What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the Tan-O, Sonny says he hopes they don’t regret it, and Nina says, leaving the hospital? It’s Lenny’s decision, and Phyllis is a nurse and backed him up. Sonny tells her, the doctor said it was Lenny’s choice whether he wanted to wait for the biopsy or come home. He doesn’t blame Lenny for wanting to come to the Tan-O, rather than staying at the cancer ward. Nina takes his hand, and says, they don’t know anything yet. They could still get that happy ending. Phyllis brings Lenny in, and he says he missed this old place. He tells Phyllis, he’s home, and he’s never leaving again.

Carly says she hopes Jason doesn’t feel like she’s pressuring him, and he says, about what? She says, Donna won’t remember a time he wasn’t her stepfather. They’ve been friends a long time, best friends. Now they’re getting married and that changes things, doesn’t it? Josslyn comes in with a file box, and asks if she’s interrupting.

Jax is waiting for Britt outside her office, and she says, it’s all his fault, pointing to her new Co-Chief of Staff nameplate. He asks, how’s that his fault? She says she took his advice and agreed to share her job with Dr. Randolph. Of course (🍷), if it all blows up in her face, she’ll know who to blame. It’s a joke. What’s with the long face? He asks how much time she’s got.

Curtis asks Portia if there isn’t something he can do to help her out with Trina, and she says she’ll let him know if she thinks of anything. Hell, she probably would have stormed over to Josslyn’s house, and dragged Trina home herself if Jordan hadn’t convinced her not to. Curtis takes her hands, and they turn to see Trina. Portia drops Curtis’s hands like a hot potato, and says, it’s good to see her. She was wondering if they could talk, but Trina says she came to see Stella.

Cameron sees Spencer reading by the pool (🍷), and says War and Peace? Spoiler alert. Andre dies and Natasha marries Pierre. Spencer says, he already finished the book? but Cameron says, he has a job. That’s what Wikipedia is for, but since he saved Spencer about 1000 pages of reading, Spencer can thank him by telling him a little more about this party he’s having on Spoon Island.

Ava tells Nikolas that he can’t be at the gallery, but he says, actually, he can. She says, no, he can’t. If the stalker finds out, it can get worse for them. He says, they won’t, because he knows who the stalker is, and she tells him, then go to the police, and talk to them… He says, so far, the stalker’s been in the shadows, but now he has a name and he has a face. It’s a face Nikolas knows as well as his own, because their stalker is his son.

Sonny asks why Lenny doesn’t have a seat and take a load off, and Nina suggests Lenny let them pamper him. Lenny walks over to the bar, and Nina asks what he’s doing. He says, reminding himself how good this bar feels, and it’s still here. And he’s still here. Nina thinks maybe it’s a good sign they’re taking their time analyzing Lenny’s biopsy,, and Lenny says, he’s been married to Nurse Caulfield long enough to know a test like the one he took is like shooting craps. Sometimes the lab comes up sevens, and sometimes it comes up snake eyes, but until they get that call, please don’t treat him like he’s fragile. Nina says, they’ll try not to, but Phyllis says she’s sorry. She just can’t do that.

Carly says Josslyn could never be interrupting. They were just having a sweet moment with her baby sister. Josslyn says, Donna has a way of bringing people together, and Carly asks, what’s in the box? Josslyn says she was just going through her stuff, deciding what she wanted to bring to her dorm, and what she wants to donate. Carly takes out a doll, and says she’s not going to donate Mrs. Trizzle; she was Josslyn’s favorite. Josslyn says, she still is, but she’s not going to take a doll to her dorm. She wants Donna to have her. Carly says, that’s so sweet. She tells Jason, when Josslyn was Donna’s age, she took Mrs. Trizzle everywhere. Josslyn says she was under the belief that the doll could make all the monsters in her closet go away. If only it was that easy in real life. Jason asks what that means; is Joey Novak bothering her again? Josslyn says, no, she hasn’t seen him. Moss bowl! Jason asks if Devon is staying close, and Josslyn says, he’s an excellent bodyguard, so she’s fine, but she did get a message from her dad. Carly says, about what? and Josslyn says, that’s just it. All it said was, are you okay? So what does she think he meant by that?

Jax says, it’s about his daughter, and Britt asks if Josslyn is okay. He says, no thanks to Carly’s new living arrangements, and Britt says she thought he made peace with Carly and Jason. He says, that was before he learned, despite Carly’s assurances, her marriage to Jason might not actually make his daughter safer. It might do the exact opposite.

Portia says she’s glad to see Trina is okay, and Trina says she’s fine. Joss and her mom made her feel very welcome staying at their house. Portia says, it won’t be long before Trina moves into her dorm, and she’d like to enjoy spending time with Trina before she leaves. Trina says, tonight, she’s hanging out with Joss, Cam, and Spencer, so she’ll probably crash at Joss’s one more night. Can she see Miss Henry? Portia says, actually, Miss Henry has been cleared to go home, but she’ll see if she’s up for a visit before she leaves. She goes to Stella’s room, and Trina says she knows what Curtis is going to say; that she was wrong to make her mom worry. He says, actually, he was going to say he was worried about her too.

Portia goes into Stella’s room, and Stella says she doesn’t know Portia well, but she seems concerned. Has there been some complication? Some reason to keep her there longer? Portia says she’s still cleared to go home, but as far as a complication – Stella says, just tell her – her daughter is outside and would like to see her.

Ava says, Nikolas thinks Spencer is the stalker? and he says, yes. She says, that’s impossible, but he says he thinks they both know, when it comes to his son, nothing is impossible. She says she had a recent conversation with Spencer, and they seemed to reach a kind of detente. He asks if she doesn’t think Spencer is capable of faking a breakthrough, and she says, that doesn’t explain how he could terrorize her long distance. The incidents began long before Spencer came back to Port Charles. Nikolas says, that’s what they were led to believe, and she says she doesn’t understand. He says, the postmark on the letter would suggest otherwise, and she says, what letter? He takes it out, and says, special delivery to Spencer from an old friend of hers. Ryan Chamberlain. She takes the letter from him.

Spencer says he invited some old friends, and Cameron says, like who? Spencer says, Britt Westbourne, and Cameron says, he invited the GH Chief of Staff? Spencer says, she turned him down, but he’s hoping she’ll change her mind. And some friends from school are flying up from the city. Cameron says, flying up? Impressive. Tell him more about the party. Is Spencer flying in a DJ from the city? Maybe London? Spencer says, California, actually. The DJ works some of the hottest clubs in Los Angeles. His friends from school are really looking forward to it. He’s hoping he can broaden the horizons of some of his Port Charles friends. The way he sees it, a good party isn’t just a collection of people; they all have to blend together just so. Cameron asks how they’re supposed to blend with European kids they’ve never met?

Trina says, there’s no reason for Curtis to worry about her. She’s eighteen, she voted, she’s moving into a dorm soon. He says he’s not questioning her independence. He’s simply pointing out she’s been avoiding her mom by staying at Josslyn’s, since she overheard his aunt talking about her mother and him, back when she was still married to Trina’s dad. She says, it wasn’t easy, finding out her mom wasn’t perfect, and sure, there’s a part of her that wishes she’d never found out, but the bigger part of her needed to know. So in a way, Stella did her a favor.

Stella says she’s sure Portia’s daughter isn’t there to bring her flowers. More likely, she’s there to dress her down for telling tales about Portia and Curtis. Honestly, she wouldn’t blame Trina. Portia says her daughter wouldn’t be there unless she cared about Stella. That’s why Trina wants to see her. Stella asks, what about Portia? Does she want Trina to see her, or does she feel Stella has caused enough harm as it is?

Jax tells Britt, he made the choice of giving Carly the benefit of the doubt. Whatever else her marriage to Jason means, he accepted the premise that they’d be stronger together, which would hopefully mean more protection for Josslyn. But instead… Britt says, a random mobster approached his daughter. He says, that’s right. Is he supposed to be okay with that, because it was completely inappropriate. Britt says, his daughter is going to college soon. Does he think inappropriate is going to end when she walks through the ivy-covered gates of PCU? That’s what Title 9 is for. He says, but Title 9 isn’t going to protect her from guys like Joey Novak. Carly invites this kind of threat purely by the nature of her business. She knows that he’s right, and it doesn’t just apply to Carly; it applies to Jason too. She says he has every right to be concerned, but she thinks if he takes a step back, he might see Jason isn’t the problem. In fact, he could be the solution.

Moss bowl! Carly says Josslyn’s father knows about her run-in with Joey Novak, and Josslyn asks why Carly would tell him. Carly says she didn’t; he overheard them talking. Josslyn asks if Carly couldn’t reassure him, and Carly says she tried, but to be fair, he has every right to be concerned. Jason says, he’s not the only one. He ran into Cameron at the boxing gym, and he was hitting the heavy bag like it was Joey Novak. Josslyn says, great, just what she needs. Her father, and now her… friend getting hurt on her account. Jason says, nobody’s going to get hurt. He’s going to make sure of that. Josslyn says, this is what dad doesn’t seem to understand. The two of them getting married is the answer to everything. They trust each other, they can handle any problem that comes up, and bonus, they actually love each other. So her only question is, when is this wedding actually going to happen?

Sonny suggests he and Nina go for a walk, but Phyllis says, no. She wants everyone to hear this. Lenny’s not the only one who came home from the hospital with a different perspective. All along, she insisted Lenny do everything he can, try every treatment, go the extra mile. Nina says, of course (🍷). She’s a nurse. Phyllis says she’s also the woman who loves her husband, but love also means living, not simply existing. There has to be a quality of life. So whatever that biopsy says, whatever lies ahead, she wants Lenny, and the both of them, to know she’s all in. She wants Lenny to savor the time he has and enjoy it. Or as a certain former marine would say, better to die of living than to die of dying. He says, when she puts it that way – he kisses her hand – he may just live forever. They hug, and Sonny and Nina smile at one another.

Lenny goes over to Nina, and says, no tears. The Tan-O is all about good times. It reminds him of an old Cajun buddy he knew back in basic training. He used to say, laissez les bon temps rouler! It means… Sonny says he knows what it means. Let the good times roll! Lenny says, you really do remember the things that count, Mike. That’s pretty special.

Josslyn asks why they haven’t picked a wedding date, or started making plans? Jason gets a free pass because everyone knows he hates social events. He says he doesn’t hate them… Yeah, he pretty much hates them. Josslyn says, he hates party planning, but Carly owns a hotel and can plan big events in her sleep. So what’s stopping her? Carly asks if Josslyn isn’t supposed to meet her friends. She’s going to be starting college soon. She might as well enjoy the summer while she still has it. Josslyn says Carly is right; she should meet Cam and Trina. She asks if it’s okay to leave the box for Carly to drop off. Also, don’t worry, but she may be back late tonight. Carly says, how late? and Josslyn asks if Carly didn’t just tell her to go off with her friends and enjoy her summer. A couple of them are getting together one last time before they part ways for college. Carly says, that’s vague. Who all is going to be there? Josslyn says, Trina, Cameron, Spencer, the usual crew. Does she need to be more specific? Carly is pretty sure that’s the best she’s going to get, and Jason says he’s going to have Tony drive Josslyn. Josslyn asks, why? Tony is great, but Devon gets the job done. Jason says, Tony has more experience. There’s going to be a lot of kids, a lot going on, a possible distractions. He’d feel better if Tony was with her. She says, okay, and Carly says, Tony knows how to be unobtrusive. He’ll stay out of the way and respect her privacy… to an extent. Josslyn says, oh joy, and Jason says he’s sorry. Josslyn says, it is what it is, and he asks if she’s heading to the pool (🍷) now. She says she is, and he says he’ll have Tony meet her there. Moss bowl! Josslyn says, not tonight, but sometime in the near future, they really should talk about her getting her own car. That way, Tony, or whoever it might be, can follow her. Like a discreet tail. Like a Secret Service Agent. Carly says they’ll definitely think about that, and Josslyn leaves. Carly thanks Jason, and he says, for what? She says, making sure that wasn’t a mother/daughter issue, and he says she’s welcome. But his work is only beginning. She asks what that’s supposed to mean, and he says he has to talk to Jax.

Jax can’t believe Britt is defending Jason. The guy’s a magnet for violence. She says she’s not denying violence is a part of Jason’s life, but from her experience, Jason can also be the best defense against it. Case in point, the time he escaped from GH. Jax says, the time he almost got her killed, but she says, no. Jax couldn’t be more wrong. Cyrus figured out that she was on to the illegal drugs he was manufacturing, so he sent his goons to her office. They were five seconds away from injecting her with a lethal overdose, when Jason jeopardized his own escape to save her. She’s alive because of him. He says, what is it with Jason Morgan? No matter how much damage he causes, he has otherwise intelligent people lining up to forgive him for almost anything.

Curtis says the last thing he wanted was for Trina to get hurt. Like he always tells TJ, actions have consequences, so if she wants to blame someone, blame him. Stella needs to recover, and all Trina’s mom has been doing for the last few days is worrying about Trina. Portia comes back, and asks if everything is okay. Curtis says, yeah; they were just talking. Trina asks if she can see Stella now, and Portia says Stella is expecting her. Trina goes to Stella’s room, and Curtis says, she’s a helluva kid. Portia says, which only makes it more painful to know she’s disappointed Trina so much.

Trina tells Stella that Cameron told her what happened at Kelly’s, and Stella says she’s so grateful. If Cameron hadn’t acted so quickly… Trina says she’s so sorry, but Stella says, please. Let her talk first. She’s really glad Trina came, because it gives her a chance to say how sorry she is; how very, very sorry.

Cameron says, if Spencer is afraid that Joss, Trina, and him are going to embarrass him in front of his Euro friends, screw him and his party. He gets up, and Spencer says, wait. It’s not like that. He follows Cameron over to the bar, and says, it’s the other way around. Cameron asks what he means, and Spencer says, it’s not like he didn’t meet tons of people overseas, but they’re more like acquaintances, not actual friends. They can talk for days about fashion or fusion cuisine or who’s hooked up with who, but it’s all surface. Superficial. No one asked him once if he missed his dad. They all just wanted to know what kind of care he drove. Tonight, he wants them to see what real friends are like. That’s one of the big reasons he came home, because he wanted things to be more… Cameron says, dull? Pedestrian? Spencer says, authentic. Why does Cameron think he likes Trina so much? She doesn’t BS; she tells it like it is. Cameron says he’s right about that. Maybe if Trina can put up with Spencer, he and Joss can try to put up with his Euro friends. Spencer was hoping he’d say that, and asks if Cameron won’t mind hopping on the phone and inviting some more people like himself. Cameron asks if he means more townies, and Spencer laughs.

Ava reads, my apologies for the disappointment called your father. Don’t let his and Ava’s selfishness stymy your progress. Looking forward to more tales of your exploits. Ryan. She tells Nikolas, so this is Ryan’s sick idea of a fan letter, but how does it make Spencer the stalker? He says, Spencer lied about when he received the letter from Ryan, and before that, he caught Spencer in another lie. He admitted he knew about the cockroach. He talked his way out of that one, but it all adds up, because Ryan couldn’t have possibly done all those things to threaten him, but Spencer could have. She says, but all those things happened weeks before Spencer came to town, and he says they only have Spencer’s word that he was on the Amalfi Coast. What if Spencer returned to Port Charles weeks before he walked through the front door of Windymere? He’s got the money and the resources to hide, and he’s crafty enough to make all the various incidents look like they were planned by a madman obsessed with her, except nothing about it was crazy. Everything was calculated to drive them apart, and it almost succeeded. She says she understands Spencer has reason to resent her, hate her even, but why would he do this to Nikolas? He loves Nikolas. Nikolas says, the father that let him believe he died. The father that abandoned him, and wasn’t there for him. Whatever Spencer’s done, whatever the reasons, it’s as much his fault as it is Spencer’s. That’s why he has to put a stop to Spencer’s plans, and give him a taste of his own medicine – tonight. Ava tells him, stop. That is the last thing he should do.

Lenny puts on some Cajun music, and tells Phyllis, he won’t take no for an answer. She says he’s incorrigible, and he says that’s why she loves him. He and Phyllis dance, and it looks like loads of fun. Nina and Sonny bop to the music.

Ava tells Nikolas, she knows Ryan’s letter seems incriminating, but it’s hardly a smoking gun. Why doesn’t he give Spencer a chance to explain himself? He says he already tried. He showed Spencer the letter, suggested its implications, and Spencer never even broke a sweat. She asks if that didn’t tell him anything, and he says, yes. It tells him that Spencer is his father’s son. And even when he wasn’t there in person, he was still teaching Spencer the Cassadine way. Maybe it’s in his DNA, or maybe those three years Nikolas was away taught Spencer all the lesson he needed. Regardless, he knows Spencer is the stalker, and it’s up to him to help Spencer, even if it makes Spencer hate him.

Cameron says, let him get this straight; Spencer wants him to invite more authentic people. Spencer says, he’s been away so long, he’s practically a stranger. Doesn’t Cameron know anyone that’s cool? The more the merrier. Josslyn joins them, and asks what Spencer is doing there. Spencer says, not happy to see him? and she says, just a little suspicious. Ragers on islands don’t throw themselves; they require planning. Is he there planning the party, or is there still a party?

Trina says Stella doesn’t owe her an apology. All she did was tell Trina the truth. Stella says she can hear the hurt in Trina’s voice. A multitude of sins can hide behind the truth. Since her stroke, her short term memory has been hazy, but Curtis helped her fill in some of the blanks, and it leaves her ashamed and embarrassed. Not only was she way out of line when she sat in judgement of Trina’s mother, but she made things so much worse by confronting her in public where Trina could overhear. Does Trina think she can find a way to forgive her? Trina says she still thinks there’s nothing to forgive. Stella says that’s very generous of her. She doesn’t think Trina’s mother feels the same way.

Curtis says, Trina is disappointed, but that’s only because Portia has always been a hero to her. Portia says, exactly, and now she’s failed Trina. He says, Portia didn’t fail her; she turned out to be perfectly human and capable of making mistakes. Sooner or later, shouldn’t every kid find that out about their parents? She says, some lessons are just too hard and painful, especially with Trina going off to college soon. What if they don’t get past this?

Phyllis and Lenny finish their dance, and take a bow, while Sonny and Nina applaud. Lenny is winded though, and Sonny asks if he’s okay. Lenny says he’s just a little out of practice, but Phyllis says he’s out of breath. She wants to take him home and put him to bed. He says, what did she just tell him; love means living. Nina says they can all drink to that, and Phyllis says, then let her take him outside while the sun’s still shining. He can put his feet up, she’ll pour him a nice glass of ice tea, and they can plan that trip they’ve been meaning to take. Lenny says, to the islands? and she says, no time like the present. They leave, arm-in-arm, and Sonny says, it might sound strange, but he envies those two. Nina says she gets it. Some people live a lifetime, and never find a love like that.

Carly asks if it’s a good idea to talk to Jax, and Jason says, if Jax has concerns, he wants Jax to deal with him, not her or Josslyn. She says, Jax was never a fan of Sonny’s. To him, Jason was the lesser of two evils. Jason says, not anymore. Moss bowl! Carly says, it was one thing when she and Jason were friends. Jax didn’t love it, but he tolerated it. Now everything’s changed. He thinks she’s picking Jason over her kids, and she’s putting her kids in danger for a chance to be with him. Jason says, that’s not true. It’s the exact opposite. They’re getting married because it’s the safest option. She says, right, and he says, it only works because of what they are to each other. She says she’s scared of how this is going to change things between them, and he says, it’s as new for him as it is for her. He takes her hand, and says, they’re just going to have to figure this out… together, okay? She says, yeah, and asks him to drop the box off at the community center for her, starting a honey-do list for him already. He takes the box, walks past the hallowed moss bowl, and Carly hugs Mrs. Trizzle to her chest.

Sonny asks why Nina is smiling, and she says she’s grateful that he reached out to her when he did when she was in Port Charles. Not just to help Phyllis and Lenny with the treatment costs, but she feels so blessed to be with them at this time. And him. No matter how much time they have left. He asks if she’s talking about Lenny and Phyllis, or her and him, and she says, why don’t they take a page out of Lenny’s book, and live every moment they’re given as if it were their last. He says, yeah, and kisses her.

Trina tells Curtis that his aunt would like to see him, and he goes into Stella’s room. Portia asks Trina how it went with Stella, and she says, no offense, but she thinks that’s between her and Miss Henry. Portia says she’s right. She almost has a college student on her hands. She’s sorry she keeps treating Trina like a little kid. And she’s sorry she hurt Trina by the choices she’s made in the past, her time with Curtis while she was still married to Trina’s father. Honestly, those are things she never wanted Trina to know, but now she does. Does Trina think she can find it in her heart to forgive her?

Spencer tells Josslyn, yes, there’s an actual party, as they will soon see for themselves. They sit, and Josslyn asks if it’s just going to magically appear on Spoon Island. What about his father? Spencer says, he’s off to Dubai on business. Is that gentleman with her? Josslyn says, that’s Devon. He’s there until Tony takes over. Spencer says, Tony? and she says, he’s an excellent bodyguard. Spencer asks if it doesn’t bother her having constant supervision, but she says, you get used to it. He says, tell him about it. His dad keeps a close eye on him too. He guesses it shows how much he cares.

Ava says Nikolas has lost so much time with his son. They’ve just begun to repair that relationship. Does he really want to jeopardize that based on one letter from Ryan and a questionable timeline? What if he’s wrong? He says he’s not. This is their shot, maybe their last shot, at unmasking the stalker, and finally putting their family back together. She says, but Spencer is part of that family, and he says he knows that, but Spencer’s no longer a child. His antics aren’t cute anymore. For his own sake, as well as theirs, Spencer needs to be stopped. She tells him, don’t take Spencer’s love for granted. Nikolas almost lost him once, and it nearly broke his heart. Don’t risk losing him again. He says, when this night is over, he won’t lose his son. He’ll have him back. The son he knows and loves, and he and Ava will finally be back together again.

Josslyn asks if Cameron is up for a party, and he says, try and stop him. Spencer says he’s in too. Let’s make tonight a night to remember.

Trina tells Portia, she had a talk with Ava. She thinks she should try and patch things up with Portia. Portia asks what Trina thinks about that advice, and Trina says, honestly, she’s not sure why she’s angry or who she’s mad at. She spent her whole life thinking one thing, and now she finds out there’s something she knew nothing about. It’s just a lot to process. Portia says she understands that, and Trina says, all she knows is, she missed Portia these past two days. Portia says she missed Trina too, and Trina says, tonight she’s hanging out with Spencer, Joss, and Cam, so she needs to get ready, but maybe they can talk later when she comes home. Portia says she’d like that, and Trina leaves.

Stella tells Curtis, she’s very impressed with Portia’s daughter. It seems she was raised right. She should have given Trina’s mother more credit. If Portia’s daughter is any indication, Portia must be a fine person. Curtis says, on that, they agree, and puts his hand on hers.

Jax tells Britt, he hated Sonny from the day he met him, but Jason was more difficult. In the beginning, he was misguided. He alienated himself from his family, and Sonny took Jason under his wing. But over the years, he watched Jason choose this life. He had plenty of opportunities to get out, but he didn’t, so the violence that follows him, even if it’s not of his own making, Jason is responsible for. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking he’s some kind of hero. He’s just not. She says, Jason is no longer a part of her life, but that doesn’t stop her from thinking he’s a good guy. He says, good guys don’t put his daughter at risk, and she says, don’t tell her that, tell him. Jax turns to see Jason in the doorway.

Nina says, there’s Lenny, playing Cupid with the playlist, and Sonny says, better not disappoint him. She says, okay, and they slow dance.

Carly tells Mrs. Trizzle that she doesn’t know what to do. Sonny was her life. Sonny’s gone, and she doesn’t know what the future holds with Jason. She just knows she can’t live in the past. She has to let go. Sonny appears, and says, that’s easier said than done. Carly smiles.

Tomorrow, Spencer asks who’s ready for some epic misbehavior, Sonny suggests he and Nina make long term plans, and Jax tells Jason to do the right thing, and end this before someone gets hurt.

🕍 A Night To Remember…

Now you too, can sleep in the fish room.

https://nypost.com/2021/08/10/rhonys-dorinda-medley-lists-blue-stone-manor-on-airbnb/

💰 Million On the Morrow…

Join me tomorrow for some Friday soap and expensive real estate. Until then, stay safe, stay thriving, and stay letting the good times roll.