Tag Archives: Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

January 31, 2025 – Lulu Confesses Her Love For Dante, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Performing, Animal Tales, An Even Number Of Short Quotes & Mountain

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

Tara from Turning Woods had info for Elizabeth, but when she and Lucky showed up, Tara was out sick. Natalia told Lucy that she could land an account in LA, but the contact only wanted to meet with her and the silent partner – i.e. Sonny. Kristina went to see Sonny and asked him if everything was okay since he didn’t show up at Charlie’s. She said they had to keep Avery away from Ava and she’d decided to testify at the custody hearing. Anna told Jason about Sidwell being in Port Charles. She asked if he or Sasha were willing to go on record about Sasha’s kidnapping.

Curtis told Nina that Drew was going to undermine the company in congress if he didn’t get his stock back. Chase visited Willow, who whined about Drew being ostracized by his family. Drew met with Martin and told him that Monica wasn’t speaking with him. He was her first truly lost cause, and he wondered if he’d ever really been a part of the family. Anna told Jason not to go after Sidwell on his own. Lucky told the Turning Woods rep that Cyrus wanted a list of his patients who had died so he could send condolences to the family. Curtis told Nina that things had a way of getting out and encouraged her to tell Willow that she’d been sleeping with Drew. Drew told Martin, if they thought banning him from the Quartermaine grounds would keep him from Willow, they had another thing coming.

Jason told Anna that he couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Mr. Furner came in while Lucky and Elizabeth were there. Lucky distracted him by threatening a lawsuit while Elizabeth waited for the printout. Chase told Willow that he and Brook were trying to have a baby.  Nina told Curtis that she’d made the devil’s bargain with Drew. She couldn’t tell Willow about Drew, nor he about her. She hoped with time, Willow would trust her more than Drew. Curtis said he had a plan and needed Nina’s help. Anna said the best way of getting Sidwell was to get criminal charges that would stick, but Jason said he had to do it for Michael.

Natalia conferred with Sonny about the LA trip. Anna asked if Jason could guarantee he would be the only target for retaliation. He could break the cycle of violence by not retaliating. Curtis told Nina that he wanted to sabotage Drew’s connections in DC. Chase showed Willow his lab results and she told him to see his doctor. According to the results, he couldn’t father a child.

Tuesday:

Ned told Tracy to show some respect to Willow or she’d be out on her high-class derriere. Tracy said two fingers of bourbon for everyone, and no one was leaving until they figured out what to do.

Felicia took Anna for a manicure and told Anna that she’d seen Emma clubbing. Emma joined them and Anna questioned her. Emma said, it wasn’t a spa day; it was an interrogation. Carly couldn’t figure out Jack’s angle. He said when he first came to Port Charles, he was on a mission. He had no intention of pursuing her until she visited him in prison. He considered her a friend, not an asset. Kai told Trina that his vertebrae was cracked, and he couldn’t play football because he’d risk a spinal injury. She suggested he talk to her mom. Portia told Alexis that Sam had been murdered and how they came to that conclusion. It had been a pattern. Alexis said she wasn’t leaving it to the police and was going to find answers.

Ned said the mess was all on Drew and they should give Willow a chance to create distance. Tracy said they had to make rules and asked what Chase thought. Brook told Lois that she was able to have a baby. Lois asked if she regretted giving her baby up, and Brook said it was the hardest choice she ever made, but she never regretted it. Chase said Willow was a good person and they should respect her. Tracy said Drew would use Willow to his own ends, but Ned said, if they pushed things, Willow would run back to him. Sasha said Tracy was being dramatic, then Tracy screamed because she saw a mouse. She said Sasha was out if she didn’t climb up and get it (like the mouse wasn’t in Chicago after Tracy screamed), but Sasha said she wasn’t climbing anywhere because she was pregnant, quickly adding, it’s not Cody’s.

Sasha said if anyone had complaints or judgements, oh well, and Gio said he didn’t grow up with a father and turned out fine. Alexis talked to Isaiah about Sam. Trina asked Portia to talk to Kai. Anna said Emma was allowed a social life, but not allowed to lie to her and sneak around. Emma said she’d been to a fundraiser and wondered, since when was Anna so uptight? Jack offered to have Michael’s cultures forwarded to Germany from the WSB to expedite things for Carly.

Tracy wondered why they offered daycare to everyone, and Ned said she’d just kidnapped two more. Portia said Kai wasn’t necessarily sidelined. Anna said there was a difference between uptight and responsible, and she was the latter. Emma said she never saw Anna because she worked so much. Carly called Felicia about the cultures, and Felicia told her to proceed with caution when it came to Jack.

Emma made a deal that if she got straight A’s, Anna would go clubbing with her. Jason asked Sasha if Michael knew about the baby. Chase told Brook that his tests came back, and he couldn’t get her pregnant. Portia suggested Kai get a second opinion from a specialist in sports medicine. Kai said Trina’s mom was amazing and he knew where she got it from. Alexis said she wasn’t going to stop until she found the killer. Jack went to the hotel spa and Felicia warned Carly that Jack had an agenda, but Carly said Jack was intriguing and she wanted to know more. Valentin showed up at the spa to kill Jack.

Wednesday:

Chase told Brook that he was sterile and couldn’t be a father. Olivia and Lois took Tracy for a manicure to destress. Sasha told Jason that Michael knew she was pregnant, and he was the father, but they had a deal that he’d stay out of it. At the hospital, Anna told Lulu that she was glad no one was hurt in Prague. Lulu said she was glad her daughter didn’t get shot a second time. Valentin pretended to be a masseuse and tried to strangle Jack while he was on the table.

At the Quartermaine mansion, Emma told Gio that she wanted to do a fundraiser to stop animal testing. She wanted him to play at it because something classic and boring would get the old people and boomers to contribute. Olivia said asking invasive and intrusive questions was Tracy’s love language, but she should let up on Sasha. Martin came into the beauty salon and said, good luck with that. Sasha said it was none of Jason’s business, but he said Michael had a right to know. Anna said she didn’t have the words to tell Lulu how sorry she was, but Lulu said she could see how it was an accident because of the circumstance. She thought Valentin was dangerous and bad things happened when he was around. Carly went looking for Jack at the spa.

Anna said she had an eye open for Valentin, and Lulu thanked her. Gio agreed to play at Emma’s fundraiser, but wondered if it was a scam to get extra cash. Jason told Sasha that Michael had asked for her and thought it was because he knew she was carrying his child. Sasha said if he wanted to help Michael, make sure no one else found out. Chase didn’t want Brook to miss out on the experience of being pregnant, but she said she loved him more than anything and they’d get through it together. Tracy said Martin would defend anyone and she’d been trying to protect the kids. He said she had a bad habit of rolling over people’s lives and just wanted to hurt Drew. Lulu told Dante that she was the best judge of what she could do, but he said, obviously not. Carly heard a noise in Jack’s room, but an employee said it was nothing.

Jack was lying on the floor when Carly came in and cracked something over Valentin’s head. Chase said he didn’t deserve Brook, but she said he was stuck with her. Emma said she was sick of people treating her cause like it was a joke, and Gio said he was only kidding. She said she’d volunteered for a shelter when she was younger. Some puppies were bought by a lab, and it stayed with her. Cody showed up looking for Tracy. He wanted to apologize for missing their ride, but Gio said she was pretty upset, so Cody should wait on that. Martin said just because Tracy disliked someone didn’t make them disreputable, and Brook called Lois, asking her to come home. Portia told Anna about the pattern of suspicious patient deaths and that someone had injected the patients with a large, unprescribed dose of digitalis that resulted in a heart attack. Carly told Jack to wake up or she’d tell the world he died wearing his bathrobe, and told the employee to call an ambulance.

Brook told Lois about Chase and said she felt like her soul was broken. Gio told Cody about Sasha being pregnant and Jason promised not to tell anybody that Michael was the father. Sasha had no doubt Willow would use her pregnancy against Michael, and she’d do what it took to keep her baby away from the Q’s. She also wanted Sonny to be kept in the dark. Anna told Portia about the Angel of Death syndrome, but Portia said two of the cases involved healthy patients, Sam and Dex. Lulu said she was no longer helpless, but Dante said she was human and had limits. She said he focused on someone else to ignore his own pain and didn’t want to think about losing Sam. Jack said he was fine and the WSB would handle Valentin. Carly asked what he was going to do now, but he said, that’s classified.

Jack made a call to have Valentin killed on sight. Tracy asked what Martin’s problem was with her, and he said she had an obnoxious misguided sense of entitlement. She felt entitled to judge him and Willow and had prevented him from having a relationship with Lucy. Tracy said he should thank her instead of ruining her zen. Lois said Brook and Chase could be as sad as they wanted for as long as they wanted. Brook said Chase suggested IVF, but he was just sacrificing his feelings for her. She thought she should tell him that she’d been pregnant before. Dante said he didn’t blame Lulu for Sam’s death and she asked what he was doing for himself. She knew her presence was a complication in his life. He said he’d never be sorry she was here. Anna asked to talk to Dante. Jason said Sasha didn’t have to do it on her own and he was on her side.

Anna told Dante that Sam was murdered. Sasha let Jason feel the baby move. Carly and Jack kissed.

Thursday:

Hitting the heavy bag, Chase flashed back to his and Brook’s baby journey. Brook told Lois that Chase was mourning the life he’d imagined for them. She wanted him to know the pain and anguish she’d felt giving her baby up so he didn’t feel so alone. Alexis told Diane that Sam had been murdered, while Lulu told Maxie. Cody listened in on Sasha talking to Jason about the baby, but slipped away before he heard Michael was the father. In Baden Baden, Jack went to Carly’s suite and kissed her. She said she needed a minute, and he apologized if he’d read things incorrectly, but she said he didn’t. She just didn’t want to do something she regretted. He said he wasn’t there to sleep with her and had something much different in mind.

Molly visited Cody at the stables to drop off his paperwork from the station. He was less than hospitable. He said his feet were held to the fire while career criminals got away with everything. Jason wanted Michael’s side of the story, but Sasha said she didn’t owe Jason anything. He said she owed Michael. Lulu said she owed Sam everything, but Maxie said, feeling guilty over something she had no control over would go nowhere. Lulu admitted still being in love with Dante. Brook said she’d have to tell Chase the whole truth, that Dante was the father of her child. Dante told Chase about the murders at GH and that Sam was one of the victims. Alexis didn’t know what to do with her feelings about Sam being murdered, and she threw stuff around the office.

Jack brought Carly to the rooftop, where he had a fire going and they had champagne. Carly said, it was cozy, beautiful and private. He toasted to her changing her mind about coming to the spa. Jason told Sasha that he’d back off the second he talked to Michael. Sasha said they were done, but if he talked to Michael, tell him that she was thinking of him and praying for his recovery. Cody said, clearly Molly had an agenda, but she said she was there as a favor to Mac. He said he appreciated it and she left. Diane wanted to say the right thing, but Alexis told her that there was no right thing to say. Diane said, whatever Alexis wanted, she was all in – whatever she needed, whenever she needed it. Alexis said she had to tell Molly and Kristina, who were on their way there. Diane got a text from Jason and promised she wouldn’t tell him anything. Kristina came in and wondered what had happened.

Brook said if she told Chase, she’d have to tell Dante, and she felt sick. Dante told Chase about the digitalis murders, that Dex was one of the victims, and Michael had been saved by Isaiah’s quick thinking. Maxie said she was surprised Lulu admitted she still loved Dante, but it would be weird if she didn’t. Jason met with Diane and told her about Sasha’s pregnancy. Alexis told Kristina and Molly that Sam was murdered. Carly wanted to know what was going on between Jack and Valentin. She thought it was crazy that Valentin tried to kill him. Jack said, Valentin had been a friend, but after tonight, he wasn’t protecting Valentin any longer. He figured Valentin assumed he was the one who fired the shot in Prague. He hadn’t, but he was at that point now. It was a winding, complicated story. Carly told him to order another bottle of champagne.

Dante unloaded on Chase about Lulu and said she had to stop taking risks and be careful for her sake and Rocco’s. He was happy she was there, but Sam was gone because of it. Every time he looked at Lulu, he’d think of Sam and what they’d all lost. At the MetroCourt, Cody saw Diane with Jason. He apologized to Maxie about the other night and told her that Sasha was pregnant. Then he realized she knew already. Jason said Carly couldn’t know anything about this. He was going to the clinic to see Michael, but wanted Diane to keep an eye on Sasha. Jack told Carly that he wanted to rise in the ranks at the WSB and an alliance with Valentin was a smart move, so he sought out Valentin’s friendship. Valentin was the iron fist, and he was the velvet glove. Valentin needed him as much as he needed Valentin, and they became true friends.

Diane promised to keep an eye on Sasha and let her know when Jason got clarity. The fact Michael never told her spoke to Sasha’s credibility. Jason said if he was wrong, he’d gladly admit it, and she said she wanted a ringside seat for that. Maxie asked how Cody found out, but he said it didn’t matter. Maxie said Sasha was clear that she had no plans to tell the father, and Cody said the father was Jason. Sasha told the baby that they could do this on their own and promised she’d always be there. Lois said she didn’t want to influence Brook’s decision, but Brook said she needed Lois’s advice. Lois said Brook was a grown-up now and it was only her choice to make. Brook said she and Chase had to be open and honest and she had to tell him. Dante asked Chase what was up, and Chase said he’d talk when he was ready. Alexis promised they’d find out who did this to Sam. They were going to shield the truth from Scout and wanted to wait for more information to tell Danny. She’d ask Anna to keep it away from the public for as long as possible. They’d have to stay strong and present a united front for Sam.

Carly said there was more to Jack than met the eye. She admired his loyalty. He said there was a big difference between them. She was a good person. She said he wasn’t the bad guy he wanted people to think he was. To her, he was the guy who’d done awesome things for her and expected nothing in return. They kissed by the fire.

Friday’s Enchilada:

In his hospital room, Kai struggles to put on a brace belt and Trina walks in.

Jordan is surprised to find Drew at Volonino’s, and asks if he’s allowed through the doors of Aurora these days. He asks if she means his company, and she wonders if he’s trying to drive away anyone who ever thought they knew him.

Curtis meets Portia at Beradino’s and says, Aurora’s new CEO is looking fine. He says he aims to please, and she asks, what’s with the good mood? He says he’s at breakfast with his beautiful wife. Why wouldn’t he be? She says she saw on the news that there’s a holdup with the McConkey esplanade. It was a big project for him and Aurora. Curtis says, it still is. Don’t worry. He’s steps ahead of it. Since no one eats at home, at another table, Ric says, even though it was gruesome, the fire strengthened Ava’s case. She asks if it’s strong enough to rescue her daughter, and he says he thinks it should. Given her present financial situation, he has a proposal to present to Diane. With any luck, it will convince Diane to wrap things up with her and Sonny. Ava says, that would be ideal, and thanks him. His generosity had been so helpful. He says, what generosity? and she says, him representing her pro bono. He says he’s not doing her case pro bono, and she says, he’s not? Since he stopped hounding her to pay, she assumed… He says, that his service was gratis? Why? Because they kissed?

Lulu meets Laura at the bistro and apologizes for being late. Everything she does seems like something she has no chance with. She was here with Rocco and her baby boy is now a coffee drinker. Laura says, he’s a coffee snob, and Lulu says, he gets that because of Sonny. Dante is so good with Rocco. He’s a great dad, but… Laura says, she’s still in love with him, isn’t she?

Dante bursts into Anna’s office and asks, what the hell is going on? Mac said she ordered him locked out of Sam’s murder investigation. She says, he’s correct, and he asks, why?

Brook goes to the stables and asks Cody if they’re alone. He says, yeah, and she says, good. She needs to talk to him. He says, about what? and she says, the summer romance she had with Dante, and he asks if she means the summer she got pregnant.

In Diane’s office with Kristina, Sonny says he’s going to LA on business for Deception, and she says, that’s a long way to go for a silent investor. He says, Natalia wanted him to go and he wants to go over some things before he leaves. Diane says, that’s why Kristina came, and he says, there are things they all need to discuss.

At Volonino’s, Brad does push-ups, and his trainer suggests a break, but he says, no breaks. The trainer hands him some water and says, he needs to hydrate. Brad takes a drink and says, if he’s going to hit his goal before Miami, he can’t afford breaks.

Ava asks if Ric thinks she kissed him in exchange for legal fees, and he says he hopes not. It was a good kiss, but hardly covers his retainer. He’s attracted to her, but business is business. He’s extending her grace in deferring his payment. She says, he’s a beacon of charity. At this juncture, it’s like the kiss never happened and it’s not likely there will be another. He says, ever? and she says, not until she gets her daughter back. After that, they’ll see what’s on the table. He says he guesses he should be going then, and leaves.

Curtis tells Portia that Drew is stalling the project, and she says, that’s so sad. He says he can think of two other strong words, and she says, Drew is using his office to exact petty revenge. She’ll stick with sad. Tell her about his next steps. He says he’s going to need an ally on Capitol Hill who has more connections than Drew. Nina is setting up something, but if it doesn’t work, he has a back-up. Meanwhile, his focus is on the next step with Aurora, and it involves her, him, a beach, and daquiris on a tropical island.  

Drew says he understands that Jordan is upset about the esplanade, and she says, he brought the project to her, and they worked on it together. Now he’s stalled it. He’s damn right she’s upset. He says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he’s sorry, and she says, explain why he’s doing this. He says he’s just trying to hold onto what’s his.

Brook says, of course (🍷) she’s referring to that summer, and Cody says he thought the subject was verboten. She says, it was, and it is. Did he ever tell Dante? He says, she swore him to secrecy, and he drove her to the bus station. She left and he didn’t see her again until he started working here. She asks if he ever told Dante, but he says, no. He hasn’t even thought about it since then. She says, thank God, and thanks him, and he says, no problem. She says she’s sorry to make a big deal out of it, but she had to be sure. He says he gets it, but it was like, a million years ago. Why bring it up now?

Anna says she wants to reiterate how sorry she is, but Dante says he doesn’t want her sympathy. He wants Sam’s file. She says, he barged into her office and asked for access to a case… He says, because Sam  was his fiancé and he loved her, and Anna says, that’s precisely why she can’t let him get anywhere near the case.

Trina offers to help Kai, but he says he’ll do it himself. He struggles some more, and she says, it will be easier when his arm isn’t in a sling. He finally asks her to help him, and she puts the belt on him. As she wraps it around him, they gaze at each other for a moment.

Lulu tells Laura that she loves Dante, but not… He’s still grieving Sam… They were already divorced, but she ended things with Dustin. She was planning on telling Dante that she never stopped loving him, but unfortunately, she never got the chance. Now she’s finally awake, but Dante is grieving Sam… He totally should. Laura says, good to know, and Lulu says, it’s probably better. Things between them are worse. Laura asks, how so? and Lulu says, they fight all the time. When she went to Prague, Dante brought it on himself to follow. It’s a habit and they know how she doesn’t like being handled. Laura says, they do indeed, and Lulu says she wants to try and get along, but he makes it impossible. Laura says, maybe she’s pushing him away, but Lulu says, it’s not that. If anything, she thinks she’s holding herself back.

Sonny tells Diane that he’s concerned Charlie’s is going to be scrutinized. The business is clean, but he did sell it to Kristina. Diane says, she’ll stay ahead of it and tells Kristina to call if there’s a problem. Kristina says, if the Feds tap her phone, she’ll ask for a copy of the recording to help her keep track of things. Sonny says he doesn’t want what he’s done to interfere, and Diane says she’ll make sure of it. She’s about to leave when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it to Ric and Ava, and Ric says, good. They’re already here. That makes it easier.

Brad kisses his bicep (he’s pretty jacked) and says, woo!

Kai thanks Trina for her help and says he’s sorry for snapping. She says she gets it, and he says he appreciates her coming, but he’s not in the mood. He’s still trying to rap his head around what he’s going to do with his life. She says, that’s why she’s here. Since he was injured in a game, PCU can’t revoke his scholarship. She brought him some catalogs for inspiration. He says he can’t think about classes. He’s barely managed to schedule his rehab. She asks if that means he got a second opinion that was positive, and he says, they told him, no promises.  

Drew tells Jordan that he’s the ultimate team player. He’s dealt with Tracy, navigated Ned’s fragile ego, and sat through his fair share of family squabbles disguised as ELQ board meetings. He does one thing the family doesn’t approve of… Jordan says, he had an affair with his nephew’s wife, and Drew says, and the rest of the Quartermaines are saints compared to most people. Monica banned him from the grounds, and he was pushed out of his own company. Jordan says she gets it. His life as a rich congressman is in shambles. Welcome to politics. They’re not here to talk about Quartermaine infighting. He’s stalling the progress for the good of the city he’s been chosen to represent. He says, it could still happen. That depends on what Curtis chooses to do with Aurora.  

Portia says, Curtis’s plans for Aurora involve them on a beach? and he says, not just any beach. St. George Island, potentially the first site of Aurora’s new resorts. Portia says she loves it, and he says, of course (🍷) he wants to experience the island before moving forward and he can’t without her. What does she say? She says she can feel the sand between her toes, when Curtis’s phone rings. Jordan says she’s calling in a favor, and Curtis says, which one? She tells him to meet her at Volonino’s as soon as he can.  

Anna says, when she told Dante that Sam was murdered, she was speaking to him as a private citizen. That’s why he can’t be involved. He says he can help find out who killed her, and she says she’d let him if the victim was anyone else. He says, because it’s Sam, and she says, imagine if he finds the killer and it goes to trial. What does he think the defense is going to do? He says, object because of his conflict of interest, and she says, they won’t need to. We won’t have a case. It will be thrown out because he was involved in the investigation. He asks if that’s what she wants, but she says, no, but she has to look at it. What if he finds the killer and decides to take the law into his own hands? He asks if she thinks he’d do that, and she says, in this instance, she doesn’t know. He asks what she means by in this instance. Does she have a suspect?

Brook says she’s sure everybody knows she and Chase are trying to start a family, and Cody says, word got around. She says, it’s bringing up a memory for her, living in the same house with Dante. She needs to be sure. He says he never told Dante. He hasn’t even thought about it in years. If she had told Dante back then, he’s sure Dante would have stepped up, unlike other guys. She asks what he means, and he says, it’s an obligation and the guy has to step up. He can’t leave the woman hanging. Brook asks what he’s talking about, and he says, Sasha is pregnant and she shouldn’t be in it alone.  

Drew works out with the weights, when Curtis comes in. He asks if this is why Jordan needed him, and she says, Drew told her that the future of the esplanade depends on Curtis. Care to elaborate? Curtis says, Drew wanted to push Michael out of Aurora, and Jordan says, while he’s in Germany, recovering from third degree burns? Curtis says, yeah. And if Drew doesn’t get what the wants, he’s more than willing to sabotage Aurora. Hence the delay on the esplanade. Jordan says, is that right? and Drew says, Curtis couldn’t be more wrong.

Kai tells Trina that the doctors told him to manage his expectations and set reasonable goals. Don’t get ahead of himself. She says, that’s good advice, and he says his teammates’ doctors said the same thing. She asks if they played again, and he says, one did. The rest never set foot on a field again. She says she’s sorry, and he says him too. He knew it was a possibility, but he told himself that it would never be him. How could he be so stupid?

Lulu tells Laura that Dante would jump in to save any chance he got, whether she needed him to or not. Laura says, Dante just lost someone he loved and maybe he doesn’t want to lose someone else. Lulu says, maybe… probably. She hates seeing him and Rocco in pain and not be able to help. Dante sees her as the woman his fiancé died trying to save. What is it going to be like for the rest of their lives? Laura says she knows what Lulu thinks, but unless she’s spoken to Dante directly, she doesn’t know how he feels.

Anna says she has no suspect yet, but there’s a person of interest, and Dante asks, who? She says, it’s not his case and she’s not disclosing more information. He says, she hasn’t told him anything. Dammit! She needs to tell him… She says she thinks he should go home. She’s placing him on one week’s paid leave and would like him to see the department psychiatrist. He asks if he can say no, but she says she thinks he knows the answer to that. He says, fine, and leaves.

Diane tells Ric to come back when he’s made an appointment, but he says he has an offer regarding the custody hearing. Sonny says, let’s hear it, and Ric says, the recent incident at his domicile caused the destruction of property and injury to his son. Ava says, it was obviously an attempt… and Ric says, it’s obvious Sonny can’t provide a safe home for Avery. At best, Sonny is going to lose. He’s made an effort to save them time and expense. He gives Diane the paperwork and she laughs. She says, visitation every other weekend and Ava has sole custody and all major holidays? Ava says she’s willing to give up Arbor Day, but Diane says she won’t even entertain it. Ric says, then they’ll go to court, and Sonny says, let’s do it. Ric says he’s going to call Kristina to the stand, and Kristina says, no problem. He asks if she’s sure. He’s going to ask about her father’s brutal assault on Dex Heller and his long list of mental and emotional instabilities. He’ll also bring in her impulsiveness and hot-headed temper that led to the attack on Ava and also the death of Kristina’s child. Sonny says, that’s enough, and Kristina says she looks forward to making sure Avery ends up with the right parent. Ric says, it’s impressive, but her keeping it together in her attorney’s office for five seconds doesn’t hold a candle to keeping it together on the witness stand… which she knows. Ava tells Sonny to spare the agony for both him and his daughter and take the deal. Sonny leans on his desk and asks, when’s the date? Diane says, February 25th, and Sonny tells Ric, see you there. Ric says, it’s their final offer, and Sonny shrugs. Ric says, it’s over, and he and Ava leave. Diane says she knows one thing, and Sonny says, they’re desperate. Diane says, right, and he says, Ava’s funds have dried up. Kristina says, Lucy mentioned to her the other day that Ava took a place far below her standards, and Sonny says, Ava wouldn’t trade down if she didn’t have to. Kristina says, that’s good news. If Ava can’t afford it, all they have to do is wait, but Diane says, they can’t rely on that. Ric and Ava’s argument is stronger than theirs.

Dante sees Brook at the stables and asks if Cody is around. She says, he was, then he wasn’t. She doesn’t know if he’s coming back. Is Dante okay? He says, obviously not, and she asks if there’s anything she can do. He says he doesn’t know. Sam was murdered and Anna won’t let him find the bastard who did it.

Lulu says she knows Dante loved Sam, and Laura says, and Sam loved Dante. She’s grateful they gave a good home to Rocco. Lulu says her too, but she’s a little jealous. And by little, she means really jealous. Laura says, Sam is gone now, and Dante has to find a way to live with the loss, and Lulu says, it’s a big loss and here she is, swooping in. Laura says, Lulu is entitled to be here, and Lulu says, Sam is too, but she can’t be. Laura says, but Lulu can, and Dante is afraid he’s going to lose her too. He practically camped out by her bedside and fought like hell for her. She says she knows, and Laura says, from her own life, she knows it’s possible to love two people at the same time. Dante absolutely loves Lulu. Maybe not in the same way she loves him right now, but there’s definitely a place in his heart for her. Lulu says she knows it’s not rational, but she feels like it’s her fault Sam died. If she feels that way… Laura says, maybe Dante does too?

Trina says, Kai isn’t stupid. He doesn’t know how rehab is going to turn out. His first orthopedist told him that he’s never play again. He says he doesn’t feel like a lecture. He needs to figure out rehab now. As for class, he doesn’t know if he wants to go back. She says, why? Even if he never plays again, he’s been given an amazing opportunity. A scholarship most kids would kill for and PCU is an amazing school. He says he knows Trina thinks she’s helping, but she’s not.

Drew says, when he pitched the esplanade, he did it on behalf of his company. Now he’s pitching for his constituents. Jordan asks, then why hold up the project that will give his constituents jobs? and he says, the environmental report was of concern, so it’s been put on pause for review. She says, it’s going to die because he has an ax to grind, and he says, it’s Aurora’s project. Curtis is the CEO and it’s up to him to clear up the issues. Curtis says, Aurora will be fine without the esplanade, and Drew says, there you have it. Curtis says, Drew is screwing them over, and Jordan says, it was a project for the constituents that was supposed to carry on the name of the man who gave Drew a seat in congress. (Good point!) Drew says, Curtis seems tense. What does he say to them working it out in the ring?

Diane says she hates to admit it, but Ric had good points. It’s of public record that the penthouse fire was deliberately set. Sonny says, Avery was at Carly’s, and Diane says, that’s the only reason Sonny still has custody. As for Kristina, she was magnificent back there. Kristina thanks her and says, hate is a powerful motivator. Diane says she has to advise Kristina, no matter how cool and calm she is on the witness stand, Dex’s assault is going to count in Ava’s favor. Sonny says, Ric is all about money. The only reason Ric is representing Ava is to hurt him. He’s going to use Kristina to do that. Kristina says, let him try. She can’t allow Ava to have Avery. Diane says she knew Kristina would say that. She’s going to let them talk. Take all the time they need. She leaves and Sonny says, Diane is right. Ric is going to hammer her on the stand like last time. Kristina says, let him. Ava’s not going to win this case. She doesn’t get to have her daughter back after she took Kristina’s from her.  

At the MetroCourt bar, Ava says, Sonny is itching to take them to court, but Ric says he’s not so sure. Ava says, he has enough money to drag this on forever, and Kristina, with her hair trigger temper, didn’t take the bait. Ric says, no matter. It comes down to Sonny. If he doesn’t want to move forward, it’s all over. She says, too bad he and Diane are determined to do that, and Ric says, maybe he’s wrong, but he thinks something is going on with Sonny.  

On the phone, Anna says, come back to my office and we’ll go over your allegations about Cyrus. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, it’s open. Cody comes in and asks if she’s seen Mac, but she says, he’s out on a call. Is everything okay? He says he needs to get a message to Mac’s brother and doesn’t have a way to reach him, and she says she can reach him. He says, it can wait, and she says, is he sure? It seems urgent. He says, it is… It isn’t important. It’s not like they need to contact international law enforcement. Anna tells him, just say it, and he says, Sasha is in trouble and it’s Jason Morgan’s fault.  

Brook tells Dante that she’s sorry, and he says, the minute he found out Sam was murdered, he wanted to hunt down the piece of garbage who did this. He’s a cop. She says, the best, and he says, Anna told him under no uncertain terms that he’s too close to the case. She says, maybe he is, and he says, obviously. He went to Anna’s office to show her how he’d handle it, and instead, he proved her right. He lost it on her. He yelled at his boss, and she sent him home. Brook says, Anna made the right call, and he says he knows that. For Sam to die like that, in a hospital bed, confined, unable to fight… If she could have gotten up, she would have fought tooth and nail. Brook says, damn straight, and he says, Sam was there because of him, and she’s gone because of him. He doesn’t know how to live with that.

Lulu asks Laura, how does she not feel responsible? The only reason Sam was in a hospital bed was because of her. Laura says, it’s human to feel like it’s her fault, but it’s completely untrue. She’s not responsible for Sam’s death. Only one person is – the murderer. Lulu says she knows that. It’s just so hard to silence the voice telling her that it’s her fault and to think about how Dante sees her. Laura says, he’s grieving, so she can’t assume to know how he feels, but she could ask, and Lulu says, just like that. Laura says, with the connection they have, yeah. It may not be the best time to tell him the full breadth of her feelings, but she can love him as friend.

At the hospital on his phone, Brad orders the deluxe spa package, while Portia tries to quietly go past him. He trots after her and asks if she has any idea where Dr. Jones is. She says, he switched his shift. She can imagine why. He says, speaking of schedules, is there any chance he can get an extra vacation day in Miami?

Curtis says, Drew wants to see him in the ring? and Jordan says, she brought them together hoping they could compromise like the adults she assumed they were, and Curtis says, it was a noble thought. But they both know Drew makes decisions based on what Drew wants. Drew says, and Curtis never misses the opportunity to get on his high horse. Curtis says, it must be real difficult for Drew to see that high up, being so damn lowdown, and Drew asks what Curtis says when the common denominator of the people keeping secrets from him is himself.

Anna asks how Jason is involved with Sasha, but Cody says, forget it. She says, he doesn’t barge into her office saying Robert’s daughter is in trouble and then drop it. He says he wants to talk to Robert directly, but she says, they’re close. What happened? Is Sasha in danger? He says, no. It’s not a crime or a legal thing. She tells him, just say it, and he says, Sasha is pregnant, and Jason is the father.  

Ric tells Ava, the thing about having a brother as an enemy is, they can read each other. He has a strong feeling something was off with Sonny just now. She asks how he can tell, and he says, Sonny may talk tough, but he has the sense Sonny doesn’t want to see this through. She says, when he dreams, he dreams big. Sonny doesn’t give up. He says, Sonny knows cutting her out will hurt Avery. Maybe he’s starting to care a little. She says she hopes he’s right. She needs to have Avery with her. The sooner he can make that happen, and the sooner she’s back on her feet, the sooner she can pay him. Once he gets paid, maybe after that they can see where things stand between them.

Kai tells Trina that he figured out how to put the brace on and it’s an accomplishment. He appreciates Trina coming, but he needs time to himself. She says, okay. She’ll leave him to it. She goes to the door and says, just so he knows, he doesn’t need to do this alone. She leaves, and he gets on the bed with his phone. He puts on an old game, and the announcer says, PCU is down three and going for a Hail Mary pass… They win, thanks to the golden arm of quarterback Kai Taylor! He puts the phone down, and Trina sees him through the window. She takes out her phone and makes a call. She says, when you get out, come and meet me at GH. Nothing is wrong. I just need help.  

Portia says she’s made accommodations for Brad, and he knows why. Brad says, just because he forced her doesn’t mean it’s not appreciated, and she says she does have limits and if she sticks to them, they shouldn’t have a problem. He says, understood… That said… She says, if he starts asking too much too often, people will start to notice. Don’t push his luck any further than he has. He says, so… is that a yes? and she says, enjoy your vacation day. She jets, and he says, thank you.  

Curtis says, his friendship comes with loyalty and wonders if it’s too much to expect in return, and Drew says, so his friendship is transactional. He’s not applying undue influence to sink Aurora. They’re not in court. Curtis says, let him remind Drew that he’s brand new to congress. He’s alienated his backers by seducing his nephew’s wife. He overextended himself and left himself wide open. Curtis and Jordan walk out.

Sonny asks what Kristina wanted to see him about. Is everything okay? She says, actually, no. The hospital investigated Sam’s death, and it turns out it’s not an accident. Sam was murdered. He asks if they know who, and she says, no, but they know how. She was given a drug she wasn’t supposed to have. Digitalis killed her. He says he’s going to ask a question she might not be able to answer. Does Dante know? She says, probably. The police are looking into it. Should she worry? He says he doesn’t want her to worry. Let him worry. Everybody has a breaking point and she’s carrying too much.

Brook says, it’s not Dante’s fault. She knows he can’t see it, so she’ll let him get there on his own, and he will. He says, she’s right, and she says she knows he’s saying that to get her off his back. She’s here if he needs anything. He says, she’s a pretty good friend when she tries, and she says, don’t tell anyone. He says, they wouldn’t believe him anyway, and they hug. Lulu walks in.  

On Monday, Laura tells Lucky that she has some news; Gio tells Emma that he has a bad feeling about something; Maxie tells Sasha that the more she stonewalls, the more it looks like she has something to hide; and Lulu tells Dante, nothing can be further from the truth.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Looks like a good time. Especially for that random dog who’s probably been stealing food all night.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/gh-star-tabyana-ali-celebrates-her-birthday-see-the-party-pics

Sage advice for any condition you might be suffering from: If you are suffering, you have to be your own advocate to keep going… If your doctor doesn’t get it, find a new doctor that listens to you and believes in you, and doesn’t just want to stick you on an antidepressant.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/gh-star-tabyana-ali-celebrates-her-birthday-see-the-party-pics

Side gig. I still say Adam Huss was the best Nikolas and they should bring him back.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-huss-wraps-a-movie-with-tuc-watkins

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

In making a sushi dinner for multiple people who don’t eat fish, Cloyce said he had nothing to do but laugh, bang his head against the wall, and innovate. It must be tough for any woman who dates Cloyce to get past him giggling like Anderson Cooper. Captain Glenn joined the guests for dinner and was impressed. Glenn said he still believed in Gary, which is beyond my scope of understanding. In his interview, the captain said, if Gary wanted to step up the ladder, he’d have to grow and mature. Good luck with that. Mixing his metaphors, Captain Glenn said, the crew knocked it out of the park and suggested they put this baby to bed. He’d seen growth and thought they finished the season on a high. The tip was $21K or 2000 euros each, and they’d made a total of $188K for the season. Gary told Daisy that he wanted them to live a fairytale life. She was like, hard no, and wondered why they couldn’t get to a level they could agree on. After the crew night out, Gary waited alone at the jacuzzi while everyone else went to bed. He had a lightbulb moment in his interview, where he said if he was going to be in Glenn’s position, he’d have to start taking more responsibility for his actions. I still can’t figure out what the problem was with the stews and Daisy, except that she wanted them to work. Gary thought there was still hope for him and Daisy, and we flashed back to them over the years. He was intrigued to see what the future held. Glenn said, it was a crazy season and it was done. Margarita time.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

In Kyle’s interview, she said she was alone in the house more often because the kids wanted more time away from her. Um… yeah, that’s how it works when kids get older. Boz and Dorit have gotten tight, which surprises me, since Boz doesn’t seem like she’d suffer fools or rambling talkers gladly. Garcelle pointed out that Kyle saying she’s never shared anything PK has said to her sounded like it was more than memes, but Kyle insisted that they’d never discussed PK and Dorit’s marriage. Kyle apologized to the group for yelling and leaving, but in Sutton’s interview, she wanted Kyle to apologize for acting better than everyone else and not being accountable. Kyle used the old it’s not who I am backpedal. I hate when people say that because, if not you, who? It was who you were in that moment and to say that is distancing yourself from accountability.

Dorit and Kyle went for a walk on the beach, and Dorit asked where Kyle’s loyalty lay, with her or PK. Dorit wanted the same respect from Kyle that Kyle would expect from her. In her interview, Kyle said she understood and if it was what Dorit needed, she’d do it, but IMO, she should have understood it without Dorit having to tell her. Dorit was also wrestling with Jagger having asked if she and PK were divorced, since he’d gleaned it from social media. In Erika’s interview, she said it was impossible to shield children in this day of the internet, but I wonder if you even should in the first place. By all means you should explain things at their level and make sure they know you’re there for them (and your partner too, if that’s a factor), but I’m not so sure kids should be shielded from negative situations entirely. God forbid they hear it from someone else like this poor kid. The show ended on an up note for once.

Real Housewives of New York City

It was the Reunion Part 1, so… There’s never a lot to say about these, since it’s just a rehash of the season’s arguments and them getting mad all over again. There was Jenna coming out in robe and turban, which was… original. Brynn spoke more about her assault, and sad to say, it’s someone she’s required to inhabit the same space with on a regular basis. It seemed hard for Erin to understand how difficult it is to out someone like that when it’s a he said/she said situation. There was a big deal with Brynn having said Pavit wasn’t the love of Jessel’s life, when they’d been talking about crazy hook-ups. Jessel was pretty upset about her family seeing the show. It looks to be a lively Part 2.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Ugh. The Reunion Part 2. In a word, tedious. Meredith almost walked off because… Okay, I lost track of the whole thing, but it had to do with something she said or didn’t say and who said she said or didn’t say it. You see how I could get lost, right? Angie said that for a new Housewife, Bronwyn put herself out there and that’s why everyone loved her. Agreed. Seth was a jerk, trying to explain away why he called Whitney a bee-yotch during a dinner. No excuse for that, dude. As NeNe so succinctly put it, stay out of women’s business. Period. End of story. With the exception of RHONJ, where the men should have their own show, the husbands need to stay quiet. It’s not called Real Househusbands. Still this season’s MVP, Mary was the exception. Lots of tears over Robert Jr.’s story, even from Andy. And it shut the other women up for once. That’s quite a feat. Whitney said it helped her kids understand why they didn’t have a grandpa as she hasn’t spoken to her (addicted) father since Season 1.

Southern Charm

Poor JT. I almost have to feel sorry for him. Almost. He’s so clueless as to how he’s going wrong. Although Venita doesn’t see it. She admitted to having a crush on him and I thought, oh, just do it already. Craig called Austen and wanted to hang out, which surprised me, but it didn’t seem to surprise Austen. Shep hadn’t heard from Sienna, who texted that she needed a moment. It made Shep nervous, which made me laugh. He said he wanted beautiful babies and a Bahamian house, making me laugh harder. Patricia and Madison had a pajama party, complete with caviar in bed, making me rethink my friend group, and Patricia said Sienna had approached Whitney on Raya before meeting Shep. Venita invited JT for dinner, and he told her that he was seeing someone. It wasn’t the answer either one of us was hoping for. I don’t like him, but she does, so I felt bad for her. He professed faithfulness, but IMO, he’d been leading Venita on. Not a gentleman.

I don’t remember this guy from Summer House, but I’m not always paying attention.

Southern Hospitality

I tried to watch this. I really did. But it’s just a bunch of relationships that are more complicated than they need to be. I’ve seen enough to know Emmy is a drama queen, so I can just imagine when she finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Red flags have been thrown her way before, which she’s put her fingers in her ears and gone la-la-la about, but this seems to be irrefutable evidence. Rut-roh.

There was this priceless quote though: Even though I’m 33, that’s like 50 in gay years, so I’m basically dead. – TJ

I feel the opposite. While the diversity is commendable, the personalities aren’t so diverse. We even have Maddi being James Kennedy 2.0. Sans the alcoholic rants. Wait for VPR’s reboot if you want to relive the glory days. Or actually watch the original glory days on several streaming services.

Random Reality

The latest in Atlanta. Twirl on, Kenya. Twirl on.

Why not? And I actually don’t mind Slade. They seem to be a good match. Maybe he’ll marry her on his deathbed.

Get your lemons ready.

I’m sporadic in watching this, and like with Survivor, I get lost with the challenges, but when I see it, I enjoy it. Alan Cumming is the best host, all theatric and Scottish.

Take the tour.

https://ew.com/the-traitors-host-alan-cumming-season-3-castle-tour-exclusive-8766966

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Sleep. Hulu et al. I was a fan of Korean cinema long before it was popular, and Netflix had a Korean for beginners category. While this wasn’t one of my favorites, that didn’t make it less intriguing. A story of possession masked as a sleep disorder, it has creepiness a plenty. I wasn’t thrilled with the ending, which left me kind of hanging, but the style and atmosphere were worth the time spent. I hadn’t thought of it as a metaphor for a deteriorating relationship, but there’s that too. Those of you who feel, if I want to read, I’ll get a book, be forewarned; this one has subtitles.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sleep-korean-film-review

https://nofspodcast.com/sleep-review-new-korean-horror-is-a-methodical-slow-build-of-simmering-scares

Saturday Night. Netflix. This is the telling of the story of the first episode of SNL, and how no one thought it would get on the air, much less stand the test of time it has. A dramatization for sure, but the real-life drama may have seemed heightened since there were so many roadblocks. From John Belushi refusing to sign his contract while ice skating in a bee costume to Milton Berle flashing his legendary junk, it’s a fun watch.

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/saturday-night/

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/saturday-night-netflix-review

The truths and the nots.

https://people.com/how-much-of-saturday-night-is-true-8725801

Some of this is a stretch to connect to SNL, but six degrees and all that.

🎸 Who’s Playing For Who…

The Super Bowl performers.

https://ew.com/super-bowl-2025-performers-kendrick-lamar-halftime-sza-jon-batiste-8779483

The Grammys performers.

https://ew.com/everyone-performing-at-2025-grammys-charli-xcx-sabrina-carpenter-more-8779877

🐾 Send In the Furbabies…

🐶 It’s always nice to see a celebrity using their powers for good. This must have been incredibly rewarding. I’ve loved Paris since Tinkerbell wrote her book.

https://people.com/paris-hilton-reunites-her-foster-dog-from-l-a-fires-with-the-dog-s-family-8781373

🐎 What would the Super Bowl be without the Budweiser Clydesdales?

https://people.com/super-bowl-2025-budweiser-clydesdale-horse-commercial-8780322

🐕 And don’t forget the best Bowl of all.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/2025/pb-xxi-gallery

https://www.discovery.com/shows/on-tv/puppy-bowl/see/2025

🐐 Quotes of the Week

Anyone who wants to achieve a dream must stay strong, focused and steady.Estée Lauder

A dead end street is a good place to turn around. – Naomi Judd

Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read. – Groucho Marx

If your dreams don’t scare you, they are too small. – Richard Branson

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. – Pablo Picasso

You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old. – George Burns

Words are the clothing of our thoughts.Jonathan Swift

A ship in a harbour is safe, but it’s not fulfilling its potential. – Susan Jeffers

If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment. – Carlos Santana

I don’t know why they say alcohol is a depressant. It fixes everything. – Joyce (Swoosie Kurtz), Mike & Molly

🍫 Like a Box Of Chocolates…

Until next week, stay safe; stay being adaptable in social and professional settings; and stay managing your expectations, setting reasonable goals, and not getting ahead of yourself.

January 24, 2025 – Sidwell Meets Laura, Soap Suds, Not My Reality, Weekend Watching, Nom-Noms, Animal Endeavors, 10 Concise Quotes & Freeze-Out

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

No soap, inauguration.

Tuesday:

Kristina waited at the launch with Alexis who was going to Spoon Island to meet with Sidwell about Windymere. Drew wanted to charge Tracy with kidnapping because she wouldn’t tell them where the children were even though Martin had a court order. Anna looked like she had a headache when Tracy feigned innocence, and Tracy asked if she looked like a nanny, but Anna said, only one in a Grimm’s fairytale. Tracy told her that Yuri had taken the children and nanny out for the day. Maxie met with Natalia about a new testing facility for Deception. She wanted the closing pushed back to give Sonny time to be with Michael and told Natalia that it wasn’t safe to be in Sonny’s orbit.

Michael was brought to consciousness and told Carly that he wanted to go to Germany. He also wanted to see Sasha. Drew horned in on Anna talking to Tracy, and Jack showed up at the station with info about the incendiary device. Ava was also going to Spoon Island to see Sidwell and badgered Alexis about the settlement money.

Jason went to track Sasha down and Carly told the others that Michael wanted to go to Germany, but Willow wanted to speak to him to confirm and apologize. Tracy claimed they were taking the kids from Monica, but Drew said it killed Tracy that Alan gave the house to Monica, and it was just a power play. Jack told Anna that the WSB was familiar with the device, and it had probably been developed for black ops. She asked if he ever used it and if he was the one who planted it.

Willow went in to see Michael and confirmed he wanted to go to Germany. She apologized for everything, and said the kids missed and loved him and he had to get better for them. She said she’d always love him, and he suddenly clutched in pain.

Ava said her daughter wasn’t safe with a man whose enemies tried to incinerate him and wanted Kristina to testify at the custody hearing. Alexis told Ava to stay away from her daughter or Ava would answer to her. Jack told Anna that he’d be more discreet than setting a luxury high rise on fire. She said the attack was sophisticated and not a usual mob hit.

Carly freaked out about Michael, when Jason arrived with Sasha, but Portia had to sedate Michael again to ease the stress on his system. Carly blamed Willow, but Jason told her not to take out her anger on Willow and focus on Michael. Carly said she’d be going to Germany with him, and Anna called Jason, telling him to get to the station.

Alexis said that Ava didn’t ask, but taunted and badgered. She wondered if Ava would want anyone treat Avery the way she treated Kristina, and Ava left since the truth is hard for her to hear. At the station, Anna told Jason that it was his family, so deal with them. Sasha told Maxie that she’d had a prenatal checkup and thought of Liam. Drew horned in at the hospital and told Willow that he thought Carly had finessed the situation. Sonny advised him to leave, but Willow wanted to talk to him.

Sidwell met Alexis at the dock, and she said she didn’t need to see Windymere again. The Cassadines weren’t known to be sentimental. Maxie offered to go to appointments with Sasha, who said she wasn’t ready to tell the world, but she was glad Maxie and Felicia were there for her to talk to. Maxie asked if Sasha was allowing herself to be happy.

Drew told Willow that he’d had Tracy arrested, but they didn’t know where the kids were, and they didn’t have Michael to use as leverage this time. Willow didn’t like the thought of using Michael as leverage, but was worried she’d messed up in cooperating with Sonny and Carly.

Tracy didn’t want Drew near the kids, but Jason said it was Willow’s call. Tracy said, Willow no longer had a mind of her own and was Drew’s puppet, but Jason said, Michael would want them with their mother. Tracy told him that she wouldn’t go to jail because she had too much money. Ava went to see Sonny and said if Avery had been where Michael was standing, she would have been killed.

Anna said she didn’t have time for the Quartermaines’ petty feuds and had real crimes to deal with. Alexis gave Sidwell the title to Spoon Island and told him that if isolation and excess were what he was looking for, he found his perfect dungeon. He said valued his privacy. Carly thanked Jack for getting Michael into the clinic and arranging for a medical jet. He told her to focus on her son and he’d take care of everything else. Anna told an officer to take Tracy to booking and told Tracy that sometimes the best way to win was to bend.

Drew convinced Willow that Sonny and Carly had been manipulating her. As he chatted her up in the chapel, Jason walked in. Sonny said he wouldn’t let Ava poison his daughter against him, and she said she was going to show the judge the charred remains of the penthouse and photos of Michael’s burns and she was going to get her daughter back permanently. She left and Sonny tried to take his heart meds, but keeled over.

Wednesday:

Charlie’s was reopening and Kristina and Lucky toasted to their dads who were great partners back in the day. Natalia found Sonny, got some medication in him, and called 911. Jason thought there was a compromise if Willow stayed in the gatehouse with the kids and Monica could have access. Lulu wanted to speak to Tracy, but Dante said, no. Lulu said she was fluent in Tracy Quartermaine and asked to have a crack at her.

Spinelli said they might have lost a gastropub, but gained the essence of cool in the new Charlie’s. Willow said if Jason could get Tracy to agree, she’d move back to the gatehouse, even though Drew told her not to negotiate. She had all the power she needed. Felicia told Sasha that the q’s thrived on toxic shenanigans and not to get caught up in it. Lucky told Elizabeth that he may have found a lead in their case.

Brick hit on Jordan going into Charlie’s, but she was meeting Isaiah. Kristina told Brick that him being there officially made it the coolest place in town. Sonny came to while Natalia was on the phone with 911, but he insisted no help. Jason asked to speak to Tracy who asked what the catch was. Drew said Tracy was using Monica to bully Willow. She said her kids were traumatized enough and she wanted to bring the kids back to their home. Jason said it was Tracy’s only chance to make a deal that would keep the kids close to Monica, and Lulu agreed he was right. Would Tracy rather be right or free? It was her turn to be strategic and play the long game. Be smart and take the win.

Sonny asked Natalia to call Isaiah and ruined his date with Jordan, but Brick took his place. Lucky told Elizabeth to follow his lead. Sasha told Felicia that she didn’t even recognize Willow anymore and she’d used Michael as leverage. Felicia suggested they show her some grace. Cody acted like an ass at Charlie’s and told Spinelli that if he wanted to stay out of prison because of Society Set-Ups (which none of us even remember anymore), he’d pony up some $75K. Brick asked if he should be jealous. Isaiah went to Sonny’s, and Sonny explained what had happened with Ava. Isaiah said the pills were just a stop gap measure and Sonny needed to see a cardiologist. Drew tried to talk Willow out of living at the gatehouse, no doubt for his own selfish gains, but Willow wasn’t having it. He said if the Quartermaines saw a way to get her children, they’d do it. Tracy agreed to take the deal.

Lucky talked to Martin about Cyrus, who said it was their mother who inspired Cyrus’s vocation. Isaiah said Sonny couldn’t be there for those he cared about if he didn’t take care of himself. Natalia said she’d stay with Sonny. Jason let Willow know that the kids were waiting at the gatehouse. Martin’s mother said if it had been up to Cyrus, she would be gone, but Cyrus just hadn’t wanted her to suffer. Lucky said they were still missing something because neither Dex nor Sam were terminal. Spinelli said Cody was the same sketchy grifter he’d always been. Lucky told him to take a walk, and Cody told Lucky to take a nap and punched him. Brick intervened, and Maxie thought she’d have to save Cody from himself.

Drew told Martin that Willow needed to be freed from the Quartermaines and Martin asked if Drew meant free to be with him. Drew said he’d do anything to protect Willow. Cody was brought into the station as Tracy was being released. Kristina said bar brawls weren’t the vibe she was going for. Willow came home and all was right with the world. For now.

Thursday:

Both Cody and Lucky were arrested, and Elizabeth tended to Lucky’s wounds in the interrogation room. Mac wondered what the hell was going on with Cody. The more he tried to get through, the more Cody pushed him away. Molly went to see Cody, who thought Lucky should have to pay for damages too, since he’d also been arrested. Molly said he was the only one throwing punches. Ava went to see Laura and Brick went to see Sonny. Kristina told Alexis about the fight, and Jordan said Brick had to step in to stop the fight, but the police thought Lucky was involved. Laura told Ava that a lot had changed and she couldn’t be Ava’s character witness. It was better if she wasn’t involved.

Josslyn told Lucas that she knew Cyrus had stabbed Dex and how she’d messed up at the station. Lucy brought Sidwell to Charlie’s and the thought it was distinctive and inviting. Lucy paved the way for a meeting with Laura.

Molly said no charges would be filed if Cody paid for the damages, but he said he had no money. Mac asked what the hell was wrong with him. Mac asked if Cody’s drunken fights were part of a bigger problem. Ric showed Ava an apartment since she had to establish a permanent residence, but she thought the square footage was lacking. Natalia told Brick what was going on with Sonny’s health, and Sonny filled him in on the rest. Brick said they had to make sure a close call like this never happened again.

Sidwell had to jet. Kristina said he seemed nice, and Alexis said nice and peculiar, since he thought Windymere was charming. Jordan went to see Laura and told her about Sidwell being in town. Cody promised he was done with booze and bar crawling. Mac said Cody was in a spiral that was getting worse, and he wanted to know why. Molly told Felicia that Cody was being a five-star ass. Lucky wanted to talk to Felicia about Cyrus, and Lucky discussed Cyrus with Josslyn. He said all they had were theories and suppositions and they needed evidence.

Lucky and Elizabeth talked to Felicia who said she thought it was the right choice to ban Cyrus from the hospital. Cody told Mac it wasn’t about Sasha. He trashed things when they were good. Mac said he had a family to rely on now and couldn’t push them away. Natalia went to Charlie’s and told Kristina that Sonny and Brick were discussing business. Brick arranged for Sonny to see the best cardiologist in the country in Los Angeles, to keep the diagnosis from the Five Families (marinara sauce). Ric said Ava didn’t have the means for a long-haul custody battle.

Kristina said she was worried about Sonny as she’d gotten a new date for the custody case. Anna said there were no outstanding warrants on Sidwell and even Interpol’s tag had been dropped. Laura got notice of the meeting and said it might be time to give Sidwell what he wants. Ava told Ric that Laura backed out of being a character witness and he told her to never doubt he was on her side, then they kissed. Josslyn said she was going to find the tie between Cyrus and the murders.

Mac left Cody in jail to think. Ava agreed to take the apartment. Laura called Sidwell and made a date to meet. Molly said, as long as people like Cody were saved from the consequences of their actions, there would always be a next time. Lucky wanted to talk to the Turning Woods staff and check their records, but Elizabeth said he’d stepped on a lot of toes there, so he agreed to let her do the talking. Lucas asked Josslyn to promise she’d stay away from Cyrus.

Friday’s Enchilada:

Baden-Baden, Germany. Carly goes into her hotel suite breathing heavy. She almost throws a bottle, but decides against it. Instead, she sits down and cries.

Willow leaves a message for Drew telling him that she’s back at the gatehouse and just wanted to hear his voice. There’s a knock at the door, and Nina says she brought breakfast. She asks how it is being back, and Willow says she’s afraid she made a huge mistake.

Drew asks if Curtis has a second to talk, but Curtis says he doesn’t know what Drew could say that he’d want to hear.

Trina sees Josslyn at the hospital and asks what she’s doing here. Josslyn says she’s trying to stop a murder.

Stella visits Kai, who’s watching a game tape. She says she came to check on him and see if there are any more flowers or gifts that he wants her to distribute. He says, the volunteers took care of it, and she asks if he’s sure he doesn’t want to keep some of it. He says he won’t be here long enough to enjoy it. He’s getting out soon.

Lulu goes to Maxie’s office, but Maxie’s not there. The phone rings, and she answers it. Maxie comes in and mouths, who is it? and Lulu mouths back, Blair Cramer. Maxie says, no, and Lulu asks if she can have Maxie return the call. Maxie says, Lulu has improved since she worked at Crimson, but she’s overqualified for the Deception job and wouldn’t be happy. Lulu says, happiness is overrated, but Maxie says, Lulu isn’t into beauty or cosmetics and needs to be challenged to keep her interested. Lulu says she just wants to earn her own money on her own terms and not rely on what Tracy and her mom decide, but Maxie says, she’d be miserable if she took the job. Lulu asks, what’s going on? Is Maxie trying to get her to withdraw her application, so she doesn’t have to turn her down? Brook walks in and asks what Lulu is doing here. Didn’t Maxie tell Lulu that they’re not hiring her?

Sidwell knocks on Laura’s office door and tells her that he’s looking forward to their meeting. Laura invites him in, and says she thinks he knows Anna. Anna certainly knows him. Anna says she and Sidwell met when he tried to have her killed while she was in Africa. He also tried to have Laura’s son killed.  

There’s a knock at Carly’s door, and she opens it to Jack.

Sidwell says he feels terrible about the situation with Lucky in Africa, and Laura asks if by situation he means holding Lucky captive and forcing him to play poker in order to stay alive. Anna says, he tried to execute her and Jason, but he says, the incident differs vastly from his perspective. His business was threatened. Anna and Jason lied about who they were, as did Laura’s son, and Holly stole from him. Laura asks if that justified holding them captive and torturing them, and he says, when his livelihood was threatened, he took any steps the law of the land allowed to protect it. He was in a country that had no law and nothing he did was illegal. Anna says, they have a fairly strong law here. He abducted Sasha, held her for ransom, and blew up a building – a trifecta of illegality. Sidwell asks if someone accused him. Is there a witness or evidence? He has no idea what she’s talking about. Anna says, they have nothing at this time, and he asks them to allow him to explain why he asked for a meeting. He’s an exporter based in Europe, but wants to expand to the North American market. Laura asks, why Port Charles? Llanview, Pine Valley, or even New York City would be a better choice. To be clear, they don’t want him in Port Charles.

Lulu says, this isn’t about the job, and Brook says she’ll handle it. She’s an officer of the company and has an interest in its success. The job at Deception is to be her assistant. Lulu says, they already established that, and Brook says, given a choice, she wouldn’t choose to work with Lulu. She’s uncomfortable to have around and it makes for a difficult work environment. Lulu says she gets that Brook doesn’t like her, but doesn’t understand why. She’s not the one who came between Brook and her boyfriend. Brook was the one who did that to her.

Willow tells Nina that she didn’t think moving back to the gatehouse would be that big a deal. She’s lived here for years, and it was great, but that was before this ugliness. Tracy walks in, looks at Nina, and asks why she’s not surprised. Nina says, nice to see her too, and Tracy says she saw Wiley getting on the bus to school and Amelia is out for a walk with the nanny. She thought it was the perfect time to go over new ground rules.  

Drew says he didn’t like the way he and Curtis left off. They’ve been friends for a long time, and he didn’t intend to double-cross Curtis. He thought he was doing right by him and Michael, but he failed. He should have handled it differently. Curtis says, ya think? and Drew says, things are different now. Michael is out of the picture, and they can use the opportunity to pivot from his mistake and do something that will work for them both. Curtis says, given what Drew’s done, whatever he’s thinking isn’t going to work, and Drew says he had that coming. He understands why Curtis is angry, but he never meant for it to come to this point. They’ve known each other a long time and go way back. They’ve been through so much together. He’s just asking Curtis to hear him out.

Josslyn tells Trina that she’s trying to see if anybody has any information on Dex, but she’s not getting anywhere. Trina says she gets that Josslyn wants answers and doesn’t blame her for being frustrated, and Josslyn says she had to do something to honor Dex’s memory. She asks if Trina is here to see her mother, but Trina says she’s here to see Kai.

Kai tells Stella that he’s had an MRI and every scan possible. He wishes they’d hurry with the results. The sooner they do, the sooner he’s back on his feet. She says she knows patients who would enjoy a break from enormous men chasing and tackling them, but Kai says he loves football and wants to get back as soon as possible. She says, he still has a lot of work ahead, but first he needs the paperwork. He thanks her for taking care of everything, and him, and she says she’s happy to, but he doesn’t want to push too much too soon, or he’ll set his recovery back. Listen to his doctor. He says he’s not going to do anything to jeopardize his full recovery. He wants to be back for next season.

Carly asks what Jack is doing here, and he says he had a meeting in London. He swung by to see how she’s doing. She says, normally, she’d ask him to wait downstairs so she can pull herself together, and he says he’ll wait wherever she wants. Or if she’s not up to a visit, he can leave. She tells him, come in, and asks if they can order room service. He says, yeah.

Nina says, Tracy can’t barge into her daughter’s house, but Tracy says, it’s Monica’s house because Alan gave it to her and Monica wants her great-grandchildren close by. It’s for her sake Tracy agreed to Willow living here. Willow says she agreed to the compromise because of the kids and Monica, not Tracy. Tracy doesn’t even like her kids. She kidnapped them and kept them from their mother, convincing herself that it was in their best interest, but it wasn’t. Willow withdrew the charge because it hurt too many people, but she could easily change her mind and have the charge reinstated.  

Curtis says, because of the friendship he and Drew used to have, he’ll hear Drew out, and Drew thanks him. He sits down and says he doesn’t like that he’s not in control of a company he started, and he wants it back. He suggests they set up a stock sale so he can get that back. He’s not going to throw his weight around. All he wants is ownership of his own company back. Curtis says, Michael is out because he’s recovering from third degree burns, but Drew tells him that he’s not saying that. Curtis says, it sure as hell sounded like it, and Drew says, Michael has wealth beyond belief. Curtis has a contract to be CEO for five years and he’ll honor that. Curtis says, he’s suggesting the orchestrate a stock sale, Drew gets controlling interest, then steps back and lets him run it without interference. Drew says, Michael did what he did to get back at him for Willow. It had nothing to do with the business. He’s seen the incredible things Curtis is doing and knows he cares about Aurora. Curtis says, of course (🍷) he does, and Drew says, as a courtesy, he wants it acknowledged that he founded the company and it’s running successfully. It makes sense since he’d be the majority shareholder. Curtis says, Drew makes good points, but he’d rather resign than take the deal.

Trina says, she wants Kai to know, if there’s anything she can do, he can count on her, and Josslyn says, it must be rough for him. She thinks it’s good for him to see Trina. Kai’s identity and everything in his life revolves around football. She’s not in that world and brings a different perspective to the conversation. She’s a good friend. She asks, what’s in the bag? and Trina says she went to the wellness center and got power bars and electrolyte water. (I drink that!) It’s good to stay hydrated while in the hospital. It was no big deal. Josslyn says, Trina could have done it later, but Trina says, sometimes later is taken away. They both know that. Josslyn says, that’s why they’re best friends. They get each other. Trina says, they really do, and Josslyn says she’s heading out. They hug, and Josslyn says, let her know how it goes with Kai.

Stella tells Kai to take time to heal. He has his whole life ahead of him and needs more than an arm and shoulder to throw a football. He says, ironically, he’d been debating whether to enlist in the draft or play his senior year. The decision’s been made and he’s glad he has another season at PCU. Stella says, that’s a good way to look at it. And she has one more season to watch him. He asks if she likes football, and she says she loves it. This season was the first time she followed PCU. Their quarterback is a phenomenon. He says, if she wants tickets, just say the word, and that goes for when he’s in the NFL. She says she’s always wanted to go to the Superbowl, and he says he likes the way she thinks. They laugh, when the doctor comes in. He asks if now is a good time to talk, and Kai says, perfect. Stella leaves, and Kai says, so what’s the good news?  

Brook says she feels like Lulu is just waiting for her to mess up and it’s stressful. Nothing kills creativity more than criticism. Lulu says she doesn’t sound critical all the time, but Maxie says, they both do it. Lulu says she doesn’t intend to be critical, and Maxie says, maybe it’s a habit, but it’s not fun to be around and she doesn’t like it. She loves them, but she’s just being honest. Deception has had a lot of ups and downs. Hiring her to work as Brook’s assistant when it’s obvious they don’t like each other seems like there would be complications.

Jack asks how things are with Michael, and Carly says, the doctors at the clinic say he’s doing fine, but they won’t let her see him. She understands that it’s cutting edge and intense. He needs to be isolated because he’s injured and in a lot of pain. But they’re in a foreign country and she has no control. He says, she can leave and go to Johns Hopkins where she’d be allowed to visit, but she says, Michael needs to be here. She’s hoping he comes out like Ava and won’t need surgery or skin grafts. She gets it. He needs to be here. Jack says, even if it means following their rules? and she says, it’s what Michael needs and what she wants. It’s the first offer of hope, and she wants that for Michael. More important, Michael wants that for himself.  

Curtis tells Drew that he wouldn’t betray Michael if he was completely healthy and down the hall in his office. He’s not going to do it while Michael is recovering. Drew says, he had no problem seizing the company Drew co-founded, but Curtis tells him not to rewrite history. Michael gave him the score about Drew double-crossing him. Drew asks why Curtis doesn’t see it from his perspective, and Curtis laughs. He says he’s not going to try and explain it to the man used to know. This Drew in front of him, he doesn’t recognize him. What the hell happened to him?  

Tracy asks if Willow was so dazzled by Drew’s faux hero persona that she had to have him at any cost or was she more conniving than Tracy gave her credit for. Was she trading up from Michael to Drew when he went to congress? Willow says, that’s not what she was doing, but Tracy says, either way, she’s proved untrustworthy. She thinks Willow is little more like Nelle than she realized.

Jack says he respects Carly’s decision to leave Michael where he is, and she says, it’s the right call. She’s been emotional since she got here. He says, if there was ever a time, this would be it, and she says she feels like it’s her fault. He says, she’s Michael’s mother and it’s normal to feel responsible, but she says, it’s more than that. Michael was burned because he was at Sonny’s, and it was her decision to bring Sonny into Michael’s life.

Stella sees Trina and says, what an unexpected treat, and Trina says she came to see Kai. How is he doing? Stella says, he’s in good spirits and getting ready for next season, and Trina says, he’s staying at PCU and she’s not sad about it. Stella says she doesn’t think Kai is sad either. He’s missing out on the draft, and she’s impressed with his attitude. It will get him through tough times. Trina says, Kai surprised her. She prides herself on not making snap judgements and she did with him. He wasn’t what she thought. Stella asks what she thought, and Trina says she thought he was a shallow arrogant jerk who only cared about football. Stella says she’s glad to know that. She’s really liked him ever since his terrible downward dog in yoga class. Trina being in his corner will do him a world of good.

Lulu says, the last thing she wants is to cause complications at Deception. She’s sorry she imposed on her and Maxie’s friendship. It won’t happen again. Brook says she knows they’ve all been through hell. Being in a coma for four years and having liver failure must be a complete nightmare. Maxie says, they wanted to do anything if it would help Lulu get better. They were all tested for compatibility, even Chase and Brook. Lulu says she didn’t know, and Brook says, there are a lot of things she doesn’t know. While all of that was happening, Maxie was running Deception and managing Lucy, which is a full-time job, and dealing with the lawsuit that almost took them down. Lulu asks who sued them, and Brook says, her grandmother. Lulu says, Tracy? and Brook says, the details don’t matter. Her point is, Deception survived in large part because of Maxie’s creativity and hard work. Lulu has no idea how much Deception means to Maxie.

Sidwell says he didn’t choose Port Charles randomly. He’s invested in property. Laura says, he’s an intelligent guy. He must know she’s going to keep a close eye on the man who hurt her son. Anna says she’d think he’d cut his losses and leave, but he says he prefers to prove that he’s a law-abiding citizen, and Laura and Anna laugh. He says he’s sure Anna and the PCPD will be checking up on him on a regular basis, and Anna says, he can count on it. And they’re not the only agency who will be keeping tabs on him. He says he welcomes all the attention and knows in time they’ll decide he’s an asset to this fair city this. He thanks Laura for the meeting, and she says, he may find it difficult to do business in a town where he’s not welcome. He says he looks forward to proving them wrong, and leaves.  

Drew tells Curtis that when he was given the opportunity to go to congress, he thought he’d have a chance to achieve something he didn’t believe possible. The more he was around politics, the more he wanted it. At the time, he and Willow’s relationship changed. Curtis says, Willow is his nephew’s wife, and Drew says he knows. It just happened. They weren’t trying to hurt Michael. Willow saw what he was trying to achieve, and they developed a connection. One she doesn’t have with Michael. Curtis says, whatever he has to tell himself to feel better, and Drew says he’s not the first person to be in this position. Not all marriages last forever. His didn’t and neither did Curtis’s.

Nina tells Tracy, enough. It’s not right for her to use Nelle’s name. Tracy says, Nelle cut a wide swath of damage and that one is the same. If she sees the opportunity, she’ll step in on the children’s behalf. Willow asks what she means, and Tracy says, act responsibly or she’ll lose them. Nina says, they belong with their mother, and Willow says she’s made a genuine effort to compromise. If that doesn’t work, she’ll take the kids back to her mother’s apartment and Tracy can explain to Monica and the rest of the family why they’re gone. Tracy says, fine. However, there’s one condition and it’s non-negotiable. Willow’s boyfriend may not visit on the property. If she’s compelled to look into Drew’s lying eyes, she’ll have to do someplace else. Drew is banned from the property permanently. She leaves.

Carly tells Jack that she and Michael’s biological father didn’t get along… except once. He laughs, and she says, his family, the Quartermaines, didn’t like her very much. She had feelings for Sonny at the time, and he helped her get custody of Michael. She got what she wanted and ignored the very real danger of making Michael a part of Sonny’s life. Their kids have been paying ever since. Jack says, she’s being too hard on herself. Michael is strong and capable and an excellent businessman. Carly says, he wouldn’t have been at Sonny’s except for her choices, and he says she can’t let herself think that way. Hindsight is always 20/20. There’s no point in dwelling on past mistakes. That way, madness lies.

Lulu says she would never do anything to hurt Maxie. Maxie is one of the most important people in her life and she loves her. Maxie says she knows and loves Lulu too, and Brook says she knows how much Lulu cares about Maxie, but she needs to realize what Maxie has been through and how far she’s come. Lulu says she knows things have changed and she’s got a lot to catch up on. She’s trying as fast as she can. She’s been focused on getting a job, so she can gain independence and search for Charlotte on her own terms, but she’s only been seeing things from her perspective. She didn’t take a second to look at it from Maxie’s. It’s not fair and she’s sorry.

Jack tells Carly that early in his career a mission went wrong and an agent, a friend, was killed. One colleague left the WSB and wallowed in guilt. It destroyed his marriage. Jack didn’t outwardly react, so people assumed he didn’t care. Carly says she’s sorry for what he went through, and he says he lost a good friend that day. He tears up and says, there’s nothing he could do to change that. The only way forward was to learn from what went wrong. You can’t life according to what if. You never know what a different decision would have brought. She says, you can’t change the past. She’s been down that road when she lost her son Morgan, and it leads nowhere good. He says, it never does.

Drew tells Curtis, what happened with Michael’s marriage and his injuries are two very different things. He didn’t cause Michael’s burns, and he didn’t help push Willow away. Curtis says, right, and only the doctors can help Michael’s physical injuries. Drew says he made a mistake in placating Michael because he felt guilty. He knows what’s best for Aurora, and if he’d stuck by Curtis, they’d be in a different place. Curtis says, Drew had to do what was best for himself. So does he. When Michael recovers – and he will – he’ll actually respect Michael’s business sense, maybe better than Drew’s. Drew says, wow, and Curtis says, if Drew’s ultimate success is in stealing Willow from his nephew, he’ll have got what he wanted and will find a way of life for himself.

Nina says she’s proud of Willow. Few people can say they stood up to Tracy Quartermaine. Willow says she couldn’t have done it without her mom by her side, and Nina says, it’s where she belongs. Willow says, Drew is right. The Quartermaines treated Michael terribly. She saw how they hate Drew. She should probably do what Drew said and move back in with Nina. (What is wrong with this woman?)

Lulu says she knows Maxie and Brook got close over the past four years and she guesses she felt threatened. She saw the opportunity to have Maxie on her side. Maxie says she doesn’t want side either one of them. They’re both her friends. She can’t force them to like each other, but she does reserve the right to love them both. Brook says she’s worked hard not to be the person she was. Part of her issue is that Lulu reminds her of her past regrets. Lulu says she’s not alone. They all have regrets. Tracy walks in saying, she’s had a bad day, so don’t… Lulu! What is she doing here?

Anna tells Laura, according to her search, Sidwell has no outstanding warrants, and the property transaction was legal. Laura says, what if Anna, Lucky, and Jason submitted an international complaint to the court? but Anna says, that’s no good. Sidwell was doing business in an area that’s completely lawless with zero authority to back them up. Laura says, what about Sasha’s kidnapping? Maybe she can tell them something they can use against Sidwell. Anna says, unfortunately, for various reasons, it wasn’t reported. There’s nothing on the books and nothing tying Sidwell to the property that blew up. Laura says, a man like Sidwell doesn’t change overnight, and Anna agrees. Laura asks what Anna is thinking, and Anna says, Sidwell’s arrival coincided with the fire in Sonny’s apartment. Laura asks if Anna thinks Sidwell was behind the fire, but Anna says she doesn’t know. It’s too soon to say. She’ll have the CID check the warehouse that blew up after Sasha’s abduction. If there’s a match, they might be able to pin it on Sidwell.

Drew tells Curtis that a freshman in congress is a good friend to have, but he has no reason to help the company succeed. Curtis says, he’d rather sink his own company that see it succeed without him, and Drew says, Curtis has one final chance to reconsider his offer. Curtis says his answer stands and opens the door. Now get the hell out. Drew leaves and Curtis slams the door.

Nina says she saw Willow stand up for herself in a way she hasn’t seen before. She compromised with Carly and Sonny because it was the right thing to do. She could tell Willow was more at ease. She has to continue to trust herself and her instincts. The Quartermaines and Monica appreciate the effort she’s put into the kids and Michael will appreciate it when he gets back. Willow says she hopes so. She doesn’t want to hurt Michael more than she already has. Nina says, the effort she’s making is a huge step toward an amicable resolution for them both in the future. Willow wonders if she should stay here. She’s going to miss Nina. Nina says, not a chance. She’ll be here all the time. Willow says, good, and they hug.

Maxie says, Lulu was thinking about applying for the assistant position, and Tracy says, she’s hired. Lulu says, they were just talking and she’s not sure she’s a good fit, but Tracy says, of course (🍷) she is. Lucy says the company is run on beauty and creativity, and Lulu has a boatload of both. Lulu says she thinks she’ll go see if Carly will hire her at the MetroCourt, but Tracy says, absolutely not. She’s the majority shareholder and the final decision is hers. She wants Lulu here. Lulu says, that’s nice of her and thanks, but she’s good. Tracy says she’ll pay Lulu double what the last assistant made, and both Maxie and Brook say, what?! Tracy says, Lulu is worth twice what Gladys Corbin was, and Brook says, Wade was her last assistant. Tracy says, Lulu is worth double what Wade was making. What does she say. Lulu says, it’s a great environment and it would give her a chance to work with people she respects and loves. She guesses she has to accept it. Tracy says, woohoo! Welcome to Deception. The phone rings and Tracy asks what Lulu is waiting for. Lulu answers the phone. Maxie Jones’ office…  

Trina goes into Kai’s room and says her Aunt Stella told her that he was impatient for rehabilitation. She brought him some power bars and electrolyte water. He thanks her, but his tone is flat, and she says she knows it’s silly. He probably has tons. He says, it’s not that, and she asks if something is wrong. He says he saw the orthopedist and he’s never going to play football again.  

At Turning Woods, Josslyn tells the reception nurse that she has a light load this semester and was looking to do something more meaningful with her time. She was hoping there were extra slots for volunteers. The nurse checks and says, there’s one slot not covered. It’s all hers if she wants it. Josslyn says, absolutely. Sign her up.

Jack asks if Carly wants him to find out why she’s being denied access to Michael, but she says she can handle it herself. He says he’s disappointed that she doesn’t need him, but not surprised, and she says she’ll get in to see her son whether they like it or not. He says he doesn’t doubt it for a second, and she says, but she would like a ride. He says, done. Consider him her chauffeur.

(Mrs. Jack Brennan… 💘)

On Monday, Laura says, Lulu might be headed for trouble; Drew tells Martin that they have another thing coming if they think he’s not seeing Willow; Kristina asks if Sonny thinks it’s really the best time for him to be traveling right now; and Jason needs Anna to do something more for someone now.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Good news! And a reminder that mental illness and addiction don’t discriminate.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/vinessa-antoine-shares-her-brothers-been-found

She must get tired of fielding this question.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/is-carly-leaving-general-hospital-laura-wright-speaks-out

So did he take the subway? Nothing says NYC like that smell.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/steve-burtons-weekend-to-remember-in-nyc

Too bad they didn’t get much of a final scene.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-katelyn-macmullen-says-goodbye-to-chad-duell

This is a better tour than you get from the adults.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/go-backstage-at-general-hospital-with-gary-james-fuller

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Gary acted like someone held a gun to his head to drink so much, when Captain Glenn was being nice. The punishment was forfeiting 500 euros of the tip, which was $23K, so they still got $2055. Gary apologized, and he and the captain hugged it out. The charter was 8 women, all with a different food restrictions, which made Cloyce’s head explode. Next time, the finale.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Boz told Dorit that she thought there were more than memes between PK and Kyle, but Erika told her that it was nothing. When cornered into sharing her text with PK with the group, Kyle read it and then stormed out saying, I’m done! Memegate lives on.

Yeah, I never thought for a moment LVP was coming back to RHOBH. She’s a busy woman what with all her restaurants, a hotel, and single-handedly ridding the world of the dog meat trade.

The Real Housewives of New York City

Ubah is a real disappointment, suggesting Brynn slept her way into the Housewives. That in itself is an insult. If I was going to sleep my way into something, it would not be this show. This is where the big kerfuffle happened. The women were all upset, since Ubah saying such a thing was beyond insensitive given Brynn’s history. Then Ubah got super upset and claimed she never knew Brynn’s history, or she never would have said it. The fourth wall was broken all over the place – although I did question whether or not that was some kind of ratings Hail Mary pass – and Brynn suddenly wasn’t sure if Ubah actually knew her history. It literally took me the rest of the show to follow this, so don’t feel bad if you’re lost. Apparently, this was some kind of friendship breaking point, but TBH, I didn’t think it was all as big of a deal as they were making it, especially since the only two people involved should have been Ubah and Brynn.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

It was the Reunion and literally ten minutes in, everybody was talking over each other and Andy was yelling. However, kudos to the women for their gorgeous outfits – the ladies in shades of red. Whitney said Bronwyn didn’t claim her publicly as a friend, which I thought was really weird. Do we need to confirm friendships on Instagram now? A viewer suggested Heather had become a mean girl when she lost weight, but I don’t think that’s quite it. Heather was always a mean girl (to which she concurred), but IMO, she lost her authenticity along with the weight and becoming a Housewives clone, like Jen in RHONJ. It ended with Todd and John looking like they might get into a battle royale.

Southern Charm

Whitney said the coffeemaker was so complicated, you needed a Ph.D. in astrophysics to run it. Highly doubtful. You probably just need to not have a hangover. It was much of the same, the usual if you’re friends with them, you can’t be friends with me. Austen was sour grapes over Craig wanting to move on from their friendship and podcast, but hey, sometimes it just isn’t forever. I have plenty of friends I’m no longer friends with for various reasons, but that just means we went in different directions. It’s not an insult. I think if Paige had really wanted to make it work with Craig, she could have been bi-state or however you put it. But again, sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Shep wanted to be Jimmy Buffet without the guitar, living in the Bahamas with Sienna, and in his interview, he said, you don’t have those fantasies if you’re not serious about it. I dunno about that. Molly is the MVP so far, playing the euphonium – i.e. tuba – in the Charleston Concert Band, coincidentally directed by her high school band teacher. Imagine. An actual interesting person with an interesting focus. Or even any real focus. She said, music changes you, as all art should. She also thought tantric sex was too much work. Same. JT tried to tell Taylor some truths about Gaston, but she wasn’t having it. I get covering her ears and going, la-la-la, but I’d want to know. JT wasn’t understanding that there’s a time and place and that wasn’t it.

Southern Hospitality

Emmy had another breakdown and I’m over it. Although she did bring Tammy Faye raccoon eyes, which I applaud.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch

SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night on Peacock. This is an interesting foray into what goes on behind the scenes of a sketch comedy show that’s been on since the beginning of time. Or at least the mid-70s. A four-part miniseries, it’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s interesting to see how a show with that kind of longevity works. Personally, I think I’ll enjoy Saturday Night – which I’m hoping to catch this weekend – more, but this still held my interest. I’m there for a documentary, and the third episode focusing only on the More Cowbell sketch is well worth it.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/snl-50-beyond-saturday-night-secrets-cast-writers-cowbell-1236110501/

https://www.thewrap.com/snl-50-beyond-saturday-night-ep-morgan-neville-interview-peacock/

Wicked at the movies. Yes, I actually ventured out in the world to see it, since I’d won a ticket in some instant win internet contest. There was no way I was battling children for a seat, so I skipped the first weekends after it opened. Then I got whatever was going around as a Christmas gift, but I managed to squeak in before it was gone entirely. I’m glad I did, since this really should be seen on a big screen. As I’m sure you already know, it’s magnificent. I’d never seen the Broadway play and the score isn’t my favorite, but the story is bittersweet, the casting is perfection, and it’s beyond lavish with the special effects. One of my favorite parts was the reunion of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the original Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, and I wondered how it felt after all those years. My only question was, in a world where there are bears who are nannies, a goat who’s a professor, Munchkins, peacocks who wear hats, flying monkeys, and a place literally called Emerald City, why is a green woman considered strange?

https://collider.com/wicked-oscar-nominations-best-original-score-john-powell/

https://deadline.com/2025/01/cynthia-erivo-best-actress-wicked-oscar-nomination-interview-1236266022/

https://deadline.com/2025/01/ariana-grande-best-supporting-actress-oscars-interview-1236265006/

🏆 Awards Corner…

It’s that time again. The Academy Awards will be airing March 2nd.

https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/2025-oscar-nominations-see-full-130201914.html

🦁 Four-Legged News…

🦛 Yet another pygmy hippo influencer.

https://people.com/how-to-watch-pygmy-hippo-poppy-livestream-8773741

🐩 I never thought about this. It’s kind of weird.

https://www.cuteness.com/1737908/dog-breeds-dont-exist-why/

🐶 Best Bowl in town.

https://people.com/puppy-bowl-2025-record-breaking-142-puppies-8772392

🐕 I love a special needs pup.

https://people.com/11-puppies-with-special-needs-puppy-bowl-2025-8772912

🥠 Quotes of the Week

We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. – Jimmy Carter

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. – Jim Rohn

When someone tells me no, it doesn’t mean I can’t do it, it simply means I can’t do it with them. – Karen E. Quinones Miller

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. – Thomas Edison

He has all the integrity of a coat rack. – Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), General Hospital

All progress takes place outside the comfort zone. – Michael John Bobak

It is far better to light the candle than to curse the darkness. – William L. Watkinson

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. – Stephen Covey

The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge. – Thomas Berger

Don’t be a Gino. – Jasmine Pineda, 90 Day Fiancé: The Last Resort

🐻 Hibernation Mode…

Until next week, stay safe; stay driving extra carefully in weather you’re unfamiliar with; and stay not waiting for later, since sometimes later is taken away.

January 17, 2025 – Michael Gets the Final Say, Soap Suds, Not My Reality, Weekend Watching, Plus One, Getting There, Gate in the City, Exit Interview, Good Guy, Awards, The Players, Hebodomad Quotes & Things

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

Willow said she was in charge of Michael’s medical care, and Michael went into cardiac arrest. Portia said Willow had the right to make decisions about Michael’s medical care, and Drew told Carly and Sonny, hand over the kids and they’d have access, like the trashbag he is. Carly said, Drew was pushing things to point of no return, so Willow would have no one to turn to but him. Nina finally talked Sonny into giving the kids back, and Willow thanked Drew because she’s an idiot in love with a trashbag.

Cody wanted to invest in crypto, but Tracy said it would be better to set his money on fire. Alrighty then. But later, Cody told Brad to call his Aunt Selina because he had a sure thing bet on football after he’d talked to Kai for 3 minutes. Later, Portia said she wanted to use Brad’s talent for bending the rules to find out what patients had gotten digitalis without it being prescribed. Brad was a busy guy this week.

Lulu told Laura about what happened in Prague and asked when Laura was going to tell her that Anna had shot Charlotte. She said she thought Dante was right in that she’d led the shooter to Valentin. Laura promised to help Lulu find Charlotte again.

Isaiah told Lucas that they could choose to do something, and risk Michael dying, or do nothing, and Michael would definitely die. He chose to do something and gave Michael a medication that counteracted the digitalis. Isaiah told Portia what happened with Michael, and they came to the genius conclusion that, someone in this hospital is killing people with digitalis.

Tracy and Stella talked about Monica, which was like a knife to the heart knowing that Leslie Charleson had passed away.

Tuesday:

Lucky talked to a woman from the Port Charles Redemption Mission and found out Cyrus’s focus was on patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Lucas told Elizabeth about Michael and how Isaiah had given him digoxin immune FAB to counteract the digitalis. Lucky said they had to figure out what connected all the digitalis victims and why Cyrus would want them dead. Jason told Sonny that whoever planted the bomb in the penthouse would try again.

Willow told the kids that Michael was in the hospital. Dante told Sonny what happened in Prague. Josslyn conferred with Lucky about Cyrus.

Drew showed up at Nina’s and after she slammed the door in his face, she let him in.  She said he’d moved Willow away from what she loved and valued with the sick hold he had over her and gave him the business. She said Drew wouldn’t know love if it jumped up and bit him in the ass.

Tracy said she’d help Lulu if she had a solid lead, but Lulu needed to be more strategic and less emotional. Jason suggested the clinic in St. Petersburg where he’d been held hostage for Michael’s treatment, since Ava had her burns treated there. Sasha helped trick Willow into letting the kids go to the main house, and Tracy said, they weren’t leaving. Martin argued with Tracy about letting the kids go with Willow. Felicia said Jason and Carly had to leave the ICU, and Nina told Sonny that he had to go to the Quartermaines and get the kids from Tracy.

Wednesday:

Lucky and Elizabeth went to Beradino’s where Cyrus works. Josslyn went to Anna about Cyrus stabbing Dex. Alexis spoke to Drew about Sam’s wishes for Scout. Drew decided to commute to DC rather than live there. Carly wanted to call a press conference and out Drew, but Felicia told her not to make it worse than it already was.

Sonny talked to Tracy, who told him that Drew was the enemy and to handle him accordingly. Trina and Gio watched the game at The Brown Dog, and Emma showed up. (Since she was nuEmma, I didn’t realize she was also the pickpocket in Rice Plaza.) Cody was also at the bar. Alexis said Scout needed consistency and stability, and Drew said, maybe Willow was what she needed. Alexis wondered if it was less what Scout needed, and more what Drew needed. Tracy reminded Sonny that Michael was AJ’s son.

Felicia needed a drink, and Sasha was her designated driver. Elizabeth chatted Cyrus up while Lucky was in the bathroom, then suggested to Lucky that she volunteer at the mission. Carly asked Jack about the Boronsky clinic, and he said it no longer existed, but the burn expert was now in Germany. Carly badgered him about getting Michael into the German clinic. Jason showed up at the Quartermaines and asked Tracy to please give the children back. Tracy said it was the first time he’d ever said please, but then pulled the Monica card. Alexis suggested Scout move in with her, but Drew wasn’t having it. Anna questioned Cyrus, but Josslyn blew everything and alerted him to the investigation. Tracy said, for once in Jason’s life, don’t choose Sonny, choose his family, and he did.

Thursday:

Chase got checked out and Brook went to see Dr. Navarro. She told the doctor about her teenage pregnancy, and Dr. Navarro told her that it should have no impact on her trying to get pregnant now. Nina suggested Willow compromise, but Willow was all about what Drew said. She thought Nina was asking her to bow down to Carly and Sonny, but Nina said Willow needed empathy. Lay down her weapons and maybe they’d lay down theirs. Tracy said using the kids as bargaining chips wasn’t going to fly. They were where Monica wanted them and that’s where they were staying. (Keep twisting those knives.)

Kai ended up in the hospital and Cody had to pay off his bet. Carly told Tracy about transferring Michael to the burn expert, and asked how far Tracy would go if it was Ned. Tracy said, as far as she had to. Nina told Ava what was going on and that Willow’s life was in shambles because of Drew. Dante talked to Cody about Lulu, and Cody said, Dante could keep doing what he was doing and get shut out, or do things Lulu’s way.

Trina visited Kai in the hospital. Tracy sympathized with what Carly was going through as a mother, but it was about what Carly had put the family through for years. Tracy suggested Carly and Sonny find another way. Nina discussed the Willow/Drew situation with Ava. Selina tried to get Cody back in the game, and Dante wondered what was up, but Cody told Dante that he was okay. Alexis talked to Curtis about Drew. Nina wanted to get Willow thinking for herself again, and Ava said, tell Willow who he really is. When they were falling in love, he was having sex with her mother. Chase told Tracy that she couldn’t keep Wiley and Amelia from Willow and this had to stop. Willow asked to see Carly.

Friday’s Enchilada:

In her office, Brook leaves a voicemail for Chase that she’s done with her appointment and Dr. Navarro was super positive. She should get her test results soon, but maybe they should do something to relax, like spend a weekend in New York City. Have dinner and see a show, just them, and they can have baby making time. They’ll figure it out tonight. She loves him. Lulu comes in and asks if she’s interrupting.

Chase says, Tracy can’t keep the kids from their mom, and Tracy says, not him too. He has no idea how many times she’s had this conversation today. She was hoping for a break. He says, they’ve been through a lot, and he’d like to think they could be honest with each other. She says she’s going to stop him. He makes her granddaughter so happy, and she holds his entire family in the highest regard, so she’s going to put this as nicely as she can – butt out.

At the gallery, Lucas shows Ava a video on this phone, and she says, look how well Avery is dancing. Her costume is perfect. Lucas says, Avery was so proud. She wanted to make sure he recorded the rehearsal for Ava. She thanks him for bringing it, and he says he wanted to return the favor for her talking him down on Christmas Eve. She says, of course (🍷). She can’t stop thinking about the fire at Sonny’s. She’s so grateful Avery wasn’t there. She asks if they know the cause yet, but he says, all he knows is that the police are looking into it.

At Beradino’s, Cody looks at a cashier’s check and says he was so close to making his dreams come true. He sees Drew and walks over to him. He says he’d tell Drew that it’s nice to see him, but he’s far too sober to lie.  

Jordan starts a conversation with Martin near the bar, but then sees Drew and Cody and says she’s needed over there. Drew asks if Cody is disappointed that there’s’ nothing left to blackmail him with, and Cody says, you smug… Jordan tells him, don’t even think about it.

Outside Michael’s room, Willow says she’s glad Carly is here. She was hoping to talk with her and Sonny. Sonny joins them, and Willow thanks them for getting here so fast. Sonny says, it sounded important, and Willow says she knows they’re upset, and she understands why. She’s hoping they can find a way forward that works for them both. Carly asks if that means she’s going to let them see their son.

Chase tells Tracy that he’s had a front row seat for everything that happened with Michael and Willow because he’s friends with them both. He’s begging her not to make it more difficult. She says, it’s not difficult; it’s simple. The children are going nowhere. He tells her that everyone says she’s acting out of spite, but he doesn’t believe that. He saw how she helped his dad and Finn. Through all the snarky and sarcastic comments, he knows nothing means more to her than family. He knows she thinks she’s helping protect the kids, but he promises she’s only causing more drama.

Brook asks if Lulu needs help, and Lulu says she was looking for Maxie, but she can hang out in the waiting area. Brook says, she’s better off texting. Maxie is meeting with a vendor, and her afternoon is booked solid with interviews. Lulu says, that’s why she’s here. She was hoping to be one of them. Brook asks if she’s applying for a job at Deception.

Ava tells Lucas that she knows firsthand what Michael is going through. It’s a horrible, painful ordeal. Have they arrested anybody for setting the fire? Lucas says she doesn’t think so. Anna and Chase were at the hospital to question Michael, but he was in no shape to talk. Ava says, he was injured because of Sonny, and Lucas says she knows what she’s thinking, but Avery is completely safe. He sees her all the time. If he had doubts about Avery’s safety, he’d tell her. She says, of course (🍷) she worries about her little girl. She’s glad Lucas gets to see Avery so much and came to show her the video. Will he do one little favor for her? He says, it depends, and she says, give Avery a hug and tell her how much her mama loves her. He says he’ll do it tonight after work. He’s headed there now. She asks him to send her the video and he says he will. He leaves, and Ava makes a call. She says, I need to see you right away.

Cody tells Jordan that he has no beef with the congressman, but it seems the congressman might have one with him. Drew says he does, but Jordan says, neither of them need to get into anything in a public place. Cody should go. Cody says, gladly. He’ll see Drew around. Have a terrible day. He hopes Jordan’s day is a pleasant one. He leaves and Drew says, nice to see Jordan’s got his back, and she says, it looked like he was the one escalating things. What was it about and what did he do?

Willow says, the situation between her and Michael is being made more difficult with everyone getting involved. Michael wouldn’t want her separated from their kids. Carly says she had the kids and sent them to the Quartermaines, and Sonny says, she did what she thought was right at the time. Carly says she had no idea Tracy would hold them hostage, and Willow says, the kids are worried sick about Michael. Carly says, Wiley called her. He’s wondering what happened. Willow says, he called her too and asked when daddy was coming home. Carly says, Sonny made a good faith effort, and Sonny says, but Tracy refuses to let them go. Carly says, Tracy has no right to keep them and can’t legally. They’ll figure out a way to get them back. Willow says she hopes Carly is right. She needs to trust her own judgement about what’s best for her children and Michael and she’s come to a decision.

Ric walks into the gallery and asks, what’s so important? Ava says, Avery’s life is in danger. He needs to petition the court for an emergency custody order for her to have Avery full-time. Ric says he thought Carly had Avery, and Ava says she assumes he heard about the fire. It was no accident. Ric says, of course (🍷). Any time there’s a catastrophe in Sonny or Jason’s vicinity, it’s some attacker seeking retribution. She says, what if Avery had been there? She could have been burned like Michael. It’s terrifying. He says he’s sorry. As a father, he understands, but the court won’t see it as a reason for an emergency change in custody. Avery was nowhere near there at the time of the fire. She was with Carly and Donna where she has a bedroom and where she’s lived most of her life. Ava says, if he won’t file it, maybe she should find herself a lawyer who will. He says, that’s her right, but they’ll tell her the same thing. Wait until the right moment to make her move. She tells him, says the absentee father, and he says, it’s no reason to get personal. She says, sorry, but she could never understand how he could stay away from Molly for so long. It kills her not seeing Avery every day. He says, one of his biggest regrets is not being able to be a presence in Molly’s life, and she says, what if he was in her place and Molly was in danger? What would he do? He says he’d move heaven and earth to keep her safe, and she asks why he’s telling her the opposite. He says he wants her to fight, but be smart. Her current custody battle with Sonny is going to be very long and very expensive. She says she may be overextended at the moment, but it’s not like she’s living in the street, and he says, then why hasn’t she paid him?

Lulu says she’s here to apply for the job, and Brook says, it’s an assistant position. Wasn’t Lulu’s last job as a reporter at The Invader? Lulu says, that was four years ago. Deception needs an assistant, and she needs a job. They don’t all have trust funds. Brook says she doesn’t care what Lulu thinks, but every job she’s had, outside the music industry and in, she’s stood on her own and earned her own paycheck, Lulu says, like when Brook was paid to seduce Dante? (very mature) and Brook says she did that and it was a lapse in judgement. She and Dante have moved past that. Lulu says she didn’t get the memo, and Brook says she lives in her family’s home with her husband. Dante and Rocco live there too, and they all get along great. They let go of something that was a lifetime ago and they’ve moved on. Lulu says, Brook is being condescending, when Maxie comes in. She says she sees they’re getting along as great as ever, and Brook’s phone dings. After reading a text, she says she needs to go home and talk to her husband. She leaves Lulu in Maxie’s capable hands. She trusts Maxie will make the right decision. She leaves and Maxie asks Lulu what they were arguing about this time.

Tracy says she didn’t realize Chase had a psychiatric degree to go with the police badge, but he says he doesn’t need a degree to read her. She says, since he’s an expert in her behavior, what is she going to say next? and he says, she’s going to argue that Willow can’t be trusted because she cheated on Michael with Drew. Drew will never be a real Quartermaine, and even though she doesn’t like Michael, he’s a real Quartermaine. Family’s got to stick together. How did he do? She says she’s delighted they’re on the same page. Now drop the entire thing. He says, there’s one more thing. She left out something important. Wiley and Amelia are Michael’s kids, but they’re also Willow’s kids, and they need their mom.

Willow says, Michael would want both Carly and Sonny to be with him during this and she won’t stand in their way. Carly thanks her and looks through Michael’s room window. Sonny thanks Willow and says he knows how difficult the decision is. She says she’s not sure how it got so messy, and he says, they’re both grateful she’s letting them see Michael. She says, Michael has done so much for her. He gave her the gift of family and supported her dreams even when they changed. All she wants is for him to get better and be with the kids again. Portia joins them and says she needs to discuss the next step in Michael’s recovery with Willow. Willow looks at Carly.

Tracy says, Chase is disposed to favor Willow, seeing her as a well-meaning angel led astray, but Chase says, that’s not true. She says she watched the congressman’s hubris in taking Willow and Wiley to the inauguration. She saw the pictures. Willow, Wiley, and Scout, the perfect readymade family. He had no concern whether Michael or Monica would see the photos. Chase says, Michael and Monica are adults. This is about two kids who need their mom. Tracy says, their mother does not put them first. She does.

Lulu says, a miracle recovery doesn’t pay the bills. She needs a job. Maxie says, at Deception? and Lulu says she saw the ad, but she didn’t want to put Maxie on the spot, so she tried other places. The Invader is under new management, and nothing else panned out. Maxie says, she’s overqualified, but Lulu says she just needs to make money. Maxie asks if she’s interested in cosmetics, and Lulu says, not really, but she wasn’t into fashion and she was still good at her job at Crimson. Maxie says, what about the Brook factor? and Lulu says she promises to be on her best behavior working with Brook. Maxie says, she’d be working under Brook, and Lulu asks if she’d be Brook’s assistant. Maxie says, since they hate each other, she doesn’t see it going well, but Lulu tells her that she wouldn’t say hate. It’ll be fine, but it’s weird that Brook and Maxie are BFFs now. When did that happen?

At the hospital, Cody says, just the man he didn’t want to see, and Brad pulls him aside. He says he told Cody that he’d text. Coming to where he works is not cool. Cody hands him the check, and says, it’s most of the money he owes Selina. Brad says, most of it? He placed a bet with his aunt for Cody and not he can’t pay up? Lucas sees them.

Ava says she’s working to secure funds. She’ll get the money. Ric says, she could work harder, and she says she’s good at what she does. She’s in communication with some long-term clients who are experienced collectors. She just wants her daughter with her. He says, she needs to dig in for the long haul. They both know how Sonny is with his kids. He’s territorial and had his share of custody battles and won. At least Avery is close by and safe. Watch and wait. Patience is the key. Sidwell walks in and asks if someone can assist him. Ava says, of course (🍷), and introduces herself as the owner of the gallery. She asks what she can do for him, and he says he’s brand new to Port Charles and stumbled on her lovely gallery. He’s Jenz Sidwell. She says, it’s nice to meet him, and Ric introduces himself, shaking hands with Sidwell. Sidwell says, since Ava owns this fine establishment, perhaps she can guide him to which painting is worthy of his attention.

Jordan asks what Drew was trying to accomplish starting a fight, but Drew says, Cody approached him. She tells him, stop looking innocent, and he says he just doesn’t trust Cody. She asks who he does trust. Look around. Is there anyone currently talking to him who isn’t on his payroll? He says he’s guessing Curtis filled her in on what happened at Aurora, and she says she’s aware of the issue. He says he hopes she’s aware that he was giving Curtis a promotion, a huge raise, and complete control of the wellness division. She says, that’s his problem. It’s not about the money. It’s about how he treats his friends who were always loyal. Curtis values honesty and Drew lied. Drew says he never lied, and she says she stands corrected. He misled Curtis. He let Curtis think he was going to be CEO. It’s less betrayal in his books, but in hers, it’s semantics.

Portia says she’d like to speak with Willow in private, but Willow says, Carly and Sonny can hear too, so they can all discuss options. Portia says, good. They got Michael a bed in the Johns Hopkins burn unit. It’s the best hospital in the country and vacancies are rare. Willow says, he’ll be close enough to visit, but Carly says she might have a better option.

Chase says, Tracy can get herself in trouble if she doesn’t turn over the children, but she says she’s not afraid of litigation. He says he’s talking about criminal charges, and she laughs. She says, the carrot didn’t work, so now he’s bringing out the stick and threatening her. Good luck with that. She’s faced down worse. Brook walks in and asks why Tracy is picking a fight with her husband.

Maxie says she’ll have to fill Lulu in on her relationship with Peter August another time over a bottle of wine. And when she says, bottle of wine, she means several shots of tequila. Lulu asks what that has to do with Brook, and Maxie says, Brook was there for her in a big way. Lulu tells her, if you say so, and Maxie says, Lulu may not want to hear it, but Brook is a good person. She’s flawed and made questionable choices, but who hasn’t? Brook has been a good friend. Lulu says she’s glad Brook was there when Maxie needed someone, but something about Brook always rubs her the wrong way. She plays at being Bensonhurst, but has the Quartermaine name and fortune to fall back on. Maxie says she’s not buying that. Lulu is obviously upset, but she doesn’t think it’s about Brook. What’s really going on? Lulu says, Charlotte.

Ava says she’ll show Sidwell around. Ric was just leaving. Ric says he’d like to stick around and watch her work, and she says, art is subjective. What speaks to someone depends. She asks Sidwell to tell her something about himself so she can steer him in the right direction. He says he’s an importer looking for a North American base, so he moved to Port Charles. Ric asks, where’s his house? and Sidwell says, it’s an old, gothic residence on Spoon Island. Ava says, he bought Windymere? And he asks if she’s familiar with it. She says she used to live there, and Sidwell laughs.

Cody says he thought he had luck, but it was not his lady, and Brad says he’s $5000 short. Cody says he’s good for it, and Brad says he’ll tell his aunt. Maybe they can work out something. Cody says he’s never going to use the term sure thing again. He jinxed himself. Brad says he’s sorry, and Cody says he’s got to go. Brad walks over to Lucas and says, it’s not what it looks like. What he saw isn’t what he thinks.

Jordan tells Drew that she’s the last one to cast stones. TJ’s father was her husband’s best friend. The issue isn’t how he chooses his relationships. It’s how he treats the people in his life. Drew asks if she realizes that Curtis was just as deceptive in stealing Aurora, but she says, he led Curtis to believe he’d be permanent CEO, then went behind Curtis’s back and promised the job to Michael. Drew says he was trying to make peace, but it was a futile effort, and she says, stop. She doesn’t want to hear his explanations. He dug a hole for himself and if he doesn’t start making amends, he’s going to be alone and isolated. She believes he’s a better man than his recent actions indicate, so she’s going to give him some advice. Start mending fences. She leaves, and Martin joins Drew. He says he guesses it’s safe to assume the appropriate amount of rain has gone down on him from his constituents.   

Carly explains there was a groundbreaking procedure to remove scar tissue in a burn unit used by the Boronsky Clinic in St. Petersburg, Russia. It’s now closed, but the doctor is working in Germany. Willow asks if she wants to send Michael to Germany and asks if Portia has heard of the procedure. Portia says, no, never, but Carly says, the results are incredible, and Jack Brennan was able to secure a space in the clinic. Sonny asks if they can talk privately, and they step away. He asks why she didn’t tell him before, and she says she wanted to make sure it was possible. Michael can make a full recovery with no scars. He says he’s not sure, it’s so far away, but she says, you can’t even tell Ava was burned. She wants that result for Michael and Sonny has to trust her that this is the best thing. She’ll be there every minute of every day. She gets that he doesn’t trust Jack, but doesn’t he trust her?  

Carly tells Willow that the clinic has had incredible results, but Willow says she doesn’t think it’s best for Michael. He needs to be nearby so they can visit. Portia says she has no information, so she has to advise against it, and Willow says she’s not comfortable with Michael so far away and the doctors not having vetted the procedure. Carly says, he’ll make a full recovery, but Portia says, his burns are quite severe. Carly says, they’ve already seen the results. No one is able to tell that Ava had third degree burns. Willow says, Michael won’t have his family, and she knows Johns Hopkins is a great hospital. It’s her preference. Sonny says he thinks Michael should make the decision, and Willow says, that means waking him up. Portia says, it will cause immense pain, but Sonny says, it’s Michael’s life and he should make the call. Carly says she knows Michael wouldn’t want them to make the decision for him, and Willow says, she’s right. Michael has to decide for himself. Wake him up and let him choose. Portia says, okay, but only one of them can go in and talk to him, and Sonny says, that would be Carly. Willow says she agrees.

Sidwell says, it’s nice he and Ava have Windymere in common. How was her time there? Ava says, it was eventful, and he asks, what made her leave such a magnificent home, if she doesn’t mind him asking. She says she was living there with her husband and they split up, and he says he’s sorry to hear that. She says, he’s being kind, but she’s moved on, and he says he’s glad to hear that. He’s a firm believer in second chances and kismet. How else could you explain him wandering into her gallery? He sees she has the taste and expertise he needs to help him choose the right art to make his new home his own. Ava says she happens to have the perfect painting in mind and steers him to a large modern art canvas. She says, this painting is by talented Greek artist from Crete. He’s a marvelous painter and a talented sculptor. Sidwell says, the light in the study will make this a vibrant addition to his collection, and she says she loves the artist and would love to show him more of their work. They walk to the next room and Ric follows.

Tracy tells Brook that she and Chase disagree. He believes she should give Wiley and Amelia back to Willow and she refuses. Brook says, because of Monica, and Tracy says, the children are Monica’s only saving grace. They put a smile on her face and they’re going to take that away? Brook says, they all love Monica, and Tracy says she’s glad they agree. The last thing Monica needs is more stress. Brook wonders, if Monica asks, is Tracy going to tell her that she needs to be their mother, especially if their father can’t be there for them?

Maxie says she’s happy that Dante brought Lulu home safe, but she’s sorry Valentin ran off with Charlotte. If it was one of her kids, she’d be going crazy. Lulu says she needs to find Charlotte and it’s going to take a lot of money. Maxie says, good thing her stepmom is an heiress who loves her, and Lulu says her mother and stepmother agreed to help her, but they want to wait and see what Valentin’s next step is. She needs Charlotte home now. Maxie says, Lulu never liked waiting, and Lulu says, Maxie knows her well. Maxie says, she can’t galivant across the world when she doesn’t even know the country, and Lulu says she doesn’t know where her daughter is. Charlotte lost four years of life living without her mother. She needs something she can control and the only thing she came up with was getting a job. Maxie says she gets that, and Lulu says, it’s not just the money. She wants to get a place where she and Rocco can live, and Charlotte when she finds her. Maxie says, it makes sense. Lulu was always Miss Independence, eager to get on with life. Lulu says, life has moved on and she’s racing to catch up instead falling farther back.

Drew says he’s not discussing his personal life with Martin, but Martin says, as a survivor of three divorces, does Drew mind if he offers some unsolicited advice? The heart wants what it wants, and you can’t help who you fall in love with. Drew says, exactly. He’s not going to apologize for how he feels about Willow. Martin says, as long as he stays true to his feelings, and does the best he can for himself and for the woman he’s involved with. Drew thanks him and says, that’s actually what he wanted to talk about. They sit down, and Drew says, Willow is in the hospital with Michael, as it should be, but the situation with the children is up in the air. They need to get Wiley and Amelia away from the Quartermaines and back with Willow where they belong. Martin tells him, easier said. Tracy is holding them, and he wonders if there’s a more amiable opponent he could be set up with. Like Stalin or Vlad the Impaler. Genghis Kahn comes to mind. Drew says, Tracy has no legal rights, and Martin says, she’s well-connected with deep pockets and knows how to work the system to her benefit. It’s one hell of a combination to go up against. Drew says, she thinks she’s safe behind the walls of privilege and money, but she’s wrong. He’ll do anything to reunite the children with Willow.

Wearing a sanitary jumpsuit, Carly goes into Michael’s room and says his name. He looks at her, obviously in pain.

Sidwell gives Ava a check and says he’s thrilled with his new painting. He enjoyed their talk on art. Perhaps she can come over and help him with the placement. He’d also love any suggestions on future purchases. She says, it’s her pleasure, and he says, it’s lovely to meet them both. He’ll see them soon he hopes. He kisses Ava’s hand and leaves. Ric says, it was enlightening to watch her work, and she says she barely lifted a finger, but she knows how to close a deal. Ric says, yes, you do, and takes the check from her. She says she just earned it, and he says he appreciates her first payment for his services.

Brad tells Lucas that Cody wanted him to place a bet on the PCU game with his aunt. He didn’t want to, but Cody was persistent, so he called his Aunt Selina. Cody lost and this is his payment to her. Lucas says he sees, and Brad says, once he delivers it to her, he’s not going to see her again, he swears. Lucas says, thanks for telling him, but Brad doesn’t owe him any explanations. Brad says he knows he doesn’t, but Lucas taught him that telling the truth is important, so he wanted Lucas to know. Lucas says he appreciates that.  

Maxie says she knows what Lulu is going through. She’s been there. Lulu says, now Maxie has it all – an amazing career, her children together under one roof, and a wonderful relationship with Spinelli. Maxie says she went through a lot of trial and error. No one trusted her to make her own decisions since she was shown to be flaky. She thinks Lulu is already taking the right steps to ensure the life she wants, and Maxie believes she’ll make it happen. Lulu says she needs to have a job if she really wants to make it happen. Maxie says she needs to know that Lulu can put her history with Brook aside and get along working together. Does she think she can do that?  

Chase says he gets that Tracy has the best intentions, but at the end of the day, it’s not her call. Tracy says, Brook’s husband is brave standing up to her, but she doesn’t understand why he’s defending Willow. Brook says, he’s trying to keep the peace, and Tracy should listen to him. Martin and Drew walk in along with an officer, and Tracy says, back so soon? Holding out a paper, Martin says, it’s an official order signed by a judge. They’re allowed to take Willow Corinthos’s children back to her. Drew tells Martin to ask the nanny to get the kids ready, but Tracy says, it’s a waste of time. She can’t comply. They’re not here. Drew asks where they are, and she says she hasn’t the foggiest. He says, the officer knows what to do, and the officer takes out handcuffs. Chase tells him to put those away, but he says he’s sorry. The congressman wants her arrested. Tracy pulls away and says, don’t touch her, and Drew says, resisting arrest. The officer says, she did touch him, and Tracy says, he’s so going to regret this.

Sonny says he’s glad they were able to come together to do what’s best for Michael, and Willow says, Michael is going through something terrible. He’s lucky that he has Sonny and Carly to fight for him. Not everyone has that kind of unconditional love in their life. Sonny says, they’re the lucky ones to have Michael as their son.

Michael says, mom? and Carly says she’s here. And his dad is out there. They’re here to do everything they can to help him get better, but they need his help. Tell them how to make the choice he needs.

On Tuesday (see below), Willow asks Drew if she ruined her chance of getting Wiley and Amelia back; Anna asks if someone is the one who planted the device in the penthouse; and Ava asks Sonny to do what’s best for their daughter before it’s too late.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/daytime-soaps-preempted-on-monday-january-20-2025

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

The most important story.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-alum-vinessa-antoine-asks-for-help-finding-her-brother

She will be greatly missed. After all, Alan gave her the house. It’s so weird how they must have filmed in advance, yet they’re talking up a storm about her on the show.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-star-leslie-charleson-dead-at-79

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/daytime-stars-remembers-leslie-charleson

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/wally-kurths-heartfelt-tribute-to-leslie-charleson

You never know. On All My Children, Bobby Martin came back after 40+ years of polishing his skis upstairs.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chad-duell-opens-up-about-his-gh-exit-and-return-plans

Don’t do it. It’s not him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cameron-mathison-warns-do-not-donate-to-a-gofundme-in-his-name

💉 A Dose of Reality…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Once again Gary proves himself to be an idiot. The guests wanted some of the crew to join on a night out, and Captain Glenn, being the decent soul he is, told Daisy, Gary, Keith, and Chase, two drink maximum. And if they came back drunk, they’d forfeit their share of the tip. Gary had 10 drinks. 10. Then got pissed off when the captain called him on it. Classic Gary.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The episode focused a lot on PK and Kyle’s friendship, and Dorit’s reaction. Of course, Kyle is never wrong and while I often think Dorit is wrong – and her reactions are over the top – I can’t disagree with her on this one. If one of my close friends was texting with my estranged husband, they would no longer be my close friend. Kyle whined that Dorit made it sound like she was being inappropriate. Doubtful anyone thinks she’s got it going on with PK, but it is inappropriate for her to be buddy-buddy with her friend’s almost ex. Let’s just call it what it is now – Memegate. Garcelle, Kyle, and Sutton took Erika to Chuck E. Cheese for her birthday. A good time was had by all. It actually looked a lot more fun than any of their formal parties.

Real Housewives of New York City

If I was on a trip to Puerto Rico, I wouldn’t have the bandwidth to argue about a dead pigeon. I’d be too busy swimming in the possibly-less-than-blue water and eating local cuisine. The women did synchronized swimming at Jenna’s instruction. Apparently, she’s quite a fan of it, and it was pretty amusing until Raquel got whacked in the forehead by Jenna’s elbow. That Jenna, always full of surprises. Ubah was out of control, and Erin can’t win. If she fights back, she loses. If she walks away, she loses. As usual, Jenna and Raquel were the voices of reason. Next time, the finale.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake CIty

Heather suggested a fun dinner party game where the women pulled out the worst thing they had said about one of the others on their phone and shared it with the group. As you might have guessed, this didn’t go over all that well, and resulted in tears and Lisa running from the table after someone read something about John. Oh, horrors.

Bonus scene.

Southern Charm

Once again, two men acted like middle school girls – that would be Austen and Craig – while Whitney pretended to be the voice of reason. In her interview, Madison said she and Brett thought that Austen and Craig would be the couple least likely to break up, but it looks like they did. Craig dared to meet with JT, and Austen wasn’t having it, but it was just the opening Craig needed to scrape Austen from his shoe. As little as I like JT, I don’t get why some of them keep harping on him calling Patricia a bitch, when the footage shows clearly that he didn’t, and most of them don’t believe it anyway. Even a broken clock is right twice a day, and sometimes an a-hole is right too.

Southern Hospitality

I just couldn’t even this week, but here you go.

Random Events

BTW, Bill was not happy.

https://people.com/rhonj-star-jennifer-aydin-uninvited-from-housewives-cruise-after-viral-outburst-jersey-mikes-8771411

Amazing timing.

https://people.com/karen-huger-enters-rehab-skips-real-housewives-of-potomac-season-9-reunion-after-dui-8772200

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Borderlands. It was hard to find something that was at least partially positive. There are plenty of worse films, although I actually enjoyed this. Perhaps because I’m unfamiliar with the games. I’m definitely in agreement with the writer that Night Swim was a total waste of time.

https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/movies/borderlands-isnt-the-worst-movie-of-the-year-despite-what-the-internet-wants-you-to-think

Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action. A fascinating look at a man who began as someone I admired, but chose to serve money and ratings rather than the greater good. I’d known about the coaching, but not about the murder connected to the show. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, and this was just sad.

https://screenrant.com/jerry-springer-fights-camera-action-tv-review/

https://screenrant.com/jerry-springer-documentary-netflix-shocking-reveals-list/

The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin. I’m there for a cult story, but missed this somehow. While this documentary has been around a while, they’ve been showing it recently on TLC, so I caught it. I have some vague memory of her in the news, but had no idea how messy this got. And the hair… What’s with the hair?

https://people.com/human-interest/what-to-know-about-gwen-shamblin-lara-hbo-max-the-way-down/

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/the-way-down-hbo-max-review

🔍 One To Watch…

IMO, Baylen Out Loud is what reality TV should be about. I’m rooting for this girl, and with a supportive family like she has, I think she’ll make it after all.

https://people.com/baylen-dupree-struggles-with-boyfriend-upcoming-air-force-relocation-in-new-tlc-series-8773525

https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/baylen-out-loud-season-1-trailer-tiktok-star-takes-on-adulthood-while-tackling

🤹‍♀️ Upcoming Awaited Seasons…

The latest on The Last of Us.

https://deadline.com/feature/the-last-of-us-season-2-cast-release-date-everything-to-know-1235940502/

While you wait.

https://collider.com/grounded-last-of-us-part-2-documentary-youtube/

An understandable pause for Fallout.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/fallout-season-2-production-pause-la-fires

An Squid Game accident? Really? Highly doubtful.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-3-release-date-2025-netflix

👠 They’re Not Wrong…

Sex and get away from my front door in the City.

https://ew.com/carrie-sex-and-the-city-apartment-iron-gate-tourists-8774330

☕️ His Final Thoughts…

I never did understand Eraserhead, but he did some fine work.

https://people.com/david-lynch-expressed-hope-over-divided-country-in-one-of-last-interviews-exclusive-8776098

🥇 A Mighty Fine Man…

It’s such a shame about his health issues, but he’s blessed to have such a wonderful family to support him.

https://people.com/bruce-willis-seen-in-public-dementia-diagnosis-la-police-officers-8775698

🏆 Awards Corner…

No surprise, GH is in the running.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/2025-writers-guild-awards-daytime-drama-nominees-announced

The BAFTA noms.

https://ew.com/2025-bafta-awards-nominations-full-list-8774808

🐕 No Gutter Balls Here…

I want them all.

https://ew.com/puppy-bowl-2025-meet-adoptable-dog-players-8773005

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/puppy-bowl-players-2025-super-bowl

☃️ Quotes of the Week

Just because my heart is beating doesn’t mean I’m alive. – Ish Williams (Alexander Ludwig), Earth Abides

There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man (and woman) which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. – Blaise Pascal

You don’t break habits, you replace them. – Coach Mike Bayer

If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. 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.)

Make failure your teacher, not your undertaker. – Hilary ‘Zig’ Ziglar

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

She took every bit of power I had and left me with household appliances. – Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), Agatha All Along

🌉 Taking a Sentimental Journey…

Until next week, stay safe, stay warm, and stay valuing honesty.

January 10, 2025 – A Killer Is Revealed, Soap Suds, Reality Recaps, Weekend Watch, Award Corner, Great Moments In New Year’s Eve, Best Bowl, Cardinal Number Of Quotes & You

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday through Thursday bites and whole enchilada Friday.

Monday:

Portia confirmed that Elizabeth was suspended and told Cyrus that he was no longer welcome at the hospital again. Trina helped Josslyn pack up Dex’s apartment. Jack was pissed at Colette because she was supposed to tail Valentin, not take a shot at him. He looked at the Rice Plaza footage and saw Cyrus stab Dex.

Michael filed for full custody after seeing that Willow was with Drew in DC. Willow told Drew that Michael was punishing her for being with him. Lucy welcomed Sidwell to Windymere after he bought Spoon Island. They flirted, had champagne, and she gave him some gifts, including her book. Both Laura and Willow separately talked to Martin, and Martin told Laura that Willow would have to be smarter if she wanted to keep her kids.

Carly was supposed to have dinner with Carly at the MetroCourt, but had to cancel. Jack ended up joining her instead. Sidwell literally skipped through the Windymere living room to the terrace and watched as Sonny’s penthouse exploded. Sonny and Jason were in the hallway, and the only one inside was Michael, who turned into a fireball.

Tuesday:

No soap, funeral.

https://abc7ny.com/post/general-hospital-new-episode-tuesday-preempted-abc-news-special-report-former-president-jimmy-carters-state-funeral/15765536/

Wednesday:

Drew and Willow got busy while Jason told Sonny to call 911 and smothered the fire on Michael with a blanket. After Michael got to the hospital, Isaiah worked on him with Lucas assisting.

Carly enjoyed her time at the MetroCourt with my husband… I mean, Jack.

Josslyn wanted to stay in the place her and Dex were happy, but Trina told her that she wasn’t just grieving; she was angry. After Trina left, Josslyn looked at Dex’s gun a lot. Curtis told Nina that taking Wiley over state lines was a federal crime. She wanted to bring Willow and Wiley home, but he advised against it.

Brook was upset because she wasn’t pregnant yet, even though she was doing all the right things, including eating pineapple which she didn’t like. (Who doesn’t like pineapple?) We found out Brook had been pregnant before and given the baby away. She thought God was punishing her, but Lois said, God didn’t work that way. Chase discussed things with Sasha, who told him that he and Brook should just relax.

Lucas told Carly, Sonny, and Jason that Michael had 3rd degree burns over 40% of his body. He was critical and they didn’t know if he would live. Nina called Willow with the news.  

Thursday:

Drew showed up at the hospital since he’s an idiot and a creeper. Curtis advised him to get lost. Martin wanted Willow to petition the court for sole custody, but she said, absolutely not. Diane advised Carly to get the kids away from Willow. Nina told Willow that she shouldn’t show up at the hospital, but she went anyway. She and Josslyn got into it.

Jason said the explosion was like nothing they’d ever seen, and Sonny said they had to find the culprit and stop them dead in their tracks. Anna and Chase investigated the penthouse. Anna called Jack to come and help. Jack said, the Bureau had come across the same type of incendiary device before and thought he could be of assistance. Sonny said they’d find who did this and retaliate, and Jason said he was all for that (me too), but he also wanted to get Danny out of the line of fire.

Sonny and Kristina had a father/daughter moment on the roof of GH. Molly showed up at the hospital to offer support. Carly prayed in the chapel that God spare her son. Drew walked in to give his sympathies, but she wasn’t having it. He whined about what he’d done for her, and she hit the nail on the head telling him that he had a hero complex.

Michael opened his eyes.

Friday…

On the roof at GH, Sonny looks up and tells Morgan that he’s worried. Can he watch over his brother? Please help him. Isaiah comes out and joins him.  

At Beradino’s, Alexis sees Ric and says, her bad day just got worse. He says, nice to see her too. Despite her many flaws, she has great taste in restaurants. We see Cyrus puttering around, and Alexis asks if Ric can eat somewhere else, but he says he’s meeting a client. However, if she feels compelled to leave, don’t let him stop her. He encourages it. He tells the hostess, Lansing, party of two.  

Lucy brings Sidwell to Bobbie’s and tells him that there are other charming spots, but for an authentic Port Charles meal, this is the spot. They have the best burgers, chili, and everything in between, but no matter what, always, always, always order the fries. He says he’ll remember that and tells her that her energy is contagious. She suggests having made such a charming new friend has made her happy, and he says he appreciates that. She says, now back to the tour. Bobbie’s is named after a special, dear friend of hers, the late Bobbie Spencer. He asks if she said Spencer, and she asks if he knows the Spencers. He says, no, but he’s sure they’re lovely people, and she says, unfortunately, Bobbie passed away not long ago. She was influential in the community. She was a nurse at GH, owned this place, and was a leader for charitable causes.

Colette asks if there’s any new business, and Jack says he just spoke to Anna. She asks if it was about Valentin, but he says, no. It was about the fire that put Michael Corinthos in the hospital. The WSB may bear some blame.

At the MetroCourt, Felicia says she’s glad she was available to take Maxie and Sasha to lunch, and Maxie asks to what they owe this unexpected treat. Felicia says she needed a break from the hospital stress, and Sasha says she can imagine. Felicia says she loves her job. It’s rewarding, but it’s also difficult and draining. She sees people during the hardest times in their life and it’s challenging. She witnesses their pain, not just the physical pain, but the emotional pain. Maxie says, the patients are lucky to have her and so are they, and Felicia says, sometimes it’s hard for her to leave work behind, especially if she knows the patient. Like now, with Michael Corinthos. Sasha asks, what happened with Michael?  

Portia tells Jason that Michael is in shock. He has severe burns, and the main issue is to manage his pain. He’s on the highest dose of morphine and they can’t bring him to full consciousness for too long. It’s too much. Jason says, Michael came to, and he’s sure Michael knew it was him, and Portia says, good. That’s a great sign. He’ll likely be heavily sedated or unconscious for the next few days and it’s absolutely the best thing for him right now.

Carly tells Drew that her son is upstairs in excruciating pain fighting for his life. Does that even matter to him? Drew says, she came at him when he was speaking the truth. She needs to go make a list of the things Sonny’s done to harm Michael, but he can see it on her face that she already knows. Does she have any regrets about way back when she decided to let Sonny raise Michael instead of AJ? Was it worth Michael’s life? She says, nothing is worth Michael’s life, and he says he knows she loves her son, but none of what she did was what was best for Michael. It was all about what she wanted.

Jack tells Colette that the incendiary device left almost zero evidence. It was a unique weapon like a device the WSB designed years ago. He knew what the hardware looked like even before Anna described it. Colette says, it’s highly classified, and he says, it was meant for Sonny, not his unfortunate son. They need to find out who wanted Sonny eliminated and had access to the weapon. She says, there could have been a security breach. Maybe the specs were leaked and sold to the highest bidder. He says he’s making it top priority, and she asks if it has anything to do with the Rice Plaza footage, but he says, that has to do with his other project.  

Willow tells Josslyn that no matter what’s happened between her and Michael, she loves him. He’s the father of her children and she’s praying he recovers quickly. Josslyn says, did she forget she cheated on Michael with his uncle, and they had sex in the nursery? How skeevy can you be? Nina joins them and says, that’s enough. Leave her daughter alone.

Sitting with Ric, Ava says, it’s not like she’s destitute. The gallery is doing well, and she had money of her own before she married Nikolas. She was planning on moving the gallery to a new location and purchased a building. She was going to renovate it and have it up and running before she sold the building the gallery is in now. He says, she’s paying for mortgages on two commercial properties? and she says, unless the divorce settlement money is returned to her, she’ll have to sell the building and finding a buyer won’t be easy. He says he’s sorry, but the only way she’ll see any of the money is if the estate grants it, and she says, by estate, he means Alexis. He says, as trustee, Alexis is the only one who has the power, and Ava says, the money isn’t even Alexis’s. It’s in trust for Ace. He says, until Ace is of age, Alexis can decide how it’s spent. Considering Ava was involved in Alexis’s disbarment and Kristina fell out Ava’s hotel room window causing the death of her baby, the chances of Alexis gifting her are pretty slim.

Diane joins Alexis and says she’s represented Michael’s family for most of his life. What happened is unimaginable. She can’t stop thinking about it. Alexis says, Michael has always been so good to her girls over the years. She respects him for that. Diane says, he’s a wonderful man, and Alexis says, Kristina adores him and she’s reeling. She’s had so much loss lately. Michael has to pull through. Cyrus listens in.

Felicia says she assumed they heard, and Sasha asks why Michael is in the hospital. Felicia says, there was a terrible accident at the penthouse. Michael is in the burn unit and in critical condition. Sasha says she needs to go see him, and Felicia says, of course (🍷). Maxie asks her to text or call if there’s an update, and as she leaves, Sasha says she will.

Sonny says he comes up here to think sometimes, and Isaiah says, it’s good for that. Sonny thanks Isaiah for everything he did for Michael when he brought Michael in, and Isaiah says, of course (🍷). He has a lot of experience with burn victims from his time in Africa and he’s glad to help. Sonny asks about the percentage of recovery and tells Isaiah to be straight with him. Isaiah says, it’s serious, but GH is doing everything in their power to treat Michael and alleviate the pain. How is Sonny feeling? All the stress could complicate his condition and possibly make it worse. Sonny thanks him for his concern, but says he can’t think about himself. Isaiah says he understands that Michael is the only thing on Sonny’s mind, but he has to take care of himself too. Sonny asks if Isaiah has kids, and Isaiah says, not that he’s aware of. (Ha-ha!) Sonny says, when he does, he’ll know the love for his kids can get him through anything.  

Carly tells Drew not to preach to her about selfishness. He had sex with Michael’s wife in the nursery where his daughter plays. Did he think about Michael? Or did Willow’s hero worship give him such a high that he couldn’t control it? Drew says she can’t understand his and Willow’s relationship. What’s between them is real. She asks if that’s what he tells himself, and he says, it’s more real than what they had. (Ugh. I hate people who argue like this. Like all of a sudden it was never a good relationship to begin with. It’s so immature.) Carly laughs and asks if that was supposed to hurt her. It didn’t. He had sex with her daughter-in-law, the mother of her grandchildren. Now she sees him for who he really is. He did her a huge favor when he dumped her. He says, good. He’s a lot happier away from her too. He walks out of the chapel. (Quick. Get that man a bonnet, diaper, and baby bottle.)

Colette asks about Jack accessing the Rice Plaza footage, and he says, Josslyn asked him to because she wants to find the person responsible for stabbing Dex. Thanks to the footage, now he knows who it is. She says, mystery solved, but to what end? He can’t use top secret footage to solve a civilian case. He says, of course (🍷) he can’t. But now that he knows who Josslyn is looking for, he can leave a trail of breadcrumbs and see how well she follows them.

Nina says, Josslyn has no right to speak to Willow that way. Her husband was just in a horrible accident. Josslyn says, Michael is her brother, and nothing she said was anything less than the truth. Was there anything Willow didn’t use Michael for? Nina says, Josslyn is just like her mother, and Josslyn says, thanks. She could say the same thing about Willow right now. Nina can’t stand to be called out on her crap. On the surface, they’re both so sweet and friendly, but underneath, they’re lying liars who lie. Stay the hell away from her brother. She walks away.  

Lucy says she and Sidwell had sort of discussed Mayor Laura Collins. She’s actually a former Spencer and has two Spencer children. Sidwell says, there are a lot of them in Port Charles, and she says, quite a few and very notable. He says, she knows everything and everyone in Port Charles really well, and she says, she seems to be doing all the talking. She knows she’s doing all the talking. He has to share something about himself. He says, she handled his purchase of Spoon Island skillfully. What else does she need to know? She says she hardly thinks the transfer of information captures a person. From what she read, he’s not currently married, but does he have a couple of former Mrs. Sidwells running about? What do she and Port Charles need to know about the newest resident? He laughs.

Maxie tells Felicia, it’s awful. Michael has always been good to her. She can’t imagine what the family is going through. Spinelli is going to be devastated and poor Jason. He’s got to be losing his mind. Felicia says, Michael’s injuries are severe, but it’s still possible for him to recover, and Maxie says she’s going to send every positive thought his way. Felicia says she hopes Sasha is okay. She seemed upset and stressed after she heard the news. (Well, of course. < 🍷>) Maxie says she knows Sasha and Michael were together at one point and stayed good friends, but her reaction did seem out of proportion. It’s probably pregnancy hormones. Felicia says she wants to tell Maxie how much she loves her, and Maxie says, why? Is there something wrong? Felicia says she’s fine. Don’t worry. Her work as a patient advocate has given her a new perspective. Working with people who are grieving and people in hospice who don’t have much time left, they all say the same thing over and over. Their biggest regret is not telling the people in their lives how much they love them. Her and Maxie’s relationship hasn’t always been easy, but she’s glad they’ve moved past it. She doesn’t want a day to go by that she doesn’t let Maxie know how much she loves her. Maxie says she loves Felicia too, and takes her hand.

Sasha looks into Michael’s room window and cries. Jason arrives, and she asks, what happened? All she heard was that there was an accident. He’s going to be okay, right? Jason says, they don’t know yet.

In the chapel, Carly says, please let Michael recover. He’s such a good man and has so much to live for and so many people who love him. Sonny comes in, and she asks if there’s an update. He says he went by Michael’s room to talk to Portia. Jason was with him and Michael woke up, but they had to sedate him because he’s in so much pain. Carly covers her face with her hands, and he says, the doctor said hopefully they’ll find out something soon. She asks how it happened, and Sonny says he doesn’t know any more than he did last night, but whoever planned this is after him.

Willow thanks Nina for defending her, and Nina says, Josslyn is a bully and a hypocrite. Don’t listen to a word she says. Willow says she thought that they’d come together to support Michael and the kids through this tragedy, but Nina says, Josslyn is a lot like her mother. Their first instinct is to lash out. No empathy, no compassion, just rage. Willow wonders if she can get some alone time with Carly, but Nina says she doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Willow says, they were close once. Carly walked her down the aisle when she married Michael. She cares… Nina says, cared, past tense, but Willow says she doesn’t know. Nina says, unfortunately, she does. Carly sent Diane and a social worker to the apartment and took custody of Wiley and Amelia. Willow says, how? and sees Drew come out of the elevator. She runs to him, throwing her arms around him. She says he has to help her. Carly has taken the kids. Drew looks at Nina.

Josslyn literally bumps into Jack at the hospital, and says, sorry. He says, it’s fine, and asks how Michael is. She says, the same. He’s in pain and it’s horrible. He says he’s very sorry, and she thanks him for bringing her to GH last night. He says he was glad to help, and she says she’s headed to grab some air. He says, before she goes, he has an update to share with her about who stabbed Dex.

Ava says, Ric is a fantastic lawyer. He got Heather Webber set free and got her cleared of any wrongdoing in Kristina’s accident. There’s got be something he can do. He was married to Alexis and knows her so well. He has to be able to use that to his advantage somehow.

Martin comes into the Baradino’s and says hello to Cyrus. Cyrus says he’s grateful Martin came to see him, and Martin says, that’s because when Cyrus calls, he picks up the phone. Cyrus should try it sometime instead of dodging his calls. Cyrus says he’s been doing the Lord’s work. The holiday season has been busy. He needed to see Martin because GH is trying to restrict his access to patients. Martin asks what that has to do with him, and Cyrus says he wants Martin to put a stop to it. His patients need him. Martin says, there are plenty of places Cyrus can do the Lord’s work if GH doesn’t want him there, and Cyrus says, if the law won’t help, the Lord will provide a path for him to continue his work. The Lord has ways the legal system knows nothing about. Diane comes by and asks if Martin has a moment to discuss the Corinthos custody case, and Martin says, when he’s done with his brother, they can have a chat. Cyrus says, it’s fine. They’re done. He’ll leave them to their business. He moves along with his non-Lord’s work.

Ric goes over to Alexis’s table and says, may I? He sits down, and she says, you may not. Seeing he’s not moving, she heaves a sigh.

Josslyn tells Jack that she wants to hear everything, but she’s confused. She thought there was no footage from Rice Plaza. Jack says, it’s true they have no footage, but he has a lot of resources. He called in a favor from the PCPD and got the witness list from Rice Plaza on the day of the assault. She says, that would help immensely, and he says he’ll forward it to her right now. She thanks him, and he says he suggests she speak to the witnesses. Ask questions and piece the scene together. Unless it’s too much for her to handle. Then she can always hire a private investigator. She says she’s going to do it herself. It’s what she owes Dex. She looks at her phone and says she received the list. She even knows some of the people. He says he hopes one leads to the answers she’s looking for, and she sees Felicia at the reception desk. She says she thinks she already knows where to start.

Carly says, Drew was just here and said what happened was her fault for bringing Sonny into Michael’s life, and Sonny says, Drew has no business judging her. Don’t listen to him. She made the best choice she could for Michael at the time. She tells him that he’s saying that with such confidence, and he says, it’s not like he doesn’t know the feeling. It’s not the first time he’s put Michael in danger or Michael has been fighting for his life because of what he does. He was supposed to protect him from all this. She says, he didn’t know what would happen, and he says, neither did she. She says she just wants Michael to be okay, and he says he does too.

Sasha tells Jason, it’s horrible to see Michael like this. She and Michael never had a real break-up. Everything that happened with Willow, Wiley, and Chase took their lives in different directions, but the love is still there. Jason says he gets it. Sometimes life doesn’t work the way we plan. She says, Michael stood by her when everyone else hated her. When her mother told her that Robert was her dad and she and Cody broke up, he found time to comfort her when his own marriage was falling apart. He’s such a good man. Jason says, the best, and Sasha looks in the window again and cries.

Willow asks how Carly can take the kids, and Nina says, Diane brought Chase and a social worker and this court order. She shows Willow the paperwork, and Willow says she thought even though Michael filed for divorce, they’d figure it out through mediation. Drew says he just had his head ripped off by Carly because she found out they spent the night together in DC. Clearly, she wants revenge. Willow says she can’t believe they’re talking about Carly taking revenge through her kids, and Drew says, it’s a valid order. Nina says, they need to petition the court for an emergency custody hearing, and Drew says he can call in a favor, but in the best case, it won’t happen until next week. Willow says she can’t be without her kids until next week. Michael will be in the hospital a long time and the kids will be scared without either of their parents. Nina says she understands what it’s like to be without your baby. There’s no worse feeling. But they can’t defy the court order. It will work against them in the long run and there’s no recourse at the moment. Drew says, maybe there is.

Sidwell tells Lucy that his last love left him feeling wounded. It seems she was using him to get her hands on inventory. Lucy says, that’s absolutely horrible, and he says, it’s a hazard of his profession. He doesn’t think she needs to hear more detail.  She says she loves details and nothing he could say would bore her. He says she’s too kind and he’s happy to repay her hospitality with lunch. And the knowledge she imparted about Port Charles will prove invaluable in helping him acclimate. She says, it’s been a pleasure. If there’s anything else he needs, don’t hesitate to ask. They clink coffee cups.

Diane asks Martin when she can expect a response to the divorce petition, and he says he assumed it would be put on pause after last night’s events. She says she understands, but unless instructed otherwise, she’s going to proceed with her client’s wishes. And if his client thinks she can be galivanting up on Capitol Hill with her son and her husband’s uncle, she needs to think again. He says, they’ll have to see how it shakes out at the custody hearing, and she says, or they can spare the upset if his client makes a compromise now. He says, a brave attempt. Now if she’ll excuse him, he thinks he should get back to his brother. He looks around, but Cyrus isn’t there.

Ric tells Alexis that the money belongs to Ava. She’s entitled to pain and suffering for the emotional duress she suffered when married to Nikolas. Alexis says she knows a thing or two about emotional duress having been married to Ric. Ava has mistaken her for an ATM. It’s not her money. She’s just the trustee. Ric says, she knows the Cassadine money ruins lives, like with Stephan and Nikolas. Even if Ava got all of what Nikolas gave her, Ace wouldn’t miss it. Alexis says, despite her reservations in giving it to Ace, Ava is not going to see a penny, and he says, if it was anybody but Ava, she’d be singing a different tune. She says she’d like him to leave. She enjoys the food here, and staring at him is making her lose her appetite. He leaves.

Carly tells Sonny, hindsight is a funny thing. You look back and see everything clearly and it’s easy to question your decisions. He says, they’re just torturing themselves here and can’t change the past. She says, it would be nice if they could. She was thinking about if she had to do it over, knowing what she knows, would she do it differently? He says, of all the wrong turns they made, there’s one thing they did right – their kids. Michael, Morgan, and Donna, they’re amazing kids. She says, Michael is special, and Sonny says, he is. She says, they have to present a united front. Their strength will be Michael’s strength. Sonny says he’s going to check on the doctors. They’re going to go through this. Hit it face on as a family. He takes her hand, and she says, yes.

Willow asks what other recourse she has, and Drew says, even though she filed for separation and Michael filed for divorce, they’re still legally husband and wife. If Michael made her his healthcare proxy, that’s still valid. She’s holding the cards. Michael is badly injured, a lot of decisions will need to be made about his healthcare, and Carly and Sonny think they’re in charge. Nina asks if he’s suggesting using the fact that Willow is Michael’s wife as a bargaining chip to get the kids back, and he says, exactly. She can deny Carly, Sonny, or anybody else access to Michael. Willow says she would never do that. Things weren’t great between her and Michael, but Michael is a good person and an amazing dad. Even after everyone saw the video, he let her take the kids so they could be with her. She’s not going to pay him back by keeping his family from him. Drew says, it’s Sonny and Carly that she’s up against, not Michael. Carly is angry about them being together, and it could be the only leverage she has to get her kids back.

Jason tells Sasha that Sonny and Carly are on their way back from the chapel and suggests he give her a ride home. She says she probably shouldn’t drive this upset and thanks him. They leave.

Sonny asks, how’s Michael? and Portia says, his condition remains the same. Carly asks if there are any long-term burn recovery units she recommends. They’d like to get him set up as soon as possible. Willow pops out and says, there’s nothing to worry about. She’s Michael’s wife and she’ll be making the decisions about his care. She’s the only one the doctors will be talking to. (Wow. She nasty.)

Felicia tells Josslyn that she’s sorry. That’s all she remembers. She wishes she was more help. Josslyn says, even small details matter in cases like this, and Felicia says she did tell Chase there was something weird that she can’t put her finger on. She’s done everything she can to remember why she feels that way, but it still escapes her. Josslyn says, if she recalls it from beginning to end, it might come back. She was at Rice Plaza, picking out a tree with Georgie and James. There were holiday lights and carolers, the college kids fighting before Dex and his partner ran them off. The elevator dings, and Felicia says she sees what it is. It’s the bell. Josslyn asks, what bell? and Felicia says, that’s what she was trying to remember. Cyrus was at Rice Plaza taking donations and he had a bell he was ringing the entire time. Jack listens from the other side of the desk, and Felicia says, when Dex was stabbed, there was no sound. Cyrus had stopped ringing the bell.  

We see slippered feet walk into Michael’s room and gloved hands closing the door and the blinds. Standing next to Michael’s bed, Cyrus says he knows Michael is in terrible pain, but it will soon be over. He’ll be at peace. God will call him home. He puts his hand on Michael’s forehead and says, may your soul be surrounded by divine light. He takes out a syringe and prepares it. He checks Michael’s IV bag, plunges the needle in, and we see that it’s digitalis.

On Monday, Tracy tells Cody that if he invests, that money will be gone; Laura says, Dante did the right thing by going after Lulu; Nina tells Sonny not to waste precious time on this fight; and Isaiah says, Michael will die either way.

I have to say, I didn’t see another digitalis death coming. As much as I hate all these characters being killed off, it is one hell of a storyline.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

This is just horrific. I had to turn off the news the first night. While I know I’d cry over losing my stuff too, if everyone and their pets gets out alive, that’s the most important thing.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/soap-stars-share-wildfire-updates

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cameron-mathison-opens-up-about-losing-everything

They read the room.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/daytime-emmys/2025-daytime-emmy-awards-rescheduled-to-october

In happier news. Hopefully, this gets enough viewers to stay on the air. Many a decent show has been cancelled because it wasn’t given enough time to build up an audience.

https://ew.com/beyond-the-gates-trailer-first-black-daytime-soap-in-35-years-8762458

💊 A Dose Of Reality…

Here’s what happened all week on…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Another group of demanding, immature guests, who were – of all people – drag queens, who I would expect more empathy from even on a superyacht. TBH, Cloyce’s consistent inconsistency leaves something to be desired, but they didn’t have to make fun of him. Shame on them!

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Love Boz and her boyfriend Keely. They seem like the perfect couple and it’s nice to watch. Erika and Dorit can both go pound sand. PK blindsided Dorit, saying he wanted a divorce during a 4-hour therapy session. Who has a 4-hour therapy session? I’d be done after 4 hours too. In an actual real non-screaming moment, Garcelle talked about the years she had to give Oliver tough love and how it killed her to not even let him in the house. She did it right though, because look at him now. That’s what reality TV should be about. Seeing the changes. Some of these women also need to get a vocabulary. Erika debuted her new single, Dominos, and it sounded like all her other singles. Like Jennifer said, it’s not going to win any awards for lyrics, but it’s catchy.

Real Housewives of New York City

While I do think Brynn has some good qualities, girlfriend needs to mature. She’s way too into stirring the pot and it’s not a good look. She picked on Jessel for having a penchant for glam. Really? Like she doesn’t?

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

I could barely sit through this. Meredith freaked out when she discovered out Britani was recording the back of a seat during a bus trip, screeching about how sneaky it was. I guess she forgot that Bravo recording them is actually the whole point and there are cameras on all the time. These women do nothing but find things to argue about, and they’re best response to an insult is, no, you. It didn’t sound any better when Heather had to explain what the word nefarious meant. Someone please get them a dictionary. They give me a headache. Except for Mary, who is still the MVP.

I also watched a little of Sold on SLC, and I think the crux of all their problems is the church. No judgement, to each his own, but if it isn’t lifting you up, get out. These people are all adults and feel they have to pretend to be a certain way just so they don’t get excommunicated. It’s doubtful they’re fooling anyone, so I’m guessing as long as they put their share into the collection plate or whatever, it’s all good. Seriously, if it’s making you hate yourself and everyone else, get out.

Southern Charm

Taylor’s picker still seems to be off, but hey, sometimes you need something in the moment that won’t be in your future. I’m more looking forward to next week when JT meets with Craig. Mostly because I want to see how JT makes an ass of himself this time.

This made me feel sad, but I get it.

Southern Hospitality

I still maintain that this show wants to be Vanderpump Rules 2.0, but misses it entirely. For every real moment, like the discussion between Michols and TJ about being gay in Charleston, there’s a ton of screaming, yelling, and heightened drama that belongs in a middle school.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

A Mother’s Instinct. I love the 60s time period, which is why I chose to watch this. But I stayed for the twisty-turny plot and the incredible acting.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mothers-instinct-neon-film-review-2024

Smile 2. I know a lot of people liked the first one, but I wasn’t one of them. It was okay, but I wasn’t thrilled with the ending. I’d seen the trailer for this when I saw Red One, and thought it looked promising. I was right. I actually thought this was better than the first one. This article pretty much sums up why. The costumes were also quite fabulous.

https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/i-watched-smile-2-i-need-to-talk-about-why-horrors-of-fake-smile-got-to-me

The Deliverance. More of a straight on horror film, based on so-called true events. Like both Lovecraft Country and Them, real life horror parallels supernatural horror. It was a captivating ride, capturing the truth of trying to escape poverty, along with the terror of living in a haunted house. Lee Daniels is a master and he snagged Glenn Close. It was definitely worth the time.

Nightbitch. I was looking forward to seeing this and it didn’t disappoint. You don’t need to be a mom to relate either. It gave me all the feels – it was funny, sad, poignant, and joyous. And there was an apology at the end that every man should watch. A bonus for me was seeing Jessica Harper, Janet from one of my favorite films, Richard O’Brien’s Shock Treatment. It was also nice to see an actress aging like a normal human.

🏆 And You Get an Award…

Golden Globe winners.

https://ew.com/2025-golden-globes-winners-full-list-8769343

Golden Globe fashion. Holy! Zendaya looks just like Elizabeth from GH.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/37442/2025-golden-globes-red-carpet-fashion

https://pagesix.com/2025/01/07/style/melissa-rivers-on-the-best-and-worst-golden-globes-2025-looks/

Awards to come. The SAG nominations.

https://ew.com/2025-sag-awards-nominations-full-list-8770586

🎉 Bravo For the New Year…

Including one of my all-time favorite New Year’s Eves – the night Giggy married Grandma Wrinkles.

🐕 Bowling For Pups…

Coming February 11th. Be there or be a cat.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/2025/get-ready-for-puppy-bowl-xxi-

🪂 Quotes of the Week

Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you’ve lost time. There is no short cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time. – Asha Tyson

It’s never too late to never give up. – Pamela Anderson

Youth has no age. – Pablo Picasso

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

Things just tend to accumulate after Labor Day. What can I tell you?Little Edie Beale, Grey Gardens

My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference. – President Jimmy Carter

❄️ Kisses From Heaven…

Join me again next Friday for soap, recaps, what to watch (or not), and other entertainment nonsense. Until then, stay safe; stay helping a neighbor shovel after a snowstorm; and stay telling the people in your life how much you love them. Don’t let that be a regret.

December 18, 2024 – Nina Hires Martin For Willow, Early Soap Roll Call, Salty Talk, Guilty, Movie Watch, Keeping Warm & Drummer

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

Elizabeth says, they have to find a connection between Dex and Sam other than her, and Lucky says, she had nothing to do with it. Aiden comes in and says, look who he found hanging around their front door. Cameron says, merry Christmas, and he and Elizabeth hug.

Walking into her apartment on the phone, Josslyn says she’s fine. She promises to call if she’s not. Love you too. She picks up a gift from under the tree and the tag says, To Dex, Love, Joss.

In a busy room, Felicia tells Jordan, a coat drive, a food pantry, a healthy clinic, and now flu shots. Does Jordan think it’s enough? It’s amazing. Jordan says she wants to do more, and Felicia says, she should be proud of putting all this together.

As Nina decorates, she says she’s not sure if she’s going to get done before Wiley and Amelia come out of the playroom. Ava asks if they’ve been in there all week, and Nina says, they love the new nanny she hired and so does Willow. Ava says, given time, Nina would bring in a real reindeer, and Nina says, she wants it to be special for Wiley and Amelia. Is it too much? Ava says she loves it, but Nina should make sure her eggnog is spiked.

Curtis shows Michael the early quarterly report, and Michael says, it’s way below market expectations. Curtis says, according to the final report, they’re doing well, but looking at the draft, it would be an easy mistake to make thinking it’s the final. What does Michael think would happen if it got leaked? Michael says, the stock price would crater, and Curtis says, if that happened, someone like Michael would be able to buy up the Aurora stock and be the majority shareholder. Then he can be officially named CEO like they planned.

On the phone in front of the coffee warehouse, Jason says, no one can hide from Spinelli, not even Valentin… Time isn’t something they have. Carly flies in and asks how could Jason not tell her that Willow cheated on Michael with Drew?

Jordan says, so far, so good, and Felicia says, it’s great. Jordan says, having the GH staff here put them over the top. She thanks Felicia for making it happen.

Cameron introduces Gretchen Ross, and Elizabeth asks if she’s the Gretchen from Music Theory. Gretchen says, so Cameron has been talking about her, and he says, her name come up once or twice. He and Lucky hug, and he introduces Lucky to Gretchen. He says, a lot has changed. Look how big Aiden is. Aiden says he didn’t stop growing when Cameron left, and Elizabeth asks if they’re hungry. She has food in the fridge, but nothing prepared. Cameron says he’s sorry he didn’t give her a heads up that he was coming early, but Elizabeth tells him not to apologize for her having more time with him. He says, about Christmas…

Trina comes into the apartment and says she thought Josslyn was at her mom’s. Josslyn says she was… Trina says, it doesn’t matter, and hugs her. She’s so sorry. Josslyn says she can’t feel anything.

Jason and Carly walk inside the warehouse, and Jason says, Carly can get mad at him, but first, how’s Josslyn? She says, not great. She wanted to go back to her apartment. He says, maybe that’s a good thing, and she says, maybe. Josslyn doesn’t need to worry about her brother’s marriage. He asks, what happened? and she says, Tracy blasted footage on the big screen at the Christmas party of Drew and Willow together. And by together she means… Jason says he knows what she means. She says, he saw the footage? and he says, Michael showed him. She asks if that’s why he beat up Drew, and he says, yes. She asks why he didn’t tell her, but he says, it wasn’t his place. It was Michael’s.

Curtis asks if Michael is comfortable leaking the early report, and Michael says, people could mistakenly conclude Aurora is on the verge of Chapter 11. Curtis says, a simple clerical error, and Michael says he has a friend at the Wall Street Journal that he could leak it to, but there’s something he needs to run by Curtis first. Curtis says, Michael isn’t backing out, and Michael says, not him. What about Curtis?

Willow says, Isaiah doesn’t fit the typical surgeon profile, and he says, because he’s not arrogant and self-important? She says she’s known surgeons like that… Not him. He says he loves helping people, and she says, her too, and it takes her mind off her own problems. Obviously, they don’t compare with what these people are going through. Drew walks in and Jordan gives him a look that makes me laugh.

Ava says she’s sorry to drop in on Nina’s holiday extravaganza when she’s dealing with this situation. Her trial is finally over. Nina says she’s happy Ava got off and glad she dropped by. When the dust settles, they’re going to have the most magnificent holiday. Ava says she’s never seen Nina is such a positive mood, and Nina says she’s never had her daughter and grandchildren with her. It’s a Christmas miracle. Michael has been standing between Willow and true happiness. She can finally have a relationship with her daughter. Ava says, for now, and Nina asks what she means. Ava says, Nina needs to hear this. Nina’s got to tell Willow about her and Drew before it’s too late.

Cameron says, Gretchen’s parents invited him to Key West for Christmas, and Lucky says, meeting the parents is a big step. Cameron says he feels bad. He knows Jake is in Barcelona aging up visiting his host family. Elizabeth says, he’s not missing anything. They’re going to celebrate Christmas today.  

Jordan says she didn’t expect to see Drew here, and he says he wanted to thank her for her amazing work taking care of the underserved. She says she’s a public servant and serving the community is her job, and he says, she’s good at it. He also wants to thank the GH staff.

Nina says she can’t tell Willow about her relationship with Drew. Not now. Ava says she tried to get Nina to do it before, and Nina says, Willow has to be able to know she can trust her. Ava says, she will if Nina tells her the truth about her involvement with Drew before Willow had feelings for him. Nina tells her that Willow will say she should have said something when she found out they kissed, and Ava says, then apologize and tell her why she didn’t. Nina says, that’s not going to work, and Ava says, nothing will work if she’s not honest and if Willow hears it from someone else. Nina says she has no choice. If she tells Willow about her and Drew, she’ll run back to Michael.

Curtis asks why he’d want to back out, and Michael says he wants Curtis to know everything before he goes ahead. Willow and Drew’s affair came out in front of the whole family. Curtis says, damn. He’s sorry. Michael says he wants to play out what that means. Drew was going to give him Aurora when he thought all Michael knew about was the kiss. Curtis says, to buy Michael’s silence, and Michael says, to keep the peace. Now there’s no peace. Drew blames him for the affair coming out. He’s not going to let Michael near Aurora. He knows he said Drew wouldn’t keep Curtis on if he didn’t take the position, but now with this chaos, there’s a chance he’ll keep Curtis on. So now that the truth is out, Curtis can call the whole thing off. Curtis says, no, he can’t.

Jason says, If Michael wanted Carly to know, he’d have told her, but Carly says, maybe not, but she encouraged Michael to give Drew a chance to prove he’s a good guy. Drew and Willow got close because she pushed Michael to trust Drew. Jason says, Drew and Willow are responsible for their own actions, and Carly says, Michael let Willow and the kids go with Nina because he’s still in love with Willow. She didn’t think he’d let her take the kids, but if he doesn’t get them back, they’re in for a hell of a fight. Jason says, call Diane. She lives for a good fight. Carly says, she’ll show Diane the video, it explains what a sleazebag his brother is.

Drew says he’s not surprised Willow is here, and she says she signed up weeks ago. He asks Isaiah if he can borrow Willow, and Jordan gives him another icy look. They go into the hallway, and Drew says he was hoping to see her. She says, they can’t be seen together, but he says he doesn’t care. All he cares about is himself her.

Elizabeth gives Cameron a grocery list for their Christmas feast, and he leaves with Gretchen. Lucky says, she’s handling it well, and she says she had a feeling this might happen. Whenever she asked when Cameron was coming home, she didn’t get a straight answer. Now she knows why. She can afford to be flexible. It’s nice to see her son happy.

Josslyn tells Trina that after the video, she went to the hospital to see Dex. When she got there, they were trying to revive Him. She’d just spoken to him, and he was completely fine. Then he was gone. Trina says she wishes Josslyn had called her, and Josslyn says, Anna was there, and Jason stayed with her until her mom came. Her mom wanted her to stay, but she can’t. She wants to be alone. Trina asks if Josslyn wants her to go, but Josslyn says, not her. She’s glad Trina is here, but everybody else is a million miles away. Trina says she knows the feeling, and Josslyn says she knows. She kept trying to remember what she told Trina when she lost Spencer. She thought it would help, but it doesn’t. Nothing helps. Trina says, nothing will for a while. If Josslyn wants to talk or not talk or be alone or have company or just sit and look at the tree, whatever Josslyn wants to do, she’s good with it. Josslyn thanks her and takes her hand. She says she keeps thinking about Oscar. Losing him was horrible, but she knew it was coming. With Dex, she never saw it coming, so how can he be gone when she never got to say goodbye?

Curtis says he can’t predict what Drew will do or not, but he can’t work for a man like that. Michael says, Drew knows he’s coming for him. The element of surprise is gone. Curtis says, he won’t know Michael had anything to do with the leak, and Michael says, if the stock doesn’t tank, Curtis will be left with no options. Curtis says he’s willing to take that risk, but Michael has to make him CEO. Michael says, that was always the plan, but Curtis says, before he hits send and in writing. For the next five years, he’s permanent CEO of Aurora. He can’t be forced out or asked to step down. It’s his one condition. Take it or leave it.  

Nina tells Ava that if Michael takes Willow back, she’ll be indebted to him for the rest of her life and it’s not the kind of life she wants for her daughter. Ava says, what if Willow wants that for herself? and Nina says, she’s infatuated with Drew because she couldn’t admit Michael is the wrong man for her. If she needs to believe Drew was her savior to leave Michael, so be it. When he goes to Washington, Willow will stay here and rebuild her life and find her own identity away from the Quartermaines. Ava says, it could happen, but people make strange choices when their marriage ends. There’s a knock at the door, and Nina says, that’s why you have to expect the unexpected. She’s way ahead of Ava. She opens the door and Martin is there.

Drew says he’s worried about Willow. How is it going at her mom’s? She says, it’s great, but hard. Carly tried to stop them, but Michael agreed that the kids belong with their mother. He says he’s glad Michael sees that, especially since he was keeping the video from her, and she says, he was hurt and she doesn’t blame him. He loves his kids. Drew says he’s sorry, but being with her meant something to him. He won’t have the Quartermaines turn it into something cheap. She says, right now, she needs to focus on her kids. She’s made mistakes that affect them and has to protect them. Drew is being sworn into congress and can’t be caught up in a scandal.

Carly wonders how she couldn’t see Drew was lying, and Jason says, it’s unfortunate, but it doesn’t negate the good things he did. He rescued Liesl Obrecht and save Willow’s life. He went to prison for Carly.  She says, he’s not the hero she thought he was and doesn’t owe him a damn thing. He says, her feelings are hers, not Michael’s. Michael has to figure it out for himself. She says, don’t tell her to back off. He had a shot at Drew. Let her have hers.

Elizabeth says, the heartbreak over Josslyn sent Cameron to California, and Lucky says, he thought distance kept heartbreak from catching up, but it doesn’t. She says she’s glad Cameron found someone he likes, and he says, it looks like she likes him back. Cameron and Gretchen return, and Cameron asks if they’re going to be meeting Tobias soon, but Aiden says, he went to Disneyland with his parents for Christmas, but they’re not at meeting the family yet. Elizabeth asks if Aiden thinks she’ll embarrass him, and Cameron says, they’ll put the groceries in the kitchen. Elizabeth tells Lucky that she’s glad the kids are happy on their own, and he says, she’s pretty great with only her.

Martin asks why he’s here, and Nina says, her daughter Willow left her husband and needs an attorney to steer her through the divorce. She also wants him to help her secure primary custody. Martin asks if she’s not being hasty. Not all separations end in divorce. Nina says, this one will, but Martin says, maybe they’ll reconcile. Nina says she’s sure they won’t, and Martin says, a lot has happened, and he gets the urgency, but he has to ask. Where is Willow and what does she want?

Drew tells Willow, there won’t be a scandal. The only people who know are his family and his family doesn’t want it to come out any more than they do. She says, the children won’t be celebrating Christmas with their father. They’ll see him, but it won’t be the same. What about him? He’s not staying at the Quartermaines anymore. He says he got a room at the Cosmopolitan and he and Scout will celebrate there. She says, until then, he’ll be alone. Jordan continues staring daggers at him, and Felicia says, if looks were lethal, Drew would be in big trouble. Jordan says, he is, and she has to do something to stop him from making a bigger mistake than he already has. Felicia asks if there’s anything she can do to help, and Jordan says, there is something Felicia can do for her and Willow. Willow tells Drew that he’s welcome to come to Nina’s and bring Scout (is she insane???), when Felicia joins them. She says she doesn’t mean to interrupt, but she needs help with the first aid kits. She doesn’t know what goes in the boxes. Willow leaves with her.

Michael signs the document and the notary signs and stamps it. Michael gives it to Curtis, who says, it’s all good. He thanks the notary and she leaves. Michael says, once he leaks this, there’s no going back, and Curtis says, damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead. Michael hits send.

Lucky shows Gretchen pictures, and Cameron says, it’s embarrassing. He goes into the kitchen and says he’s sorry he didn’t tell Elizabeth, but she says she understands. She wants him to be happy. He seems happy with Gretchen. He says he is, but he’s taking it slow. He would have told her sooner, but he wanted to make sure things were real. She says she really does understand, and he says, it took him a long time to get over Joss. He didn’t want to jump into anything before he knew what it really was. She says, it’s tough not jumping in unless you’re just looking for a fun distraction, and he says he’s not a fun distraction kind of guy. He really likes Gretchen. She says, Gretchen really likes him too, and he says he thinks so. He hopes so. Again, he’s sorry. She says, stop. Apology accepted. They go to the living room, and Aiden asks if they can open presents. Elizabeth says she didn’t know Gretchen would be here, but Aiden says he has a present for her upstairs. Cameron says he has presents for everyone in his suitcase… which went to Key West. He sucks at Christmas. Elizabeth says, it doesn’t matter. He’s here. There’s only one other thing she wants. Will he play them a song?

Josslyn tells Trina that when Dex was working for Sonny, she was sure she’d lose him. She thought he was safer being a cop. She was so stupid. He said she was the reason he stopped working for Sonny and wanted to turn his life around. If she’s the reason he became a cop, she’s the reason he’s dead. Trina says, she can’t think like that. When Spencer died, that’s exactly what she did, and that kind of thinking goes nowhere good. Josslyn says, their situations are different, but Trina says she blamed herself that Spencer was in Paris and Esme wasn’t locked up. She thought he would be alive if she hadn’t fallen for him in the first place. Josslyn says, so would Dex, and Trina says, stop. She has to give herself time. After a while, she’ll be grateful for the time she had with Dex like she’s grateful for her time with Spencer. Josslyn says she hopes so. She doesn’t know how long she can survive feeling this way. Trina says, Josslyn can handle more than she thinks. Eventually she’ll get to the place Trina did. They loved each other and that’s a good thing. When she finally let herself live again, she found moments of happiness. Spencer would want that for her. Josslyn says, Trina is stronger than her, and Trina says, she’ll get there. She’ll figure out a way for herself. Dex would want that for her too.

Isaish says he’s vaccinated everyone within a five-mile radius and asks Jordan if he can help. She tells him to grab the box of donated coats, and they can sort through it. He brings the box over, and Jordan looks at Drew, making a face. (I laugh because she’s so good at this.) Isaiah says, thanks for inviting him, and she says, it’s her favorite part of being Deputy Mayor. He says, she’s in her element, and she says she’d rather this than network. She loves working with Laura, but it feels good to be here with the people she’s serving. Even if it’s a little thing, she feels like she’s doing something. He says, it’s not a little thing. He vaccinated a girl who she helped pick out a coat. It was purple. She says, purple was the girl’s favorite color, and he says, it’s her favorite coat. When he was giving her the shot, she kept talking about it. Jordan says, what about the shot? and he says, she didn’t flinch. She was braver than most adults. What about her? She says, not yet.

Nina says she’s helping Willow get the preliminaries out of the way while she’s doing some good works, and Ava tells them, nothing says merry Christmas like a divorce lawyer on retainer. Nina says she knows going against the Quartermaines is not an easy task. She was hoping Martin would know how to handle them. He says, that depends. What precipitated the breakup? Nina says, Willow had a brief, unfortunate relationship with Michael’s uncle. It’s not her fault. She was vulnerable and he took advantage. Martin says, nonetheless, Michael is the injured party, and Willow isn’t Wiley’s biological mother. Nina says, Willow legally adopted him, and Martin says, to be honest, Michael’s family has power, contacts, and very deep pockets. They won’t let the children go without a helluva fight.

Jason says, if Carly has to go after Drew, go, but leave Michael out of it. She says she’s not sure she can do that, but he says, she can do anything. She says, like him? and he says he thought he wanted to hurt Drew, but he regrets it. She says, so do as I say, not as I do? and he says he can’t undo it, but it’s not too late for her to stay out of it. She says she’s not the type of person who turns the other cheek. Drew and Willow hurt her son. Now it’s time for them to start paying for it.

Josslyn says she’s lucky she has Trina in her life. She doesn’t know what she’d do without Trina and her family. Trina says she’s glad to be here for Josslyn, and Josslyn says her too. Dex never got anything like this. He didn’t get so much as a phone call or a card from his family at Christmas. Trina says, he had her. He wasn’t alone. Josslyn says, that’s why it’s up to her to make sure he gets justice.

Cameron plays guitar and sings The First Noel. Lucky joins him on the chorus.

Sitting in a chair, Jordan tells Isaiah that she’s ready to get it over with. If she faints, promise he’ll catch her. He says he gave her the shot, and she says, he’s good.

Felicia says, it would be great to get the kids together during the holidays, but Willow says, it’s up in the air. Felicia says, let her know, and Willow says she’ll get back to her. Willow looks at Drew, and Felicia watches. Felicia says, with everything going on, Willow is busy. Don’t worry about not getting the kids together. Willow says she’s sure they can work everything out. Drew’s phone dings, and he sees Aurora’s stock is tanking.  

Curtis says, that didn’t take long. It’s already falling. On the phone, Michael says, when the stock hits 15, start buying. Buy it all.

Nina says, the Quartermaines have considerable resources, but so does she. She’ll spend whatever it takes to make sure Willow gets custody of her children. Martin asks if Willow is ready for that kind of fight. It will get long, costly, and very ugly. Nina says, Michael probably has Diane building a case now, so Willow will be ready. She has to be.

Jason says, do not make Willow and Drew pay, but Carly says she is. Jason says, no. She’s a good mom and he knows she’ll put Michael’s needs above hers. She says she hates this for Michael, but she knows he’s right. She’ll let Michael take the lead, but if she gets the chance to make Drew pay, she’s going to take it for what he did. She walks out, and Jason sighs.

Tomorrow, Nina tells Willow that Drew isn’t someone she should rely on; Drew wonders why Curtis isn’t concerned that his company is in trouble; Tracy asks what business Martin could possibly have with Michael; and Michael tells Chase that Drew is going to pay for blowing up his marriage.

🥀 This Year’s Losses…

Saluting those who made a contribution to the soap world.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/abc/remembering-the-soap-stars-we-lost-this-year

🧂 Rubbing Salt In the Wound…

Britani complained of crickets after making an announcement about her daughter at dinner. Bronwyn wondered if Britani was bothered because it was about her daughter or because attention wasn’t paid when she announced the announcement. Britani called her a bitch, and in Bronwyn’s interview, she said, if Lisa was called a bitch and she didn’t jump to defend her, she would hear about it until her death. When she pointed it out to Lisa, Lisa said it wasn’t her job to defend Bronwyn. Alrighty then.

On another note, I used to like Heather because I thought she was authentic – a rarity in reality – but now she’s just one more Housewife.

The whole scoop.

Bronwyn’s confession.

https://people.com/rhoslc-bronwyn-newport-reveals-daughter-caught-husband-todd-bradley-cheating-8763940

These women are evil. 1) This is a reality show. We’re supposed to be watching real life. 2) Cheating always comes out anyway. 3) If he didn’t want it ever coming out, he shouldn’t have done it. Shame on them for shaming Bronwyn for being real on a reality show.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhoslc-cast-slams-bronwyn-newport-revealing-todd-bradley-cheated-exclusive

👠 Fixing Her Crown…

Apparently, the Grand Dame doesn’t think she should be judged on the same scale as the rest of us peasants.

https://people.com/real-housewives-of-potomac-star-karen-huger-found-guilty-of-dui-8639972

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

In addition to the too many series I’m juggling, I watched Subservience. Megan Fox was great, but it was an incredibly unoriginal story. Her robot could have been replaced by a nanny, an orphan, a stalker, and any other beautiful woman who works their way into the home of a married dude with a child and then tries to take over, wife or not.

https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/netflix/netflixs-new-no-1-movie-is-a-dark-sci-fi-thriller-starring-megan-fox-but-opinions-are-split

🐶 Sweater Weather…

Normally, I don’t pay much attention to the Kardashians, but I’m always up for a dog in a holiday sweater.

https://people.com/kylie-jenner-dogs-christmas-sweaters-photo-dachshunds-8763303

🌲 A Lingering Season…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a little Charm. Until then, stay safe; stay keeping toasts short and sweet; and stay expecting the unexpected.

December 11, 2024 – Jason Kidnaps Martin, Salty Talk, Parasite, She’s Got It Made, All About Those Globes, VanderNews, Transformed & Wonderland

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

Curtis asks Jordan the status of the esplanade, and she says, they have to wait until after the new year to get approval. He tells her to hold off. He has a better location and will be able to make it happen when he’s officially CEO of Aurora.

Outside on the phone, Martin leaves a message for Cyrus to call him back. He’s been hearing some disturbing things about him. A hand clamps down on Martin’s shoulder.

Nina tells Maxie that Lulu is rushing to return to the land of the living. Lulu had a meltdown in her office, and insisted she knew where Valentin is. Maxie says, it makes sense to Lulu, and Nina says, time stood still for Lulu, but not for her. She has no idea where Valentin is. Maxie says she’ll talk to Lulu if she can find her. Lulu is a mother desperate to find her daughter. Nina says she understands, but she hopes Lulu understands she’s not the enemy.

Carly says, Jack knows how to get in touch with Valentin, and Lulu says, good. Start dialing. Jack says, her cousin understates his reach, but Lulu says, don’t give her WSB doubletalk and make the damn call. She hasn’t seen her daughter in four years. Jack makes the call. (He’s probably scared. If she’s this feisty immediately upon coming out of a coma, he can’t imagine what she’s like when she’s in top shape.)

Anna tells Dex that he and Loren did everything by the book, but she needs his account. He says, things are blurry because of the anesthesia, but some drunk frat guys got into it over the game. He and Officer Jackson deescalated the situation and he was pouring out the alcohol he confiscated. The next thing he knew, he felt a sharp pain in his back, and he was on the ground. She tells him that Chase said he didn’t see his assailant. Did he hear anything? Dex says, the Christmas fair. Does she think he was targeted because he’s a cop? Josslyn runs in and asks if he’s okay. He says, he’s fine. He was talking to the Commissioner. Josslyn apologizes, but Anna says she’s got everything she needs. She tells Dex, get better, and leaves. Dex asks how Josslyn is doing, and she tells him, don’t tease his way out of this. She’s glad he’s okay. She kisses him.

Maxie says, four years feels like a lot, and Nina says she woke up to a changed world too. She searched for her child and has a lot of sympathy for Lulu, but she can’t help find Charlotte. Maybe Maxie can help Lulu understand that. Maxie says she’ll do her best, and goes to the door, running into Drew who’s coming in. He asks if Nina has a minute, and Maxie lingers in the doorway. Nina thanks her, and she leaves. Drew says he’ll make it quick. He’s making Michael CEO of Aurora. Nina asks, what happened to Curtis? and Drew says, Curtis is out. Michael is in. (Ugh.)

Jordan asks if Drew is keeping Curtis on as CEO. Did he make Drew see the light? Curtis says he talked to Drew and Drew lied to his face. She says she’s sorry. She thought he had a change of heart. Curtis says he gave Drew every opportunity, but he wouldn’t commit, and Jordan asks if Curtis is teaming up with Michael. Curtis says he is, but not the way Michael thinks.

Martin sees that it’s Jason and asks if this is necessary. He does know it’s technically kidnapping and Martin’s sister the mayor may be upset… Okay. Why is he here? Jason says he’ll ask the questions.

Lulu asks why Valentin isn’t picking up, and Jack says, he doesn’t always pick up and there’s no voicemail. She says, Jack could have called anyone, and he says, she has to trust him. She tells him to track it, but he says, it’s a burner phone. She says, he works for the WSB, so she doesn’t believe he can’t, and he says he understands she’s upset, but he had nothing to do with Valentin taking off. She asks why he has the number, and he says, Valentin contacted him. They worked together a long time no and he has no idea where Valentin is. Lulu says she’s finding her daughter if she has to burn the WSB to the ground, and takes the phone. Jack says, the family resemblance is unmistakable. Good evening. He leaves, and Carly tells Lulu, that was the wrong move. Lulu says, don’t tell her that Carly thinks he’s telling the truth, but Carly says she actually does.

Jordan asks if he’s doing it his way, and Curtis says he’s protecting himself and Aurora. He’s not sure Michael cares about Aurora’s success. If she can hold off on the esplanade, there will be a tremendous opportunity for Aurora and the city. She asks if Michael is on board, and he says, yes. She says she’ll slow walk it until she hears from him. She needs to do some last-minute shopping, and Curtis says he appreciates that he knows who he can count on. She says, always, when Portia comes in. She asks if she’s interrupting.

Josslyn says, it’s crazy that Dex got stabbed, and he says, it’s better than being shot and treated with stolen medical equipment. She agrees that it’s better that he’s in a hospital, and he says, not that he didn’t love the twin bed dorm room experience. She asks, how is he? Who did this to him? There’s a knock at the door, and Isaiah says, it’s good to see him awake. He’s here to discuss Dex’s surgery. Dex says, it’s okay that Josslyn is here. She’s his girlfriend. Isaiah says, her boyfriend was born under a lucky star. He’s going to be just fine.

Carly says she’s dealt with Jack a lot and he’s come through every time, and Lulu asks if she thinks he’s honest. Carly says, hell no. He works for the WSB. She thinks he’s being honest about not knowing where Valentin is and the burner phone being the only way to contact him. Lulu says she needs to get the number, and Carly tells her not to go after the WSB singlehandedly. Lulu says, it’s hard to wrap her head around. She went to sleep and woke up to a world she barely recognized. Her dad is gone, and Spencer. She has new relatives, Cyrus being one of them. Her daughter is missing, and she can come to terms with everything except that. Carly says she wants to help. That’s why she brought Lulu to Jack. But he won’t help if she goes after the WSB or calls him a liar. Nina can’t help. She’s gotten and lost a whole new husband since then. Lulu asks, who? and Carly asks if she’d believe Sonny. Lulu says, Carly is holding back bad news, and Carly says she’s sorry to tell Lulu, but when Lulu was in a coma, her mom passed away.

In Jack’s office, Colette says she still thinks they could have utilized the bug to their advantage. They could have given disinformation that led them away from Valentin. Jack wonders what they’d do then, since they desperately want to find him.

Anna asks if there’s been any progress, but Spinelli says, not yet, but he wants to find Charlotte. She says she appreciates his help. She tells him to keep his distance, and goes into the room where Martin is. She asks, what’s going on? and Martin says, Jason just kidnapped him. Arrest him. Anna asks Jason why Martin’s not restrained.

Isaiah says he expects Dex to make a full recovery in a few weeks, and Dex thanks him for everything. Isaiah says he’s happy to deliver good news. He’ll be checking in until Dex is released. Enjoy their evening. He leaves, and Dex says he has a clean bill of health. Why isn’t Josslyn smiling? She says, he still hasn’t told her why it happened, and he says, he was pouring out booze that he’d confiscated when he was stabbed. They snuck up behind him and that’s all he knows. She asks if he hasn’t once thought that Sonny might be behind it.

Curtis tells Portia that he and Jordan were just finishing up. There are exciting possibilities for Aurora’s future. Jordan says she looks forward to it, when her phone dings. She says, Dex is out of surgery and awake. She should head over there. She leaves, and Curtis thanks Portia for coming by. She says she was happy to do it. What does he want to talk about? He says he’s about to take Aurora from Drew and wants her to know why.

Drew tells Nina that Curtis will still be the head of Wellness and he’s going to give Curtis a big bump in salary to show his appreciation. Nina asks if something happened for him to lose faith in Curtis, but he says, it’s a business decision. Michael is the better choice. Nina wonders if he’s trying to assuage his guilt. Curtis is his friend and she’s sure he’d make an excellent CEO. He says, Michael has already proven he can run the company. He’s surprised she’s not on board. She asks why she would be, and he says, for Willow. Doesn’t she want her daughter to be happy?

Lulu tells Carly that she’s so sorry. When did it happen? Carly says, almost a year ago, New Year’s Eve. She’s bracing for this one. Lulu says she can’t imagine a world without Aunt Bobbie, and Carly says she’s sorry to give Lulu another shock. Lulu says, Carly’s mom was a rock for all of them, and Carly says, if she was here, Bobbie would be telling Lulu the same thing she is. Hold tight. They’re going to find Charlotte. She’s a Spencer and Spencers don’t give up on each other. Lulu says, never, when Maxie walks in and says, here she is. Was she ever going to call? She and Lulu hug.

Colette says she thought Jack wanted Valentin to stay away, but he says, circumstances have changed. Lulu desperately wants to find her daughter. Anna, Jason, and Carly are helping her, and now that they found out he can contact Valentin, the proverbial cat is out of the bag. She asks if he wants them to find Charlotte, and he says, out there, Valentin is a liability to the WSB and to him. She asks if they can rely on outsiders, and he says, they have resources and are highly motivated. There’s a good chance they’ll succeed. She says, there are no guarantees, but he says, she knows there are no guarantees in this business. She says she’s concerned he’s not taking the matter as seriously as he should. He should have taken a step back and allowed Valentin to take the fall for Pikeman. He should never have let Valentin get away in the first place.

Jason tells Anna that he thought he would do it the easy way. He didn’t want to make a mess. Anna says, they don’t have time for the easy way, and Martin asks if she’s working with Jason. Why are they threatening him? Anna says, they want to find Valentin, and one way or another, Martin is going to help them.

Portia says, Curtis and Drew are close. How could he go behind Curtis’s back and make Michael CEO? She’s so sorry. He says he’ll deal with that later, but right now he wants to protect himself and the future of Aurora. She says, it’s Drew’s company and Curtis can walk, but Curtis says he founded the Wellness Center, and he’s invested in the company. She asks if he thinks he can trust Michael. Doesn’t he think Michael wants to be CEO? Curtis says he doesn’t know if he trusts Michael entirely, but he can work with him. She asks when he’s going to tell Michael, and he says, in a few days. She asks if that’s why Jordan was here. Is she helping with his plan?

Jordan asks for Dex’s room at the hospital, and Isaiah says he was just in with Dex. She asks how Dex is, and he says, Dex is going to be just fine. She says, that’s great news. Did he do the surgery? He says he did. He can take her to Dex’s room, but he should give her a heads up. His girlfriend is with him. She says she’ll give them a moment and they can talk about him. Since he performed the surgery, she takes it that he decided to sign the contract. He thanks her for her help, and she says she’s happy to be of service. She guesses he’ll be sticking around, and he says he’s now in official residence of her lovely city. She says, on behalf of the mayor’s office, welcome to Port Charles.

Josslyn says, Dex was with Anna when they raided Sonny’s house and there was a gun missing. Maybe Sonny is ticked off about that. He says, if Sonny wanted to get him, it would have been sooner and successful, but she says, maybe he’s biding his time. He says, Sonny gave him his word that he wouldn’t come after him, and Sonny’s word means a lot to him. He doesn’t think it’s Sonny. She says she thought when he left Sonny’s organization and was on the right side of the law, she wouldn’t have to worry about him getting hurt and he’d be safe. (Clearly, she doesn’t know what a cop does.)

Lulu says she was going to call, and Maxie says, they have a lot to catch up on. Lulu says she has a lot to ask. She saw James. He’s adorable and so grown up, like the little man of the house. Maxie says, she should see Georgie. She’s an actual teenager and reminds her of them. Lulu says she and Carly were talking about how much has happened in four years, and Maxie says she didn’t mean to interrupt. Lulu says, Carly is going to help her find Charlotte. She said Nina married Sonny. Fill her in. Maxie says she will, but speaking of Nina, she said Lulu stormed into her office and asked if she knew where Charlotte was. Nina would tell her if she knew. No matter what, they’re going to find her. Lulu says she’s sorry it took her so long to see Maxie. They have so much to catch up on.

Jack says he’s not the one who let Valentin get away, but Colette says, he didn’t stop Valentin either. He says he owed a debt, and it’s paid in full. Unfortunately, Valentin drawing attention to himself is on him. She says, if he hadn’t taken his daughter… He says, Valentin is no stranger to life on the run, but to Charlotte, it’s a lifestyle challenge. She asks if he’s up to something, and he says he may have a way to improve their chances. How long does she think a teenager can go without a phone?

Martin says he doesn’t know where Valetin is, and Anna says, he’s Valentin’s lawyer. He says, they haven’t spoken in months, and she asks how he was paid. He says he’s on retainer and Valentin set it up. He’s the last person who can get in touch with Valentin. Anna says, he knew all of Valentin’s dealings not long ago. She finds it hard to believe he could lose track. He says, that’s the way it is. He can’t give them what he doesn’t have. Charlotte is his grandniece. Doesn’t she think If he knew where they were, they’d have heard by now? Anna says, maybe Valentin made it worth his while, but Martin says, he didn’t. He and Valentin aren’t in touch, and he’d like to get out. He gets up, but Jason stands in front of him, and he sits back down. Anna says, he doesn’t realize the level of desperation. They’re going to do what it takes to find Charlotte. She tells Jason to jog Martin’s memory.

Nina says, Drew framing his betrayal with benefitting Willow is a new low for him, and he says, it will lower the temperature and might save Willow’s marriage. She says she thinks he believes that and he’s betting the company on it. He says he thought they could have an adult conversation where they acknowledge the mistakes they’ve made. He crossed the line, but he wants to put his indiscretion behind him and avoid splitting up the family. She says, he thinks he can buy Michael off, and he says, Michael agreed and knows he’s making amends. Nina says, the only person losing is Curtis, and Drew says he’s just not handing Curtis the keys to the entire company. She says, Curtis believes he’s going to be the next CEO. He’s worked his tail off for months. He says, that’s where she comes in, but she says, oh no. She doesn’t think so. He says, oh yes. She needs to soften the blow.

Curtis says, Jordan is working on McConkey’s esplanade, and he told her what’s going on, and Portia says, before he told her? He says he wanted all the facts before he said anything. It’s hard accepting that Drew would pull this on him, but today confirmed it. He wanted to let her know what’s going on. There will be many late nights, and he needs support. She says, he has it. No matter what. He says he’s not holding anything back and needs people he can trust by his side if he’s going to pull this off. And there’s no one he trusts more than her. They hug.

Lulu says she’s touched that Maxie named Bailey Lou after her and she was meant to be with Spinelli. Thank God she dumped Peter. Maxie says, there’s more to tell her about that, but it’s always been Spinelli. She realized how much he loves her, got out of her own way, and realized how much she loves him too. Lulu says she knows the feeling of true love. One day it’s, that’s the guy I love, and everything snaps in place. She felt that with Dante. Maxie says, felt, past tense, and Lulu says, when she saw him, her heart flipped, but he loved Sam and she’s gone. She can see he’s grieving. Sam’s whole family is. Maxie says, the funeral was heartbreaking, and Lulu says she’s sorry Sam is gone. She owes Sam her life and never got to say thank you. Maxie says, Sam was proud and happy to be able to help. She never hesitated. Lulu says she feels blessed and honored to have a forever connection with Sam. She doesn’t know how Dante can look at her. She knows he’s happy she’s alive, but the woman he loved is gone. Sam would be here if Sam hadn’t been her donor. Maxie says, Lulu’s not to blame, and Lulu says, maybe not, but it was a mess when she went under and it’s a mess now. Some things never change.

Martin says, wait. He doesn’t know anything, and he can prove it. Grab his phone. It’s in his coat pocket. All of his contacts with Valentin are stored in there, all the bank accounts. Anna asks why he didn’t tell them that, and he says he shouldn’t have to. He’s not the one working with an assassin. Does she have any idea how far over the line she is? Anna says, if he doesn’t like her methods, she doesn’t care. Her priority is to find Charlotte and bring her back to her mother, no matter what. She hopes there’s a number on his phone that leads them to Valentin. He says, and if there isn’t, what is she going to do to him?  

Jack says, Charlotte is going to go online, especially when she finds out her mother is awake. She’ll post, like, text, any activity that can lead them to her. Colette says, Valentin isn’t going to let her or they’re both at risk, but he says, Valentin has more than a few blind spots. Charlotte loves horses. Find the names of the people who are caring for them. She also speaks French, so she may use Colette’s language. Have IT comb the accounts to see if they can come up with a location. Colette says she sees the wisdom in allowing Anna and Jason to continue, but why Carly? Anna is a pro and Jason is a recruit, but Carly is a civilian. What does she have to offer? He says, she’ll be useful, and she asks if he’s sure that’s not what he’s telling himself. Doting fathers aren’t the only ones with a blind spot.

Carly comes in where Spinelli is working and says she has news. Brennan found the bug and confronted her. He admitted he’d been in touch with Valentin on a burner phone. Jason says, that’s helpful. She did good. Now it’s time to go. She asks if Spinelli is trying to find Charlotte. She’s not going anywhere. Lulu is her cousin. Charlotte is family. Jason says, Carly should be with her family and not here.

Dex tells Josslyn, most cops go their whole career without being injured in the line of duty. He got it out of the way. From here on in, he’s golden. She says she’s going to keep believing that, and he says he has a few weeks off and she’s finished with finals. Maybe on a beach somewhere, her and him. She says she’s mentally packing her bags, and they kiss. In the doorway, Jordan says she doesn’t really need to talk to Dex now, and Isaiah closes the door. In the hallway, Jordan says, as Deputy Mayor, she wants to make sure her constituents feel safe at the Christmas fair. She’s heading over to the plaza to show her support and prove that it’s still safe… and do some last-minute shopping. He asks if she’d care for some company, and she says she’d love that.  

Drew says, Nina can help smooth the way with Curtis, so he can keep Michael happy. She asks if making him CEO will make him happy, and he says, happy Michael, happy Willow. She says, and he can sweep his betrayal under the rug, and he says he wants to move on. She says, he wants her to help stab Curtis in the back, and he asks, what’s more important? Curtis’s happiness or Willow’s happiness?  

Portia thanks Curtis for bringing her up to speed on what’s going on. She’ll support him with whatever he needs. He says he’s counting on her and Jordan, and she says, what about Michael? He says, Michael could be useful, but from now on, he’s running the show.

Anna tells Martin to pray something is on his phone to help them track Charlotte down, and he says, or else what? She’s going to hurt him? That won’t change anything. It won’t help find Charlotte and won’t change the fact Anna shot her. Anna says, it’s a fact she faces every day. She owes Charlotte and will do what it takes to bring her back to her mother, to her family, and hopefully a decent life.

Jack tells Colette, advice given and received. He’ll take it from here and handle the personnel. They have one chance to intercept Valentin.  Once Lulu finds Charlotte, it’s over, and Valentin will be in the wind and impossible to track.

Maxie tells Lulu, you know what else hasn’t changed? Them. They can do anything if they do it together. She’ll tell Lulu a secret. Spinelli is also working on finding Charlotte, and she knows he’ll find her. Lulu is getting her daughter back.

Carly asks why Jason is dismissing her. She’s the one with the connection to Jack. He listens to her. Jason says, Jack wants her to think he does because he has an agenda, and she says, he delivers when it counts. He saved Jason’s life. Jason says he owes Jack, but he’s not a good guy. Stay away from him. Carly says she trusts Jason’s instincts, but this time, she trusts hers more. Spinelli says he found an account that was accessed 32 hours ago in a Swiss bank. Jason asks if it couldn’t be accessed from anywhere, and Spinelli says, it could, but it wasn’t. Valentin is in Zurich.  

Tomorrow, Tracy says, it’s a Christmas miracle; Carly asks Olivia, what’s going on with Michael and Willow; Nina says, whatever Willow decides, she’ll support her; Michael tells Sasha, that is going to cost him dearly.

🧂 My Lost Shaker Of Salt…

So, no recaps available yet, but this show is getting painful to watch with the same arguments circling the drain and everybody talking yelling at once. Of course, most of it happened at a dinner party in a restaurant. They also tend to argue by just repeating what the other one said, with a minor tweak. For example, Meredith claiming Angie said something-or-other, Angie saying, is that what I said? and Meredith returning with, is that what you said? I swear this went on for ten minutes. The best part of that whole scene was waiter Carlos interrupting to take their drink orders. Like these women need drinks. Once again, I wondered how the waiter felt, but from the look on his face, I’d say, amused.

Bronwyn also got severely bitten by a dog at a dog park. Apparently, the owner was in his car making a call. Unreal. Britani told her, Chanel heals all wounds. I don’t know if that’s true, but I wouldn’t mind finding out.

There was also another chapter to Mary finding out her son was a drug addict. Mary is bringing it as a Housewife this season. She’s been open and focused, as well as funny, a far cry from seasons past.

https://people.com/real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-mary-cosby-reveals-son-robert-jr-tried-heroin-amid-addiction-struggle-8760172

👠 Maybe It’s Karma…

While it could have been from the food, my guess is that it’s from all the fillers she’s pumped into her face, Botox injections, having fillers removed, more fillers put in, and so on. Something’s got to give at some point.

https://people.com/brandi-glanville-face-parasite-8759671

💎 Here Comes the Bride…

I love her and think she’s the perfect addition to RHOBH.

🏆 They’re Golden…

The nominations.

The snubs and surprises. I was more surprised at the snubs than the actual surprises.

https://people.com/golden-globes-2025-nominations-snubs-surprises-8757516

https://ew.com/2025-golden-globes-nominations-snubs-surprises-movies-tv-8757359

🍸 VanderLatest…

Yeah. I don’t see it happening.

She’s probably looking forward to shaking Schwartz & Scandoval.

🐕 Her Alter Doggo…

I can’t wait to see this.

The feelings.

https://collider.com/nightbitch-motherhood/

The transformation.

https://ew.com/amy-adams-nightbitch-dog-transformation-no-american-werewolf-in-london-moment-8754844

The real puppin’ deal.

https://ew.com/how-nightbitch-team-trained-rescue-dog-named-amy-play-amy-adams-8756459

📜 Making a List…

Drop by tomorrow for soap and whatever sticks. Until then, stay safe, stay being respectful of others’ beliefs about the holiday season, and stay knowing that some things never change.

December 5, 2024 – Carly Plants a Bug At the WSB, Soap Suds, Salty Talk, Resumed Charm, Just Bickering, VanderNews, Happy Ending & If

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

Dante is waiting for Sonny in his office. He says he didn’t know where else to go. He had no one else to talk to about Lulu waking up.

Isaiah looks into Jordan’s office and says he must be in the wrong place. She tells him, says who?

Kristina goes to Deception, and Natalia says, Maxie is gone for the day. Kristina says she’s not here to see Maxie. She’s here to see Natalia.

TJ thanks Curtis for coming over, and Curtis asks, what’s up? TJ says, see for himself, and Curtis comes in. He says, Molly moved out? and TJ says, she’s gone.

Molly tells Alexis that she has a car full of boxes to unload and wants to get it done, but Alexis says, Molly doesn’t want to think about her heartbreak. Molly says, some people don’t think she has a heart, and Alexis says, she has a beautiful heart that’s breaking. Molly says she doesn’t want to think, and Alexis says, she’s grieving and should take a break, but Molly says, if she stops moving, she’ll fall apart.

Jack discusses some WSB business with Colette, when Jason comes to his office. Jack says, the answer to their prayers just walked in.

Anna asks if Spinelli is nervous, and Spinelli says he’s bracing for impact. Does she think this is wise? She says, which part? and he says, the entire operation. They want the same thing, to find Charlotte. Anna says, Lulu has been separated from her daughter for too long, when there’s a knock at the door. Carly asks why she’s here. Why is Spinelli here? Anna says, they need to step up the search. They have to bring Charlotte back. Carly says she’s not sure how she can help, and Anna asks if she’s willing. Carly says, of course (🍷). She’d do anything to help. Anna says, including planting a bug on Jack Brennan?

Isaiah asks what floor he’s on, and Jordan says, five. He says he’s looking for the notary, and she says, it’s three doors down to the left. There’s no sign, just a sticker with a surfboard on it. He says, that screams notary, and she asks if he’s on GH business. He asks how she knows, and she says her son works there and she recognizes the header on the stationery. He says, it’s his employment agreement, and she says, so he’s decided to accept the offer. He says, it looks like he’ll be sticking around, but she says she can’t let him sign that contract.

Sonny says, Lulu was determined to get out, and Dante says, Cyrus was hanging around. Sonny says, she has good instincts, worthy of the Spencer name, and Dante says, Luke would be proud. Sonny asks how Dante is doing now that Lulu is awake, and Dante says he’s trying to figure out what life looks like now. He was already trying and now Lulu is back. Sonny is the king of blending families. He’s got kids from different relationships, and he kept them together. How did he balance it? Rocco is over the moon, and Danny and Scout are grief stricken.

Jack introduces Jason to his Deputy Chief, Colette. He hopes Jason is taking him up on his offer. They were just discussing how the WSB needs new blood. Jason says he’s not here about that, and Jack asks Colette to give him and Jason a moment. Colette leaves, and Jack says, Jason has his attention. Jason says he’s not sure if Jack heard, but Lulu Spencer woke up. Jack says, the family must be thrilled, and Jason says, Charlotte needs to come home and see her mother. Jack says he swears he doesn’t know where Valentin is, and Jason tells him, stop lying.

Carly says, Anna is out of her mind. Why does Anna think she can get near Jack? Anna says, she’s one of the few he trusts, and Carly asks Spinelli to tell Anna that she’s crazy, but Spinelli says, she has a point. The man has taken a shine to her. Carly asks why they think Jack knows where Valentin is, and Anna says, Spinelli has been looking for him. Spinelli says, it’s like Valentin vanished into thin air, and Anna says, no one disappears that smoothly unless they’re getting help from a powerful man like Brennan. Carly asks if she’s saying Jack helped Valentin escape, and Anna says, Valentin and the WSB have ties to Pikeman and it’s motivation to keep Valentin gone. Carly wonders if she’s asked Jack, and Anna says, Jack claims he doesn’t know where Valentin is. Carly says, Jack is a friend and he’s done more than one favor for her. He saved all of them. Anna says, he can be charming and useful when he decides to be, but make no mistake, favors and information are his currency. Spinelli says, if Georgie was forced to go on the run, he would do what it takes to find her. He’s sure Carly would do the same if it was Josslyn or Donna. Carly says, of course (🍷). Fine. She’ll do it. Give her the bug. But just so they’re clear, she’s doing it to prove Anna wrong. Anna says, understood.

Kristina says she wants to thank Natalia for her help in the courtroom. She knows that she swerved into Natalia’s lane. If a jury heard what really happened, it would have helped the defense. She knows Natalia committed perjury. Natalia says she told the truth as she remembered it, and Kristina says, let her be grateful. Thanks. Natalia says she’s so, so welcome. (I absolutely love Kristina’s coat and can’t take my eyes off of it. I often get distracted by the wardrobe choices.)

TJ tells Curtis that he came home, and Molly was packing. She said she was staying at her mom’s now. She cleared out in the neatest, most orderly, efficient way. He wishes he was surprised. Molly’s not grieving at all. It’s like when Irene died. She mourned at the funeral and moved on. She calmly packed up and left. Curtis says he’s sorry, but TJ says he’s not being fair. Curtis says, maybe not, but it’s how he feels.

Alexis says she gets it. Molly is doing whatever and keeps doing it, so she feels like her life isn’t spinning out of control. Molly says, if she stays in motion, she can gradually pick up the pieces. Alexis says she does the same thing. She’s Molly’s mom and will support her no matter what. She loves Molly, but Molly also needs to hear none of this is her fault. Molly says she hears it, but she doesn’t know if she believes it.

Jason tells Jack that Charlotte’s family will do whatever it takes to bring her home. Lulu is awake and desperate to see her daughter. The Spencers will weaponize everything at their disposal to locate Valentin. Jack said, if Anna found him, it would not go well for her. He wants Jack to get in touch with Valentin. He’ll meet Valentin wherever he wants, Valentin gives him Charlotte, and he’ll bring her home. It’s not a trick. He won’t even touch Valentin. He’ll bring Charlotte to her mother and Valentin can go free. He’s offering Jack an out. Take it. There’s a knock at the door, and Colette reminds Jack that they have a meeting. Jack tells Jason, always a pleasure, and Jason says, think about what he said. He leaves, and Jack says, Colette’s timing is impeccable. She asks if Jack got anything useful out of Jason, and Jack says he did. Now he has to figure out how to play it.

Jordan says she can’t let Isaiah accept the offer until she looks it over. She knows contracts and knows GH. She has access to other information. He asks if she’s using her position to help a civilian, and she says, unofficially, she can tell him that the hospital is due a windfall of federal money when the development plan gets the go ahead. She looks through the papers and says she also knows GH can afford to pay up, but they can’t afford to lose a surgeon like him. He asks why she’s doing this, and she says, maybe she likes the idea of him sticking around. He says, maybe? and she says, maybe she feels like she owes him one.

Sonny asks what it’s like, all three of them together, and Dante says, it’s like the pieces of a puzzle fitting back together. It’s an old one, but everything is different. Things have changed. Danny and Scout are a big part of Rocco’s life. Sonny asks if he thinks they resent Rocco, and Dante says, Rocco is worried they do. Sonny says, it’s tough to balance happiness and grief, and Dante says, Lulu will be spending time at the Quartermaines and he doesn’t know how to broach it when she’ll want Rocco to spend nights with her. Sonny says, he can’t solve everything at once. He’ll lose his mind. Dante says he feels like that’s already happened.

When Carly arrives at Jack’s office, Colette is sitting in his chair. She introduces herself as his second in command, and they shake hands. Carly asks, where’s Jack? and Colette says, he’s finishing a meeting in the war room. Is she here to cause problems or help solve them? Carly says she’s here as a friend. Jack comes back and tells Colette that he’d like a moment with Carly. She tells him not to allow himself to get distracted for too long, and leaves. Jack asks, to what does he owe the pleasure? and she says she came to talk about Lulu. He says, it’s wonderful that she’s awake. Jason stopped by to inform him. She says, then Jason probably asked him the same thing she’s about ask, and he says, the answer is the same. He doesn’t know where Valentin Cassadine is.

Jason goes to Anna’s place and tells her that he went to see Jack. He told Jack that all he wants is Charlotte. Whatever Valentin does after that is none of his business. Spinelli comes out from another room and says, the equipment is a go. Jason asks, what equipment? and Spinelli says he was setting up a server. Jason says, she called Spinelli for that? and Anna admits he’s helping to set up a bug in Brennan’s office. Jason says, Brennan is probably the hardest person to bug, and Anna says, that’s why she asked Carly. Jack likes and trusts her. Jason asks why she put Carly in a dangerous situation, and Anna says, she was married to Sonny and Carly is a grown woman with a mind of her own. Spinelli says, they’re on the same side, in pursuit of the same thing – bringing Charlotte home to her mom.  

Curtis says, they always wind up mad at the people they care about. The way TJ feels is normal. Don’t judge himself and don’t get trapped in it. Eventually, he’ll remember who Molly is. TJ says he doesn’t want to feel indifferent to Molly. She’s been his world for so long. Is he not supposed to care anymore? Curtis says, not at all. He and TJ’s mother reached a place where he thinks they’re friends who can talk to and lean on one another. TJ says, they’re family. They have to get along. Curtis says, there are plenty of families who can’t be in the same room. They made a conscious decision to be friends. Maybe he and Molly will too. Or if they decide it’s temporary and belong together… TJ says he doesn’t think that’s happening, and Curtis says, don’t let his anger put him in a box he can’t get out of.

Molly tells Alexis that she shouldn’t have told Kristina not to see Ava. Kristina always does the opposite of what she tells her. Alexis says, Kristina is responsible for her own actions, and Molly says she’s holding herself responsible for hers. The last time she saw Sam, she was fighting with Kristina instead of telling Sam how much she loved her and how proud she was that Sam was Lulu’s donor. It’s her fault she and TJ are breaking up. She couldn’t grieve the baby the way he needed her to. She was too focused on controlling her emotions and throwing herself into work. She couldn’t be there for the boy she’s loved since she was 16, the man she was going to spend her entire life with. It’s her fault.

Kristina tells Natalia that she knows what they both said and asks if they agree on what happened the night of the accident. Are they on the same page? Natalia asks why it matters, and Kristina says she needs to know that what she remembers is accurate. If it’s not, then she’s not remembering what happened at Ava’s hotel suite. She got on the stand and swore Ava caused her to fall out the window. She needs to know what happened and needs to know Ava is lying. Natalia says, they just want justice for Kristina’s child, and she admires Kristina for telling her story. Ric was just waiting for her to take the stand and testify. It was a beautiful act of maternal courage. There’s no way she would let Ric undercut Kristina’s testimony. A, who hasn’t cried while they’re driving? and B, the whole nightmare started with her horrible recording. Kristina says, exactly. Ava recorded her. Natalia says, it wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t said those words. She’d do anything to take it back. The things she said were horrible about anyone, let alone her own daughter and the woman she loves. She’ll literally regret it until the day she dies.

Jack says he would help Carly if he could, and she asks if she could have some water. He says, of course (🍷), and while he’s getting it, she looks around and puts the bug under his desk. He gives her the glass and says he has to be careful bending the rules. She says she’s the one he’s bent them for the most. It’s been a day. She doesn’t know how to face Lulu. Waking up after all those years, it’s like a long nightmare, and now she’s slammed with another one. He says, she has family support, and Carly says, when the explosion happened, she and Lulu hadn’t been close in a long time. She’s hoping to change that. He asks if that’s why she’s desperate to fix things, to make up for lost time, and she asks if he’s a therapist now. He says, reading people is a requirement of his job, and she says she’s sorry for asking so much. He always makes the impossible possible and she wants him to know that she appreciates him. He’s a good man. She thanks him and leaves. Jack says, if only he was as good a man as she believes. (Mrs. Jack Brennan… Mrs. J. Brennan… Mrs. Brennan… Theresa Brennan… 💘)

Anna says, it’s not like she held a gun to Carly’s head. Spinelli was here. Spinelli says, Anna was straightforward, and Carly was willing to tackle the assignment. Jason says, she thinks Jack is telling the truth. That’s why they should have left her out of it. She believes Jack is someone she can trust and they all know he’s not. Anna says, she’s not in danger, and Jason says, not yet, but what happens when Jack finds out she planted the bug?  

Jordan says, the woman whose life Isaiah saved is the ex-wife of a detective she used to work with. He says he met Dante when the PCPD was trying to find out who tried to kill him, and she says, Lulu’s absence was tough on the family. They were scared they were going to lose her, and because of him, they didn’t. He asks if this is her way of saying thanks, and she says, it’s the least he’s owed. He says, she saved his life, and she says, it’s her job to serve the community. He says his job is to serve patients his, and she says she guesses they’re both good at what they do.

Alexis tells Molly that no one could have stopped Kristina from confronting Ava, and they had no control over how Ava would react. They may never know what really happened, but whatever it was, they couldn’t have stopped it, so let it go. Molly says, it’s hard, and Alexis says, it’s especially hard because she grew up watching her mother try to control the world. Look how that turned out, at the bottom of a bottle. Molly says, Alexis climbed her way out, and Alexis says, so will she. She understands Molly’s last words to Sam weren’t what she wanted, and she’s sorry Molly has to carry that. Know that Kristina holds a lot of blame for the rift between them. She tried to do what she could to help them both, but when she asks Molly to make peace, she’s not saying Kristina is right. Does Molly understand? Molly says she does.

TJ says he’s upset, but Curtis is right, and Curtis says, later on, he’ll see even more clearly and figure out what he really wants. In the meantime, he thinks they should hook this place up. TJ asks if he means move things around, and Curtis says, they could start with a chair. They can go shopping. It will be great. TJ has seen his place. Does he think it was all Portia? Curtis picks one of Molly’s journals up off the floor and asks if it’s TJ’s. TJ says, it’s Molly’s old journal, and Curtis says he’s got matches… He’s just messing with TJ. They can drop it off at Alexis’s house and leave. Whatever TJ Is comfortable with.

Dante says, it feels wrong to be the slightest bit happy, and Sonny says he gets it. Dante says, Rocco is on cloud nine, and Sonny says, they’ve been given a miracle. Dante wonders how he can help Rocco navigate when he has no idea how to deal with it himself, and Sonny says, two things can be true at once, joy and grief. Dante and the kids need to allow themselves to feel it, but also know it can change on any given day. He remembers family dinners… Dante says, where Sonny did the cooking, and he pretended to help. He’d hide so he didn’t have to chop onions. Sonny says, Dante should have his own version with Rocco, Danny, and Scout. Not just dinner, but being together. Dante asks if he thinks there’s a world where Lulu fits into that, and Sonny says he does. Just because he’s welcoming Lulu back into their lives doesn’t mean he won’t miss Sam. Dante says, sometimes Sonny gives not terrible advice, and Sonny says, he has his moments, and they hug.  

Carly comes back and says, mission accomplished… What’s wrong? Anna says, Jason isn’t happy about the bugging, and Spinelli says, bugging. It sounds like a horror movie… I’m not helping. Jason tells Carly, stay away from Jack, especially if he finds out about the bug. Carly says, he’s not going to find the bug, but Jason says, it’s the WSB. They sweep for them all the time. Anna says, it’s standard procedure, and Carly says, it can’t be traced back to them, can it? Spinelli says, it’s a very low probability, and Carly says, Jack isn’t the monster they think he is. She knows him. Jason says, nobody does. Spinelli searched for him and what did he come up with? Spinelli says, the man is a ghost, and Jason says, that’s how lethal Jack is, to cover his tracks to that extent. The last thing any of them need is for him to know they had anything to do with planting the bug.

Isaiah tells Jordan that medicine is his passion. Helping people is what he loves doing. It feels wrong negotiating for more money to provide a basic human right. She says, that’s why writers and athletes have agents. So they’re paid to do something they’d do for free. He’s helping, but it’s a job he does well and should be compensated for. He says, now that he’s stateside, he’s back to life’s amenities, and she says, her job is to size up clients. In this case, she’s doing it for a friend. He says he heard friends go out to dinner from time to time. Maybe they should try it. She says, maybe they should.

Alexis says, Molly and TJ had a lot of years invested in their relationship. She thinks it’s too soon to know for sure if it’s ended, but if it has, Molly needs to take the time to grieve it and remember there was so much good about it. It’s not her fault it didn’t work. It takes two. Molly says she wants TJ to be happy and have a place he’s not afraid to come home to and live a life he loves. Alexis says, it’s okay for her to want that for herself too, and Molly says she does. She doesn’t know what that looks like, but she believes it’s out there. Alexis says she knows it is, when there’s a knock at the door. Molly answers it, and invites TJ in. He gives her the journal and says, she dropped this. He figured she’d want it. She thanks him and says she could have picked it up. He says he didn’t read it, and she says she knows. That’s not who he is. He says he’s glad she feels that she still knows him, and she says she thinks she’ll always know who he is and she will always love him. He says he’ll always love her too. Take care of herself. She says, him too, and he leaves. She watches through the window, then cries. Alexis puts her arm around Molly.

Natalia says she’d do anything to take back her words, but all she can do is learn from it. She’s not that person anymore. She grew to be better. Kristina says she certainly knows what that’s like to wish you could go back. She wishes every day that she didn’t go to Ava’s room or that Ava didn’t answer the door or that a fire alarm went off or anything. She was starting to think the baby was hers. Not just hers, but hers and Allie’s. They were envisioning a whole future life with their baby girl. Natalia says, that would have made the baby her granddaughter, and she laughs. She says, believe it or not, she would have loved that. Kristina says she believes her, when Kristina’s phone rings. She answers and says, thanks for letting her know. She tells Natalia, the jury is back.

Colette says, so that’s Carly, and Jack says, she’s a spitfire. Colette says, she’s a distraction. His duty is to the Bureau, not to the citizens of Port Charles. He says he’s aware, and she says, the drone strike and the explosion suggest otherwise. Not to mention what’s happening with Sidwell. Are there any updates? He says, it’s above her clearance level, and she says, he’s a brilliant agent and she’s lucky to be working with him… He says, but? and she says, be careful. Using his power for personal matters is the quickest way to get burned. He asks if that’s all, and she leaves. He makes a call and says, it’s me.

Spinelli says, Brennan is making a call, and they hear Jack say, Lulu’s awake. He has an offer to bring the child back. What do they want him to do?

Tomorrow, Brook tells Maxie that she has to bring out the big guns; Kai asks how he can make it up to Trina; Lucas thinks something might be a bad idea; Stella says, Portia just made a big mistake; and the verdict is in.

🫧 Blowing Soap Bubbles…

Will they or won’t they get back together?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kristen-vaganos-opens-up-about-molly-and-tjs-future-on-gh

Nepo baby birthday. I’ll bet he’s a great dad.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/maurice-benards-birthday-message-to-his-son-joshua

I’ll take anybody’s fitness secrets. At this point, my only solution is to not eat from now to Christmas.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kirsten-storms-shares-her-fitness-secrets

This is too funny!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-james-patrick-stuart-cant-escape-memories-of-anna

🧂 Adding More Salt…

In case you want even more of Angie getting the boot. I’d liked her, too, but Lisa was right, she skips over her instigation.

Yeah, yeah. What I just said. That woman was winding up.

Moving on.

👒 Charming Once More…

The usual suspects are back, but I guess no one told the digital TV guide people that Kathryn Dennis is no longer on the show. A lot of it centered around a big party for a horse race called the Carolina Cup. In Venita’s interview, she said, the Carolina Cup was technically a horserace, but it was really a Lilly Pulitzer fashion show. She said she had no memories of it because she’d been too lit. Alrighty then.

The best part of tonight’s episode was Shep trying to make conversation with Taylor at the party and Taylor being polite, but not having it. Or setting boundaries as she put it. He was hella uncomfortable. She has a new boyfriend now and I’m glad she’s moved on. Shep treated her horribly. There was a lot of whining on Shep’s part because he’d been to some kind of psychedelic therapy retreat, and the other guys had hurt his feelings. Whitney was nowhere to be found in this episode, but Patricia made an appearance, and it made me sad to think about Michael. Hopefully, he’s now the one being served martinis. Angelic martinis of course.

As of this posting, there were no recaps, but there was this. It seems all the guys had been working on themselves over Charm’s hiatus. Except for JT, which is probably why he quit mid-season.

Newcomer Molly was definitely a breath of fresh air. In her interview, she talked about how a thyroid condition caused her weight to fluctuate. When she gained 45 pounds, she lost her modeling career, and it had been a mind f***.  She looked absolutely perfect, so I guess she must be in a good space right now.

👠 Straight From the Marge’s Mouth…

Apparently, it was just bickering amongst Housewives.

🍸 The Latest On the Rules…

Unless you live in a bank vault, you probably knew this. It’s going to be a whole new day on VPR.

You can’t fire her. She quits.

Andy approves.

She’d better not exit and it would not be a good thing. What LVP needs is a new brood to take under her wing, and I’m thinking this might be that. I wasn’t that thrilled with Vanderpump Villa – too much of a distasteful cast and not enough Lisa – but I might give it another go since Stassi has signed on.

Pretty much everyone saw this coming. Except for Sandoval, who was probably looking in the mirror practicing real tears. You’d think in the wake of this, they might have gotten on their game, but it looks like they just gave up. I am no good with a slow bartender. The slower you are, the lower your tip gets.

🪃 Karma Happens…

Sometimes we actually get to see the reaping what we sow principle in action.

https://nypost.com/2024/12/05/us-news/florida-dog-trooper-tied-to-fence-during-hurricane-milton-finds-his-forever-home-while-cruel-ex-owner-awaits-court-date/

❄️ Let It Snow…

Come on by tomorrow for soap and Friday’s free-for-all. Until then, stay safe; stay considering volunteering during the holiday season; and stay knowing two things can be true joy and grief and allowing yourself to feel it.

December 4, 2024 – Jason Throws In With Anna, Salty Talk, Big Apple Bite, Two Movie Watch, Parade Pix, The Tree, Unconventional & Hazy

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

Ric and Ava meet at the PC Grill for a drink. Ava tells the server to put it on her tab, but Ric says she may want him to pay for his own drink, and she asks, why?

Molly goes to see Alexis, who tells her that Kristina is back in her own place. Molly says she’s sure Alexis is worried about Kristina, and Alexis says, before she was thrown out of the courtroom, it was excruciating to watch. She believes the jury will go for convicting Ava, and Molly asks if they were in two different courtrooms. There’s no way the jury is going to convict Ava.

Jordan meets Curtis in his office, and he says, Drew is going to double-cross him with Aurora. Jordan asks if he’s sure. Aren’t they friends? He says he thought so, until he heard Drew offer Michael the job.

Dante brings a six-pack of beer to the stables, and Cody asks, what’s up? Dante says he’s stupefied and stumped, and Cody asks if that’s why they’re drinking. Dante says, they’re going to drink to Lulu, and Cody asks if she’s still improving. Dante tells him, you could say that. She’s awake.

Anna tells Jason, now that Lulu is awake, they have to find Charlotte. She knows it’s on her that Charlotte went into hiding with Valentin, but she thought it was the right thing. She felt guilty about the shooting and was reckless. Jason says, she has to stop.

Laura goes into the apartment, sees Lulu, and drops all of her stuff on the floor. Lulu says, hi, mom, and they hug.

Dante tells Cody, it was classic Lulu. She wakes up from a coma, breaks out of Turning Woods, and hitchhikes here. Can he believe that? Cody says, yeah, he thinks he can. He picked up a hitchhiker, a petite blonde in a hoodie. He swore there was something familiar about her. Dante asks where he picked her up, and Cody says, when he was coming back from Beecher’s Corners. Dante says, that goes past Turning Woods. Didn’t Cody realize it was her? Cody says he thought she was still in a coma, and Dante asks what she said. Cody says, she told him some story about a fight with her boyfriend. She was quick, funny, and not entirely trustworthy. Dante says, a Spencer through and through, and Cody asks how he’s taking it. Dante says he’s figuring it all out. Lulu was asleep for so long, and now she’s awake and talking and Lulu again. It feels like some kind of miracle.

Lulu and Laura snuggle on the couch, and Laura says she knew Lulu would come back. She never gave up on her. Lulu says she can’t remember much, but she felt Laura’s presence when she was there. She still smells like mom. Laura says, good thing she remains loyal to her brand of perfume, and Lulu says she can’t believe it’s been so long. Laura says, she has a lot to absorb, but don’t get overwhelmed. She’s so happy Lulu is safe. Lulu says, maybe not. When she woke up, Cyrus was talking to her doctors. Laura says she’s sorry. He’ll never get close to her again. She’s taking out a restraining order. Lulu tells her that Lucky said Cyrus was her uncle, and Laura says, Cyrus is her half-brother. She made it clear that doesn’t give him the right to have a relationship with Lulu. Lulu says, so much has changed. She went to her house and found a little boy demanding to know what she was doing in his house. Laura says, Maxie lives there now, and Lulu says she knows now, but Laura is right. She’s missed out on so much. Like her dad. Laura says she’s so sorry, and Lulu cries. Laura says, her dad loved her so much.

Alexis says, Molly has a different view of how the trial went. She’s sorry she was removed. What happened after she was ejected? Molly says, the defense dad presented was masterful, and Alexis asks if she thinks he convinced the jury Ava was innocent. Molly says she doesn’t know, but he convinced her.

Ava asks Ric if she’s missing something. The jury saw that Kristina was unstable and she fell apart on the stand. That’s a good thing, right? He says he took a calculated risk. The jury may decide Kristina is an unstable, out of control liar or they might decide to go after the ruthless defense attorney who made a devastated, grieving mother cry.

Curtis tells Jordan that he’s not saying Drew owes him the position, but he wasn’t given a chance to show that he’s the best choice. Instead, Drew went behind his back and is closing him out. She says she doesn’t get it. Not only are they friends, Curtis has done a great job. Is it a family loyalty thing? He says, complicated Quartermaine stuff, and she asks what he’s not telling her. He says he doesn’t know why he’s protecting Drew. Something is going on between Drew and Michael’s wife. He said they just kissed, but Michael hinted at something more. Drew is trying to make it up to Michael. She says, by offering him Aurora, and Curtis says, and leaving him out in the cold. She says, collateral damage; unappreciated and undervalued.  

Jordan says she didn’t see that coming. She got the impression there was something between Drew and Nina. Curtis says, there’s something going on there too, and she says, and he’s involved with her daughter? It’s beyond messy. She’s sorry he got pulled in. He says, when Drew told him that he and Willow kissed, he said there were feelings involved. He warned Drew to back off, but Drew didn’t listen and he’s suffering the consequences. Michael wants him to help get revenge. She says, tread carefully and don’t trust Michael. He has his own agenda. Curtis says, Quartermaines playing Quartermaine games, and she says, if he wants to win, he needs to play them both. He says, she has a beautiful mind, when TJ comes in. He says, it looks like they’re in the middle of something, and Curtis asks if he’s okay. TJ says, it’s not a big thing, but he needs a place to stay tonight. He and Molly are taking a break.

Molly says, Ric used her testimony to establish how angry Kristina was when she got the subpoena. Then Ava spoke to Kristina’s state of mind. Alexis wonders why anyone would believe a word out of that woman’s mouth, and Molly says she’s no fan of Ava’s, but her story made sense. Kristina came there enraged and looking for a fight. Ava grabbed her arm, she tripped, and fell. Alexis says, maybe they had the wrong prosecutor, but Molly says, she did the best she could. The only reason it even went before a judge is because a child died and they want someone to pay. They’re not looking for justice. They’re blinded by revenge.

Cody says he’d be freaking out, and Dante says he was. He thinks he’s in shock. Lulu is alive and Sam is gone. Cody says, one can’t replace the other. He wishes there was something he could say or do. Dante says, it’s good to chat and have a beer. Brook runs in and tells Cody that she and Chase finally got some alone time. The next time her grandmother calls him, pick up, or there will be hell to pay.

Lulu tells Laura that she heard someone say, mom, and it was Rocco, her little boy instantly grown up. Laura says she knows it was a shock, but Rocco must be over the moon, and Lulu says she is too. Laura says, he’s grown up. They spend a lot of time playing Fortune Quest. She’s a gamer now and she’s pretty good. Lulu says she needs a minute to process and asks if Laura would mind calling Valentin. She wants to talk to Charlotte.  

Jason says, Anna let get Valentin get away, but she’s not responsible for his actions. He could have left Charlotte with Laura or stayed and faced the charges, but he chose to run. Anna says, Charlotte is missing because of her. She would have moved heaven and earth to find Robin, and now she put Lulu in her own position. Jason says he’s as much to blame as she is.

Laura says, there’s something she has to tell Lulu, when Doc comes in. He and Lulu hug, and he says, Laura told him that she was awake, but he wasn’t sure he believed it. They’ve been waiting so long. Lulu says she loves to make an entrance, and he asks how she feels. She must be overwhelmed. If there’s anything he can do, let him know. Laura asks, where’s Ace? and Doc says, he was having a good time with the nanny, so he said Ace could spend the night. That way, she and Lulu will have more time together. He goes to the kitchen to get something to eat, and Lulu asks, who’s Ace? Laura says, Nikolas’s son, her nephew, and Lulu says, Nikolas has another son and he’s living here? Laura says, sadly, Nikolas is in prison, and Lulu says, Lucky told her. What about Ace’s mom? Laura says, she died, and Lulu says, that’s awful, but Laura took him in. It’s amazing. How is Spencer coping with his new baby brother?

Ava asks, what happened to the lawyer she had coffee with this morning, who said they were going to win? Ric says he wanted her testimony to be confident and steady in contrast with Kristina’s, and she asks if he lied. He says he took an optimistic view, and she asks if it’s waned. He tells her to ignore him. He doesn’t like waiting for verdicts. There’s nothing to do but question every call he made. She says, it should lift his spirits that he got two of his desired outcomes already. Her testimony was confident and steady, and Molly has forgiven him for defending her.

Alexis asks if Molly is sure she’s not preparing herself in case Ava is acquitted, but Molly says she’s accepted it was an accident. If Kristina wants to blame Ava for the rest of her life, she’ll have to do it alone. She can’t anymore. Alexis says she hopes whatever the outcome, everyone is able to accept it and turn the page, and Molly says, that’s her plan. For so long she’s been angry, defensive, and bitter. It was time to realize that sometimes bad things happen and sometimes you lose the people you love. Alexis says she admires Molly, and if Molly is able to find peace, she’s glad. Molly thanks her for accepting that. TJ couldn’t.  

TJ says, Molly thinks he’s pushing her to feel grief like he is, and Curtis says, is he? TJ says he thought they could help each other, but Molly shut down, and Jordan asks if they’re growing apart. TJ says he doesn’t want to admit it, but the grief was too much. Where does that leave him? Jordan says, Irene was his baby girl. Don’t feel guilty for grieving however he needs to. Curtis says, grief is personal, and TJ says he tried to help. Curtis says, he stepped up, going to the courtroom with Molly, and TJ says, Aunt Stella convinced him to go. Not for Molly, but for himself. But hearing it was an accident, he wishes he hadn’t. Curtis asks if he blames Ava or Kristina, and TJ says, Kristina never should have gone to Ava’s hotel room. She’s been reckless and irresponsible her whole life. He didn’t want her to be their surrogate in the first place. Because of Kristina’s decision, their baby is dead. Molly decided it was a tragic accident. Jordan says, he doesn’t agree? and TJ says he doesn’t, and he told Molly, but he had to tell the truth. He doesn’t see how they can possibly find a way back, they’re so far apart.

Lulu says she can’t believe Spencer is gone without a trace, and Laura says, he loved Ace so much. Lulu says, Nikolas… what a turn of events, and Laura says, he gave into all of his worst instincts, but in the end, he did the right thing and turned himself in. He’ll be happy to hear from her. Lulu says, first she wants to call Charlotte, and Laura says, to the best of her knowledge, Charlotte is well and safe, but Valentin got into trouble and disappeared in July. Unfortunately, he took Charlotte with him. She’s so sorry.

Brook says, Tracy is blowing up her phone because Cody won’t answer, and Cody asks why she’s calling. Brook says she’ll just call Tracy back and say he’s too busy drinking beer, and Dante says, that’s Brook’s speed, ratting them out like in the old days. Cody says, like when she threatened to tell the camp counselors if they didn’t put the canoes back in the boathouse, and Dante says, they were just borrowing them. Brook says, they were stealing them, and looking at his phone, Cody says, Tracy has texted, called, and emailed. He suggests Brook take a beer back to Chase, but Brook says, Cody is going to need it when granny chews him out. Dante says he doesn’t know if she will when she hears the news, and Brook asks if everything is okay. Dante says, Lulu’s awake.

Laura says, Valentin did something illegal, and the FBI was going to arrest him, but he disappeared before they could. Lulu asks if the FBI or WSB are looking for Charlotte, and Laura says, both of them are and she’s using all her resources. She reached out to Anna and Anna is doing everything in her power to locate Charlotte. Lulu says she doesn’t know what Anna can do, since she and Valentin hate each other, but Laura says, that’s another thing. They were actually involved. Anna knows his patterns and habits. She’s the best person to track him down. Lulu says, Valentin is on the run again and putting Charlotte at risk. Charlotte doesn’t even know she’s awake. Laura says, they will get Charlotte back, she promises. She never gave up Lulu and she won’t give up on Charlotte. Charlotte will come back to Lulu.

Anna says she involved Jason. She asked him to hold up on giving Cates the phone so Valentin could escape. Jason says he takes responsibility for his own choices, but Anna says she took advantage of him and put Charlotte at risk. She has to make this right. He says she has to get past this guilt. She has to stop beating herself up. She needs to think clearly about what needs to happen next. She asks if he’s still in, and he says he’s in. They’re going to find Charlotte together.

Ava says she saw the look on Molly’s face during Ric’s closing argument. He convinced his daughter that her baby’s death was an accident. Ric says he wanted to give Molly peace, and Ava says she thinks he has. Please be straight with her. What is she looking at if she’s convicted? He says, maximum, 20 years, but a failsafe dropped in his lap. He suggests they raise a glass to it. Here’s to Ava’s real savior champion – Alexis Davis. Ava puts her glass down.

Molly tells Alexis, at least she and Kristina are communicating. Not like her and TJ.  

TJ tells Curtis and Jordan that they wore themselves out and stopped talking about anything that mattered. It was easier that way.

Molly says, they used to share everything. Something wasn’t real until she talked to TJ. She doesn’t know when that stopped being true.

TJ says they’d do anything to avoid a fight. Things got better the closer they got to Irene’s due date.

Molly says, they couldn’t wait to meet the baby. Once they held the baby in their arms, she thought it would close the distance between them.

TJ says he thought they’d be back where they started, as a family, being parents.

Molly says, but it didn’t happen.

TJ says, their world exploded. He doesn’t recognize them. He doesn’t know how to be Molly’s partner right now.

Molly says she wants to, but she can’t make TJ happy. She thinks the best thing to do is let him go. Alexis holds her.

Jordan hugs TJ.

Brook says she was not expecting great news, and Dante says, that’s why they’re having a couple of beers. Brook asks if Rocco knows, and Dante says, he had a nice reunion with his mom. She says she’s happy for him, and Dante says, the whole family. Brook’s phone rings, and she says, it’s granny again. She’ll call and let her know Hades is fine. Did they tell her about Lulu? Dante says he thinks they should let Lulu talk to Tracy, and Brook says, in that case, call Tracy back. She has business to attend to. She leaves, and Cody says he thought Brook would be happier, but Dante says, she and Lulu weren’t close. For one thing, back when he and Lulu were dating, Brook tried to break them up. Cody asks if Brook still wanted Dante back after all those years at camp.

Ric says, Alexis’s expulsion might give them grounds for an appeal or a mistrial, and Ava says she never thought she’d be grateful for that woman’s big mouth. They clink glasses, and she asks if Ric knew that would happen. He says he knows his ex-wife. He’s hoping an appeal is unnecessary and the jury goes their way. She says, he had the courtroom in the palm of his hand. The jury believed everything he said. So did she. Is he that good or does he finally believe in her?

Molly says, they wanted a baby so badly, without her, there’s nothing left, and Alexis says, sometimes grief brings people together; sometimes, it pulls them apart. Molly says, that’s exactly what happened. TJ thinks she’s rushing past it. Just because she’s not throwing herself on Irene’s grave like Kristina doesn’t mean she’s not feeling it. She’ll never stop grieving their baby and her last chance to be a mother. Alexis asks what she’s saying, and Molly says, this loss, this sadness changed her. She’s not the same person she was before. Alexis says, give it time. Feelings change as the pain lessens. Molly says she doesn’t want another child. She’s done.

TJ says he can’t force motherhood on Molly. She felt betrayed by her own body, but instead of processing that reality, she had her mind set on having a child by any means necessary. After they lost their first baby, he wanted to pause, but Molly was so determined and despondent. Enter Kristina. He just wanted to make Molly happy. He saw them together forever, raising a family, growing old. He never imagined a future without her. Curtis suggests maybe counseling, but TJ says he knows they can’t go on like this, so they’re taking a break. That’s what they’re saying, but it feels like the start of a separation. Jordan says she’s sorry, and TJ says he tried, but he feels hopeless. Jordan asks if there’s anything she can do, but TJ says, there’s nothing anyone can do. Curtis says he gives TJ credit for trying, but there’s something to be said for it being time to take a break from all that trying. TJ says, Aunt Stella told him to share his feelings with Molly. He wonders, what if he’d tried harder? Jordan asks if he believes that, but TJ says, no. He realizes how much he wants a family and Molly doesn’t. It’s a lot to overcome. He guesses they both have to start over.

Cody says, Carly paid Brook to break up Lulu and Dante? Did it work? Dante says, no, and Lulu has a very long, mean memory. He’s going to check on Rocco. Good luck with Tracy. Cody hands Dante a lollipop and says, if he sees Lulu, give her this and tell her that she owes him 20 bucks. Dante leaves and Cody laughs.

Ava says, Nina warned her about Ric, and he says, enlighten him. She says, Nina told her that he was a user, but she defended him. He says, for the record, he believes her, and she thanks him. She says, not a lot of people in this town do. It’s nice to hear it from time to time. He says he believes her.

TJ says he still wants the best for Molly. He wants her to be happy, but he doesn’t think he can make her happy. Curtis says, he did everything right. He was honest with himself and Molly. Jordan says, it will be painful because they still have love, and Curtis says, TJ has to figure out where he’s going to go. He’ll have to run it by Portia, but TJ is more than welcome to stay with them. Jordan says, or her, and TJ says he loves them. Jordan says, he’s not alone. Remember that.

Molly thanks Alexis for not telling her that she might change her mind, and Alexis says she trusts that Molly knows what she wants. She wishes she could take the losses from her. Molly says she knows Alexis is grieving too. Sam was the strong one, the one holding them up. She misses Sam. Molly cries, and Alexis says she misses Sam too. Molly says she needs Sam so much, and Alexis holds her as she cries.

Lulu puts on her shoes, and Laura asks where she’s going. Lulu says she’s going to find her daughter. She’s not letting Valentin take her again. She’ll start at Windymere. Laura says, there’s no one there. It’s been abandoned for over a year. (Um… Didn’t someone buy it from Ava for a skabillion dollars?) Lulu clutches her side, and Laura asks if it’s her incision. She calls to Doc, and Lulu says she needs to find Charlotte. Laura says she promises they will, but now she has to get Lulu to GH to make sure she’s all right. Don’t argue. She’s taking care of Lulu tonight.  

Anna thanks Jason, but he says he hasn’t done anything yet. She says, for having her back even when she’s in the wrong about something, and he asks if anyone’s ever told her that she’s too hard on herself. She says, it doesn’t matter. She hopes he has a new angle to pursue. Every lead she’s had goes to the same dead end. He says he has an idea, and she asks, what is it? He says he’s going to give Valentin an incentive to bring Charlotte back, and he leaves.

Tomorrow, Jordan says she can’t let Isaiah sigh that contract; Carly asks if Anna is saying Jason helped Valentin escape; and Jason offers someone an out.

🧂 You Got Salt In My Pepper…

I didn’t pay a lot of attention to this tonight, but I’m growing weary of people being kicked out or storming out of parties. Tonight it was Angie’s turn to get the boot from Meredith’s bas mitzvah for slut shaming Britani’s hair and then Britani. As Bowling for Soup so eloquently put it, high school never ends. Angie practically had to be physically extracted from the building, and in Lisa’s interview, she said, Angie remembers the reaction, but not what she did to provoke it. I absolutely know people who do this, although I call it, skipping over their part which started it. But my main question for tonight was, how is hair a little porn-ish? What does that even mean?

https://people.com/rhoslc-meredith-marks-has-angie-k-escorted-out-of-her-bat-mitzvah-8756319

Mary was also on Watch What Happens Live tonight.

🗽 Traveling Back In Time…

In case you wanted more of the skinny on last night’s RHONY.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

In addition to the too many series I have going on, I caught up on a couple of films I wanted to see. Civil War wasn’t the movie I thought it was from the clips I’d seen. It was less about the war than it was about the journalists covering it, but I wasn’t disappointed. I’d always identified most with Al on Fear the Walking Dead, how she kept filming for posterity, and I’m intrigued by journalists who get down in the trenches by choice. The thought of a civil war in the US is a scary one, and this film doesn’t explain the details, but we do know there’s a rogue president who’s in the White House for a third term and is doing whatever he likes, the Constitution be damned. One faction is out to kill him and another out to protect him. A lot of the war scenes are brutal, but the cinematics are brilliant, and the cast is stellar.

No spoilers.

Definitely spoilers.

https://screenrant.com/civil-war-movie-what-started-war-explanation-wish/

Excellent interview.

https://deadline.com/2024/11/civil-war-kirsten-dunst-interview-1236188167/

On the other hand, I was glad I only lost an hour and a half out of my life to watch I Saw the TV Glow. If you like artsy coming-of-age allegories, this one is for you. It wasn’t for me. Like We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, this had a great premise, but I wanted… more?… something else?… more horror, less allegory?  Was it too YA for me? I understand Martin Scorsese loved it and that it’s up for several Spirit awards, but I think better can be done to get the point across. The main characters, Owen, who’s on the spectrum, lonely, and neglected, and Maddy, who’s in the closet, lonely, and neglected, are obsessed with a TV show called The Pink Opaque. I actually loved the show within the show and would have liked to see more of it, especially the villain Mr. Melancholy, who was decidedly creepy. I was also moved by a poignant and telling scene where Owen sees the show again years later and it’s not what he remembered. It was a beautifully sad illustration of how we look at things with excitement and magic when we’re young, but when we’re older, we see how mundane they really are. So yeah, it had some great moments, but there were also stretches of nothingness that could have shaved a good twenty minutes off of the film. It might have been better served as a Black Mirror episode. I was a little unsettled when Maddy disappeared and all they found was her TV set. I’m hoping that won’t be me.

Oh, I’m also convinced that a lot of more recent shows/films take place in the 80s or 90s just so they can have a fabulous soundtrack.

https://www.avclub.com/i-saw-the-tv-glow-movie-review-1851326195

There will be spoilers.

https://gamerant.com/i-saw-the-tv-glow-ending-explained/

https://www.avclub.com/martin-scorsese-i-saw-the-tv-glow

☔️ Don’t Rain On My Parade…

Highlights from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I half-ass watched it, since I was cleaning up my email before the food commenced. My main takeaway point was, Ariana Madix needs to learn how to lip sync if she’s going to do this kind of thing. It was not a good look.

https://people.com/2024-macys-thanksgiving-parade-best-photos-8753195

https://macysthanksgiving.fandom.com/wiki/The_98th_Annual_Macy%27s_Thanksgiving_Day_Parade_(2024)/Gallery

🎄 No Escaping It Now…

If Black Friday didn’t do it, the holiday season has officially begun with the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This is another event you’re better off watching on TV. I used to work in one of the buildings in Rockefeller Center, so I decided to stick around after work one year to watch. It’s nearly as crowded as Grand Central the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which – take it from me – is as crowded as it gets. And good luck if you have to go to the bathroom.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/rockefeller-christmas-tree-lighting-2024-live-updates-rcna182186

This year’s tree.

https://people.com/sweet-story-behind-2024-rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-8756156

🦬 It’s Raining Orangutans and Bearded Dragons…

For the most part, don’t try this at home.

🐺 Winter: It’s Not Just For Starks Anymore…

Join me tomorrow for soap and whatever the airwaves bring. Until then, stay safe; stay making a holiday shopping list and staying committed to it; and stay never feeling guilty for grieving however you need to.

November 27, 2024 – Ava’s Trial Concludes, Final Bow, Salty Talk, 60 Years, They’re Off, Everything Parade, Pardoned, National Pups (!), Happy Thanksgiving & Give Thanks

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

Olivia asks Gio about playing the National Anthem at the PCU/Llanview game, when Chase runs in looking for Brook. Lois asks, where’s the fire? when Brook comes out, grabs his hand, and they run upstairs, saying that they’re going to finish a movie. Olivia says she knows where the fire is, and Lois says, they all know.

Sasha tells Maxie that she can’t believe it. She hasn’t slept with anyone since Brando, and spends one night with a guy from the bar… She doesn’t know if she can do this.

Lulu walks into her house and says, what the…? James comes out and asks who she is. She says, sorry, but who is he? And what is he doing in her house?

Lucky says, Cyrus was here? and the manager says, he volunteers at Turning Woods. Lucky asks if he thinks it’s okay that a violent, convicted criminal has access to patients, and Elizabeth asks why the family wasn’t consulted. The manager says, Cyrus is Lulu’s uncle and said he had authority to act on the family’s behalf, and Lucky says, like hell he does.  

Kristina says she loved her child and would never hurt her, and Ric says, not more than she loved her father. That’s why she went to the hotel room, isn’t it? To protect her father. She put her father first before the baby. ADA Turner objects, badgering the witness, and the judge sustains it. She tells Ric, question the witness or dismiss her, but don’t testify on her behalf. He says, Kristina wanted to protect her father more than her sister’s child, and Kristina says, she was her child. It was an impossible situation. She wanted to protect her family. He says, the baby was her niece and Kristina’s reckless action caused her death. She’s the reason Irene Davis-Ashford is dead. Alexis stands up and says, that’s enough. Leave her alone.

The judge tells the court to come to order, and Alexis says, the defense attorney is attacking the witness and assaulting her emotionally. It’s egregious. (Alexis’s favorite word.) The judge says, Alexis has no standing in this court and needs to leave before she’s cited for contempt. Alexis says, Ric should be cited for contempt of the judicial process, and the bailiff starts to move toward her. Sonny says, they’ll leave, and the ADA requests a recess, but Ric says, it’s not necessary. No further questions. The judge gives them 15 minutes anyway, and Ava tells Ric that he made Kristina look sympathetic. He says, she already looked sympathetic, but now she looks volatile and reckless. That’s what they wanted.

Kristina says she blew it, but Dante says, not necessarily. He’s been on the stand numerous times, and the jury responds to the truth. She told hers. Molly tells TJ that she’s afraid, and he says, of which part? Ric breaking Kristina down or Kristina saying their baby was her baby. Molly says, if Kristina’s testimony gets Ava acquitted, she’ll never forgive herself. Molly goes over to Kristina and hugs her. She says she’s sure their mom will take Kristina home, but Kristina says she’s not going anywhere, and stares at Ava.

Alexis tells Sonny that Ric knows he can’t win on his own merit, so he’s shattering Kristina. Sonny says, it’s a desperate move and the jury will see right through it, and she says, Ric wanted to make Kristina look like a loose cannon, and she’s worried the jury will believe him. Sonny asks if she wants to go home, but she says she wants to wait. She tells him to go inside. His daughter needs him. He goes back in the courtroom.

Maxie says she knows Sasha is scared, but she meant what she said. Sasha does have a support system and they’ll be here to help. Sasha says she knows. She has a lot of decisions to make, and this isn’t the only one. Maxie says, she just found out that she’s pregnant and needs to do what’s best for her.

James says, it’s not her house. It’s his house. Lulu says she doesn’t know who he is or what he’s doing here. If he tells her where he lives, she’ll help him find his way home. He says he doesn’t have to tell her anything, and she says she lives at 34 Cherry Lane. He says, that’s here, and she says, this is her house. He yells, mom! Stranger danger!

Lucky says, Cyrus has zero authority to act on the family’s behalf, and Elizabeth says, they’ll figure it out. When Cyrus came to visit Lulu at GH and Lucky’s mom found out, she had him removed from the list. Lucky asks the manager why his mother would ban Cyrus from GH only to turn around and authorize him to act on the family’s behalf, and the manager says, he’ll have to ask the mayor. Their focus is on patient care, not family disputes. Lucky says, Lulu vanished, and no one noticed, and the manager says, they have state of the art security equipment. An orderly listens from outside the door, and Lucky says he wants to see the footage – all of it – up until what happened to his sister.

Cyrus is working at the PC Grill when his phone rings. The orderly says, it’s Joe from Turning Woods. Cyrus’s nephew is here, and he’s upset. Cyrus asks if something happened to Lulu, and Joe says, his niece is missing.

Ric calls Natalia to the stand, and she looks surprised. (Um… wouldn’t she have to know if she was going to testify? What if she hadn’t come to court? I don’t think surprise witness means the witness is the one who’s surprised.)

Gio says, Chase and Brook were in a hurry. It must be a great movie. Olivia says, kicking back and watching a movie is just what they need, and Lois says, they need to take it easy. Gio says he’s going to go practice, and leaves. Olivia and Lois laugh, and Olivia says, Lois is going to be a Nona soon.  

Chase and Brook kiss their way to the bed, and Chase says he’s sorry he’s late to make a baby with her. They get busy.

Maxie runs out with a bat in her hand and looks around. She says, James Malcolm West, what is going on? She thought someone was in the house. He says, there was, and she says, she told him not to joke about something like this. He says he’s not. There was a lady in the house. She asks if the lady gave him cookies, but he says he got them from the kitchen. She asks how many he’s had, then says she doesn’t want to know, taking the plate. He says he’s telling the truth. There was a lady in the house. Maxie says, that’s not possible. The doorknob is locked. She goes over to the door, turns the knob, and it opens. Sasha says, it’s not locked, and Maxie asks if James did this. James says, there was a lady standing by the chair, and Maxie and Sasha look outside. Maxie says, this is weird. He doesn’t usually make up stories. She picks up the rock and sees the spare key is gone.

The manager says he’ll call security in the morning, but Lucky says, now. The manager says he’s sorry, but there’s protocol, and Lucky suggests they call the cops. The manager says, they’ve started a search. Lulu was probably sent to the wrong room. Lucky says, their incompetence doesn’t make him feel better. Give him the footage.

Ric asks if Natalia was recently in a car accident, and did she make a 911 call on November 11th? She says, it was earlier in November, and she’ll trust him on the date, and Ric enters her 911 call into evidence. He plays it for the jury and asks if that’s Natalia’s voice. She says, yes, and he asks, who’s the other voice? She says, Kristina Corinthos-Davis, and he says, she and Kristina in a car accident? She says, technically, yes, but they didn’t hit. He asks about Kristina’s emotional state, and she says, Kristina was shaken. He asks if she was rational, and Natalia says, totally. He asks, who caused the accident? and Natalia says she did.

Maxie asks if James promises he didn’t take the key, and he says he promises. Sasha says she’s going to let Maxie handle this, and Maxie says, they’ll talk tomorrow. She doesn’t want Sasha to think she’s on her own. Sasha says she’ll call in the morning, and opens the door. Spinelli is about to come in, and Sasha says, hi… bye, and leaves. Maxie asks James to tell her more about this mysterious stranger, and James tells Spinelli that there was a strange lady here, but mom doesn’t believe him. Maxie says, James is convinced there was an intruder, and James says he promises it’s really true. Maxie says, if the intruder returns the key, she’d appreciate it, and Spinelli says he believes he has a way to solve the mystery.

Lucky storms into the PC Grill, Elizabeth following him, and asks Cyrus, where the hell is his sister?

Gio plays his violin outside, when Lulu comes by. When he finishes the song, she says, it’s a good thing he’s playing not singing it. The high note always trips people up.

Lois tells Olivia not to put the stroller before the baby. Brook isn’t pregnant yet and she doesn’t want to jinx it. Olivia says, it’s only a matter of time. She’s glad Brook did it in the right order, not like she did, but it worked out for the best… She’s sorry. Lois did everything right too. Lois says she thinks she’s learned there’s no right or wrong way to live your life. Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. Olivia says, one way or the other, and Lois asks if she’s okay. Olivia says she was thinking about Sam, Dante, and the kids. One minute, they were a big happy family, and the next minute, it was all gone. Lois says, it makes you appreciate how fragile and unpredictable life can be, and Olivia says, Brook and Chase are going to live long, happy, healthy lives. And Lois is going to be the second proudest Nona in the world. Lois says, all she wants is for Brook and her grandchildren to be happy, and Olivia says, grandchildren. Monica is going to have to put on another wing.

Chase says, mission accomplished, and Brook says, it’s too early to know if she’s pregnant, but mission definitely accomplished. Promise her something. She never wants making a baby to take precedence over them and for it to feel like a chore. He says, the most important thing is for them to enjoy each other. Everything else will come in time. She says she has another mission, should he choose to accept it, and he says, definitely. They kiss.

Ric reminds Natalia that she’s testifying under oath, and says, she claims the accident was her fault? She says, yes. It was definitely her mistake. He asks her to tell the court what happened, and she says she was driving when she got a text. She’s embarrassed to say, she looked down at it and drifted into oncoming traffic. He says, it must have been important, and she says, it was from her daughter. Their relationship is strained and they’re not speaking, so the text surprised her. He asks why she said she didn’t need emergency services, and she says, they were both fine. He asks if she called anyone else, and she says, Kristina’s dad. He picked her up. He asks if an insurance claim was made, but she says, no. They took care of it themselves. They didn’t want the insurance to go up. He says, of course (🍷). She testified that she caused the near collision and Kristina acted rationally in the aftermath. Natalia says, correct, and he says he has no further questions. The judge asks the prosecution to redirect, but the ADA says she has no questions. The judge tells Natalia that she can step down and asks Ric to call his next witness. He calls Molly Lansing-Davis to the stand.

Spinelli says, the answer is in the palm of his hand, and James says he’s bored. Spinelli says he has the mobile app for a camera he just installed at the front door, and Maxie says, so it records everything outside. They look at the video and see Lulu taking the key. Maxie says, James was right, and James says he tried to tell her. Spinelli says, her hood is covering her face, and Maxie says she knows she owes James an apology, but she needs him to focus and describe the woman. James says, she had blonde hair, and Maxie says, that narrows it down. Spinelli says, James can give the description to the PCPD, and James says he’s going to help crack the case, and runs off.

Lucky says he was just at Turning Woods and Cyrus was the last person spotted with Lulu, and Cyrus says, it’s surprising Lucky showed up. He’s been there to support his niece during these trying times. Lucky says he wants to make it clear. Cyrus is not welcome near his sister. Cyrus says, Lucky’s mother is busy running the city and raising his nephew. Lucky is rarely on the continent, much less at Lulu’s bedside. If he’s not there, who is?

Gio says, no one wants to hear him sing, and Lulu asks if the Quartermaines hired him to play. He says he lives here, and she asks if he’s a Quartermaine. He says, it’s a grey area between guest and extended family. No one has asked him to leave, so he must be doing something right. Lulu says, the way he plays, they should keep him around, and he tells her that Lois said the same thing. She brought him here. She says, Lois Cerullo? She thought Lois lived in Bensonhurst. He says, she did, until last year. He’s answered her questions and now he has one of his own. Who is she? She says she’s sorry she interrupted him, and he asks if she knows where she’s going. He could take her somewhere. She says she appreciates it, but she’s had her fill of stranger danger for one night and they just met.

Ric asks if Molly was with her sister when Kristina was served with the subpoena, and Molly says, yes. He asks, what was Kristina’s reaction? and Molly says, she was not happy. He says, define not happy. Was she angry? ADA Turner objects, leading the witness, and the judge says, sustained. Ric asks if Kristina stated she was planning on testifying, and Molly says, she said she didn’t intend to comply. He asks if she informed Kristina that failure to comply is a punishable offense, and Molly says she did. He asks what Kristina’s reason was for not complying, and she says, Kristina was afraid she would incriminate her father for an unlawful act. He says, her father is Michael Sonny Corinthos, Jr. So Kristina would rather protect her father than state the truth. Molly says, Kristina was set on not testifying, and he asks if Kristina confided her intention to confront Ava. She says, Kristina told her that she was going to get Ava to drop the subpoena. She didn’t specify that she was going to confront Ava. Ric asks what she said and how did Molly respond, and Molly says she warned Kristina not to see Ava. He says, Kristina didn’t take her advice, did she? Why does Molly think that is? Molly says, she was angry, and there are mumbles throughout the courtroom. He says, so Kristina Corinthos-Davis, 38 weeks pregnant with Molly’s child, was aware the subpoena would not be lifted, yet sought out and confronted Ava to protect her father from her testimony. Molly says, yes, and Ric has no further questions.

Ava takes the stand, and Ric says, Kristina arrived at her hotel suite upset. Ava says she understood. Kristina is very protective of her father. He says, Ava subpoenaed her, and she says she believed Kristina would see her obligation to tell the truth and consider what was at stake, the well-being of her half-sister Avery. He asks if Kristina asked her to lift the subpoena, and Ava says, she demanded it. He says, and Ava refused? and she says, yes. He asks about Kristina’s mental state, and Ava says, she was angry. He asks if Kristina made threats, and she says, Kristina threatened to bring up her alleged past transgressions to damage her custody case. He asks how Ava reacted, and Ava says she was upset, but she didn’t wish harm on Kristina’s baby. He asks if Ava laid a hand on Kristina, and she says, yes. They were arguing and Kristina was pushing past her. She reached out and grabbed Kristina’s shoulder, and Kristina pulled away. She lost her balance and tripped. She fell against the window and crashed through it. It was horrific. He asks what she did, and Ava says she went to the window and closed the drapes. He asks if she saw what Kristina tripped over, and she says, a duffel bag belonging to a man she was involved with. He asks if she replaced it with another item, and she says she moved the bag to the other room and replaced it with a pair of shoes. He asks, why? and she says, the man she was involved with was an FBI agent. She didn’t want to draw him into any trouble. He asks if she had any intention of harming Kristina or her child, and she says she could never harm a child. Her own daughter was brutally murdered, and she’d never wish the pain of losing a child on anybody. He says, one last question. Does she have any regrets about that day? She says she regrets that they both thought they had to protect their families. She regrets that their differences weren’t addressed in a courtroom, and deeply regrets that an innocent baby lost her life before she had a chance to live it. She knows it was a tragic accident and for that she has so much regret and sorrow. Ric says he has no further questions.

Lois says, all she wants is one beautiful healthy grandchild, and Olivia says, being a Nona is the best. You get to say yes to everything. That reminds her. She made Rocco his favorite cookies. Lois says she thought Dante didn’t want him eating those, and Olivia asks, what did she just say?

Brook says, that didn’t feel like a chore, and Chase says he’s looking forward to that big, beautiful baby belly. She says, he’s made it clear that he’s excited about Project Baby Bump, and he says he’s excited about everything to come. She says, her blowing up like a balloon, and he says he knows she has the harder part, but when she starts to show, it will feel real. She says, he’s going to be the best father, and he says he’s excited they’re doing this together for the first time. He’s excited about all of it.

Elizabeth says, they were wondering if Cyrus saw anything suspicious at Turning Woods, and Cyrus says he was told Lulu was showing improvement. He was too focused on the good news to notice. He’ll be more vigilant next time. Lucky says, there’s not going to be a next time. He made it clear that Cyrus is to have zero access to his sister going forward. Cyrus says, that’s a mistake. Lulu needs him. Lucky says, Cyrus needs to get it in his head. In no way is he Lulu’s family. Cyrus says, Lucky’s been absent for more than a decade. Now he graces them with his presence and gets to decide who’s family. When he’s spent more than a month with his own child, then they can discuss family.  

James wonders when Grandpa Mac is getting here with the police, and Maxie tells him to sit and read. Spinelli says, perhaps James is right, and they should get the police involved. Whoever came in, is out there with the spare key. James flips through a photo album and suddenly says, this is her. The lady who was in the house. Maxie takes the album and sees Lulu’s photo.  

Lucky says, it doesn’t matter where he’s been. He’s here now and he’s going to do everything in his power to protect his family. Cyrus says, as will he, and Elizabeth says, getting arrested isn’t going to help. Lucky says he just got the security footage, and he and Elizabeth look at it. They watch as Lulu gets the clothing out of the drawer behind the reception desk, and Lucky says, she’s awake.   

It’s time for the closing arguments, and ADA Turner says, by her own admission, the defendant physically struggled with Kristina. She moved the bag Kristina tripped over, restaging the crime scene. She lied about closing the curtain and hid having an affair with an FBI agent. But the biggest lie was that she claimed Kristina Corinthos-Davis’s fall was an accident. The truth is, Ava Jerome got angry, and with intent and malice, pushed Kristina through a third-floor window, causing the death of her baby. Irene Davis-Ashford would still be alive if it weren’t for the actions of Ava Jerome, and for that, the jury must find her guilty of manslaughter.

Ric says, the central fact of the case is, a baby is dead. A baby that was loved and wanted, mourned and grieved. When a tragedy happens, it’s natural to want to blame someone, when often, nobody is at fault. They heard testimony confirming Kristina was angry and out of control. She showed up at Ava’s hotel suite even though she’d been advised that visiting would not result in lifting the subpoena. What was her intention? Both parties admit they were heated and emotional, both intent on protecting their families. They argued, and in that argument, Kristina tripped over a piece of luggage and crashed through window. It’s horrifying and tragic… but not a crime. The prosecution would have them believe Ava was callous and caused the death of another woman’s child, even though she’s gone through that unimaginable loss. He’s sure all parties question their choices that day and if they could have changed course, but that’s why it’s called a tragedy. Random decisions caused the death of a child. It’s only way more tragic if they wrongfully assign blame. There’s enough blame to go around, so they should leave it here today. Call it what it is – an accident, a tragedy – and let the healing begin for all those involved.

The judge says, the jury must agree by unanimous verdict. When they do, notify the bailiff. She asks the bailiff to escort them to the jury room. Ava tells Ric, nice job, and he says he hopes at least one of the jury members agrees. Everyone gets up to leave, and TJ asks what Molly thinks. She says she thinks this was a tragedy.  

In the hallway, Kristina says, they can’t fail. The jury has to find Ava guilty and punish her.

Lulu walks into the Quartermaine mansion. She walks through the foyer and into the living room. She hears someone come in, and Rocco says, mom? She turns and sees him and says, Rocco?

Next week, Laura tells Lucky, the only time she would do something is when she was in danger; Lulu tells Rocco, long time, no see; Molly says she’ll do anything for TJ but that; Drew says, the second Jason moves into the Quartermaines, he and Scout are gone; and Kristina asks Sonny to tell her the truth.

🎭 Quite a Life…

I didn’t watch Ryan’s Hope, but I remember seeing her in the Soap Digest. I had no idea how accomplished she was.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/ryans-hope-star-helen-gallagher-dead-at-98

🧂 There’s Salt In My Lake…

According to Heather, the Mormons have two great claims to fame – potato sacks and polygamy. Who knew? While I’ve grown weary of the whining, what stood out in this episode was Robert Jr. confessing to his mother what we’ve known all along – he’s a drug addict. Mary was nothing but compassionate and supportive, and in her interview, she said she was disappointed with herself, having failed him in some way. She said she thought he’d stop at weed and edibles, but was clearly wrong. When she tearfully told him that he could kick his habit and they’d get through this together, it was as real as it gets.

🛸 Standing the Test Of Time…

I’ve never seen this, but I don’t think I’d hate it. I’m all for the so-bad-it’s-good movie.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/santa-claus-conquers-the-martians-60-year-anniversary

 👠 Oz, The Next Generation…

I won a ticket to see this from an online instant win contest. I’m waiting until the dust settles to go though. Fewer kids. I don’t want to feel like I’m in the middle of a school bus during a field trip.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/wicked-review-fantasy-diversity-representation

🦕 Before the Parade Passes By…

The balloons. My favorite, Pikachu, is flying with a buddy this year.

https://www.macys.com/s/parade/lineup/

https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/pikachu-eevee-bring-pokemon-fun-to-the-2024-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade

The human performers.

https://deadline.com/2024/11/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-nbc-2024-1236164013/

The parade route. I’ve seen it in person twice. Once from the sidewalk in front of the store and once from inside an office building while drinking mimosas. Guess which one was better? Seriously though, you’re better off watching from home. It’s supposed to rain anyway.

https://www.macys.com/s/parade/route/

Before the parade. I knew a guy whose whole family did this every year, bringing hot chocolate and snacks. Sounds like fun, but again, weather.  

https://nypost.com/2024/11/27/us-news/hundreds-watch-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-balloons-get-inflated-in-nyc-mind-blowing-doesnt-really-describe-it/

🦃 Official Release…

Weird how this suddenly became a thing.

https://people.com/presidents-with-the-turkeys-they-pardoned-8403658

🐕 After the Parade…

I catch as much of this as I can every year, but I usually miss the end because Thanksgiving dinner approaches.

https://people.com/where-to-watch-2024-national-dog-show-thanksgiving-8751701

The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for. – Norman Vincent Peale

I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land. – Jon Stewart

🍗 Stretch Pants Activated…

Enjoy your Thanksgiving, your long weekend, your whatever, and see you on the flipside. Until then, stay safe, stay leaving room for dessert, and stay knowing there’s no right or wrong way to live your life. Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.

November 22, 2024 – Michael Meets With Curtis About Aurora, What It Is, Not Dead, Salt Sprinkle, Finally, From Extra, A Valentine, Early Stages, MorePool, 7A, Thanksgiving For Pets (!), X Quotes & Never

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

At Bobbie’s, Sasha thanks Felicia and Mac for the invite, and Felicia says, it’s long overdue. Sasha says, so this is… Felicia says, their first family gathering, and Mac says, they just wanted to know how she’s doing with… Felicia says, the Cody situation, but Sasha says she really doesn’t want to… Felicia says, and the Robert situation, and Mac asks, how are things going in general?  And he wanted to give her this. He hands Sasha an envelope, and she asks what it is. He says, it’s from her dad.

In the nook, Dante asks the kids to go easy on him. Sasha’s got the day off and he’s no gourmet chef. Rocco says, he couldn’t even get a job at Bobbie’s, and Danny says, it’s breakfast. How bad can it be? Dante says he doesn’t know. You tell me. Rocco has a taste and says, actually, it’s not bad, and Scout says she likes it. The syrup is warm, and he even cut the French toast in little triangles. Dante and Scout high-five, and Danny says, mom told them it tastes the best that way. Jason walks in and sighs.

Trina has headphones on and is dancing around the apartment, when there’s a knock at the door. She doesn’t hear it, so Gio walks in. She turns and sees him and makes a startled squeal.

Michael is lifting the free weights at the gym, when Curtis comes in. Michael thanks Curtis for meeting him, and Curtis says, no problem. Although he was curious why Michael wanted to meet him here at the gym and not at the office. Michael says he wanted to have some privacy, and Curtis says, more private than their offices? Michael says he wants to get straight to the point. Whatever Drew told Curtis, whatever Drew promised him, he won’t be Aurora’s CEO for much longer.

Stella sees TJ at the hospital and says she didn’t expect him to be here today. He says, it’s his day off, but he had some paperwork he needed to catch up on. She says she can see that, but it’s not what she meant. She thought he’d be at the trial. He says he thinks Ava’s trial is the last place he should be.

Ric sees Ava in Bobbie’s courtyard and says, when Ava said she wanted to meet at Bobbie’s, he assumed she meant inside. She says she’s enjoying the fresh air while she can, and he says he told her, she’s going to win. She says, victory is all but certain, as long as she gives her testimony exactly right, and he says, which she will. She says, what if she doesn’t? and he says he doesn’t deal in hypotheticals. She says, all right. Here’s a fact. A baby is dead, and everybody blames her. So he has to be straight with her here. Does he really think she’ll be found not guilty?

Kristina walks into the courtroom and sees Molly. Molly asks if she’s ready, and Kristina says, damn right she’s ready. Molly says, if she’s nervous, they can… but Kristina says she’s not nervous. She knows exactly what to do. Molly says, great. And what exactly is that? Kristina says she’s going to get justice for their daughter, by putting Ava away for good.

Dante suggests they give Danny and Jason a minute and asks if Scout wants to show him that game she was talking about. Scout says, Stratego, and he says, let’s go set it up. She says, Danny is supposed to teach her how to play, and Jason says, he’s the expert? Danny says he’s got it on his phone. He’s obsessed. Jason tells him to go teach his sister how to play and he’ll talk to Danny afterwards. He could actually use some coffee. Danny says, he’ll be here, right? and Jason says he can count on it. The kids leave, and Dante says, they could be a while. Stratego gets a little complicated. Jason says, that’s fine. He wanted to talk to Dante anyway. Dante says, about what? and Jason says he wants to talk to Dante about Danny.

Mac says, Robert gave them the letter to give to Sasha. He didn’t want it to get lost in the Quartermaine mail. Sasha says, makes sense, and Felicia says, Robert was very sorry he had to leave just as they were getting acquainted. Sasha says, had to leave? and Felicia says, he thought he should do everything he can to help Holly. Sasha says, God knows her mother can use all the help she can get, and Felicia says, Sasha has every right to be upset with him leaving. Sasha says, it’s fine. Robert gave her his number and said she could call anytime. Him going away is actually a good thing. It gives her time to get used to the idea of having a father. Felicia says, her father thinks she’s owed an explanation and so do they.

TJ tells Stella that he’s in the process of accepting his loss. He wants to get to the point where he can think of Irene at peace without it causing him pain. Stella says, then he made the right choice, and if paperwork helps him keep his mind off the trial, so be it. He thanks her, but she says she has to ask, where’s Molly today? He says, she’s at the courthouse, and Stella says, Molly is at the courthouse on her own?

Trina says she didn’t even hear Gio knock. She had her music turned to alone-in-apartment level. He says, no kidding. He could hear her out in the hall. She says, he’s starting to sound like her dad. And no, he couldn’t. Gio tells her, saying he’s starting to sound like her dad doesn’t bother him at all. He doesn’t know Curtis very well, but he knows being like him is a huge compliment. As for her performance just now, she was killing it. She thanks him and says, it gets the blood pumping. And it helps her get in the right headspace to take on the day. It’s better without an audience, so please don’t take this the wrong way, but why is he here? He says he hasn’t seen her in a minute, so he just wanted to check in. So except for people showing up at her apartment and scaring her, is she doing okay? She says, other than that, yes and no, and he asks what she wants to start with. Yes, she’s doing okay, or no, not so much.

Molly says, while she’s all for bringing Ava to justice, it’s not going to be that simple, and Kristina says she’s got this. She prepared her testimony, she practiced, she’s going to remain calm on the stand. Molly says, that’s great, because the last thing she wants to come across as is… Kristina says, what? and Molly says, she can’t focus on her anger at Ava. They have to focus on the baby. Kristina says she knows that. The prosecutor has prepped her, and mom has coached her. Alexis told her all of Molly’s dad’s tricks. Molly says, not even their mom knows all of her dad’s tricks. He’s an expert strategist. He’s thought of everything. Including adding her to his witness list. Kristina says, she’s testifying? and Molly says, for the defense.

Ric says, she wants the truth? and Ava says, it’s better she knows in advance. He says, yes, it is. So he’s going to tell her here and now. They’re going to win. He guarantees it. She says, why? Is there new evidence? He says he doesn’t need new evidence, and she says, he paid off the judge. He says, she would have been billed for that, so no, and she says she appreciates his confidence, but they both know dead babies and grieving mothers play better on the stand than the town pariah. He says he’s telling her that he will win this case, because he needs to. He’s not going to let his daughter down.

Felicia asks if Sasha would like some privacy, but Sasha says, no. Please stay. She takes out the letter and reads: Dear Sasha, I’m writing because my brief message wasn’t nearly enough to explain why I had to leave. I’m sure you’ve heard; your mother is in some trouble – again. I’ve gone off with her to settle it – again. I’ll be back in Port Charles as soon as I can. I’m looking forward to getting to know you as my daughter. I hope you can forgive me for leaving on such short notice, and that you can forgive your mother for getting into yet another tricky situation. If you can rely on her to do anything, it’s that. However imperfect we may be, we’re your family. I look forward to seeing you. Take care, darling. Your father, Robert.

Jason tells Dante, in her will, Sam said she wanted Drew to have custody of both of her kids. At the time the will was written, he was presumed dead. Dante guesses that makes a little more sense, and Jason says he just wants to do what’s right by Danny. Dante asks what that looks like, and Jason tells him that Sonny said, fight to keep him. Dante says, of course (🍷), and Jason says he thinks he’s got a good chance of getting custody. Dante says, as he should. He’s Danny’s father. Jason says, but he doesn’t want to take Danny away from his sister or Rocco. At the funeral, he heard what Danny said. The three of them are family. Dante says, those kids love each other, but Jason is Danny’s father. He has to do what he feels is right. Jason says, he just lost his mother. He doesn’t want to take Danny away from his sister, but there’s no way that he’s going to hand Danny over to Drew. Dante asks what he’s going to do, and Jason says he knows what he wants to do, but he feels the right thing is to let Danny choose.

Curtis says he doesn’t know what Michael’s heard, but Drew has been very impressed with his performance at Aurora and has never said anything to him about asking him to step down. Michael says he knows Curtis and Drew are friends, but does Curtis really know who his friend even is? Drew will do anything to get what he wants. Curtis asks what Drew wants according to Michael, and Michael says his wife for one. Curtis says he doesn’t see what this has to do with Aurora or him, and Michael says, Drew tried to buy his silence by offering him Curtis’s job.

TJ tells Stella that he and Molly talked about her going to the trial. He tried to get her to stay home and expressed his concerns that it wouldn’t be healthy. Stella asks what she said, and he says, that she wants to see justice done if she’s going to accept the loss of their child. He gets it. She’s a lawyer. She says, and him being a doctor and knowing the medical facts of that awful day, he wants to stay away. He says he offered to go with her, but she turned him down. Stella doesn’t approve? She says, who is she to pass judgement on his relationship? and he says, it hasn’t stopped her before. She says she is concerned that Molly told him not to come because Molly is going to need him in that courtroom today.

Trina tells Gio, school’s going really great. She loves her classes. He says, all of them? and she says yeah. She has *iconography and she only understands every third word the professor says, but she still really enjoys it. He says he admires her positive attitude, and she says, thanks. She wasn’t always like this. She had to take some time off after Spencer died. He says, she did what she had to do to take care of herself, and she says, it’s what she had to do at the time, but after a while, she started feeling aimless and like she was outside of life, which made her feel even worse. He says, it’s like the difference between being on stage and being in the audience. If he’s on stage playing his violin, he might make a few mistakes while he’s at it, or he could be in the audience and not make any. He’d rather try. She seems like the kind of person who doesn’t just want to watch things happen either. She says, turns out, she’s really not. She’s got a full class load and feels focused and back in it. He says, and even on the days it kind of sucks, she’s still part of the action, and she says, that’s true. But when he says it like that, she kind of sounds like a superhero. He says, the Iron Songbird. She’s indestructible. She sings songs of beauty and justice to the masses. She says, that needs some work, and he says, so, Songbird… She says she’s not doing the Songbird thing, and he says, and? She says, Ava. Today’s Ava’s trial and she has to testify. He says, so does he, but they have nothing to worry about. All they have to do is tell the truth.

(*Iconography: the visual images and symbols used in a work of art or the study or interpretation of these.)

Kristina says, Molly wasn’t even there when she fell. What could she possibly say? Molly says, her dad might not even call her, but if he does, he’s probably going to ask her about Kristina’s character, the type of person she is. Kristina asks, what type of person is she? and Molly says, intense… passionate, loyal… Kristina says, and? and Molly says, and sometimes she can be impulsive. Kristina says, so she’s hot-headed. That means she deserves to be pushed out a window? Molly says, of course (🍷) not, and Kristina says, okay, what else? Molly says, he might ask her if she blames Kristina for what happened or maybe instances in her past where she’s acted erratically. But whatever he asks, she has to give a true and honest account of the facts. Kristina says, no, she doesn’t, and Molly wonders if Kristina is asking her to lie on the stand. Kristina says, no. She’s saying Molly has to do whatever it takes to get Ava convicted.

Jason says he doesn’t want Danny to feel torn between him and his siblings, and Dante says, Jason’s son is a good dude. He’s got the best of Sam and Jason. Having said that, Danny’s taken some chances Dante wishes he wouldn’t have, but his heart is always in the right place. Jason says he hopes Danny knows he can be honest with him and doesn’t feel he has to say what Jason wants to hear, and Dante says, at the end of the day, it’s Jason’s decision, but he thinks Jason is doing the right thing by involving Danny in the conversation. For the record, Danny respects Jason too much to lie to him. Jason thanks him and says he just doesn’t want to make this any harder on Danny. Dante says he hears that. He’s trying to figure out where he and Rocco are going to live and he has no idea… They hear a crash from the foyer.

Scout looks at a mess of stuff all over the floor, when Danny and Rocco come in. She says, it was an accident, she swears, and Danny says, it’s okay. Rocco says he thought she was just going to set up a board while they finish their video game, and she says she’s sorry. She wanted to play Stratego, but she wanted to make Thanksgiving decorations. Danny says, at the same time? and she says she thought she could carry it all, but it slipped. Rocco asks why she didn’t wait for them. They said they’d be right back. She says she wanted to do it herself. Tracy’s going to be so mad. Rocco says, don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine. Danny says he doesn’t know. How are they going to clean up that paint?

Curtis says he’s having a hard time believing Drew would double-cross him, and Michael says he never thought Drew would come for his family. Curtis didn’t seem surprised about Willow and Drew. Curtis says, they seem fond of each other, but he didn’t think there was more to it than that. Michael says, there is. So Curtis has to ask himself, if Drew has no problem interfering in another man’s marriage, what else is he capable of? Curtis says, Drew asked him to run Aurora. Drew made no promises to him about keeping him on as CEO. Michael says, Curtis thought there was a possibility though, right? and Curtis says, Drew gave him that impression. Michael says, so he has Curtis work his ass off to build up Drew’s company, then turns around and gives it to him, and Curtis asks why Michael is telling him all this. Michael says, because he needs Curtis’s help. If they work together, they can get Drew out of Aurora for good.

Trina says she’s worried that if she tells the truth, the prosecutor will spin it to make Ava look guilty, and Gio says he’s sure she will. It’s her job, just like it’s the defense attorney’s job to spin whatever they say to make Ava look innocent. Trina says, but she is innocent. She knows Gio doesn’t believe that. He says he promises to keep an open mind and let the jury decide. And even if the jury says Ava didn’t push Sonny’s daughter and granddaughter out the window, that’s not the point. She asks how that can be beside the point, and he says, because his point is, she and Ava are friends. She has every right to support her friend. She says she’ll probably be the only one on Ava’s side of the courtroom, and he says, so she’ll have extra room to spread out. And this way, the courtroom artist will get a good look at her. So just make sure she looks serious and compassionate. Trina says she doesn’t know how that’s supposed to look, but she’ll try, and he says, it’s going to be good for the jury to see her standing by Ava, staying loyal to a friend who isn’t super popular right now. Trina says, she really isn’t, and he says, Trina is going to be doing the right thing, not the popular thing, and that’s a sign of good character. She says, he really is starting to sound like her dad.

Ava says, Ric took her case because he believes it’s an accident, but he’s defending the woman his daughter thinks is responsible for her child’s death. He says, but he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt, she’s not at fault. Whether she believes that or not, that’s exactly how he’s going to save his daughter. She says, so he thinks by convincing the jury that it was an accident, he’ll convince her as well, and he says, once Molly hears the testimony and sees the evidence, she’s going to come to the only possible conclusion. And that is, no one was at fault. Ava says, and if she doesn’t? but Ric says, she has to. Otherwise, she’s going to carry all that anger and pain for the rest of her life, and it will eat her from the inside out. She says, it sounds like he’s speaking from personal experience, and he says he knows his daughter, that’s all. Molly may believe that Ava being convicted will give her some kind of closure, but the only real closure in this case is acceptance. Kristina’s fall was an accident. The baby’s death was an accident. There is no one to punish. There is no justice to be exacted. It’s his job to make that clear to the jury, but mostly to his daughter. She says she hopes for both their sakes that his confidence is warranted, but whatever the outcome, does he think Molly will ever really understand why he defended her? He says, Molly may not understand it, but by making sure Ava goes free, he’s giving his daughter her life back.

TJ tells Stella that he and Molly have accepted they have different ways of grieving, so shouldn’t he trust that Molly will tell him what she needs? She says, but what if Molly thinks what she needs is going to hurt him? Then… He says, she’ll let him off the hook and she’ll go to the trial by herself to spare him. She says she just can’t imagine what it’s going to be like for Molly to be in that courtroom without him, and he asks if she thinks he should go. She says she knows it’s going to be painful for him, but with him and Molly together, they’re going to make it through.

Molly tells Kristina that she can’t perjure herself. She’d lose her job and her license. Kristina asks if she said anything about perjury. She didn’t. What she’s saying is, Molly can finesse the truth. She can give context, but be careful with her words. Molly says, if she’s too vague with her answers or dodges the questions, her dad is just going to treat her as a hostile witness. He’s an expert. He’s going to try and lead her exactly where he wants her to go. He’s going to try and get her to say exactly what he wants her to say. Kristina says, and she won’t do that, because she’s just as smart as he is. And because, like her and mom, Molly is one of the last Davis women, and this isn’t about them. It’s about getting justice for their baby girl. So they have to face Molly’s father head-on together and they have to win.

Rocco says, they came here to play Stratego, and Stratego’s about what? Danny says, strategy, and Scout asks how that helps them. Rocco says, they have to come up with one to clean this up, and Scout says, and no one will ever know. Danny says, right. So this is the strategy. He’ll handle the paint explosion, and Scout will gather the game pieces. Rocco says, awesome. He’ll handle the art supplies. Danny says, break on three, and they put their hands together. He says, one, two, three, break! and they throw their hands in the air. Dante and Jason peek into the foyer.

Sasha thanks Mac and Felicia, and Mac says, Robert also wanted her to know he’s doing everything he can to get back as soon as possible. Sasha says, good luck with that. Her mother has a way of spoiling even the best laid plans. Mac tells her, if he says he’s coming back soon, he means it, and Felicia says, in the meantime, they’d like to get to know her better as their niece. Sasha says, after years of being on her own, having a family seems wonderful, and Felicia says she’s glad to hear Sasha say that. Sasha says, growing up, it was mostly her and her grandmother, with occasional drop-ins from her mother. When she was little, they were kind of fabulous. She would drop out of the sky with gifts and incredible stories, but as Sasha grew older, she realized she wanted more from Holly. She wanted a family. Mac says, now she has one, and Felicia says, and not just the occasional breakfast at Bobbie’s. They have an open-door policy. Weekends, holidays… especially holidays. The more, the merrier. Sasha says she’s a little worried the Scorpio holidays might not be so simple. Cody is Mac’s son. Mac says, he is. He’s taken what happened between the two of them very hard. Felicia says, what about Sasha? They know this can’t be easy for her. Sasha says, it’s been impossible. Maybe it’s better for everyone if she just keeps her distance.

Curtis says, Michael wants to run Drew out of his own company, and Michael says, is it really his company though? Curtis says, he founded it, and Michael says, and he vanished shortly afterward. He ran Aurora when Drew was gone, and when Drew was out there running for congress, Curtis was the acting CEO. Curtis says, his point? and Michael says, his point is, they know a hell of a lot more about this company than Drew does. So they should use that knowledge to force him out. Curtis says he gets how this is revenge for Michael, and maybe from his perspective, it’s warranted, but where’s the advantage for him? Michael says, instead of acting CEO, Curtis will get the official title and the power that comes with that, and Curtis says, that’s assuming all of this is true. Michael says, it is true. Drew told him that he’s the most qualified to run Aurora, which means that Drew knows that he knows Drew’s gotten too close to Willow. So Drew offered him the company as a way to make amends. It’s basically a payoff. Drew thinks Michael’s not going to care that he’s going after his wife if he’s distracted with the company and the right letters on his door. It shows how little Drew knows about him. Curtis says, he’s jumping to a lot of conclusions, and Michael says, it’s Curtis’s call. It’s not like Drew is going to fire him. He’s going to keep Curtis on, but he’s never going to be CEO. Not unless they work together.

Ava says she doesn’t care how or why Ric wins, as long as he does, and Ric asks if she’s had enough fresh air. She says, for now, and he says, good. Get used to it. She has a lot of sunny days in her future. They walk out of the courtyard together.

Kristina says, tell her she’s wrong, and Molly says, she’s wrong… usually. But this time, she’s right. She’ll go up there and give as good as she gets, and if she says something damaging about Kristina while under oath, the prosecution can rebut. Kristina takes Molly’s hands and  says, yes. This is about their daughter. They’re going to get through this together for her, for their baby girl. Molly says, for their baby girl, and Kristina says, mom’s going to be here soon. When’s TJ getting here? Molly says, he’s not coming. She can’t ask him to relive what happened to their daughter. She has to be here; he doesn’t. TJ walks in, and Kristina asks if she’s sure about that. Molly turns and sees him.

Dante closes the living room door, and says, he told Jason they make a good team. Jason says, they really do have each other’s backs, and Dante says, now more than ever. Jason says, Sam was right. Those kids need each other. They need to stay together. Dante says, they do. So what does that mean for Jason? Is he going to give Drew custody? Jason sighs.

The kids continue to clean up, when Dante and Jason come out. Dante asks, what happened here? and Danny says, it’s their fault. Scout says she’s sorry, but Jason says, it’s okay, and Dante says, no one’s in trouble. They’re going to help them clean it up. Scout says, what if Tracy walks in before they finish? and Dante says he doesn’t want that to happen either. They’re definitely going to get this done before that, but first, they wanted to talk to the kids about where they’re going to live.

Felicia says, they understand how complicated the situation is with Cody, but the more Sasha lives with it, the more she’ll grow to accept it. Sasha says she tried to tell Cody the same thing. They had a real connection and it’s really hard to put all those feelings aside. To make an overnight switch from almost involved to cousins… The more they live with it, the less awkward it will seem. That’s her theory anyway. Felicia says, that’s a good way to look at it, but Sasha is right. It won’t be easy, but she’ll get there. In the meantime, she and Mac would never ask her to do anything she didn’t want to do. Mac says, if she needs time to get to know them, they’ll respect that, and Felicia says, and always know she has an aunt and uncle. If she needs anything, call them. If her car battery dies, call Mac for a jump. Mac says, you do that. And when Felicia makes Sunday dinner, they’ll have a place set for her, but she gets to decide if and when she shows up. Felicia says, zero pressure, but Mac says he has to warn her, when she does decide to start coming, Felicia might suggest she bring dessert. But don’t worry. Store bought is just fine. Felicia says, they mean it. Take all the time she needs. Sasha thanks them. She’s overwhelmed. Felicia asks if she has some concerns, and Sasha says she does. And they’re not just about Cody. She’s worried she won’t be the niece they expect. Felicia says, they consider Holly family. Does she really think they can’t roll with the surprises? Sasha says, it’s just that she’s never had family like this before, and Felicia says, now she does. And they’re not going anywhere.

Curtis says, this is a big step, and not just professionally. Drew’s his friend. Ordinarily, he’d say he knows Drew better than he knows Michael. Michael says, he’d be wrong. Drew is only out for Drew. To be fair, he thinks that sending Curtis back to head the division he built in the first place isn’t a double-cross. He sees it as a lateral move. What does Curtis think about that? Curtis says he thinks Michael cares a hell of a lot less about his position at Aurora than Michael cares about what is or isn’t happening with Drew and Willow. Michael says, they’re lying to him. He knows what they did. And he also knows Drew is stringing Curtis along. Curtis says, the fact that Michael is out for revenge is not inspiring a lot of confidence, and Michael says, Curtis cannot remain CEO without his help. Curtis says, okay. Michael says that Drew offered him the job. What happens if he turns it down? Michael says, Drew wants someone with C-suite experience. No matter what he does, Drew isn’t going to keep Curtis on. He’s sure Drew will keep him on as CEO until he’s sworn into congress on January 3rd. He needs to put all of his assets into a blind trust. Then he’s going to look Curtis in the eyes and smile at him and say, thank you for a job well done. Then when he’s safely squared away in DC, he’ll send Curtis back to Wellness. Curtis says, maybe, but Michael says, it’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when. Let’s face it, you and I are in the same position. Are we really going to let Drew get away with this?

Gio puts Trina’s headphones back on her head and turns on the music. She dances around, but says, they’re not doing the Songbird thing. He laughs and dances with her.

Molly hugs TJ and asks if he’s sure he wants to be here. He says, whatever happens here today, they’re facing this together. He loves her. She says she loves him too, when Ava and Ric walk in. Kristina and Molly look at Ava.

Jason says, the main thing is that the kids stick together because they’re a family, and Dante says, and they know Sam wanted them to be together. Rocco says, how’s that going to work? They’re… Dante says he knows they’re not related, but Jason and he talked and came to the conclusion that no matter where they are, they want them to be in each other’s lives. Danny asks how they’re going to make that happen. Is it even possible? Rocco says, isn’t Drew going to go to Washington? Isn’t Scout going to have to live with him? Scout says she doesn’t want to live in Washington. She already told her dad, and he said it was okay, that she could stay here, and he could commute. Jason says, that’s one problem solved, and Dante says he’ll talk to Monica about him and Rocco staying on here with these punks. Danny says, what about Jason? and Jason says he’s going to move back here too, so he can live with Danny. Danny hugs him.

Curtis says he’s not going to turn his back on a friend. At least not on Michael’s word alone. Michael says, all right. If Drew decides to keep Curtis on and changes his mind, Curtis has his full support. Curtis says, but Michael doesn’t think he will, and Michael says, no, he doesn’t. He’s sorry. Curtis says, it’s a lot to think about. If Drew does give the CEO position away to someone else, then he and Michael will talk.  Michael says, that’s all he asks, and Curtis says, but let’s be clear. Michael is upset. He has every right to be furious at Drew, but he’s operating out of revenge, and that’s not the way Curtis does business. Michael says, all the more reason why Curtis should remain CEO. He’ll be expecting Curtis’s call, but he should be careful. Because when he finally sees Drew for who he really is, it might be too late. Curtis says he has his eyes open, and Michael leaves.

Kristina sits down and glares at Ava. Ava looks at her and then turns around.

In the hallway, Ric says he called Molly last night, and she says she saw, but she was too busy looking at that subpoena he had thrown in her face. He says he was hoping she’d give him a minute to explain, and she says she would have, if he’d reached out before sending a process server. He says he had no other choice, but she says, there were other ways to mount his defense. He didn’t need to list her as a witness. TJ flies over to her side and says, Ric called Molly to testify on Ava’s behalf? Ric says, it’s his responsibility to defend his client, but TJ says, no. It’s a lawyer’s responsibility. Molly says, and it didn’t have to be his, and she and TJ walk into the courtroom.

Sasha says, thanks so much for the breakfast and the letter and everything, and Felicia says, it was their pleasure. Mac says, absolutely, and Sasha says, there is one thing they should know about her… She will never bring a store-bought dessert. They laugh, and Felicia says, told ya.

Sasha leaves, and outside Bobbie’s, she takes a pregnancy test out of her purse.

On Monday, Drew tells someone that they’re the future, not Curtis; Curtis tells Jordan that this has to stay between them; Ric says, by the time this trial is over, they’ll know that beyond a shadow of a doubt; and Cyrus tells Lulu, don’t worry. He’ll take care of her.

🩺 A Report On the Report…

I’m leaning toward the Cyrus theory, but you never know with this show. He could just be a red herring.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/what-is-digitalis-and-how-did-it-kill-sam-on-general-hospital

🧴 Glad To Hear It…

God forbid he should be away from social media for a minute.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-adam-huss-promises-hes-not-dead

🧂 Beyond the Salted Rim…

I’ll pass on the lavender ice cream.

https://pagesix.com/2024/11/20/entertainment/rhoslc-star-mary-cosby-reveals-truth-behind-fallout-with-meredith-marks/

💸 Surprised Not Surprised…

Not surprised they’re divorcing. Surprised it took so long.

🐦‍⬛ Look Out For That Tree…

This guy’s reviews are the best, but he hadn’t posted until midweek, so it got left out. Be sure to check out his vlog on YouTube.

🐝 What’s the Buzz…

Aww. A Valentine’s gift.

Geez. Why don’t we go back to Lord of the Flies while we’re at it.

https://ew.com/yellowjackets-accused-of-ripping-off-2015-film-eden-lawsuit-8746649

🐉 Standing Corrected…

I honestly thought they were just blowing smoke about this.

https://ew.com/game-of-thrones-movie-in-development-early-stages-hbo-warner-bros-8738039

🦸‍♂️ Everybody’s Favorite Merc…

He coulda been a contender. I actually think this is a brilliant idea.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/deadpool-and-wolverine-mcu-canon

I wonder how many years before we see this one… if we see this one.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/rumor-we-may-know-when-the-deadpool-wolverine-sequel-will-be-released-by-marvel-studios-a214594

Yes! It’s just what we need this holiday season.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/deadpool-and-wolverine-star-ryan-reynolds-appears-to-confirm-plans-for-a-new-holiday-special-a214683

🍼 Forgotten Watch…

I forgot I watched this last weekend. Apartment 7A equals Rosemary’s Baby plus The Omen plus A Chorus Line plus Diane Weist doing her best Ruth Gordon impersonation. It wasn’t awful, but you might be better served at watching the original films it sampled from. And when are these people going to learn that you don’t get an NYC floor-through apartment for $5 a month?

🦃 Thanksgiving, Not Just For Pilgrims Anymore…

For those who are cooking turkey. My advice, better safe than sorry. Get your pets something special, but don’t give them any of the Thanksgiving dishes for people.

https://people.com/thanksgiving-foods-safe-for-pets-dogs-8750505

For those who want to save a turkey. I’m not a vegetarian, but personally, I bypass the turkey, which I can eat anytime, for the more once-a-year type stuff.

https://people.com/rescue-turkey-loves-listening-to-taylor-swift-8749817

For those who want to dress their dog like a turkey.

https://www.coohom.com/article/diy-thanksgiving-dress-up-dogs

For those who want to see dogs and cats dressed like turkeys.

https://people.com/pets/gobble-gobble-thankful-cats-and-dogs/

🦉 Quotes of the Week

If a zombie bear isn’t the problem, what is? – Doc (Russell Hodgkinson), Z Nation

Your dream is a reality that is waiting for you to materialize. Today is a new day. Don’t let your history interfere with your destiny. Learn from your past so that it can empower your present and propel you to greatness. – Steve Maraboli

Don’t call me a bitch when I’m upset. – Shekinah Garner, 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way

Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. – Lou Holtz

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the eons, it’s that you can’t give up on your family, no matter how tempting they make it. – Rick Riordan

My songs will pass and be forgotten. What counts, however, is that I sang them. – Father Andrew Greeley

The one that stirs the pot should lick the spoon. – Chris Combs, 1000-lb sisters (I’m not quite sure what he means by this, but it sounds about right.)

I could iron now for days. I love to iron. – a grandmother after smoking weed for the first time. She inhaled. – from The Daily Skimm

Of course I’m taking this seriously. I’m coming to Poland, aren’t I?Joe Coan, 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days

If your goal is to enjoy some genuine joie de vivre this holiday season, keep in mind that the simplest acts of generosity, connection, and self-care can offer the biggest rewards. – 11 Ways to Experience Holiday Joy

🌽 Bountiful Harvest…

Experience something new this weekend and stop by on Monday for soap and Sailing. Until then, stay safe, stay shopping early if you’re hosting Thanksgiving (not the day before), and stay knowing that sometimes the only real closure is acceptance.