. Forget about that; they’re here for Luke. He holds out his arm again, but she walks past him onto the boat, and he follows.

Tracy thanks everyone for coming to honor a man they all loved. Well, she guesses some of them loved him. Some of them probably hated him, but she bets most of them did both. It doesn’t matter what they thought of him. The truth is, they’re never going to forget him. Luke made her promise if this day ever came, that nobody would call him a hero, or even a good guy for that matter – no danger of that. So he was just Luke, a walking, talking contradiction. He could be cruel, then turn around and dazzle you with his kindness. He was cunning, yet caring. He was generous at the same time as impossibly selfish. He brought out the worst and the best in all of them. And she thinks ultimately, he changed them. Every one of them. Forever.

Scotty sits on a bench at the dock, and says he hopes Luke’s enjoying himself on his beloved Haunted Star… All the people singing his praises, including Scotty’s wife Luke stole from him 40 years ago. Luke is dead and gone, and Scotty’s still standing. So you lose, you son of a bitch.

Standing on the deck with the urn, Tracy tells Luke that she did it. She got through the speech. She thinks they appreciated it. Now it’s just them… She has no words. She opens the jar and dumps out the ashes. The wind carries them away.

On the docks, Scotty says, so long, Luke Spencer, and gets a face full of ashes. He says, what the…?

Sonny tells Laura that he knows it’s not the right time, but he got confirmation on the warning Cyrus gave her. She says they’ll talk later. Bobbie asks Carly is she’s sure she doesn’t want to join them, but Carly says, Avery and Donna were looking forward to their sleepover with Bobbie. She doesn’t want to crash the party. Bobbie says, it will be lovely to be surrounded with all that youth. Maybe she won’t miss her big brother so much. Bobbie leaves, and Sonny watches as Carly follows.

Laura thanks Curtis for coming, and he says he can hang out a little longer if she wants, but she says, he’s got a club to run, and she has a life to get on with. He says he just wants her to know he’s there if she needs him, and she thanks him, and says, she knows he is.

Ava tells Nikolas, this was a fitting sendoff for Luke; the roving rascal. She does have a soft spot for rascals. He says he can’t stop thinking about the way Victor left. He was so angry, even hurt, and you know what they say, a wounded tiger is twice as dangerous.

Felica says, Sonny and Scotty fought on the same side? Who would have ever thought? Robert says he guesses they hated Victor Cassadine more than they hated each other, and Anna says, good point.  

Victor helps Phyllis right a table, and says if she won’t let him pay for the damage, at least let him offer her a more conventional transaction. Give him a bottle of her top-shelf Napoleon brandy please, and a couple of glasses. She says, that will be $55. He puts a hundred dollar bill on the bar, and says, keep the change. She puts the bottle and glasses on the bar, and he says, and his apology. He pours two brandies, and puts one at the empty seat next to him. He says, here’s to you, Luke Spencer, champion of Port Charles. He should just tell Luke, the good people of his fair city are in for a big surprise. He clinks the other glass with his, and says, cheers.

Bobbie sees Scotty, and asks, what happened to him? He says, he caught the bouquet.

Alexis says, she can’t believe she’s saying this, but does Tracy need a ride home? She can be the designated driver. Tracy laughs, and says she deserved that. She has one thing to do first. She goes over to Laura with what looks like a jewelry box. Laura says, it was a very moving speech, and Tracy says, she has something that was a keepsake of Luke’s that she thinks really belongs to Laura. Laura says, if it’s the Ice Princess, she wants no part of it, and Spencer asks if it’s the actual Cassadine diamond.  Laura says, that thing has never done anyone any good, and tells Tracy to throw it into the sea when she scatters Luke’s ashes. Tracy says she can’t do that, and walks away. Laura asks Spencer if he’s disappointed, and he says he wouldn’t mind seeing it, or maybe holding it just once. She says, trust her, that thing never did anybody any good, and he says he won’t argue with her; not tonight of all nights. She thanks him for being there, and says she knows he’d rather be with his friends, but he says, of course (🍷) he wanted to be there with her. He knew tonight was going to be difficult for her, and wanted to be there. Once the bad stuff is over with, he hopes he can make her proud of him. She says she’s proud of him now, and they hug, and she says, let’s go home. They start to leave, and she looks back, and blows a kiss to Luke’s portrait. She says, goodbye, my love. A woman in a black veil comes in, and stands in front of Laura. She removes the veil, and Laura says, Jennifer Smith?

Carly stands on the deck, and says, Luke. Are you out there? Sonny comes out, and puts his hand on hers.  

On Monday, Maxie tells Brook that she’s there for her daughter, Curtis asks Marshall to stop by, Victor says he and Valentin are going to need each other for what’s coming next, and Sonny says he’s going to show Carly how much he loves her.

🕶 Old Villains Never Die…

Told you she’d be back. I don’t think Luke is dead either.

Constance Towers Resurrects General Hospital’s Helena for Luke’s Memorial

🧂 Salty Reunion…

I hear if you ditch the Reunion, you won’t be asked back. Except for LVP, who can do whatever she wants because she’s Queen of the World and can do no wrong.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/19/mary-cosby-ditched-rhoslc-reunion-i-didnt-want-to-be-beat-up/

Maybe she didn’t have a dress horrible enough to wear. Although I don’t think the outfits are all that bad. Except for what Meredith is wearing. What is that?

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/13/rhoslc-reunion-outfits-slammed-as-horrible-and-tragic/

👶🏽 Friend Of Shahs Baby…

I didn’t even know about baby number one.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/14/shahs-of-sunset-star-lilly-ghalichi-pregnant-with-baby-no-2/

🏖 Summer Choices…

Paige spills the tea about Lindsay and Carl.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/17/paige-desorbo-lindsay-hubbard-and-carl-radke-were-both-very-single/

And about herself.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/17/paige-desorbo-why-i-chose-craig-conover-over-andrea-denver/

🎶 It’s Off, It’s On, It’s Moved…

The newest news about the Grammys.

https://variety.com/2022/music/news/grammy-awards-moving-to-las-vegas-on-april-3-1235156447/

🎤 Goodbye To a True Artist…

I had the pleasure of seeing Meat Loaf in concert a few times, meeting him a couple of times, and being in the audience of a special he did for VH1. (Hint: If you wear black because you think it’s slimming, you will just blend into the crowd. Go bold.) He and Jim Steinman will be forever missed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meat-loaf-dies-74-1288550/

⚰️ Look At the Flowers…

Watch your back when Carol goes domestic.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-11b-trailer-carol-cookies/

BTW, Walking Dead is sort of returning this Sunday, with something called Origins. I’ll be watching, but not recapping this one. First up is Daryl’s Story.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-origins-stories-air-amc-season-11b-daryl-carol-maggie-negan/

📋 Quotes of the Week

If you’re trying to achieve, there will be road blocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. – Michael Jordan (Or kick it down.)

Sometimes you have to do what you don’t want to do to maintain the life you’ve created. – Judge Lynn Toler in explaining to man why he has to work to feed his children (sigh).

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. – Corrie  ten Boom

And that, my dear, is how you run an asylum. – Matron Grady (Judith Light), Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. – Alice Walker

Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness. – Earl of Derby (I don’t have time for illness either.)

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. – Amelia Earhart

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. – Nelson Mandela

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

🚂 Midnight Train To Dr. Phil Reruns…

It’s that time of week where either two days off work is appropriate, or you’re living the life of the resigned. I’ll be changing writing hats, and taking down those pesky decorations before I have to dust them. (I was busy last weekend, okay?) Join me on Monday for soap and what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay inquisitive, and stay knowing that, even if you’re dead, you can still have the last word.

Jan18

January 17, 2022 – Brick Warns Sonny About a New Player, Vow Renewal On Deck, It’s Back, Salty Talk, Betty’s Birthday, Fit For a King & Dream

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the gym, Drew tells Michael that his shares were in a trust for Scout, and Sam signed the proxy over to Valentin. So assuming he can figure all that out… Michael says he’d have to remove the proverbial gloves, and get in a bare-knuckle brawl with the family. Drew says, been there, done that? and Michael says, he’d hoped for a knockout in the hearing, but Nina walked away without a scratch. The way she keeps coming between his mom and dad, this fight isn’t going to end any time soon.

In her office, Nina flashes back to saying Carly is going to drive Sonny away for good, and if Sonny comes to her, she’s definitely not going to send him away. Britt knocks at the door, and asks if it’s a bad time.

Carly tells Donna and Avery that she knows she’s been working a lot, but she’s going to be there every morning to take them to school, and every night to put them to bed. Sonny says, there’s no school today, so Laura is going to take them sledding. Avery asks if Carly can come, and Carly says she wishes she could, but she has so much work to do. She’s working all day, and all night. Sonny says he knows they’re disappointed, but they’ve just got to make the best of things. So why don’t they find Pilar? Carly tells them not to forget their mittens, and they go upstairs. Sonny says, Pilar always makes sure they have their mittens, and Carly says she’s just looking out for their girls. He says, they’d be a lot happier if she stayed home. So would he.

At the Savoy, Laura says she’s sorry she missed Curtis on New Year’s. She wanted to ring in the New Year with him, and pray for a better year. He says he’s sorry he missed her, but 2022 is off to a great start. She says she thinks she knows that look. Did he ring in the New Year with Portia? He says, and then some, and she laughs. He says, enough about him; what about her? She says she got tired of hiding, and he asks if that means Cyrus is no longer a threat. She says, it means she went to pay a visit to him in person before she came home, and he asks what Cyrus had to say. She tells him to brace himself. He claims he found religion. He says, Cyrus Renault is holy. So he found religion? She says, or seen the light; whatever version Curtis prefers. He says, pardon him if he finds it hard to believe, when he can still feel the scar where the man shot him, and she says she’s pretty skeptical too. Like everything Cyrus does, it’s sort of bigger than life and kind of flashy. He asks what she thinks Cyrus’s angle is. Is he trying to gain sympathy, or is he trying to gain the ear of some powerful person who will fall for it? She says she’s not sure; time will tell. He says, if recent events have taught him anything, it’s that time doesn’t change people like that. It only brings out the worst in them. She says, they’re not talking about Cyrus anymore, are they?

In an examining room, Marshall tells Epiphany that he doesn’t need an x-ray, but she says, he came to the hospital. It’s her job to be thorough. He’s going to sit tight and she’s going to schedule things with radiology. She drops his chart, and he picks it up and hands it to her. She asks if that’s not his injured wrist, and he says, maybe it’s the other one. She says, Mr. Ashford… and he asks her to call him Marshall. She says, Mr. Ashford. Her break’s almost over, and she has legitimate patients to see who have real issues, so if he doesn’t mind… He says, okay, he’s busted. His wrists are fine. He was just trying to get her attention. He hasn’t seen her since he asked her to join his band, after they teamed up and serenaded the GH patients for Christmas. She says she remembers, but he says she didn’t give him an answer one way or the other, which is better than a cold, hard pass, but he’s texted her since and no response. So it begs the question, is she not interested in his music, or him?

Michael says he wants to talk about his parents rocky marriage about as much as Drew wants to talk about ELQ. Drew says, fair enough, and Michael asks how it’s going with Drew’s little girl; they’re reunited again. Drew says, it’s the best thing in the whole world. It blew him away how much she’s grown. She was a little shy at first, but every time they get together, it gets better and better. It’s like they’re building a vocabulary of their common experience; it’s so in the moment. Michael asks if Drew is building a vocabulary with Sam, since he’s clearly out of the loop, and Drew says, she’s moved on. He doesn’t blame her; Michael’s brother Dante is a great guy. Michael says, he’s one of the best, but so is Drew. Drew says, you know what they say about nice guys, but Michael says, that’s not necessarily true. They don’t always finish last. Maybe he could help Drew prove it.

Nina says she doubts Britt is just there to check up on her, but Britt says, they made a pact at Nathan’s grave to always support each other. She takes that very seriously, and she heard what happened at Nina’s hearing; quite the bombshell. Nina says, as Britt can see, she walked away without a scratch, but Britt says, take it from a doctor; some scratches only show up on the inside. Nina takes it Britt and her mother have been talking about this. Let her guess. Obrecht thinks she’s busy licking her wounds, but she can assure Britt… Britt says, Nina is a big girl. She knows Nina can handle it. Nina thanks Britt for not seeing her as a victim, and Britt says, no way. It sounds to her like Nina left the hearing with her head held high, and Carly’s head was left spinning. What about Sonny? Nina says, what about him? and Britt says, from what she hears, the two of them are in an interesting place. Nina says, let’s cut to the chase. What does Britt want? Britt says she has a friend who’s in a bit of a sticky situation, and he has an aunt who’s even more lethal than her mother. She called in a favor that her friend delivered, and now he’s afraid she’s going to hold it over his head. Nina says, no offense, but Britt isn’t known to have a ton of friends. Are they talking about Brad Cooper? Britt says, yes, and he needs help; the kind of help Sonny Corinthos can deliver. Nina says, and Britt wants her to get him to deliver it.

Sonny says he’s not going to lie to Carly. It’s only been one night, and he misses her. She says she misses him too, and he asks why they’re wasting every precious moment staying apart. She called his bluff, and went to the MetroCourt, and proved her point. So let’s figure out what we need to move forward. She says she’s not trying to prove a point, and she’s not trying to call his bluff. She meant what she said. She needs some time to herself. She needs to wrap her head around what came out at that hearing. And not just Willow’s testimony. He admitted he had feelings for Nina. He says, they can’t get through that if they’re sleeping in separate beds or avoiding each other instead of working this out. She says she was tagged in an email from the pharmacy. Did he refill his prescription? He sighs, and says, for a second there, he thought she didn’t care, and she says, did he? He flashes back to throwing the pill bottle across the kitchen, and he says he’s on it; don’t try to change the subject. He’s going to give her the time she wants, but he’s not giving up on their marriage. Is she?

Curtis says, while Laura was away at the safe house, being protected from Cyrus, his life has been a lot less eventful. Which is why he traded his P.I. license for a liquor license, which she framed and hand delivered. Now he’s just a hard-working club owner, chasing down a million minute details. She asks why she feels like he left out a story or two in his very uneventful life. She’s kept in touch with Jordan. She’s recuperating, and told her that things are going very well with him and Portia. And Doc has given her glowing reviews about how TJ is excelling at the hospital. So did somebody else get under his skin? He says she does know him, and she says she can tell he’s trying to tough something out, and she knows he can handle anything, but maybe she can help if he lets her.

Epiphany says she and Marshall did make some beautiful music on Christmas, but when she made the mistake of thinking he had some personal interest in her, he told her that he wasn’t in the market for a social life. He says, so it’s not the music; it’s him. She says, he might be on wiz on that clarinet, but he’s just like every other man she’s met in her life. He thinks it’s all about him. There was somebody else who thought it was all about him too, and he took her job from her. Compared to him, Marshall’s a saint, but she got her job back, and that’s all that matters. He says, understood, but he began to think she was mad at him because he mistakenly called her doctor.

Michael tells Drew, he feels like a placeholder at Aurora. He took the job because Sam asked him to, and it gave him a place to land when he was out as CEO at ELQ. Drew says, Sam told him that Michael is doing an incredible job. The profits are up at Aurora, and Michael is making it respected throughout the industry. Michael says, thanks, but Drew set the standard. He’s just doing his best to maintain it. Aurora is Drew’s vision – always has been, always will be. He’s more than willing to step aside and let Drew take his rightful place behind the desk, and start calling the shots again. If that’s what Drew wants.

Britt tells Nina, Brad’s done some terrible things, but he’s paid for them. Not only by doing his time in Pentenville; he lost his husband and his son. His aunt came to him with a chance for parole and he took it. Nina asks what exactly she asked him to do, and Britt says, did she ask Nina for a play-by-play of her time in Nixon Falls with Sonny? Nina says she guesses Britt thinks she knows enough to ask her for a favor. What does she want Sonny to do? Britt says, Sonny can be very persuasive. If he were to intercede on Brad’s behalf… Nina says, hold on. Sonny hates Brad. Brad kept Michael away from his son for a year. Sonny’s never going to forget that. Britt says, not even for Nina? and Nina walks into the reception area. Following her, Britt says, according to the testimony at Nina’s hearing, she has pull with Sonny. Nina says, it doesn’t matter what was said at the hearing. All that matters is, Sonny loves Carly. Nothing else matters. Britt says, not even how Sonny feels about Nina, or Nina feels about him?

Carly tells Sonny not to force her to make decisions about their marriage on her timetable, but he says, he’s not forcing her to do anything. As if he ever could. But she’s not going to stop him from telling her about how he feels and what he wants, and what he wants is their marriage, her, their family. That’s what happened when he wasn’t himself. It wasn’t the medication; it was the memories that brought him back to her, and brought him back to their kids. If she doesn’t trust how he feels about her – if she can’t cross that bridge – trust how she feels about him. That’s going to tell her all she needs to know. Carly says she knows how she feels about him. Everything would be so much easier if she didn’t. He says, it’s never been easy with them; that’s just the way it is. It’s not who they are, but in the end, it’s always good. The door opens, and Brick comes in. He says he loves those guards. They wave him in like he’s one of the family… On the other hand, maybe they shouldn’t have called him up. He feels like he walked into the middle of something.

Laura says, so this guy shows up, claims to be Curtis’s father who died decades ago? Wow. She can see why he’s skeptical. Just because the guy has a few details and photos doesn’t necessarily mean he’s who he claims to be. Curtis says he’s a trained P.I.; he’s trained to be skeptical. Pictures can be doctored, stories can be invented. He was sure this mystery man was up to no good. Then Aunt Stella confirmed it. Marshall Ashford is the man who abandoned them all those years ago, and let them believe he was dead. Now this man comes back to Port Charles, and wants to reconnect, and wants to start fresh. TJ, God bless him, he’s all for it. He was ready to accept Marshall as his grandpa from the jump. She says, he’s never been hurt by this man. What about Curtis? Is he ready accept his father back in his life?

Epiphany asks if Marshall is saying there’s something wrong with being a nurse, but he says, not at all. He thinks it’s a noble profession. He’s sorry if he touched a nerve by assuming she wanted an MD after her name. She says, if she overreacted, it’s because there was a time she did have dreams about being a doctor. When she was in high school, she used to haunt the library, pouring over the Gray’s Anatomy – the book, not the TV series. She even took an after school job with a vet, so she could assist her when the vet was setting a broken bone for a cat, or stitching up a dog. He says, that takes real dedication. So what happened? Why didn’t she follow her dream?

Drew tells Michael, he started Aurora Media with Sam. It was more than a company for them. It was so they could break free from a life of uncertainty and danger, for the family they wanted to create. Michael says, and a life working closely with his dad, and Drew says he realizes when he stepped away, he probably dampened his friendship with Sonny. Sometimes he wonders if it was the right thing. Michael tells him not to second guess himself. He was right to distance himself from Michael’s father.

Nina tells Britt that she cares about Sonny way too much to get in between him and Carly. Britt says, that didn’t stop her in Nixon Falls, and Nina says, Nixon Falls was a fantasy. Now she’s back here in reality, and Sonny’s reality is at home with his wife and his children, both the older ones and the two little girls at his home. She doesn’t want to be the cliché, the heartless homewrecker. Britt says she understands, but is Nina sure there’s still a home left to wreck?

Carly hugs Brick, and says, he is family. He’s always welcome and never an interruption. He says, what that really means is, he stepped in it, didn’t he? but Sonny says, when Carly gives you a pass, you take it. Brick says, Sonny talked him into it, and hugs Carly again. She says, it’s good to see him, but she has a feeling they need to talk business, and she needs to get to the hotel. Tell the girls that she’ll be home later tonight to see them. Sonny says he’ll see her then, and she leaves. Brick says, she’s gone now; it’s just the two of them. What’s going on with him and Carly?

Curtis tells Laura, when Marshall first came here, he wanted to forget the past and start over. Curtis made it abundantly clear that was not okay. When they started talking, Marshall said he got mixed up in some bad business; got on the wrong side of some seriously dangerous people. Not long after that, he went off the radar. She says she can relate to that, and he says he thought she might. She says, if his situation was anything like with her, he had no choice. Stay with the family, put the family at risk; stay underground and the family is safe. He says, that’s exactly what Marshall told him, and she says, so if Marshall’s story is true, Curtis has to face something she’s not sure he’s willing to accept. No matter how much his father hurt him, he did it out of love.

Epiphany tells Marshall, why didn’t she become a doctor? It’s a long story, and her break’s almost over. He says, she’s still got a few minutes. She can skip the lollypop or whatever she rewards her patients with, and just tell him, what happened that she didn’t become Epiphany Johnson, MD? She says, life happened, and he says, meaning? She says, you dream big, work hard, and you learn sometimes things don’t go the way you planned them to. He says, been there for sure, but it’s not too late for him. She tells him, says him, and he says, he wouldn’t have moved to Port Charles if he didn’t believe that. And if it’s not too late for him, it’s not too late for her.

Drew says he thought Michael was devoted to his father. He knows Michael didn’t go into the business, and took the corporate route, but he didn’t think Michael was ashamed to be a Corinthos. Michael says, it’s not that; he’s not ashamed of his last name. It’s just that he and his dad have had their differences in the past… and in the present. Drew asks, how so? and Michael says, his dad defended Nina in court, despite all the harm she did to him and their entire family, especially his mother. Drew says he saw Carly last night at the MetroCourt; she seemed pretty upset, but Michael knows his mom. If she’s not okay now, she’ll find a way to be okay very soon.

At the MetroCourt, Carly says, sorry to keep Diane waiting, but Diane says, that’s okay; she’s on her third mimosa. Carly says, really? but Diane says, just coffee. Carly sits with her, and Diane asks if someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Carly says, wrong side, wrong bed, and Diane asks whose bed they’re talking about. Carly says, her bed, but not at her house; she’s staying in the hotel. Diane tells her, before she says another word, did Carly ask to speak to her as her friend or attorney? Carly says, friend. She’s sure Diane heard all the dirty laundry that came out at Nina’s hearing, and Diane says she got the general gist; she’s so sorry. Carly says, it’s not like she stopped loving Sonny, and she adores the girls, but is staying in a broken marriage good for Donna and Avery? Is love enough? Diane says, in her vast experience, she’s found it takes more than two people to break up a marriage. Carly says, so Diane knows what she’s up against, and Diane says, Sonny and Nina had a relationship in Nixon Falls, and Sonny is continuing to protect Nina in Port Charles. Carly says, that’s why she’s staying at the hotel. She needs some space to clear her head, figure out what her options are, what’s best for the girls, and if things start going south… Diane says she’s going to stop Carly there.

Sonny tells Brick, this is about marriage; something Brick knows little about. Brick says, fair enough, but he does know something about trouble, and he knows Sonny’s got it. And he’s not talking about Sonny’s marriage. One of his suppliers on the left coast is out of business, permanently. His going out of business sale was brought on by a brand new player, a complete unknown. Sonny says, players come and go, and Brick asks if Sonny is listening to him. This dude just took out one of Sonny’s players. That’s like waving a red flag in front of el toro, even from 2000 miles away. Sonny asks if this player has a name, and Brick says, everybody’s got a name; he’s working on it. Sonny says, Cyrus made noise about someone filling the power vacuum he left in the west, and Brick says, it could be part of the same party. Sonny says, he’ll ask around. He makes an aggressive move, then rubs his forehead, saying, he’s got a lot on his mind. Brick says, pardon him for asking, but such as? Sonny shakes his head, and Brick says, okay. He was just being a friend. He’s going to say it for Sonny, whether he wants to hear it or not. One man, two women; it’s one too many.

Nina tells Britt, of course (🍷) there’s still a home to wreck; two little girls are living in it. Britt asks how Nina can be so sure, and Nina says, Carly was standing at the same spot Britt is two days ago. Britt says, Carly came here looking for Nina? She hopes Nina had on body armor. What happened? Nina says, before Carly slapped her across the face? and Britt says, ouch. Nina says, Britt can guess what Carly had to say. She blames Nina for what Willow said on the witness stand, and blames her for what Sonny confirmed on the witness stand, even though she and Sonny never… Britt says, they might have. And they still might, if Carly keeps driving him into Nina’s arms. Is that what earned Nina the slap? Nina says, she told Carly that if Sonny showed up on her doorstep again, she woudn’t say no. Britt says, from what she’s been hearing, Sonny didn’t come back to a marriage. Sounds more like a prison with two unhappy people locked inside. Doesn’t Nina think she might be doing Sonny, and Carly, a favor if she gave him the key?

Curtis asks Laura, if Marshall was really trying to protect his family by dropping out of sight, why risk it now? She says, that’s an excellent question, and she’s sure Curtis asked it. What did he say? Curtis says, it was more about what he didn’t say. He said the danger is less, but he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, give proof to back it up. He warned Curtis against digging into his past. He said the only way to keep Aunt Stella and TJ safe was to let things be. She says, and he might be right about that, but Curtis says, or he might be blowing smoke. He doesn’t know what to believe, or if this man is even telling the truth.

Marshall says Epiphany can be anything she sets her mind to, and she says, like becoming a doctor? He tells her, he didn’t say it would be easy. She can start small; baby steps. She says, by joining his band? and they laugh. He says, warmer, but he was thinking about something a little easier, like dinner for two. She says, she thought he said he wasn’t into having a social life, and he says, he misspoke. He’s new in town, and he’s still putting one toe in the water, and the water is brutal in western New York this time of year. What does she say? Can they start over?

Drew says, it’s the second time he ran into Michael’s mom; the first time was on the footbridge. He had the distinct feeing he was not who she wanted to see. Not that she blames him for Jason’s death, it’s just, he’s still alive. Michael says, and Jason’s not, and Drew says, last night seemed different. She really needed someone to talk to, and he just happened to be there. If she could confide in him, of all people, it made him that maybe she’s… Michael says, desperate? and Drew laughs, saying, thanks. That’s good for his ego. Michael says, he meant he’s glad Drew was there for his mom. Drew says, him too.

Carly says she doesn’t understand. She thought she could tell Diane anything. Diane says, of course (🍷) she can, and trust her, she’s heard everything. As Carly’s friend, she’d never judge her or Sonny, but if they’re talking about a potential separation and possible divorce, just as Carly has her on retainer, Sonny has her on retainer. She can’t represent one of them without recusing herself of the other. Carly says she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to put Diane in an awkward position. Diane says, welcome to the wonderful world of domestic law. Whatever decision Carly makes, it will be one she doesn’t make lightly. Carly has to be honest with herself. Is this a step she wants to take?

Brick says he knows his way out, but Sonny says he guesses it’s public knowledge, everything that came out during the hearing. Brick says, people talk; it’s his business to listen. Unless of course (🍷), Sonny only values his electronics expertise, and not his friendship. Sonny says, Brick knows that’s not true. He appreciates everything Brick does, and appreciates Brick coming to him with this threat on the west coast. He has to keep his eyes open, right? Brick says he does, and Sonny says, as far as what Brick walked in on… Brick says he knows Sonny misses Jason a lot. He misses Jason too. Not that anyone could replace Jason in Sonny’s business or his life, he’s just saying, if there’s anything he can do, or any way he can help, he’s there for Sonny. Sonny says he appreciates that. This nameless threat is child’s play compared to what he and Carly are going through. It’s like they’re going through a maze and they’re lost. Brick suggests he drop some breadcrumbs and leave a trail, but Sonny says, they have to work this one out for themselves.

Nina tells Britt, she’s not going to take advantage of what may or may not be happening in Sonny’s home, and Britt says, it’s so obvious what Nina wants. Why doesn’t she just go for it? Nina asks why she’s getting the feeling there’s something more to this than Britt encouraging her to follow her heart? What’s in it for Britt? Britt says, fine. She thought Nina wanted an objective opinion; God forbid a friend, but from now on, Nina can make her own mistakes. She gets up, and Nina says, wait. She’s a little tired of being the other woman without the benefits. Britt says, yes; now they’re talking. The question is, what does Nina want to do about it?

Curtis says he’s sorry to lay all his troubles on Laura, but she says she didn’t just come home to snip ribbons in the strip mall. She wanted to see the people she loves, and hopes he knows he’s one of them. He thanks her, and says, balancing the budget of Port Charles has got to be simpler than unraveling the mystery that is Marshall Ashford. She says she thinks she can solve one mystery for him, and he asks, what’s that? She says, despite Curtis’s doubts and questions, she thinks he does want to have a relationship with his father. Maybe even more than his father wants one with him. He thanks her for her insights, and hugs her. She tells him to take care of himself and let her know how it goes, and she leaves.  

Epiphany tells Marshall that her break’s over; she has work to do. He says, understood, and starts to leave. She says she has an idea, and he says, he’s listening. She asks how he feels about prime rib, grilled to perfection, and he says, medium rare? She says, mm-hm, and he says, with blue cheese? She says, mm-hm, If he’s serious about dinner, her shift ends at six. The PC Grill has some of the best food around, and a fantastic wine list. He says, that sounds great, and maybe she can finish that long story of hers. She says, we’ll see, and he says, okay then. He’s looking forward. She says, her too, and he leaves.

Drew tells Michael, for what it’s worth(🍷), when he left Carly last night, he’s pretty sure he saw that spark back in her eye. Michael’s mom might be down, but she’s not out. Michael says he’s glad to hear it. Honestly, it’s getting harder for his mom and dad to put the pieces back together again. Drew says, all Michael can do is trust their love for each other is stronger than anything, or anyone, that comes between them. Michael says, he never used to doubt that, but now… Drew says, Michael knows he can’t fix this for them; that’s their job. All he can do is be there if they need him. The two of them leave the gym.

Carly tells Diane that she doesn’t know what she’s prepared to do, and Diane asks if that doesn’t speak volumes. If Carly was ready to pull the plug on her marriage to Sonny, they’d be sitting there as attorney and client, not two girlfriends. Carly says, maybe, and Diane says, perhaps Carly wants to fight for her marriage more than she realizes. Call her if she needs to talk – Diane gets up – as client or as a friend. She squeezes Carly’s shoulder, and leaves.

Nina tells Britt, there’s nothing for her to do, as long as Sonny, Carly, and their children are living under the same roof. She’s just an outsider, looking in, and she’s not going to break up their family. As far as Brad is concerned, she’s in no position to ask Sonny for any favors. Britt says, she won’t take no for an answer. So if Nina can’t or won’t reach out to Sonny on Brad’s behalf, she’ll do it herself. I don’t know why she doesn’t, since Sonny expressed a fondness for her after Jason died. And I use the term died loosely.

Sonny tells Brick, if he hears any more chatter about Mr. Nobody, let him know. Brick says he’s got it. In the meantime, he’s in town for the next few days. How about if they go out to dinner, all three of them; him, Sonny, and Carly. Sonny says he’d love to, but he thinks Carly is probably busy at the MetroCourt. Sonny’s phone rings, and Brick asks if he needs to take that. It stops ringing, and Sonny says, I guess not.

Nina tells Britt, hang up the phone, but Britt says, he picked up. Hey, Sonny. Avery says her daddy isn’t here, and Mama Carly isn’t here either. Britt says, okay, never mind, and thanks Avery. Nina asks what Avery said, and Britt tells her that she’s not entirely sure, but it sure sounded like Carly moved out of the house.

Wow. Even though she’s correct, that’s a big leap from Avery saying Carly’s not there to her having moved out.

Tomorrow, Portia tells Terry, maybe Camelot is closer than she thinks; Epiphany tells Marshall that she doesn’t want to hear any arguments; and Maxie says, she’s not going back to that cabin.

Below Deck

When we last left, Fraser was comforting Rayna who misconstrued Eddie and the captain’s attempt to make her feel better about things.

In Rayna’s interview, she said, she felt alone, and couldn’t act happy when her feelings were played with like a puppet. Eddie tried to get Rayna to tell him what the problem was, but she said she just needed a minute. In Heather’s interview, she said they weren’t even halfway through the charter, and still had a beach picnic and vow renewal. She was relieved Kaylee was coming to save the day. Guest Melissa got water in her ear, and stayed in her room, so Heather delivered breakfast to her. Fraser asked Wes what was up with Rayna, and Fraser said, Rayna wasn’t fine, but she would be. Fraser relayed that to Heather, adding that he thought it was code for, nothing’s okay on deck. Eddie questioned Rayna again about what had happened, and she brought up Heather having used the n-word. She told Eddie that Heather had apologized, but it didn’t feel right. She said, the first time she’d told him, Eddie said it shouldn’t bother her, which confused Eddie, since that wasn’t what he said. He asked what had happened this morning, but Rayna was like, later. Rachel told primary Tony that she was making Japanese for dinner, and he said it was one of his favorite places in the world. Captain Lee told Eddie that Rayna had sounded like someone in distress, and asked if he found out what the problem was. Eddie told him about Heather using the n-word, and said Heather hadn’t directed it at Rayna, but apologized. In his interview, the captain said he personally found the word offensive, and couldn’t think of any context where it would be okay. Eddie told Captain Lee it had been about something else this morning, but Rayna didn’t want to talk about it. The captain said they had to get to the bottom of it.

Eddie took Wes, Fraser, and Rayna to set up for the picnic. Still not feeling well, Melissa decided to stay behind with husband Pete. Fraser told Rayna that he was hoping the new stew would do the things he hated, like laundry. From the beach, they saw the small boat bringing Kaylee to the yacht, and in Fraser’s interview, he said he felt betrayed. He’d earned his place with Heather, and they worked well together. He was still the best bitch on the boat.

Shitten You Not Bay. In Kaylee’s interview, she said she was coming in mid-charter, and had no idea what she was coming into. She and Heather had been roommates on the last boat, and were good friends. Heather had the spotlight, and Kaylee was in the background, where she still got light, and she was okay with that. The guests played cornhole on the beach, while Captain Lee went over the vows they’d be saying. In his interview, he said he didn’t know why anyone needed a vow renewal, but he’d been volunteered. He guessed he was good with it – said no one ever. Jake chatted with Kaylee in the crew mess, and when the guests came back, they gave her a big woohoo. Kaylee introduced herself as she handed out warm towels. Tony and wife Porcha went off on the jet skis, and Fraser was given a break. In his interview, he said he was happy to hear the word break, and when he came back, Kaylee could do laundry while he tended bar.  

Eddie tried to pin down Rayna again, and told her, what Heather said was uncalled for, and he had her back. Rayna said, it bothered her more that he’d shrugged it off, but he said if he’d heard that happen, he would have shut it down; it was not okay in any way, shape, or form. He wondered if it could be worked out with Heather, but got a hard no. Rayna said she could work with Heather without being friends, and Eddie said if there was anything he could do to make Rayna more comfortable, let him know.

Heather introduced Kaylee around, and in Rachel’s interview, she was excited about the Japanese dinner. In Japan, they didn’t reinvent the wheel; they just perfected it. She told us, every finite detail had to come to the table perfectly, and she may or may not be a control freak. Captain Lee joined the guests for dinner, wearing his dress uniform, and Tony asked for permission to be seated. Jake flirted with Kaylee, but in her interview, she said she was okay with being single. Tony told the captain that the trip was exceeding expectation. He said guest Darion was the new cornhole king, and sometimes you had to let people win. Tony pronounced the first course of seaweed salad amazing, and it looked amazing. The next course was a delicious-looking miso soup, but Melissa said her ear was painful when she chewed. Poached egg with caviar was next, followed by a rice cake, but not the kind of dry desperation snack you get in the grocery store; a real cake made of rice. The captain said he’d never had the same meal twice from Rachel, and I thought, unlike Chef Leon, who made beef cheeks every chance he got. Melissa ended up leaving the table, and in Heather’s interview, she said it was a huge bummer. It was a situation she couldn’t control, but it could still be a reason they lost tip money. There was an ice cream concoction for dessert, and in Rachel’s interview, she said, dear God. Thirty thousand tip, here we come. I think this is my favorite meal since I’ve been vicariously cruising with them.

It was time for the vow renewal, and Heather made up a reason to get the wives off the deck for a moment, so it was a surprise when everything was in place. Captain Lee told the couples, in these tumultuous, sometimes frightening times, they had each other. They were there to celebrate their bonds with each other, and the vows they’d taken. The captain then gave a renewal spin to the traditional vows, ending with, as I continue life with you, to which the couples said, I do. The crew applauded, and in Rayna’s interview, she said the way the men looked at their wives was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. She loved Black love, and it was something people her age needed to see. Agreed. Afterward, Captain Lee asked Eddie about Rayna, and Eddie said he felt deflated after they talked. It seemed her main issue was with him. She was accusing him of brushing off her concerns. We flashed back to Rayna waking Eddie up to tell him about Heather, and him talking to her for a while. He did tell her to try and separate personal stuff from work, but it wasn’t like he brushed it off. The captain told Eddie that he wanted Rayna to be comfortable, but as long as she was doing her job, that was all he cared about. I don’t think he meant it as bad as it sounded. It was more like, they’d tried several t times to ask her what was wrong, and there was nothing more they could do.

Rachel’s departure day breakfast special was a seafood omelet with caviar, or chicken and waffles. Yes please! In Fraser’s interview, he said so far, so good with Kaylee, but his first impressions were mostly incorrect. So he was hoping for the best. The captain radioed for the crew to go to the main deck in their whites. The guests said goodbye, and guest Bonnie gave Rachel a Navy service pin as a thank you. In Rachel’s interview, she said they weren’t given out often, and it meant a great deal to her. Tony said he searched for superlatives, but couldn’t come up with anything – they were that good. They loved the crew. He asked for permission to go ashore. I loved the whole respect thing Tony gave the captain. When the guests were gone, the crew changed, and started turning over the boat.

Fraser told Heather and Kaylee about getting sprayed in the face with a bidet, and in his interview, he said, no one uses them, ever. It was time for the tip meeting, and Captain Lee said they’d gotten a good dose of military personnel, and rose to the occasion, taking pride in their work. The tip was $25K, or $2270 each. Since Kaylee got to partake of that share – the captain saying she was appreciated – I’m sure that steamed the rest of the crew, although no one made a peep. The captain told them to work hard until 5, and they’d be leaving the dock at 11 am. Another one bites the dust. Heather said, one more, and Kaylee did laundry. The crew got ready to go out.

On the way to the restaurant, Rayna told Fraser that she liked Kaylee, but wasn’t happy to be out money. Still, not an awful complaint. Fraser said Kaylee genuinely helped, and she was great. At the table, he raised his glass, welcomed Kaylee, and toasted to a successful trip. Rachel thanked Rayna for her help in the galley, and everyone else who helped. Rayna said cooking excited her, and she felt it was time she needed to figure things out. Rachel suggested she go to the country to study. In Rayna’s interview, she said it was something she’d like to take seriously in the future. Eddie said Rayna was a kickass deckhand, but she shined in the galley. It’s where she was laser focused. Rayna noticed Jake wearing a colorful thong under his pants, and he danced around with his pants lowered. Rayna said she wished she had that much confidence. Fraser went to sit with Heather and Kaylee, and said, when he heard Kaylee was coming, he thought his efforts were void. She took the initiative and respected him, and he appreciated it. In his interview, he said he had a different perspective now. He was being an immature, insecure brat. He said he appreciated Kaylee, and Heather said that meant the world to her. On their way back, Jake took off his shirt, and jumped into the pool in the restaurant courtyard, which I don’t think was for swimming. Fraser said he wasn’t sharing a back seat with Jake.  

Back at the boat, Wes ate chips, lying on a crew mess bench, and dropping them into his mouth. Eddie tried to fix a bidet, and Jake and Fraser had another drink on deck. Jake said Fraser would be the one he stayed friends with after the season, and in his interview, he said, as different as they were, he and Jake were friends for life.

Next time, primary Jennifer is a real estate entrepreneur who wants the trip of a lifetime; the guests are Hamilton fans; Heather is grumpy and over people being grumpy and over it; a guest whines for champagne; Captain Lee says, the crew better either get their heads out of their asses, or he’ll eat their asses; and something else falls off the boat.

🏖 Summer House is back again. Didn’t we just leave these awful people? They’re worse than a bad penny. Or a toxic boomerang. The main takeaway points were as follows. Carl was getting his act together, doing things like going to AA meetings. He said he needed to be more serene, but I failed to see how being on this show, or dating Lindsay, of all people, was going to help with that. Kyle’s motto this season was, go big or go home, but it looked like the only big thing will be his out-of-control drinking. Paige had dated Andrea after Vermont’s Winter House, but he asked her to stop seeing other people, and she didn’t want to give up being single. At the time of filming, she’d been with Craig (Southern Charm) for two months, but they weren’t exclusive, and free to do what they wanted. We also found out that Lindsay had been pregnant by Carl, but lost the baby. It didn’t take long for Kyle to make a drunken ass of himself, and Amanda to be pissed off. Word on the street had it, if the wedding was called off, he’d have to pay back her parents. My only question is, why are 50 45 40 35 year olds acting like they’re twenty, and have never been out of the house? Otherwise known as the cast of The Real World.

If you want more, go here:

Summer House’s Amanda Triggered When Kyle Ignores Her in Season 6 Clip

Or here:

https://www.bravotv.com/summer-house

🧂 Salting the Wound…

All you need to know about the latest RHOSL.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/16/rhoslc-recap-jen-shah-says-meredith-marks-has-10-boyfriends/

🎂 Happy Birthday To You…

In honor of Betty White’s 100th birthday, one of her last pictures is shared, and donations are made. In honor of Betty – or even if not – please donate to your local animal shelter.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/17/betty-whites-assistant-shares-one-of-last-pics-of-late-icon/

https://people.com/pets/betty-white-would-be-touched-to-see-animal-shelter-donations-on-her-birthday/

🙏🏾 He Had a Dream…

Things to learn.

15 Things to Teach the Whole Family about MLK

Things to stream.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/9-titles-to-stream-on-mlk-day/

Things to ponder.

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. – Martin Luther King Jr.

💡 Flipping the Switch To Off…

Come back again tomorrow for soap and the Rules of James and Raquel’s engagement. Until then, stay safe, stay fearless in your faith, and stay knowing that even though things didn’t go as planned, it’s never too late for your dream.

Jan15

January 14, 2022 – Laura Has a Family Meeting, Back On, Anniversary, Returning, Undecided, Salty Talk, New Old Romance, Awards, Final Tally, Puppies (!), 22’s First Baker’s Dozen Of Quotes & Birthday

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Drew sits at the MetroCourt bar looking at the picture of him that Scout made. Carly comes in, and asks what he has, and he shows her, saying, it’s a portrait of him made by a budding young artist who goes by the name of Scout. It looks just like him, wouldn’t she say? She does say, and adds it’s good he appreciates the effort. He asks if she’s okay. After the other night on the bridge, he wants her to know she can talk to him. Her phone rings, and it’s Michael, so she steps away to take it. She asks, what’s up?

Laura asks Doc if he thinks there’s any chance this could work, and he says, either way, she has to try, right? She says, absolutely. She can’t just stand by and watch her family fall apart. She says they should get going on this, and calls upstairs to Spencer. He asks what he can do for her. It’s not about his take-out order of dinner, is it? She says, no. It’s about a family meeting. He says, what’s tonight’s topic? and she says, family unity. There’s a knock at the door, and Doc lets Nikolas in.

Britt says, Brad poisoned Peter? He means literally poisoned him, not a figure of speech? He says, literally, but she doesn’t believe it, and says, he’s no killer. He says he’s done some pretty horrible things, and she says, agreed; so has she. But murder? She gets up, and says, he hadn’t crossed that threshold. He says he still hasn’t. Peter’s not dead. She says, attempted murder doesn’t score him any points, and he says he didn’t know what he was doing until after the fact. She says, okay. How did he get the poison? He says, his Aunt Selena. I’m not sure why they’re both acting like this is the worst crime of the century, since, had Brad succeeded, he would have been doing the world a favor. And how come Selena wasn’t on top of this, and someone finish the job?

Ava goes to Nina’s office, and hears Martin saying that Nina’s in the clear now. It might be in her best interest to let sleeping dogs lie. Nina sees Ava, and tells her to come in. She’s just finishing up with Martin. Ava says she thought Scotty was Nina’s lawyer, but Nina says she had to fire him after he forced Willow to talk about her relationship with Sonny on the witness stand. Ava says, which got the identity fraud charges dropped. It’s thanks to Scotty that her legal problems are over, or has something new come up? Nina says, there’s nothing new. It’s still what it’s always been about; her grandson Wiley.

Michael says, Carly moved out? Where is she? She says she has a suite at the MetroCourt. She just needed some time away from Sonny so she could get her head straight. He asks if she took Donna and Avery with her, but she says, no. She couldn’t disrupt their lives, and Avery has been so clingy with Sonny since he got home. She didn’t want the girls to think she and their father were having problems. She told them that she was working a lot at the MetroCourt and had to stay over. She’ll be there at night before the go to bed, and first thing in the morning when they go to school. Michael says, that’s a lot, and she’ll probably run into dad. Won’t it be too much for her? She says, yeah, but keeping some semblance of stability and seeing the girls will be worth it. What about him? Has he talked to Sonny since Nina’s hearing? Sonny walks in, and Michael says he’ll call her back.

Ava asks how Nina expects Martin to help her with Wiley. No offense. Martin says, none taken, but maybe they should discuss this another time. Nina says they can speak freely in front of Ava, and tells Ava that she’s consulting Martin about ways to ensure she can see Wiley. Ava asks if she’s talking about taking Michael and Willow to court, and Nina says, it’s an option. Martin says, if memory serves, he and Ava were discussing the same point a while back. How in the state of New York, if a biological parent is deceased… Ava says, yes, and a biological grandparent has the right to visitation. She asks if Nina is sure she wants to start poking this hornet’s nest. She doesn’t think she and Michael can work something out between the two of them? Nina says, with Carly whispering in Michael’s ear? No, not likely.

Michael says he didn’t expect to see Sonny here, and Sonny says, he heard Michael was speaking to Frank about his whereabouts, instead of talking to him directly. Michael says he’s still processing. He couldn’t believe what he heard that Sonny said on the stand, and Sonny says he didn’t want Michael’s mom to hear that on the stand. Whatever he and Nina had is over. Michael says, what happened between Sonny and Nina is none of his business, but the look on mom’s face when she told him about it? That, he can’t forgive.

Drew finds Carly in a private lounge area, and says her name. She says, she’s sorry. It’s been a day. It’s been a really rough day. He says he really hopes things get better, and starts to leave, but she says, he’s not going to ask her what’s going on? He says, it seems like she’s got a lot on her mind, and she says, it’s because of New Year’s Eve, isn’t it? She’s sorry. She should have never put him off, and acted the way she did. He says she has nothing to apologize for. He’s not trying to take Jason’s place – been there, done that – but just know, if she ever needs a shoulder… She says she does.

Laura thanks Nikolas for coming, and Spencer says, no Ava? At least grandmother realizes she isn’t part of our family. Nikolas says, Ava is most definitely part of this family, and Laura agrees. She invited Ava, but Ava politely declined. Nikolas says, Ava was being thoughtful. She probably thought her being here would make the conversation less smooth. Spencer says, she’s probably out spending his money, and Nikolas says, what was that? Spencer says, when she summoned him to the MetroCourt to discuss the work he’d being doing for her at the gallery to make restitution – after he serves his sentence – she made it a point of throwing it in his face that she was using money from his trust fund to cover their tab. Doc comes in, and says he thinks they’re getting off track, and Laura says she’s very sorry she wasn’t here when everything fell apart between the two of them. Spencer says, translation, when Nikolas lost his mind and gave Ava control of his trust fund, and Nikolas says, because Spencer refuses to accept that Ava is part of this family. Spencer says, not his family, and Doc suggests they take it down a notch. Laura says, how about if they all sit down? but Spencer says, he’ll stand.

Brad tells Britt, his aunt told him to deliver a specific food tray to a specific cell in solitary. When he got there, he realized he was transporting a meal for Peter August, and that there might be something suspect about it. She says, he had no idea whatsoever? Why did he think his aunt was catering for anyone, let alone Peter? Brad says, he had his suspicions, but it was the only way she’d help with the parole board. Britt says, now she has leverage. Brad does her bidding or she’ll tip off the cops about Peter’s adventures in not-so fine dining. He says, nothing that satiric. He’s afraid his aunt will kill him if he tries to defy her. There’s a knock at the door, and Britt says, come in. Dante walks in, and Britt asks what she can do for him. She asks if it has something to do with a patient’s confidential medical information, but he says, no. Not currently. He has information about Peter August. She says, what about Peter? and he says he wants to discuss plans to have Peter moved to the infirmary in Pentenville. According to his doctor, he’s going to be strong enough to travel pretty soon. Brad sighs, and Dante asks if Brad has something to say. Britt says, soon isn’t now. How can she help facilitate this transfer? Dante says, that’s what he’s here to try and coordinate. They have to make sure all the boxes are checked. They need to have the medical records done by the medical director, and schedule the appropriate section meeting before they can have him released. Once that’s done, they can issue a transfer warrant. He knows it’s a lot, and he’ll walk her through it, but they can’t have anyone dropping the ball on this one. She says, agreed. Let her look at Peter’s labs, and they can talk tomorrow. Dante says, sounds good; give him a call. He stops before he goes out the door, and says, hey, Brad. What’s this he hears about Brad staying with Selena Wu? Brad says, she’s his aunt, and Dante says, that’s a good idea, right? Getting close to the head of the Wu crime family while you’re on parole. Watch your step. Britt asks why Dante is harassing Brad. Dante’s brother is the one threatening people. Dante says, Michael? and she says, yes, Michael. He threatened Brad at the MetroCourt in front of everyone. Dante asks if she was a witness to this alleged threat, and she says she heard about it. Dante says, so no, and asks if Brad wants to file a complaint, but Brad says, no need. He just wants to get on with his life. Dante says, sounds like they’re done here, and Britt says, tell his brother that Brad won’t be intimidated, and Dante says, sure. He asks her to let him know when she has those labs, and leaves. She says, that went well, and Brad pops an antacid.

Laura says, Nikolas and Spencer are so much alike, and Doc says, birds of a feather. Nikolas says he’s sorry. As the adult, he shouldn’t have let Spencer bait him. Spencer says, Nikolas keeps forgetting he’s an adult too. He has a job, and makes his own money. He’s certainly not relying on an inherited family fortune. Laura says she’s proud of him for that. She’s proud he kept his job at Kelly’s, even though it wasn’t easy for him. Spencer thanks her, and says, he’s adjusted. After he serves his time, both at Ava’s gallery and Spring Ridge, he can start saving up for his own place. Laura says, this is exactly what she wanted to talk about. He’s only got a few weeks before he goes to Spring Ridge, and serving a 30 day sentence. And going to prison, even if it’s a minimum security prison, is going to test his emotional and mental strength. She knows he can do it, and has every faith in him. Look how stubborn he’s being now. She thinks it would be better and easier if when he went to Spring Ridge, he had his whole family standing by him. She turns to Nikolas, and says, she thinks it’s important. Does Nikolas think he can reconcile with his son before Spencer goes to prison? Nikolas says, he wants that. He hates the walls between them. He misses his son. Spencer says he misses Nikolas too. He sits down, and Esme comes in. She asks, what’s going on? and Spencer says, they’re just having a meeting. Grandmother wants him to make peace with his father. She says, is that what he wants? He gets up, and says, no. She says she’s glad she came home when she did. Don’t worry. She won’t let his family gang up on him. She takes off her coat, and stands in front of them with her arms folded.

Nina tells Ava that Willow came to her last night, and suggested she give up her legal rights to Wiley as a gesture of good will to Michael. Ava says, that sounds extreme, and Nina says, she accused Willow of doing Michael’s dirty work, but Willow said it was her own idea. She promised to do everything she can to get through to Michael so Nina can still be in Wiley’s life. Ava says, Nina can’t give up her rights to her grandchild, and Martin says, he explained doing so would be irrevocable. If Nina legally abdicates her rights as Wiley’s legal grandmother, she can’t turn around and take them back if Willow failed to soften Michael’s attitude. Nina says, it’s too risky. She can’t take that chance. She picks up Wiley’s photo, and Ava says, then don’t. Do not give up her rights; listen to Martin. Nina says she did, and they were talking about the alternatives, which include going to court, so she can guarantee she has a right to see Wiley. Ava says, she’d be going on the offensive. Is she ready to do that? Nina says, what other choice does she have? She can’t just wait around for Michael’s mood to soften. She wants to be part of her grandson’s life now. Ava says, of course (🍷) she does. The question is – she looks at Martin – can Nina win? He says, she can definitely win. The problem is, is she really ready to burn down that last bridge?

Drew asks if Carly just wants to dive right in and talk about it, but Carly wants to hear about something that makes her smile. Why doesn’t he tell her about Scout? He says, she’s amazing. She’s getting more comfortable every time they see each other, just like Sonny said she would. Him, on the other hand, he’s been gone so long, half of Scout’s life. He has a lot of catching up to do, things to learn. What’s her favorite color? Her best friend’s name? He asked her what her favorite flavor of ice cream was, and she was so confused, like, you don’t know? You’re my daddy. Carly says, that must have hurt, and he says, he just told her that he had a lot to learn, and she needs to teach him. That made her happy. It brought home how much time they’ve lost and how many things they have to get back. She says, reunions are tough. As happy as you are to reconnect, you realize the person has changed since you last saw them.

Sonny tells Michael, when he came home he was hit with a lot of things. Michael’s mom was getting married. He wanted to tell her, but then Jason died. He did the best he could for his family. Michael says, Nina lied to Sonny, to them, for months. How is it best for his family to protect her? Sonny says he understands; Michael wants to hold Nina accountable. He’s not saying anything about that. Michael says, but Sonny doesn’t understand what he’s feeling, because if he did, he would have never stood up for Nina at that hearing.

Doc asks Esme to allow him to buy her a cup of coffee while the family talks, but Esme says she thinks she should be here. Spencer says, go, it’s fine. Please go. He needs to do this on his own. She kisses him, and says, if he needs her, just text her. She’ll come right back. Doc opens the door, and says, shall we? Esme snatches up her coat, and they leave. Spencer shrugs, and says, Esme seems to be the only one who’s there for him, and Nikolas says, he wants to be there for Spencer, but Esme’s attitude of us-against-them isn’t helping. Spencer says, and Ava’s idea of family unity is? Laura asks if they can please get back to where they were. It’s really only about the two of them, father and son. Do try to leave everyone else out of it. It’s really frustrating for her, because she knows how much they love each other. Nikolas says he does love Spencer, and Spencer says he felt the love all those years Nikolas let him believe he was dead.

Drew tells Carly, it amazes him how quickly Scout warmed up to him, as if nothing bad ever happened to her in her life. She’s fearless. Who knows? Maybe there will come a time in her life when she doesn’t remember daddy wasn’t around to tuck her in. She says, the father/daughter bond is so special. She’d never want to deprive Avery or Donna of it ever. He asks, why would she? and she says, she and Sonny are having a problem. He says he’s sorry to hear that. Who threw the first vase this time? She laughs, and says, nothing was thrown. She moved out.

Nina says, maybe she should give it more thought before she take legal action, and Martin says he thinks that would be advisable. Why set something like that in motion if she’s not certain? In the meantime, he’ll see if he can find any precedents that help or hurt her cause, should she decide to go forward. Nina says she likes that idea, and he says he’ll be in touch. He leaves, and Ava sits down. She says, that must have been some chat with Willow to get Nina to contemplate legal action. Nina says, Willow was her second visitor; Carly was her first. She stormed in here, and demanded all the details about what happened between her and Sonny in Nixon Falls. Ava asks, how did that go? and Nina says she went all scorched earth; she held nothing back. Ava says, define scorched earth, and Nina says, she told the truth. That if she hadn’t said no, Sonny would have made love to her.

Nikolas says he’s sorry he didn’t tell Spencer he was alive, but he didn’t want to bring Spencer into the lie, and Spencer was better off. He can’t change his past mistakes, and will always regret hurting Spencer. Laura says, part of growing up is learning to forgive the people who’ve hurt us. Does Spencer want to keep carrying this pain around with him, or does he want to have a relationship with his father now? She thinks it’s time to let bygones be bygones, and move forward as a family. Spencer laughs, and gets up, and she asks if she said something funny. Spencer says, she sounds a lot like Uncle Victor.

At the Bistro, Doc assures Esme, Spencer will be fine. It’s just a family meeting. What has her so upset? She says she’s not upset. She just doesn’t like being dragged away from her boyfriend when he needs her. Doc says, he recalls Spencer asking her to leave, but she says, that’s because he didn’t want to look weak in front of his father. He asks if she thinks Spencer is weak, and she tells him, don’t try to shrink her. She knows a thing or two about psychology herself. He says, that’s right. How is that internship at Spring Ridge going? She says she’s enjoying it. She finds the criminal mind fascinating. She’s sure Doc can relate. She’s read his books on the subject. He says, has she? and she says, which is why she doesn’t understand how he can say Spence being with family makes him safe, considering his brother is Ryan Chamberlain. It’s hard not to notice the large succulent on the table, possibly some hybrid spawn of the moss bowl🎍. I’ll be keeping an eye on it.

Brad thanks Britt for standing up for him with Dante, and she says she’ll always stand up for him, but he needs to stop popping those antacids and strengthen that spine. Get his mojo back. Never mind how he got his parole; he’s out now. Leave that prison mentality behind, and start thinking, start acting like a free man. He asks if he wasn’t clear enough. his aunt’s hospitality comes with a price tag, and a huge spotlight. The last thing he wants is police scrutiny. She asks if his aunt has threatened him outright, but he says, not directly. In fact, Aunt Selena’s been very kind, while she controls his whole existence. That’s why he had to wait until she was out of town to visit Britt. He doesn’t know how to distance himself from her without creating offense. People who offend Selena Wu tend to disappear.

Ava says, Nina told Carly that Sonny wanted to have sex with her? Nina says, she was pushing and demanding specifics. She wouldn’t shut up about it. Ava says she knows how relentless Carly can be. But that she came to Nina tells her that Carly is worried. She asks if Nina has heard from Sonny, but Nina says, not since New Year’s Eve. Ava asks if he’s still staying at his place in Harbor View Towers, and Nina says, according to Carly, he’s home. He just wants his family back. Ava says, that doesn’t necessarily have to include Carly, and Nina says, since when? Ava says, she doesn’t know when the tide turned, but the fact Carly was here talking to Nina, instead of home, working things out, reinforces what Ava told Nina the other day. Sonny is still in love with Nina, and Carly knows it.

Sonny tells Michael, he wasn’t going to lie on the stand. Yes, Michael’s mother should have heard about Nina from him, but every time he wanted to say something, it wasn’t the right time. Michael says, Sonny could have found the time, and Sonny yells, he can’t change what happened. He can only be there for the family now; reassure them that they can count on him. Michael says, he was counting on Sonny to help him put Nina behind bars. Instead, they were all blindsided by what he said on the stand. Because of Sonny, the charges against Nina were dropped. That’s not protecting his family. They start to argue loudly, when Dante comes in and says, hey, enough!

Carly tells Drew, she can’t stay in the house with Sonny, because if she does, she can’t breathe, and can’t figure out how she’s feeling. He says, she needs to trust her instincts, and she tells him, Jason used to say that. Drew says, Jason knew her best, and she says, she’s going to be there in the morning when the girls get up, and she’ll be there at night to put them to bed. She wants to keep as much consistency as possible for them. He thinks it’s great she’s thinking about the kids. She’s an incredible mother; it’s obvious the kids are her priority. But does she know how, on an airplane, they tell you to put your oxygen mask on before your child’s? She nods, and he says, that’s because you’re not going to do your kid any good if you’re passed out. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do for you. That way she can be the best mom for Donna and Avery. She says she doesn’t want to break up her family, and he says, from what he’s seen, she and Sonny are the real deal. They’ll find their way back together. She says, what if they can’t? and he says, then he refers her to his original advice of trust her instincts. She thanks him, and says she owes him an apology.

Nina tells Ava, Sonny’s in love with her? She hadn’t even allowed herself to consider that, even though Sonny did say on the stand he was in love with her in Nixon Falls. Maybe more of his feelings survived when he got his memory back than Nina thought. Ava says, there’s no maybe about it. Carly is running scared for a reason. Obviously, she sees Nina as a threat to her marriage. Nina says, everything is nuts right now, but if Sonny and Carly separate, does Ava think there’s a chance for her and Sonny to be together here in Port Charles? Ava says, not if Nina sues Michael for visitation with Wiley. If Nina goes to war with Michael, she’ll lose Sonny forever.

Dante asks, what’s going on? and Michael asks what Dante is doing here. Dante says he came to talk to Michael about something else, but never mind that. Why are they yelling at each other? Michael says, his mom is living at the MetroCourt, and Dante says, he’s sorry to hear that. Michael says, she moved out because dad refuses to leave the house, and Dante says, he thought Sonny was at the penthouse. Sonny says he’s not giving up on his marriage, but they’re at an impasse, and he called Carly’s bluff. Michael says, she wasn’t bluffing, and Sonny says he didn’t expect her to leave; he’s not giving up. He’s getting Michael’s mother back. Michael says, by ignoring what she wants? and Dante says, it’s a tough situation for everyone, okay? Michael says, that’s easy for Dante to say. His mom’s not the one who’s got to stay away.   

Ryan says, his brother is a very dangerous man, but Esme isn’t really comparing Laura and Nikolas to Ryan, is she? She says, no. She just means people go on and on about how great family is, but psychopaths have families too. He says, yes, they do, and sometimes we’re hurt by the people we love and trust. She must been hurt when her parents died. She says, of course (🍷). She was devastated. He says, Spencer told him she has siblings, but he’s never heard her mention them. Were they separated when their parents died? She says, they’re not close, but they were talking about his brother; Ryan, his twin. Does he ever visit Ryan at Spring Ridge? She’s never seen him there. He says he monitors Ryan’s progress, but he doesn’t visit, and she asks if people with Locked-In Syndrome ever recover. He asks just how much time is she spending with Ryan? but she says, barely any. His case just stands out. Doc says, Ryan is not a simple case study. He’s a man who’s killed people, and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again, given half the chance. If she ever saw who Ryan really is, she woudn’t be intrigued. She’d be terrified, and she’d be right to be so.

Laura asks how she sounds like Victor, and Spencer says, Uncle Victor gave him a whole speech on family loyalty. Laura says, this is very important. Do not fall prey to Victor’s manipulations. Spencer asks, what happened to forgiveness? She doesn’t have any of that for Uncle Victor? She says she misspoke. We forgive the people who are truly sorry for having hurt us. That’s not Victor. Spencer says, Uncle Victor might not be the most popular person, but Victor’s always been good to him. Nikolas says he knows how important family is to Spencer, but he doesn’t have to turn to Victor. Nikolas is right here. He loves Spencer. He wants his son back.

Britt says, they can figure out a way to get the better of Brad’s Aunt Selena, and he asks if she’s been paying attention. The woman is formidable. She says, so are they. Formidable, and well-versed in wiggling out of trouble. He says, except when they get caught. He just doesn’t see a way out of this. His aunt has him under her thumb, and has already warned him to stay away from Britt. Britt says, so what? She’s there for him, no matter what his control freak aunt wants. He asks if she’s sure, and she says she’s stood up to worse than his Aunt Selena, and lived to tell. He’s her best friend. She’s not letting his aunt take him from her. He says, he’s lucky to have her, even if she did betray him by getting another wingman. She says, he’s back! She just had an idea. She might know someone who could help him.

Doc hopes Esme heeds his warning about Ryan. He’s not being dramatic; it’s for her own safety. She says, got it. How much longer does she have to wait before she can go back to Spence? He says, Laura will text when they’re finished. He asks if Esme is still worried, and says, she doesn’t need to protect Spencer from his family. It seems to him, not long ago she was pushing for a reconciliation. What happened? She says, maybe it has something to do with him being sent to a correctional facility, and his family is letting it happen. Doc says, Spencer committed a crime. There was nothing they could do about that. She says, Ava never had to press charges in the first place, and he says, she wanted Spencer to take responsibility. Esme says she guesses Ava got what she wanted, and he says, they’re all on Spencer’s side. She asks if he’ll excuse her. She needs to use the ladies room. She promises not to sneak out. He says he didn’t expect her to, but thanks for the heads up. She leaves, and he makes a call. He says, it’s Dr. Collins for Warden Brewster. It’s urgent. He needs to restrict who has access to Ryan Chamberlain.

Spencer says he wants Nikolas back too – without Ava. Nikolas says, this again, and Laura says, honestly? Spencer says, those are his terms, and Nikolas says, Spencer is being completely unreasonable. Spencer says he guesses there’s nothing left to say, and walks off. Nikolas tells Laura, he tried. He needs to go. Laura loudly says, same time next week, and Spencer stops and says, they’re doing this again? She says, he thought this was a one and done? Absolutely not. She’s not giving up on the two of them. They’re going to keep talking, because talking to each other is the only way they’ll be able to work this out.

Ava says, Nina knows how Sonny is about his kids. If he has to choose between Michael and Nina… Nina says, no contest, and any hope of her having a life with Sonny will be dashed, but what about Wiley? She doesn’t want that little boy growing up with Carly’s version of her; he’ll hate her. Ava says, Sonny’s on Nina’s side. He’ll get Michael to come around. Nina says, but won’t Michael just hate her even more because she broke up his parents’ marriage? but Ava says, seems like his parents’ marriage is exploding all on its own. Nina just has to stand back and let it happen. Maybe be around to pick up the pieces. Nina says, it’s a great fantasy, but Ava says, it’s not a fantasy. Just play cool. Play her cards right, and Nina can have Wiley and Sonny in her life. Isn’t that what she really wants?

Drew says, Carly has nothing to apologize about, but she says she does. When Jason came home, she got so caught up in having him back, she was totally focused on that, when Drew was having a hard time. He says, it was a crazy situation, and looking back, he didn’t handle it well. She says, how could he? He was still trying to come to terms with what happened to him, and who he was. He says, he pulled away from her and Sonny too; it was a tough time. She says she wishes she’d been a better friend, and he says she’s a great friend. He hopes she hasn’t been worried about this; he’s long over it. She says she doesn’t really know him that well; the real Drew Cain, separate from Jason. She’s glad she got a second chance. He says, him too. Look what she almost missed. They laugh.

Dante says, Michael is being protective of his mother; he’s being protective of his father. But neither of them are in the relationship. They’re on the outside, looking in, so they can’t judge. Decisions were made, and now they all have to deal with the consequences, right? Sonny says, that’s exactly what he’s trying to do, and Michael says, now, after the truth has come out. Sonny says he loves Michael’s mother. Does Michael know that or not? Michael says he does. He loves them both, but hates seeing mom in so much pain. Dante says, they’re all just trying to protect their family, and Michael says, that’s what he’s trying to do, but dad needs to give mom what she’s asking for, which is space and… Sonny gets loud, and yells, why does Michael keep asking him to do something? He can’t make amends if Carly won’t talk to him. Dante asks if Sonny is okay, and Sonny says, he’s okay. He’s just got to talk to Carly. Michael says, but he can’t push. Sonny says he doesn’t like waiting, but for Michael’s mother, he’ll wait.

On Monday, Laura asks if Curtis is ready to accept his father back into his life, Marshall asks why Epiphany isn’t following her dream, and Diane asks Carly if this is a step she wants to take.

🏥 In and Out Item…

Apparently, GH won’t miss a beat.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Resumes Production

💖 Ten Years…

Not exactly the anniversary you want to celebrate, but it’s nice to look back. It was always my favorite of the ABC soaps.

Stars Reflect on the End of ONE LIFE TO LIVE
On the Anniversary of ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Final Episode, Relive Some Classic Moments

👸🏼 Don’t Call Her Princess…

Felicia’s back and feistier than ever. I have a dog named Felicia, but so far no reaction when they say Felicia on GH. And no, she wasn’t named after the GH character, but after a character in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Kristina Wagner Opens up About Her Return to GENERAL HOSPITAL

🎢 VickiCoaster…

It seems she can’t decide whether she’s happy or angry about the break-up.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/12/vicki-gunvalson-hosting-breakup-party-at-male-strip-club/
https://pagesix.com/2022/01/12/vicki-gunvalson-chased-ex-steve-lodge-out-of-a-restaurant/

🧂 Salt Shaking…

What’s happening with The Real Housewives of Salt Lake.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City Recap: Party Bus PTSD

And what’s to come.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/12/andy-cohen-teases-rhoslc-bombshell-thatll-rock-the-cast/

💏 For the Gram…

I don’t know how they came full circle here, but I don’t know if I’m picking up what they’re putting down.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/12/summer-houses-lindsay-hubbard-confirms-carl-radke-relationship/

🏆 Bundling Awards…

Daytime viewers will be interested.

Daytime Drama Writers Guild Awards 2022 Nominees Announced

Probably the most people are interested, since it’s somewhat of an Oscar nomination prediction.

https://www.cnet.com/news/golden-globes-2022-the-full-list-of-award-winners/

And there’s the booze.

https://pagesix.com/article/drunkest-celebrities-at-golden-globes-through-the-years/
https://nypost.com/2022/01/09/screw-the-irrelevant-golden-globes-awards-and-their-winners/

Fewer people will care about this.

https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/2022-sag-awards-nominations-list/

And so few people cared, it’s not even happening.

https://ew.com/awards/critics-choice-awards-postponed/

🥀 Roll Call of 2021…

Those we loved and lost.

https://pagesix.com/list/celebrity-deaths-2021/

🐶 Sending You Off With a Doggy Bag…

Puppy Bowl 2022!

https://ew.com/tv/puppy-bowl-xviii-photos/

https://ourcommunitynow.com/sports/meet-the-super-cute-puppies-competing-in-puppy-bowl-2022

🐝 Quotes of the Week

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. – Milton Berle (Or kick one out.)

It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not. – Andre Gide

Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people. – Spencer Johnson

Celery, useless except when used as a peanut butter delivery system. – Mike Baxter (Tim Allen), Last Man Standing

Tough times never last. Tough people do. – Robert Schuller

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun. – Kent Nerburn

How to sell books in 2020: Put them near the toilet paper. – New York Times

The best proof of love is trust. – Joyce Brothers

Apology is a lovely perfume; it can transform the clumsiest moment in to a gracious gift. – Margaret Lee Runbeck

To free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves – there lies the great, singular power of self-respect. – Joan Didion

Before you’ll change, something important must be at risk. – Richard Bach

Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity… successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results. – DuPree Jordan, Jr. (Getting out my tiara…)

Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. – George Addair

🥨 Late Night Snack Time…

Whether you call the next two days the weekend, or you refuse to bow to labeling days anymore, Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Until then, stay safe, stay having a dream, and stay not judging by skin color, but by content of character.

Dec21

December 20, 2021 – Cyrus Warns Laura About a Secret Enemy, Bailing Stew Off Deck, the Salt You Need & Don’t Want To

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone at the prison, Laura tells someone to email her the details, but it sounds like they made the right choice. A woman says her proposal on creating environmental offsets is ready, whenever Laura has the chance. Laura says she’s looking forward to sitting down with them in person. After all this screentime, it will be a welcome change. The woman says, does that mean… and Laura says she’s coming home.

Brook thanks Chase for bringing her coat to the Quartermaine’s, and he says he didn’t think she wanted it left in the steam room. She flashes back to Chase saying he sees her, and them coming thisclose to kissing. She says she’s sorry for barging in, but he says, no, she isn’t. She asks if they have to keep talking about it, but he thinks they should. She says, why? Because she saw him naked? Michael clears his throat, and he and Willow come in. Brook asks how they slept, and Michael says, not great. Willow says she was up thinking about Sasha and Brando, and Brook says, of course (🍷); she’s so sorry. Michael says he has to get to the MetroCourt. He’s having breakfast with his parents. Willow says, tell them she said hi, and Brook says, her too, and he leaves. Chase asks if Willow wants to talk, but Willow says, she doesn’t know what to say. Brook says, it’s just so horrible, and wonders how anyone gets past saying goodbye to their son. Willow says, you don’t have a choice.

Sonny sits at Charlie’s bar, and Phyllis says, the loss of a child, there are no words. He apologizes for starting her day off with bad news, but he needed somebody to talk to. Scratch that. He wanted to talk to her. He says he’s happy she’s there, and she says she is too. He asks if she’s really happy. She’s not missing Nixon Falls? She says she misses it, but she’s starting to love Port Charles too. She has some good friends there. He says, really? Who? and Nina walks in.

Obrecht goes into the MetroCourt, and asks if she can borrow Carly for a moment. Carly asks if there’s a problem, and Obrecht says she wanted to offer her condolences. Jason Morgan was a good man. Carly thanks her, and says, he was. Although she’s a bit surprised Obrecht went out of her way to tell her that. Obrecht says she didn’t agree with all of Jason’s choices, but she’s saddened by his death. He saved her life, and Britt’s. Carly says, Jason had a habit of doing that.

Victor walks into Kelly’s, and Spencer asks what he’s doing there. Victor asks if people don’t customarily eat breakfast at this time of day, and Spencer says, they do, but Kelly’s? It’s not exactly the kind of establishment Victor is used to. They serve pre-ground coffee. Victor asks if Spencer is calling him a snob, and Spencer says, no. Victor says, he’s joking, but thanks for the warning; he’ll have some tea. He just wanted to see where his great-nephew works. He needs to get to know Spencer better.

Laura asks the woman to please keep it to herself. She’d like to surprise her family. She tells the guard that she’s ready, and he lets her into the visiting room. She sits down opposite Cyrus, and they pick up the phones. He says, sister. How he’s prayed this day would come.

Brook says she’s batting a thousand this morning, and tells Willow that she’s sorry. If anyone knows the horror of losing a child… It was insensitive of her. Willow says she doesn’t expect it to be at the top of Brook’s mind; it happened years ago. But on days like today, it still feels raw. Brook says, this may sound trite, but she means it. She admires Willow’s strength. Willow says, at the time, she was anything but strong, but Chase says, that’s not true. Willow says, lucky for her, she has people to hold her up, and Brook says, Chase is good that way. Willow thinks she’ll get some air, and goes outside. Brook tells Chase that he should make sure she’s okay.

Cyrus says, Laura looks wonderful; healthy and vibrant… She says, let her stop him. She’s here for one reason, and that is to tell him that she’s not going to run anymore. He’s not going to keep her from her family even one more minute. He says, she’s been away? and she says, don’t play with her. His plan to have her and their brother killed has failed. He asks if she’s all right. Is Martin? She says, that’s it. He’s completely done. He doesn’t have any influence in this place. He has no more favors to call in. The assassin he hired was his last opportunity for revenge. He says she has to listen to him. He did not try to kill her.

Spencer says, sorry about the tea bag, and Victor says he thinks he’ll live. He asks Spencer to join him, and Spencer says, it’s completely dead in here, so he thinks he can. He sits down, and Victor says, they never really got a chance to talk at Thanksgiving. Spencer says, thanks to Valentin. Sorry, but is Victor sure Valentin is his son? Victor laughs, and says he is. As Spencer knows, fathers and sons don’t always see eye to eye. Spencer says, they don’t, and Victor says he was sensing a little tension between Spencer and Nikolas that day. Spencer says he’s done with his father. No more trust fund; no more nothing. He refuses to live by Nikolas’s rules. Victor says Spencer is going through some legal problems. He understands Spencer was harassing Ava in an attempt to keep her and Nikolas apart. Spencer says, things got a little out of hand; more than a little. Victor says, and he’s out on bail, and Spencer says, he’s awaiting trial. He could be looking at jail time. Victor says, then it’s a good thing his Uncle Victor is here. He may be able to do something about that.

Michael meets Carly at the MetroCourt, and she hugs him. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she’s just sad. She’s sad for Sasha and Brando, and sad for baby Liam. Out of the clear blue, Obrecht came there to offer her condolences about Jason, and it got her thinking. She’s been thinking about the night Michael was born. What if Jason hadn’t shown up when he did? What if he hadn’t gotten her to the hospital? Michael wouldn’t be standing there right now. Jason saved both of them that night. She’s sorry. She’s just so jumbled up with gratitude and sadness, and anger, so much anger. He says, anger at Nina, and she says, she’s angry with Nina, but she’s angry Jason’s gone. She’s not mad at Jason; she’s mad at the universe. It sounds incredibly selfish, because Brando and Sasha are never going to see their little baby boy grow up. Michael is right there in front of her, and he’s healthy and strong, and he’s capable. She should be grateful for the miracle she got, and not focused on the one that didn’t happen. He says she can be grateful he’s alive, and still angry that Jason is gone. One doesn’t have to cancel out the other. He can feel terrible for Sasha and Brando, and still be grateful he’s got Wiley. They sit, and she asks, how is her favorite grandson? He says, he’s eagerly awaiting Santa. He wakes up every morning and asks if it’s Christmas, and every time he puts Wiley to bed, he asks if Santa is coming tonight. She laughs, and asks if Wiley is getting every single thing on his Christmas list. Michael says, Wiley will, but he won’t.

At another table, Scotty says he missed his schnitzel last night, and Obrecht says he should have allowed her to come over. He says she knows he was working, and her figure – he makes an hourglass with his hands – is a little distracting. She asks how the preparations for Nina’s hearing are coming, and he says, not good, to be honest with her. She says she thought he said Nina’s actions didn’t constitute fraud, and he says, they don’t in his opinion. However, if he can’t get this thrown out in the preliminary stage, he’s not sure how to mount a defense. He wishes he knew something, anything, so he could turn the DA’s narrative right on its head. She says, how’s this? She believes Nina and Sonny are in love. He chokes on his water.

Nina says, she and Sonny had the same idea, huh? Phyllis is a great listener. Sonny says, yep, and Phyllis’s phone rings. She says, apparently, it’s unanimous, Lenny’s sister, and steps away to take the call. Nina asks how Sonny is, and he says, preoccupied, thinking about Sasha and Brando. She says she can think of nothing else, except for Peter. She’s glad he’s in custody, but the idea of him being back in Port Charles is just… He says, not for long, and she says, is he going to… take care of Peter?

Cyrus asks again if Martin is all right, and Laura says, he’s fine. He says, thank goodness, and she wonders why he’s bothering with this innocent act. Did he think she was going to buy it? He says he deserves her distrust and her anger. The path he was on was dark. She says, yeah, and he says, because of that, he has much to atone for. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says he’s finally heard the call. His life is no longer his own. He’s given it to a higher power. She laaaaughs.

Chase puts Willow’s coat on her shoulders, and she thanks him. She says, Brook won’t mind? and he says, no. She was the one who told him to come out there. Not that he wouldn’t have anyway. He can take a hike if she wants to be alone. She says she doesn’t want to be alone, and he says, just frozen. She says, you know how when you got mosquito bites as a kid, you used your nail to make an X in them? (Huh?) and he says, he still does that. It takes his mind off the itching. She says, that’s what it’s doing for her. Maybe if she gets uncomfortable enough, she can forget about everything else.

Scotty says, Nina told Obrecht this? She and Sonny fell in love? Obrecht says, not exactly. She flashes back to Nina saying she met someone and thinks it’s good for her and him, and tells Scotty, Nina hasn’t said anything directly, but trust her, she knows. He says, so when Sonny was in that little Podunk town in Pennsylvania, he was cheating on his wife?

Carly asks what Michael wants for Christmas that he’s not getting, and he says, Brad staying in prison. Everything going on with Sasha and Brando brought back the past year and a half, and when he thought his son was dead. She says, Nelle was just a terrible person, but Brad was Lucas’s husband; he was part of their family. Brad watched Michael act as Wiley’s godfather. The time Brad took from Michael and Wiley, and the needless grief he caused their family, it’s not much different from what Nina’s done to their family. He says, at least Nina is going to be tried for her crimes; Brad is already released. She asks if he’s sure, and he says, Brad was here yesterday. She says, at the MetroCourt? and he says, with his Aunt Celina.

Sonny says, Peter’s in a coma, and Nina says she’s aware. He asks if she wants him to say he’s sorry, but she says, no. The Mike she knew in Nixon Falls would never take a life, but she wasn’t sure about Sonny Corinthos. He says, death is too good for Peter. It’s best to let him lie in limbo. That way he doesn’t hurt anymore people, especially Maxie. He has to go; Carly and Michael are waiting for him for breakfast. Phyllis comes out, and he says he’ll see her later. She says, he knows where to find her, and they hug. He leaves, and Phyllis asks if Nina wants to talk about it. Nina says she wants to grab some coffee, and goes behind the bar to get it. She says she’s so worried about Sasha and Brando. She gets that they have each other, but it’s going be so hard for them. Phyllis says, yes, it is, and she’d be worried about them too, but she was asking if Nina wanted to talk about Sonny. Nina says, what about him? and Phyllis says she doesn’t know . What’s it like for Nina to be constantly bumping into the man she used to love, and maybe still does?

Willow says she doesn’t want to make Sasha and Brando’s loss about her, and Chase says, of course (🍷) not, but Sasha and Brando aren’t here; she doesn’t have to edit. She can feel however she wants to feel; there’s no judgement. She says she misses her son every day. Not minute to minute, or hour to hour, the way it was in the beginning, but the loss is always with her, and it always will be. It’s hard enough to lose a child. You don’t have that physical baby in your arms anymore, but the hopes and dreams that you had for him died too. It’s just so much. He puts his arm around her, and Brook sees them through the window.

Nina tells Phyllis, it’s really hard to see Sonny and not see Mike, but she’ll get past it. She has to. Phyllis says, Mike is still a part of Sonny, and Nina says, she knows. She was just thinking about that yesterday. Phyllis says, even now, back in his old life, sometimes he seems like Mike in a suit. Nina laughs, and says, right? Like where’s the flannel and cowboy hat? They laugh, and Phyllis says, seeing them together just now, it’s obvious the connection is still there, but Nina says, no; there’s no connection. What Phyllis saw was just Sonny being kind. Phyllis says, Nina never answered her question, but Nina says she did. Phyllis asked what it’s like running into him all the time, and she said it’s fine. Phyllis says she asked if Nina is still in love with Sonny.

Obrecht tells Scotty to keep his voice down, but he says he’s just so excited. Christmas came early for him. Sonny stepping out on Carly when he was Mitch. She says, Mike, and he says, whatever. That’s the reason why Michael’s going after Nina, because Sonny doesn’t want to remind Carly that he was… Wait a minute. How is Nina intact? He would have thought Carly would have severed one of her limbs by now. She says, because Carly doesn’t know, and he asks how that’s possible. Somebody in Nixon Falls must have… Wait a minute. The woman who owned the bar is now running Charlie’s. Does Obrecht think Sonny gave her some hush-hush money to keep her mouth shut? She says, possibly, and he asks if the affair is still going on, but she says, Nina’s too sad to be in love. Sonny comes in, and Scotty says, Sonny and Nina, and Carly none the wiser. Until now.

Spencer takes his apron off, and tells Victor that he’s officially on break. Did Victor mean it when he said he could keep Spencer out of Pentenville? Victor says he’ll make some calls, and see what he can do, and Spencer thanks him, saying, that would be great. Victor says, after all, Spencer is the Cassadine heir, the future of this family, and he takes that seriously. Spencer asks if Victor wants him to reconcile things with his father, but Victor says, no. He’s proud of Spencer being his own man, and won’t interfere with that. Spencer thanks Victor for trusting his judgement, and Victor says, however, he is a little concerned about how Spencer is going to support himself on what he earns in this place. Spencer says, he plans on getting something better than this. He was going to wait until after the trial to see how it pans out, but now that Victor’s given him his life back… Victor says he’ll do his absolute best, and Spencer says he can’t thank Victor enough. He doesn’t know how to repay him.

Laura says, let her get this straight, and Cyrus tells her to take all the time she needs. She says, he’s saying he’s been saved, and he says, yes. She says, after all the people he’s killed, and all the lives he’s destroyed, now he’s found God? He says, God found him, and she says, good Lord. He says, He is good. She doesn’t know this, but he became very ill. He had a cold that turned into pneumonia. At first, the guards ignored his symptoms. She says she wonders why, and he says, during a fever spike, he cried out for help, and guess what happened? She shakes her head, and he says, an angel appeared. She says, that’s called a hallucination, but he says he felt it touch his forehead, and this tremendous sense of peace washed over him. He slept, and when he woke, his fever was gone. She says, miraculous, and he says, it truly was. That same day, he asked for a Bible, so he could read and learn, and he let God into his heart. She asks how that’s possible; he doesn’t have a heart. She and Martin have been shuffled from safe house to safe house, all because of his quest for revenge. He says, not this time; never again. To the Lord our God are the mercies and the forgivenesses,; the weak have rebelled against Him. Daniel 9:9. She says she’s heard enough. This charade is obscene. She gets up, and Cyrus bangs on the window, saying, she’s in danger.

Scotty says, Sonny might get knocked down a peg or two. Here he comes. He gets up, but she says, nein. Don’t do this to Nina. Carly can’t know she and Sonny were involved. Scotty goes over to Sonny’s table, and says, hello, Corinthos family. He asks how Sonny is doing, and Sonny says he was doing good until Scotty showed up. Michael says, if this is about Nina’s trial, Scotty can save his breath, and Scotty says, it’s about Nina, just not in the way Michael thinks. Obrecht suggests Scotty leave this family alone, but Sonny says, if Scotty’s got something to say, spit it out.

Victor looks at his phone, and Spencer says, something important? Victor says, very, but not as important as Spencer. Where is he living now? Spencer says, with his grandmother’s husband. Doc took him and Esme in after paying his bail. Victor says, Spencer is living with Laura’s husband, not with Laura herself? and Spencer says, she’s out of town; she has been for months. Victor says, it must be a little uncomfortable. Doc’s not family, not really. Spencer says he’d be lying if he said it was ideal, but they didn’t have many options. Victor says, they do now. Allow him to put them up at the MetroCourt. Just until Spencer decides on his next steps.

Laura picks up the phone again, and tells Cyrus, it looks like they’re back on familiar territory, with threats and more threats. He says, he’s not the one posing the danger, and if she continues to put her focus on him, it only makes it easier for her true enemy to strike. They’re family, and he legitimately cares about her. She says, what about Sonny and Buscema? and he says, what about them? She says, they came there to visit him, and he didn’t put on this little act for them. He dropped hints that he still had power in here, which he doesn’t. He says, it’s true. He has no legitimate power, but he hears things. His change in circumstance left a vacuum on the west coast, which is now being filled… She says she doesn’t care about this, but the fact that he does proves this conversion of his is just for show. He says he can’t deny he feels a pull toward his old life. What do they say? The road to redemption is long and lined with temptation, but he was tested and he chose the light. Will she?

Chase and Willow come back in, and Brook says she made some coffee. Mostly to unscramble her brain, but also to warm them up. Chase asks Willow if it’s still light with two sugars, and makes her a cup. Willow tells Brook that it was thoughtful of her, and Brook says, they may be few and far between, but she does have her moments. Willow tells Brook, there’s something she needs to say to her, and Brook says, good thing she’s sitting down.

Scotty says, Sonny might be able to bribe the DA, but the judge is going to see right through his trumped up charges. Michael says, is that all? and Scotty says, for now. He and Obrecht go back to their table, and Carly says, what was that about? Michael says, no one is more full of hot air than Scott Baldwin.

Obrecht thanks Scotty for thinking about Nina, instead of giving in to his compulsion to stick it to Sonny. He has to keep her secret. He says, sorry. No can do.

Sonny asks Michael to tell him about his run-in with Brad, and Carly says, the gall. Coming in here, of all places. Michael says, Brad claimed he’d stay far away from Wiley, but he doesn’t trust a word that guy says. Carly says, they have another issue. Brad was here with Celina Wu. Michael says he thinks it was a power move on her part, and Sonny says he’ll talk to Celina, but Michael says he already did. He made it clear to her that he’s going to protect his family, no matter what the cost.

Laura says, the light would be believing Cyrus found God? and he says, precisely. She says she knows that’s not true, and he asks, how? She says, that would require love and compassion, and Cyrus isn’t capable of those things. Don’t look so hurt. It’s common knowledge that he only cares about himself. He says, how very wrong she is. He’ll pray for her. She thanks him, and he says, but she must be careful, and keep an eye out for the serpent in the garden. She says she doesn’t know what it is he thinks he has to gain from this latest stunt, but it’s not going to work. She’s going home. Her family needs her.

Spencer says, it’s a very generous offer, but he can’t accept, and Victor says, why not? Spencer says he wants to prove to his father that he can make it on his own, and Victor says he admires Spencer’s principles, but just out of curiosity, how is living at the MetroCourt different than living with Doc? Spencer says, the MetroCourt is a five-star hotel. If he lets Victor put them up there, won’t he be a bit of a hypocrite? Victor says he doesn’t see why. Spencer wants to live his own life, and being a Cassadine is part of that. People make the mistake of equating struggle with virtue. You can be honorable without being uncomfortable. The two don’t necessarily come hand in hand. Spencer says he’ll talk to Esme about it, and Victor says, please do.

Chase gives Willow her coffee, and says he thinks he heard Bailey. He’s going to check on her. He leaves and Willow asks if Brook heard anything, but Brook says, not a peep. Willow says, Chase just wanted to give them time alone, and Brook asks Willow, what’s up? Willow says, she wanted to apologize for what she said to Brook in Rice Plaza. As Brook pointed out, she has no right to judge. Brook says she pushed the issue, and should never have spoken to Willow the way she did. Willow says she guesses she’s overly sensitive to Chase getting hurt after what she put him through. That’s her problem, not Brook’s, and it’s unfair to punish Brook for her mistake. She thinks about it all the time. What would have happened if she’d just told Chase the truth, that she’d fallen in love with Michael? Brook says, then maybe Chase wouldn’t have fought so hard to get better. That’s the thing with what ifs; we’ll never know. You did what you thought was best in the moment. Willow says, like Brook did when she said Valentin was Bailey’s father. She gets it. A mother will do anything to keep her child safe.

Nina says, what she feels or doesn’t feel about Sonny is irrelevant, but Phyllis says, of course (🍷) it’s relevant. Nina can’t just ignore what’s inside of her. Nina says, what’s she supposed to do? She doesn’t know what to do. She and Sonny will never be friends, let alone anything else. Phyllis says she agrees. Sonny loves his wife. She’s not suggesting Nina pursue him. Nina asks what she is suggesting, and Phyllis says, nothing. Take it as more of a warning. Things hidden away in the dark tend to fester, and Nina knows as well as she does, that’s no good to anyone.

Obrecht says she doesn’t understand; Scotty didn’t tell Carly. He says, for now. Not when he can use the secret to keep Nina out of prison. She says, how? and he says, the DA’s whole case is centered around Nina’s intent to harm Sonny, but Sonny never felt like he was being harmed. That’s why he didn’t press charges. Sonny’s not the victim. He thinks Sonny is still in love with Nina. She sees where he’s going right? He wants to convince the judge that it reeks of prosecutorial  overreach, and it would be a big waste of time. Charges dropped. Obrecht says, that part she likes, but what about Nina? She’d still be in danger of Carly’s wrath. He says, but she’ll be free. They’ll deal with that prison; it’s a whole different story. The trouble is the preliminary hearing. He can’t call witnesses; only the prosecution can. She says, because the burden of proof is on them, and he says, he can cross examine if the DA calls them. She says, the DA will call Sonny, and he says, Sonny will lie through his teeth. Nina on other hand… She says, Nina doesn’t want anyone to know, but he says, she’s under oath. She asks if he’s saying he’s going to force her niece to testify that she and Sonny fell in love, and he says, he can’t really as Nina about their affair on the stand, although she’s less likely to lie than Sonny. Then where would they be? She says, Nina clearly wants what happened in Nixon Falls to remain a secret. He’s her lawyer. Isn’t he supposed to be on her side? He says he is on her side. He’s trying to keep her out of prison.

Carly says, if Michael makes a move against Celina, she’ll retaliate. Then his father will be forced to answer. They’ll be looking at another mob war. Michael says she can’t expect him to let it go, and Sonny says, Michael is trying to protect the family, and he appreciates that, but let him deal with Celina. Michael says, dad… but Sonny says, no. How many times have they talked about how he wants Michael nowhere near this part of his life? It’s his responsibility.

Scotty says he can’t wait to see the look on Sonny’s face when this comes out in front of God and everyone, and Obrecht asks, how will he accomplish that? Sonny will simply lie, and he can’t risk Nina doing the same without perjuring herself. He says, the bar lady, and she says, Phyllis. He says, yeah, but he thinks she’s already been bought off by Sonny. If he could just come up with somebody else who knows what happened in Nixon Falls. Somebody. He’s got to find them.

Phyllis says, let her repeat. In no way, shape, or form is she telling Nina to take action, but she can’t get over Sonny by ignoring her feelings, or his. She needs to come to terms with them, in order to let them go. Nina says, what’s the point? Sonny loves Carly; Carly loves Sonny. It doesn’t matter how she feels. Phyllis asks if she doesn’t want to move on, and Nina says, no. She likes sitting in limbo; it’s her favorite. Phyllis says, if Nina she tries to run, instead of acknowledging what’s in here – she points to Nina’s heart – she’ll never find peace.   

Chase asks if the coast is clear, and Brook says, all clear. Willow is being gracious and understanding. Sometimes, Brook’s mouth gets away from her. He says, anyone who’s ever met her understands that. She asks how Bailey is, and he says, she was out like a light. She must have been babbling in her sleep. Willow says, she, for one, thinks it’s good to speak your mind. Brook says, even if it’s something no one wants to hear? and Chase tells her, you know what they say; honesty is the best policy. Brook says, he’s such a Boy Scout, and he says she loves it. She says, a little bit, and Willow says she learned the hard way that telling the truth, however painful in the moment, is the right thing.

Cyrus says he doesn’t expect Laura to trust him, but he’s begging her to believe him when he says he did not hire someone to kill her or Martin. Please be careful. Someone else means her harm out there, and it isn’t him.

Victor comes out of Kelly’s, and sees the woman Laura was on the phone with at the gate. He addresses her as Mayor Ashley, and says he understands from her text that the mayor is returning. She says, Mayor Collins is headed back to Port Charles, and he says, it seems the failed attempt on her life flushed her out, just like he planned. He looks forward to seeing Laura again. She’s always been a worthy adversary.

Tomorrow, Laura asks Santa/Doc if there’s anything in his bag for her, Drew asks if Elizabeth is ready for someone special, Victor tells Ava that danger lurks behind every corner, and Spencer thinks he knows what he wants for Christmas.

Below Deck

Jessica is feeling defeated and overwhelmed. She feels like Martha Stewart in prison. It’s not working for her. The crew gets ready for the next charter, and Jessica asks to talk to Heather. She tells Heather that she wanted to do this, but her body is shutting down. She couldn’t anticipate how taxing the job would be on her system, and her body isn’t letting her. She’s sorry, and hates putting them in a bad place, but she has to leave. In Jessica’s interview, she says she gets that she’s leaving them high and dry, but at the end of the day, she comes first. Heather says she has one hour to pack. In Heather’s interview, she says, bravo, Jess. She leaves three hours before a charter, when Heather could have called to have someone there yesterday. She’s effing pissed. She asks if Fraser has a moment, and says it will be their last one for a while. In Fraser’s interview, he says, as much as he previously wanted to get rid of Jessica, he understands the gravity of the situation. They’re not in a good place, and he’s worried. Jessica packs, and Heather says, she knew it. Fraser asks if she’s effing kidding him. Jessica says goodbye to Heather and Fraser, but not to anyone else. In her interview, she says she’s already leaving them in a predicament. She’s leaving a few hours before charter, and doesn’t want to make a bigger deal than it needs to be. She just wants to get her stuff, get out, and let them go about their day. In other words, she doesn’t want to face the music with anyone. Walking down the dock, she says, sorry not sorry, and Heather says, don’t let the something-or-other hit her ass on the way out.

Heather tells Captain Lee that Jessica quit. She walked her sweet ass off the yacht already, not even giving Heather ten seconds. In the captain’s interview, he says he’s never had a crew member leave without saying anything; goodbye, f*** you, go to hell. He’s never had a silent departure. This is as f***ed up as a Georgia road lizard. The captain calls Eddie to the bridge, and tells him that the third stew took a hike. Interior will need somebody from him to do heads and beds. Heather tells Rachel that Jessica said she hadn’t anticipated how taxing the job would be, and just departed. She asks if Jessica said goodbye to Rachel, but Rachel says, no. She’s okay with it though. If you don’t want to be somewhere, don’t. In Rachel’s interview, she says, she likes to say f*** you before she leaves, and we flash back to her not being happy about making a ten-course meal. She says, if you’re going to bail, bail.

Eddie tells the deckhands that Jessica quit, and it is what it is. They have a job to do, and they’re going to get it done. In Wes’s interview, he says he wishes she would have at least waved. He thought they had a connection, and still does. Eddie tells them that they’ll be needed in the interior, and Rayna says she’s mad as hell. Jessica was one of her best friends there. In Rayna’s interview, she says, it’s the worst timing ever. She has other issues affecting her, like Heather saying the n-word. She’s over it. She whines to Wes, and provisions come in. Eddie says, a storm is coming in, and it’s about to pour. The wind picks up, and Eddie says, welcome to the Caribbean. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, it sums up the morning. Fraser tells Heather that he’s in battle mode, and Heather says she’s 100% with him. Eddie leaves to pick up the guests.

Shitten You Not Bay. Captain Lee looks online for a third stew, and Fraser curses his life in the laundry. The slide is put out successfully on the first try, and Eddie says, it’s literally perfect. Rayna chants, it will be a good charter, and the captain tells the crew to get their assess on the aft deck. He should never be the first one there. The guests arrive, and Fraser passes out champagne. Primary Chelsea introduces herself, and in Heather’s interview, she says, they’re so screwed. They have eight guests, and did she mention there’s a lady with her jaw wired shut?  Guest Rachel introduces her broom, Sally; she’s magic. In her interview, Heather says, and it’s her first charter with a witch. She hopes guest Rachel and Chef Rachel can brew her a new stew.

Captain Lee says Heather will show them around, and they’ll get the party going. In Heather’s interview, she says she doesn’t know how someone with their jaw wired can go on a girls trip. It should be interesting. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, the guests are on board, and the deck crew is still uncovering. They’re not down a person. They can’t start that way, or they’ll be catching up for the rest of the charter. It only gets worse. His patience level is transparent now. Rayna bitches that she’s hungry.

Rachel goes over the menu with Chelsea and co-primary Michael. He says they try to liquify whatever everyone else is eating, so Chelsea can enjoy the same things. In Rachel’s interview, she says, someone with their jaw wired shut has to eat constantly, since they’re not ingesting solid food. Now she’s finding out Chelsea wants every course liquidized. WTF? Guest Rachel talks to her broom, and sounds drunk already. In Eddie’s interview, he says, maybe she’s here to clean. Maybe she’s the new stew. She seems clairvoyant and might have got the memo before they did. Rachel opens a cupboard in the galley, and stuff starts falling out. Just like at home.

Heather puts out some cheese, and I get grossed out thinking of pureed cheese. The guests sit down for lunch, and Chelsea says, everyone is eating, and she doesn’t have anything. She’s shaking, and about to have a meltdown. Guest Tiffany asks Fraser to get food for Chelsea; she needs to eat now. Tiffany announces no one is to eat any more until Chelsea gets something. Heather relays the message to Rachel, and Chelsea says she feels like a homeless person who hasn’t eaten, walking by a restaurant. Fraser says, it’s on its way, and Tiffany says, Chelsea is to always be served first. Rachel gives Heather pureed whatever, and says, tell them it takes a while for her strain it. Heather leaves, and Rachel says, it’s going to be one of those charters. She feels it. In Eddie’s interview, he says, as First Officer, it’s his responsibility to help out. He washes dishes, and Captain Lee says, he knew Eddie wasn’t just a pretty face. In his interview, Eddie says, his first job was as a dishwasher in a yacht club. He also cleaned up vomit and poop. I don’t want to know. I also don’t want to go to that yacht club.

Rachel says, she’s over this sh*t. In her interview, she says she has to add liquid to emulsify, but can’t lose integrity of the flavor. It’s not just throwing sh*t in a blender. The guests are having lobster, and Rachel tells Chelsea that she’s getting a lobster smoothie. My stomach flips over. Rayna says, this sucks. She misses Jessica. The guests use the jet skis and slide, and Captain Lee laughs watching them have fun. Eddie sees a rogue jet ski, and tells Rayna, who says, oh wow. She doesn’t know how that happened. Eddie says, it’s amateur hour. In his interview, he says, Rayna is on the swim platform, and should be taking a mental inventory at all times. They can’t have a $20K piece of equipment float into the sunset. It’s bush league. He keeps seeing the white wizard walking down the stairs, with his blue sunglasses on. Please don’t let him come out. On the bridge, Captain Lee remarks on the pretty day, and the jet ski is rescued. The guests play in the water, and things are packed for the beach.

Jake says they’re throwing a sick beach party. He’s jealous, since it’s his favorite kind of party; music, hot girls, and getting absolutely wankers. Rachel curses in the galley, and tells Eddie that they need to shuck oysters. In Eddie’s interview, he says he grew up on the east coast, and they love their oysters in Baltimore. Shucking is dangerous, since it’s easy to put a knife in your hand. He’s shed some blood on oysters. Rayna and Jake set up on the beach. Fraser curses the iron, then does cabins. Heather blows up balloons. In her interview, she says she has a pink party, a silent disco, a bonfire, and a lady with her jaw wired shut. Stop the world, make a latte, and get back to it. Guest Rachel keeps trying get Sally to stand, but it’s not happening. Heather asks Wes to help blow up balloons. She and Wes move to using helium, and talk in funny voices to each other.

Another jet ski escapes, and Captain Lee says, at least they both didn’t get away. In Eddie’s interview, he says he doesn’t know what’s going on, but feels having a wiccan on board might have something to do with it. They could be cursed. He shouldn’t have talked sh*t about Sally. She’s coming back for vengeance. Eddie tells the captain that the jet ski came unclipped, but in Captain Lee’s interview, he says, he thinks someone’s inattention to detail did it. That’s pretty lame. Eddie says he watched it fall off, but the captain isn’t buying it. In his interview, he says, it’s an excuse for sloppy seamanship. They look like a bunch of effing idiots. Eddie picks up Rayna and Jake from the beach. Eddie tells Rayna about the jet ski, and she thinks there’s something wrong with it. Eddie tells Rayna and Jake that he’ll talk to them after he gets back from the principal’s office.

Eddie shows Captain Lee what he thinks happened with the clip, but in his interview, Eddie says, the captain doesn’t want to listen to his point-of-view. The captain says he’s chalking it up to human error. The table is set for the pink party, and it’s very pretty. As well as being dressed in pink, the guests wear pink heart-shaped sunglasses. In Fraser’s interview, he says, this day has not stopped. His legs hurt, he can’t feel his feet, and he’s losing his mind, but they’ll do what they do best, make magic happen… somehow. Eddie says, another day, another ass reaming. He’ll go to bat for the deckhands, but don’t put his head on the chopping block. The crew shovels a meal down in silence in the galley. Rayna criticizes Heather for sticking her finger in the food, and Heather apologizes, and makes a hasty exit. Eddie tells Rayna that wasn’t cool, since Heather is effing exhausted. Rayna complains to Wes about the n-word, and how Eddie doesn’t care. She says she’s got to get off this boat.

Captain Lee texts a staffing agency, but no luck. Rayna goes to help Rachel, and in her interview, she says she’s excited to be in the galley. At Thanksgiving, she’s in charge of the turkey., She loves cooking; it’s a huge stress reliever. The only time she’s happy is at night in the galley. I think, why TF doesn’t she work in that area of yachting instead? In Rachel’s interview, she says, every time there’s service, it’s an arduous process. She has to blend something for a guest to suck down with a straw. Chelsea tells Heather that the gazpacho needs to be strained more, and in her interview, Rachel says, f*** my life. This can eat a d*ck. Oysters are the next course, and I say, ewww! No, no, no. Not strained oysters. Fraser radios Eddie to help with housekeeping, and Chelsea wails that she’s starving. Or at least as much as you can wail with your jaw wired shut. Chelsea won’t stop making everyone else miserable, so Tiffany asks if they can get some quick food for Chelsea. Rachel says, it’s an effing nightmare, and Chelsea says if they bring something out for everyone else, she needs to have something too. This is not a joke. She asks Michael if he’ll go to their room with her, and they get up. Guest Alicia says the rest of them still have a big night ahead of them. In the room, Chelsea cries, while Rachel storms around the galley. Chelsea says she just wants to be like everyone else for a night, but Michael says, unfortunately, that’s not where they’re at. Fraser says, effing hell, and Heather says, oh my God.

I dunno, maybe it’s me, but either I’d have skipped this trip, or seen if I could change the date or something. And if I’d insisted on going, I’d keep it to myself after saying it once. At least give the chef a hot minute to get acclimated. Exist on green drinks and chocolate shakes for a while. And booze.

This season, the crew makes it rain; skinny dipping; Rayna, Jake, and Fraser form a threesome, and yes, it’s what you think (didn’t see that coming); a day off; a new stew; Heather tells Fraser, it was her or nobody; Captain Lee tells Eddie that he thinks the deck crew is spending too much time doing nothing; Rayna says she feels like she can’t trust her boss; and Heather apologizes again.

🧂 This Needs Salt…

What happened in Salt Lake this week.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/19/rhoslc-recap-jen-shah-feels-like-s-t-amid-legal-drama/

🎶 Turning the Beat Around…

Come by tomorrow for some soap and who knows what, since there are no Rules this week. Until then, stay safe, stay outspoken, but not rude, and stay not letting hidden things fester in the dark. That’s no good to anyone.

Dec18

December 17, 2021 – Saddest Farewell Ever, Over, Lawsuit, Big Series, Two From One, Cover Girl, Salem Holiday, Salt Lake Tea, In NYC, Stockings, Pre-Nup, Haunted, Asking Dead, The Tree, a Supreme Court Worth Of Quotes & Spice Wrap

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sam finds Drew fixing a little tree in the Quartermaine kitchen, and asks what he’s doing. He says he knows it doesn’t compare to the big one in the foyer, but he hasn’t had a tree, or lights, or anything Christmas for the past couple of years. She says she thinks it’s perfect. She brought someone along who she thinks might agree. Scout comes in, and clings to Sam.

In Portia’s office, Curtis punches the wall, and she tells him, take a deep breath. He says he did, but she says, not deep enough. He says he just can’t believe how willing his family is to accept this guy in their lives. TJ is already calling him grandpa, and, after the initial shock, he thought Stella might invite Marshall over for Sunday dinner. She asks if that would really be so terrible, and he says, yeah. The man deserted his family and let them believe he was dead for decades. Then when he shows up, he shows up without even a shred of explanation. She wonders if she can ask him a question without him getting angry… or angrier. Is trust really the issue here? Or is he just afraid of getting hurt?

Marshall tells Stella, cards on the table, huh? Since when did a nice church-going lady like herself take up poker? She says, these stakes are much higher than a poker game, and he says her secret is safe with him. She says he just doesn’t get it, and he says, tell him what he’s missing. She says, he’s making this about her, when it’s about him, and his choices; to walk away from his family, have her sister raising those boys without him, and then he asked her sister to lie, and tell her children that he’s dead. And she did, and kept her word until her dying day. He says, and what about her?

Britt and Elizabeth look at Liam in the NICU, and Elizabeth says, how is it possible an innocent baby gets to die, while Peter gets to live on? Britt says, for now. Hopefully, not for long. Elizabeth says, still, she doesn’t understand, and Britt says, sometimes it’s a blessing; sometimes it’s a curse. But it’s not their job to pick and choose. Elizabeth says, in this case, she wishes it was.

Sasha tells Brando, no more wallowing, or feeling sorry for herself. She needs to be at her best today for Liam. Their son needs them. Brando says, they’ll be there for him, and she says, what if she’s not strong enough? What if she doesn’t have the courage to do the right thing? He says, that’s why they’re doing this together.

Olivia thanks Carly for setting her straight about this neurology appointment, but Carly says she didn’t set Olivia straight. She just gave Olivia a pep talk. Olivia says, whatever she wants to call it, she just wants to be solid. If Ned sees she’s nervous, he’s going to be nervous. Carly says Olivia is going to be great, and she’s going to pull herself together to be there for Sasha and Brando. Let’s go.

Nina tells Sonny, when they came back to Port Charles, he said the man he was in Nixon Falls wasn’t real, but he was; he is. He’s one and the same, and both Mike and Sonny are men that his father would be very, very proud of. Carly and Olivia come down the hall, and Olivia tells Carly to remember what she said.

Drew tells Scout, he knows it probably feels strange, them getting to know one another again, but he was hoping it comes back to them; kind of like riding a bike. Scout says she doesn’t know how to ride a bike, and he says he’ll have to teach her. Leo comes into the kitchen with Ned, and goes straight to a plate of cookies. Ned says, just one, and asks if they mind. Leo’s going to the doctor. Sam says, and Ned’s bribing him with cookies? Ned says, guilty as charged, and Drew tells him, don’t worry about it. He was just telling Scout that he needs help eating them, and thanks Leo. Leo says, anytime, and leaves with Ned.

Curtis tells Portia, Marshall doesn’t have the power to hurt him anymore. That damage was done when he took off, and let them believe he was dead. She says, some wounds never heal. You can stitch them up, put on a bandage, sometimes there’s a scar, but deep down… He says, that wound never would have reopened if he hadn’t decided to return, and she says, okay, but he has. So now what? He says, now he’s wormed his way into TJ’s life, and he’s cozying up to Aunt Stella. She says, and he doesn’t like that, and he says, that’s an understatement. She says, but what happens now in regards to him? and he says he doesn’t know. She asks if he thinks eventually he could maybe find a place in his life for his father, and Curtis says he can’t see Marshall as that until he knows where Marshall has been, what he’s been doing, and why he’s here. She says, he’s making it sound like Marshall is dangerous, and he says, they don’t know that he isn’t. Joey Novak swears he didn’t see who jumped him outside the club. She says, whoa. He thinks that was his father?

Stella says, Marshall is right. When her sister turned to her for help, she went along with the lie, and heaven help her, it’s haunted her ever since. Marshall says he never meant for her to be part of this, but she says he knew how close she and Irene were. Did he really expect Irene to keep something that big bottled up? One night, it just became too much, and she told Stella that he was alive, but he had his reasons for leaving, and didn’t want the boys to know why. He says he did it for Curtis and Thomas, and for her and Irene, believe it or not. She says, it doesn’t matter what she believes. He and her sister had an agreement. Her sister hated it, but she went along with it, and so did Stella. But only because he said he’d never come back. He tells her, he kept his end of the bargain pretty well, wouldn’t she say? He didn’t even come back when Irene passed. She asks why he’s here now.

Olivia tells Carly that she’s got this, and asks if Nina got her message yet; she’s been trying to reach her. Nina says, no. She’s been busy, and hasn’t even checked. Olivia steers Nina away, saying, this will only take a second. Carly looks at Sonny.

Brando says they don’t have to do anything until Sasha is ready. Dr. Fleming said they could take as much time as she needs. She says, time won’t change anything; Sonny helped her see that. Brando asks what Sonny said, and she says, he mostly talked about Mike, and how difficult the decision was to let him go. He talked about how he didn’t want to, but in the end, he realized that was about him; how it would make him feel better. When in reality, he needed to focus on what was best for his father. He says, that’s true, but Mike had a long and fulfilling life, while Liam’s never going to have that. She says, Sonny said that too, that there’s no comparison, but lost is lost, right? And there will never be another time. They named their son after Mike, so they need to be as brave for him as Sonny was for his father. Can they do that? He says he can if she can, and she says, okay.

Nina tells Olivia that she can stand down. She’s not going to cause any problems for Carly and Sonny. Olivia says, yet she’s here where they are, and where they have no desire for her to be. Nina says she’s here because she’s supporting Sasha and Brando. Not that she owes Olivia any explanation because it’s none of her business. Olivia says she disagrees with that. Carly is her friend and business partner, and what affects her… Nina says, affects the MetroCourt. Don’t even pretend this is about business. Olivia says she’s doing Nina a favor right now. Does Nina have any idea how close she just came to getting wiped off the map? Maybe she hasn’t been in town long enough to know, but Olivia knows from personal experience, Carly Corinthos takes no prisoners. Nina says, is that a threat? and Olivia says, that’s a fact. The only reason Nina is still breathing air right now is because Carly loves having her husband back and alive more than she wants Nina dead.

Sonny says, he and Nina were just talking… but Carly says she doesn’t want to talk about Nina. Sasha, Liam, and Brando are all that matter.

Drew asks what Scout thinks of his tree, and she says, it’s pretty. He says he thinks it would be prettier with some ornaments, but he just can’t find any. She says, they’re all up on the big tree, and Sam says, Scout’s right, but she doesn’t think they’d mind if they borrowed some. He says, he’s looking for one in particular, but it’s not on the big tree in the foyer, and Scout asks, what is it? Sam asks if it’s the star, and Drew says she remembers. He doesn’t know what it is about it; he just loves it. Sam wonders where it went, and Drew says, maybe it got lost or broken or something, or Annabelle II ate it. Sam says, dogs don’t eat ornaments (apparently, Sam has never owned a dog), and he asks if she’s met Annabelle II. She eats everything. He suggests they go online, and Scout can help him shop for some new decorations. Scout says she’s going to find grandma, and leaves. He tells Sam, he’s doing this all wrong, isn’t he?

Marshall tells Stella, a man can change his mind, can’t he? Like a musician can improvise in the middle of a tune. A good musician anyway. She says, this is not a gig; it’s real life. He says she doesn’t have to tell him. Tommy’s gone, and Curtis is a grown man, and he has a grandson who’s a doctor and has a big, beautiful life ahead of him. Can she blame him for wanting to be a part of it? She says, no, but she can blame him for walking away in the first place. He says she knows why, and she says, yes, she does. He says he’s not trying to change the past, or even be forgiven. He’s just hoping to be understood moving forward. She asks if he really thinks there’s a way forward, and he says he thinks this homecoming is meant to be. She says, carful now. He talks like he knows what the good Lord has planned. He says he’ll leave the good Lord to her, but think about it. Curtis owns a nightclub now. She says, so? and he says, as much as music was a huge part of his life, it can’t be a coincidence.

Sasha tells Brando, this isn’t how it was supposed to be. They were supposed to raise him, and love him, and watch him grow into a man. Liam would have had an incredible life. Brando says, yes, he would have, and she says he would have been so lucky to have a dad like Brando to show him the way. He asks if she’s thinking family owned body shop, and she says, maybe, but she’s not talking about teaching him about cars. She’s talking about teaching him to be a good, decent, caring person; the kind who comes into a new town and takes a bullet for a total stranger. He says, Liam would have been lucky, but not because of him; because he had her. She could dazzle him with her beauty of course (🍷), but mostly, she could teach him what real love is. Real, unfiltered true love, so he would never settle for less. She starts to cry again, and asks how this is happening. He just got here, and now it’s over? He says, it’s not over yet, and she says she’s not ready. And she can’t even begin to explain how much she doesn’t want this, but they can still show Liam what real love is. And when they do, they’ll know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he never settled for less.

Nina says, message delivered, thank you, and Olivia says, for Nina’s sake, she hopes it was received. Nina says, if Carly even knew what she was trying to do for… Oliva says, what? but Nina says, nothing. But if Olivia suddenly has an impulse to weigh in on her friend’s marriage, from what she hears, Olivia might be better served to worry about her own. Merry Christmas.

Sonny says Carly doesn’t have to stick around. He’ll stay there as long as Brando and Sasha need him. She says she’s not going anywhere. Unless he’s trying to get rid of her. He says, never, and kisses her cheek. Nina watches.

Sam says she saw the cell they kept Drew in, and he says, nice accommodations, right? She doesn’t know how he did it, being in there for so long, staring at nothing, all alone. He says, it was tough, but the thing that kept him going, the thing that made him believe he was going to get out of there one day, was Scout. She says she saw he scratched Scout’s name in the wall, and he says, it was like the most important part of him was missing. She says, good; now he has her back. He says he does. Not quite the perfect fit. She says, not yet, but it will be. He says, it will be.

Curtis tells Portia, first, Joey Novak shows up, causing trouble at The Savoy, the kind of trouble that gives a club a bad name. Fast forward to Joey being beaten and jumped between the pier and The Savoy. She says, that doesn’t prove it was his father, and he says, right. The nightclub’s reputation takes a hit, the act that was booked suddenly cancels. She says, then a new one magically appears, and he says, he knows Marshall had a hand in Joey’s beating, but she says he doesn’t know that. He says, they do know he’s a proven liar, and she says, that doesn’t make him a criminal. He says, maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t, but he’s damn well going to find out.

Stella says, Curtis may have inherited some positive traits from Marshall, like his love of music. Does he still play? He says, sure do, and she says, don’t tell her he still has that old clarinet. He says he likes to think of Henrietta as vintage, but no, he lost her too. He lost her a long time ago. She says, Henrietta. She’d almost forgotten his first love. He says, you never forget your first, and laughs. In any case, he learned his lesson. He pats his clarinet case, and says, this baby never gets left in a car. She says she’s sure they’ve made some improvements over the years, and he says, the newer models are nice. Maybe it’s him, but his fingers don’t fly like they used to. But he has to believe if the mood was right, and he was holding Henrietta, he could still make her sing.

Olivia meets Leo and Ned, and asks how they’re doing. Ned says, good. Just doing what everyone does in a doctor’s office – wait. Olivia asks if Leo knows why they’re here, and he shows her his cookie. Ned says, it’s family tradition, bribery, and she says, if Leo is going to take the Quartermaine name, she’s going to have to accept the family traditions. A doctor walks up, and says he’s going to take a wild guess and assume this is Leo. Olivia says, that’s the guy, and he introduces himself as Dr. Newman, and his nurse, Nurse Meyers. He asks how Leo is doing, and Olivia repeats the question. Leo says he’s good, and Dr. Newman asks if he’d like to play some games and talk for a bit. Leo says he loves games, and the doctor says, great; come with him. He tells Olivia and Ned that they can wait there; they won’t be long. Ned tells Leo to have fun, and Olivia says if he needs anything, she’ll be right here. The doctor and nurse leave with Leo, and Olivia says, no big deal. Ned hugs her.

Britt asks if Nina is okay, and Nina glances at Sonny and Carly. She says she’s just worried about Sasha and Brando, and Britt says, it must be difficult for her; a reminder of Nelle being taken away from her; getting to know her, but it was too late. She knows it’s not the same, but Nina still lost a child. Nina says, and all the mistakes she made because of that.

Carly says she can’t imagine how Sasha and Brando feel, and Sonny says he understands why she stood up for Sasha. Behind that face, she’s got a lot of grit. She’s going to need it. Carly says she understands why he feels so close to Brando. She knows he’s family, but he was practically raised by Sonny’s father. (Wow, has that story changed.) Sasha and Brando come out, and Britt tells them to follow her.

Sam says Drew and Scout will find their way back to each other. It’s just going to take some time. They have to get through the holidays, and then in a couple of months, it’s her birthday. He says, so he’s buying his way back? but she says, that’s not what she’s saying. He says he’s just kidding, and she says, there are going to be so many moments; little ones, big ones, and all the ones in-between. He says he likes the sound of that, when his phone rings. It’s Curtis, and Drew asks, what’s up? Curtis says, what Drew told him, that he’d help look into his father’s reappearance? Does that offer still stand?

Marshall says he’s determined to put down roots, and get back with the family he left behind. She says he can be as determined as he wants, that doesn’t mean Curtis will let him in. He tells her, Curtis may say no, but he’s sensing a definite maybe from TJ, and he’d like to build on that, and have a relationship with his grandson. He could use some help if she’s willing to give it.

Ned says he was wondering if Olivia balked and canceled the appointment, and she says, it crossed her mind. He says he’s proud of her, and she says, he might not be when they get their diagnosis… if they’re getting a diagnosis. She looks at him, and says, they’re getting a diagnosis, and he says, most likely. She says, that’s okay, because their son’s alive and strong and thriving, and it’s more than a lot of people get. He’s unique, and it just makes him more special. Ned says, absolutely, and she says she wants him to know she’s all in on this. Whatever the doctor tells them, she’s here to give Leo all the help that he needs. He says he knows she will, and she asks if he can forgive her. He says, for what? and she says, for making him the bad guy because she was too afraid to look at the facts. He says he was afraid too. The unknown is scary. That’s why they’re here, to figure out what’s going on, and come up with a game plan. If they have that, and each other… She says, they have everything, and he says they do, and they hug.

Carly asks if Sonny is hungry or thirsty, but he says, no; maybe some water. She leaves, and he takes a rosary out of his pocket. He sits down and begins to pray the Hail Mary, as Nina watches.

Dr. Fleming tells Brando and Sasha, once they disconnect the respirator, they’ll give Liam an injection of morphine. Sasha says, so he won’t be in any pain, and Brando says, that’s why we’re doing this. So there’s no pain, no suffering, and he can be with his namesake. Sasha asks if she can hold him. Once he’s off of those machines, can she hold him in her arms? She doesn’t want him to be alone. The doctor says, of course (🍷), and Sasha says, he was with her when he came into this world. She wants him to be with her when he leaves it. Elizabeth and Dr. Fleming help Brando and Sasha get ready, and Britt goes out to the hallway, and leans on the wall. They go into the NICU.

Drew tells Curtis, they’ll talk soon, and Sam says, she’d ask what that was about, but she’s assuming it’s confidential. He says, just a background check. It seems pretty cut and dried actually. She says, how many times she’s said that and it’s been anything but, and he says, don’t worry. She says, too late, and he says he wouldn’t have gone through all that hell just to come back and put a bunch of trouble on her doorstep, or his. She says, no more risks, and he says, no more risks… within reason. He’s got too much to lose. Scout comes in, and Sam says, there she is. He says he was just about to fire up the laptop and shop for some new decorations. Does Scout want to help? Scout asks Sam if they can go home.

Curtis tells Portia, if there’s any dirt on Marshall, he trusts Drew to dig it up. She says, what if he comes up empty? but Curtis says, he won’t. He may not be a P.I. anymore, but those instincts don’t just evaporate. Marshall is hiding something. He looks at her, and says, what? She says, nothing, but he says, it’s definitely something, so say it. She says she knows he’s prepared to hear the worst about Marshall, but what if the big discovery is just that Marshall wants to be his father? Is he prepared for that?

The doctor brings Leo back, and Leo says, it was fun. Dr. Newman says, they had a really great talk. They’ll schedule a follow-up to discuss everything; just call his office. Ned says they will, and the doctor tells Leo, it was nice to meet him. He hopes to see Leo soon. Leo waves, and the doctor leaves. Olivia asks if Leo knows how much she loves him, and she hugs him. Leo says he knows, and she tells him, don’t you ever forget it.

Carly brings Sonny some water, and asks if anything happened while she was gone. Britt comes out, and they go over to her. Carly asks, is it over? Britt just looks sad, and at a distance, Nina closes her eyes.

Sasha holds Liam, and says, Liam Mike Corbin, you were here for such a short time, but you made quite the impact, and you were so, so loved. She has to believe he felt that, and hopes with everything in her that he still does. She kisses him, and says she’ll love him forever. She starts to cry, and Brando kisses Liam. He says, their first born, their son. He looks up, and says, look after him, okay, Mike? Mike appears, and I lose it. Mike tells them, like he said, with everything he’s got.

Marshall sits in his hotel room, and plays his clarinet. We hear his music over the final scenes.

We see Sasha place her baby down, and start to walk away with Brando. She turns back, and Brando puts his arms around her. She cries on his shoulder, and they leave. Mike holds Liam.

Stella comes into the hospital, and sees Curtis with Portia and smiles.

Sam says goodbye to Drew, and Scout hands Drew the star. He gives it to her to put on the tree, but she says she can’t reach. He lifts her up, and she puts it on the tree.

Olivia holds out her hand to Leo, and he takes it, holding out his other hand to Ned. The three of them walk out, hand-in-hand.

Brando and Sasha come out. Everyone looks sad, and Sasha starts to cry. Brando holds her. In the NICU, Mike holds Liam, and asks if he’s ready to go. He says, me too, and walks until he disappears.

On Monday, Chase says Willow can feel however she wants to feel, Laura tells Cyrus not to play games with her, Michael says he’s going to protect his family no matter the cost, and Phyllis asks Nina if she’s still in love with Sonny.

😭 Thanks, General Hospital. Because the holidays aren’t depressing enough. Although I was glad Mike showed up.

💔 That Was Quick…

And their wedding looked so cool. I wonder if he’s taken on too much of the Michael persona at home.

Chad Duell and Courtney Hope Split Up

🎾 Ball Changes Court…

I can’t help but wonder if he practices his religion in other areas. Or is he like the people who screech if you eat meat, but wear leather shoes?

Ingo Rademacher Sues ABC Over Vaccine Mandate

💼 Branching Out…

What Diane does on her off-time.

Carolyn Hennesy Stars in the New Series BIG NATE

👯‍♀️ BFFs IRL…

I recently wrote an interview for Jessica Morris on Mupo & Friends (YouTube). She is a Lifetime queen, and real life BFF of Melissa Archer.

Watch OLTL’s Jessica Morris and Melissa Archer in ‘Twisted Little Lies’

👠 Going Glam…

First Co-Chief of Staff, now this.

Cassandra James Shares “a Very Special” Cover Story

🎄 Christmastime Is Here…

At least in Salem.

Watch It Now On Peacock! DAYS: A VERY SALEM CHRISTMAS

🧂 Pass the Salt…

What’s going on in Salt Lake City.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/12/rhoslc-recap-jen-shah-slams-lisa-barlow-for-deserting-her/

Usually, it’s Jen doing the denying.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/11/jen-shahs-motion-to-dismiss-fraud-case-denied-by-judge/

🗽 Sticking Around…

They’re not going anywhere.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/14/luann-de-lesseps-rhony-not-going-anywhere-despite-pause/

Unless it’s running out of a restaurant.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/luann-de-lesseps-dines-real-housewives-of-new-york-dashes-out-of-dc-restaurant-le-diplomate

🎅🏽 And You Get a Piece Of Coal…

Apparently Leah is not happy with her co-stars.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/11/leah-mcsweeney-giving-rhony-co-stars-coal-in-their-stockings-for-christmas/

⚖️ Little Did She Know…

Suckerfish Hoppy does kind of look like Christian Bale in American Psycho.

Bethenny Frankel: Why I Didn’t Want a Prenup With Ex Jason Hoppy

🍸 Haunting Split…

What is wrong with that guy?

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/15/lala-kent-says-randall-emmett-split-haunts-me-daily/

⚰️ Burning Questions…

The skinny on the mid-season finale of Fear the Walking Dead.

https://ew.com/tv/fear-the-walking-dead-midseason-finale-708-interview-padre-alicia-strand-war/

🌟 Behold…

This years Rockefeller Center contribution to the Christmas spirit.

https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/photos-it-aint-christmas-season-until-2021-rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-has-been-lit

☄️ Quotes of the Week

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. – J.R.R. Tolkien

The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction. – Rachel Carson

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. – Robert A. Heinlein

The most common form of despair is not being who you are. – Soren Kierkegaard

Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.  – Orson Welles

I had an epiphany a few years ago when I was out at a celebrity party and it suddenly dawned on me that I had yet to meet a celebrity who is as smart and interesting as any of my friends. – Moby

A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to be well-known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized. – Fred Allen

There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed. – Ernest Hemingway

True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice. – Martin Luther King Jr.

🦌 On Dasher…

Why is it the weeks seem to go faster just before the new year? Here we are at another weekend, or for those of you who are on permanent robe duty, those two days you used to get off work. If nothing else, at least change your slippers for 48 hours. Maybe even live it up and put on real shoes. Until we meet for some soap and whatever’s on Deck, stay safe, stay taking some time for yourself, and stay not settling for less, be it love, or whatever it is you need.