Tag Archives: Sam Cooke

February 2, 2021 – Dante Has Some Visitors, Amazon Allies, New Andrews, Abrupt Exit, She’s the Topic, Ashton’s Oops & Change

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura is talking on the phone about Rocco at the MetroCourt, when Cyrus approaches. He says he didn’t mean to eavesdrop, and she says, of course (🍷) not. He says he heard about her former son-in-law. It’s a dangerous world, although with their family, it seems to be the rule rather than the exception, doesn’t it?

Sam visits Dante, who asks what he’s doing there. She says, he doesn’t remember? and he says he feels like he was hit by a truck. She says, close. He was stabbed with a loaded syringe. He says, by who? and she says, her mother.

Martin meets Alexis in Jordan’s office, and tells her, it’s just a formality. Bail was posted, so she’s now a free woman. She says it hasn’t been that long since she was disbarred; she knows the drill. He says he’s sure she remembers extenuating circumstances as well, and she says she appreciates the effort, but she wants one thing no defense attorney can give her – a drink.

At the MetroCourt with Maxie, Peter tells someone on the phone that every word he printed is the truth. It’s a first amendment issue, and as his attorney, they need to fight any attempt to suppress the story. He hangs up, and asks Maxie, what’s wrong? Is it the baby? She says both she and the baby are fine, and he says, then what? She says, nothing. She just can’t help thinking if it wasn’t for his big scoop… Never mind. He says if she wants to say something about the article, go ahead. She says if he hadn’t written it, Alexis wouldn’t have gone after Franco, and accidentally stab Dante.

Franco knocks on Scotty’s apartment door, and says, dad, open up. Obrecht grabs him and drags him into the apartment. She asks if he was followed, and he says, other than the usual villagers with torches and pitchforks, probably not. She says, good. It would complicate the situation if she were discovered. He asks when she’s going to get the voices out of his head like she promised? She says she’s working on it, and he says, so was Dr. Kirk, and he wound up with a knife in his chest. She says, with a man like that, it was bound to happen sooner or later. He says, Dante didn’t deserve a syringe in his sternum, and she asks how that’s relevant when the syringe was meant for him. Peter has convinced everyone he’s a homicidal lunatic. He says he noticed, and she says, they have to access Drew’s memories while there’s still time.

At the hospital, Anna tells Doc, not only were Dante and Obrecht being treated by Dr. Kirk, she has reason to believe Obrecht is no longer in WSB custody. She could be anywhere. Doc asks if she thinks Obrecht came back to Port Charles, and she says, it’s as good a place as any. She asks how Dante is, and he says, almost fully recovered. She says, thank God. It’s probably too soon… He says she wants to talk to him, and she says she feels that somehow he’s at the center of all this. Maybe if she talks to him… Elizabeth interrupts, saying, she wanted to let Anna know, her husband is lucky to be alive, no thanks to her son.   

Laura tells Cyrus, they may be related, but they’re not family. He says, wow. And she accuses him of being cold. She says her daughter is in a coma she may never recover from, so forgive her, but where he’s concerned, she’s all out of warmth. He says she thinks he’s unfeeling, but if he were this unfeeling monster, would he keep this reminder of the family who turned their backs on him? He puts an envelope on the table.

Martin says he won’t remind Alexis that it was her drinking that got her into this mess. She thanks him for not reminding her, and he says, the state of her intoxication at the time of the alleged attack, as well as the intended victim’s history of violence, more than qualifies for extenuating circumstances. She should walk. Jordan comes in, and asks if his defense is really throwing his client under the bus as a hopeless drunk. Alexis asks if that isn’t what Jordan, and everyone else, is telling her that she is?   

Maxie says she doesn’t blame Peter, but has he seen the social media reaction? People are scared to death. He asks if she thinks he shouldn’t have printed it, and she says, no… She doesn’t know… Maybe. If Franco becomes a danger, yes. Alexis is a level-headed person when she’s sober, and she tried to kill Franco. Part of her feels that if Peter had sat on the story, Dante wouldn’t be in the hospital. He says, Dante is fine, and knowing Franco’s history, who knows how many people were saved by him warning the public?  

Franco asks where his dad is, and Obrecht says she and Franco have the opportunity to discuss what needs to be done, and Franco says, what needs to be done is he should be getting some body armor, now that Peter turned him back into Public Enemy #1. She says, he’s fine; Alexis missed. He says, and Dante saved his life. Explain that to him. Dante hates him. Why would that guy do that? Obrecht says, once a cop, always a cop. Who knows? The important thing now is regaining Drew’s memories. Her duplication of Kirk’s methodology is taking longer than she thought, but since Doc is treating him, why not turn that to their advantage? Maybe hypnosis will help him regain the memories, and they can find out why he’s hearing Peter’s voice. He says he’ll give it a shot, and she says, he needs to do it as soon as possible, before someone else comes after him who might not miss.  

Doc tells Anna that he has to return some calls, and escapes. Anna says she understands Elizabeth is upset, but she doesn’t think it’s fair to blame Peter for Alexis’s actions. Alexis has been struggling with her drinking lately. Elizabeth agrees that Alexis’s judgement was impaired, but Peter decided to plaster Franco’s private medical information across The Invader. Anna says she respects Elizabeth, but what does she expect Anna to do? Peter is a grown man. He’s not going to listen to her. Elizabeth says the reason she wanted to talk to Anna was, she appreciates the wedding invitation – she loves Finn and Violet – but Peter declared open season on Franco. It’s no longer safe for them to attend. Anan says, Peter had an obvious error in judgment, but didn’t Peter save Franco’s life when Obrecht tried to have him killed? Elizabeth says, it makes you wonder who the real Peter is. The guy who rescued Franco, or the guy who put Franco’s life in danger to get ahead. 

Sam tells Dante, her mother had been drinking when they heard the news about Franco, and was terrified Franco would come after her again. Sam wanted to confront Franco herself, so she came to GH. Her mother insisted on coming along, and kind of snapped. She disappeared, and found a loaded syringe. She lunged for Franco, but Dante jumped in front of him. Dante says, and here he is. She says, the syringe was loaded with lidocaine, and it’s really bad when it’s injected close to the heart. She’s sure Portia will fill him in on the details, but the good news is, he’s going be okay. He asks, what happened to Franco? and she says, her mom missed, so he’s fine, but she doesn’t get why he would risk own life to save Franco.

Anna tells Elizabeth that she’s sorry about the article, and Elizabeth says, Franco is experiencing none of the same symptoms he had before; they’re entirely different ones. Peter didn’t even bother to investigate. He just twisted facts that he never should have had access to, and now Franco is a target.

Franco tells Obrecht, he has a few problems. One is going to kill him, and one will make him crazy before it kills him. Obrecht says, normally, she wouldn’t recommend talk therapy, but Doc and his homicidal twin were also involved with the memory transfer experiment. That could be useful. Franco says, until she can help him, maybe Doc is their best hope; here goes nothing. He gets his coat, and she tells him, be careful. They have to assume Anna is working closely with Doc. If the scarecrow realizes that Drew’s memories could incriminate Peter, ask himself, who would Anna rather see go down? Him or her son? Franco leaves, and Obrecht sits and thinks.    

Peter tells Maxie, he knows it was a very controversial decision. His legal department agrees with her, but it’s his obligation to tell the truth. She says, yes, but he could have thought of a little less of a ripper strikes again headline. He says, The Invader is also in the business of making money, and she tells him, she hated the man that Franco was, and has no interest in knowing the man he’s become. He asks, why defend him? and she says she knows what it’s like to defy people’s expectations of you. From what she’s seen, Franco is nothing but a devoted husband and stepdad. Peter says he’s sure Franco is – until the ticking time in his head goes off, and Franco becomes the city’s worst nightmare.

Laura asks Cyrus what it is, and he says it’s a photo from his childhood – yes, he had one. Now let him ask her if she has the courage to look at it, and risk seeing her sworn enemy in a different light. She looks at the photo, and says, Gordon. Of course (🍷). They look so happy. Cyrus says he’s the one making rabbit ears over his baby brother’s head. She says, making trouble behind Martin’s back; she’s not surprised. He says, this is his family, and Martin’s, and hers. They’re all each other’s flesh and blood. She puts the picture on a table. 

Martin says, in case the news hasn’t graced Jordan’s desk already, Alexis already entered a plea of not guilty. Jordan says she’s happy to hear it, but she didn’t ask Alexis to come to her office as the Commissioner. She wants to speak to her as a friend. Alexis asks if Jordan warned Molly and TJ. She started to call them about 12 times, but she doesn’t suppose they want anything to do with her. Jordan says they’re worried about her; they all are. How is she? Alexis says she’s sober, and Jordan says, good. Alexis says she doesn’t like it. She didn’t like it when she looked in the mirror. She took a good long look, and didn’t recognize herself. She realized she’s used up her get-out-of-jail-free cards, and there’s not much left. Why doesn’t she just face what she’s done, and change her plea to guilty, and face the consequences.

Dante tells Sam, if he knew why, he’d tell her, and she says, Robert told her that Dante’s cop instincts kicked in. Dante says he doesn’t think he has any, but thanks for checking in on him. Anna comes by, and Dante says he’s surprised she doesn’t want to give him hell for saving Franco. She says she did want to ask him about that, and Sam says, she just did. Anna says, and? Dante flashes back to Obrecht clicking the pen, and saying, Franco is the key to Peter’s guilt. It’s up to Dante to protect him at all costs. Anna asks if there’s something Dante wants to tell them.

Dante says he’s the type that runs into trouble, when anyone with good sense would run away, and Anna says, that’s the definition of a hero. She’s glad he’s okay. He thanks her, and she says she’s sorry. He says, for what? and she says, for the reason Alexis got so… Sam says, crazy? and Anna says, excited. It was because of an article Peter ran on Franco. He says, it’s not her fault, and she thanks him for that. She says she just wanted to check in on him; they’ll catch up later. He says, he looks forward to it, and Anna tells Sam, it’s good to see her, and leaves. Sam guesses that leaves only one person to blame.

Martin tells Jordan, his client was speaking hypothetically; there’s no way she should plead guilty. Alexis says, right now it’s 70/30 against, but that could change. Jordan says, her concern isn’t Alexis’s plea right now. Her concern is that Alexis stop self-destructing. Jordan’s phone rings, and she says she’s on her way. She tells them, she needs to see someone in the squad room, and they can use her office for as long as they need to. She leaves, and Martin says, Alexis has been on a collision course with herself for some time. She asks why he’s acting like he knows her; he doesn’t. He’s just Valentin’s hired gun. He says he wouldn’t be so dismissive of Valentin; he posted her bail. She suggests he ask for a refund, and throw her back in jail where she belongs. Martin tells her, get over herself. Does she have any idea what some people would give to be reunited with their loved ones? And she’s throwing it away with both hands. It would serve her right if he threw her to the wolves. She asks why he doesn’t, and he says, unlike her, he’s proud to be an attorney, and he’s going to do his damnedest to defend her, whether she likes it or not.

Cyrus tells Laura, the photo is hers to borrow. She can’t keep it, but he can have it scanned if she likes. She says she knows what he’s doing; he’s incredibly transparent. He says, be all means, enlighten him. Explain his sinister ulterior motive. She says he knows how much family means to her, and he’s playing on that to get her to do more to get his mother home. He says he knows she feels she has no reason to help him, and blames him, however wrongly, for taking her daughter from her. She says, then why the nostalgia? and he says, it’s her father. She says, they never met, but he says, the connection is still there. There’s nothing she can do to change it. She says, there’s nothing she needs to do, and he says, true, but have another look at the picture. This is their family, before everything went wrong. She takes it from him, and he walks away. She looks at it again.

Peter tells Maxie, they’re so close to the wedding and welcoming their daughter into the world. He would never do anything to spoil that. She says she knows, and he asks if she ever thinks about how far they’ve come to get to this moment. She says, all the time. What hits her is how three years ago, they were strangers. She was married to Nathan, and in a moment, everything changed. Faison shot Nathan, and not long after that, Nathan died.

Elizabeth apologizes to Doc for barging in on his conversation with Anna, but he says, it’s quite all right. Franco comes into the hospital, and says, this is convenient. He was about to beg Doc for a session. Doc asks why he needs one, and Franco says he keeps hearing Peter’s voice in his head, talking to Drew, and he has a lot to say. Anna listens from around the corner.

Anna joins them, and says, sorry. She didn’t mean to… Franco’s been hearing voices? Are those the symptoms Elizabeth was talking about? Elizabeth says, yes. Not dark, homicidal impulses. Voices. Anna asks how Franco can be sure it’s Peter, and he says he knows Peter’s voice. Anna asks if it’s because of the tumor, and Elizabeth says, they thought so at first, but Dr. Kirk thought it was something else. Franco says, Kirk thought it didn’t have anything to do with the brain tumor; that it was Drew’s implanted memories.

Maxie tells Peter, when Nathan died, she wanted the world to stop, and there he was, refusing to let her give up. He was a real pain in the ass. He says, he knows what Nathan meant to her. He sees it in her every time she’s with James, and of course (🍷), he wonders if he’ll pale in comparison. Nathan was a genuine hero; someone you could look up to. He hopes he’ll never let Nathan down. Maxie says, she knows he won’t.

Martin approaches Laura at the MetroCourt, and asks where on earth she found the photo. She says, his brother, and he says, pulling at the old heartstrings? Pure manipulation, meant to spur her to action, in the hopes of her tracking down their poor mother. She says she told Cyrus that he was being ridiculously transparent. Martin says, utterly. So, did it work?

Cyrus goes to Jordan’s office, and says they need to talk. She says, if it’s about the search for his mother, there’s nothing she can do. And thankfully, nothing she has to do. There’s nothing he has on her. He says she’s broken free from him, so she can reclaim her integrity and the love of her husband. How is that working out for her?

Dante tells Sam, he’s not exactly happy that her mom plunged a syringe in his chest, but if anyone understands the desire to kill Franco, it’s the two of them. Sam says, true, but it wasn’t them; it was her mother. Her mother is starting to worry her – a lot. She’s inclined to take the kids and run as far and as fast as she can. Dante says she doesn’t mean that, but she says part of her does. He says he’s on to her. She came there last night and today, because she wants to make up for what her mom did. She tells him that he’s a detective. Don’t do that shrink stuff with her. She just wishes she could help her mom in a way she’d accept. They hear the guard telling someone they can’t go in; he knows who she is. Alexis walks in, and the guard says he’ll escort her out, but Dante says he’s got this. He has a bodyguard in case things get crazy. The guard closes the door, and Sam tells Alexis, she shouldn’t be there. Alexis says she knows. She’s practically begging to be arrested again. Sam asks if that’s what she wants, but Alexis says, no. She wanted to see if they were both okay.

Alexis says she just wanted to tell Dante how sorry she is, and how much she regrets what she did. Dante says he was cop for a long time. He knows good people, and decent people do stupid things. Things they wish they could take back. He’s not the one she has to make it up to. Sam says he doesn’t have to do this, but he says he wants to. He thinks they should fix it before it’s too late.

In a wig, glasses, and mask, Obrecht looks at the Patient Services Directory on the GH server. She puts in Dante’s name.  

Anna asks about the time Franco was in Geneva, and he says he saw Dr. Kirk once. He had one consultation before Kirk ended up on the wrong side of a knife. She asks if Dante had left by then, and Franco says, Dante was a patient? That’s a pretty big coincidence. Doc says, probably, and Anna says, what about Obrecht? She was also a patient. Kirk decided to treat her after she was released from Steinmaur. Did he not know any of that? Franco says, as far has he knows, Obrecht is still in Steinmaur, and as far as he’s concerned, she can stay there. He thought she was his friend, and she tried to kill him. Can he have that session now? Elizabeth says she wants a conversation with him first. They step away, and she says she’s going to ask him a question he needs to answer honestly. He’s seen Obrecht, hasn’t he? Alive and well, and out of prison. Franco reluctantly says, yeah… and she asks how he could have seen Obrecht and not told her.   

Drying her eyes, Maxie tells Peter, they need to stop having meaningful conversations for a while. It’s hard to tell if it’s regular hormones or third trimester hormones. She doesn’t want Dante to see her like this. He asks if she’s going to the hospital, and she says she owes it to Lulu to check on him. Peter says to give Dante his best, and she leaves. Peter makes a call, and says they have something he needs, and he needs it now.

Laura tells Martin, she wishes she’d never seen the picture. She didn’t need see her father with his happy little family. Martin says she’s part of that family too, should she so choose, even if she’s not in the photo. Laura says she’ll tell Martin what she told his brother. Martin says, their brother, and she says, to her, family is much more than flesh and blood. It’s more than DNA. It’s definitely something she won’t share with Cyrus. Martin asks if she’ll share it with him. Because if there’s the slightest chance, he needs to know what she’s doing to put mama back in the picture.

Jordan tells Cyrus, not that it’s any of his business, but… Wait. It isn’t any of his business. He says, never wait until tomorrow to atone for your mistakes, for tomorrow may never come. She says she can’t tell if it’s a veiled threat or he’s sincere. He says, in the past, he’s used the stick to get what he wants, but today he’s using the carrot. She asks what the carrot would be, and he says something she wants nearly as much as he wants his mother back.

Alexis says she appreciates what Dante is trying to do, but he says, don’t tell him; tell Sam. Alexis says she knows there’s nothing she can say. She’s burned every bridge, and she doesn’t think there’s any earth left to scorch. She tells Sam to stay and take care of her friend and herself. She’s just going to go. She leaves, and Sam thanks Dante for trying. He tells her not to give up on her mom.

Alexis gets in the elevator, and Sam follows her. Sam says, going down? and Alexis says, it certainly seems that way. Sam says, it’s her call.

Obrecht goes to Dante’s room, and congratulates him for saving Franco’s life. He tells her, he’d like to say it’s his pleasure, and she says, however, the mission is not yet completed. There is more they must do to stop Peter, and he’s the man to do it.   

Dante says, Obrecht was exonerated, and there’s no smoking gun. There’s no evidence suggesting Peter framed her. He covered his tracks too well. She tells him, keep looking, and he says he plans to. He wants Maxie and James away from Peter as much as she does. He’s digging. Obrecht says, dig faster. Anna already suspects she’s out of prison, and mustn’t know she’s back in Port Charles, if they’re to stop this wedding. If Maxie walks down the aisle, she and Peter will be bound in ways that can never be undone. I guess Obrecht has never heard of divorce. She clicks the pen, and tells Dante he’s to do what he must to complete the mission. It’s up to him, but Peter and Maxie must never be allowed to say I do.

At the reception desk, Maxie asks what room Dante is in. Because this is GH, where there are no visiting hours, and anyone can just wander around where and when they feel like it.

Peter thanks a man for meeting him at the MetroCourt, and the man says he wishes all of his clients were as discerning as Peter. He shows Peter a set of wedding rings, saying they’re the ones Peter selected. Do they speak to him? Peter says, fluently. They say, ‘til death do us part.

Maxie goes to Dante’s room. She finds him sleeping, and says she’s not going to wake him. She just wants him to know how happy she is he’s okay. Lulu really needs him, and she needs him too, as her friend; her once and hopefully future bestie-in-law. She needs him at the wedding. She kisses his forehead, and Obrecht looks in through the window.   

Laura tells Martin, Cyrus’s attempt at manipulation backfired. All he did was remind her of what was taken from her. Martin says, Lulu, and she says, of course (🍷); he understands. On the other hand, she understands him to be a completely innocent bystander. He asks what she’s saying. She won’t help Cyrus, but she’ll help him? He’s completely comfortable with that. She laughs, and says, Florence is his mother too, and neither one of them deserves to get caught up in this mess. She can’t make any promises, but she’ll do what she can to bring his mother back to him.

Sam and Alexis go into a room where there are chairs placed in circle. Alexis says she remembers this feeling; the feeling of not wanting to be there, and desperately wanting a drink. She doesn’t think she can do this. She’s sorry. Sam asks if she actually has not hit rock bottom yet. How many people does she have to hurt before she realizes she needs help?

Jordan tells Cyrus, she can’t just snap her fingers and get his mom back. He tells her to consider it a hostage negotiation. Let Jason know, if he returns Cyrus’s mother, Cyrus will see that Taggert goes free.  

Franco tells Elizabeth, here’s the skinny. Obrecht was exonerated, and she had nothing to do with trying to kill him. Elizabeth says, Obrecht told him so, and he believed her. He says, of course (🍷) not, but there’s proof. The WSB believed her and released her. They’ve been working hard to find who framed her, and she’s been really helpful to him since Kirk died. Elizabeth asks when he’s going to learn that Obrecht is only out for Obrecht. If she’s helping him, he has to ask himself, what’s in it for her? They’ll deal with Drew’s memories later, but right now, they need to focus on treating the tumor and saving his life.

Anna tells Doc, first they find out, Franco was referred to Kirk as a patient. Then the find out Dante was also his patient. Doc says, then Obrecht. She asks, what’s the common denominator? and he takes it that there wasn’t enough unredacted in the files for her to crosscheck. She says, no. She does know that Obrecht is free, Dante is still suffering from PTSD… He says, and Franco is hearing Peter’s voice in his head. She says, they’re getting closer to understanding how it all fits together. They just have to keep looking. He says, no matter where it leads? and she repeats, no matter where it leads

Tomorrow, Portia asks why Trina is buttering her up, Maxie asks Dante if he can forgive Peter, Laura asks if she and Carly can’t compromise, and Jason says Cyrus’s fear is their leverage.

📌 That’s a Fact…

Heard on the internet: This month, AV Club is going to highlight some of the programming from various and sundry networks and streamers that are tied to Black History Month. First up is Amazon. Prime Video’s Amplifying Black Voices page will, beginning today, feature a curated collection of titles to honor Black History Month across four weekly themes- Black Joy (week 1), Black Love (week 2), Black History Makers (week 3) and Black Girl Magic (week 4). All titles will celebrate the voices of Black actors, producers, writers, and filmmakers. There’s also a watchlist from One Night In Miami director Regina King, which naturally includes One Night In Miami.

🧼 Adding Some Soap…

A soap star and two V.C. Andrews films? My head might explode. V.C. Andrews’s All That Glitters and Hidden Jewel, starring Kristian Alfonso (ex-Hope, Days of Our Lives), will premiere on Lifetime on Saturday, March 27th and Sunday, March 28th, respectively at 8 pm ET.

⛷ He’s Just Not Gonna Be There Anymore…

So will he be going upstairs to polish his skis?

https://people.com/tv/donny-boaz-announces-exit-from-the-young-and-the-restless/

👠 How She’s Doing…

Looks like Wendy is the hot topic lately.

https://pagesix.com/2021/01/31/wendy-williams-documentary-the-9-biggest-revelations/

https://www.essence.com/articles/wendy-williams-interviews/

🛌🏻 For Your Amusement…

Good thing she wasn’t watching The Haves and The Have Nots.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1233786/ashton-kutcher-mistook-bridgerton-for-porn-after-catching-mila-kunis-watching-a-nsfw-episode

🐑 Time To Count Sheep…

I can’t seem to keep track of the Dallas Wives. I have a Tuesday night Zoom meeting at the same time, and for whatever reason, Bravo doesn’t rerun it. Although they do run endless episodes of Chrisley Knows Best. Again, why is that guy famous? While you’re figuring that out, stay safe, stay changing it up when you can, and stay using neither the carrot nor the stick. We’re not donkeys.

July 24, 2020 – When Mike Had a Moment, As the Reunion Turns, New Kelly, Dead News, Two Different Cons, Apocalypse Watching, Empire Spin, Loving New York, a Lesson, an Artist, Two Big Fat Quotes & Another

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

As the gap continues to close, today’s GH Flashback is from May 13th, 2020. Enjoy a mind refresh here, or if you’re detail oriented, go to:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/may-13-2020-sonny-asks-what-mike-wants-blind-defense-vandernews-impressing-nema-free-happy-hour-upcoming-freedom/

Chase dreamed about Willow, but woke up alone. Willow woke up alone too, at the Quartermaine mansion. She saw her rings on the nightstand, and remembered getting married to Michael. Michael came downstairs for breakfast, and Brook asked if he’d gotten any sleep. He said he felt ready, and she said he’d done what he could for Wiley, and even gotten married. They’re not all so lucky. Michael said it would happen for her too, when she was old and grey. She threw a bagel at him, insisting she would never go grey. She said Willow was sweet, kind, and gorgeous; the perfect wife for him, and the perfect stepmom for Wiley. Ava brought Avery to visit Mike at Turning Woods. Sonny watched from the doorway as Avery showed Mike her drawings. Carly went to the MetroCourt, and told Olivia she was worried about the hearing, and figured she might as well come in. Olivia asked if there was anything she could do, and Carly suggested dropping a house on Nelle, but Olivia said she was fresh out of tornados. Carly said she could use some advice, and asked if Olivia had any words of wisdom regarding mother-in-law-hood. Olivia saw Lulu come in with Dustin, and said, bite your tongue, exercise patience, and slap on a smile. Robert woke up on Laura’s couch, wondering where he was. Laura asked if she should be offended that he didn’t remember.

Michael told Brook that he’d hit the jackpot with Willow, but she had to give up everything, and was in love with Chase. Brook said that was Chase’s fault, but Michael said Willow had to sacrifice a lot. He didn’t want her regretting it. Brook said Chase was a giant tool, but even if he walked on water, Willow was trading up. Michael being loaded was a plus, but he was an amazing guy, and Willow had enough sense to appreciate how fabulous he was. Seeing Willow in the doorway, Brook said, right? Still in bed, Chase scrolled through pictures on his phone of himself and Willow. Mac called and told Chase that he was late, and Chase jumped out of bed, saying he’d be there in ten minutes. Laura gave Robert some coffee, and asked if he wanted to pick up where they’d left off. He asked where that was, and she said, where you’d expect old friends with history and chemistry to be. He put his head in his hands, and she laughed. She said he came to her house drunk. She managed to get him on the couch, settled him in, and went to bed. He said she was a vision of true evilness, and she asked why he came to her doorstep. Carly asked if Olivia wasn’t a fan of Mr. Phillips; that’s how she knew him, since he was Josslyn’s teacher. Lulu and Dustin walked over to the bar, and Lulu said Dustin was there to meet Brook. Dustin said he and Brook were checking out the venue, since they were performing at the Nurses Ball, but he also wanted Olivia’s culinary expertise. Lulu said Rocco needed cupcakes for school, and Dustin volunteered to oversee the baking. Olivia asked what the occasion was, and Lulu said it was Take Your Dad to School Day. Avery continued to show Mike her artwork, and Ava told Sonny that she hoped bringing Avery there was okay. Sonny said Avery never needed permission to see her grandfather, and asked how Mike had been. Ava said it took him a while to warm up, but he’d been smiling ever since. He wasn’t talking much though. Sonny asked if Avery was scared, but Ava said she was fine. Avery had experience from when Ava was in Shadybrook. She didn’t understand, so it didn’t make her sad. She was just spending time with her grandfather, and loving him.

Carly asked to talk to Dustin about Josslyn’s curriculum. Lulu asked Olivia if something was wrong. Olivia said Lulu had barely known Dustin a year, and she was trying to erase Dante from Rocco’s life. Ava asked Sonny if Mike’s good days were becoming fewer and farther between, but Sonny said he’d stopped measuring. He was trying to stay in the moment. He wondered if Mike had coherent thoughts and couldn’t voice them, or if he had no coherent thoughts at all. He said, once in a while, Mike made a precise observation, and Ava said that showed Mike was still in there. She told Sonny that she owed him an apology. Robert said he couldn’t believe Holly was dead, and Laura said she was so sorry. Robert said he was sorry for dragging her out of bed. He knew she and Holly didn’t have the greatest relationship. She said, it was a long time ago, and people important to her cared about Holly, him topping the list. She asked, what happened? Was she ill? He said it would have been easier that way, but she was on a ship that went down in a storm, and it was no ordinary ship. Laura said, of course (🍷) not, and Robert said Holly did contract work for the WSB; another one of her secrets. On the phone with Anna, Mac looked at the report on Holly’s death, and said, there’s nothing here. Chase came in, apologizing for being late, and Mac asked if Chase needed a day off. Even though he was there, he wasn’t, and if he needed to take care of something, do it. Brook told Willow and Michael that she had a meeting, but good luck in court. She didn’t think they’d need it though. The judge would take one look at them, and know Wiley belonged with them. She left, and Michael said Brook had a flair for the dramatic. Willow said she hadn’t noticed, and Michael said everyone was talking them up to each other. Willow said you’d think they defied gravity, and Michael said he already knew she was incredible.

Carly didn’t think Dustin understood how fraught the situation was. It was hard on Olivia, seeing Lulu move forward, and not reserving room for Dante in Rocco’s life. She wasn’t judging; she thought it was the right decision in Lulu’s mind. It was great for Lulu, but she didn’t think Lulu understood how it was affecting Olivia. Maybe Dustin could see it from Olivia’s perspective. If Carly was in her position, her daughter-in-law would have been out on the street with half her hair ripped out. Rocco was bringing a new man to Take Your Dad to School Day, but it’s not like Dante was a deadbeat. He had severe PTSD, and it was hard for Olivia. Lulu told Olivia, no one was erasing Dante. She was sending Dustin in his place to make Rocco happy. He didn’t want to feel left out, and had asked for Dustin. They’d all decided together to make Dustin and honorary uncle, and he’d be wearing a Yankees hat to represent Dante. It’s what Rocco wanted, and what Dante would want too. Robert told Laura, when he and Holly saw each other, it wasn’t always under the friendliest of circumstances. Laura said Holly had broken Robert’s heart, and ran away with a piece of it. Part of him had thought he’d get it back, but now that would never happen. Michael told Willow that it was important they tell the truth to each other. He admitted that if he was going to court without her, he’d be nervous, but going with her, he knew he was going to win. Maybe not today, and it wouldn’t be easy, but he was going to get custody of Wiley. She said she’d heard what he’d said to Brook, and she regretted nothing. Ava apologized to Sonny for having Mike arrested for kidnapping Avery. Sonny said he appreciated it, and appreciated her bringing Avery. They went back in Mike’s room, and Avery showed them a drawing she and her grandpa made; he’d told her what to do, and she did it. Ava asked who the boy riding the bike was, and Mike said, his son. Ava asked if he’d taught his son to ride a bike, and Mike nodded. Avery said her daddy had taught her, and Ava said, all the best dads do that. She had to take Avery to school, and Sonny suggested they put the picture up on Mike’s wall. In the hallway, Avery asked if Ava would ever forget her like her grandpa forgot her daddy, and Ava said, no. Even if it did happen, by then Avery would be grown up with her own family. Avery asked if she’d ever forget Ava, and Ava said, just try.

Dustin thanked Carly for the advice. Brook came in, and Dustin headed back to the bar. Carly asked Brook how the newlyweds were, and Brook said, calm and focused. She couldn’t figure out Chase though; she’d never have pegged him as a cheater. He’d broken Willow’s heart, but was walking around with puppy dog eyes like he was the wronged one. Brook told Carly about Chase arresting her because she’d had the audacity to call him out, and accidentally bopped Sasha in the nose. She’d ripped up the ticket – like any sensible person would – and Chase hauled her to the station. Carly said she needed to go, and Brook wondered if it was something she’d said. Lulu told Olivia, the Dante she knew before everything happened, would want his son to feel safe with a man as good and kind as Dustin. Sonny gave Mike an iPad already loaded with his favorites, and put the earbuds on him. Mike said it was loud, and Sonny said they’d do it some other time. He asked what Mike thought of Avery, and Mike laughed, looking at her artwork. Sonny said he needed to know what Mike wanted; the next time he might not be able to say. Did he want help? Did he want to stay or go? The doctor asked if he could speak to Sonny, and it was back out to the hallway. Chase told Mac that he didn’t need time off, and Mac read from Brook’s police report. Chase said she was combative and belligerent, and Mac said all the Quartermaines were. Chase had arrested Brook three times in three months, and the Civilian Review Board might see it as an abuse of power. Robert told Laura he must have given the wrong address to the Ride Share guy, and she said if he didn’t want it straight, he wouldn’t have come there. He had to grieve Holly, and say goodbye.

Dustin told Olivia that he’d never try to take Dante’s place. He had respect for Dante putting himself on the line for justice. He said he was in a strange position, and Olivia said that’s the way it was. Lulu went to see Laura for advice and calming down. She thought she’d blown her relationship with Rocco’s other grandmother. The doctor told Sonny that Mike had stopped eating. They could give Mike a feeding tube, and keep him as comfortable as possible, but the greater challenge was that it might further disorient Mike. Sonny asked what he recommended, and the doctor said some patients made provision that they don’t want life extending measures, but Mike had left it to Sonny. Sonny said he needed time, and the doctor left Sonny with his thoughts. Michael showed up, and said he wanted to tell Mike that he got married. Sonny told him that they wanted to put a feeding tube in Mike, but he didn’t know what Mike wanted. Michael said he should ask Mike if he could, but Sonny said, what if he couldn’t? Michael said Sonny knew what his dad would want more than anyone, and to trust that. Sonny said he wasn’t ready for Mike to go, and didn’t think Mike was ready. What if he wanted to stick around and see his grandchildren? What if he didn’t want to die? Mac told Chase to make peace with Brook, and Chase told him, if you say so. Robert came into the station, and Mac said, interrogation room – now. He’d thought he put Robert in a Ride Share; what happened? Robert said he washed up on Laura couch. He’d thought work would get his mind off of things, but it didn’t. He was going to take the day off. Mac told him, take a look at this, handing him a folder, saying it was a heavily redacted report from the WSB on Holly’s death. Willow walked in, and went over to Chase’s desk.

Robert said it was black; there was nothing there. He told Mac that he had a headache, and asked what he was missing. Mac told Robert to look at it some more, and Robert would see what he and Anna had. There was more to Holly’s death, and they weren’t convinced the ship went down in an accident. Lulu asked Laura if she was supposed to run her parenting decisions by Olivia, and Laura said, absolutely not; but Olivia was Dante’s mother, and mothers didn’t move on the same way. Sadly, Olivia might be waiting the rest of her life for Dante to recover, and Lulu should have compassion. Olivia told Dustin that she wasn’t going to pretend it was easy. It was hard on Lulu too, but she was happy Lulu had found someone like him; a decent person. It meant a lot, but just so they were clear, she was never going to give up on Dante, and would be hoping, praying, and doing everything in her power to get him back home. He said Rocco and Lulu would never stop hoping either. Brook joined them, and Dustin left with her to look at the ballroom.

Michael asked Sonny how long Mike hadn’t been eating, and Sonny said, a few days. It wasn’t like he was starving on purpose; it was like he’d forgotten how to eat. Mike had been happy with Avery. Sometimes Sonny thought it would be easier to let it be over, but it wasn’t what he wanted. It was what his dad wanted. Mike had a moment with Avery, more like a connection. If keeping him alive for five more months gave him five more moments like that, who was he to say Mike couldn’t have that? Chase asked why Willow was there, and she said there was something she had to tell him that couldn’t wait. She and Michael had gotten married. She didn’t want him to hear elsewhere. She thought it would hurt less coming from her. He asked if it hurting him mattered to her, and she said she thought it always would. Goodbye. He told her, good luck in court. Carly watched their exchange.

🧼 Here Comes Another One…

The soap world has definitely kept fans busy with virtual reunions. This one’s for you, ATWT lovers.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/new-as-the-world-turns-reunion-scheduled

🏝 Kelly 2.0 Is Here…

She’s come a long way from Scary Island.

https://www.cottagesgardens.com/get-to-know-broker-and-former-rhony-star-kelly-killoren-bensimon/

⚰️ Bring Out Your Dead…

Things are coming alive in the world of The Walking Dead. The premiere date of October 4th was announced:

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-season-10-finale-premiere-date-announced-comic-con-2020/

A clip from the finale. It looks very promising.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/news/walking-dead-season-10-finale-clip-comic-con-2020/

There will also be extra episodes to make up for all the hell we’ve been through.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/news/the-walking-dead-season-10-new-episodes-comic-con/

And Fear the Walking Dead will be returning October 11th.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/news/fear-the-walking-dead-season-6-comic-con-trailer/

🎟 Comic Conned…

It’s already started, but you can still get in on the virtual fun.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1172203/2020-comic-con-at-home-your-guide-to-getting-the-most-out-of-sdcc-s-first-virtual-event

🛸 Beam Me To My Favorite Chair…

Alien-Con virtually begins July 28th. Since you can enjoy this free event from the comfort of your home, there’s a lot less chance of your getting probed.

https://www.thealiencon.com/

🌋 If You Haven’t Had Enough IRL…

Freak yourself out more with apocalyptic entertainment.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-best-apocalypse-tv-shows-and-movies-to-watch/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

✈️ Cookie Spins Off…

It sounds good, but I’m still mad about Star being canceled.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/23/taraji-p-henson-to-star-in-empire-spinoff-focused-on-cookie-lyon/

🗽 Only In New York…

Cindy Adams gives a bird’s eye view from the world’s greatest city in this year of upheaval.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/20/cindy-adams-i-still-%E2%99%A5%E2%80%8Athis-helluva-town/

🤷🏼‍♀️ Who Knew…?

I actually did know about some of these, but you might be using words or phrases you don’t even realize are offensive.

https://redtri.com/racism-words-and-phrases/slide/1

👸🏽 A Pioneer For Princesses…

A woman ahead of her time, whose last pandemic was in 1918.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-animation-pioneer-ruthie-tompson-turns-110-1303663

🎙 Quotes of the Week

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.Teddy Roosevelt, speaking at the Sorbonne in 1910

You have a right to experiment with your life. You will make mistakes. And they are right too. No, I think there was too rigid a pattern. You came out of an education and are supposed to know your vocation. Your vocation is fixed, and maybe ten years later you find you are not a teacher anymore or you’re not a painter anymore. It may happen. It has happened. I mean Gauguin decided at a certain point he wasn’t a banker anymore; he was a painter. And so he walked away from banking. I think we have a right to change course. But society is the one that keeps demanding that we fit in and not disturb things. They would like you to fit in right away so that things work now. – Anaïs Nin

⚾️ Rounding It Out…

It’s Friday again, or another in a long line of when-is-this-pandemiconium-going-to-end? days, depending. But you know the world is still spinning when the Dead series are given premier dates, and the Shahs reunion finally rears its ugly head (part 2 on Sunday – July 26th). So stay safe, stay strong, and stay knowing one day you’ll be griping about your job again.