Tag Archives: Southern Charm

June 7, 2018 – Nelle Takes the Stand, Ashley Stays Home, Charming Observations, a Hello, a Goodbye, & Kevin

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Griff starts off the show with his best worried look. While having coffee with Ava, he thinks about being in bed with Kiki. Ava asks if he’s all right, and he says it’s just… She says the trial is bothering him. She knows he doesn’t want to testify. He says he’s not thrilled about it. Ava knows after all they’ve been through, he can handle it, but she’s starting to feel like something else is wrong.

Elizabeth finds Kiki, who tells her that she just got the official notification that the investigation is closed, after the found there’s no wrongdoing. Elizabeth says it’s disgusting and she’s sorry, and she has Kiki’s back no matter what. She thinks Kiki should tell Ava and Franco. Kiki thinks they’ll want to fight her battle for her, and it’s hers to fight, not her mom’s or Franco’s. In great soap timing, Franco is there, and says, not Franco’s what?

Lulu asks if Dante is okay. He says it’s not his favorite day, and she tells him that her heart will be with him, Sonny and Carly. She knows it will be hard for him to testify. He says as the arresting officer, he has to. It’s going to boil down to Carly’s word against Nelle’s. Lulu says Carly has been emotional lately, but she doesn’t believe a word that comes out of Nelle’s mouth. Scratch the surface, and you’ll find a scheme.

The trial starts. I forgot Carly’s name is actually Caroline. The judge asks for the opening arguments.

Bobbie says she doesn’t want to testify against Carly, but Sonny knows it’s not her choice. She’s worried she’ll send Carly to prison, but he says, that’s not possible. Just answer the DA’s questions.

Michael talks to Spinelli on the phone. He says Nelle always finds a way to cover her tracks. Maybe she’s using the gallery accounts as a front. Nelle joins him, and he asks if she’s all set. She’s sorry she has to go to the bathroom every five minutes. She wonders if it wouldn’t be a better idea to go separately to the courthouse, but he says he’s going to be where he needs to be; by her side.

The DA says the state is going to prove that Carly deliberately, and with intent to kill, shoved a pregnant woman down the stairs. She’s not suffering from a break in reality, but will go to any extreme to get what she wants.

Griff insists it’s the trial that’s distracting him, but Ava says he hasn’t been himself since the Nurses’ Ball. He says there’s a lot going on. She tells him that he’s always honest, and she counts on it. She wants him to tell her if it’s still weighing on him.

Franco says, tell him what, and Elizabeth says that Kiki needs help navigating. and she’d said to come to her. Kiki thanks Elizabeth, and leaves. Franco likes that they’re friends; he appreciates her strength. He wants to nail down a date, and tells her to name it, and they’ll throw the wedding of a lifetime.

Lulu asks Dante how bad it is. He says it’s never good if the best case is for Carly to end up in Shadybrook. She tells him to call her when it’s over. She’ll be working, but her phone will be on. It’s just good old-fashioned news; Scout’s honor.

Diane tells the judge that Carly is a mother who recently suffered the loss of a child, and struggling to accept a world without her son. She was succumbing to the idea that her late son was sending messages to her; clinging to the idea he was still alive. The ongoing agony of loss, brought a fissure in reality. Relentless grief broke a mother’s psyche. Bobbie is called to the stand.

Bobbie is sworn in, and her relationship as Carly’s mother is established. Sonny tells Carly they’ll get through it. The DA asks her to describe their relationship, but Bobbie says she wouldn’t. She wants to talk about the systematic campaign Nelle waged to destroy Carly’s relationship with her family. The DA declares the witness hostile. She says that the family came to rely on Nelle, and Bobbie says she ingratiated herself to take advantage of the family’s grief. The DA asks if Carly felt threatened by Nelle’s closeness with Michael, and Bobbie says, no. The DA asks if she approved, and Bobbie says, no, but not because she was threatened. Nelle turned Carly’s family against her, and pushed Sonny and Carly to the brink of divorce. She preyed on the family to break them up. The DA asks if it’s true that the closer the time came to Nelle’s shower, the more agitated Carly became. Bobbie says, no, and the DA asks if she was pleased. Bobbie tells her, no, and that Nelle is a parasite. The DA asks if Carly would do anything to stop her, and Diane objects. It’s sustained, and the DA asks if Carly was increasingly convinced Nelle wanted to separate Michael from his family. Bobbie tells her, yes, and the DA has no further questions. Diane reserves the right to question Bobbie at a later date, and the state calls Josslyn.

Ava tells Griff that she let petty jealousy get the better of her. She spent most of her life suspicious of those who might hurt her, but he’s different. She knows he won’t. She’s sorry she couldn’t keep her fears at bey. Griff continues to think about Kiki. He says she’s not the only one who made mistakes. They hurt each other. Kiki walks in, and Ava asks if she wants to join them. Griff has to get to the courthouse, and Ava says they need to have catch-up time soon. Kiki says she’s been super busy, and Ava says she worries about her. Apparently, she’s not the only one. Kiki’s boss came to the gallery, and expressed concern. Kiki asks if David came to the gallery to talk about her. Ava says he came to buy art, but her name came up. There isn’t time now, but they need to talk. Ava leaves, and Lulu arrives. Kiki thanks Lulu for meeting her. She needs her help.

The DA asks if Josslyn felt threatened at any time by Nelle, and she says, no. The DA asks if they’re friends, and Josslyn says they are. She asks if there was ever a moment in all this time that Nelle treated her unfairly, and Josslyn says, no. The DA goes to look at some notes, and Josslyn starts to get up. The judge tells her to remain seated. The DA returns and asks if Josslyn’s brother is looking forward to becoming a father. Josslyn says, definitely, and she asks if Josslyn is ready to be an aunt. She can’t wait, and the DA says, how does her mom feel? Josslyn says, happy; they’re setting up a room for the baby to stay in for visits, even though… She hesitates, and says her mom doesn’t think Nelle will let the baby come over all that much. She starts to cry. The DA asks about her mom’s reaction when Nelle opened the mobile, and Josslyn says it reminded her of Morgan. The DA says, it’s not the first time the issue came between them, is it? Josslyn says Nelle wanted to name baby Morgan, and the DA asks how Carly reacted. Josslyn says, she was angry – no, upset. She thought Nelle was using Morgan’s name to hurt her. The DA asks if she was, and Josslyn says, it was kind of a shock. The DA asks if Josslyn believes Nelle was using the name to hurt her mother, and Josslyn says, no. The DA says after Nelle ran from the room, Josslyn and Carly got in an argument; about what? Josslyn says she thought her mom should apologize. It was Nelle’s shower, and she was upset, so Josslyn felt bad. The DA asks if she was worried when Carly went upstairs, and Josslyn says, no. The DA asks if Josslyn believed Carly was thinking clearly and in control of her emotions; so when she sent Carly upstairs, she thought Nelle would be safe. Carly jumps up, and says, not another word to her daughter. The judge tells Diane to control her client. Diane apologizes, and the judge gives a brief recess. He wants Carly to calm down, and wants no more outbursts. Michael comforts Josslyn, and Carly asks Nelle if she’s happy. She did this.

Lulu tells Kiki what David is doing is disgusting. Kiki says he met with HR, and in all of five minutes, the investigation was closed, saying he was misread. Lulu says it’s crap, but why is she here? Kiki thinks her work exposes truth and influences people. She could use her work as a reporter to stop him.

Carly criticizes Diane for just sitting there. Diane says she objected when it was applicable, but the DA is good. Ava is up next. Diane tells Carly that they’re not there to dispute facts. The more innocent Nelle appears, the better for them, because no one in their right mind would attack her. She tells Carly they can’t paint Nelle as a snake.

In the hallway, Josslyn says she sent Carly after Nelle, now she’s sending her to prison. Nelle says no one wants that. Sonny asks Bobbie to take Josslyn home. Nelle tells Ava that she’s sorry to get her swept up in this. Nelle hugs Ava, and tells her as long as she doesn’t have to worry about the blanket, Ava doesn’t have to worry about her secret. Ava tells her it’s fine, and not to stress; it’s not good for the baby. Michael says he’s going to do everything in his power for the child to grow up surrounded by love. The court is to resume in five minutes.

Franco tells Elizabeth that they’re free. There’s no stuff from the past to sort out, so why not do it big? He wants everyone there. He’s going to promise to love and protect her forever, and wants the family to witness it. Elizabeth doesn’t think inviting her family is a good idea.

On the stand, Ava says she’d gotten Nelle a mobile with penguins, and Carly snatched it out of Nelle’s hand, accusing Ava of terrorizing her on purpose. Nelle explained that she’d registered for it, and Carly tore into her. The DA asks if Nelle defended herself, and Ava says, no; she was pleading with Carly, trying to make amends. When asked how Carly reacted, Ava says she refused to listen, and said Nelle wasn’t worthy to speak Morgan’s name, adding that Michael was too good for her. Nelle left the room, crying, and Josslyn insisted Carly apologize. The DA asks if she appeared to be out of control, but Ava says it was her usual temper, being so mad she couldn’t control herself. The DA says, so it was nothing unusual, and Ava says the only unusual thing was Carly apologizing. The DA asks about the blanket. Ava says she doesn’t think Nelle got one as a gift, and she doesn’t remember seeing one. The DA asks what the last words were that Ava heard Carly say. Ava tells her that Carly said Nelle wouldn’t get her hands on her son. The next time she saw Nelle, she was crumpled at the bottom of the stairs, with Carly standing over her. The DA has no further questions, and Diane has no questions at this time. Carly shakes her head. Nelle looks angelic.

Franco tells Elizabeth that if didn’t know better – which is rare – he’d think she’s trying to avoid him. Elizabeth says she’s working. He tells her that everybody is good at one thing, and he’s good at avoidance. She can’t stand the mention of her mom, dad, or sister. He wants to know what’s going on. She says it’s no big mystery; they’re just not close. The only family that matters is them. He says he wants to meet them. Elizabeth asks, what about his? Is he inviting Betsy?

Michael is called to the stand. Diane tells Carly that she did a great job with Ava. It’s imperative she not throw another tantrum. Now is not the time to convince them that Nelle is a liar. After establishing that Nelle is the mother of Michael’s child, and they’re not getting married, but co-parenting, the DA asks if Michael’s mother had reason not to trust Nelle. He say, yes, and the DA says, but he still began the relationship. She says when he found out Nelle was pregnant, it was already over and she was out of his life. The judge tells her to move it along, and the DA says that Carly did everything to keep Nelle away from him, and failed. She was going to be a permanent part of his life, unless something happened to her. Diane objects, saying it’s leading and inflammatory. The DA has no further questions, and again, Diane reserves the right to question the witness at a later date. The judge tells the DA that she’s becoming dangerously close to being theatrical. He tells her to stick to the facts, and no shenanigans from either side. Nelle knows it was hard for Michael, but he says he did what needed to be done for his family. She puts her head on his shoulder. Sonny looks at Michael.

Lulu says if she could, she’d put David’s picture on the front page with the headline Time’s Up, but the hospital officially dismissed the matter. She asks if there’s any physical proof. Without it, both she and the paper are liable. Kiki says, so they close their ranks. Lulu says she can’t right that, but as far as the harassment and the hospital’s lack of response, she can force the issue without naming names. Kiki asks if her name can be kept out of it, but Lulu can’t pitch the story without a first-person account. She needs what specifically happened to her to make people care, but it’s still a crime where the victim is subject to criticism and suspicion. She wants to write it, but she’s not the one who has to live with it. Kiki has to decide.

Dante gets on the stand, and reads the arrest statement. Nelle said Carly grabbed her by thr arms, and screamed that she’s not getting her hands on Carly’s son, and pushed her down the stairs. The DA says in the official initial interview, Carly said they had an argument over a blanket. She asks if the blanket was found at the scene, and Dante says, no. She says Sonny is his father, and Morgan his half-brother. Does he expect the court to believe he has no bias? He tells her the commissioner would have acted if there was a problem. The DA asks if there was another situation where the defendant threatened Nelle, and Dante says, no. She tells him, on April 30th, they were gathered at the PCPCD, when Mike was in custody, and Nelle offered Carly a cup of tea. Does he recall her reply? She reminds him that he’s under oath. He says Carly turned her down; she didn’t want tea. She says, that’s not very specific. He doesn’t remember it verbatim, and the DA tells him to get close as he can get. He says Carly wanted Nelle’s head on silver platter. I’d say that’s specific.

Afterward, Dante tells Sonny that he’s sorry. Sonny says he told truth; his wife has a turn of phrase. He asks Dante to go by the house to check on Josslyn and Mike, who is having a good morning for once. Dante doesn’t know how Sonny is getting through it, and Sonny says he takes one step, and then takes another, to get Carly home and help for his dad. Dante says, so is he.

Diane tells Carly to keep her hands and arms inside the vehicle, no matter what. Ha-ha! I love Diane. Nelle is on the witness stand, and the DA says she’s happy the baby survived the fall unharmed. Diane thinks everyone is grateful that Nelle and her baby have a clean bill of health. The DA says they’ve heard testimony about her troubled relationship with Carly, and asks how it began. Nelle says it started when she was lucky enough to save Carly’s daughter’s life. She didn’t have much growing up, and her dad had to sell her kidney. She wasn’t even in a real hospital, and has had health problems ever since, but it was worth it when she found out it went to Josslyn. She would have died without it. The DA asks if, when they first met, Nelle wanted to hurt Carly. Nelle says she’s ashamed of her behavior, but was jealous of Carly’s life because of her father’s lies. She’d thought Carly never paid. She made mistakes she’ll always regret. When she and Michael fell in love, It was wonderful; the happiest she’s ever been. She should have known it wouldn’t last. Carly was livid when she found out, and did everything to break them up. When they were alone, Carly would threaten her and suggest she leave town. Carly humiliated Michael into asking for a paternity test, then insisted she must have faked the test. They’re not together anymore, but found a way to be partners to do what’s best for their child. The DA asks how her health has been since the fall. Nelle says she has nightmares about falling, and searching for a baby she can’t reach. She wasn’t able to sleep at all until Michael moved to the room next to hers at the Quartermaine’s. Since that day on the stairs, she’s lost hope of her baby having a life better than hers. The DA is finished, and Diane says, in light of Nelle’s obvious distress, she’ll defer her questions until a later date. As she gets off the stand, Nelle doubles over. Michael takes her back to her seat. Carly and Sonny look at each other. The prosecution rests.

Elizabeth ask Franco what he’s doing still at the hospital. He says he’s been thinking about his mom. He’s totally been avoiding her, but he’s forgiven her, so in answer to Elizabeth’s question, he’s like to invite both mothers. Elizabeth says her family won’t give him what he’s looking for. They’re more interested in humanity than individual people, even the ones they’re related to. She stopped waiting for them to show up for her a long time ago. Franco says, their loss, and asks, what about Sarah? She says her sister is on other side of the country, but he thinks her family should be given the opportunity to maybe say yes. He asks her to please just think about inviting them. She says, fine; she’ll think about it. She leaves, and Franco calls Audrey. He says he has a weird question, and asks if she has Sarah’s phone number.

Ava has to open the gallery. She tells Griff that she would say, good luck, but he doesn’t need it. Just be his kind, honest self, and call her when he’s done.

Lulu asks what Kiki thinks. She says if the article will stop David from doing it to someone else, or inspire someone else to come forward, it’s worth it. She’s all in. Lulu says, let’s take this loser down.

Sonny gripes about Nelle’s fake acting and fake tears. Diane says if, at the end, they’re unable to prove temporary insanity, nothing will make any difference. Carly wishes the DA wasn’t so good, but Diane says she’s better. She asks if Sonny is clear on what to do. She says it’s showtime, and the defense is ready.

Next time, Anna thinks something is irrevocably broken between her and Robin, Jordan isn’t losing her job over it, Michael tells someone that Nelle buried his mom, and Jason tells Carly they can stop it right now.

BTW, the DA is being played by Elizabeth Hendrickson, who was Frankie Stone on All My Children once upon a time.

Southern Charm

I have to admit it. I’m loving hating Ashley. Her hair flipping alone is enough, but her diarrhea of the mouth makes it so easy.

Victoria hangs up on Austen. Craig wants to jump in the hot tub. Ashley flips her hair. Austen asks to talk to Chelsea. He tells her about Victoria seeing Naomie’s Insta story, and how she misinterpreted it. Chelsea says she doesn’t want to tell him they can’t be friends if he dates one of her friends, but it is kind of that way. She can’t be as involved in his life when he’s dating a friend. He says it would be different if she said it hurts her because she wanted him back, but that’s not what’s happening. It’s okay Austen; I don’t get it either.

The next morning, the place is a total mess. Kathryn tells Danni not to judge her for the marshmallows and chocolate in the bed. She eats while she sleeps; she has an issue. What’s bizarre is, I also eat in my sleep if something is close enough.

Whitney wants to get out while he can, and tells Craig he’s leaving. Craig stumbles downstairs with his pants undone and his shirt half on. He dreamt he had a girlfriend, and asks Naomie if they got back together, but that’s a no. Everyone starts to leave. Chelsea wants to do a drive-by of where she used to live on their way out.

Ashley tells Thomas if she seems anxious, it’s because she wants to get home. She wonders where his after-shave and socks are, and they look for Austen, but no one is around. Oh, come on. He can buy more.

Shep goes to his parents’ house. He asks what’s going on. He points out the cupboard is bare, and his mom says they were gone for five months. He forgives her.

Chelsea tells the girls that her parents divorced when she was three. Her mom started seeing a man named Jerry, who took them in. She only remembers happy times there, and didn’t know how bad they had it.

Shep wants a French bulldog. His mom says he has no business getting any dog. He tells her that he’s having surgery on Friday, and Kathryn is giving him a ride. He says he saw the good in her. He likes to see the good in people; he’s an optimist. In his interview, Shep says with some people, you never know what you’re going to get, and Kathryn was one of them for a long time. She’s more dependable now. His mom asks about his nose, and he says it was an accident; no one beat him up. He tells her that he doesn’t want to end up an angry old guy. She says it’s easy to get complacent when you live alone. He thinks he shouldn’t be in a relationship for the same reason he shouldn’t get a dog. He’ll never be a conventional person. His mother says she could pray, but couldn’t make it happen.

Chelsea drives to her old house. She says it pretty much looks the same. She has pictures of her stepdad pushing her down the driveway. He and her mom never married, but he was like a dad. She starts to cry, and wonders why she can’t keep her sh*t together. She says it was a great weekend, and she ended it by crying about her stepdad who passed away. She tells them he died when she was eight, and they lost everything because he and her mom weren’t married; they had nothing. In her interview, she says they moved to a duplex, and she had to share a twin bed with her brother. For life to change that fast was mind-blowing. She thinks that’s why she struggles to be independent. They relied on him, and then he was gone. Her mother had to work three jobs to keep a roof over their heads. In her interview, she says she doesn’t know if the walls in her relationships are due to him passing away. Her mom told her to always take care of herself, no matter what. Now that everyone is bummed, they head home.

Craig cuts pictures out of magazines, and makes I don’t know what.

Austen has more baseball caps than anyone should have.

Kathryn picks up Shep. He says he can drive there, but needs her on the way back. She asks him to come to the party, and tells him that she didn’t invite Ashley. She texted Thomas that she thinks it’s best Ashley isn’t around the children right now. He replied, okay, along with an okay emoji. Shep doesn’t think anything there’s anything more important to either one of them than the kids. She asks about his life, and he says he’s not really into anybody. He hasn’t found the person where everything makes sense. Kathryn suggests yoga or meditation, and says she’ll go soul searching for him. In her interview, Kathryn says Shep gets her, and she feels safe with him.

Three hours later. Shep is wheeled out. He feels great, but knows once the pain meds wear off, it’s going to hurt. He’s still wearing his hospital gown, and accidently flashes some leg while he’s getting into the car. He says, the first look is free.

Austen picks up take-out to bring to Victoria’s place. He says the situation has deescalated, but he’s never dealt with this level of jealousy before. He’s not sure how to navigate it. When he gets there, they open some wine to go with the food. She asks how Hilton Head was, and he’s like, um… He tells her it was awesome, but he took Chelsea aside, told her that they’d gotten back together, and that was that. He doesn’t want her to disengage from his life. Victoria says some of Chelsea’s actions don’t line up with what she’s saying. She doesn’t think Chelsea’s body language is appropriate with someone she used to be dating or respectful to her. Austen says he didn’t think anything of it. Victoria thinks there’s an ulterior motive. It didn’t feel right, and looked clingy romantic. Austen doesn’t think Chelsea is the romantic type, and Victoria accuses him of defending Chelsea to the death. He says he wants to be friends with Chelsea, but it hasn’t been sexual whatsoever since they broke up. Victoria mentions Chelsea’s comment about sneaking into his room in the middle of night, and he says social media is a pita. If Victoria thinks something isn’t appropriate, he feels like he has to agree, or she’ll be angry. He thinks she’s scrutinizing the photo more than she needs to be. He asks if they can let it pass, and she says, for the time being. I know what that means. She’s never letting it pass.

Shep nurses his knee, and calls Cameran. She feels like she was hit by a Mack truck, but got a cute baby out of it. She tells Shep that she was at home, and started getting contractions. Going to the hospital isn’t like you see in the movies. She wasn’t screaming and crying, but holding on to the oh, sh*t handle (is that the one above the side window?), and telling Jason to go fast. She was in labor for twelve hours, pushed about an hour, and out popped Palmer. She’s glad Palmer didn’t come out ugly. In her interview, she tells us a lot of newborns don’t come out cute, and pretty-up later. She says it was dehumanizing, but worth it. Shep has ice on his knee, and she has ice on her vagina.

Craig goes to see life coach Laura. She says he’s going to play show-and-tell with his self-portrait. So that’s what he was making. He tells her, on the outside is how he feels about himself, the inside represents his goals. There are no faces; he doesn’t see himself as a face. If there was a camera here, I’d be giving it a look. Laura says it has holes, referring to how the pictures are spaced. It’s not integrated enough; he’s not self-directed enough. Translation: he’s bad at being his own boss. He says it’s interesting that he came to her at this time. He currently has an amazing opportunity to design a pillow for his friend Patricia’s clothing line. We see a clip where she calls him, asking how the pillow is going. He says he has a hard time designing something for someone else. Hell, I’ll do it. He says he’s scared he’ll continue fantasizing about what could be, but not doing it. Laura says he’s bullsh*tting himself. He’s having a hard time jumping into the adult world with both feet. He finds different ways to sabotage himself. He’s a charming guy with great ideas, but doesn’t follow through, so he doesn’t have to adult. Hey, stop picking on me… I mean, Craig. Craig says he can justify everything, and convince anyone of anything; he’s a great liar. Laura asks why he’s effing lying. She actually uses the word effing. She asks, what is that about? He says it comes natural to him. In his interview, Craig says he can profile someone, and steer them in a certain direction. Laura says he keeps setting himself up for negative attention. He’s not nice to himself at all. He says the way she puts it, it sucks. She says the next time, they’ll talk about why he’s a liar. He doesn’t like being vulnerable, and is doing the thing he doesn’t like to do – have to talk about it.

Kathryn tells Kensie got to get ready for Saint’s birthday. In her interview, Kathryn says, last year, she was a guest at her own son’s party, and it was humiliating. She’s grateful for the chance to be a mother, and host the party herself. It’s what’s right. It’s crazy to her that Saint is turning into a little man. He’s blooming as a person, and is happy and sweet. She thinks it’s interesting she and Thomas could create such a normal person.

Ashley loves that Thomas still reads the physical newspaper. She asks if he’s looking forward to the party. She’s going to stay in and relax; she doesn’t feel well. Of course not. She says the emotional stress took its toll on her physical health. He asks if, in retrospect, going after Kathryn was worth it. Ashley says she was protecting him. He tells her the fighting is counterproductive. He says, don’t fight; just chill. Ashley insists wanted to go to the party to show Kathryn that she’s no threat. When Kathryn sent Thomas a message about not wanting her to be around the kids because she’s angry and aggressive, it hurt her. Thomas says, too bad. Hahahahaha! In his interview, he says Kathryn and the kids will always be in his life, and he needs to be with someone understanding, not critical. Ashley is jealous and paranoid. Ashley says she doesn’t trust Kathryn; she doesn’t want him to be happy. That’s the real reason she wants to monitor what’s going on; Kathryn wants to be where she is, and wants to keep tabs on him. Okay. She’s batsh*t crazy. Especially since she’s the one who didn’t like Thomas going out without her. Thomas tells her she’ll need tough skin if she wants to be in a relationship with him. She says they’re not dealing with a normal person, but darkness and evil. What? He says she’s fired up, and needs to reduce it to nothing. Kathryn wants to see what’s going to happen long term, and at that point, maybe she’ll be friendly. Ashley doubts it. Ashley tells Thomas that she’s not letting him go; she’s not going anywhere. Now she’s being creepy. Thomas says he thought she was going to Santa Barbara for the holidays, and he thinks they could use the space. I think he should change the locks when she’s gone. She wants him to hold her hand. He asks why, and tells her not to get upset if he doesn’t. He tells her to chill, and takes her hand. He says she’s very intense, and needs to reduce it. She tells him to stop talking about Kathryn. What’s important is right here, and she’s not letting that get the best of her. I could see this being part of a horror movie script.

Kathryn brings the kids to the venue, called Play Garden. It’s a large play/crafting room, divided into various sections. Thomas meets her, and helps bring the kids in. Kathryn wants this day to be absolutely perfect. She gives the staff the supplies she’s brought, including the party favor bags. Kathryn thinks it’s good for the kids to see their mother and father together, happy and having fun. Thomas puts on a tiny birthday hat. Danni and Naomie arrive, with Austen following. The rest of the guests trickle in. Austen tells Chelsea that he’s still recovering from Hilton Head. Shep limps in. He says it hurts, but it’s okay. Finger painting happens. Naomie says this is Craig’s jam, and texts him. We see he’s busy using duct tape to wrap the presents.

Austen says Saint has better style than he does; his bow tie is killing it. Thomas tries to take Saint’s picture, and it’s like taking a picture of one of my dogs, trying to get them to stay still. Naomie says it’s heartwarming when Ashley isn’t there. Danni asks if makes her want kids. The kids blow noisemakers, and Naomie says, no. Craig and Sean arrive just in time for the pizza. Kathryn asks if Thomas wants to join them for dinner there. Ashley is going to go out of her mind. In his interview, Thomas thinks Kathryn has stepped up as a mom. He sees a lot of improvement. It’s been amazing watching her transformation, and he’s proud of her. It’s time to open the presents. Craig has gotten a karaoke machine and keyboard for Saint and Kensie to share. The cake comes out, and everybody sings. In her interview, Kathryn says Thomas sees her as adult now, and has a new respect. Maybe it took longer than she would have liked, but they’re here now, and she just wants to keep everything good.

Kathryn visits Shep, bearing gifts. Shep says she looks like a femme fatale , and asks what she’s up to. She says she just came from work, and this is what she wears. In his interview, Shep says Kathryn has something, a je ne sais quoi. Yeah, she’s gorgeous, and the something is she finally got a decent haircut. She gives Shep some soup from her grandmother’s receipe, and a basket of goodies. Shep says when they get together, they can be weird, and she can be herself. He tells her that no one else has done anything for him, and she’s a joy to be around. He loves how rambunctious Kensie is, and she says Kensie gets it from both parents. They heat up the soup. Kathryn says she hasn’t had a date since August; she knows everyone in Charleston. He tells her to increase her radius. In her interview, Kathryn says she considers Shep a good friend, but her head can’t help going to that space where she thinks, why couldn’t they just make it work? He eats some soup, and says he’s happy. Well, apparently, he’s easy to please.

Ashley brings Thomas a take-out sub sandwich for lunch. She asks about the birthday party, and if it was the best one yet. He says it was a good one, and he helped Kathryn organize it. She went all out, and it was a good turn-out. Ashley asks if she was thought of, because she gets confused that it wasn’t her own party. She’s sure Kathryn was thinking about her. Wow. She continually tops herself with insecure egoism. Thomas doesn’t think Kathryn is appreciating her presence lately. He also doesn’t believe what Ashley says about Kathryn having feelings for him and not wanting to let him go. Ashley says, no. They’re not a family. They’ve never been a family. The kids weren’t planned, and they weren’t in a relationship when they had them. They were never in love, and Kathryn is living in a fantasy world. I’m not sure what’s making my mouth hang open more; Ashley’s impudence, or Thomas’s restraint. Thomas tells her that he’ll always have a soft spot for Kathryn. He would never want anything to happen to the kids, or her, the mother of his children. When Ashley disrespects Kathryn, she’s disrespecting the kids and him. Ashley says she feels disrespected, and he tells her, then back off nicely. She’s emotionally charged, and has a lot of anger and frustration. She says he’s frustrating her right now. He’s putting words in her mouth; don’t tell her what to do. I guess no one ever told this chick not to have arguments like this before the ring is on her hand. And I mean, the wedding ring. Thomas says if she wants to get along with people, relax. She says, like the other night, that’s who she is. We see a clip of him out with the guys, and having a good time. Ashley goes ballistic about him being out all night, and how he had a naked girlfriend waiting for him, but he’d rather be with Shep and Craig. He says, once in a blue moon, he likes to blow it out with his friends. She says it’s the first time someone didn’t want to come home to her. Her relationships must have only lasted two days. Thomas asks if she’s not going to California to hang out with her friends, and she says she is now. He gave her a kickstart. He says, when she comes back, she’ll be a better person for it. She says, if she does come back, and he says, go ahead. I’m dying.

Next time, Cameran has an oversupply of milk, Kathryn thinks Ashley wanted a one-way free ticket to spend someone else’s money, Thomas doesn’t know if he wants to get married, and Austen premieres his beer.

👍 I gotta say it, my take on Kathryn is that she’s the real deal. Cameran will back me up here; she feels the same way. I think Kathryn was very young when the show started, and as we all do – or I hope we do – matured over time. Being on television and involved with a very rich, well-known (at least in Charleston) guy put her at a disadvantage, so her growth wasn’t allowed its natural progression. Thomas was less than gracious, and some of the others egged her on. A lesser person would have folded under the pressure, but she did well. I’m proud of her too.

🍹 Speaking of not so charming Thomas, I was wondering what was up with the assault allegations against him, and this is what I found: https://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2018/06/thomas-ravenel-sexual-assault-charges-finally-addressed-by-bravo/

The article said that Bravo has a reputation of turning a blind eye to bad behavior. Are they kidding? Bravo encourages bad behavior. Andy Cohen is probably pissed that he didn’t think of the Jersey Shore. Don’t get me wrong, although I don’t always like him, I admire Andy a lot. He had the tenacity to do what others only dream of – loving pop culture so much, he became part of it.

💲 🌆 Million Dollar Listing New York will be back on Monday, June 11th at 10 pm. Rebel Wilson will be making an appearance, and from the looks of the preview, 50 Cent will be showing up as well. Is this the celebrity edition?

🎭 Sadly, tonight was the final finale for Imposters. I loved the show from the first one. It was fresh, something different with fun twists, and they weren’t afraid to show some blood and guts. It’s a shame Bravo won’t continue to give it a chance. It was a bittersweet ending, knowing that it won’t be back.

😯 So, I’m watching this movie on Lifetime, and there’s Kevin Bacon playing a father figure. When did this happen?

🙌 There Was a Time When He Cut Footloose…

FootlooseKB

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May 31, 2018 – The Not-So-Great Escape, Ashley is Insane, Craig Quote & June Babies

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Jason tells Sam he’s on his way out. He and Spinelli are working on getting evidence of Carly’s innocence. Sam says there’s not a lot of time. It’s about Drew.

Andre and Drew meet outside. Drew has been doing some thinking, and Andre asks if he wants to reconsider. Drew says just the opposite, and gives him an envelope. It’s a DNR. He says in case it goes the wrong way, just let him go.

At the hospital, Obrecht demands a word with Anna. Anna says it’s not the place, and Obrecht asks if Anna thinks she cares. It’s her fault Obrecht’s son is dead.

Peter says, if it isn’t his oldest friend. Valentin says he’s so sorry this is happening to him. Peter says he should be; he put the whole thing in motion. Valentin says, it’s true. He stole Peter, took him from a loving family, and brought him to his father. Peter says it’s a good thing there are bars between them, or he’d kill Valentin with his bare hands.

Ava has insufficient memory on her phone, and picks out things to send to the cloud. She sees the paternity test, and is about to delete it, and hears someone come in. It’s David. She tells him the gallery is closed, but he says he was hoping to pick up something beautiful.

Kiki and Elizabeth go to Monica’s office. Elizabeth tells Kiki that she can do this. Monica asks if everything is all right, and Kiki says, no. She’d like to file a complaint against Dr. Bensch. Monica asks on what grounds, and Kiki says for the past few months, he’s been sexually harassing her.

Jason tells Sam that Kim was just there. She told him Drew wants the procedure done, and Andrew has agreed, but he could be incapacitated if something goes wrong. She wanted Jason to stop him. Sam says if the procedure is going to work, Andre needs the flash drive. Peter has it, but is willing to make a trade. Jason asks what he wants, and Sam says, his freedom.

Andre asks if a DNR isn’t a little extreme, but Drew doesn’t think so. Andre has explained the risks, and he gets it. His hope is that once Jason’s memories are removed, his own original memories will surface. Andre says his latest research supports that, but if he’s unsuccessful, Drew could lose his cognitive abilities. Drew says, if that happens, he wants Andrew to honor his wishes, and let him die.

Obrecht tells Anna that she knows the truth about Nathan’s death, and why Faison came back. She calls Anna a hypocrite, judging her feelings for Faison, when she also shared his bed. Anna says it was one night. Obrecht says she knew everything about his bastard son.

Peter says he thought Valentin was the one person who found him worthwhile, but he wanted to use it as leverage against Anna. He tells Valentin not to insult them both by pretending their friendship meant anything. Valentin says he and Anna were both younger. He loved her, but she wouldn’t have him. He wanted her to hurt like he did. He was the only one who knew and realized she was pregnant. He followed her, and knew she’d left the baby. He assumed wrongly that she thought the baby was just an inconvenience, and he didn’t like that. He wanted to punish her. He took Peter to Faison, and regretted it every day since.

Anna tells Obrecht to keep her voice down. Obrecht says, to spare her embarrassment? It’s the least she deserves. Griff says, enough, and tells Obrecht she’s on the wrong floor to see the baby. Obrecht says this isn’t over. Anna’s actions took her son from her. What goes around comes around. She leaves, and Anna guesses Griff heard. He says it was hard not to, but it didn’t make sense. She says it will if he understands that Faison’s child is Peter, and is actually her son.

Jason tells Sam to back up, and asks when she talked to Peter. She says she went to tell him that she was grateful he kept Jason alive. Jason says he only did it to kill Faison, but she says that doesn’t change the fact that he’s there now. Jason tells her not to let Peter take advantage because of it. She says that’s what she told Peter. Drew said he’d rather have the procedure without the flash drive. It was a risk he was willing to take, but she can’t. Jason nods sagely.

Andre tells Drew it’s something that’s widely debated. Drew says he did some digging, and euthanasia has been legal in some states for at least two years. He doesn’t want his daughter to be afraid of him, and be a shell of a human being wile she’s growing up. He tells Andre to cheer up, and asks what happens next.

Peter tells Valentin it feels like another lie. Valentin says by the time he realized his horrible mistake, someone else was paying the price. Peter used Nathan, and lured Faison to Port Charles, but didn’t think about what Maxie stood to lose. By the time he looked up, Nathan was dead, and Maxie was a widow with a baby who is never going to know his father. He asks if Peter is going to stick around and make amends and mitigate the damage.

Anna tells Griff abut Valentin taking the baby. Griff says no wonder she was so determined to find him. Anna says she wanted to find him because she realized he could be a carrier. She asks if Griff didn’t say he just tested someone for Huntington’s disease. Was it Peter? He must have thought it was a strange coincidence. He couldn’t have known Peter was Faison’s son. Her phone rings, and Griff gives a good worried look. He thinks about when he told Peter that he’d keep what he knew in confidence.

Ava tells David that she can stay open a few minutes longer. She knows he’s been helping Kiki. David says she has a lot of potential. He just hopes… She says, what? He says he’s sorry; he shouldn’t have said anything. She says she wants to hear any concerns he has, and he says she seems off lately. He asks if there’s something going on in her personal life.

Kiki tells Monica after she rejected his gifts and kiss, he was either hostile or overly friendly. This afternoon, he threatened to submit a negative evaluation if she didn’t have sex with him. Monica asks if he said those exact words, and Kiki says he showed her a draft of her evaluation, and it was terrible and untrue. He told her that he could revise it in her favor if she met him at his hotel room, but she said no. Monica is sorry this happened under her watch, and asks Elizabeth if she witnessed anything, but Elizabeth says she’s just there for moral support. She says she believes Kiki, but Monica says, unfortunately, that’s not enough. She asks if anyone witnessed his improper behavior, and Kiki says Dillon thought Dr. Bensch was hitting on her. She adds, in all fairness, he was comforting her after the anniversary of Morgan’s death, and she let him. Elizabeth says she didn’t let him do anything; she didn’t ask for any of this. Kiki says other students mentioned him liking her, but it was more of a teacher’s pet thing. He only made advances when they were alone. Monica says, so there’s no proof. Kiki asks if Monica thinks she’s lying.

Sam asks if Jason wants to help her break Peter out of custody. He says it’s Drew’s risk to take, and she shouldn’t interfere. She says she’s going to anyway, but Jason is afraid she’ll get caught by herself, and he has Carly to deal with. She also can’t break him out because it’s too dangerous for Anna.

Griff asks what Anna is going to do. She says they’ve probably scheduled transport for Peter. She wants to be with him every step of the way, but he doesn’t want anything to do with her. She can’t believe she didn’t see it; the clues were right in front of her. She would have warned him, and helped him to escape; the son she abandoned. She would have done it even if he was guilty. She would have gone against her own agency. It looks like he’s going to Steinmaur for who knows how long, and there’s nothing she can do. Griff says he has to tell her something. Deanna interrupts, saying Anna’s treatment is ready. Griff says it can wait. She thanks him for his support, and says she doesn’t know what she’d do without him.

Peter says Valentin knew his father was obsessed with Anna. Why not tell him that Anna is his mother? Valentin says, strategy; always leave something in reserve. Watching Peter grow up and become his own person, he became sympathetic of the situation, and his objective changed. If he’d known, Faison would have been more obsessed with Peter than Anna. He would have never escaped. He became his own man, and when the time was right, Valentin helped him establish a new identity. Peter asks if he should thank him, and Valentin says, no. The worst thing isn’t that it happened, but that Valentin is his only friend.

Andre says it would be irresponsible to wipe out Drew’s memories without backup. Drew says he’s willing to take the risk. Andre says he isn’t. If he knew where the flash drive was, it would be different. Drew says he knows.

Ava asks David how Kiki seems off. He says she comes in late, and she’s not quite on her game. She’s easily distracted, and using her phone all the time. Something or someone is taking her attention away. Ava explains that her little sister went missing, and it was a very difficult time. She’s fine, but it put them through a lot. He says he’s sorry to hear about it. He thinks Kiki has the ability to be a fine doctor, but he’s seen students with potential go up in flames in medical school. The pressure is too much, and they snap; vanishing from exams or giving wild stories as excuses for poor grades. He says it’s a demanding program, and Ava says she’s confident Kiki can handle it. David says his office looks barren. She tells him to email a photo of his office, and she’ll have some selections for him to choose from in the morning. He says, just in case, and gives his card to her. He’s glad Kiki has a strong support system. He hopes she knows how lucky she is.

Monica says in no way is she accusing Kiki of lying, or implying she might have misunderstood. In the absence of proof, she can’t act directly on a complaint. Elizabeth says she’s the chief of surgery. Doesn’t she have wiggle room? Monica says she’s under higher scrutiny; she has a history, and promised the board to recuse herself from these issues. Kiki will have to go to HR. They’ll take the lead, and launch an investigative interview, and every effort will be made to keep it confidential. Kiki says it doesn’t matter. He’s going to know it came from her.

Jason tells Sam if he’d gotten to the pier ten seconds later, Anna would have been dead. Peter was holding a gun to her head. He would have killed her; that’s what the book was about. He can’t let Anna die, and the only way she’s safe is if Peter is dead or in Steinmaur. Sam says, thanks for listening. He asks her not to do it by herself; he can’t let her. What about her kids? She says it’s not up to him. She can’t let Drew have the procedure without the flash drive; it’s too dangerous. It’s her choice, like all the choices he made that broke her heart, but she respected them. Now he’s going to respect hers. You go, Sam.

Drew tells Andre that Peter has the flash drive. He’ll give it to Drew if Drew breaks him out of jail, but the price is too high, but this matter is something else. He wants to have the procedure done as planned. Andre says he can’t do it

Peter asks what Valentin is going to do for him, calling him friend. Valentin asks what Peter wants him to do. Peter says, as it stands, he’s about to be extradited. There are enough charges to hold him years or a decade. Valentin thinks Anna must have some pull, but Peter asks why trust the bitch who abandoned him. Valentin says Anna did what she could to protect him. He’s the one who screwed up. Peter says he had it right the first time; he was an inconvenience. She handed him over and never looked back. Maybe it was easier to say he was in a good home. It’s pathetic how Valentin is defending a woman who despises him. Valentin says if he won’t take help form Anna, what does Peter want him to do?

Griff goes to the gallery. He thinks about being with Kiki in bed. He asks Ava if she’s ready to go. She asks what’s going on with Kiki.

Kiki is concerned David could make an even bigger effort to make her life a living hell. Monica says the hospital has to remain impartial until something has been proven. It’s a very involved process, but she can rearrange the schedule, so there’s no contact. Kiki says she already did, and he changed his to overlap. Elizabeth suggests that she or Griff be scheduled at the same time. Kiki asks what happens if her accusations are found to be true, and discovers although he can be suspended, and she could get financial damages, he’s not fired. Monica says, unfortunately, it’s the policy. They’re becoming more aware as a society, but the policies in place haven’t caught up. Monica says Kiki will have her full support, but wants her to know what to expect. Kiki says a good friend told her if someone doesn’t out the abuser, they’re free to abuse someone else. She’s moving forward.

Griff asks what Ava is talking about, and she says a customer who works with her thought either the pressure is getting to her or something is going on in her personal life. She says she’ll talk to Kiki, but he looks anxious himself. He says he and Anna had an intense conversation. Faison was hounding Anna her whole life. His son was living in Port Charles, but he’s not just Faison’s son; he’s also Anna’s. She gave up the child to a loving family, but Peter ended up back with Faison. Anna is taking it hard. It didn’t have to turn out this way; he could have done something. Ava realizes it’s the test he didn’t have permission to run. Peter was his patient, and he discovered Faison was his father.

Andre suggests Drew is a wealthy man, and could help Peter that way. Drew says he’s not working with him. Andre says he wants his life back, and the only way is to give his help.

Griff explains why he ran the test. Peter begged him to keep his secret, saying Jason would kill him. Ava says she couldn’t blame him. Griff says he knew the risk, and watched him get close to Maxie. Ava says he did what he thought best. Telling Anna the truth is the last thing he should do.

Jason and Sam go to Peter’s cell. Valentin is sitting there, but no Peter.

Monica says she’ll notify HR, and asks Kiki to give a statement. She says perhaps more women will come forward after an official accusation. Elizabeth hopes the truth comes out. Elizabeth gets a call, and has to go back to work. David sees them, and smiles at Kiki, who follows Elizabeth.

Ava says Griff can get fired. He says Peter knows Anna is one of his best friends. He doesn’t want her to hear the truth from someone else. She says that’s how he gets tripped up. He tries to do the selfless thing, when it’s selfish. It might ease his conscience, but what a friend needs the most is always support. Why bother her with the knowledge. He says maybe she’s right; he doesn’t know. Ava says she’ll keep his secret.

Peter grabs his room key from a cleaning car. He opens a wall vent, and takes out a whole load of money, and his passport.

Sam asks where Peter is, and Valentin say he escaped somehow. Sam thinks he couldn’t have gotten far, but she and Jason run into Anna on their way out. Ann asks what’s going on. Sam says Peter escaped. They all look at Valentin.

Peter leaves a letter for Maxie on the table. He goes out, and comes back.

Andre tells Drew that he’s secured a medical facility for the next three days. If he agrees to wait to the end of the last day, a lot can change. Drew doesn’t think it’s likely that Peter will hand over the flash drive, but Andre says they might not need it when they move forward.

Peter leaves a letter for Drew. He takes out the flash drive. The door opens behind him, and he gets a  syringe in his back

Anna says the security cameras are normal, but there’s no sign of Peter’s escape. The guard has been paged. Valentin asks if they want to let him out, and they all say, no.  Anna knows Sam and Jason wouldn’t be working with Valentin, and must be on their own. She doesn’t know why they’d help, unless it’s to kill Peter. Sam says Peter has the flash drive. Now he’s gone, and so is any chance to restore Drew’s memories.

Peter is dragged away.

Tomorrow, Peter sees Maxie, Carly asks if there’s been progress, and Nelle apologizes to Michael for what she did to Carly.

Southern Charm

Ashley tells Kathryn to get used to her, and she sees the kids more than Kathryn. Kathryn says if Ashley wants her to be put in her place, she’ll effing do it. Ashley says she knows more than anyone. Chelsea tells Ashely, enough, and Danni says they know her more than Ashley does. She sees how the kids are when they get back from seeing her Thomas notices something is going on, and Craig says, this is bad, dude. Kathryn asks what’s wrong with the kids, and Ashley says they don’t sleep. In her interview – where she’s wearing the most fabulous earrings ever – Kathryn says the kids only get to see her for two days. Ashley says what’s scarier is that they’re start getting more time with her. The table starts rumbling, and Kathryn tells her to STFU. Ashley tells Kathryn to watch herself, and Danni asks if she’s threatening Kathryn. She’s not moving in the right direction with her. Ashley says she doesn’t respect Kathryn, and Kathryn says, good to know. Thomas is encouraged to step in. Whitney says an intervention is needed. Ashley, who just keeps on vomiting horrible words and flipping her hair (or tossing her head like a circus pony, if you will), says that people warned her about Kathryn when she started dating Thomas. Danni suggests she stop talking. Ashley says she’s heard things from the nanny – the nanny Kathryn fired. Danni finally tells Ashley to stop flipping her hair. Whitney asks if Thomas would… and Thomas says, salvage the evening? In his interview, he says he’s trying to be respectful toward Ashley, but the mother of his children also deserves respect. He’s in a difficult position. Ashley says she hopes Kathryn becomes the best mother she can be. Kathryn is like, go away with your bullsh*t. Danni drags Thomas over to the side, and says she is not allowed to talk about the mother of his kids that way. Ashley asks how many times Kathryn visited her son in the hospital. In her interview, Kathryn says Thomas told her that she couldn’t go. Who does Ashley think is in control. Ashley says she didn’t give a f***. Danni tells Thomas that Ashley has no right to be talking like she is, and to shut her down. Chelsea tells Kathryn not to engage, and Ashley tells her to shut up. Danni tells Ashley to go; no one wants her there anyway. Ashley repeats this is what she heard from the nanny. Thomas is like, come on, but she can’t stop, and keeps babbling as he leads her away from the table.

Chelsea can’t even speak. Kathryn is concerned she’s coming back, but Chelsea says she wouldn’t. Craig thinks they’re coming, but they keep moving. Kathryn says, that was lovely. Whitney is shocked at how well Kathryn handled it. He says, years ago, she would have stabbed Ashley with a fork. Kathryn says she’s glad have them around her.

Ashley tells Thomas that she doesn’t like any of those girls. In her interview, Kathryn says having everybody banding around her and having her back is crazy, and feels wonderful. At the table, Chelsea says she can’t imagine having kids, and loving them like she does, and having someone say sh*t like that. Chelsea starts to cry, saying she was trying to be nice and include Ashley, but that was deep. Whitney says it was intense. Chelsea says she’s an evil bitch. Shep says he has to download what happened.

Ashley tells Thomas that she was trying to be her kind, sweet self. She kissed Kathryn’s ass. She says this like, four times, then says she’s done kissing her ass. She knew she wasn’t invited to Saint’s party, and Kathryn said she’d only be around for another month. She says how bad of a mother do you have to be, if the court gives – excuse her – the kids to a convicted felon. He’s wonderful, but she’s sick of everyone feeling sorry for Kathryn. Thomas suggests Ashley is better off not even engaging. This chick is some piece of work.

Danni flips her hair around. Chelsea says it’ s all about the Charleston thing. Ashley tells Thomas that she’s not leaving; he’s stuck with her. Shep tells Kathryn that he’s sorry. Thomas stops by and says they’re going to sit inside. When they’re gone, Craig says the worst part is that they have to take the ferry together. He says that Kathryn is sober, and crushing life. They didn’t need him to save the day. Everyone laughs.

Ashley tells Thomas that she’s never fought for a man. She still hasn’t. She was fighting about an invite to a birthday party. She says she doesn’t see life without him in it, and she’d marry him tomorrow. His body language says he wants to dig a very, very, very deep hole, and crawl in it. Kathryn and Naomie go to the bathroom. Chelsea and Austen sit by the fire. He tells her that he talked to Victoria recently, and they’re giving it another shot, but he doesn’t want it to affect their friendship. The last time, he missed her, and doesn’t want to lose her again. She says he’d told her the reason he’d ended things, was because the spark wasn’t there. He tells her that he said it because of her. He asks at what point she knew it wasn’t going to work out. She says where she’s at is different from where he is. He can party and live it up. She thinks she’d eventually bore the hell out of him. She says he shouldn’t have had to choose; she should have never put him in that situation. She can deal with it now; she was being emotional. In her interview, she says every now and then, she wonders if she’s missing something. They are close friends and you’re supposed to be with your best friend. They hug, and he talks about sitting in rocking chairs together one day.

Shep asks Ashley what happened? It seemed like they were getting along; he doesn’t get it. Ashley said she’d been appeasing Kathryn, and she wants to keep her enemies close. She says there’s more to it, and Shep warns her not to say something she can’t take back. In his interview, he says he doesn’t like her. He tells her that what she sees on daily basis is different. She doesn’t know everything; only Kathryn and Thomas know their history, and she needs to be deferential toward their past. She says Kathryn doesn’t care about the kids. In his interview, Shep says she should know better. Whatever she’s thinking, Kathryn isn’t going away. Why dredge up a past that’s not there? It’s outrageous, unfair, and unkind. Shep announces the ferry is leaving. Ashley suggests pushing Kathryn in the water. Wtf is wrong with this woman?

Nice ferry; curtains and everything. Chelsea says it’s up to Kathryn if Ashley can stay in the house. If it makes her uncomfortable, Chelsea feels she shouldn’t be there. Ashley runs to tell Thomas, and he gets loud and confrontational with Chelsea. Chelsea says she’s the one who invited Kathryn, and doesn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. Thomas gets all pissed, and yells that she has no say, so STFU. Wow. Austen tells him that he can’t talk to anyone like that, and Thomas starts the finger-pointing thing, and gets big like a turkey. Danni tells Ashley to quit smirking, which she totally is. Ashley calls her an enabler, and Danni says eff you. In his interview, Austen says this speaks volumes about Ashley’s character, which is trash. Shep says he had a tough night; it was not what he wanted. Austen sits with Chelsea, and they watch Thomas and Ashley make out. In her interview, Kathryn says they’re like a sick, unhealthy, mental hospital room couple. I am so laughing my way through this episode. Whitney tells Thomas to calm it down, and it gets quiet. Thomas apologizes, saying he was ungentlemanly. Chelsea says, thanks, and he asks if he’s cool with everyone. No one is really talking to him though.

Back to the house. Ashley tells Thomas she’s frustrated, but Thomas doesn’t want to talk about it. Shep, Austen, and Whitney go out to a bar. Naomie whines about Craig saying he’ll be making breakfast, and he says he doesn’t need to hear negativity. On the porch, Danni asks Thomas if she’s an enabler. Ashley peeks out, and peeks back in. Danni tells Thomas that he didn’t hear the half of it. Thomas says he wants to respect her, and let her finish. Kathryn says the stuff she was saying wasn’t even true, and she was inappropriate in every way.

Ashley tells Chelsea that she tried. Chelsea wonders if she thinks being evil makes it better. Ashley say she doesn’t want to be taken advantage of, and wants to know why Kathryn isn’t being nice. Chelsea points out what Ashley said to her, and Ashley says it’s been building up; it didn’t just happen tonight. Ashley can’t believe Kathryn really wants to get to know her, but Chelsea says, she does. Chelsea isn’t sure she can turn back from this, and says she thought they had a good relationship, and were doing co-parenting right. Ashley stomps her foot (okay, I made that up, but she should have), and says she doesn’t want to hang out with Kathryn. She’s been being nice for the sake of the effing children. She says, everyone moves on, like Kathryn has been stalking Thomas. Chelsea tries again, telling Ashley she just said evil sh*t about their mother. Ashley says, just because you gave birth to something, doesn’t mean you’re a mother. Then she says, accountability, Chelsea, like she’s a character in Hamilton or 1776. Chelsea tells her to stop talking to her like that. Ashley says she doesn’t need Chelsea. Danni tells Thomas that Ashley owes Kathryn an apology. Kathryn says Ashley owes her going away and never coming back. Thomas says it’s a difficult situation, and Kathryn says it’s going to be a legal situation. Thomas does a spit take with his drink. Thomas says Ashley gets protective, and Kathryn says she has nothing to protect. So Thomas goes for the, she’s half Italian excuse, saying they’re a passionate people, and wave their hands around when they talk. Kathryn calls bullsh*t. She tells Thomas that she doesn’t have much to say, but it’s a damn shame. Thomas sighs.

Crag asks if Austen is a bacon wizard; he’ll do the eggs. Naomie tells the other girls it’s nice that everyone was there for Kathryn. She was trembling the whole time. In bed with Thomas, Ashley says she’s rehashing what happened in her mind, and she’s not going to have any girlfriends. Thomas thinks she should lay low. Danni says what Ashley was saying was inappropriate, and Naomie says they were things you should never say to someone doing better, and moving on from their past. Danni wonders how she can bring herself back, and Chelsea says she’s not apologetic at all. She ain’t right. Ashley tells  Thomas she’s not ready to leave; it will mean they got the best of her. He tells her not to fight, but she can’t promise she won’t stick up for herself. He tells her that she doesn’t always need to have the last word. It comes off as petty.

Shep asks, why so many mushrooms? Kathryn joins the girls, and says she thought last night lasted ten hours. Chelsea says she didn’t know how to react. She never had a man yell at her like that. Kathryn says they’re the ones with her children. They discuss breakfast, and decide to eat. Kathryn asks if they’ll have her back, and Chelsea shows her the big hand drink holder.

Shep calls Cameran, but gets voicemail. The breakfast is presented. Naomie says Craig waited until after they broke up to fix breakfast. Thomas and Ashley come in, and the girls are quiet. Ashley opens champagne. Kathryn wonders how she’s not embarrassed, and just staying there. Danni calls her shameless. They group realizes Whitney is missing, and Chelsea suggests he’s hanging upside down in the closet. Austen calls Whitney, who went to get his own breakfast. Chelsea has rented a charter boat for crabbing. Shep asks Ashley and Thomas if they could just chill at the house. He’s hired a chef to prepare their haul. Whitney comes back bearing groceries. Ashley tells Thomas that she hopes their boat doesn’t capsize.

In the car, Shep thinks Ashley doesn’t have a lot going on upstairs. Kathryn says the elevator doesn’t go all the way up, and Craig says it stops at random floors too. Naomie says Thomas is easily manipulated. She tells them that she rode back with them, and Ashley told Thomas why they were perfect for one another. it was weird. Danni says she and Kathryn could have had a good relationship. She’s acting like nothing happened. Ashley goes upstairs, and Whitney tells Thomas that he has his hands full. He asks what prompted it, and Thomas says Ashley felt excluded with Saint’s party. He says she shouldn’t have gone there. Until he knows what the future holds, it’s premature for Ashley to step in the role of holding his baby mama to account. I can’t believe this jerk calls Kathryn his baby mama. Whitney says Kathryn remained cool, calm, and controlled under such a withering attack. Thomas is surprised. He’s never seen that in anyone, least of all, her. Maybe she has changed.

Shep introduces the captain of the boat he’s chartered, Michael aka Papa Bear. They go back twenty years; their parents were best friends. Chelsea gives her group a tour on the way there, saying she was a river rat growing up. They’re going with Chris, an old neighbor. Chris’s first memory of Chelsea is her waving as he went by in his father’s truck when she was five. It’s hazy, and Austen says it’s like the setting for a horror movie; it’s ominous.

Shep hooks a little shark. Poor thing. They take a picture, and let it go.

Austen says this time next year, they’ll be drinking his beer. He wonders if Shep is catching anything.

Craig hooks a rock. Shep takes a picture.

Chris pulls up a net of crabs. They joke around, making one grab Naomie’s boot.

Ashley messes with Thomas’s hair, calling him the cutest thing, and making me gag. She says they’d have beautiful babies, and he agrees. She says they should keep practicing, and that he’s a keeper. She paints his toenails, and says everyone on the high seas is fishing for dinner. He asks if she feels the need to apologize, and she says, no. Those were her true feelings, and she still feels that way.

Craig tells Kathryn that she has something in common with crazy girl. Neither of them use birth control with Thomas, who told them at dinner. Shep thinks Ashley will be far away very soon. Craig says, not if she gets knocked up.

Still trying to get Ashley to be a human, Thomas asks if she regrets the content of her speech. She says she learned long ago not wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and pigs like it. She wrestled with pigs last night. Oy.

Craig thinks Ashley wants to be set for life, and Kathryn laughs, saying she’ll never get anything. Shep says she did get $10K in clothes. Kathryn says all she ever got was a purse and a suitcase. We flash back to her Louis Vuitton being put in the car.

Chelsea likes this side of Austen. Only camo would make it better. She says they’re eating good tonight. Naomie takes selfies with Danni.

Ashley asks if Thomas had a fun day. She tells him it’s nice to have a buddy you can do nothing with and still have fun. Chelsea’s group brings in their haul. Chef Orchid tells them they did very well, and they go off to shower. Shep brings in three flounder and a tile fish. Chelsea says they crushed it, and he says the  conditions were rough. We see a clip of them buying the flounder at the fish market. Craig leaves to shower. Shep brings the fish to Orchid. It starts raining, so things have to be rearranged. Craig ran out of clothes, and in his interview, says he doesn’t give a sh*t. He really does, but he’s going to act like he doesn’t

Orchid beings out appetizers and makes drinks. Naomie tells Danni that it’s weird, acting like nothing happened. Chelsea says she’s keeping the peace. Craig comes in wearing a hoodie with nothing under it. Ashley asks Thomas to feed her, disgusting everyone. In her interview, Naomie says, feed yourself; you’re thirty-something years old. Thomas asks about Cameran’s baby update, and Chelsea says if she’s not there on Monday, Cameran is having a C-section. Ashley gripes that Kathryn exists. Kathryn asks Naomie to go sit somewhere else. Shep asks what Thomas and Ashley did, and Thomas says she gave him a pedicure. He asks how long Thomas is going to have paint on his nails, and Ashley says as long as she wants. Then she’s going to reapply it. This is like some kind of creepy control thing. She asks who the boas is, and Thomas says he is. Ashley says, he thinks he is, and Shep says he’s never seen him not being the boss. Ashley insists she is, and Thomas says he lets her think that. In his interview, Shep says Ashley’s confrontation with Kathryn turned her, in her mind, into the biggest badass in Hilton Head. She asks Shep to get her a shot – chilled. He says okay, and she says she told him she was the boss. The look on his face is priceless, and I wonder if he ever brings the shot. I wouldn’t.

There’s an outdoor room that’s enclosed, where Naomie, Danni, and Kathryn are sitting. Shep joins them. He says he doesn’t like her. Ashley has an irrational confidence that makes him sick to his stomach. She’s saying she’s in charge, and she told him, good talk. Shep says, eff you. She’s lucky he’s letting her breath the same air. She’s stealing his oxygen. He says she’s on her way out. Crazy as he is, Thomas doesn’t like it. He’s in there sitting without them, when he wants to be T-Rav. Ashley is a pariah.

The food looks amazing. Whitney puts his fork right in a platter, and takes a bite. Craig says they’ve created farm to table. Talking about the crab, Craig says size has nothing to do with it, and Shep asks if that’s what the last girl told him. Everyone sits at the dining table. Thomas and Ashley need seats. Kathryn asks Naomie to scoot down, and she says no. No one is getting the extra chair that’s needed. So Ashley stomps off to get it herself. Shep asks if she’ll get him a beer while she’s at it, and Craig is dying laughing. Thomas gets up to help her, but he’s too late. She brings in a chair from the porch, and someone says there’s room behind Whitney. They should get children’s table for her, since she acts like a child. She also can’t comprehend how to eat shellfish.

Shep asks for everyone’s attention. He and Chelsea thank them for coming and experiencing it with them. Chelsea says she’s proud of where she’s from. Shep says Charleston is fantastic, but it has a positive vibe here. Chelsea toasts to friends and good times. Victoria calls Austen, who steps outside. Chelsea thinks they should move the conversation to the living room, and Whitney gripes that he was still eating. Danni says what about doing the dishes, and asks if he’s ever done a dish. He says he has, but I don’t believe it.

Victoria starts in on Austen about a picture of him and Chelsea on the ferry, where she says Chelsea is kissing his arm. She tells him it’s disrespectful, she can’t believe it, and they’re a-holes. He thinks she’s overreacting, and she always has when it involves Chelsea. He says he’s not going to feel weird about a hug, and he’s not talking her off the ledge every time she has an insecure thought. She sends the picture, and it looks innocuous to me. He asks if she wants it to end like this; her being jealous of Chelsea holding his arm because it’s cold. Victoria insists she’s kissing his arm, and Austen says, no, she’s not. He asks if she’s serious. Then he says, hello…?

To be continued…

Next time, Chelsea goes to her childhood home, Shep has surgery, Craig goes to therapy, and Saint’s birthday party happens. Kathryn asks Thomas if he’d like to stay for dinner, but I don’t see any sign of Ashley.

🍸 Best. Episode. Ever. And extra- long. I’m not a doctor, and don’t play one on TV, but Ashley is insane. And Thomas is even insaner to be with her.

🔊 Great Quote & Advice…

Fake success if you can’t achieve success. – Craig Conover, Southern Charm

👶 Born in June…

June

 

 

 

 

May 24, 2018 – Griff Has Reason to Worry, Hilton Head Gets Some Charm & I’m a Hamster

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Griff and Kiki are sleeping, when there’s a knock at the door. It’s Ava.

Sonny goes to the station. Carly comes out, and he asks if she’s ready to be sprung. She says he has no idea.

Michael visits Nelle, who pretends to be meditating. She tells him the nurses suggested it to ward off panic attacks. She’s had PTSD since she was pushed down the stairs.

Josslyn and Oscar look at the video from the show. She thinks Trina will like it, and Oscar says his mom will too.

Kim and Drew have coffee at Kelly’s. He’s sorry that he couldn’t give her a ride back from the hospital. Although if her date hadn’t bailed on her, she wouldn’t have needed one.

Alexis’s doorbell rings. It’s Julian with a bouquet of calla lilies.

Sonny asks for privacy. Carly can’t wait to get home. He gives her some Corinthos coffee, and she tells him, bless you. She asks about the baby, who’s fine, and Nelle, who’s recovering. Sonny asks how she’s doing, and she says she’ll be better when she proves she didn’t push Nelle.

She asks what’s going on with the case, and he says Diane is picking up some court clothes for her. She asks how Mike is, and he tells her about him going to the Ball with Stella, who’s filling in until they get a permanent caregiver. Carly knows Mike must be loving every second. Sonny says it’s the happiest he’s ever seen Mike. He even sang at the Ball. It was good until he lost the words, but Sonny got up there and helped him out. Carly is surprised Sonny sang, and he says, it wasn’t great. She says she has to see the video, and he tells her it’s good to see her smile again. She takes his hand, and asks if Michael was there. Sonny says no, and he hasn’t heard from him. Carly says, radio silence with his parents. It’s what Nelle wanted.

Michael asks if Nelle doesn’t want to leave the hospital, and she says she can’t hide forever. He tells Nelle that he’ll give her a ride, but she tells him the paperwork could take a while. He says that gives him enough time to do something he’s been dreading. She says he wouldn’t be him if he didn’t go see his mom.

Josslyn tells Oscar that she’s freaking out. What if her mom was angry and so far gone, she really did hurt Nelle on purpose. He asks if that’s what she thinks. She doesn’t want to, but Carly was out of control at the shower. She wants to talk to her, but doesn’t know what to say. Oscar promises they’ll figure it out.

Kim tells Drew that Julian bailed with good reason; he was making sure Alexis was okay. She encouraged him. Drew says the problem is, he went. Kim asks if it’s better to stay, even if you want to be somewhere else. Drew doesn’t think she should settle for being runner-up. She deserves better. She says, so does he.

Julian tells Alexis that he wanted to make sure she was hanging in there. She says she’s fine. He doesn’t need to worry, and can go. He says there’s something he’d like to say. He thinks he helped her in some capacity last night, and now it’s her turn.

Ava knocks on Griff’s door, and calls his name. She knows he’s not at the hospital, the gym, or having breakfast, so this is the one place left; his room. Since I guess he couldn’t possibly have been anywhere else. She asks him to please open the door. Kiki grabs up her clothes, and Griff pulls on his pants. Ava asks him, please don’t shut her out. He answers the door, and she sees the champagne. She says it looks like he had a rough night.

Ava says she wouldn’t blame him if he left her in the hallway after last night. She was being petty and jealous. After she had some time to calm down and clear her head, she sees how completely out of line she was, so she came back, but he didn’t answer. She understands. She looks at the champagne bottle, and says he polished it off. He must have one heck of a headache, and it’s her fault. She’s sorry. She was angry and said things she didn’t mean. She wishes she could take it back about him and Kiki. She’s embarrassed and sorry. Give her another chance.

Kim tells Drew it’s her own fault. She went in with open eyes. She knew Julian was still hung up on his ex. She was lonely. She says she feels like a PSA. She knows he has no memory of who he used to be, but she sees it sometimes; the old him. Drew says hopefully, she won’t be using the word old much longer. He’ll be just him.

Julian tells Alexis that she doesn’t deserve to be tossed away like that. Alexis asks, what about Kim? She didn’t deserve to be ditched. He says it’s a different situation. He tells Alexis that she deserves unconditional love, someone who puts her first, a man who’d lay down his life for her. She says that would be nice, but it can’t be him.

Diane apologizes to Carly for her accommodations; she’s been all over the DA, and trying to make it go faster. Sonny says she’ll be sleeping in her own bed tonight, but Diane says, don’t count on it. They’ve gotten a full boat of bad. There’s no proof about the altercation over the baby blanket, and the new DA wants to eradicate all crime in the northern hemisphere. She changed her name to Corinthos, and now is not the time for that connection. Sonny says he’ll put pressure on some people he knows, but Diane says if he works the system, he could bring down the system on Carly. Nelle has her supporters too. Monica is on her side. Carly says it’s payback; Monica has never forgiven her for Michael. Raising her grandchild as a Quartermaine; it’s Monica’s favorite day of the year. Diane says she should worry less about that than going to prison. Michael walks in, and asks to talk to his mother alone. He wants her side of the story.

Julian says people change, and Alexis asks if now that he runs a legitimate business, it makes everything okay? He says he’s changing because of her. They stroll down Memory Lane about when they met at a dive bar.

Drew tells Kim that he needs to be him for his kids. She thought it was impossible without the flash drive, and Drew says, so did he. He talked to the doctor who did the procedure, and he thinks he can erase Jason’s memories from his mind. Kim asks if he doesn’t have to put Drew’s memories back. Drew says, not necessarily. It’s like she said, some of his personality pokes through. It leads him to believe he’s still in there somewhere. Andre isn’t as convinced, but admits it’s possible. He has flashes of recognition; he felt like knew her. Kim says that’s far from proof, and the risks are enormous. He needs to do this. He need his kids to know who he is. He wants to give them advice from his own memories.

Griff tells Ava that he just can’t dismiss the fight; things got ugly. She says she allowed her insecurities get the better of her. She was convinced that she couldn’t be the good person she was trying to be, and tried to sabotage the relationship. She sang the song just to be spiteful to everyone, even him. She’s not proud of it. She’s scared of losing him and being hurt, so she hurt him first. She knows apologizing isn’t enough, but it’s all she has right now. Can he forgive her, or is it too late? Kiki is practically having a heart attack in the bathroom.

Nelle flips through Josslyn’s pictures of the Ball. Josslyn asks how she feels, and Nelle says, battered and bruised, but the baby is a total rock star. Josslyn gives her a stuffed lamb for the baby, and hopes it cheers her up. She says it’s the least she can do, and Nelle says it’s not Josslyn’s fault she got hurt. Josslyn says she was on her way to see her mom, and ended up there. She wants to know what happened. Nelle says she’s sorry about all this. She knows how close Josslyn is with her mom; she’s sure Josslyn freaked out when she heard Carly pushed her. Josslyn says, it wasn’t an accident? Nelle says, no, but she never wants Josslyn to turn her back on her mother; she should be with her and not Nelle. Josslyn asks how she can say that after what Carly did. Nelle says Josslyn is her friend, and she cares about her.

Diane tells Sonny that calling it an uphill battle is an understatement. Sonny says at least Carly will make bail, but Diane says, don’t count on it. She’s facing two counts of attempted murder, and she’s married to him. There’s no proof Carly’s version is correct. Sonny says he doesn’t think it is. Diane says she doesn’t either. She thinks Carly is way more out of control than she’s willing to admit.

Michael tells Carly he talked to Jason, and there were things going on he didn’t realize; stuff with Morgan. Carly asks if he told Michael that Nelle was behind it. Michael says Jason told him that’s what she believes. Carly says, and Jason. She’s a master manipulator, and she’s really good. He asks what happened at the shower. She says she went with the best intentions, but Nelle kept taunting her over and over. She’d even registered for a penguin mobile – Michael interrupts, saying he knows, Morgan’s favorite – Carly says, but she didn’t stop there. She kept bringing up his name, and she lost it. Nelle went off in tears, and Carly pulled it together to apologize. She followed Nelle upstairs, and suggested a truce. Nelle’s eyes were cold, but that wasn’t as disturbing as the blanket she was holding. It was exactly like Morgan had when he was a baby. That’s when Carly knew it was her, and told her that. Then Nelle started taunting her, telling her that she was losing control. Carly said she was going to tell Michael everything, and Nelle stormed out with the blanket. She found Nelle at the top of the stairs, and grabbed the blanket. When Nelle grabbed back, she lost her balance. Carly didn’t even touch her, and that’s God’s honest truth.

Griff tells Ava not to ask for his forgiveness. She asks if it’s insurmountable. She knows he can’t tell her that he loves her. She sits with him and takes his hand. She says she feels he loves her. She doesn’t need to hear the words. She was pretty mad when she saw them together, and once again jumped to the wrong conclusions. It was completely ridiculous. She and Kiki have had issues, but were working back to a good place. Kiki and her sister are the best things she’s ever done, and she knows Kiki wouldn’t betray her. She loves them, and it makes her happy that Griff gets along with Kiki. She promises not to let her demons take over. Griff tells her to stop. There’s something she needs to know. Kiki panics.

Michael tells Carly that Nelle claims there was never any blanket, and it was never found. Carly says between Spinelli and Jason, they’ll prove it, and that Nelle was responsible for the incidents involving Morgan. Nelle wanted her to lose it. She walked into it; that’s on her, but she would never endanger her grandchild, his child. She already loves it as much as she loves him. She says he’s the fairest person she knows, and knows he’ll keep an open mind. Michael tells Carly that he loves her, and leaves.

Sonny asks Michael how it went. Michael says he has to get back to the hospital. He tells Sonny to take care of mom, and Sonny says, that’s the plan.

Nelle tells Josslyn to please not blame Carly. She’s not feeling well, and deserves compassion, not anger. Josslyn says she was so awful at the shower, and Nelle says that was even the half of what she said when they were alone. She tells Josslyn that she shouldn’t be talking about it; she doesn’t want her to be upset. Josslyn says it’s too late for that; tell her the truth. Nelle says it wasn’t so much the words as the look in Carly’s eyes when she pushed her. It was as if she wanted Nelle and the baby gone forever from her and Michael’s lives. She thinks Carly is having a breakdown, which is good, since she can get the help she needs and get better. Josslyn can’t believe it. Nelle says there’s some good news. She thinks the whole ordeal brought her and Michael closer together. Josslyn says, like back together, and Nelle says, not yet, but she has the feeling that’s where they’re headed.

Kim asks Drew, what if something goes wrong? Drew says she can stuff him and make him into a hat rack. Kim doesn’t think it’s funny. Oscar wanted a father his whole life, and could lose him. They have a real relationship; don’t take it away from him. Oscar walks in, and Drew asks if his ears were burning. Drew tells him that he crushed it at the Nurses’ Ball. Oscar has something awesome to tell him.

Alexis tells Julian it reminds her of a time when she had control, and the world was her oyster; she could do what she wanted. He says, like meeting a sophomore college guy in a dive bar? She remembers that he said she was the kind of woman Botticelli would paint. Then they made out in the back seat of his car. He says, so much for romance. He says he fell in love with her that evening – and never fell out. He tells her to keep the calla lilies to remind her of how beautiful and brilliant she is. The world will always be her oyster.

Alexis kisses Julian, and he says, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. She says, it’s always a bad thing. She needs him to go. Don’t follow her. Don’t comfort her. She needs him to leave.

Ava tells Griff if they can get through last night, they can get through anything. His phone pings, and it’s a text from Kiki: don’t tell her. He says he needs to get ready, and he’ll be in touch. Ava says they’ll work it out. She kisses him, and leaves. Kiki comes out, and asks if he’s okay. He says, no. I can just imagine – dealing with the guilt, worrying that Ava will find Kiki in the bathroom, and a hangover. He tells Kiki that he hates lying. She respects his intent to be honest, but Ava can never know they slept together. It would destroy her. He doesn’t want that, does he? Griff says, of course not, but he can’t pretend nothing happened. Kiki says, he can. He has to, and so does she.

Drew calls Oscar a winning journalist, but Oscar says it’s just one editorial. Kim is thinking maybe an internship at Aurora. He and Drew working together, side by side. Drew says he’ll put Oscar in touch with HR, and the rest is on him. Drew asks Oscar about the school assembly, and Oscar says it’s long and boring. Drew says he’s showing up early and staying late. Oscar tells him to just be in the corner, clapping quietly. Drew says, not a chance. Oscar leaves, and Drew says, that’s my kid. Kim says, it is, and Drew wants to be there to see him grow up.

Outside, Josslyn tells Oscar that she went to see Nelle.

Nelle asks Michael how Carly is, and he says, not looking too good. He confirms that she’s denying pushing Nelle. She told him what happened before Nelle fell, and it was outrageous. He can’t imagine how she’s feeling. Nelle reminds him that he still has the baby – and her.

Diane tells Carly that Spinelli hasn’t been able to recover the blanket or proof there ever was one. Carly tells her to work her magic. Diane says it may be a trick she can’t pull off. She’ll break it down. Carly has a history of violence, and also irrational behavior. Her time in a mental institution is a matter of public record. Carly says Nelle did her own time, and Diane says she’s not the one accused of attacking someone. All of the statements confirm she’s been the aggressor, and witnesses can testify to that. The DA is out for blood, and what the judge and jury will see is that Nelle is a victim. Imagine a waif who was nearly killed by the mob boss’s wife, who pushed her down the stairs. Carly says they won’t believe that lying snake. No way can Nelle send her to prison for ten years. Diane says, try twenty-five.

Julian says he’s not trying to take advantage. He’s just trying to be a friend. Alexis says she doesn’t need him to be. She needs him to go. He leaves, and Alexis paces. She throws flowers across the room. The vase hits the couch, and doesn’t break, so she does it again, and it shatters against the wall.

Kiki asks Griff to please forgive her mother. Don’t throw the relationship away. If he does, he’ll regret it. Kiki leaves, and Griff gives his best worried look ever.

Alexis makes a call. She says she needs to come and see them. It’s an emergency.

Ava is back at Griff’s door. She’s glad he’s still there. She strolls in wearing a trench coat, so I already know where this is going. She tells him that she’d like to finish their conversation without all that talking. She takes the coat off, and she’s nakey in heels. They get busy. I don’t even know what to say about Griff. No more champagne for him.

Michael tells Nelle that he has a quick ELQ meeting, and after that, he’ll be working from home. Whatever she and baby need, he’ll be there. She says he doesn’t have to, but he says he owes it to the three of them. He’s not letting her out of his sight. Hmm… interesting choice of words.

Carly says Jason will prove Nelle set her up. Diane says, should he unearth evidence, it could still work against her. The DA will say she pushed Nelle because she knew Nelle was sabotaging her. Sonny’s instinct is to fight. Hers is too, but let the professionals handle it. If she’s painted as a bad guy, it will be worse for her in court. Diane just wants her to see that fact. Carly wonders if Diane thinks Nelle is right, and she’s losing her mind. Diane says the objective is a good outcome for her. They might be required to compromise. Diane gets a call from the DA, and steps outside. Sonny tells Carly that he’s not her enemy; he’s on her side, but he will not tell what she wants to hear. She says Nelle isn’t taking her down. She’s getting out, and getting her family back – watch her.

Tomorrow, Maxie talks to Mac and Felicia, Carly refuses to pleade insanity, and Nina is done.

Southern Charm

Naomie hates that her roommate has a job, since she’d like him to come to Hilton Head. She’s anxious about seeing Craig. She can’t let him get to her anymore. Wilson thinks she has to remedy the situation. She has to talk to Craig. She says she can’t act like a crazy person forever.

Chelsea calls Kathryn to check in. Kathryn says she’s been hibernating. Her grandmother passed away. Kathryn tells Chelsea that she was almost 94, and a pistol. Kathryn lived at the plantation house with her when she was five. Her grandmother was someone you could be yourself with. Kathryn had a lot of her best memories with her; simple memories of bonding with the family. She’s trying to cope with her emotions, which is difficult for her. Chelsea asks if she’s coming to Hilton Head, and she is. Chelsea thinks it will be good for her to get out.

Ashley tells Thomas if he wants to give her his credit card, she can buy more stuff. He was out to dinner with the guys the other night, and she tells him that she hates boys’ night. In his interview, Thomas says Ashley doesn’t like him going out. He finds her too controlling, but she did move there to be with him, and is somewhat dependent on him. They swing by Gwynn’s, since Ashley needs one of her dresses altered. Thomas wants her to be presentable, since they dress differently in California. I’m just going to get this out of the way. Ashley is a big a-hole. Just the woman Thomas deserves. She says he should be taking her ring shopping – just to get some ideas. He says he’s not going to be pressured into anything. She tells him about Kathryn’s grandmother, and we see a clip of him having dinner there. He says he’ll have to give Kathryn a call, and Ashley says he’s been doing a lot of that lately.

Naomie calls Craig. He’s unpacking. She wonders if she can stop by. He tells her okay, but it’s messy, so don’t judge. In his interview, he says she made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him. He gives roommate Sean a head’s up. Sean says he’s going to hide in his room, and hope he doesn’t hear screams. Craig says, pineapple is his safe word.

Cameran is still pregnant. And miserable. She scarfs Cheez-its and pickles. Shep calls, and she says she’s pretty much housebound, so she’s eating. It feels like being constantly bloated and constipated. She’s bored, since there’s not a lot she can do. She’s been pregnant for too long. She’s forcing herself to take a shower every day so she feels human. He tells her about running into a glass door, but says he wasn’t that drunk. He tells her that they’ll miss her on the trip. She says, while they’re off enjoying themselves, she’ll be at home, googling vaginal tears. She tells Shep to pray for her vag.

Victoria calls Austen asking what time he’ll be back. He says he’ll miss her, and wishes she could come, but she has to work. She asks if he’s talked to Chelsea yet, but he’s waiting for the trip. He doesn’t think it will be a problem, but last time, Chelsea cut him out of her life. He doesn’t want it to happen again. What’s wrong with these people? They have a hard time cutting the cord.

Naomie is on crutches. She brings Gizmo along to visit Craig. Amazingly, for the most part, the cat follows her from the car to Craig’s house. She tells Craig she broke her foot, and I wonder who or what she kicked in a fit of rage. One of the walls is messed up from a demo party, since it’s being torn down. She tells Craig that she brought Gizmo as a peace offering; Gizmo misses him. She wants to get along, and be cordial. He says she’s the one who comes at him, so if she wants it to be nice, she needs to be nice. She’s working on being kinder. He’s proud of her that she recognizes it. Gizmo hisses at her, and she says he’s mad about something, but she doesn’t know what. Maybe he just hates you.

Everyone packs for the trip. Shep puts a bandage on his nose.

Ashley puts some kind of beauty treatment on Tom’s face. She thinks she needs a Louis Vuitton suitcase. He tells her that Kathryn has five of them. If they start getting friendly, maybe she can borrow one. Ashley says Kathryn is a wild card, and she hasn’t received her invite to Saint’s birthday party. She has no respect for someone who couldn’t extend an invitation. In his interview, Thomas says he’s on Kathryn’s side with this one, but if he feels obligated to go, uh huh. He did that a lot in politics. Ashley, who looks like she could fall apart at any second, says if Kathryn is smart, she can be her best ally, but if she’s stupid, she’ll be her worst enemy. If she’s excluded, it will be a problem.

The group sets off in separate cars. Thomas and Ashley; Craig, Austen, Shep, and Whitney; and, Chelsea, Kathryn, Danni, and Naomie.

Shep says he’s broken his nose eight or ten times.

Kathryn says Saint’s birthday party is this Sunday. No one can believe he’s already two.

Ashley says there’s nothing worse than being excluded. If it was their party, and Kathryn was dating someone, she’s sure Thomas would tell her to bring them. He’s like, the more the merrier. In his interview, he says it’s annoying that she can’t drop it. She’s like a dog with a rubber shoe. Ashley says she needs to know he’s hearing her, and he says he absolutely supports her, but he has kids to raise, and wants to be steady Eddie. Whatever that means.

Craig is late, which has started the four of them off late. Craig tells them that he has surgery on Friday. He hurt his hand by trying to stab a butter knife through a wall. Shep thinks he needs some action.

Chelsea says she just got a text from Austen, saying the conversation in their car is painful. She guesses they’re talking again, since they haven’t spoken in weeks. Naomie says she ran into Austen taking Victoria out to dinner.

Craig asks if Austen would ever get back with Chelsea, but that’s a no.

Ashley says she’d have the perfect name if she and Thomas got married – Ashley Ravenel. I’ll bet she writes Mrs. Thomas Ravenel on her notebooks, with hearts all around it. She says she loves him, and he heaves a big sigh. She hopes he sticks up for her if she’s not invited. Or maybe she will be invited. Thomas asks if they all can’t just get along. She is unbelievably annoying.

Naomie says it’s just us four girls – and Ashley. Everyone makes faces like, yuk. Danni pats Kathryn’s shoulder, and says, it will be fun.

Shep points out the sights. He says there’s something idyllic and wonderful about living walking distance from the beach. Mmm… I don’t know about that. Especially during hurricane season.

Chelsea says it was a slow-paced river town, and used to be nothing but woods; it’s more developed now. She says growing up, they didn’t have much, but had a great time. The girls get to the house first. No surprise, it’s a gorgeous place with spectacular views. Thomas and Ashley are next. Chelsea welcomes them. Thomas picks a room. Ashley thinks it’s amazing and romantical. I’m surprised romantical is a word. Ashley follows Thomas, who’s looking for the bourbon. She doesn’t know what to wear for horseback riding.

The guys arrive. Ashley and Thomas have drinks on one of the balconies. Thomas shows Kathryn the room he chose, and Ashley feels blown off. Shep has to explain his nose a million times. Everyone has pizza. The girls sit outside, and Ashley mumbles that she loves being excluded. She whines to Thomas that everyone is wearing flannel, and she didn’t get the memo. She doesn’t know what to wear for riding, and he tells her not the holy pants she has on. He asks if she has riding boots, and she says she’s never gone riding. She starts getting loud, and outside, Chelsea says she needs her calming oils. Naomie says it’s going downhill when you start arguing in front of other people. Kathryn is glad it’s not her anymore.

Chelsea says they should get on the road. They’re taking a ferry to a rustic town where they only use golf carts to get around. The guys are going to play golf, while the girls go riding on the beach. On the ferry, Thomas and Ashley do the Titanic thing. She says it’s the perfect place to propose, and I gag on my gag. Craig tells Naomie he found some contacts, and Naomie insists they’re not hers. He says he was trying to be nice, and they have this weird, but low-key argument about it. Chelsea says it’s hard to not love Craig, and Austen says every time he and Naomie see each other, they hug it out, then fight.

As soon as they dock, Ashley wonders if it’s time to go back. The guys take off for the golf course.’

As he’s driving, Shep says, this is dope, and I cringe. It just seems weird when this group uses words like dope and sick. Shep says he grew up on a golf course. His great-grandfather was a two-time golf champion, and a character in The Great Gatsby was based on his aunt, who was also a golf pro. Golf is in his blood.

The riding leader asks if there are any nervous riders, and Ashley stays up front with her. It’s incredibly beautiful on the beach, with the colors of the sky in the background. Ashley appreciates nothing, as she’s concerned they’re going too fast. I can assure you, fast is not the speed they’re going at. Chelsea asks if they can cantor, and the leader asks if Ashley is ready to feel free. She has to base it off the least experienced rider, since the horses move as a herd. Ashley rains on that parade by wanting to go back. In her interview, Kathryn says Ashley trying to control Thomas is going to buy her a one-way ticket out.

Shep asks Thomas what’s the longest trip he’s been on with Ashley, and he says, four days. Craig asks if he’s spent as much on Kathryn as he has on Ashley, and Thomas says they all cost a lot of money. Craig asks if he always pays for everything, or if she ever offers. Thomas says it’s assumed he’s paying, and he does. Well, he is the rich one. Craig tells him to keep his guard up. In his interview, he says she’s obviously a gold digger. He tells Thomas that he was the only one who said something the last time, and he looks after him. I don’t think Kathryn was being a gold digger, and aren’t they friends now? Thomas says if he discovers a chink in Ashley’s armor, she’ll be on the street in two seconds. In his interview, Craig says she could seal the deal and get pregnant, but Kathryn did it twice, and Thomas still left. I guess birth control is out of the question.

Ashley sits in the back of the golf cart on the way back. There’s a row of seats between her and the others. She whines about being excluded, and then excludes herself. They stop at a restaurant, and meet up with the others. Ashley says she was scared, and is never going horseback riding again. Shep says she survived. They get drinks, and Thomas keeps making double entendres about redheads. Shep gives Craig a thingie that looks like a big hand, so he can hold his drink with his injured one. Chelsea asks if Austen is seeing Victoria. He hems and haws, and I shake my head. He tells her, let’s talk. Ashley asks Chelsea if she got an invitation to Saint’s birthday party, and Chelsea says just today, in the car.

Ashley says Kathryn is quiet, and Kathryn says she’s tired. Ashley says, sorry about her grandmother. The guys get out of there, saying they’re going to get the fire going. Isn’t that the restaurant’s job? Not that I blame them. Ashley says Kathryn has a baby who’s turning two. Thomas tries to lighten the mood, poking at Ashley with the drink thingie. She’s not having it, and he gets the hell out of there too. Ashley wonders if she’s going to be included or not. Kathryn asks why she’s angry, and she says it’s because she doesn’t know why she’s not invited. Is she invited? Yes or no. Kathryn says this isn’t a conversation for the table, and I’m thinking Ashley would do better on the Housewives. Kathryn says they’ll have the conversation when she’s ready – got it? Ashley says, no, she doesn’t get it, and Kathryn suggests she get it if she’s going to be around. If she wants to be invited, don’t talk to her that way. Ashley – who seems like she’s going to explode, and keeps flipping her hair around – says she knows she’s not invited. Kathryn says, then why is she bringing it up? To start something with her? Ashley says in ten years, she’ll still be around, and Kathryn thinks she’s not going to last a month. Ashley says she doesn’t plan on going anywhere, so get used to her. She sees Kathryn’s children more than Kathryn does. Danni tells her to slow her roll, and Chelsea advises her not to use the kids. Kathryn says if Ashley wants her to put her in her place, she’ll effing put her in her place.

To be continued… this is good…

Next time, Ashley whines that she’s done kissing Kathryn’s ass, Chelsea says she can deal with it, the gang goes crabbing, and Shep hates Ashley. Join the club, Shep.

🏃 My Week…

HamsterWheel

🌞 But…

BetterDays

 

May 17, 2018 – The Ball Begins, An All-Male Dinner Party, a Thought, a Film & Feel It Still

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Lulu tells Peter that Anna is helping her find Henrik.

Emma promises it will be the best show ever.

Julian tells Kim she looks spectacular, and she does, in a black sleeveless gown with gold sequined flowers, and blue tassel earrings. I love a tassel. He tells her pretty much anything can happen at the Nurses’ Ball.

Lucy is introduced. She says, while the glitz and glamour has its place, the real star quality is the desire to help each other. The nurses sing Everyday People, with Epiphany starting the song. Nurse Deanna also makes her debut. The choreography is pretty good. Confetti falls at the end.

Lucy thanks their sponsor Olay, and says 100% of the donations will be going to HIV/AIDS research and support. She tells everyone to mingle and get out their checkbooks. Jordan greets Chase, and he says he’s taking one for the team, even if the team doesn’t want to rehearse together. Curtis sees Stella, and says he didn’t expect her to be there. She says she got an offer she couldn’t refuse; Mike invited her. Curtis asks if she’s sticking around all night. She tells him that she’s not giving any thought to him and Jordan, and to just go on and have a good time.

Mike tells Sonny it’s great to have a date. Too bad Carly couldn’t be there. He asks where she is again, but Bobbie comes by, and asks if she can borrow Sonny. Mike says he’ll mingle; he doesn’t want his date getting jealous. Bobbie tells Sonny she can’t believe Carly is spending a second night in jail. Nelle baited her all afternoon, and Carly pushed back, but no way did she push her down the stairs. Sonny says he didn’t want to be there tonight, but his dad wanted to come. Bobbie has one of the best looks of the evening; a body-hugging royal blue gown, with a mermaid hem, open-shoulders, and bell sleeves. Along with the required tassel earrings in silver.

Emma asks if she’s going to have to confiscate Anna’s phone. Anna claims she’s trying to contact Robert, but Robin doesn’t buy it. She says either Anna is waiting to hear from Finn, or looking for Henrik.

Maxie tells Sam that she’s surprised Jason isn’t there. He doesn’t like formal events, but always makes an exception for the Nurses’ Ball. Nina says it’s a great turnout. Maxie says Nina should kick back and relax, but Nina says she’s performing later. Afterwards, Valentin is whisking her and Charlotte away for a mini vacation. She wonders if anyone has a cigarette. Peter tells her nobody smokes anymore; thank God he never did. She thanks him for saving her from herself. Peter steps away to make a call. Sam needs a drink.

Valentin is talking on the phone in French, when Peter interrupts, telling him to hang up now. Valentin finishes his call, and tells Peter that he’s rude. He’s planning a trip, and making the final arrangements. Peter says that Anna set him up, and Valentin knew about it. Valentin tells him to get a grip. Peter says she’s going to expose him, and Valentin is leaving him high and dry. It’s his fault. Sam watches them.

Alexis startles Sam, who says she’s nervous for her. Alexis says she’s nervous enough for herself. If it’s any consolation, Finn is introducing her. Sam asks how that happened, and Alexis thinks it was his idea. Sam is glad things are going well between them. Alexis is too.

Finn looks at Anna, and thinks about the will again. He goes to her table, and Emma asks why he doesn’t text; she needs to know what her grandma is up to. Anna says she can text just fine. Finn asks if Anna is performing, and she says she performed at last one.

Chase sits with Lulu. He asks if Dante is nervous, or is he used to performing? She’s like, um… and Lucy grabs Chase, saying she’s trying to keep the show moving. Dante brings Lulu a drink, and she says Chase thinks Dante is performing with him. Dante wonders where he got that idea.

Valentin knows Peter is rattled, but tells him not to do anything rash. He has too much at stake. Peter says Anna is making a fool out of Valentin, and he’s too infatuated to notice. He’s going to deal with Anna himself.

In the dressing room, Chase asks Dante why he’s not dressed, and where the other guys are. If he didn’t know better, he’d think he had to do this on his own. Dante says he’s sorry, and Chase asks if Dante is saying he is on his own.

Lucy introduces Chase. Dante tells him that whatever happens, it’s for a worthy cause. He sings Feel It Still, with a Dick Tracy motif. At least he has back-up singers/dancers. It’s a great number, and Finn actually smiles.

Sam sneaks around, and goes to Peter’s office. She thinks about Curtis saying what’s missing from dude’s background is his background.

Alexis tells Finn his brother is a hit, and asks if he can sing like that. He says not if his life depended on it. (Not since he was vampire Caleb on Port Charles anyway.)

Jordan tells Chase that she’s sorry he got set up, but he clearly turned the tables; he did the department proud. She tells Dante that he needs to take a page out of his partner’s book. Dante says, next year, and Chase tells him, no hard feelings. They shake hands. Curtis blows past Jordan, and Nina says she has to take care of something. Valentin says he’ll miss her, but after the Ball, she’s all his. She says, always, and he tells her he doesn’t think he could live without her and Charlotte. Nina says good thing he’ll never have to find out. She leaves, and he glares at Peter, who is looking at Anna.

Maxie tells Peter that she wants to say hi to Kim, and he says he has email to check. She tells him not to be a workaholic. He looks at the last email from Anna.

Sam looks through Peter’s stuff. Faison’s lighter is on his desk.

Lucy says the next performer is going to dazzle and delight them. She introduces Obstacle Illusion, and his assistant, Mirage. Nina comes out. She creates a puff of smoke, and Curtis appears. He asks, who’s ready for some magic? He turns his black scarf into rainbow colors, and then makes a bouquet of flowers appear. He asks, what good is a magic act without a card trick, and asks an audience member to pick a card before revealing that the cards are all attached. He tells Nina Mirage the stage is messy, and picks up some scraps of paper, turning them into a newspaper. He says he needs a volunteer, and Nina picks Jordan. Curtis claims they’ve never met before, but his mental skills tell him that she’s the police commissioner. Stella is hoping maybe he’ll saw her in half. Curtis quietly tells Jordan to just go with him. He and Nina put her in a large box, and he says he’s going to change her life. They twirl the box around, and Jordan comes back out. She says she feels the same, but has a silver dollar in her hand. Curtis says he’s been looking for that. If he rubs it, he can make whatever he wants. He turns it into a ring, and says the magic is already happening. They came back into each other’s lives, and found something miraculous. He doesn’t want to take the miracle for granted. He gets down on one knee, and asks her to believe in their magic and marry him. Stella is obviously disgruntled. Jordan says yes, and there’s applause and confetti. They kiss. There’s no applause from Stella, who tells Mike this is full of complications. He asks if she’s one of them, but she says it’s too much to go into. He tells her the graveyard is full of people who hold grudges. Take it from him, none of it matters.

Kim asks Maxie if she’s okay. Maxie says she’s trying not to be a nervous mom-to-be; the baby has been more active than usual. Kim tells her that’s normal, and the baby probably just wants to party. If Maxie needs to talk, come see her. Maxie says she’ll be fine.

Anna is back to staring at her phone, and Robin is like, mom… Anna says Emma isn’t there, so she’s not setting a bad example. Robin tells her to knock herself out; she’s going to mingle. Anna reads a message from Henrik: Midnight – Pier 55 – Come alone.

Maxie tells Peter the baby is fine; her, not so much. The proposal was beautiful, and she’s happy for them. Nathan would be too, if he was there, but he’s not. He’s gone, and sometimes it hits her. She leaves and Peter follows.

Sam totally misses seeing the lighter. Someone starts to open the door. The cleaning guy comes in, asking if anyone is there. Sam says just her. He asks where Peter is at, and she says, at the Ball. He asks, why isn’t she?

Sonny hugs Robin, who says she always feels Stone’s presence on this night. Sonny does too. He’s glad she could make it; it wouldn’t be the same without her. he wants to thank her for recognizing that his father was off. She wishes she’d been mistaken. Sonny says it scared the hell out of him. He didn’t want to come tonight because of Carly, but she insisted he come for his dad’s sake and his memories. Really? When was that? It was Stella who told him to do go.

Mike tells Stella that even if she doesn’t approve, she should give points to Curtis for style. She says style has never been his problem. He’s all flash and dazzle, and can charm birds from the trees. She bets Mike knows about that, but he says, according to his son, he’s an amateur.

Lulu tells Sonny that his son has egg on his face. Dante says he played a joke on Chase, but the joke was on him. He’d told Chase it was a group act. Lulu says, it’s karmic justice; he’s super talented. Dante says maybe not super, and Sonny asks if he’s jealous.

Finn slips out.

Lucy says there’s a slight change in the lineup. The next act can’t perform. Mac & Mr. Marvel are stranded out of town, so they’re going to make the award presentation. She needs Finn.

Backstage, Anna looks at the text from Henrik. Finn startles her. He says they can’t keep doing this.

Alexis says Finn must have stepped out, but Lucy needs to keep the show rolling. Molly says she can step in.

Peter asks Maxie if she’d be more comfortable in his office, and gives her a hanky. She says she’s fine; she has to stop this. He tells her not to be hard on herself. It’s been a tough night. He asks if he said something wrong, and she tells him that Nathan gave her his hanky the first night they met. She almost gave it away, but is glad Sam intervened. I’m surprised she can’t guess Peter and Nathan are related. What men carry hankies anymore?

Sam tells the cleaning guy that when you’re a boss, you never have the night off. She needs to pick up a file, and asks if he can come back later. She sees the lighter, and thinks about Peter saying no one smokes anymore, and thank God he never did.

Molly introduces Alexis. She says she’s watched and admired Alexis her whole life. As a lawyer, activist, and mom, she’s overcome personal and professional adversity.

Finn tells Anna now he knows why she’s been pushing him away. She asks how he found out. He says, so she admits it, and she tells him that she was afraid of what he’d think. He says all the time they wasted. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says if she can’t say it, he will. He knows she’s dying. Alexis overhears.

Molly wants to introduce her hero, role model, and mom; and the first recipient of the Port Charles Pioneer award. There’s applause, but no Alexis.

Finn tells Anna that they need to stop playing games with one another. She wonders why he’s carrying on, and he tells her that he still cares; he never stopped. He wouldn’t want anything to happen without her knowing how much he cares.

Valentin tells Nina they have to leave. They need to pick up Charlotte. She asks why they can’t go tomorrow, but he says he doesn’t want to. There’s nothing worth delaying the vacation of a lifetime.

Maxie promises to wash Peter’s hanky. She thinks she wants to go back in. She has to move around. The baby is being active, but the doctor says it’s a good thing. They go back in.

Sam picks up the lighter, and sees the initials CF. She says, Cesar Faison.

Tomorrow, Maxie asks Peter to take her home, Finn is sorry it took so long, and Sonny tells Stella it’s not good to show the world how you feel.

Southern Charm

Cameran calls mom Bonnie. She’s getting stuff together to go to the hospital. She has her last OB appointment and they might induce labor. Bonnie thinks she might be having contractions. Cameran feels tunnel-visioned and focused. She doesn’t want Bonnie being anxious and crazy, and Bonnie promises to be calm. It’s the last time Cameran is going to be in her house without a kid, and it’s something she never thought would happen.

Kathryn meets Chelsea and her roommate/trainer at the gym. Kathryn says her body has changed since having kids. The do some kettle bell work, and I approve. I love kettle bells. After the workout, Kathryn tells Chelsea that she’s feeling lonely. She has to learn how to get herself out there again. She tells Chelsea about Thomas flirting with her in front of Ashley. She says he likes making two girls jealous of one another. In her interview, she says she has Thomas where she wants him; it’s almost like a formula. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Craig meets Austen at the park, and they go for a run. Austen says Victoria texted him after a party and said she wanted to come over. He’d been dating her and everything was fine until he realized he still had feelings for Chelsea. When they’re together, there’s flirtation that builds, but then plateaus. He thinks she’s not interested. Craig says they don’t have the same lifestyle; that’s why he and Naomie broke up. Austen says he wants to keep the friendship with Chelsea, but he and Victoria mesh. Craig thinks they both need to man up and move on.

Naomie’s roommate, Wilson, helps her fold sheets. She’s glad Craig wasn’t at the Nico opening, since she could concentrate on herself instead of them fighting. She went to business school, since she wanted to run her own company one day, and it’s time to prove herself.

Shep calls his dad, Rip. Shep and Rip. No words. Shep’s brother is having a child, and Shep says Rip must be relieved the Rose name will live on. He thinks it’s obvious he won’t have a traditional life, but thinks he might have anxiety about it as he gets older. His investment in bars was unhealthy, so now he’s renovating his house on the beach for rental. He calls it mailbox money – setting things up so you can do what you want and still get income.

Patricia meets with stylist Madison at Gwynn’s for Ashley’s make-over. Patricia doesn’t usually do personal styling, but is making an exception. Otherwise, Thomas will be on Medicare before he gets married. Ashley arrives. She sees Patricia’s ring, and asks her to go ring shopping with her when the time comes. Ashley models some outfits. The stylist puts her in Chanel with Jimmy Choo shoes. Ashley says she feels like a Barbie doll, and Patricia tells her to never refer to herself that way. Champagne is popped. With another outfit, Ashley feels like Pretty Woman, and that reference gets a no as well. Patricia asks if she and Thomas have talked about making it permanent. Ashley says she didn’t move across the country for no reason. Patricia says if and when it goes on too long, if you have to give an ultimatum, so be it. She asks if Ashley is going to start her career there, but Ashley makes some excuse about getting her license. Patricia tells her not to make the mistake of playing house and quitting her job; she thinks it’s burdensome to men. In her interview, Patricia says she knows how to close the deal, and dated her current fiancé four months before he asked her to marry him. She tells Ashley that it makes women more attractive to have a life. It tips the scale, and he’ll want her on a permanent basis. In her interview, Patricia says, she’s had successes, and the proof is in the pudding. The bill comes to over ten grand, and Patricia says, thank you, Thomas.

Chelsea calls brother Kyle who invites her to join him the tiki bar. She’s waiting for a call or text about Cameran’s baby. In her interview, she says when she lived with Cameran, Kyle was their third roommate. She’d been secretly hoping Cameran would date him. She’s going to Hilton Head in a couple of days with Shep and the gang, and wants to see their old house nearby. He asks if she’s going to introduce Shep to their family. She asks if a certain aunt still has all the cats. He says she has twenty raccoons now.

Shep meets Whitney and Thomas for drinks. Thomas says he’s happy with what he’s got. Whitney hasn’t seen any drawbacks. Thomas says they’re the same with all women – you can’t date. Shep says she can withstand the madness, and Thomas says she can handle Kathryn. They’ve been getting along better than they ever have, and he says when they were together, the pressure was on them from day one. He talks about them spontaneously hooking up on occasion. In his interview, Shep thinks Thomas is still drawn to Kathryn. She’s hot and witty, but there’s something vulnerable about her that makes you want to make sure she’s okay. He asks if Thomas was walking the razor’s edge flirting with her at the party.

Kathryn wasn’t expecting to get any sort of job at Gwynn’s, but was offered an internship. They start off with a styling exercise. Madison gives Kathryn a customer profile, and tells her what the customer wants. She’s a solid ten nervous. The only store she’s worked in is an ice cream shop. There was no pattern or reasoning to the jobs she’s had; she just picked a job and went with it. She loves clothes and fashion, and knows she has potential. She just has to find the right fit. She shows Madison what she’s picked out and why. Madison tells her to think outside the box, and suggests more color and accessories. She loves where Kathryn’s head is at, and it’s a good start.

Austen meets Victoria for dinner. They order ceviche. Victoria talks about her job and suggests coming over on her two-hour lunch break. She asks what Austen wants, and he says he wants to be with her. She asks when he realized this. He sees them giving it a shot, but she wants to make sure he won’t freak out again. She wants his loyalty and to be able to trust him. He says he doesn’t think Chelsea as feelings for him, and Victoria says they’re either together or not. He says they are, and apologizes for his indecision. She accepts, but says it won’t be accepted again. My mind wanders to how these people eat outside a lot of the time, and that leads me to the thought that I’d love to live there, but it’s too damn hot.

Patricia gets ready for an Asian-themed dinner. Whitney puts the fortunes in the cookies. It’s an all-male dinner, and we flash back to others she’s had. She asks if her kimono makes her butt look big.

Thomas arrives first. He and Whitney discuss their suits, and Patricia calls them two vanity prone males. Austen is next, followed by JD (bleh). Thomas says he and Ashley had a quarrel. They were at a piano bar, and she wanted to leave, but he was having a good time. He told her he’s not putting up with this crap. He’s fifty-five, and doesn’t want her hovering over him. Patricia says she’s just looking out for him, but he says he doesn’t want to be controlled. Shep comes in, and Patricia asks where Craig is. Shep says he’s probably sewing her an excuse.

Craig walks in, and says it looks like the Oxford Club. When Shep asks what’s going on, he says he’s just living life. He wants a dog, but travels too much, and Naomie got the cat. Thomas asks if he has visitation rights. Austen says he has a date with Victoria, and Patricia asks what happened to Chelsea. He tells Patricia that he’s moved on.

Dinner is served. Whitney says it’s vegan, and most beneficial for healthfulness and mindfulness. The chef explains the dishes. Shep thought tempeh was a city in Arizona. Everyone declares the food delicious. Patricia hopes every year that the guys get over their Peter Pan Syndrome, but thinks it goes into perpetuity. She says woman ruined their possibilities of getting married because they act like wives with no commitment. In her era, you were a spinster after thirty, admitting they do get worried about the biological clock. Thomas why they can’t have as many wives as they can afford, because he’s an idiot. Patricia tells them about the shopping trip with Ashely. Thomas says it went to five figures, and Patricia says she didn’t ask the price of anything because it’s tacky. Rich people problems. JD’s fortune cookie says his prescription for Adderall is running low. Ha-ha! How about giving him something to knock him out? Thomas opens his, and it says, every exit is an entrance to new experiences. Craig says if that was the case, he’d have fewer kids. Thomas tells them that Ashley wants a child, and Craig asks if she’s using birth control. Thomas says, no, and I wonder why him using it isn’t an option. Patricia says Ashley loved her ring, and Thomas says they’d have to go to the Smithsonian to get one. While he’s talking, Thomas slips, and says Kathryn instead of Ashley.

Kathryn leaves a message for Thomas, asking if he wants to have dinner.

Cameran is back home. The doctor put her on a drip to have contractions, but her body wasn’t having it. Her cervix is like a steel trap. She did a walk of shame out of the hospital with no baby. The doctor told her to wait, and she’ll come when she’s ready. In her interview, Cameran says she’s been pregnant too long, and needs this baby out of her.

Kathryn meets Thomas at a restaurant for dinner. Outside. He points out that they both wore green. She fixes his hair. Sometimes, they really are like an old married couple. They decide to split the fish special. What did I just say? Kathryn wants to be honest, and says Thomas posted a photo of him, Ashley, and the kids on social media, and it hurt her feelings. She was brokenhearted, and just lying on the couch, numb. It looked like a family photo. Thomas sincerely gets it, and apologizes. He realizes it’s hard for her, and will be more respectful.

They discuss Saint’s birthday. It’s on a Thursday, and Kathryn asks if he’d be interested in helping her plan something for Sunday. She wants to show the kids they can be friends. He tells her about Kensie asking why they’re not together. Kathryn starts to say, she wishes, and Thomas interrupts, saying, they could get back together? She says, no. She means it when she says she wants them to be friends and get along. They shake on it. She fixes his hair again.

Next time, Naomie brings kitty Gizmo to Craig as a peace offering, Ashley doesn’t want to be excluded from Saint’s birthday, Victoria asks if Austen has talked to Chelsea about them, and the trip to Hilton Head happens.

🐎 Thought on Westworld. How come no one is like, hey, you don’t look like you belong here?

🎬 Bryan Cranston is a never-ending font of talent. I watched Trumbo last weekend, and he blew me away again. The film centers around Dalton Trumbo, Hollywood’s greatest screenwriter, until he was blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities committee during the McCarthy era. An excellent depiction of a paranoia that cost people their livelihoods, but also of the man himself. I was riveted.

😎 Cooler Than Cool…

 

May 10, 2018 – Nelle Opens the Mystery Gift, Naomie Apologizes, Tidbits & Friday

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Lucy walks into the locker room at the PCPD. Dante stops her, and she says she’d hoped to run into him. He asks how she got back there, and she says she must have taken wrong turn. He says he’ll walk her out, but she won’t budge. She tells him that every year his mom helps with the Nurses’ Ball while he’s escaped performing; why? Lucy hears someone singing in the shower, and says that’s what she’s talking about. Chase comes out in a towel, and she tells him that he’s hired.

Monica asks if Nelle is ready; the guests are arriving soon. Nelle says it seems like she just came to town alone, now she’s been embraced by the town’s most beloved family, and is really a having shower where everyone is coming to support her or show respect. Monica says she’s come a long way. The doorbell rings, and Monica says it’s showtime. Carly comes in, and asks if the macaroons showed up. Nelle says everything came as promised. Carly says she always keeps her promises. The balloons are really cool – gigantic things with tassels hanging from them. You could ride off somewhere on these.

Alexis is at the MetroCourt, and Finn asks to join her. He owes her apology. He was sharp with her, and she was just trying to bring him and Chase closer. She admits to overstepping, and he says she means well. Maybe some broken families can be fixed, but not his. It’s broken and can’t be repaired.

Mike asks where Carly is, and Sonny tells him she’s at the baby shower for Nelle. He says his caregiver keeps saying things like, “how are we today?” so he came down to find his pint-sized living doll. They have a floor puzzle going on. Sonny explains she’s not there this week; she’s with Ava. Mike remembers she has joint custody because he screwed up.

Nelle tells Carly it’s nice of her to help out today, and Carly says today is all about family. Ava arrives with Avery. Carly tells Avery today is going to be a great day, and Nelle looks at her like, ugh. Monica says it’s a wonderful surprise, but doesn’t recall seeing her on the guest list. Nelle says she included Ava. How could she forget the person who supported her when everyone else turned their backs? She takes Ava to the gift table, and Ava says, clearly, she’s not doing well so far. Nelle tells her to just do her part, and Griff will never know she took a picture of the DNA test.

Josslyn is glad Nelle included her, and Nelle says they share a bond like no other. She’s glad Bobbie is letting bygones be bygones, and Bobbie says she’s about to be a grandma as well. She asks Carly if she’s okay. She shouldn’t be surprised that Nelle invited Ava, but Carly says at least she gets to see Avery. Bobbie tells her, never let them see you sweat. Carly tells her about the trip to Puerto Rico that she and Sonny planned. She doesn’t understand why Monica can’t see what Nelle is up to, and Carly says she has reinforcements at her side. Nelle hears her, and wonders why she thinks it’s some kind of contest. Carly suggests they set their differences aside and focus on what’s important – the baby.

Alexis tells Finn about her brothers; one was a bully, and the other her protector, who went crazy and died. He says there’s one glaring omission; Valentin. She says no one had contact with him. He says she does now, but imagine if, against her wishes, he attempted to reconcile them. She says he can’t compare his father to hers; Mikkos was diabolical. His family is dysfunctional; hers are the Cassadines. She says they’re not at a meeting right now. He can talk to her.

Lucy introduces herself holds out hand, but Chase holds on to his towel. Dante introduces him, and Lucy says she’s not going until she gets what she wants. It would be a shame to hide his beautiful… voice inside a stinky locker room. She suggests he share it with the world and sing at the Nurses’ Ball.

Mike tells Sonny that if he hadn’t taken off with Avery, and gotten confused and scared, she’d be where she belonged. Sonny says it was an accident, and no one is pointing fingers. They just have to figure out how to make the custody agreement work for Avery. That’s the most important thing. Mike gets up, saying the house is too quiet. His whole life is vanishing, but one laugh from Avery makes it okay. Sonny says he misses her too.

Carly takes Josslyn and Avery to the kitchen for macaroons. Brad arrives, and Bobbie wonders what’s going on. Carly asks where his other half is. Brad says Lucas is working, so he’s there to represent. He and Lucas will be parents soon, and he’ll be coming over for playdates. Josslyn says they can have grown-up dates too, and not to forget the certificate she gave them. He says it’s in a place of honor on the fridge. Avery comes out with Carly. Ava takes Avery’s free hand, so she’s between them. Josslyn tells Ava that Avery won’t get lost on the way to living room. Ava says it’s her week with mommy. Olivia asks if she’d like to go to the playroom with Leo, and Monica moves everyone to the living room.

Finn tells Alexis when he was a kid, his dad was his hero. He was a professor at a prestigious university, but when he came home, he always had time for Finn. When his mom got sick, he stayed by her side. Alexis asks if that’s why he wanted to become a doctor. He remembers his father telling him that his mom had an incurable disease. He felt angry and helpless. He was young and naïve, but told himself that he’d wipe out incurable diseases, and make a difference. Alexis says he did, but he says, not soon enough. She asks what happened after that, and he tells her his dad remarried right after she died.

Chase says he needs to get dressed, and Lucy promises not to peek. She’s not taking no for an answer. It would she a shame not to share his amazing voice at the Nurses’ Ball. He’s never heard of it, so Lucy explains that it’s a legendary tradition, a magical night where they all come together and create awareness for HIV/AIDS. Chase says he’d be glad to give a donation, but Lucy says they need his talent. He says they’re cops not entertainers. Dante tells him that they all do it; it’s like a brotherhood thing. If he wants to fit in with the community, the best way is the Nurses’ Ball.

Monica welcomes everyone, and thanks them for coming. She says the house has seen share of good and bad times. It’s been shaken to its foundation, but like Port Charles, it’s still standing. The Quartermaines seem to be dwindling, but now new family members are coming into the fold. She’s going to be a great-grandmother. She makes a toast the baby and the future generations to come. Wow.  I’ve been to quite a few showers, and not once has someone started it off like that. Nelle toasts to Brad and Lucas, who are bringing a new edition to the family too. Carly and Ava give the evil eye to each other.

Max makes small talk with Mike. Sonny tells Mike he has to stay on schedule with the nurse, which Mike tells Max is code for butt out. He goes upstairs, and Sonny asks Max if there’s any word on Croton; how Mike knew or if anyone else knows. Max says nothing yet. Maybe Mike heard second hand, or followed him. Sonny says one of Skully’s guys could have talked, but how would Mike know to ask? Mike was barely in his life then.

Olivia brings out macaroons, and says it’s time to play a game. Nelle says, first, she has a gift of her own to give. She presents Carly with the most precious thing she possesses.  Carly makes a sick face. Bobbie tells Nelle it’s her day, and she hasn’t opened her gifts yet. Nelle says it would mean the world to her if Carly opens her gift first. She insists. Carly says it is her day. Nelle tells her after the other set was damaged, she redrafted the guardian papers. She meant what she said. She wants Carly and Sonny to be the baby’s guardians; they’re the best choice. She just wants them accepted in the spirit they’re being given. She wants the baby to have a loving family. Carly is just sitting there, and Josslyn says it’s a beautiful, loving gesture. Can’t she accept it in the same spirit? Nelle says Carly was her first friend in Port Charles. Bobbie says, before she stabbed her in the back, and Olivia says, it’s not a reality show. Cue the wishing well.

Alexis tells Finn his father isn’t the first widower to seek comfort. She asks if they’re still married, and Finn thinks so. She asks if they’re happy, and he asks if he’s being cross-examined. She says it’s an occupational hazard. Finn says she did nothing wrong. She tells him from what she’s hearing, he seems to be taking out his resentment of his father on Chase. It’s been years, and she wonders why he can’t cut his brother some slack.

Chase says if Dante vouches for it, he’s in, and Lucy says he won’t regret it. She tells him to head over to the MetroCourt, and schedule his rehearsal and get his costumes going. Standing behind Chase, Dante looks like he’s barely keeping it together. Lucy says, since he’s new in town, she’s sure he needs someplace to live, and gives him her card. Dante can’t contain his laughter at this point.

Max tells Sonny that he has good news. The field is still empty. Sonny says Mike definitely knows something. Maybe doesn’t matter how, but what does. He can’t keep secret; he has no edit button. Max says he has two options. Either leave it alone, and hope they don’t believe him; or dig up the problem and move it, which could bring renewed interest. Sonny asks if Max is telling him he’s screwed either way.

Olivia tells everyone to put in a gift and make a wish. Josslyn puts in Good Night, Moon, and says she wishes to be not just the baby’s aunt, but their best friend. Ava also has Good Night, Moon, because it’s Avery’s favorite. She wishes the baby brings peace, love, and a very long maternity leave. Brad tells her that he wouldn’t mind second book for his baby, and gives her a membership to the children’s museum. He hopes the baby grows up in a world where they never stop making wishes. Bobbie puts in a map to grandma’s house, so they’ll always find their way to her. Monica says it’s a Quartermaine tradition to give a bond, and wishes it reaches maturity as the baby comes of age. Carly says Nelle is right; Nelle gave her the most precious gift to give or receive, and she accepts in the spirit it was given. She’s putting it in the well until she and Sonny can sign it. She wishes it will never become necessary, but if fate intervenes, the baby will be in the best of hands. Nelle can count on it. Geez, that was a cheap gift. She could have at least thrown in some macaroons and a balloon.

Finn tells Alexis that he’s not a fan of reminiscing. She says whatever they talk about remains between them. They’ve both experienced rock backgrounds, and she won’t judge. He appreciates it, but for the preservation of their friendship, they should make a pact that they won’t try to fix each other’s dysfunctional families. Alexis says it’s a deal.

Dante tells Chase, the coast is clear. Chase says Lucy is intense. He looked up the Nurses’ Ball, and it is quite a tradition. He knows they were thrown together when Dante’s partner passed away. He can’t imagine how hard that was, and didn’t expect to be accepted right away. He still feels like a stranger, but making a fool of himself for a worthy cause means a lot. He asks if Dante read the report on the warehouse break-in. He thinks forensics should have been copied, since they might see something Dante missed. Dante tells him to enjoy the Ball.

Sonny thanks Max for following up, and tells him to thank Milo. Max says they have his back. He thinks maybe Sonny should go with his first instinct; what happens in Croton stays in Croton – six feet under. Sonny says it might not be that easy. Mike comes down. Sonny asks how long he’s been there, and Mike says, long enough.

Olivia brings out a Diaper Genie, and tells Nelle that she’ll thank her later. Josslyn says it’s a lucky baby, and Nelle says she got that right. She still has one she didn’t open from Ava. Nelle gushes over the wrapping, and asks what it is. Ava says, open it and they’ll all find out. Nelle hates to open the last gift on what’s been the best day of her life. She thanks them for their generosity, and hopes to look back on the day with pride and joy. She starts to open it, and Ava says, wait.

Finn asks if Alexis would like to come over, and she asks if he’s Inviting her to see his etchings. He says he doesn’t have etchings, but has something else he can show her. She has a court case, and says, another time. She says his charming per makes her want to know his past, and he says he’ll dial down his unlimited charm. Finn sees Chase walk in, and says, here we go again.

Sonny tells Mike they were discussing business, and asks what he heard. Mike tells him, what he said about Croton. Sonny asks what he knows; it’s the second time he’s mentioned it. Mike says maybe he’s confused and his mind is playing tricks, but this he knows; they’re building something in Croton. Sonny looks puzzled.

Carly asks if something is wrong. Ava says Nelle was sad about opening the last gift, so she should save it to open on a day she’s not feeling so great; or she and Michael can open it together. Nelle says she can’t wait to see it. I can’t either. It’s a cute penguin mobile. Nelle raves about it, and says, it’s to die for. Josslyn looks at Carly, and asks what’s wrong. Carly says, Morgan loved penguins, and Ava knew that, didn’t she?

Alexis tells Finn that she didn’t mastermind this. She didn’t know Chase was going to come waltzing in there. Chase says he’s not waltzing; he’s singing. He stopped in for coffee before rehearsal for the Nurses’ Ball. Finn says he didn’t know Chase sang. Chase says there’s a lot he doesn’t know about him, but that’s what he wants, right? Chase leaves, and Finn apologizes to Alexis about thinking she set him up. She says maybe that’s not the only thing he’s wrong about.

Lucy comes back to the locker room. She tells Dante she was just in time to change the program. Dante can’t believe he managed to get Chase to sing; telling him the whole department was involved, was just an act. Lucy says she already told the printer, but Dante says it was just a prank. The only one who will be performing is Chase. Lucy says it’s not very sporting of him. She’s not too crazy about him co-opting the Nurses’ Ball for a practical joke. Although Chase does have lovely voice and he’s easy on the eyes. She doesn’t want to sound shallow, but looks do mater. Dante says, don’t tell him. it will spoil the fun.

Sonny asks Mike what he thinks happened. Did he see something? Did someone tell him a story? Mike says he knows what he knows. Max comes back, and tells Sonny that new construction is set to begin in the field.

Carly says this was deliberate to remind her of Morgan. Ava says it’s a shower gift. Carly says she used him when he was alive, and she’s still using him to hurt her. Ava says he’s not the only child in the history of the world who likes penguins. Carly says he’s only one she tampered with. She grabs mobile and throws it against the wall, saying, screw you, Ava. Ava looks at Nelle. Everyone is stunned.

Tomorrow, Carly calls Nelle a snake, Valentin asks Anna if she’s avoiding him, and Nina asks Curtis if it’s what she thinks it is.

Southern Charm

Cameran calls Jason from the car, saying she has a stubborn cervix. They might induce her next week. In her interview, she says he’s desensitized since that’s his life every day – women having babies. She tells him not to do that “we” stuff, since she’s the only one who will be in labor.

Kathryn calls Marshall, the owner of Gwynn’s (an upscale store), wondering if there’s a position available. She thinks it would be a great place for her to start, as they taught her a lot about her personal style. He says they don’t have a lot of turnover, but asks to talk to her on Saturday morning.

Naomie goes to her father’s restaurant, Nico, and gives orders in French about how to move the tables. He had several restaurants in France, and is opening one in Charleston. They’re having a pre-opening tasting dinner. She’s pretty aggressive for a French girl.

Craig meets Austen for beer. Otherwise known as Austen’s research and development. Austen says Naomie is cold-blooded. Craig feels badly for Peyton, since she just moved there. We flash back to Naomie being a huge a-hole at the Halloween party. Craig is laughing because it’s not him.

Naomie tells her father about the party. She thinks Peyton is using people, and it disgusts her, but she said some not very nice things. Right. Like I think she really believes Peyton is using anybody. How so? Even if she was flirting with these guys, why is that Naomie’s business. Her father tells her life is not about aggression, but being nice. She still questions Peyton’s intentions. Peyton is trying to say it’s a misunderstanding, but she heard Peyton was flirting with Craig. Her father, who is apparently no dummy, asks if that’s really the problem, and that she has to solve it. He tells her respect is the magic word in life, and she has to apologize.

Craig tells Austen that Naomie doesn’t have to like Peyton, but her problem is, she doesn’t know how to apologize. As if on cue, Naomie calls Austen, and tells him about the pre-opening. He says he’d love to come, and asks if her ex is invited. She says yes, and it’s cool if he brings Peyton. She feels bad about making her cry (as well she should). She’s not convinced she’s wrong, but owes her an apology. She asks for Peyton’s number, and says she wants to invite her. I’d be afraid she’d stalk Peyton.

Austen calls his sister Katie. He’s driving to the brewery, since his parents pushed him off the ledge to make something happen. He’s thinking of producing a beer of his own. He doesn’t have his recipe yet, but knows what he likes, and he and Thomas (not Ravenel) are putting their heads together.

He arrives at the Thomas Creek Brewery. Thomas shows him around. In his interview, Austen explains that with contract brewing, you find a brewery that already has equipment, so you don’t have to spend money on that. Kind of like subcontracting. Austen likes the grapefruit idea. Thomas thinks it works, but the passionfruit can come across medicinal. Austen wants to make a good beer with citrus for the beach and boat, that’s still tap ready. He asks what the next steps are, and Thomas says a test batch is about four hundred bucks. Austen says it would be kick-ass.

Shep picks up Cameran for lunch. She wants to do a lap down Labor Lane. Shep has no clue where that is, and she explains that back in the day, women would ride down Chalmers Street, hoping the jarring from the cobblestones induced labor. Shep says he thought they were having lunch. He doesn’t want to be there when her water breaks. They go down the cobblestoned street, and Shep has Cameran laughing so hard, she says she wants to pee. He tells her they’re not doing a second lap.

They go to the restaurant, and Shep asks how it will work if Jason is at work when the baby comes. She says she’ll need a ride to the hospital. Shep doesn’t think he’d be good in a tragedy, and amends that to emergency. Cameran says now that she’s entering a new phase, what’s next for him? Shep says he’s doing some traveling, but she asks about goals, and evolving as a man. She thinks he’ll have to expand his horizons to meet a woman. In her interview, Cameran says she’s no psychic. We see an old clip of her predicting he’d be married in two years. She says he’s not the marrying kind; he’s the banging kind. He says he thought he’d end up with an English or Australian girl, because the men are buffoons. Cameran can’t believe he just called himself a buffoon, and thinks maybe he’s savvier than she thought.

Craig visits Patricia. She asks about the break-up with Naomie, and he says it’s good to get rid of the toxicity. He tells her about his life coach. She asks if he’s changed. He says it just been a week, but he has to start somewhere. Patricia says she talked to the people who run her company; they make high-end products covered with dogs and cats, and want him to design a specialized pillow to manufacture. Too bad they don’t make products covered with dog hair. I’d be rich. Craig tells her it’s everything he said he wanted. Not to be dramatic, but it’s a big break for an upcoming artist or designer. Some people would cut off an appendage for it. In her interview, Patricia says Craig can be a knucklehead, but an endearing one. She wants to help him. He says he’ll make a prototype of each, and asks if she wants it cheeky. She says it can just come to him.

Kathryn hasn’t interviewed for a job since college. She says she might not have the prerequisites, but has faith in herself, and thinks she can figure it out. She goes to Marshall’s office, and meets with him and his assistant, Madison. She says the store is like a second home. Marshall asks how she sees her presence in the store contributing to their culture. She tells him she’s been shopping there for so long, and knows the atmosphere. She feels that she could add to aesthetic brainstorming. In her interview, she wonders why the eff she can’t put a sentence together, He tells her sometimes it’s hectic, and they have to juggle a lot of balls. He asks how she handles stress, and she asks for some water and a moment to think. I’m surprised that she’s blanking out like this. Incorporating having to deal with the kid situation in her answer about stress, would have been perfect. Madison says Kathryn knows the goals they’re trying to achieve as a brand. Kathryn thinks she can contribute to the customer experience, and would like to get more people her age shop outside of King Street. Madison says it’s good to keep the conversation going, even if there’s no spot open right now. Marshall says if she doesn’t hear from them, to call.

Shep goes to Chelsea’s salon for a haircut. He’s getting leg surgery, but says he’s not slowing down. She says he is like a pirate, referring to his Halloween costume. She asks if he’s going to the restaurant opening. She can’t believe Naomie invited Peyton, and thinks Naomie feels bad. She asks if Shep would pick Austen or Craig for her, and he says, Craig. He tells her that Austen is having fun downtown, and is like he was two years ago. In her interview, Chelsea says Shep is making Austen seem like the bad guy, but she doesn’t see her and Shep as more than friends.

Thomas and Ashley get ready for the pre-opening. He brings her wine in the bathroom. He tells her that Kathryn is going. She says she’d texted Kathryn, but hasn’t herd back. She wanted to bring up trick-or-treating. We flash back to Kathryn telling Thomas it was too soon for that. Thomas tells Ashley if she wants to piss Kathryn off, go for it, but no response means no. In his interview, Thomas says he understands not wanting to share special moments with a woman who may or may not be in his life for a long time. Ashley wants Kathryn to know she’s not trying to take anyone’s place. Thomas jokes she’s just trying to take away the father of her children. Ashley is not amused.

Everyone trickles in to Nico. Naomie tells Cameran if she delivers there, she has to name her Nico. Cameran says Austen seems taller, but he says it’s just because she’s wider. Danni heard there was drama at the party. Thomas flirts with Kathryn. In her interview, Kathryn says he does it naturally, not to piss off Ashley. She doesn’t think he knows Ashley is there, and feels bad for her. Shep tells Austen he talked to Chelsea, and she trimmed his hair. Cameran thinks Austen and Chelsea are rekindling things. Shep tells her that he thought he and Chelsea had a moment at the salon. Cameran says he blew his shot, and he asks why. We flash back to Cameran telling him that he was too aggressive with Chelsea. Austen talks to Chelsea on the patio. She tells him that Shep barely let her cut his hair; it was more like a counseling session. She tells Austen what Shep said about Austen being him two years ago. Austen says he’s not up until 5 am, and Chelsea asks if he’s going to say something to Shep. Austen says, no, but it’s interesting. In her interview, Chelsea says sometimes Austen has no backbone. He cares too much what everyone thinks, and it’s an unattractive quality. I agree.

Peyton arrives. She sees Naomie, and tells Kathryn that she’s never been spoken to like that, and she lived in LA for five years. It’s like middle school. Kathryn says she got that right. Naomie approaches Peyton, and thanks her for coming. They stand there while crickets chirp, and Naomie asks to talk to Peyton on the patio. In her interview, Naomie says her reservations aren’t gone, but her dad was right; she needs to apologize. She tells Peyton that she owes her a big apology. She’s sorry about the way she attacked her; it’s just a defense mechanism. Peyton says she’s not after Craig. She knew had to do with him, because if someone is that angry, it has to do with love. Naomie says she projected her anger at him on Peyton, and cut her down without knowing her. She’s sorry. Peyton forgives her. In her interview, Naomie says she realizes the root of it is that she’s not over Craig. She and Peyton hug.

They sit down for dinner. Ooh, a seafood tower! Austen sits between Chelsea and Peyton, and Shep tells Whitney that he’s sitting between his two paramours. Whitney says he’s working overtime. They sound like a couple of middle school girls. Whitney tells Shep that Chelsea is on to his shenanigans. Shep slides outside. Thomas and Ashley have some PDA at the table. In her interview, Kathryn is shocked and proud that she gives zero f*cks. She’s glad she’s not that person.

Kathryn joins Shep outside. He ask if she had fun at the party. He gets nostalgic, remembering how they became friends. We flash back to four years ago on the beach, when Shep taught her to surf. Austen tells Whitney what Shep said was upsetting. He shouldn’t lie to make himself look better. Thomas and Ashley go out, and tell Shep they had to leave; sh*t is being talked about him. Inside, Whitney suggests bringing Shep into the conversation, and goes to get him. Austen is like, that’s okay, but Chelsea says they have his back. Whitney calls Shep in. Shep tells Austen that all he said was that Austen was having fun Downton. Austen says Shep claimed it reminded him of himself two years ago, and he thought that was a misrepresentation. He was trying to make himself look good, and Austen look bad. Shep says if it was perceived that way, he apologizes. They shake hands. In her interview, Chelsea says she keeps waiting for Austen to man up, and seeing herself with him in the future, but it’s not happening. Whitney is glad they resolved things. Austen suggests he and Chelsea get out of there, but Chelsea isn’t receptive in the least, and tells him to stop.

Next time, Cameran might be in labor, Patricia suggests an ultimatum to Ashley, and Thomas and Kathryn have dinner.

🍹🍸 Loving Jared on Southern Charm New Orleans. He’s the Yoda of the group. Also loving Uma Thurman on Imposters. Both shows are worth watching.

⚠ The new, and I think final, season of Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce begins Thursday, June 14th.

FridayWelcome

May 3, 2018 – Jason Frustrates Anna, a Charming Halloween Party, Naomie is Cray & Orange Corn

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Anna tells Jason that Robert said he was planning on drawing out Henrik using his mother. He says if she’s right about the epigraph, Henrik won’t pass up the chance to meet her. He’s already started looking. Anna tells him to look no further. Henrik’s mother is right there. Instead of wasting time looking, she’ll pretend to be his mother.

On the phone, Peter says he has no reservations; the plan moves forward. Maxie comes into his office, and tells him she’s having a strangely good day. A mysterious someone started a fund in Nathan’s name – Port Charles LEAF, to help support the families of slain police officers. Nathan would have loved it. She wants to thank them, but has to find them first. Peter asks why she needs him?

At Kelly’s, Nina tells Curtis that he needs to dig deeper into Peter’s background. She’s creeped out about him having a file on Nathan. She needs information now, before her niece or nephew is born.

Someone puts yellow roses on Nathan’s grave.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he was just on the phone with one of Jim’s victims. At first, hr said he didn’t know anyone by that name, so Franco just blurted out, he’s dead. The line went silent, but hecame back and asked him to repeat that. He asked who Franco was, and why he was calling. Franco told him – he tells Elizabeth to brace herself – the truth. He said Jim had hurt him as a child. He’s had relief now that Jim is dead, and wanted to pass the peace on.

Jason asks why Anna would use herself as a decoy. She says why involve an innocent person? If the epigraph is right, she’s stayed under the radar, including Faison’s. She understands those risks, and as a mother, understands reconnecting with a child. She wouldn’t have to fake anything, just remember.

Maxie tells Peter the fund was set up anonymously in Nathan’s name. He says they’d have a board of directors, but Maxie doesn’t recognize any of the names. He says maybe the donor wants their charitable act to speak for itself. She should accept the gift, and know that others in similar circumstances are provided for. She says she’s lucky; she can take care of the baby. The help for families experiencing the same loss deserves a personal thank you.

Nina sees Valentin at Nathan’s grave. She says he’s the culprit. She’s seen fresh flowers every day, and wondered who was so thoughtful as to make a sad place beautiful. He says, guilty as charged. He wishes he could do more. She suggests slaying a dragon, and he says he would do that for her. She tells him the pain is unbearable, but necessary. It’s the body’s way of paying tribute to the one you’ve lost. I can’t say I’ve ever heard that before. She says it reminds her that everything didn’t go dark when Nathan left. Maxie is another reminder, and him. She tells him roses are unexpected and lovely. You have to be careful with them, but it’s worth it. Valentin says she’s always been his consolation, and he wants to know how he can return the favor. She wishes she knew. She starts to cry, and says its’s been three months. It’s not getting any better, but here and now, this moment is everything. He holds her.

Drew sees Curtis at Kelly’s, and sits with him. Curtis remarks that Sam is back. Drew tells him that she wants to stay on at Aurora.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he didn’t go into detail, but said he forced a confession out of Jim. The guy said he doesn’t know what Franco did, but hoped it hurt. Franco offered his contact information, but they just thanked him, and hung up. Franco could hear rage in his voice. Elizabeth says he’ll be okay, and Franco says he loves when she tells him things to make him feel better. He’s done; all, but the last two. One died in an accident, but he talked to his sister. He didn’t say why he was calling, and told her he was an old friend who lost touch. He asked if her brother had a good life, and she told Franco that he was a happy guy. He wishes he’d been able to end the horror show before. Elizabeth says, it’s all over; he had a good life and that’s something. Franco says, it’s everything.

Jason asks Anna what the plan is. She wants to email Lulu, and ask for help reaching out to Henrik. She’ll say Henrik’s mother always wanted to know him, but was afraid if she made contact, it would draw Faison’s attention to the both of them. She wants to imply that Henrik’s mother didn’t know Faison raised him, and portray her as having given him up to keep him safe. She was horrified to discover he was in Faison’s hands.

Peter says he’ll help Maxie look for the mysterious benefactor, and he’ll call her if he figures it out. She’s disappointed that he actually has real work to do, but he says his brain needs a break. He’ll start now. He tells her that all nonprofits have to be public. Discovering who the underwriter is shouldn’t be difficult. He types something into his computer, and says it seems to be funded by the personal offshore accounts of PK Sinclair.

Nina tells Valentin that she missed so many things when Nathan was growing up, like what sport he played, and what summer camp he went to. She says Peter knows those things, and Valentin says Peter has nothing to do with Nathan. She asks, then why does he have a file on Nathan in his office?

Drew tells Curtis it hurts to see Sam, but it hurts not to see her. He’s not sure why she wants to stay, since they have Peter running the business. Curtis asks if he trusts Peter, and Drew says he seems like a good guy, and he’s a good manager. He’s happy Peter stayed on. Curtis asks if he was thinking about taking off, and Drew says he thinks Peter was shaken up when Nathan was killed. Curtis wonders what made him stay. Drew doesn’t know, but thinks he’s attached to some people there. Drew wonders why Sam wants to be there if she’s trying to build a new life. He tells Curtis that they’re getting divorced, and Curtis asks if that’s how it is. You go in with hope and faith, thinking you’ll withstand obstacles, then it blows up in your face. Drew is pretty sure they’re not talking about him anymore, but Curtis and Jordan.

Jason asks Anna if she thinks when Henrik reads that his mom has regrets and feelings, it will be enough to draw him out? He asks if she thinks she can play on his sympathies – if he has any. What if his real mother reads the article and surfaces? She says that’s why they have to act quickly. The sooner they do it, the fewer contingencies they’ll have to deal with.

Maxie says she doesn’t want anything to do with Henrik or his money. Peter says he did it anonymously, and probably wanted it to stand on its own. They don’t know if he had anything to do with Nathan’s death. Maxie appreciates his help, but has to go.

Nina tells Valentin that Curtis found the file, and Sam found Curtis. They decided to team up, and investigate together, but that doesn’t bother her. Peter is up to something, and the file proves it. Valentin asks what’s in it, and she says report cards, little league rosters, mementos of Nathan. Valentin says Peter did have Nathan’s blood on his hands; maybe he’s haunted. Nina says he has no right to be haunted. Nathan wasn’t shot in his office. She and Maxie are the ones who live in the shadow of his death every day. Valentin says Peter has to live knowing the man who died could have been him. Nina asks if he’s trying to convince himself that he’s worth of being alive and her brother isn’t.

Curtis apologizes to Drew. He tells Drew that he proposed to Jordan, but they’re on pause. Drew asks what that means, but Curtis doesn’t know either. She had a cancer scare, and in between the red alert and the all good, he proposed. When she found out she was fine, she thought she’d do him a favor, and let him off the hook. Drew says it sounds like didn’t want to be off the hook. Curtis says she did it anyway, and Drew tells him to ask again. Curtis says they have a history, and it’s not pretty or easy. What makes him think it could work?

Franco says all the victims have one thing in common. They all knew what he meant. He thought they’d blame him for not stopping Jim sooner, but hey were too busy blaming themselves. Elizabeth says they were all children. Franco says when he said Jim, they felt fear, but when he said dead, they felt relief. Steve is the last one. He called and left a message. If he doesn’t hear back, he’ll respect Steve’s privacy. He’s glad he did it. He’s glad he could tell these men Jim is dead, and let them know Jim’s hold over them is done. Elizabeth calls him brave, but he tells her not to get carried away. He couldn’t do it in person; he couldn’t be face to face with the victims.

Jason tells Anna that Spinelli is trying to trace the wire transfer. Henrik was careful in covering his tracks, but he has faith in Spinelli’s skills. They’ll have something to fall back on in case this doesn’t work. Anna says it will. She says Lulu has to believe what they’re doing. Peter won’t compromise his journalistic standards, and she doesn’t want Lulu lying to her employer. They can’t risk her telling him, so the only way for it to work is if Lulu believes their acting on behalf of Henrik’s mother.

Nina asks Valentin, what if Peter is studying Nathan? Valentin asks, to what end? and Nina says, Maxie. Maybe he wants to get closer to her. He’s already slept on the sofa. What if he’s trying to fill the Nathan sized hole in Maxie’s heart?

Curtis tells Drew mistakes were made, and his brother Tommy ended up dead. Drew knows it’s late, but says he’s sorry. Curtis says the toughest part is his Aunt Stella.

Franco has to go to art therapy; he has appointments all afternoon. Elizabeth says Monica has the boys, but if they’re asleep when he gets there, she’ll want them to spend the night. He asks if she means he should finish early, and spend time with the boys? Elizabeth has a confession to make; she likes watching him teach. He says who wouldn’t? He’s funny. She says sometimes she pops her head in on the group sessions and watches for a moment. She realizes he’s not surprised, and he says the kids notice too. He tells her, we call you the gopher. She says, we? and he says it was the kids’ idea, and he didn’t feel comfortable not agreeing. He does an imitation of her peeking in, and she hits him with a pillow.

Jason asks Anna, what if Henrik takes the bait? Which I thought was the idea. Anna says they’ll set up a meeting. He asks if she’s planning on meeting Henrik posing as his mother. He says it’s too dangerous, and she asks if he thinks she can’t defend herself. He says not against Henrik. She’s way too close to this.

Nina has to run to a video conference. She thanks Valentin for the flowers. Valentin sees Peter at the bar.

Maxie goes to Nathan’s grave. She says she has a little dilemma, but little means huge. He’s a kind person, and she knows he would think PC LEAF is a great idea; he’s the little boy who gave his change away. She was so excited to get the letter, and to think there’s an actual organization in his name helping people the way he would help if he was here. She knows he would say, let it go; who cares? Let his maniac brother do some good for once. She admits adding maniac in there, but she’s pretty sure he’d say the rest. He’s not there though, and she doesn’t know if she’s strong enough to accept anything from his brother.

Curtis tells Drew that he doesn’t think Stella will accept him marrying Jordan. To her, forgiving doesn’t mean letting it go. Even if he got her blessing, no blessing will guarantee it will work. Drew tells him that his pep talk is wack. Drew asks if he loves her. Curtis says he does, but Stella… Drew knows it’s easier said than done, but no one lives his life. If he wants to marry her, ask her. Curtis writes something down, and hands it to Drew. Drew asks if he’s setting him up. Curtis says he is, with Sally Young, a no nonsense attorney. She’ll help with the divorce. Drew guesses he has to do this.

Franco calls Elizabeth gopher, and says he has his own confession. He leaves the door to the art therapy room open, secretly hoping she’ll join in. She’s an artist, and he’d love to see her working out her frustrations that way. She says she loves watching him with the kids; he’s great with them. He says he’s emotionally immature, but it must be confusing to them, since he’s bigger than they are. Elizabeth says he gets them to open up, and lets them see him as a friend rather than a therapist. He says they’re sick kids, and had enough of grownups telling them stuff. Art gives them a sense of control, and he oversees it until they figure it out for themselves. Elizabeth says he’s more than that adult entity with an artist side for the kids. He’s a kindred spirit, and understands being a child in pain. All he knows is that the kids are his favorite patients. He’s there to help them as much as they help him.

Franco’s phone dings. He says Steve sent him a text. He wants to meet in person to discuss Jim.

Valentin asks Peter if he’s enjoying a last meal; he’s getting reckless. He tells Peter about Curtis finding the file on Nathan, and asks why he’s not keeping it at his place. Peter says he keeps it where he spends the most time. Valentin asks why keep it at all? Peter asks how else is he going to know his brother? Valentin was supposed to be keeping his wife off the trail, and Valentin suggests he clean it up. Peter says Nina is Valentin’s responsibility, not his; he’s losing his touch. Valentin says he has it under control.

Maxie says she’s trying. She’s bending into a pretzel trying to make peace with this. She asks Nathan not to be disappointed, but since he left, her heart doesn’t open that wide anymore. She knows he would give Henrik the benefit of the doubt, but she’s not there. She’s not him. Maybe Henrik is doing it out of guilt. Good. She hopes he feels bad, but she won’t let him use Nathan’s memory to ease his conscience.

Nina goes through Peter’s files. She finds what she’s looking for, and pulls out a giant folder. She’s looking through it, when Peter comes in. He asks what she thinks she’s doing. She tells him, you first. What is he doing with this scrapbook? What does he think he’s doing?

Jason tells Anna that she can’t be objective; she’s too involved. She thinks Henrik is a good guy, and wants to rescue him. She says it’s called compassion, but he says it’s blinding her to the risks. Henrik is definitely not innocent, and whether he thinks she’s his mother or finds out she’s a WSB agent, he’ll probably kill her either way. Anna says he’s making assumptions. He asks if she’s willing to defend herself. Going there empty handed with good intentions will get her killed, and he can’t let that happen. She’s Robin’s mother; she’s family. Anna says, he’s not. He asks what it is that she won’t tell him. This is messing with her judgement, and making her choose to take chances. She says they’re necessary chances. Jason needs her to promise and give her word that she’ll call him when she’s going to meet Henrik. Anna asks if Jason is going to kill him, but he says he wants to protect her. She said she trusted him, so please do. She says all right, she promises. If she hears from Henrik, she’ll call him before she leaves.

After Jason is gone, Anna sits on the steps and cries.

On Monday, Robert tells Anna if she hangs around a hornet’s nest she’ll get stung, Carly says Nelle has an agenda (like we haven’t heard that before), and Nina asks Valentin why Peter has the file.

Southern Charm

Craig is working on being a budding hoarder. At least his place looks like he is. He calls someone about their life coach services. He thinks it would be great to have a teammate. He can’t handle fighting with Naomie, and isn’t liking himself right now. She asks to come to his house, and he says he’s looking forward to starting the process.

Cameran looks at baby clothes, and her mom, Bonnie, meets her. She’s looking for a going home outfit because the baby needs to make a good impression. Bonnie fawns over a tiny pair of red boots, and Cameran says what we’re all thinking – infants don’t need shoes. She says Palmer hasn’t been born yet, and has more clothes than she does, but she needs a going home outfit because in the South, that’s what you do. She remembers falling off the bed as an infant, and Bonnie says that’s why she’s messed up now. In her interview, Cameran say her mom was never super maternal, and she started doing her own laundry at seven years old. After the divorce, they had to fend for themselves. She hasn’t read any books on pregnancy, since she’s trying to let go of the control thing. I guess she’s trying to let go of the be prepared thing too. Bonnie says she’s never gone off the deep end with anything, and Cameran says, not yet. She prays her daughter looks at her the same way she looks at her mother; she was the best.

Shep meets Austen at a bar. Shep says most of his friends are married with kids, but they’re living vicariously through him. He lets everyone down, and it’s like a circle of shame. In his interview, Austen says he and Shep couldn’t be more different. When he’s single, he sees himself acting like Shep, so he jumps into a relationship. Naomie joins them. She says it was waterfalls (I think she means waterworks) seeing Craig at Shep’s party, but when they met later, it was impossible to reason with him. Austen says you have to chip it off. Not Craig’s wing-wang, but their relationship. Chelsea arrives, and asks if Austen has made out with anyone lately. Shep says what about Peyton, but Austen says they’re just friends. Chelsea tells them Craig has a crush on Peyton, and it’s the first time he’s been interested in someone else since he and Naomie broke up. Naomie wants to see a picture, and Austen brings one up on his phone. Naomie says, whatever, and rolls her eyes. No surprise, since Peyton looks like a model, and while Naomie is pretty, her mean-spirited attitude makes her look like a weasel. She says that Craig tries to make her feel guilty and bad; he says one thing, and does another. She wants the addresses of Peyton’s entire family, because she is a batsh*t crazy stalker. I honestly don’t get it. She obviously doesn’t like almost anything about Craig, and they broke up. For the love of all that’s holy, move on.

Craig checks in at the sewing store. It’s been his escape since the break-up. Kathryn meets him there. In her interview, Kathryn talks about Craig’s many passions, and says. hashtag fill-in-the-blank Craig. He asks if she or the kids need anything, and she calls him a DIY star. He tells her about meeting with Naomie, thinking it was a getting back together meeting. Kathryn says he needs to prove his worth to himself, not someone else. She doesn’t want to see him beating himself up, and thinks he won’t flourish (her word) if he doesn’t break the cycle. I’m in total agreement, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever used the word flourish even once in my life. Well, now I have. Kathryn says being forced to figure things out for herself was liberating. She suggests he and Naomie take time apart. He says now she’s the one giving him advice, and she says it makes no sense. Kathryn, the surprising new voice of reason.

Austen has dinner with his parents and sister, who’s eight years his junior. After his other sister passed away, it was a dark time for their family. After having another girl, life began again. His father asks what’s going on in Charleston, and his mom asks if he’s dating. She was sad about Chelsea. He says it was rocky at first, since he was dating one of her friends. His mom says he left his last brewing company a while ago, and she’s concerned; what is he doing? He thinks he’d like to explore making his own beer. His father doesn’t look thrilled. He asks if Austen has recipes or a brewer, but that’s a no. His sister asks if he wants to do it in Charleston, and he says that’s what he’s thinking. His mother doesn’t want to just hear talk. He feels pressure to follow in their work ethic footsteps. She says when he gets started, they’ll talk about investment. They toast to Austen beer. Pressure, maybe, but they seem pretty supportive.

Life Coach Laura arrives at Craig’s. She wants to dive in. She wants him to tell her about himself, and says she’s going to be super curious. He grew up in Delaware, and went to college, including law school. He tells Laura that he isn’t currently doing anything, and she asks what he lives on. He has some investments generating income, but it’s not what he could be doing. He admits to talking over people, telling her that he can finish everyone’s sentences in his head. Which doesn’t make it any less rude. Laura asks what that tells him about himself, and he says his mind is hyperactive. Isn’t that what we used to call ADD, ADHD, or some combination of those letters? Laura tells him not to put it in a negative light. He’s a fast processor, and it’s a way of measuring intelligence. She says he’s smart, makes good eye contact, is likeable, and cute. In his interview, Craig says he’s actually an awesome person. When he was with Naomie, she was always negative and final. We flash back to some of that. Laura says he starts off confident, but drops into a negative description of himself. She tells him to focus on being accurate and positive, and listening.. His homework is to create a self-portrait of himself and his world, in as much detail as possible. He’s excited.

Thomas meets Whitney and Patricia at a French restaurant. In her interview, Patricia says Whitney studied in Paris, but Thomas speaks Pepe Le Pew French. Thomas remarks on Patricia’s large ring, and she tells him it’s not the engagement ring. She believes in the institution of marriage, and says men aren’t getting married anymore. Thomas says – wait for it – why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free? Which just proves what century he’s from, and why he shouldn’t be hanging out with these youngsters. Patricia says there are other factors, like companionship. She asks how it’s going with Ashley. He says, great, but he sees a side he doesn’t like. Sometimes she’s not that sweet, friendly girl. She lacks subtlety, which he chalks up to being northern, and her energy can be overwhelming. We see a clip of her telling him she wants to get married and have babies, but like how a tiger might say it. Patricia says she’s a hospice nurse, so she has empathy and compassion. She admires that. In her interview, Patricia wonders why Thomas, of all people, should demand perfection? Thomas tells Patricia that Ashley might reach out to her about learning how to blend into southern culture. In his interview, Whitney doubts she’ll learn anything. She’s not southern, and it’s in the DNA. Patricia suggests going shopping, and Thomas says he’ll lend Ashley his credit card. Patricia says, in that case, they’ll go to New York. I assume she means City.

Austen meets Chelsea for golf. He’s ecstatic when he knows he’s going to be with her; he still gets butterflies. Chelsea misses being his friend. In her interview, she says she wouldn’t say they’d never get together again – there’s always potential. He asks what she’s doing this weekend. She has no plans, so he has some for her. Peyton wants to co-host a Halloween party with him, so she can meet some people. Chelsea wonders how Naomie will handle it. Austen says his dad living the life he wants – retired life. Chelsea doesn’t want him to turn into Shep. He thinks he’s staying in the industry, and is thinking of making his own beer; his parents will ultimately back him. Chelsea tells him to put some effort into it. Someone needs to light a fire under him. He says they have, and their names are Tom and Wendy (his parents). She says, and Chelsea.

Naomie and Cameran meet for a pedicure. Cameran is ready to have this kid. Naomie asks if Jason is coddling her, and she says, if wasn’t for Michael, she wouldn’t have foot rubs. She tells Naomie that foot massages sometimes induce labor, and Naomie encourages her not to have the baby there. Naomie says there’s dark around Craig (yeah, it’s called Naomie), and Cameran asks if she’d be fine if he dated someone else. Naomie gives her a resounding yes. She tells Cameran about Peyton, and how Craig said it was the first time he thought he could like someone. Cameran says she’s met her. She’s tall, blonde, and has big boobs. We see a clip of Cameran telling Peyton she’s like a Nordic alien. She does have piercing eyes. Naomie says there must be a drought; she seems thirsty. She says Peyton went after Shep, Austen, and now Craig. Cameran doesn’t think she should be bothered. In her interview, Cameran says Craig has never been a ladies’ man, and it’s throwing Naomie for a loop. Naomie asks if Cameran is going to the Halloween party. Cameran says she is, if she hasn’t delivered by then.

The Halloween party kikis commence. Peyton and Austen go over last-minute stuff on the wharf, where the party is being held. Peyton is a unicorn, and Austen is a chick magnet, putting no thought into his costume whatsoever, and wearing a graphic sweater with chicks and a magnet on it. The chicks actually look like rubber duckies, so this is lazy on a few levels. Craig remarks to roommate Sean that he’s going to a party to get yelled at by Naomie. Sean says they need to cut things off. Naomie asks if the other girls can tell who she is. Kathryn thinks she’s Kris Jenner, but she’s Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) from Pulp Fiction. Cameran feels like crap, and isn’t coming. Kathryn – I don’t know what/who she’s supposed to be, but she’s rocking a nearly nude, sparkly gown – asks what the deal with Peyton is. Naomie says she tried to date Shep, and it didn’t work out; then it didn’t work out with Austen, and now Craig’s thinking of dating her. Chelsea thinks it’s human nature not to like a girl your ex is dating. Maybe, but it’s not human nature to be a batsh*t crazy stalker.

Kathryn can’t tell if Peyton is cute or not, since she’s covered in blue body paint. Naomie repeats ad nauseum that Craig said she’s the first girl he could see himself liking. Shep is even more disappointed in Austen’s costume than I am. Both he and Craig come as pirates, and Sean looks like a leprechaun. Kathryn tells Naomie to let Craig come to her. JD (bleh) is dressed like a very short Donald Trump. Kathryn talks to Thomas about what the kids are doing for Halloween. He thought of inviting her trick-or-treating with them. She says she hopes they get to the point where they can do things like that together, but it’s too soon. She’s turned into Yoda Kathryn. Too soon it is. Peyton likes Shep dressed up, and he says he never shirks costume duty.

Naomie talks trash about Peyton. She and her elementary school friends laugh because Peyton is blue, and everyone knows unicorns are white. Oh yeah? Ever seen one? Naomie says blah-blah-blah to Craig. In his interview, Craig says he’s taking the high road. If he doesn’t, he thinks he and Naomie will never talk again. He tells Sean it’s confusing. The nice Naomie is here. Sean thinks Naomie was being flirty. Austen introduces Naomie to Peyton.

Naomie asks why Peyton is there, and Peyton says because she wanted to move back to the south; she fell in love with Charleston. I could actually see that. Except for the heat. That makes it a no for me. Naomie asks if that’s because it’s a hub for dog boutiques (an interest of Peyton’s). She says to be honest, she doesn’t support Peyton. She sees Peyton’s intentions. She went after Shep, Austen, and Craig. She’s shooting darts. Peyton doesn’t know what to say, since she only talked to Craig for fifteen minutes; she doesn’t know him. Naomie says she’s protective of her friends, and she knows Peyton is thirsty. Peyton says Naomie obviously has something against her that has to do with Craig. Naomie calls her a thirsty bitch. She sees through her, and is better than her. She’s going after any guy here. Peyton says everyone knows she’s not like that, and calls Naomie a middle-schooler. Thank you. Peyton says she’s about to get pushed overboard. Craig says the sh*t is hitting the fan.

Peyton walks away. Austen follows. She tells Austen about what Naomie said. He tells her that Naomie is angry because she thinks Craig is into her. It’s Naomie’s insecurity talking; Peyton threatens her. He says he’s sorry, and hugs her. In his interview, he says for the longest time, he thought Naomie was an angel for putting up with Craig. Now he thinks, good for Craig, not putting up with Naomie.

Craig says, wtf? to Naomie. She says she’s protecting him from someone who wants to use him for social climbing. Shep says she’s in shambles (I love some of their phraseology). Naomie insists that Peyton is using him. Shep asks why she came if she didn’t want to meet Peyton? Naomie says she came for them, and how dare he take her side? He says he’s not on anyone’s side, and was just trying to do a nice favor. Naomie tells him to get real. Craig asks what happened, and Naomie says Peyton is a thirsty bitch, which seems to be all she can come up with, since she’s said it how many times now. In his interview, Craig says they’ve gotten a glimpse of Naomie in the wild. Ha-ha-ha! Usually she stays behind closed doors and feeds on Craig’s soul. Omg, I literally lol’d. He says she’s scary as sh*t. He tells Naomie that he was considering hooking up with Peyton, and it felt good to feel liked. Naomie says he’s a liar. He says she can keep burning bridges; he doesn’t give a flying. She says she doesn’t care about him, and Craig tells Sean, same as it ever was always goes. They high five.

Next time, Patricia asks Craig to design a pillow, Thomas flirts with Kathryn, Peyton makes an appearance, and Shep tells Chelsea a lie about Austen.

😲 A Mini Lexture

It stuns me every time I see people this age acting like children. While I didn’t exactly live a Sex in the City life, that would have been closer to my reality back then. Without the money. And the hot guys. And the shoes. And pretty much everything else. Anyway, in my group of friends, if a guy had wronged one of us, woe to him with all of us, but we would have had a sit-down with Naomie. She’s tracked Craig, harassed him at a party, and talked about him in a negative way incessantly. She seems to hate him, yet won’t let him go. Now she’s come at that poor girl, whose only sin was to talk to Craig for a few minutes. It’s just inexcusable behavior.

⏳ Wait For It…

FridayOrange

April 26, 2018 – Curtis Gets Caught, Peyton Arrives in Charleston, a Little Rambling & Sheldon

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Alexis’s phone rings. It’s Sam; she’s home. Alexis notes her use of the word “we.” She tells Sam the kids are at Monica’s. She asks if the trip was good, and Sam says they’ll talk later.

Sam opens the door to Maxie with Crimson paperwork. She says it’s crowded in the office.

Lulu comes into Peter’s office on crutches. She explains she broke her foot while chasing Rocco. Peter asks if she needs a leave-of-absence, but she came for some advice. Henrik hasn’t responded to her asking for a meeting, and there’s too much up in air for her next move. Peter thinks a meeting might be too drastic. Lulu agrees. The more comfortable Henrik is with her, the more clues he might reveal. Peter asks if she’s gotten anything so far.

Curtis goes to Windemere. He needs her advice. She asks if it’s about Peter, and he says, it’s about marriage. She and Valentin have managed to make things work. Nina can’t talk right now, and he needs to get into Peter’s office. She’d love to talk his ear off about marriage when they’re done with Peter. He’ll be at the senior staff meeting, and it’s the perfect opportunity. With impeccable soap timing, Valentin appears, and asks, for what?

Anna and Robert go to Kelly’s. Anna needs caffeine. Robert remembers the days when she didn’t have jet lag. Anna remembers the days when he had a mullet. He wonders what Emma is going to tell her class about the trip, and Anna says like a good operative, she’ll say nothing. Anna asks for his tablet, so she can look at the conundrum box. She says Faison left it for someone to find, but who? Robert says, someone with last name of Cassadine.

Maxie asks where Sam was. Sam gives her a hint: The Alps and banks. She gives Maxie some chocolate, and explains about Danny putting his thumb on the globe to decide where to go. Maxie says whenever she does that, it always lands on the Indian Ocean. Sam says they hiked so much, she can eat all the chocolate she wants. She tells Maxie that Jason and Spinelli showed up, and they all worked on a case. She asks why Maxie is there, an Maxie says she didn’t want to risk running into Lulu. Fortunately, she has friends who care, like Sam and Peter. For someone she barely knew, he’s been incredibly supportive.

Lulu tells Peter that Henrik seems eager to share his side of story; he did write the book. He wants the world to know he was a victim, not an accomplice, although he was involved with Klein and holding Jason captive. Peter says his intent was unknown, and he was instrumental in keeping Jason alive. She says that’s why she came to him instead of her editor. He seems to understand what drives a man like Henrik. Peter thinks she’s smart enough to trust her own instincts; Dante should be relieved. He realizes Lulu hasn’t told him.

Nina says Valentin will never guess why Curtis came by, and he says, she’s right. She says he has marriage on his mind. Curtis says he’s been thinking about stuff, and weighing it. He admires how they make their marriage work, and Nina graciously offered to give him pointers. Curtis asks if Valentin has any hints for a brother taking the plunge. Valentin says, honesty, and tells them to drop the side thing. He asks what’s going on.

Anna tells Robert that she’s not sure Valentin and Faison ever crossed paths. Robert says Valentin has turned up in unexpected places. Anna thinks the box was meant for Helena. They worked closely, and Helena was a big influence. Faison’s will was textbook Helena. He was always cruel, but it had her spitefulness. Robert starts to nod off, and claims he’s thinking about paperwork. Anna calls him a liar, and gets up to leave. She tells him that she has an idea, and jets. He realizes she took his tablet.

Finn asks Alexis if anything is wrong, and she says Sam is back from her big trip. She hopes everything works out, and Finn asks if she means spiritually, professionally, or emotionally. She says, all three. Sam has a lot to confront. She tells Finn an interlude can only last so long until you have to go back to reality. He thought they agreed enjoy journey, and she says, she did, but she’s not that girl. She buys trip insurance on the way to the airport; she’s a planner. Spontaneity doesn’t typically end well for her. Finn says there’s always an exception to the rule. She asks if he wants to do it again, and he says, yes. They jump onto the couch.

Maxie tells Sam before she says it, she’s not filling in the gap with Lulu. Lulu is selfish and has a sense of entitlement. She never faces any consequences. She throws up her hands and says she’s a Spencer, and gets a free pass. She’s done with it. Sam tells her the difference between a catastrophic screw-up and maliciousness, is intent. Maxie says Lulu won’t even admit she’s wrong; she just defends her intent. She says Nathan was a willing participant, so it’s his fault, not hers. Nothing is ever Lulu’s fault. Lulu makes her bitter and angry, and it’s not good for the baby. She’d rather talk about her new unexpected friend Peter.

Peter thought Lulu didn’t tell Dante because of Avery being missing. Lulu says she’s grateful Avery has been found, but Dante’s family has been through turmoil. She admits that’s just an excuse. She’s not ready to tell him. If she’s going to justify it, she needs more than a couple of emails. She need to get to the truth, and draw Henrik out of hiding.

Nina tells Valentin they have nothing to hide, and Valentin says, then why not just tell him. She says she knew he’d react this way, and tells Curtis to take notes; this is where it gets fun. Valentin says he knows she hired Curtis to dig up dirt on Peter. Nina says, not to dig up dirt, to find the truth; there’s a difference. Valentin asks if she found what she was looking for.

Sam didn’t realize Maxie and Peter were so close. Maxie says it surprised her too, but he’s easy to be around, and he cares. She doesn’t have to pretend she’s not a total mess He even went with her when she had the baby tested for Huntington’s Disease. He was supportive, like he had a stake in it. Sam says he does – her. Maxie wishes Nina felt like that. She thinks she should the only one Maxie leans on. Sam says she has to understand that Maxie has a process she needs to go through. Maxie says sometimes it’s just easier with Peter. He got her out of the MetroCourt to face the memories. He went with her to the apartment, and crashed on the couch in case she had a breakdown. The first thing she saw was a package with a baby blanket that Nathan ordered, and she was pretty emotional about it. Peter got her to focus on the good memories, and how excited she and Nathan were about the baby. Sam says there’s clearly more to Peter than they thought.

Finn and Alexis get busy. A timer goes off, and she says it’s her casserole. She’s all excited, and runs into the kitchen. The doorbell rings, and she asks him to get it. It’s Anna, who tells him that he missed a button. He says, she’s home. She says, he’s not. He asks her in, and she says, sorry, she should have called. She needs to discuss a legal matter with Alexis. Finn says that’s his cue to leave, and kisses Alexis goodbye. Anna says it looks like things are going well. They fumble a little with small talk, and Anna shows her the box on Robert’s tablet. She asks if Alexis has seen it.

Valentin tells Nina that he thought they shared everything. She says she told him that she hired Curtis. He says she’s perilously close to defamation. She says she’s protecting Maxie, since her brother isn’t there to do it, and why is Valentin is protecting Peter over Maxie?

Sam tells Maxie that she was thinking about stepping down from Aurora. She owns it with Drew. It was his dream, and they wanted to do it as family. She needs to find time with herself, and figure out who she is. It sounds cliché, but as an independent woman, she doesn’t want to be behind a desk. She’s a PI, and pretty damn good at it. She wants to focus on that.

The waitress tells Robert that his cronut will be out shortly.  He gets a call from Frisco, and asks if the box was x-rayed. He takes notes with a crayon he finds on the table, and writes, lithium alloy, no x-ray. He guesses it wasn’t meant for Helena. Finn walks in, and orders a gallon of coffee and a cronut. The waitress says they’re out of them, and he asks, what about this one? picking up the cronut meant for Robert. Robert asks what he thinks he’s doing.

Sam tells Maxie about posing as a prospective client at the bank. Maxie asks if they robbed it, and Sam says they infiltrated it. Maxie asks if they took anything, which constitutes robbery, and Sam says whatever they took will be put to good use, and she sleeps well at night. Maxie says, what if they’d gotten caught, but Sam says they have so much dirt on the bank manager, he practically works for them now. Sam just wants Maxie to be happy, and Maxie says, her too, but she’ll get there eventually. Sam thinks it’s great that Maxie is holding on to good memories and moving forward; it makes her feel better about what she did. She asks if Maxie remembers putting things in boxes for the homeless shelter, and Maxie says it was the worst mistake, and Sam is glad she said that. Sam goes to the closet, and gives Maxie a box, saying she kept this for her. Maxie thanks her, and we all get teary.

Valentin says he’s trying to protect Nina’s job; Peter is the CEO of her parent company. This could be considered corporate espionage and grounds for termination at the very least. Nina says let them try; they’d be lost without her. Valentin says as much as the magazine would suffer without her, she would suffer without her job. It fuels her creativity and means something to her. She says Maxie means more. Valentin asks if they’ve tapped Peter’s phones or hacked his computer, but Curtis says, nothing like that; he’s just done some preliminaries. Valentin suggest he be discreet. He can see how much Nina has to lose. Curtis says he has a renewed appreciation for the bachelor life, but Nina says they’ll work it out; stay tuned. Valentin says he just got a front row seat to the negotiations in marriage. Nina tells Valentin that if Curtis and Jordan don’t make it to the altar, it’s his fault. He tells her that she’s looking for trouble where there isn’t any, and she hopes so. He tells her that if they find anything, tell him.

Robert tells Finn to put the cronut back. Finn offers to pay him for it, but he says it’s not for sale. Finn says he’s the shower guy. He heard him in Anna’s room. They introduce themselves, and Finn asks if he’s with Anna now.

Alexis recognizes the crest, but not the box. Anna explains that it’s a conundrum box, imprinted so no one except the recipient can open it or it self-destructs. Alexis says it sounds like something you’d find on Cassadine Island. She wishes she could be more helpful, and asks if it has anything to do with her search for Faison’s son. Anna says it’s a WSB matter. She has another matter she wanted to discuss with Alexis; adding a codicil to her will. She wants to make sure her children are provided for. Alexis says, children? Anna says her heirs; Robin has two children now. Alexis says if she’d like another attorney, she can recommend Diane, but Anna says she trusts Alexis with her affairs, immediately realizing her poor choice of words. She tells Alexis that she’ll call next time.

Peter tells Lulu that he has to prepare for a meeting. It’s supposed to be on policy, but inevitably, someone asks about the budget, so he has to be on his game. She asks if he thinks she’s right in playing the long game and keeping Dante in the dark for now. He tells her to trust her instincts. She thinks Henrik is probably like everyone else, somewhere in the middle; not a hero or a villain. It haunts her that Faison wasn’t not like everyone else. There were no shades of grey; he was cruel, twisted, and evil. He was Henrik’s father, and no matter how bad Henrik might be, it’s not his fault; he didn’t have a chance. Peter tells Lulu that her compassion and humanity make her a great reporter.

Maxie goes through the box, and says she thought it was gone. Sam offers to keep it there, but Maxie says she doesn’t think she can ever leave it again. She can’t thank Sam enough. They hug. Sam tells her that friends don’t always do what we want, and sometimes fail miserably, but they’re still friends. Maxie says some things are unforgivable. She’s suddenly hungry, and says she’s going to Kelly’s. She invites Sam along, but Sam has something to take care of, and there’s no putting it off.

Nina has to get to the meeting. Valentin tells her whatever she and Curtis have planned, keep him in the loop. She insists they know what they’re doing, but he says only one of them went to spy school. She needs an alibi in case they get caught. She says in this case, the less he knows, the better.

Finn tells Robert it’s none of his business. His association with Anna was temporary, and now it’s over. Robert asks if he figures she’s not worth fighting for, and Finn says he’s staying away for his own protection. Robert says he needs the cronut more, and leaves. He runs into Anna outside, and she returns his tablet. He tells her to ask next time, and she says, like he asked to share her hotel room? He tells her that there’s a guy in danger of eating his heart out inside. She goes in, and sees Finn.

Nina stops by Peter’s office, and says he’d better get going. He says he thought of delegating it to her, but she thinks they need to hear from the CEO. They leave, and Nina says she’ll be right there. She texts Curtis that the coast is clear. She turns out the light and shuts the door.

Maxie sees Lulu sitting outside Kelly’s. She asks what happened, and Lulu explains. Maxie asks if Lulu wants her to tell the waitress she’s out there. Lulu says she’s just resting, and Maxie tells her to feel better. Lulu calls her back, and says thanks.

Curtis goes into Peter’s office, and looks around with a flashlight.

On the phone, Valentin tells someone that they need to call him. They’re in more trouble than they think. Robert strolls into the living room. Valentin asks how he got in, and he says he knows his way around. Robert loves what he’s done with the place.

Alexis picks up Finn’s tie and remembers them talking about giving it a try.

Anna sits with Finn. She says he met her ex, and he nods.

Curtis continues looking around. He hears someone. Sam walks in, and asks what he’s doing there.

Tomorrow, Ava tells Nelle that Sonny is getting payback, Sam asks Curtis is there’s something about Peter they don’t know, Anna tells Finn that she’s not the person everyone believes she is, and Diane says Mike might not be going home.

Southern Charm

Craig reads the paper, Shep practices putting, Naomie feeds the cat, Austen puts on a facial mask, and Cameran bounces on a giant ball, asking the baby to move lower.

Cameran says Michael is the best gift. Patricia loaned him to her. He brings her a bunch of supplies and a mixer for making baby food. He says it’s easier than it seems, but she says she’ll be buying Gerber. She asks if Michael will rub her feet and not feel weird; Jason won’t do it. Michael says he’d be glad to. Jason is her husband; he’s a domestic. Cameran says, best gift ever, but feels like Michael is cheating on Patricia.

Craig video chats with his parents. His mom says he looks a little drunk, and he says he just took a nap. She asks how his sewing is going, and he’s going for a pillowcase a night. He says he and Naomie are so emotionally charged when they see one another, they don’t know how to handle it. She runs at the first sign of trouble. They speak different languages. His parents say they’ve been married a long time, and are still navigating that. Craig is interested in calling a life coach that he met. He knows his problems, but hasn’t done anything to fix it.

Thomas meets JD (bleh) for lunch. Thomas got in a workout and JD says he’s doing eight-ounce free-weights. Oh, har-har-hardy-har-har, you idiot. Thomas asks what’s going on. JD said he was single, but showed up at the shower with Elizabeth. JD says they’re staying friends, and decided to go to the shower together. Thomas tells him it confused everyone, and JD says it’s complicated; they have three kids. Thomas says if they’re really doing it for the kids, they should stay apart, but be harmonious. In his interview, Thomas says it was better for him and Kathryn to be apart. The negative energy isn’t healthy for the kids. He tells JD he has to protect himself. JD appreciates the advice, which probably means it went in one ear and out the other. It went quickly too, since there’s nothing in there. Thomas says it’s a role reversal.

Kathryn calls Cameran who only has three more weeks to go. Kathryn asks what’s going on. Cameran hates that Kathryn couldn’t come to the shower. In her interview, Kathryn says she had so much baggage with Patricia, and we flash back to her imitating Patricia, but with a British accent. Now, now she sees that Patricia is Patricia, but she’s still Petty Patricia. She tells Cameran that she asked Ashley to lunch. Cameran says that takes balls. Kathryn wants to make sure she’s not crazy, since she’s around Kathryn’s kids.

Shep meets Peyton for lunch. She was one of his dates on RelationShep. He welcomes her to Charleston. She already has a job at a doggy daycare, and got peed on by a Great Dane twice today. In his interview, Shep says they dated last year, but it didn’t work out. He’s never not been friends with anyone he’s dated, after the fact. As long as didn’t attack him or mortally wound a family member, they’re okay. Peyton asks if he’s chilled on parties. He says he has, but he’s ready again after laying low for a few days. He asks if she wants him to set something up with a group, and she likes the idea. She already knows Austen. She says they hung out the other night, and went to dinner and a movie. He says she’s off to the races. I his interview, Shep says he gets them on base and Shep knocks them in. We flash back to Chelsea having dated Shep first. He tells Peyton that Austen is a good person from a good family. Shep is really a nice guy; he’s just not marriage material. I’d totally be friends with him, but I’d never date him.

Kathryn cracks her knuckles waiting for Ashley at the restaurant. It seems like everyone eats and drinks outside in Charleston. I’m not keen on eating outside, especially in the heat. Ashley asks if she wants a cocktail, and Kathryn says she doesn’t drink. In her interview, Kathryn says, are you kidding? She tells Ashley that she’s never met any of Thomas’s girlfriends, and thought they should get to know each other. She doesn’t know what impression Thomas has made about her, but she just wants to work together. The first step would have been for him to tell her that he had a serious girlfriend, and she has a lot of questions. Ashley says her parents are divorced, and she knows what it’s like. Everyone was shocked when she moved there, and her parents were concerned, thinking she wasn’t making the best decision. She tells Kathryn that she met the kids after a week. In her interview, Kathryn says, per their agreement, she and Thomas aren’t allowed to introduce the children to romantic prospects. If she slips up once, she can’t see the kids, but he can do what he wants and still gets full custody. She asks if that says anything about men with money in Charleston. It took her years and crazy fights to realize that got her nowhere. She tells Ashley all she cares about is consistency.

Cameran meets Danni and Leva. Leva is one of her best friends, and it’s been a blessing being pregnant together. They sniff Danni’s wine. Cameran can’t wait to drink again, and asks if Danni is going to “pump and dump.” Danni is surprised the alcohol is absorbed into the milk (really?), and asks if it won’t help the baby sleep. Cameran is waiting for her hormones to kick in, calling herself a cold-hearted bitch. She thinks she was looking at motherhood the wrong way, and we flash back to her talking to a therapist about not wanting children. She says giving up something doesn’t mean life ends; it’s just a different life. Danni says, it enhances it. Danni thinks Cameran and Leva should make an arranged marriage for the kids.

Chelsea visits her dad Ken. They’re going to do some fishing and drink beer. Her parents divorced when she was three, but remained close friends. Her dad moved to Atlanta, and every other weekend they met at the Hooters in Augusta. They were known by name there. Ken says he got her a present, and that makes her nervous. It’s tequila, so everything is good. She says she loves her mom, but she’s tough. Her dad was always more of a friend than a father figure. She probably tells him more than some of her girlfriends. He asks about Austen, and she says they don’t hang out as much. He taught her to try and remain friends, even if it’s hard, because life too short. Exactly, which is why I think just the opposite. I’ve rarely remained friends with an ex. I’m like Robin Stone from The Love Machine. Movin’ on. She tells Ken that everyone her age is married and has kids, divorced, or remarried. She’s worried she’ll be forty, and still not be in settle-down mode. Ken says not everyone is meant to be married or have kids. Chelsea thinks it would bother him, but he says, not as much as she thinks. He has three kids, so as long as one of them has a kid, he’s good.

Kathryn is hosting a girls’ night at a hotel; she hasn’t had one since she was nineteen. She says girlfriends are a helluva lot better than sh*tty boyfriends. Preach it, sister! Danni asks about lunch with Ashley, and Kathryn says she just wanted to get to know Ashley. Danni thinks she’s being very mature, and Kathryn says she needs to know who’s around her children. Danni calls her the new Kathryn.

Thomas and Ashley have a drink at home. Ashley shows him bachelorette favors called “mug shots,” that have epithets on them. Thomas seems less than thrilled as Ashley holds up Trophy Wife, Gold Digger, and finally, Baby Mama. She says, speaking of which, she left lunch pleasantly surprised. Coming in as the woman Kathryn is threatened by, she was friendly and kind. As the mother of children Thomas’s children, she respects Kathryn. In his interview, Thomas says they strive for cordiality. Thomas is going out for a boys’ night tonight. If this was a musical, his group would merge with Kathryn’s, and they’d dance. Ashley tells Thomas that she gets worried, because – wait for it – he’s a stud. I literally LOL. She says she can’t blame other women for throwing themselves at him. Because it can’t possibly be the money. She says it’s not that she doesn’t trust him, but she doesn’t trust them. In his interview, Thomas says that he moved Ashley there because he was tired of being in meaningless relationships, but he needs a little space. He tells her that he has feelings, and that’s what he tells them. Oh brother.

Kathryn sets out appetizers. The centerpiece is a giant hand with bananas placed on it. Chelsea asks if they’re having condom training. Kathryn says she should take that class. She says the hotel room is bigger than her apartment. The other girls arrive. Naomie says the banana placement is incredible. They talk about Elizabeth, and Naomie says it was shocking to see her walk in with JD. It didn’t make sense. We see a clip of Elizabeth telling Naomie what boils down to, mind your own business. Elizabeth tells her, it’s their relationship. In her interview, Naomie says she understands that Elizabeth is trying to hold it together, but she’ll never be okay with it. She tells the girls that a heads-up text wouldn’t have been nice. Chelsea says let her deal with it now; Naomie learned her lesson.

The guys meet at a bar. Austen wants to reintroduce Craig to the wild. Shep wonders if he has the nuts to make it happen. In his interview, Shep wants to introduce Craig to as many girls as possible. They have a shot.

The girls go out to dinner. Danni wants cheese. They talk about sex like they’re on Sex in the City, and the waiter is highly amused. Kathryn says her vibrator is waterproof. I don’t want to know

Thomas says a sure-fire way to meet women is to cut in while they’re dancing. Austen says Thomas is being unrelentingly Thomas. Craig says they’re from two different eras. What was considered gentlemanly at one time, means you’re a cretin now.  In his interview, Austen thinks Thomas might be from 1932, but his style of game is still better than Craig’s.

Naomie tells the girls that she and Craig got in fight at the shower. Even though they’ve broken up, they still find a way to fight. He sent her a rant at 2:30 am, and said he doesn’t understand why they didn’t work, and they need to talk. Naomie reveals that she’s basically been stalking Craig, following all his social media, and sneaking a tracking app onto his phone. Really? In her interview, Naomie says she has PG Syndrome – Psycho Ex-Girlfriend Syndrome. Who does this? Who admits they do this? She looks him up on her phone, and tells the girls where guys’ night is. Danni wonders if the guys are discussing relationships. Doesn’t one of those girls think what Naomie is doing is weird???

Craig says it’s the most hellish night of his life. In his interview, he says until he’s sure he and Naomie are done, he’s not ready to sleep with anyone else. He doesn’t want to throw away the three years they had. Shep takes Craig up to some women.

The girls have a shot. Kathryn drinks water. Chelsea asks the waiter if there are any good-looking men at the bar. He suggests they come back on the weekend.

While walking to the next bar, Shep asks Austen about having a date with Peyton. He says he had a chance with Peyton, and blew it. At the next place, Shep immediately introduces Craig to some women, but he doesn’t linger.

Craig visits Chelsea at the salon. She tells him that he needs his neck shaved like no one’s business. They talk about having laughs at their respective nights out. Chelsea asks if he was out seeking women or getting past the break-up. He says he’s told Naomie that he needs a definitive answer. Chelsea asks if they can’t have an adult conversation. Craig says Naomie doesn’t like to talk, which I interpret as, she doesn’t like it when she’s wrong. His phone dings. In a totally psychotic psychic move, it’s Naomie, texting that she wants to talk. He says he has new hair. It’s time for them to meet.

Naomie is tired of being mad about anything to do with Craig. Why is she stalking him then? They meet at an outside bar. Craig says they’re so nice when they’re texting, but when they see each other, they fight. He asks if she wants to get back together. He says he would love that, but she says she doesn’t know. She’s not sure the changes they both want to happen, can happen. He says he’s getting a life coach; he wants to be more productive. She says if he’s really going to change his lifestyle and get help, that’s amazing, but she won’t believe it until she sees it. She’s not basing anything on his words; she did that. He says, she’s not even going to try? She says she spent three years clinging to something that wasn’t there. Craig doesn’t know what she’s talking about. He said he was going to finish law school, and he did. He passed the bar in the top 93% percent in the country. Did I hear that right? Does that mean he’s not totally crappy? He tells her that he’s bought property. What is it he’s said he’d do, and didn’t? Naomie tells him, get up in the morning and be a productive member of society. He accuses her of attacking him, and she says she can’t live like he does. He tells her that she focuses on the negative, and accuses her of being a quitter. She says he’s all talk and no action, and he says that’s awful. She says she’s so mad, she wants to cry. Craig says he tried to give her chance. She says he’ll never be accountable for anything. He says he can’t be with her unless she works on her negativity problems.

Naomie says she feels better now about them not being together. She loves him, but he doesn’t get it. Craig thinks she’s angry because she can’t figure a reason they shouldn’t be together. They’re on different planets. Naomie gets up, and walks off. Craig says he guesses that means they’re not getting back together. Very perceptive, our Craig.

Next time, Austen talks to his parents about making his own beer, Thomas invites Kathryn trick-or-treating, and Naomie calls Peyton a thirsty bitch at a Halloween party. I’d thought Naomie was spoiled, but now I’m starting to think she’s batsh*t crazy.

🍹 I’m getting to know the cast on Southern Charm New Orleans, and really enjoying Reagan and Jeff. They have three little dogs (one with one eye like my Casey), along with a Doberman, which is enough, but I’m impressed with their team effort marriage. Because Reagan supported him during his football career (sorry, I didn’t catch the team – football does not stick to my memory), he’s supporting her now, one of her ventures being a jewelry business. I actually love the jewelry, the designs based on her global travels, but I’m sure it’s out of my league pricewise.

🎡 On Watch What Happens Live, they played a new game that was loads of fun. Someone in the booth would give Andy a series of words – for example, Mary Poppins, or shake, rattle, and roll – and he had to use it in a sentence. We also saw the words, but the guests did not. It was amusing to see what he came up with, trying to work it into the conversation. Sometimes he was right on, but he missed a couple of golden opportunities. I hope they do it again. Of course, I said that about their New Year’s Eve show, and they never had another one.

💍 90 Day Fiancé: Happily, Ever After? will be returning on May 20th at 8 pm. I can’t wait! I never did finish writing about last season, but the main takeaway was that Molly was already married to Luis, and never told the producers. This probably would have been fine, except Luis turned out to be an incredibly weird d-bag. He also disappeared. Maybe he met up with Mohammed. Keep watching the headlines.

🚶 Just a Few More Steps…

FridaySheldon

April 19, 2018 – Ava Pleads for Avery, Patricia Throws Cameran a Shower, Another Charm, Good-by Summer & Almost

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

In the interrogation room, Ava makes an impassioned plea on camera for Avery’s return. She wonders if she deserved Avery. She says grace is not earned, but a gift, and Avery is a source of grace. If anyone has seen it in the eyes of a child, she begs them to help. She breaks down crying. Sonny sits next to her, and begs in his own way, describing Avery, and saying she’s with her grandfather. He shows them a picture of Mike, and says his father’s memory is fading, and his little girl’s life is just starting. Please help find them.

Drew says every platform Aurora can reach will broadcast it. Ava thanks him, and he says they’ll find them. Sonny tells Ava whatever they feel about each other goes out the window until Avery is found. She wonders if he’s telling her or himself.

Julian tells Kim that Ava must be desperate to cooperate with Sonny. He punched a wall earlier, and Kim says, he must be hurting. He says he needs to be with Ava, but Kim wants to tape his hand first.

Oscar helps Josslyn into the hospital. She insists she just rolled her ankle, and her coach is overreacting. He tells her that she’s super competitive. She says her baby sister being missing is horrible. She hates that they’re treating Mike like a felon, but he could take her somewhere dangerous, and she hates that more. The only time she’s not thinking about everything is when she’s playing. Oscar wishes he could help her, and she says he is.

Franco can’t imagine what Avery’s parents are going through. Elizabeth asks what about him? He says whatever he’s feeling doesn’t compare, but Elizabeth says that doesn’t mean it’s any less valid. He’s glad to be under the same roof with her and her boys, and for a minute, the world was perfect. But the world isn’t perfect, and bad happens all the time. The reality is, that it never stops.

A nurse brings Carly’s follow-up test results to Griff. He looks worried, like always.

Carly tells Sonny the FBI says it doesn’t appear mob related, and Sonny says he already told them that. Griff calls, and tells Carly that he has the test results. He’d like to go over them together. She tells Sonny that she can go over by herself. He says he’ll go home, touch base with Max, and do what he can. She says, don’t worry, but he says that’s not going to happen. Drew offers to take Carly to the hospital, since he’s going there anyway. Ava says she’s not going anywhere until her little girl is back.

Kim suggests Julian take it out on a bag at the gym; she hears Drew is a great coach. Julian thinks he could teach Drew a thing or two he learned on the streets. He suggests she still has feelings for Drew, and he’s single now, but she says she’s right where she wants to be. He thinks he needs more convincing, and she kisses him, but unfortunately has to go to work.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he’s happy about everything, but it’s time to move on and go back to work. She tells him there’s no rush, but he says he’s ready. Instead of going to the art therapy studio, he looks in Betsy’s room.

Elizabeth sees Drew, and tells him she saw the broadcast. He says what good is owning a media company if he can’t help when it’s needed?

Carly tells Griff to give it to her straight. He tells her to sit down, and she says it doesn’t sound good. He’s sorry for the nightmare she’s dealing with, and she says that’s why she wants to get the results out of the way. Griff tells her there’s nothing physically wrong, and she’s pretty sure she told him that. He’d like her to schedule an appointment with Doc. He wants to rule out every possibility as a cause for the incidents she’s described. She insists they’re real, and he just confirmed that there’s nothing physically wrong. She says there’s nothing left to discuss, and thanks him.

Chase and Dante arrive at Sonny’s. Sonny asks if there are any leads, but Dante says nothing yet. Chase asks Sonny to have Carly call him to follow up on the cemetery and parking garage. Sonny doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Ava looks at pictures of Avery. She swears to find her, and not let anyone take her away again. Julian arrives, and asks how she’s holding up. She says she’s a wreck. He tells her that she did good on TV. He gives her an empty coffee cup (sigh – not only that, they never act like it’s hot either), and she hugs him.

Elizabeth asks Drew if he’s friends with Carly again, and he says they’ve put their differences aside. Elizabeth says they could all use some coming together after surviving the earthquake. He asks about Jake, and she says it helps having Franco back home. He asks how Franco is doing, and she says, okay. He’s back in the art therapy room.

Franco goes into Betsy’s room. He tells her not to talk; every word is a lie. He can’t understand, and doesn’t want to. How could she choose her boyfriend over her sons? She turned blind eye, and allowed it to happen over and over; she didn’t care about them. Betsy says she sent Drew away to keep him safe, and Franco says, to keep her secret safe. She sent him to an orphanage, and made it easy for Jim. When Jim was done, he moved on. Franco has a list of names; people she could have helped if she’d spoken up. He thought it was his fault. Her lies made him doubt and hate himself. Is she happy about that? Is she proud of her little boy now?

Betsy says she doesn’t blame him for hating her, but it can’t be more than hates herself. Franco says she’s just as much a victim as the rest of them. Jim would have killed him if she hadn’t told Drew the truth. He tells her that Jim can’t hurt them anymore; they’re safe. Everything he did died with him. Franco is only fantasizing, and stands in front of Betsy’s bed, watching her sleep. He kneels by her bedside, and hesitantly touches her hair.

Drew is happy that Franco is conquering his demons. Elizabeth says it shouldn’t have happened. She doesn’t get how Betsy let Jim in and didn’t protect her boys from the onset. Drew says Jim was a manipulator, and she was fragile. She didn’t know what was going on. Elizabeth thinks she must have sensed it, and the child comes first. How could she be so complacent? Drew says Elizabeth is a  good mom, but that’s not always the case. She says she might be a good mom, but she’s being a bad employee, and goes back to work.

Drew sees Kim, who says she’s been worried. Oscar was upset about the shooting, but doing fine. Oscar is proud of him for saving Franco, and thinks he’s a hero. Drew says that’s not the case, but Kim says try telling that to his son.

Josslyn wonders what’s taking so long. Oscar says he could text his mom, but Josslyn says she could text her grandmother – the chief of staff. Oscar admits her connection is better than his. He guesses it helps to be related to half the town. She says, he is too, but he tells her that they’re just getting to know him. Her relatives would crawl over glass for her. She asks if he’s calling her spoiled, and he says, privileged. Spoiled kids are entitled, and think they deserve better; that they deserve everything. She’s not like that. She says she loves being first, but he says she works for it. She’s lucky, smart, strong, beautiful, and rich, but she doesn’t think she’s superior. She goes out of her way to help people, and stand up for outsiders. He compares her to Wonder Woman. She has all these special gifts, but uses them for good. She wishes she was Wonder Woman. She would use her superpowers to find Avery and Mike.

Julian tells Ava that he’s sure Avery is safe with Mike. She’s concerned that a rival family might have taken advantage. The Feds said that wasn’t the case, but what if they were snatched in a vendetta against Sonny? It’s clear Sonny is genuinely concerned; she’s not questioning that, but wonders if he’s feeling guilty because he believes his business practices were involved. Julian thinks she should ask herself the same question. What if Avery was taken because of her past – or his? Just because they left that world, doesn’t mean their enemies forgot. She’s tried to put it behind her, but what if the past is catching up, and she’s paying the price? Ava starts to leave, but runs into Griff at the door. She says she’s worked so hard to overcome the past, but what if it’s catching up? What if Avery was taken by one of her enemies?

When Carly gets back home, Sonny says Chase was telling him an interesting story that starts in a parking lot and ends in a cemetery. Dante says it sounds like a horror movie, but he’s not familiar with it. He leaves, and Sonny says since Carly didn’t want to tell him, he had to find out from a cop that the reason she didn’t meet up with Avery and Mike is that she was searching for ghost. She tells him to stop acting like she abandoned them. She called Pilar. Sonny says if she’d been there, they wouldn’t be missing. She says what if someone was reaching about Morgan? Chase must have forgotten to tell him the part about the note. He says Chase told him that nothing was written on the flyer. She says she saw it, and smelled Morgan’s cologne at the grave. Sonny wants to believe her with all his heart. He asks her what Griff said.

Griff tells Ava it’s not her fault, but she says, what if it is? Julian says he might have planted that idea when he threw out the possibility. Ava says she did consider it; she just didn’t say it. Julian says as usual, he did more harm than good. He starts to leave, but Griff says his sister needs him. Griff got another doctor to cover his shift; his place is with Ava. She says she can’t sit doing nothing, and he suggests they pray.

Josslyn asks Oscar if he’s sure he wants a family; he’s had a firsthand look at the downside. He says when there’s more to love, there’s more to lose, but it’s worth it in the end. It was just him and his mom for a long time. Now his dad is in the picture, and who knows, maybe more than that. She asks what he means, and Oscar says his mom finally admitted she still has feelings for him.

Drew tells Kim that sons look up to their fathers, but it’s probably best if Oscar looks at him like a regular guy. Kim says Drew can break the news to him. Oscar misses him. He suggests the go out for a burger, but she says he should come over this week, and she’ll make her famous chili. Back in the day, she told him it was homemade, but she really just opened a can. He calls her a chili imposter, and she says her culinary skills have improved; she can make it from scratch now. He tells her that he did take something away from the experience. Not everyone gets the best of parents. He was just talking to Elizabeth about what makes a great mom. He says Kim is a great mom, and raised a great kid. He thanks her for that.

Elizabeth finds Franco sitting on the floor in an office. He says he didn’t make it to art therapy. He saw Betsy instead. His intention was to dump all of his pent-up rage on her, and blame her for every terrible thing. But he looked at her, all helpless, and couldn’t do it. He didn’t have the heart. Elizabeth says she never understood that expression. It doesn’t apply. He has a complicated, contradictory, compassionate heart. He has every reason to unload on his mom. That he didn’t, proves who he is inside. He’s kind, forgiving, and strong. He needs to heal, and she’s there to help as much as he’ll let her. He says if he makes it at all, it will be because of her. She sits on the floor, in his arms.

Franco says he has the list. Elizabeth asks if he knows what he’s doing with it. He says he’d like to make contact, if he can find the courage. Elizabeth thinks he’ll find a way, and not only help them, but help himself.

Kim tells Drew not to thank her for loving Oscar. He’s the joy of her life, and she’s grateful for him. Drew says he’s a lucky kid, which makes him a lucky dad. She thinks they should try to spend more time together. Maybe all three of them. They are a family. Drew says it’s a deal.

Ava thinks prayers would be more effective from Griff alone, but he says anyone can pray. Julian says, why not? It can’t hurt. Griff takes their hands, and they form a prayer circle.

At the station, Chase asks Dante what’s unclear about it being a hot line, not a support line? He hopes Dante has more luck. Dante suddenly says he thinks he knows where Mike took Avery.

Carly tells Sonny the test results were negative. There’s nothing physically wrong with her. He says that’s good news, but she says, not really. Since he thinks she’s losing her mind.

Tomorrow, Dante doesn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, Lulu says Henrik replied to her, and Robert wants to know what Anna isn’t telling him.

Southern Charm

Thomas says at long last he has a real woman with a real woman’s heart. Then asks Ashley to make breakfast.

Cameran calls Patricia. She’s feeling large and not in charge. Patricia vaguely remembers, and wasn’t enthusiastic about repeating the process. She wants to do a co-ed baby shower-slash-party. Cameran says she’ll get a list, but Patricia says it should be her call, since she’s giving the party. Clearly, for all her talk about etiquette, Patricia doesn’t know how a shower works. In her interview, Cameran is afraid she’s going to leave Kathryn off the guest list. Patricia tells her to just show up.

Kathryn has the kids. She says they spend a lot of time bonding. Saint was taken from her at six months and it hurt, but it took going to rehab for her to get her priorities straight. The kids mess with Play-Doh, my nemesis. Probably yours too, if you’ve ever tried to get it out of the treads of your shoe. Kathryn says it’s hard. Even though she’s moving toward joint custody, it’s heartbreak every other weekend. It’s been a long journey, but things are settling into place and moving in the right direction. She says it feels like chapter three.

Thomas makes eggs. In his interview, he jokes about mixing in Plan-B just in case, once more confirming what a creeper he is. He asks if Ashley has ever had a pregnancy scare. She says she’s had what if thoughts. She has a fertility app on her phone, and can see when the window is. It’s the birth control she’s using. Oh Lord, no comment. She says, if it happens, it would be a blessing, but she doesn’t want to be a single parent. She tells him that a baby makes a good relationship great, and a bad relationship worse. Thomas says he could have written that. That’s if he could write. In his interview, he says Ashley would be a wonderful mother, but he wants to know more about her. He cares too much about himself (key word) and his kids to make a wrong decision. They get busy, because no wrong decision can be made using basically no birth control at all. He says, fade to black, which I would find funny if he didn’t make me so ill. However, he is not as bad as Jax. No one is as bad as Jax.

Kathy, the childbirth educator, visits Cameran. Cameran hasn’t been to any classes or read What to Expect. Whitney is pinch-hitting for her husband. Kathy tells her to visualize the perfect experience, and Cameran says she’d pick her baby off a tree. She’s concerned about her vagina being all messed up, and still ending up needing a C-section. Up until now, she’s had control of all aspects of her life, and she’s been in denial. Obviously, if her first childbirth class is five minutes before delivery. Whitney asks if she’ll get an epindurmal [sic], and says he’d need an Elvis dose. Kathy wants Cameran to learn squatting for a certain amount of time. In her interview, Cameran says when she finds herself overwhelmed, she tells herself that cavewomen did this with nothing. If they can do it, she can. They go though some other conditioning exercises. Like the catching-the-baby-like-a-football move.

Kathy leaves, and they talk about the shower. Whitney says the theme is super chic, waspy leisurewear from the 60s. Cameran tells him to tell Patricia that she wants to include everyone. Whitney doubts she’ll want Kathryn in the house, but everyone else is welcome.

Austen meets Craig at an outside bar. Austen is friends with all the bartenders because of the business he’s in; it’s like being low-key famous. Austen asks if Craig is cool with checking out babes and not feeling guilty. He’s single, and it might take a minute to regroup. Craig thinks life would be easier if he was gay, and Austen asks if Craig needs to tell him something. Shep joins them. He asks if they’ve recovered for the party, and says he didn’t remember the end. He was browned out. They get some magnificent looking nachos.

Craig says at the end of the party, he got the nice Naomie, not the mean one. Austen says they clearly still care about each other, but if they talk every day, they’ll never get over it. In his interview, Craig says Naomie going back and forth is a mind-f*ck. Shep says he’s rooting for Craig.

Chelsea joins Cameran for her ultrasound. In her interview, Chelsea says she’s known Cameran through every stage of her life, and it’s been fun. Cameran says it’s freaky to see your stomach move when it’s not gas. I think it would be freaky to see my stomach move even if it was gas. Since she’s about ready to pop, you can see the entire baby in detail. Cameran says she hasn’t cried yet, and Chelsea starts to cry. In her interview, Cameran says she thinks it hasn’t hit her yet. She’s not going to believe it until she sees it. She tells Baby Palmer that she loves her, and will see her soon.

Chelsea thinks she and Austen are in a good place. She backed up when he started dating, but it’s better now. Cameran thinks he’s still attracted to her. She asks if they still smooch, but that’s a no. Chelsea says her problem isn’t him, but his lifestyle. He parties all night, and sleeps all day. She can’t be with someone like that, and wonders what it is with this town and the men.

Austen says his fun employment period won’t last forever. He has nothing to fall back on, and is feeling the pressure, hearing his mother’s voice in his head. He wants to stay in the beer industry, but was nervous that his passion would be killed once it became the daily grind. He talks to a bartender about one of their beers. In his interview, he says he’s tired of peddling someone else’s wares. It’s time for him to do his own thing, but he has to figure out what it is.

Thomas calls his dad. He’s almost 91, and doing great. Thomas says he’s quick as a lark, mixing his similes. They discuss a table that Thomas wants. Arthur grew up during the Depression, and Thomas is afraid to tell him what he spends on anything. Arthur tells him Ashley is too nice for him. He wants Thomas to have a country girl even though Thomas’s mother was from San Francisco. Arthur says he trained her, and Thomas wants his notes.

Kathryn visits Craig. In his interview, Craig says they’ve always connected on some strange level. She’s brings him a spice set as a housewarming gift, and he shows her around his new place. In his interview, he says he and Kathryn don’t judge; it’s kind of a safe place. He shows her some things he’s sewn and embroidered. All he took was the sewing machine, and he needed an outlet. Now he can make his pillows as much as he wants without criticism. He asks if she’s going to Cameran’s shower, but she says no. In her interview, she says would have been surprised if she’d been invited.

Craig asks what she thinks about Thomas and Ashley. Kathryn feels badly for Thomas, and thinks he’s being played. Craig thinks Ashley is a hopeless romantic, but Kathryn doesn’t buy it. She tells Craig when they were in New York, she and Thomas hooked up, and he tried to tell her that he wanted another baby. Craig says at least she didn’t get pregnant this time.

Patricia’s theory of having a party is to use things you already have. She explains that Slim Aarons is the theme. He’s a famous photographer who chronicled social life in Palm Beach in the 60s. She tells the caterer that the spread is amazing, and it is.

Chelsea asks her cute Pittie dog which dress he likes. Craig works on some last-minute sewing. Naomie’s roommate Wilton is also her gay bey. They have champagne while getting ready. They talk about Cameran still looking skinny and beautiful. Naomie tells Wilton that Kathryn isn’t coming because the guest list was up to Patricia.

Omg, that house. Chelsea arrives first, and says it looks awesome; Patricia doesn’t skip the detail. I love Whitney’s paisley sportscoat. He thinks it looks a bit Thurston Howell III. I don’t remember him as ever wearing paisley. Maybe an ascot. Chelsea says Austen looks like Easter Sunday on drugs in his flowered jacket. Craig comes bearing pillows. Patricia doesn’t understand why he’s not a lawyer, but if making pillows makes him happy, go for it. We find out that Thomas likes a tiny heinie, which I did not need to know. I gasp when Craig totally misses his mouth with his champagne glass. And the party just started.

Cameran arrives with friend Eddie. She says it’s not a typical baby shower; it’s a typical Patricia baby shower, and beyond fabulous. I’m loving the colors. Cameran says the angel ice sculpture is the most beautiful thing she’s ever seen, but I wouldn’t go that far. Naomie is sad Kathryn isn’t there, and wants to say something. Chelsea thinks all it takes is one time for redemption.

Naomie asks to talk to Patricia in private. She tells Patricia that she respects her feelings about Kathryn, but she’s been spending time with her, and Patricia is like, is that the doorbell? and excuses herself. In her interview, Patricia doesn’t think it’s appropriate to bring grievances and issues to light at someone else’s house. Maybe not, but that was pretty rude, since she made a beeline for the couch, not even pretending to greet a guest. I like Patricia in a lot of ways, but this is not one of them.

Cameran demands cake. It’s a baby in a bathtub. Oh wait, is it coming out of… yes, I believe it is. Cameran loves it, and says that’s why she’s a drop-out debutante. I’m kind of surprised.

Naomie tells Craig that she just had an awkward interaction with Patricia. She respectfully approached her regarding Kathryn, trying to say she was doing better, and Patricia cut her off. Patricia thinks Kathryn is nothing, and that’s what bothers her. Craig says rehab helped Kathryn grow; he thinks they’ve all grown. He tells her that he’s gotten a lot done lately. Somehow, Naomie interprets this as him saying he’s done more in the past two months than in their entire time together, and asks why he thinks that. He says that’s a loaded question, and also an impossibility timewise. She says she’s not a mean person, but she trusted him, and he let her down. Why does she keep rehashing this? He says he’s the same person she traveled the world with. She’s the one who changed, and decided she didn’t agree with his lifestyle. She says she wanted to do something with her life. He sits home and sews, and pretends to do things. He asks what’s wrong with his sewing? He tells her that he owns two homes, so tell him that he’s a big loser at twenty-nine. Geez, I didn’t own a home until I was almost forty, and it’s doubtful I’ll ever own two. He says a year and a half in, she changed. She says she got her sh*t together, unlike him. He says she’s still focused on outward appearance. Putting on my Dr. Phil hat – or bald cap, as it were – the problem is, she wants to change him and that’s not going to happen. He’s not what she wants, and she won’t let it go. Or maybe he is what she wants, and she can’t reconcile it with what she thinks she should want. All I know for sure, is that I’d have him slaving away at that machine, and I’d be wearing custom-made clothing. And probably selling it too.

Cameran opens the gifts. Craig made her some kind of monkey lovey, and she dies laughing. She gets lots of cute stuff, and thanks everyone for their sweet presents.

JD (bleh) comes in with Elizabeth. Naomie is like, wtf? She feels stupid after what Elizabeth said to her, and wonders how Elizabeth can walk in with him and be smiling. Whitney says there’s something there Naomie must not know about. Shep tells her keeping up appearances is important in the South. She doesn’t know how to greet them, and Shep says just say hello, smile, give Elizabeth a hug, and a nod to JD. She does, but gives JD a half-hug. In her interview, Naomie says he was smirking at her like, ha-ha, I’m with her; it’s palpable. She knows he feels like he’s winning. Chelsea says she did her due diligence as a friend; it’s not her fight anymore. Shep and Whitney ditch the conversation.

JD and Elizabeth leave. Elizabeth says, love you guys, and Naomie gives her the finger. HAHAHA!

Next time, Ashley and Kathryn talk, Chelsea is worried she’ll never be in settle down mode, and Naomie says Craig is all talk and no action. For the love of all that’s holy, leave that guy alone already. Peyton

🍹 I caught some of Southern Charm New Orleans, and I think it’s worth a look. It has a very different vibe from Charleston, and I like it. My sister lived in NOLA for many years, and I was always sorry I never had a chance to visit her – for the food and music alone. Unfortunately, she got displaced by Katrina. The city’s history and culture are a contrast to South Carolina, and this group is a little more sophisticated. Confirmation on that remains to be seen, since it was only the first episode. The houses are huge and fabulous, and best of all, there are dogs. Little dogs.

⛵ There was a Summer House reunion, replacing Watch What Happens Live tonight. It was also what I call a cheap reunion, since they used the clubhouse set. It was the same sh*t, different day, with the cast doing nothing but arguing and pointing fingers. Not much of a change from the Housewives reunions, but cramped, and without the ballgowns. Kyle sat through much of it with his mouth hanging open, and the takeaway point was that they know how to party. No. Just no.

🚣 You’re Almost There…

ThursdayWeekend

WeekendSat

 

April 12, 2018 – Lulu Makes Contact, Shep Has a Big Boy Party & It’s Easy

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

At the hospital, Deanna tells Griff that there’s a hostage situation. Peter drags Maxie out, holding a gun to her head. She asks why Griff didn’t tell her that he’s Faison’s son. An officer shoots. Griff wakes up, and Ava asks, what’s wrong?

Peter tells Lulu that her article on Henrik has the buzz. She thinks instead of being proud, Maxie will see it as another betrayal.

Maxie waits for Nina at the hospital, but she’s busy meeting Curtis. She asks what dirt he dug up on Peter.

Nelle calls Michael who’s also waiting at the hospital. She says she’s running behind because of work. Michael says Ava has been leaning on her a lot, and wonders if she’s not over-worked. She thanks him for caring, but she and the baby are fine, and she likes to keep busy.

Sonny asks if Carly talked to her mom, and Carly tells him Bobbie said everything was fine with the electric at the house. She told her about thinking there was an intruder, and how the police didn’t. Sonny asks if she wants an extra guard, but she says, like him, Bobbie doesn’t think anything happened. She tells him that she made an appointment with Griff though, so he won’t think she’s going crazy.

Maxie runs into Michael at the birthing class. He says Nelle is even later than him, and Maxie thinks there’s a lot of that going around. She says it’s nice he’s being supportive of Nelle; she’s sure it means a lot. He tells her even so, they’re not together, and she says, noted, but he is the father, and she thinks he’ll be a good one. Michael says he’ll do his best. At first, he wasn’t thrilled, but now he can’t wait to meet the baby. He might be getting ahead, but he’s already thinking about college funds and teaching his child how to ride a bike. Maxie says she’ll see him later.

Lulu tells Peter she’s there to apologize. He’s in the middle of another fight between her and Maxie, and he made it clear he wasn’t comfortable with the story in the first place. He says, typically, he doesn’t interfere with his writers. His hesitation was for her. Lulu says she thought if she uncovered the truth – what motivates Henrik, and if he’s like his character, conflicted, or as bad as Faison – she thought the answers might bring closure to Maxie and pave the way for forgiveness. Instead, she’ll see the man who murdered Nathan, and Lulu’s byline below the picture. She says there won’t be another one. She’s dropping the investigation. Peter tells her not to do it.

Nina looks at her phone, and asks Curtis to give her the highlights. Curtis says, originally, he wasn’t sold on her suspicion, but now he’s intrigued. The job references pan out. He rechecked them and confirmed it, but Peter’s last known address is the only address, and it’s the one in Port Charles. So where did he live before that?

Griff throws his stuff in his bag, saying he’s behind schedule. Ava says she didn’t want to wake him because he’d been tossing and turning. He says he just hates rushing, and has a lot on his mind. She picks up the envelope holding the test results, and asks if that’s what’s giving him bad dreams. He says he can’t talk to her about it, but she wishes he could tell her what’s bothering him. She says he can trust her, but he tells her it’s a matter of patient confidentiality. He appreciates her caring and understanding, and respecting his wishes.

Sonny tells Carly that no one thinks she’s going crazy. She says she’s not confused. She knows what she saw and heard. It’s all real. She doesn’t know what it means, but it’s not in her head. If the only way to convince him is to see a doctor, then that’s what she’ll do. She wishes he’d believe her, but after everything that happened with Sam last summer, he just wants to be sure. She says, so they’ll be sure.

Ava brings out breakfast. Griff is still in the shower, and since she can’t help herself, she looks in the envelope again. She wonders what it’s all about. What’s It All About, Alfie? starts to play in my head, and I know I’ll have an earworm for the day.

Max asks Sonny about going over the schedule for the warehouse. Sonny asks if Jason told him about Carly. Max says he knows about the phone calls from Angel’s Bluff, and that last night, she thought there was an intruder in her old house, but the police didn’t find anything. Jason said she found a picture of Morgan that was broken, but it sounds like earthquake damage to him. Sonny says Carly doesn’t think so. She thinks it’s some kind of message about Morgan. He says grief can play tricks on the mind; it makes connections that don’t exist. He doesn’t want that happening to her.

Griff drinks some coffee, and apologizes about being short. He didn’t get enough sleep. Ava tells him to just remember that when she’s not so sunshiny herself. He thinks once he destroys the test results, he can put it out of his mind. Ava asks if he’s sure about that, and he says he needs to try. He shouldn’t have been carrying them around in the first place. Nelle comes by with some contracts. Griff hurries out the door. Ava tells him that she loves him, and he says, see you tonight.

Curtis tells Nina on the surface, Peter has a flawless background, but the job references only state his title, and the start and end date. He can do additional digging, but it will raise suspicion. Nina says it’s not worth the risk. She doesn’t think he’s shady businesswise, but it’s his personal background she’s worried about. Curtis says he checked Peter’s criminal record, and there isn’t so much as a parking ticket. No history of an address is weird though. Nina thinks maybe he lived in corporate housing but Curtis doubts it. He couldn’t even find a magazine subscription or credit report address. It’s like he came out of nowhere, and he had to live somewhere. Maybe he didn’t work for the companies listed. It’s possible the employment records are fake. Nina says that would mean his entire background is fake.

Peter asks Lulu what the point would be in dropping the story? He’s argued against it because she and Maxie were already estranged. He thought it would make things worse, but now it’s been written; the damage is done. Lulu says Maxie doesn’t have to see more. The quicker it’s dropped and forgotten, the better. Peter says she went to all this trouble to bait the hook, why not see if he takes the bait? Lulu says, speak of the devil; Henrik just contacted her. He’d like to meet and tell his side. Peter says she doesn’t sound very excited. She says she’s heard from a lot of Henriks. One asked for pictures of her feet. Peter remembers they had a lot of false leads last time. She says, don’t remind her; crazy attracts crazy. It’s more evidence that this is a mistake. She gives him her phone, telling him to look at them. He asks if she’s looked at last one. It has some weird phrasing. If rot comes from both ends, rot must be severed from both ends. She grabs the phone, saying, forget what she said, this might really be Henrik.

Michael asks if Maxie is okay. She says Nina is so late, they’ll probably have to reschedule. Michael apologizes for being insensitive, but she tells him that he should be excited. Nathan was over the moon, and told everyone about how excited he was about doing future things with their child. Michael reminded her that he won’t get that chance, but she doesn’t need anyone feeling sorry for her; she can do that herself. She just doesn’t want to feel this way. It hits in waves. She saw the happy, excited couples, and felt like a spectator, watching what could have been, and that now she’ll be alone with the baby. Michael says she has family and friends help. She’s thankful for that, but they go home to their families, and it’s still just her and the baby. He understands. Grief hurts like hell, and all you can do is fight through it. Some days you win, some days you lose, but she’s stronger than she thinks, and will be a great mother. He tells her to look at Georgie, but she says that’s because of Spinelli and Ellie. There’s a difference between being a single parent and the sole parent. Nelle isn’t her favorite person, but she kind of envies her. Michael says Maxie has him has him too, and suggest going to the class together.

Ava thanks Nelle, who says she has to get to the hospital for class. Ava tells her to just say she’s busy next time, but Nelle says Michael is there holding her spot. Ava says he’s always thinking of her, and it’s a good sign. Nelle asks if Ava is trying to talk her out of her plans for Carly again, but Ava says she’s just pointing out the inroads Nelle has made without devious tactics. Nelle says as long as Carly is whispering in his ear, Michael won’t trust her. Ava tells her to keep in mind that she’s using deception to gain his trust. Nelle suggests Ave concentrate on her own relationship. Ava asks what that means, and Nelle says she noticed when Ava told Griff she loved him, he didn’t say it back. Ava says that’s none of her business. Ava gets a call from Carly, who says there’s been a change of plans with Avery.

Sonny tells Max that he’s dealing with this dad, and he needs Carly’s help to navigate. He knows there’s no timetable on grief, and they’ll never really get over Morgan’s death. Max says Mike has been doing better lately. He heard they had a great time at Luke’s. Sonny says Mike was doing good for a while. So good, Michael recorded him, but he said something that didn’t sit well with Sonny about a field in Croton. There was something that happened a long time ago. He had to get rid of a problem for Skully, and buried it in a field. Max asks if Mike knew about it, and Sonny says, no, but what else might he know? Max says, even if someone found the problem, there’s no evidence linking it to Sonny. Sonny says, there is.

Nina wonders why the companies would lie, but Curtis says someone might have altered the information to show Peter worked there. All HR would do is check the database. They’re all multinational corporations, and hackers happen. It’s all speculation, but he knows there’s more. She tells him to stay on it; he’s given her a lot to think about. He says, just to keep it 100, there’s no whiff of wrongdoing. Maybe his references are legit, and he just can’t keep a permanent place of residence for whatever reason. Nina says at least she knows she’s not paranoid. Peter is too good to be true, and might be hiding something.

Lulu tells Peter that the words are from the epigraph, but the book hasn’t dropped yet. Peter says there are a lot of advance copies out there. She says, for due diligence, she’ll call the publisher and ask for list. Something rings true, and this could be Henrik Faison.

Carly tells Ava that she has a doctor’s appointment, and it’s not convenient for her to come to the house. They agree on meeting at Charlie’s later. Ava complains to Nelle, and Nelle says maybe now Ava understands why she’s not taking any chances.

Max asks Sonny if there’s evidence linking him to the problem, like witnesses. Sonny thinks the major players are all dead, but he’s worried about physical evidence. He buried the body with the gun. Thirty years ago, you wiped it clean, and it was a done deal. Now there have been new developments in forensics. If someone finds the body, he might be compromised.

In the hospital parking garage, Nelle watches Carly get out of her car and go upstairs. She starts to write a note, but hears someone, and ducks behind the car. A dude puts an ad for a noodle shop under the wiper. Nelle looks at it. It’s probably making her hungry.

Max says it’s a cold case. No one is looking for the guy, so maybe they should just let well enough alone. Sonny says he hasn’t thought about it all this time until Mike brought it up. What worries him is how Mike knew about it. Mike has no filter, and he doesn’t know what’s true. There’s always a chance Sonny is being investigated, and the FBI could be monitoring him. Max says they’ll just do what they have to do. Go dig up the problem.

Maxie and Michael do breathing exercises, and they joke around. Nelle arrives.

Lulu tells Peter that Henrik wants to tell his side. He thought that’s what she wanted. She says she wanted that with Henrik’s father, and look how that turned out. Faison came back because of the article she wrote. She’d give anything to take it back, and can’t, but she can learn from her mistakes and not repeat them. He could also be a fraud. Maxie will see it as Lulu exploiting Nathan’s death to further her career. It’s not like she’s obligated. It’s not her duty, but her choice, and last time it ended up leading to pain for the people she cares about. Lulu cares about other people? She says Dante lost his partner and best friend, and he didn’t want her to do it. She hopes deep down he’s not blaming her. Peter says he had reservations, but thought it might help with closure. Lulu says one way to find closure is to drop the whole thing. Faison is dead, and the only one who can give any answers is Henrik. Peter tells her that she has to decide if furthering the investigation is worth it in the end.

Max asks Sonny for an address, and a reference point as to where the problem is buried. Sonny says they have to be smart. He doesn’t want to draw attention to the problem by digging it up, but has to focus on what Mike knows and who else knows about it.

Griff sees Carly, who says she needs him to tell her that she’s not crazy. They go to his office.

Ava looks at her phone. She remembers Griff saying he can’t talk about the envelope. He doesn’t have to. She took a picture of the contents.

Curtis sits on a bench talking to himself. He says, no active records. Peter is a ghost, but good thing he don’t believe in no ghosts. If he can’t find any records of Peter as an adult, he’ll look for something from his childhood. He puts Peter’s name and birth record into Spyder Finder.

Nelle watches Maxie joking with Michael, and makes herself known. Maxie acts like a bit of an a-hole, telling Nelle to sit somewhere else, since they’re practicing. Nina arrives, and tells Maxie she was stuck on a project. She switches places with Michael, and Maxie tells Nina to focus on breathing.

Lulu tells Peter that she can’t miss this opportunity. She’s gone too far to give up. If she wants to continue to call herself a journalist, she can run from a story, no matter how uncomfortable it is. Peter tells her to keep her editor in the loop, and no going over her head. She says she won’t let him down.

She leaves, and Peter calls Valentin. He says, it’s done, and smiles, totally confusing me as to whose side he’s on.

Tomorrow, Stella tells Sonny to forgive himself, Mike asks if Avery wants to hit the road, and Carly thinks something is wrong, but not with her health.

I don’t know if they were using a different type of film or what, but there was an odd quality to it today.

Southern Charm

We left off with everyone on their way to Shep’s barbecue. Yum! Raw chicken! In the car, Thomas thinks no nanny will be Kathryn approved. Ashley suggests they get married, but he doesn’t think she’d like that either. I’m not liking Ashley a whole lot so far.

Cameran compliments Shep’s party décor. She’s about ready to pop, but waddles upstairs to look at the renovation. She’s impressed. She thinks if he could put the same amount of time and effort into improving himself, he’d be the perfect ten. She asks Craig if he brought a date, but Craig isn’t there yet. It’s the first time he’ll be seeing Naomie since the break-up, and he’s not sure how to feel.

Naomie is anxious, but Kathryn tells her not to let it affect her. In her interview, Naomie says Craig seemed to be fine with the whole thing, going out with his friends every night. Chelsea says when she saw Austen being touchy-feely with one of her friends, she wasn’t cool with it. Kathryn chimes in, having been the victim of Thomas, who said she was nuts.

Austen tells Whitney that he and Chelsea are over. Craig wonders why there’s no aluminum foil. Whitney suggests they put the ribs in the oven, since Craig can’t seem to cook anything beyond raw. The girls arrive. Austen holds his breath. Ashley is nervous. So far, this is a great party. Everyone is stressed, tense, and worried. Except for Cameran, who is too pregnant to be anything except just that.

The second Kathryn walks in, Thomas reacts like he’s five, and inches away from Ashley, who tells him not to let go of her hand. Kathryn goes upstairs to hide Shep’s gift, and barely acknowledges either one of them. Naomie gives Craig a hug. He says they’ve been grilling all day. Then why is nothing cooked? Naomie tells Whitney she’s uncomfortable and this sucks. Austen tells Chelsea that Ashley is cute, but he’s not looking. Chelsea feels sorry for Kathryn – she knows what it’s like. Austen deflects by saying Chelsea looks great

Kathryn’s gift is the word home in nautical flags. Nice! She pours Red Bull into a wine glass to fit in. Shep tells Naomie that Craig has nothing but nice stuff to say about her. He thinks they should stay friends. In her interview, Naomie says Shep can give her advice on how to drink and not get a hangover, but not on relationships. Craig says he usually cuts exes off, but she’s going to be around, making it impossible to move on. Shep throws some cheese down from the deck.

Naomie asks how Thomas and Ashley met, and he says he was playing polo in Santa Barbara. Naomie lived there when she was a child, but only remembers big spiders. That doesn’t say much for Santa Barbara. Thomas tells her that Ashley was going to move to Las Vegas, and he suggested she move to Charleston instead. In her interview, Kathryn says Ashley is as dumb as a rock. It’s beyond awkward in the kitchen at this point. Just when I think it can’t get worse, JD (bleh) shows up. Chelsea says all the girls hate him. Include me in that club. Austen wants the dirt.

Chelsea asks if all is good. Naomie says she’s never been violent, but tonight, she’s feeling it. Austen is cooking, and says it’s on Craig if everything goes up in flames.

Kathryn thinks there are a lot of unsaid WTFs going on. I’ll have to remember that. Danni asks if Ashley said anything, but Kathryn says only nice to meet you. She says she still loves Thomas, and Naomie doesn’t get how she can love someone who effs up all the time. Ashley sits on the deck with Cameran and Whitney. She doesn’t want to go down by herself. Whitney tells her to face the music.

Dinner is served, and actually looks pretty good. Naomie says Kathryn is handling it better than she is. Cameran chows down at the table by herself. In her interview, she says since she’s been pregnant, eating is like a drug. When you’re pregnant, everything tastes better, and she eats like Roseanne. I assume she means Barr. JD joins her, and asks if she loves being pregnant. She says it’s not as bad as she thought it would be, but doesn’t love it. In her interview, she admits to liking having boobs for the first time ever, but too bad they’ll be teabags in six months. Everyone starts going downstairs to the table. Shep asks how Craig is doing. Craig wishes it hadn’t ended, but Shep says he gave it a good try. He left no stone uncovered [sic]. And this guy is well-read. Naomie tells the other girls that she almost cried in the kitchen. Shep is happy that everyone’s together. Craig says everyone is dealing with their awkwardness just for Shep.

Thomas is hanging out by himself, and Kathryn asks how he’s doing. He says she looks great, and tells her a blonde joke that isn’t worth repeating. She tells him about her new place. He gets a text, and tells her it’s the new nanny who thought they were meeting for training tonight. Kathryn says he was supposed to consult her before hiring someone. She’s disappointed that she wasn’t part of the process, and Thomas says it came up quick. He says told the new nanny, who apparently doesn’t have a name, what Deidre’s failings were, and that she needs to be respectful of Kathryn. Kathryn says if they did these kinds of things together, it would be nurturing for their relationship as co-parents. In his interview, Thomas says if Kathryn had been this calm and composed when they were together, it might have ended differently. BTW, Kathryn does look the best she ever has. Her haircut is perfect for her, and while I’ve never knocked her style, the more classic look she’s sporting now suits her.

Ashley suddenly appears, and says she’s heard a lot about Kathryn, but doesn’t think Kathryn knows anything about her. She goes blah-blah-blah about meeting Thomas, and that she moved in July to see what real life was like with Thomas. Shep looks out, and says, so far, nothing has been thrown. We flash back to some previous tornadoes. Ashley says she has nothing but respect for Kathryn as the mother of Thomas’s children, and that the kids are beautiful. Kathryn says Ashley caught her off guard, since Thomas never mentioned he had a girlfriend. Thomas makes a stupid face, mumbles that he thought he had, and shrugs. Ashley says she’s looking forward to getting to know Kathryn. Kathryn says she’s happy to meet Ashley, but it was a surprise. They hug, sort of, and Kathryn moves along. Well played.

Cameran asks if Shep is giving a toast at his first big boy party. He says that everyone there means something to him. They’re friends for different reasons, and he appreciates them all coming. He hopes they’re all as happy as Cameran one day, and in a relationship that makes as much sense. They all clink glasses. In his interview, Shep says thirty-eight is the age to take time for introspection. They talk about foods not to order on the first date, like ribs or spaghetti. In her interview, Naomie says even though they’re not together, she’d want to kill whoever Craig was dating, which she thinks is normal. Maybe in the short term.

JD says he’s half-single. Elizabeth doesn’t want him, but doesn’t want him to be with anyone else. The girls aren’t buying it. Shep tells him, safety first. Shep opens JD’s gift. It’s a blanket in case he needs to crash on Shep’s couch. Austen says it’s a full moon, which means women are fertile tonight. Has he been reading old wives’ tales again? In her interview, Kathryn thinks Ashley has an agenda, but plays the stupid card well. JD’s laugh annoys the girls. Naomie says it gives her nightmares.

Cameran goes upstairs to sit inside. Shep tells her that he and Craig are like old buddies again. He says when Craig isn’t in a relationship, it’s like old times. In his interview, Shep says he and Craig are like the Hatfields and the McCoys. They never agree – even though Shep is always right – but he loves Craig. Cameran asks Craig if he feels like he got closure. He’s bummed it didn’t work, but it didn’t.

Thomas follows Ashley to the bathroom. Really? Craig tells Cameran and Shep that he couldn’t be himself anymore. It was a snowball effect that they couldn’t move past, and stopped communicating. They see Thomas and Ashley close the bathroom door, and laugh. Really?

JD says he’s staying in the guest house, which is two houses away. Must be nice. He says he loves Elizabeth, and Naomie laughs. He says the last thing he wants is to be in this position with her. Naomie asks if he knows why she’s not at the party, and he says because he’s there. Naomie says, no sh*t, and JD asks what she wants him to do. She tells him, be a better husband, and Danni almost chokes on her drink. JD says she’s absurd, and Naomie tells him she goes by his house almost every day, and makes Elizabeth get out of bed. He says they’ve made mistakes, but they’re working through it. Naomie says Elizabeth calls her crying every day, and is not doing well, while he’s seen out every night, screwing twenty-year-olds. He asks what she’s talking about, and she says she knows the girls. Chelsea calls him a con artist, and says he must be good at hiding this sh*t. He asks if they’re upset, and says, fine; he’ll be the bad guy. Austen tells them not to throw all of them in that category, and the girls are like, oh please. Kathryn says they like to smear women who have no voice. JD says he’s not smearing Elizabeth; she’s a great girl. Kathryn says she wants to make sure the narrative isn’t misconstrued, whatever that means, and the good old boy’s system is dying. Naomie says everyone there knows JD is a complete piece of sh*t. He says at least he knows how they feel, and wisely bids everyone goodnight.

Thomas and Ashley come out of bathroom. Really? smh

Chelsea says that everyone knows, so why not say it? Austen says he doesn’t really know what goes on, but Chelsea doesn’t believe he hasn’t heard. He says he’s not defending JD; he just doesn’t know what he did. Upstairs, Whitney says Craig’s ex was ripping into JD. In her interview, Naomie tells us that no one will say it, but the good old boys protect each other. She wasn’t born there – she was born in France – so she’s more apt to tell the truth. Craig tells her she did the right thing, sticking up for her friend. He has her back. She says she heard he was on JD’s side, and said he’s going through a lot. Craig asks what the context was, but she says she wasn’t there. He tells her not to say he’s on JD’s side then. Ask questions before she jumps to conclusions. He agrees with her, and trusts her convictions. She wonders why he didn’t trust her during the relationship. He says she never believed in him. They broke up because she shot down everything he said. He always had to prove himself, and his word was never good enough. She starts getting weepy. He says people asked why he didn’t bring a date, but he didn’t want to ruin any chances. She starts bawling, and tells him to stop. She says it’s hard to see him, and it seems to be the first time he’s cared that they broke up. He says if she thinks he wasn’t upset, that’s just her guard. She says he seems happier than she could make him. He says they’re damaged, and she doesn’t understand why. She asks to talk to him later; she’s going home.

Shep wakes up to a mess and leftovers.

Naomie visits Kathryn, who is still recovering. Chelsea says she can’t talk to Craig when he’s nice, or she starts crying. Kathryn is glad Naomie busted JD. She says that’s exactly what Thomas did, then told everyone she was crazy. They believed him, since they didn’t know her. She says it’s bringing up old feelings, and starts to cry, saying she’s ruining her makeup. In her interview, she says everything they went through took its toll. Thomas dominated the relationship. She’s glad she and Naomie are talking; she doesn’t know how to have girlfriends. Naomie is glad to have a bond stronger than the guys. Kathryn says she’s feeling co-dependent already.

Thomas and Ashley go out to eat. He orders for them, but she says no on the mescal shooter, and wants to stick with wine. In his interview, Thomas says their energy melds well, and he and Kathryn were a bad fit. Is this some kind of Vulcan thing? Ashley says she wants him to be attracted to her, and she wants to turn him on, but don’t ask her to dye her hair red. Wow. That was uncalled for, and I like her even less than I did at the beginning. Thomas says everything seemed civil at the party. Ashley says Kathryn probably doesn’t know if their serious, which makes me think Ashley doesn’t know either. In his interview, Thomas says when estrogen is involved it’s winning for winning’s sake. He tells Ashley that Kathryn just wants to win. She doesn’t want him, but doesn’t want him with anyone else or to be happy. Ashley asks if Kathryn loved him in the beginning, and he thinks she tried, but it all happened quickly, and she was so young. Ashley asks if he wishes it had worked out. We flash back to good times, and Thomas says it was nice to be with her when she was sweet and nice.

Next time, Cameran’s baby shower, Elizabeth makes an appearance, and Craig asks Naomie the question that’s on everyone’s mind – what’s wrong with his sewing?

🎶 The Southern Charm Theme Song… It’s Easy…

Great song!

 

 

April 5, 2018 – Jim is a Snake, the Return of the Charming South & a Kitten

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

In the hospital parking garage, Drew asks Jake, how about that earthquake? like it’s the Mets. Jake says some of his friend’s houses got wrecked, but he guesses they’re okay. Drew asks what brings them by. Elizabeth says they’re visiting Franco, and Jake says he’s been sick. Drew says that’s why he’s there.

Inside the hospital, Jim acts shifty, and avoids David.

Josslyn and Oscar go to Kelly’s. He orders an incredible amount of food, telling her that he’s going crazy, since he just got loose. Josslyn tells him not to go too crazy. She promised his mom they’d be low key.

Julian brings Kim flowers. He says it’s quiet, and she says Oscar couldn’t wait to escape. Putting on his Captain Obvious hat, Julian says, so she’s alone.

Jake wonders why Drew would be seeing Franco, since he doesn’t like him. Elizabeth is like, hey, but Drew says it’s a fair question. He tells Jake that sometimes feelings change when you understand someone more, and you shouldn’t judge until you’ve walked in their shoes. He’s actually there to see Franco’s mom. He hopes she can help him understand Franco more. Jake says Franco is seeing Doc, and hopes they both help. He wants Franco to come home.

Franco cries, and says he can’t. It doesn’t matter; no one would believe him. Doc tells him to take a breath, and remember that Doc can bring him out any time if it’s too painful. He asks if Franco can continue. Can he tell him why he’s so afraid of Jim? Franco cries, saying, he hurts me. Doc asks what Jim did to hurt him.

Jim slithers around, and grabs some scrubs.

Jake wants to show Franco his award. Elizabeth says they’re surprising him in a good way. He runs off for some kid reason. Drew tells Elizabeth he wants to help, and hopes Betsy is more forthcoming; her stories go back and forth. Elizabeth says she could be reacting out of fear. Drew hopes he can make her feel safe and she tells truth, especially about what happened with Franco and Jim. Elizabeth is a little freaked out because Drew is being so amazing. He supposes she knows about Sam. Elizabeth knows she hurt Drew, and never wanted him to feel that pain again. He says they’re good. He doesn’t want his wife to be confused about who she loves. They both deserve better than that.

Kim suggests some wine. Julian says he can’t fault Oscar’s style, getting locked in a freezer with his girlfriend. Kim says she wants to pull her hair out. Even now, she’s anxious. Julian says she can’t protect him forever or blame herself if something goes wrong. If it hadn’t been for crooked Jim, they’d have had the party at his place. Kim asks what’s up with Jim? The last she heard, he was accused of trying to kill Drew and Franco. Julian says she just saw Drew, and wonders why the subject didn’t come up. What were they talking about that he’d forget something so important?

David meets Kiki at Kelly’s. He’s glad she called. He assumed she was avoiding him, and hopes this means she’s over being upset.

Doc tells Franco that he’s going deeper; total relaxation. Franco puts his head on the desk. Doc says, twice as deep… three times. He’s in a state of total relaxation. He’s being taken back to a time in his childhood, when he instinctively knew something wasn’t right. He’s safe. Franco says his mom isn’t around, and Jim is scary when she’s not around. He’s just pretending to be nice, and says they’re friends. Doc asks why he’s frightened, and Franco says because they’re not friends. Andy is his friend; Jim is phony, bringing toys. Andy feels left out, but he can have Franco’s toy. Uncle Jim is bringing Andy a toy, but he tells Andy that he can’t take it. Jim says he’s jealous, but that’s not why. Doc says he’s safe, and asks him why. Franco says, stop it… no… no… he’ll tell mom. Doc asks what’s happening, then tells Franco to close his eyes, and slowly come out. I wonder, why now? He tells Franco to open his eyes when he feels ready. In his mind, Franco sees Jim in the hotel room.

Elizabeth tells Drew that she heard about Franco’s panic attack at the hotel, and that Drew rescued him. Drew says he just wants to know the truth too. She tells him that Betsy is under sedation, and pretty fragile. Jake comes back from wherever he disappeared to, and Elizabeth tells Drew that she knows he’ll get through the rough patch and find happiness.

Kim tells Julian that Drew was there to visit Oscar. Maybe he didn’t want to talk about it in front of his son. Julian says after their time in his office, they promised to be honest. She says she’s trying to. He tells her if it has nothing to do with Drew, maybe it’s him or her. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says, her hesitation. He didn’t expect her to be walking on stars, but would love to continue to be friends, and possibly more.

Josslyn tells Oscar there’s no way he’s going to finish the mass quantity of food he ordered. He suggests she help him. Josslyn says he’s back to his old self, and Oscar adds, but better. He has her, his mom, and for the first time, his dad.

Kiki says upset doesn’t begin to cover how she feels. Try furious. David knew what he was doing. He said he was the final vote, and then kissed her like it was payment due. David says he misunderstood. She doesn’t want his explanations or the book, and she’s turning down the program. He says he was under the impression she wanted more than friendship. He read the signals wrong.

Franco hears Jim calling him a bad boy, and saying everyone knows it. If he tells, it will kill his mother and Andy will hate him. Franco doesn’t care; he’s going to tell. Jim says he’ll cause more trouble for his mom, Andy, and himself. Is that what he wants? Franco says, no, but he has to do something to make it stop. Doc tells Franco to look at him, and asks if he can hear him. Franco says Jim wants to hurt mom and Andy. He has to do something. He says, no! and ducks away from Jim.

Betsy tells Francesca that she wants to see her son. Drew asks for a visit, but she wants to see Bobby. Francesca offers to see if he’s still there. Drew asks if she’d mind a few words, and Betsy nods. Francesca says Betsy is not to be upset or agitated. Betsy asks if Jim sent him. Drew says he knows Jim had her locked up, and he’s sorry. Franco was desperate to find her; so was he. He tells her that Jim is long gone. She asks who he is, and he says Andrew Cain. Andy. He’s the boy she took in; the boy she gave away.

Francesca says she has some samples she’s about to send out; she’ll go get them. We see she was talking to Jim, who’s now wearing a lab coat.

Doc tells Franco he’s counting backward, and to realize that it was the past; there’s no reason to be frightened. He begins to count, and tells Franco to recognize he’s in a safe place. Doc is with him, and no one can hurt him. The memories are in the past, and are no threat in the present. He’s fully awake and aware; safe and unafraid. How does he feel?

Betsy says Drew looks wonderful; all grown up. She’s so sorry. He says from what he hears, she treated him like her own son. She took him in, and gave him a home when she didn’t have to. She tells him that he was a delight. A sweet, dear boy; affectionate, generous, and smart. He was on his way to reading. He was a joy to have. He thanks her. He says he doesn’t want to upset her, but has some questions for Bobby’s sake. There’s no blame, and he’s not ungrateful. She’s the only mother he ever had. He needs to know what happened. Why did she send him away? Because Franco pushed him? Jim peeks into the room.

Julian senses Kim’s shift has something to do with Drew. Kim says he might want to know because Sam is his daughter, but Sam and Drew aren’t together. She thinks it has something to do with Jason, since Carly said it was only a matter of time. Julian thanks her for telling him. He wishes Alexis had told him, but he’s been excommunicated from the family. He asks what happens next, and she says nothing needs to change between them. Julian says he’s not talking about them. What about her and Oscar’s father?

Oscar tells Josslyn that he made Drew feel better; at least that’s what he said. Josslyn asks what happened. He says he doesn’t know everything, but Drew said he and Sam broke up. Josslyn says, that’s huge. Did they say what happened? What did his mom do? Oscar says she served them ice cream.

David tells Kiki that he thought they had chemistry. She says, no. She told him that she didn’t want to be touched. Does that sound like chemistry? He thought she was denying her feelings. Last night, she said she’d overreacted and apologized. She says she thanked him for the Shadow Program, and he tried to kiss her. She never sent out signals, and never wanted him. She’s going to the board, and telling them to choose another candidate. David says, absolutely not. She can’t do that.

Drew asks Betsy why she felt the need to send him away. Was it dangerous for him there? Was she trying to protect him. Betsy nods. He thanks her, and asks if it was Bobby or Jim. She sees Jim outside the door, and yells, nooo!

Doc asks Franco if he knows where he is. Franco says in Doc’s office. Doc asks how he feels, and he says he’s going to kill Jim. Doc says it’s better than being terrified like he was a few minutes ago. Franco doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. Doc sits on the floor with him, and says what he’s experiencing is abreaction. Reliving a traumatic event can be therapeutic, cathartic, and helpful, but sometimes it can lead to more harm. He took him out of it because he was suffering. Franco says he was close to figuring it out. Doc tells him that his well-being is more important. It’s not going to happen in one session. Franco says he was right there, and he has to do something. Doc asks, like what? Franco doesn’t know. Doc thinks putting him under again today could be detrimental or dangerous, but if they do it again, he needs to know Jim can’t hurt him. I’m not sure how Doc can say that, considering Jim nearly just buried Franco alive.

Betsy yells, no; don’t let him in, and Drew says he’s sorry. Francesca runs in. Drew tells her he doesn’t know what happened. Francesca says she’ll get a doctor, and Drew tells Betsy to breathe.

Doc tells Franco it’s not a race get to his memories, but a way to do it safely. Franco wants to do it now. Doc says it’s exploratory not experiential. Instead of reliving it, he wants to explore the events. Franco has to remove himself from his feelings. Franco says he has trouble with that, so how? Doc says they’ll work together – safely. Doc checks his phone, and says something urgent came up. He asks if Franco will be all right alone for a while; he’ll be back. After he leaves, Elizabeth comes in, and asks if Franco is okay. He says he’s better now, and she says she has a surprise if he’s up for it. Jake runs to Franco and hugs him. Franco says Jake has no idea how glad he is to see him, and they have a group hug.

David tells Kiki that rejecting the Shadow Program will be a slap in the face of the committee. She’ll look ungrateful and unfocused. Kiki says it’s better than owing him something. He says it’s not worth throwing away the chance of a lifetime. She suggests maybe he’s more concerned about how it looks for him. He thinks she has potential. She’s gifted; he believes that from the beginning when she was just a nurses’ aid. He encouraged her to do more, but she got into pre-med and med school on her own. She deserves the compliments, and he never wants her to think he didn’t mean them. The only one who doesn’t believe in her, is her.

Josslyn says Oscar’s mom found out the love of her life is free, and all she did was serve ice cream? Oscar says it was awesome being to together like a real family. He never knew how much he wanted it until then. He wishes it could be like that all the time. Josslyn says now that Drew is single, he might get his wish.

Julian tells Kim that Drew just lost his wife. Not to just any man, but his brother. Kim thinks the only thing he can handle is putting one foot in front of the other right now. He and Oscar bonded, and they had a nice time. That’s all there is to it. He says he’s accepted that he and Alexis have gone their separate ways when he found out she and Finn were serious. It was like a door slammed in his face. Now a door opened up for Kim. Is she not going through it? Is there no hope for a future with Drew?

Franco complements Jake, who says Franco is the one who taught him. Jake wants to paint with him, and Aiden wants to play his new video game with him. He tells Franco that his prize was a gift card to the art supply place he likes, and wants them to go together. Franco tells him to say the word. Jake asks when Franco is coming home. Elizabeth says they can’t put a time line on it, and Franco says he wants to, but can’t right now. He says he’s trying. He wants to get better and show them he belongs there, and hopes he’s welcomed if he ever gets there.

David tells Kiki to promise she won’t turn down this golden opportunity. She can think of him as a jerk, but keep her position. She knows it’s an incredible opportunity, but if she keeps it, she doesn’t want any favors. David says it’s all good, and hopefully, they can get back to the productive work relationship they had. They had an easy rapport. He asks if she forgives him, and she says she has to get to work. She leaves, and I take that as a no.

Doc comes to Betsy’s room, and Drew tells him that he clearly said something to upset her. Doc says, maybe, maybe not, and asks what transpired before her outburst. Drew says she tried to apologize, but he told her that she didn’t have to. He thanked her, and said he didn’t blame her. Everything was calm, and he asked why she needed to send him away. Was it because of Franco or Jim? She lost it, and it looked like she had a panic attack.

Jim creeps around the parking garage. He looks at his phone and hyperventilates. He hears Elizabeth and Jake coming.

Drew tells Betsy he didn’t mean to upset her, and he’s sorry. He starts to leave, and she tells him to wait. She asks him to get Bobby. She has to tell him about Jim.

Julian and Kim make out. He accuses her of changing the subject. She tells him that he doesn’t give himself enough credit. He says Oscar will be home soon, and he should be on his way. She hopes he’s not upset with her, and he says he’s not. He’s no one to judge, and he enjoys her company either way. He asks if she still has a glimmer of hope about Drew, and she says she never felt love like she did with him. After all these years, she guesses she never got over him. Outside the door, Oscar overhears.

Francesca tells Kiki congratulations on getting in the Shadow Program. She says David stepped up, so she must have made quite an impression. Kiki says she’s lucky to have him on her side.

David listens to the message from Kiki again, like the weirdo he is starting to become.

Franco tells Doc that he needs to get back in right now. Long enough to find out about Jim. Good or bad, he needs to know now, and not just for his family.

Elizabeth tells Jake not to rub it in with Aiden about his visit. Jake says, why not? It’s so much fun. There’s the bad seed Jake that I know and love. Jim comes up behind Elizabeth with a gun. He tells her to do as he says, and they won’t get hurt.

Tomorrow, I don’t know because I had a hair appointment, missed the show, and watched a bootleg video that didn’t include a preview.

Southern Charm

We’re at a black-tie Christmas party. Patricia says there’s no craziness coming on; maybe she missed something. Kathryn and Thomas’s new girlfriend Ashley have words, ending with Kathryn telling Ashley eff you, and calling her an entitled gold digger. Ashley had hoped she and Kathryn could be cool, but Kathryn says that will never happen. Ashley calls Kathryn nothing but an egg donor.

Three months earlier…

Kathryn uses sage to get the negative stuff out, and protect her place from a-holes. If only that worked.

Cameran is HUGE, and getting ready for the new baby. She reminds us about the psychic telling her she’d be pregnant before the end of 2017. She’s been blessed with an easy pregnancy, except for the last two weeks – she’s over it. Shep brings her some fast food. Palmer Corinne is the upcoming baby’s name, and Shep asks if he can touch it. He tells Cameran he went to New York, but was on a different wavelength from his RelationShep pick. He says he put his chips on the table, but she wasn’t in the same headspace. She only spent two nights with him out of the five he was there. Cameran tells him he’s not young, and suggests dating women his own age, which is 38 today. He thinks they should go bowling, but she thinks a party at his beach house is in order.

Danni visits Kathryn in her new apartment. Kathryn thinks Thomas always doubted her ability to take care of herself, and this is showing her independence. Even though she hasn’t failed one in a year and a half, Thomas has the ability to ask for a drug test at any time, and her arm is totally black and blue. She says if it means more time with her children, she’ll do it. Danni tells Kathryn that she realized she and her fiancé weren’t meant for each other, so they broke it off. Kathryn says the one thing Thomas agreed to was getting rid of the nanny, who she thinks stands between her and the children.

In his interview, Thomas says he has a new kid-friendly house, but misses his downtown compound. Soon to be ex-nanny Diedre shows him some learning games he’ll need to do with the kids. New girlfriend Ashley shows up. Thomas met her in California and they’ve been inseparable ever since.

Danni asks if Kathryn has met Ashley, but she says, no. Her three-year-old told her about a woman sleeping in daddy’s bed. She thinks it’s clear what Ashley’s intention is. She tells Danni that it’s lucky Ashley is a hospice nurse. It will come in handy.

Naomie comes by Chelsea’s salon. She also has a new house, and we see Craig moving stuff into his. They gave it their best shot, but it didn’t work out. He says nothing was ever good enough, and we flash back to how mean she was to him. He’s now sharing a house with best friend Sean. They celebrate by having a beer.

Naomie says she misses Craig, but then remembers how bad it was. We flash back to her airing their dirty laundry. She says the good ones are either already taken, work too much, or have an STD. She asks about Austen, and Chelsea says he quit his job and hasn’t been working. He still lives a frat boy style. She was constantly picking up the tab for dinner, and he was totally okay with it. She says he and his friends were out at a bar, and met up with a bachelorette party. Then he showed up at her house at 3 am, and thought she’d be cool with a booty call. That was a no.

In his interview, Austen tells us he quit his job because it wasn’t working out. They wanted him to move to Savannah, and he wasn’t down with that, but he’s getting a lot done being unemployed. We see him napping, drinking, and playing with his phone. Shep joins him on the balcony of a bar. Austen tells him, happy birthday, but Shep says he’s not into birthdays – starting now. Austen says that he thought he and Chelsea were getting along great. He told her they should be exclusive or move on, and thought it was cut and dried, but it wasn’t with her. He met up with another girl, who turned out to be a friend of hers, and she wasn’t comfortable with that.

Chelsea tells Naomie that she’s not mad, but she and the friend are not homegirls anymore.

Austen says he ended things with the friend, and thinks clearly something is holding him back. Shep asks if he has any residual feelings for Chelsea, and Austen says the door is ajar.

Whitney meets Shep for lunch. Shep guzzles a water, saying he was out late last night. Whitney tells Shep that Patricia has a gentleman caller, and he thinks an engagement is coming. We see Patricia admiring a ring with a rock the size of Rhode Island, and telling Whitney it’s a promise ring, but could be bigger. Whitney says he found out about one of Patricia’s marriages by telegram. He suggests having a grown-up birthday at Shep’s house. Shep says he has a friend who’s a party planner, and wants to recruit Craig for the food department. Whitney asks if Shep thinks Craig will pick up. Shep says they’re good, and we flash back to the party where they called each other drunken a-holes, and Craig pounded Shep on the leg. Whitney bets Shep twenty bucks that Craig doesn’t pick up. Craig picks up on the first ring. Shep tells him about the party, and Craig is psyched to be the chef. Shep tells Whitney not to forget his twenty bucks.

Thomas visits JD (bleh). We see a headline about him ditching the rent bills for his bar. Ha-ha-ha! He tells Thomas he’s back in the guest house, and they have drink. JD says technically, he and Elizabeth have been separated for a couple months, but he doesn’t want to talk about it until he knows what’s happening. He says the stress made their problems apparent, and he didn’t get her support. He whines about her saying she didn’t love him anymore, and says it snowballed. A week went by, and he didn’t hear a word. Thomas asks what that tells him, and JD says she took off her ring, and he took off his.

Craig meets Shep at a butcher shop, and they pick out meat for the cookout. Craig says Shep is doing his best to adult. He’s glad they’re friends again, since being at each other’s throats was exhausting. Craig asks who’s coming, and Shep says Naomie will be there. It’s the first time Craig is going to see her since they separated. He’s not sure what to do. In his interview, he says you can’t google something like that. He amends that, saying you can, but he doesn’t know what would come up. Shep says Thomas’s new girlfriend is coming, and Craig doesn’t think Kathryn has met her yet. Shep is like, oh great.

Party planner Katie is making Shep look like he knows what he’s doing. Craig arrives with trays of ribs, chicken, and other meat. He’s also embroidered an apron for Shep. Shep shows him the grill, which is mammoth. Like all of us, they have a problem getting the fire going. Shep suggests using the gas, but Craig holds steadfast.

Ashley babbles to Thomas about what to wear, and gives him a fashion show. In his interview, Thomas says Ashley is very different from Kathryn. She has beautiful manners, which he doesn’t see with Kathryn. She puts on booty shorts, then says she doesn’t want to look like a hoochie while meeting people for the first time. Thomas votes yes on the shorts. I’m wondering how long this could possibly last.

Katie and her staff are taking a half hour before dinner happens, leaving Shep and Craig alone to argue over grilling. Austen walks in with two beers in a six pack carton. He gives Shep a book for his birthday, and Shep is all excited because it’s something he’s watching on PBS. Craig googles some stuff about grilling. Austen explains that they’re going to need some appetizers, and wonders what kind of sh*t birthday party this is without Tostitos and salsa. Austen is sent to store for cheese cubes.

Naomie goes to Chelsea’s place for a kiki before Shep’s party. Danni and Kathryn arrive next. Chelsea asks Kathryn if she’s had sex with Shep, and my mouth falls open. Not only is Kathryn now getting along with this group, apparently, they’re pretty close. Or very rude. She doesn’t remember it too well, since it was long ago – which doesn’t say much for Shep’s skills – but he made her shower beforehand because he’s anal about his sheets.

Austen brings back a crudité tray and some other finger food.

Naomie tells the girls that Elizabeth isn’t coming because JD roped her into watching the kids. They all talk about what a sh*t JD is, and Kathryn compares him to Thomas. Naomie says the good old boys band together and have the power. She’s hoping Craig doesn’t bring anyone.

Thomas – being the juvenile that he is – wonders what Kathryn’s reaction will be seeing Ashley in the shorts. She wonders if she’s dressing for Kathryn. She asks if Thomas will protect her from Kathryn, like there might be a throw down.

Shep calls the bartender over for advice about the grill, even though he tells Shep that he’s no cook. Craig babbles irrationally, and tells Shep not to do sh*t he doesn’t know about. Shep uses the same tongs on the ribs that he used on the chicken, and Craig nearly has apoplexy. In his interview, Shep is incredibly chill about Craig, attributing it to the break-up. Craig continues to ramble. Shep asks if he can put paper plates in the oven.

Pasta salad has appeared. Shep says Craig is frazzled, although I think the word insane might fit him better right now. Austen thinks they should test the ribs, but Shep says the tongs are now radioactive.

Chelsea says she and Austen are seeing what happens. Naomie asks Kathryn is she’s cool about meeting Ashley, and Kathryn says, Ashley who?  Thomas hasn’t even told her that he has a new girlfriend. They all think it’s weird to move across the country to be with someone you don’t know. Chelsea says, some girls are thirsty. Kathryn adds, dehydrated, making them all laugh. She says she’s not involved in drama anymore. She’s into her life and kids and girlfriends. Chelsea says she has her side chicks.

Shep says they’re getting there, despite the friction.

Naomie tells the girls that at the end of the day, they’re all they’ve got. They drink to women [sic] empowerment.

Thomas and Ashley arrive at Shep’s party. We hear the honey bee theme song, It’s Easy, while everyone gets up and leaves for the party in slow motion.

To be continued…

This season, polo, Cameran has the baby, Craig wonders what Naomie finds wrong with his sewing, Kathryn realizes she has a support system, and Ashley doesn’t go over too well with the others.

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