Tag Archives: RHONY

December 3, 2024 – Lulu Learns a Lot, Soap Suds, Kathy Orchestrates a Weekend, New York Minute, OG Argument, Their Thanksgiving, Showing Off & Back

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In the boathouse, Carly says she expects the truce between Jason and Drew to last, and Jason says he’ll keep his part. She says, it’s affecting his relationship with everyone. Tell her what’s going on. He says he’s not telling her.

Molly looks through her old journals from back in 2012 and finds entries about TJ. There’s a knock at the door, but she ignores it. There’s another knock, and she opens the door. It’s Ric, and she says she can’t, then closes the door.

Sonny visits Natalia in her office and she asks if he’s here on Deception business. He says he stopped by to discuss personal business.

Maxie asks if James is sure he saw Lulu in the house, and he says he is. He swears she was here, and suggests they call Mac to solve the mystery. Maxie says she is going to call Mac. There’s something shady going on.

Lulu thanks Dante for bringing her to Laura’s apartment. She can’t wait to see her mom. They knock and Lucky answers. She asks how he’s been, and they hug. Lucky says he’s so glad she’s okay, and she says, it’s been an adventure. Where’s mom?

Anna comes into Laura’s office, and Laura asks if there’s any word on Lulu, but Anna says, no one’s responded to the BOLO yet. Laura says, on the other subject… and Anna says, he just arrived. She opens the door, and Dex comes in with Cyrus in handcuffs. Cyrus asks if Lulu’s been found, and Laura says, that’s none of his business. Unless of course (🍷) he knows where she is already. He says his nephew is misguided. He had nothing to do with Lulu’s disappearance. He’s committed no crime. Why is he in handcuffs? She says she’s having him arrested for stalking her daughter.

Ric asks Molly to let him explain. He took the case to help her, not Ava. He’s not denying Kristina’s fall and Irene’s death were a horrible tragedy, but nobody’s to blame. He knows that’s not something she wants to hear, but let him talk. She says she doesn’t want to hear what he has to say. Thanks to his help, TJ is staying somewhere else tonight.

Sonny says, Natalia’s description on the stand of the car accident didn’t match Kristina’s, and Natalia says, Kristina was upset. Her memory is probably fuzzy. He says, she perjured herself. It’s a serious crime. She risked a lot. She says, the testimony she gave is the least she owes his daughter.

On the phone, presumably with Mac, Maxie says, Lulu’s awake? and James says he told her that Lulu was here. She says, James saw her. She was probably confused by the strange boy scarfing down cookies. They have to find her. Call her as soon has he knows anything. She calls Dante and asks if he knows Lulu is awake.

Carly tells Jason that the kids are going to feel the tension. What about Danny and Scout? Don’t make them pick their fathers over each other. Danny comes in, and Jason asks, what’s wrong? but Danny says, nothing. He starts to leave, but Jason says, hold on. Something is obviously bothering him. Let’s talk about it. Danny says, Rocco got his mom back.

Lulu tells Lucky, long story short, she went to the Quartermaines to look for Tracy and found Rocco. Then Dante showed up. Dante says he needs to go and tells her to call if she needs anything. He leaves, and she says, something’s off with Dante. Lucky says, one minute, she’s in a coma, and the next, she’s on Dante’s doorstep. It’s a lot. Lulu says, it’s a lot for her too. She’s still trying to process, including Lucky being here. He says he thinks the last time they saw each other… It was when they were helping bring Jake back from Cassadine Island. She says, the last big Spencer family adventure. So far anyway. It’s good to see him, but she knows Port Charles isn’t his natural habitat. He says he came when he heard she was in trouble. She needed a liver transplant. She says, he came to be her donor? What about Nikolas? He says, Nikolas was a match, but there were other factors involved, and she asks if Nikolas is at Windymere. He says, no. Nikolas is in prison. She says, they’ll revisit that later. So with Nikolas out… Lucky says he was her best bet. That’s why he rushed back. She says, her family rallied around her in a time of crisis. Is dad back too?

Laura says she asked Cyrus not to visit Lulu without her permission and he falsely represented himself as someone who could make Lulu’s medical decisions. Anna says, as a paroled felon, it will land him back in Pentenville, but Cyrus says he’s not stalking Lulu. Laura says, she’s missing because of him, and he says he didn’t take her. Laura says, she left on her own, and he says, she’s awake? Laura says, yes, and she’s on the run thanks to him.

Dante arrives at Maxie’s, and she asks, where’s Lulu? Who’s more important for her to see? He says, she’s at her mom’s, and Maxie says, fair point. Laura must be overjoyed. He says, she’s not there, and Maxie says, so why didn’t he bring her? He says he left her with her brother, and she asks, how far down the list is she? How is Lulu doing? She’s awake? He says, yes, and she hugs him. She asks how Lulu escaped Turning Woods. Did she tell him that she came here? Tell her something. Dante says, it’s like she didn’t miss a beat. She’s smiling and talking like her old self. Maxie says, it’s a miracle, and he says, it really is.

Lucky tells Lulu that he doesn’t know how to say this, but dad died. Lulu says, he didn’t. Call him and he’ll be here faster than you can say Ice Princess if he knows she’s awake. He says, dad can’t, and he won’t. He died in a cable car crash in Austria. They recovered his body. (Since when?) It was him, no question. Lulu says, he can’t have died from a random accident, but Lucky says, it wasn’t. Victor Cassadine sabotaged the cable car. Victor finally succeeded where Helena failed. He’s sorry. She asks when it happened, and he says, December 2021. She says, he’s been gone three years, and she didn’t know, and Lucky hugs her. He says he’s so sorry.

Ric asks, what happened with TJ? and Molly says, Ric won. She decided he was right, and that Ava never intended to hurt Kristina or Irene. It was just an accident. He says he’s glad she can see that, but what does it have to do with TJ? She says, he thinks her accepting the verdict (which hasn’t been reached yet) is a way to avoid her grief. He thinks she wants to forget Irene like she never existed. He says he’s sorry, and she says she’d like him to leave, but he says, not before they talk about him putting her on the stand.

Natalia tells Sonny that when she waits for a call from her daughter that never comes, she thinks about how terribly she treated Allison and Kristina. She’s so ashamed of her behavior. She hopes her testimony at least begins to make up for the pain she caused his daughter. He says, what happened with Kristina, it’s all good with her, and he thinks the same way. What Natalia did doesn’t compare to what Kristina’s uncle did to her today. Natalia says, he was so brutal, and he says, Ric is using her to hurt him, just like Jagger Cates did.

Jason asks Danny to tell him what happened, and Danny says he saw Rocco and Dante talking to a lady. It was Rocco’s mom. Carly asks if he’s sure, and he says he’s seen a picture. And he could tell by the look on Rocco’s face. She’s the only person who could make him that happy. Carly says she needs to go to the house, but Danny says, she and Dante left. Rocco is still there, but he didn’t know what to say. Jason says, tell Rocco that he’s happy his mom is back, but Carly says, Danny misses his mom, and Danny nods.

Ric says, if he’d thought it would harm Molly, he would have never done it, and Molly laughs. She asks if he thought forcing her to testify against her sister would be harmless, and he says he knew she’d tell the truth. She says, he weaponized her ethics to hurt her sister, and he says, she’s all about justice. He remembers her defending her friends from bullies on the playground. He’s hoping he doesn’t look like a bully. She says, what he put Kristina through was more savage than what a playground bully could come up with. But who is she to judge when she’s said that to Kristina herself?

Dante tells Maxie that he was staring at Rocco, who looked like he couldn’t believe it. He was really happy, but the sad part was him realizing how much he missed his mom and how long she’d been gone. Maxie asks how Dante is doing, and he says he’s doing fine. He’s happy Rocco’s mom is back. She says, but the joy doesn’t outweigh his grief at losing Sam.

Cyrus says, their prayers have been answered. Lulu is awake. How… Anna says, the security footage showed that she left alone, and he says he’s so happy. Why is Laura angry at him? Laura says, he went against her wishes and continued to visit Lulu. She thinks Lulu heard him talking to the medical staff and thought he’d abducted her. She ran out of there in a weakened state. If anything happens to Lulu, she’s going to hold him responsible.

Lucky gives Lulu something to eat, and she says, their dad could turn anything into an adventure. She was always jealous of him being on the run with him and mom. Lucky says, they would have taken her if she’d been born, and she says, he got the good years, when their parents were together. After she was born, mom got sick, and she was raised by Grandma Lesley. He says, she’s still living happily in Italy with Marcello, and she says, what about Tracy? She knows Tracy lives at the Quartermaine mansion, but she didn’t see her. He says, fierce and formidable as ever, and Lulu says she couldn’t believe when dad married her. Making Tracy her stepmom was one of the best things he did for her. She can’t imagine life without him. He says him neither.

Natalia asks how Kristina is doing, and Sonny says, hanging tough. She’s like her dad. He doesn’t have a lot of faith in the legal system. He hopes it doesn’t fail them, but if it does and Ava walks, he’s going to be there for his daughter.

Danny says he remembers what hugging his mom was like, and Carly says, and when he saw Rocco… Danny asks why Rocco gets to have his mom. He knows it’s not Rocco’s fault, but his mom saved Rocco’s mom’s life. They should both be here. Why did his mom have to die?

Ric tells Molly, for what it’s worth (🍷), her mom had plenty to say to him about Kristina. Molly says, that was the worst part, him tormenting Kristina with her own words, what she said when she confronted Kristina at Irene’s grave. He says he regrets it, and she says she should have never claimed Kristina didn’t love Irene. She knew how much Kristina loved that baby. She never meant to hurt Irene. She just can’t get out of her own way. She feels, then reacts. Kristina doesn’t think. She was always the opposite. She approaches things rationally and logically. Maybe TJ is right and she’s cold and unfeeling.

Lucky says he didn’t go to Luke’s memorials. There was one here and one in Amsterdam. Lulu asks, why not? and he says his excuse was that he was doing humanitarian work, but if he’s being honest, he couldn’t face listening to a room full of people reminisce about dad. She says, he wouldn’t have wanted a memorial. At most, he’d want them to have a drink. Lucky says he did that. He got blind drunk. She says, dad wanted them to live life to the fullest, and he says, never take life for granted, cowboy. She says she certainly won’t, thanks to his liver, but Lucky says he wasn’t her donor. That’s why he came back, and he was a match, but apparently a parasite he picked up in Africa made the transplant too risky. She says, if it wasn’t him, Nikolas, or mom, who was it? Do they know? He says, they do. It was Sam McCall. She says, that’s generous. She’ll have to thank… What now? He says, Sam’s part of the surgery went great, but afterward, she was given the wrong medication, and she went into cardiac arrest. She didn’t make it. Lulu says, Sam died because of her.

Laura says, her daughter knew Cyrus was dangerous, even if she didn’t know he was the one who was behind the bomb that put her into a coma. She’s getting a restraining order. If he tries to approach her daughter or any member of her family, he’ll be arrested. Get him out of here. Anna says she’s not quite done with Cyrus yet.

Ric says, Molly isn’t cold. She feels things deeply. TJ is wrong. She says, don’t start on TJ, and he says he doesn’t like seeing her in pain. She says, it’s not TJ’s fault, and he asks if these are her old journals. She says, TJ is in every one since they met – all the celebrations, arguments, plans, and dreams. It’s wild to think he might not be in the next one. First, she lost her daughter and her sister, and now TJ. What does she have left? He says he loves her and always will, and she says she appreciates that, but she doesn’t want him here right now.  

Anna tells Dex to take Cyrus to the station and hold him until someone from Turning Woods arrives. See if they want to press charges. She thinks it will probably be in the morning, but they’ll make sure he’s comfortable. Dex takes him out, and Laura asks if that’s legal. Anna says, it’s not illegal, and Laura thanks her. Anna says, my pleasure, and they hug. Anna looks like she’s worried about something.

Lucy says, Sam’s death had nothing to do with Lulu’s transplant. It was in the results of the autopsy. Don’t blame herself. Lulu says, Danny and Scout lost their mom. Why would Sam risk her life? He asks if Dante has said anything about Sam, and she says, no. Why? He says, when Sam died, she and Dante were in a relationship, and she asks if it was serious. He says, they’d been living together for a while, raising their kids together, and she says, while she was in a coma, Sam was Rocco’s mom? He says, not officially, but for all intents and purposes, and she says, Sam saved her life and Dante lost her.

Maxie asks if Dante told Lulu about Sam, but he says, it wasn’t the right time. She says, if he wants to talk about Sam, she’s here to listen, but she’s going to give him some unsolicited advice. He asks, what took so long? and she says, don’t hide his grief from Lulu. He says he has no reason to. Before the explosion, Dustin proposed. She was moving on. Maxie says, well… and we flash back to Maxie with Lulu in the hospital after the explosion. Lulu says, Dustin just died, and Maxie wants her to confess her love for Dante? Maxie says, not this minute, but soon. If she loves Dante – and she’s admitted that she does – she has to say it. She almost died and Dante would have never known how she felt. In the present, Dante is like, hello? and Maxie says she was thinking. Lulu would want him to be happy. She would understand his relationship with Sam. Don’t hide his feelings because he thinks Lulu can’t handle it. They’ve all made that mistake and it’s always a disaster. He says he’s done that and he’s going to do better for Rocco’s sake. (I don’t remember Lulu telling Maxie this, but in the article – see below – about Dustin, it says she told her mother.)

Danny’s phone dings and he says, Rocco is looking for him. What does he say? Jason tells him, say he’s happy for Rocco, and Carly says, he can still be sad and angry about his mom. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Life is complicated. We can have many emotions at the same time. Danny says, what if Rocco sees that he’s jealous? and Carly says, it’s okay. Rocco knows he’s still processing losing his mom. He says he misses her so much, and Carly hugs him. She says she’s not going to lie. Some days will be awful, and eventually the pain won’t go away completely, but the good stuff – the love and the memories – are what you’ll think about. Jason says, it’s okay to be sad and angry and confused. Just remember, he’s not alone. His dad is here and always will be.  

Molly says she wants to be alone, and Ric says he’ll always be here for her, if she wants him in her life. She says she wants him in her life, but not right now, and he says fair enough. He’ll call her tomorrow. She says she might not answer, but he says he’s still going to call, and he leaves.

Natalia says, it’s clear Sonny’s support is what’s getting Kristina through, and he says he gives Alexis credit. She says, of course (🍷), but Kristina knows he’ll be there, no matter what. Meanwhile, both of her kids think she’s incapable of giving them what they need. He takes her hand and says, don’t give up. Fight for your kids. That’s the most important thing.

Lulu asks how long Dante and Sam were together, and Lucky says he thinks it’s been a couple years. She says, so they were really in love. That’s it. That’s what she saw in Dante. She couldn’t name it because she’s never seen him in love with anyone else, but that was it. The look in his eyes was grief over losing the woman he loved.

Maxie tells Dante that she can’t wait to see Lulu, to talk to her and hear her talk back. She’ll wait until tomorrow. Don’t worry. Dante says, remember, she’s been through a lot. His son has his mom back and he’s so thankful for that.

Laura tells Anna, the dock situation has been dealt with. The Cyrus situation has been dealt with. Her phone rings, and Lucky says, Lulu is here at her apartment. She asks if Lulu is all right, and he says, Lulu’s impatient to see her. Otherwise, she’s perfect, like always. Laura says she’s on her way, and tells Anna, she’s home. She’s got to go. Anna says, go… go, and she jets.  

Jason tells Danny that he knows it’s not going to be easy. There will be a lot of ups and downs. He knows Danny’s mom would want him to live his best life. If he can do that, he’ll make her so proud. Danny thanks him and says he should go find Rocco. He leaves and Carly says, he’s such a good kid. And Jason is such a great father. Jason’s phone rings, and Anna says she needs to see him. Can he come to her apartment? He asks, what’s going on? and she says, they have to find Valentin right now.

Tomorrow, Laura sees Lulu; TJ says he and Molly are taking a break; and Jason says he’s as much to blame as Anna is.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

In case you wondered who Dustin was. Or forgot. TBH, he was kind of forgettable.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-mark-lawson-dustin-phillips-171529

In case you wondered where Scotty is. Geez, are the kicking Laura out next?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kin-shriner-shares-an-update-on-his-status-at-gh

Meet Robin in The Locher Room, on YouTube, Friday, December 6th at 3 pm ET.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/catch-up-with-gh-alum-kimberly-mccullough

Ditto for ex-Parker, but on December 3rd, 3 pm ET.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/the-bold-the-beautiful/chat-live-with-soap-star-ashley-jones

I don’t really know/remember them, but I doff my cap, since they were soap legends.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-phil-brewer-martin-west-dead-82-174370

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/days-of-our-lives/days-of-our-lives-star-wayne-northrop-dead-at-77

Celebrities, they’re just like us. They probably celebrated about the same, except for that Thanksgiving Eve bowling thing.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/see-how-the-stars-spent-thanksgiving

💎 Girls’ Weekend Out…

I’m loving Boz. Are they going to be fighting? Are different people going to be fighting? Am I going to be fighting? Kyle consistently works my last nerve, with Dorit coming in a close second. The two of them clashing on a weekly basis is giving me a headache. Mauricio paid a visit to Kyle, who showed him some updates she was making to the house. I swear he was high. Dude just wants to party, and Kyle lives under the delusion that they’ll be getting back together when his six-month lease is up. I actually think, unless he finds some other unsuspecting soul to take care of him, he’ll want Kyle to look after him in his old age. Hopefully, by then she’ll have gotten a clue and moved on.

Erika wondered why Garcelle didn’t marry Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, or Sean Penn since she dated them, and also made it clear that she was envious of Jennifer Tilly’s high-end luggage. Methinks she’s missing the accoutrements that came with being married to Tom. Maybe she should learn to play poker. Or marry someone involved with a hit TV show. Speaking of Toms, Kathy had a girls’ weekend where the hotel was next to a house where Top Gun was filmed, and they had a photo op with a Tom Cruise lookalike. Good times…

How Jennifer can afford that Vuitton boat.

https://people.com/rhobh-recap-jennifer-tilly-reveals-she-got-a-piece-of-the-simpsons-in-her-divorce-from-co-creator-8754939

🗽 They Want To Be a Part Of It…

Once again, dog poop was the great leveler, as Sai discovered, stepping in some inside her home. Yep. Been there. They don’t care who you are or how much money you have.

For whatever reason, the recaps for RHONY seem to come out the day after, but the second half of the episode revolved around Racquel and Mel’s engagement party, which was a lavish affair with a ballroom theme. Not the waltz kind, but the queer culture kind, originating from drag balls hosted by Black men. I can’t think of a better theme to center a big party around.

The first half had a more somber note, and I have to admit that I feel a little guilty for not liking Brynn after hearing her sexual assault story. It made me remember that people usually have a reason for behaving the way they do. She’s certainly a better woman than I would be in this situation.

https://people.com/rhony-star-brynn-whitfield-opens-up-about-surviving-sexual-assault-exclusive-8754876

There was also this out there. But what are Housewives without a feud?

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/ubah-hassan-goes-on-the-record-about-rhony-feud-exclusive

🎤 Dropping Their Mic…

I don’t know how much he’s at fault, but Jeff Lewis does seem to be a drama magnet.

🦃 The Other Half’s Holiday…

Non-soap stars celebrating Thanksgiving. Again, the majority do it the way us mere mortals do.

https://okmagazine.com/p/thanksgiving-2024-celebrities-celebrated/?utm_source=mainlineemail

🐩 After the Parade…

To look at a Pug is to put a smile on your face about sums it up.

https://people.com/vito-the-pug-wins-2024-national-dog-show-8752796

I hope they have a weewee station there.

https://people.com/national-dog-show-handlers-stuck-during-show-because-of-this-rule-exclusive-8748136

Groom your dog like the pros do it.

https://people.com/inside-the-grooming-routines-national-dog-show-exclusive-8748199

🏂 Sliding Into Winter Like…

Join me tomorrow for soap and what’s watchable (or not). Until then, stay safe; stay not forcing joyfulness if you don’t feel it; and stay never giving up. No matter what your goal is.

October 22, 2024 – Marshall Gets a Big Sendoff, Circling the City Drain, Pavlova, Best Parade Ever & Spell

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At The Savoy, Curtis tells the crowd about their family relying on each other’s love and tenacity. By the grace of God, they come through and they soar. There’s no finer example than his father, his dad, his pop. All Marshall’s life, he practiced his art in the shadows, and in the studio sessions, cruises, and dive bars, he was working on his craft while working on developing a reputation of respect from his fellow musicians. Today is a long overdue and very well-earned time for him to step into the spotlight and show the world what he does. Everyone toasts to Marshall.

Dante goes to see Sonny in his office and says, for the first time in a long time, everything is okay. They found a donor for Lulu. It’s Sam.

Elizabeth says she scored an extra pillow for Sam and asks if she can get her anything else. Sam says she’s okay, and thanks Elizabeth for taking good care of her. Elizabeth says she’s happy to, and leaves. Felicia comes in and says she’s here as Sam’s patient advocate and friend. How is she doing? Sam says, good, and Felicia says, things are moving fast because of Lulu’s condition. She wants to make sure Sam’s not feeling rushed and see if she has any questions or concerns. Sam tells her that Lucas is stopping by to go over everything, and Felicia tells her to try and get some rest. Maxie and Spinelli come in with balloons, and Maxie thanks Sam so much for doing this.

At (I think) the Bistro, Ava says, Ric rehearsed her for hours, grilling her on what to say and how to say it. He says he wants her to feel comfortable taking the stand. How does she feel? Ava says, good… confident… ready… What? Ric says, usually defendants testifying is risky. It makes it easy for the prosecution to score points cross examining. Ava asks if he’s saying she wasted her time rehearsing and he’s not letting her take the stand.

Holly goes to Anna’s office and Anna thanks her for coming. Holly says she’d have come even if Anna hadn’t reached out. Anna says, there are developments with Sidwell… and Holly says she and Robert have a daughter.

Spinelli says he’s speechless, and Sam says she’s glad to help Lulu. Maxie asks where Molly and Kristina are, and Sam says, somewhere. Felicia says, Sam has revelers a-plenty, even though she’s supposed to be getting some rest, and Maxie says, organ donation is a beautiful thing and so is Sam. Sam thanks her.

Josslyn tells Dex that they owe Trina for the invitation, since they never get a night out. There aren’t enough hours in the day. He says, they have a night out here now, and kisses her.

At one of the tables, Molly’s phone rings, and TJ asks if she’s not going to answer. She says, it’s just her mom, letting her know what time Sam’s surgery is tomorrow, and he asks if she wants to see Sam. She says she’s not sure Sam wants to see her. Besides, she wants to be here for him and his family.

Gio thanks Trina for inviting him and asks if she thinks her grandfather is going to play. Trina says she doesn’t know, but she has recordings if he wants to hear them. She wanted him to meet Marshall before he takes off.

Marshall says he hopes he can live up to Curtis’s words, but Curtis says, he already has. Portia says, they’re proud of him, and Curtis says he’s been checking the tour dates so they can get tickets. Stella asks if Marhsall would mind if she tagged along, and Marshall says he would love that.

Ric says, if Ava can keep her composure the way they practiced, he thinks she can convince the jury. She’s compelling when she wants to be. She asks if he finds her compelling, and he says, at times, very. He’s going to do best do his best to make sure she doesn’t go to prison, and Ava says, that’s his job. Ric says he’s good at it, and she asks if he thinks she’s guilty or does he believe Kristina’s fall was an accident.

Holly repeats that she and Robert have a daughter, but Anna says, that’s not possible. She never said anything all these years. Holly says she’s sure Anna understands not telling the father, and Anna asks if Robert knows. Holly says, this morning history repeated itself, and Anna is in no position to throw stones. Anna says, Robin was five, and Holly has been sitting on this since when? Holly says, since the WSB tried to kill Robert, and they all believed they’d succeeded. Anna asks if she knows where her daughter is, and Holly says, she’s in Port Charles. Sasha Corbin is their daughter. Anna says, this is low, even for Holly.

Sonny says, so Sam is the donor, and asks Dante, how are the kids? Dante says, Rocco is excited. Scout and Danny are happy. They’re scared for their mom, but there’s been so much bonding of the family, they feel closer together. Sonny says, it’s great the way Dante and Sam co-parent, and Dante says, the families blended better than he’d hoped. Sonny says, Dante has a great family, but Dante gives Sam all the credit. She did the heavy lifting.

Ava says she swears Kristina’s fall was a terrible accident, and Ric says he wouldn’t have taken the case if he’d thought otherwise. She asks how Molly is reacting, and he says, rough. Molly can’t see it yet, but he took the case for her sake. The only way for her to get past her anger and drive for revenge is if she accepts Kristina’s fall was an accident. Hopefully, then she can move on. She says, he’s a good father, and he says, few people would agree. She says, that doesn’t make it any less true. People say the same things about her, but she loves her daughter with her whole heart. His phone rings and he says he has to take it, and steps away.

Anna says she’s not sure anyone has hurt Robert as much as Holly. Now she’s kept this information for 20 plus years. Holly says, glass houses and all that, and Anna asks if Sasha knows. Holly says, she just found out, and Anna says, it’s shameful. Sasha has been through so much, and now she’s dating Cody, Mac’s son. Holly asks why Anna thinks she told Sasha, and Anna says, she gets no points for that. Holly says she doesn’t care what Anna thinks. She just lost her daughter and the man… Robert and Sasha will never speak to her again. Anna asks if Holly can think of a reason they should.

Gio says, Marshall has played with the greats, and Trina says, so will he. She introduces him to Marshall, and Dex tells Josslyn that it’s good to see her enjoying herself. She says, Alexis was exonerated and now her mom can concentrate less on Sonny, and Dex says, there have been a lot of coincidences lately.

Stella asks how Portia is doing, and Portia says, stressed. The fact that a judge is even entertaining Heather’s case makes her nervous. Stella says, they can’t do anything to change that, not tonight. Don’t let something out of their control make her miss good times with family and friends.

Ric comes back and tells Ava that he took care of the bill. He says he has to go, and jets.

Sam asks Maxie to run interference if her sisters show up, and Maxie says she’s on it. She knows about sister drama… and every other kind of drama. Spinelli tells Sam to focus on being the courageous heroine of her own story, when Lucas joins them. He wonders if he missed his invitation to the party, and Sam says she’s glad he’s here. They hug, and Felicia says, they need to let Sam get some rest. They say their goodbyes, and Sam tells Spinelli, don’t break into any databases without her. Lucas says, she’s the popular one. He stopped in to see if she had any questions or needed anything. Sam says she’s good on both, and Lucas says, Dr. Comstock will be by to discuss her surgery. He’s a great surgeon… Sam says she thought Lucas was doing her surgery, but he says he thought she knew he can’t do that.

Ric goes into the hospital and tells Elizabeth that he needs to speak with her. It’s important. She says, what has he done now?

Jordan picks up an order at Bobbie’s and sees Isaiah at a table, pouring over papers, an untouched burger in front of him. She says she sees he’s absorbed, and he asks if she’s coming from a run. She says she missed her morning one, and he says he admires her dedication. She says, back at him. Laura told her that he’s doing Lulu’s surgery. He says he was grabbing dinner before he went to the hospital, and she says she thinks he should do more than grab it. He might want to eat it too. He says, busted. But if she sits, he might have a better chance. She sits down and asks, what changed his mind? She thought he was done performing miracles. He says, Lucky asked for his help. His sister pulled him out of trouble more than once. Jordan says she hopes he has one more miracle left in him.

Marshall says, it’s good to see TJ and Molly. They made it through a terrible time. Molly says, each day is better, and he says, have faith that in the future they’ll have a family. Don’t be afraid to try again. TJ says, when the time is right, and Marhsall says, they’re going to make spectacular parents one day. Molly excuses herself.  

Josslyn tells Dex that she doesn’t think about Cates’s murder or Sonny. She realized it’s not her job to make Sonny face justice or his conscience. She’s going to stay as far away from Sonny as possible. Dex says, wise move.

TJ finds Molly at the bar, looking at her phone. She says, her dad said he was going to stop by, but she hasn’t seen him. TJ says he just came to get a drink. (Or five.)  

Ric says, Judge Orvis ruled in favor of Heather. He agreed that there was cobalt poisoning, and therefore, Heather was not in her right mind. He was hoping she’d be transferred to minimum security or something. Elizabeth says, that’s not what’s happening, and Ric says, Orvis vacated Heather’s sentence. She’s being released.

Anna says, Robert must be in shock, and Holly says, he definitely is, but Sasha’s reaction is the most troubling. She’s in complete denial. She’d told Sasha that her father was dead, and Sasha thinks this is another lie. Anna says, clearly, Sasha knows her, and Holly says she doesn’t know what to do. Anna says, leave. If she ever loved Robert, then she should leave town and maybe never come back. Her being here is destructive and she thinks it’s hurting Robert and their daughter. Holly says she’s Sasha’s mother, and Anna says, then put the welfare of her child first above her own. Holly says, Anna thinks she deserves this pain, but Anna says she doesn’t know. Holly asked her what she thought she should do and she’s telling her. The best way to help the situation is if she goes. Holly walks out.

Dante tells Sonny that he keeps worrying Lulu won’t make it through surgery. He’s scared. Sonny says, he’s probably preparing for the worst, but he should hope for the best, and Dante says, Lulu is a fighter. Sonny says, there’s still a chance because of Sam. Don’t count her out.

Lucas says, it’s against policy to perform surgery on family members, and Sam asks if Dr. Comstock is a better surgeon. Lucas says, he has stellar credentials, and Sam asks again, is he a better surgeon? Lucas says, no, and she says she shouldn’t be penalized just because she’s family. Lucas says, she’s not being penalized. That’s the way it’s done. She asks if he thinks he can perform surgery on her or not.

Isaiah says he can’t discuss Lulu’s surgery with Jordan, but the odds of rejection in a transplant are high already. Jordan says, her odds weren’t great and here she is. He says, she’s a recipient? and she says she received a kidney a few years ago from an unlikely donor. Her situation was dire, and her family was losing hope, but look at her now. He says he is, and she says, figuratively. She just ran six miles. He asks if that’s why she looks so good.

Ava thanks Nina for coming. Ric was called away and she’s not ready to call it a night. Nina asks if they were having dinner, but Ava says, a strategy session. She thanks Nina again for the referral and says she feels good. Ric is a tenacious lawyer and he’s in her corner. Nina says, unscrupulous is a better word. All he cares about is Ric. If her well-being aligns with his love of money, Ava is golden. Ric married her when she was in a fragile state of mind, tried to steal her money, and put her in the looney bin. Ava says, people can change. She sees how much he loves his daughter and he’s passionate about the law. He’s working hard to defend her. Nina asks if Ava is interested in Ric, but Ava says, no.

Elizabeth asks when Heather is being released, and Ric says, tomorrow. He never thought she’d be freed. He doesn’t believe she’s a threat to society… She says she’s sure the families Heather terrorized don’t feel that way. Why come to her? He says, the Ashfords are having a going away party for Marshall and Molly is there. She says, all the people he needs to tell in one room, but he says he doesn’t want to spoil the celebration. She asks if he doesn’t think they should know before they see it on the news, and he asks if she’ll go with him. She says, it’s all him. He needs to take responsibility for just doing his job. (I love when Elizabeth gets snippy.)

Portia tells Curtis, it was a wonderful speech, and Marshall says he was incredibly touched. The party is beautiful. Curtis says he’s glad to see Portia smiling again. She says, it’s a good party with a good turnout. It’s a good day.

Trina introduces Gio to Marshall, and Gio says, Wynton Marsalis is one of his favorites. Marshall says his too, and Gio says he’s sorry he won’t get to hear Marshall play. Trina says she’s going to miss him, and Marshall says he’ll miss her too. She should pursue her own music. She has the voice of an angel, and it would be something if she trained.

Stella tells Molly that it’s good to see her and TJ making an effort, and Molly says, they’re still healing. Stella says, it takes time, and Molly says, sometimes it’s so hard, she can barely breathe. Stella asks if she’s shared that with TJ, but Molly says, he has his own grief. She doesn’t want to put it on him. Stella says, after she says this, she’ll butt out… for a minute. Right now, she just sees them going through the motions. She understands that sometimes all you can do is go through to get through, but the words they don’t say are building a wall between them Tell TJ how she feels and listen to how he’s feeling. It’s the only way they’ll have a future together.

Curtis asks if Stella is sure that she wants to drive Marhsall to the airport, and she says, they’ll be fine. (Hmm… At this point, I trust nothing.)

Marshall tells Trina, be happy, and she says she loves him. He says he loves her more. She’ll be just fine. Stella says he doesn’t want to miss his plane, and he says, she loves bossing him. There are hugs and goodbyes, and Marshall says, y’all be kind to each other. Much love. He throws them a kiss, and leaves amid applause.

Nina says, Ric is not relationship material, and Ava says she can take care of herself. She’s not helpless and naïve. Nina says, she’s vulnerable and it’s worked against her in the past. Ava says, if Nina is referring to the late, lamented Cates, he was using her, and she was using him. Nina says she was talking about Nikolas.

Felicia tells Maxie and Spinelli to get some rest, and leaves. Spinelli asks, what’s on Maxie’s mind? and she says, it’s so strange that Sam ends up being the one to save Lulu. If Lulu wasn’t in a coma, she and Dante would be together. Spinelli says, they were divorced, and Lulu was engaged to Dustin, but Maxie says, Lulu confided in her after the explosion that she still loved Dante, but she didn’t get the chance to tell him. Maybe she should have told Dante. Maybe she still should. Spinelli asks, to what end? Wouldn’t Lulu want Dante and Sam to be happy? Maxie says she wouldn’t, and Spinelli says, just leave it alone and let fate decide. Maxie says, she and fate have never been besties.

Sonny says, letting go is hard, but sometimes moving on is harder, and Dante says he thought Lulu was it and it’s his fault he lost her. He never had the chance to tell her how he felt. Sonny says, thanks to Julian, and Dante says, Sam came out of nowhere. She snuck up on him and became everything. She put him and Rocco back together, and now she’s going to save Lulu’s life. He loves her more than he thought possible.

Sam asks if Lucas is worried his emotions will be involved, and Lucas says, it’s an important question and the answer is of course (🍷) he’ll be effected, but Lulu is the more serious risk. She asks how many times he’s done this surgery, and he says, dozens. She asks if she has to call her advocate, and he says he’s sure the lawyers have a waiver she could sign. She says, as long as he does the surgery. There’s no one she trusts more than her brother. He says, she wins again, and they hug.

Molly says she’s going to miss Marshall, and TJ says, there are lots of goodbyes these days. They hug, and Ric walks in. Molly asks where he’s been, and he says he needs to speak to Curtis and Portia.

Portia says, there’s something she’s been meaning to tell Curtis, when Ric joins them. He says he’d like to speak with them in private. It’s important. Curtis says, they can use his office, but Portia says she’s not going anywhere with Ric.

Isaiah says, a Deputy Mayor’s work is never done? and Jordan says she loves it on a good day. She hopes he has one tomorrow. Good luck. He says he doesn’t need luck, just skill, and she says, his ego is still intact. He says, you have to think you’ll be the best to be the best, and she says, that’s just what Lulu needs.

Dante kisses Sam and asks how she’s doing. She says, better. She got Lucas to agree to do the surgery. He says, as long as she’s comfortable. He wishes he could find the words to tell her how grateful he is. She says, just hold her, and he says, it would be his absolute pleasure.

Cricket sounds come from Anna’s computer, and she sees it says, ALERT! She says, Interpol? and sees a headline: Wanted Suspect At Large. Sidwell Spotted in Miami. There’s a photo of Sidwell at the airport, and Anna says, what are you coming for, Sidwell?

There’s a knock at Sonny’s door, and Frank says, his appointment is here. Sonny says, show her in, and tells Holly, we meet again. She says, good to see you, Mr. Corinthos, and he tells her to call him Sonny. She thanks him for meeting her, and he asks her to have a seat. What can he do for her? She says she hears he’s a man of many resources. Someone who can make things happen. He says, depends on the things, and she puts her tote bag on his desk. She says, in that case, she has a business proposition for him.

Ava says she and Nikolas are over, and Nina says, that doesn’t make being alone easier. Don’t be so quick to get involved with something new and shiny. Ava says she’ll take it under advisement, and Nina says she hopes Ava does. Underneath that charming exterior is a man who loves two things, himself and money. Expect anything more, and she’s courting disaster.

Elizabeth tells Terry, heads up. They’re going to need to support Portia. She’s about to get very bad news.

Portia says, this can only be about one thing – Heather Webber. Ric says, yes, and she says, what is it? Everyone! Listen to the news about Heather. Curtis tells Ric to say what he came to say, and Ric says he received a call from Judge Orvis. He ruled in Heather’s favor and vacated her conviction. Trina asks what that means, and he says, as of tomorrow, Heather is a free woman. There’s shock all around.

Tomorrow, Isaiah tells Lucas that if Lucky’s sister has a shot in hell of making it through this, she’s going to need him; Ric tells Molly, that’s why he can’t drop the case; Anna tells Holly, stop lying for once; and Sonny says someone must be in some kind of trouble.

🗽 No Sleeping In the City…

I wasn’t totally paying attention, but zoned in when Erinn had the women over for Shabat. In her interview, she wondered how anyone could be a Jew and a Scientologist. I assumed she was talking about Rebecca and rolled that over in my mind. I can actually see it meshing, although I’m sure it’s uncommon. It was story time, and Jenna told an interesting tale about dating a writer who was writing about sex clubs in NYC and going with him to one. She thought it was disgusting, and it sounded disgusting. Then they played Never Have I Ever with, no surprise, sex questions. I’m not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m tired of the Housewives version of this game only involving one subject. Especially when it’s people whose freak number I do not want to know.

Brynn and Erin thought it would be amusing to put fake cockroaches in the beyond fabulous pavlova dessert, which made Sai literally run to the bathroom to throw up. I’m not sure what Brynn was wearing, but it looked like something stolen from a circus clown. Again, wrong people with the money. Ubah told the groups that whenever she was out of alignment, it was because of Brynn. Brynn told Ubah not to come off angry, and Ubah begged Brynn not to be condescending, which only stoked her anger. Brynn said she didn’t like and wouldn’t take anyone calling her names, and Ubah said if Brynn acted condescending again, she would call her a snake again. A snake? I’m pretty sure Brynn has been called worse. I know I have. In Brynn’s interview, she said she didn’t want Ubah to be a stereotype. And so we circled that drain again.

Next time, Sai’s birthday; and Erinn doesn’t want to be close to Jenna.

Here’s the full story outlined, if you crave more.

🩰 Not Just a Dancer Anymore…

That pavlova looked so good, I googled it.

🐕 Taking It To the Streets…

The best parade of the year.

https://people.com/2024-nyc-halloween-dog-parade-photos-8730799

Best in Show? I vote for Bob.

https://nypost.com/2024/10/20/us-news/nyc-tompkins-square-halloween-dog-parade-pups-take-to-streets-for-34th-annual-costume-event/

🐦‍⬛ Quoth the Raven…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a shaker of Salt. Until then, stay safe, stay not giving out boxes of raisins on Halloween (no one wants raisins, no one); and stay focused on being the courageous hero/heroine/human of your own story.

July 13, 2023 – Michael Brings Paris To Willow, About Jack, First One, Coming Soon, Andy Talk, Cracking Up, VanderSituation, Rad Runway, How To Shark & Burning

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase tells Sasha that she’s under arrest, and she asks if it’s a joke. He says, it’s not, and suggests they step outside, but she says she’s not going anywhere without an explanation. Michael says, that seems fair, and asks Chase, what’s going on? Chase says, Sasha left the store with this blouse and several other items she didn’t pay for.

Gladys admires herself in a faux fur coat in the dressing room mirror. Scout wanders in, and touches the coat. She says, this is pretty, and Gladys tells her, hey kid, it’s couture. Keep her hands to herself. Sam comes in and says, Gladys has a way with children, doesn’t she?

Cody says he can explain, but Selina says, he was marking cards. No explanation necessary. Cody says he swears he’ll pay her back, and she says, that’s a given. But by losing so dramatically, he damaged the reputation of her game. There’s a rhythm; you can’t win them all, nor can you lose them all. He guesses she’s never played with his cousin Barry, and she cracks him across the face. She says, he’s making jokes, and tells Li that she guesses it’s time Cody learned how humorless they are. Li grabs Cody.

At Kelly’s, Kristina looks at the Invader headline: Blood in the Water: Shots Fired at the MetroCourt. Alexis joins her, and asks if she’s talked to Molly. Kristina says she’s going to the hospital after this, and Alexis says, with everything they’re going through, now Curtis gets shot. TJ must be going out of his mind. Kristina says, it makes her want to help them even more. She’d really make the perfect surrogate for them. Alexis says she really appreciates how open and willing Kristina’s being… Kristina says, but she needs to wait to be asked first, and Alexis says, please. If Molly and TJ actually asked her to be their surrogate, would she say yes? Kristina says, yes, and Alexis asks if she’s sure. Is she really ready to have a baby? Kristina says, it’s not just a baby; it’s Molly’s baby. Molly’s her sister, and Kristina would do anything for her.

Marshall asks if Molly’s heard anything, and she says, if TJ could give them an update, he would. Stella wonders why it’s taking so long, and Portia says, this type of surgery could take hours. Stella says, all night? and Portia asks if Trina is cold. Trina says, a little, and Portia says she’ll get Trina a sweater from her office. Marshall says he can go, but Portia says she could use to stretch her legs. She leaves, and Marshall says, Portia might have the right idea. Molly asks if he wants to take a walk, and he tells her, lead the way. Stella sits with Trina, and says, she’s so strong, but Trina says she’s not feeling very strong right now, and Stella holds her.

Nina and Sonny arrive at the hospital, and Nina says she assumed Curtis would be out of surgery by now, but she guesses he’s not. Sonny tells her not to jump to conclusions. He’s going to ask the nurse for an update. He sees Molly, hugs her, and asks how she’s holding up. Marshall says he has to admit, he’s surprised to see Sonny here.

Portia picks up the sweater, then sits down in her empty office. She flashes back to Curtis asking her not to give up on them when they’re so close to finding their way back to each other, and her saying she wishes it was that simple, then leaving. She says, please Curtis, give us a chance to make it right.

We see Curtis in surgery, while TJ watches from the sidelines.

Sasha says she’s allowed to take those clothes, and Chase says, without paying for them? She says, yes. Deception has an agreement with Logan’s. It’s basically free advertising for the store. He says, the manager didn’t know about it, so why doesn’t she just come down to the station, and if what she’s saying is true – she says, it is – then it will just take a few minutes to sort out. Besides, they should probably let Willow get some rest. Sasha says, fine, for Willow’s sake. Let’s get this over with. She leaves, and Chase follows her out. Willow says, call Gladys, but Michael says he’s already on it.

Gladys tells Scout that she’s sorry if she was snippy. It’s just that it’s a very expensive coat. Scout says she knows, and Sam asks, how? Scout says she saw the price tag, when a call comes in on Glady’s phone from Sonny’s Kid. Gladys says, mother/daughter shopping trip? and Sam says, they’re picking out a dress for Scout for swim camp. Gladys says, don’t tell her that they swim in dresses now, but Sam says, it’s for a dance the kids put on. What about her? Special occasion? Gladys says, no. She just thought she’d treat herself. Sam says she’s glad they ran into each other. She’s been meaning to ask Gladys something. She tells Scout to try the clothes on in the dressing room, and Scout leaves. Gladys wonders what Sam wanted to ask her, and Sam says, how is her new BFF Selina Wu?

Li smushes Cody’s head against the bar, and Selina says, it’s not only that he cheated. To a certain extent, she expects that. He’s done it before, so they’ve been keeping an eye on him. He mumbles that he’s impressed, and she says, white ink? Child’s play. What she didn’t expect and what she won’t tolerate is that he lied to her, and even worse, that he thought she wouldn’t notice. He says, confession time? and she says, better late than never. He says he made sure the house lost so she’d think he was no longer valuable to her operation, and she asks, why? He says, honestly? He just wants to move on from the game. It’s nothing personal. He’s no good at doing anything for too long. He gets restless. She says she has news for him. Her employees do not come and go as they please. Once you’re in, you’re in. Is she making herself clear? He gives her an okay sign.

Sonny asks how Marshall is, shaking his hand, and Marshall says he’s been better. Nina asks if they’ve heard from TJ, and Molly says, not yet, but TJ has always said Curtis’s surgeon is the best in the country. Marshall says, thank God for that, and Sonny says, if his family needs anything, they’re here. Marshall says, first and foremost, for Curtis to pull through. Then some answers would be nice. Who would do this to his son?

Trina tells Stella that she just hates that she was holding Curtis at arm’s length. She was angry and confused… Stella says, and rightly so. She still has time. Trina says, Stella doesn’t know that, but Stella says she does. She knows Curtis, and she knows her nephew will fight to get back to Trina. Just like he’s fighting to get back to Portia. Portia stands behind her holding the sweater.

In the OR, the surgeon says, that’s the last of the bullet fragments, putting them into a bowl. Vertebrae looks good, but he doesn’t like that heartrate. Close him up before it climbs up any higher. Curtis suddenly flatlines, and the doctor says, they have to turn him on his back.

Curtis wakes up on a blanket in the grass, and a woman’s voice says, Curtis Ashford, did you eat all the potato salad? Again? Next time, she’s going to put a padlock on the container. He sees a woman sitting next to him, who looks like an older Jennifer Hudson, and says, mom?

Marshall tells Sonny that he’s sorry. Whoever shot his son last night isn’t Sonny’s responsibility. He shouldn’t have laid that at Sonny’s feet. Sonny says, don’t worry about it. He doesn’t know who the shooter is yet, but he’s not going to rest until he finds out.

Stella helps put the sweater around Trina’s shoulders, and Portia asks if Trina wants to talk about it at all, but she says she’s fine. Portia says, really? Because she’s not. Stella says, me neither. This waiting is fraying on her nerves. Trina says she was just so worried that she wasted all that time; that she didn’t resolve things before. Portia says she knows, and holds Trina, as Nina and Molly join them.

Alexis says she really appreciates Kristina’s willingness to help her sister out, and Kristina says, but… Alexis says, not only does surrogacy a huge deal, so is getting pregnant. Kristina’s never been pregnant before. does she have any idea what it’s like having a baby? Kristina says she’ll figure it out. She’s young and healthy and single, and don’t Molly and TJ deserve to be parents? Alexis says, of course (🍷) they do, and Kristina says, so if they decide to move forward with surrogacy, then isn’t it best if they go with someone who’s already prepared and ready to go? Alexis says she doesn’t know that anyone is truly prepared to be a surrogate. It’s not just a physical thing, it’s an emotional… Maxie comes up to their table and says she’s sorry to interrupt. She heard Alexis was trying to reach her. Alexis says she was. The Invader would like to do a feature on The Deceptor. Maxie says, great. What’s the angle? Alexis says, it’s in the leisure section. It’s an interest in the design process. Maxie says, then she’ll probably want to talk to a product manager or someone in marketing, and Alexis says she’ll have her assistant call Maxie’s office. Maxie thanks her, and starts to leave, but Kristina says she has a couple of questions. Maxie says, about The Deceptor? but Kristina says, no, about surrogacy. Wow. That whole conversation for no reason other than to get to Kristina’s question.

Gladys says, Selina Wu’s not her BFF, and tells Sam to get her facts straight. Sam says, that’s pretty interesting, because according to Spinelli, she and Selina were seen at the MetroCourt all cozied up… Wait, no. It was actually Gladys, Selina, and Cody Bell. That’s an interesting trio, doesn’t she think? Since Gladys did accuse him of larceny. (Who uses that word?) Gladys says, a misunderstanding, and Sam says, they put him in handcuffs. Gladys says, then isn’t he lucky to have a friend like her to bail him out? Sam says, Gladys hasn’t answered her question. How does she know Selina? Gladys says she’s bumped into Selina at The Savoy a time or two. Should she get the red one or the black one? She compares coats, and Sam says, and what about Cody? What is his relationship with Selina? Gladys says, Sam will have to ask Cody, and Sam laughs. She says, either Gladys can tell her what’s going on with the three of them, or she’s going to figure it out for herself. There’s obviously something. One word from Selina, and Gladys changes her story about Cody stealing her bracelet? What does that woman have on her?

Nina asks if there are any updates on Curtis, but Stella says, nothing yet. Portia says, Curtis would be so glad to know Nina is here, and Trina hopes he feels their support. Molly says, and all the strength and love they’re sending his way. Nina says, he’s very, very lucky to have such a close family, and Stella says, it’s at these moments they realize how truly important family is.

They do chest compression and use the defibrillator on Curtis.

Curtis says he doesn’t understand, and Irene asks if he’s still hungry. She made biscuits, and there’s blueberry pie for dessert. There’s a whole picnic set-up on the blanket now, and he says he remembers this blanket. Does it still have the… She says, the hole that he burned in it when he was playing with matches? Sure does. He says, it was Tommy’s idea, and she says, blaming his brother, just like always. He heaves a tearful sigh, and she asks if he’s all right. Does he feel sick? She feels his forehead, and he says, just fine. A tear rolls down his cheek, and she asks if he’s sure. He takes her hand and says, mom, is this really happening? Are you really with me right now? She says, where else would she be? and he kisses her hand. It reminds me a little of that scene in Our Town when Emily gets to relive her 12th birthday.

Irene says, it’s a beautiful day, and Curtis says, it’s just magical. She says, when they’re done here, would he mind taking a look at her car? He asks, what’s wrong with her car? and she says, the check engine light’s on again. He says he doesn’t understand why she won’t take her car to the garage, and she says, what does she need with a garage when she’s got two strapping sons? Tommy’s working on it now, but she thinks he needs a little help. He says, Tommy’s here? and she says, in the parking lot. Go help his brother. He gets up, and the doctor says, we’re losing him. TJ says, stay with us, Uncle Curtis, and Curtis asks if Irene heard that. She says, hear what?

Stella tells Nina, whatever Tommy did, Curtis had to do it too. It continued when they were older. When Tommy learned to ride a bike, Curtis was determined to learn too. Tommy made Varsity; there was Curtis on JV. Portia says she didn’t realize Curtis was that competitive, and Stella says, that was part of it, but he was also very protective. He didn’t want to be far away in case his brother needed him. She thinks he was like that with all of them. All they had to do was call, and Curtis would come running. Trina says, he’s still like that today, and Portia says, he certainly is.

Sasha bounces around the interrogation room, and outside on the phone, Chase leaves a message for someone to call him back as soon as possible. It’s about Sasha.

Gladys asks if Sam is implying she’s done something wrong, and Sam says, she must have. There was no way she was going to let Cody off the hook; she was out for blood. So the only reason she can think of that Gladys backed off was to save her own skin. Scout asks what Sam thinks of the dresses, while Gladys sees she has two missed calls; one from Sonny’s Kid and one from Unknown. Sam tells Scout to try them on, and they’ll decide together. After listening to a voicemail, Gladys tells Sam, as much as she’s enjoyed being accosted, she has to run. Family emergency. Sam says she hopes everyone’s okay, and Gladys says, so does she. She stops at the door, and tells Sam to have her kid pick the white one. Pink’s not her color.

Maxie says, it’s not every day she gets asked about her surrogacy, and Kristina says, it was such a selfless thing Maxie did. She’d love to hear more about it. Alexis says, please don’t feel like she has to divulge anything personal, but Maxie says, there’s nothing not personal when it comes to surrogacy. Let her wrap her head around this first. Kristina says, of course (🍷), and Maxie says she’ll call Alexis and leaves. Kristina says, what?

Maxie’s phone rings, and she asks Chase, what’s up?… Sasha did what?… Okay, she’s on her way.

Kristina says, Alexis told her that she could never know what surrogacy was like, so isn’t asking someone who’s actually done it the next best thing? Alexis says, it was just a little insensitive, but Kristina tells her, Maxie said she’s fine with it. Alexis says, okay, and Kristina says she has to go to the hospital. She’ll see Alexis later. She leaves, and Alexis texts Sonny: Got a second? It’s about Kristina.

On the phone, Sonny thanks Brick, and says, keep him posted. Nina asks if Brick found out anything new about the shooting, when Sonny’s phone dings. He says, ugh, and Nina asks, what’s wrong? He says, Alexis wants him to come by. It’s about Kristina. She says, go, and he says he feels kind of weird… but she says she’ll stay here and call him if there’s any updates. She kisses him goodbye, and he leaves.

Sasha asks how long Chase is going to keep her here, and he says, Maxie’s on her way. He tried to track down Gladys, but he’s having trouble reaching her. He holds out his phone and says, she’s allowed one phone call. She should really contact a lawyer. She says, lawyers are for guilty people, and he tells her, be reasonable. She says, why, when something completely unreasonable is happening to her? She needs someone in her corner. Someone who understands what a colossal mess this is.

As Selina plays solitaire and Li roughs up Cody. Cody’s phone rings, and Cody says, mind if he gets that? Selina says she doesn’t, but Li would find it quite rude. Well, she must be going. Enjoy their afternoon. She thinks he’ll find Li is both creative and resourceful. Li takes a bar tool and starts to stab Cody’s hand with it, and Cody yells, wait! Selina says, he came into her game with his own agenda. There must be consequences. Cody says he has a proposition, and she asks what he could possibly have to offer. Li spins Cody around to face her, and he says, plenty, but she says, no one crosses her. Goodbye, Mr. Bell. Li drags Cody off.

Irene says, it’s probably Tommy swearing at the car. Curtis knows how his voice travels. TJ says, Uncle Curtis, you have to come back, and Curtis wonders if somebody just said his name. Irene says, it’s Tommy. He’s calling for Curtis. He needs Curtis’s help. Curtis says, it didn’t sound like Tommy. It’s like he recognizes the voice; he just can’t make it out. She puts her hand on his shoulder and says, come. Just be here. They’ll go see Tommy together. She takes his hand, and TJ says, come on, Uncle Curtis. Fight. Do it for Trina.

Nina says, Portia can tell her to buzz off if she wants to be alone, but is she doing okay? Portia says she just needed a minute. Everyone’s so scared, and they’re desperate for answers. Nina says, and she’s not? but Portia says she’s terrified. But the fortunate, or unfortunate, thing about it is, she knows the answers to some of those questions, and the surgery’s taking way too long. The longer they have him open, the longer the recovery… if there is a recovery. Nina says, there will be a recovery, and Portia says, it’s a bullet to the spine. The damage could not only be significant, it could be life-altering. Nina tells Portia that she wishes there was something she could do or say, and Portia thanks her but says, the only thing they can do is… wait.

Sasha says, that manager is trying to embarrass her, and Chase says, there’s something she needs to see. Gladys walks in, and runs to Sasha, hugging her. Sasha says, they’re accusing her of shoplifting, and Gladys asks, who is? Sasha says, Logan’s. It’s just like Home & Heart. They’re out to get her. Chase asks if he can show them something, and tells them, take a seat. He takes out a tablet, and says, this is the security footage from Logan’s. Sasha says, finally, something to prove she’s innocent, and they see a video of Sasha putting the garments to her face and smiling, then shoving them in her bag. Sasha says she doesn’t remember doing that. Why would she? It’s not like she can’t afford the clothes. Something is wrong here. Gladys says, she may not remember it, but she did it. That is Sasha, isn’t it?

Willow says, any word? but Michael says, Gladys didn’t answer. But Sasha’s with Chase. He’s sure Chase is taking good care of her. Willow says she thought Sasha was acting strangely, and he says, Sasha’s been through a lot. She says, understatement, and he says, she’s been doing good lately, but there’s bound to be setbacks. Willow says she knows, but… shoplifting? and he says, maybe she didn’t realize she had clothes in her hands and walked out the door. He takes Willow’s hands and says, it’s going to be okay. She tells him, if you say so, and he tells her that he says so. She asks why he’s looking at her like that, and he says he still can’t believe she’s home. She says, there’s no place she’d rather be, and he says, uh-oh. He and Wiley have been planning a little trip. She says, rude, considering she can’t go anywhere yet, but he says, au contraire, mon cheri. If mademoiselle wouldn’t mind looking out the window… She looks out and sees Wiley wearing a moustache and dressed in a French outfit, including a beret. He holds up a sign that says, bonjour madame, and she asks Michael what they’re up to. He says, bienvenue à Paris.

Sam says, both dresses look absolutely beautiful on Scout, but hurry up and choose. She has to take her to swim class. Scout says she doesn’t really want to go, and Sam says she thought Scout loved going to swim class. Is this because daddy is the one who normally takes her? Scout says, and he picks her up, and Sam asks, what else does daddy do? Scout says, he asks how many laps she swam and how long she held her breath under water, and Sam says, that’s not fair. She wants to know those things too. She leads Scout to a chair, and they sit down. She says she knows Scout’s sad because daddy is gone, and it’s hard for both of them, but guess what? Daddy’s going to want to know how many laps she swam. So they’re going to write everything down. This way, when she goes to see daddy, she can tell him all about it. Sound good? Scout nods, and goes back to the dresses. She asks, which one? and Sam says she thinks Scout deserves both of them.

As Li hustles him toward the door, Cody says he can make Selina rich. She says, is that so? and he says he’s coming into some money. Actually, it’s a lot of money. She asked why he wanted out of the game. Really it’s to tie up some loose ends before he retires to the Cayman Islands. She says, so he lied, and he says he stayed quiet because he didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but now that he’s thinking about it, he feels he owes her a debt of gratitude. She asks where this money is coming from, and he says, the WSB. Li twists his arm, and Cody says he’s not an informant. The WSB took something from him, and they’re willing to pay through the nose to make it right. She says, took what? and he says, a family heirloom. The WSB is willing to cough up ten mill to make up for his pain and suffering. Would she like a cut?

Michael says, obviously, they’ll plan a real trip when she’s ready, but for now, he and Wiley decided to bring Paris to Willow. She thanks him, and he says, don’t thank him; her son was the mastermind. Look at him. Wiley holds a toy accordion, and lowering her voice, she says, please tell her that thing doesn’t actually make noise. Michael says, well… and Wiley pulls and pushes the accordion, making a dreadful sound. Michael tells her to picture it. Her and him, walking hand in hand on the Champs-Élysées. She laughs and says she can’t wait. She loves him too much. He says, too much? There’s no such thing.

Cody says, some of it can be hers, and Selina says, define some. He says, 50/50 split, and she says, 60/40. He says he has to pay some… Li twists his arm again… his attorney. She says, he’ll have plenty left over, and tells Li to let him go. Li releases him, and she says, they must also discuss how Cody will pay his debt from last night’s fiasco. Cody says he expected as much, and she says something to Li which I interpret as, come on, and they walk to the other side of the room. Cody picks up his phone, and listens to the voicemail from Sasha. He asks if he’s free to go, and Selina says, something wrong? He says, possibly, but it has nothing to do with her or her operation. She says, of course (🍷) he’s free to go. Because wherever that is, Li will always find him.

Gladys says she’s sure Maxie will take care of everything, when Maxie walks in. Sasha says she swears she didn’t do anything, and Maxie says she spoke to the store manager at Logan’s. She explained everything, and they’ve agreed to drop the charges. Sasha says, thank God, and Maxie says, they should be calling the station now. Chase leaves, and Sasha says she can’t thank Maxie enough. She honestly doesn’t know what happened. Maxie says, it’s okay, everything’s fine, and Sasha asks how she convinced them. Maxie says, as Sasha knows, they’re doing a cross-promotional event with The Deceptor… and Sasha says she’s sorry. Maxie says, it’s all right. It ended up working out well for the brand. Sasha says she’ll help out wherever she can, and Maxie says, actually, Logan’s would prefer if she and Lucy handled it. She hopes Sasha understands. Sasha says, of course (🍷). It makes sense. Gladys says, Sasha has been working so hard. She thinks Sasha’s earned a break, doesn’t she?

Sonny meets Alexis at Kelly’s and asks, what’s up with Kristina? Alexis says she was just wondering what his involvement is with Kristina’s foundation, and he says he’s been hands-off because he figured that’s what Kristina needs. Unless Alexis thinks otherwise. Alexis says, not that she would admit to this, but she thinks Kristina is a little overwhelmed, and he says he’s here for whatever Kristina needs. She says she was hoping he’d say that.

Kristina runs into the waiting area, and hugs Molly. She asks, how’s Curtis? and Molly says, they’re still waiting for news. She’s so glad Kristina is here.

Nina and Portia walk down the hall, and Portia says, things were already so complicated between them. And now… What if she doesn’t get the chance to tell him that she loves him. She cries, and Nina holds her.

Curtis says, Trina, and starts to walk toward the voice. Irene asks, who’s Trina? and he says, she’s his daughter. She says, he has a daughter? How wonderful. TJ says, Trina needs you, Uncle Curtis. So does Portia. Irene says, once he and Tommy fix the car, they’ll go home. She’ll make dinner. TJ says, you’re stronger than anyone I know. Fight. Irene says, then they can go for a walk through the neighborhood. They’ve missed him so much. He says he’s missed her too; more than she’ll ever know. She says, now they don’t have to. The family’s back together again. Come. They’ll go see Tommy together. She pulls on his hand, but he doesn’t move. He says he wants to, but why does he have the feeling if he leaves this park, he’ll never see Trina or Portia again?

Michael says, hungry? and Willow says, famished. Michael signals to Wiley and says, garçon. Wiley drapes a towel over his arm like a fancy waiter. Michael, now also wearing a beret, comes out with a tray, and says, we have ze… He’s not even going to attempt a French accent. They have quiche Lorraine and a lovely green salad, a crispy baguette, and the Frenchiest butter they could find. She says, c’est parfait, and he asks if that’s good. She says, very, and they kiss. Wiley is still too young to be horrified at seeing his parents kiss yet.

Alexis tells Sonny that Kristina has the passion and energy to make this shelter happen. She just thinks Kristina needs a little guidance. And for better or worse, she listens to him. He thanks her, and she says she’s thinking Kristina might actually receive some constructive feedback from him. He asks how come he feels there’s a lot more going on here, and she says, he probably feels that way because there is.

Gladys says, everyone makes mistakes. And one day in the not too far future, no one will remember this even happened. Maxie says, Gladys is right. Clean slate. Chase comes back and says, Maxie worked her magic. Logan’s is happy to drop the charges. Sasha thanks Maxie, who says, anytime. Hopefully, this is the only time. Gladys asks if Sasha is ready to go home, and Sasha says, yes. She’s exhausted. They file out, Maxie at the end, and Chase says, hey, keep an eye on her. Maxie says she was going to do that anyway.

Outside, Cody leaves a voicemail, saying, he’s sorry he missed Sasha’s call. Is she okay? Call him back when she gets this. Selina says, he forgot something, and holds up the bottle of ink. She hands it to him, and asks, is everything all right? He says, a friend needs his help, and she says, and we always take care of our friends, don’t we? brushing his face with her hand.

Someone is taking pictures. That someone is Sam. A hand comes down on her shoulder.

Irene says, Curtis isn’t going to stay with them, is he? He says he can’t. There’s too many people waiting for him. But he doesn’t want to say goodbye. She says, then don’t. Say until we meet again. He cries and says, until we meet again, and she says she’s so proud of him. Maybe if she’d been as strong as he is, maybe she would have met Trina. It’s time for him to go back. He hugs her and says, I love you mama, and she says she loves him too. It’s time. She lets go of his hands, steps back, and disappears.

TJ and the doctor come out, and everyone gets up. Portia asks, did Curtis make it through surgery?

Tomorrow, Dante says, it might not be as much of a dead end as Anna thinks; Sasha says she screwed up; and Sonny asks Alexis, what kind of trouble Kristina is headed for.

⚖️ You Don’t Know Jack…

Just in case you don’t know Erica Kane’s 10th husband.

I didn’t know he wouldn’t be sticking around. I feel ripped off.

🏥 Dipping In the Vault…

I can’t believe I don’t remember this. Although the house might have still been under reconstruction after Hurricane Sandy. I was pretty busy.

🗽 Newest New York…

Premiering July 16th, here’s the basics. I want to like it, and the beginning of the trailer looks promising. But then it seems to go middle school, so my jury is out.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhony-season-14-premiere-date-teaser-video

You have to remember, we are in our 50s, so the world that we navigated was a very different world, said Dorinda. Women today have financial power, they have children, they have devices! Alrighty then.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/what-original-new-york-housewives-say-about-new-rhony-reboot

📺 More RHONY Than Rules…

Andy gets misty-eyed over his Bravo children.

https://extratv.com/2023/07/12/andy-cohen-on-new-rhony-pump-rules-season-11/

🍊 Calling Out Fancy As Fake…

While I think Fancy Pants Heather just makes things worse, Gina makes her own spectacle about her issues and problems.

🍸 What a Tease…

Well, I doubt they can top last season, which pains me to say, since it’s someone’s real life problem that boosted the ratings.

https://extratv.com/2023/07/12/lisa-vanderpump-teases-another-situation-as-pump-rules-films-season-11-exclusive/

👗 Today’s 1990s…

This week’s Project Runway was all about the 90s, with Jennie Garth as guest judge. It was fly.

🦈 How To Doo-Doo Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo…

In case you needed instruction.

https://people.com/how-to-watch-shark-week-2023-with-jason-momoa-7559270

🥐 Storming the Bastille…

Come on by tomorrow for soap, a spot of tea, a dose of wisdom (or not), and a song befitting the day. Until then, stay safe, stay speaking up if others are disrespectful or inappropriate, and stay not saying goodbye, but saying, until we meet again.