Tag Archives: Southern Charm

Oct5

October 4, 2024 – Lucas Comes Home To Port Charles, A Review, Reunited, Her No Good Very Bad Look, VanderWeen, Engaged, First One, Sorry About That, Pet (!) Costumes, OctoQuotes & Thrill This

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Gino plays his violin outside of Bobbie’s, when Trina puts a dollar in his violin case. She asks if he knows any Billy Eilish.

Chase says he can’t put his finger on it, but something is different around here, and Brook says, good different or bad different? He says, definitely good. Listen… It’s quiet. She says, the kids are all in school, Tracy is out on a ride, Olivia is at the MetroCourt. Somehow, all of the planets are finally aligned, and they have this entire place to themselves. He says he has the afternoon off work. The planets can’t get any more aligned than that. He kisses her, when her phone rings. He asks her to ignore it, but she says she can’t. She looks at her phone and says, it’s Violet’s school. They’re sending her home.

Ric asks if Ava is suggesting someone at General Hospital altered Heather’s test results, and she says, it wouldn’t be the first time. He asks, who would do that? and she says, somebody who wants Heather kept behind bars. He says, lab tech?… Someone with maybe a little bit more authority. Somebody who could go in and out of any room in the hospital without being stopped. It’s also got to be somebody who is so invested in keeping Heather in prison, they’d be willing to risk anything to keep Heather behind bars.

Lucky knocks on Sonny’s office door and says, sorry to disturb him. He knows it’s been a long time. They hug.

Carly tells Josslyn, the doctors need to do a secondary screening of Lucky’s liver to make sure everything is okay, and then they can move forward with the transplant. Josslyn says, but Lulu’s going to be okay, and Carly says, it’s looking that way.  There’s a knock at the door and Carly opens it to Lucas. They hug, and he says, she’s looking good. She says, he’s home.

On the phone, Brook says, of course (🍷) … Absolutely. They’re on their way. She tells Chase, Violet’s fine. Physically fine. He says, so she’s not sick or hurt? and Brook says, no. He asks why they called, and she says, she hit a boy in her class. He laughs and says, no. Violet wouldn’t do that. She says, her teacher saw her do it, and he says, she got in a fight or something? Brook says she doesn’t know. Violet wouldn’t tell the teacher what happened. He says, since when does Violet not talk about anything? Something’s up. He’s going to go get her. Brook says, they’ll both go. It might take the both of them to get the truth out of her.

Ric asks if there’s someone at the hospital who was attacked by Heather, because that person would definitely want her to stay where she was, and Ava says, Heather and her hook put her in the hospital. So she won’t exactly be shedding any tears if she stays where she is. He says he’s sorry, and she says she’s just saying, the hospital is a big place and there are probably a lot of people who weren’t too excited about the possibility of running into Heather at the supermarket. He says, that’s a fair point, but if he’s going to prove GH’s tests are untrustworthy, connecting it to somebody might be helpful. She tells him to go ahead and prove his grand conspiracy. In the meantime, his client Heather will be rotting in Pentenville. He says, not if he connects the dots real fast, and she says, if he accuses a hospital employee with tampering with the tests, every lawyer GH has is going to come running, and nothing about his case will move fast. He asks if she thinks he should ditch the whole tampering theory, and she says she thinks if he wants things to move quickly, he should give GH an easy out. Just tell them up front that he thinks it’s probably an honest lab mistake. The hospital is sure to agree it’s a faulty test. He asks when she became such an expert in legal strategy, and she says, just giving him an alternative. If he wants to do it his way, do it his way. She doesn’t care. She has no dog in this fight. He says he thinks she does. So who is she protecting?

Lucas and Josslyn hug, and he says he’s missed her so much. He can’t wait to hear all about her life. He wants pictures, videos, all of it, especially the embarrassing stuff. She says, that’s most of it. She’s going to just reschedule with Trina. He says, go be with her friend. They have plenty of time to catch up. She says, it’s going to take a lot of time to get him fully caught up, and he says he’ll block out three hours. She leaves, and Carly says she knows they’ve been talking about him coming back for a while now, but until he texted her that the plane had landed, she just didn’t believe it. He says, it was time, and she suggests they sit down and talk. They go into the living room, and she asks if it was hard leaving Boston, but he says he didn’t have many ties there. Boston’s great, but he was working all the time. It made him a better doctor, but he didn’t want to live like that. He missed the family. She says, they missed him too. She’s so happy he’s here. He can stay as long as he likes, but just be warned. Donna is really into crafts, and he’s going to find beads and glue everywhere. He says he’ll keep an eye out, and she says she’s so glad he’s home. She knows it’s hard for him to be in Port Charles. He says he’s sorry he didn’t stick around after mom’s funeral, but she says, it’s okay. She gets it. He says he knew she would, and she says she just wants him to be okay. He says he’s getting there, and she says she knows he’s excited about the job. It’s just that after everything he’s been through, is he sure he’s up for it?

Sonny says he can’t express how happy he is that Lucky is home safe, and Lucky says he’ll never be able to repay Jason or Anna or Carly for everything they did to get him back here. Sonny says, even though Lucky got all the help, he heard it was hell to get back. He’s sure Lucky’s dad would be very proud that he did this for his sister. Lucky says, his dad might be relieved, but he’s not so sure he’d be proud. Sonny asks, what makes him say that, and Lucky says, because they both know he should have been here all along.

Gio finishes playing, and Trina applauds. He says, thanks, but he still needs to work on that bridge. She says, it sounded perfect to her, and he says he’s glad, but he needs something perfect to both of them. She says, that’s fair. What is he even doing out here? He says, change of pace. It’s a nice vibe. Fresh air, sound of the birds, the wind. Kids laughing, people talking. She says, so he likes to play surrounded by… life, and he says, when he plays outside, he feels like he’s part of this big orchestra that’s always playing, but they forget to listen to it. She says, and here she thought it was just about the acoustics. She’s glad she ran into him. She felt terrible that his performance at the gallery got canceled. He says, it wasn’t her fault, and she says she knows, but she’s been working overtime getting Harriet Nakia’s show back on the book and she finally did. She’d love to rebook him. He thanks her for the offer, but says he has to pass, and she asks, why? He says he knows how much she cares for Ava, but she pushed Uncle Sonny’s pregnant daughter out of a window and killed her baby. He’d never work for that woman now.

Ava says she’s not protecting anyone, and Ric says, she’s right. He doesn’t need to find out who did this. She says, really? Two seconds ago, he was Columbo. Now he’s going to walk away? He says, no. He’s just reevaluating the new information. She asks, what new information? and he says, the fact that she doesn’t want him to know who did this. He’s not going to pressure her into telling him who it is. She says, that would be a waste of time because it isn’t anyone, and he says he thinks he’s gotten to know her pretty well, and he knows she wouldn’t stick her neck out for anybody. So this person must mean a lot to her. He guesses he’s just going to have to figure out Heather’s case with what he’s got. He says he’ll see her later, and leaves.

Lucas asks if she’s questioning his skills as a surgeon, but Carly says, not at all. She just knows it isn’t easy for him to be back in Port Charles. He says, when he saw an opening for a trauma surgeon at GH, he didn’t even think about it; he just applied. She says, if there’s anything she can do for him to make it easier, let her know, and he says, just her being here makes it easier and better. He thinks this job was the universe telling him that he can’t run away forever. He doesn’t want to be that kind of man. She says, a man who runs from difficult situations? and he says he knows he will never be Wiley’s father, but he’d sure like a shot at being uncle. He thinks he could really nail that. (Isn’t Wiley, like, in college by now?) She says she thinks he’ll be a great uncle. Has he talked to Michael? He says he emailed Willow and Michael before he accepted the position. They’re both completely on board. She says she knows it’s going to be difficult to see Wiley, but if anyone can navigate that situation, it’s him. Speaking of navigating a difficult situation, has he been in touch with Brad? He says, no, and he’s not going to be. But while they’re on the subject of past relationships, what is this he hears about her and Sonny?

Sonny says, they all make the best decisions at any particular moment, and Lucky says he can’t help wondering how his dad would feel about him letting Lulu waste away in that bed. Sonny says, if Aiden messed up, would Lucky judge him? and Lucky says, of course (🍷) not. He loves Aiden. Sonny says, there’s his answer, and Lucky says, that’s just part of being a parent. Sonny says, not all parents. Even with him. He made that same mistake with Michael and still regrets it to this day. He can tell Lucky something about his father. He wouldn’t judge Lucky because he loved him. Lucky thanks him for saying that, and Sonny tells him that he’s saying it because it’s true. Don’t beat himself up. He’s here. That’s all that matters. Lucky says he has a lot of work to do, and not just the stuff with Lulu, and Sonny says, then do it. Has he seen Aiden? Lucky says, not yet. He’s been to some of the most dangerous places in the world, and here he is in Port Charles afraid to see his own son.

Trina says, Gio really won’t play at the gallery? and he says he’s sorry. Uncle Sonny’s been good to him. Maybe if Ava gets cleared, he’ll consider it. Trina says, it’s fine. If that’s how he feels about it, she’ll just ask someone else. But don’t worry. She’ll never ask him to play at the gallery again. She goes inside Bobbie’s.

Brook and Chase walk into the nook with Violet, and Chase says he knows Violet didn’t want to tell her teacher about what happened today, but she can tell them anything. Brook says, they love her like crazy, and Violet says she doesn’t want them to get mad. Chase says, she must have been pretty mad to hit that kid. What was his name? Violet says, Garth, and Brook says, what’s the story with Garth? Violet says, he’s a mean bully and he lies, and she hates him, and Chase asks what he lied about. Violet says, her dad, and Chase asks what he said. Violet tells him that Garth said her dad’s a drunk.

Carly says, Lucas is in town all of two hours. How does he know what’s going on with her and Sonny? He says, Joss, and she says she should have known. He says, she really should have. So? She says, so, it’s complicated. Can they just leave it at that? He says, for now. She’s going to tell him eventually. She says, probably, and he says, Joss also told him about Ava and Kristina. Does she think Ava did what they’re accusing her of? She says she doesn’t think Ava is innocent of anything, but to be honest, nobody knows what happened in that hotel room except for Kristina and Ava. And it’s a whole mess right now. Molly and Kristina are… Is he sorry he came back yet? He says, no. He thinks it’s good he came back when he did. He’s sorry if he sounded judgmental about her relationship with Sonny. After the relationship he had with Brad, he has no right to judge anyone. She says she understands, but she also knows he’s not going to let her off the hook that easily, and he says, definitely not. Now while she comes up with her Sonny story, he’s going to GH to fill out some forms and get his new ID. She says she’s happy he’s home. Their family really needs him right now. He says, somebody’s got to keep an eye on her, and leaves.

Lucky says he doesn’t even know if Aiden wants to see him, and Sonny asks why he wouldn’t want to. Lucky says, because he dropped the ball. They used to email and videochat every couple of weeks and he hasn’t made contact in a long time. Sonny says, Aiden still cares what Lucky thinks, but Lucky says he doesn’t know about that. Sonny asks if Lucky cared about what Luke thought about him, and Lucky says, more than anyone. Sonny says, then that’s what’s got to be at the front of his mind. Not what he wants to change, but what Aiden needs from him. Lucky says he doesn’t even know what that is, and Sonny says, he’s not going to get it by sitting here talking to him. He’s just got to show up no matter how tough it is. He’s got to show up. Lucky says, Sonny is right. He’s going to go see Aiden. Sonny says, he’s probably in school, right? and Lucky says, something else he should have known. Sonny says, he’s going to figure it out sooner or later, and when he does, they’ll change the start time of school and change the vacation schedule, and he’ll have to start all over. Lucky says, good to know. He guesses he’ll swing by GH and check up on Lulu and his buddy Isaiah. He thanks Sonny, and Sonny says he’s glad Lucky is back. Lucky says, him too. It’s good. Sonny says, that means he’s supposed to be here, and Lucky leaves.

On the phone in Bobbie’s, Trina says she saw their ad online and she was wondering if they’re still available. Give her a call back and they can talk details.

Outside, Gio puts away his violin, when Josslyn comes into the courtyard. She says she didn’t know he’d be here, and he says he was just rehearsing. She says she was about to head inside and hang out with Trina. Does he want to come? He says, it’s probably not a good idea. Trina isn’t going to want him there. She asks, what happened? and he says, they don’t see eye to eye on something, and neither of them is going to change their mind. She says, that doesn’t sound like Trina. She’s always down to share other people’s points of view. He says, not about Ava Jerome. Trina wanted him to play at the gallery and he said he couldn’t. Not after what Ava did to Kristina. Josslyn says, that’s it. Come with her. He follows her inside.

On the phone in her office, Portia leaves a message for Trina, letting her know she was thinking about her. She hopes school is going well. Trina doesn’t have to call her back. She just wanted to let Trina know that she loves her. There’s a knock at the door, and Ava walks in. Portia asks what she can do for her, and Ava says, as Portia is probably aware, Ric Lansing is representing her in her current legal difficulties. Portia says, okay… and Ava says, he’s also representing Heather Webber. Portia says she did know that, and Ava says, what Portia may not know is, Ric had several blood panels run to test Heather’s cobalt levels, four to be exact. Three were normal. One was not. Does she want to guess which one? Portia says, not really, and Ava says, the one test that showed Heather Webber still had elevated levels of cobalt in her blood was conducted right here at the GH lab. Portia says, their lab is excellent. She’s sure if there’s a problem, they can do another test. No issue at all. Ava says she’s surprised to hear Portia say that, and Portia says, why is that? Ava says, because Ric has come to the conclusion that someone here at GH tampered with those test results. Someone with an interest in keeping Heather in prison. Someone with access. Portia says, someone like her?

Brook asks what Violet thinks Garth meant when he said that about her dad, and Violet says, a drunk is someone who drinks too much. Brook says, it’s not a nice word, and Chase says, her dad has a disease. Brook says, we don’t call people unkind names because they’re sick, and Chase says, that’s right. Violet says she told her friend Jamie her dad couldn’t take her to the pumpkin patch this year because he was in a special hospital, and Brook says, that’s right. Violet tells them that she was saying that her daddy is going on lots of hikes and talking to people. But then, Garth said he wasn’t in a hospital. That he was in rehab because he was… Chase says, got it, and Violet says, then she hit him as hard as she could, but then he poured grape juice all over her shirt. Brook says, her dad bought her that shirt, didn’t he? and Violet says, yeah, and now it’s ruined because of stupid, mean Garth. Chase hugs her and says he’s so sorry any of that happened to her. He thanks her for telling them the truth, and she says she’s sorry she hit Garth. He just made her so mad. She’s sorry about her shirt. Brook says, that’s okay. Why don’t they go upstairs? Violet can change and she’ll throw the shirt in the washing machine. She’s sure she can get the stain out. Violet leaves and Brook follows her.

Isaiah walks around on crutches in his hospital room, when Lucky walks in. He says, not bad. Now pretend the Yankees won the series and jump up and down. Isaiah laughs and says, about time. What did he do, walk from Sidwell’s? Lucky says, looking pretty smooth there, and they shake hands. Isaiah says, this is actually him improved. It’s good to see him. Lucky says, it’s good to see Isaiah too. He guesses he owes Isaiah one. Isaiah says, oh yeah, and one day, he might actually take Lucky up on it. Lucky says he knows Isaiah is joking, but he’s not. They may not be trapped in Sidwell’s compound anymore, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have Isaiah’s back. Isaiah says he knows, and Lucky says, good. Because he does and he always will.

Carly walks into Pozzulo’s, and Sonny says he can make Carly an espresso in 25 seconds. She says, that’s impressive, but that’s okay. She’d feel like she was cheating on his old machine. He says, she doesn’t know what she’s missing, and she says, one more mystery she has to live with. He says, have it her way, and leads her to his office. He says, guess what? Lucky was here earlier. She says, how’d that go? and he says, he’s adjusting to being back in Port Charles. She says she’s sure it’s a lot for him, and he says, he’s a lot like his father. He’s tough. He’s going to be okay. She says she doesn’t know if he’s heard, but Lucas is back. He says he heard. How is he? She says, he’s good. He’s ready to start the next chapter of his life. He’s also concerned that they’re getting back together. Sonny says, this is going to be over soon, and she says, good, because that’s why she’s here.

Terry lets Lucas into her office and says, everyone is excited about him rejoining the staff, and he thanks her for making his transition back so smooth. She says, they’re lucky to have him. She’s sure he had his pick of hospitals. He says, GH was always his first choice. He’s looking forward to a fresh start in his hometown. She says she wants that for him too, but there’s something she thinks he should know.

On the phone, Trina says, if they’re schedule changes, let her know. She turns around to see Josslyn with Gio, and says, whatever they’re trying to do, the answer is no. Josslyn says, Ava is not worth losing a friendship, and neither is Sonny, but Trina says, this is between her and Gio. Josslyn says, they both see good sides to Sonny and Ava. How, she doesn’t know, but it doesn’t matter. She’s not here to waste her time or her energy trying to convince them that they’re wrong. Trina says, the world won’t end if everyone doesn’t have the same opinions, and Josslyn says, she’s right, but they don’t have to fight Sonny and Ava’s battles for them. Let them screw up their own lives, but don’t let them change one thing about theirs.

Portia asks if Ava really thinks she’d risk everything to get back at Heather, and Ava says, what she thinks is, if her daughter were in danger, she’d do everything she could to protect her. Changing a test result? That’s nothing. She’d pull strings, she’d pay bribes, she’d even kill if it meant keeping her child safe. And she’d sleep very well at night. Portia says she guesses they’re different in that way, but Ava says, no, they’re not. But Trina doesn’t know how far Portia would go to protect her. She’s getting her life back together. She’s going back to school. For the first time in a long time, she’s thinking about the future. Portia says, that’s exactly what she’s been praying for, and Ava says, well, it’s happening, and Trina doesn’t need to see her mother’s career crash and burn because of something she did to protect her daughter. Portia says she appreciates Ava coming to speak with her, but she doesn’t know what Ava is talking about. Ava says, come on. It took her all of three minutes to realize it was Portia who messed with those test results. And she won’t be the only one. So like it or not, Portia is going to need her help.

Lucas walks into the lab where Brad is working. He says he heard Brad was working here.

Trina says she understands why Gio feels the way he does about Ava. She was at the pool when Kristina fell. It was horrifying. Gio says, if Josslyn hadn’t done everything exactly right that day, Kristina would have died, and Trina says, that’s why he doesn’t want to do anything with Ava, and if he doesn’t want to perform at the gallery, don’t. He thanks her, and she says she’s just asking as his friend to consider the possibility that the fall was an accident. He says he wasn’t in the room with Kristina and Ava, so he’ll let the judge in the case decide who’s guilty. As far as the gallery gig, he won’t do it for Ava, but he’ll do it for her. She asks how he knows she hasn’t found his replacement.

Brook asks if Chase wants to go beat up Garth with her. She’s kidding… mostly. He asks how Violet is doing, and she says, she’s doing better. She’s upstairs changing her clothes. She’ll be down in a minute. Has he seen her phone? He says, she left it here when she went upstairs, and gives it to her. She checks something, and he asks what she’s doing. She says she’s looking for Garth’s parents’ phone number in the school directory. She’d like to have a little chat with them. He says, that’s probably not the best idea right now, and she says, he’s right. They should drive over there and have the conversation in person. That way, they can get eyes on Garth, see what his story is. He says, that might make things worse. Although there’s nothing stopping him from putting a boot on their car. She says she likes where his head is at on this, and he says, but you know who wouldn’t? Finn. She says she hates it, but he’s right. They need to focus on Violet. He says, there’s always going to be Garths in this world. They need to teach her how to deal with them. Short of her uncle tasing them. She says, that’s a good idea. The teaching, not the tasing. They just need to put their feelings aside and listen. He says he thinks Violet misses Finn more than they realized, and Brook says, it’s her way of crying out for help.

Lucky asks what Isaiah thinks of Port Charles, and Isaiah says, all he’s seen so far is the airport, the side of the street, and inside the hospital. Lucky says, all the hot tourist spots, and Isaiah says he’s also gotten to know some people around here. Lucky says, anyone interesting? and Isaiah says, one or two. Lucky says, sounds like Port Charles is growing on him, and Isaiah says, Lucky never told him much about his life here, which is cool, but now might be the time to tell him anything he needs to know. Lucky says, like what? and Isaiah says, like anything that might keep him from putting his foot in his mouth. Lucky says, Isaiah has met his ex, and Isaiah says, she’s pretty awesome. And he’s looking forward to meeting Lucky’s son. Has Lucky seen him yet? Lucky says, not yet, but he will soon, and Isaiah asks if Aiden knows what Lucky’s been doing. Lucky says he hasn’t given him too many details. He didn’t want to scare him. Isaiah says, he should know that Lucky’s been helping people. Isaiah is happy to tell him that, and more if Lucky wants. Lucky says he might take Isaiah up on that at some point. There are going to be a lot of questions, and he certainly doesn’t have all the answers. Isaiah asks if Lucky is worried how Aiden is going to react, and Lucky says, that, and he’s focused on his sister. He’s waiting to hear if he’s a match. Isaiah asks if he’s concerned about the surgery, and Lucky says, which one? Lulu’s or his?

Brad says, Lucas is back, and Lucas says he is, but not for Brad. They’re both going to be working here, so he thought he’d make some things clear since they’re bound to run into each other. If they speak to one another, it will only be about work. No catching up, no hashing things out. Nothing. The past is the past and that’s not going to change. He’s moving forward with his life and that doesn’t include Brad. Are they clear? Brad says, crystal, and Lucas says, good. Because he wants nothing to do with Brad – ever.

Portia asks why Ava wants to help her. What’s in it for her? Ava says, Trina. She doesn’t deserve to watch her mother lose everything. She’ll think it’s her fault, and she’s been through enough without adding that to it. Portia says she was just trying to protect Trina, and Ava says, keep doing it. Do what Ava tells her to do. No one has to know she’s doing it. Portia says, it’s already too late. Brad Cooper is back working at GH. He’s working in the lab and he’s already suspicious of her. Ava says, lie low. Don’t try to cover her tracks. Don’t try to hide what she’s done. The bigger deal she makes it, the bigger deal it’s going to become. Portia asks what she does about Ric Lansing, and Ava says she’ll handle Ric Lansing. She can certainly keep him away from Portia. Portia says, it’s not going to work. Ric Lansing will get Heather out of prison. They have to stop him.

Carly says, Sam told her that Alexis is protecting Kristina by not defending herself, and Sonny says, Alexis isn’t doing herself any favors in this case. Carly says she gets that, but Alexis shouldn’t be punished for a crime she didn’t commit, and he says, that’s why he hired Martin Grey to represent her. He’s already working on her defense. She says, he’s going to let this go to trial? but he says, no. He believes Alexis’s case is going to fall apart. She says, what if it doesn’t? and he says, it will. She says she’s on his side. She always has been and always will be. He asks why she thinks he came to her for an alibi, and she says, why does he think she gave him one? She doesn’t want anyone to go down for Cates’s murder. The world is a better place without him in it. He can’t destroy another life. Sonny says, he won’t, and she says, okay. Then he needs to tell her what they’re going to do to protect Alexis.

Violet comes downstairs, and Brook asks if she feels better. Violet says, yes, and Chase says, Garth shouldn’t have said what he did, but her dad wouldn’t want her to hit someone either. Brook’s phone rings, and she says she has to take this. She steps away, and Violet says, if Garth hadn’t said those mean things about her dad first, she wouldn’t have punched him. Chase says he knows, but he needs her to believe in her dad right now. Can she do that? Violet says she guesses so.

On the phone, someone tells Brook, the principal would like to speak to Violet’s guardian as soon as possible.

Violet says she’s sorry she hit Garth. Does Chase think she’s going to get in trouble? He says, even when you have a good reason for doing something, if you break the rules, there are consequences.

Gio asks if Trina is saying she already got someone to play at the gallery. Where did she find them? Trina says, the internet? and Josslyn says, there’s no way they’re better than him. Gio thanks her, and Trina says she will tell them that the musician she found is a little sketchy, so she’d be very happy if Gio would reconsider her offer and take the job. He says he’d be very happy to accept the offer – for her, and Josslyn says her work here is done. Gio says, if the environmental science degree doesn’t work out, she could always be a talent agent, and Trina says, very true. She could.

Ava says, unfortunately, there’s nothing they can do to stop Ric from trying to get Heather released from prison, but Portia says, there has to be. Ava says, he’s got three tests that prove the GH test was faulty. Heather Webber was affected by cobalt in her system. Portia says she can’t just sit here and do nothing, but Ava says, she can’t be seen anywhere near Heather’s case. Ava’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Ric. Ric says he’s got great news. He filed a summary motion on Heather’s case. He asked that her conviction be overturned immediately, and there’s a good chance it will be. Ava says, congratulations, and he says, don’t worry. Her mystery friend will remain a mystery. She thanks him and says she means it. Can she call him later? He says, no need. He just wanted her to know about the motion. He hangs up, and Ava looks at Portia.

Brad says, Lucas must hate him, and Lucas says, all of this would be easier if he did. He does feel sorry for Brad. He understands all the reasons Brad did what he did. Brad says he still shouldn’t have done it, and Lucas says, Brad was drawn into a nightmare. But Brad pulled him in too, and it’s a nightmare he never wants to think about or experience again. So goodbye, Brad. He walks out.

Isaiah says, so if Lulu’s body accepts Lucky’s liver, it will take her back to her baseline. He’ll have given her the best possible chance to wake up from her coma. Lucky says, don’t kid a kidder. The odds of that are pretty slim. Isaiah says, slim is better than none, and Lucky says he guesses. Isaiah says, Lucky is going to need about a week in the hospital, and another six to eight weeks after than to recover from the surgery. That being said, there are risks. There’s no such thing as a routine transplant surgery. Lucky says, and Isaiah wouldn’t consider… Isaiah says he’ll give advice and offer support, but he’s never going back into surgery. Lucky says, sorry. He never should have asked. Isaiah has done more than his part. Isaiah says, he means the whole risking his life to get Lucky help thing? and Lucky says, without him, he’d still be in the desert. Whatever happens next is on him.

Sonny says, don’t worry about it, and Carly says, he does have a plan to help Alexis, doesn’t he? He says, they can protect Alexis and everybody involved. All they have to do is find the gun Alexis threw away. She says, what if he doesn’t find it? and he says, then he’ll prove Alexis didn’t kill Jagger Cates. She says, how? and he says he’ll turn himself in.

On Monday, Willow says, maybe she and Michael can figure it out together; Robert tells Diane, Holly’s back in town; Terry has Lucky’s test results; and Lucky owes someone a huge apology.

🪥 Brush Up On Your Lucas…

A refresher course or an introduction.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-lucas-jones-ryan-carnes-158930

🎉 Mother and Child Reunion…

Laura’s head is going to explode when Lulu wakes up.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/genie-francis-returns-to-general-hospital-2024

I dunno about him being like Luke. Luke was never that altruistic.

https://ew.com/general-hospital-will-reunite-laura-with-lucky-genie-francis-jonathan-jackson-8723567

🎉 Receipts, Proof, Timelines, Lemons In a Bowl…

I really do feel badly for her, but she seriously needs to curb her drinking.

Shannon Beador Being Publicly Slammed by Spinoff Host Joel Kim Booster Isn’t a Good Look for Her: Here’s Why

Confirmation!

Jeff Lewis Believes Claims of Shannon Beador Being a “Terror” on Set Could Be True, Says He Was “Concerned” About Her Before She Left to Film Love Hotel in Mexico and Confirms She Wasn’t in a “Great Place”

🍸 Something About Horror…

It beats the horror of the last two seasons of VPR.

Ariana Madix Takes on Halloween Horror Nights 2024

💍 Charming Proposal…

She’s finally moved on from creeper Austen. Good for her.

PHOTOS: Olivia Flowers Gets Engaged to Boyfriend Alex Williams in NYC Near Family and Friends, as Southern Charm Alum Shares Photos From Romantic Proposal

🥸 That’s a Lot Of Laughs…

Wow. Fifty – 5-0 – seasons.

https://ew.com/how-to-watch-first-snl-episode-after-saturday-night-movie-8722822

💸 Regrettable Millionaire…

This came after the shame of being included in The Dark Side of Reality TV. I kinda, sorta remember it, but I’m not a fan of the finding love shows. I always feel embarrassed for the contestants. No doubt they feel embarrassed for themselves too, after it airs. And it’s rarely love that they find.

https://ew.com/joe-millionaire-producer-regrets-convincing-women-to-do-show-8714985

👻 Get Your Ideas Here…

This article shows costumes you can buy and where you can buy them, but it’s not that hard to DIY some of these ideas. I’m no seamstress, but I’ve handmade dog costumes a few times. You try to find Rocky Horror costumes for dogs.

https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/pets/best-dog-halloween-costumes

Omg, the little football.

https://blog.homesalive.ca/dog-blog/20-funny-creative-outrageous-pet-costumes

💡 Quotes of the Week

The really magical things are the ones that happen right in front of you. A lot of the time you keep looking for beauty, but it is already there. And if you look with a bit more intention, you see it. – Vik Muniz

It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it. – Abraham Lincoln

October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations about them once again. – Hal Borland

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. – Terry Simpson

Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. – Mike Tyson

You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s actions, not words, that matter. – Nicholas Sparks

I said no cilantro. I might as well shove a bar of goddam soap in my mouth. – Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell), The Penguin (Same.)

No one knows what it is, or how it works, but everyone wants to possess it. – Nomad (Michael Berryman), Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time

🍁 Here’s To October…

Get your weekend on, then join me on Monday for soap and seeing what’s on Sail. Until then, stay safe, stay within the parameters of a party (in other words, don’t be nosy about the host’s home), and stay never calling people unkind names because they’re sick.

Sep6

September 5, 2024 – Tracy Hires a Tutor For Lois, Isaiah, Her Brothers, Remembering, Bad Johnny J in the OC, His Disorder, VanderBaby, They Will, Extra Salt, New Reality, Joker Plus One, He Lied & Gurls

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Josslyn goes home to the apartment, and Trina says, it looks like she’s wearing yesterday’s clothes. Josslyn says, she may or may not have spent the night at Dex’s. He graduated from the police academy and got his badge. He’s now one of Port Charles’s finest. Trina says, he could have broken in his badge here last night, and Josslyn says she was gone one night. What happened?

In Isaiah’s room, Elizabeth tells TJ, it’s unusual to see a patient in this state. He’s not in a coma, but not unconscious. TJ says he’s not experienced in this, and she wonders if it’s a vegetative state or twilight. He did open his eyes last night. TJ says, but it was brief, likely caused by a seizure, and she says, maybe it’s the key to finding out who he is.

Jordan asks Dante how Lulu is, and he says, she’s holding steady. She says she heard Laura met her contact. She’ll let him know if there are any leads about Lucky. Dante asks if she’s ever wished she could be in two places at once, and she says, all the time. He says, Laura is off and he’s here with Lulu. He wishes there was something he could do, that there was some way to help from here.

The Invader headline is about John’s murder with his picture underneath. Ned wonders why Cates called himself Jagger. He wasn’t in a rock band. Tracy says, he wanted a name that sounded like an adolescent body spray, and Brook says she shouldn’t speak ill of the dead. Tracy says, she’s right. You should do it face to face when they’re alive. Olivia says, it’s tragic no matter how they felt about him, and Tracy, a crime was committed in her sacred space. Her bed looked like someone wrestled a bear. Who would do that? Ned says, they all have their own beds to wrestle in, and Lois says, one guest in particular came down looking a little mussed. Tracy chokes on her orange juice, and the others laugh.  

Carly says she needs coffee, and Sonny asks how she slept. She says she slept fine, but it’s kind of hard to get a good night’s sleep if you’re worried about waking up to an accessory to murder charge.

Diane goes to Alexis’s house and apologizes for not getting here sooner. Jason’s snafus present themselves at all hours of the day or night, but Jason’s misadventure is the Davis family’s good fortune.

Nina says, Cates was going to kill Ava and she came to work? Ava says she doesn’t have the luxury of taking a me day. Cates is dead, but his legacy lives on. Robert is going ahead with the ridiculous charges involving Kristina’s accident. Nina says she found a lawyer for Ava and asked him to meet them here. Ric walks in.

Diane tells Alexis that Ava took back her revised statement overseen by the late, not great, John Cates. Alexis asks why she would do that, and Diane says, Cates tried to have her killed. Apparently, he felt she might be susceptible to pressure from Sonny to recant. Alexis says, the written affidavit to her latest statement? and Diane says, that’s the one he could have used against Sonny. Alexis asks how they dodged that bullet, and Diane says, Cates allegedly hired a third party to murder Ava, but Jason threw in a monkey wrench. She’s surprised Alexis isn’t doing a victory dance. Alexis says, Kristina is out of one murder charge, but possibly face with another, and Diane asks whose murder she’s liable for now.

Nina introduces Ava and Ric, and realizes they know each other. Ava says, he’s Sonny’s brother. He represented her in the matter of… Rick says, Connie Falconari’s murder, and Ava asks if this is Nina’s idea of a joke. Nina says, obviously, she didn’t make the connection, or she never would have requested his help. This is where they’re at. Ava needs a lawyer, and Ric is an able one. He might as well give it a go. Ava says, might as well, but Ric says, not on your life.

Sonny says he’s sorry Carly lost sleep, but neither of them is going to get charged. She says she wishes she was as sure as he is, and he tells her that her help means a lot. She says, it’s a habit she’s trying to break. If she’d just taken more time or known how far he was going to take it, it would have been a different chat about the alibi. He asks if she would have thrown him to the wolves, and she says she doesn’t want him going to jail, but she’s not taking it further than she absolutely has to. She has to go. He asks, why the hurry? Is he so terrible?   

Tracy says she’s going to be sick, and Brook tells her to take a deep breath. Ned says, stop being so dramatic, but Tracy says she’s never dramatic. Olivia says she’ll burn the sheets. She’ll buy a new bed. She’ll call an exorcist. Tracy says she can’t believe those reprehensible people made her a party to their four-legged urges by using her bed, and Ned says, that sounds like the name of a new band, Four Legged Urges. Brook says, she’s not going to catch cooties, and Tracy says she’s going to be permanently nauseous. Olivia tells her to have a croissant, and a woman comes in telling her how to pronounce it correctly. It’s far kinder on the ears.

Diane tells Alexis to find out what she can from Kristina. Not as a mother, but as a lawyer. She’ll circle back and they can compare notes. Alexis thanks her, and Diane says she’ll try not to keep Alexis waiting so long next time. She leaves, and Kristina comes downstairs. She asks why Diane was here.  

Nina asks if Ric is saying he won’t represent Ava, and he says his caseload is full. She says she thought he went to the Scotty Baldwin school of law, where it doesn’t matter as long as it’s billable, but he says, even he has his limits. Nina asks why he came if the answer was no, and he says, she was careful to omit the details. Nina says she thought he’d get over his objections when she reminded him that he owes her a favor for trying to rob her blind during their mercifully short marriage.

Olivia says she doesn’t know who the woman is or what she’s doing here. She pronounces croissant the way she eats one. The woman says, incorrectly? Brooklyn, 15th Avenue and 85th Street. Maybe further inland, but no more than 83rd. Olivia says, she’s freaking her out, and Ned asks, who is she? The woman says she’s Robin Finch, dialect theorist and tutor to the stars. Lois must be her new student. She holds out her hand as if for a kiss, but Lois shakes it.

Carly says she and Sonny have a beautiful family together, and he says, they had a lot of good years. She says, the bad ones were a special kind of hell. She loves him, but they’re done. He says he knows, but what’s the harm in playing out the alibi? She says, when the family finds out what they were doing when he was really talking to Cates.  

Trina says, Chase put the whole place on lockdown immediately, and Josslyn says, Cates was no friend of Sonny’s. Trina says, she doesn’t think… and Josslyn says she’s trying not to. There’s a knock at the door, and Gio asks if he can hang with them. Lois told him to steer clear of the big house. Josslyn says, the Quartermaines must be losing it, and Gio says, most of them. Tracy is having a meltdown because two of the dinner guests used her bed. Trina says, eww, and Josslyn says, tacky. Gio says, it was his Uncle Sonny and Josslyn’s mom.  

Lois says she’s sure Robin is great, but she doesn’t know about a tutor. Robin says, it’s tyooter, not tooter, and Olivia says, Robin said she was a coach to the stars? Robin asks if they’re familiar with Meryl Streep, and Lois and Olivia both say, a dingo ate my baby, in an Australian accent. Ned asks if Robin isn’t kind of young to have worked on A Cry in the Dark, but Robin says, she worked with Meryl as a mother. She coached her daughters. Brook says, there’s nothing wrong with the way Lois talks. She didn’t hire Robin. Tracy says she did.  

Josslyn tells Gio, her mother did not sleep with Sonny. They’re messing with him. Gio says, they seemed serious… maybe, and she asks when this happened and how. He says, last night and probably the usual way, and she says, this is a mistake. Trina agrees and says, it sounds like a big game of trashy telephone. Gio says he’s sure heard the wrong thing the wrong way, and Josslyn says she’ll be back. She leaves, and Gio asks, what happened? Trina says, Carly and Sonny’s breakup was mutual, but not amicable.

Carly tells Sonny, it was one time. They’re not back together. He says, they’ll think he’s a sleaze who preyed on poor, vulnerable Carly, but she says she’s not poor or vulnerable. She walked into this with her eyes wide open. He says he’s glad he could count on her, and he’d do the same for her. There’s a knock at the door and Diane comes in. She sees Sonny and Carly, and says, oh no.

Jordan asks if there’s any update on the John Doe, but TJ says, there’s been no change. He’ll let her know if he’s coming to. He leaves, and Dante says, no ID, no phone, and no record of prints, so he’s not ex-military or had any run-ins with the law. Jordan says she’ll call the WSB, and he asks if she thinks they’ll care. She says, possibly, if she drops Laura’s name. She intends to pursue every avenue. That man matters to someone.

Dressed in scrubs, the guy from the airport walks into Isaiah’s room. Elizabeth asks if she can help him.

Ric says, good times, and Nina says, for him, rolling around in her inheritance. He says, and she was a real blast. Almost as much as the prospect of defending Ava in front of Sonny. But Ava kicked his niece out a window and killed his grandchild. Ava says, it wasn’t that way, but he says he can’t take the case. Sorry. He leaves, and Ava asks if Nina has any other bright ideas.

Kristina asks again why Diane was here, and Alexis says, Ava recanted her statement. She’s no longer claiming Kristina tried to kill her. That means without her statement, the FBI’s case is groundless. She still has to file a petition, but she can’t imagine it won’t be dismissed. Kristina says, then it’s over, but Alexis says, not quite. John Cates was shot and killed last night. Kristina says, one down and one to go.

Elizabeth says she hasn’t seen him. Is he new here? The man says he is. He’s here to clean up. She tells him to come back later. The patient needs rest. He says, of course (🍷), and leaves with her.

Dante tells Jordan that he’s going over to the scene and see if he can find anything. He goes to the elevator, and Ric comes out. Dante heaves a Jason sigh and goes into the elevator. Ric goes over to TJ at the reception desk and asks how TJ is doing. TJ says he’s doing okay, and Ric says he’s worried about Molly. She’s putting on a brave face, but he knows she talks to TJ. He was hoping TJ could tell him what’s really going on. TJ says, they’re doing okay… he thinks. They’re in different places with the loss. He doesn’t want to put any more thought or energy into what happened at the hotel room, but that’s all Molly thinks about. She wants to assign blame. Ric says, she wants to see someone punished, and TJ says, him too, but then what? There’s no Irene at the end and they’ll just go in circles causing more pain. He hopes Molly can see it before she loses more than she already has.  

Kristina says she’s not going to cry because Cates is gone, and Alexis says, it’s probably not a good idea to applaud either when Kristina openly threatened him. Kristina says, it’s a good thing only one person heard her and it was her lawyer. Alexis says she’s also Kristina’s mother and she’s concerned. Kristina is talking about a human like he was nothing. Kristina says, she’s had no sleep, had the threat of prison hanging over her, and a daughter worth dying for. Cates was worth killing. Alexis says, did she? and Kristina says, no, but Alexis thinks she did. Alexis says she was gone a good amount of time, and Kristina says she was at the grave and forgot she had the gun with her.

Ava says, maybe she’ll skip town, but Nina says she can’t go on the run. Ava says she has the money and the means, but Nina says, she’ll be looking over her shoulder for her entire life. Ava says, instead of being behind bars. She’s been in prison and doesn’t want to go back. Nina says, stay and fight. Don’t go on the run. It won’t just be Port Charles she’ll never see again. She’ll never see Avery.

Ned says, how Lois speaks is none of her business, but Tracy says, Lois is her employee. She sells products on Home & Heart, and the sales are directly linked to her presentation. Brook says, they’re doing fine, but Tracy says, if they were, Brook wouldn’t be tripping over herself getting Sonny to invest and taking on the hoochie mama that comes with it. She believes the numbers will improve if Lois’s rough edges are smoothed out. Olivia says, what about her? Does Tracy think her numbers will improve if she spoke snob? She knows some great sign language. Brook says, no one is signing anything, when Josslyn comes in the front door. Olivia goes to the foyer, and Brook says, Tracy had no right to hire Robin without her mother’s buy-in, but Tracy says, Lois implied that she did buy-in.

Josslyn says she hopes she’s not interrupting, and Olivia says, of course (🍷) not. Josslyn says, Gio told her something insane about her mom and Sonny, so she’s checking in with Olivia. She sees Olivia’s face and says, oh my God. It’s true, isn’t it?

Diane says, so while John Cates was being gunned down, Sonny and Carly were bedding down in a Quartermaine bedroom. Carly says, they got caught up in the moment, but Diane says she doesn’t believe it and doubts anyone else will. Sonny says, no one can prove otherwise, and Diane asks if they’re sure they weren’t spotted somewhere else on the property. Sonny says, it was dark and raining and everyone was inside. There’s no way they can ID who killed Cates. Diane says she’s praying it doesn’t come to that. She doesn’t relish the idea of selling this rekindled relationship. Carly says, it’s not a relationship, and Sonny says, it was a moment. Diane says she’ll need more than that to sell it. She needs an ongoing pattern. She needs an affair.

On the phone, Jordan tells someone to thank Jack Brennan for his help. TJ asks if she doesn’t think the police can ID the John Doe, and she says, another set eyes doesn’t hurt.

Ric tells Elizabeth that John Cates was murdered not long after they witnessed someone toss a gun off the bridge.

Kristina says she went to take the gun out and it wasn’t there. She thought Alexis took it or she lost it along the way. She never used it. Alexis says she thought Kristina was going to hurt herself. (Me too.) She thought she was going to lose her.

Sonny says, an affair is a non-starter, and Diane says, they have to protect themselves. Sonny says, that’s what he pays her for. Do her job. Carly says, she doesn’t know why she’s doing this… and Diane says, don’t finish that sentence or utter a similar one to anyone. Carly says she can’t do this and leaves the room. Diane says, before she goes, she has a piece of good news. Kristina is out of the woods. Ava recanted her statement. Ask Jason. One more thing, he and Carly need to be in sync on every detail and own it. She can only hold off the police for so long. Unlike her, Anna will not suspend her disbelief. She leaves.

Trina says, Gio is incorrect. He made a mistake. Gio asks her to tell Joss how sorry he is, and leaves. Josslyn comes back and says, her mom is reading her texts, but not responding. Trina says, take a deep breath. She doesn’t know what happened, and if they did, so what? They’re consenting adults with a history. Josslyn says, Sonny has a history of hurting her mom, and Trina says, Josslyn got back with Dex. Josslyn says, he doesn’t use her, and Trina says, maybe that’s how her mom feels about her relationship with Sonny. There are multiple reasons Josslyn and Dex shouldn’t be together, but Josslyn thought it was worth it. Maybe that’s how her mom feels. Does she want to get in the middle of their dynamic? Josslyn says, she’s right. Her mom is a grown adult and it’s her choice. She’s going to focus on her own life, and if her mom wants to mess hers up, she can do it by herself.

Tracy says, Lois was open to the idea unless something changed, and Ned tells Lois that she doesn’t have to give in to his mother’s classism. Tracy says she wouldn’t have hired Robin if she didn’t think Lois was on board, and Lois says she admits that the caller on Home & Heart got to her. It’s one thing to sell a band to a record label, but it’s another to look into a camera and talk to a million people. Her accent can be… Tracy says, toneless? Offensive? Unnecessarily cruel? Lois says, different, and Robin says, different is not always better. Ned tells Lois that she doesn’t have to give in to his mother, and Olivia says, it’s better to be Lois than a phony. Robin says she doesn’t wish to rob Lois of her authenticity, just give her the tools to refine it, if and when she chooses to do so. She’s coached front facing corporate personalities who choose to deploy and drop it at will. It’s not her goal to recreate Lois. She wants to empower her.

Tracy says she’s just trying to help Lois help herself, and Brook says, she doesn’t need help, but Lois says, maybe she does. She asks Robin to stick around and show her what she’s got, and Robin says she shall.  

Jordan tells TJ that if she can find out who John Doe is, it might help her feel less powerless. He says, she’s the most powerful person he knows, but she says she couldn’t help save him from his pain. She couldn’t help save her granddaughter, but if she can just find a name, maybe it will make up for all she couldn’t do. TJ hugs her.

Dante looks around the accident scene. He takes out a handkerchief and picks up a phone.  

On the phone, the man tells someone to put him through to Sidwell. He tells Sidwell that he has eyes on Gannon. Instructions?… Understood. He will never wake up.

Ava tells Nina, of course (🍷) she can’t leave Avery, but she can’t go back to prison. She needs a lawyer. Nina says she’ll talk to Ric again, but Ava says, he made it clear he’s not going to represent her. Nina says she’s sure she can convince him, and Ava asks why Nina is helping her. She betrayed Nina. Nina says she wants Avery to have her mom and Ava can thank Willow. She gave Nina a second chance and she feels like Ava deserves one too.

Carly asks if Diane left, and Sonny says, they’ll have to talk to the police soon. She says she needs to go, and he asks if she doesn’t think they can make people believe their story. They have history on their side. She says, and necessity. She wants him out of prison and in Donna’s life. They have to make people believe what they say happened, happened. He thanks her and she says she’ll add it to his tab. She leaves, and in the hallway, she runs into Josslyn.  

Kristina tells Alexis that she’s sorry. She wasn’t going to hurt herself and never would. Alexis thanks her and says she’s relieved to hear Kristina had nothing to do with the shooting. Kristina says she’d better get the gun back, and Alexis says, back where? She says, it’s dad’s. She took it from the penthouse and he’s going to notice it’s missing. Can she have it back? Alexis says, it’s gone. Possession of a gun is a bail violation. If Kristina was found with it, she’d be in jail, so she got rid of it off the bridge over Blackstone Canyon.

Sonny calls Jason and says, they have a problem. He discovered a gun is missing from his safe.

Ric says, they were witnesses to a crime, and Elizabeth says, they saw a woman drop a gun into the water. It’s not a crime. He says, she may have killed the FBI agent. The police have to know what they saw. He and Alexis have a history, and they might not believe him on his own. Elizabeth saw it and they have to come forward with what they saw together.

Tomorrow, Lucky tells Holly that he can smell a con a mile away; Josslyn asks if Carly slept with Sonny or is she giving him an alibi; and Sonny tells Jason that this is the only thing tying him to the murder.

🎓 Smartest In the Room…

All about Isaiah.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/who-is-isaiah-on-gh-sawandi-wilson-speaks-out

👠 Rich Reunion…

I didn’t watch Dynasty during its original run, but I caught it when it was on late night in the 90s and I loved it.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/emma-samms-reunites-with-her-dynasty-brothers

🥀 Tribute To a Friend…

The Talisman is one of my favorite books.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-remembers-his-friend-peter-straub

🍊 Do You OC What I See…

Fancy Pants Heather invited the group to wine country where they stayed at Dawn Ranch in some sweet little bungalows. She was having a tasting of a champagne collaboration she’d done with Family Equality, the organization getting 100% of the sales profit. Four sparkling wines had been created, loosely based on four of Heather’s children. On the way there, Tamra made a big deal about an Instagram post of Shannon sitting by herself at a bar like it was no big deal. Newsflash. Women are allowed to do that now. Shannon claimed she wasn’t drinking alcohol, but in her interview, Heather said she’d never sat in a bar and ordered a mocktail. I’ve never done that either, but another newsflash. Only Shannon and the bartender know for sure, but I have friends who do that all the time. Apparently, if Fancy Pants hasn’t done it, it just isn’t done.

Alexis prompted Katie to bring hairspray on a nature hike in case they came across any bears. I’m guessing that would just annoy the bear, so drop Alexis’s IQ twenty more points. Gina spilled the beans during a small group conversation by saying something about that video thing, prompting Shannon to say, what video thing? several times while everyone looked at the floor, into space, and anyplace but at Shannon. Emily said it was the worst, longest, most drawn out, traumatic breakup ever, and in her interview, Gina wondered, why do you want to hurt someone so badly if you’re so happy in your new relationship? My guess is, he’s not that happy. He’s just a real piece of work who wants to get back at Shannon, and when he’s done, he’s going to dump Alexis. Hey, I can dream.

My biggest question was, who did Alexis give a BJ to in order to get tickets to the Oscars?

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18, Episode 9 Recap: Shannon Beador Comes Clean

https://people.com/rhoc-recap-shannon-beador-says-ex-john-janssen-suing-her-is-extortion-8706651

🩺 Diagnosis In the Valley…

This explains a lot, but my diagnosis is, he’s still awful.

https://okmagazine.com/p/jax-taylor-diagnosed-bipolar-disorder-ptsd-checking-inpatient-facility

🍼 Giving You Lala’s New Baby…

No name yet, but I’m sure it will be something spectacular. I’m voting for Stream or Rivulet.

Lala Kent Welcomes Second Child, Reveals Birthday

💏 Charming Engagement…

Aww. Rodrigo and boyfriend Tyler are two of the few cast members I like. Hoping it’s all rainbows and more rainbows.

Southern Charm Alum Rodrigo Reyes Announces Engagement

🧂 Salt Lake City Multiplied…

I’ll probably be skipping this one. RHOSC is enough for me.

EXCLUSIVE: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Cast Share Their Biggest Secrets

💣 Outplaying In Secret…

Another one that probably won’t be on my list. Not that it doesn’t sound good, but I get confused when Jeff Probst lists the challenge steps on Survivor.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Sleeping on New Reality Show The Anonymous

🔥 A Match Made In Hell…

Apparently, this is a musical. I’m intrigued.

https://people.com/joker-2-first-reactions-folie-a-deux-venice-film-festival-8697650

Taking it to the Venice streets. Amazing. Joaquin Pheonix is actually smiling. And not as the Joker.

https://extratv.com/2024/09/04/joaquin-phoenix-and-lady-gaga-bring-the-joker-to-the-venice-film-festival/

🐈 No Cats Allowed…

I’m with Travis on this, but I have to admit, I laughed at Jason’s ingenuity.

https://people.com/jason-kelce-says-it-ll-be-hilarious-when-his-kids-meet-taylor-swift-s-cats-8706379

🪁 Seeing You In September…

Join me tomorrow for soap. whatever entertainment rabbits come out of my hat, quotable quotes, and perhaps an earworm. Until then, stay safe, stay embracing the change of seasons, and stay not giving into four-legged urges on somebody else’s bed.

Jul17

July 16, 2024 – Anna Gives Jason the Evidence, Soap Bubbles, No Cringe Here, Jersey Shakedown, Charm To Come, Agatha, Feline Fatty & Heat

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dex comes to the pool in his uniform and tells Josslyn that he’s here on his lunch break. She says she likes his blues, but he says, his unform is nothing compared to hers (i.e. her swimsuit).

John goes to Ava’s hotel room, and she says she’s been looking forward to their meeting all day. She’s sleep deprived though, between hearing the elevator and the people at the pool and being without her daughter and knowing if she’s safe, she’s awake most of the night. He thanks her for being willing to help, and she says she’s at her wit’s end trying to get Avery away from Sonny. He says, the best way to protect Avery and herself is to build a case against Sonny.

Willow goes to the penthouse and asks Sonny if she’s interrupting. He says, she and the kids are welcome any time. What’s wrong? She says, maybe she’s being presumptuous, but she decided to come after she had a conversation with her mother. Sonny asks, since when are she and Nina talking? and she says, since she decided let go of her anger.

Nina slaps Drew and says, you son of a bitch. You kissed my daughter. He says he deserved that, but calm down. (Apparently, Drew doesn’t know that he should never say that to a woman.) He knows there’s no excuse and knows it was wrong. She says, he doesn’t look remorseful, and he says he got lost in the moment – the applause, the congratulations, and the fireworks. He was there with a beautiful woman who was happy for him, and it just happened. Nina wonders how Willow missed his rampant narcissism. Willow is an idealist and can’t see the real Drew Cain… She means, the real Drew Quartermaine. It’s time she broke through that and told Willow that her hero is sleeping with her mother.  

Anna asks Jason to hear her out, but he says he has been hearing her. It’s been nearly three years, and he needs the phone. She says, it’s too soon, but he says, it’s the only way to get Carly out from under the FBI. She says she can’t let Cates take Valentin away.

John says, Ava was living with Sonny and has a past with him and the Jerome family. She must have insight into his organization. She says, it all happened so fast, and offers him some wine, but he says, not while he’s on duty. She pours a glass for herself and says she’s feeling unsettled. She’s used to a juggling act with the gallery and scheduling all of Avery’s activities. Without it, she’s felt so out of sync and alone. He says, that’s why she needs to build a case against Sonny to get her daughter back. He puts his phone on record, but she turns it off and says, his help means so much, but to be honest, she’s afraid of Sonny. If she lets him record her, it could make its way back to Sonny, and he’s harsh when it comes to betrayal. It’s the ultimate sin. He says, they have ways to protect her, but she says she’s not going into hiding while Avery is still with Sonny. He’s erratic and dangerous. He’s pushed his family away, except for his daughter Kristina. He actually blames her for outing Kristina’s girlfriend. As if she cares; it’s not her business. John says, his job is to put Sonny away, and if she helps him, it’s to both their advantages. She says, it’s not that simple. Many have tried and failed to put Sonny away, and who among them is still breathing? He gives her his word that he doesn’t give up his sources, and she says she’ll think about it. Knowing she has his support makes her feel more at ease. He leaves and she closes the door.

Willow tells Sonny that seeing Drew give up his grudge against Nina when he had the right to hold onto it forever, made her realize that hanging onto her pain and resentment was only hurting her. She gained nothing by depriving her kids of someone who truly wants to love them. Sonny says, all Nina wants is to love them and be a part of their lives, and Willow says, they’re taking it slow, but she realizes there’s room in her life for her mom. All she wants is for all of them to be happy. He asks if she’s lobbying for him and Nina to get back together, and she says, no, but they’d genuinely seemed happy, and she knows Nina loves him. He says, he wants Nina to be happy, and with Willow and the children in her life, she will be.

Drew says, if Nina was going to tell Willow about them, she should have done it when Willow told her about the kiss, but Nina says she thought it was more important that Willow confide in her than exposing his feet of clay. What was he thinking? Willow is married to his nephew, and they have small children. He should have better control of himself. He says, something happened in that moment, but it was a mistake and won’t happen again. He respects Willow and cares about her happiness and family. It was an isolated moment, like Nina and Sonny in Nixon Falls. He’s not throwing it in her face, but he understands it was a bad impulse and Nina got carried away. Nina says she knows Drew thinks it was just a moment, but Willow is drowning in guilt. She’s agonizing about telling Michael, but she told Willow to make the choice to move on. She hopes Drew allows it. He says, of course (🍷) he will. Whatever she thinks, he has not and will not pursue Willow.  

Jason asks if Anna wants Valentin to go free. Did she tip him off? She says, it’s about Charlotte. She’s back from school and home with her father. Think about Danny and Jake. If Valentin goes down, he’ll be gone a lot longer than three years. What happens to his daughter then? He says he can’t believe they’ve been working together, and he finally got what he needed… She says, he will get it. She almost took Charlotte’s life. He says, she keeps punishing herself for that, and now she’s going to punish him. She says, Valentin is all Charlotte has. Her mother is in a coma and Laura is already raising one grandchild. She refuses to separate Charlotte and Valentin. Charlotte forgave her. Her voice breaks and she says she can’t repay that by damaging Charlotte more and leaving her fatherless and alone. She won’t do it.

Josslyn asks if Gio will make sure no one drowns in the pool, and he says, no one is in the pool. She says, even better. She needs to have a word with Dex. They step away and kiss in the hallway. She asks if he remembers how upset she was when he first joined the PCPD, and he says, of course (🍷). She says, because she was so focused on the downside, she forgot the upside – his uniform. He asks if anyone could be wearing it, but she says, the uniform is great, but it’s him in it, confident and sure of himself. It makes him so hot. They kiss again.

Lois comes to the pool and says she has exciting news for Gio. A friend of hers who works in the city lost a violinist for a string quartet used on Broadway soundtracks. The violinist broke his arm, and she talked Gio up. Her friend is going to hold a spot for him. What does he say? Does he hear that? It’s opportunity knocking. Is he ready for the bright lights?

Drew says, what he did was awful, but he’s not so awful that he’d take advantage of Willow, and Nina says she needed to hear him say it. He says he’s seen Nina work to reconcile with Willow and he admires the fact she didn’t give up. He knows it’s good for both her and Willow that Willow confided in her. Nina says, it felt nice, but the details weren’t, and Drew tells her not to worry about the details. It won’t happen again. She says she’s choosing to believe him. Don’t make her regret it. She believes in him and will make sure he has The Invader’s endorsement. He thanks her, but says, it’s not a quid pro quo. She says, her main concern is Willow’s peace of mind, and he says, maybe it’s time they came to a new understanding.

John asks what Ava can tell him about Sonny’s organization, and she says, not much. Julian kept her out of all that. Julian and Sonny’s world is brutal. He says, she must have heard things, and she says she and her brother were close. She was exposed to things, but didn’t want to involve herself. She preferred to focus on beauty, art, and her gallery. And of course (🍷) her daughter Kiki. She was raising Kiki alone, but she’s no longer with them. He says he’s sorry for her loss, and she says, Julian made more than his share of mistakes, but she loved him anyway. He asks why she turned up with Sonny at Selina Wu’s warehouse the night of the sniper attack, and she says, Sonny insisted she go. Maybe as a human shield, maybe to intimidate Selina. The Jerome family name still holds weight. She was in no position to refuse. He says, she seemed defensive and protective of Sonny, and she says she supposes she was. They were getting along better then, and she was trying to appease him for her and Avery’s sakes. On one hand, Sonny was offering protection, but on the other, he was often a target himself.

Jason says he feels for Charlotte. She’s just a kid and doesn’t deserve this, but that’s on Valentin. He made his choices. Charlotte won’t be alone; she’s got family. Anna says, it’s not the same thing, and Jason says he understands. He’s heard the pain in his sons’ voices asking where he’s been, why he didn’t reach out, and wondering if he cares for them. He won’t let them down again. She says, that happened with her and Robin. She won’t ask him to sacrifice his relationship with his sons. She’s just asking him to trust her for two hours more.

Gio tells Lois that he appreciates the opportunity, but he already promised Ava and Trina that he’d play at a gallery opening and he’s committed to PCU’s summer concert series. Lois says she’s sure someone can cover for him at PCU, and she knows Trina and Ava won’t mind. This is professional work. It’s Broadway, baby. Think of the exposure. And once you’re in, you’re in. He says he supposes they could find a replacement, but his scholarship at PCU is contingent on the concert series. She says, they can talk to the head of the department and explain the situation. College is supposed to prepare you for the real world, and this is a real-world professional opportunity he’s being offered on the road to stardom. No one deserves it more.

Willow says she has a confession. She didn’t come here to talk about Nina. It’s about Michael. Sonny protests, but she says, just hear her out. Michael is her everything. They have a beautiful life and he takes good care of her and their children. She knows Michael is in pain over their estrangement. Michael loves Sonny; he still does. Sonny says, some things just can’t be forgiven, and Willow says, they both know what it feels like to be lied to in order to be protected. The insult and betrayal are hard to get past. Michael did both to her in the name of love, but she got over it. Look at her and Nina now. The healing feels so much better. Sonny’s phone rings, and he picks it up. He says, Diane… Where is she? He’s been trying to call all morning… He doesn’t give a damn. She’s on retainer. Tell her to call him back immediately. He hangs up, and tells Willow, sorry. She says, upsetting news? and he says, Diane is annoying. He pays her a lot of money. She can call him herself, not have an associate do it. Ava is trying to take his daughter away and he’s going to fight tooth and nail to make sure Avery stays with him.

John asks about Sonny’s connection to Anna, and Ava says she’s wondered about that herself. They go way back and are thick as thieves. She suspects that’s why Sonny has remained a free man. They bonded over Robin, and John says, Ava was a captive audience when he and Sonny faced off, dredging up that history. Sorry. She says, it explained a lot about both of them. John is still grieving his brother and his wife. He says, that’s all for now. He’ll let her think on things, and he’ll come back when she’s ready to talk. Give some thought to making a statement. He thinks that’s the best way to go. She says she’ll think about it. May she call him John? He says, of course (🍷), and she says, it’s comforting having him around. They’ll talk soon. He leaves, and in the hallway, his phone rings. He says, no. It wasn’t for him. The champagne was for a source he’s grooming… Yemen? This is the first he’s hearing about a shipment… It does seem Pikeman is still in play. He’s narrowing down a person of interest, but needs time …. He understands. He expects information soon…

Anna says she’ll go to Valentin and warn him that he’s done. The FBI is coming for him. He’ll take Charlotte and run. Jason says, the FBI wants the head of Pikeman, but she says, they just needed him identified to let Jason go. They’ll cast global nets, but she bets they won’t find him. But it won’t matter. Jason will have fulfilled his end of the deal. Jason says, she’s asking that he trust Cates will honor his end of the deal without having Valentin in custody, but she says she’s asking him to trust her. It would have taken a lot longer without her help. He has the evidence because of her and all she’s asking is that he wait two hours before turning it over. Please. She’s running out of time. he says, she’d better be right, and she says she’ll do everything in her power make sure he doesn’t regret it. She promises. She gives him the phone and says she’s trusting him now. He sighs and says, okay. He has what he needs. Do what she wants with Valentin. She dashes out the door.

Willow says she’s sorry that Sonny is going through this, and he says, they’ve been down this road several times. Willow says she’s happy to help, and he says he appreciates the effort, but doesn’t want Michael involved. Michael had someone spy on him. It’s not easy to swallow. She says, Michael knows he made a mistake. At least consider forgiveness. He says, she’s sweet and tenacious. He always liked that about her. He’ll think about it. She thanks him, and says she needs to follow her own advice. She’s in no position to judge anyone. They all make mistakes, and she needs to focus on making amends for what she’s done. He says he’s sure she’ll fix it, and she says she hopes so. For him and Michael too. She thanks him and leaves.

Josslyn says she and Dex can’t do this here. She has to work. He says his lunch break isn’t the way he pictured it. It’s way better. She says, it’s his fault for showing up looking handsome, and he asks if he should steer clear from now on. She says, don’t you dare, and they kiss.

On the phone, Ava says, they’ll talk tomorrow at the gallery, when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it to Natalia and asks what Natalia wants. Natalia says, clarity. She regrets her remarks, but she can’t figure out Ava’s endgame in recording her secretly and releasing what she said.

Nina says she thought she and Drew already had an understanding, and he says, instead of mutual loathing, they’ve moved to mutual cooperation. She says she hasn’t been completely mercenary. She admires Larry McConkey and values his friendship with her father. She wouldn’t have introduced him to Drew if she didn’t think Drew had something worthwhile. Drew says, and he never would have facilitated a reconciliation with Willow if he thought Nina would hurt her. His faith in her has been justified. She says she never thought he’d apply those words to her, and Drew says, same. She says, they’ve come a long way, and he says, it’s time to put the contempt behind them. Which begs the question, what – if anything – is left? Nina’s phone rings, and Madison says, Sonny is here to see her.

Sonny goes to Nina’s office and says he doesn’t mean to interrupt, but Nina says she and Drew have reached a stopping point. He tells Drew, congrats on his candidacy, and Drew says, that means lot, but his vote means more. Drew leaves, and Nina asks if Sonny wants something to drink, but he says he doesn’t have too much time. He doesn’t know what Ava told her, but he’s moved her out and he’s filing for sole custody. Avery belongs with her father. Nina says, good, and he asks if she’s seen through Ava. If not, Nina can’t trust her. Nina says her eyes have been opened regarding Ava, and Sonny says, he imagines Nina’s wake-up call was no more pleasant than his.  

Ava says, believe it or not, she didn’t intend to record Natalia. She was in the middle of something for work and didn’t realize until after Natalia left. When she listened to the conversation, she thought the world deserved to know what Natalia’s poor daughter had to endure, her judgement about the right to love who she chooses. It was appalling. Natalia says, Blaze’s reputation and career were shattered. She was dropped by her label. Ava says, Blaze is talented and will win out in the end. Natalia has shown herself to be an awful person and a worse mother. Not even Sonny is going to have anything to do with her. Natalia says, Sonny is furious about the recording, but not with her.

Gio tells Lois that he appreciates the offer to play on the album, but doesn’t see how he can take it. She says she just doesn’t want him to miss out on this incredible opportunity, but if it’s not the right gig, no pressure. He says, it would be fantastic if he was still in the city, but he doesn’t like going back on commitments. She says, no Cerullo does, and he says, more important, he likes living here. He likes PCU and the music department, and he likes his job. He likes the people he’s met. Lois says, even the Quartermaines? and he says, especially the Quartermaines. She says, even Tracy? and he says, he doesn’t know Tracy well, but she can be… Lois says, intimidating? but he tells her that he was going to say standoffish. She’s letting him stay at the house. Lois says, it’s not up to her. The house belongs to Monica. Gio says, somebody gave it to her, and Lois says, Alan, God rest his soul, was a wonderful man. He’d love Gio staying there, just like Monica. If… When Tracy decides to bully him, be polite, but don’t let her push him around.

There’s a frantic knock at Valentin’s door, and he lets Anna in. She asks where Charlotte is, and he says, she’s with friends. Anna says, call her and tell her to come home immediately and that he’ll explain when she gets here. She’s still packed, right? Does he have a have go bag? He asks, what happened? What has she done? She says she turned him into the FBI as head of Pikeman. He has to leave the country immediately.

Nina says she was naïve to think Ava was capable of having a female friend. She’s never known Ava to have one. She doesn’t know why she thought that would change, especially given their unique history. They were doomed to fail. Sonny says he’s sorry, and Nina says, it was nice to have someone to rely on, until they became a lying backstabber. Ava played her. Never again. Why did Sonny come to her? He says, Ava filed a custody suit and means to say he’s mentally unstable. He knows he and Nina have been through tough times, but wants to know, when they ask her to take the stand, what will she say? She says she doesn’t think Ava is foolish enough to subpoena her, but she’ll tell the truth. Sonny is an exemplary father and Avery adores him. He says, it didn’t end well with them. He could have done things differently and he’s owning up to that, not just saying it. She thanks him and says she loves Avery and wants the best for her. He says, life goes on. They’re trying. She asks what he’s trying to say, and he says, she buried the hatchet with Drew. Can she do the same with him?

Valentin dumps the books off the shelf where the phone was and asks if Anna did this. She turned him in? She says, they don’t have time to talk about their feelings right now. He has to be ready to go. Listen to her. He asks if any of it was real. Them finding each other, their nights together. Anna cries and says, he knows it was. She’s risking everything to warn him. He’s got to get away. He asks if she wants him to thank her, but she says, it’s not about him. It’s about Charlotte. She needs him in her life, and he needs her in his. He takes out his phone, and calls Charlotte. He asks if she’s on her way home… Good. He’ll see her when she gets here. Anna says, take Charlotte and go and… don’t contact her again. He says, there’s another plan. Come with him.

John knocks on Jason’s door, but there’s no answer. He tries the doorknob, but it’s locked. He yells, open up! Inside, Jason sits looking at the laptop, and John yells that he wants full disclosure. Everything Jason knows or he loses the deal and so does Carly. Jason looks at the clock.

Tomorrow, Gio tells Josslyn that he may have overstayed his welcome; Anna asks Valentin why he risked it all for Pikeman; and Jason tells John that he should think twice before listening to anything that woman has to say.

🧼  All the Soap News Fit To Print…

What they did on their summer vacation.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/dex-and-the-city-evan-hofer-shares-his-big-apple-adventure

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/inside-jonathan-jacksons-intimate-concert

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/adam-harrington-shares-his-epic-surfing-vacation

It’s not inconceivable. Some characters have died several times.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-thiebaud-reveals-she-tried-to-come-back-to-gh

More sad stuff.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-alum-james-b-sikking-dead-at-90

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-james-patrick-stuart-mourns-the-loss-of-his-mother-in-law

Scheduled for the fall.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jacklyn-zeman-honored-with-special-episode-of-the-bay

Happy Anniversary!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/abc/one-life-to-live-anniversary-171600

🐪 Camel Me This…

As of this posting, there was no RHODubai recap available, but there was this. Apparently, she spoke too soon, since it was pretty cringeworthy tonight, Taleen in particular.

RHODubai’s Taleen Marie Teases ‘Cringe’ Future Episodes

🪄 Putting the New In Jersey…

IMO, the whole state could use a rebrand.

Andy Cohen Agrees RHONJ Needs a ‘Rebrand’ for S15
Andy Cohen Agrees There Should Be a Major ‘RHONJ’ Shakeup

But alas, neither Kathy nor the sprinkle cookies will be making a comeback.

Andy Cohen Reacts to Rumors Kathy Wakile Will Make RHONJ Comeback After WWHL Appearance

🍹 Meanwhile, Down South…

The latest on the latest Charm.

Everything to Know About ‘Southern Charm’ Season 10: Who Is Returning, More

Either that selfie is Photoshopped, or her arms are strangely big for her body.

Olivia Flowers Confirms She Was Fired From Southern Charm, Shares Why She Was Let Go & Dishes on Phone Call From Production

🧙🏻‍♀️ It Was Her…

Hopefully, this is as good as WandaVision. Premieres September 18th.

https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-debuts-trailer-for-marvel-televisions-new-series-agatha-all-along/

https://ew.com/agatha-all-along-trailer-kathryn-hahn-joe-locke-aubrey-plaza-8674666

🐱 Biggest Kitty Loser…

Next on his bucket list, to be a catnip influencer.

https://people.com/canadian-cat-becomes-tiktok-star-weight-loss-journey-documented-8673846

☕️ Pouring a Cup Of Ambition…

Join me tomorrow for soap, tea, LA and (hopefully) Dubai talk. Until then, stay safe, stay not wearing out your welcome as a guest, and stay not going back on commitments, especially if you like it where you are.

May11

May 10, 2024 – Carly’s Pentenville Visit Is Suspect, Separating, Next Round, Charming Pillows, Andy, Everything Last, Show Dogs (!), Keeping Them Together, Mostly Mom Quotes & Spicey Mama

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Ava goes into Sonny’s medicine drawer and digs around until she finds the lorphenadine. She scratches the number of refills off the label. (FYI, the bathroom is the worst place to keep medicine, even though we all do it.)

At the MetroCourt, Natalia thanks Sonny for all this. She guesses they should probably finish it up and get on their way. He asks if she’s in a hurry, because he’s not. He likes having her here. He enjoys her company. She says she has a personal belief no one should ever have to dine alone, and he says, lucky him.

In her office, Anna takes out the WSB file on Jack Brennan. She flashes back to John telling her that the ties between Pikeman and the WSB go back to her early years as an agent in the 80s. She says she can tell him flat out that she never had anything to do with Pikeman. Jack Brennan, who ended his rather brief tenure as head of the WSB by being shipped off to Pentenville, could tell him more. It’s alleged he was running but Pikeman and the WSB. Unless he thinks she’s the new head of Pikeman, and by packing him off to prison, she was making a big power grab. John says, anything is possible. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, come in, shoving the folder into her briefcase. Dex says, she wanted to see him? and she says, yes. She just wanted to check in, since it was her bright idea to have him apply to the police academy. Detective Bennet thinks his performance in class and training exercise was outstanding, so she wanted to check in with him personally. He says, first of all, he wanted to thank her. It never would have occurred to him to become a police officer, but every day he’s more certain this is where he’s supposed to be. She asks why he feels certain, and he says, the men and women in his class are exceptional. He’s very proud to stand next to them. She says, and the other officers, the rank and file, how’s that going? He says, it’s getting better, mostly thanks to Detective Chase. He’s really gone out of his way to take Dex under his wing and smooth the way a bit. She says, good. He’s very well liked and well respected, so she’s sure that the other officers will trust his judgement. Dex says, Chase invited him to his wedding tomorrow, and she asks if he’s going to attend. He says he wouldn’t miss it, and she says her sentiments exactly. She’s sure she’ll run into him there. He asks if that will be all, but she says, one other thing. Has he had any interaction with Detective Falconari?

Dante meets Sam in the park and apologizes for being late. She says, he’s not going to believe it. She finally got some answers from Jason about what he’s been up to the last few years. Jason is an FBI informant.

Jason is doing actual work at the coffee warehouse, when John walks in. He says, the FBI has some questions for him, and Jason says, John doesn’t have to follow official procedure. There’s nobody here but them. John says he still has questions. Why was Carly visiting the former director of the WSB in Pentenville? What did Jason tell her? What did he say to Carly? Did he mention Pikeman or Brennan to her? Jason says, no, and John says, then why did she drive out to Pentenville? Jason says he doesn’t know. This is the first he’s hearing of it. John asks why she’d visit Brennan of all people. What was she hoping to find out? Jason says he told John, he doesn’t know, and John says, if he even hinted to Carly that he’s been tasked with finding evidence against Pikeman, it violates their agreement. Jason says he only took the agreement to protect Carly. Why would he turn around and give her information that would put her at risk?

Natalia says she could sit here all day if she didn’t have a dozen phone calls to make, and Sonny says he knows how that goes. She says she would imagine he’s a pretty busy man. She knows he was waiting for someone when she showed up. Who would have the audacity to stand him up? He says he didn’t get stood up. It was Ava, the one she met at his place. He brought her here and he said something she didn’t like. She got upset and stormed off. She missed out, but he didn’t. Natalia says, it was a lovely meal, and the conversation was equally so, and he says, it’s amazing how that works. She asks if he thinks things will calm down by the time he gets home, and he says his home, not Ava’s. He brought her and his daughter Avery into his home because… basically for Avery’s sake, but at first it worked out and now it’s… not really. She says she gets it. When a relationship is ending, transitioning, that’s hard enough, but when kids are involved, it’s just so complicated. He says, sounds like she’s been through it, and she says, yeah. She and her husband are separated. That’s Allison’s father and she has a son from a previous relationship. He says, remember he told her that his family is complicated? Life’s a long and winding road. She says, full of all kinds of paths and forks not taken. Ugh. She does hope it’s a little calmer when he gets back. He says, either that, or he’s going home to an empty apartment, and she laughs. He says, Ava could be packing as they speak, but as long as they sip this coffee really slowly, it will give her enough time. She says, okay, and they clink coffee cups.

Ava goes into the hospital pharmacist’s office and says, the print has rubbed off on this bottle. She’s planning an extensive trip and wants to know how many refills are left on her husband’s prescription. They’re going to be out of the country, and she thinks maybe they should be stocking up. Actually, she wouldn’t mind a little more information about the drug itself. He takes the bottle from her and says, normally, he wouldn’t disclose this information, but since she’s gone to all this trouble, he can at least take a little look. He looks at the label and back at her. (Does this guy live under a rock? Making a note that the hospital’s pharmacist takes no security precautions just like the rest of the hospital, just in case I’m ever sick in Port Charles.)

Dex says he and Dante haven’t had much interaction. He thinks they both have the same avoidance strategy. Anna asks if Dante is icing him out, but he says, nothing like that. Dante nods hello when he walks in the squad room. Otherwise, Dante pretends he isn’t there. She says, he told her they have the same avoidance strategy. Why is Dex avoiding Dante? He says, Dante is senior detective. He also just got shot in the line of duty and he’s highly respected here. But he’s also Sonny’s son. Everyone here knows he worked for Sonny for more than a year, so if they’re seen together too much, people might think they’re working together for Sonny’s behalf. A lot of people already suspect him of that, so why put it on Dante? She asks if he has any reservations about Dante. Maybe suspicions that he might act on his father’s behalf?

Sam says she’s only telling Dante until they figure out what to do with this information. Dante says, Jason saved his life. He must have been with the shooter when they tried to take out Sonny. She says, Jason said he’s been working undercover while he’s been away, that he’s been working under an assumed identity, and Dante wonders what Jason was doing. She says she doesn’t know his exact role, but he’s working with Agent John Cates. He says, my God. He already knew that Jason was an FBI informant, and she asks, how? He says, his father told him.

The pharmacist says, Mr. Corinthos has four refills left, and Ava says, that’s what she thought. She just wanted to be sure. He says, as per usual, he’ll call the prescribing doctor when it’s time to renew unless he hears anything else. Will that be all? She says, as he knows, her husband just started taking this new drug. She does have some concerns about it. He says, really? Lorphenadine was recently approved by the FDA, but it’s highly effective and safe in combination with other drugs like lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Has she discussed her concerns with his doctor? She says, not yet. She didn’t want it to seem like she’s undermining the doctor. Sonny is very comfortable with him. She’s sure it’s fine. She does wonder though, what would happen if a patient, for whatever reason, didn’t take the medication as prescribed or took less than the prescribed dosage. Because, as she’s sure he knows, mistakes do happen.

Natalia says, maybe Sonny should go home and talk to Ava, try to resolve things, and he says he was being flip. Ava’s fine. It was just a stupid argument. He was invited to go to some social event. She wasn’t invited. He couldn’t push it because it was the bride’s family calling the shots. It was a wedding. He didn’t even know Ava wanted to go and then she said she wanted to go. He made it clear to her that she can’t go. Then she got upset and stormed off, like he said, and that is basically that. She says she gets it. She empathizes. It’s a pretty terrible feeling, feeling like you’re being excluded. He says, who would exclude her? and she laughs. She says, thank you, but she’s a newbie in a new town and it’s a town that’s got a very tight knit social set. Allison’s going to her manager’s wedding. She might even be performing; Natalia doesn’t know. Obviously, Kristina is her plus one, so she misses out. He says, Brook Lynn Quartermaine’s wedding? That’s what he was talking about.

John says, everything Jason has done up to this point has been to protect Carly, so it doesn’t make any sense to involve her in this, and Jason says he wouldn’t. John says, that leaves them with a big problem. Why was Carly at Pentenville? Could Carly and Brennan have some kind of understanding? Jason says, no. He doubts that. John asks if they know each other. Brennan was arrested at Bobbie’s. Then it was Kelly’s. Carly was the only other person there. She never said anything about this? Jason says he never asked, and John says, ask her now. Jason says, why? and John says, before he was incarcerated, Jack Brennan was career WSB. He rose all the way to director. It can’t be a coincidence that he lands in Port Charles and starts cultivating Sonny’s ex-wife. Carly must be useful to him somehow. Or, and this seems much less likely, he’s of use to her. Either way, it’s in both of their best interests to find out. He’ll leave it to Jason to figure out how. He leaves.

Dex asks if Anna thinks Dante might be protecting Sonny, but she says she asked him first. He says, no, not consciencely anyway, and she says, but he might have an unconscious bias in Sonny’s favor. He says he saw enough of their relationship when he worked for Sonny to know that he and Dante are close. Sonny was estranged from Michael, so he relied on Dante, even though he was a cop. He’s seen them interact as family. It’s easy and relaxed around each other; they trust each other. He doesn’t think Dante would deliberately look the other way if Sonny committed a crime. But he does think maybe when Dante looks at Sonny, he sees what he wants to. She thanks him for his perspective, and he says, to be clear, he thinks Dante’s an incredible officer. Dante is the kind of cop he wants to be. She says, yeah. There’s no one better he could emulate. No one. Okay, that’s all. Thank you. He leaves and her phone rings. She asks, what’s up?… All right. She’s coming over. She leaves the office.

Sam says, Dante knew that Jason was working for the FBI and he didn’t say anything to her? and he says he didn’t remember. It just hit him with all the things she was saying. He was out of it. He was in the hospital. He’d just woken up. He doesn’t know who he saw or what he said. She says she hopes he remembers her, and he says, of course (🍷) he remembers her. But now he remembers Sonny there. Sonny came into his room. He told him that Jason was working as an informant for the FBI. Then Jason came in his room and told him the same thing. It must have been these meds. She says, that actually tracks. So did what Jason said, because he said he and Sonny aren’t close anymore. She just couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that Sonny would actually think that Jason would turn his back on him. Dante says, if he’s working for Agent Cates, Sonny would consider that betrayal.

Dex does push-ups against a bench (please), when Josslyn trots up. He asks what she’s doing, and she says she’s obviously working out. She just heard about the challenge; the stadium run without the stadium. Does he want to race? He says, only if he gets a head start… She says, absolutely not, and takes off. He follows.

Dante says he and Agent Cates didn’t get off to such a hot start. He didn’t trust Cates; Cates didn’t trust him. Cates said he was trying to protect Sonny and he didn’t believe that for a second. Sam says, because why would the FBI be protecting a mob boss? She believes it though, but she thinks it’s probably secondary to whoever’s behind those hits. He says, it’s something bigger than his father. Those four crime lords who were taken out, the big cities, major transportation hubs. She says, some sort of smuggling ring? and he says he’s been doing some digging on his own. What sticks out, these are not mob hits.

Sonny says he knows it’s last minute, but he does have a plus one. If Natalia wants to go to the wedding with him, he’d love to take her. (Smelled that coming yesterday.) She says, what? That’s so generous, but she doesn’t want to impose, especially at this late date. He says, she met Lois, and she says, yeah. He says, she’s a close friend of his. All he’s got to do is tell her that he’s bringing somebody. Unless she doesn’t want to be seen with him. He understands. She laughs and asks if he’s sure. He says, yes. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked. They can be like a mom and dad posse for both of their children. She says, they’ll love that, and they laugh. She says, yes. All right. She accepts with pleasure. She thanks him so much, and says, that means she has to come up with a dress, shoes, and she has to somehow talk her way into a hair salon appointment, so she’s out of here. He says he’ll let her know the time and the whole thing, and she thanks him again for everything. The lovely meal, his thoughtfulness. She’s really looking forward to tomorrow. So goodbye for now. She leaves and he smiles.

The pharmacist says he can assure Ava that he takes quality control very seriously, and she says she’s sure he does. But we’re all human. He says, it seems she’s concerned about her husband’s dosage, and she says she doesn’t stand over her husband to make sure he takes his medication on time. What if he takes less than the prescribed dosage? What if he skips? Could his behavior change? For example, could he become aggressive or even violent? He says, that would depend on his behavior patterns when he’s not medicated. The symptoms could return, but that’s beyond his scope. He’s a pharmacist; he’s not a physician. She picks up the bottle and says she was hoping he could ease her mind before the big trip. He says, what he can tell her is that it’s important a person on mood stabilization medication take their medication regularly. And while unmedicated bipolar disorder may manifest in behavioral issues, people generally don’t become ax murderers overnight. She laughs and says, that’s good. Ax murderers are definitely to be avoided. He asks if she’s noticed any change in her husband’s behavior, and she wonders why he asks. He says, if she’s worried about him not taking his dosage, she should speak with him and his doctor. She says, that’s not necessary. This is a new drug and all, and she had some questions about it, so she thought she’d come to the expert. She goes to the door and says she really appreciates him taking the time to explain things to her. She thanks him for all he continues to do for her husband, and he says he’s glad he could help. Good luck with the trip. She leaves.

Jason is back to doing actual work, when Anna comes in. (No wonder nobody gets any real work done. They’re always being interrupted.) He thanks her for coming, and she asks, what’s so urgent? He says he needs all the information she has on Brennan’s arrest here in Port Charles, but she says, it was relatively uneventful. She and Dante made the arrest at Bobbie’s. He asks if Carly was there, and she says, yeah. Why? Did she say something to him about it? He says, no. Cates did. She says, that’s strange, and he says, Cates was asking why Carly would visit Brennan in Pentenville. Anna says, she did what? and he says, Cates didn’t tell her? She says, no. John is not very big on sharing, but that’s fine because there’s a lot about this supposedly join investigation that she hasn’t been sharing with him. More to the point, it’s actually very concerning that Carly would visit Brennan. He says, why exactly? and she says, because when they made the arrest, it looked as if Brennan was going to kidnap her. The man had zip ties in his pocket. This was months ago, but why would she suddenly take it upon herself to go see him now? Jason sighs and says, there’s only one thing I can think of. She thinks she’s helping me.

Dex and Josslyn end up at the bench, both out of breath, and she says, nice race. For a second there, she thought he was going to let her win. He says, and face her wrath? and she thanks him for respecting her enough to beat her. Two out of three? He says, no. It’s a good thing she isn’t at the academy. She would kill herself trying to finish first in everything. She says, like he doesn’t finish first in everything, and he says, not everything. She says, it’s going good though? and he says, yeah. Things are good. He had to face down a lot of people’s doubts, including his own, but it turns out that if you stick with things and don’t walk away, they get better.

Anna asks why Carly would think she’s helping Jason by going to see Brennan, and he says, a couple days ago, he was with Carly. John shows up, and Carly wanted to call Diane, but he said, don’t. He’ll take care of it. Just leave. But she didn’t want to leave, so he’s sure she found a place to eavesdrop in on their conversation (ha-ha!). She says, which was what? and he says, which was John talking a lot about Brennan and Pikeman and possible ties with Sonny. She says, John didn’t mention him working for Pikeman, did he? and Jason says he made sure John didn’t in case Carly was listening. Anna says, thank God he knows her so well. So what does he think is likely she overheard John saying? He says, John went on to talk about Brennan being arrested with a Pikeman guy, and she says, yeah, Hume. Oh no. She hopes Jason is wrong about this. Because if Carly knows the FBI is investigating this Pikeman/ Brennan connection and she inadvertently gives Brennan that information, then she just made their job exponentially harder.

Dante tells Sam, these four crime figures that were taken out, it wasn’t by rivals. It was all in the same way, long range, professional, clean sniper shots. She says, which backs up his belief that Jason did something to prevent them from killing Sonny, and he says, the other thing is, these bosses that were taken out, it’s not like their organizations collapsed afterwards. The next in line took over with almost no interruption to the organizations. Which tells him that this wasn’t to cause chaos or some kind of takeover from outside forces. So if it’s not that, what’s it for? She says she’s definitely not going to lose any sleep over some dead mob bosses, but she does care about Sonny, and she knows Dante cares about him too. And she hopes he doesn’t take this the wrong way, but she cares about Jason too, and she believes him when he says he didn’t stay away voluntarily, that he was coerced. And she thinks that they should help him. Actually, she wants to help him. Danny can’t lose his father again.

Outside the penthouse door, Sonny takes several deep breaths. He goes inside and Ava is there, and he says he’s surprised to see her. She stormed off at the restaurant. He makes a drink, and she says she’s really sorry about that. It was so silly of her to let her feelings get hurt over a social event. Of course (🍷) she understands the Cerullos and Falconaris don’t want her there. He says, that’s the point he was trying to make, and she says she knows. She realizes that. She’s embarrassed actually. She likes to think she has pretty thick skin and she does with most people, but not with him lately. She’s so appreciative about how they’ve been able to connect and come to trust each other. She really cares about their relationship. And that’s why, for Avery’s sake, it’s time for her to move out.

Dex asks, how’s school? Are they on summer break yet? She says, just about. She’s turned in most of her labs and her papers. She has a few exams left, but she actually just got a new summer job at the MetroCourt. She’s going to be a lifeguard there. He says, that’s more fun than working at the front desk, and she says she hopes it’s fun. He says he thought she’d have some high-powered internship lined up, and she says she thought about it, but she’s actually in the middle of switching her major. He says he’s glad she figured it out. So what does she want?… For her major? She says she’ll be taking much of the same labs and classes as last year, just with a different concentration – environmental science. He says, sounds like a good fit, and she says, really? She feels like she’s so late to change her major. He says, just trust herself. He has no doubt she could save the entire planet if she set her mind to it.

Sonny asks if Ava is sure this sudden need to move out has nothing to do with what happened earlier? and she says, yes and no. Once she cooled down, she realized the most important thing here is the friendship they’ve developed over these last few months. She really values that. Plus, she never wants to put Avery in the stressful situation of watching her parents fighting. So it will take her a few days to find the right living situation for the two of them, one that meets the terms of their shared custody agreement. He asks if this is really what she wants, another place, and she says she was looking for a place of her own after she sold Windymere,. Then he wanted them there when they were under threat. but that threat seems to be gone and she’s starting to feel like she’s overstaying her welcome. He asks if he ever said that, and she says, no. He says, then don’t put words in his mouth. He likes having Avery here, taking her to school, putting her to bed. She says, what about her? and he says he likes having people around. He likes the company. But just so she knows, he didn’t ask her to leave. That was her call. So if she wants to get a place, he’ll help her get a place, but just for the record, he likes the way things are.

Sam says she hopes Dante understands why she wants to help Jason, and he says, of course (🍷) he does. They have a history together; he’s Danny’s father. He’s not threatened by any of that stuff. She says, Danny is a big part of this, but it’s more than that. When Dante was in the hospital and she found out Jason was on that roof, and everyone thought he was the shooter – she thought he was the shooter – she was so angry and cold to him. She was just so terrified she was going to lose Dante, she wanted someone to pay, and she had lost all faith in Jason. He says, so she wants to make almonds amends. She wants to help. She says she supposes she does. She knows that Jason loves Danny and Danny has obviously formed some sort of a bond with Jason. It’s just that Danny needs his father in his life. Dante says, 100% he does. He needs his father. And he feels like he owes Jason. He just doesn’t know how to help him. She says, they’re going to figure that out together. That’s what they do. He takes her hand and says, the thing is, he doesn’t know what this is. This can’t be just a simple undercover operation that guy’s got Jason doing. She says, they need to figure out exactly what it is the FBI has on Jason.

Anna tells Jason, so far, the FBI has been under the radar. And Jason being found out to be who he is didn’t exactly rattle Pikeman’s cages too much. He says, yeah, but Cates thinks they’ll still target him because he knows too much. She says, Pikeman obviously doesn’t know he’s with the FBI, so that’s a good thing at least. And he’s absolutely certain he never told Carly that he was undercover at Pikeman. He says, absolutely not. He wants her to stay out of this. She says, that ship’s sailed. So in all probability, Brennan now knows the FBI is on his trail, which means that they’re blown. And that’s a big problem. Because Brennan’s tentacles, they reach from Pentenville to Pikeman to the WSB to God knows where. He asks if she’s afraid of this guy, and she shrugs. She says, Brennan’s a bit of a charmer. Very smooth. But behind those sparkling eyes is a mind constantly working, processing, reading everything, everyone in the room. He is very smart. He’s very shrewd. They all learned as trainees, the most dangerous weapon was to give Brennan information of any kind. He says, so what do they do now? They just wait for Brennan to make a move? How do they know he’s going to make a move? She says, he will. He’ll find his target and then he’ll act. And the FBI won’t know what hit them. She thinks what they need to do is find out exactly what Carly told Brennan. He tells her, Cates said the same thing. There’s one problem. He can’t be the one to do it.

Dex does more push-ups, and Josslyn says she thought she could escape taking Bio-Chem by switching to environmental science, when actually she has to still take environmental chem, which is just as difficult, and she has to do all of the papers, all the labs, and she has to get her master’s after her undergrad break. He says, there’s no escaping. She’s going to have to be awesome. She thanks him and thanks him for what he said earlier. It means a lot. She should go. He says, him too. It’s really good to see her. She says, it was really good to see him. Take care. She runs off as he watches her.

Ava thanks Sonny and says she knows Avery wants to stay. So does she. She realized something. She’s let herself become a bit of a recluse since the Nikolas thing. And after she sold Windymere, she wanted a fresh start, but other than the gallery, she doesn’t get out too much. She guesses that’s why she made the assumption about Brook’s wedding. He says, she doesn’t have to be cooped up here or at the gallery all the time. She should be able to get out, have fun. She was always the social type. She doesn’t have to cramp her style on his account. She laughs, says, that’s some solid advice, and thanks him. She asks if there’s anything she can do to help him get ready for the wedding. She can get his tie, or she can get a gift. How about a painting from the gallery even? He says, cash is king (truth!). There’s a lot of ties that he doesn’t even wear, but he thanks her for that. She asks if she can give him a ride. She can drop him off and she can pick him up. That way, Frank doesn’t have to waste the day waiting around outside the wedding and the reception. He says he can drive himself. Besides, Blaze’s mother is coming as his plus one. She says, oh. Natalie, right? He says, Natalia. Blaze and Kristina are going, so he thought it would be nice to include Blaze’s mother. She says, that’s very generous of him, and he laughs. He goes in the back, and Ava smiles until he’s gone.

Dante says he gets Sam wants to help. It’s important to her and it’s important to Danny. And please don’t get angry at him for saying this, but he thinks she should stay out of it. She says, wait a minute. He just said he had some digging of his own to do, which means he doesn’t know the whole story. He says, no, he doesn’t, but he can tell it’s a delicate situation. And to get involved with Cates and the Feds, and then maybe she’s in the line of fire… There’s nothing she can do. She says, oh no. She has a hard time accepting there’s nothing you can do as a policy. (Me too.)

Anna says, but Jason is Carly’s best friend. Who better than him to find out what she knows and what she’s done? He says, she just answered her own question. Carly can read him like a book. If he questions her, she knows something’s up. And even if he mentions Brennan, that’s it. She’ll decide she can help him by working Brennan for information. Anna says, oh God. They don’t want that. He says, no. She cannot suspect anything more than she already does. So they have to find a way to stop Carly from doing anything else to help him. She says, all right. If Jason can’t question Carly, she’ll have to talk to Carly herself.

On Monday, Gregory says he would have enjoyed it more with Tracy; Sasha says she should have asked Michael before she said yes; Trina says she knows what Stella is doing; and Anna tells Carly that she’s just compromised a major investigation.

❤️‍🩹 Another Non-Divorce…

Yeah, things weren’t looking too good last season. PK getting sober sounds like a good sign, but it’s a tough road in the music biz. And what is this, a RHOBH curse?

https://people.com/rhobh-dorit-kemsley-paul-pk-kemsley-announce-separation-after-9-years-marriage-7502831

📺 Bravo On Tap…

The shows that have been renewed.

Bravo Renews Seven Real Housewives Shows and Other Veteran Series

New shows. These both look promising. They should have filmed me during my first years in NYC. Then again, maybe not.

Bravo Picks up New Making it in Manhattan Show and South Africa Safari Series

🍹 The Pillow Man Can…

These look like really nice pillows, albeit a little pricey. I would have gone all the way though and paid an extra $12 for the actual pillow.

Putting Craig Conover’s Sewing Down South Pillows to the Test

☎️ Andy, Andy, Andy…

I never thought Brandi’s claims had any merit. It was just her way of trying to deflect from her own bad behavior. I have no doubt it happened – it sounds like something stupid Andy and Kate would do – but they certainly weren’t serious. As for Leah, I have no clue about the coke, but I’m sure the producers don’t discourage drinking alcohol, especially if it leads to drama. Just not too much. Still, is that Andy’s fault? I dunno, but the responsibility ultimately lies with the cast member on that one.

https://people.com/bravo-closes-investigation-on-andy-cohen-as-network-renews-15-shows-8646400

I never once thought of Andy and John as romantic. More like frat boys.

https://ew.com/john-mayer-criticizes-speculation-andy-cohen-relationship-8646524

🌁 Waiting…

I don’t know how much info is new here. It’s not like they’re going to show it any sooner.

‘The Last of Us’ Adds 4 More Stars to Season 2 Cast

🐩 Going To the Dogs…

I’ve been to this several times, and the set-up is much better now. They used to do the whole thing at Madison Square Garden, with the benching area (where the dogs are kept in between their shows), the prep area, and the shopping area all in one place. It was always packed with people and like, 110 degrees. On top of it, dog hair dryers were going half the time. Now it’s in two buildings by the river, with only the main show in the Garden. At last attendees can breathe. Go Pekes!

https://people.com/how-to-watch-the-2024-westminster-dog-show-including-where-to-stream-8646120

🐾 A Worthy and Wooly Cause…

This is a great organization. No one who’s being abused should have to choose between that and keeping their pet. I’d sleep in the street first. Even though I’d need a pretty big box.

https://people.com/mariska-hargitay-joins-effort-to-make-pet-friendly-domestic-violence-shelter-8645788

🪺 Quotes of the Week

Sooner or later, we all quote our mothers. – Bernard Williams

I’ll join this conversation on the proviso that we stop bitching about people, talking about wigs, dresses, bust sizes, penises, drugs, night clubs, and bloody Abba! – Bernadette (Terrence Stamp), Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now. – Paulo Coelho

Motherhood seems to be a no-win battle: however you decide to do (or not do) it, someone’s going to be criticizing you. – Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere

We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals. – Immanuel Kant

Thus far the mighty mystery of motherhood is this: How is it that doing it all feels like nothing is ever getting done. – Rebecca Woolf

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. – Winston Churchill

Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are their own. – Aristotle

Even dads need their moms. – Brandon Gibbs, 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way

Silence is golden. Unless you have kids. Then silence is suspicious. – Nicole Fornabaio, The Noun Project (This goes for dogs too.)

Happy Mother’s Day – Juliet, July 11, 2007

🌻 Easy Like Saturday Morning…

Wishing a Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, stepmoms, pet moms, and mother figures. We’re all moms to something, even if it’s a plant. Join me again on Monday really Tuesday for soap and God knows what on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay sharing with those who have less than you, and stay sticking with things and not walking away. They get better.

Apr27

April 26, 2024 – Sasha Gets Two Job Offers, Extra Soap, Melrose Fix, Salty Talk, Charming Cast, JoJo’s Take, Extra Fallout, World News, More Messi, A Joke, V Quotes, A Joke & 2031

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the MetroCourt, Carly hugs Sasha, saying, she hasn’t seen Sasha in forever. She asks if Sasha is alone or waiting for someone, and Sasha says she’s waiting for Nina, but Nina seems to have gotten hung up. Carly says she knows how busy Crimson can get. She hopes Sasha isn’t waiting too long. Sasha says, no worries. The longer Nina takes, the longer she has to look for a new place. Carly asks if she’s moving, and Sasha says her rent is too high. She really needs to downsize. Carly says she heard Sasha left Deception. She’s sorry she didn’t text Sasha about it. Not such a good friend, huh? Sasha says, it’s fine. She’s doing great. She sits at the bar, and Carly says, really? She knows how much Sasha put into that company. Sasha says, with all the changes that were happening, it was time to go. She’s really glad she did. Carly says, the appearance on Home & Heart? and Sasha says, a one-time thing. She doesn’t miss the job at all. She just still hasn’t figured out what to do next. Carly says, since she’s looking, would she be interested in working here at the MetroCourt?

Tracy walks into the nook where Leo is snacking and asks Leo why he’s putting that processed garbage into his body. He says he likes it and he’s hungry. He didn’t eat lunch. She says, why not? It’s not like him to forget his lunch. It’s not like him to forget anything. He says he gave it away, and she asks, why? He says, it was a peanut butter sandwich, and she says she thought he liked those. He says he did, but it’s all Yuri ever makes. He’s tired of them. Olivia comes in and asks Leo if he’s ready to go. She has to pick up his friend Teddy and take them to the aquarium pronto. He says he’ll get his backpack, and runs off. Olivia grabs a piece of whatever Leo was eating and says she’s so starving. She didn’t get a chance to eat. Tracy says, do tell, and Olivia says she realizes that dinners have been a little hit or miss lately, but if she makes a couple of lasagnas today, it should last for the next couple of dinners. Tracy says, no, and Olivia says, Tracy doesn’t like her lasagna? Tracy says she loves Olivia’s lasagna. Everybody here loves her lasagna, but this situation is madness. Olivia is running herself ragged at the hotel and she’s condemning everyone in this house to life in leftover manor. Clearly, it is time to hire a cook. Olivia says, bite your tongue.

Walking into the apartment, Gregory says he told Finn that he was fine, and Finn tells him that he keeps saying that. Gregory says his doctor agrees. Last night’s little episode… Finn says, a temporary paralysis? And Gregory says, temporary, yes. He’s made a full recovery. Is Violet here? He doesn’t want to argue in front of her. Finn says, no. She’s still at school. They’re not arguing. He’s just looking out for Gregory. Does he want to lie down? Gregory says, the couch is fine, and don’t worry. He’ll take it easy for the rest of the day. Isn’t Finn needed at the hospital? Finn sits next to him and says he thinks they’ve come to a point where Gregory shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time. Gregory asks, what exactly is he saying? and Finn says he thinks they should get Gregory an in-home caregiver. Just in case anything like last night ever happens again. (I’d like one of those and I’m not even sick.)

Molly goes to Alexis’s office and asks if she’s got a minute. Alexis says, for her, always. Isn’t she supposed to be in court? Molly says, court’s in recess for lunch, and holds up a to-go bag, asking if Alexis is interested. Alexis says she doesn’t know. It depends. What’s she got? Molly says, turkey club with avocado, and Alexis says, yes, taking the bag. Not that Molly needs an ulterior motive to see her mommy… Molly says she needs Alexis’s help. Alexis says she knew it. Legal advice? Molly says, Kristina, and Alexis says, ugh.

On her phone at the gallery, Laura says she’ll be in soon, and tells Ava, sorry about that. City business. Ava says, of course (🍷). She certainly doesn’t want to keep Laura from her mayor duties. Laura says, so she gathered, because Ava never answered her question, and Ava says, which was? Laura asks, how does she like living with Sonny? when Sonny walks in. He asks if he heard his name, and Laura says, yes. Ava asks, what’s up? and he says he needs their help, both of them. Laura says, with what? and Sonny says he wants to commission one of Ava’s artists to create a piece so he can donate it – he asks Laura if she’s ready for this – to the city. Laura says, what makes him think the city would be interested in that?

Olivia says she appreciates Tracy’s perspective. She realizes she’s been a little overbooked lately. Tracy says, a little? and Olivia says she can feed her family. Tracy says, Olivia needs to face facts. She is spreading herself too thin. She’s reduced her son to eating Snackaroos and peanut butter a la Yuri. Olivia says, Carly’s back at the MetroCourt… and Tracy says she’s missing the point. The Quartermaine family has always had a cook. They need one. Olivia says, Tracy is trying to kick her out of her own kitchen, and Tracy says, it’s Monica’s kitchen. Alan gave it to her, and Olivia is not staff. She’s a Quartermaine. She lives here; she doesn’t work here. And while Tracy admires her concerted effort, she can’t be responsible for feeding this family. Tracy is calling an agency and getting referrals. Olivia says, no! She’ll agree to a cook, but only if she hires the cook.

Carly says she’s co-owner of the MetroCourt again, and Sasha asks, how’d that happen? Carly says, Nina sold her half, and Sasha says, congratulations. Carly thanks her, and Sasha says she’s really happy for Carly. She’s just caught off-guard. Nina never said anything about selling. Carly says she thinks it happened pretty quickly. So does that mean Sasha will consider working for her? Sasha says, of course (🍷) she’ll consider it. She really appreciates the offer. Carly says, but it’s not what she’s looking for, is it? and Sasha says she doesn’t know. She’s trying to look around and see what feels right. Carly says she’s been there, and Sasha says, but you know what does feel right? Carly back here at the MetroCourt. Carly laughs and says, yes, and Sasha says, and Nina back at Crimson. Carly says, better there than here, yes. She’s going to take menus to a customer. If Sasha needs anything, let her know. She’s happy to help. Sasha thanks her and says she will. And she will definitely keep this place in mind. Carly leaves and Sasha sends a text to Nina: Where are you?

Molly tells Alexis, Josslyn and Krissy had another blow up. And this time Josslyn had some very specific things to say about Sonny. Alexis says, Kristina has great big feelings about her father. He’s her hero. Nobody knows that better than she does. Molly says she thinks that’s really why Kristina was upset. Because deep down she knows the things Josslyn was saying were true. They talked, and she was calmer by the time she left, but when TJ found out she’d come over so late and how wound up she’d gotten, now he’s worried that all this stress is going to hurt their baby. Alexis asks what Molly said, and Molly tells her that she tried to defend Kristina’s feelings. It is upsetting – she can’t even imagine – but there are other things to consider. The stress can’t be good for Kristina or the baby. It certainly isn’t good for TJ. Alexis says, or Molly, and Molly says, it’s gotten to the point where prosecuting criminals is how she relaxes. Alexis says, been there, and Molly says, so she was hoping Alexis would talk to Kristina.

Finn says, there are caregivers out there who can keep a low profile, but Gregory says, there should be a babysitter when he’s alone with Violet. For Violet, not for him. Finn says, what if Violet hadn’t been here last night? What if she hadn’t getting him his ventilator? Gregory says he knew something was wrong and asked Violet to get the ventilator for him. If he’d been alone, he would have called 911. Finn says, what if paralysis had hit and he was unable to dial? and Gregory says, fortunately, he’s not quite there yet. Finn says, not this time. What about the next time? Because they both know it will happen again. And the time after that, and the time after that. Gregory says, they don’t need to think about the time after that yet. He just needs to be ready for the next time and he will be. He promises. He starts to leave, but Finn says, that’s not good enough.

Laura says she knows they’re in Ava’s gallery, but can she have a moment alone with Sonny? Ava says, by all means, and leaves, but she listens from around the corner. Sonny says, it’s just you and me. What’s on your mind?

Finn says, Gregory can’t see his point of view, but maybe he can see Violet’s. He’s never seen her more scared than what she was last night. Think about that. Put himself in her shoes. Watching her grandfather collapse, running to get his ventilator, watching him lie on the sofa unable to move. What does he think that did to her? Gregory asks if Violet is afraid to be alone with him now, but Finn says, no. She probably never will be. She loves Gregory and wants to spend all the time with him that she possibly can. What if things had been worse? Gregory says, they weren’t, and Finn says, not this time. But what about next time? What happens if he starts to aspirate or collapse or convulse or pass out completely? Knowing Violet, she’d probably try to save him, and if she couldn’t, she’d probably blame herself. Gregory says he would never allow that to happen, and Finn says, at the risk of being devil’s advocate, how would he stop it? They have a responsibility to make Violet feel safe in her own home, right? Gregory says, that’s emotional blackmail, and Finn says he knows. It’s also reality. It’s the reality they have to accept. The bottom line is, Gregory needs help, and when he’s not here, Gregory needs a caregiver. Period. Gregory says, or what? and Finn leaves the apartment.

Sasha reads a text from Nina: Sorry! Be right there. Olivia sees Sasha and asks if she’s got a second. Sasha says she does. What’s up? Olivia says, first of all, she wants to thank Sasha for saving her neck the other night with the shepherd’s pie. It was absolutely delicious. Dante won’t stop talking about it, and frankly, she’s a little bit jealous. Sasha says she’s happy to give Olivia the recipe. It’s one of those dishes that, once you make it a couple of times, you can start to play around with it and add your own touches. Olivia says she does want the recipe. She can’t wait to make it. And that leads her to what she actually wants to talk to Sasha about. Ever since the last cook left at the Quartermaines, she’s been doing all the cooking. And when she gets very busy, which does happen sometimes, the family is left to fend for themselves. So she’s come to accept… It’s been pointed out to her that it’s time for the Quartermaines to hire a new chef. Fend for themselves means different things to different people. For Leo and Monica, it means Yuri makes eggs for breakfast and peanut butter sandwiches for lunch.

Nina walks into the restaurant and asks Carly if she can have a moment. Carly says, that depends. What’s it about?

Olivia says she’s got to find someone she can work with. She won’t go back… She cannot go back to the days when the Quartermaines were banned from the kitchen. Before Cook 3 left, she doesn’t think Tracy knew where the kitchen was. Sasha laughs and says, that tracks. Olivia says she loves cooking for her family. She actually finds it very therapeutic almost. Sasha says she feels the same way, and Olivia says, there are people who find joy in life because of the labor intensity of her lasagna. Sasha says, cooking to her has always been peaceful, grounding. Maybe it’s because she cooked with her grandmother. The times she spent in the kitchen with her is definitely what she missed the most about her. Olivia says, Sasha really loved her, and Sasha says she still does. Olivia says, and Sasha loves cooking through her, huh? and Sasha says she guesses she does. Olivia says, and she’s good at it. So what does she say?

Alexis tells Molly, women have earthquake hormones during pregnancy. They live through it. Babies ride through it. Molly says she knows that intellectually, it’s just… Alexis says she knows Molly is worried. She knows Molly is terrified. Molly says, very much, and Alexis says, on the bright side, she knows how thrilled her sister is to do this for her, and Kristina is oddly thrilled about the ups and downs of the pregnancy. Molly says she’s so grateful to Kristina for doing this, and she loves how excited Kristina is about it. Alexis says, but there’s something more, so what is it? Besides Josslyn. Molly says she just wishes TJ could relax a little. Kristina’s emotions go to 11 over Sonny, then TJ’s go to 11 over Kristina. Alexis says she can imagine TJ’s 11 is a lot different than her sister’s, and Molly says, oh yeah. Because he’s always been so even keeled… whatever that means. Alexis says she thinks it has something to do with boats… Never mind. Go on. Molly says, so when he’s this upset, it doesn’t look like a lot, but if you know him… Alexis says, it’s sizeable, and Molly says, and when he’s upset, she gets upset. Then she starts to think maybe this is all her fault, because TJ has spent years and years listening to her side of her disagreements and arguments wit her sister. So maybe because of that TJ doesn’t trust Kristina.

Laura asks, what’s behind this latest burst of philanthropy? and Sonny says, his kids. Port Charles has always been their home. If they visit city hall and they see something beautiful he donated, then they can feel as proud of the city as he does. Laura says, and proud of him? What if one day his little girls find out he nearly beat a man to death with his bare hands? Does he think it’s all going to be okay because he donated art? He wonders why she’d ask him that. They’ve been friends for how many years? Is she going to turn on him?

Molly says she doesn’t think TJ thinks Kristina is a bad person, not that she would ever do anything to intentionally harm the baby, and Alexis says, of course (🍷) not. Molly says, but she is who she is, and he is who he is, and the two of them are emotional opposites. Alexis says, that they are, and Moly says she and TJ are just so excited and nervous to be parents, and they’re treating every bump in the road like it’s this huge mountain to overcome, but there are bound to be bumps. Alexis says, oh, there are and there will be, and Molly says, and Kristina has every right to be worried about her father, but she doesn’t know how Kristina is going to handle it if things get worse for Sonny. Alexis asks what he did now, and Molly makes a zipping motion across her lips. She asks if Alexis will just check in with Kristina, and Alexis asks if she has to. Molly says, please, and Alexis says, okay. Molly thanks her and says she has to get back to work. She tells Alexis that she loves her, Alexis says she loves Molly too, and they hug.

Gregory opens the door to Tracy and says he sees Finn called in reinforcements. She says, not this time. Should he have? Gregory asks if he’s expected to believe Tracy isn’t here to check on him, and Tracy says, that’s a ridiculous question. Of course (🍷) she’s here to check on him. That’s what friends do. Is he trying to pick a fight with her? He says, no. He’s sorry. He saw his doctor today. She asks what he said, and Gregory tells her that the doctor said he’s back to what passes for normal for him these days. She says she’s no expert, but that sounds like good news. He says, it is, but it’s not good enough for his son. Finn is insisting that he hires an in-home caregiver to monitor him. She says, that sounds sensible to her, but he says, it’s not sensible; it’s overreacting. And it’s not going to happen.

Sasha asks if Olivia wants her to help interview potential cooks, but Olivia says, no. She wants Sasha to be the new cook. Sasha says, her? and Olivia says, yes. Sasha says, that’s her second job offer today. Olivia says, what? and Sasha says, never mind. Olivia says, here’s what she needs. She needs someone to do breakfast, lunches, including school lunches for the endless parade of kids going through that house, and dinners on weeknights. She’ll do dinners on weekends and any other time she wants, but she promises to give Sasha a proper heads up. She knows cooking for the Quartermaines isn’t the same as cooking for herself, but she promises everyone will be very patient with Sasha while she gets used to the job. So what does she think? She knows it’s a lot to take in. Sasha says, it is. She never thought she would end up in a kitchen again. Olivia says, again?

Nina says, there’s an electrical problem in her office, and Carly says, really? They can’t have that. What kind of an electrical problem? Nina says, they’ve been experiencing random surges, and Carly says, has she? That’s terrible. Nina says, and it’s been happening more and more frequently, and Carly says, funny. That never used to happen since the emergency maintenance crew was ordered for no apparent reason. (So much for Carly saying she didn’t want to hurt Nina anymore.) Nina says, the reason was flooding, and Carly says, yet nothing was wet. But Nina is having an electrical issue, so she’s going to hire the contractors Nina used since she liked their workmanship so much. Nina says, great. As long as the problem is addressed. And one more thing. Jason may have bought the MetroCourt back for Carly, but the person she should really be thanking is Ava.

Laura says she doesn’t see how trying to tell Sonny the truth means she’s turned against him, and he says, okay, fine. She wants the truth? She tells him that she’s just saying that’s the least he owes his kids, and he asks if she tells her kids the truth about everything. She says, the important things, she really tries, and he tells her, let’s say Donna and Avery come to him one day and they say, dad, why’d you beat that guy up? He’s going to say that he lost his temper. He had his reasons, but he regrets his actions. Is that okay? She says, it’s just that she hasn’t seen any evidence of that regret, and he says, they both know Cyrus is not a victim. Laura says she knows what Cyrus is capable of, and Sonny says, that’s the thing. He doesn’t think she does. Cyrus belongs in prison until he meets his Maker. She asks if he really thinks he’s in a position to judge who deserves to be behind bars and who doesn’t, and he asks, since when does she care about Cyrus? He’s been her brother for what, five minutes? She says, it’s because of what Sonny did to him, and Sonny says he and Laura are family. They’re blood. They’re connected through Spencer and Rocco. She says she knows that’s true, but that has nothing to do with this. He says he doesn’t even know what they’re talking about, and she says, what they’re talking about is a lifetime of crime and violence that she’s looked past time and time again. And she can’t do it anymore. She just can’t. Okay? And she can’t turn a blind eye anymore to his business, the things that he’s done, the crime, the people he’s hurt… the people he’s killed. Ava continues to listen, and Laura says, putting a wing on the hospital and donating art to the city doesn’t just make all of that go away. They still happened. They’re still there. They matter. It doesn’t just disappear because he did his daily good deed. (What’s bothering me about this storyline is, aside from nearly everyone turning on Sonny without even giving him a heads up, he’s not behaving normally. Even his physical movements aren’t the usual. How come no one is noticing?)

Carly asks what Ava has to do with Jason buying the MetroCourt, and Nina says she didn’t accept the offer right away. She talked it over with Ava first. Ava led her to believe Sonny would like it if she sold the MetroCourt to his best friend. Carly says, Ava sandbagged Nina. Ava was standing right there when Sonny called Jason a traitor and threw them both out of the penthouse. Nina says she figured it out. After the deal was done. Too late to change her mind. Carly says, it’s a pattern with Ava. She uses people until they’re no longer useful. That’s what she did with Carly’s son. In the end, all Ava cares about is getting what she wants. Nina says, in Ava’s defense, not everyone has a Jason to get her what she wants (I wish I did <heaving Jason sigh>), like losing a hotel fair and square. So much for Carly earning the MetroCourt back on her own.

Finn stops by Alexis’s office and asks if it’s a bad time. She says she hopes so. If not, she’ll have nothing to report. He says he’s sorry to bother her at work. He was on his way to a meeting and he just… She asks, what’s going on? and he says his father had a seizure last night. She says, no, and he says, it resulted in temporary paralysis. He’s okay. Alexis tells him to sit, and he says, when he walked in and saw him lying there, unable to move, and Violet beside him, terrified, not knowing what was going on… Alexis asks if she’s okay, and he says he thinks seeing her grandfather collapse… and after lying there, she had to run and get his ventilator. He thinks it’s something she’ll never forget, but right now she’s as good as can be expected. She says, how is Gregory? and he says, his ALS is progressing rapidly, but his dad… He gets it. His dad wants to be independent. He wants to make up for all those risks he never got to take in life. Jumping out of airplanes and whatever it is that makes him feel alive, but… He talked to Gregory today, and he told Gregory that he thinks they need to get some sort of in-home help for when he’s not there, and his dad flat-out refused and they had this big argument. Alexis says she’s sorry. She’s not shocked, but she is sorry. He says him too. He gets it and he’s trying to do everything he can to support him, but this time he’s going to have to put his daughter first.

Gregory tells Tracy, the day is coming when he’ll be completely helpless, and he’ll need people taking care of his every need and every bodily function, watching over him all the time, every single moment, but he’s not there yet. She says, he’s not far from it, and he says, thank you. Why is it such a sin for him to hold on to what little autonomy he can for as long as he can? She says, it‘s not, and he says, she’s being very agreeable, and he finds it suspect. She laughs and says, he has every right to hold on to his autonomy for as long as he possibly can. He says, thank you? and she says, just as Finn has every right to have a safe emotional environment for his daughter. He can’t risk Violet finding Gregory if he’s unable to move. Or worse. He says, she’s not telling him anything Finn hasn’t already told him already, and she says, then she assumes Finn’s already asked him the obvious question. He says, what question is that? and she says, what is more important to him, his pride or his granddaughter’s well-being?

Sonny asks Laura what he’s supposed to do. Confess to everything he’s been accused of? She says, that depends. How many of the things he’s accused of are true? He says he’s done far less than Cyrus, and she says, but Cyrus’s crimes don’t absolve his. Sonny says, Cyrus held her at gunpoint and he’s the bad guy? and she says she’s sorry. She thinks there are two bad guys. He says he does everything he can to protect his business, his family, and everybody he cares about, and that includes her. Does she know why? She says, why? and he says, so the bad guys don’t come after her. (He doesn’t even look good. He has giant circles under his eyes.) She says, being a good man when you’re not committing a crime, doesn’t absolve him from the times he does commit a crime. And being really good at covering up his tracks doesn’t make him less guilty. He rubs his forehead, and she says, at some point he has to be held accountable. He says, by who? and she says, think of his children, okay? His little girls, Donna and Avery. What’s going to happen when they’re old enough to figure out what their father does for a living? And they will. He’s not going to be able to keep that from them. What is he going to say? He says he’s going to do what he always does. He’s going to do everything in his power to protect them. She says she knows he will, but who’s going to protect them from him?

Sasha says she worked as a line cook and a part-time chef for a few summers in the Hamptons, and Olivia says, it was meant to be. Sasha says she was never the head chef. She was the substitute sous chef when the real chef was out. Olivia says, she worked in a busy restaurant. Cooking for the Quartermaines is going to be a piece of cake. An overly ornate five-tier pain in the butt piece of cake, but still, it’s a piece of cake. Sasha says, this is really flattering, but is Olivia sure she wants to offer her a job based on one shepherd’s pie? Olivia says, she loves to cook. She’s a great cook. They need a cook. Oliva says, it’s a match made in heaven. Or an opening in the universe, depending on your spiritual beliefs. Not to mention the fact that Cody shows up for dinner several nights a week. She’s sure he wouldn’t mind having Sasha around.

Finn asks Alexis to tell him if he’s wrong. Tell him that he shouldn’t just give into his father and give him everything he wants. She says she can’t tell him that, and he says he wants to give him everything he wants. Go parasailing. Go get shot out of a cannon. Go out in space and see the earth from orbit. Do all the things. He’ll do them with his dad, but he doesn’t think his dad can do those things right now, so shouldn’t he give in and give him this one thing? Alexis says, maybe. It’s certainly worth trying to talk to him again, but she doesn’t know that he’s going to end up with different results. He says, she’s right. He’s going to go back and talk to him. She says she thought he was going to a meeting, but he says he can do that later. She says, when the oxygen mask drops from a plane, what do you do? and he says, you put your mask on first, but this… She says, this is the same thing. This is as challenging as it gets. And in order for him to navigate through this, he’s going to have to take care of himself, which means taking care of his sobriety. He says he knows what she’s saying. He gets it. But in this moment, he just feels so selfish. She says, then be selfish. Can his dad wait for an hour for him to go to a meeting? He says he’s not sure, and she says, what do the doctors think? He says, probably. He doesn’t know. She says she understands that his father needs to hold on to his autonomy for as long as he can, but she also knows there’s nothing more important to him than Violet.

Gregory tells Tracy that he never wants Violet to be afraid the way she was last night. He was scared too. When something like that happens, you never know when it’s going to end, if ever. But when he was trying to stay calm, the worst part was knowing he couldn’t comfort his granddaughter. She asks how he thinks Violet felt, not being able to comfort him, and he says he understands what she’s saying, but she and Finn need to understand what he’s saying. She says, okay. There is another solution. He says, great. He’s all ears. She says, first, he has to decide what’s most important to him. If it is in fact spending the time he has left with Finn and Violet here in their home, then he has to abide by Finn’s wishes. But if his independence is his top priority, then he simply moved in to an assisted living facility – Turning Woods is supposed to be really nice – and he can have Violet visit him there.

Laura says she didn’t intend for them to have this conversation here today, and she mean for it to go like this either. She hopes Sonny will take some of this to heart. Please. Just think about it. Just think about doing the right thing. He doesn’t say anything, and she says, at any rate, the City of Port Charles will not be accepting his donation of art. Not while she’s the mayor. She walks out, and Ava walks in, since she didn’t have far to go. She asks, what happened to Laura?

Alexis tells Finn to take the time and go to his meeting to give his dad some time to think things through. When Finn talks to him again, tell him that he and Chase and Violet are worried about him and want someone to take care of him when Finn can’t be there. And she thinks sooner rather than later, he will see Finn’s wisdom. Finn says, here’s hoping, and she says, and whether he does or not, he can’t take care of his family until he takes care of himself first. He says, that’s good advice, and she says she’s good. in fact, she’s so good, she’s going to follow her own advice. Would he like company at his meeting? He says he’d love it.

Gregory says, she’s good, and Tracy says he’s going to have to narrow that down a little bit. He says, the art of persuasion, and she says, oh, that. He says, obviously if he has to choose between Turning Woods and here, even with a caregiver, of course (🍷) he chooses here. She says, that’s not persuasion, that’s just common sense. And by the way, if she were in his shoes, she’d be handling this much, much worse. She wouldn’t sit for it. She wouldn’t stay. She’d run away to the far corners of the earth where her family couldn’t find her to help her, to care for her. And no matter how miserable and lonely she got, she’d still have her dignity and her freedom, and have no one to share it with. But luckily, you my friend, are so much smarter than I am. He says, she’s the smartest woman he knows.

Sasha tells Olivia that she can’t say it isn’t tempting. She left Deception because she wasn’t satisfied there anymore. She wanted something completely different from what she was doing, and working as a chef at the Quartermaines would definitely be different. Olivia says she doesn’t want to pressure Sasha, and Sasha says, of course (🍷) not. Olivia says, but she would be remiss in not telling Sasha that it’s a live-in position, which means she’d get free room and board in a beautiful mansion with all meals included. Sasha says, so she’d get to eat what she makes, but Olivia says, better. Sasha gets to eat what she makes. And get paid for it. Come on. What does she say? Sasha tells her, she says, that’s exactly what she needs right now.

Carly says, other than fixing the electrical issues Nina brought on herself, is there anything else she can do for Nina? (I’m all about their outfits today. Kudos to wardrobe.) Nina says she might as well just tell Carly. She signed the divorce papers. She and Sonny are no longer married. But Ava is closer to him than ever. From one ex-wife to another, she doesn’t think Ava is good for Sonny. In fact, she thinks Ava could be toxic for him. Carly says she doesn’t agree with Nina on much, but she does agree with her there.

Sonny tells Ava that Laura didn’t want his gift to the city, and she says she was surprised by Laura’s reaction at first, but she thought he could talk her into it. Public art benefits everybody. He says he guesses not when it comes from the wrong person, and she asks, since when is he the wrong person? He’s been unfailingly generous to the City of Port Charles. There are wings in the hospital and playgrounds in the park because of him. He says, it doesn’t matter to Laura. She can’t get past what he did to Cyrus. She asks if Laura knows that Cyrus provoked him. That he orchestrated his own beating? It wasn’t Sonny’s fault. He says, Laura thinks it was. He owned up to it, and now she wants to punish him. He’s been good to Laura for so many years, and he thought she was loyal to him, but he guesses not.

On Monday, Michael asks, what’s with this mystery meeting; Nikolas asks if Ava is in love with Sonny; Valentin says, Anna is not going to be a problem; and Anna tells Jason that he’s putting this entire investigation at risk.

🧴 No Suds Left Behind…

IMO, the best of the Nikolases.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-huss-returns-to-general-hospital-2

A confirmation of yesterday’s news from a different source. Mostly the same info, but I thought it was weird how he looks like Jim Parsons in the photo.

https://ew.com/nicholas-alexander-chavez-not-returning-to-general-hospital-8639347

He’s got the all-clear on his health report card.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-cameron-mathison-shares-a-cancer-update

I’d rather see him back on GH, but I’ll take it. It’s good to see him back in the game.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jack-wagner-on-joining-the-new-melrose-place

🏄 Speaking Of That Place…

Rebooting her rep.

Heather Locklear Hoping ‘Melrose Place’ Reunion Will ‘Repair Her Rep in Hollywood’

🧂 Needs More Salt…

It is kind of disappointing. On all fronts.

RHOSLC’s Heather Gay Spotted for 1st Time Since Defending Ozempic Use
PHOTO: Fans Say Heather Gay Looks Unrecognizable Amid RHOSLC Season 5 Cast Trip After Admitting She “Sold Out” to Ozempic, See Her Pic and Fans’ Reactions

Cringe, but what do they expect from this one?

REPORT: Mary Cosby Called Lisa Barlow’s 12-Year-Old Son the R-Word Amid Filming on RHOSLC Season 5 as Insider Shares What Went Down, See What Mary Posted and Deleted After the Alleged Incident

It’s all good. Until next time.

Report: Mary Cosby and Lisa Barlow ‘Good’ After Alleged Attack on 12-Year-Old Son

I actually thought they made a pretty good couple.

REPORT: Whitney Rose Faces Rumor She’s About to File for Divorce From Justin, Allegedly “Furious” at Meredith for Exposing Marital Woes Amid RHOSLC Season 5 Filming, Plus Fans React

🍹 Bless Their Hearts…

This was a little short on info, but where Craig will land is anybody’s guess.

Southern Charm Season 10: Latest News, Cast Rumors, and More

🩰 Dance Like Everyone’s Watching…

The Reunion scuttlebutt as seen through JoJo’s eyes.

https://www.etonline.com/dance-moms-the-reunion-jojo-siwa-defends-abby-lee-millers-behavior-to-co-stars-223989

https://www.etonline.com/dance-moms-the-reunion-jojo-siwa-defends-abby-lee-millers-behavior-to-co-stars-223989

🌁 Falling Further…

I’m obsessed with this show. The attention to detail was just amazing.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/fallout-worldbuilding-production-designer-costume-designer-interview

The soundtrack was impressive as well.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/ramin-djawadi-interview-fallout-house-of-the-dragon-iron-man

This makes me want to play the game. So far, I’ve been strong.

https://www.inverse.com/gaming/fallout-amazon-characters-stupd

🐎 You Too Can Dress Like Delores…

Looks like the future of Westworld is up in the air, but you can own a piece of it.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/westworld-auction-season-5-canceled

🐕 Milking His 15 Minutes…

This good boy is not giving up his seat that easy.

https://people.com/all-about-messi-oscars-dog-anatomy-of-a-fall-8607453

🦉 Quotes of the Week

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof. – Richard David Bach

Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts. – Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Winners do things losers don’t want to do. – Dr. Phil McGraw

Sometimes you have to do what you don’t want to do to maintain the life you’ve created. – Judge Lynn Toler, explaining to a man why he has to work to feed his children (sigh)

To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization. – Harriet Beecher Stowe

I won’t undertake war until I have tried all the arts and means of peace. – François Rabelais

If you just go with the flow, no matter what weird things happen along the way, you always end up exactly where you belong. – Tom Upton

She is the apple that goes in the pig’s mouth. – Marie Calvet (Julia Ormond), Mad Men

A lifetime isn’t forever, so take the first chance, don’t wait for the second one! Because sometimes, there aren’t second chances! And if it turns out to be a mistake? So what! This is life! A whole bunch of mistakes! But if you never get a second chance at something you didn’t take a first chance at? That’s true failure. – C. JoyBell C.

Golden rule, motherf***er. – Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell), Fallout

🐼 Leaving Them Laughing

A panda walked into a café and ordered a sandwich. He ate it and then pulled a gun out and shot the waiter. The panda then plunked a badly punctuated wildlife manual onto the table. Look me up, he growled as he walked out the door. The wounded waiter opened the book to the entry for panda. It read, Panda: Large, black and white bear-like mammal native to China. Eats, shoots & leaves.

🌸 Shine On Pink Moon…

In the next two days, do one thing you’ve never done before. Then join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap and a new chef on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay never reaching past someone without saying excuse me, and stay putting on your own oxygen mask first.

Feb2

February 1, 2024 – Felicia Advocates For Adam, Coney, See Ya, Doubles, On His Way, About Emmy, Feelings, Dragon Girl, Saturday Night Cast, Be Your Dog’s Valentine & Groove

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura stands on the deck of the French Haunted Star when Dante comes out. She asks if he’s spoken to the French authorities, and he says he did. They’re very thorough and very professional. She tells him, just say it. Where is Spencer?

Trina sits in her stateroom, flashing back to the struggle with Esme, when Portia and Curtis come in. Trina hugs Portia and takes Curtis’s hand.

Felicia finds Josslyn at the hospital and says she heard Josslyn’s friend Adam needs a patient advocate.

Nurse Willow tells Adam that she has a friend of his outside, and he says, if she’s talking about Josslyn… She says she isn’t. She’s talking about this. She brings in his guitar and he smiles. He says he wasn’t sure what happened to it, and she says, they were keeping it for him. He thanks her, but she says, thank Josslyn. She was the one who brought it from the park the night he was admitted. She thought he might want it. Killjoy Mr. Wright aka Adam’s father comes to the door and says he was hoping Adam had outgrown this thing. It’s time he got his priorities straight.

Lois asks Chase and Brook if they can imagine anything more appropriate or beautiful than St. Anthony’s in Bensonhurst. The entire neighborhood will be there. All the Cerullos and the Falconaris and Father Tom. He does a great service. (Yeah, but isn’t Aunt Gloria not allowed near that church anymore?) Brook says, they already asked Gregory to officiate, and Lois says, not to worry. Father Tom is very liberal. She’s sure he would have no problem sharing the pulpit. So have they thought about the reception? Brook says, one idea is a yacht, and Lois says, that is romantic in theory. It’s risky in practice. The night of her second wedding to Ned – the one that was actually sanctioned by the church, as opposed to the quickie one where she thought she was marrying Eddie Maine – they had a yacht cruise. The ship ran aground and almost sank with the entire wedding party and family and friends on board. Chase says, so they should be looking at venues on dry land, and Lois says, but some risks are worth taking. Could they imagine a moonlight cruise off Coney Island? They can welcome all of the guests on board under the Brooklyn Bridge, and they can sail around Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. And when everybody’s ready to disembark, they can send them off with popcorn. Doesn’t that sound spectacular? (It sounds like, one of these things is not like the others.) Gregory says, spectacular, and Chase tells her, he has to say, they’re… Brook says, speechless, but Tracy says she’s not.

At Crimson, Drew asks Carly how it’s going, and she says, ask her in a couple of days because they’re in the middle of putting out the first issue of the magazine with her name on it. Her head is spinning. He says, with her here and Nina gone, Crimson has already improved, but Carly says she doesn’t know about that. She despises Nina, but Nina knew a lot more than she does about putting a magazine out. He says, Nina learned on the job. She’s going to learn on the job too. She’s a natural leader, runs a big company, and she’s got great taste, if he does say so himself. It’s only a matter of time before she surpasses Nina. She says she loves his confidence, and he says, nobody is even going to remember Nina ran this place. She says, Nina who? and they kiss. He says, the best business decision he ever made was making her Editor-in-Chief of Crimson. (I just had a thought, have the angry shareholders started calling yet? They might still be smarting from the merger debacle.) Michael walks in and asks if Drew has a minute.

Felicia tells Josslyn, after Carly called, she took a look at Adam’s recent psyche evaluation, and it turns out it’s up to him if he wants to go home or go back to school or stay here at General Hospital for observation. Josslyn says she thinks Adam just wants to live his life and not feel like he’s one big disappointment. Can Felicia help him? Felicia says she’ll do her best. There’s no underestimating the hold a parent has on a child.

Lois says, before Tracy insists the wedding be at this house with a bunch of snooty waiters and unnecessary etiquette, she wants Tracy to think about what Brook and Chase want. Tracy flashes back to Gregory saying, no more petty fighting with Lois and Olivia about the reception and arguing with Ned about anything. All that matters is that those two beautiful souls belong together, and we do everything to make that happen. He asks if they understand each other, and she says, they do. Lois tells Tracy, because this is supposed to be a celebration, and celebrations are supposed to be fun. She knows it’s important to have gorgeous flowers and beautiful table settings, but that is not as important as the food and the music and the dancing, especially the dancing. Because what’s really important is for the bride and the groom to enjoy the occasion. And what is more enjoyable than for Brook to be married in her neighborhood, surrounded by the people who’ve known her and loved her for her entire life? Brook tells Tracy, say something, and Tracy says she couldn’t agree more.

Dante tells Laura, the police found the captain locked in a closet, unconscious. When he came to, he confirmed Spencer chartered the boat to cruise the river to the English Channel. When the boat left the pier, he found an American woman on deck. She said she was lost, but he didn’t believe her. When he tried to take her into custody, she fought back and smacked him in the head with a fire extinguisher. Laura asks if the captain was able to ID her, and Dante says, he picked out Esme’s picture right away. She asks, what about the search for Spencer? and he says, they have every boat at their disposal in the water, searching. So far there’s no sign of Esme or Spencer. She says, then they can still be alive, and Dante says, yeah. He’ll check in again and see if there’s any updates. She thanks him, he says, of course (🍷), and leaves.

Trina asks, when did they get here? and Portia says, they just arrived. Ned Quartermaine kindly let them borrow the ELQ jet and they came as soon as they heard Esme was on her way to Paris. Curtis says, Laura and Dante are coordinating with the French police. He promises they’re doing all they can to rescue Spencer. Trina says she knows Spencer is alive, and Portia asks, so what happened? The police told them that Esme tried to stab Spencer with a needle. Trina says, she ambushed him from behind. Whatever drug she was using was so powerful, he couldn’t even stand. Then Esme tried to come for her and tried to inject her with the needle. Then Spencer grabbed her and they both went over the side… He saved her life like he did in Greenland. Curtis says, thank God for that, and Trina says she thought she lost him then too. Then he came back to her, so – Laura comes in – she just knows in her heart that he’s alive still. Laura tells her to trust her heart.

Michael congratulates Carly on the new job, and she thanks him. He says, the MetroCourt’s loss is Crimson’s gain. She says, don’t worry. She’s definitely getting her half of the MetroCourt back one day, with her own money. She’s not going to take loans from anyone. So until then, she’s just going to enjoy her time at Crimson. Michael says, she’ll knock it out of the ballpark, and she thanks him for the vote of confidence. But that’s not why he’s here, is it? He says, no. He was looking for Drew. His office said he was here. Drew suggests they relocate, but Carly says she’s going to GH because she thinks Josslyn could use some back-up. She hugs Drew, saying, take it easy on him, in his ear. She leaves, and Drew says, it’s late. Anything Michael needs to say to him, he can say to him in the morning. Michale says he’s afraid not. He’s resigning.

Mr. Wright says, this has got to go, trying to take Adam’s guitar, but Adam says, no, it doesn’t. Willow says, he’s upsetting the patient. Please wait outside. Wright tells Adam that they have far more important things to discuss than his musical hobby, like the reason he’s here in this hospital. Josslyn walks in with Felicia, and Wright says, then moving on to the many lies Adam’s told. Adam owes him that. Josslyn says, Adam doesn’t owe him anything, and Wright tells Willow that he thought he made it clear that this young woman was not to be allowed near his son. Felicia tells him, please do what Nurse Corinthos says and wait outside, and Wright asks who she is. She says she’s Felicia Scorpio. She’s on staff here as a patient advocate and she needs to talk to Adam, just the two of them.

Lois says she’s sorry. She doesn’t think she heard correctly. Did Tracy just agree with her? Tracy says, as mother of the bride, Lois is traditionally hostess of the wedding and the reception. She knows their tastes differ and Quartermaine traditions are not necessarily right for everyone. Lois says she always thought Tracy was too snooty to see past her own stuck-up nose, but clearly, she was wrong. Tracy says, live and learn, and Brook asks if she and Chase can have a word with grandmother privately. Gregory says, of course (🍷). Shall we? Lois says, delighted, and they leave, Gregory closing the door. Tracy says, now that they’re all on the same page, the wedding can proceed. The ceremony at St. Anthony’s in Bensonhurst, the festival hall of their choosing for the reception, and the streamers, balloons, and bunting in whatever color palette Brook’s mother desires. No need for them to thank her. Brook says, thank her? They were counting on her to say no.

Portia asks if Laura has any news, and Laura says, Dante is with the police now, but no word yet. Trina says she knows they’ll find him, and Laura asks if Trina can just tell her what happened and what Esme thought she was going to accomplish. Trina says, Esme wanted to take Spencer hostage to force Nikolas out of hiding and trade him for Ace, but Laura says, Esme’s a tiny little girl. How could she possibly overpower Spencer? Did she have a gun? Curtis says, that’s why she planned to drug him, and Trina tells them, Esme said the drug would make Spencer docile, but it didn’t work. He found a way to fight it, and then Esme came for her with the needle, and he grabbed her. That’s how she knows he loves her, and she knows he’s alive. Dante comes in, and Laura asks if there’s an update, but Dante says he’s sorry. He doesn’t have good news.

Tracy says she doesn’t understand. She thought Brook was on board with her mother’s vision. Brook asks if Tracy knows how many weddings she’s been to at St. Anthony’s. Don’t misunderstand. They’ve all been beautiful and a lot of fun, but as much as she loves the old neighborhood, she doesn’t want to be married there. Chase says he and Brook met in Port Charles. They fell in love here and the people they love and are closest to live here. Brook says, they want a Port Charles wedding. Whether they have the reception here at the house or at The Savoy or at the MetroCourt ballroom, they just want it to be in a place that has meaning for them as a couple. Chase says, it’s not that he doesn’t want to get to know Brook’s family in Bensonhurst. He does. Brook says, just not on their wedding day. They want it to be a day to celebrate their love, not a meet and greet with the Falconari and Cerullo clans. Tracy says, if that’s the way she feels, why doesn’t she tell her mother? and Brook says, because she’s her ma’s only child and she’s a daughter. A big neighborhood wedding is like a rite of passage. Her ma has always been rebellious, but when it came to marrying her dad, they did the ceremony in Bensonhurst. Tracy says she remembers the stories, running around Brooklyn in their wedding attire, hoping to make it to the church on time, and Brook says, now it’s her mother’s turn to be mother of the bride. To have all the uncles and cousins and nonnas congratulate her. And since she divorced Brook’s dad and raised Brook as a single mom, it’s an even bigger deal for her. Tracy says, so maybe Brook should defer to her wishes? and Chase says, she’s got a point. Brook says she doesn’t want to hurt her mom’s feelings, but she just wants their wedding to be their wedding. Tracy says, it will be. She promises.

Michael hands Drew his resignation and says he’s happy for his mom. He knows she’ll make Crimson even better, but Drew fired Nina and hired his mom without even asking him. He knows it’s Drew’s call, but as somebody who’s been handling the day-to-day for years, he should have at least been consulted. Drew says, like Michael shared the inside information about Nina with him? and Michael says he found out Nina tipped off the SEC at their wedding reception. He was on the phone call with his source when he looked over and saw Nina dancing with Willow and his son. Drew says he understands it’s complicated, and Michael says, that’s why he needed proof. He recorded Martin Grey admitting to everything. He went to his father. He was going to play him the recording and expose Nina; get her out of his father’s life, Willow’s life, and his kids’ life, once and for all. Drew says, Michael doesn’t have to explain it. He didn’t want to break Sonny’s heart. Michael says he and his father had been estranged ever since he chose Nina over Michael’s mom and his family. They finally reconciled, so if Michael was to go over to him and basically say, see? I was right. Nina’s a liar and you were a fool to choose her over us, he felt it would break their relationship for good. Drew says, he could have found a gentler way to bring it to him, but Michael says, no matter how he would have said it, that’s what Sonny would have heard. That’s what he heard when Michael told him the truth finally. Drew says, Sonny blames Michael as much as he blames Nina, and Michael says, if not more. That’s for him and his father to work out, or not. The point is, he owed it to Drew to let him know everything and he didn’t. He’ll stick around and help with the transition as long as Drew needs him, until he can find someone he trusts with the position. Michael starts to leave, but Drew says, wait. The truth is, his anger was misdirected toward Michael. Nina is the one who caused all the harm. Now that Carly is here in her place, the books are balanced. Michael asks what he’s saying, and Drew tells him that he’s saying he wants Michael here. But with new ground rules in place.

Wright says his son doesn’t need an advocate. He has his father. Josslyn asks how that’s worked out, and Wright says, if she doesn’t leave now, he’ll call security. Carly arrives and says, no, he won’t. Wright asks who she is, and she says she’s Josslyn’s mother. And instead of insulting her daughter, why isn’t he thanking her for saving his son’s life? Felicia says, if they’d all just step outside and give her a moment alone with Adam, but Wright says he’s staying. Willow says, Adam? and Adam says he’d like to talk to the advocate. Willow says, he heard his son. He needs to leave. Or should she call security? Wright tells Adam that he’ll be right outside, and Josslyn says she’ll be right outside too, in case Adam needs her. Everyone leaves, and Adam asks Felicia, what happens now? She says, it’s his life. He’s been given a second chance to live it. How he does so is up to him.

Dante says, the authorities are dragging the river. They’ve got divers out there and helicopters along the shoreline, but the currents are stronger the closer the river gets to the Channel. Trina says, there must be something more they can do to rescue Spencer, but Dante says, the problem is this. They’ve been in the water for more than 24 hours now. Given the temperature and whatever Esme gave to Spencer, they’re no longer calling this a rescue mission; they’re calling it recovery. Trina says she doesn’t care what they call it, recovery or rescue. What matters is they get Spencer back. Dante tells Trina and Laura that he’s so sorry. Spencer is now presumed dead. Laura starts to cry, and Trina says, they’re wrong. He’s alive. She knows he is. She runs out, crying.

Portia asks if Curtis minds, and he says, of course (🍷) not. Go after their daughter. She runs after Trina, and Curtis tells Laura that Spencer was her grandson and he’s very sorry. She thanks him, and Curtis asks who Dante’s contact is at the local police. Dante says, Captain Auboire. She has a command station set up on the bridge. She can give him all the details. Curtis says he’s going to need to hear that so he can relay it to Trina when she’s ready. He leaves, and Dante asks Laura if there’s anything he can do. She says, find her grandson, and he says he wishes he could. She says she knows. She knows Dante would bring him back if he could. They all would. But nothing can be done. She sobs and Dante puts his hand on her shoulder.

Felicia says, Adam tried to end his life. She and his medical team are going to make sure he knows they’re going to continue to support him even after he walks out the door. He’s not alone. He has help. All he has to do is ask for it.

In the hallway, Josslyn says, there’s something Wright needs to know. When she found Adam in the park, he was clutching the thing he loves most, that guitar. Does he know what she likes to think? That even when he was out of it and about to drift off forever, he heard music, and it gave him a reason to live. He believes he’s doing what’s best for his son, but what’s best for Adam is for his father to see him and accept him for who he is.

Tracy asks Lois and Gregory to join them, and Lois makes a beeline for Brook, while Gregory asks if Tracy is okay. She says, no thanks to him. Agreeing with Lois took years off her life. Lois says she doesn’t want them to worry about a thing. The cost of the boat and the food… she’s going to foot the bill. Tracy says she’s footing the bill. And on further review, she’s decided the wedding is going to take place here in Port Charles. Formal attire, flowers by Genevieve, string quartet, and French champagne. Lois asks if that’s really what they want, and Chase says, as much as he wants to meet Lois’s extended family, he and Brook are based here, and this is where they would like to have the wedding. Brook says, a formal reception with flowers and champagne and a string quartet sounds beautiful, and Lois says, beautiful, yeah, but where’s the fun? Tracy says she’s so glad Lois brought that up, because it’s the night before the wedding when the fun really happens.

Portia finds Trina on deck, and Trina asks how she’s supposed to walk away from him. How can she let him go? Portia hugs her.

Brook and Chase both say, Coney Island? and Tracy says, it may not be the proper venue for the wedding, but it’s perfect for the rehearsal dinner. Lois says, of course (🍷). Why didn’t she think of that? Tracy says, nail polish remover. Silent killer. They can recreate all the outer borough charm right on the wharf. They can hire a carnival… and rockers. Whatever. Lois says, that’s true, but Tracy could do even better than that, right? Because why recreate Coney Island, when they could have the real thing? Chase says, the rehearsal dinner is the night before the ceremony, and Brook says, they can’t get everybody down there and back to Port Charles. Lois says, is she sure? What does Tracy think? Tracy says, they can charter buses, and Lois says, buses? What about jets? Tracy is a fancy shmancy cosmeticsy old lady. She can fly everybody down there and back in one night. She can rent out the whole park. Lois can just see it now. Waiters on roller skates handing out pigs in blankets, the Salt N Sizzle, the sideshow, and oh! The Cyclone. Gregory says he’d pay money to see Tracy on The Slingshot, and Lois says, and maybe they can get the groom to serenade the bride on the beach. Brook looks at Chase, and Lois says, what? No. They’re going to tell her that they hate it? Brook says, she couldn’t be more wrong, and Chase says, they love it. Lois says, they do? and Brook hugs her. Gregory and Tracy go into the foyer.

Felicia says, Adam would like to see Josslyn now, and Josslyn goes to his room. She says, looking for her? and Adam says, the nurse told him that it was her who brought his guitar from the park to the hospital. She says she knew he’d want it, and he says, but she didn’t know if he’d be around to use it. She says, no, but she hoped, and he thanks her. She says, it wasn’t a big deal, and he says, not just about the guitar. For him. He tried to kill himself. If it hadn’t been for her, he would have. She says she was just doing what a friend does, and he says, even after everything, the way he treated her, she can still say that. She says she just did, and she promises to keep on saying it as long as he promises to hear it.

Wright tells Felicia that he still needs to see his son, when Josslyn comes back with Adam and his guitar. Wright says, oh good, he’s dressed. Enough talk. They’re going home. Adam says, no, he’s not.

Drew says he needs to know that he can trust Michael. That was never an issue before. Michael always had his back and he always had Michael’s back. He’s not blaming Michael for making the choice to protect his family, but he’s saying Michael has to remember he’s family too. Michael asks how he rebuilds that trust. Where does he start? Drew says, him firing Nina and putting Carly in her place, that’s just the beginning, and Michael asks if he’s planning more changes at Aurora. Drew says he’s planning more changes for Nina. He’s going to make her pay for every single day she kept him away from his daughter, for every scar he carried with him when he walked away from Pentenville. That woman thinks she’s lost everything. She has no idea. She’s going to keep losing until she’s alone, as broke, and as empty as she deserves to be. So is Michael with him? Ugh. I’m not liking this new, dark Drew. I wasn’t exactly a Drew fan to begin with, but he’s kind of creepy now.

Laura tells Dante that she knows better than to play with what ifs. She knows it’s not going to change anything, but she can’t stop herself. What if Spencer had just refused to give Ace to his father? Or what if when Esme finished in court, she just took her son and went back home? Then they would all just be in Port Charles tonight, wouldn’t they? And Spencer and Trina would be together. They’d be young and in love and in Paris. She cries and says, instead, they have this. She can’t imagine a world without Spencer. She just can’t.

Portia tells Trina to take her jacket, but Trina says, no. Portia says she doesn’t want Trina to get cold, but Trina says she doesn’t care. Think about how cold the water is. Spencer loved to swim, but he hated the cold. She remembers when they were at the cabin, and he couldn’t wait to make a fire… At the cabin. That’s when Esme showed her true colors. Why didn’t they pay attention? Why didn’t they get away from her then? Even Spencer… especially Spencer. Portia says, Esme can’t hurt anyone anymore. Spencer saw to that. He really was a hero. She suggests getting Trina home, since there’s really nothing they can do here now, and Trina says she’ll meet Portia at the stateroom. Portia leaves, and Trina asks Spencer, how do I do it? How do I say goodbye?

Lois says she got carried away and suggested a wedding and reception that’s very similar to… Brook looks at her, and she says, okay, almost identical to her wedding to Brook’s father… and her cousin Teresa’s… and her cousin Angela’s… All right, and to Luciana Falconari’s, which all happened this past year. Brook says, and they were all beautiful, and Lois says, yes, and Brook’s wedding will be beautiful too. As long as it’s the wedding of Brook’s dreams, not hers. Brook says she loves Lois, and Lois says she loves Brook too. Brook says, as long as they have their families wishing them well… Chase says, their wedding will be perfect. Lois agrees.

Gregory says, Tracy never ceases to amaze him. She has all sorts of hidden talents when she lets herself show them. She says, sometimes all she needs is a little encouragement. However, there is no amount of encouragement that will ever get her on anything called The Slingshot. He says he begs to differ. If he can get Alexis into a parachute, he can get her onto The Slingshot. (See below.)

Wright says, don’t be foolish. Adam’s proven he can’t be trusted on his own. After some time home with family, he can enroll in another college. Get a fresh start. Adam says he’s going back to PCU. He’s got unfinished business there. Besides, there’s a really great music department there. Wright asks, who will pay the tuition? and Felicia says, with his musical talent, perhaps PCU will want to recruit Adam. Adam says, or he’ll get a job, put himself through school, and Wright says, this is a mistake, but Adam says, it’s his to make. He has his dad’s phone number, and his dad has his. Whenever he feels like talking, they’ll talk. Wright looks disgusted, and leaves. Josslyn hugs Adam, and he says he’s not complaining, but what was that for? She says, for being you, and Carly looks on proudly.

Michael says, if regaining Drew’s trust means pursuing a vendetta against Nina, he’s sorry, but the answer’s no. Drew asks if Michael thinks he’s being too hard on her, but Michael says, it’s not worth what he stands to lose. He already went behind Willow’s back in order to protect her from her mother, and it nearly cost him his family. He can’t do that again. He wants Nina to lose everything, but he can’t be involved in making that happen. Drew had better start screening for a CEO. Drew says he already has his CEO. Michael just proved it right now. Michael asks if this was a test, and Drew says he told Michael what he was planning. Michael declined to be involved and he respects Michael’s reasons and respects his honesty. That’s what they need. They need transparency. Collaboration can’t happen without it. He rips up Michael’s resignation and says he expects to see Michael at his desk first thing in the morning.

Portia asks what the police had to say, and Curtis says, they’re going to extend the search for the next 48 hours. If they don’t find anything, they’re going to assume Spencer and Esme’s bodies were swept out into the English Channel and lost. She says, any idea on the odds of recovering their bodies? and he says, less than 50%. He doesn’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, if they don’t find the body, Trina will never accept Spencer’s gone. If they do find the body, she’s going to insist on viewing it. He just doesn’t want her to see Spencer that way. He wants to spare her that. Portia says she wanted Spencer out of Trina’s life. He brought trouble and she wanted to protect Trina from all of that. But the thought of that young man losing his life saving Trina’s and how Trina’s feeling tonight… She didn’t want it to happen like this. She cries and says, not this way.

Laura and Dante go out on deck, and Laura goes over to Trina. Trina asks if Doc is okay, and Laura says, he still has a headache. Other than that, he’s fine. Trina says she knows Laura wants to get home soon, so she promises she won’t be long, but Laura tells her to take as much time as she needs. She kisses Trina on the forehead, and she and Dante go back inside. Trina flashes back over her and Spencer being in Paris before Esme came along, and there’s a song part. She says, this isn’t goodbye. Somehow, some way…

We see the turtle dove washed up on a rocky shore.

Tomorrow, Olivia says, it’s best for everyone; Laura says, we owe each other the truth; Trina says, this time it won’t be a happy ending; and Ava tells Nina to prepare herself for a life without him (presumably Sonny).

🛟 Sweeping Down the Seine…

Never fear, Spencer is making a series for Netflix. This doesn’t say much about his ex-partner in crime. Only that yesterday was her last day on screen. My hopes of Spencer and Esme both having lost their memories and being stuck in a Blue Lagoon scenario are officially dashed.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/avery-pohl-leaves-general-hospital

🤸‍♀️ Stunts On the Water…

This sounds like fun, and kudos to Avery Pohl for being her own stunt double.

The Secrets Behind GH’s Paris Fight Scenes!

🛵 He’s Getting There…

No definitive date, but the speculation is late February/early March.

Steve Burton Teases His GENERAL HOSPITAL Return!

🏆 Variations In Category…

The Daytime Emmys make a few changes.

NATAS Announces Changes to Daytime Emmy Categories

🍹 Some Type Of Way…

Checking in on how everyone feels. Even though it’s probably the least important thing in the history of the world.

How Does Taylor Ann Green’s Boyfriend Feel About Her Friendship With Ex Shep Rose?

🐉 When Worlds Collide…

Seasons are so sparse now, she can probably take on a few more projects and have spare time.

https://ew.com/supergirl-casting-milly-alcock-house-of-the-dragon-8549512

🗽 Live From New York…

This sounds promising.

https://ew.com/snl-1975-movie-cast-and-real-people-8551014

❣️ Ahead Of the Pack…

No shame in having your dog as your date. As a matter of fact, it’s probably better than a lot of human dates.

https://www.dailypaws.com/gear-apparel/pet-gifts/dog-valentines-day-gifts

https://www.dogtopia.com/blog/how-to-celebrate-valentines-day-with-your-dog

🏃🏽‍♀️ One February A-Leaping…

Check in tomorrow for soap, amusement, knowledge, and as always, music. Until then, stay safe, stay refraining from posting every moment of your life on social media, and stay not playing with what ifs. They won’t change anything.

Jan20

January 19, 2024 – Drew Makes a Replacement, A Thought, Custom Made, Side Work, Joke’s On Her, Reaction, VanderSpin, Dragon 2, Late Return, Which Ones, He’s Back, Best Bowl, One Dozen Quotes & Winter

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura says, Cyrus’s health must be improving. He looks better. Cyrus thanks her and says, dropping the charges against Sonny Corinthos has revitalized his spirit. His soul is unburdened, so his body can heal. She asks, what led to this unburdening? and he says, accountability. He acknowledged his role in the attack. How he provoked Sonny at the wrong time instead of giving him grace. If he’d simply turned around and walked away, the beating would never have happened. Once he realized that, he was able to let his anger go, and he found peace. She asks if that’s why he called her last night and wanted her here first thing in the morning, to share this epiphany? He says he called her because there’s a lost soul in need of her help. Spencer walks in and Cyrus says, welcome, nephew. You’re right on time.

Ava hears someone come into the gallery, and says she told Trina to take the day off. She turns around and sees it’s Esme. She asks what the hell Esme wants. She’s not welcome here. Esme says, please don’t kick her out. She needs Ava’s help.

Willow says hi to Adam, and he asks where he is. She says, he’s at General Hospital, and he asks, why? She says, because his friend saved his life.

Carly finishes with an interview for a Kelly’s Bobbie’s manager, when Sam walks in. She says, Carly looks underwhelmed, and Carly says, she’s perceptive. She guesses that’s what makes Sam such a great P.I. If she’s looking for something new, perhaps Carly can interest her in the exciting world of shift management.

Nina goes to her office, where movers are removing everything. She asks what they’re doing here, and one of them says, moving. She says, they must be on the wrong floor, but he says, they’re on the right floor. She says, they can’t be because this is her office. They have to leave immediately and tell that guy to bring her stuff back or she’s calling security. He says, they’re just doing their job, and she says, what job? Who ordered this? Drew walks in and says he did. He tells the guys, good work, and suggests they take a break, giving them money for coffee (which I notice he says like caffee) and muffins. They leave, and Nina says, what the hell? He can’t just order her out of her own office. It’s trespassing. He says, no, it’s business. He owns Aurora; Aurora owns Crimson. He knows she’s the Editor-in-Chief of Crimson, but he’s still her boss. Until now. She’s fired. (Okay. I won’t get into how many shades of wrong this would be in the real world, and the lawsuit that would happen. I’ll just keep telling myself, it’s only a soap…)

In the chapel, Josslyn asks how Dex found her, and he says, when she didn’t answer his calls, he went by her dorm. He ran into her RA Kylie, and she told him what happened. He came here and looked around until he found her. She says, her phone died. She’s sorry she didn’t pick up his call. So much was going on. He says, obviously. Why didn’t she call him when she got here? She says she didn’t want to bother him. She knows how he feels about Adam and figured he had enough. He says, if she’s going through something, he wants to know and help if he can. That’s how this works. Got it? She says, got it. She suggests they check on Adam, see if he’s awake. She needs to apologize to him. He asks what she needs to apologize for, and she says, he freaked out because she told the RA that he was in trouble, but Dex says, she has nothing to apologize for. The people who need to be apologizing are Adam’s parents.

Willow asks if Adam remembers anything from last night, but he says, not really. He’d had too much to drink at a frat party. She says, Josslyn Jax found him alone in Rice Park, and he says, sometimes when he drinks, he wanders. It’s a bad habit. She says, he also ingested a lot of pills, and he says, for a cold. She says she’ll let the doctor fill him in, but he says he’d really like to get back to his dorm. She says, he’ll have to be cleared by the attending before he can be released, and he asks when that will be. She says, he had to have his stomach pumped last night. She doesn’t want to alarm him, but he’s lucky to be alive. He says, lucky me.

Carly tells Sam, business is going great, really great. That’s why she has to hire more staff. It’s a really good problem to have, but she just wants Bobbie’s to live up to its namesake. Sam asks what she’s talking about. Bobbie’s is thriving because of her. Onward and upward. Carly thanks her and says she needed to hear that. What can she get Sam? Sam says she’s going to wait to order until Drew gets here, and Carly says, she’s meeting him now? Sam says, actually, five minutes ago. He’s running late. Carly says she hates to break it to Sam, but she’s going to be waiting a long time for Drew.

Nina says, Drew is making a big mistake, and he says, maybe, but it’s his mistake to make. She asks if he honestly thought she’d just roll over and accept this. What about Michael? Drew might own Aurora, but Michael runs it. What does he think Michael will have to say about this? Drew says, hooray?

Cyrus says he’s grateful Spencer came, and Spencer says he didn’t know Laura would be here. She says, nor I, you, and asks Cyrus, what’s going on? He says he thought they should both know he had a visitor here late last night. Somebody who needed his help, who was desperate and alone, who felt everything had been taken from her. Spencer says, Esme, and Laura asks why Esme would come here. Cyrus asks if Spencer wants to explain the rest or should he do it for him? and Laura says, enough with the mystery. Somebody better tell her something. Spencer says he saw his father last night.

Ava says, one too many knocks to the head? and Esme says, does Ava think she wants to be here asking for her help? Ava says, at least she didn’t have to break in. Now leave or she’s going to call the cops. Esme asks if she hasn’t already done that. Ava tried to send her to prison. Ava says, funny. That’s where she thinks criminals belong. Esme says, Ava’s right. She shouldn’t have broken into Windymere, and what Ava did is entirely justified. Ava asks what she wants. Spit it out. Esme says, has she seen Nikolas? and Ava says, why? Has she? Esme says, no, and Ava wonders why she asks. Esme says, because he’s kidnapped her son.

Laura says, Nikolas came back to Port Charles? Where is he? Spencer says, he was here last night. He’s already gone. Laura says, her son came and went without her even knowing. At least Spencer got to see him. It must have been quite a shock though. Did he say why he risked coming back to Port Charles? Spencer says, he came here to take Ace with him… and I let him.

Dex says, Josslyn told him about the pressure Adam’s parents put him under. No wonder he cracked. She says she just can’t believe he’s this messed up about his grades. They’re better than hers, and hers are pretty good. Dex says, it’s not about his GPA. He feels shame for letting his parents down. He wants them to be proud of him. She says, but he acts like he can’t stand them, and Dex says, just the opposite. Adam loves his parents and feels like a failure because he can’t live up to their expectations. She asks if that’s how it was for him, and he says, not exactly. If there was any part of him that wanted to please his parents, it got burned out pretty quickly. He only found peace with his family when he walked away. He just hopes Adam doesn’t have to make the same choice. She says, he really needs help, doesn’t he? and Dex says, he’s going to need a good friend, and that’s what she’s been. She says, let’s go see how he’s doing.

Adam apologizes to Willow for being edgy. He just wants to get out of here. She says she bets, but they need to have the attending check him out first, okay? Portia comes in and says, he’s up. How is he feeling? He asks if she’s the attending, and she says she’s Dr. Robinson. She’s the Co-Chief of Staff here. He says, wow. Then she can definitely sign him out. When can he leave? Willow says she’ll check on the attending and see if Dr. Wallace is available. She leaves, and Adam says he’s really sorry, but last night was just a complete, huge misunderstanding. He’s sorry if he caused trouble, but his friend Josslyn just overreacted. So if she could sign him out, that would be great. She says she happens to know Josslyn Jax, and she doesn’t overreact much. Neither does the staff here at the hospital. She thinks it’s pretty clear what happened here, and anyway, he’s going to have to be cleared by a psychiatrist before he can be discharged. It’s hospital policy. He says, Dr. Robinson… Is she Trina’s mom? She says she is, and he says, Trina’s told him a lot about her. She says, he’s friends with Trina, so she has to take especially good care of him, right? He says, cool. So let him out. She says, if after his evaluation, they all agree that what happened last night is just an unfortunate accident, then he can be discharged. If not, then they’ll have to take the next steps. He asks what that even means. Are they going to keep him here or something? Doesn’t he have rights? What if he doesn’t consent to it? She says, of course (🍷) he has rights. Absolutely, but some of those rights are determined by his diagnosis. They want the absolute best outcome for him, and if they determine he’s a threat to himself or anyone else, they can’t let him leave. It’s hospital policy and standard practice. The on-call psychiatric attending should be here soon, and his parents… He says, they can’t know, and she tells him calm down. He says, please. They can’t know.

Ava asks when Nikolas took Ace, and Esme says, during the hearing. Spencer was supposed to bring Ace to the courthouse, but he never showed up. Nikolas came to the apartment and convinced Spencer to give him her baby. Ava says, that’s unbelievable. And she never saw Nicholas in Port Charles? Esme says, no. He hid from her like the coward that he is, but Spencer let Nikolas take Ace. She can’t believe Spencer would betray her like that. She thought they were getting along. She thought Spencer hated his father… Ava says, like father, like son, self-serving, duplicitous, and Esme says, Ace doesn’t even know Nikolas. He’s going to be so scared and so confused. Nikolas doesn’t know what Ace likes. He needs his mother. She can’t be without her son. She cries and says, he’s all that she’s got. Ava says, it’s a terrible thing to be separated from your child, and Esme says, so she understands. Ava says, unfortunately, she does, but why come to her? and Esme says she thought Nikolas might not be able to stay away from her. Ava says, unfortunately, and Esme says, so she’s right, isn’t she? Nikolas came to see her. Ava says, Nikolas was here, and Esme says, thank God, but Ava says, he’s gone now, and Esme’s never going to find him.

Laura says, Spencer let Nikolas take Ace? How could he do such a thing? He says he had no choice. His little brother wasn’t safe with Esme. She says, come on. She’s proven herself to be a good mother and he knows it. Does Esme know Nikolas took her baby? Cyrus says, that’s why she came to see him last night. She wanted his help tracking Nikolas down. Laura asks why Esme thought he could help her, and Cyrus says, she thinks he has powerful contacts and thought he’d be amenable because Nikolas and Ace are his relatives. Of course (🍷) he’s related to them through Laura, so he knew he had to do the right thing and inform her. He asked Spencer here so he could be the one to explain. Spencer says, Cyrus is all about his soul, right? And confession being good for it? Cyrus says he’d hope so. Spencer is the one who took a child from his mother. Spencer says he did not take Ace, and Laura says, no. He just handed Ace over like he was returning a package. How could he do such a thing? She can only imagine how Esme is feeling right now. How could Spencer take a baby from the only family he ever knew? Spencer says, because he loves his brother, and he’s not going to allow him to be raised by some psychopath, but Laura says, he goes back to that whenever it’s convenient for him. Esme’s worked hard to overcome her past. Spencer says, Laura doesn’t understand. He knows the truth now. Esme’s been lying. She remembers everything.

Portia says, they had to call Adam’s parents because according to his PCU medical records, they’re his emergency contact. Adam asks what she told his parents, and she says she told them he was here and that he’d had a medical emergency. He asks if she told them about the pills, that he tried to hurt himself, and she asks if that’s what happened. He says, no. It was just an accident. She says, okay. Here’s the deal. He’s over 18, so he’s considered to be an adult. As far as they’re concerned, they can’t share any of his information without his permission. He thanks her, and she says, but his parents are still going to have questions. And whether or not last night was an accident, he’s still going to need a support system in place. So she’s imploring him to please be honest with the doctor who’s going to evaluate him. Be honest with his parents, and most importantly, be honest with himself.

Portia leaves and asks if there’s any word on the psyche attending. Is it Dr. Wallace? Willow says, he’s still doing rounds in the west wing. He’ll be down in a second. How’s Adam? She feels so bad for him. Josslyn said he’s under a lot of pressure at school. She just hopes if Wiley or Amelia ever feel pressured at school, they come to her. Portia says she doesn’t get it. Kids these days have so much pressure on them. The bullying, the isolation, school shootings, everything that’s going on in the world. Depression and anxiety are an epidemic for this generation, and it breaks her heart. Josslyn and Dex come by, and Josslyn asks Portia if Adam is awake yet. Portia says she didn’t know Josslyn was here. Did she sleep here last night? Josslyn says she just wants to make sure Adam is okay, and Portia says, he’s awake. He cannot have any visitors right now. That’s really all she can tell Josslyn. A man goes to the reception desk and says he’s here to see Adam Wright. He was brought in last night. He wants to see his son.

Carly says, Drew mentioned he had a meeting at Aurora this morning, and Sam says, they’ve had this on the books for a week. Carly says she’s sure it was last minute. He must have forgotten. Drew would never leave her hanging. Sam says, so she thought. Never say never, she guesses. Carly asks what that means, and Sam says she and Drew have been out of step lately. That’s why she scheduled this meeting, to see if they could iron some things out. Carly asks if this is about the situation with Scout’s school. She doesn’t believe Drew meant to undercut Sam. Sam says, actually, they’ve resolved that issue, but things are still really tense, and they have been since he got home from Pentenville. Maybe it’s just her… Never mind. Carly says, don’t do that. Talk to her. What’s going on? Sam says, Carly probably spends the most time with Drew. Since he’s been back, hasn’t she noticed that he’s changed?

Drew says, as Nina pointed out, Michael just runs Aurora. He happens to own it, so he gets the final say. Nina says she gets it. Either Micahel disagrees with him about firing her and running Crimson into the ground or he doesn’t know. Michael may have Sonny’s last name and he may hate her, but he’s a Quartermaine through and through. He doesn’t let his personal feelings interfere with the balance sheet. Drew says, don’t forget he’s a Quartermaine too, and she says, maybe he should take a page out of his nephew’s book. She has run a tight, profitable ship for years. She saved Crimson from bankruptcy when Julian Jerome tried to run it in the ground and use it as a tax write-off. Now Crimson is one of the top fashion magazines in the country. It is Aurora’s flagship title and it’s her baby. Speaking of, what kind of father tanks his company and destroys his child’s legacy? Isn’t Scout a major shareholder? He gets in Nina’s face and tells her, don’t you dare bring my daughter into this. (I say, or what? You gonna hit me? which is what Nina should say.)

Carly tells Sam, Drew had a horrific experience in Pentenville, and he’s struggling. She thinks that’s to be expected after 3 years in a dungeon in Crete first that affected him not at all. Just when he was getting his bearings, they found out Nina was the one who called the SEC on them. And that very same night, they found out her mother died. She thinks Drew’s angry. She’s angry. Sam says she understands that, but Drew is angry at the world. Carly is directing her anger toward Nina, and rightly so. Carly says, her instincts are telling her to strike back, but she wants to be more like her mom. She wants to focus on what’s important, and right now, keeping her legacy alive and honoring her is so important. She hopes she’s succeeding, but she doesn’t know. Sam says, Bobbie would be really proud of her right now. Carly thanks her and says, but Bobbie also gave people second chances. Maybe that’s what they need to do for Drew. Give him some grace and double down on their support. Sam says she hears Carly, and don’t get her wrong, she’d do anything to support Drew, aside from the issue with Scout and the school. If there’s any way she can help him… Does Carly have any idea how she can do that? She’s listening.

Drew asks what he ever did to Nina. Did he harm her in some way? She says, it wasn’t about him. It was always about Carly. He says, two people were reported to the SEC. Did she just forget about him? She didn’t care that he was collateral damage? She didn’t care that he just got back into his daughter’s life, and he was ripped away again? Right after he helped save Nina’s daughter’s life, so she just cares about her daughter, not his? She says she’s sorry, and she was very grateful. She didn’t know he’d be the one to go to prison. He says, she didn’t want to know. She didn’t care. She was just so hellbent on destroying Carly. He thinks it’s insecurity. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says, Wiley and Amelia love Carly. They’re so much closer to Carly than they are to her. Willow too, for that matter. And Sonny and Carly. Their bond is dysfunctional, but it’s also unbreakable, and he doesn’t think she can stand that, so she wanted to get Carly out of the picture. Nina wanted her out by any means possible. Nina asks if he can just stop talking. Yes. She did what she did, and she won’t deny it, but she thinks this is a perfect opportunity for him to acknowledge his part. He is responsible for putting himself at risk. He says, Carly’s investment was a well-intentioned act of support, with no nefarious motive whatsoever. Nina, on the other hand, just wanted to take Carly out. And now he wants to take Nina out. Nina says she wants to give him fair warning. Don’t use all these feelings to influence his business decisions. Talk to legal. He can’t just fire her. She may not own the company, but without her, there is no magazine. He says, she’s not telling him anything he doesn’t know, and she asks if he’s telling her that he would shutter Crimson just to get rid of her. He says he’s telling her that he would do anything to make her pay for what she’s done.

Portia introduces herself to Adam’s father, and he asks, where’s Adam? Is he okay? She says, he’s resting and he still needs to be seen by an attending. He says, Adam drank too much and made a fool of himself. Does that really require further consultation? She says, it requires them to be as thorough as possible, and he says he doesn’t want her running up their bill with all kinds of extra charges. Adam’s already squandered the money they’ve invested in his education with this foolishness, which is exactly what they were afraid of. Now when can he take his son home? Portia says she’ll go check his status, and walks away. Josslyn follows her and says, Adam can’t go. He needs to stay here and get help. He absolutely cannot go home. Wright says, and why is that? What does she know about his son that he doesn’t? (Hint: Probably everything.)

Esme asks if Ava helped Nikolas kidnap her son, but Ava says she would never do anything like that. Esme says, then why was he here? Why did he come looking for Ava? Did he want Ava to help him get her out of the way? Is that why Ava pressed charges against her? Ava says, that’s ridiculous. She didn’t know Esme had broken into Windymere. She didn’t know Laura was going to convince her to confess to it. Esme says, just tell her how to find Nikolas, please, but Ava says she can’t. He’s a Cassadine. He’s got money, he’s got resources, he’s got the private islands. If Laura couldn’t find him, does Esme really think she’ll be able to? Esme says she’s not giving up on her son. She has resources too. Ava says, Esme has no idea what she’s getting herself into, and her resources can’t possibly compete or compare. Esme asks if she looks helpless. She’ll do whatever it takes to find her son. Maybe she has a dangerous ally of her own. Ava says, oh really? Like who? Esme says, Cyrus Renault.

Cyrus says, Esme told him that Spencer threatened to have the old charges reinstated against her. When he questioned her, she wouldn’t say how this might be possible. Spencer says, because she doesn’t want anyone to know that she’s regained her memory, and Cyrus asks how he knows that. Spencer says, because of the little things she was saying. He was with her before her arraignment at the PCPD. She kept going back to how everyone hated her and how she was the one being persecuted. Then he pointed out to her that these are things that sound like the old Esme. As soon as he said that, she backed off. Laura says, how would he expect her to react? She confessed and she expressed true remorse over what was really a Class-A misdemeanor, and still Ava had to press charges. Spencer says, she told him that Ava wanted her to pay for what she supposedly did to Trina, as though Ava and Trina are the ones overreacting, and she’s the one being persecuted in this situation. Laura says she’s sorry. She doesn’t see this as proof that Esme regained her memory. Spencer says, she called him Spence. That’s what she used to call him, back when they were together. She hasn’t used that name for him since she lost her memory. Laura says, so she called him by his nickname, and he says, when he told her that his father had taken Ace, she told him that she was going to the police and was going to report the kidnapping. He threatened her and said, if she does that, he’s going to tell the police that she has her memory back and they’re going to reopen the investigation. As soon as she heard that, she seemed like she couldn’t risk it. Laura says, maybe she couldn’t risk being thought of as a suspect when she’s so desperate to get her son back. He gave Ace away based on a suspicion, not based on something he knew, and certainly nothing he could prove. Spencer says he does know that Esme has regained her memory, and Cyrus says he’s sorry to interrupt, but memory or not, Esme is still going after her son. She came to him asking for his help. Who else is she going to go to? And if Esme is successful, what will she do when she finds Nikolas?

Carly tells Sam that she thinks the best thing they can do for Drew is, just be honest with each other and keep talking, and to give him some time. She’s going to do everything she can on her end. Sam says, just so she knows, she’s not alone in this. There are plenty of people who care about Drew. Carly says, but what happened to Drew is on her. She’s the one who bought the Aurora stock because she had to inflate the price, even after Drew told her not to, over and over again. And he took the fall just to protect her. Sam says, he insisted on doing that, but Carly says, he wouldn’t have been faced with that choice if it weren’t for her to begin with. So she’s going to do everything in her power to make up for it. Sam says, as long as helping him doesn’t come at her own expense, because that’s the last thing he would want.

Nina asks Drew, what about the staff? They’re hard-working, they’re loyal, some of the best in the business. He’s willing to lay off all of those people just to get back at her. He says, that’s on her. He takes out an envelope and says, she signs this termination agreement or Crimson, with all its staff, is going out of business. One of the movers asks if they should start loading the boxes on the freight elevator, and Drew says he’ll have a look. He tells Nina that he’ll give her a moment to think about it. He leaves, and Nina tosses the papers in a box. She pauses and takes out a photo of Willow with Wiley and Amelia. Drew comes back and says, time’s up. Is she going to sign, or is she taking Crimson down with her? (I’m starting to think this is a dream or he’s really gone bonkers. A lot of it doesn’t make sense, even for a soap.)

Portia says, Josslyn found Adam in the park yesterday, and called emergency services. Wright says, she found him, or she was out drinking with him? and Dex says, Josslyn wasn’t drinking. She went to look for Adam because she was concerned for him. Josslyn says, Adam was alone and nearly passed out, and Wright says, they’ve been concerned about his behavior for quite a while. Josslyn says, really? and Wright says, this incident proves Adam is just not mature enough to live on his own. Josslyn says, it’s not a question about maturity. Adam needs help. He says he appreciates her concern and he’s grateful she called for help when she did, but he’ll take it from here. Josslyn says, he doesn’t understand. Adam has been hiding everything from him because Adam is afraid of what he’ll do. Wright asks why he would be afraid. He and his mother only want the best for Adam. Josslyn says, he just feels so much pressure, and Wright says, Adam has a very promising career ahead of him. He had the test scores to get into PCU. He’s maintained a 4.0 up until now. If he stays on track, he’ll be admitted to a top tier medical school. But now Adam is drinking and partying and squandering everything that he and his mother have worked hard to give him. She says, Adam isn’t partying. He’s self-medicating, having panic attacks. Portia thanks Josslyn and says she thinks she can take it from here. Why doesn’t Josslyn go home and get some rest? Wright asks who he has to speak to, to remove his son, and Dex tells Josslyn, let’s just let the hospital handle this, okay? Wright says, yeah. She’s done her part. Now please leave. This doesn’t concern her. Josslyn says, it should concern him that his son tried to kill himself last night.

Laura says she’s got to alert the police, but Spencer says, if she does that, the FBI could get involved, and who knows who else. Plus, if his father is captured, then Ace is going to get returned to Esme. (He really doesn’t get it, does he?) Laura says, they don’t even know if she’s regained her memory, and if she has, she still might do the right thing by her son. Cyrus says he agrees with Laura. He believes in the power of redemption. Spencer says, well, he doesn’t. Esme’s redemption is fake, and why is Laura still believing her? Is she really choosing Esme’s well-being over Ace’s? Laura says she’s being realistic, and the reality is that Ace would be safer if he was with them. He should have stopped his father. She just doesn’t understand why he didn’t come to her with his suspicions. She would have listened to him. They could have gone to the police together and made Esme face the things she’s done. Spencer says, what about his father, who up until ten minutes ago was the biggest asshat in the world? Should he have reported him as well? Laura says she would have never asked him to turn his own father in, but she knows Ace should be with them while all of the other stuff is getting sorted out. Spencer says, and what if it got sorted out in Esme’s favor? As far as he’s concerned, his father just saved Ace’s life. Laura says, don’t get her wrong. She’s glad that he’s starting to realize his father isn’t the heartless man Spencer’s made him out to be, but he has demonstrated some spectacularly bad judgement here and so has Spencer. His father is on the run. He’s being pursued by the authorities. This little baby has never been in more danger.

Portia tells Josslyn, that’s enough, and Dex says, let’s just go, but Josslyn says, Adam took a pack of antihistamines and washed it down with vodka. He knew what he was doing. Adam is so afraid of his father, he’d rather not live than face him. Wright says, she’s lying, and Josslyn says, doesn’t he even care? He pushed and he pushed until Adam reached his breaking point. Wright says he wants her gone – now! And if this girl comes within 50 feet of Adam, he’ll sue. (Um… we’ve already established Adam is over 18. I don’t think he can. Why is everyone being weird today?) Portia says, that’s unnecessary. She’s tired, she hasn’t slept all night, and she’s leaving right now. Why don’t they go to her office, and she can explain everything that’s going on with Adam, and they can wait for the attending there. Wright leaves with Portia, and Willow goes over to Josslyn and Dex. She says, Dr. Robinson won’t let anything happen to Adam, and Dex tells Josslyn, anything she says will just antagonize Adam’s father. She says, because he refuses to see the truth, and Dex says, Wright isn’t going to listen to her, but if she’s not here, he might listen to Dr. Robinson. Josslyn asks Willow to promise to keep an eye on Adam, and Willow promises. Josslyn says, okay then, and walks to the elevator with Dex, but then she quickly walks off.

Ava says, Esme is joking, but Esme says, Cyrus is going to help her find her son. Ava says, why? and Esme says, because he cares about his family. Ava says, Esme’s not his family. Ace may be a part of his family, but she is not. Esme says, but he promised, and Ava says, promised what exactly? Esme says, nothing. He promised her nothing. She starts to cry again, and says, her son is kidnapped. No one will help her and she’s all alone. She heads for the door, and Ava says, wait, but Esme says, stay away from me, and leaves.

Laura thanks Cyrus for coming to her, to them, about Esme, and he says, they’re family. Where else would he go? She leaves, and in the hallway, Spencer asks if she sees now. Esme went to Cyrus for help. Isn’t that proof she can’t be trusted? Laura says, it’s proof she’s desperate and will do anything to get her baby back, and he says, fine. Both can be true. She takes out her phone and calls the PCPD, asking for Dante. Spencer tries to take the phone, but she says, stop it. She has to do it. She tells them, it’s urgent… Dante answers, and she says, it’s Laura. My grandson Ace has been taken.

Josslyn looks in on Adam through the door window. Dex comes up behind her and gently guides her back to the elevator.

Nina signs the papers, and hands them to Drew. He says he’s surprised she gave in so quickly. She tells him, like she said, Crimson is her baby, and she’ll do anything to save her. (Besides this whole scene being in a parallel universe, is there some weird parallel with Ace here?) She’ll do anything for the employees, even if it means giving up everything she cares about. He asks if she thinks he’d really sabotage Aurora’s flagship title for her. Crimson was always going to be just fine. She says, so this was his plan all along, manipulate her sense of duty to her employees. He says, or maybe she just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to play martyr. She says, her employees are going to lose their jobs eventually anyway, and he says, former employees. She says, this magazine is nothing without her. Does he really think he’s going to get the photographers, the designers, the advertisers? The editorial staff will quit immediately. She made this magazine. This is her magazine. She’s irreplaceable. He says, and yet, he’s already replaced her. Carly walks in, and he says, meet Crimson’s new Editor-in-Chief.

On Monday, Nina says, they’re finally even; Martin asks where Lucy thinks she’s running off to in such a hurry; Esme says, you’re the only person I can turn to (Heather maybe?); and Dante says, maybe he should be arresting Spencer instead.

💭 I dunno about this. I’m guessing the closest Carly has come to editing a magazine is reading one, and wasn’t she just talking to Sam? Hard to believe Nina would say she’s irreplaceable along with all the other big talk, and this would also hardly be moving on for Carly after her speech on letting go. The whole thing was just weird.

🪆 Her Toy Story…

I keep forgetting she was in Five Nights at Freddy’s. I still haven’t seen it.

Jophielle Love Gets Turned Into a Toy!

🪂 On Their Off Time…

Writing mission completed.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jon-lindstrom-shows-off-his-first-novel

This sounds like a real headache. She took an amazing passport photo though.

GH’s Cassandra James Achieves a Major Milestone!


🤡 Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha and Then Some…

Apparently, the board-certified medical professional was called out by bigger board-certified medical professionals.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists Calls Out Annemarie Wiley

😘 She Doesn’t Care…

Sleeping with him was punishment enough.

Kathryn Dennis Reacts to Olivia Flowers, Thomas Ravenel Hookup Reveal

🍸 After the Rules…

It was bound to happen.

https://people.com/vanderpump-rules-spinoff-the-valley-starring-jax-taylor-brittany-cartwright-kristen-doute-premiere-spring-2024-8431186

The Vanderpump Rules Spin-Off The Valley Looks Terrible

🐉 Dragon Is Coming…

What’s up with Season 2.

https://winteriscoming.net/posts/hbo-responds-to-house-of-the-dragon-season-2-release-date-rumors

🐝 Fly Back To Us Soon…

Hopefully, we’re all still alive in 2025.

https://screenrant.com/yellowjackets-season-3-cast-story-everything-we-know/

https://www.etonline.com/yellowjackets-cast-teases-season-3-without-juliette-lewis-exclusive-217957

🏈 In Between Bowl…

The trailers anticipated during the upcoming Super Bowl.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/super-bowl-2024-what-trailers-commercials-deadpool-3-movies-tv/

🦸🏽 You’re Welcome, Canada…

Deadpool is the best.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-3/deadpool-3-set-photos-reveal-multiple-variants-of-spoiler-in-upcoming-mcu-threequel-a208960

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12984525/deadpool-3-ryan-reynolds-sports-long-hair-marvel-hugh-jackman.html

🐾 Fluffy For the Win…

More on Puppy Bowl XX.

https://wagwalking.com/daily/puppy-bowl-2024

https://ew.com/meet-the-starting-lineup-of-the-2024-puppy-bowl-8425601

👸🏽 Quotes of the Week

Things just tend to accumulate after Labor Day. What can I tell you? – Little Edie Beale, Grey Gardens

Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you’ve lost time. There is no short cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time. – Asha Tyson

Hold fast to dreams. For if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. – James Langston Hughes

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. – Henry Ward Beecher

At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent. – Barbara Bush (Or your pets.)

Comparison is the death of true self-contentment – John Powell

You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s actions, not words, that matter. – Nicholas Sparks

It’s almost nostalgic for a time that never existed. – Ruth Washington (Myha’la Herrold) referring to the TV series Friends, Leave the World Behind

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. – Henry van Dyke Jr.

Don’t stop until you see the whites of his pockets. – Don Draper (Jon Hamm), Mad Men

Your greatness is measured by your kindness; your education and intellect by your modesty; your ignorance is betrayed by your suspicions and prejudices, and your real caliber is measured by the consideration and tolerance you have for others. – William J.H. Boetcker

It’s going to be a long learning curb. – Amy Slaton, 1000-Lb. Sisters

⛸ Skating On Thin Ice…

Bounce back on Monday really Tuesday for soap and turbulent seas on the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay using your turn signals (you learned that in driver’s ed, right?), and stay focusing on what’s important, even when your instincts are telling you to strike back.

Jan19

January 18, 2024 – Blaze Pays an Unexpected Visit to Kristina, The Finish Line Of an Uncomfortable Not-So Charming Reunion & Popcorn

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the Quartermaines’, Carly says, this seems a little too familiar, and Michael says, turnabout’s fair play. She says, it was almost a year ago when he accused her of playing God with Willow’s life because she hid the fact that Nina was Willow’s mother, and Michael says he was terrified. He was desperate… She says, don’t do that. He accused her of making a very crucial decision without considering the consequences for anyone, and he was right. He says, now he kept the truth about Nina being the SEC informant to himself, knowing that information would affect her and Drew and Willow and so many others. He should have seen this blowing up, but he didn’t. She says, when protecting their families, they can all have tunnel vision, but he tells her, just say it. He chose dad’s happiness over hers, and that he’s also a giant hypocrite.

At the Bistro, TJ asks if Jordan is tired or just full, and she says, content. This was really nice, and long overdue. He says, that’s on him, but she says she realizes he’s got a lot on his plate right now. Her phone dings, and she says, and so does she. He says, a Deputy Mayor’s work is never finished, and she says, something like that. He says he’s glad her new role is fulfilling, but he hopes it leaves room for a personal life. She wonders if he’s asking about her love life, but he says, more like hoping she’ll have time to babysit, because if everything goes according to plan, her grandchild was conceived today.

Kristina looks at the aftercare information for intrauterine insemination, when there’s a knock at her door. She opens it, and Blaze says, greetings, stranger. Remember me? Kristina asks what she’s doing here. She thought Blaze had another out of town stop on her tour. Blaze says she did, but a blizzard knocked the power out at the venue. So if Kristina doesn’t have any plans tonight, how about it? Can she come out and play? Just a thought, but why does no one ever look through the peephole or ask, who’s there? when someone’s at the door?

Drew sits next to Anna at the bar at Charlie’s and orders scotch, neat. Make it a double. Anna says, tough day at the office? and Drew says, tough decade. (I hear you, Drew.) Every time he thinks it’s taken a turn for the better, the universe kind of shuts that down. She says she’s sorry, but he says, no, he’s sorry. She’s sitting here with her drink, enjoying her book, and he just lays that on her and brings her down. He asks the bartender for another drink for Anna on him, and she says, that’s okay. He didn’t bring her down. He just made her realize how much she relates to everything he just said.

At the hospital, Esme tell Cyrus, wake up. She needs his help. He asks what she’s doing here, and she says she had nowhere else to go. He says, why? What’s the matter? She says, her baby’s gone. He’s been kidnapped by his own father.

TJ says, Kristina underwent intrauterine insemination today, and Jordan says, congratulations. She’ll be praying that the procedure is successful. He says, her and him both. He can’t believe it’s finally going to happen, even though they didn’t get here the way he thought they would. Not in his wildest dreams did he think Kristina would be their surrogate, much less their egg donor. She says she knows it took some time to get comfortable with that, and he says, it did, until he sat down with Kristina, and they talked it all out. He came to a real understanding about her thoughts and feelings about the whole thing. Kristina is as prepared as she can be, emotionally and physically, which is more than some people can say, right? She says, absolutely, and he asks, then why is she so quiet? She’s not weighing in nearly as much as Molly’s mother. Is she comfortable with Kristina being their surrogate? She says, it’s not up to her, and he says he knows. He’s asking. What does she really think?

Kristina says she was just planning on having an evening in tonight, and Blaze says, that sounds a lot better than anything thrown together by someone who just showed up at her door. Any chance she feels like having some company? Kristina says, sure, yeah, come on in. She’s not a great chef or anything, but she was going to make some pasta… Blaze says, she doesn’t have to entertain or play hostess. She was excited about seeing Kristina and totally forgot common courtesy. She should have called first. She apologizes. Kristina says, it’s okay, but Blaze says, no, it’s not. But in her defense, Kristina hasn’t been the easiest to get on the phone lately. Kristina says she knows. She’s been really busy. Blaze says she knows Kristina has a lot going on. Can she ask Kristina a question? Kristina says, okay, and Blaze says, why does it feel like she’s started pulling away?

Esme tells Cyrus that she went to Laura’s apartment to pick up Ace, and Spencer was there. He told her that he wanted to talk, and she should have realized he was just stalling her. Cyrus says he’s not sure he understands, and she says, well, understand this. While she was in a courtroom because of some stupid broken window at Windymere, Spencer was conspiring with his father to steal her baby. He says, this doesn’t sound like Spencer, but she says, yes, it does. He doesn’t know the real Spencer or the real Nikolas. He asks what the police said, but she says she hasn’t called the police. Spencer told her if she called the cops, he’d have her old charges reinstated against her. He says, that’s not Spencer’s call, but she says, he’ll convince the DA. Cyrus says he doesn’t know how. The way he understands it, she could easily sway a jury based on her memory loss. So how can Spencer hold that against her? Has something changed?

Michael tells Carly that he knew he couldn’t cut off Nina completely because Willow would be suspicious, but containing Nina would mitigate the damage. She says, blackmail for the greater good? and he says, if that makes him a hypocrite, so be it. He’s been called worse. She says she thinks that makes him his mother’s son. No one knows why he did the things he did better than she does. Although she can’t say it doesn’t hurt that he kept the things Nina had done to himself. He says he thought he was lessening the hurt by keeping quiet, and she says, how? He says, for Willow mostly. And for his dad. He seemed happy in his marriage, and she seemed happy with Drew and was moving on. She says, that’s all true, but he forgot the lesson they both learned about keeping secrets last year. Even with the best of intentions, keeping things buried can have unintended consequences. He says, and nothing ever stays buried.

Kristina says she’s been really busy with her youth center and everything with her sister and work, and Blaze says, she’s got a lot going on, but come on. She obviously did something to hurt Kirstina’s feelings and she never wants to do that. So help her. Kristina says she pulled away because Blaze pulled away, and Blaze says, when? Kristina says, at Rice Plaza. They were talking about their family traditions… Blaze says, Kristina said her presents a year ago were a pepper spray holster and free legal advice, and Kristina says, among other things. They’re hands sort of found each other and it was really nice. Then Brook and Chase came, and Blaze literally dropped her hand like it was on fire. Blaze says she didn’t realize she did that, and Kristina says, she did. She knows there are certain things Blaze hasn’t shared with her family, but that hurt. Blaze says she’s so sorry, and Kristina thanks her. She says, does Blaze think maybe that’s because she’s not out to her family? but Blaze says she’s not used to public displays of affection. She never has been. Her performance life is in the public eye. She shares so much of herself with her music, she wants to keep her private life just for herself. Kristina says she gets that. She understands Blaze’s life is more complicated than hers in that way, and that’s fine, but when she likes someone, she likes to show it and likes if they do too. Blaze says she’d like to be more like Kristina, but old habits die hard. It might take a bit before she’s as comfortable being in public as Kristina is. Can Kristina be a little patient? Kristina says she doesn’t know.

Jordan says, after everything TJ and Molly went through, she got the impression they wanted to take a break to process and regroup before they tried again. TJ says, they both thought waiting was their best option. But after Kristina volunteered to be their surrogate, he and Molly agreed it wouldn’t be fair to ask Kristina to put her life on hold for them indefinitely. Besides, is there ever a right time to have a child? If you wait for everything to be perfect, you’ll wait forever, right? She says she can’t answer that, and he says, this is the right decision. She says she’ll answer his question with one of her own. Would her opinion change his mind? He says, no, and she says, if it wasn’t clear, how his child comes into this world will never change how much she loves them. Got it? He says, got it, and she says she does love that he values her opinion, and she appreciates how thoughtful he is with every aspect of his life. If he ever truly feels he needs her take on something, she’ll give it to him, but from where she’s sitting, he’s doing just fine in determining his own destiny. And she couldn’t be prouder.

Michael says, part of him wishes he’d never gone looking for the truth, but Carly says, come on. Would he really be happier not knowing, while Nina was settling in to her happily ever after with his dad, getting closer to Willow after everything she’s done? He says, she’s right. he needed to know. He just regrets the way he handled the information. And to top it all off, he hurt the two most important women in his life. She says she’ll survive, but he says, she deserves better. She’s always had his back. No matter how many times he screwed up, he knew she always loved him unconditionally. She says, that’ll never change, and he says, even if the man she loves doesn’t feel the same way?

Drew says he just feels like a stranger to himself lately, and Anna says, angry, but impulsive? He says, yeah. How did she know? She says she feels the same. She guesses a lot has happened to them both since Greenland. He says he heard about her house being burned down and he heard about the other incident, and she says, this life she’s chosen, she’s seen a lot of terrible things, but shooting that young girl… Charlotte… that was the worst moment of her life. He says, she must have been devastated, and she says she doesn’t have words. She’s just been cycling through so many different emotions. He says, it’s exhausting, isn’t it? and she agrees. Then when you think about the people you believe you know the best, and you find out they are unrecognizable… That hurts. And it makes you feel so naïve, and stupid, and very, very sad. But she thinks mostly what she feels right now is anger.

Michael says he doesn’t remember the last time he saw Drew lose his cool like that, and Carly says, it doesn’t happen a lot. He says he’s sorry he put her in such a terrible position, but she says, Drew’s mad, but it’s not all about Michael. He’s struggling. He’s going through a lot since he got attacked in Pentenville. Michael says, no one ever comes out of Pentenville the same way they went in, but you move past it. With honesty and support and maybe talking to somebody, Drew will be able to move past what happened to him in Pentenville. Carly says, yeah. Of course (🍷) it might take a little time, but Drew’s an amazing man. And he’s not the only one. Michael says, not so amazing lately, and Carly says she’ll talk to Drew. He says he’s amazed at her love and forgiveness, and she says she’s always going to forgive him and she’s always going to love him. Know that. His apology tour’s not over. He’s going to have to make things right with Willow. There’s nothing more important than his wife and children, and he cannot let Nina damage this family more than she already has. The nanny says she’s sorry to interrupt, but Wiley is asking for his daddy. Michael thanks her and she leaves. He tells Carly the kids are upstairs because Willow’s working the late shift. He hasn’t seen much of them lately. Carly says, go, tuck in his son, and he thanks her. He leaves, and she takes out her phone.

Drew asks how Anna shook the anger, and she says she’ll let him know when she does. Did he know that anger is really just a byproduct of fear? (I did, from Dr. Phil.) He says, so it’s a symptom, and she says, according to her book, yeah. He asks if there are any other nuggets of wisdom in there, and she says she’s sure there is. She’s only on chapter one. Her focus is a bit off these days. She thinks she read one page three times, but she did grasp that anger/fear connection thing. He says, maybe the fourth time is the charm, and she says, maybe. She’s just biding time until her friend gets here. He says, it looks like she’s got a little bit of time to give that page another shot, and she says she wonders whether an antidote to betrayal is a sort of fellowship, in a way. He says, she might be on to something there. Her company has been medicinal. She says she’s never been called medicinal before, and he says, talking to her, he realizes he’s got to get the toxicity out of his life. She tells him to let her know how that goes.

Jordan’s phone dings, and TJ asks, who is blowing up his mama’s phone? She says she’s working on a special project, and he says, for the mayor’s office? She says, with the mayor’s permission, but the project is off the books, and he says, got it. Say no more. She says, it’s no secret from him. She and Curtis have been looking into his shooting. The alerts she’s getting could be her first solid lead. TJ says, promise him that she’ll be careful.

Esme tells Cyrus that she has no idea what’s going on in Spencer’s mind. All she knows is that she has no faith that the PCPD will help her get her son back from the mayor’s son. He says he’s sorry, but he was under the impression that his sister has been good to her and little Ace, and she says, Laura is the reason she’s in this situation. Laura told her to turn herself in and insisted she’d get a slap on the wrist, and then Ava pressed charges. He says, perhaps it’s time she turned to his brother Martin. He’s a lawyer. She says, he’s her lawyer. He was at her hearing. But a lawyer’s not going to do her any good. There’s no way she’s going to find Nikolas with traditional channels. Cyrus says, he’s also very resourceful, but she says, even if Laura and Martin can help her get Ace back, it won’t do her any good if she’s behind bars. He says, so she doesn’t really fear for Ace’s safety. This is less a matter of protection and more about possession. She asks if she’s being lectured by an ex-con, and he says, she sought him out. Besides, a rap sheet doesn’t preclude morality. Or motherhood, right? She says, right. Which is why she’s appealing to his better angels. He says, what makes her think she can trust him?

Kristina says she has no idea what it’s like to be a public figure. So she can’t even pretend to relate to Blaze’s sensitivities there. Blaze says she’s glad. She wouldn’t want that for Kristina. Kristina says, if she were dating someone in the public eye, she’d be willing to make some compromises, but it would really depend on what they were. It took her a lot of time and a lot of work to get to where she is today, to live authentically her truth, and she’s never going to go back to anything less than that. Blaze says, okay, so if she tries to do better and she’s conscious of her attitudes and behaviors, can they just pick up where they left off? Kristina says, that would be kind of tough. Her life is about major league change. Blaze asks if she means with the youth center opening, and Kristina says, that… and this, showing her the aftercare handout. As of this afternoon, she might be pregnant. Blaze looks at the sheet and says, this is major. No wonder she’s lying low tonight. How is she feeling? Kristina says, all right. How is Blaze feeling? Blaze says, it’s not a total surprise. Kristina made it very clear that she was going to be her sister’s surrogate. Kristina says, but now it’s a reality, and Blaze says, people get pregnant all the time and they find ways to hang out with other people. So will they. At least that’s what they talked about. Kristina says, but now that it’s actually happening, it’s a little hard to see how they’ll juggle that and be together, right? Blaze says, maybe, and Kristina says, here they are, taking the sheet from Blaze. It’s been really nice getting to know her… Blaze says, hang on. So their timing isn’t perfect. She’s missed Kristina, and she likes her a lot, a lot. Kristina says she likes Blaze a lot too, but she doesn’t know if that’s going to be enough.

Blaze says she feels so stupid. She should have picked up on the distance between them sooner, but it sounds like Kristina has made up her mind. Kristina says she’s not sure about much these days, which is why she thinks it’s probably best if they call it. Blaze says she guesses so, and gets up. She goes to the door and says she should have held Kristina’s hand at Rice Plaza and never let go. She walks out, and Kristina says she’ll see Blaze around. Blaze says, sounds good, and leaves. Kristina is pissing me off now. They have more chemistry than most of the couples on the show.

Carly leaves a message for Drew, telling him that she loves him, and Michael comes back downstairs. He says, Wiley is playing with a truck Nina got him. It took everything he had not to chuck it out the window, along with everything else associated with that woman. She says, okay, but being out of the family is going to kill Nina, and she has no one to blame but herself. He says, but is that justice? They both know Drew was just collateral damage. Nina wanted the SEC to get Carly sent to prison. Carly says she knows that, but now everyone knows that. And for her, the silver lining is, she doesn’t have to co-exist with Nina anymore. She doesn’t have to bite her tongue around her. She doesn’t have to serve Nina at her restaurant. She doesn’t have to listen to another sappy speech about why the two of them need to get along. She hates Nina for what she did to Drew, but now she doesn’t have to pretend otherwise. He says, she doesn’t want payback? and she says, yes, she wants payback, but she wants peace of mind more. Since her mother passed, she’s realized closure only comes from letting go. And she’s ready to move on. She suggests he does the same, and she leaves.

Anna says she doesn’t really have a picture of what her life is like after the WSB, and Drew asks if she knows what she wants it to look like. She says he thought she did, but now… He says, there’s no clock. She doesn’t have to put pressure on herself. She says, that’s very good advice. She doesn’t suppose he’d take it. His phone rings and he says, it’s Carly. She’s probably wondering where he is. She says, that’s really nice, to have someone wonder. It’s been her experience that after you ignore the first call, it just gets easier and easier to ignore the rest. They both have a lot of questions that they want to answer for themselves. But Drew has one thing for sure that she doesn’t. He says, what’s that? and she says, he has someone who loves him and wants to support him.

Esme says she doesn’t trust Cyrus. Not for a second. She doesn’t trust anybody. For all she knows, Laura could have known about Nikolas’s plan. He says, she’s accusing his sister of being party to a kidnapping, and she tells him that she’s saying she needs help. There must be something he can do. When she met him in the visiting room at Pentenville, he told her that he cared about family. Were those just empty words? Ace is his family, and he’s also hers. He’s been taken from her. He’s been taken from both of them. Is he going to let that stand?

Jordan tells TJ not to worry; she’s taking precautions. He says he hopes so, and she says she is. Especially now that Curtis is focused on his recovery and can’t provide back-up. He says, she’s not going to forget she’s not the top cop anymore, and she says, it’s not something you forget. If she discovers anything that even flirts with putting her in danger, she’ll turn over the investigation officially. Her phone dings, and he says, go. Take care of her investigation, safely. No danger flirting. Jordan says she hates to ask which one of them is the parent, but she guesses she can’t ask that for much longer.

Kristina sits on the sofa and says, I don’t know if you’re in there or not, or if you even exist yet, but hi. It’s me. Your Auntie Kristina, the crazy one. I am a mess. Clearly. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be talking to you. But you’re the only person who heard what just happened, so please just tell me whether I did the right thing or not. There’s a knock at the door, and Kristina opens it to Blaze holding a shopping bag.

Cyrus tells Esme that his own means are greatly reduced, but he still knows people who can make discreet inquiries on her behalf. And if there’s a trail, they’ll pick it up. She thanks him and asks, what’s the next step? He says he makes a phone call, and she says, that’s it? That’s all he can do? He says, no. He can also pray with her. He picks up his Bible.

Carly comes into Charlie’s and says, there’s the man she adores. Looks like he found some good company. Drew says he did indeed, and Anna says she didn’t get a chance to say, the service for Carly’s mother was really beautiful. They’re all going to miss her so much. Carly thanks her, and Anna says she’s going to call her friend to see where they are. It was nice talking with Drew. He says, her too, and she tells them to have a nice night. She leaves, and Carly sits down. She thanks him for calling her back and says she knows why he’s mad at Michael. He should have told them the truth. She wishes he would have. But she’s made some missteps herself when it came to protecting her family from Nina, so she really does understand. He says he and Michael are going to have to hash this out, and they will, but the bulk of his anger is reserved for Nina. Carly says, blech. Join the club. He says, the failed merger and her investment would have never been on the SEC’s radar if it wasn’t for Nina’s actions. It left him to the mercy of that judge and violent prisoners. It took him away from his daughter, his only child. She says she knows. She understands all that. It’s like she told Michael, there’s a silver lining. They don’t have to pretend to play nice with Nina anymore. They can put Nina in the rearview. He says, not him.

Willow walks into the Quartermaine mansion, and Michael says he didn’t expect her back so soon. He’ll get out of her way. He goes into the living room, and she follows him. She says, wait. How is he doing? She knows he had to have some rough conversations today. He says he got quite the beating from Drew, which he deserved. His mom gave him grace and understanding, which he really appreciated. She says she wants him to know that she didn’t tell Carly or Drew anything about his part in this, and he says he knows. It was Nina. She says, Nina approached her at the hospital. Carly and Drew found them, and it didn’t take Nina 30 seconds to throw it in their faces that he’d known the truth for months. He asks if she understands now why he went to the lengths that he did to protect her from Nina, and she says she does. And that’s the problem. Nina is petty, vindictive, envious, because – let’s be real – she wanted to send Carly to prison so that she couldn’t be a grandmother to Wiley and Amelia or competition for Sonny. Her mother is manipulative, insecure, and a liar, and she had the right to know that. He says he knew how hurt she’d be. Like he said, he was trying to protect her… She says she doesn’t want his protection. She wants the truth from him. Always. Nina’s awful, but that does not absolve him. He says he’s not looking for absolution; he’s looking for forgiveness. She says, that can’t happen overnight, and he says, it can’t happen if they’re apart like this. She says she’s too tired to get into this right now, and he says, then when? Wiley is at the door and asks if it’s time to go home.

At the pier on the phone, Jordan says, so they can tell her where the gun came from… Name the time and place… Okay. Got it. She starts to leave, but a man blocks her path. (For all her talk of being careful, she’s there by herself, and wasn’t even aware this dude came along?) She says, excuse me, but he won’t let her pass, and she asks if there’s something she can help him with. He says he can help himself, and she turns to face another man. He says, going somewhere?

Kristina says, Blaze is back, and Blaze says she thought she heard Kristina talking to someone. She can go if Kristina has company. Kristina says she doesn’t know if she has company or not yet. Did Blaze forget something? Blaze says, not exactly. She just wanted to tell Kristina that she may be right about everything. Maybe she’s not ready. Maybe Kristina has too much going on. Maybe this won’t work, but how will they know if they don’t try? Kirstina says, they won’t, and Blaze says she’s not a quitter, and she gets the feeling Kristina doesn’t like what ifs any more than she does. So what does she think? Will Kristina take a chance with her? Kristina says, it depends, and Blaze says, on? Kristina says, what’s in the bag, and Blaze says, all the ingredients for the dinner she’ll make while Kristina relaxes. She did a quick internet search on foods to avoid after an IUI, so there’s nothing processed, spicy, or hard to digest. She promises. Kristina says she’s going to guess there’s no wine in there either then, and Blaze says, no, but Kristina did mention she wanted to try coquito, so she got some stuff to make some… minus the rum. Kristina says, wow. She thought of everything. Blaze asks if it’s enough, and Kristina stands aside to let her in. All is forgiven by me.

Willow asks what Wiley is doing up. It’s way past his bedtime. Wiley says, daddy never came back up to read to him, and Michael says, if he’s still interested, he can read Wiley a story now. Wiley asks if they can do it at their house. He likes their house better than this one. Michael says, so does he, and Wiley asks, then why he hasn’t been home? Michael says he’s just been a little bit busy with work, but how about if he carries Wiley and Amelia to the gatehouse, and he can read Wiley a story there. Wiley says, yes, please. Will he stay with them tonight? Michael says, probably not tonight, and Wiley asks when they’ll all be together again.

Esme tells Cyrus, no offense, but she’s not going to waste time praying when she could be doing. She dashes off, and he gets out his phone. He says, apologies for the late hour, but when you get this message, please come see me right away. It’s of vital importance.

Drew says, Nina needs to pay for the damage she caused them and their families, and Carly says she agrees. And someday, she hopes Nina will. He says, not someday, now. And he knows exactly how to make her pay.

Anna leaves a message for Jordan, saying, she’s at Charlie’s Pub. She thought Jordan would be here by now. If she can’t make it, just let her know. Call her back.

At the pier, Jordan asks what the men want. Money? She starts to reach into her bag, and Dude #1 says he’s sure Deputy Mayor Ashford keeps her pepper spray in her purse. She asks who they are, and Dude #2 says, they’re going to need her to come with them. She says she’s not going anywhere until they identify themselves, and Dude #2 says, they’ll save the introductions for the ride. They hustle Jordan off, one on either side of her.

Tomorrow, Sam asks if Carly has noticed Drew’s changed since he’s been back; Nina asks if Drew thought she’d just roll over and accept this; Dex asks what Josslyn has to apologize for; and Laura lets Spencer have it. I can’t wait for that one.

Southern Charm – The Reunion – Part Two

After Olivia calls Taylor a sh*t friend and a sh*t human, they take a break. Shep tells Taylor to take a page out of his book. Silence is golden right now. She tells him, thanks, even though she didn’t need coaching. Rodrigo and Rod arrive, and Olivia continues to bitch about Taylor even though she really outed herself about T-Rav. Wow. She must have been blackout drunk. He reminds me of somebody’s creepy uncle who hangs out with the teens by the pool. Taylor says she was this close to not coming, and Austen wants to put a muzzle on the chihuahua that is JT, while JT whines to Rod about Austen.

They reconvene, and Andy welcomes Rod and Rodrigo. He points out that Rodrigo has been in a relationship the longest and asks why Rodrigo thinks the Charleston guys have a hard time settling down. Rodrigo says, it’s a college and tourist town, and a rotating platter of girls. Andy reads a post from a viewer who says, Rod got Olivia gluten-free bread. Don’t let this one go. Olivia says they have fun together, but the timing is off. A nice way of saying, not in a million years. Venita says, Rod is sweet and a gentleman, and Olivia needs someone to take care of her. Women supporting women. Andy says, they got a lot of comments about Olivia’s bra, and we flash back to Rod telling JT about the bra on the ottoman. Olivia says she knows how it looks and sounds, but she was getting comfortable. She was halfway out the door when Austen realized her bra was still there and she told him to throw it away. Madison says, it must have been beige, and Andy asks who thinks they did more than they’re saying. Shep isn’t too sure, and Rod says some vague thing about how he knows for a fact they didn’t. Olivia apparently has a new guy named Alex who lives in Dallas, and we see a clip of Austen golfing with them. Olivia says she took Madison’s advice to look outside Charleston. Even though Charleston still seems to be tagging along. Craig explains that Austen brought Olivia to the club, and now they both get invited there. Andy wonders why Austen gets a pass and not Taylor, and Olivia says, Taylor lied to her face multiple times, but Andy says, Austen also lied. Dodging around that, Olivia says she really tried with Taylor, but it didn’t get her anywhere. In watching the show back, she could see Taylor wasn’t thinking about her. Rodrigo tells her that she keeps saying she doesn’t want to kick Taylor when she’s down, but she was doing it all the time. Olivia says, she kept it positive and looked like an idiot, and when Rodrigo tries to talk, she tells him, shut up. He says, f*** you, since he’s the only one on stage with balls, and he’s had enough of her playing the death card.

Andy gives Olivia condolences about her brother Connor, and after floundering a little, since she doesn’t want to thank Austen and Taylor, Olivia says, everyone stepped up and she appreciated that. Andy asks how her family is, and she says, not good. Her parents are trying to get through and figure out their new reality. We find out that Taylor’s brother also passed away after filming wrapped, and Andy gives Taylor his condolences. There are a lot of jokes and sarcasm I can put in here, but I’m going to show restraint. As awful as they are, these are still people. Andy says, it must have been hard for Olivia to be on the outs with Austen when her brother passed. Olivia says, it was good they could put that aside, since Austen understood more than anyone. But then she does a 180 and says, everyone came to her room except Austen and Taylor. Then Austen was calling her inconsistent. We flash back to that, and I’m thinking, inconsistent? What we just saw was weird; her thanking them, then saying they weren’t there. She says, there was no grace and understanding from them, then Austen expected an apology from her. Okay, I agree with her there. He should have just let that one slide. Austen says, when they were in Jamaica, everything was fine, but then she turned on him and he wondered what happened. Andy wisely moves onto Venita disinviting Taylor to girls’ night, and we flash back to that. Venita says she was trying to protect Olivia’s peace, and Andy points out that last year, Venita and Olivia butted heads. I’d actually forgotten about that, but they flash back to remind me. Andy says, this year, Venita was Olivia’s champion. He asks, what changed? and Venita says, they made an effort between seasons. Olivia says she’s grateful; it helped them grow. Andy asks how Taylor felt about the women talking about her all season, and Taylor says, they were right. He asks if the women think, with time, they’ll be friends again, and Leva says she doesn’t want to see Taylor like this. Taking on the role of your parents, Venita says, they don’t hate Taylor. They’re just disappointed in her behavior. Madison says, there won’t be any sleepovers at her house – BA-DUM-CHH! – and they take a break. The producers tell everyone not to play with their mics so much.

Andy suggests they talk about Austen some more. A viewer points out that when Austen started on the show, he was called Shep’s protégé, and now he’s exactly like Shep. Austen says he only watched half the season, and Craig says he thinks Austen still has a chance to make a choice. He needs to stop making decisions where he’s disappointed in the consequences. Next to take on a parental role, JT says, who you hang out with is who you become. Craig needs to be careful. Craig asks if he should just cut Austen loose, but JT says, he should keep Austen at arm’s length. Craig says, if Austen wasn’t trying to get better, they wouldn’t be hanging out. Translation: Paige wouldn’t let them hang out. Craig says, if Austen stops working on himself, they won’t be hanging out. Translation: If Paige sees no progress is being made, Austen will be cut loose. Olivia thinks Craig is harder on Shep than he is on Austen, and Craig says he and Shep have a longer history. Andy says, Austen felt misrepresented on the show, and asks, what was misrepresented with his and Olivia’s relationship? Austen says, the merry-go-round of Olivia wanting to hang out with him, then being angry with him. Olivia says, they did a full stretch of traveling together after last season, and Shep says, Austen had every opportunity to commit to Olivia; she was ready. Austen found a loophole, saying their relationship wasn’t defined, so he could do what he wanted. It broke his heart seeing Austen throughout the season. He laughed about kissing Taylor. Craig says, Shep had suppressed his feelings, and he’s glad Shep is talking about it. Shep thought if he admitted he was mad at Austen, it would make him look weak. Shep says he felt like they were all in this together, and watching it back was super hard seeing Austen’s blasé attitude. Andy asks Austen what they didn’t show that he wants people to know, and Austen says he wasn’t prepared to answer that. He asks if Shep is angry because of the show or is it because of the past week or two? and Shep says he showed Austen grace (WOTD) and hoped he’d seen the light. Andy asks if he hopes they can get back to a good place, but Shep says, Austen has zero self-awareness. Craig says, Austen was loyal to Shep at BravoCon, and Rodrigo says, when Austen gave Shep the cold shoulder, it hurt Shep’s feelings. Austen says he doesn’t want to deal with Shep right now, and Rodrigo says, that’s why Shep is upset. Austen says he thought they needed a break.

Andy says, new kid on the block, JT, aimed to be the perfect Southern gentleman, and was determined to prove nice guys don’t finish last. He asks how JT’s first season was, and JT says, it was one of the most coolest things in his human experience. Andy says, JT’s mom Bunny got lots of love on social media, and JT says, fans at BravoCon wanted him to FaceTime her. She was cooler than him there. Andy asks if having four sisters played a part in JT’s gentlemanliness (yes, it’s a word!), and JT says he had an older sister and a brother, then three stepsisters later on. It turned the tide of power. Andy says, JT took heat from the guys this season, and we flash back to them making fun of JT all over the place. Andy asks Shep if JT is the new Craig to him, and Shep says he thinks JT likes the ribbing. Craig tells Andy, that’s what Shep said about him – Craig likes it – and Shep says, maybe he’s reading the room wrong. Andy says, JT came in saying he wasn’t in love with Taylor, when he clearly was. JT says he started off playing it cool, but he fell hard and he’s not ashamed to admit it. Andy says, JT has all the things Shep lacks, and Taylor says, JT is an amazing human being and fun to be around, but that’s not happening. Craig says, nice guys finish last, but Olivia says, Craig finished first. Craig says he had to be a little bad. Andy asks why JT brought up the sleepovers, and JT says, if he was in that situation, he’d want a buddy to tell him. Austen says, it was brownnosing at its finest, and Olivia says she doesn’t think she would have known if JT hadn’t said something. Rodrigo says, JT saw an opportunity to weasel his way in with Taylor, and then said he was here for Shep, using him to get to Taylor. Leva says, Rodrigo can’t gaslight someone for doing something right, and I’m trying to figure out how questioning JT’s motive is gaslighting. Genius of the year Rod says, things would have been different if it hadn’t happened, and Craig says, maybe JT thought he’d get the competition out of the way and be Olivia’s knight in shining armor. Leva says, over the summer, people came to her and said something was going on, and Shep says, JT brought the truth to light. Andy asks if Shep thinks they’re still lying, and Shep says, Taylor swore to him nothing happened, but he knows Austen and it’s hard to believe. Venita says she doesn’t think she’d tell her mama that she was thinking of dating someone if they weren’t f***ing, and Madison mimes dropping the mic. Andy says, it’s a good time for a break.

Andy says, things came to a head in the finale, and the group came to a place they’ve never seen. We flash back to Austen pushing that little troll JT off the barstool, and Austen says he attributes it to JT getting a rejection. We flash back to JT professing his love for Taylor, and Taylor saying she needs time. In other words, not a chance in hell. JT says, Austen pushed him first, and Austen asks if JT thinks he’d be with Taylor if it wasn’t for him. JT says, they have to bifurcate those two things because he wants to use a big word, and everyone is like, huh? He told Taylor that he loved her, and he called out Austen for being a sh*tbag. Taylor has nothing to do with that. Austen needs to wake up and learn how to be a man. Austen says, it’s JT’s first season and no one knows what a POS he is, just because he calls himself a gentleman. Andy asks, who’s to blame for the fight? and Shep says, JR was aggressive and forced Austen’s hand. He left when he saw where it was going. Leva says, you can’t make someone punch someone, and I want to throw a pie in her face. Austen says, JT got in his face, and Andy asks if they’ve talked since then, but Austen says, they haven’t spoken. Andy asks if either of them has apologized, and JT fails to see what he should apologize for. Andy says, he got in Austen’s face. Come on. He was trying to get Austen to punch him. Everyone is laughing at this point, and even JT has to smile, but he’s not budging, and says he was minding his own business. Craig says he would have knocked JT down, and Andy asks why JT holds Austen accountable and not Shep. JT says, Shep is upfront about who he is, where Austen manipulates women and lies his way out of things. He’s a narcissist egomaniac. A viewer says if they hear JT tell one more guy they need to apologize, they’re going to scream. We flash back to JT telling various dudes to apologize, and Craig asks if there’s anything Austen could do to better himself in JT’s eyes. JT says, Austen need to do the work. He wants to root for Austen, but he needs to be held accountable. This is the real therapy. Andy says, they do this every year, and we flash back to other Reunions. Austen says, JT claimed he coached Taylor to lie, and we flash back to Austen telling her, there’s no good time to tell Olivia. Taylor says she’s not good at this stuff and she was trying to protect Olivia. She didn’t know how to handle it and genuinely apologizes again to the people she’s hurt and Shep as well. Olivia says her heart breaks for what Taylor’s family is going through. She’s even more sad that she couldn’t be there for Taylor. She doesn’t wish any bad on her. Andy asks how they can move forward, but Olivia says, that’s not happening. They won’t be friends again, but she’s not going to make Taylor miserable or be negative. They’re moving forward, but not necessarily together. During the break, the girls complain about their dresses being uncomfortable. They look great though.

Andy says, they’re wrapping up a season that created cracks in the foundation of the group. He’s been watching the way Taylor looks at Shep and he feels there’s still emotion there. Taylor says, love is still there. She’s here for Shep. She’s happy for him and proud of him. Shep says he has love for her too, and Craig thinks they’re going to get married one day. Andy asks if Taylor loves Shep, and she says she always will. He asks if she’s in love with him, but she says, no. He asks if Shep is in love with Taylor, and Shep says he’d be lying if he didn’t say he made a mistake. He’s scared he’s going to look back at the one who got away. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t love her. Andy says, Shep is finally accessing his anger with Austen, even though he wasn’t in touch with it while living through it. And Austen feels like he’s had to take care of Shep when he’s misbehaving or drunk. Shep says he appreciates it. They’re working through it and Austen needs space. Andy wonders how they move forward, and Austen says he’ll always want to. He doesn’t know what the world looks like where he and Shep aren’t buddies. But he’s been an enabler for a long time. Andy says, they have to redefine what they do together. He asks what Shep thinks is the reason things went down, and Shep says he was suppressing everything because of his love for Austen. Maybe it’s time he cultivated relationships with other people. Craig says, they have a history, but he thinks Shep is finding his new normal. It’s important. Andy says he thinks they all agree that they should find people outside the friend group to date. He asks if JT exorcised the f***boy, but JT says, they’re not even halfway there. Austen says he took it all, and Andy says, they’ll try again next year.

In the spirit of good vibes, Andy produces glasses of Jamaican rum punch, and tin foil hats for everyone. He points out that Shep is drinking only juice and asks Shep to give the toast. Shep goes into a long thing, my takeaway points being, he’s soared like an eagle, slithered like a snake, and everything in between. There are no guarantees in life, and life owes you nothing. He ends with toasting to perseverance in the face of adversity, and they clink glasses.

Good on all of us who made it through this season of awful.

🪄 Gilding My Age…

Join me tomorrow for soap, a spot of tea but little sympathy, and pre-weekend fun. Until then, stay safe, stay praising publicly and criticizing privately, and stay realizing closure only comes from letting go.

Jan12

January 11, 2024 – A Different Kind Of Memorial For Bobbie, When Charm Reunites & Just

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

If you didn’t need tissues yesterday, get ‘em out today. This is the real memorial.

Anna looks at the hospital memorial wall, when Robert comes along. He says he always thought Bobbie would outlive all of them. Anna says, and now her picture is next to Epiphany’s. This year they’ve had to say goodbye to people who were there for their daughter when they couldn’t be. It just doesn’t seem fair. He says, no, it doesn’t.

At the Koffie Hub in Amsterdam, Carly tells an employee that she’s visiting here from America. Her mom used to meet a colleague here, pretty frequently she thinks. She shows him a photo of her and Bobbie, and says, that’s her mom. Does he recognize her? He says, no, sorry. He can’t help her. Felicia brings some coffee to the table and says, they talked about this. The people who Bobbie worked for do everything they can to keep their sources anonymous because they’re working against some very dangerous people. Carly says, yes, but they’ve been here for hours. What are they supposed to do, just sit here until the mystery person shows up? Felicia says, Tracy followed Carly’s mom here to this café. She said Bobbie was here all hours of the day. The contact has to be here. Carly says, they don’t even know if the contact is a man or a woman, and Felicia says, sometimes in the P.I. business, it’s not about what the person looks like; it’s about knowing what to look for.

At Kelly’s, Maxie is looking at Angela’s business card, when Angela walks in. Maxie says, she’s here. Maxie hugs her and says she was beginning to think she dreamt Angela up. And she just hugged her, which is weird since they just met yesterday. Angela says she really enjoyed talking to Maxie and her mom about Bobbie, and she thinks after all the stories and tears, it’s okay they moved into hug territory. Maxie says, there are plenty of people with memories of Bobbie to share. They’re going to be coming here throughout the day to officially share them for Angela’s article. Angela says, that’s great. The more anecdotes she can get, the better the story will be. Maxie says she appreciates Angela letting her help with her profile on Bobbie. She feels like it’s something she can actually do, especially with her mom and Carly off to Amsterdam. Angela asks if Maxie thinks they’ll be able to find Bobbie’s contact at the rescue organization, and Maxie says she sure hopes so. She’s learned not to doubt either of them. And now they have each other so… argh!

Carly and Felicia sit at separate tables and talk on the phone. Carly says she knows her mom was doing really good work here, and important work, but she still can’t believe she chose to spend Christmas here. She really loved Christmas. Felicia says, Bobbie used to host the best Christmas parties at the brownstone. Even Tony was welcome after they split up. Those parties were so much fun. Carly says she never knew that, and Felicia says, it was a very different time. Carly wasn’t exactly on the invitation list then. Carly says she guesses she wasn’t, and Felicia says, don’t move. Carly asks, who’s here? and Felicia says, don’t turn around. She thinks they just might have found her mom’s contact. We see a woman talking with the employee.

We see Bobbie one last last time – in the credits.

Angela puts her phone on record and thanks Laura for joining them. It’s not every day she gets to sit with the mayor of a major metropolitan city. Laura says, Port Charles is hardly as cosmopolitan as Amsterdam, but she does think it’s a special place to call home. As far as Angela’s article on Bobbie Spencer, Laura doesn’t know how much more she can say that she didn’t already say in her eulogy. Angela tells her, everyone has said such beautiful things about Bobbie, and sometimes in death, people tend to deify a person, forgetting some of their rough spots. She wants to write about all of Bobbie. Laura says, okay, and laughs. They did have some rough spots, especially in the early years. Angela wonders if she can ask why, and Laura says, it’s really the oldest story in the world. They were fighting over a boy. We flash back to when we were all children, and Laura knocks at Scotty’s door, but Bobbie opens it. She says, Laura couldn’t go on treating Scotty like dirt forever. Unless she wanted him to turn to someone else for comfort. She’d invite Laura in, but considering what she and Scotty have in mind for tonight, three is definitely a crowd. Laura tells Angela, looking back on it now, she thinks she and Bobbie butted heads because she was brought up to believe politeness and manners and being sensitive to everyone else’s feelings was the most important thing in the world. Bobbie just said what was on her mind. Back then, it ruffled a few feathers, but now she really wishes they had more people like that. Angela asks if she can be more specific, and Laura says, someone who can listen with a sympathetic ear, but also provide you with a reality check. We flash back to Bobbie telling Laura that she gets how Nikolas came into being. Laura was stuck on that horrible island, married to Stavros, and Stephan was standing under some olive tree, looking at her with those eyes. Then Laura has to wait and see how long she can hold on before she tells Luke the truth. Then what does she say to him? Oh, by the way, I’ve got a kid who’s not yours. Why does she always wait until the house is burning down before she dials 9-1-1? Laura tells Angela that Bobbie was never afraid to be honest with her. She loved her for that.

When the woman and café guy are done talking, Carly says, excuse me. She shows the woman the photo of her and Bobbie and asks if she knows her mom. The woman says she’s sorry. She has to go. Carly says, it’s so important. Her mom passed away.

Sitting at a table with Felicia and Carly, the woman says she’s so sorry Bobbie died. Carly’s mother was a remarkable woman. Felicia says, Bobbie was her best friend. They go way back. Carly says she’s learning there was a whole side to her mother that she didn’t know anything about. How did she get involved with the organization? The woman says, Bobbie was a regular customer here. She’d see her from time to time. You can’t miss that red hair. One day, she was reading an article in the newspaper about a human trafficking sting. She opened up about her own past. She wanted to do more to help. Felicia asks what exactly she did for the organization, and the woman says she and her friends shelter young people escaping from being exploited. Bobbie opened up her home, one person at a time, as a refuge, until the paperwork came through. Carly says, a reporter her mom trusted told them that she was helping a young woman, and the woman says she’s very surprised Carly’s mother would have shared that information. Secrecy is key in their organization. Felicia asks if she knows anything about this young woman, and she says, yes. Her name was Cornelia. Bobbie brought clothes to her. They were concerned that the people she was running from would find her in Amsterdam. So Bobbie said she knew a place Cornelia could stay closer to America until her asylum paperwork came through. Carly asks where Cornelia is now, and the woman says she arranged for Cornelia to board a freighter to Canada, but that was weeks ago. She assumed that Bobbie had successfully gotten Cornelia to America. Carly says, Bobbie passed away here, in Amsterdam.

At Kelly’s, Lucas says, for someone who had a million nicknames in her family, his mom could barely tolerate them. No, scratch that. She hated them. He remembers at one point, his dad started calling him Champ. His mom put her foot down right away. She said, Tony, our son’s name is Lucas. Not Luke, not LL, and certainly not Champ. Of course (🍷) his older sister thought that was the funniest thing in the world. So just to needle their mom, BJ called him Champ until the day she… Anyway, he guesses what he’s trying to say is that his mom was a very principled and strong-willed person. She had no problem standing up for what she believed in, or her family. He flashes back to Bobbie telling Tracy that Lucas is her son. He’s a wonderful young man and she’s very proud of him. And if Tracy ever insults her son again, she’ll bitch slap Tracy all the way to the Canadian border. Tracy says, she’ll what? and Bobbie asks if Tracy would like her to demonstrate. They used to beat up rich girls like her in Florida for sport. It’s one of those street things you never forget, so lay off her kid or she’ll do more damage to Tracy than she ever dreamed of. Lucas tells Angela that he guesses that makes his mom the champ. She was always the one you wanted fighting in your corner.

The woman says, Bobbie told Cornelia to wait for her in a secure location in Canada, but if Bobbie never got the chance to meet up with her… Carly says, that means Cornelia’s been waiting for her mother this whole time, and Felicia says, and Bobbie never got the asylum paperwork to that poor girl seeking asylum into America. Felicia excuses herself and steps away.

Anna’s phone rings, and she tells Robert, it’s Felicia. She answers, saying she heard Felicia ran off to Amsterdam. Felicia says she’s sorry. She doesn’t have a whole lot of time. Does Anna have any contacts in the State Department that would help someone seeking asylum in America? Anna asks if this has to do with the human trafficking rescue, and Robert says, human trafficking? Anna tells Felicia, hold on. Robert’s with her and she’s putting Felicia on speaker. Go ahead. Robert asks, what’s happening? and Felicia says, it’s a long story, but there was someone Bobbie was in the middle of helping when she passed away. Anna says, most of her contacts at the Bureau got burnt when they took away her badge, and Felicia says, just like Frisco. Robert says he has a few contacts, and he’s probably in better standing than Anna right now. Let him make a few calls. Felicia says, that would be great, and thanks him.

Carly says she doesn’t understand. There’s no way to contact Cornelia? The woman says, no. For her safety, the only person who knew she would be waiting for her visa was Carly’s mother. They have no way of contacting her. Felicia comes back and says, Robert and Anna are going to pull some strings to get the asylum paperwork fast-tracked, but Carly says, it doesn’t matter if they can’t track Cornelia down. The woman says, that poor girl is probably freezing to death in some cabin in Canada just waiting for Bobbie to arrive, and Carly asks if she said cabin. The woman says, Carly’s mother once mentioned to her that the people she was helping would be safe in some cabin in the woods. Carly says, oh my God. She knows where Cornelia is.

At Kelly’s, Josslyn asks if Michael remembers when Bobbie went to his wedding to Nelle. Willow says, Nelle was a very unpopular person, and Josslyn says, Grandma Bobbie showed up in a black veil to protest. Michael says, that was one wedding Bobbie didn’t support, and Willow says, Bobbie was nothing but supportive at their wedding. Willow flashes back to saying, Bobbie always made her feel like a part of the family, and Bobbie showing her a beautiful bracelet. Bobbie says, her brother Luke gave this. Luke admired people who had lots of courage, and Willow has an abundance. She puts the bracelet on Willow, and Willow says, this means so much to her. Bobbie says, and Willow means so much to all of them. Willow tells Angela that she didn’t grow up in a big, extended family like Michael and Josslyn did, but with Bobbie, she made sure you knew you finally found one.

Robert says, that was an ordeal, and Anna asks if he had any success. He says he called in every favor he ever had. A friend of his at State is waiting for their call as soon as they hear from Felicia. Anna says, those human trafficking people are dangerous. She hopes Felicia and Carly aren’t in too much trouble.

In a car, presumably in Canada, Felicia asks if Tracy said how far from the border Luke’s cabin is, but Carly tells her, she said she’d never been. Felicia says she still doesn’t have cell service, so an ETA on the map is out, and Carly says, this is the most she’s traveled in 48 hours. How about Felicia? Felicia says she used to be married to Frisco Jones. A lot of traveling came with that deal. Carly says, at the very least, this is the most time they’ve spent together. Why does she think that is? It’s kind of crazy she hasn’t spent much time with her mom’s best friend. Unless it’s not that crazy to her. Felicia says, about what she said earlier… Carly says, look out! and the car swerves.

Out of the car, Felicia checks a cut on Carly’s forehead, but Carly says, a couple bandages will fix it up. She’s just glad they didn’t hit that deer. Felicia says, that wasn’t a deer they almost hit; that was a moose. (Seriously? Carly didn’t know the difference? Those moose are big.) Carly says, Felicia’s got to be kidding her, and Felicia says she’s just glad they’re in one piece. Has Carly ever changed a tire before? Carly says, more than she’d like to remember, but it’s been a while, and Felicia says, it’s like riding a bike. You never forget how.

Scotty says he’s sure everyone has told Angela how optimistic and upbeat Bobbie was, and she certainly was. She didn’t take any guff from anyone. Not her bosses, anyone who looked down on her, and she certainly didn’t take it from him. He flashes back to telling Bobbie that he can explain, but she says, there’s no explanation that would make her understand why he’d cause havoc at a hospital he represents. He says, there wasn’t any havoc, only a couple of disturbances. Nobody was hurt… She says, it was a hospital. There could have been a panic. People could have been killed. What’s the matter with him? So his precious Medic Tech can come in and take over? He says, she knows a lot about this stuff, huh? and she asks if he thought she was just some stupid roll in the hay. Don’t ever touch her again. He tells Angela, Bobbie did mellow over the years. She became the best damn nurse at General Hospital. However, she could still throw words around. Lucy says she can attest to that, and flashes back to saying, Bobbie doesn’t have Noah, so she’s going after Scotty again. Bobbie says, Lucy just had to head that off at the pass, didn’t she? She had to make a point to Scotty. She had to make a point to her. Just like when Lucy sicced Damien Smith on her. Lucy says, wait a minute. That is not what happened. Bobbie says, let her finish. So this, Lucy, is karma. Angela says, for someone who didn’t get along all that well with Bobbie, to keep showing up for her, it’s almost like they were the original frenemies. Lucy says, that sounds right. She guesses that is a good way to describe them. Angela asks why Lucy thinks that is, and Lucy says, Bobbie’s daughter BJ was very special to her. Angela asks if she can elaborate, and Lucy’s voice breaks as she tells Angela that she’s heard it said, if you want a true test of someone’s character, it’s not in taking stock of their friends. It’s taking stock of their rivals. So if she’s walked through this life with Bobbie Spencer as her worthy adversary, she guesses she’s one very lucky woman.

Felicia says, Carly was right, and Carly says, not that she doesn’t love hearing that, but about what? Felicia says, Carly is her best friend’s daughter, and it was no accident they never became close, because she was there when Carly first came to Port Charles. She destroyed Bobbie’s life and not for nothing, Tony was her family too, so Carly didn’t just break up a marriage. It was two people she considered to be her home base. Carly says she never thought of it like that, and Felicia says, but she does. Bobbie was so distraught about the affair Carly had with Tony; it was her shoulder Bobbie cried on. And it was really hard to watch her friend get her heart shattered. So she guesses she has a little bit of resentment. And as she says it out loud, it feels a little embarrassing because it was decades ago. She knows that Bobbie forgave Carly because Carly was her daughter, but it was hard for her to let go because she’s always had this protective streak for her best friend. And she’s so sorry. Carly says, don’t be. She gets it. And she’s not blameless in this distance between them. She’s close to Maxie. Felicia was gone a lot and she saw what that did to Maxie. Then she came back, and Maxie forgave her, and she judged Felicia. Felicia says she gets that too. Well, if Bobbie can forgive Carly and Maxie can forgive her, maybe it’s high time they forgive each other. Carly says she likes that idea, and Felicia says, who knows? Maybe this was part of Bobbie’s big plan to find a way to bring her daughter and her best friend a little bit closer. Carly says, it would be just like her, and Felicia says, she liked to meddle. They laugh, and Carly says she thinks maybe they should lean on each other. Few people were as close to Bobbie as they were. Felicia gives the nut one more turn and says, they have a new tire. Shall we, partner? She holds out her hand, and Carly takes it, saying, we shall.

Elizabeth tells Angela that she didn’t talk about it at the funeral because it wasn’t the time or place, but when she was a teenager and fairly new to Port Charles, she was sexually assaulted. And Bobbie came to her and took care of her, because that’s who she was. Kind and compassionate and always ready to offer her empathy. Oh, her sons don’t know about her attack. Does Angela think they could keep this in the spirit of Bobbie’s kindness and leave out the details of her past? Angela says, yes, of course (🍷). She totally understands. Elizabeth thanks her, and says, at the time of her assault, she was living with her grandmother, and she did not know how to deal with that. She flashes back to Bobbie saying, when a woman has been raped, she needs very special, very specific attention paid to her feelings because she’s been traumatized, and her body because she may have been hurt. That’s the most important thing. She came prepared for any eventuality because she promised her nephew that she’d take good care of Elizabeth. Elizabeth tells Angela that she was really confused, but Bobbie never made her feel ashamed. Angela says she’s glad Bobbie was there to help Elizabeth, and Elizabeth says, her too. Bobbie was the one who told her, even though she survived something traumatic, that she was the one in charge of how she let that define her. And Bobbie offered her love and support, and it inspired her to send that love back out in the world by helping others. When she was younger, she thought she was going to be a painter. She loved to paint – she still loves to paint – but her true passion became healing others, just like it was Bobbie’s. She never takes for granted walking across GH’s tenth floor, when she’s walking in Bobbie’s footsteps.

Walking on a path through the woods, Felicia says she finally has cellphone service, now that they don’t need GPS, and Carly says, this is definitely the right address. Felicia says, nothing to do now but knock on the door, and Carly says, let’s do this. They go onto the porch of a cabin, and Carly knocks on the door. She listens, and Felicia asks if there are any noises inside, but Carly says she doesn’t hear anything. Felicia says, knock again, and Carly does, calling, Cornelia! Cornelia, please open up. They’re here to help her. They’re friends. They door opens and a young woman peeks out. Carly asks if she’s Cornelia, and she says, who wants to know? Carly says, they’re friends and they’ve come to take her someplace safe. Cornelia comes out brandishing a shovel, and Carly and Felicia jet off the porch. Cornelia takes a swing, but misses.

Carly says, please don’t do that. She has picture on the phone in her pocket. She can prove that they’re friends. Cornelia says she doesn’t care who they claim to be, she’s not going back, but Carly says she promises it’s okay. Still holding up the shovel, Cornelia asks how they know her name. How did they know she was here? Carly says, because they were sent by a friend and they’re here to help her. She promises Cornelia is safe. Cornelia sees the B on Carly’s necklace and says, that’s Bobbie’s necklace. Why is she wearing it? Carly says, because Bobbie’s her mom. She has a picture of them together on her phone. Can she pull her phone out of her pocket? Cornelia says, yes… slowly, and Carly takes out her phone, showing Cornelia the picture. Cornelia cries and says she doesn’t understand. Bobbie was supposed to meet her here. Why didn’t she come? She lowers the shovel, and Carly says, Bobbie died. She’s so sorry her mom had Cornelia waiting here, but she wants Cornelia to know that they know her story and she’s safe now. Carly promises her that. Felicia says she can back up everything Carly just said because Bobbie is her best friend. She can trust Bobbie’s daughter just like she can trust Bobbie. Cornelia drops the shovel and falls into Carly’s arms. Carly hugs her tight.

Anna’s phone rings, and she tells Robert, it’s Felicia. Felicia says, know the favor she and Robert called in? She thinks they’re ready for it now. Behind her, Cornelia and Carly sit at the table in the cabin, talking.

As they walk out of Kelly’s, Angela says she can’t believe Maxie went to all that trouble to arrange that so she could speak to some people who loved Bobbie. Maxie says, it’s not like she had to twist anyone’s arm. The people Angela spoke with love Bobbie. They all miss her so much. Angela says, is Maxie kidding her? The hardest part now is going to be deciding which stories to include, there were so many. Maxie says, Angela is going to send her a copy when it’s done, right? and Angela says, of course (🍷). She just has to say, it’s been really great getting to know Maxie. Maxie says she hopes Angela is staying in town for a while. She was hoping they could hang out. She thinks they have a lot in common. Angela says she thinks so too, but her bosses said she could only stay in Port Charles for so long. Maxie says, those kind of bosses are the worst, and Angela says, but she promises that Maxie will be seeing her around. Maxie says, okay. Don’t forget to send her that article. Angela leaves, as Maxie’s phone rings, and she says, hang on. It’s her mom. But Angela is gone. She says, mom?…

Maxie runs into the hospital and sees Felicia and Carly. She runs to Felicia and says she’s so glad she’s okay. She hugs Felicia, and Elizabeth says, why doesn’t Carly let her check out that cut. Carly says, that would be great, and goes with her.

In an exam room, Elizabeth tends to Carly’s forehead and says, Robert and Anna told her what Carly’s been up to. It sounds like quite an adventure. They went out of their way to help a stranger. Carly says, yeah, but her mom was the one who helped Cornelia. She and Felicia just got her across the finish line. Elizabeth says, either way, she’s sure Carly’s mom is very proud of her. She puts a bandage on Carly and says, she’s good to go. Carly thanks her and says, Elizabeth offered to paint the new sign for Kelly’s. Elizabeth says, the offer still stands, but Carly says she has something else in mind.

At Maxie’s house, Felicia finds Maxie digging through her bag and asks, what’s going on? Maxie says she thought Felicia would have slept in after all the international travel she’s done in the last two days, and Felicia says she’s jetlagged for sure. Maxie didn’t have to let her sleep in her bed last night. Maxie says, after what she and Carly pulled off, completing Bobbie’s last rescue? They’re heroes to her. Giving up her bed was the least she could do. Felicia says she appreciates it. What is Maxie searching for? Maxie says, does she remember that journalist from Amsterdam, Angela Brighton? She gave Maxie her business card and Maxie wanted to email her, let her know that Felicia and Carly found the woman Bobbie was helping. She thought that would be a great ending for her article, but she can’t find Angela’s business card anywhere. (Are you thinking what I’m thinking?) Felicia asks if she possibly threw it out, but Maxie says, absolutely not. She remembers putting it in her wallet, but it’s not in there. She seriously can’t find it. She’s starting to think it disappeared. Felicia says, maybe she can track Angela down online. She knows Angela’s name and knows the organization she works for. Maxie says she did that already. There’s no mention of her online anywhere. Felicia says, maybe it’s a different spelling, and Maxie says she supposes she could have spelled it incorrectly. Felicia says, let her help. She’ll start tracking Brighton down. Maxie asks if she hasn’t done enough sleuthing for the week, but Felicia says, it’s just a phone call. Hardly life in the fast lane. She’ll see Maxie soon. She leaves, and Maxie gets on her laptop.

Carly looks at the sign along with Lucas and Laura, and Elizabeth says, well? What does everyone think? Laura says, it’s beautiful. She loves it. She thinks the people of Port Charles are going to love it. (Somehow, I think she means us.) Lucas says, it’s perfect, and Carly agrees. She says, it’s so perfect. This place has always been a comfort to everyone and a safe haven to anyone who needs it. Now that her mom’s gone, people need to know that’s still true.

On the phone, Felicia asks if this is the Associated Press in Amsterdam, and a woman says, yes, it is. How can she help Felicia? Felicia says she’s hoping to get a message to one of their reporters, Angela Brighton. The woman says, I’m sorry. Who? Felicia says, Angela Brighton. She was doing a profile on Felicia’s best friend Bobbie Spencer, who unfortunately passed away while she was visiting their city. The woman says she’s sorry. She’s been here for years and nobody by that name has ever worked here.

Lucas says he has to go catch his flight, and Carly says she hates that he has to leave. They hug, and she says, please don’t be a stranger. She loves him. He says he loves her too, and leaves. He sees Angela in the courtyard and says, people are looking for her. She saved the day. She says she’d love to celebrate with them, but she has to go back home. He thanks her and she says, anytime. He turns to leave, and she adds, Champ. He stops and turns around, but she’s gone.

Felicia looks stunned, and flashes back to BJ saying she wants her mommy and daddy and wants to go back home. She hugs BJ. In the present, she says, oh my God. That was Barbara Jean. She laugh/cries.

Maxie sees No Results for Angela Brighton on Spyder-Finder and says she doesn’t understand. Brighton is a journalist. How could she not have any online presence? She slams the laptop shut and gets up. She puts her hand to her chest and says, BJ’s heart. Felicia walks in and Maxie says, BJ? They hug.

Laura asks if Carly would like some company, but Carly says she thinks she’d like to spend some time by herself. She and Laura hug, and Laura leaves with Elizabeth. Alone, Carly says, oh, mom. You lived such an incredible life. You’re an amazing woman. I hope I brought you some peace – she touches her necklace – because that’s what you gave me, and everyone else. She flashes back to telling Bobbie that she’s really grateful for the relationship they have now and Bobbie saying, her too. Carly says, and you did it. A nursing degree – we see Bobbie as a young nurse, saying she graduated at the top of her class – a family – we see Bobbie with Lucas, and then with BJ on life support, saying BJ is the daughter she prayed for, except BJ went beyond her wildest expectations. We see Bobbie kissing BJ goodbye and saying she loves her, then BJ flatlining. We flash back to Bobbie telling Maxie, you want to forget the good times and the bad, because you think you can’t go on, but you can. I did. She reminds Maxie that BJ lives on in her and they hug. We flash back to Bobbie leaving a frantic message for Luke to call and Laura telling her, Luke is gone, and hugging her. We flash back to Carly introducing Bobbie at the Nurses Ball. This amazing, beautiful woman has been helping people for the past 45 years. We see Bobbie telling Carly that she’s here for her. We flash back to Scotty saying, they’ve had a number of flings over the years, and later asking Bobbie to marry him. She asks if he’s insane. We see them clinking spoons and sharing an ice cream cake; and Scotty saying, they’ve still got their friendship and he hopes she doesn’t forget that.

Carly goes outside, looks at the sign, and smiles. She gets on a stepladder and hangs it.

Felicia and Maxie hug, and Maxie puts her hand on her heart. Felicia puts her hand over it.

Carly looks up at the sign, smiles, and goes back inside. We see it says Bobbie’s, and we hear Carly say, you should be so proud of yourself. I’m extremely proud of you, mom. Bobbie says, thank you, honey, and we hear BJ’s heartbeat.

Tomorrow, Esme asks Spencer to do something for her; Robert tells Diane, it sounds like a threat; Ava tells Nina that when Sonny feels betrayed, he’s downright dangerous; and Stella wants to spread the good news.

Southern Charm – Reunion – Part 1

I always hate Reunions because inevitably, people all talk at once and you can’t understand what any of them are saying. And there’s usually yelling. A lot of it.

I hate JT already and we’re not even out of the dressing room. Shep gives the advice to never interfere with your opponent when he’s making mistakes. It’s rude.

Andy does the usual welcomes. We find out Paige heavily influenced Craig’s choice of wardrobe, but everyone looks great. JT says he’s performing the first f***boy exorcism on Austen, and Shep says, the power of JT compels you. Andy suggests JT scale it back; they’re just starting. Andy asks who thinks pandas are real, and Taylor says she’s questioning it now. We flash back to Craig broaching the subject and Craig says he thinks it’s people in suits, but the way he’s smiling, I think he’s just goofing around with this conspiracy theory stuff. Andy asks about Madison’s long-distance marriage, and they talk about Austen’s lack of enthusiasm for Brett, and Brett being a stepdad. Andy asks about the bully that picked on Hudson, and Madison says, the parents weren’t home, but she spoke in the Ring camera. The mother has taken care of the situation. Venita says, Madison has a grown woman aura now, and Andy asks if Shep is inspired to settle down. He says, he doesn’t know if that’s in the cards for him; he’s a restless person. Leva says some of the things she thought would be monotony are things she looks forward to now, and Shep says, being with Taylor was his happiest time, but Taylor says she’s good with them as friends. Andy asks about Austen calling Madison a bored housewife, and JT gives a side-eye so hard, his eyes are going to slide out of his head. JT says, blah-blah-blah, and Austen says, JT is Commonus [sic] (he means Commodus) of Gladiator. He suggests JT look at himself, but JT is too obsessed with Austen for that possibility.

JT babbles about Austen during the break. When they reconvene, Andy says, Craig did the impossible, being a man in Charleston who wanted to settle down. JT asks if Craig likes bondage, which isn’t anything I needed to know, but Craig says, light bondage, and there’s some spirited sex talk. Andy questions Shep’s ability to satisfy a woman, and Shep says, every girl’s finish line is finicky and crazy. In other words, he doesn’t want to put in any work. Taylor says she could count on one hand when she was satisfied. Shep… What difference does it make? Moving on. Andy asks about the pillow business, and Craig says he’s turned it into an eight-figure business, with 30 employees who have health insurance. Bravo, Craig! Andy asks who thinks Paige will ever move to Charleston, and Austen, Madison, and Olivia raise their hands. Madison says she doesn’t think full-time though. Shep says, it’s hard to have a relationship on camera and thinks Craig is strategic. Craig says, he’s not, but there have been times they didn’t want to deal with the group. They had experiences with Shep that weren’t great, and he doesn’t think their relationships are similar. Shep says he thinks he and Taylor would be married and he’d be a different person if it weren’t for the cameras. Taylor says she agrees, but thinks he’s right about it not being in the cards for him. Shep says she was right about a lot of things in her analysis of him, and he’s realized a lot of things they need to talk about. Ugh. Are they getting on that roller coaster again?

Andy says, Taylor was single, unfettered, and unfiltered this season. Was she finding her voice or losing her manners? He asks why Taylor was so emo around Shep, and she says, it was out of sight, out of mind, and when Shep came back from his travels, it was a rehash of emotions. She thought she’d moved forward, but she hadn’t. Her dildo gift to Madison is discussed, and Madison says, maybe Taylor needed it more. Taylor says she was trying to be funny, but Madison says it was Taylor’s first time meeting her husband. If it had been her bachelorette, bring on all the dildos you want. She’s not wrong. She suggests putting one in Shep’s mouth to shut him up. Hmm… I think I missed something. Andy brings up Taylor’s nakey photo, and says, why Whitney? Taylor says she asked herself that the next morning, but she’d heard he was hanging with Shep, and she was being petty. Andy doesn’t like that she was shamed for it, and Craig thinks it’s f***ed up that Whitney showed anyone. Venita says, they didn’t shame her for the photo, but that she sent it to someone in their friend circle. Madison says, Whitney’s girlfriend is the one who told Patricia, and Taylor says someone should tell her that Whitney hooks up with every girl in Charleston. Shep says he doesn’t want to see his girlfriends in that way, so I guess he’s that saint in the living room/whore in the bedroom type. JT can’t believe Shep doesn’t like getting nudes and can’t get girl to the finish line, and Shep offers to show him a list of satisfied customers. Taylor insists the photo wasn’t explicit, and Leva says she doesn’t want to throw Taylor under the bus, but she saw it. She saw the whole thread. I don’t know what it is about Leva. I liked her at first, but there’s a wicked look in her eye when she meddles. I think it’s less out of concern for others than for her own stirring the pot.

Leva tells Taylor that the text said, come eff me in Nashville, and Taylor asks, when was she in Nashville? She has no receipts because she deleted everything from Whitney, and Andy asks how Leva saw it. Leva said she’d asked Whitney why he showed all the guys, and he said he was embarrassed. Craig says, Whitney isn’t here to answer for it, when he’s the villain, but it’s weird Taylor was sexting a friend. JT says, grace needs to be given to people grieving, and Olivia says she’s tired of hearing it. Taylor says she made a mistake, but she’d never say it’s because of Shep. Andy says, Shep seems to have guilt over it, and Shep says he brought her into this. A viewer says, when Shep takes responsibility for what Taylor does, it robs her of her agency, but Shep says he takes pride in her development. Taylor says, he can’t be responsible for her, and Andy mentions Taylor’s new boyfriend Gaston, who’s from Republic, since these people can’t stop being incestuous. Shep says he met Gaston at BravoCon, and Leva thinks Shep sounds like a dad. Shep says, Gaston upset Taylor, but Taylor says, Gaston was upset because Shep greeted her by slapping her on the ass. Shep says, that’s not how he says hello, and Andy asks if he was drunk. Shep says he was, Andy asks how he knows then, and Shep admits he doesn’t. Andy says, Shep told him that he had something on his mind that he wanted to say to the group, and we see a clip of Shep telling Andy that he’d love to go on a ramble. Andy thinks this would be a great time to ramble, and Shep says he’s glad everyone is here. This is sort of a mea culpa. He’s at a crossroads and BravoCon was the impetus. He was out of control drunk in Las Vegas and doesn’t remember much. That scared the sh*t out of him. Andy asks him to explain what happened, but Shep says he can’t. He was blacked out. He was drinking margaritas and drank more when they did Watch What Happens Live. Andy says he saw Austen trying to take care of Shep and trying to make him presentable, but Shep didn’t even realize he was doing it. He was being a real friend. Austen says, it’s not the first time, and Craig says, that’s why he and Austen didn’t go to the meeting when Shep asked to talk to all his friends. It’s happened 17 times. The road Shep is on ends off a cliff, and he can’t be in that car anymore. After BravoCon, it was dark, and Craig realized he had to be okay with Shep ruining his life. They’ve been here before.

Shep says, they don’t owe him anything, and Austen says he’s been Shep’s best friend and been there for him. JT is like, WTF? forgetting that he just got here, and Shep says he’d love Austen’s support and help anytime. Andy says, it sounds like Austen and Craig have been doing that and they’re at the end of their rope. Craig says, Shep has to put some effort in, and Shep says he’s in a headspace to make major changes. He might start with not talking like he’s from the 1960s. He says, the other guys have a podcast and Craig has pillows, but he has nothing. How is he of value? Physiologically, he can’t do the same things he used to. His mind and body are telling him, no. He’s listening to his body and mind, and mixing it with fear, but he was Mr. Fun and has a reputation. Craig says he misses it, but doesn’t miss what Shep is feeling now. Andy wonders what Shep is doing about it. Has he quit drinking? Shep says he’s just drinking beer, and Andy is pretty certain they’ve heard that before too. Craig says he didn’t drink liquor for two years and now he doesn’t drink at all now. Watching Shep was a lesson. He was asked if anything could be done to salvage the friendship, and he said if Shep did one thing he’s be there, but Shep is too proud to turn off this road. Shep says he’s lost his pride, and Andy asks Taylor’s reaction. She says she’s happy because she knows the real Shep. He feels empty and overcompensates by acting like an idiot. Shep says that Taylor would tell him that he thought he was a rockstar and she was right. Andy asks for Venita’s reaction, since she also got here five minutes ago, and Venita says, it’s a lot to admit on a large stage. She knows he must have been thinking that way for a long time, and he has to cut the alcohol out completely for a true change. Leva says, Shep needs to want something more. Find the things he wants more, like marriage or a career. Shep says, stay tuned. He thinks he can do it. Andy says, he has a lot of support, and Shep thanks everyone for listening. Craig and Austen look like they don’t believe it. As they leave for a break, Shep thanks Andy for the platform and Andy tells him that he needs to relitigate his relationship with alcohol.

Still on break, Shep tells Taylor that he wanted to say those things to her privately, and she says she’s happy about it. He jokingly tells her to quit telling people he’s bad in bed. Back onstage, Andy says, Shep spent time with Austen in Australia, and Shep says, they had moments they could have talked. Andy asks how Shep would have reacted had Austen told him about Taylor, and Shep says he would have thanked Austen for being honest, then try to process it. Austen says he’s sorry. He thought it was a non-factor. Nothing came of it and it was going nowhere. Shep says, Austen told him that he wouldn’t have gotten with Taylor if he came along first, and it was arrogant, but Madison agrees with Austen. Olivia says, that’s probably how it should have went [sic] down. They should give shot since they made a mess of things anyway. Taylor says, Shep captivated her and she wasn’t interested, and Leva says, Taylor keeps thinking about the moment, but she lied to all of them for a long time. Taylor says she understands the severity of the betrayal, and Craig says, if they had the desire, they shouldn’t have even gotten close. Andy explains, it was the cover-up, not the crime, and Olivia says, Taylor acts like it’s their fault for not understanding. Taylor lied so many times, and Olivia didn’t hop on the forgiveness wagon. Taylor tells her that she never said that, and Olivia says, shut up. Taylor says, forgive as you want to be forgiven, and Olivia tells her, go ahead and say it. Andy says, Taylor seems to be implying Olivia did something, and Taylor says, to a friend and confident. Olivia outs herself by saying she slept with Thomas. She was fresh out of college, and it was a dumb choice on a drunken night. She wanted to take it to her grave. Who wouldn’t? I can agree with her there, but I don’t think I’d ever be that drunk. Olivia says, Madison mentioned it last year, and we flash back to the Reunion. Yes, she did. Olivia says, afterward, she thanked Taylor for sticking up for her, and told Taylor that something did happen. Taylor was the only person she told. Andy asks why Olivia needs to be forgiven, and Taylor says, Kathryn was her friend. It was after baby number two. Andy asks if she was with Thomas, but Olivia says she doesn’t think so. Taylor’s been chomping at the bit to use it, and not only is she a sh*t friend, she’s a sh*t human too. Andy says, we’ll leave it there.

While I’m not suggesting Olivia hop on the forgiveness wagon if she doesn’t want to, Madison is really the one who outed her if anyone was paying attention. And if no one was, Olivia is the one who brought it up and outed herself. So in saying it’s Taylor’s fault, Olivia is once again calling the kettle black.

Next time, Rod and Rodrigo make an appearance; Shep gets a call; JT wants Craig to hold Austen accountable; and Andy asks Olivia why Austen gets a pass and not Taylor.  

Happy 17th Birthday, Sir Marco of PeeWee, Last Born in the Line of Juliet!

🪱 Wiggling It Just a Little Bit…

Kiki with me tomorrow, when there will be soap, a little bit of this, and a little tea about that. Until then, stay safe, stay letting someone know when you’re proud of them, and stay being in charge of how you let your experiences define you.

Jan5

January 4, 2024 – Nina Makes Her Big Confession, Whitney Has A Russ Meyer Arty 60s Softcore Soirée & Better

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Portia asks Nurse Rachel if she has any resolutions, and Rachel says, maybe not working on New Year’s Eve next year. Portia says she’s with her on that, and Rachel asks why their Co-Chief of Staff is working the late shift tonight of all nights. Portia says she was doing a favor for Dr. Batel, and Rachel says, hopefully their bad luck on New Year’s Eve isn’t an omen for the coming year. Portia says, it certainly won’t be for her. She has big plans for 2024.

Going into her dorm room, Josslyn says she’s glad Dex got along with her friends, and he asks if she was afraid that he wouldn’t. She says, no, but you never know what can happen when mix different parts of your life together. He says, for her to consider them friends, he figured they had to be pretty great, and they were, and she says, most of the time. He wasn’t bored, was he? He says he could never be bored with her, and she says, judging by how it’s going, she thinks 2024 is going to be a very good year. He says he has no complaints, and they’re about to kiss, when someone starts fiddling with the door handle. Dex opens it to find Adam there, and Adam asks what Dex is doing in his room.

Still at the PC Grill, Doc takes Laura’s hand and says, she’s thinking about Bobbie. She says she’s thinking about all of them. First Luke, then Bobbie, then Lulu. She knows Lulu’s not gone, but she’s lost to them for now. And then Lucky, who’s out there searching for… something; some part of himself she thinks. The Spencers have lost an awful lot. Doc says, they have, and he’s so sorry. She thanks him, when her phone rings. She says, it’s Ace’s babysitter, and answers. She says she doesn’t know. When did Esme say she was going to be home?… It’s not like her to be an hour late, no… Oh my goodness. Where could she be?

Nikolas says, Esme only came to town because that psycho Ryan Chamberlain told her to, and Ava says, he means, that psycho her father. He says, whatever the reason, she came here to ruin their lives. Now it’s time for payback. She asks what he’s planning to do to Esme, but he says, no. It’s what they’re going to do together. FYI: Ava’s lipstick matches her blazer. I appreciate how she always looks put together.

Esme says she needs a drink and walks into the Grill, where she sees Doc and Laura. Still on the phone, Laura says, she just walked in…. yes, she’ll tell her. She says she’s relieved to see Esme. Where was she?

Willow asks if Michael knows why Nina has been canceling plans with her lately, and he says, because he told her to limit the time she spends with Willow and the kids. She says, and in exchange he kept quiet about Nina turning Carly and Drew in to the SEC? and he says, yes. She says, he was blackmailing Nina?

Carly opens the door to Nina, and asks what she’s doing here. Nina says she’s sorry. She knows it’s late, but there’s something she has to tell Carly. Carly invites her in, and Drew comes out. Nina says she didn’t realize he was back in town. Actually, she’s glad he’s here. There’s something she needs to tell them both.

Sonny looks at the Christmas tree in All Saints, when Cyrus comes out behind him and says he’s glad Sonny found his way here in his hour of greatest need. Give up your burden to God. The truth will set you free.

Portia goes into her office to find Curtis there holding a red rose. She says, what a wonderful surprise, and asks what he’s doing here. He says, ringing in the New Year with the woman he loves.

Dex tells Adam, this is Josslyn’s room, and Adam says, that’s why the door was locked. Josslyn says, they just got back from a New Year’s Eve party. She looks at the Solo cup in his hand and says, looks like he found one too, but he says he just had one Kama…something. Maybe two. Josslyn says, he’d better sit down before he falls down, and he stumbles inside, sitting on the bed. She asks, what’s going on? He’s not a drinker. He tells her, it’s over. It’s all over. His parents know the truth about him.

Ava says, Nikolas thinks they’re going to work together? and he says, look at it as giving them closure. He thinks she’ll find it very satisfying. She says she looks at it as not happening. That ship sailed when he threatened her daughter. He says, they both made mistakes. Yes, he threatened to take Avery in the heat of the moment, but as angry and upset as he was, it was still wrong. She thanks him for saying that, and he says, but she thought she killed him. And after a few minutes of calm reflection, she decided to ditch his body and walk away. She says, that’s not calm at all. She was completely panicked. She couldn’t even think when she thought she’d killed him. She just wanted to stop him from taking her daughter. She didn’t want him dead. He says he guesses that’s something. Their marriage wasn’t all bad, was it? She says, they had their moments, and he says, they did. She says, they were talking about Esme. Esme has no memory and she’s completely devoted to her son. He says, his son, and she asks if he thinks she’d forget that. He says, she knows he’s sorry about that, and she says, according to Trina, so is Esme. He says, Esme will never change. Eventually, she’ll return to her selfish, spiteful ways. That’s who she is. But if they work together, they can get rid of her before she does any more damage. Ava asks him to level with her. Is he planning to kill Esme?

Sonny tells Cyrus, get out of here. He has no place here. Cyrus says, there’s a place for everyone in God’s plan, but Sonny says he’s never going to buy Cyrus’s religious saved act. Stop pretending. Cyrus says, Sonny is so certain in his judgement. Has he never been wrong about someone? Sonny says, not about Cyrus. Tonight is not the night to be pushing him. Cyrus says, she told you, at last, and Sonny asks what he’s talking about. Cyrus says he’s sure Nina only did what she thought was right when she reported Carly and Drew to the SEC.

Nina says, let her start by telling them that she’s sorrier than they’ll ever know, and Carly asks how she found out. Nina asks what she’s talking about, and Drew tells Carly that they’re waiting to hear back. Carly asks if he can handle it. Whatever he decides, she’s okay with it. He asks if he’s sure, then tells Nina, let him get the door, but Nina says, please. Can he just listen? She has something to tell them. Carly tells Drew that she doesn’t want to keep them waiting. She’ll handle Nina. He leaves, and she asks Nina, what’s so important? Nina says, as Carly knows, she was very angry when Willow was dying, and she found out Carly had kept the truth from her when Willow needed her the most. Carly asks if this is what Nina came here for, because she can’t do this again. She can’t do this tonight. Nina says, beyond angry, and so she wasn’t considering the consequences. What she’s trying to say is that she’s done making excuses. She’s not going to make excuses to herself, and she’s not going to do it to Carly. Carly says she’s not Nina’s friend and she’s not Nina’s therapist. So if she has something to say, please say it. Nina says she’s the one who tipped off the SEC about Carly’s insider trading.

On the phone, Esme says, Ace is still asleep though, right?… Great. She’ll be home right away. She says she’s so sorry she worried Laura, but Laura says, it sounds like a simple miscommunication. It happens. Doc comes back with a coffee with whipped cream on top (hopefully, Irish coffee), and tells Esme, this should warm her up. He picks a glove up from the floor and says he thinks she dropped this. Esme thanks him, but says, it probably won’t do her much good. She already lost the other one. Laura asks if she knows where. Esme doesn’t say anything, and Laura says she does. Windymere, when Esme broke in Christmas Eve.

Michael says he didn’t want to tell Willow or his dad what Nina did to his mom and Drew, so he thought it would be best to mitigate the damage. Willow says, so Michael went behind her back and interfered with her relationship with her mother? and he says he was just trying to protect… She says, he was manipulating her, but he says, that’s not what he was trying to do. She tells him, no, stop. She didn’t know where her relationship with Nina was going to go, but instead of letting her make up her own mind, he blackmailed Nina? She doesn’t understand. If he was so worried about Nina’s influence on their kids, why wouldn’t he tell her the truth?

Carly says, Nina is the one who called the SEC? She’s the reason Drew went to Pentenville? She took him from his daughter. because she can’t help herself, Nina says, well, Carly kept her daughter from her, and Carly says, Drew was almost beaten to death and Nina’s still the victim? Nina tells her, what she’s trying to say is, the emotions were running high back then. There was a lot of hostility. There was a lot of pressure, and she felt like Carly’s family’s punching bag. She reached her breaking point. She snapped and she lashed out. Carly says, children lash out. Nina was trying to get back at her and Drew was just collateral damage? That man has been nothing but decent to Nina, and she almost got him killed. Nina says she had no idea the judge was going to give him such a harsh sentence. Everyone was shocked. It shouldn’t have happened. Carly says, he shouldn’t have been sitting in the courtroom to begin with, and Nina says, they did commit… It doesn’t matter. What she’s trying to say is, she knows Carly will never forgive her. She’s just trying to set the record straight. Carly asks, why? Nina was doing just fine keeping her mouth shut. Why? Nina had no problem. Everyone believed Ned called the SEC. Why? Nina says she did feel terrible about that, but Carly says, not terrible enough to tell the truth. Why tonight? Nina says she knows Carly isn’t going to believe her, but the guilt was eating her alive. She regretted all of it. She just came to a point… She didn’t know how to fix it. Carly laughs and says, really? Nina doesn’t feel guilt or regret for anyone but herself… Oh. She got busted, huh? That’s why she’s here. Who knows? Nina says, Sonny.

Sonny asks what Cyrus knows about Nina, and Cyrus says, in her time of distress, she also found her way to this place for guidance. He offered her his counsel. There should be no lies between husband and wife. He’s glad that his simple truth could help them both. Sonny punches him in the face, and Cyrus stumbles back. He says, whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn the other also, and Sonny punches him again. Cyrus says he forgives Sonny, and Sonny pushes him. He says, fight back. Come on. Cyrus says, God forgives Sonny, and Sonny hits him again, this time knocking him down. Sonny says, fight back, as he beats the crap out of Cyrus.

Carly says, of course (🍷). Is he the reason Nina came over here? Nina says, Sonny suggested she apologize to Carly. He is very angry. Carly asks if Nina can blame him. She’s been lying to his face for months, and more importantly, she snitched on his family. Nina says she never meant for any of this to happen, and Carly says, Nina never meant to get caught. She’s not here to make things right. She’s not here to set things straight. She’s here because she doesn’t want to lose Sonny. Nina says she’s here because she wants to make things right, but Carly says, Nina is the most selfish person she’s ever met. She does nothing but hurt everyone around her, mostly the people she claims to care about. Nina says, that’s not fair, and Carly says, Nina is going to talk to her about fair? It’s not fair that Drew almost died in prison because Nina had a temper tantrum. It’s not fair that Nina gets to show up whenever she wants with a fake apology because she wants Sonny to forgive her. Nina is nothing but a selfish bitch, and she hopes Nina rots in hell.

Opening a bakery box, Curtis says, Eckerd’s was closed, but the donut window was open all night, and Portia squeals. She says, he never has to apologize for Eckerd’s lemon donuts. She takes one and says, as he can see, she’s not offering him any. He says he noticed, and she says, this is the best. He’s the best. He says he’s impressed. There’s not many people who would be happy to work on New Year’s. At least they don’t have to set an alarm. They can sleep in and make up for these late-night donuts. She says she doesn’t know if she’ll be able to sleep; she’s so excited about his upcoming surgery. If this works, he could be on the way to walking again. He says, that’s the plan. What if it doesn’t work?

Nikolas says he doesn’t want to kill Esme, and Ava says, he can see why she might be the tiniest bit skeptical, right? He says, yes, but he’ll settle for getting her out of his sons’ lives, and she says, is that all? He asks if she really thinks Esme is equipped to raise a child – his child? and she says, obviously, she doesn’t. She just doesn’t know what he wants her to do. He moves closer and says, what he wants from her… He’s sorry. He has trouble concentrating when he’s around her. He touches her hair, and she asks what he’s doing. He says, remembering the good times. And there were a lot of them. She says, there were a couple, and those days are over, and he asks if that’s why she doesn’t want to help him with Esme. Because if they spend too much time together, she won’t be able to resist him?

Laura says, Esme was at Windymere on Christmas Eve, wasn’t she? and Esme says, yes. She’s really embarrassed. Doc says, speaking of warming up, he’s going to get a little more coffee and let them speak privately. Laura thanks him and he leaves. She tells Esme, breaking into Windymere was dangerous and illegal. What was she doing there? Esme says, Elizbeth Baldwin told her that’s where Nikolas kept her prisoner last Christmas, and she thought if she was there at the same time as last year, it might help spark something that helped her remember. Laura says she sees, and Esme says she’s really sorry she broke in, but she was really cold and a little crazy. She never should have damaged the property. She’ll pay for the broken glass right away. Can she borrow the money? Laura says she’s sorry Esme had such a bad night. Esme should have called her; she can do that. Esme agrees she should have and thanks Laura for understanding. Laura has always been so good to her. Laura says, they’re family, and they all have their crazy moments, and Esme says she’s glad it’s not just her. Laura says, it’s not. Did it work? Did she remember anything?

Dex trades a bottle of water for Adam’s Solo cup, and Josslyn asks what his parents found out about him that was so bad he started pounding Kamikazes? Adam says, they know he lied about the internship he said he was going to do over winter break. They just kept pushing and pushing about why he didn’t come home for the holidays as planned, and it all just came out – his lousy grades. She says she was sitting next to him when he got an A in Organic Chemistry, and he says, A minus is what he got. (Ha! If I’d gotten close to an A in any chem class, my father would have bought me a car.) And there’s no way he can get away with that B he got in Anatomy. She says, that Anatomy class is killer; a B in that class is like top of the curve. He says his parents don’t care. They’re threatening to pull him out of PCU and send him to a local college so he can live at home. They don’t want to waste their money paying for PCU if he’s not performing up to their standards. Josslyn says, that’s crazy, and Adam says, that’s why he went to that frat party. He just wanted to forget for a while. His parents are really mad actually. Why is he such a scrub?

Michael tells Willow that he had every intention of exposing Nina. He went to his dad first. He was going to tell him, but his dad was so happy and so in love, he couldn’t do it. If he couldn’t tell his dad, he couldn’t tell her. Then he realized, why should either one of them hurt even more because of Nina? So he made a deal with her. He told her that he’d keep quiet if he gets to decide when and if she can see Willow and the kids. Willow says, he had no right, and he says he knows that and he’s sorry, but she’d already been through enough. He’s not going to apologize for trying to protect her. She says, it’s not that. He didn’t trust that she could protect herself. She thought they were partners. He says, they are partners, but she says, neither of them acted like it. She didn’t tell him that she had cancer, and he didn’t tell her what Nina did. They’re not honest with each other. What kind of marriage is that?

Nina says, what she’s trying to do is, make things right, but Carly says, too little too late. Drew went to prison because of her. She deserves every bit of payback that’s coming to her. Nina says, Carly should be thanking her. All the horrible things Carly has done to her, and she made herself the bad guy for Carly. She’s welcome. I get distracted by the Christmas decorations, and Carly says, Nina has no one to blame but herself. And her coming over here trying to apologize, is she kidding? There’s no way she’s coming back from this. No way. Nina says she knows Sonny values loyalty more than anything, and Carly says, he sure does. She’s going to be really clear here. She’ll never forgive Nina. She knows Nina doesn’t care, but Willow, Nina’s daughter, is going to see Nina hasn’t changed and she’s still just as toxic as ever – Drew comes back in – and she’s never going to see Amelia and Wiley, ever. Nina says she never meant for things to go this far, and Carly says, Nina never meant to get caught. Let’s be honest. But she did mean to make her and Drew suffer. Drew says, suffer how?

Back at the penthouse, Sonny takes a bottle of liquor out of a paper bag, sets it on the coffee table, and looks at it.

Carly tells Drew that Nina is the one who called the SEC, and he says, is that right? Nina says she’s so sorry about what happened to him. She had no intention… He says, yes or no? Is she the one who called the SEC? Nina says, yes, and he asks what he’s supposed to do now. Nina says she doesn’t understand, and he says, because he can’t do all the things he could do if she was a man, right? He backs her up as he talks, and says he can’t grab her and he can’t hit her, but she’s vile and she’s the worst kind of hypocrite. Scout told him that she saw Nina at the Halloween party and Nina was so nice to her, and the whole time, Nina knew she’s put Scout’s father away in prison. Nina says she had no idea Drew was going to be put in prison, and Drew says, and Donna and Wiley were there, and they had no idea she tried to put Carly away, but they will. Nina says, no, but Drew says, why shouldn’t they find out after living a lie? They think Nina is some good and kind person when she’s not. She doesn’t even love her kids. Nina says, of course (🍷) she does, but Drew says, she has no idea how to be a mother and a grandmother. She could never put her kid’s needs ahead of her own, and that’s what she needs to do. Nina says, do not tell her how she feels about her daughter or her grandchildren. He and Carly are standing here like they’re so saintly. They did commit a crime, by the way. Let her remind them of that. Carly is the one who set all this in motion anyway. Carly kept the truth from her about both her daughters, first Nelle, then Willow. Carly kept her away from Willow for months. Carly yells, stop! She can’t handle this tonight. Her mom died. Nina says, Bobbie’s dead? She’s so sorry. She didn’t know. Carly says, she didn’t care. And Nina isn’t here for her or Drew. She’s here for herself, and she’s said everything she needed to say, so get out of her house. Nina says she didn’t know, and Carly says, get the hell out of her house. Get out! Nina leaves, and Drew closes the door. Carly says she doesn’t want to live in a world where Nina gets to exist and her mom can’t. Drew holds her, and she asks why her mom is gone. While that’s mega sad, I’m going to say it, Nina’s motivation stinks, but she’s not wrong. And it’s not surprising that she doesn’t know how to be a mother or grandmother, considering who she had as an example. Carly just got done talking about how vile she was until Bobbie came into her life.

Ava tells Nikolas not to flatter himself. He’s quite resistible. He asks why she’s running away then, but she says she’s not running anywhere. He says, then she’ll help him get to Esme? and she says she’ll admit, she’d be happier with Esme out of the picture. He says, that’s great. Now all she has to do is throw a party. She says, come again? and he says, and make sure Esme is among the attendees. He’ll get her a full guest list. She asks why Esme would come to a party she threw? and he says, Ava has one of the most fertile imaginations he’s known, just one of her many alluring traits. She says, that’s true, but a party? and he says he’s sure she’ll think of a reason to throw one. Who doesn’t love a party? She asks if he really expects her to believe that he’s not going to hurt Esme, and he says, hand to God. And if she can’t take him at his word, who can she trust?

Esme tells Laura that she walked around Windymere and… nothing. She doesn’t remember a single memory. Laura asks if Esme was still at Windymere when she got there, and Esme says she was. She panicked and ran out before Laura could see her. Laura says, but she left her glove, and Esme says, it must have fallen out of her pocket or something. She’s sorry. It’s kind of hard to explain, but she couldn’t risk getting arrested. She didn’t want to miss Ace’s first Christmas. Laura says she understands. She really does, but Esme broke the law. She’s going to have to turn herself in.

Drew calls Josslyn and says he’s sorry to disrupt her night, but her mom needs to talk to her. Can she come home? Josslyn says, of course (🍷). Is her mom okay? He says, yeah. Just come home and she’ll explain everything. So drive safe, and they’ll see her soon. Josslyn tells Dex, that was Drew. She has to go home. Her mother wants to talk to her. Adam says he should go, but Dex says, stay here; don’t move. Dex walks with Josslyn to the hallway and asks if she wants him to go with her. He can take Adam back to his room first. She says she’s worried about leaving Adam alone like this in his condition, and Dex promises to keep an eye on him. She thanks him, and he asks her to text when she can. She leaves, and Dex goes back inside.

Michael says, he and Willow have both made mistakes, but they love each other. They can get through this. She says, Nina’s lies are one thing, but he’s her husband. His hurt so much worse. She’s going to need some time to sift through all of this. He says, let’s go home. He’ll do anything he can to make this right. She tells him, sleep somewhere else tonight, when his phone rings. He wonders who’s calling at this time of night, and she says, answer it. It might be about the kids. He says, it’s Drew, and she says, take it. There’s nothing left to say. Not tonight. She leaves, and he asks Drew, what’s going on?

Curtis tells Portia, the surgery is experimental. There’s no guarantees. If it doesn’t work, is she going to be upset? She says she’s going to be upset because she knows how much he values his independence, but she loves him and she’s going to love him no matter what, whether he can walk or not. That’s it. That’s the truth. He says he does know that, and she asks how he’s feeling about the procedure. He says he’s trying not to be too hopeful. He just wants to be able to sweep his brilliant, kind, absolutely beautiful wife off her feet – she says, he’s doing that now – and carry her to their bedroom, where they make love. She sits on his lap and says, he sweeps her off her feet every single day with that smile. He smiles, and she says, that’s the one, and kisses him.

Portia and Curtis come out of the elevator, and Curtis asks how he is. She says, the attendant said it was touch and go in the ambulance. She should call… He says he’ll make the call. Just go. She thanks him, and goes into one of the rooms.

Esme tells Laura that she can’t go to jail. What about Ace? Laura says she thinks Esme will be granted bail. She probably won’t even have to stay overnight. Esme says she doesn’t get it. She thought Laura understood. Laura says she does, but actions have consequences. But if Esme turns herself in and admits what she’s done, she’ll probably just get some community service, maybe a fine. Esme says she should have known better, and Laura says, yes, she should have (even though it’s doubtful they’re talking about the same thing). Laura says, breaking into Windymere was a very foolish thing to do, but if Esme takes responsibility for what she’s done, she thinks Esme is going to feel better. So tomorrow morning, they’ll go together to the PCPD. Esme says, Laura is coming with her? and Laura says, of course (🍷) she’ll go with Esme. She wouldn’t make Esme do something so awful by herself. Laura’s phone rings, and she tells Esme, Curtis. Curtis says he hopes he’s not bothering her, but she needs to get to the hospital. It’s about her brother.

Dex tells Adam that he never felt like his parents saw him for who he really was. He could have used a friend like Joss back then. Adam says, it’s amazing Dex can relate to his problems. He’s so together. Dex says, things got a lot better for him when he got out of his parents’ house, and Adam asks how he got out. Dex says he enlisted, but Adam says he can’t do that. Dex tells him that he’s not saying Adam should. He’s just saying there’s a big world out there, way beyond his parents’ judgment. He’s just got to stick with it until he can see it. Things do get better. Adam asks if he really thinks so, and Dex says he knows so.

Josslyn meets Michael at Carly’s door and asks if he knows what this is about. He says, only one way to find out, and Drew opens the door. He thanks them for getting here so quickly. Their mom’s in the living room. They go in and Josslyn asks Carly, what happened? Carly says, it’s about grandma. She passed away.

Sonny sets a glass down near the bottle. He flashes back to Nina saying she’s sorry, and him telling her, stop saying that. Ava comes in and asks what he’s doing in the dark. She sees his grim face and asks, where’s Nina? He says, gone.

Dex puts a blanket on Adam in and turns out the light. He gently turns Adam on his side and puts pillows behind him so he can’t roll back. Adam thanks him, and Dex says, happy New Year.

Josslyn asks, what happened? and Carly takes her hand. She says, grandma was staying in Uncle Luke’s apartment. She went to sleep, and she never woke up. She passed away peacefully. Josslyn says, grandma seemed fine when she spoke to her on Christmas. She was happy. Carly says, she was happy, and the two of them were a big reason why she was. Michael says, grandma always had his back no matter how many times he screwed up, and Josslyn says, she was their rock. What are they going to do without her? Carly says she doesn’t know, but they’re going to get through this together, and she hugs them as they all cry.

Doc and Laura go into the hospital, where Curtis is waiting, and Laura thanks him for calling her. He says he’s glad he could help, and she asks what he knows about what happened. Curtis says, the paramedics told them the priest found Cyrus at the All Saints chapel. He was alone. He’s inside.

On the phone and leaving the PC Grill, Esme tells the babysitter, she’s on her way now. She’ll be there in ten minutes. She runs off, and Nikolas steps out of the shadows, watching her.

Laura sees Cyrus hooked up to machines and on oxygen, and gasps. She asks, how is he? and Portia says she got him stabilized, but he hasn’t regained consciousness yet. Laura asks, who did this to him?

Ava suggests Sonny get his hand cleaned up. Avery can’t see him like that. He goes in the back, and Ava hears the door. She opens it to Nina, who’s looking for Sonny. Ava asks if she told him the truth about the SEC, and Nina nods. Ava says she doesn’t think Nina should be here. He’s in a bad way. Nina says she just needs to talk to him, just for a minute. She told Carly and Drew everything. She just came from there. Sonny comes back out and walks slowly to the door, looking ominous, full-on old Sonny. Ava steps away, and Nina says she just came from… Sonny slams the door in her face.

Tomorrow, Cyrus says, once Laura knows the answer, she may be sorry she asked; Drew asks if Sam gets the final word on what’s best for their daughter; and Sasha tells Nina to let it be, and she might get what she wants.

Southern Chumps Charm

I get confused since I expect it to be New Year’s Eve on the show. Whitney calls the others about the soirée he’s having to christen his new cottage/pub/office. The theme is Russ Meyer arty 60s softcore movies, and he suggests channeling Return of the Valley of the Dolls or Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! for inspiration.

Leva meets Olivia, who’s wearing Connor’s jacket, for soup. Leva says, the soda has a strange aftertaste, and Olivia says, it sounds like their trip. Leva says she wondered how healthy it was for Olivia to be in Jamaica with Austen, and Olivia says she thought they could do the friend thing, but she catches him saying things she wants to hear. Leva says, that’s wrong knowing where she’s at, and in Leva’s interview, she says, Olivia is super fragile, and you have to be conscious of what you’re saying and how you’re acting with around someone in that space. She doesn’t think Austen can. Olivia says, it’s inconsistent with Austen. They were laughing in Jamaica, then yelling at each other. We flash back to that, and Olivia says she doesn’t want to fight. She wants to figure out their friendship. Leva says, Olivia is giving Austen more power than he has. In Olivia’s interview, she says she was hanging on to the shred of hope that Austen could change, but after Jamaica, she’s done with him. Leva says, Olivia has a lot going on, but she’s learned she’s strong.

Rod comes by JT’s event space, and they try on their party outfits. Rod says he’s rocking 60s leggings. Was that a thing then? Isn’t that more 80s or 90s? JT says, they talked about his feelings for Taylor, and Rod thought he was eligible. Rod says, there’s a slight possibility, and in JT’s interview, he says he’s had a crush on Taylor, but since Jamaica, his feelings are getting real. They laugh all the time, and it means a lot. If you can laugh together, you can overcome a lot. He wonders if he should tell Taylor, and Rod says, it’s what he’d do. JT says he’s nervous about the party. He’s not talking to Austen. He’s just going to have some snacks and be on his way. He has no respect for Austen, and he’s good with never talking to him again. In his interview, JT says, Austen cares about nobody but himself. Deep down, he’s a self-serving, insecure, me-first coward. He tells Rod that he’s going to ghost Austen and make Taylor giggle at the party. Good Lord, he is obsessed with Austen.

Brett brings Madison champagne for breakfast, and she calls it the breakfast of champions. She tells him, no more champagne once he gets a baby in her. She can’t wait, but she’s scared. She’s going to be fat and pissed off. He says he doesn’t care, and suddenly, she says she feels nauseous. She runs to the toilet and throws up, making us all wonder if she’s already pregnant, but she says she took her vitamins on an empty stomach. Hmm… In Madison’s interview, she says she’s freaked out. Selfishly, she doesn’t want to do it, but it’s definitely worth it. It’s hard in the beginning.

Patricia is in a wheelchair after her compression fracture. In her interview, she says she can’t move, but she has health care professional Paul, who also does her makeup and skincare. She says, why look like a tousled mess because you can’t bend your back? (Agreed!) And she still wears nice lingerie. Whitney comes over, and she asks for Peaches. I love Peaches. Whitney tries to wrangle the dog, who barks at him and hides under a chair. He brings the next best, Roy, to her. She says, it’s her hour up. She feels 60% better, but gets tired after 40 minutes. Whitney tells her that his party is tomorrow, and his cottage is almost there, about 80%. The party’s overriding homage is Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, a softcore film from the mid-60s by his favorite filmmaker Russ Meyer. Patricia says, no one but him knows who Russ Meyer is, and asks if he invited any young ladies? He says, no, and you can’t rush these things. Patricia says, but he has to look, and he says, it’s not as easy as she thinks. In Patricia’s interview, she wonders if her having had three husbands affected Whitney’s outlook. She wants him to get married. She tells him, when she kicks the bucket, who’s going to take care of him? and he says, Shep. (Can you imagine? Shep can’t even take care of himself.) In her interview, Patricia says she wants Whitney to have a family. He’s an only child, and with his father passing and her accident, it seems like life is slipping away. She gives Roy back to Whitney, and says she’s got dog fur in her mouth. Yep. Rich people. Just like us when it comes to their pets.

Everyone gets ready, and Shep tells Little Craig that Whitney wants to be one of The Who, so now they have to dress like what he wants to be. Whitney supervises the party set-up outdoors, but it starts to rain. On the way there, Paige and Craig discuss the moon landing being fake. It begins to pour, and Paige tells Craig that her hair is the most important thing here. The cottage is impressive, and in Craig’s interview, he says, if Whitney was trying to build a place to bring single Charlestonian girls, he achieved his goal. Shep comes in and says he’s Dieter from Dusseldorf. He likes fashion and new wave sh*t. While getting ready, Taylor tells a friend Chelsea that Shep said he wants to talk to her. Their friendship is confusing, and everyone says he still loves her. In Taylor’s interview, she says, her interactions in the last few weeks with Shep have been positive and good. We flash back to that, and she says, she’s glad to be able to have a good friendship with him, but sometimes she hopes there’s something still there. She still loves him and misses their relationship. Austen tells sister Katie that he’s hoping Olivia apologizes. He can’t walk on eggshells anymore around all these people.

In Shep’s interview, he says, he may not be able to have a friendship with Taylor at this point. What they’re doing isn’t working. We flash back to Whitney saying that Shep may be leading her on, and Shep says he wants to draw some lines in the sand. In Olivia’s interview, she says, it’s a relief not to act like her friendship with Taylor is worth fighting for, because it isn’t. In Taylor’s interview, she says she’d hoped to mend things in Jamaica. She’s owned up to everything and can’t do any more. Whitney says, Madison looks like a porno Jackie O, and she asks if that’s not the point. There’s brick oven pizza, lots of food porn, and whatever you can think of to drink. The party half-moves to Patricia’s house, and Madison says she wants to take Patricia some champagne. She asks Brett to get a coupe for her, and goes upstairs, Brett following with the goods. Patricia says she feels like in another couple weeks, she’ll be back to getting into trouble, and Brett wisely leaves the women to it. Patricia says she’s never seen Madison’s boobs so contained, but Madison says, it still gets the point across. Patricia asks about Jamaica, and Madison says she looked at it as her last hurrah, since it’s time she had a baby. Patricia asks how she feels, and Madison says, scared. Patricia says she saw Madison at nine months pregnant with Hudson, then didn’t see her for three months because of her broken pelvis. Madison says she was on bedrest and had to use a walker. She has no idea how long it might take her to get pregnant since she never tried. She loves Hudson, but she’d love to have a daughter. Who will take care of her? Patricia says, Whitney is an only child. When she kicks the bucket… Madison says, she’s never kicking the bucket, and Patricia says she’s not planning on it, but Whitney is an only child and needs to have a family. In Madison’s interview, she says she doesn’t think Whitney is ready. He hasn’t found the right girl. She hopes and prays he does, but until then, he’ll have to put up with her as his sister. She tells Patricia that if she has twins, she’ll give her one. In my head, I see Patricia as Rumpelstiltskin.

JT asks if he can talk to Taylor, and they go out on the porch. He asks if she knows she’s one of his best friends. They had a lot of fun laughing in Jamaica. Taylor agrees, and says, when she needed comedic relief… He says, he’s her guy. When they when hung out, it was constant laughter and joy. He says a few other things, but way to quickly he says he loves her and would marry her tomorrow. She looks super uncomfortable, as we all would. Venita, Madison, and Olivia are hanging out together when Austen asks to talk to Olivia. Since Olivia is incapable of speaking for herself, Venita says, that’s not happening, but Olivia says, okay.

Taylor says, she and JT haven’t crossed the friendship threshold. He doesn’t know her. She could be a psychopath. JT says, she is a psychopath, making her laugh and him hopelessly hopeful. Going for full awkwardness, he says, what’s psychopathic is, knowing they could die tomorrow and not giving it a try. She tells him that she’s got a lot going on. Shep is still in her head, and she still needs time to process, heal, and move forward. In Taylor’s interview, she says she wishes she could wake up tomorrow and JT would be her person, but she’s more attracted to a-holes. I’m not sure what to say here, since JT is a total a-hole, just in a different way. And I’m not sure he’s anyone’s person. Shep approaches, which I’m sure thrills JT. Shep says, JT is looking like Justin Bieber (again, not very 60s), and JT says, he’s washed-up Justin Bieber’s dad. Shep asks to talk to Taylor, and Taylor takes this opportunity to run from one a-hole to another one. JT says he’ll go back to suppressing, and in his interview, he says, the good guy never wins. It happens in every movie, except Braveheart. Maybe he’s not the one for Taylor, but he knows she’ll eventually find a good guy, and guys like Austen will lose. He says this, even though it was Shep who interrupted. Obsessed. Inside, Shep asks what JT was talking about. Did he and Taylor hook up in Jamaica? Taylor says, nooo. They haven’t crossed that threshold. Shep says she doesn’t want to do it again, but Taylor says, she doesn’t regret what happened with Austen. Shep looks stunned.

Austen tells Olivia, in lieu of Jamaica, he wants to get to the bottom of things. I don’t think in lieu means what he thinks it means. He says, it seems one way when they talk like this, and another way in public. Olivia says she knows she’s been inconsistent, but it’s not a good friendship. Nothing is genuine. Austen says he’s trying to be here for her, but she says, he’s not. He gets off on getting two girls pit against each other. Look at the paper trail of pissed off women he’s left behind, and they all say the same thing. He needs to stop having these conversations and have one with himself. I’m not backing Austen or anything, but he is the one going to therapy and seems to actually be working his program.

Shep tells Taylor that he wants to get to a place where they can be super supportive and kind. He thinks they made a cool step. Taylor says she’d hoped for something more, and Shep asks if she wants to get back together. She says, possibly. Olivia says she appreciates Austen having been there at times, and Austen tells her that he thought she’d say her emotions got the best of her. She says, he thought she was going to apologize? In Olivia’s interview, she suggests he take his head out of his narcissistic a-hole. She’s going through a lot of things, but an apology to him isn’t one of them. Austen says, things are not right. There’s a major f***ing disconnect. Olivia agrees and leaves. Taylor says, Shep loved and cared about her, but she also cared about them as a couple. He tells her, us is over; it’s not reparable. She asks why they’re talking then, and he says he wants to if they can be supportive of one another. Taylor asks, what if she wants to date Austen?

Shep wonders if Taylor wants to date Austen, but she says, what if she did? He says he’d shake his head and be like, wowza. She asks if it would bother him, and he says, if they were genuinely in love, he wouldn’t stand in their way. Outside, JT acts like a two-year-old, banging his wineglass on the railing like he’s winding up to have a tantrum. Rod brings bourbon shots over, and JT says he told Taylor that he loved her. And she was like, I appreciate you, bud. Shep takes Taylor’s hand and asks why she’s mad at him, and she says she’s not, but she doesn’t get it. He asks if they can co-exist and be supportive and forget the romantic stuff. He’s still going to message her, but if it messes with her head, tell him. Taylor says, she might need to be selfish and take some time, and he thanks her for talking. They give each other a side hug, and Shep says he’s sorry for anything from the past. In the future, he’ll try to be her biggest advocate. She says, water off a duck’s back, and leaves. Outside, she cries. In Shep’s interview, he says, it breaks his heart. He wants to make her happy, even if he’s not with her. He made the right decision. Maybe they can be happy for each other in the same realm. That’s his big goal.

30 minutes later. Everyone is hanging around the bars and drinking, and Austen tells Craig that he’s done with Olivia. In JT’s interview, he says he can’t stop thinking about Taylor kissing Austen. And she doesn’t want him, an actually successful, good, positive man. JT is kind of kneeling on the bar stool, and Austen says, they’re finally eye-to-eye. JT says, Austen is a snake coward, the genesis of so much pain and tears, and in Austen’s interview, he says, JT is the one initiated the whole thing when he put his nose where it didn’t belong. We flash back to JT talking about the sleepovers, and Austen says, what the f***? like four times. JT says, Austen is an at arm’s length friend who can’t be trusted around women, and Austen asks why he’s upset. JT says he wants to understand how Austen can be such a piece of sh*t. How many people has he hurt? Taylor asks why JT has to come after Austen, and JT gets pissed that she’s taking Austen’s back. She says she’s not, but JT says he’s never going to forget this, like the kindergartener he is. Austen asks what he’s upset about, and in his interview, he says he gets it. JT is jealous of him. JT wanted Taylor so bad, but he gets the girl and JT doesn’t. Guys like him don’t. JT says, Shep had it right in saying Austen is like a boy in a sandbox who wants everyone else’s shiny toys. Austen asks why JT is so upset, and JT says, Austen f***ed Shep’s girlfriend. Everyone in the whole place goes, whoa, and Austen calls JT a child and pushes him off the stool. JT is unfazed and headbutts Austen like a tiny wrestler. They start to fight, and production comes in to break it up. JT says, Austen loses. See him never. Austen says, JT can’t help himself, and JT tells Whitney that he didn’t want to go there. Whitney suggests he go outside, and tells Austen to calm down. In Shep’s interview, he says, his and Austen’s relationship is frayed. He gave Austen the benefit of the doubt. He did wrong. He was a bad friend, and it hurts. He hates to say it, but Austen kind of deserves it. No one can dispute that.

Next time – the Reunion – JT wants to do a f*** boy exorcism; Shep wishes the finish line for girls was simple like it is for guys (apparently, he doesn’t want to even put any work in there); no one thinks Paige is moving to Charleston; JT says, blah-blah-blah-blah Austen; Austen says, JT is obsessed with him; Andy asks if Taylor hooked up with Whitney; Shep says he made a mistake with Taylor; and Olivia and Austen argue.

🧀 Confused, Full Of Cheese, Unsure Of the Day Of the Week….

Revisit tomorrow for soap and post New Year combo platter of nonsense and wisdom. Until then, stay safe, stay open to changing your mind, and stay not putting your nose where it doesn’t belong.