Tag Archives: Shahs of Sunset

February 26, 2020 – Taggert Shares Information, NJ Finale Plus Italy, a Prenup For Beau, MJ’s New World, a Dallas Farewell & Midweek

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Ava tells Carly to notify the guard that she’s ready to leave. She says it’s inconvenient having an armed escort just to visit her daughter. Carly asks, more or less than living on an island? She wonders when Ava is planning on introducing Avery to her new husband.

Franco helps Cameron with his cufflinks, saying it’s a throwback to another era when men needed valets. He tells Cameron that he looks like James Bond, and Elizabeth says he looks adorable. Cameron says he doesn’t want adorable. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Nikolas.

Brook sees Julian at the MetroCourt. He tries to ditch her, but she says, no drink for her? He says, she gets no favors from him. What she thinks she heard in a private conversation was out of context. She’s jumping to conclusions. He had nothing to do with Brad passing off Nelle’s baby as Willow’s. She asks if passing off is a polite euphemism for kidnapping. She doesn’t think Sonny will appreciate the difference. Does Julian think Sonny will believe him or her when she tells him about her suspicions?

At the Pozzulo’s office, Sonny asks Jason how Michael is doing. Jason says, happy mostly. He knows it’s not over, and he still needs to gain legal custody. The cops have found evidence, and he hopes it’s enough to convict Nelle. Sonny wonders if it’s enough to show that Nelle had help.

Curtis goes to Laura’s hospital room, and is surprised to find her dressed and ready to roll. She asks what he expected, and he says, she’s recovering from a gunshot; maybe extra recuperation time. She says she’s going stir crazy in there, and the doctors said she’s healthy enough to leave. He asks where Doc is, and she says he’s the guest speaker at a medical conference. He wanted to cancel, but she told him not to. Her driver is also her bodyguard, and she’ll get home safe. He tells her that she needs to rest, but she says the sooner she gets back to work, the better. Port Charles needs her.

On the phone, Jordan asks if she and Taggert are on for today, but he says he’s working his own plan. She asks, what kind of plan? but he’s already hung up.

Sonny tells Jason that he doesn’t buy Brad and Nelle pulling it off by themselves. There’s a knock at the door, and one of Sonny’s guards says it’s someone who claims they knew Sonny back in the day. Taggert comes in, and Sonny asks if he took a wrong turn. Taggert says he and Sonny may have a mutual problem. Maybe they can help each other out.

Sonny says, this is a first. Taggert is on the side of the angels. Taggert laughs, and says, there are no angels in this room, or in Pentenville. Sonny doesn’t follow, and Taggert says, Michael was targeted on Pier 55. Carly was caught in an attack on the warehouse, and Sonny was targeted in Brooklyn. Then an industrial warehouse turned into a Roman candle. Sonny says he doesn’t know anything about it, and Taggert says he’s not there to bust Sonny. Sonny says, since when? and Taggert says, since they’ve been trading information about Cyrus.

Jordan joins Laura and Curtis, and Curtis tells her that Laura plans on going back to work right away. Jordan says, sounds right, and he says he should have known better. Laura asks to be brought up to speed. She heard there was an explosion on the industrial pier, and asks how much damage there was. Jordan says, whoever planted the explosive was a pro. No loss of life, but the warehouse and its contents were obliterated. They did find traces of opiates though. Someone blew a major drug operation sky high. Laura wonders who’s stupid enough to take on Sonny.

Carly tells Ava, then again, what’s the point? Not all marriages are built to last. Ava wonders how Carly is judging her marriage when hers involves a sharpshooter on the roof. Carly says she’s not judging; she’s giving Ava a heads up. Sonny is going to want to know how much Nikolas is in his daughter’s life, and he’s not Nikolas’s biggest fan. Whatever game they’re playing, the less it includes Avery, the better.

Josslyn asks if that’s what Dev is wearing to the dance, but he says he’s not going. Josslyn says she wasn’t planning on it either, but Cameron and Trina will be there. The more she thought about it, she realized the first rule of having fun is showing up. He asks, why be around people he won’t be seeing again? After tomorrow, he won’t be living there. He’s leaving Port Charles.

Franco asks Elizabeth if everything is okay, and she asks if he minds hanging out with Cameron. He says he’ll get Cameron pinned up, and goes back inside. Elizabeth tells Nikolas, make it quick. It’s a big night for her son. Nikolas says, Cameron has grown up, and she says, kids do that. Why is he here? He says he’s determined to prove what he told her, and she suggests another time. He says now that he’s secured his inheritance, he wants to make a donation to GH; something specific. She says he can talk to Monica, but he says Elizabeth would know where it would do the most good, and she’s his friend. She says, is she? Inside, Franco pins a boutonniere on Cameron, saying he thought it was only for weddings. Cameron says he did too, but Trina disagrees. Franco says, Trina is a good friend.  

At the café, Brook tells Julian that she has a situation with a record producer. He says let him guess; the producer refuses to sign her. She says, just the opposite. He refuses to let her out of her contract. Julian says, get a lawyer, but she says she did, and it’s iron clad. He says, she’s a Quartermaine. Get daddy to buy him out. She says Julian doesn’t get it. Ned tried, but Linc won’t set her free at any price. He says she must be quite the talent. He’s not sure where he comes in, and she says she’s exhausted all legal alternatives. Julian has skills her father and the lawyers don’t have. Make Linc an offer he can’t refuse, and if he stonewalls, give him ten broken fingers for starters.

Julian tells Brook that her faith is flattering, but his days of breaking bones are over. He runs a respectable pub. She says he can either work with her, or take his chances with Sonny, and he says, there she goes again threatening him. Let’s talk about how that might go down. Say Sonny puts a bullet in his back. That’s a lot of weight to carry on her conscience. Does she want Lucas to lose another loved one because of her overactive imagination? Brook says, what Sonny does is up to him, and what Julian does is up to him. It’s his choice, and his funeral. Julian says, maybe there’s another way.

Elizabeth says she and Nikolas’s friendship wasn’t automatically restored. He says she was kind and sympathetic about Spencer, but she says that doesn’t take away the fact that her niece is without her mother because of Nikolas. He can’t buy her friendship with hospital donations. She tells him, find her sister. He says he hates disappointing her, and appreciates and respects their friendship; it means more than he can say. She says he needs to go. He says his inheritance wasn’t everything. You wouldn’t think Windymere could be colder or lonelier. She says he made his choices, and has to live with them. Unfortunately, so does Violet.

Ava says since Carly is so concerned about what’s best for her daughter, she doesn’t like Avery living under siege. Windymere is safer. Carly asks, how many have met untimely deaths there? And she doesn’t want Avery to be a witness to Ava and Nikolas’s spitefest of a marriage. Ava says she doesn’t know what Carly is talking about. Carly says she doesn’t know Nikolas well, but did know Emily, the love of his life, and Ava couldn’t be less like her. Now that Nikolas has his hands on the codicil, she doesn’t think Ava will be his wife much longer. Ava says Carly is very much mistaken. Carly says, we’ll see, and Ava leaves.

Elizabeth takes pictures of Cameron, and he asks if she has to take so many. The doorbell rings, and Trina comes in, looking gorgeous in a black and silver cocktail dress. Elizabeth asks if Cameron minds if she takes one more. Cameron says Trina looks great, and she says, he’s not so bad either.

Josslyn asks Dev, why leave town now? It’s only a few weeks until spring break, and they have the SATs and final exams. He says, it’s a top school, and they do that there; he won’t miss out. Sonny made it happen. She says, what about Gladys and Brando? What about everyone who cares about him? Everything is set up for Dev to stay there as Sonny’s cousin. He says he’s not dragging this out; it won’t change anything. Carly comes in, and asks for a minute with Josslyn. Dev gives them privacy, and Carly guesses Dev told her. Josslyn says, please don’t tell her Dev is leaving because of her.

Jordan tells Laura, there’s no proof that organized crime is behind what happened, but it’s happened too many times in this town. A crime lord decides he can make more money by taking over Sonny’s territory, and it escalates until it’s over – unless Sonny intervenes. Laura says she can’t help if she doesn’t know who she’s dealing with. Jordan says, Cyrus Renault. He’s a major drug trafficker in the Pacific Northwest. He was busted ten years ago, but it appears he’s trying to expand his territory from maximum security in Pentenville.

Sonny asks what Taggert knows about Cyrus, and Taggert says, more than Sonny. He helped put Cyrus away. Jason says, when Cyrus was busted by a DEA task force, and Taggert says, right. When he left, he signed on with the DEA. Cyrus was a high priority, and his team did all they could to have Cyrus put away. Sonny says, Cyrus is behind bars, but still in operation. They underestimated his reach. Taggert says, right now, Cyrus has his eyes on Port Charles; that’s where Sonny comes in. He has more options than a former agent. He tells Jason, the warehouse explosion was a nice job, but Jason says he doesn’t know what Taggert is talking about. Sonny asks, what’s it to him? Taggert doesn’t live there. Taggert says there are people he cares about in Port Charles, and no one is safe when Cyrus is in play. Jason asks if Taggert is offering his help, or asking for theirs.

Sonny says, so Taggert wants to work with him to help take Cyrus down. Taggert says he has no use for Sonny’s business, but he knows Sonny’s not like Cyrus. Cyrus is bad news, and they don’t want him taking charge. He’s seen the ugly things this man can do. Sonny says, give him some time to think, and Taggert says, don’t take too long. He leaves, and Jason asks if Sonny buys that. Sonny says, every word.

Through Pozzulo’s window, we see Taggert’s shadow go by. A few seconds later, another shadow follows.

Jordan tells Laura, it’s a dangerous lot connected to Cyrus, and Laura says, someone is letting him pull strings while he’s behind bars. Curtis says, it’s convenient, and Jordan says she’d be interested in finding out how Cyrus landed there in the first place. Laura says he ride is there; they’ll continue later. Curtis asks her to tell him that she’s going home to rest, and she says, wars are fought on many fronts. Let them work on their side of the battlefield,  and she’ll take care of hers. When she’s gone, Jordan says **j has ocnn don’t have info can’t afford share until Cyrus is no longer a threat

Josslyn tells Carly, it was one kiss. She’s over it, and hopes Dev isn’t overreacting. Carly says, it’s not about the kiss. Josslyn says, Brando agreed to cover, but Carly says there’s only so much they can ask Brando to accept. Dev thinks it’s best, and she and Sonny agree. Josslyn says, Dev was there after Oscar died, and it helped. He drove her crazy sometimes, but she’ll miss him. Carly says she will too, and hugs Josslyn.

Brook asks what Julian’s plan is, but Julian says he doesn’t have one yet. He needs some time. She says every day she wastes is killing her career. She needs to get back out there before she loses the little momentum she had. It’s the only way out of her contract, so is he helping her or not? Nikolas approaches their table, and Brook says she doesn’t know whether to slap him or kiss him. He says he gets that a lot, and Brook thanks him for the call. She would have been offended if he’d come back from the dead and left her out. She heard he got married. Who’s the lucky lady? Ava joins them, and says, good; Nikolas got her message. She asks who this is, and he says, Brook Ashton, but Brook says she’s Quartermaine now. Nikolas says, this is his wife, Ava Jerome. Ava says, actually, Cassadine now. Mrs. Nikolas Cassadine.   

Cameron gives Trina a wrist corsage, and she thanks him, saying, it’s beautiful. He’s glad she likes it, and she says she wishes her dad was there already. He wanted to take some pictures.

Taggert walks near the piers, and someone follows. We see it’s one of the guys from Cyrus’s warehouse. Taggert goes around, and comes up behind the guy. He asks if the guy is looking for him, and the guy says, no. He’s looking for him. Another guy walks up, and they’re on either side of Taggert.

Sonny tells Jason, for Taggert to come to them, he must be desperate. Jason says, Cyrus was convicted ten years ago. Why is Cyrus after Sonny at the same time Taggert shows up? The guard knocks again, and says Sonny has another visitor. Sonny says he’s busy, but Laura asks if he has time to see an old friend.

Carly says, it’s so unfair. Josslyn has had all these losses, and now she has another one. Josslyn says, this is different. Letting Dev go is doing right by him, and she understands. She says she needs to get dressed if she’s going, and Carly asks, where? Josslyn says, it’s the mid-winter formal, and Carly says she thought Josslyn was going. Josslyn says she changed her mind. Cameron and Trina are going, and Trina gave her a whole lecture about showing up to show school spirit. She has a point. How can Josslyn expect her peers to show up to her volleyball games, and cheer her on, if she doesn’t support them? Carly says there’s no way Josslyn is leaving the house tonight.

Brook asks if she can borrow Ava’s husband, and Ava says as long as he brings her back a drink. Nikolas and Brook go to the bar, and Ava sits with Julian. She says she hopes Nikolas remembers she likes vodka martinis. Like any of us would forget that. She asks Julian why he was huddled with Brook. Or to rephrase that, what the hell kind of trouble is he in now?

Brook says Nikolas looks good for a guy who’s been dead three years. He says she’s still gorgeous, and impossible. She says if she didn’t know better, she’d think he was flirting, but he wouldn’t be doing that with his wife there. He says, true. Ava is never far from his thoughts. His marriage is more important than he can possibly say.

Sonny is glad Laura is up and about. She says she just got out thirty minutes ago, and he says she came straight to see him; he’s honored. He gives her his word that he had no idea who the people were targeting his family. She believes him, but asks, what’s really going on? How’s his family? She heard what happened in Brooklyn, and knows Mike was there. He says his dad is okay. Everybody is okay, and it’s going to stay that way. She says, he can’t guarantee that, and they both know it. So let’s talk – for real.

Jordan and Curtis find Taggert in an examining room. Jordan asks, what happened? and he says he got jumped by two guys. He realized he was being followed, and led the guy into an alley. Taggert got the jump on him, but another guy came from behind. He got a shot off, and they ran toward the 500 block. Curtis asks what Taggert was doing there, but Taggert says he’s answering Jordan’s questions, not Curtis’s. Taggert takes out a handkerchief, and gives it to Jordan. She unwraps a syringe, and says Taggert was going to OD, like the others.

Julian tells Ava that he thought he’d buy himself some time by getting Brad a lawyer. Now that spoiled pop star wannabe is tightening the screws. Ava asks, how? and he says she came into Charlie’s when he was arguing with Brad. He had no idea who she was, and they talked. He vented, and said too much. Ava asks how much Brook knows, and he says she figured out that he was helping Brad with the baby switch. Even better, she’s tight with Sonny and she’s threatening to get him involved. Brook laughs, and Ava says, she seems like a handful, all right, but Julian was already doomed when he got mixed up with Brad to begin with. He says he doesn’t know what to do at this point. He’s tired of the shakedowns. Ava says, too bad. If Brook goes to Sonny with her theory, it won’t go well. He asks what she suggests, and she tells him, just say yes for now; buy some time. Two Jeromes are more than a match for one measly Quartermaine.   

Brook says she’s sorry about what Nikolas has been through, and Nikolas says she’s the only person who hasn’t come down hard on him. His mom, his sister, his son, even his best friend Elizabeth, all judged him without caring about what he’s been through. Brook says, Elizabeth judged him? Shocker. He guesses Elizabeth is entitled to her feelings, but Brook says, so is he. It’s hard enough coming back without people lining up to criticize. She knows what it’s like to need a friend, and thinks maybe she can fill that void.

Josslyn tells Carly, there’s plenty of security. One of Sonny’s guards can stay at the dance, and Dustin is chaperoning; he saved her life. Carly says, he’s an English teacher, not a superhero. She and Sonny agreed, it’s best to avoid public gatherings, and she wants to err on the side of caution tonight. Donna cries, and Carly goes to tend to her, while Dev comes back into the kitchen. Dev asks if Josslyn’s mom explained it to her. She asks if he’s really okay with it, and he says, it has to be this way. Josslyn says, then he has to say goodbye to Cameron and Trina. She tells him, get dressed, and meet her in the living room in ten minutes.

Cameron tells Trina that their ride share is almost there. She says her dad hasn’t responded to her texts; she guesses he’s not coming. Cameron looks out, and sees an SUV. He says they’re going premium tonight. He tells Trina that he can talk to the driver, and see if he’s willing to wait, but Trina says, let’s just go. She thanks Elizabeth for the pictures. She’ll have some great shots to show her dad. Elizabeth tells them, have fun, and Cameron says, will do. Franco hustles them out, and Cameron wonders if he’s trying to get rid of them. Elizabeth reminds him to text the driver’s information to her. They leave, and Elizabeth asks Franco if Cameron is right. Was he trying to get rid of them?

Jordan says Taggert is lucky it wasn’t worse, and Curtis says, then there would be one. Taggert says Cyrus will find him if he wants to. Jordan says they’ve been catching up since Bob was killed, and it’s time to get in front. Taggert said he had a plan; let’s hear it. He says she’s not going to like it.

Laura says she and Sonny have been friends a long time. She knows there’s a line he won’t cross in his business; he has a certain integrity. When she took the oath of office, she vowed to put Port Charles above all else, including her personal relationships. Sonny understands where Laura is coming from, and says he’d never ask her to compromise for his sake. She appreciates that, but says she can’t look other way if a turf war threatens the safety of the city. Jason says, with all due respect, they care about the city as much as she does. She says she doesn’t doubt that, but in Sonny’s business, there can be some very ugly turns, and she thinks that’s what happened. Sonny says he didn’t start it, and she says she knows that, but it doesn’t matter. This is on her watch. When innocent people are shot at, the piers are a war zone again, and warehouses are blowing up, the people who live in those areas – low income people who don’t have a lot of choices – are afraid. The parents wonder if their kids will get home safe, or at all. All they want, is for it to stop. That’s why she’s there. If anyone knows how stop this thing, it’s him.

Elizabeth tells Franco, she thought Cameron and Trina were just friends, but after the way Cameron looking at Trina tonight, she’s not so sure. Franco says, it’s a big night for them – and him and Elizabeth too. He says, she thought he forgot. He gives her a small box, and says, happy anniversary.

Brook and Nikolas clink glasses. Ava says it will be her pleasure to help Julian handle Brook, and it might help her solve a problem of her own. She needs Nikolas to cheat, and she needs to have proof, or she can’t get out of the marriage. Julian says, that’s barely a minor inconvenience, and she says Julian is so grouchy when he thinks he’s backed into a corner. He’s lucky he has a sister who’s a pro at thinking outside the box. She was going to use Elizabeth to tempt Nikolas, but it’s important to have back up, and Brook just might fit the bill. Ava walks over to the bar and says, forget the drink. She’s changed her mind. She’d rather be home with Nikolas. She takes his hand, and leads him out. He asks if she’s jealous. She can always divorce him. She says, not on his life. They made a deal, and he’s sticking to it.

Brook returns to Julian’s table, and says, so before they were rudely interrupted, what’s his answer? He says, she told him, all ten fingers, correct? He holds out his hand, and they shake.

Laura tells Sonny, she came out of respect because he’s an old friend. She gets up, and says, but if she’s wrong, and Sonny isn’t able to end this thing before it escalates any further, she’ll have to do what she has to in order to protect the city. Sonny gets up, and says he wouldn’t expect anything less. After all, he voted for her. Jason holds the door open, and she walks out, holding back tears. Jason and Sonny look at each other.

Josslyn comes downstairs, looking lovely, also in a shimmery cocktail dress. Dev asks how she did that so fast, and she says nothing inspires her more than being told she can’t do something. She tells him, they have to go, and he follows her out.

Taggert tells Jordan, he’s crossed the line in the past. Each time, he weighed the risks, and made a choice, believing the ends justified the means. Now he’s crossed a line he never thought he’d cross. Curtis says, desperate times, and Taggert says, right. The stakes are too high for pride or holding a grudge. He went to Sonny, and asked if Sonny would work with him to take Cyrus down.

Carly sees Dev’s backpack, and says, really. The kids leave everything lying around. She picks it up, and everything falls out. While she’s picking it all up, she finds a bullet.

Cameron asks the driver if he can step on it; they’re a tiny bit late. Trina says she doesn’t mind, and tells him to take his time. Better safe than sorry. Cameron and Trina chatter back and forth, and we see the driver is the guy who followed Taggert to the pier.

Tomorrow, Neil tells TJ, if it feels right, go for it; Carly asks why there’s a bullet in Dev’s backpack; Taggert calls Curtis for help; and Cameron and Trina’s driver says, there’s been a change in plans.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

When Melissa met with Danielle, Danielle said boutique owner Steven told her to pull Marge’s hair, and Teresa encouraged her. We saw a clip of Teresa getting in Danielle’s face, and saying, do it! Do it! Do it! Melissa said she was shocked, and going to let Teresa know what Danielle said. Rather than badmouth Teresa, Melissa said it confirmed that Teresa was not in the right frame of mind. Danielle said Marge had put her through a lot, but Melissa wasn’t having it. She said Danielle had gone too far and shouldn’t have put her hands on anybody, and ended their friendship. At the house, the party was beginning to start, with an amazing barbecue that had just about everything imaginable on the grill. In Melissa’s interview, she said Danielle was a pathological liar, but she didn’t think Danielle would throw Teresa under the bus like that if it wasn’t true. And if it was, it was the end of Marge and Teresa’s friendship. By the time Melissa got to the party, it was in full swing, and there were tons of guests, including my favorite, Marge Sr.

Melissa was basically accosted by the group, who wanted to know how the meeting had gone. Melissa told them it was rough. She said Danielle said that Steven told her to pull Marge’s hair, and Marge didn’t believe it, but we saw a clip of that too. I find it a lot more disturbing that a grown man, who owns a boutique, is making this kind of suggestion to a woman, than table-flipper Teresa encouraging that behavior. Melissa said Danielle also said Teresa told her, do it. Marge didn’t believe that either, and of course everyone said what a liar Danielle always is. Melissa asked Teresa if Danielle was lying, and Teresa said she was drinking and everything happened so fast. In Dolores’s interview, she said it never crossed her mind that Teresa was involved in the hair pulling. Marge called Teresa an a-hole, and said Teresa’s good friend Danielle threw her under the bus to save herself. Marge walked off, and Teresa gave the finger to the camera, then went on a rampage, flinging a Solo cup at the camera, and throwing stuff around. Girlfriend was very stressed.

Teresa stomped inside, saying they were all effing a-holes. I’m not sure if she meant the group, the party guests in general, or the production team. She said she was going home. In her interview, Melissa said she’d known Teresa a long time, and when you call her out on something she shouldn’t have done, she doesn’t take it well. Teresa holed up in the bathroom, and outside the door, Dolores said the only way to rectify it, was to apologize to Marge and never talk to Danielle again. Melissa said she got that Teresa wanted to have fun with all the stress in her life, but she was choosing the wrong people to have it with. When Teresa emerged, she said she was glad Danielle stood up for herself. In Teresa’s interview, she said she was angry at Marge, and drinking a lot. Out in the yard, while Marge didn’t let this stop her from enjoying the food, Joe #2 said he thought they should talk it out. Marge said it made her sick. Dolores told Teresa that Marge deserved an apology. Right then and there, Teresa called Danielle, and told her that Melissa had outed her for outing Teresa. But ultimately, it was Danielle’s decision to pony pull. Danielle told Teresa that afterwards, she’d said she wished she hadn’t done it, and not to let this come between them. Teresa stood firm, and said they weren’t friends anymore. She told the others, she wanted to talk to Marge in private, and she’d be on the front porch.

Marge met with Teresa, who apologized, and said she felt bad. Marge said her first instinct was not to believe it. Teresa said she knows she shouldn’t have done it (can you hear this in her voice?), but maybe it had to happen for her to wake up, and be done with Danielle. Marge said she needed time to process it. In Marge’s interview, she said the idea of someone she’s close with being in on attacking her was mind-boggling. And on top of it, Teresa defended Danielle. In the backyard, Jennifer said, if any good came out if it, at least Teresa realized her friendship with Danielle is toxic. When Marge came back, she said she didn’t know whether to sh*t or go blind, and I wondered when was the last time I heard that phrase.

Since the second half-hour was dedicated to Teresa’s Italy trip with the girls, they did the finale credits here. There was absolutely nothing of interest, except that David still hasn’t moved into the new house. He’s living with Dolores and Frank. Dolores can’t get him to move out, or give her a ring. Whatever works.

Five months later. We sped through what happened with Joe, ending with him moving to Italy. He now looks like Mike The Situation Sorrentino. There was the fastest trip to Italy ever, not even using the Concord, and we flashed back to a previous trip when the girls were little. The girls were thrilled to see their dad, but two seconds in, Joe said he’d forgotten how stressful they could be. They checked into a gorgeous hotel, and Teresa asked if Joe expected sleep with her. They hadn’t been together in four years, and it was kind of weird. He was the same uncommunicative jerk he’s always been.

They took the girls to the Amalfi coast, and on the way, a rainbow dazzled us all. Gia leaning her head on her dad’s shoulder broke my heart. They went shopping, and in Gia’s interview, she said their family had been on an emotional roller coaster. It made her realize it was the little moments that count. She was holding on to every moment, and cherishing it. In Teresa’s interview, she said she thought Joe wanted to be a couple again, but she hadn’t been happy with him for a long time. She didn’t want to hurt him, but sometimes you can’t get over what happened, and need to move on. At a tearful dinner, Joe told the girls that he was sorry about what happened, but would always do what he could to keep them together.

Teresa asked Joe how he saw them, and said she wanted someone with her every day. She reminded him that he’d said hurtful things, like he wished he’d never married her. He was supposed to protect her, and she trusted him. Joe said it was a bogus crime that people don’t even do time for, and it was in the past. Teresa said she hadn’t been the same since. A lot had happened, and they lived in two different countries. He asked if she wanted to just end it now. In her interview, Teresa said it was infuriating. After four years, Joe still wasn’t taking responsibility for what he’d done. He hadn’t changed. She told Joe that she never wanted to hurt him, and wanted him to be endlessly happy. He said he felt the same about her, and that he’d spend the night with the girls. They hugged for the first time, and it seemed genuine.

Teresa said she wasn’t ready to tell the girls, and they were still fighting the appeal. There was still a chance Joe could come back to the US. She was just happy Joe was out and free, and that her daughters can be reunited with their dad, even if they had to get on a plane to do it. It wasn’t the end.

The ending text said that the girls spent Christmas with Joe. They were still waiting on the appeal, and were hopeful. Teresa said since now that chapter was closed, she could start thinking about what makes Teresa happy.

My big question. Why does everyone think a party is where to bring up a personal issue? In Melissa’s case tonight, she was immediately surrounded, but the traditional practice is for someone to bring up a hot button issue in the middle of a party. Usually the celebration of some poor, unrelated, unsuspecting person, and it ruins the good time. Even better, it’s often in public. I’m just glad I don’t know any of these people personally.

💰 She Does Have Bank Now…

I actually think this is one couple who won’t need a prenup because they’re going to make it.

https://radaronline.com/photos/vpr-star-stassi-schroeder-works-on-prenup-with-fiance/

👶🏽 Baby Shams Is Living His Best Life…

I’m not so sure going to the park every week is anyone else’s idea of tradition though.

https://pagesix.com/2020/02/24/shahs-star-mj-javid-wants-to-have-more-children/

🐎 Git Along Little LeeAnne…

I honestly think she’s just thoughtless, and I’m sorry to see her go. And it’s kind of like when new neighbors move in. Even if you’re glad to see the old ones go, you wonder what you’re going to get.

https://people.com/tv/leeanne-locken-is-leaving-real-housewives-of-dallas-after-4-seasons/

✌🏼 Two Degrees…

Middle of the week. Malcolm in the Middle. Life is unfair…

February 23, 2020 – Alpha Rewards Negan, Mud Run On Sunset, An Upcoming 90, a Real Drag & Monday Purr

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What I Watched Today

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

 

The Walking Dead

As we left them, Carol and Daryl’s group are trapped in a cave of zombies. They stand on a ledge, the zombies below them reaching up. Alpha stands above them with a torch, and when Carol sees her, she screams. Alpha goes outside, and tells the guard, they don’t get out. She drops the torch.

Magna tries jumping up to the next level, but falls. Luckily, not into the zombies below. Daryl says, it’s too high; she’ll break her neck. The zombies are so noisy, I can barely hear the dialogue. Daryl looks around with a flashlight, and asks if they’re ready. He jumps onto a rock that sticks above the zombie horde. The zombies gather around him, and he jumps to the next one. Carol follows. Zombies clamor around them, but they kick the dead away. Magna is next, and nearly slips. Jerry comes after. Connie tells Kelly to step in the same places she does, and jumps. Aaron says, do it now, and Kelly jumps, but nearly falls. She punches a few zombies in the head, and regains her balance. On the other side, Daryl helps Carol. Aaron makes the leap, and Connie and Kelly cling to each other. A zombie grabs Jerry’s leg, and he cuts its arm off. Daryl begins to climb up. He tells Connie that he needs her stay there, and keep everyone together.

Aaron asks Jerry how he’s doing, and Jerry says, not great. Kelly asks how long Jerry thinks they’ll be there, and Jerry says he doesn’t know, but they’ll get out. He wonders how the zombies got there, and Aaron says, they’re theirs. Carol says she’s a little winded, and Aaron tells the others that Carol is claustrophobic. Magna says, she should have thought of that before, but Aaron says it’s not the time for that. Magna says it seems like they have plenty of it. She asks Carol what she was thinking of, running off by herself. Daryl tells her, they have no time for this sh*t. They got into this mess together, and they’ll get out of it together.

Negan hangs with the Whisperers. Gamma tells Alpha, the enemy is watching them. Beta says they underestimated them, and Alpha says she wants patrols around the camp. She tells Gamma, take a walk around the border. Negan watches everything.

The group stands in a cave of stalactites. Aaron fixes his hand. Kelly asks Connie if she thinks it’s day or night, and Connie signs, try not to think about it. Magna asks Daryl for his matches, telling him that she needs to do something. Daryl gives them to her, and Carol sits next to him. She says she never told him that she was claustrophobic, and he says if he hadn’t known, he wouldn’t have said it. He can’t even turn his back on her anymore. It’s bad enough Negan is with the skin freaks; now he worries about her going off half-cocked every time they go outside. He begged her to talk to him; he wants to be there for her, and doesn’t know what to do anymore. Carol says she can’t stop thinking about it. She has to, but she can’t. She doesn’t just want to kill Alpha; she wants to hurt her. She wants Alpha to beg her forgiveness, and then kill her. Daryl says, if he’d gone through all the sh*t she did, he’d feel the same way – unless she tried to stop him. She has to quit all this. The people they care about are starting to get hurt. Carol says she didn’t mean for any of this to happen. She knows she has to… He says, don’t bullsh*t him. She’s got to promise. He’s got to know they’re on the same page. They’re fighting for a future, not revenge. Carol says she promises, and leans on him.

Magna looks around using the matches as a light. She looks in a hole, the match goes out, and she shouts.

Daryl and Jerry fight off zombies. Daryl tells Magna, let’s go. Magna is concerned they’ll get split up in the dark, and Carol says, stick together. They move forward. Daryl looks inside a crevice.

Back at the Whisperer camp, Negan tells Alpha that he wants to talk to her. She asks, what about? and he says, Gamma. Alpha needs to keep her eyes peeled. Alpha says, there’s a spy in the woods, but he says he has an alternate theory. The spy she’s looking for is in the camp. He’s been where she is, and if she doesn’t want to end up where he is now, he suggests she zig where he zagged. She says they’re very different, and he says he had people, he had a system, and thought they believed in him. Stay king or queen long enough, people will keep telling you your sh*t doesn’t stink, and even you’ll start believing it. The thing is, it still stinks. Based on his personal experience, she should look closer to home. He’s not talking about Frankenstein; he’s talking about Gamma. She’s close enough to Alpha to know where the horde is. She’s guarding the border, and is close enough to the enemy, that they could have gotten to her. Alpha puts her knife between his legs, and pushes it against his crotch; not cutting him, but he’s definitely uncomfortable. She says she won’t have him paranoid, and pushes him to the ground.

The group continues through the cave system. Carol tells Connie, she’ll be fine in a minute. Connie takes her hand, and spells out U R OK on Carol’s palm. Carol joins the others, and one by one, they squeeze through a narrow passageway. It’s a tight squeeze, but they make it through to a thin tunnel where they have to crawl. Aaron asks if Jerry is okay, and Jerry says it’s a hard fit in airplane bathrooms. Why wouldn’t he be okay? Daryl finally pulls himself out, and says, follow his voice. He helps the others as they come through. Carol hyperventilates, and Daryl calls to her. He asks if she’s hurt, and she says she’s okay. He tells her to follow his light, but she says she can’t. He says she can; they’re going to get through this together. She forces herself to move, and he pulls her out. We hear something in the tunnel, and Jerry realizes zombies are crawling up behind him. He tells them, go! and I says, no, not Jerry.

It’s chaotic as they try to move faster. Daryl reaches for them, helping them out. Jerry gets closer, but a zombie keeps pulling at him. He says he’s stuck, and Daryl says, take his hand. He pulls, and two zombies (I guess they’re pretty thin, since they’re wasting away) grab at Jerry’s leg. Jerry takes his gear off, while the zombies tug at him. Daryl finally pulls him out, and stabs the first zombie in the head. Jerry’s shoe is torn up, but Kelly says he wasn’t bitten. Aaron splatters the other zombie’s head.

Magna says, look, and starts moving forward, but Daryl pulls her back. She’s at the edge of a cliff. Daryl creates a makeshift torch, and drops it down. It falls a million miles, and they hear zombies. Apparently, they’re on another ledge, higher up, and basically where they started.

They move on to a more open area, and see that it’s a mine shaft. Kelly tells Connie, they have to be careful. Take out the wrong thing, and the whole thing will collapse.

Obviously jazzed, Alpha wants to talk to Beta. She asks where Gamma is, and Beta says, she never made it to the border. Alpha wants a scout sent out to find her, and Beta wonders if she’s been captured. Alpha says, or she’s a spy. Track her down, and bring her. Beta says if Gamma betrayed Alpha, he’ll kill her, but Alpha says that’s her job.

Daryl tells everyone, find something to dig with. Kelly uncovers a box of dynamite, and brings a stick over to Daryl. Jerry says, really cool, but it’s sweatier than he is. Maybe someone left it because it’s dangerous. He tells her, put it back, very carefully. Kelly places it back in the box, and covers the box back up. Aaron and Magna pull pieces of wood and such out of the way. Aaron says Magna wants to get home in a hurry, and she says she doesn’t want be there any longer than she has to. She didn’t leave things good with Yumiko. Aaron says he’s sorry.

Negan takes bark off tree stump. Alpha walks past, and says, you. He says, looks like mom’s mad at him, and follows. She drops behind him, and tells him, keep walking. He says it feels like some sort of fraternity initiation. Is he getting his skin suit, and learning the secret Whisperer handshake? She tells him, eyes front. She doesn’t want to talk. He says he’s down with that. He just… won’t… talk. After two seconds, he says he’s big enough to admit he’s not good with long uncomfortable silences. She says, stop here. He starts to turn, and she tells him, she said eyes front. He says, sh*t, and she tells him to take off his clothes. He says, she was right. They are different. He made himself into a monster because it’s what the world needed. He takes his clothes off as he talks. He says he built something. He saved people. His name meant something. She tells him, turn around. He says, whoa. She’s naked, and says, he’s a crass man. She reckoned he’d appreciate a crass reward. He says, for what? and she says, the spy. Gamma. It took courage to do what he did. She wants to express her gratitude in a way he understands. Negan asks if she’s just going to leave the mask on, and she asks if her true skin disturbs him. He says, not at all, and they almost kiss. He says, wait. It’s not some sort of praying mantis situation, is it? Where she’s going to cut off his head after. They almost kiss again, and he says, sorry. He can’t help but notice she didn’t say no. It’s been a long time, so he reckons he’ll take his chances. She touches his face, and tells him, stop talking. They kiss. Alrighty then.

Daryl sees daylight, and Kelly looks through a hole in the ceiling. She says, just a little more, and he asks where Carol is. He says, dammit, and turns back.

Carol is wandering around like the nutbar she’s become. She starts to climb up the side of a wall, lights a match, and slips. We hear zombies below. A shadow falls over her. It’s Daryl, who tells her to take his hand. He pulls her up, and asks, what is she doing? She’s going to get herself killed. She says Alpha killed her boy, and he says she’s got to come back with him… please. She slips again.

The ceiling starts falling in, and Aaron tells everyone to move. Connie asks signs to Magna, asking where she’s going, and Magna says she’ll be right back. Someone might be hurt. Connie goes with her. Kelly pops out back into the world, and we hear crumbling sounds from the mine. A Whisperer comes running toward her, and Kelly fights it off. She calls to Aaron that they’ve got friends; there are more coming. Inside the mine, Jerry holds up the ceiling beams with his shoulders, like he’s Aquaman or something. Kelly fights off a couple more Whisperers. By now Aaron is out, and helps her. Connie and Magna help Carol. Daryl gets out, and helps bring Carol out. Dirt is starting to shower down, and I wonder how on earth Jerry is going to get out. Magna sees a Whisperer in the mine, and tells him, get out. Aaron helps gives Jerry a hand, and joins the others, but the cave implodes, trapping Magna and Connie.

Kelly yells, no! and runs back. Daryl tries moving rocks away, but Aaron says, it will take a week to clear it. Kelly cries, but tells Daryl the zombies are close. They don’t want their backs pressed against the mountain when the walkers come. They can’t save the others if they’re bit. She cries some more, and Carol tells Daryl, he was right; just say it. She reaches out for him, but he throws her hand off. She says they’re gone because of her; just say it. Carol seems to be totally falling apart. Daryl tells Aaron, go home. Tell the others they found the horde. Aaron asks where Daryl is going to be, and Daryl says, others got out before them. There has to be another way in. Carol stands there while the others head back.

Next time, Gamma tells the Alexandrians that the people they sent out are in trouble, Gabriel makes a strategy, and Daryl is trapped.

Shahs of Sunset

Reza runs while he flashes back on his problems. In his interview, he says MJ sent him a text, saying she didn’t have anything to do with anything, and now he can’t trust Destiney. How did this happen?

GG meets Reza at a park, and he tells her that he and Adam are doing a mud run. Adam has been begging him to do it. In Reza’s interview, he says, with all the negativity swirling around, thank God. Any time he does unity building activities with his crew, there’s a moment he loves them. Then afterward, they can go back to picking that scab. He and GG jog, and he tells her, wave to the people. She says she’s tired already, and tells Reza that her doctor told her to start doing light cardio. In GG’s interview, she says she started IVF, but she’s keeping it secret for now. They sit on a bench, and discuss Ali’s accusations about Adam. GG says Ali told her that it was the three of them – him, Destiney, and MJ – but she doesn’t believe any of them. Reza says he lost his mind when Ali said Adam had sexually harassed him. He must have talked to someone. GG says, when she’d shown MJ the pictures Adam sent, MJ she said it was borderline sexual harassment. Reza says, this doesn’t feel good.

Destiney’s 1965 Lincoln convertible (named Poison) has a flat, and she waits for the tow truck. In her interview, she says she doesn’t like being vulnerable. There are moments when she wishes she had a husband to handle a situation. It’s different when a dude says he’s got you. The tow guy comes, and a possum peeks out from the bushes. Destiney nearly runs into it, and teleports backward, hollering. I nearly die laughing. She asks if it’s okay, and realizes it’s pregnant. The tow guy is now dying laughing. In Destiney’s interview, she says it’s a damsel in distress. She tells the possum, she’s got this. She’s an effing possum. She’s strong and crazy. A stranger comes, and picks up the possum in a towel, finding a safe place for her to deliver her babies. In her interview, Destiney says, he’s some sort of Prince Charming. She’s not into princes, but hopes here’s a Viking warrior out there for her.

Nema goes to his office, and tells editor TJ that he has footage for him. In his interview, Nema says his partners’ offices are half jungle gym, half photo studio. It’s where influencers make videos that make you feel bad about yourself. He says his assistant Erica was the right girl at the wrong time. They dated for two years after his divorce, but then came GG and the almost kiss. We flash back to that. He says, Erica is still working for him, and asks how you let go of someone so supportive and loving? Erica is going to Barcelona for two weeks, and Nema wonders how he’s going to manage. She’s running talent for a major shoe brand, and it throws him back in to the minutiae of their projects, when he has other things to do, like go to the gym. Erica says they have a strong working relationship, and he says he thought they’d get married, but she’s like, no. He says he thinks she’s the best relationship in his life, but he’s the worst in hers. She thinks she can definitely do better. At least they’re honest. There’s something to be said for that.

GG meets a friend at a Chinese herb place, where they also make health drinks. She explains to the owner that she’s having a bumpy ride with the IVF. She asks him to surprise them, and he concocts something that’s supposed to improve a woman’s jing, which is the essence or life force. In GG’s interview, she says she had egg retrieval at 37, and she’s trying thicken her uterine lining, by using everything from patches to suppositories, but nothing is working. GG takes a sip, and says she’s already glowing. The owner says he sees the glow. Her friend asks, what’s going on? and GG talks about her uterine lining. She says she wants it so badly. In GG’s interview, she says she’s worried about being pregnant at her age. When she was younger, she was irresponsible. She was lucky to live in California where she had a way out, which I guess is a delicate way of saying she had several abortions. She says, now she’s trying, and her body isn’t responding. The owner brings another drink, and says, it’s zen shen, to lift the spirits. In her interview, GG says the day the embryo is placed in her, is the day she stops smoking weed, and everyone is making a bigger deal out of it than it is.

Mike goes to Kenmore, the property he and his brothers invested in. He goes inside, and discovers they left everything behind. He calls his brother Jonathan. In Mike’s interview, he says, to get the final permits, he needs an empty building. He explains to Jonathan how to take selfies. Dad Shawn appears, and in his interview, Mike says he wonders if his dad trusts him. Shawn says, the most important thing is the loan, but Mike says he needs a contract first. Shawn wants to wait until a guy he knows is free, but Mike has someone who’s ready to go. In Mike’s interview, he says his father studied electrical engineering in Germany, and has does electrical contracting since coming to America, but his father won’t be dealing with the contractor; Mike will. Shawn tells Mike that he’ll have to be on top of things. There will be no second chances. In his interview, mike says he had a hard time connecting with his dad while he was growing up, but as he’s gotten older, he’s realized how much wisdom his dad has to share. It’s his last chance to prove himself, and he’s trying to keep his composure.

Miss Moo! In his interview, Reza says, all the things he loves about Adam are why Ali was able to get so close so fast. Adam thinks everyone is good until they show him they’re not. With Reza, they have to jump through a thousand hoops, and if they persevere, he’ll let them in. GG comes by, and Reza tells her, he needs an over-the-top Persian team T-shirt for the mud run. He says, what about Hood rats? In GG’s interview, she says she called Reza a hood rat when he’d been acting like one. Now it’s turned into a joke. Reza irons the name onto a shirt. Reza asks if she wants some carrot cake, and slices a piece for her. In his interview, he says, GG smokes more weed than Snoop Dogg. She’s high all the time. She’s not someone who eats regularly, or exercises, and they’re trying to change that. Sara arrives, so Miss Moo is relegated to the bedroom. She’s afraid of animals, and we flash back to her encounters with various pets. In her interview, she says she had a paper route growing up, and dogs would charge her. She has to make sure she knows where all pets are. The group makes shirts, and a kumquat tree is delivered. It’s from Destiney, and Sara asks, what’s going on? Destiney had a whole episode at the beach. We flash back to that, and Reza says Destiney didn’t reach out. GG says, maybe she’s scared; he’s a scary person. She thought he was her big brother, and now she’s hurt him. Reza says, when GG hurts someone, doesn’t she want to reach out? GG says, maybe Destiney is figuring out how to do it.

Destiney goes to get her lashes done. She hopes Reza sees the kumquat as an olive branch. Well, an actual olive branch might have gotten that point across better.

Adam reads the card. Paraphrasing, Destiney says she hates how everything came down, and hopes they like the kumquat tree. Adam tells GG, Destiney didn’t say she was sorry, and GG suggests he focus on what Destiney said, not what she didn’t say. She tells him, some people have a hard time with it, and that’s coming from someone who does. Adam says GG apologized to him, but she says she didn’t apologize to Reza for years. We flash back to that altercation. Reza says, maybe if Destiney had sent it the day after, he’d feel different. They can co-exist, but he doesn’t want her to know anything about him. In his interview, he says he’s looking at the potential loss of a 30-year friendship, and the potential betrayal of a childhood friend.

Destiney looks at Reza’s text. He thanks her for the plant, but goes on to say her actions aren’t pure. He says he doesn’t trust her, but can co-exist with her. He tells her about the mud run, and says, if she wants to, she can come. She tries not to cry, and says she’s used to men who are family, or like family, giving up on her. In her interview, she says she has no male figures in her life who she can trust. The only person who’s been there for her is Reza. We flash back to Reza encouraging her to talk to her mother about her father. She says he’s the only person who’s seen and felt what her family would have been if everything had been okay.

GG’s mom Fati calls her while she’s driving to the doctor. Fati asks if GG needs anything, or wants her to come along, but GG says she’s good. Fati says to call her after the appointment. In GG’s interview, she says it’s her last shot. If she couldn’t get her uterine lining thicker, she might have to consider another option where she doesn’t carry her own child.

Destiney and her assistant Rose go to pick up Destiney’s car. In Destiney’s interview, she says she doesn’t drive Poison all the time, since she doesn’t want many miles on it. But when she’s feeling sad or depressed, she puts the top down and takes her bra off. It makes her go into a zone of peace. She tells mechanic Benny, it might be the only thing she’s ever really cared for. She slips him some cash, and tells him, hold onto it, like she’s getting on a roller coaster and giving him her purse. On the way back, Destiney tells Rose that Reza doesn’t want to talk to her, but she loves him. He’s the only one whose seen the dynamic of her mom and dad. She was crying when Reza got in the fight with Ali. Can’t she be human? It’s so effed up.

Reza gets the T-shirts ready for the gathering before the mud run. Reza gives Mike his shirt, saying it came out so well, he wants it back after the run. Mike says he’ll sell it to him. He tells Reza that he’s not participating because of his sciatica. Been there, and feel his pain. He asks if Adam’s shirt says naked Jenga on it, and Adam turns around to show Mike that it says, I’m with him >, and Mike says, unless he’s out of town. To my surprise, both Adam and Reza laugh. Nema and Sara arrive. In Reza’s interview, he says, after the week he’s had, he feels truly blessed. They’re going to exercise, and cheer each other on. They’re going to act like sweet white people who didn’t flee a country.

GG comes out of the doctor’s office, and gets in her car. She doesn’t look happy and dabs at her eyes, so I’m guessing the news wasn’t good. Then she says, it’s last few weeks she can smoke pot. Ha-ha! She fooled us. She calls Fati, and says, they’re doing the transfer on Friday. In GG’s interview, she says her uterine lining is finally thick enough. It’s exciting. She’s finally going to be pregnant. Fati says, it’s good to hear that.

In his interview, Reza says, Destiney’s shirt was made with the least amount of love. He wrote her name in White-Out pen, and it looks like a reflection of their friendship at this point. Destiney shows up, and tells Nema that she doesn’t know if she should come in, but Nema and Mike welcome her. She hugs Adam, and says she wants to talk, but Adam thinks she should talk Reza first. She asks Reza if she can talk to him privately before they head out. He’s surprisingly agreeable, and she says she didn’t want to be uncomfortable. He says he’s not uncomfortable. She says he thanked her for the plant, but it’s a tree (like this matters). He says he thought they were going to talk about naked Jenga. Ali talked about sexual harassment, and if he’d been Destiney, Reza would have said this is the first he’d heard of it, but she didn’t. He assumes she knew already. She says she didn’t know what Ali was going to say; it threw her for a loop. She never wanted to be involved, and Ali specifically told her that MJ told him to do it. In Destiney’s interview, she says, after her lunch with Ali, she yelled at him, and he said, MJ told him to do it. She took a step back, and realized maybe the person she loved as a sister had set her up. Reza said he knew Destiney was either set up or involved. Destiney says she effed up, and he says that’s all he wanted to hear. He hugs her, and says now that he knows she was used, it’s 100% authentic, and they’re good. In Reza’s interview, he says he doesn’t think Destiney is involved. She wasn’t held up at home on bedrest, moving chess pieces around, and trying to figure sh*t out. They get in the van, and Reza tells everyone, they had a  good conversation. Now can they get excited?

The race starts. Mike and Sara cheer from the sidelines. It’s like a huge obstacle course, and GG says her hip hurts already. She and Destiney hang back, and GG says, they’ll cheat. The others have to come back this way, so they’ll just pretend they did it. They splash some water on their faces, jog in place, and hyperventilate. On his way back, Nema asks how they did with the wall. In Reza’s interview, he says they’re going through obstacles together, and helping each other, but in life, they’re not practicing the things they’re practicing here. It’s not happening if they can’t be there for each other in life.

GG says she’s doing a dirt walk. Reza says he’s got mud in his crotch, and a great sense of accomplishment. He says he wants that for GG, and pushes her into a mud puddle pool. Destiney says, the last time she did this sh*t, she was running from the cops. She runs up to wall that everyone else is scaling, and takes the stairs on the side. In Nema’s interview, he says his friends are the only healthy relationships in his life. They’re like family, and replaced the huge void left post-divorce. They go down a huge slide, into another mud puddle. Cool. I’d do that. Mike takes pictures.

Afterwards, the group heads to the beer and sausage tent. Mike pulls out a Jenga game. In Mike’s interview, he says he loves the fact that they’re cheering each other on, but a part of him is empty because one of his best friends isn’t there. GG knocks over the game, and Adam tells her, get naked right now.   

Next time, Baby Shams comes home, Reza’s hair products are going to be sold in Las Vegas, and Sara’s brother gets busy with Destiney.

🏎 Coming Soon…

A new season of 90 Day Fiance: What Now? begins on Monday, April 20th on TLC. You can check out who’s who here:

https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/90-day-fiance-what-now-cast-find-out-whos-returning-to-spinoff/

And also on TLC on April 20th is a new offering, Dragnificent, a makeover show that looks like a lot of fun and very promising. You can read all about it here:

https://people.com/tv/tlc-dragnificent-series-premiere-trailer-exclusive/

👅 I Can Taste It Now…

And suddenly, the weekend’s not there anymore.

February 16, 2020 – No Fish Mating Here, Blessed, Catching Up With the Wives, the Dead Is Coming, Maggie U Up & Going Zen For February

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

Shahs of Sunset

Reza asks Adam if he was playing strip Jenga, which still sounds as stupid as it did last week. Adam says, no, but Reza says Ali told MJ that he had. Adam scoffs that it’s coming from Ali, and says he’s going to bed. He immaturely locks the door, but Reza wants to talk to him. Adam admits, when Reza was out of town, he jokingly told Ali that he’d been playing strip games. Reza says Adam can’t blame anyone other than himself, and he led Ali too deeply into their lives. Now there’s backlash. In Reza’s interview, he says, Ali is a troublemaker who’s befriended all of them. As soon as Adam included him, he was everywhere. We see clips of Ali Making like Zelig. Reza says when they were in Las Vegas, Adam found out Ali was talking sh*t about their personal information. Adam cut Ali out of their lives, and he thought they weren’t looking back. Either Adam is being a d*ck or intentionally trying to hurt him. He tells Adam, there’s nothing left to say right now.

Mike gets his teeth checked by dentist brother David. In Mike’s interview, he says, once your teeth go, you look like a crackhead. They discuss their real estate investment. In his interview, Mike talks about the east Hollywood duplex he and his brothers bought, and we flash back to that. He says the area has now become worthy of developing their proposed 24 units, and they stand to make a lot of money. Brother Jonathan arrives, and Mike shows them some estimates. He says, it’s a lot of risk, but David thinks between the three of them, they can accomplish it. Mike says their trust means a lot to him, and since the majority of the project will be on his shoulders, he’s going to expect a salary. In his interview, he tells us that while his brothers are financially contributing, he’s contributing two years of his life. Jonathan asks him to draw up a proposal, and Mike says, that’s fair.

GG meets friend Sara for lunch. In her interview, GG says she needs positive people around her that have their sh*t together. Sara knew Reza somewhat already, since she was in college with Reza’s cousin, and then met Destiney. We see a clip of Sara offering to help Destiney with her business, and Destiney being snippy about not knowing Sara well. In her interview, Sara says she has an MBA in finance, and wasn’t looking to sell herself to Destiney. She grew up in Indiana, where there was a small Persian community, but her parents grew up in Iran, so they weren’t as Americanized as some families. She watered it down in school. In GG’s interview, she says, where she grew up, there was no Persian culture, so she and Sara are very similar. GG has been googling what helps getting pregnant, and says she read about grunions mating on the beach during the full moon. She thinks watching this will somehow help, or be inspirational, or something.

MJ and Tommy pull into the hospital parking garage. In her interview, MJ says she’s at 36 weeks, and it’s the end of the road. On Christmas Eve, the doctor said her cervix was shrinking, and there was a chance of miscarriage. She had to stay on bedrest for three and a half months. At 34 weeks, it was discovered she was at risk for cholecystitis, a disease that causes the gallbladder to stop functioning. The doctor suggested inducing her at 36 weeks, as the disease causes the stillbirth risk to increase at that time.

Reza calls Destiney, and wants to set up a meeting with Ali. In his interview, Reza says Ali knows more about his husband than he does, and he needs to find out how MJ is connected. Mike goes to the bakery to get dessert for Passover; he’s having twenty-two people over, and it’s his first Passover with Paulina. In Reza’s interview, he says, every high holiday, Mike has a new lady in his life. We flash back to the holidays with Mike’s various girlfriends. Reza says, it’s like a wine pairing. Reza meets Mike, and they eat some pastries as they talk about MJ having the baby. Reza says Tommy texted him that MJ had an emergency C-section, and lost a lot of blood. She needed to have her uterus and one fallopian tube removed. In his interview, he says they imagined the day MJ would give birth, but he didn’t think he’d be happy and worried at the same time. Adam calls Reza, who says he’ll talk to Adam later. He tells Mike that Ali created a problem because of some bullsh*t about naked Jenga. He doesn’t want Ali around, and doesn’t want to associate with people who know him. A rabbi comes by, and ties a small leather box (a tefillin, see link below) around Mike’s head, and Mike asks him to pray for MJ. In Mike’s interview, he says, during Passover, it’s a mitzvah to bless other Jews.

Destiney meets Ali, and they order drinks. She says she didn’t know the extent of the issue with Adam. In her interview, she says she’s upset with Ali, giving out information to hurt a man she’s loved and known for decades. Ali says, he’s uncomfortable too. Reza joins them, and everyone sits in awkward silence for a while. Reza says he has a question about what Ali’s motivation is, and Ali says he’s not being malicious. MJ said Reza wasn’t happy in his relationship, and since she’s his best friend, he trusted her. Reza says he’s known MJ for twenty-five years; how long has Ali known her? Ali says, three years, but if he was in Reza’s shoes, he’d want know that Adam was sending his friends inappropriate texts. He tells Reza that he got them from Adam several times a day, to the point he felt sexually harassed, and Adam has done it to other people. Reza asks if Ali is crazy, and who TF does he think he is? If he says harassment again, Reza is going to knock him into next week. Ali shows Reza a pile of printed out texts. In his interview, Reza says he knows Adam sends out inappropriate texts; he’s sent them to Mike, and also to Reza. Adam doesn’t think an overtly sexual text can come back to haunt him. Ali says Adam was making him uncomfortable, and Reza says, then stop being Adam’s friend. Ali says, he did, and Reza turns on Destiney, saying if she’s friends with Ali, she’s not friends with him. He doesn’t want to be friends with anyone who knows Ali. Ali drops another pile of papers on the table, and Reza throws a drink at Ali. He starts pushing Ali around, and Destiney gets in between them. Reza pushes her away, and stomps off. We see broken glass on the table from the one-man melee.

Outside, Reza calls MJ, and asks if she wanted Ali to confront him about Adam, since she told Ali that he and Adam didn’t have a good relationship. He doesn’t like her sharing anything with that weasel. He doesn’t trust Ali. Inside, Destiney tells Ali to wait, and goes to find Reza. In Reza’s interview, he wonders why MJ would share intimate, sensitive information with someone she knows he hates. MJ says her doctor is there, and Reza says they’ll talk later. Destiney joins Reza, who tells her, Ali just accused his husband of harrassment. Destiney asks if Reza doesn’t think she’s uncomfortable, and he calls Ali a bottom dweller. The plan is simple; if she wants to be friends with Reza, don’t be friends with Ali. In his interview, Reza wonders if he’s the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on. He’s done with Ali, and anyone who associates with him

In Mike’s interview, he says it’s the first Passover he’s hosted that included his parents. Nema drops off a $400 T-shirt he borrowed from Mike, and checks out the décor and the food. He tells Mike that he’s going to the beach with GG to watch fish have sex. It’s not a win. He says he’d thought everyone made peace, but now they’re at war again. Nema flashes back to Destiney telling him, it was all king fu and glass breaking. He tells Mike, Reza sent a text saying whoever was going to maintain a relationship with Ali, was terminating their relationship with him. It was group message. Mike says, that’s aggressive, and in his interview, Nema says, there’s always collateral damage in a break-up. Like with his ex-wife. He didn’t expect all his friends to dump him and be friends with her. He reads his reply text to Mike, saying he told Reza that he believed Destiney had his and Adam’s best interests at heart.

MJ loves on baby Shams. In her interview, she says, when the doctor took the baby from her, he pushed Tommy out of the room, and looked like he saw a ghost. He told her the placenta was still attached, and she’d need to have another surgery. If he didn’t remove her uterus, she might die. She woke up from the surgery angry, thinking she’d never be able to have another baby. She felt gutted. We see videos of newborn Shams. She says she didn’t hear back from Reza again.

Reza and Adam do some landscaping, and Reza says he’s not happy with Adam, and doesn’t want to go to Passover seder when they’re not in a good place. They need to talk about why his husband is so dumb, he doesn’t understand boundaries. He tells Adam about Ali showing him the texts. In Reza’s interview, he says he waited a day, since he didn’t want to react. He says, as a married man, Adam can’t talk to anybody like that. It makes Adam look like an idiot, and it’s disrespectful of Reza and their marriage. Adam says he was joking, but Reza says Adam’s not making sense. Adam says when he feels comfortable with someone, he’ll ask them anything. Reza says, that ends today, or he’s going to be divorced. In his interview, Reza says Adam knows he had a terrible roadmap in marriage with his parents. He tells Adam that Ali said Adam was sexually harassing him. The things Adam did humiliated him. In Reza’s interview, he says, if it happens again, it’s irreparable. Adam says he’s disgusted with himself and what he did, but asks Reza not to call him stupid. Reza apologizes for calling Adam stupid, but says he’s angry and disappointed. Adam says, Destiney should have talked to the two of them together, and Reza agrees. He says, he lost his sh*t, and he doesn’t like behaving like that. He’s furious with MJ, sharing information with Ali. He tells Adam, do not, under any circumstances, send anything sexual to anyone other than himself. I’m suddenly noticing how immature Adam seems. I thought he was just quiet.

Mike’s parents, Sue and Shawn, arrive at Mike’s place first. Paulina greets them, but Mike takes his sweet time getting ready. In his interview, Mike says Paulina has brought out the best in him. He’s learned a lot from her, and she’s the reason he’s ready to reinvent himself. The guests arrive, and Mike shows them a long table on the patio, lit by candlelight. Sue says the prayers, and Jonathan tells the story of Passover, and why they eat matzos. Mike says he’s happy they’re sharing Passover together. In Mike’s interview, he says he grew up thinking he wasn’t smart enough or good enough, and his parents validated that. He made a lot of mistakes, and had some failures, but he thinks his parents are proud of him finally becoming the man he wants to be. He thanks everyone for coming.

The caterer puts out an amazing spread, and a toast is made to Mike. Reza asks what Mike and his brothers are breaking ground, and Mike says, in a couple of months. He tells Reza that he’s the project manager. In Reza’s interview, he says he helped Mike build his house, and it was a nightmare. Sue asks if Reza doesn’t think it’s a good idea, and Reza says he’d wanted Mike to sell the property potential without doing the hard work. Sue agrees, and Mike says, you need to take risk to make money, and Sue says, it’s not about the money. In his interview, Mike says he’s forty, and being treated like he’s fourteen. He tells Sue that he respects and loves her, and not to worry.

In her interview, Destiney says, it’s been six months since her mom went to Las Vegas. She has this thing with Ali going on, and no one to catch her. She heads for the beach.

Nema videos GG and her friends walking to the beach, titling it, GG & the Hood Rats. In GG’s interview, she talks about the moon’s energy, and the big bang, and how everything is connected. She says, the moon is the earth’s twin, and we can still feel the energy. She wants to harness that power to make her pregnant. Alrighty then. They get to the beach, but don’t see any fish. In Nema’s interview, he says he was promised fish having sex, and there are no fish having sex. GG is high, maybe she sees fish having sex. GG gets all excited about seeing what she thinks are fish, but it turns out to be seaweed. They talk to a total stranger, who actually understands the whole grunion thing, and says she’s seen it before. GG thinks they’re scaring the fish away.

Nema tells Destiney that he got a text from Adam, saying Reza wants nothing to do with her anymore. She has to make it right with him. She says she didn’t do anything. In her interview, she says they don’t understand her position. Nema suggests she talk to both Reza and Adam, and set the record straight. She tells him that she’s in the middle. GG wants to know what’s going on, and Nema just keeps repeating, make it right. Destiney drops her stuff, and walks away, saying she’s sick of this sh*t. Nema tells GG that Ali should have had the balls to go straight to Reza, and GG says she didn’t know Ali was saying all that, but they’d talked about the information eventually coming out. In her interview, GG says she had a conversation with Ali, and thinks MJ set him and Destiney up. In Destiney’s interview, she says she never had a conversation with MJ. She tells GG about getting an ultimatum from Reza. In GG’s interview, she says she knows what MJ is capable of. We flash back to MJ setting GG up for a fall on a few occasions. Destiney says she needs some time, and walks off by herself. GG catches up to Nema, who asks if she killed Destiney. GG complains that there were no fish.

Fifteen minutes later. The fish come up on the beach.

Shawn tells Mike that he’s obligating himself for two years. Sue says, David and Jonathan are too weak to do the manual labor. Mike should get a salary, but he’ll have to be on top of the job every morning. He’ll have to be there before the workers start, and leave after everyone else is gone. In Mike’s interview, he says his parents have a hard time trusting him. They’ve had to take on his failed attempts at different ventures. We flash back to Mike’s shoe launch, among other unsuccessful projects. Sue says, when he’s fallen, they’ve helped, but they can’t do it this time. Mike is taking a risk with everyone’s investment, and his time. Shawn says, if Mike fails, someone has to step in. In his interview, Mike says, once you have the reputation of effing up, it’s all anyone sees.

Next time, Mike’s parents don’t trust him, GG gets a date for IVF, a storm brews between Reza and MJ, and Destiney faces a possum.

🙏 Blessings…

An explanation of the tefillin.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/customs/tefillin.shtml

👠 All Wives All the Time…

All the Wives news that’s fit for Page Six.

https://pagesix.com/video/the-rhony-season-12-trailer-is-here-and-more-housewives-news/

⚰️ A Tease…

It’s almost Dead time again.

https://uproxx.com/tv/michonne-goes-full-negan-the-walking-dead/

🔎 Is She Still On This Show…?

Maggie is back. Sort of.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/2020/02/17/the-walking-dead-season-10b-trailer-connection-lauren-cohan-maggie-glenn-hershel/

💡 Whose Bright Idea Was It…?

Why does there have to be a short month? We should get three extra days on our bill due dates. Remaining calm…

February 9, 2020 – The Shahs Return To Sunset, Oscar This & King Of Best Songs

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

Shah of Sunset

Clips from Memory Lane are interspersed with where everyone is at now. A producer asks MJ what holds them together, and she says, love. We see a clip of what’s to come between her and Reza, and it’s not love.

We rewind to a month earlier. In his interview, Reza tells us that he lost 50 pounds. He’s trying to get his body from the 20s back. He didn’t appreciate it when it was happening, and it goes away quickly. He says he and Adam are getting better. Adam and Reza plan for a housewarming party, and we flash back to them in the process of building. The new house is gorgeous, except for the backyard, which Reza declares a disaster. He isn’t sure if MJ can make the party, and hasn’t invited GG yet. We flash back to the reunion, where GG tells everyone that she’s being sued by Shalom, as the result of something Mike, MJ, and Reza did. Reza says he doesn’t want to be a bitchy queen, so he’s inviting her.

GG tells her friend Yasmin that she hasn’t been invited, and she’s pissed. Yasmin tells her to take a breath, and wait. GG says she’s been giving everyone their space, but Yasmin thinks GG should actively mend some relationships. GG thinks she can do it with Destiney, and she loves Adam, but she’ll deal with Reza in time. In GG’s interview, she says she has embryos on ice, and she’s going to get pregnant, No doubt she’ll stop smoking weed when it happens. Yasmin says there are so many horror stories about ruined bodies, but GG says she’s going to be a MILF. Yasmin cooks something, and it sets the fire alarm off.

At the market, Destiney tries to get Mike to try natural Viagra, but he says he doesn’t need it; he’s Persian. Mike has a new girlfriend, Paulina, and it’s the first time he’s dated a Persian girl. She’s a vegan, and he goes to Destiney for cooking tips. Mike tells Destiney that he knows how to treat a woman. Destiney is skeptical, considering what happened with Jessica, but Mike says it was a bad relationship. We flash back to some of that. He says Paulina has completely changed his vibe. In Destiney’s interview, she says, dating is a bitch. It’s like finding needle in a haystack, and needle the needle is rusted. With her bad luck, and Mike being hooked up, she feels like she’s in Groundhog Day and Twilight Zone at the same time.

Reza talks about Adam’s butterfly incubator, and how he has a flare for parenting. Adam says MJ is ready to pop, and Reza asks if he still wants to have kids. Adam says he’s having second thoughts, and Reza asks if it’s because of relationship. Adam says, partly, but Reza gets stressed out easily, while he’s at the other end of the spectrum. If the baby pukes on Reza’s Gucci shoes, it might cause friction. Then Reza will resent the kid and/or Adam. The bottom line is, it’s part Adam’s career, and part Reza’s attitude, and also their past history. Reza says he’s confused and thirsty. He’s having some water, and moving back to Iran.

Reza meets Nema for a drink. Nema is all happy about his new veneers, and shows Reza that he’s wearing his gold chain. Reza says Nema’s Persian went from a 6½ to a 10. Nema asks how married life is, and Reza says, great. We flash back to two seconds ago. Nema says they’re late bloomers. He’s on the upswing, but everyone is wifed up and married. Even Mike is with new ex-wife number two. Reza says, Paulina is rich and her ex is rich. In Reza’s interview, he says, Mike won the Persian girlfriend lottery.

Mike makes dinner for Paulina. In his interview, he says he’s completely changed his life. A year ago, he was living the single life, but he’s 40, and doesn’t want to stay single; he wants a family. He found someone to give him what he’s looking for in life. Everything is amazing, from their deep discussions to the way she kisses him. He says, when you know, you know, and he knows. She’s his soulmate. Aww! She pronounces the food delicious, and he says she’s everything he wants in a woman, and he loves her. She wonders why she never met him before, and she says she got married young, at 19. She wasn’t looking something serious, and hearing he cheated, she would have said he didn’t deserve a second chance. In his interview, he says he made sure he was transparent and honest with her. He doesn’t want to repeat his mistakes. He tells her that he’s completely different. She says he adores her children, and she wants to marry him. He says when they’re ready, it will be great.

GG and Destiney meet for lunch. Destiney orders a heathy dish, while GG stuffs her face with pizza, among other carb-laden things. GG tells Destiney that she felt cut off from everyone, but had a different kind of friendship with Destiney. She felt like she’d popped off at Destiney – we flash back to the reunion – and apologizes. Destiney says they’re different people, and GG says she couldn’t take it anymore; she’s apologizing. Destiney tells GG that she’s too aggressive, and we flash back to about a dozen examples of that. GG insists it was only one time. She gets up, and says she’s done with it, and yells that Destiney is lying. She’d never raise a hand to one of her best friends. Destiney reminds GG of an incident at the fair where GG shoved her, and GG walks out. At this point, the whole restaurant is watching. GG smokes some weed, and comes back. She tells Destiney that she needed a minute. She kept reaching out to Destiney, and wants her to understand. She asks where Destiney wants to go with this. Destiney says she gets GG, and thinks they should take it day by day. In Destiney’s interview, she says GG is cuckoo, but she loves her. GG takes Destiney’s hand, and asks Destiney to feel her and her apology. In GG’s interview, she says it’s more familiar for her to be turnt up than to calm down. Destiney says, it means a lot.

Reza, Adam, and an entire team prepare for the party. In his interview, Reza says he’s going full-on Annette Bening in American BeautyI will sell this house today. He says Adam isn’t as neurotic, and will give him sourpuss, but he’ll hug and love Adam, and everything will be fine in the hood.

Reza thinks a bunch of drunk Persians and lanterns may not mix. In his interview, he says Destiney is a genius with cocktails, and he asked her to come up with a Persian cocktail or two, to feature on the menu. The backyard was Beverly Hillbillies, but party planner Kevin Lee waved his magic wand, and spread gold fairy dust everywhere. It does look fabulous. Destiney instructs the bartenders on her creations, and in her interview, says she loves their culture. The spices are on a whole different level. Adam finds the first drink a little tart, and Destiney says, Reza likes tart. Adam says, not a tart attitude. In Destiney’s interview, she says she can’t look at Adam without feeling horrible. He sent some raunchy-ass stuff to her friend Ali. We see a clip of Ali showing her his phone, and saying he doesn’t know what Adam’s intentions are. In her interview, she asks, how you tell someone you care about, you’ve heard some sh*tty-ass information about their relationship? She doesn’t want to believe Adam cheated, but something is going on.

Everyone begins to arrive, including Mona, Shervin, and some childhood friends. Reza’s friend Sara doesn’t have a lot of Persian friends in LA, so he introduces her around. In Mike’s interview, he says you never come to someone’s house for the first time empty-handed, and he sent the biggest bunch of flowers possible. He finds his flowers on display, but realizes there’s no card, and shows Reza the card that should have been with them on his phone. In Reza’s interview, he says he loves Paulina, and she dresses impeccably. Everyone compares jewelry, saying things like, this is Cartier; this is LV, until Mike finally says, this is my dool (slang for penis). I literally lol.

GG shows up, bringing the cutest succulent garden, and a llama balloon. She says Reza is skinny, and he says he stopped eating. She starts to go out to the patio, and turns around. She tells Reza, she has to go. She didn’t think Shervin was going to be there. Reza says he didn’t know she and Shervin had beef. Mike tells her not to run off, and she, Mike, and Reza, sit on a side patio. In her interview, GG says she was hardcore focused on her company. We flash back the her launch event, and she says she found out Shervin got involved in the CBD space too. It was a stab in the back. Reza asks to talk to GG alone, and Mike makes himself scarce. Reza tells GG that he  loves her, and wants to be back in a good place. He’ll be hurt if she leaves. They haven’t been talking, but he loves her, and wants the best for her. Her life has been off limits, and he does better when he’s in her life. GG says they don’t get along because they’re too similar, and Reza says, almost identical. She says, it’s like the Bloods and Crips uniting. He says, you go, Nipsy, and they hug.

Mike continues to look for the card, poking through the bouquet. Outside, Paulina talks about her tattoos, and says she wants to add her and Mike’s wedding date. In Nema’s interview, he says, Paulina wants to marry Mike yesterday, but he has a tendency to have a wandering eye. She says, the two of them until death. GG sees Nema, and in her interview, says, it’s like walking chicklets. In Nema’s interview, he says, maybe the moment has passed where they’d be friends who have hot sex. Instead, they’re friends who go to brunch. Reza announces they’re playing charades. Destiney is the first up with pogo stick, and Shervin has booty call. Destiney finds Mike still looking for the card, and says Ali told her something about board game night; they played strip Jenga. I’m not sure how anyone could say that with a straight face. We see a clip of Ali telling Destiney that Adam has been playing with other guys. Mike asks what if Destiney’s SO played strip poker with chicks? and she says she’d cut his d*ck off.

Destiney and Mike go to a private area outside with Reza. Mike says he doesn’t think it’s true, but supposedly Ali got weird tests from Adam that had sexual undertones. He thinks Adam can be funny like that. Destiney says Ali told her that when Reza was out of town, Adam played Jenga, and they were all naked. Reza says, okay… and Destiney says she didn’t want to tell him, but Reza says he wants know. Either he and Adam will end up together or apart, but whatever happens, he’s glad they told him. He thanks them, and says he’ll get to the bottom of it. Either some weird sh*t is going on, or it’s innocuous. Either way, always tell him. He excuses himself to say goodbye to some guests. When he comes back, Mike says, maybe it’s nothing, but Reza says, always tell him, and let him decide. Mike says, Destiney told him. Destiney tells Adam that she loves him. In her interview, she says she feels like a POS. they worked so hard on their marriage, and she’s the messenger who’s effing it up. Who wants to be a part of that?    

The guests are mostly gone, and the DJ packs up. Adam sits outside with Reza, and Reza asks if Adam was playing strip Jenga there, or somewhere else. Adam screws up his face, like he smelled something bad, and… to be continued.

This season: MJ delivers Baby Shams, Mike proposes, GG gets pregnant, and MJ and Reza go to war. Parties, possums, Tommy wants to break Reza’s legs, Destiney is spiraling, and Mike does drag. New friendships, new relationships, new struggles, new hope. 

🎭 Read All About It…

Mostly because I didn’t watch it. I was thrilled to hear Bong Joon Ho was the big winner, since Snowpiercer is one of my favorite films, and horrendously underrated.

https://nypost.com/2020/02/09/oscar-winners-2020-complete-list-with-nominees/

Some highlights.

https://nypost.com/2020/02/09/oscar-highlights-the-best-and-worst-of-the-2020-oscars/

Some Memory Lane.

https://nypost.com/2020/02/09/look-back-at-celebs-attending-the-oscars-then-vs-the-2020-ceremony/

Something odd.

https://nypost.com/2020/02/09/the-life-and-tragic-death-of-infamous-oscars-streaker-robert-opel/

And most important, the fashion.

https://www.vogue.com/vogueworld/slideshow/oscars-2020-fashion-red-carpet

🏆  Another Winner…

Even the king of the beasts needs a break now and then.

February 7, 2020 – Nelle Changes Her Game, Shah Catch-Up, Reunion Teases, Dead Conjecture, Five Plus Six Quotes & More Bad

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

🌬 Apparently ABC thinks they’re my mother. They break in to tell me I should dress warm if I go out tonight.

General Hospital

Ava finds Nikolas at the hospital. He asks what she’s doing there, and she asks how his mother is. He says, much better. His sister is in with her. Ava says, thank God, and hugs him. He says she’s put on her show; she can go now. Ava asks if he doesn’t want the world to know how much he means to her.

Nina sips a martini at the MetroCourt. Valentin comes along, and says, a fully stocked bar, and no Ava? His world no longer makes sense. Nina says she and Ava have buried their respective hatchets, and he says he noticed. He also noticed Ava is trying to drive a wedge between them. She says that’s all on him. He asks if they can talk, and she says, about what? He wants to know exactly what he’s done. He tried to give her what she wanted most in the world. He regrets his methods, and causing her pain of course (🍷), but does he regret doing whatever was in his power to make her happy? He doesn’t.

Lulu tells Laura, she’s only known Dustin a couple of months, and he’s risked his life to save both her mother and daughter. What if he hadn’t been there? Laura says she’s grateful, and Lulu should be too. Lulu says she’s 100% grateful, and Laura says, really? Then explain why Dustin saving her life is making her so tense.

Brook sits at Kelly’s, writing a song. She says, not bad, even if she says so herself. Dustin walks by, and she says, Captain America. Isn’t he supposed to be carrying a shield? He says, only if they’re under attack by dark forces. Otherwise, it gets in the way of him teaching Shakespeare. She says, that’s right. In reality, he’s a humble teacher. He says the thought that’s why she broke up with him; he had no superpowers. She says that makes her sound shallow, and he says she’s making him sound dull. She admits she might have been wrong. His turn. He admits she might have been wrong too.

Ned asks if Michael has seen The Invader. Hero mob target rises; Michael Corinthos impacts the Quartermaine dynasty. It doesn’t read like the end of a news cycle, but more like the start of a problem.

Lucas flashes back to a hazy memory of Brad telling him that Wiley is Michael’s son. Brad asks, what is it? and Lucas says, in the car before the accident. Brad was building up to a confession.

Nina asks if it ever occurred to Valentin that she’s no longer interested in the kind of love he has to offer. She needs  more than his misguided romantic gestures of love. They need to move on from each other. She walks away, and Martin joins Valentin. He says he believes that was Valentin’s ex-wife. What’s got her worked up? Valentin says she’s trying to pretend she doesn’t love him.

Nikolas tells Ava that if she gets any more adoring, people will suspect she’s insincere. She says she is sincere. She’s concerned about Laura. Laura has been good to her, and she respects Laura a great deal. She asks Nikolas to give Laura a list she’s made up of the best rehabs; she already made the calls. He thanks her, and she says just because she doesn’t have a heart for him, doesn’t mean she doesn’t have one. He wants her to leave, and says, take his kingdom; take his horse. She says she has those things. Now give the public a convincing kiss goodbye. He leans toward her, and whispers, go away. Go far, go fast, go for good. She kisses him, and he says he’ll see her at home. She walks to the elevator, pondering the kiss.

Brook tells Dustin, it’s a song she’ll never be allowed to sing. He looks at it, and says, her lyrics are better now than… She says, when she got to sing them? He says they’re too good to stay on the page, but she says, they might have to until she gets out of her contract. Anything she sings, writes, or produces belongs to that sleazeball producer. He asks if there’s no way out, and she says her dad is going to intervene; they’ll see. He hopes it happens, and she asks how he can wish her good after she ditched him. He says she’s a musician. Singing is part of her DNA. He stopped writing, but just because it’s not right for him doesn’t mean it’s not good for her. When he watched her sing, he realized it was just a hobby for him. He loved it, and it was fun, but it’s not his passion like it’s hers. Music is her life.

Lucas says he remembers he was angry at Brad. He’d asked Brad a question. He doesn’t remember what it was, but he feels like it was important. Brad has to remember. Brad says, before the accident, he was falling apart. He put his fears and anxiety in perspective when he thought Lucas was going to die. He’s sorry, but he doesn’t know what he said. Julian says it was the most terrifying night of his life. Reliving the fear and worry can’t be good. Lucas needs to focus on his recovery. Lucas says Julian is right. Being alive and awake and going home to Brad and Wiley is all that matters. Willow comes in, and says, Wiley would completely agree. Lucas says he was just thinking about her.

Ned tells Michael, the idea their profits could get caught in an underworld crossfire tends to spook their business partners. Michael says that’s why he’s always been transparent about himself, and how he runs ELQ. It’s completely above board. Ned says that’s what he’s been telling their insurers and prospective partners. Michael asks what else he’s telling them, and Ned says that Michael is the Quartermaine to lead them into the future, and he’s proud to stand at Michael’s side. Michael says he appreciates Ned’s vote of confidence, and Ned says, grandfather told them they’d rise together or fall together. He prized family loyalty. Michael says, even when he was pitting them against each other. Ned says, he was a complex man, with a complex ethical code. Michael says, about the work Ned has been doing… Ned says he’s been happy to help out, but now Michael wants him to step back? Michael says he was going to suggest the opposite. Stay and show the business world that there are two Quartermaines minding the shop. Nelle walks in, and says Michael brought her there so he could kill her.

Lulu tells Laura that she thinks it’s wonderful how Dustin rushes in to help with no thought about himself. Laura says, but it scares her. Lulu says, it does. After what she went through with Dante, she doesn’t think she has it in her to fall in love with another hero.

Brook tells Dustin, it’s a dirty trick, proving nice guys can be… He says, nice? She says she has to meet her dad and Linc. She wishes Dustin could  take out the villain for her, but he says his tights are in the wash. She thanks him for what he said, and he tells her, anytime. About her voice… She tells him, don’t ruin it now, but he says he always thought of that as her superpower. She hopes so, and tells him to give holier-than-thou her best.

Brad tells Willow, it’s not a good time. Lucas needs to rest. She promises she won’t stress him out, and Lucas says he thinks it’s harder on Brad than him. He was unconscious, but Brad had to deal with that, the hospital, and taking care of Wiley. Brad says, the whole family pitched in; Lucas’s mom and sister, and Julian. Willow says, and Michael has been amazing. Wiley adores him. Lucas says, Michael is so good with kids. He’ll make a fantastic father someday. Willow says, Michael loves Wiley as if Wiley was his own. Brad and Julian look at each other.

Ned says he doesn’t know if Michael is trying to kill Nelle, but turnabout is fair play. Michael wonders what his scheme must be, and Nelle says, the boathouse is cold and damp. He says, it has central heating, and she says she can hear the water, and she has men peeking in; there’s no privacy. He says she should be used to it after Pentenville, and Ned says, the groundskeepers are just doing their job. Nelle says she wants proper living arrangements, and Michael says she’s right. The boathouse isn’t suitable. He’ll send for her bags – and place them at the side of the road. She says she’ll go stay with Brad; it’s cozy, hanging out there with him and Wiley. Michael says, it might be crowded now that Lucas is awake.

Martin says until the issue with the codicil is resolved, he’s making sure Nikolas doesn’t get his hands on any of the Cassadine money. Valentin says at least they know where it is, and that Nikolas can’t move it around, and Martin says, for the moment. He can’t keep the DNA test at bey. Valentin wonders, why wait? If they do the test, the codicil will be rendered useless. Martin says, it might be counter-productive, no matter what the result. If Valentin gives them his DNA, he’s conceding the codicil is legitimate. Valentin says, it’s one of Helena’s games. Cassadine blood is in his veins, and if he has to spill some of it, so be it.

Nelle says, how wonderful for Brad, and Michael says he thinks so. Brad has a soft spot for Nelle, but there’s no way in hell Lucas is going to let her near Wiley. He says he can have her things sent to a motel of her choice, bur she thinks he’s being hasty. If he throws her out, how is he going to access her shares? He asks if she wants to negotiate, and she says, it depends on how much it’s worth to him and his family to be done with her once and for all.

Willow says she’s sending Lucas some photos. She took one every day so he wouldn’t miss anything. Julian says that was nice of her, and Lucas thanks her, saying he probably won’t remember anything after Thanksgiving. He knows it’s not uncommon to lose time, but can’t help thinking there’s something else he forgot. Brad tells him, the doctors said not to push it, and Lucas says, it’s fine. He has all the photos, so it’s like he never missed anything.

Lulu says, it’s wrong for her to resent Dustin being brave, and Laura says she’s a woman who feared for her husband’s life every day of her marriage, but this is different. Dante was a cop; Dustin is an English teacher who was in the right place at the right time. Lulu says, three times, and Laura says, even so. She doesn’t think he was looking to make it happen. Lulu says, she’s right. Laura is always right. Laura says, not always, and Lulu says she has to get Nikolas. He’s been hanging around, waiting to visit. Laura wonders what’s stopping him, and Lulu says she told him that Laura could just have one visitor at the time. Laura says, she lied? and Lulu says, of course (🍷). After what he put them through, it was the least she could do. Laura tells her, falling in love is always a risk, but only she can decide when she’s ready to take it.

Nina goes to the gallery, and says she’s glad Ava is at work. It would be awkward to try and see her at Windymere. Ava asks why Nina wants to see her at all, and Nina says Ava made it a point to show up at Crimson. She thought she’d return the favor. Ava says, it’s a little unexpected, and Nina says she’s not sure if they’ll ever be friends in the traditional sense, but non-traditionally, they’re comrades in arms; Sisters united against the Cassadine men. Ava says she loves where this is headed, and Nina says she disgraced one at the altar, and Ava dragooned one into marriage. They never saw it coming. Who says revenge isn’t sweet? Ava says, not her.

Nikolas asks how Laura is feeling, and she says she’s always up for a visit from her kids. He says, it’s nice to know someone in the family is speaking to him. She says, his sister just did, but he says she texted him, and then left without looking at him. She says he has to be patient with Lulu. Her daughter almost died trying to prove her secret bodyguard existed. He says he never saw that coming, but she says he never really thought about Charlotte. He only thought about one thing – revenge; the rest of them didn’t matter. He asks how she can say that, and she says she’s his mother. She can’t love him and indulge his fantasies at the same time. The obsessive need for revenge is a Cassadine trait. If he’s not careful, he’ll end up being as hateful and bitter as the Cassadines who came before him. He tells her Spencer said something like that before cutting him out of his life.

Brad says he’ll check with Michael about Wiley, and steps out of the room. Julian’s phone rings, and he says, it’s work; he has to take it. He sees Brad in the hallway, and asks, what the hell is going on? Brad asks if he doesn’t see it’s over. Lucas doesn’t remember the truth about Wiley. Julian says, not now, but that doesn’t mean he won’t. Brad tells him, the doctors said it’s highly unlikely. Julian says, Brad sees a man who doesn’t remember; he sees a ticking time bomb. Everything Willow says is a potential trigger, and the more she talks to Lucas, the more chances the bomb will go off and destroy the both of them.

Valentin asks Martin how the impending acquisition is going. Martin says, well. As far as he can tell, the next target will soon be in position.

Brook meets Ned at the MetroCourt, and he says she’s late. They needed time to go over their strategy. Brook says she thought the strategy was to just let him do the talking. Ned says Linc will do what he can to bush Brook’s buttons, but if she loses her temper, she’ll lose everything. Brook says she’s supposed to act like it means nothing, but Linc is literally holding her voice hostage. She gets it; she’ll follow Ned’s lead. Ned tells her not to let Linc get under her skin. Linc comes out of the elevator, and Ned says, show time. Ned thanks Linc for meeting him, and Linc says he can’t tell Ned how much he’s looking forward to working with Eddie Maine.

Laura tells Nikolas, Spencer is hurting. He also has a knack for grand gestures. She expects Spencer will shut Nikolas out for a while, but doesn’t believe he’ll hang on to his anger forever. Nikolas asks if Laura would speak to Spencer, but Laura says, to urge Spencer to take Nikolas back into his life before he’s ready would be disrespectful of his feelings. She stood by Spencer when he mourned Nikolas, and she’ll stand by him as he comes to terms with what Nikolas has done. Nikolas says he thought not being dead would be good news. He never thought his retuning would be more painful than him staying away.

Lulu thanks Dustin for waiting at Kelly’s. He says he thought they were meeting at the hospital, and she says they were. But if he ever wants everyone to know his business, just whisper it at GH in an empty hallway. By the time he gets to the end of the hallway, all the nurses will have formed an opinion. He gets it, and asks what they’re talking about. She says, us.

Dustin asks if it’s something he’s done or hasn’t done, and Lulu says, since they’ve been seeing each other, there have been an unusual number of… Dustin says, incidents? She asks what he means, and he says in addition to her mother and Curtis walking in on them… Lulu tells him to never bring that up again, and he says, Charlotte jumped int the harbor, and there was a bar fight. Does she always attract this sort off… She says, incident? He says he doesn’t think she caused them, but what’s a guy got to do to get a quiet night home?

Lucas says, it sounds like Willow did a lot, and she says she pitched in. Brad hired her as Wiley’s nanny, but it didn’t end well. He asks, why not? Wiley loves her, and Brad trusts her. She says, Brad has been fragile since the accident; emotionally unpredictable and moody. Lucas says, more than before the accident? and she says she thinks so. Honestly, she’s deeply concerned, but maybe now the worst is behind them, and Brad will find his footing now that he knows Lucas is okay. If they need anything, she’s there to help. Lucas thanks her.

Michael says, if Nelle agrees to the terms, he’ll arrange a money transfer immediately after she signs. Then she can live wherever she wants, provided that when her parole is complete, she never comes back to Port Charles. She asks how much he’s offering, and looks at the paperwork.

Linc says, Brook is under contract, and Ned says, it’s a sweet deal for Linc. He has her doing 99% of the work, while he takes 99% of the payout. Linc says he’s making 100% of it happen. If not for him, she wouldn’t have a deal at all. Ned suggests he test that, and release her. Let her find out for herself. Linc says he can’t do that in good conscience. When Brook’s feelings get hurt, she lashes out. Ned asks if that’s how he describes her reaction to his sexual assault. Linc says he didn’t assault her or anyone else. He’s an affectionate guy; ask anyone. He’s never had a problem with it being misconstrued; it was a friendly gesture. Brook is obviously having a hard time keeping quiet, and Ned tries to hold her back. Ned says, touching someone intimately without consent. It happens all the time these days, but as they say, time’s up. Do what’s best for everyone involved. Ned slides a check toward Linc, saying it’s the projected revenue of Brook’s next three albums, and the cost incurred. He’ll get all of the reward with doing none of the work. Linc says he’s not interested. Brook can cut an album for him, or stay quiet. If she sings a single note, it’s his.

Nikolas tells Laura, as soon as she’s well enough, he’s moving her and Doc into Windymere. She says, absolutely not, but Nikolas says, one mob shooting is more than enough. He wants to make sure she’s protected. She says she has a security detail, but he says, it’s not the same. She asks if he’s discussed it with the lady of the manor, and he tells her, Ava has no say in what happens at Windymere. She asks if he’d care to put that theory to the test. It’s hard to believe Ava handed over the codicil without laying claim to something. What is the arrangement costing him?

Ava tells Nina, a romance-free marriage is practical. She got what she wanted, Nikolas got what he wanted, and if they both follow the rules of the post-nup, everything will stay in place. Nina asks, what rules? and Ava says, like with any business arrangement, there are consequences if they don’t abide by the contract. Nina asks what she means, and Ava says, cheating. If one of them commits adultery, they forfeit what they’ve got. Nina says, no sex outside marriage is pretty standard. At least they have each other. Ava says, who said anything about sex inside the marriage?

Willow asks if Lucas is sure about this, and he says he thinks it’s the best decision for everyone involved. And it will be a huge favor. Brad comes back in. He feels better to see Lucas happy, awake, and talking. Lucas says, it’s going to be a while before he’s 100%, and Brad will be taking care of him, Wiley, and working. Julian says there are a lot of people who love Lucas. Brad won’t be alone, and they can help until Lucas is back on his feet. Lucas says he knows, but instead of a revolving door of concerned family and friends, he has a better solution. Until he’s back on his feet, he’s hired Willow to keep taking care of Wiley.

Lulu asks Dustin how a bottle of merlot, popcorn, and a mutually agreed upon movie sound? They’ll be no more than three feet from her sofa. He says, no gangsters, or creeps, or kids jumping into open water? Lulu says they can always hang out at he docks and pick a fight with a longshoreman. It’s up to him. He kisses her, and says he thinks a movie at her place is the right kind of quiet.

Brook says she either sings for Linc or stays quiet? Quiet isn’t her thing. She’ll go on record about the sexual harassment. Linc says he looks forward to winning the libel suit. The judge will order her to make even more albums for him. She says, next time he puts his hand on her ass, she’ll cut it off. Ha-ha! That reminds me of the time I told my boss, if he wanted to keep his hand, he’d be taking it out of my back pocket. Brook walks away, and Ned says he comes from a family that has an army of lawyers. One phone call, and they’ll eat Linc alive in ways he can’t imagine. Then he’ll sit back and watch with his daughter, or Linc can take the check. Choose wisely. Ned gets up, and tells Linc, it’s a one-time offer, and goes to join Brook.

Nina tells Ava, let her get this straight. There’s no sex outside the marriage, and no sex inside the marriage. Ava says she can hold out as long as Nikolas can. Nina doesn’t know about that. Ava and Nikolas are both attractive, healthy people with needs. Ava says, exactly. Nikolas is a passionate man, and this this game of chicken ends when he gives into his urges. One indiscretion, and she wins. Nina asks how long Ava thinks it will take, and Ava says she has the feeling it will be sooner rather than later. Much sooner.

Nikolas tells Laura, don’t worry; they have an agreement. Laura says, that’s what worries her. She can’t bear the thought of Nikolas spending his life trapped in a loveless marriage. He says, believe him. He has no intention of staying married to Ava for the rest of his life.

Nelle says, it’s the same offer she tore up earlier, but Michael says there are added incentives. She says she’s not a CEO, but she knows a goldmine when it’s in her hand, and this isn’t it. He says, no more games. What does she want? She says, apparently more than he’s willing to give her. She’ll find a buyer who’ll treat her with the respect she deserves. She walks out, and makes a call.

Martin’s phone rings, and Nelle asks if he remembers the item they were talking about selling. She’s ready to entertain offers. Does he know what she’s looking for? He says, a life changing number, and she asks if he can deliver. He believes so, and says he’ll be in touch. He goes over to Linc, and says Linc was saying Brook would do anything, give anything, to get out of her contract? He’ll be in touch.

Valentin’s phone rings, and Martin asks if he remembers the acquisition Valentin wanted him to expedite? They’re about to go shopping. Valentin says, wonderful. He’s looking forward to joining their family.

On Monday, Anna needs to know about Finn’s conversation with Sam, Spinelli is moving back to Port Charles, Neil tells Alexis that they want her to testify, Carly asks if Brando knew who she was when he saved her, and Sonny tells Jason they were totally exposed.

🌴 Drama On Sunset…

I can’t believe it’s been over a year.

https://www.etonline.com/shahs-of-sunsets-mike-shouhed-addresses-all-the-reza-farahan-drama-and-his-new-relationship-141123

Catching up. Tommy and Baby Shams’s matching PJs are too much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQNhxsTeErs

🛥 Tastes Like Reunion…

A Reunion tease.

https://www.eonline.com/ap/news/1120440/below-deck-s-captain-lee-walks-off-set-while-it-s-the-men-vs-women-in-tense-reunion-trailer

Captain Lee calls ‘em like he sees ‘em.

https://www.bravotv.com/below-deck/season-7/videos/captain-lee-rosbach-calls-out-the-deplorable-behavior-of-the-below-deck

A precap of the Reunion, as well as a video of the Captain and Kate dishing about the season and yachting in general on Reality Check. Stay tuned for Adam and Jenna (Below Deck Sailing Yacht) afterward.

https://people.com/tv/below-deck-reunion-captain-lee-rosbach-walk-off/

And the most important thing – what are they wearing?

https://www.bravotv.com/below-deck/season-7/videos/the-below-deck-season-7-reunion-looks-revealed

⚰️ Walking Into a New Season…

According to the comics.

https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1238866/Walking-Dead-Do-the-Whisperers-get-defeated-in-The-Walking-Dead-Alpha-Negan-comics

Nerd speculation and the trailer.

https://nerdist.com/article/the-walking-dead-cave-death/

Theories.

https://www.inquisitr.com/5879955/the-walking-dead-michonne-exit/

And Beyond.

https://www.amc.com/shows/the-walking-dead-world-beyond

🖨 Quotes of the Week

If you have a boy, you only have to worry about one penis. If you have a girl, you have to worry about them all. – Herb (Ryan Stiles), Two and a Half Men

Maybe you think you’ll be entitled to more happiness later by forgoing all of it now, but it doesn’t work that way. – Ann Brashares

In a surprise twist, I made more than I could eat. – Doug (Kevin James), King of Queens

Faith is realizing that you always get what you need.Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

It’s not a scrapbook; it’s a freezer. – Paul (Paul Reiser), Mad About You

If I’m wrong, educate me, don’t belittle me. – unknown, from YourTango article on how public shaming can be harmful

Don’t wait for the right moment to start, start and make each moment right. – Roy T. Bennett

I’m an underachiever, not an idiot. – Jake, (Angus T. Jones), Two and a Half Men

I don’t want to hear the specials. If they’re so special, put ’em on the menu.Jerry Seinfeld

Life gives us choices. You either grab on with both hands and just go for it, or you sit on the sidelines. – Christine Feehan

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

🥀 No Hearts & Flowers Here…

See you Sunday on Sunset. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

January 6, 2020 – Nikolas Explains, the Captain Steps In, Returns, Past Cast, a Tease, a Transformation, Facetious Deck & Is It Something I Said?

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Before Nina can say her vows, the door bursts open. Nicolas walks in with Ava in his arms. He puts her on the couch where Jax tends to her. Laura says, oh my God, and touches his face, then hugs him.

Josslyn lights a 2020 candle, and tells Dev, happy New Year in Turkish. He says something back, but she says she only knows those two words, and he says, same to you. She gives him a gift bag, saying she learned that small presents were customary on New Year’s Day in Turkey. He says it’s cool of her, and takes something out. She says, before he asks, she didn’t buy them herself. Michael helped her. He says Michael must have done his research. A lottery ticket brings prosperity. She says, that makes sense, but explain the next one. He takes out a pair of boxers.

Cameron looks at the Christmas tree in Rice Plaza. Trina tells him, happy New Year. He mumbles something, and she asks what his problem is. At midnight, his probation officially ends, and he’ll be a free man. How does he want to celebrate?

Valentin asks Maxie and Peter to take Charlotte upstairs. Maxie tells her, it’s going to be boring grown-up stuff, and Valentin says, everything is going to be all right. Laura weeps, and says, it’s really him. Nikolas says it is, and moves on to Lulu, hugging her. She says, he’s alive, and Valentin looks at Nina. Lulu says she doesn’t understand. How is this happening? Nikolas says they have a lot to catch up on, and Lulu asks where was he? She turns to Valentin, and says Valentin was holding him prisoner. Valentin was behind this, wasn’t he?

Valentin says, no; he hasn’t been holding Nikolas captive. For three years, Lulu has been hounding him about Nikolas’s supposed murder, but he looks healthy. And Ava survived. Nikolas says, no thanks to Valentin. Valentin shot him and tried to kill Ava. Valentin pushed her over the edge of the parapet, but Nikolas was there to save her. Valentin says she’s drunk, and probably tripped. Nikolas says he saw Valentin. Valentin is always armed with an explanation, but not anymore. This time, there’s no way out. He loses everything.

Coming back from the skating rink, Trina says Cameron was impressive out there. He says she was too – by the third lap – but she says she fell on her face. He says, it was only once, and asks if she’s heard from Josslyn. She says Josslyn and Dev will be there at some point, and he wonders what they’re doing together. Trina tells him, admit it, and he asks, what? She says he’s totally into Josslyn, but he says he’s not. He’s known her forever. She says that doesn’t mean he can’t have feelings for her. He insists he doesn’t, and she tells him to prepare himself. Josslyn and Dev might be a thing. Dev is definitely into Josslyn, and Josslyn might be into him too.

Dev tells Josslyn, the boxers are awesome. He wants to wear them over his clothes. She says, that’s the custom in Turkey; to receive red underwear? He says, if it is, he hasn’t heard about it. Josslyn looks surprised, and he tells her that he’s kidding. It’s a New Year custom. He thanks her, and says when he was little, his parents would buy him funny red ones, saying if they laugh at midnight, they’ll laugh through the whole year. She asks if he misses them, and he says he bought her something too. He gives her a gift bag, saying, he can carry the Turkish traditions on in America. She opens a box containing a beautiful pen, and he says, for her journal. She says she loves it, and thanks him. He tells her, there’s more, and she takes out a pomegranate. He says, another Turkish ritual. If you smash a pomegranate on the threshold of your home on New Year’s Eve, you’ll have good luck. Josslyn suggests they go find a hammer.

Nikolas tells everyone, Mikkos made a codicil, and it was concealed in Helena’s portrait. Valentin says the portrait was destroyed, and Nikolas says, except it wasn’t. He has the codicil. He asks if Valentin can guess what it says, but then says he’ll do the honors. It says Valentin is disinterested. The entire Cassadine estate belongs to – wait for it – him.

Peter hands Charlotte her stuffed horse, saying, she was right. Electra was in the trophy room. Maxie says, PJs, check; teeth brushed, check. They could read her a story, but it’s so late, Charlotte must be exhausted. Charlotte asks if Peter can go downstairs to see what’s happening. Peter says he doesn’t know what’s happening, but he does know this. When he was a kid, big confusing things happened all the time around him, and he developed a bad habit of listening in. He found a really great hiding spot off the backstairs, in the hall closet. No one ever knew he was there. Looking back, he realizes that he was hearing only half of the conversations, making it much worse. Charlotte says, bad things happen, and Peter says, they do sometimes, but a lot of times, there’s nothing you can do about it. One of the best things he ever learned is that people are going to do what they’re going to do, and the best thing she can do, is let them. He knows she wants her papa and Nina to get married tonight, but whether or not that happens, he can tell her that they still love her the same, no matter what. That doesn’t mean the wedding’s not important. It means their love for her, and hers for them, is more important. He promises that everything will be better in the morning. Charlotte is already asleep, hugging Electra, which seriously chokes me up.

Valentin says Nikolas can produce any paper he likes, but he’s the rightful heir. Nikolas says, not so much, and Valentin says, it’s obviously forged. Nikolas wishes he could take credit for it, but it’s nothing he came up with. He can explain it though. The reason Mikkos amended his will to cut out Valentin is because Valentin isn’t his son. He’s Helena’s, which means he’s not a Cassadine at all. Everyone is like, wow.

Cameron and Trina sit on a bench. Cameron says he thought Trina was into Dev, and she says she was. He asks, what happened? and she says, nothing good. She tried to kiss Dev at the Halloween dance, and he gave her a polite, thanks, but no thanks. Cameron says he knows at least five people on his team who would kill to go out with her. She’s smart, cool, and funny. She thanks him, and says, but unfortunately, Dev isn’t into her. She senses he’s into Josslyn. He doesn’t talk to any other girls. Cameron says, maybe Dev is afraid he’ll slip up, and they’ll figure out who he is, but Trina doesn’t think that’s it. He says, what about Josslyn? If Dev hasn’t said anything, how does she know Dev is into her? Trina says she told Josslyn, and Cameron gets up.

Dev tells Josslyn that he had no idea the pomegranate would explode all over them. She asks if they don’t explode in Turkey, and he says he’s never actually done himself. There must be a trick to it. Josslyn says, there’s probably a how-to video online, and he says they’ll have to watch it for next year. He asks if he’s clean, but she says, no, and wipes his cheek with her hand. She asks if this means she doesn’t get good luck if they made a mess. He says, the mess has nothing to do with it. Smashing a pomegranate means she’ll be happy. He promises this year will be better for her, and she says, it already is, and she kisses him.

Josslyn asks, what’s wrong? and Dev says, nothing. She says, it’s obviously something. Was she out of line? He says, no; he just… She says he doesn’t feel that way about her, and he says he’s sorry. She says, don’t be, and he says, it’s just that… She tells him, he doesn’t need to explain. She got her signals crossed. He asks if she’s mad, and she says, no, embarrassed. He says she shouldn’t be; she’s amazing. She asks if they can not talk about it anymore, and he says Sonny and her family have been so good to him. He doesn’t want disrespect them. She says she gets it, and tells him, Cameron and Trina are waiting. I can totally get why he would want to keep his distance from her that way – she’s Sonny’s almost daughter. I’m surprised she didn’t think about that.

Cameron asks why Trina told Josslyn, and Trina says, because it’s the truth. Cameron says Dev wasn’t even on Josslyn’s radar before. Trina thinks it’s awesome, but he asks why she couldn’t have stayed out of it. She says she hates subtext; people not saying what they want because they’re scared. And Josslyn needs a number two to transition, and get her mind off Oscar. She’s not saying Josslyn is falling in love, but she’s moving on, and it’s a good thing. Dev is a nice guy. He’s not a player, and won’t hurt Josslyn. Cameron says if Trina wants to give advice, and go to college to get a degree in counseling, go for it. She says, if he wants to tell Josslyn himself that he disagrees, do that. Cameron doesn’t say anything, and she says that’s what she thought.

Valentin says, he’s Helena’s son? That’s rich, considering she hated him more than anyone. Nikolas says, that’s because he’s hers. He’s smart, evil, and calculating, and Helena was afraid of him. That’s why Mikkos wrote the codicil. He knew Valentin was a bastard, and didn’t want him to end up with the Cassadine fortune. Helena, with her endless games, made it a test for Nikolas. She had to overcome her own hatred and bitterness toward him, and look past it. Guess what? He’s a Cassadine, and Valentin isn’t. Valentin says Nikolas is spinning fairytales, and Nikolas says, they have happy endings. Lulu says, happy doesn’t cover it, but why was Valentin originally in the will? Nikolas says, it makes perfect sense, considering who his mother was. She passed him off, tricking Mikkos into taking care of him his entire life. It’s classic Helena. Valentin suggests Nikolas crawl back under whatever rock he’s been under. His mother and son fought his battles because Nikolas wasn’t man enough to face him. Now he’s made up a fake codicil. Laura says she needs to talk to Nikolas alone.

Maxie tells Peter, she can’t believe that just happened. He says, her and him both. She says she’s thrilled that Nikolas is alive, and Peter says she’s known Nikolas her whole life. Lulu must be beyond relieved. She says he sounds less than convincing, and she’s asking the same question. Where has Nikolas been? He doesn’t look like he just escaped a prison camp, wearing a nice suit. Peter agrees Nikolas’s suit is fabulous, and Maxie says Nikolas faked his death once before. Not that he’s worse than Valentin, but obviously, he’s not the sweet prince he used to be. Peter is the only person she can say that to. There’s no way she could say it to Lulu.

Nikolas tells Valentin, all of his lies are in ashes at his feet. If Valentin doesn’t believe him, ask Nina. Nikolas walks out with Lulu and Laura. Valentin says he noticed Nina isn’t surprised, and Nina says Nikolas is right. She knew.

Valentin says, now it comes together; why Nina invited these people who have no interest in watching them exchange vows. They all want her as far away from him as possible. It seemed off, but he was hoping he was wrong. Obviously, he wasn’t. You’d think he would have learned to follow his gut, not his heart, but he’ll always follow his heart when it comes to her. She’s put a lot of work into hurting him as much as possible. Is she done, or is there something she wants to say? She tosses her bouquet aside, and says she knew it was him all along. He nods and cries a little.

Maxie asks if Peter remembers a weird moment with Obrecht, and he tells her, be more specific. She says, when Obrecht brought up Valentin’s sordid history, she said something weird. She hoped Nina chose happiness. Maxie thinks Obrecht knew something was up. There’s the guest list too. Nobody there wants to see Nina marry Valentin; just the opposite. She thinks Nina invited them to watch her blow this up. She doesn’t think Nina intended to marry Valentin. Peter agrees, and she says, how awful to love someone and have them say they love you. To have them look you in the eye, and be lying about everything else. She can’t imagine anything worse, but Peter says, that’s the thing. Rotten people love too. That doesn’t mean Valentin is lying about loving Nina. Maxie says, Valentin is going to lose her, and Peter says, he knows.

Nina tells Valentin that when Sasha admitted she wasn’t Nina’s daughter, she knew he had to be responsible. She admits she loves him. She knows him, and he knows her. He’s the only person who would be able to find someone perfect enough to be her daughter, and get her and Curtis to believe it. She couldn’t figure out the DNA test, but Obrecht provided the missing piece. Obrecht says she regrets nothing, and Nina says Valentin took a swab from her mother’s corpse, then gave it to Sasha to give to Curtis, who he made sure came calling. When the test came back, he didn’t have to doctor the result, since it was from Nina and her mother. Valentin says, Nina… and she says, stop. Obrecht told her everything that she saw, and Nina believes her. All of this was a set-up; a way to ambush him, and make him understand. She can’t get through to him. If he’d told her the truth, he could have stopped all of this.

Nikolas tells Laura, Lulu, and Doc that Valentin shot him, and he flew out a window into the sea. Lulu says, thank God. Not the shooting part, but that he fell in the water. He says, it wasn’t fatal, and he started to swim. Laura says, it must have been painful, and he says, it didn’t feel great. A ship going to Pyrenees picked him up, and the crew got him medical attention. He realized how dangerous Valentin was, and knew he needed to be strong enough. He was almost fully recovered, when he found out Mikkos had amended the will, and Valentin would be inheriting everything. He couldn’t just come back and reveal that. He had to be meticulous; find a weakness, and a way to stop Valentin and reclaim what was his. He wanted to come back every day, and tell them how much he missed them. He hated what was going on. He asks Laura to tell him that she understands why had to stay away. Laura cracks him a good one across the face.

Valentin asks, may he tell Nina the truth? and she asks if he’s capable of it. He says, the truth is, he loves her. The truth is, his life is better with her in it. The truth is, on top of everything tonight, he thinks it’s just a problem he needed to fix. And the truth is, no matter what she does, no matter how badly she hurt him, she’ll never be the antagonist in his story. She’ll always be his love. And the truth might be, that no matter what he does, he might not have the skill to love her the way she wants him to. That might be the awful truth. Another truth is that he never manipulated her; not one time. She thinks Nikolas is more trustworthy than him, and Jax has obviously manipulated her since the beginning. Obrecht has known for months, and he’s the bad guy. He asks her to do something for him; one last thing. Think about who’s been using her. He walks out, and Ava says, that bastard just tried to kill her tonight. Why are they letting him walk away?

Trina tells Cameron, Josslyn just texted; they’re on their way. Cameron apologizes, and she says, for what? He says he knows she’s into Dev. It must be hard for her that Dev likes Josslyn and not her. She says she’s over it; Cameron said she can have her pick. She suggests if they’re still single when it’s time for the winter formal, they go together as friends, and he says, sounds like a plan. Dev and Josslyn arrive, and Trina asks where they’ve been. Josslyn says they got caught up at home, and they wish each other, happy New Year. Trina asks if they want to get their skate on, and Josslyn tells Cameron to show Dev where the rentals are. After they’re gone, Trina says, getting caught up at home is code for…? Josslyn says, the most mortifying moment of her life, and Trina asks, what happened? Josslyn says she kissed Dev because Trina said he was into her. Trina says, he is, and…? Josslyn says, he wasn’t.

Ava asks if Jordan isn’t hearing this. Valentin shot Nikolas, tampered with a corpse, defrauded Nina, and tried to kill her tonight. Martin says she’s a rambling drunk woman, saying, Ava’s vodka consumption earlier was quite impressive. He says, the accusation of corpse tampering, as weird as it sounds, came from Obrecht, who has a rap sheet a mile long. Obrecht says she knows what she saw, but Martin says, due diligence would be prudent here. Ava suggests he seek out somebody else for a retainer, because Valentin is going down. She tells them, there’s somewhere else she needs to be, and excuses herself. Curtis and Jordan exchange a look.

Laura says Nikolas could have come home. Spencer spent the last three years grieving. Never mind her, Lulu, and Alexis; they’re adults. Spencer is a child who has already lost so much. He let Spencer sit there and watch, while the man Spencer thought killed him, took his home and everything he loved about it. Where was Nikolas? Off plotting revenge? Really? She asks if he knows who else was plotting revenge; his son. Spencer goaded Valentin over and over; it became an obsession. Valentin came to her, and threatened that if she didn’t take care of Spencer, he would, so she put him in boarding school on another continent, because Spencer believed it was his duty to avenge his father’s death. She hates Valentin, and what he did to Nikolas and Spencer, but it pales in comparison to what Nikolas did to his own son. Spencer needed him. Spencer needed a father, and where was he? Plotting revenge for three years? How could he?

Josslyn tells Trina, it was so embarrassing. She kissed him, and he turned her down. So awkward. Trina says she knows, and Josslyn asks, when? but Cameron and Dev return. Trina says, no more probation, and Josslyn says she’s going to miss the orange vest. Trina agrees that it’s Cameron’s color. Cameron says, hilarious, and Dev says, the reflector was the best. Cameron thinks he needs new friends, but Josslyn says he’d be lost without them. He admits he would, and Trina suggests they get their skate on. They leave for the rink.

Curtis tells Jordan that he knows Ava can be a little extra, but don’t tell him that she’s falling for that lawyer and his BS.

Jax approaches Nina, and she tells him not to ask if she’s okay. He says he was going to ask if there was anything he could do to help.

Nikolas tells Laura that he’s sorry. He hated it as much as they did. Laura says she doesn’t think so. He knew they were alive; it’s not remotely the same. She says, the Halloween party. The man in the mask was him, wasn’t it? Why didn’t he reach out to her? He says he wanted to, and she says, but he didn’t. He followed Ava to the gallery, and took off his mask. Ava told her that she saw him, but she didn’t believe Ava. She thought Ava was having a nervous breakdown. Ava’s brother convinced her to commit herself when she was perfectly sane. Doesn’t he see the affect he’s had on everyone? He says, maybe what he did was wrong… She says, maybe? He says, he did it for Spencer. Laura claims she knows how dangerous Valentin is, but she doesn’t. The only way to secure the estate, and keep Spencer safe, was to take down Valentin. Laura says, it was worth anything, and he says, a temporary sacrifice. He won. It’s finally over, and now the damage can be repaired.

Maxie asks if Peter believes what he said, that everything will be better in the morning. Valentin walks in, and wakes Charlotte, telling her that they have to go right now. He picks Charlotte up, but Maxie says he’s not going anywhere. Not with her.

Jordan tells Curtis, they’ve been yanked around by a lot of people for a lot of different reasons. Clearly, a crime has been committed, and they need to bring Valentin in for questioning.

Nina tells Jax that she’s surprised how much she liked the dress. She was torn whether or not to get such a lovely dress. It turned out to be a revenge dress. It’s a pity, but he warned her. Jax says, it’s a beautiful dress, and Nina says she should change. She heads upstairs.

Laura tells Nikolas, she honestly doesn’t know what to say. He thinks she’ll eventually understand, but Laura says, right now, it feels unfathomable. Lulu says, what matters is Nikolas is home, and they’re grateful. They’ll figure out the rest later. Ava comes in and tells Nikolas, she’s sorry to cut the reunion short, but it’s time. Doc says, for what? and she says Nikolas didn’t tell them the happy news? She and Nikolas are getting married tonight. Everyone is in shock. I’m in shock that she negotiated that so quickly.

Tomorrow, Ava asks Laura to stay for the wedding, Nina just wants to get away from Windymere, Valentin punches Peter, and Anna won’t be satisfied until she gets all the answers.

Below Deck

Kevin flashes back to Justine telling him, chef to chef, he needs to go more upscale. The guests are talking about his cooking behind his back. She’s just looking out for him. Nicole and Zak are happy, but the other guests aren’t. Kevin tells her that he doesn’t need her to look after him. In his interview, Kevin says he’s pretty sure she flips burgers and takes pictures. Justine goes back to her girl crew, and says repeats what Kevin said. She tells them, If she was working on a boat, she wouldn’t want the guests not liking her food.

Ashton has a meeting with the deckhands to go over the schedule, and says they’re aiming for a 2 o’clock beach picnic. Kevin tells Courtney, Justine told him that he needs to step up his game. In Kevin’s interview, he says he works hard, and what he puts out contains a bit of him, and he takes it extremely personally. He asks Courtney if he thinks they like cream cheese in their sushi, and she reminds him that they have guests who don’t like dairy. He says, screw these people.

Simone gets drinks for the guests, and Kate tells them about the beach picnic. She asks Rhylee about the fishing trip, and tells her about Ashton going to the captain, and blaming her for going to the wrong spot. He said, since Rhylee was in charge, she should have researched it more, and it annoyed her. Kate thinks since Ashton is the head of the department, it should fall on him. In Rhylee’s interview, she says she’s not surprised Ashton threw her under the bus; she’s an easy scapegoat. She was technically leading the expedition – we see a clip of her and Ashton looking at a map – but to put the blame solely on her is infuriating.

Captain Lee tells Courtney about giving up his room to Lauren. Courtney thinks it’s weird that she accepted, but he says he doesn’t blame her for not wanting to sleep on the sofa, and she paid money for that. In the captain’s interview, he says, it’s her vacation. He couldn’t believe Jamie’s attitude, she was a spoiled brat. If he’d been the primary, he’d have told her to take what she got or got the eff off the boat. Kevin makes sushi.

The guests talk about the weather. Jamie says she’s overheated – probably from the 99 mimosas she’s had before breakfast – and goes to her room. Rhylee and Brian set up the pool, and Brian tries to find fault where there is none. She dared ask him where to place it, telling him she hasn’t been there when they did this before. In his interview, he says, when it comes to Rhylee, he tries, but she’s stubborn. We flash back to some so-called altercations, which are really a lot of nothing, and he says he doesn’t understand why it has to be that way. They put the pool in the water.

The captain advises Ashton on places to scout for the picnic. In Kate’s interview, she says she doesn’t hate Ashton, but she doesn’t respect him. She’s never had a bosun try to punch out a window in a fit of anger and rage. If she couldn’t do a job every time she worked with someone she didn’t like, she’d be unemployed. Kate tells Courtney that she’s going on ahead, and to send Simone with anything they’ve forgotten.

They unload the supplies at the beach, while the guests jump off the boat, and play in the water. Kevin asks where Katie Boo-Boo is, and Courtney says, she’s at the beach. Simone is going over with the food, which is news to Simone. In Simone’s interview, she says communication is bad on the boat, but she’s happy to do something different. Ashton says someone will have to sit next to him, and no surprise, Molly volunteers. Captain Lee tells Ashton that he’s subtle. In Ashton’s interview, he says, working on  yacht, there are always beautiful people. Molly is an absolute cracker, but he’s not going to cross the line, just possibly brush the line. He wonders if that’s a thing.

Kate tells the guests that they have sushi and salad for lunch, and Simone pours champagne. Justine tells Lauren that she just had a short conversation with Kevin, and thinks she scared him. Back on the yacht, Brian tells Ashton that Rhylee doesn’t listen. It’s her way or no way. Ashton says it frustrates him, since they have a cool vibe with Tanner. Rhylee tells Courtney about Ashton talking to the captain, and saying she should have known where fishing was legal. Brian says Rhylee comments here and there, and she’s not even lead deckhand. In Ashton’s interview, he says he can’t fault Brian for speaking to him. It’s draining, having to keep the peace. Now other crew members are saying they’re affected by it. Something has to change. Ashton asks if anyone wants to go snorkeling, but he has no takers. This is a lazy bunch.

The guests return, and are met with watermelon popsicles. Kevin goes over the evening’s menu, and Kate tells him that he’s doing a great job. Kevin wants to make ceviche, but he doesn’t get where the guests are coming from. Some want a cheese course, some don’t want cooking in Teflon pans, some are vegetarian. There are too many options; he doesn’t know where to start. For whatever reason, some of the women want to take posed photos with Ashton; Molly, who is a model, and it looks like Justine, who’s confusing me now. In his interview, he says, so far, he’s had to do a striptease and a lap dance. Now he’s doing a photo shoot with professional models. The Ashton sandwich will have good flavor. They take photos, while the captain watches from the bridge, and Nicole says, it’s like the cover of a romance novel. In his interview, Ashton says he’d expected the models to be stuck up, but they’re the kind of girls he could mix with. Brian and Courtney have a quick kiss in passing.

Rhylee tells Kate that she’s frustrated, but Kate tells her, don’t take everything so personal. Rhylee says she’s literally treated like nothing on deck, and Kate says, it’s like they want to have a girl who sucks. Abbi was bad at her job, so they were nice to her. She tells Rhylee that she’s better at her job than the rest of them. In Kate’s interview, she says, Rhylee has a temper, but works hard, and is very good at her job. If Ashton can’t manage Rhylee, she could use her in interior. She’s probably a better stew than Simone.

The guests get ready for dinner, and the captain sighs in the Sky Lounge, digging through his bags. Kate tells Tanner, G-V-O, and he responds by singing, good vibes only. Lauren tells Courtney that Jamie is in her cabin, but they don’t want to go to dinner without informing her. Courtney is it. Captain Lee gets dressed, and Courtney knocks on Jamie’s door. In Courtney’s interview, she says she doesn’t like getting involved in guest drama, but they all hate Jamie. What’s pettier than refusing to share a room, and making another guest sleep in the communal area? She tells the others that she called Jamie’s name, but there was no answer. Rhylee asks if Ashton wants to talk quietly. Captain Lee checks himself out in the mirror, and guesses it will work. It’s all he’s got.

Rhylee asks Ashton about throwing her under the bus. He says Kate told her about what he discussed with the captain. She says she constantly feels dismissed, and if he can take a second and understand what it’s like in her shoes. This is the second year she’s been dealing with this, and she’s been calm and quiet. Ashton disagrees, and wonders if it’s her insecurities. He says he’s on her side, but she says the problem is, she gets no support from him, even in this conversation, and it sucks. Ashton says maybe she should check how much of it is her insecurities, and how much is the rest of the crew. She says he’s not even listening. She’d like for him as bosun to figure out a resolution. He hasn’t even looked at her once during the conversation. He says he’s been tolerant of her, and she asks what that means. He says her attitude, her behavior, and body language. The way she does things gives off a negative vibe, and the other crew members see it. She says, it’s not her insecurities. It’s 100% the way of the vibe on the boat. He says, so it’s everyone else? and she says she told him, it’s the way of the vibe. He starts pointing at her with his finger, and she tells him not to do that. He says, the conversation is done. He’s her superior. She asks if he just dismissed her. He points his finger some more, and says the captain warned her. She tells him to quit pointing his finger at her, and he says she doesn’t give a f*** anyway. She says he’s right, and he tells her, go to bed. She says she’ll go to her quarters. I hate Ashton at this moment. He is dismissive of her, certainly isn’t like that with the dudes, and I can’t stand when someone doesn’t look at me while I’m talking. It can mean a lot of things, but regardless, it’s disrespectful. That’s his problem. He has more respect for the guys than he does for the women.

Kevin makes beautiful starter plates, and Kate calls the guests for dinner. He says, the plates are pretty, and waiting for the Gram. The captain joins the guests for dinner, and thanks them for inviting him. Kevin says, Justine will probably say there are maggots on her plate, but she declares it good. Molly says, the plating is fantastic, and Kate tells Kevin the guests are loving it. Nicole asks if Captain Lee if he ever goes to Charleston, and he says it’s one of his favorite places. She invites him to look them up when he’s there, and he says he looks forward to it. Kate serves scallops as the second course, and everyone agrees it’s great. Kate lets Kevin know the guests are super happy, and asks if he is. He ignores the question, since he’s busy charring something with a blowtorch, and Kate goes up with the dessert; crème brulee and deconstructed cheesecake. Lauran says, clearly, Justine put a fire under Kevin’s butt. Courtney makes up the Sky Lounge for the captain, who excuses himself, saying he has work to finish. Tanner asks Brian if he should make a move on Kate tomorrow, and Brian says, why not? Tanner says he’s going to roll the dice.

Rhylee tells Kate that she’s on early tomorrow, but was told to go to bed in a demeaning way. Ashton said he tolerated her, and she’s insecure. In Rhylee’s interview, she says she is who she is. She was seven when her mother married her stepfather. They moved from Alaska to Florida to open a bed and breakfast. Nobody goes on vacation to see and hear kids, who should be seen and not heard. In their case, they weren’t even seen, and would be forgotten. If she has to defend herself about something, she’ll do it, no matter what. She tells Kate, it’s humiliating. Captain Lee asks the deckhands to turn the bridge lights off. He can’t sleep with it lit up like a football field. The guests go to bed. At 4:03 am, Tanner has a nightmare, and screams his head off. Brian asks if he’s okay, and says Tanner nearly gave him a heart attack.

In her interview, Rhylee says, the situation with Ashton is not going to fix itself, but no matter what, she’s going to do her job as best she can. The captain talks to himself, saying, travel the world; it will be fun. Now he’s homeless, living out of blue bags. Tanner helps Simone wipe down the tables. In her interview, she says she’s hooked up with him and seen him naked, but wants to be mature about things working out. Ain’t no man going to distract her from her job. Ashton asks to talk to Captain Lee, who says he feels like he was rolled up in a bedsheet and beaten with baseball bat. Ashton says they have the same issues as last year. He’s tried to address Rhylee’s attitude. She works hard, but that’s only one aspect of the job. The crew has to get along. He would never speak to the captain the way Rhylee speaks to him. He’d rather do the last two charters a man down. Captain Lee says, it’s only six days. He really doesn’t want to make a radical change this late in season, but he’ll talk to her one on one. In his interview, the captain says he has two people bumping heads. That means he has to get involved, and no one will like it. It’s his responsibility to make sure things run smoothly. If you’re acting like a d*ck, I’m going to tell you. He radios Rhylee, and asks her to see him in his new office.

The captain tells Rhylee to have a seat. He says she and Ashton have a bit of an issue, and Rhylee says Aston told her that he tolerates her, whether he wants her there or not. It’s a totally different dynamic than with the guys and their banter. On deck, Tanner tells Brian there’s built up negative energy, and they compare Rhylee to cancer. Rhylee says she offers her opinions and tries to help, and Captain Lee says, sometimes when she offers an opinion, it comes off as criticizing people. People in general often don’t see how the way they express themselves is taken. He’s not saying it’s a one-way street. That’s where he thinks the real issue lies. They should confront problems head on, not run away from them. He’s going to talk to other members of the crew, and see what they think is going on. In Rhylee’s interview, she says, it’s a scary situation. If he’s going to talk to everybody, their opinions will be bias, and against her.

At breakfast, Zak asks Simone if they’re serving real maple syrup from Canada. (I’ll let it go that most people would think Vermont first.) She says she doesn’t know if it’s from Canada, but it’s the real deal. He says he doesn’t care where it’s from, as long as it’s not corn syrup. I can’t say as I blame him there; that stuff is crap. Simone assures him it’s not corn syrup, and brings in muffins. Captain Lee calls Tanner and Brian to the bridge. He says he’s going to ask them some questions, and he’s not interested in bullsh*t; he wants the truth. Ashton and Rhylee are going at it like a burlap bag of bobcats trying to get loose. Give him the skinny about what’s going on. Tanner says, it’s tense, and Rhylee doesn’t make it easy. Brian thinks she’s not right for the crew. She doesn’t like to listen, has a temper, and she’s disrespectful. Tanner says she’s difficult, and Brian says she’s mean and doesn’t respect any of them. Tanner says, it builds up until it explodes. The captain asks if they can’t tolerate it for another six days, but Brian says he’d rather deal with the last two charters a man down. Tanner says the energy transfers like a cancer. Captain Lee thanks them for their candor. He doesn’t know what he’s going to do, but he has to do something.

Zak tells the other guests that his bedroom smells a little funky, and it’s not from the bathroom; the bathroom smelled better. Courtney tells Kevin that he’s taking everything too personal, and he says Justine called his food sh*t. Justine slides into the galley, and says she apologizes for making him uncomfortable. Dinner was great, and everyone was impressed. He thanks her, and after she leaves, Courtney says he didn’t even look her in the eye. In Courtney’s interview, she says, look her in the eye, and say you appreciate the apology. She meant it. It’s their job to be nice to guests, but it’s also common courtesy. I doubt Kevin knows what that is, but nice try.

Captain Lee radios Kate, asking if he can impose on her for a bowl of Cheerios. Kate brings the cereal, and asks if he wants to eat in the breakfast lounge – i.e. another couch. He tells her about talking to Brian and Tanner, and she says it’s three against one. He says Rhylee seems difficult to get along with, but Kate says she thinks Rhylee is lovely, and asks what Rhylee had to say. He tells her that Rhylee accepts none of the responsibility, and thinks she’s getting picked on. Kate doesn’t feel that’s the bigger issue, and thinks everyone is wrong, but the responsibility falls on Ashton. Why give him the responsibility of being bosun, if he doesn’t want to be responsible for his team? Being a department head means helping the team work together. In her interview, Kate says, Ashton is a big time d*ck. If he wants to play the game where we talk bad about each other, let’s play. No one is putting Ashton in check, and it’s time someone does. He’s an ego tripping power cocky d*ck. On deck, Tanner tells Brian that Ashton has been patient with Rhylee, and Brian says more patient than he would be. He thinks Rhylee knows she’s leaving, and Tanner says she has a radio. She knows who’s being called to the bridge. In Tanner’s interview, he says, Rhylee has to go; they can’t all be miserable. They have to get rid of her. Brian says, it’s not fair. The anchor is pulled into the pocket.

Kate asks Ashton how his morning was, and Ashton says, there’s a lot to be thought about. The situation was aggravated when it didn’t need to be. She’s not in the position to discuss what he said to Captain Lee with Rhylee. Rhylee walks past, and all three of them are quiet. Ashton doesn’t think it’s right for Kate to get involved in the management of his team, and she tells him, don’t say anything in the presence of another crew member that he wouldn’t want repeated. He says he expects privacy and confidence. In Ashton’s interview, he says he’d never tell Courtney or Simone what Kate said, which I find hard to believe. He says, anybody with a sane mind would know this, but the rules don’t apply to her. We flash back to Kate complaining about Ben and Kevin getting involved in her management. Ashton says, it’s not her team, and Kate says the only reason she brought up the issue is that it needed to be addressed. He says he knows how to manage his team, but she says she doesn’t think he does. He wants to fire Rhylee, and that’s management; it’s quitting. He thinks she should apologize for getting involved in his management, but she tells him to feel free to bring up anything she says out loud. She has no secrets. He goes to his bunk, and calls her a bitch. The captain calls for the crew to get into their whites.

They dock, and Captain Lee calls the crew to the aft deck. In his interview, Kevin says this has been his favorite charter so far. He’s kidding. He hopes he never sees Justine again. Nicole says they had a fabulous time. She can’t thank the chef enough for making her favorite foods. She gives Captain Lee the tip envelope, and Zak says look them up if they’re ever in Charleston. The captain tells everyone, back to work, and Kevin sings about boiling water

Brian calls his daughter, and tells her that he’ll be coming in one week. In his interview, he says he hasn’t gotten to the stage of introducing anyone to his daughter. He’s going through it in his head, wondering about him and Courtney in the long term. They’re coming to the end of the season, and he doesn’t know what’s going to happen. Ashton tells Tanner that Kate pushes his buttons. She feels the needs to give her two cents about what happened with Rhylee. Tanner says, it’s not her business, and Ashton says she’s adding fuel to the fire, and causing more problems. Kate tells Rhylee that Ashton told the captain to fire her, and Rhylee says, for what? In Rhylee’s interview, she says, this is their leader? Instead of bringing her up or helping her, he’d prefer her to be fired. If she’s fired over something like this, her career in yachting might be in jeopardy. Where does she go from here? The captain calls everyone to meet in the crew mess.

Captain Lee says he thinks it was a good charter. The chef nailed it, and the girls did good. The tip was $17,700; $1600 each. He thinks it was appropriate, and he’s happy with it. In Kate’s interview, Kate says a lot of people don’t realize, she’s not a chief stew because the job is fulfilling. The money is fantastic. The captain says, the exterior had a lot stuff going on. Needless to say, he wasn’t pleased. He’s not sure yet how he’s addressing it. You can’t kick sh*t down the road, and think it’s going away, because it don’t. That, they can take to the bank. In his interview, Captain Lee says, the deck crew is behaving like little effing kids. Unfortunately for them, he doesn’t babysit. He’s fed up with the whining and bitching, and has to make a decision. This closely resembles a clusterf***. It’s a sh*t show.

Next time, the captain tells Rhylee they have a situation, and it’s a yacht, not Alaska; Alexis Bellino celebrates her divorce with a charter; and Tanner hooks up with Justine from this charter.

📡 News Flash: Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours To Hell and Back premieres tomorrow at 9 pm. The Haves and the Have Nots, and Vanderpump Rules are also premiering at 9, and I would think the universe hates me, were it not for the fact Gordon’s show will repeat on Saturday at 8 pm.

📺 And heard on Bravo: The Shahs of Sunset is coming soon. A date would have been nice.

💭 Like the Corners Of My Mind…

The cast of All My Children over the years.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/amc-all-my-children-cast-photos-114501?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=8624&recip_id=5057&list_id=9

🍸 Sad Stassi…

Not much info here. It’s more like a tease for Vanderpump Rules.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1108815/stassi-schroeder-teases-really-sad-falling-out-with-vanderpump-rules-co-star-kristen-doute?source=email&medium=emn-content-5&cmpid=evening&content=emn-news

💋 From When She Began…

Lala, from start to wherever we are now.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1106363/lala-kent-shares-her-10-year-transformation-and-it-s-not-what-you-d-expect-to-see?source=email&medium=emn-content-4&cmpid=morning-a&content=emn-news

🚤 With a Side of Sarcasm…

Some fun Below Deck recaps from Vulture.

Kate gets drunk.

https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/below-deck-recap-season-7-episode-11.html

Master Pearson returns.

https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/below-deck-recap-season-7-episode-12-yacht-pocalypse-now.html

Kate leaves the boat.

https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/below-deck-recap-season-7-episode-13.html

😥 Where’d You Go…?

Readership has become like eBay sales. Is it me?

November 8, 2019 – Lucas Talks To His Father, Costumed Daytime, Today’s Ian, Emmy Changes, a Divorce Off, a Divorce Back On, a Reunion, a Survivor, a Bear, Close To a Dozen Quotes & Big Apple Autumn

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Sam tends to the guard. Jason shows up, and asks, what happened? Sam tells him, Cassandra escaped.

Cassandra asks if Nikolas is sure he’s not driving in circles. He tells her the trees only look similar; they’ll get where they’re going soon. She suggests perhaps he take a more direct route to the private airport, but he says they could get caught. He tells her, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. She says she doesn’t have much choice, and he says, that’s the spirit. Don’t worry. He’s taken care of everything.

There’s a knock on Ava’s door, and she says, go away. Jax comes in, saying the doctor cleared him for a visit. She asks what he’s doing there, and he says he thought he’d check on her. How is she? She says, okay. She’s tired because they gave her a sedative. Her mind is playing tricks on her. He says what happened to her is his fault.

Lulu, Charlotte, and Maxie walk into Kelly’s Charlotte asks if when she finishes her homework, she can check on her pony at Windymere. Lulu is sure Butterscotch is fine, but Charlotte is insistent, and Lulu says she’ll think about it. Charlotte asks if she can sit at the counter so she can concentrate, and Lulu says, of course (🍷). Maxie says she’ll have to remember saying she’ll think about it after the homework, when James is old enough. Lulu says Charlotte loves riding, and she’s glad Charlotte can share that with Nina and Valentin. Although she thinks Valentin bought the pony so Charlotte would spend more time there, and asks if she sounds paranoid. Maxie says, not in the least.

Willow sees Brad sitting at the counter, and asks if he’s okay. He says, it’s been a tough day, but Willow is sure when he gets home, and cuddles with Lucas and Wiley, his bad day will disappear. Brad flashes back to telling Lucas about Julian, and says Julian is falling apart. They can’t let Julian drag them down with them.

Julian goes to the hospital, and tells Bobbie that he’s looking for Lucas, and asks if Lucas is on duty. She suggests he try calling before bothering her. He says Lucas isn’t answering, and he needs to speak to Lucas; it’s very important. She checks the computer.

Lucas is at Tony’s grave. He says he misplaced his trust in Julian, and his husband is lying to him – again. Right now, the one thing he knows for sure is that he could really use Tony’s advice. He says, I miss you dad. I’d give anything to talk to you again. He turns, as someone walks into the cemetery. It’s Tony, who says, hello son. It’s been a while.

Jason tells 911, the guard is semi-conscious, and the paramedics are on the way. She tells him, there was another guard. Chase and another officer show up, and Chase tells Jason and Sam to freeze. Sam says, the guard was hit in the head; she’s in and out. Chase tells the officer to check the guard. He does, and says, her pulse is good, but she’s out of it. Chase says he got a call from 911, and Jason says it was him. Chase says, and there was an escaped prisoner. Sam tells Chase, it was Cassandra Pierce. She hit the guard in the head with a shovel, and took off.

Nikolas tells Cassandra, it will be a few minutes; he thinks they should talk. She says, about what? and he says they had a mutual understanding, until she chose to blackmail him. Cassandra asks what he wanted her to do. Continue rotting in that local penitentiary? He knows how dangerous the environment is to a person with her constitution. The mildew alone is deadly. He says perhaps she should have stayed away from Port Charles altogether. She says, lucky for both of them, she’s on her way out. Just get her to the airport. She’d be happy to continue their partnership with mutually agreed upon terms from a safe distance. He says, that’s the problem. Her actions have dissolved their partnership.

Lucas hugs Tony, and says it’s good see him. Tony says since Lucas conjured him up, it must be important. He sees Lucas is a doctor now, and Lucas says just like his old man. And Tony has a grandson, Wiley. Tony says he’s proud of Lucas, and asks what’s on his mind.

Willow says she didn’t see Brad at the hospital today, and Brad says he switched his schedule around; he had errands to run. She says, in case she wasn’t clear, she doesn’t just think of him as just Wiley’s dad. She thinks of him as a really good friend. He says it’s kind of her to say, and she says, because of him, she has a place in her little boy’s life. He guesses he did do that, and she says he did, so if something is troubling him… He tells her like he said, it’s been a day.

Lulu suggests she and Maxie talk about something more gratifying. Maxie says, as in hot Dustin? but Lulu says, as in Peter. The way Maxie has been smiling, he must have done something wonderful. Maxie says there might soon be a change in their living arrangements. Lulu says, he got the place? but Maxie says, that didn’t work out. He’s moving in with her. Lulu thinks that’s even better, and Maxie says it’s been her home forever; more important, James’s home. Lulu says, it’s about damn time. Maxie says she was afraid, then he was afraid, then they took turns being afraid. They’ve finally accepted that they can be happy together, and the world won’t go up flames.

Ava asks Jax how her vacation from sanity is his fault. He says they should have kept an eye on the message boards after they did… She says, that hatchet job? and he says they were her words. He knew the reaction would be strong, but didn’t expect the rudeness. Ava says, rudeness? It was hatred; a complete lack of humanity and compassion. He says he doesn’t want to provide a platform for trolls. It was brutal, and he should have put a stop to it. Ava says she’s going to be more merciful to him than he was to her. The reason she’s there isn’t his fault. He asks, then why? She says she’s being haunted by restless souls. The line between the living and the dead has become very blurry. She just wanted to reach out to Kiki now… Tell her something. Does he believe they can awaken the dead?

Jax knows Ava has taken some questioning paths to contact Kiki, and Ava says, Kiki wants no part of her. Eternity isn’t even long enough for her to stay away from Ava. She’s being haunted by another lost soul. He was there at the gallery. She had him at gunpoint, and told him to take off his mask – it was Halloween and he had a mask on. When he removed it, there he was; so real, she could have reached out and touched him. Jax asks, who? and she says, Nikolas Cassadine.

Chase tells Sam and Jason, the prisoners are heading back to Pentenville. There will be a second transport for Sam as soon as he gets her statement. Sam asks about the guard, and he tells her, the guard is stable, and she’ll regain consciousness. He asks her to take him through it, and Sam says she was on work detail with Cassandra, and they were assigned to plant a tree. Cassandra had a shovel, and faked a sprained ankle. She hit the guard with the shovel and took off. There was a van parked across the road, and as soon as she saw it, she took the first opportunity. She tried to get the guard’s gun, but Sam stopped her from getting a weapon. Chase says, well done, and asks her to describe the driver. She says, it was pretty far, but the driver was male, and the van was white and not too old. She’s sorry, but that’s all she’s got.

Julian tells Bobbie, he can see the animosity. He’s proved himself to Lucas, and was accepted back into Lucas’s life and Wiley’s. He’s not walking away now, or ever. Bobbie reminds him that, whatever ground he’s gained with Lucas, there’s only one man who will truly be Lucas’s father.

Lucas tells Tony about Wiley running around nakey after his bath, and Tony says Lucas was the same way. He and Bobbie called him the streak. Lucas says it’s brought back so much of his childhood. Things he hadn’t thought about. Tony would be exhausted, coming home from a 36 hour shift, and still sit with Lucas to do homework, or put Lucas on his lap to teach him guitar. He always had time for Lucas. Tony says he never wanted Lucas to think being a parent was a chore or a favor. He wanted Lucas to feel safe and loved. He never wanted Lucas to doubt that he was the most important thing in his life . Lucas says he succeeded, and Tony says, good to know. Lucas wants the same thing for Wiley; to feel as safe and loved as he did when he was a kid. But he thinks he just burned it to the ground.

Cassandra tells Nikolas not to let a couple of tiny misunderstandings and setbacks dismantle an otherwise profitable arrangement. He says she put the entire operation in jeopardy. She admits her time in the claustrophobic confines of Pentenville may have compromised her judgment, and compelled her to misstep. Now they’re back on even ground, and no harm done. Nikolas tells her that she said she could deliver information that could destroy Valentin, and so far she’s come empty-handed. That makes her a liability. She says he’s not taking her to an airport, is he?

Nikolas stops the van. He says she wouldn’t appreciate it if he broke his promise to her. How is he supposed to respond when she breaks her promise to him? She says, it’s just been delayed, and he tells her, good. He hopes she considers this drive as an incentive to honor her obligation. She says as far as incentives go, she doesn’t see them any close to an airport. He says her actions have forced him to make alternate arrangements. She jumps out of the van, and runs.

Maxie asks Lulu if the dance was romantic or nostalgic, but Lulu says, it was a nightmare. On one hand, she was surrounded by teenage angst and ricocheting hormones; it was exhausting. Maxie says, on the other? Lulu says, Dustin was… Maxie says, hot? Sexy? Gorgeous? Lulu says, he was adorable and funny, and surprising. He had the biggest collection of dad jokes. They were so lame, she couldn’t stop laughing. Maxie says it was less romantic than she was hoping for, but Lulu says, it was romantic. Let’s just say, the kids weren’t the only ones hoping to score that night. Maxie is happy to see Lulu caught up with someone again.

Willow tells Brad, she doesn’t mean to pry, but Julian mentioned he was worried about him. She knows it was her idea to keep Julian away from Wiley during the adoption process, but she thinks Julian only wants what’s best for Wiley.

Tony tells Lucas, every parent worth their salt worries that they’re going to ruin their child’s life. But he can’t believe that, even accidently, Lucas would compromise Wiley’s happiness. Lucas says he let his guard down, and Tony says he should with the people he loves. Lucas says the problem is, the person he loves, he doesn’t entirely trust as much as he wants to. He loves Brad so much. Tony says he knows, but tell him about the horrible mistake Lucas made that torpedoed Wiley’s life. Lucas says, long story long, from day one Brad was an anxious parent. It’s been over a year, and he’s only gotten worse. They found out the birth father is a psychopath, but even though Shiloh is dead, Brad didn’t get any better. It was the opposite. Tony asks how Wiley is handling it, and Lucas says, he smiles. One thing they’re good at is hiding their stress from him. They’re experts. They can’t share it with each other either. Tony asks, how can he help? Lucas says he just keeps asking himself, what would his dad do? It made him desperate enough to let Julian back into his life; he wanted a father to lean on so badly. Tony says he was never Julian’s biggest fan, and Lucas says, him neither. Not at first. But he wanted to believe in him so badly, he let Julian get close to his son.

Ava says Jax doesn’t believe her, but he says he does. She says he believes that she believes it; that’s what Laura said. But Nikolas was as real as he is. Jax asks if anybody else saw Nikolas, like Laura or Lulu, but she doesn’t think so. He wonders why Nikolas would come to her first, and she says they formed a special bond in the days before Nikolas was killed. Would it be enough for Nikolas to show his face to her before anyone else? Probably not. Jax says, she seems to be arguing that Nikolas wasn’t really there, and she says, he was definitely there. He wanted to punish her. She was there when he was murdered, and she was going to speak out and tell the court what Valentin did. She’d promised Spencer, but Valentin made her an offer she couldn’t resist. (Thank you for not saying couldn’t refuse.) She’d been terribly scarred in a fire, and he said he could have her face restored in exchange for her silence. In the end, she betrayed Spencer and his father’s memory. Jax says he thinks she made the right call. Valentin would have slipped out of the charges anyway, and she would have been left scarred for life. Ava says they’ll never know, will they? Jax says she doesn’t believe Nikolas came back to haunt her because she chose to live life. She says she doesn’t know what to believe. She doesn’t know what’s real. That’s why she’s there. He asks why she thinks this happened to her now. Did something happen? Did she see someone or something that reminds her of the Cassadines?

On the phone, Chase says they have personnel in civilian clothes watching the airports, bus stations, and train stations, and they have roadblocks and traffic stops at the main roads out of town. He tells Sam, good news; the guard is awake and alert. Sam says, that’s great, and Chase tells her to make sure her lawyer knows. He’ll back her up, and it’s got to help. Jason asks, what’s happening with Cassandra? and Chase says they’re combing the city for the van and Cassandra. But he’d like to know what Jason was doing at the park. And before he says he’s not answering questions about his attorney, they could say Sam was an accessory to Cassandra’s escape. Sam says she tried to stop Cassandra, and Chase says, the more Jason cooperates, the better it looks for Sam. Jason says Sam told him when he visited, she’d be on work detail there, and Chase asks if Jason thought he’d pop over to say hello. She says she wanted to make sure her kids didn’t come there, and Jason says when he got there, the guard was on the ground, and Sam was doing what she could to help. Chase asks if it occurred to her to run, but she says, no. She was helping the guard. Why would she take off, and look guilty when she’s not?

Nikolas slams the van door shut, and says, dammit.

Bobbie sees Julian looking at the wall of staff photos. Bobbie asks what he’s doing, and he says he never thanked Tony. Bobbie says, when Julian was hiding, pretending to be Derek Wells, or is he referring to a more cosmic gesture of gratitude? Julian says Bobbie doesn’t think he’s capable of gratitude, does she? She says, no, and he says he knows he’s done terrible things. His efforts to go legit – and he’s succeeded – are probably too late. She says, there’s no probably about it, and he says he’s still a person; a father and a grandfather, and their son is a good man. She says, no thanks to him. He says he understands she and Tony loved and raised Lucas, and he’ll be grateful for the rest of his life. She says they didn’t do it for him, but he tells her, take the win and the thank you. He’s not trying to fill Tony’s shoes, but wants to carve out a space of his own with his son. He leaves, and Bobbie looks at Tony’s picture, saying, fill his shoes. As if.

Tony tells Lucas, the great thing about being dead is, everyone forgets your faults, or at least forgives them. He wasn’t a perfect parent. Lucas disagrees, and Tony says that’s sweet, but Lucas is proving his point. Lucas says if he wasn’t perfect, he was within the margin of error, and Tony says, so is he. Lucas says it doesn’t feel like it right now, and Tony says that’s because he’s going through a bad patch. Everything is gloom and doom right now. Did he forget the first time saw his baby smile, and realized he could take it personally? You forget the feel of your child’s hand inside yours when you’re going to the post office. He thinks when things get rough – and they did between him and Lucas’s mother – these happy memories, these little gifts, these miracles, are his arsenal of weapons against doubt, uncertainty, and fear. Those same memories will build a foundation for Wiley to lead a happy life. Okay, I’m about to lose it.

Lucas says, say he’s adjusted his outlook. Now what? He still can’t decide what’s worse; that Julian framed Brad for having an affair, or that he believed Julian. That’s the state of his family. Tony thinks Lucas knows who the most important person is in all this. Lucas says, it’s Wiley. Now he has to decide who to trust and keep in his life and Wiley’s life. Lucas asks if Tony can’t just tell him what to do, but Tony can’t remember it ever being all that effective. Lucas guesses he’s right, and Tony says when Lucas’s sister died, he didn’t have the strength or motivation to get dressed. He’d pick up his shoes, and just stare. Lucas asks what he did, and Tony says, not a damn thing. It was what Lucas did; does he remember? Lucas says, no, and Tony says, he came into kitchen and Lucas had put out breakfast. He wasn’t old enough to use the stove, so he put all his favorite cereals into a big mixing bowl. Lucas says, it’s starting to ring a bell. Tony says, next to it, Lucas had packed his lunch. It was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, an apple, and a cookie. He’d had no intention of going in that day, but Lucas was having none of it. Lucas asks what he did, and Tony said he crawled next to him on the chair and said, dad, you have to go back to the hospital… Lucas says with him, all those sick people miss you. Lucas finishes, and they need you to make them feel better. Tony says, he remembers. He has a brave heart. All Wiley needs is for him trust it. He takes Lucas’s hand. Lucas’s phone rings. He answers, and I say, don’t go, Tony. It’s Bobbie. She asks if he’s okay, and Lucas says he’s fine. What’s up? Bobbie says Julian is combing the halls in the hospital, hellbent on finding him. He won’t leave. What should she tell him? Lucas says, tell Julian if he wants to see him, he’s with his father. He turns back, and Tony is gone.

Nikolas calls Jax, and tells Jax to call him back. Their situation has been compromised.

Ava thanks Jax. He reminded her of something she hadn’t realized she’d forgotten. He asks, what’s that? and she says she heard Laura call him after she’d seen Nikolas at the gallery. She overheard Laura tell him that he and Hayden shouldn’t ask her about the painting  of Helena. Now it makes sense why he’s there extending his sympathy. Jax insists it’s 100% genuine, and Ava says, right. He’s overflowing with sympathy for her; the woman he accused of killing Connie. The only thing he wants to unburden her of is the painting of Helena. Jax says he was going to ask her about it when she… She says, when she what? She sees him; him and his friend the mayor. So kind, thoughtful, and compassionate. Did they think they could take advantage of her? He says that’s not what’s going on, but she says, they’ll take nothing from her. Not now, not ever. She made the mistake of trusting him once, and she won’t make that mistake ever again. He’ll going to take advantage of her.

Maxie tells Lulu, so they spent Halloween with a mob of teenagers. What’s next? Lulu doesn’t know, and Maxie says, please tell her that she said she had a great time with him, and can’t wait to see him again. Lulu thinks she generally conveyed that message, and Maxie asks if she conveyed it with a kiss. Lulu can’t believe Maxie is asking her that, and Maxie says she’ll take that as yes. She looks at Lulu, and Lulu says, what? Maxie says them, having tea and gossiping about themselves and others. Lulu says, are they becoming normal? Maxie wouldn’t go that far, but they can allow themselves one normal night. They toast, to besties; no drama.

Willow tells Brad that he has an open invitation if he wants to talk about anything. Brad says he’ll remember that. She’s sure he’ll sort it out, and tells him to give Wiley a hug for her. She leaves, and Brad smiles. As she goes out the door, Willow smacks into Cassandra. She asks if Cassandra is okay, and Cassandra says she’s fine. She just needs her evening sugar fix. Willow says, insider tip; they have chocolate chip, and chocolate chip with bacon. Either way, she’s a winner. Cassandra says she’s a lifesaver. Cassandra looks inside, and sees Charlotte at the counter.

Brad leaves a message for Lucas that he’s at Kelly’s, and to let him know if he can bring Lucas anything.

Julian shows up at Tony’s grave. He tells Lucas that his mom said he could find Lucas there. Lucas asks what he wants.

Bobbie looks at Tony’s photo on the wall, and touches it. She wishes he could be there, and see their son becoming a father. He’d be so proud of their boy. She feels Tony behind her, touching her hand. He leans his head on hers, and fades away. She touches her cheek, and smiles.

Jax says he’s sorry Ava misunderstood. He’ll come back when she’s more herself. Ava says, no, he won’t. She won’t let him get his hands on the painting, but have fun searching. She’s stashed that monstrosity in a place no one will ever find it. He tells her, take care, and feel better. Ava says she may be crazy, but she’s not crazy. (If this was a Tarantino movie, that line would be slightly different. There would be another word before the second crazy.)

A guard tells Chase that he’s there to take Sam back to Pentenville. Chase asks him to give Jason and Sam a minute. Jason and Sam hug, and he says he’ll see her soon. Be safe. They exchange I love yous, and the guard takes her. Chase’s phone rings, and he says, put him through. He tells Jason, Cassandra has been spotted.

In the van, Nikolas says he saw the woman they’re looking for. She’s on Telegraph near Parkland. Chase asks him to describe her, and he does. He adds that he can’t be positive, but he’s pretty sure she has a gun. Chase thanks him, and he says he’s just trying to do his civic duty.

Cassandra walks into Kelly’s. Maxie gripes to Lulu about closet space, and Cassandra goes up to Charlotte, sitting next to her. She says, remember her? Charlotte opens her mouth, and Cassandra says, don’t scream or Nina will be in a lot of trouble. Charlotte asks what she means, and Cassandra says, shhh… Charlotte can save her, but she has to do everything Cassandra tells her.

On Monday, Julian asks Lucas not to do this, Obrecht asks Brad what he’s done to cover his tracks, and Cassandra tells Charlotte that no one is going to find them.

🎃 Never Gonna Let You Go…

More Halloween. And whoa. Amy.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/stars-celebrate-halloween-3/

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc-soap-star-halloween-2019-173339

🚕 Catching Up…

I’ve loved Ian Buchanan ever since he said he doesn’t drive and he’s not going to. If someone wants him somewhere, they’ll get him there.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital-catching-up-ian-buchanan-173453

🏆 Ch..Ch…Ch…Changes…

Unless they’re giving all the Emmys to Roger Howarth, I’m not sure it matters.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/daytime-emmy-awards-2020-changes-173432

💏 I Didn’t Even Know They Were Getting One…

Remember her? No reason you should want to. She was a d-bag.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1091268/shahs-of-sunset-s-lilly-ghalichi-and-her-husband-call-off-divorce

💔 And I Thought They Weren’t Getting One…

I can’t even keep up with this.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1091274/jim-edmonds-officially-moves-out-after-calling-police-on-meghan-king-edmonds

🌍 Reunited and It Feels Like Italy…

Juicy Joe gets a visit from the family. No, not that family.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1091032/see-all-sweet-photos-from-teresa-and-joe-giudice-s-family-reunion-in-italy

🌴 Remember Him…?

You really should. Not only the oldest ever, but he came in third.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1061643/survivor-s-oldest-contestant-rudy-boesch-dead-at-91

🐻 Don’t Try This At Home…

That Aquaman, always full of surprises.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1088949/jason-momoa-gets-a-bear-to-eat-an-oreo-out-of-his-mouth

🎯 Quotes of the Week

A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.Marshall McLuhan

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. – William Arthur Ward

I don’t know how I know it. – dude on Cash Cab when surprising himself with his own correct answer

How do you fold egg? It’s impossible. It’s witchcraft. – Carrie Heffernan (Leah Remini), King of Queens

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone. – Dorothy Parker

How are you late for work on a yacht? You have no commute. You roll out of bed, and you’re there. – Kate Chastain, Below Deck

What’s great about this country is that America started the tradition where the richest consumers buy essentially the same things as the poorest.Andy Warhol

You can’t ride two horses with one ass.Dr. Phil

Love is a gross exaggeration of the difference between one person and everybody else. – George Bernard Shaw

Don’t compare yourself to others as you never know what others had to or are overcoming.Emily Liou

The question is not how much time you spend, but how much value you create. – Author Tony Schwartz, talking about energy management over time management.

🍂 Favorite Season, Favorite Place…

See you on the deadside. And don’t forget to thank a veteran.

 

October 22, 2019 – Hayden Reveals a Secret, Fashion Week Drama, New Neighbors, Valentin’s Video, Shah Suit, New Runway & Timeless Family

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Jason sees Doc and Laura at the MetroCourt. He says he needs Doc’s help, and asks if Doc can get him in to see Ryan.

At another table, Finn is on the phone. He asks if he and Hayden are still on for breakfast. Hayden says she’s going to check on Elizabeth, and head over. He says he’s looking forward to it. Robert comes by, and says that’s mighty cosmopolitan of Finn. Finn asks how? and Robert says Finn has his ex in town to keep him warm, while his fiancé off doing something. Who said you can’t have your cake and eat it too?  

After a restless night, Ava gets up and drinks a glass of water. She hears the front door knob jiggle. The door opens, but the chain is on it. Ava gets her gun.

At the high school, Josslyn says they’re counting on Dustin to be a chaperone at the Halloween dance. He says he’s sure they have some ideas, and Trina gives him several teacher’s names. He says he senses a pattern. Can’t they think of a faculty member not born in the 1980s? Josslyn says it will be embarrassing to see them dancing to Donna Summer. Dustin says maybe the chaperones will be happy dancing to Donna Summer, and they can learn a little about pop history. Cameron walks in wearing a suit, and Dustin asks, what’s the occasion? Trina says, it’s his court outfit, and Josslyn asks if it has something to do with his community service. Trina says, Franco’s hearing is today, and Cameron says he’s going to see if he can save Franco instead of Franco saving him.

At the hospital, Elizabeth tells Hayden that she’s meeting Scotty at Kelly’s to firm up their strategy. Hayden asks how she’s doing, and Elizabeth says she’s going to court to fight for a husband whose memory was taken, and he thinks he’s someone else. It’s like that. They hug, and Hayden says, Franco’s lawyer has no idea what he’s up against.

Martin goes to Franco’s room, carrying a garment bag. Franco asks if he brought a suit, and Martin says, better. He shows Franco (we don’t see it), and Franco says, wow. Even he’s impressed by himself. Martin says if they’re going to battle, he’d better be dressed for it. Ooh. I’ll bet it’s his Navy blues.

Julian tells Ava, open up, and she lets him in. She says he scared the hell out of her. He says, bringing her breakfast? What was she planning on doing? Shooting first, and asking questions later? He takes the gun from her, and she says he can’t blame her for taking precautions. He says she’s got the door locked, bolted, and chained; she’s got the windows locked and covered; and all kinds of security cameras and alarms. For a guy who’s currently incarcerated in a secure facility. Ava says he’s watching her. She can feel it. Julian sees she’s been drinking, and tells her, don’t get mad, but is it possible her paranoia is fueled by drinking? She says, if anything, drinking is the only thing helping her. She knows he doesn’t believe it, but she can feel Ryan’s breath on her neck like he’s standing next to her. He’s watching… always watching.

Jason tells Doc that he went to visit Brice, and he was ready to name the person who paid him to frame Sam. Laura says, but he was killed first. Jason nods, and says now he doesn’t have enough to clear Sam, and he wants to find out if Brice mentioned the name to Ryan. Doc tells him that he’s wasting his time. He’d be better off calling Brice’s attorney. Jason says he reached out, but now that Brice is dead, the lawyer has no incentive to return his call. Ryan is in solitary, and the warden won’t let him have access. Laura is surprised he’d take Ryan’s word on anything, and Jason says he has a theory, and Brice confirmed it. Laura asks who it is, but Jason says he needs more proof. It would help if he could find out what Ryan knows. Laura says she can’t promise anything, but she can put in a word. Doc says his brother doesn’t help people. He likes to watch them chase their tails. He’ll negotiate and stall, hoping they come back to confront him. Jason would be better off going elsewhere. Jason thanks Doc for his advice, and says he needs to follow up on every lead. Laura says she’ll call him if she hears anything.

Robert sits down, and signals the waitress for coffee. Finn tells him not to make himself comfortable. He’s not staying. Robert asks if Finn doesn’t want a witness to his brekkie with Hayden. Finn says there’s nothing to worry about, and Robert says, the first thing you learn in the spy game is how to spot a lie. Finn reeks of it.

At the hospital, Hayden runs into Curtis. She asks if everything is okay, and he says he’s there for a case. She asks if it’s a good one, or can’t he talk about it? He says since he’s also kind of a client, he can. He’s there for backup on Sasha’s DNA test. She asks why he’s a client, and he says he had Sasha take not one, but two DNA tests, to confirm she was Nina’s daughter. He doesn’t take kindly to being used to hurt a friend or by a friend. She says he’s a great friend. He deserves to be treated like one. Curtis is glad she feels that way, and tells her that he’s a good listener. If she has anything on her mind…

Elizabeth walks into Kelly’s, where Scotty is scarfing pancakes. He offers to order her a stack, saying, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. She says she can’t eat when her stomach is in a knot. Scotty asks the waitress for coffee, telling Elizabeth, caffeine is good. She says she was up all night, going over everything. Scotty asks, what for? What is she looking for? She says the one thing they missed. The one thing that could make the difference between saving Franco and losing him.

Doc asks if Laura is really going to call the warden. Laura says Jason stopped Ryan from dragging Ava over the bridge in Canada. It’s the least she could do. She tells Doc that she’s dreading the hearing. Poor Elizabeth, and the boys. They love him. Aiden and Jake are waiting for hm to come home, and Cameron is determined to repay Franco for saving his life. She asks if Franco was rational when Doc saw him, and Doc says he can tell her what she already knows. For all intents and purposes, Franco presents a man who believes he’s Drew Cane.

I was right. Franco is dressed in his Navy blues with decorations. Martin asks how he feels, and Franco says, like himself, Chief Andrew Cane. Martin tells him, move around and get used to them. He’s going to do some last minute preparation. Franco asks if that means Martin isn’t properly prepared. Martin says there’s always last minute preparation. Opposing counsel will use his appearance to show he’s incompetent, and unable to recognize himself, which means he’s incapable of acting in his own behalf. It’s Franco’s job to prove otherwise. Martin tells him to keep asking who Drew Cane is, and how he knows who he is. Answer honestly, and even Scott Baldwin will have a hard time proving he’s not who he is. Franco says, Chief Petty Officer, Andrew Cane.

Josslyn thanks Dustin, and says, the journaling helps. It turns out she had a lot bottled up. It felt good to let it out. He’s glad the process is working for her, and asks how much time she spends on it. She says, a couple hours a day, maybe more, maybe less. He says, that’s a lot, and she asks if there’s such a thing as too much. He says, not necessarily, but as gratifying as it is to get it on paper, it’s not a substitute for real friends.

Sitting nearby, Cameron tells Trina that he was a jerk to Franco. Trina says, if he’s unnecessarily torturing himself, she wants in. In the beginning, Franco was unfair about how Cameron related to his brothers. Cameron says Franco apologized, and she says, that’s all anyone can do. He thanks her, and she says she’s not done. When Franco does come back, he’s going to want to make up for lost time. Cameron says, that he will, and he can’t wait.

Finn says it’s been swell talking to Robert, but he generally doesn’t spend time with people who call him a liar to his face. Robert says Anna is on a mission and Finn is playing house with his ex. Finn says he and Anna talk every day, especially after what happened last time when he was texting with imposters. Robert says he was there. He tolerates Finn because Anna loves him, but his tolerance disappears when Finn goes behind her back. Finn says he wouldn’t tolerate that either. That’s why he texted Anna this morning, and said he was having breakfast with Hayden to sort out a few things. Robert asks what Anna said, and Finn says he hasn’t heard back yet. She’s busy with the aforementioned mission. Robert says he believes Finn. Finn says, thanks, but Robert adds, to a point. He thinks Finn is lying about something. Not about Anna, but Hayden.

Finn says Robert is the mother of Anna’s child, so he humors him, but Robert needs to get off his back. Hayden has no connection to him. Whatever is going on, it’s none of Robert’s business. Robert says something is going on between Finn and Hayden. Finn says he loves Anna. Good. Don’t let anything get in the way of that. He thanks Finn for the coffee, and leaves.

Hayden says there’s nothing she needs to talk through at the moment, and tells Curtis to stay focused on their other project. She has to run; Finn invited her to breakfast. Curtis asks if Finn said why, but Hayden says he didn’t mention any particulars. Does he know something she doesn’t? Curtis says Finn didn’t say anything to him, but they have a history, Hayden says, they do. She’ll let him know if she needs to unburden herself of anything after breakfast. He says he’ll catch her later.

Laura tells Doc that when he was speaking with Jason, it was the most grounded she’s seen him talking about his brother. Doc says he’s working on it. She wishes Ava would. It sounds like she’s unraveling. Ryan has been writing her letters, and she decided to take them back to return them. Doc says, she only made it worse. Laura says, Ava seems to think people are watching her constantly, and Doc says, it’s not uncommon in victims of PTSD. She asks if he thinks that’s what Ava has, and he says he can’t be certain, but it’s likely. When he thinks about the terrible things Ryan did to him – and he does think about them – he doesn’t think Ryan is going to give up on loving Ava until he destroys her.

Julian puts Ava’s gun away. He thought she was doing better, but clearly, she’s not. Ava says it’s her home. If she wants to cover the windows she will, and it’s safer that way. He says she has the right to be upset, but holing up in the dark, drinking herself into oblivion, and imagining shadows? She’s better than this; stronger than this. He tells her not to let Ryan defeat her like this. Maybe she should go back to the hospital. She says she’s not the one who can’t face reality. It’s him, and every other person who insists the world is a safe place.

Elizabeth tells Scotty, for two people who just want a simple life together, she and Franco have faced some challenges, but through it all, there’s love. Scotty says they definitely love each other. She says it’s come down to this, the two most important days in their lives. The day they got married with jail cell bars between them, and today, when a judge decides if they’ll be kept apart. Scotty says, at the wedding reception, Bobbie was pressing him to make a toast, but Obrecht fell into the drink and goofed everything up. He was saving it for their 1st anniversary, but he thinks she needs to hear what he had to say now.

Jason visits Franco, and asks if he has a minute. Franco says he does, unless Jason is there to convince him not to undergo the procedure. Jason says he’s there to ask him if he remembers something. Franco says, as Franco? but Jason says, it’s something Drew Cane might remember.

Trina tells Cameron she doesn’t know why Cameron doesn’t like a certain teacher for chaperone. He says they’ll be dancing to rock dirges. Josslyn asks Dustin if that’s not the point of journaling. She doesn’t want to censure what she says or feel like she’s expected to feel a certain way. He asks if she feels she has to do that with her friends, and she says, doesn’t everyone act differently around different friends? He says she’s right, and it is important to have a safe, private place to be yourself.

Trina can’t believe Cameron used the word dirge, and asks if he even knows what it means. He says the Halloween dance will turn into a bubblegum pop nightmare. Dustin tells Josslyn, it’s important to spend time with people who care, and she says she sees them at school. He says, what about after? and she admits maybe she has been spending less time with them. He tells her it’s a trade-off. If she spends more time with them, she’ll have more to write about. She guesses he’s right.

Scotty tells Elizabeth, marriage is not for the faint of heart. She and Franco have had so many obstacles and tragedies to get where they are. He calls it love, but that’s not giving it justice. Everyone should be so lucky to approach love the way they do with tenacity and faith.

Jason tells Franco that Brice broke Shiloh out of custody, and Sam killed Shiloh defending him. That should have been the end, but Brice ID’d Sam as his employer. Franco says, and that’s not true, and Jason says, the Feds think it is though. They’re saying she got Shiloh free so she could kill him, and they’re charging her with murder. Jason says that’s why he’s there. Andre ID’d his attacker as Brice. Whoever Brice is working for, wanted Andre dead. Franco says, before Andre could help restore his memory. Jason says Brice’s employer might have also arranged Drew’s plane crash, and Franco asks if he thinks they’re all connected. Jason thinks he knows how they tie together, and Franco might be able to confirm it. He shows Franco a picture of Peter, and asks if he recognizes this guy.

Ava tells Julian, stop hovering; she’s fine. Doc knocks at the door, and Ava says, they have the same voice. Doc shows proof of ID by showing her both hands. Julian never thought he’d say this, but thank God Doc is there. Ava asks if her brother asked Doc to come over, and Doc says, no. Laura thought it would be a good idea to talk to her. Ava says tell Laura thank you, and adds it was less complicated when Laura hated her. Doc asks how she’s doing, and Ava say she’s perfectly fine. She was just telling Julian that she’s not interested in psychiatric care, but he says he’s not there as a shrink. He’s there as a survivor. Julian thinks they have a lot to discuss, and says he’ll give them some privacy. He can be back in a flash if Ava needs him, but she doesn’t think it will be necessary. Julian leaves, and Doc says, so about Ryan…

Martin goes to Kelly’s for take-out coffee. I only include this because I note the to-go cup is a camouflage design, and wonder if that’s on purpose. He approaches Elizabeth, and says he realizes the difficult situation she and her family are in. Scotty asks if Martin doesn’t realizes that  he shouldn’t be talking to his client. Martin says his client bears no ill will, and wishes he could spare her any pain. Elizabeth says if that was true, he wouldn’t be representing Franco at all. Scotty says, what’s that he hears? An ambulance? He tells Martin, go catch it, and I almost fall off my chair laughing. Elizabeth says she’ll see him in court, and Martin says, indeed she shall.

Robert sees Laura, and she invites him to join her. She asks how he is. She thought she’d see more of him now that he’s working downtown, not less. Robert says, the law is a relentless taskmaster. She asks how the transition is going, and he says he gets to work with his baby brother, and other dear friends. However, should he ever choose to settle down, Port Charles is in the list of the top 100 places he wants to do it. She laughs.

Finn checks his phone, but still nothing from Anna. He texts Hayden, asking if he can order her coffee the way she likes it. She smiles, and is about to text back, but the phone rings. She asks, what’s up? She says, oh my God, and jets.

Doc tells Ava that Ryan is 100% locked up, but she’s dealing with the ramifications. They can manifest in a number of ways. PTSD can last a long time, sometimes a lifetime. You can’t turn off the fear, but have to face it. Fight without feeding into it. She says, Julian suggested the same thing. Is he sure they’re not in cahoots? He laughs, and says, no. The art world, she loves it It’s not just a front. She says she does, a lot; the spirit and imagination it takes to create. The money is good too, don’t get her wrong. He says, there are a lot of ways to make money. Why did she choose art? She says it speaks to her. It gives her a purpose. He tells her, choose that purpose, the sense of fulfillment when the darkness is chasing her. What Ryan did to her, and for her, isn’t going anywhere, but moving past it and severing every tie, can. That’s the road to freedom.

Laura asks when was the last time Robert stayed anywhere long enough to put down roots. Or maybe found the right person to settle down with. She asks if he’s thinking of running for office, and he says he is. She says they last she checked, he’d be running uncontested. He says, no one wants to be DA where Sonny operates. She’s glad Robert isn’t one to back down. She asks if he won’t make his temporary job permanent. The single ladies of Port Charles are dying to know. He says when she puts it like that, how can he say no?

At the MetroCourt, Curtis tells Finn that he ran into Hayden, and she told him that she was meeting Finn there for breakfast. Finn says she never showed, and Curtis says that might be his fault. Finn asks what Curtis did, and he says when they met, his poker face left the building. He might have tipped her off that something’s up. Finn says, but he wasn’t specific? Finn’s phone rings, and he says, uh-huh. He sees. He tells Curtis, he has to go. If Curtis sees Hayden, make sure she doesn’t skip town.

Doc tells Ava that the process won’t come quickly or easily, but the moment she stops looking over her shoulder, she’ll be free. Ava says, in her experience, that’s the moment Ryan shows up with a butcher knife. Doc says, the last time, Ava stuck it in his back. Ava says that was quite a motivational speech he’s got going on, and he says, Ryan is stuck where he is. Not just physically. He’ll never change or evolve, but if she moves forward with her life, Ryan will never catch up. She says, good point he’s making. He asks if she’s saying he’s right, and she tells him that she’s saying she’s late for work. She’s going to get dressed and go to the gallery. Doc says, baby steps. Don’t expect too much too soon. She says she hates half-measures, but she’ll try. She tells him to thank Laura for her, but do her a favor, and make it sound like it was hard for her to say. She doesn’t want Laura to thinks she’s gone softer than she has. He leaves, and she puts the vodka and martini glass away. Looking at herself in the mirror, she says, you didn’t beat me, Ryan, and you never will. Ava Jerome is very much alive.

Franco tells Jason that he knows this guy. He bought Franco a beer at The Floating Rib. Jason says, this was before, but not in Port Charles. Before that. Franco asks what his name is, and Jason says, Peter August. Franco says, when he saw Peter, he was just out of the hospital. He had a feeling that was less of a memory, and more like déjà vu. Jason asks if Franco has any idea where he saw Peter before.

Julian comes into Kelly’s as Elizabeth and Scotty are leaving. Scotty says there’s some dry toast left if Julian would like it. Julian says, Franco’s hearing is today. How is Elizabeth holding up? Scotty says, solid as a rock. Elizabeth says Julian should know that after she spoke to him, she saw Kim. She tried to reason with her, but Kim insisted on testifying that Franco is now Drew. Julian says he thought she might, and Elizabeth says she knows what it’s like to lose a child. As much as she understands, and doesn’t want to hurt Kim, Scotty is going to do everything to discredit her. Scotty says, to save his son, and Julian says he’d do the same for his kids or a person he loved. Kim needs help, and she’ll never get it. He tells Elizabeth, do what she needs to. She has his blessings. He starts to leave, but says, since they’re talking, there’s something he needs to tell them about Kim.

Laura goes to Dustin’s classroom, and he assumes she’s there to pick up Cameron. She says he could use some support, and he says to give Elizabeth his best. If there’s anything they can do at the school, let him know. She tells Cameron, it’s time to go, and he says, here goes everything. Trina says she’ll call later, and pokes Josslyn, who isn’t paying attention. Josslyn tells him, good luck in court, and he leaves with Laura. Trina asks Josslyn what’s up with her, and Josslyn says, what? She wished Cameron good luck. Trina tells her, that’s all she said. She’s completely checked out, and needs to get over herself after all Cameron did for her and Oscar. The road doesn’t only go one way. Trina leaves, and Josslyn ponders this.

Ava’s windows are now uncovered. She goes out on the terrace, and looks around. She says, here I am, you son of a bitch. Come and get me.

Julian picks up his take-out, and Elizabeth says she can’t imagine it’s easy for him. She thanks him, and he says he just wants Kim to get the help she needs. Elizabeth sees how much Julian still loves Kim, and says she’s sorry Kim isn’t in a place to return the feelings. He says, him too, and she watches him leave.

Franco tells Jason that he feels like he should remember, but sorry, he doesn’t. Jason thanks him for trying. Martin asks if he’s interrupting, and Jason says he was just leaving. Martin asks if that wasn’t Franco’s twin, and Franco says Jason is his brother, but he doubts very much that Jason considers them twins. Martin asks why Jason was there, and Franco says Jason wanted help with him remembering something. Martin asks if he wanted Franco’s help or Drew’s help, and Franco says, his; Drew’s. Martin says, interesting

Scotty tells Elizabeth that he’s feeling good about their chances. She asks if it’s because of what Julian said, and he says he thinks Julian might have just handed them a win.

Finn races to the hospital. He sees Hayden, but says he can’t talk. He has a very sick patient. Hayden says his patient is her daughter.

Tomorrow, Carly says she’s never been more prepared to face the unknown. Elizabeth tells Kim that she wishes there were another way, and Martin tells the court that Franco Baldwin no longer exists.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Kelly and Braunwyn ride electric bikes. Riding bikes is Kelly and Jolie’s jam, and Kelly is thinking of getting a bike for Brian, now that he’s part of the family. It’s her and Jolie’s fun as a family. She and Braunwyn ride on a tandem bike, with Braunwyn in the back. In her interview, Kelly says she knows they have assistance, but you still have to pedal a little bit. They turn a corner, Braunwyn screams, and a car horn blares. In Kelly’s interview, she says she wants to get Brian a bike for his birthday, but didn’t know she’d almost die in the process. If that doesn’t show love and commitment, what does? They go into the bike store, and Kelly checks one out. Owner/founder Don tells her that it’s $12,000. How can you put a price on fun? Kelly says she can, and he says it’s really $4,400. Braunwyn tells Kelly about her sister coming in for fashion week, and Kelly says she’ll be there. Braunwyn is excited for Rowan. It’s an amazing opportunity that not many people get. If she can knock this out of the park, there’s no telling where she can go. In her interview, Kelly says she likes Braunwyn. She’s a ride or die kind of chick, like her. Kelly is loyal, and when people are loyal to her, they have a friend for life. She appreciates Braunwyn being the same way with her. Braunwyn screams some more on the way back.

Tamra and Ryan go to a laser specialist. Ryan is wearing an American flag shirt and hat, and Tamra finds it comical. She asks when he became so patriotic, and Ryan says, America is always in style. In her interview, Tamra says she never liked Trump as a person, and doesn’t like a lot of the things he does, but she can’t judge her son by his love of Trump. She asks why Ryan got the tattoo he’s having removed; a dollar sign behind his ear. Ryan doesn’t know; money on his mind? He was going through a phase. The older he gets, he wants them covered. In Tamra’s interview, she says she told him this day would come, and he would regret some of the tattoos. She doesn’t know why kids can’t listen to their mothers. The doctor does a laser treatment that doesn’t take much time. Tamra asks if Ryan is okay, and he says his life is up and down. In his interview, Ryan says he never got the building blocks for life. No one set him up for the future. Tamra says she doesn’t want him to end up like she did. It took her a long time to deal with her feelings. In Tamra’s interview, she says she thinks Ryan wanting to remove the tattoos is a sign of growth, but he needs help. She tells him that he has to put himself out there a little, and he says when he’s ready, he will.

Gina thinks it’s time for a change, and stylist Andrea works on Gina’s hair. Andrea says it’s a new phase, and Gina will be ready for Dr. Hottie. Gina tells Andrea that he slid into her DMs. In Gina’s interview, she says it makes her laugh. She’s horrified that she responded, but she’s had a rough year. She needs a date. She tells Andrea that dating is against the rules when you’re married. Someone should have told Matt. In her interview, she says Dr. Hottie is a brain surgeon. He’s smart, witty, and not Matt. He’s good for her right now. Andrea asks if she’s telling Matt, but Gina says he doesn’t know. He’ll be upset, since he wants to get back together. In Gina’s interview, she says she suggested he see a therapist. She’s stuck her toe into the dating world, and wants to explore more. When Andrea finishes, Gina is platinum blonde with very straight hair. I’m not loving it, but she thinks it’s pretty, and that’s what matters.

At Braunwyn’s house, champagne is popped open. In her interview, Braunwyn says, the family supports each other’s highs and lows, and it’s a high today. She’s glad everyone is there. Rowan has been working hard for years on her fashion line, and it’s a big deal. She thanks everyone for flying in from all over the country. She toasts to the coolest effing family ever.

Shannon has her hair and makeup done at home. She thinks Adeline should practice walking; she’s never walked in anything before. She tells the makeup guy that Adeline used to put on her heels when she was still in diapers, and he says, she was made for this. Shannon tells Adeline, more hips. In Shannon’s interview, she says if her kids want to accomplish something, she’s going to help them. Her mother wasn’t hard on her, so she was hard on herself. She was a self-starter, and wants the same for her own children.

Braunwyn gets ready for the fashion show. In her interview, she says she loves fashion. Some of her clothes are cutting edge, but she dresses for herself. Tonight, her look is like a high end big bird. I’d say more Swan Lake. Her skirt is made of white feathers, and the top of the dress is sheer with pearls in strategic places, as well as scattered in a random pattern. In her interview, Braunwyn says she had no clue how depressed Rowan was. OCD manifests in different ways. Dancing put Rowan’s body under a microscope, and she’s either all in or out, so she decided not to eat. She tells Sean that she’d never been so afraid. Sean says when the kids are doing well, he puts more pressure on them. Life is full of ups and failures. Rowan comes in, and Braunwyn says they were talking about how far she’s come. She asks what the hardest part was, and Rowan says losing the part of herself that took so long to come back. Sean says, it’s a big deal. Rowan is dressed in black, and says she and Braunwyn look like an angel and devil. In his interview, Sean thinks this epitomizes their daughter’s success emotionally.

Shannon wants Adeline to practice her runway walk before the show. Rowan is excited, but nervous, and Braunwyn says she’s going to be taking five zillion photos. The look at the pieces in Rowan’s collection, and Braunwyn says they’re mommy approved. Shannon sits with Sophie, and they watch Adeline practice walk. Sophie says, she’s so good, but Shannon isn’t happy, and tells her, get it down. She barks orders at Adeline, telling her to stop smiling, and pop her hip. In Sophie’s interview, she says she thinks Adeline is killing it, and if her mother doesn’t shut her mouth, Sophie is going to shut it for her. Shannon tells Adeline, too fast, and Adeline tells her to stop screaming at her. Shannon says she’s Adeline’s momager, and Adeline needs more pop. Adeline goofs around, making exaggerated moves.

Everyone starts arriving, and it gets crowded pretty fast. Eddie asks Braunwyn if she and Tamra made out. Braunwyn asks him to define making out, and he asks if there was tongue. We flash back to that, and Braunwyn makes a sign indicating a little. I’d hate to see what she considers big. Eddie asks if he can watch, and she says, anytime. Sean explains how the show works, and that they’ll be going to different levels. Dr. Deb asks if Rowan is nervous, and he says, Rowan is so excited, she’s on a high. He’s more nervous than she is. Braunwyn says, Adeline is the youngest model, and Rowan is the youngest designer. Gina shows up, and Braunwyn says she didn’t recognize her. Gina tells Kelly that she needed a change. In her interview, Kelly says, when you’re going through a divorce, ladies, don’t change your hair. Because of low self-esteem, you try to make yourself feel better, and end up making yourself look ugly. Case in point – Gina. I guess I’m not the only one who’s not a fan of Gina’s new ‘do. I’m really not liking her whole look. Dr. Deb suggests Adderall, and Gina says she’ll take anything Deb’s got.

President of OC fashion week, Kathy, gives instructions to everyone. Braunwyn shows the others the row reserved for them. Gina tells Emily that Matt now claims to be heartbroken, and is calling her selfish because she doesn’t want to try again. Emily says she understands as a mother, but if it happens, it should be something that happens down the road. In Emily’s interview, she says, Matt is messing with Gina’s emotions. Emily doesn’t want her to get in a place where she’s not happy and healthy. She tells Gina that Matt was involved with someone else for a long time. It’s not like he met her a couple of weeks ago. Gina says he wants to sweep it under the rug, like everything else.

The show is starting, and everyone moves upstairs for the finale walk. Co-host Crystal tells Braunwyn they can be seated early. Deb needs to use the bathroom, and a security guy grabs her arm, and asks where she’s going. She tells him not to touch her, and the dude argues with her. She tells him, don’t grab her, and don’t disrespect his elders. I’m surprised he didn’t think she was Betsey Johnson. It’s a fashion show for God’s sake. He continues to be stupid, and Kelly’s business partner, Zack, intervenes. Deb tells Kathy what’s going on, and these people must have taken idiot pills because Kathy gets snarky with her. She says, they don’t know who you are, sweetheart. Deb tells Kathy, don’t call her sweetheart. In her interview, Deb says what Kathy meant was bitch. Deb tells Braunwyn about the dude grabbing her on her way to the bathroom, and says then Kathy came after her. Braunwyn asks if Kathy apologized, but Deb says, no, and Braunwyn stomps off to find Kathy. She tells Kathy to apologize, saying, if she doesn’t, it’s going to be a bad night. Kathy tells her to have Deb talk to her, and then she’ll apologize. Braunwyn says, don’t screw up her daughter’s night by attacking her mother. Kathy thinks they don’t have clear communication, and that’s how mistakes get made. She starts getting loud, saying they need to know in advance who’s there. She gets so loud, her voice starts getting squeaky. Kelly comes over and asks why there’s yelling. Kathy says she can be as loud as she wants to. Kelly says Kathy is working, and to be professional. Kathy talks into the mic, saying that she’s working, and can be as loud as she wants, then shoves the mic into Kelly and Braunwyn’s faces. I don’t even know what to think. Is this woman high? Kelly calls her a psycho and a dumbass. Kathy says, defamation, and bumps Kelly’s mouth when putting the mic back in her face. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says she thought it was some kind of misunderstanding. She had no idea this woman would go off the rails. She tells Sean that if she had her way, she’d be in jail, because she’d throw Kathy off the boat. Kelly says Kathy hit her in the face with the mic. Her kneejerk reaction was to slap the sh*t out of her, but there are children around. Kathy says, bitch, as she walks past Kelly, and Kelly says Kathy hit her in the face. Kathy wanders around, talking into the mic, saying she’s sick and tired of things not being true. Braunwyn says, this is why they can’t have nice things. Continuing to speak into the mic, Kathy says starts yapping about one of the designers working against bullying. She says if anyone has ever been abused, they can put hashtag anti-bully on their Instagram feed. Kelly says, hashtag assault, and Kathy says, some people laugh, and make a mockery of it. If anyone has been a witness to verbal abuse, put hashtag anti-bully. Co-host Crystal grabs a mic, and asks if they shouldn’t get to the collection. Everyone applauds, and the first line come out. She introduces Rowan’s line, and everyone cheers. The models walk, and Rowan looks thrilled. The only thing I can figure is, this is a two-bit operation run by wannabes. Not to minimize Rowan’s success, but who ever heard of OC fashion week anyway? It’s a testament to Kelly that she didn’t cause a commotion. She had every right to. There could have possibly been a touch of jealousy on Kathy’s part too, since Braunwyn and family all look fabulous, and she… well, not even close.

Adeline comes out next, and Sophie says she’s going to cry. In Shannon’s interview, she says, watching Adeline walk, stop, and own it, it’s like seeing a different child. Proud doesn’t even describe how she feels. Adeline nailed it. Bam! They walk out together. In her interview, Rowan says it’s the proudest moment of her entire life. Braunwyn says Rowan put her mind to it, and did it. She got lots of congratulations after such a great job. Emily says she gives credit to a sixteen-year-old who not only has a vision, but executes it.

Braunwyn and family get in their limo. Braunwyn tells them about Kathy wanting to fight, and says she tried to kick them off the boat. Rowan is shocked, and Braunwyn says, you don’t mess with her kids. That’s the only thing, and it’s her trigger. Don’t f**k with her family. She repeats that several times. In her interview, she says she didn’t have that kind of protection growing up. There was no one who came to her rescue. She tells them she’s glad she has them all, and says, team Wyndham-Burke!

Emily meets Braunwyn for horseback riding. She tells Braunwyn that she’s been around horses her whole life. Her mother owned a breeding business, and riding as a calming effect. She wants to get back into it. They saunter down a path through the woods, with trainer Brenda in the lead. Emily thinks Annabelle would like riding and they could bond. Braunwyn says it was dance for her and Rowan. Whatever dreams her children have, she supports them. She didn’t have that  as a kid. Emily says she didn’t either. She likes that Annabelle is close to Shane. In her interview, Emily says, not having a dad in her life, made her achieve things, so she didn’t have to depend on a man. Braunwyn says they both picked amazing fathers, and Emily says she’s proud of herself. Braunwyn can’t imagine a father figure. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says her father was a bigwig surfer in Hawaii, and a functional alcoholic. Her mom was angry, and made it harder for him to be in her life. As she got older, she realized it’s not okay. Emily says she had a dad, and knew who he was, but her parents divorced when she was six. They talked every six months or so, but there was no father/daughter connection, and she  grew up angry. She knows she has anger issues and she’s reactive. She always goes to anger. Braunwyn says her issues are more about abandonment, and doesn’t let people get too close. It took fifteen years for her to let Sean love her, but she knew when she met him that he’d be an amazing dad. Emily says she gave her kids a dad who adores them and is there for them. In her interview, she says, is Shane a good husband? Sometimes. But she puts the needs of her children before her own needs, and she’s okay with that.

Gina uses a curling iron on her hair, while she FaceTimes with Tamra. She says she’s doing all this for therapy with her ex. In Gina’s interview, she says she and Matt are going to therapy for co-parenting. They have a lot of issues, and it’s better to discuss them in a safe environment, so they don’t fight and work it out. She tells Tamra that she wants to look super-hot, but not too hot. She doesn’t want to invite that in. Matt texted her a million times, and then she got snarky and blocked him. Then he called 12,000 times from another number. When she didn’t pick up, he came to the house. Tamra says, unannounced? and Gina says, at 1 am. Tamra says, she didn’t answer, did she? and Gina says she hadn’t locked the door. She was on the phone with Dr. Hottie, and Matt came upstairs. She didn’t know he was in the house, and it was scary. In Tamra’s interview, she says, it’s beyond comprehendible. Gina tells her that Matt said he’s looking for a job in OC. Tamra asks if Matt gets his sh*t together, would Gina attempt to try again? and Gina says she’s not there at all, but doesn’t want regrets because of her kids. Tamra says it will screw with her head. Gina thinks they’ll find out that they’re not supposed to be together, but in an amicable way. Tamra says the ball is in Gina’s court, and Gina says that makes her stressed. Tamra says Gina didn’t do this, Matt did. In Gina’s interview, she says it’s alarming that Matt walked in, but to be honest, it feels good that he cares about her. Her heart wants it, but her brain says don’t fall for the romance novel situation. She thinks she’ll ultimately regret it if she doesn’t follow her heart, even if it’s not the smartest move.

Ryan and Tamra meet for coffee. She asks what he’s been doing, and he says, a whole lot of nothing. In Tamra’s interview, she says she’s worried about Ryan, and wants him to know she’s there. She asks if he’s dating anyone, but he says he’s been secluding himself. He doesn’t want to do anything, and doesn’t find interest in anything. He has zero feeling. Tamra asks what he thinks will make him happy. He says he’s not playing the victim role, but some people had better opportunities to springboard off of. Growing up, his priorities were different because of the situation. Tamra asks if he means Simon. He says when other people were wondering which college to go to, he just wanted out of there. In his interview, he says he was a trial run. No one prepped him for life as an adult. At age eighteen, that was it. We flash back to the Simon days, and Simon telling Ryan those are the rules, and the rules are based on his past. Ryan tells us that they made their mistakes with him, and everyone else got the good stuff. Tamra asks if he got her email, and he says he didn’t read it yet. She says she sent him info about Dr. Machala. If it makes him more comfortable, they can call her a life coach. Ryan says he’s not unhappy, just in a funk. She says it’s hard to see him like this. In her interview, Tamra says, this is really serious, and she’s scared for him. She’s afraid something bad will happen, and this is her last ditch effort to get him to see a professional therapist. She tells Ryan that he’s treading water, and barely staying afloat. It’s no way of life. He says he’s down to talk. Maybe she’ll open his eyes to something he’s not seeing. She tells him to just be as honest as he can, and he says he’s always honest.

Next time, Gina hooks up with someone, Vicki has a tea party, and Gina tells Braunwyn that it’s not about her.

If you haven’t seen it yet, new Bravo series, In a Man’s World, is excellent. Each week, a woman is made up as a man, and sets out to prove gender bias in a different situation. And when I say they’re made up, I mean by professionals, and they’re also coached on movement and voice. There’s no way you’d know it was the same person. So far, they’ve presented Le’Dor, running for city council; Sabrina, who wants to preach from a pulpit; and Shital, who’s Indian culture has caused her own father to treat her like a second class citizen. In Le’Dor’s case, being a mom seemed to work against her, but as a man, having a family was a plus. With Sabrina, it took longer for a congregation to warm up to her as a woman, but she got a better result from the collection basket at the end, which she attributed to her anointing. Shital compared her own birthday dinner, where her father pretty much ignored her, to a dinner where Raj was a guest of her sister (who was in on it), and her father was very interested in talking to him. Her situation made me sad, but in the end, she and her father had a better relationship. I didn’t expect to like this show as much as I did, and can’t wait to see who’s next.

😁 Braunwyn Makes Friends…

And just in time for Halloween.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/home-design/braunwyn-windham-burke-meets-cool-neighbors-halloween

🎹 My Singing Valentin…

James Patrick Stuart proves he’s more than just a pretty villain.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital-james-patrick-stuart-mr-give-music-video-173262

🎭 Shah Drama…

Reza and Mike bump heads once again.

https://pagesix.com/2019/10/18/mike-shouhed-accuses-reza-farahan-of-threatening-to-sue-over-clothing-line/

👗 Project Runway will be starting its new season on Thursday, December 5th at 9:30 pm.

💀 They Never Get Old…

Both literally and figuratively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 7, 2019 – Making a Connection, a New Deck In Thailand, Valor’s Newbies, GG Has Good News, Mario Pushes Jill & Cohen Fire

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Great start to the week already, I miss a minute or two of the beginning. The bizarre thing is, I started off with extra time this morning. Such is life. Moving on.

Peter says, they’re all set. All they need now is the bride. Valentin wonders what the delay is, and Maxie tells him, it’s the bride’s prerogative to keep her groom waiting.

Outside, Obrecht wants to take one more picture, but Nina says, there will be plenty of time for that later. Lulu says she needs to speak to Nina. It’s important. Nina asks what’s more important than the happiest day of her life?

Obrecht is sure whatever Lulu has to say can wait until after the ceremony. Lulu says, it can’t. Nina says it’s her wedding day. She’s getting ready to walk down the aisle. Lulu says they have to talk right now; privately. Nina says, it’s never ending with her, and Lulu asks what that’s supposed to mean. Nina says she knows what it means. Michael arrives, and says Sasha looks incredible, and so does Nina. Nina thanks him, and he says he’ll see Sasha inside. Maxie comes out with two bouquets, giving them to Nina and Sasha. She says, Valentin is getting antsy. Let’s do this, people. Ready? Lulu says she has to tell Nina something that can’t wait.

Josslyn tells Jax that she didn’t know at the time, but Dev helped Sonny rescue Dante in Turkey, and ended up saving Sonny’s life. When Dev was on his own, he didn’t feel safe. Jax asks, from what? and Josslyn says, the people after him; she’s not sure exactly. Dev made it to the U.S., hoping Sonny could help him out. He came there first, but Sonny wasn’t home, so he went to Dante’s. That’s how she ended up at the police station. Jax says, what? and she says she wasn’t under arrest. Jax says he would hate that, and hate to be the last person to know. She says she went in Lulu’s house, and thought Dev was a burglar. He kept telling her that he knew Sonny, but it didn’t make sense. By then the police were there, but she called Sonny, and it was straightened out. The next day, Dev was there. Jax says, strange for her, and Josslyn says, it was pretty random, but he seemed nice enough. Sonny wanted to find a way to protect Dev. It wasn’t safe to send him back, so he made Dev part of the family. Jax says, his life was on the line, and she says, no one shared the details, but that’s the impression she got. He says it sounds like she didn’t get a choice.

Sam says, just because he wasn’t dressed for it, doesn’t mean Peter wasn’t headed to the gym. Jason says, there are no gyms by the pier. Sam asks if Dev is sure Peter didn’t say where he was headed. Dev says he was in a hurry, and not really paying attention, and she asks, what about at the hospital? Did Peter seem anxious? Dev says he was more focused on the police finding Shiloh. Jason thanks Dev, who asks if they think Carly is up for a visit. Sam says Sonny is in with her; maybe tomorrow. Dev ask them to give Carly his best. He leaves, and Sam says, Peter was definitely working with Shiloh. That had to be it. Jason says now they have to figure out how.

Sonny tells Carly, she needs to sleep. Carly knows, but she can’t stop thinking about how differently things could have gone. Sonny asks if they did, and she says, no. He says, Donna had an addressable, correctable condition, and they have amazing resources at their disposal. She says, so many don’t have them, especially the support of family. Sonny says their daughter will live a normal life, and Carly says, screw normal. She wants Donna to live a spectacular life. She tells him to say it again, and he says, what? She says, their daughter. He kisses her, and leaves.

Lulu asks Nina if there’s somewhere they can talk, and Nina says, the reception, or her office after the honeymoon. Maxie says, it’s not the time, but Lulu says if she doesn’t, it will be too late. Nina can’t believe this, and Maxie pulls Lulu aside, and tells her that she gets Lulu doesn’t like Nina with Valentin. She doesn’t either, but whatever Lulu is about to do, don’t. Lulu says Maxie doesn’t understand, but Maxie says she does. It’s hard to watch Valentin get his happily ever after, but don’t ruin it for Nina just because she doesn’t like him. Charlotte runs out, and says, the music started, and Sasha says, she’s on. Obrecht says unless Charlotte’s mother has other ideas. Charlotte asks, what’s wrong?

Lulu says they’ll talk later, and Nina says she can’t wait. She tells Charlotte, good luck, and asks Maxie if she has any idea what that was about. Maxie says she doesn’t, and doesn’t want Nina worrying about it. Not today. She tells Nina, break a leg, and goes into the church.

Lulu sits next to Dustin, and says she couldn’t do it. Charlotte was so excited and hopeful. Peter tells Valentin, it’s show time. Dustin puts his arm around Lulu, and everyone sits. Charlotte comes down the aisle, tossing rose petals, and Valentin blows her a kiss. Sasha follows, and nods to Michael. Here Comes the Bride begins to play, and everyone gets up. Obrecht walks Nina down the aisle.

Josslyn tells Jax, it’s not like that. She told them that she wanted to help. He says he knows, and she says, no one pressured or forced her; just the opposite. Her mom went overboard, asking her if it was okay. She hated that Josslyn was lying to him.  He’s glad her mom is looking out for her – and him. It’s an untenable situation, and needs to be fixed. She says, if the only fix is sending Dev away, it’s not the fix she wants.

Carly wakes up, calling out for Donna. Bobbie tells her, it’s okay. Carly says she thought the baby was crying. Is Bobbie sure she’s fine? She asks Bobbie to check on the baby, and Bobbie says she’ll be right back.

Jason and Sam goes to Spinelli’s hotel room. He apologizes that there are no snacks in the mini-bar, and Jason can’t believe he blew through it already. Sam says they didn’t come to eat, and Spinelli says he hasn’t received authorization yet from the court to check the recording out. Jason says, while their anxious to prove it’s a fake… Sam finishes, that’s not why they’re here. Spinelli asks if Carly brought forth another Corinthos, and Sam says, a baby girl – Donna. Spinelli says, Italian for great, noble lady. It’s fitting. Sam says, everyone is great, but that’s still not why they’re here. Spinelli is intrigued, and Sam says they think Peter has a connection to Shiloh. They need Spinelli’s help to narrow it down. Spinelli says, done.

Maxie tells Lulu, good call. She’s never seen Nina so happy. They go inside, and the minister says they’re here today to witness and bless this marriage. Marriage is a sacred trust, not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and honestly. He asks who gives Nina to Valentin, and Obrecht says, she gives herself, but on behalf of the family, she gives their blessing. She kisses Nina on the cheek, and sits. Valentin tells Nina that he loves her, and she says she loves him too.

Jax understands Josslyn’s impulse to help, and he’s proud that she wants to, but Sonny set this in motion. It seemed like a good idea, and she went along with it, but she’s just a kid, and her mom is married to… Sonny. Josslyn says, so? He says he’s looking at this from a closed perspective, and not looking at avenues other than his own. As her father, it’s his job to look out for her. Josslyn asks what he’s going to do, but he doesn’t know yet. She says, Dev is a good guy, and desperate to stay in the country. He’s not arguing with her compassion, but Dev isn’t his priority. He has to figure out what’s best for her. Sonny comes in, and Josslyn asks how Carly and the baby are. Sonny says, great, and the cutest. Josslyn can’t wait until the baby is older, and Sonny says, it’ll be a while, but worth the wait. Jax asks if Sonny has a minute to talk, and Josslyn says she has to meet up with someone. She’ll text if she won’t be home for dinner. When she’s gone, Jax calls Sonny a son of a bitch, and says he hasn’t changed at all, has he?

Carly asks Bobbie if Donna is okay, and Bobbie says, if by okay, she means perfect, then Donna is okay. She had a great feeding, a good burp, and is currently passed out. Carly can’t wait to hold her again, and Bobbie ask when that will be. Carly says, tomorrow. It feels like a long  bumpy road is finally starting to smooth out. Bobbie asks why Carly didn’t tell her what she was dealing with.

Jason tells Spinelli that Shiloh called him out of the blue, offering him information. Spinelli says, and he dangled Peter in front of Jason. Sam says they think there’s more to it, and Spinelli says, he didn’t think anything of it at the time, but he overheard Peter on the phone at Crimson the day Shiloh was being transferred. Sam says, the same day Shiloh escaped.  She asks who Peter was talking to, and Spinelli tells her, Peter said it was a colleague, currently working on the magazine. He insisted they’d better be finished by the end of the trial, and to keep him posted. Sam wonders what was to be finished, and Jason wonders who Peter was talking to.

The minister tells everyone that Nina and Valentin wrote their own vows; less work for him. Valentin says, ladies first. Nina says it’s no secret they’ve been there before. it didn’t end well, and she thought that was it. She’d never find the faith to trust, or the courage to let herself love again. She found those things in an unexpected place. The husband who broke her heart, rebuilt it to be stronger. He blessed her a million times with her beautiful stepdaughter, Charlotte, and added to that joy with her beautiful daughter, Sasha. She can’t express how much it meant. It’s forever changed her life in the best possible way. She was broken before, and he healed her. She didn’t think she could love him anymore, then realized she couldn’t love him any more. She loves him forevermore. He tears up, and thinks he should have gone first. He doesn’t know how to follow that. She may not have been his wife, but he’s always been married to her. She is always, has always, and always will be, the love of his life. He thanks her, and thanks whatever forces brought her to him. They’ll never be apart. They belong together. Two crazy peas in a pod. He’s grateful to whatever forces led him to her. Lulu flashes back to Valentin telling her, they need to stay calm and communicate as adults. There are some things she doesn’t know. She says she knows he’s a liar and murderer. Why would she believe him? Valentin thanks Nina for putting faith in him that he didn’t deserve. He thanks her for believing in him when she shouldn’t have, and thanks her for second chances. He promises her that he won’t waste it, just as he promises to love, honor, and cherish her, as long as he draws breath. The minister says, for formality’s sake, if anyone knows a reason why this couple shouldn’t be married, speak now or forever hold your peace Which, btw, they only say at fictitious weddings. Lulu says she has something to say. Valentin looks pissed.  I’m thinking I don’t believe what she said to Dustin that revenge has noting to do with it. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think I’d leave everyone have their happiness here.

During the break, there’s a commercial for a DNA kit, which is kind of funny, considering.

Sonny says Josslyn told Jax about Dev, and Jax says, yeah. Sonny says, here’s the deal. Jax can be mad at him all he wants, but don’t take it out on Dev. Jax says he’s not taking it out on Dev; he’s protecting Josslyn. Sonny asks, from what? and Jax says, whoever Dev is running from.

Josslyn waits at the café. Dev comes in, and she thanks him for meeting her. Dev asks if everything is okay, and Josslyn says baby Donna and her mom are fine. He says she had him worried. He’s guessing he should still be worried. She says her dad knows the truth about him, and Dev asks how he found out. She says she told him.

Carly tells Bobbie, it’s not about trust. Bobbie had so much going on with her diagnosis. Diabetes is a lot; all day, every day. She thought Bobbie had so much on her plate already. Bobbie says when it comes to her kids, she can always take more. Capiche? Carly says, capiche.

Sam doesn’t understand why Peter would be monitoring Shiloh’s trial. Spinelli says Peter tried to spin it, saying it was because he was a publisher, but Sam says, that’s what reporters do. Spinelli says he doesn’t trust Peter far as he can throw him. Sam says, he’s sleazy, and Spinelli says, that’s the word. Along with deceptive. Sam says, inauthentic, nauseating…  Spinelli says Peter should be imprisoned, like he did Jason. Jason says they have nothing on him yet. What about the colleague Spinelli mentioned? Spinelli says Peter called from a burner phone, and Sam says Peter will just say he’s calling an anonymous source for The Invader. Jason wonders about the surveillance cameras where the phone was purchased, and Spinelli says he’ll look into it, but right now, they should look into the world’s biggest motivator, and follow the money.

Lulu says she’s sorry to interrupt, but needs to speak to Nina alone. It’s not something that can wait. Charlotte asks what she’s doing, and Lulu says what she needs to say is really important. Michael gets up, and suggests he take Lulu outside for some air. Lulu says she doesn’t need air; she need to talk to Nina. Nina tells Valentin that she’s about to lose her mind, and Valentin asks Lulu to please leave. She says she’s not leaving until Nina hears the truth.

Jax says, it’s vintage Sonny. Hiding behind innocents who love him. He uses those who love him as a shield, like he did Robin and Brenda. He continues to use Carly. Jax has watched for years, as Sonny hid behind them, but he’s not letting Sonny put Josslyn’s life in danger. Sonny says he can’t send Dev back to a country where there’s a bounty on his head. Jax says Sonny invited Dev into his daughter’s home, and Sonny says, where nobody can find him. Jax says, what if it goes wrong, and Josslyn gets caught in the crossfire? He can’t live with that, and wants Dev out. Sonny asks if he’s threatening to take Josslyn, and Jax says what he wants to do is protect Josslyn and Carly.

Josslyn tells Dev, her father asked, and she couldn’t lie anymore. Dev says he totally gets why she told the truth. How did he take it? She says, he wasn’t thrilled, especially since it’s illegal. He wants her safe. She tried to convince him to leave things the way they are. He’s not going to turn Dev into ICE, or have him deported or arrested. He’s just worried about her and her mom, and when her dad is worried, he usually does something. She just doesn’t know what the something is going to be.

Carly says she’s still scared, and Bobbie says, there’s nothing worse than fearing for the well-being of your child. Carly says, what if she’s not enough for Donna, and the challenges she’s facing? How will she help Donna get through them? Bobbie says it’s no secret they haven’t always agreed on Carly’s choices, but there’s no stronger or more committed and loving mother than she is. Donna’s condition is correctable, and she’ll be okay. Carly says she’s grateful. Bobbie says, no matter what, she’ll always be the support and help Carly needs. Carly says she loves Bobbie so much, and Bobbie says, back atcha. Always and forever.

Spinelli tells Sam and Jason, success! He’s accessed Peter’s bank account records – for research purposes only. Sam says she sees a lot of zeros. Peter withdrew $35K in cash the same day Shiloh took her hostage on the Haunted Star. Jason says, Shiloh could have used Peter’s help to get away, and Sam adds, he could have facilitated Shiloh’s escape, Spinelli says he wants it to be true. And not just because Peter should get what’s coming to him. Sam says, it will break Maxie’s heart. Spinelli says Maxie was planning on making Peter part of his daughters life. He’s been playing along, because Maxie will say it’s just a grudge, but it’s more than that. Peter is vindictive, deceitful, and evil. Jason says they need to prove he’s guilty, and Spinelli says, then prove it they shall.

Valentin says no one has any interest in anything Lulu has to say. She says she’s not going anywhere, and Nina asks the reverend to take Charlotte to the playroom downstairs. Charlotte doesn’t want to go, but Nina explains it’s an adult conversation. She’ll get Charlotte as soon as they’re done. Valentin says something to Charlotte in French, and she goes with the minister. Nina says Lulu is being s spiteful little bitch. Maxie gets between Lulu and Nina, and Lulu says she doesn’t care what Nina thinks. Nina says Lulu doesn’t care about anyone but herself. It makes sense given their history, that Lulu would ruin this day. At least she’s consistent. Lulu says she has to tell Nina that Sasha isn’t really her daughter.

Bobbie says she brought Carly something. Technically, it’s for Donna. She hands Carly a gift bag, and Carly looks inside. She takes something out, and says, BJ’s music box. Bobbie says, now it belongs to BJ’s little niece. Carly asks if Bobbie is sure she wants to give it away, and Bobbie says, BJ would want Donna to have it. Carly says, it’s perfect, and thanks her. Bobbie says, let her dance, and Carly opens the box. Music plays while the ballerina twirls.

Josslyn says she wishes she could tell Dev nothing is going to change, but she knows her dad. Dev thinks it’s cool. She says, which part? and he says, her and her father. It’s an honest relationship, and he acts on her behalf. Even if they don’t agree, they still respect each other. Josslyn says Dev has that too; someone looking out for him – Sonny.

Jax says the only reason he doesn’t take Josslyn out of there now, is that Carly just gave birth to a baby with special needs. She has enough stress; they don’t need to pile it on. Sonny says he and Carly are on the same page, but Jax says he saw the look on Carly’s face. She wasn’t happy. She wanted to send Dev to boarding school. Sonny just doesn’t care, does he? He wanted to ram this new family member down everyone’s throats, play the big hero, and feel good about himself. He always knew Sonny was selfish, but Sonny just took it to a whole new level. Sonny claims he loves them, but Jax actually does. He will protect Carly and Josslyn, no matter what. Sonny asks what Jax means, and Jax says he’s late for a wedding, and jets. Sonny wonders what to do about Dev.

Spinelli wonders if Maxie should get a heads up, but Jason says they’re just operating on a hunch. Sam says they’re not close to their objective. Until they know what the connection is, they’re going to sit tight. It’s going to blow some people’s worlds apart. Jason says that’s why they need to know the truth. Spinelli hates that Maxie is getting in deeper.

Nina asks, what did Lulu say? Lulu repeats that Sasha isn’t her daughter. She’s sorry. Nina asks if Lulu has to ruin everything, and Lulu says she overheard Sasha and Obrecht talking at the bachelorette party. She’s sure Valentin is in on the whole thing. Nina says it’s turning out to be a party; is it a conspiracy? Maxie says there were three DNA tests, and Lulu says she’s just repeating what she heard. Nina says she heard wrong. Nina looks at Sasha and says, tell Lulu that she’s her daughter.

Tomorrow, Jordan tells Curtis that someone is pulling the strings. Ryan tells Ava that she needs him as much as he needs her, and Nina says one word from Sasha can end this once and for all.

Below Deck

Kate is excited to be in Thailand. It’s been on her bucket list for years. She’s hoping it goes better than last year. Captain Lee says, the scenery is impressive. Ashton says this time, he’s in a position to lead, but he still wants to have a lot of fun. New chef Kevin says he’s made waitresses cry, but thinks that’s behind him now.  New stew Simone says her friends would describe her as the life of the party, and other new stew Courtney says she likes yachting, but not working. She’d rather sip champagne on the beach, but she has to make money. New deckhand Brian is from South Africa. He grew up a wild child, and works hard, but what’s life without a bit of fun? Other new deckhand Abbi says she’s always been one of the boys, and loves to prove people wrong about her. Third new deckhand Tanner’s motto is GVO – good vibes only. Kate says she thinks it’s possible for them to be one big happy family, but it never lasts long.

Phuket, Thailand. I will refrain from jokes. Kate tells us that Thailand is unlike any other place. It’s beautiful, the massages are great, and she loves pad Thai. Captain Lee complains about the charts having no depth indications on them. He asks Kate if she’s ready, and shows her what she has to work with, noting there’s a new chef. She looks their sheets over, and he says, Ashton is coming back as bosun. Kate says, he’s earned it. He tells her the Valor hasn’t changed much. She’s a cocky old broad.

Everyone arrives. Simone and Courtney meet Ashton, and Ashton goes to the bridge to say hi to the captain. Captain Lee says Ashton’s got both feet. Ashton says he’s healthy and strong, and excited to be bosun. In his interview, Ashton says he has 100% more pressure this season. He had to manage himself last season, and that in itself was a challenge. The captain shows him the deckhands’ sheets, and says he has some good talent. Ashton confirms guests are coming tomorrow, and the captain says they’ll try to keep him alive this year. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, last season, Ashton displayed the qualities of a bosun. He’s hoping Ashton steps up to the job, because babysitting ain’t  happening.

Kevin introduces himself to Kate, and she tells him that he’s bunking with Ashton. In her interview, she says if she had a dollar for every crazy yacht chef she’s worked with, she’d have her own yacht with a crazy yacht chef.  We flash back to the various crazy chefs over the seasons. She says, Kevin looks like Tom Cruise mixed with Hugh Grant. (I don’t see it, but okay.) She’s hoping he’ll break the crazy mold, but God has a wicked sense of humor. In Kevin’s interview, he says he’s worked for six years on super yachts, and cooked for some very important people. His standards are high, and he expects the others to match him if not better him.

In her interview, Abbi says, growing up, they didn’t have a lot of money. She moved to Greece on a whim, and her family thought she was crazy, since she had a full scholarship to law school. She had a gut feeling though, and her gut is her best friend. Ashton and Kate make small talk. Kate meets with the stews. She asks Courtney about her experience, which has been one season. Kate asks what her favorite part about being a stew is, and she says, meeting the guests. She’s uncomfortable with service, since she’s not used to servitude. In her interview, she says she was an only child, and she’s more used to being served. In business school she learned nothing, and possibly lost brain cells, in addition to having loans to pay back. Simone tells Kate that she needs guidance with housekeeping and laundry. Kate says it’s going to be super hectic, and they have to mentally prepare. In Kate’s interview, she says, in her experience, when she asks stews to do things, they start to think she’s picking on them. We flash back to Rocky and Lori. Kate says she’d love it if they could get along and get the job done. Since Simone has more experience, Kate makes her second stew. She shows them the galley and pantry, and introduces Kevin.

Abbi asks Brian if they get American TV in South Africa, and he says, it’s not like it’s animals running around everywhere. Ashton welcomes the deckhands, and asks for a quick chat. Brian is the most experienced, and is made lead deckhand. Ashton tells them he wants everyone to try and get along, and pull together for a good season. They’re given their bunks, and unpack. In Kate’s interview, she says they have a hot crew. Every one is hotter than the next. They’re so hot, Ashton is the least hot. Everyone learns where everything is. In Ashton’s interview, he says when he thinks of being a bosun, he wants to be someone who’s respected, but also approachable. Last season, Chandler didn’t make things easy. We flash back to the nightmare that was Chandler. Ashton’s goal is to communicate, and that they all be on the same page. The boat is cleaned, and Kevin preps the galley. In his interview, Tanner says he loves being a deckhand. He wishes he hadn’t gone to college, and just became a deckhand immediately.

The captain calls a staff meeting. He welcomes them aboard, and introduces first officer Tate and engineer Darrien, who we will never hear from again. He tells the crew the usual, don’t embarrass yourself or the boat. If he has to bail someone out of jail, they go straight to the airport. In her interview, Abbi thinks the captain is intimidating AF. Captain Lee tells them , safety is of the utmost importance. Last year, they had a near catastrophic incident. We flash back to Ashton’s accident. The captain can’t stress the radio enough, and tells them it’s time to make money and show the guests a good time. The provisions come in, and Kate tells them to prepare themselves for provision apocalypse. In Kate’s interview, she says the heat there is a silent killer. In two minutes, you’re drenched, and feel like you’re going to pass out. It’s effing hot on the boat. In Abbi’s interview, she says she’s a psycho perfectionist. Abbi asks if Brian is close with his parents, and he says his dad passed away. He has a five-year-old daughter in South Africa, who’s the love of his life. Her mother is the first girl he kissed, and they were together three years before it went south. In his interview, he says, having a daughter was a big reality check. He used to be a big drinker, and needed to change his ways. He’s been in the industry for three and a half years, and wants to be a role model for his daughter. If he messes up on the job, he lets his daughter down.

The captain calls Ashton, Kevin, and Kate for the preference sheet meeting. The primary is Michael Castellano an entrepreneur, who’s bringing girlfriend of six years, Samantha, and some close friends. He wants to have a private, surprise candlelit dinner with Samantha, and have a live violinist. The captain says they can’t screw that up. In Kate’s interview, she says, this is advanced level service. Two dinners with two stews who don’t like service, which makes it scarier. Captain Lee says, Thai tops the list of their favorite cuisines, and they want an island excursion as well. Courtney tells Simone that she’s the worst at laundry. In Simone’s interview, she says there are no people of color in the industry, and she wants to learn to be well-rounded. She’s worked hard to get there. Courtney gets frustrated with the wrinkles on something she’s trying to iron.

Kevin asks Kate if there’s a label maker, since he wants to label the spices. Kate loves the concept, and the label maker, but thinks it’s secondary in priorities, because there’s so much to do. In her interview, Kate says she’s easy going, and knows not to upset a chef, but they have guests coming tomorrow. She has a label for him – OCD.

Kate goes over wine list with the stews, and asks who’s comfortable making drinks. In her interview, Courtney says she knows what drinks are because she likes to drink. Kate gives Simone instructions about laundry. Ashton tells the deckhands, if something is obvious, fix it. Last minute tidying and finishing touches are done. Kevin prepares vegetable tacos for the guests to snack on. Kevin says he’s serving lunch family style, but Kate thinks it would look better on a plate. In her interview, she says, family style is a gimmick. It looks like a feast, but the chef doesn’t have to think about a plating composition, and she has to carry and wash more dishes. She asks the stews to get the pantry as clear as possible.

The guests arrive, and are greeted with the usual champagne, along with a lei from Kate. The captain says Kate will give them a tour, and they’ll get this party started. Kate does the tour, and the captain is right; the boat hasn’t changed much. The robo-toilet is still there, and working – for now. Ashton puts Abbi on the bow with himself, and Tanner and Brian on the stern. In Ashton’s interview, he says it’s a new crew, and a new job. The captain has his eye on Ashton, and he can’t mess up. All lines are on deck, the all clear happens, and the captain pulls out. Tacos are served.

In Kevin’s interview, he wants to make a good effort for the first lunch. At the end of the day, it’s all down to the food. Everything needs to be perfect. The guests sit on the sun deck, and Courtney serves drinks. In Kate’s interview, she says, Courtney is good at service, and Simone is great at laundry. They’re so nice and respectful, it’s refreshing. Simone asks what time lunch is, and Kevin says, as soon as they’re ready for it. He’s waiting for Kate, who went to change. Michael wanders down, wondering if they can get a cheese plate. In Kevin’s interview, it’s the first lunch, and he’s embarrassed. He wonders where Kate it. Simone stands outside Kate’s room.

After standing there stupidly for a while, Simone finally knocks. Kate says to tell Kevin lunch is as soon as possible. In her interview, Kate says she’s trying to change, and feels like a mom who wants two minutes to go to the bathroom. She’ll be out in a second. Go play with your brother. The scenery is breathtaking, and the water a vivid green-blue. They drop anchor, and the guests are seated for lunch. Since they’re used to the food being plated, the stews forget to set out plates. In Kevin’s interview, he says, it’s service 101, and they haven’t even got a 1. In Kate’s interview, she says, usually, chefs plate the meals. Kate tells Kevin that the carrots got left behind in the confusion about the plates, and he says, it’s just the first meal, and they need to be positive not negative. I’m shocked when instead of smacking him, she says she is positive. She’s just relaying the facts. In his interview, he says he’s not letting her screw him up. If it’s not perfect, it’s just the first charter. The guests love it, and one says it’s the best lunch he’s had today. A guest asks if they need to wait an hour before going in the water, but another says they’re mom’s not there, so it’s okay. That was funnier than the best lunch joke.

In her interview, Abbi says she had a year’s experience on a sailboat. She’s comfortable with lines and driving a tender, but she’s not used to rushing; it’s wild. The water toys are put out, and the guests dive into the water, some of them taking out a kayak. There’s a blue mountain in the distance, and I realize I’m staring at it with my mouth open. It’s just so awesome. Kevin says he’s making a Thai dinner tonight. He worked in a Thai restaurant, and loves the flavors using the fresh, spicy, and salty ingredients. Ashton tells the deck crew to change into their blacks. Ashton has them bring the toys in. It’s 8 pm, and Ashton finds out they haven’t eaten.

Ashton tells Abbi to grab dinner. In his interview, he says he feels terrible that he didn’t give them a break. It’s part of the leadership role to manage that, and he’s already slipped up. It’s not okay. Kate tells Simone to turn down the master suite. Ashton tells the deckhands to let him know if they haven’t eaten. He needs them happy and motivated. In Ashton’s interview, he says he couldn’t ask for a better crew. If he’d gotten a green crew, he would have thrown himself off the boat, but he got lucky. The starter is tom yum soup, which I’ve never heard of, not being familiar with Thai food. The guests say it’s incredible, and it looks incredible. Kevin gets anal about the plates, and In Kate’s interview, she thinks the issue with Kevin is service. He’s particular, and he’s going to lose it soon. The main course is pork belly, with yellow curry and toasted rice. It looks just as good as the soup, and Samantha says, Kevin is a keeper. In her interview, Kate says, all yacht chefs are crazy or their food would be bad. Kevin just proved he can cook well.

The deckhands discuss the stews, and Tanner says Kate caught his eye. Good luck with that. In his interview, Tanner says the oldest woman he had was 58. They were playing darts, and one thing led to another. The next thing he knew, she was driving him to work the next morning. Samantha and Michael FaceTime with their dog Teddy, and it’s adorable. In Kate’s interview, she thinks they’re a beautiful couple, and the perfect example of a guy who has a lot of money and a very hot girl. Michael talks to Kevin about the private dinner, and says he’s going to propose. At the end of the dinner, he’s going to ask the important question. Kevin suggests filet mignon and lobster. Michael says he’s nervous, and Kate says, it will be amazing. Kevin suddenly isn’t feeling great; he’s getting stomach cramps. He goes to bed, and so do the guests. Courtney tells Kate that Tanner wants to bang her, and Kate says it’s flattering. In Kate’s interview, she thinks Tanner is the cutest thing ever – if she was in her twenties.

2nd Day of Charter. In his interview, Kevin says a stomach thing got him. He’s having massive cramps, but going to push through it. Brunch is served. Kevin runs to the toilet. In his interview, he says, this couple is going to remember this night for the rest of their lives, and he’s worried if he can get it all done. Kate says she’s sending Courtney to the beach. She’s going to be the cocktail waitress, and get drinks from the bar. In Courtney’s interview, she says she’d rather be anywhere on earth, including a garbage dump, than be at the beach in 90,000 degrees. Tanner goes along too. Kevin keeps running to the toilet, and asks Kate if they have any medicine. His stomach is churning . She goes to see what they have.

On the beach, Tanner and Courtney go to the beachside bar to get drinks for the guests. Courtney says it feels like she’s walking twenty miles on hot garbage. She whines about getting a polo tan, stepping on shells, and that she’d rather be doing anything else than this. In Tanner’s interview, he says he couldn’t date a girl like Courtney. He doesn’t know if she’s kidding, but he sees high maintenance. On the boat, Kate asks Captain Lee if they have a medical kit. He wonders if antacids would help, but Kate doesn’t know if they’d slow things down, or speed them up. In Kate’s interview, she says Kevin is about to cook the biggest meal in this couple’s lives, and she’s pretty sure he can’t do it from the toilet. In Kate’s interview, she says, something got into Kevin, and it wants out. Man down.

This season: Captain Lee says Thailand is unique and a sensory overload; cute elephants; disco; Ashton gets a request to strip; Captain Lee hopes it’s the last time he needs to have this conversation about the radio; Simone calls Kevin rude; Kate says choose wisely if you hook up with someone on a yacht; Abbi says waking up next to your boss is awkward;  Kate tells the deckhands, this is the most attractive crew she’s ever worked with; Ashton tells the captain, there’s a crew member who’s not bonding, and he’d like to go into the next two charters a man down; the tender gets stuck on shore; Captain Lee says if they don’t think he won’t fire someone mid-charter, they don’t know him; and Kate quits.

🚤 Sliding Into Season Seven Like…

Meet the new crew.

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/below-deck-season-7-who-are-the-new-cast-members.html/

👶 Another Shah Baby…

And GG didn’t need a man to do it.

https://pagesix.com/2019/10/04/shahs-of-sunset-star-golnesa-gharachedaghi-is-pregnant/

🍸 Just a Little Thirsty…

I think if Jill wants to be relevant, she’ll have to find something a little more current.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/10/rhony-jill-zarin-claims-ramona-singers-ex-mario-pushed-her/

📖 G’mar Hatima Tova…

Have a meaningful fast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 29, 2019 – Shiloh Crashes a Party, Two Time Winner Aboard, Returning Listings, Birthday Surprise, Sneezy, Lots Of Wives, Honeymoon Over, MJ Update, No Charm & New Month

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Franco and Drew have lunch in Drew’s office. Franco says, it’s a little out there, but a psychic at the reception told him that he may not be feeling himself soon. To make it weirder, Ava is trying to communicate with Kiki somehow, and he saw another psychic at the hospital. She told him, whatever you do don’t take that drive. He asks what Drew thinks.

Ava asks if Chelsea would like to sit. Chelsea says they can talk about the article in Crimson, but Ava says that’s another way Sibley failed her. She could have warned Ava that she was walking into a hatchet job. Chelsea doesn’t think it was a hatchet job. It was honest, and didn’t take a side. Ava told her story in her own words. Some readers approved, some didn’t. Such is pleasing the public. Ava says she wasn’t trying to please anyone. She did it to make amends with Kiki, hoping Kiki would maybe forgive her.

Willow goes to Charlie’s to find Julian. She says Michael mentioned that today is Wiley’s birthday, but he’s at work. Julian says he didn’t think he’d be invited. Willow says she’s the reason, and she’d like to change that.

At the hospital, Shiloh approaches Epiphany at the reception desk. He says he called about getting a copy of his medical records, and she asks if he filled out a request form online. He tells her, no, and she says he needs to fill one out in person then. She can’t release them without a request form. She gives him the paperwork. Bobbie comes by, and tells Epiphany that she got her shift covered. Epiphany tells her to have fun at Wiley’s birthday party. Bobbie says, Lucas already left for the MetroCourt, and she doesn’t want to keep the guest of honor waiting. Shiloh listens.

Carly says she’s glad Sasha could be there, and Sasha thinks her for being included. She asks if she can help, but Carly says, no. Just be patient with the family. She promises they mean well. Alexis arrives, followed by Brad and Lucas with Wiley. Brad says Wiley is ready to party, and so are they. Lucas says Wiley has made them the happiest guys on the planet.

Michael tells Nelle that he didn’t come there to talk about them; he came talk about their son. Nelle says that’s what she means. She called him for a different reason, but now it’s all about their son. She knows something he doesn’t about what really happened to Jonah.

Julian tells Willow that he’s tried to keep his distance. Willow says, at the time, she didn’t know he’d put his past aside. She’s seen how people can change. Her mother changed, and she changed when she left DOD. She’d like to clear the way for him to be part of Wiley’s life. She thinks Wiley needs a grandfather like him.

Epiphany tells Shiloh, his medical records are being prepared now. He asks if there’s any way to expedite that. He has somewhere to be. She says, it’s a hospital, not a fast food counter. Paperwork comes second to patient care. She suggests he take a seat.

Bobbie says it’s Wiley’s birthday and gotcha day; the day he was adopted. Carly tells Sasha that the days were so close, they decided to celebrate them together. Brad asks Lucas if everything is okay, and Lucas tells him that Willow has changed her mind about Julian seeing Wiley. Brad says it’s fine with him, but he supposes it’s up to Lucas. Carly introduces Sasha to Bobbie, who says, oh, Michael’s girlfriend. Sasha says, they’re really just… but Bobbie says, nonsense. She asks if Wiley isn’t incredible, and Sasha says, he’s a charmer. She asks if Sasha wants to hold him, and Carly takes a picture of Sasha holding Wiley.

Nelle tells Michael, the night their son was born, she gave birth alone in the woods. She was in deep despair, literally out of her mind. She asks him to please try and understand. His phone dings, and he sees it’s a message from Carly. Nelle asks if Carly knows he’s there. Does she want him to come home and forget about her? He says, it doesn’t matter, but she tells him to open it. He does, and sees the picture of Sasha and Wiley. The text says, look who’s stealing your godson. Michael explains that Wiley is Lucas and Brad’s son, and his godson. She asks if Sasha is his girlfriend, and he says they’re seeing each other. That’s all he’s saying. What does she know about Jonah that he doesn’t?

Julian says he can’t thank Willow enough. She says she’s happy to do it. He says, ironically, he has Wiley’s birthday gift there. He was going to send it by messenger, but now they can take it together. He goes in the back, and Willow gets a message from Lucas, who hopes she can come to Wiley’s big day.

Franco asks what Drew thinks the psychic meant. Does he think it has something to do with the car Oscar left to Cameron? Drew says he had it checked bumper to bumper; it’s the safest car on the road. Franco says clearly, it’s bothering him. He didn’t want to saddle Elizabeth with it, and since Drew has nothing better to do than listen to him… He tells himself to stop babbling, and Drew asks Franco to do him a favor. Stop worrying. The psychic probably wants him to be curious so he’ll pay for a consultation. Drew tells him to enjoy his new life with Elizabeth. Franco says, that’s what’s bothering him; he’s happy. He’s happier than he’s ever been, and now he has something to lose. They both know how easy it is to lose things in this life. Drew tells him don’t do that to himself. Don’t rob himself of joy worrying about what he can’t see coming. Drew’s assistant brings in a package for him from the Department of the Navy.

As they walk, Ava asks Chelsea why they’re in the park. Does she hope to reach Kiki there? Chelsea says it’s a spot Kiki enjoyed. Ava says, Kiki loved it; she loved running there. She especially liked when the sunflowers were in bloom. They reminded her aliens visiting for a while. She had a quirky sense of humor. She was sweet, but not a pushover. She was so beautiful. Chelsea says, like her mother. It’s remarkable considering the fire she went through. Her surgeon must be in great demand. Ava tells her, the less said about the fire, the better. The only good thing was that Kiki forgave her. Chelsea says, for tampering with Morgan’s medication? and Ava says she’s not paying Chelsea to judge her. Chelsea says she’s not judging; she’s stating facts. Ava entered Morgan’s room under false pretenses, and switched his lithium with a placebo. It’s just like how she shot Connie. Ava says Chelsea is dredging up things best left forgotten. Why doesn’t she contact Ava’s daughter?

Nelle says she sees Michael has moved on from the loss of their son. Michael says he thinks of Jonah every day, and she asks if he dreams about Jonah every night. She does. He says he’s supposed to be at a party, but came there to honor Jonah’s memory. Whatever she has to say, say it now, or he’s leaving. She says she wanted to tell him about a dream she had. It was so real. Jonah was surrounded by angels. They were singing to him, and he was smiling. He was at peace, and so beautiful. She wanted to share it with Michael. Michael says they’re never going to see each other again after this. He calls for the guard, saying he’s done. He leaves, and Nelle cries a little. She says, this is not goodbye. She’s not done with him or their baby.

Sasha tells Lucas that his son is a charmer. Lucas says they like to think so. Bobbie asks Carly if Michael and Sasha are serious, and Carly says, we’ll see. She asks if Bobbie can have champagne, and Bobbie says, a little. It’s a special occasion in more ways than one. It’s the first time Carly has liked, or even approved, of Michael’s girlfriend. Carly says she likes Sasha, and the contrast is like night and day. Michael seems light and happy. She adds, until today. Nelle called, and Michael is on his way to see her.

Alexis tells Brad and Lucas that she has no idea how Shiloh made bail, but it doesn’t change anything regarding Wiley. Shiloh is banned from making any claim in family court until his criminal charges are adjudicated. Brad can’t wait, and Lucas says, today is about Wiley and family. Julian comes in with Willow, and Carly asks what the hell he’s doing there. Lucas says Willow gave him permission, and Brad says he’s been a lifesaver. Willow says she’ll contact Diane and make it official. Bobbie says, anything for her grandson.

Drew asks his assistant if she has any idea what this is about. She says Oscar wanted him to have his military medals. He filled out the paperwork, and she got Drew to sign it. He thought he was signing a contract. He says his son co-opted her into getting his signature without his knowledge? She says it was back in February, and asks if she’s getting fired. Drew says she’s getting a raise and an extra week’s vacation. She asks if that means they’re okay, and he says they’re great. After she leaves, he says, that kid. Franco says, Oscar probably went to a lot of trouble. Drew should take a look.

Drew opens the box, and it’s filled with jewelry-type boxes. He opens one, and says, the Silver Star. Franco says, wow, and asks if he can open the envelope that came with it. Drew tells him, go ahead, and Franco reads that it’s from the Secretary of the Navy for his gallantry in actions against the enemy. Some of it is redacted, but Drew saved lives, and whatever he did was impressive. He should check them out. Drew wonders what made Oscar want to request them. Franco says Oscar was curious about Drew’s past. Maybe he thought these would help explain it. Or maybe he was proud of his old man, and wanted Drew to have them. And he should. He earned them. Drew just wishes Oscar could see them.

Carly asks if they’re ready to toast the birthday boy. Michael runs in, telling Sasha that he’s sorry he’s late. Sasha tells him, don’t apologize. It’s been great, and his godson is darling. Michael says, Wiley definitely has a way of bringing people together. Lucas toasts to their son, Wiley. He’s only been in the world a year, but his impact on the family is immeasurable. Shiloh strolls in (I’m sure we all saw that coming), and says sorry he’s late. He says his invitation must have gotten lost in the mail, and out-smirks himself.

Ava asks Chelsea, please contact Kiki, and ask what she thinks of the article. Chelsea says she can’t do it on demand, but Ava begs her to try. She’s got to reach Kiki one way or another. Chelsea looks into the distance, and says, my goodness. It’s the Coachella of dead people. It’s a crowded field. Connie is there, and someone named AJ. Ava says she doesn’t want to hear from them; she wants to hear from her daughter. Chelsea says, there’s a very elegant women named Helena who has a message. Ava says, she’s Nikolas’s grandmother. Chelsea says, Helena claims Ava knew Nikolas killed her, but didn’t tell anyone. Ava says she didn’t bring Chelsea there to contact Helena. Where’s Kiki? Chelsea says, sorry. She hears an infant crying. Ava says she didn’t kill a baby, and Chelsea says, so she knows nothing about a dead baby boy and his mother?

Carly tells Shiloh, it’s her hotel; get the hell out before she calls security. He says, no one is looking for a physical confrontation, and it would only upset Wiley. Willow tells him, get out, but he says he only wanted to wish love and light to their baby boy. She says he’s nothing to Wiley. Shiloh says he should have known when he saw Wiley’s smile; it’s her smile. Wiley is the miracle they created. Michael tells him, leave now, but Shiloh says not until he gives his son a present, reminding me of Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty.

Franco tells Drew, in 2012 he saved a civilian contractor. He should let them know, so they can send him a fruitcake every Christmas. Drew says, he already knows. He goes by the name of Shiloh.

Shiloh says they can’t object to a gift, but Lucas says they don’t need or want anything from him. Shiloh says it’s important that Wiley has the medical records of his biological parents. Lucas says they already know about the heart condition, and Brad takes the envelope from Shiloh, hustling Lucas away. Alexis tells Shiloh not to make a scene or she’ll have his bail revoked. Brad tells Shiloh, just stop, but Shiloh says Wiley is his son, forever and always, and one day, Wiley will be his. Michael asks Sasha to call for the elevator. Shiloh says they can’t force him to leave. I’d like to know how he figures that, since it’s a private party, but Michael says he wouldn’t dream of it. The elevator doors open, and Michael gives Shiloh the bum’s rush into it. Everyone is like, wow, and Michael suggests they get back to the celebration, and what’s important; Wiley’s birthday. Wiley smiles like he knows what just happened.

Harmony ask Nelle how the visit with her baby’s father was, and Nelle says, disappointing. Harmony says she’s sorry, and Nelle says, her too. She was going to tell him something important that would have changed everything. Instead, she realized he doesn’t deserve to know. Harmony thought Nell had said she still loved him, and his mother was responsible for sabotaging the relationship. Nelle says, she did, but he let her. He didn’t need to, and could have fought for them. He could have committed himself to them, but he let his mother ruin it, and convince him that she was trash. He’s as much blame as Carly is. He doesn’t deserve their son.

Ava tells Chelsea that she had nothing to do with the death of Nelle’s baby; they were in a car accident. Chelsea says it’s something to do with a baby blanket; yellow and green. Ava says she can see that? and Chelsea says there’s no telling what pops up. She senses a hidden secret. Ava is a magnet for restless souls and psychic turbulence. Ava asks where Kiki is. She must be seeking closure. Make her listen. Chelsea says she can’t make Kiki do anything, and Ava asks if she can locate Kiki. Chelsea says, she’s there. Ava wishes she could see her, and asks what she’s doing. Chelsea says she’s refusing to come any closer. Ava says she’s so sorry. She loves Kiki so much, and wants them to have closure. Not just for her, but for Kiki, so she can rest in peace. She asks if Kiki understands, but Chelsea says, no; sorry.

Drew thinks he should send that medal back, but Franco says, who knew Shiloh would come back to the US and start a cult? Drew says, to hear Shiloh tell it, they were best buddies, but it doesn’t sit right with him. How could he be friends with someone he doesn’t trust? All the times Shiloh was fishing around, hoping Drew would remember, or hoping he didn’t. He may or may not remember Shiloh is a total sleazeball, or know something that might have legal ramifications. He’s been trying to get Drew to open up and find out what Drew knows to reassure himself. The gap in his memory is one thing, explaining it to his son was another. Shiloh convinced Oscar that he and Drew were friends. So much so, Oscar left his ELQ shares to Shiloh. Fortunately, he made a second bequest to use them to endow a foundation for deserving children to climb Mr. Kilimanjaro. Franco says, it sounds more like Oscar wanted to neutralize Shiloh’s claim, so he had no leverage. Drew wishes he knew what happened.

Shiloh meets with a lawyer, who tells him that she’s been assigned as his public defender. He’s entitled to a defense. Shiloh says, even if he’s broke? He has no home, and his accounts have been frozen. She says he still has the right to an attorney. The charges are formidable. It’s her job to handle that, and they have a lot of work to do. The evidence is extensive. Multiple women have come forward, saying he drugged and assaulted them at the DOD house here, and in Beecher’s Corners. He says, those poor, deluded women. She says there’s also a prescription for whatever that drug is, under his name. (I keep trying to figure it out. I thought she said carfentanil, but that’s illegal in the US). Harmony also confessed her complicity in drugging the women. She produced concrete evidence of fraud and blackmail with personal, privileged information about his followers that was used as leverage. He asks if it isn’t her job to discredit that, but she tells him to be realistic and assess the situation. He’s not going to beat the charges. He says, so that’s it? She’s not even trying? She tells him, she’s saying he has a choice. He can go to trial, be convicted, and spend the rest of his life in prison, or take a plea. Twenty years, and he’ll be out in fourteen. The only question is how long he wants to stay in prison. Twenty years is a gift. Take the plea, or spend his life behind bars.

Alexis says, at least they have Shiloh’s medical records, but Lucas says they already knew about the heart condition. It probably came from Shiloh. Brad tells Julian that Lucas can’t see the records, but Julian says, he’s a doctor and will eventually. Michael tells Lucas that his trip to Pentonville wasn’t a total waste. Nelle is manipulative as ever, and the next time she calls, he’s refusing the charge. Lucas is glad Willow came, but Brad says he’s sorry she had to witness Shiloh. She says she also witnessed how the family stepped up to protect Wiley. Lucas says she’s at the top of that list. She trusted them to have Wiley in the first place, and then continued to protect him. Being thrown jail was heroic. She says, all that matters is Wiley is safe now. Lucas says they’d love for her to be part of Wiley’s life, and Brad adds, if she’d like to be. Willow says she would, more than anything. Sasha tells Michael that Wiley is one lucky baby with him as a godfather. Michael says he loves Wiley like his own.

Ava asks Chelsea, if Kiki won’t forgive her, even after the article, is there anything else she can do? Chelsea says, Kiki seems to think so. Ava says she’ll do anything. Chelsea says Ava is a truly haunted soul. The afterlife clings to her like cat hair on a black suit. Kiki is angry that Ava fell in love with a serial killer. He won her over by validating her worst impulses. Kiki hates that Ava gave him her soul when he doesn’t have one. She was so desperate for attention and admiration, Ava was blinded to the danger. Ava says she knows that, but how can she fix it now? Chelsea says Ryan has no soul, but he still has a heart, and it belongs to Ava. Ava asks what the hell that means, but Chelsea says she’s just the messenger. Suddenly, Ava says, oh my God. She has to go, and runs out of the park.

Shiloh tells the lawyer that he needs time to consider his options. She says, it’s not difficult. Twenty years or forever. He says not if he’s a ghost, but she tells him, don’t think of trying to run. He says he’s not running. His son lives there, and he has the utmost faith that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. He’ll get back to her. She says he has her number. She leaves, and he says, resources. He flashes back to Drew telling him not to take it personally, and asking Drew if there’s any chance his memory might return. Again, he says, resources.

Wiley unwraps presents wrapped in very LOUD wrapping paper. Lucas tells Brad that their son is opening presents. He doesn’t want to miss any of this day. Everyone gets excited over a toy car.

Nelle tells Harmony it’s too late for her to undo what’s done. She needs to think about what to do. She says Harmony needs to keep Shiloh away. Do anything she can to affect the outcome. Harmony says she’s fully cooperated with the prosecution, and she’s going to testify. Nelle asks if Harmony is sure the prosecution has enough evidence. Harmony thinks so. Shiloh has run out of people to do him favors. Nelle hopes she’s right. Whatever it takes, it’s worth it to keep the baby safe.

Ava waits in the prison visiting area. Ryan sits down on the other side of the glass. I gotta say, the Miami Vice unshaven look suits him.

Franco asks Drew if he didn’t say there was a procedure to help recover his memories, but he decided not to pursue it. Drew says nothing is more important than his memories of Oscar and Scout. He’d never jeopardize that. His memories are on a flashdrive, safe and sound in his office, and that’s where they’re staying. Drew looks at his credenza.

Shiloh wanders around outside, and finds a dollar. He remembers Drew saying that there’s supposedly a procedure that could possibly undo what’s been done. Shiloh makes a call. He says he’s glad they picked up. He was afraid they’d duck his call. It’s been a while. He says he’s got a job for them.

Tomorrow, Jordan tells Stella that the mystery relative is closer than they realized, Sasha asks Valentin how he proposes they handle Obrecht, Jason tells Shiloh not to approach his family again, and Ryan asks Ava how he can help her.

Below Deck Mediterranean

When we last left, new stew June had left the table during the crew’s night out to get sick in the bathroom. Hannah asks if she’s crying, but Anastasia says, no. In June’s interview, she says she doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her personal life, but it’s no one’s business. Colin says he’s been in her shoes, and it can be intimidating. June returns to the table, and asks where they’re going next. They head out to a club. Jack suggests he and Travis not party too hard, since their big double date is tomorrow. João tries to be Colin’s wingman, but Colin isn’t into it. He’d rather talk to June than randoes. Jack wants to kiss Aesha, but he’s too wasted. In Hannah’s interview, she says, Travis is easy on the eyes, but there will be no feelings involved this season. The producer asks what about making out with him, and Hannah says, that’s not a feeling. I think she’s confusing the word feeling with emotion here.

In the taxi going back, Hannah says she thinks Jack and Aesha are cute. Jack licks Aesha’s foot, and asks for a little nibble of her bellybutton. Jack says she looks like she’s been raped. Aesha says she has been, and it’s not funny. Can they not talk about it? In Aesha’s interview, she says there are few things she won’t joke about, and rape isn’t funny at all. Jack asks if she’s okay. He feels badly about it. The crew gets back to the boat. In her interview, Aesha says, you don’t know what people have been through, so you should watch what you say. Amen to that. The crew sleeps.

The producer asks if Aesha is normally this open. Aesha cries, saying she remembers she kept apologizing to her mother, thinking it was her fault. Her mom said they all get wasted, and they have the right to feel safe. She thinks it’s important for women not to blame themselves. You should be able to party and not worry about it. João gives Jack a priority checklist. In Jack’s interview, with tears in his eyes, he tells us that he said something stupid. He jokes about sex all the time, and he’s a d*ckhead. He wants to talk to Aesha. They almost have me crying here. They’re both very sweet, and it’s unfortunate he made that mistake. I don’t think she’s holding it against him though.

Jack finds Aesha, and hugs her. He says how sorry he is. She says she knows Jack isn’t malicious. She’s just making people aware. He feels bad for her. In her interview, Aesha says she doesn’t want to be a gilded survivor. That’s not her. She’s just her, and it happened to her. It’s not who she is. She tells him that he’s the sweetest man.

The crew cleans up. In her interview, Hannah says Travis is adorable, but she’s not emotionally invested. Jack and Aesha will be there, so it will be easier to swallow. Not in a sexual way. June asks Anastasia where some glasses are, and Anastasia says she doesn’t really know. In her interview, June says, Anastasia gets a little crabby. You’d think she would have more sympathy and help her out. It’s confusing. Anastasia says she has other things to worry about, and June says she’ll figure it out. In João’s interview, he’s surprised Hannah is going out with Travis. He feels protective of the people he likes, and he likes her. He thinks she deserves more.

Jack and Travis are technically off the clock, and begin drinking beer. It’s time for the preference sheet meeting, so the captain gets together with Hannah, João, and Anastasia. The primary is Johnny Damon, a two-time World Series winner, once with the Red Sox, and again with the Yankees. He’s coming with his wife Michelle, and a bunch of other people. One of their requests is to visit Monaco. Hannah says they have a long preference sheet. She says they want local food, and anything with truffles. In Anastasia’s interview, she says she’s feeling confident. If she can please the Queen of Versailles, she can please this guy.

An alarm goes off, and black water system flashes on the computer screens. Travis and Jack continue to goof off. Even though he’s being radioed by everyone, engineer Mike doesn’t miss a beat in doing his strength training. João says it means no toilets or water. The captain tells Jack and Travis, stop drinking, and find the engineer. If they can’t fix it, they have to cancel the charter. Captain Sandy mumbles about them being drunk, and says, it’s ridiculous. It’s not cool. Travis looks for the engineer, while Jack has a smoke. Travis says it’s not their job.

In his interview, João says it’s not against the rules drink after work hours, but it is against the rules to ignore alarms. It’s the lowest level of respect being shown to him and the captain. Captain Sandy continues to look for Mike. Water is backed up in one of the work rooms. Hannah doesn’t want to go on a date with someone who’s wasted. Travis says it’s not his job to check the alarms, and Jack finds Mike. Mike goes to deal with the problem, and Captain Sandy asks Jack if he’s been standing there the whole time. She tells him, today’s not the day not to hustle. He’ll be off the boat so fast. When she sees him next time, he’d better be moving. She tells him, get the room cleaned up. Mike says, it’s clogged. Jack mops. The captain says she’s going to strangle Jack. In her interview, Captain Sandy says, the clog was related to the pump. They repaired the pump, and got the toilets working. Jack tells Travis, hide the beer.

Travis and Jack step off the boat. Travis says they have no connection to the problems happening. Jack says they can have a beer after work. Hannah approaches, and asks Jack if they can do the date another day. She doesn’t want to go after he’s been drinking beer all day. He says it was a stupid move on his part, but he’s going with or without her. She tells him, have fun. In his interview, he says he feels bad. He’s not actually drunk. He tells her, just come, but she goes back to the boat. Jack says, she’s playing hard to get. João joins them, and says they’re pissing the captain off. Travis tells João, it’s five o’clock. In João’s interview, he says he realizes he can’t come out guns blazing with these guys. He has to be diplomatic. Travis says, no beer before five.

Hannah finds Captain Sandy in the crew mess. She says she wanted to make sure the captain isn’t stressed, and tells her they’ll be fine. The captain gives her a hug. In Hannah’s interview, she says she’s felt Captain Sandy’s wrath before, and doesn’t want to again. The captain says, it means a lot, and Hannah says the captain doesn’t have anyone above her to tell her that. Anastasia goes over the menu. In her interview, Anastasia says, people who excel have raw passion and raw skill. June does laundry. In Colin’s interview, he says he finds it hard to talk to June. He’s working on his game.

Aesha asks Jack where they’re going on the date. Travis says he and Hannah aren’t coming. Jack feels badly, but just wants to have a good time tonight. Aesha chooses her outfit. Jack gets dressed up. Aesha is excited. She says with other boyfriends, she’d get drunk, and barely remember their first kiss. She wants to remember all the nice things. She deserves it. Jack puts on in his suit. In his interview, João says he can’t control people’s personal lives. He’s happy Jack is going on a date, but if it was him, he’d lay low because of the mistake he made.

Colin listens to music. Travis gets in his suit, and approaches Hannah, who’s sitting on the bow of the ship. In Jack’s interview, he says he likes Hannah, and hopes this isn’t too awkward. He scares hell out of her when he suddenly appears, and she asks what he’s wearing. He says he decided to make himself look pretty to sit with her. In his interview, he says his parents don’t drink, and wouldn’t appreciate his pinhead antics. Hannah asks why today, when he knew they had a date? In his interview, he says with any job that’s physically demanding, you feel like you’re entitled at the end of the day, and it’s the start of bad habits. She hugs him.

Jack asks for little kiss, but Aesha says, later. She wants the right timing this evening.

João says, oh the irony. Last season he had to worry about his job and two girls. This season he’s in a good place if he can just fix the sh*t show of a deck team. Hannah takes a selfie with Travis. He asks if he should get some rosé.

Aesha toasts to their first night. She says Jack isn’t her type. In her interview, she says she likes the alpha male, who can be an a-hole. Jack is a bit softer. She tells him they can be the most disgusting version of themselves with each other. In his interview, Jack says he’s witnessed true love, and wants it. A guitar player serenades them. On the boat, Hannah and Jack make out

Aesha tells Jack, this could be his moment, and they kiss. In Aesha’s interview, she says she thinks a kiss changes the dynamic of a relationship, bringing in an intimate side. She’s exited to have that with Jack. She likes him, and has no idea where it’s going, but just wants to have fun, and take day by day. They make out in the taxi, and she tells Jack he’s getting greedy. Hannah snacks in her bunk. Back on the boat, Aesha jumps in bed with Travis, while Jack takes a pee. Aesha takes a peek, and tells Jack that he has a nice willy.

The next morning, Colin asks Jack how the date went, and if he and Aesha are Facebook official. The boat is readied. Aesha thanks Jack for last night, saying, it was the nicest thing ever. Hannah cuts lemons and limes. In her interview, she says she’s concerned about June. She’s not answering the radio, she’s struggling with cabins, and the beds haven’t been turned down. Hannah isn’t sure what’s happening, but she was clearly a bit of a twat in her last life. It’s like the last three seasons all over again. Captain Sandy announces the guests are arriving at noon. Colin burps. The crew lines up.

The captain welcomes the guests. Colin shakes Johnny’s hand, and in his interview, says he’s not washing his hand again. Captain Sandy tells João that he’s taking them off the dock. Hannah does the tour, while the captain walks João through the steps. In her interview, she says she’s not rewarding him for last night, but he needs to feel responsibility. She wants to show him how he needs to teach his crew. In João’s interview, he’s thrilled that the captain is giving him the opportunity after what’s gone wrong. It proves she has his back, but anything can go wrong at any time. Aesha gives champagne to the guests, one of whom is a GYN, who’s already talking loudly about vaginas. Hannah is like, oh my God. Captain Sandy points out a boat at the bow that Jack missed. In her interview, the captain says, coming up as a woman in the industry wasn’t easy. She had to constantly work harder than her male counterparts. If a crew member has the willingness to learn, she wants to give them the opportunity. She tells João, good job. In his interview, he says there are few moments in his life he’ll talk about forever, and this is one of them.

In June’s interview, she says, Aesha is patient and kind. You don’t meet many people like that, but she’s not used to scowls. They put fresh flowers in the napkin rings. Anastasia thinks simplicity is key with these guests. She wants to make it fancy, but more low key than sea urchin and caviar. Hannah tries to get June on the radio. June finally comes upstairs, and Hannah tells her to keep her earpiece in. Aesha tells June, it’s all good, and let it go over her head. Johnny says he’ll bang everyone. In her interview, Hannah says somehow she doubts it. Me too.

Aesha asks if she can get the guests anything. Johnny says they’re fabulous. Lunch is Caesar salad, and in her interview, Hanna says, it’s like a meal you can get from your local Chili’s. I dunno about that, unless her local Chili’s is a lot more sophisticated than mine. As much as she wants Anastasia to succeed, she wants her back because she’s selfish. Johnny continues bragging about his sexual prowess. In Jack’s interview, he says he’s over doing double duty. The guests play in the water. June tends bar, and has a problem opening the wine. Clouds come, and the guests get nervous, especially when the boat starts rocking. Captain Sandy says the sea is rough there, but when they go around the corner, it will be calm. That sounds like the weather in my area. Colin and João try to get the jet skis back onto the boat. Colin wonders where the rest of the deck crew is. Johnny steps in to help, and pulls the jet ski back on deck with his teeth. Not really, but he’s pretty jacked, and gets the jet ski in. In Colin’s interview, he says it’s embarrassing when two deckhands can’t get the jet ski back because of a swell, and they have a two time World Series champion helping them.

Anastasia calls Travis to the galley. In Hannah’s interview, she says she’s gotten closer to Travis since he’s been in the galley. He has depth to him, but uses alcohol to suppress his emotions, which a lot of people are guilty of. Captain Sandy radios the deck crew, saying the slide is still on the side of the boat. She needs it brought in now. Travis seems annoyed at helping, and she asks, why the attitude? June irons. Aesha tells Hannah that June is doing well. Colin tells João that Travis is helping in the galley, and in his interview, João says he’s going to have to put a stop to that. Pointing to another yacht, João says, that’s fifty meters, right? and Colin says he doesn’t know what a meter is, but sure. I literally lol. Colin is a funny guy.

For some reason, Hannah isn’t thrilled with the food. The guests are talking about circumcision, and ask Hannah’s opinion. She says she’s never had to worry about it. In the galley, Anastasia asks the other crew members to lower the volume while she’s plating. In Aesha’s interview, she says, Anastasia does two charters and all of a sudden, she’s an artist who needs quiet time. The entrée is filet mignon. A few of the guests want it cooked a little more, and Hannah brings their dishes back to the galley. In Anastasia’s interview, she says it’s annoying to her that the steaks aren’t cooked properly. She’s a perfectionist, and thinks it comes from her mother. She thinks you have to be a perfectionist in the industry, and adds she’d rather undercook something than overcook it. Good point. You can’t exactly take it back. The guests proclaim it’s all good. June tells Colin about Anastasia being annoyed with too many people in the galley. He suggests she call Anastasia out on it, but she doesn’t want an issue. She tells him that she doesn’t feel welcome. In her interview, she says she dropped her life because they needed her. She treats people with respect, and expects to be treated the same way. She tells Colin not to say anything.

João calls Jack to the bridge. He goes over some navigational things, and gives Jack some seafaring hints. In João’s interview, he says he wants to motivate the crew, and teach them what he knows. He wants it to work out for all of them. Hannah cleans up dinner, and the guests act stupid in the lounge, wrestling each other. Johnny announces bedtime, and flips his wife over his shoulder.

Hannah tells June not to have her phone with her all the time. Colin tries to get the anchor up, but it’s stuck. He says, it’s getting caught on something. Captain Sandy says, there’s definitely something on the chain. She calls Travis to get on the tender. João says at 17 meters, he can scuba. They need see what’s going on. Colin tells João, the best thing about yachting is that nothing ever goes well. Sandy tells João to go in, and radios Travis to go with him. The captain tells the guests the goal is to get them to Monaco, and they’ll meet them there. Hannah tells Aesha and June that they need to distract the guests. In Jack’s interview, he wonders, for the wages they get, what’s the point of doing the scuba dive? He wouldn’t want to risk his neck. In Travis’s interview, he says if you get pinned down by the chain at 40 meters, you’re dead. Hannah radios June. Sandy watches as João gets in the water. Hannah decides to look for June. In her interview, Hannah says she doesn’t care if you make a mistake, take too long, or even sleep on your break. Just keep your earpiece in when she radios. Sandy continues watching out for Travis and João. In her interview, she says, if they don’t communicate, one slip could be the end of their life. Hannah tells June that she’s been radioing her.

Travis and João start to go down the chain, and the guests leave for Monaco.

Later in the season, partying, putt-putt, a guest is king of the world, Colin gets another injury, Captain Sandy says yachting isn’t Hannah’s passion, Hannah says Anastasia has gotten too big for her britches, Travis is called out for his drinking, a storm comes up, and Ben is back.

🗽 Million Dollar Listing New York is back on Thursday, August 1 at 9 pm.  

😮 A Surprise Surprise…

I was more surprised than Jason Momoa, when I saw two of his guests were Neil and Lucas from General Hospital.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1060411/jason-momoa-s-reunion-with-game-of-thrones-emilia-clarke-will-give-you-serious-fomo?source=email&medium=emn-content-6&cmpid=evening&content=emn-news

🏰 Farewell To One of Storybrook’s Finest Citizens…

An untimely for a Once Upon A Time cast member.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2019/07/26/gabe-khouth-dead-46-once-upon-time-star/1839058001/

🍵 A Cup of Wives…

Shannon makes it Instaficial.

https://extratv.com/2019/07/26/shannon-beador-makes-it-instagram-official-with-new-bf-who-is-he/?adid=extra_eme_27124_2019-07-27_rightnow3

Camille takes a walk.

https://radaronline.com/videos/camille-grammer-storms-off-rhobh-set-denise-richards-fight/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

Ken stands up for his lady love. Ken is the best.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/07/ken-todd-slams-rhobh-stars-bullying-lisa-vanderpump/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

Vicki has me confused. Did I miss something?

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/07/vicki-gunvalson-and-fiance-steve-pub-crawl-in-prague-amid-likely-rhoc-job-loss/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

Yes, I did miss something. Be sure to check out the Southern Charm video after the RHOC trailer.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1053897/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-season-14-shocker-vicki-gunvalson-will-appear-as-a-friend?source=email&medium=emn-content-2&cmpid=evening&content=emn-news

While I rarely watch RHOA anymore, I think Cynthia deserves all good things. But poor Peter. He’s really going to have to give up now. Or step up his game.

https://radaronline.com/videos/cynthia-bailey-shows-off-engagement-video/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

They’re back.

https://people.com/tv/real-housewives-of-dallas-season-4-trailer/

🌴 In Another Part of Beverly Hills…

Already Jax and Brittany have problems. What a shock.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/07/vanderpump-rules-jax-taylor-brittany-cartwright-marriage-crumbling/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

They also have a $2 million dollar home. I wouldn’t call it a mansion though.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1060521/go-inside-vanderpump-rules-stars-jax-taylor-and-brittany-cartwright-s-2-million-home?source=email&medium=emn-content-4&cmpid=evening&content=emn-news

👶 Sad News For MJ…

But she does have baby Shams, and a beautiful pregnancy photo.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1055467/new-mom-mercedes-mj-javid-reveals-she-can-never-carry-a-baby-again?source=email&medium=emn-content-5&cmpid=evening&content=emn-news

🔎 The Plot Thickens…

And in a move we didn’t think possible, T-Rav becomes an even sh*ttier person.

https://www.realitytea.com/2019/07/25/thomas-ravenel-unloads-more-accusations-against-kathryn-dennis-in-custody-battle/

🏄 Oh Come On…

How is August almost here? And why aren’t there more songs about it?