Tag Archives: Squid Game

June 27, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Daisy’s Christening Day, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Dead Coming Up, New Squid, Bite Me, Above & Beyond, Octrain Of Quotes & Banner

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What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Carly talked to Michael in the MetroCourt Garden about Daisy’s christening, but he wasn’t paying attention. She asked what was going on, and he said welcoming a new family member felt cruel to Willow.

Nina said Willow had just gotten divorced, but Willow said she’d just lost her kids. Marrying Drew would help her get them back.

In his office, Martin told Drew that he’d alerted the media. Tracy had caved and they had her where they wanted her.

Brook found Tracy in the solarium and told her that there was so much she wanted to say to Gio, but she was giving him space. Tracy said Gio would come to her when he was ready. She wanted to run something by Brook, and Brook asked if she was hiding a body. Tracy said, not yet. She’d received an offer from Drew and had agreed to his terms. She needed to decide if she should go through with it.

Kai went to the gallery and told Trina that he’d taken Drew up on his offer and accepted the internship.

Portia sat down in the locker room and Isaiah came out in a towel.

Curtis came out of pool, and Jordan said she was shocked to find him there in the middle of the day. How would Aurora survive without him chained to his desk? He said, through the magic of cellphones. What was the point in working in a building that had a rooftop pool if he didn’t take advantage of it once in a while?

Carly said it was up to Michael and Sasha, but his beautiful baby girl was something to celebrate, and he shouldn’t feel guilty about the christening. He’d fought for his parental rights and the judge decided the children were better off with him full time. She was relieved. He said he was too, but was having a hard time getting past Willow falling apart in court. Carly said they’d been in love a long time and that didn’t go away overnight, but he said it wasn’t just that. Willow loved the kids and was still their mother, and he wanted her to be when she was ready and healthy. The real problem was Drew.

Willow said she and Michael had gotten married when they wanted to fight Nelle, and Nina said, so it was just a legal tactic, but Willow said this was different. She and Michael weren’t in love the first time they got married. She and Drew were in love and intended to stay married. They were telling the truth. Nina said, they knew that, but the judge wouldn’t.

Jordan told Curtis that the job with Sidwell gave her a bump in salary, so she could afford something bigger. Plus, to maintain her cover, she had to commit to the part. Anyone in her position would upgrade their living situation.

Isaiah told Portia that he was sorry. He didn’t realize anyone was in here. She said she needed a minute after pulling a 15-hour shift. She was trying to work up the energy and wherewithal to go home and couldn’t find it.

Trina said she thought was turning down the move to DC, and Kai said he did turn it down. He didn’t want to leave Port Charles or her, but Drew said the position had flexibility and Drew would make it work for him. Drew was letting him work in Port Charles. He might go to DC one in a while, but he definitely wasn’t moving there. Trina said she was happy he was staying, and he said him too. He asked if she was okay about him taking the internship. He wanted her to be honest. She said she didn’t trust Drew and thought working for him would be Kai’s biggest mistake.

Drew told Martin that this was the second best thing that happened to him all day, and Martin wondered what could possibly be better. Drew said Willow agreed to marry him, and Martin said he’d offer congratulations, but he and matrimony were no longer speaking. It was a smart strategy for the custody fight. Drew said what was different was that he loved Willow and looked forward to her sharing his last name – Quartermaine.

Tracy told Brook about the press conference and said if she dropped the cease and desist preventing Drew from using the name, he would refuse to cooperate with the authorities and the ketamine charges would go away. Brook asked what the problem was, and Tracy said, her pride. It was telling her to let this ridiculous case go forward. Force them to prove it. Brook said, could they? and Tracy said, of course (🍷) not. She didn’t drug Drew. Brook said, normally she’d tell Tracy to fight to the end, but it was a matter of public record that she’d framed Alexis. She could lose even though she didn’t do it. Drew was a complete sleaze, and he was offering her an offramp. She may just need to swallow her pride and take it.

Isaiah said Portia was Co-Chief of Staff. Why was she working a long shift? She said someone had to cover for Dr. Park in the ER and she volunteered. He said he apologized if he was overstepping, but was she possibly taking on too much? She said she was actively avoiding going home, and he said if things were tough there and at home, she needed a distraction and to not think of either.

Curtis said Jordan was good at making a believable cover, and she said there were so many life-or-death situations where he had her back and helped her. He said he knew she had his back, and they reminisced about a drug operation where they sat in his busted-up car in the August heat with no air conditioning. Jordan said, if only his employees knew their polished CEO once sat in a sweatbox, and Curtis said he remembered the chase. Then the look on his face when he realized he’d been played. Jordan said, that almost made it worth it.

Nina said if Willow married Drew, it would look like they were working the system. The judge saw how devastated Willow was. She’d think they only married to change that. Willow said they wouldn’t be, and Nina said, they knew that, but had to make sure no decisions seemed irresponsible or reckless. Willow said Martin had advised them to get married. He’d said it was a good strategy. Nina said, it might be, but Willow didn’t have to do it right away.

Michael told Carly that he and Willow had no chance to solve their problems. If Drew had backed off, who knew what could have happened? Carly said, Drew was family. They were close and he trusted Drew. Then Drew betrayed him in the worst possible way. Michael said, then Drew played mind games with his son, making Wiley think he didn’t want him. It was despicable. What kind of man did that? She said, someone with no moral compass. At least for now, Willow was blind to it. Michael said that was going to change.

Kai asked if Trina’s parents couldn’t keep their grudge with Drew between them, and she said they happened to be people she loved and who mattered to her. He said he got they had a bad experience, but Drew had been nothing but good to him, and she said she he was, but she had to question Drew’s motives. Kai asked if it wasn’t possible Drew saw something in him. She had. It was an amazing opportunity to explore politics on a national level without leaving Port Charles. She said she didn’t know he was interested in politics, and he said all he’d thought about was football. Now his future was wide open. It intrigued him. He liked helping people and serving the community. He wanted to see where it went. Maybe he’d pursue it long term or maybe not, but he did know he was hoping that working with someone she didn’t like wouldn’t come between them.

Brook asked if Tracy was that worried about Drew calling himself a Quartermaine, and Tracy said it did. The name meant something, and he didn’t deserve the name or the respect that went with it. Brook said Drew would never get what he really wanted – their acceptance. He’d never actually be one of them. Monica wouldn’t even let him into the house. If he needed a name change to drop the charges, give it to him. Tracy said she’d face the humiliation that came with the deal she made with the devil, but Brook said she wouldn’t be doing it alone, and took Tracy’s hand.

Isaiah said Portia would be no good to her patients if she ran herself into the ground. If she wasn’t going to get sleep, at least have some fun. Portia said she didn’t remember what fun was like, and Isaiah said they’d have to change that. It was a beautiful day, and they were going to go have fun.

Carly said Michael was legally able to get the kids away from Drew, and he said if Willow had any chance of being in their lives, Drew had to be taken out of the equation. Carly said she’d even teamed up with Nina, but nothing would shake Drew’s hold on Willow, but he said that was before she lost her kids. She painted Drew as her hero, but he was the real reason she’d lost her children. If she was forced to see that, maybe it would finally be enough for her to walk away for good.

Nina said it was fine if Willow and Drew wanted to get married, but they had to convince the judge it was a real marriage, not just a legal strategy. There should be no rush. No city hall. No Vegas. An actual wedding that was planned. Willow said she’d have to wait longer to see her kids, but Nina said there had been no visitation hearing yet. Willow said if they got married by the time the hearing was scheduled, it would improve her chances, but Nina said rash decision making wasn’t going to help her get her kids back.

Jordan said, afterward, she and Curtis had sat on the roof of his car, and he said they celebrated finally nailing Hoffman. She said the breeze from the water cooled them off. She remembers it being the best feeling ever. He said, because it was.

Kai said he appreciated that Trina was worried, but he was making a choice based on his experiences and could handle himself. He didn’t have to like someone to learn from them. Trina said, but he liked Drew, and he said he did. Maybe Drew would give him a reason not to, but that was a lesson he had to learn for himself. It was an amazing opportunity, and he was going to take it. His phone dinged and he said he had to go to a press conference for Drew. He’d call her later. As he left, she called him back and kissed him. She said she didn’t have to agree with him to be on his side. He had this. He thanked her and kissed her.

Brook met Chase at the press conference, and Tracy said she appreciated the support, but Brook didn’t have to notify the family to witness her public humiliation. Brook said she was Tracy’s moral support and Chase was hers. Chase said he was here support Tracy too, and Tracy said she’d been through worse, when Martin came in.

Curtis said, it was a long time ago, and Jordan said things were a lot different. He said he was proud of them. They’d come a long way. She said she just got a glimpse of the guy she used to know, when Portia came in with Isaiah. Curtis’s phone rang, and he said it was Trina. Trina asked if he could come by the gallery.

Portia told Isaiah that her workaholic husband made time to spend at the pool with Jordan, and he said maybe they had the same idea they did. Portia said they weren’t co-workers and didn’t need to decompress. They used to be married. Did he think they’re behavior was appropriate? He said he didn’t think he was the person to ask. He wasn’t impartial. He and Jordan used to date.

Willow said getting married could be the only way to get her kids back, and Nina asked if Drew was pushing her, but she said, not at all. Nina suggested she tell Drew that she wanted more time to plan. As her mother, she’d love to give Willow the wedding she’d dreamed of. They could plan it together. Willow said she’d already told Drew that she’d marry him, but she’d think about the rest of what Nina said. She had to go. Nina told her to call if she needed to talk, and Willow left.

Carly says she wants Drew out of Willow’s life almost as much as Michael does, but she may never leave Drew. Was he willing to keep the children out of her life for good if that was the case? He said Drew wouldn’t be part of Wiley and Amelia’s life. It was non-negotiable.

Martin told the press that Congressman Quartermaine was going to address the charges against his aunt, Tracy Quartermaine. There was nothing more important to him than family, honesty, and loyalty. Brook wondered if Tracy would go through with it, and Chase said Tracy had the means, motive, and opportunity. Brook said Tracy’s colorful past didn’t help, but if Tracy had wanted to drug Drew, she wouldn’t have met him in a public place and kept the evidence in her car. She’d already been caught framing someone and wouldn’t let herself get caught again. He said it was an interesting and perfectly logical defense.

Drew said, it didn’t have to go this way. Tracy could have cooperated. Tracy said he was so proud himself for winning. Gloat wasn’t a good color on him. He said, nor on her, although she’d worn it many times. Now that the shoe was on the other foot, he guesses it was proof they were related. He left and she said, think again.

Isaiah told Portia that he and Jordan’s relationship was brief. It got complicated and she wanted to step back. Portia said she could guess why, and he said this wasn’t helping her unwind. Maybe they should go. She said, absolutely not, and he said he’d wanted to help her relax, not add to her tension. She said it hadn’t. Curtis didn’t even notice she was here. Clearly, he was focused on something else.

At the press conference, Drew told Kai, when it was over, they could go back to what was important, making the constituents happy. His aunt made a grave error in judgement and when she acknowledged that, he could put the incident behind him and move forward. Kai flashed back to hearing Curtis talk about paying Jacinda off to say Drew took the ketamine on purpose, and Drew said he’d see Kai after the press conference.

Nina said she needed to talk to Carly. Carly needed to get through to Michael. If she didn’t, Willow was going to marry Drew.

Michael found Willow in the solarium and told her that the kids weren’t there. She said Yuri told her and although she’d love to see them, she came to see him.

Trina told Curtis that Kai accepted a position as Drew’s congressional intern, and he said he was sorry. There were better people for Kai to work and learn from, but don’t let the tension affect their relationship. Kai was a good guy and Trina seemed happy with him. Don’t let this stop that between them. Trina said she knew Curtis was trying to find the escort and bring her back, but she didn’t understand how it would protect her mom. He said it was complicated and to leave it alone, but she said she couldn’t. What kind of trouble was her mom in?

Portia said she couldn’t fix the situation until she knew what she was dealing with, when Isaiah’s phone rang. He said he needed to take it and when he left, Portia went over to Jordan. She said she was sorry to interrupt. Jordan must be exhausted from entertaining her husband all afternoon.

Carly said she felt awful about Willow, and Nina said she’d be legally entitled to visitation sooner or later. Carly said they’d deal with it them, and Nina said both kids were at an impressionable age. Drew would be a potential role model and a huge influence. The only way to change that would be for Michael to compromise now. Carly needed to convince him to allow Willow to see the kids and get a court order as soon as possible and make sure it’s just Willow, not Drew. Carly said she didn’t think it was possible, and Nina said if Willow saw the kids, she could pry her away from Drew. Carly had the power to get Michael to allow Willow to see the children.

Michael asked how Willow was feeling, and she said, better. She was so shocked. It hit her all at once and she didn’t know how to handle it. He said it was a surprise to him too, and she said the process was horrible. She didn’t want another court fight. Wiley and Amelia loved and needed them both, and they needed to set a good example. Michael agreed, and she said that’s why she wasn’t hiding anything anymore.  Their lack of honesty was what got them into trouble in the first place. She and Drew were getting married.

Drew addressed the press and said he knew his family was a fractious group and Tracy Angelica Quartermaine’s questionable judgement was legendary. As a family, they’d decided it didn’t make sense to waste taxpayer money and clog the court with a personal mattery. His aunt fully regretted her actions that led to her arrest and was pleased to make a public announcement. The Quartermaine family would settle the dispute in house, and he’d no longer cooperate with the investigation involving his aunt and strongly encouraged them to drop the charges. Now his aunt would like to address them herself.

Tracy took the podium and said she’d like to read a few prepared remarks. With regard to the reckless and reprehensible accusations she’d levied against her beloved and honorable nephew, Congressman Drew Quar… After trying several times, she said she couldn’t do it. She had to tell the truth. Drew took the drugs, then planted them in her car. He caused embarrassment and disgrace to the family when he destroyed his nephew’s marriage and should be thrown out of office the same way his stepmother threw him out of the Quartermaine mansion.

Tuesday:

Jason met Sonny at Sonny’s house. Sonny said Turner thought she was sending him to prison, but didn’t know her star witness was about to disappear.

Sidwell invited Lucy to lunch at the MetroCourt Garden, and said his son would be joining them.

Jordan said she didn’t know what Portia was implying, and Portia said she saw Jordan and Curtis by the pool, smiling and laughing. Jordan said reminiscing about old times? and Portia asked if she meant during their marriage. Jordan said Portia needed to have a conversation with Curtis, but Portia said Curtis wasn’t the problem. Jordan was.

Trina told Curtis about Kai overhearing him and Portia talking about Jacinda. She asked if Portia was in trouble and did Drew have something to do with it. Kai was working with Drew, and she needed him to tell her what was going on.

Tracy tried to call Drew Congressman Quartermaine, but couldn’t do it. She said she had to tell the truth. Drew took the drugs, then planted some in her car to embarrass and disgrace her. Just ask her nephew about that. He should be thrown out of office the same way his stepmother threw him out of the Quartermaine mansion. Martin suggested Brook take Tracy home. She was either having a stroke or sundowning.

Nina said Carly had to convince Michael to give Willow visitation. It was the only way to stop her from marrying Drew. Carly said Nina had plenty of chances to do that and nothing had worked. Why was this time different?

Michael said he and Willow married to get custody of Wiley from Nelle. Did she think it was going to help her this time? She said she loved Drew and wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, and Michael said if she married Drew, he’d make sure she never saw the kids again.

Jason said Natalia’s house was set up along with the guards, and Sonny said if she brought over the incriminating records, she’d be off to Belize. Jason said he had eyes on her just in case, but had one concern. What if Natalia already told Sidwell everything she knew?

Sidwell, Marco, and Lucy talked about Sidwell’s house in Dubai, and Sidwell said he’d tried to swing a substantial sale Lucy’s way, but it fell through. She asked if he was talking about Windymere, but he said, no. Sonny’s piers. Sonny considered his offer, but decided not to take it. Que sera sera. Lucy said, don’t give up yet. Perhaps she could still make it happen.

Nina said if Michael agreed to a generous visitation schedule, there was no way Willow would pass it up, even if Drew couldn’t go. Eventually, Willow would see that she didn’t need Drew’s help to have the kids in her life, and it would be the beginning of the end of their relationship. Carly said Drew was still calling the shots. There was no way he’d let Willow agree when it didn’t include him.

Willow said Michael won custody, but once she and Drew were married, the judge would revisit it and give her at least partial custody. Michael said he wasn’t being cruel, but after her meltdown, he didn’t think that would happen. He’d exercise every bit of his power to protect his kids. She said he didn’t have to protect them from her, but he said as long as she was with Drew, it wasn’t healthy for them. It was his opinion and the judge’s too. She said Willow’s relationship with Drew was the reason she’d lost. If they got married, she would seal her fate. She said he was just trying to bully her into dumping Drew. He was scared she was going to win and when she did, she’d try to have more compassion than he had for her.

Tracy said she was no fool, and on the side, Kai said he wanted to get Drew out of there, out of the line of fire and away from the cameras. Martin said Tracy blew her chance to stay out of prison with her insolent behavior. If there was any doubt about her guilt, there wasn’t now. She said his client got caught acting like a frat boy on spring break and was trying to cover his ass, planting the ketamine to frame her. From the audience, Cody said she was dead wrong about that.

Lucy said perhaps she could get Sonny to reconsider, but Sidwell said he’d declined before. She said circumstances had changed and she thought she’d pay him a visit right now. Sidwell called her an angel, and hugged her.

Sonny told Jason that he’d considered the possibility of Natalia leaking information to Sidwell, but from what he’d seen, she couldn’t stand Sidwell. The animosity ran deep and Sidwell would make plans to come after him even if Natalia was gone. He wasn’t the type to take no for an answer.

Portia said she’d seen Jordan begging for Curtis’s attention before, when Isaiah came back. Portia said Jordan found excuses to seek Curtis out, but Jordan said they had business dealings, and they were still family. Curtis was TJ’s uncle. And they were friends. Portia was projecting and what she’d described was how she chipped away at Jordan’s marriage to Curtis. Portia asked if it was pay back, and Jordan said if they were having a problem, it wasn’t on her. Portia asked, who said they were having problems? and Jordan said something wasn’t right or Portia wouldn’t be confronting her. Portia said Jordan had been fawning over Curtis and it was embarrassing, and Jordan said Portia was the one causing a scene because she felt insecure. It had nothing to do with her. If Portia’s marriage was on the rocks, Jordan was guessing she only had herself to blame. Grabbing a drink from nearby, Portia threw it on Jordan.

Cutis said Trina’s mother was in a tough position with very negative consequences if it wasn’t handled, and Trina asked how she could help. He said she couldn’t. They were handling it. She asked if he was tracking down Jacinda, and he said, yes. She asked if he was going to ask her to lie, but he said, the less she knew, the better. She said she understood he wanted to protect her but thought he was making a big mistake. She could help.

Tracy said she gave Cody a roof over his head and a job. This was how he repaid her? Brook told Chase that Cody despised Drew, and Chase asked why he was doing this. Brook said she had no idea. Martin announced that Cody was the son of the PCPD Chief of Police Mac Scorpio and worked for Tracy. It was courageous for him to speak out against his employer. Cody said he wasn’t a supporter of Drew’s and didn’t vote for him, but he couldn’t stand by and see him be accused of something he didn’t do. Cody was in charge of the horses, and Hades was their prize show horse. Before the Hampton Classic, Hades needed a minor medical procedure, and he had to help by getting an anesthetic. His truck wouldn’t start so he borrowed Tracy’s car. In addition to supplies, he picked up ketamine and must have left a vial in Tracy’s car. That meant the congressman didn’t frame her and Miss Quartermaine didn’t drug the congressman. She was innocent.

Curtis said he appreciated Trina’s concern, but her mom was in this situation because of him. Drew had been gunning for him and got to him through Trina’s mother. He was the target, not her, and he didn’t want Trina involved. They were capable people, and she had to trust him. Trina asked him to promise to tell her if it got worse, and he promised, but told her, in the meantime, don’t discuss it with anyone. She promised that she and Kai wouldn’t tell anyone.  

Jordan asked what was wrong with Portia, and Isaiah told Portia to come with him. As she left, Portia warned Jordan to stay out of her marriage. Isaiah hustled her out and asked if she felt better. Portia said, not really. This wasn’t her, but she had to deal with this once and for all. Her phone rang and she said now was her chance.

Nina told Carly that she’d deal with Drew, but needed Michael to work with her. Do it for their grandchildren. They loved and needed to see their mother. It would also help Willow deal with the trauma. Carly said she wasn’t unsympathetic, but hadn’t forgotten what Willow put the children through. She couldn’t stop Willow from marrying Drew; no one could. Nina would have to figure out another way. Carly left.

Jason said too bad Sidwell wasn’t legit. Sonny selling him the piers would solve all their problems. Sonny said, leaving Port Charles in Sidwell’s hands was a huge mistake, and Jason said they couldn’t tie him to the explosion or exonerate him. There was too much uncertainty, and they should prepare for blowback. There was a knock at the door, and Jason opened it to Lucy carrying a basket of oranges. She said she was hoping to have a tête-à-tête with Sonny, and Jason said he had to get going. He left and Lucy said they needed to talk about Sonny’s piers.

Outside, Jason’s phone rang. Nina asked if there was any chance he could meet her at the MetroCourt.

Michael said he’d tried to be compassionate, but Willow said he was unreasonable. She’d flown to Germany to see if they could work something out, and he refused to see her. He asked where she was getting that. No one told him that she was there. She said she spoke to the receptionist, who’d conferred with him and said he didn’t want to see her. He said, that never happened. It must have been a mistake. Willow said the mistake was hers thinking it was possible to be amicable, but he said it made no sense. She said he couldn’t stand it that she chose Drew over him, and he was holding it against her, keeping the children from her as punishment for falling in love with another man. He said he’d never use the children to punish her, but he would protect him from Drew, who was a destructive, manipulative fraud. She insisted Drew was none of those things. He respected her enough to tell her the truth, and he said Drew lied to her and she lied to herself. Willow said Drew treated her as an equal, and he said she wouldn’t stop living in her warped fantasy life. She said he was used to getting his way, but not this time. She was going to marry Drew, and she was going to get her children back.

Martin asked why Cody hadn’t stepped up before now, and Cody said he didn’t watch the news. There was so much sadness out there. He didn’t realize he’d left the ketamine in the car until it was time for the procedure. The full truth was he didn’t ask to borrow Tracy’s car and was worried she’d be upset if she found out. Martin said, more than facing charges that would send her to prison? and Cody said he didn’t realize how far it had gone. When he found out what happened, he had to say something. Martin asked how much Tracy was paying him, and Cody said he had the receipt, pulling it out of his pocket and reading, Dr. Jane Thomas, DVM. Martin said that didn’t prove a damn thing. It could have been doctored. Tracy grabbed the receipt and said she’d take it to an expert to prove it wasn’t. It was going right to her lawyer. Martin made a grab for it and fell off the stage.

Sonny asked if Sidwell sent Lucy over, but she said, no. She thought he needed to reconsider Sidwell’s offer. It wasn’t about the commission, but about being his friend and getting him out of a politically sticky situation. Measure C made a mess for him and Laura. Why turn down Sidwell? Sonny said, because he was a bad guy, and Lucy asked if he realized he was already in business with Sidwell through Deception. He said it wasn’t his decision, and she said the stock was soaring. It would be that much better if Sidwell owned the piers to operate his import business. He said, minerals and God knows what else, and she said in the spirit of cooperation and friendship, what could she do to make it happen?

Marco wondered if Sidwell thought Lucy could get Sonny to change his mind, and Sidwell said it was a long shot, but she was very persuasive. He hoped she succeeded so he didn’t have to resort to more drastic measures… Just kidding. Marco said he didn’t think Sonny would be an impediment for much longer.

Nina told Jason that Drew was engaged to her daughter, and she needed to make sure they didn’t make it to the altar. He asked how he could help, and she said she pitched a plan to Carly to get Michael on board, but Carly turned her down. She was desperate and Michael valued his opinion. He asked, what was her plan? and she said she wanted Michael to let Willow see the kids – without Drew. It would give Willow less reason to marry Drew and give her wiggle room to get Willow to postpone the wedding. If she got really lucky, she could convince Willow to dump Drew altogether. He said, it could work, and she asked if that meant he’d talk to Michael. Willow approached and asked, what’s going on here?

Carly told Michael that she’d talked to Nina and Nina told her that Willow and Drew were getting married. He said he knew. Willow was just there. She was convinced it would help her win back custody. Carly said, Nina thought if he allowed Willow visitation without Drew, it would take away her incentive to get married. Eventually, she could be pried away from Drew, and he’d be out of the picture for good. In the end, that’s what he wanted, right?

Portia said she was at the pool when Curtis called, and he said they must have missed each other. She said, they didn’t. She saw him with Jordan and thought they needed to have a conversation about that. He said they needed to discuss Trina. She knew Portia was in trouble, and knew it was because of Drew.

Martin was helped up, and Drew said he thought it best to bring the conference to an end. He thanked everyone for their time and patience, but Tracy said, before they left, there was something Drew might want to say to the good people of Port Charles. Drew said it seemed his dear Aunt Tracy had been exonerated, and he couldn’t tell them how relieved he was to know she wasn’t the one who drugged him. But rest assured he’d be working closely with the PCPD to find the real culprit. Tracy said he didn’t have to look far. Just look in the mirror. She laughed.

Jordan said she was glad Isaiah was still there, and he asked if she was okay. She said it was unexpected, but she was fine, and she thanked him for intervening. She didn’t know why Portia flew off the handle. He said he saw her with Curtis too. Was she seriously trying to say there was nothing to worry about?

Portia said they should have been more careful and asked if Curtis thought Kai told Drew what he heard. Curtis said, Trina told him that Kai wouldn’t, and he had a hard time believing Kai would do anything to hurt their family or Trina. He wanted to make sure Trina didn’t get tangled up in this. She asked if Trina knew what Drew was holding over her head, but Curtis said she had no idea Portia doctored Heather Webber’s test results. Portia said, if she did, she’d probably blame herself, and he agreed. They had to make sure to stop Drew. She said it didn’t seem possible, but he said he had some good news.

Michael said he thought Willow would come to her senses, but he was wrong and so were Carly and Nina. Today he knew Willow was incapable of realizing that her and Drew’s relationship was harming the kids. It was why she lost custody, and she couldn’t or wouldn’t see it. Ultimately, it didn’t matter because the impact on the kids was the same. Carly asked, what was his plan? and Michael said he’d ask Diane to delay the visitation hearing, but when it happened, Willow would get nothing. Keeping the kids from their mother broke his heart, but he couldn’t allow Drew to be part of their lives.

Drew said if Martin hadn’t been focused on revenge, he would have seen what Tracy was planning and stop it before she made fools of them. Martin said he could do damage control with the press, but Drew said he’d done enough. Martin said he was going to the hospital to get his back checked, and Drew said Martin’s retainer was all he was getting.  

Chase said, that was quite a speech, and Cody said it was the truth. Chase asked if he really had the receipt, and Cody said he’d have to check. He wasn’t so good at keeping records.  

Brook said, that was wild. Cody rode in to rescue Tracy. Tracy said she was relieved to be cleared.

Sonny said Lucy was a savvy businesswoman and savvy enough to know not to get involved in the situation. Lucy said he was judging Sidwell by his reputation, not his actions, but he said he trusted his sources. She said she also trusted hers and thanked him for hearing her out. She hoped she hadn’t imposed on their friendship. He said, not at all, especially when she brought him delicious oranges. They ate one.

Sidwell asked why Sonny wouldn’t be a problem. Did Marco know something? Marco told him that he’d said as much as he could say, and Sidwell said he hoped Marco was right. He preferred not to get his hands dirty, but if it was the only option to eradicate Sonny from Port Charles, so be it.

Jordan said nothing was going on, and Isaiah asked if it was completely innocent… It wasn’t his business anymore. She said she was sorry it didn’t work out, and he said him too. He saw that Sidwell wasn’t the only problem. Her ex-husband was too. She said that wasn’t true, but he said, deep down, she knew it was. If not, she was in for a rude awakening.

Curtis told Portia that Felicia had a lead on Jacinda. She was in Sydney, He didn’t know her exact location, but he would within 48 hours. Portia said, maybe the nightmare would be over soon, and Curtis said if he could convince Jacinda to come back and publicly state that Drew hired her for a wild night of sex and drugs, he’d be too busy to focus on imploding Portia’s career.

Tracy asked if Brook didn’t think Cody would lie, and Brook said she wasn’t judging, but it was clever. Tracy said, it was Michael’s idea. A real Quartermaine knows how to get things done.

Drew told Kai that he’d have to call off the wedding. He couldn’t be the reason Willow lost her kids. Kai asked if he thought it was a possibility, and Drew said it seemed everyone was against them. Kai said there was something he should know. Curtis Ashford planned to find the escort and bring her back to say Drew knowingly abused drugs. He should prepare for increased scrutiny. (I said, no, no, no, no, no, through the whole thing.)

Willow asked if Michael sent Jason to intimidate her and her mom, and Jason said she was making a mistake. She said he was wrong about his brother. Drew was a good man, and she couldn’t wait to be his wife. Together, they were going to get her kids back. He said, if that’s what she wanted to do, that was her choice, and left.

Michael said he hated separating the kids from their mom, but it was for their own good, and Carly said she’d been where he was. She was convinced keeping him from AJ was the right thing, but he didn’t thank her for that decision. His kids might not thank him and might very well resent him. He said he had to do it anyway and live with the consequences.

Wednesday:

Gio instructed Rocco and Danny on working at the pool. Danny was on water and Rocco on towels. Rocco told Danny that his mom took his photo like it was his first day at school. From a chaise lounge, Lulu waved to Rocco.

At the Quartermaines, Marco gave Lulu two birth certificates for Rocco, telling her how, 7 months later, it was altered to Rocco Falconari. Dante walked in.

Kristina went to Alexis’s office and Alexis said she’d seen Elizabeth. Martin was pushing her to sue the car company. She wasn’t interested and Alexis thought she didn’t suspect Kristina’s involvement. Kristina said Elizabeth didn’t suspect, she knew. Lucky told her.

At the gallery, Ava gave Laura an invitation to the Joel Sartore opening, but Laura said her calendar was overflowing. If she couldn’t make it, could she pass the tickets on to Elizabeth?

Ric came into the hospital, and Elizabeth said she was busy, but he said he was there to see a potential client.

Martin told Lucas that his back was still killing him. Lucas examined him and Martin said it was all Tracy Quartermaine’s fault.

Tracy looked at her phone and laughed, when Cody walked in. He said he knew how much she enjoyed watching Martin fall ass over teakettle, and she thanked him. She knew the minute she told him to shut up, Martin would insist he speak. She was trying to make a GIF of Drew’s face the minute he realized she’d won, but she’d ask Leo to do it later. They needed to discuss his payment. He said he didn’t want her money.

At Sonny’s, he asked what Natalia’s answer was, but she said she didn’t know. He was asking her to give up her life. He said, for a whole new beautiful, comfortable life in Belize. They were running out of time. What was her answer?

Rocco asked what Lulu was doing there, and she said she was just another guest. She asked if he remembered his social security number and if he thanked Carly, while she straightened his shirt. Danny told Gio that Rocco was so embarrassed. if his mom was here… she’d do the same thing. Gio said, so would his.

Brook told Dante that they were wrapping up and said she’d let Marco know when she made a decision. Marco left, and Dante said he assumed Chase told Brook what happened. She said, yeah. He could hold what he wanted against her, but Chase was just protecting her. He said he didn’t want to hear it, and she asked if he wanted to yell at her again. He said he didn’t. Talking to Chase made him realize it wasn’t getting him anywhere. In order to reach Gio, they had to work together.

Cody told Tracy that Drew was such an ass, he was happy to take him down a peg or two. She’d been framed and he was glad to help. She was a great boss, and it was the best job he’d had. She said Hades loved him and she found him more than tolerable. She thanked him.

Kristina said Lucky didn’t mention the blackmail to Elizabeth. Just that he helped cover it up. She had the right to turn Kristina in, but wasn’t going to. Alexis said Elizabeth must know Lucky could be charged as an accessory after the fact, but Kristina said, Lucky was headed to Africa, but Elizabeth knew it would hurt Alexis and Molly. Alexis said Kristina’s plan to break up Ava and Ric needed to stop.

Ava said, of course (🍷), and Laura said Elizabeth loved art and now that she had her cast off, she probably wanted to get out. Ava said she was happy Elizabeth was feeling better, and asked if Laura wanted a sneak peek at Joel’s new book. She sipped at a drink, and Laura said not her too with the dragonberry juice. Ava said Ric got her hooked on it, and Laura said he and Elizabeth were drinking it when she stopped by.  

Elizabeth asked Lucas if Laura knew Martin was in the hospital, but he said he wasn’t sure. She said she’d do the honors, and he said he’d noticed Ric was around, but she said he was there for a potential client. Lucas pointed out that Ric had dropped by every day since Lucky left, and she asked if he thought she was leading Ric on.  

Sonny said the longer Natalia stalled, Turner would pull the deal and prosecute her. He couldn’t let her give Turner anything that incriminated him. Natalia handed him the key to her safe deposit box and said, everything was in it. Her life was in his hands.

Ava said Ric had been working nonstop, and Laura said, now that the Corinthos case was settled, he’d have more time. Laura’s phone rang and she stepped away to take the call. It was Elizabeth.

Kristina said, as long as Ric and Ava were in it together, they’d drain the Cassadine estate dry, and Alexis would get caught for embezzlement. Alexis said she wouldn’t leave Elizabeth in Ric’s crosshairs, but Kristina said, she already was. If anyone could handle Ric, she could. Alexis said Elizabeth had a soft spot for Ric and she’d take him back. They should tell her about the blackmail. Kristina said, if they did, she’d confront Ric before she kicked him out of her life. Then he’d retaliate by sending her to prison. They were in this too deep and couldn’t say anything.

Cody told Tracy that he didn’t like taking money to help a friend.

Martin said he was going to sue Tracy for emotional and physical distress and the damage would go up with every spasm, but Ric said Martin had lunged at the paper, lost his balance, and fell. Martin said Tracy goaded him. How about a nuisance suit? She’d pay them to go away. Ric said Tracy was too vindictive to settle and he’d need a retainer of $15K. Martin said he couldn’t afford it. He wasn’t even sure he could pay his deductible. Ric said, forget Tracy. Take care of his back.

Lucas said Elizabeth was friendly toward Ric, but he was seeing Ava. Why did she seem bothered? She said there were certain things she liked about Ric, but hadn’t forgotten the terrible things. She wasn’t going back to him and Ric knew that. Unless he saw what he wanted to see. Lucas said it was hard seeing the good in people that others didn’t, and she asked if he meant Brad. He said they all made choices, and he’d decided when he had enough.

Dante said he wasn’t ready to forgive Chase or Brook, but didn’t want to prevent a relationship with Gio now. Brook said she wanted that too and was sorry Gio was so mad at Dante. She gave Gio up. It wasn’t Dante’s choice. Dante said she’d had a good relationship with Gio before. On the other hand, he’d come down hard on Gio when Rocco passed out. He regretted it and it made it harder for Gio to trust him. She said they were in the same boat. What should they do?

Sonny said he knew Marco negotiated for Natalia and asked what the timeline was. She said, Monday, and he said she’d be long gone by then. She couldn’t tell Marco that she was leaving. If Turner found out she was going to run, Turner would arrest her. Natalia said she wouldn’t be able to come back, and he said, no contact with friends or family. Belize was beautiful, especially if you had money, and she’d be safe. She’d be in a beautiful, luxury home on the beach. She asked if he would still be in contact with her, and he said, yeah. He owed her a debt and took it seriously. (If she doesn’t want to go, I will.)

Cody met Kristina and said he assumed she wanted an Ava update. She asked how it was going, and he said she couldn’t expect instant results. If he came on too strong, Ava would get suspicious. She told him to include Lucky leaving the country in his next conversation, and he asked, why? She said Ric was infatuated with Elizabeth and Ava was aware of it. She was guessing that Ric didn’t tell Ava about Lucky, and it would make her insecure and more receptive to his advances. Cody said if Ric was into Elizabeth, wasn’t his job done?

Elizabeth said she was sorry she’d assumed Ric was there to see her, and he said she could make it up to him by letting him buy her coffee – or dragonberry juice. She said she would have guessed he had plans with Ava, but he said, not tonight. Ava was swamped with a big show coming up at the gallery.

Brook told Drew that Gio was fair. They should let him set the pace and not crowd him. Eventually, he’d be ready to hear them out. When he was ready to listen, they’d prove they wanted a relationship, one on one and as his parents. Dante asked, what happened if Gio was never ready?  

Lulu asked how Rocco and Danny were doing, and Gio said it was their first day, but he thought they’d get the hang of it – Danny dropped a towel – eventually. Lulu asked how Gio was doing, and he said, just fine.

Alexis asked if Eliabeth had a minute to talk in private, and she said, sure. Lucas’s phone rang, and Marco asked if he wanted to meet for a drink at the MetroCourt pool when he was done. They could watch the sunset. Lucas said he’d love to. He was guessing from Marco’s tone, his mom’s legal troubles had cleared up, hypothetically, and Marco said, hypothetically, the interim DA was tough, but he negotiated, and a tentative agreement was in place. He was glad it was over.

Sonny said Natalia had kept his heart condition a secret and made sure he got the help he needed. She came to him when Turner offered her a deal. She said she was sorry she let Turner think there was a deal worth making, and he said she was there for his daughter when she’d had an accident. She was also there for Kristina in court. These were the little things he didn’t forget, and he’d make sure she was taken care of. She thanked him and said he had no idea how grateful she was. She was excited about the new life he was offering. He said loyalty meant everything to him and he wouldn’t abandon her.

Laura asked what Martin had done to himself, and he said he’d had a bad fall and was stuck there overnight. He didn’t want to be a burden. She said he was her brother. She loved him and he’d never be a burden. He said he’d wanted to get his own place, but couldn’t work, and she told him not to worry. He’d need an overnight bag, so text her a list of things she needed to bring back. She left, and he said, Tracy Quartermaine is going to pay for this one.

Tracy met Lulu at the pool, and said there was a pool at the house, but Lulu said, that pool didn’t employ Rocco. It was his first day. Tracy thought it was cute that Lulu was spying on Rocco, but Lulu said she wasn’t spying, and Tracy laughed. Gio asked Danny what he was doing, and Danny said, refolding the towel. Gio said they couldn’t reuse the towels, but Danny said, the guy barely touched it. Gio said, any towel they picked up should be put in the bin. Lulu said it looked like Gio would have the big brother thing down if he gave it a chance, and Tracy told her to just be grateful they were getting along. He was still mad at Brook, and she hoped he got over it soon.

Dante told Brook that they couldn’t give Gio so much space that he’d question if they cared. They had to do something to show him. She said they couldn’t force a relationship on him, and he said there was so much he didn’t know about Gio. Now he felt like he’d never get to know him. Brook said he would. Between her, Dante, her mom, and her grandma, they’d get through to him. Dante said they were a tough group to ignore forever. She was right. They had to be patient, but it was hard. He’d missed so much already.

Cody asked if Molly would be okay if Ric and Elizabeth got back together, and Kristina said, Molly would love that, but Elizabeth wasn’t interested. Until Ric knew he had a sure thing, he’d settled for Ava, but Ava… Cody said, is no one’s consolation prize, and Kristina said, if there was a break-up, it would be Ava breaking up with Ric. They had to get Ava to see that she had better options than Ric.

On the phone, Ava said she’d lost an antique watch. She knew she had it the day Ric went to Beecher’s Corners to work a case. Could they tell her the date?… Her mistake. Thanks. She flashed back to Ric telling her that he’d made it back so quickly because he had a fast car and knew a shortcut. In the present, she said he was a lying liar.

Marco asked if Lucas was working at GH when Britt was Chief of Staff, and Lucas said he was. Britt was best friends with his ex, Brad. Why? Marco said he came across her name whole working on a case. He’d see Lucas at the pool. Lucas said they’d start at the pool and see where the night took them.

Alexis said she didn’t realize Kristina and Elizabeth had talked, and thanked Elizabeth for not going to the police even though she had every right. She didn’t take what Kristina had done lightly. She’d spent her life pursuing justice, and now she was covering up Kristina’s crime. Elizabeth said, of course (🍷) she was. Kristina was her daughter. Alexis said she couldn’t let Kristina go to prison even though she deserved it.  

Lulu thanked Rocco for the excellent service, and Tracy said, the service was fine, tipping him. Danny and Rocco high-fived and Gio said they were free to go. Rocco asked if they could go in the pool, but Gio said employees didn’t get to swim. Swim at the Quartermaines. Danny said what if he tripped and fell into Rocco, and Rocco said, and as he was falling, he pulled Danny in? Tracy blew a whistle and said she’d give them a ride home. She’d had enough fun in the sun.

Cody saw blank walls in the gallery and asked, what happened? Was this art? Ava said, no. She was making room for an exhibit. He saw a freestanding sculpture and asked if that was art. She said it was abstract and meant to be touched. They both ran their hands over it, when Ava’s phone rang. She said, that’s not right. They booked months ago… She was sorry too. Cody asked if she was okay, and she said, not really. That was the guy who normally hung the art exhibits. He had a family emergency and wasn’t coming.  She had nothing on the walls for the exhibit. Cody said he was good with a hammer and nails.

Elizabeth said Lucky told her that Kristina thought it was Ava’s car, and she was horrified, and Alexis said so was she. Elizabeth said she knew Kristina had been struggling since she lost the baby and Sam. Anyone would have snapped. She thought Kristina made a terrible mistake. She gave into her impulses, and she knew Kristina regretted it. Alexis said that was generous. She thought Kristina was aware of the severity of what she’d done, but she was wondering if she was seeing what she wanted to. Elizabeth said she didn’t think so. After talking to Kristina, she thought Kristina understood. It was one reason why she agreed to stay silent.

Sonny asked when Natalia was supposed to meet with Turner, and she said, Friday afternoon. He said by the time the meeting rolled around, she’d be on a beach, sipping a Mai Tai and thinking about her future. She thanked him and said she’d be ready. She needed him to know how important their relationship was to her, and he said it was to him too. She said she was sorry she’d compromised it not telling him that Jenz was her ex. He blindsided her and she froze. No matter how he sold himself, he was a dangerous man. Marco wasn’t. Sonny needed to know Marco wasn’t like Jenz. Her attitude drove Marco toward his dad, but he wasn’t a criminal like his father. Remember that. Sonny said as long as Marco was only Sidwell’s lawyer, there was no problem.

Ava said, hanging the art was harder than it seemed. She couldn’t ask Cody. Cody said he was offering. She would have to point and occasionally cheer him on, and not hit him with anything when he got too close to the art. Serenity, where he grew up, was huge and had a lot of art. He wasn’t allowed near it, but sometimes there was a piece he’d have to look at. If he leaned in, the housekeeper would slap him. Ava said, that was terrible, and he said, those days were long gone. He’d be on his best behavior and be careful. No slapping or fighting. Ava asked if he did that often, and he said, the last person he hit was the mayor’s son, but in his defense, he was drunk. Ava said, he hit Lucky? but he told her that it wouldn’t be a problem. He didn’t get drunk anymore and Lucky was out of the country.

Elizabeth told Alexis that Ric knew how she felt about Lucky and they hadn’t been killed. She thought it best to move on and she had. So had Ric. The accident was a wake-up call. Ric seemed lighter. Ric heard them and ducked around the corner.

Natalia went to Miller & Davis, and Marco asked if she wanted to go over the deal. Natalia said the message was clear, but she wasn’t there as his client. She was there as his mother.

Dante saw Lulu at the pool, and she told him that Rocco’s shift was over. He said, too bad. It looked like they both had the same idea.

Kristina was sitting in a lounge chair, when Lucas came in. She asked if he wanted to join her, and he said he was meeting Marco, but was happy to keep her company in the meantime. She asked if things were going well, and he said, very well.

Dante saw Gio and said, got a minute?

Brook was looking at the birth certificate, when Danny and Rocco walked in. Rocco asked if she was working, and she said, yeah. She was busy with a very important project.  

Deanna went into Martin’s room, and he said he hoped she brought dinner. He was starving. She said they had a bit of a problem. She was sorry, but apparently, his insurance lapsed. He was no longer covered.

Sonny went to see Laura and she asked, what’s going on? He said he wanted to tell her in person that he wouldn’t be selling the piers to Sidwell. She said she couldn’t tell him how relieved she was to hear him say that. Sidwell was an evil man. The last thing she wanted was for him to get a foothold in Port Charles. Sonny said that’s why he turned Sidwell down. He wants to take over the city, but that ain’t gonna happen. He knew Sidwell acted like a legitimate businessman, but he’d seen how Sidwell operated. Laura said, so had she, Lucky, Anna, and Jason. Sonny said, not to start anything, but violence was coming to Port Charles and they had to figure out a way to stop it.

Thursday:

Sasha put Daisy in her crib as she talked about the christening.

Brook was looking at the Rocco folder when Rocco and Danny came in. Danny said they almost got kicked out, and Brook asked what they did. Jason came in and told them to quit bugging Brook.

Gio told Dante that he was still on duty, and Dante said he had tickets to the Port Charles Philharmonic series. He asked if Gio would like to check it out with him. He, Gio, Rocco, and Charlotte could make a night out of it.

At the pool, Lucas told Lulu that he was meeting Marco, and she said she was happy that he was happy, but how close was Marco with his father?

Marco said he wasn’t interested in talking to Natalia outside of the case, and she said even if he never acknowledged her as his mother, she gave birth to him and nothing changed that. Not even if they never spoke or laid eyes on each other again. He asked what that was supposed to mean.

Sidwell looked at photos of Sonny’s family members, when Boyle came in griping about being summoned to Spoon Island. He asked what was with the photos, and Sidwell said Sonny’s family was his obvious weakness. Their negotiations broke down and it made him upset.

Carly went to Sonny’s and said she had bad news about the christening. Sonny said he thought the reception was at her place, but she said Monica wanted to go, so it was easier to have it there. He said there was something he needed to fill her in on.

Sidwell told Boyle that Sonny turned him down, so he had to give Sonny incentive to sell. The people of Port Charles had to be reminded there was a menacing thug in their midst. Boyle said he wanted no part of it, but Sidwell said he was paying for Boyle’s campaign and didn’t care what he wanted. He’d do what Sidwell deemed necessary, smile, and say thank you.  

Lucas said he understood Marco and his father were close, and Lulu asked if he wasn’t concerned. He said, not really. He appreciated her concern, but they were two completely different people. Marco wasn’t his father. She said it would be good to know how tight they were. Were they just emotionally tight or criminally tight too?

Natalia said it may be the last time she and Marco saw each other, and he said she was leaving the country, wasn’t she?

Dante told Gio that he didn’t know much about classical music, but the first chair violinist was one of the best in the country. Did he want to check it out? Gio flashed back to smashing his violin and said music wasn’t his thing at the moment. Dante said, maybe some other time. He had a subscription and Gio could take who he wanted to. Let him know.

Jason asked how the pool was, and Brook said it was still standing. Danny said Gio wouldn’t let them go for a swim, and Jason said they had a pool there. Rocco told him, that’s what Gio said, and Danny said, nothing happened, and Tracy drove them home. The boys left, and Jason asked if Brook was good. She said she was up to her neck in Deception, and Jason said he had to talk to the boys and see how much money he owed Carly.

Sasha told Daisy, sleep well, my little ray of sunshine. She turned out the light and left.

Felicia was waiting in the nook and asked Sasha how it was going. Sasha said it was wonderfully exhausting and everything she’d ever dreamed of. She thanked Felicia for coming, and Felicia said she figured it had something to do with the christening and last-minute errands. Sasha said it was something more important. Felicia had been supportive, encouraging, and loving, Sasha’s ultimate safe space. It would mean so much to her if Felicia would be Daisy’s godmother.

Danny and Rocco told Jason about the day, and Rocco said Gio was a drag. They wanted a quick swim. Danny said it wasn’t like Carly would care, when Dante came in. He said the staff being in the pool would make them look entitled unprofessional. They didn’t want to be those guys. The boys left and Jason thanked Dante. He said he thought it was going to be good for Danny to work, and Dante said Rocco too. Did Jason have a minute? Jason asked, what’s up? and Dante said he realized he had the wrong take on Jason.

Lucas told Lulu that he assumed Marco and Sidwell’s relationship was similar to Sonny and Dante’s. They loved each other, but chose to keep Sonny’s extracurricular activities out of it. Lulu said Sidwell didn’t strike her as having the same code or boundaries, but Lucas said Marco promised he had nothing to do with his father’s business and had given him no reason not to trust that. Lulu said she didn’t, but she was going off what she knew about Marco’s father, and Lucas said, totally fair. Imagine if Charlotte was judged solely on who her father was. She said, well played, and he said, score. She said she just wanted him to be careful, and he said his eyes were open. Maybe he and Marco crossed wires. He was going to go. Lulu said, if Marco showed up, she’d tell him that he just missed Lucas, and Lucas left.

Natalia said she was leaving the country and Marco never had to deal with her again ever. He asked where she was going, and she asked what difference it made. She was starting a new life somewhere else. He wondered how she arranged it. Sonny, right? She said, yes.

Sonny told Carly that Sidwell had offered to buy his piers. The offer looked good on paper, but he couldn’t hand over unchecked power. He knew Sidwell wasn’t a fan of the word no and wouldn’t give up. Carly asked how long Sidwell had been trying. How were they sure he wasn’t responsible for the fire in the penthouse, or the assassination attempt in LA? Sidwell could be a threat to their family.

A drunk guy told Lulu that he liked her hat, calling her blondie. He asked if he could buy her a drink. She said she was good, and the guy sat down. He said the Mai Tais were insane, and Gio asked if Lulu was okay. The guy said he was trying to convince her to have Mai Tai and loosen up. How about a swim? Gio said the pool was closed and the lady would like him to move along, but the guy said he and blondie were good. Lulu said if he called her blondie once more time, she swore… Gio said he was going to tell security the guy was harassing her, and the guy said they were real buzzkills. He’d go swimming on his own. Gio repeated that the pool was closed. Get out. The guy left, and Lulu thanked Gio for the assist, when they heard a splash.

Brook looked at Rocco’s folder and flashed back to Lulu saying she’d never lie to her children or keep huge life altering secrets from them. Brook called Deception and asked Mona to print out the March financials. She’d pick them up from the office. She put the folders on her desk and left.

Sonny told Carly that he, Brick, and Jason had been looking into it, but so far nothing tied Sidwell to the bombing or assassination attempt. Then again, nothing exonerated him either. Carly asked how they knew he wasn’t a genius at covering his tracks, and Sonny said he was keeping his guard up. Sidwell had it easy getting what he wanted in Port Charles. Carly said he was invested in Deception, had underwritten the Nurses Ball, and scooped up Windymere, but Sonny said Sidwell wasn’t going to take anything from him.

Marco asked when Natalia went to Sonny, and she said before she’d come to him. He said Sonny was going to kill her, but she said that wasn’t who Sonny was. He said Sonny was a mobster, but she said he wouldn’t hurt her. They were friends… more than that. He’d promised to take care of her. He appreciated she’d been there for him a lot. He said she was blowing the deal and now her best outcome was to go to prison where they could keep her safe, but she said she and Sonny were leaving together. He said Sonny’s entire family and business were there. He wasn’t going anywhere. She said, not permanently, but she was starting a new life in a new country and Sonny would be part of it. He’d promised to provide for her. He said Sonny was going to kill her. He’d negotiated a deal she’d had no intention of honoring. He could be on the hook and go to prison. Lucas came in and asked if he was okay.

Felicia said she’d be honored to be Daisy’s godmother. Was Michael… Sasha said she was certain Michael was in full agreement. Felicia was a steadying presence and a true friend. Felicia said they were family, and Sasha said she felt that. Her mom and Robert were gone, and she was grateful. Other than her grandmother, she’d had no consistent mother figure. Felicia had a maternal way with her gentle guidance and open acceptance. She let people find their own way and she wanted that for her daughter. Felicia suggested they make it official, raised her hand, and said she accepted the role as Daisy’s godmother. They hugged.  

Daisy cried and someone came into the room, their shadow looming over her.

Natalia said she’d let Marco fill Lucas in. She wasn’t dealing with him when he behaved like this. Marco said he tried. If she left, the rest was on her. If she walked out, she was no longer his client or his mother. She was officially nothing to him. She said she already was and left. Marco said he had to call the police, but Lucas said, don’t do that.

Carly asked Sonny, what about Natalia? She was Sidwell’s ex and knew he’d had heart surgery. What if she’d tipped Sidwell off? Sonny said, let him worry about that. Natalia wasn’t going to be a problem for him or anyone in their family.

Dante said he thought Danny ran wild because Jason was too busy with Sonny to see what Danny was doing and what Danny thought he needed. Jason said he knew Danny needed space, and Dante said balance began there. They couldn’t hold on too tight. That’s not how it operated with Rocco, and he had to be patient with Gio. Let him call the shots. He was sorry he was so dismissive and critical of the way Jason parented his son. He apologized. Jason said, no problem. Apology accepted.  

Sasha suggested she make tea and found she’d put the milk in the cupboard instead of the fridge. Baby brain was real. Felicia asked how it was going with the Quartermaines, and Sasha said it had been great. Michael was an amazing father and Wiley and Amelia were so cute with the baby. They wanted to help with her, and she loved it. Felicia asked about Sasha’s parents, and Sasha said Robert video called every morning at 10 am Eastern time. He had to see Daisy. Felicia said, what about Holly?

Daisy was now in a different onesie, and the mystery person left. (I wondered now if it was Holly.)

Sasha said Holly was a work in progress, and Felicia said, weren’t they all? Sasha said they’d come a long way to build a relationship, and Felicia said her relationship with Maxie hadn’t always been good. She made some big mistakes, and it took a lot of time and effort and a lot of forgiveness to overcome it. It didn’t happen overnight. Sasha said Holly had been lovely. She’d sent a gift and they’d been texting. Now that she was a mother with a daughter, she looked at some of Holly’s choices differently and thought Holly did the best she could in the best way she knew how. Holly was what she was, and Sasha was starting to see she did what she could. Felicia said nothing taught you humility faster than parenthood. Everything you knew about your parents probably deserved a second look, as well as things you knew about yourself. They heard Daisy crying on the monitor, and Felicia said she was going home to rethink her outfit.  

A man told Gio that the guest was escorted off the property and sent home in a cab. It wasn’t the first incident, so he was no longer welcome at the MetroCourt. Gio had done an excellent job getting him out of the pool. He told Lulu, sorry for the inconvenience, but Lulu said she was fine and praised Gio. The man left, and Lulu said, part of her wanted to let him drown. Brook came in, but stayed behind a partition, listening. Lulu asked what the rule was about dangling your feet in the water, and Gio said he’d let her. She asked if he wanted to join her, and he said, why not? They sat laughing and talking as Brook watched.

Danny said he was going to bury Rocco at poker, when he saw the folders on Brook’s desk. Rocco said Brook told them that was private. Should he be looking at it? Danny noticed Rocco’s name.

Lucas said it was just them, and Marco said Lucas didn’t understand. He needed to get his mom arrested. Lucas said he’d mentioned Sonny, and Marco said his mom had evidence against Sonny that she was supposed to turn over to ADA Turner, but she already gave it to Sonny. Sonny convinced her that he’d protect her, and in her mind, she was moving to another country to live with Sonny. Lucas said that made no sense. Sonny had too many ties to Port Charles. Marco told Lucas, that’s what he’d said. She was supposed to turn everything in on Monday at 11 am, but she wouldn’t be there. Now he was left holding the bag. Lucas said he couldn’t bring the police in. He couldn’t be the reason his own mother went to prison.

Sidwell was looking at the photos again, when he heard Natalia coming in. She said she and Marco just got in a huge fight. Marco never wanted to see her again. He asked, whose fault was that?

Lulu and Gio talked and laughed, and Lulu said she was glad Gio was here for the boys. She had the feeling they needed him. Gio said he was glad Danny and Rocco weren’t there when the drunk was bothering her. They would have tackled him into the pool. Lulu said they didn’t need to. The Mai Tai idiot did it on his own. She thought they handled it pretty well. He said if she hadn’t thrown him the floating device, the guy would have dragged him down too. She said they made a pretty good team, and he said, they sure did. They high-fived and Brook looked pained.

Jason said he was sorry for what Dante was going through with Gio, but Dante said what happened wasn’t on Jason. Jason said Dante wasn’t responsible for what he didn’t know. Gio was a smart and good kid. Dante had to trust him to figure it out. Dante said he didn’t know what Gio would want from him or even what he had to offer, and he didn’t think Gio would accept it if he did.

Danny said it was about Rocco. See for himself. He handed Rocco the folder.

Marco said either Natalia went to prison, or he did, or she died, but Lucas said he didn’t know as Sonny would kill her. Marco negotiated in good faith with the ADA. It wasn’t on him if his mother ran for it. Marco said it was a total nightmare, and Lucas said the only people who knew the truth about Natalia’s plans were Sonny, Natalia, Marco, and him. He wasn’t going to say a word. No one else ever needed to know. Marco said Lucas would keep his secret? and Lucas said he would.

Sonny said they should be grateful Michael was home safe with the kids and happy, and Carly said, and their newest adorable surprise granddaughter. It was wild all the family Daisy brought together. Daisy was a Spencer, a Corinthos, a Quartermaine, and a Scorpio. Sonny said, God help her, and Carly said she was going to get so much love.

Sasha goes to Daisy’s room and says Daisy is lying in the wrong direction. She always puts Daisy facing the door. And her onesie was yellow. Did daddy change her? Why would he do that?

Natalia says she should have known she wouldn’t find compassion. Sidwell turned her son against her a long time ago. He says she did that all on her own, for not accepting Marco for who he was – a remarkable man. So whatever hole she found herself in this time, don’t expect him to dig her out. Natalia said she didn’t, but she needed him to promise something. He said he loved Marco; prove it. Keep Marco out of his disgusting business. They both knew Sidwell had his hands covered in blood. Don’t doom their son to the same fate. She left and he took out the photos one more time. He looked at Sonny, then slammed the envelope down. He went out onto the turret in the rain and looked out over the city.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Josslyn greets Michael at the Quartermaines and says they’re having a christening in his baby’s honor. She’s so excited, but admits she didn’t see it coming. He says, no one did at first. It wasn’t exactly planned. She says, you can’t plan for a baby as cute as Daisy. They’ll all be putty in her little hands. He says, Daisy was what his heart needed, but he didn’t realize until Sasha told him. Josslyn says she’s happy for him, and he says he’s happy for him too. She says, he’s home where he belongs, and he says, finally. She asks why he wanted to meet here instead of the church, and he says he wanted the chanced to explain why she’s not Daisy’s godmother.

Felicia says she’s excited. She can only imagine how Sasha is feeling. Sasha says she’s pretty excited too, and Felicia says, a christening is a big deal. It’s an honor to be Daisy’s godmother. Sasha says, when she was growing up, there was no big family, just her and her grandmother most of the time. Thanks to Felicia, Maxie, and Mac, Daisy will have the kind of life she didn’t have. She loves Felicia. Felicia says she loves Sasha too, but why did Sasha make everyone think Jason was Daisy’s father the whole time?

Carly says, Jason looks perfect (FYI, in a suit), and he thanks her. She says, Michael would have probably asked him to be Daisy’s godfather, but Sasha did it first. Michael didn’t have to ask. He says he’s honored, but he was surprised. She says, in the first place, he really stood up as Daisy’s father when no one knew who was. Sasha would have been alone except for him. They must have a genuine bond. He says, they do, and she says, it’s fitting that now he gets to watch over Michael’s daughter like he watched over Michael.

Natalia thanks Brook for coming over. She wanted to speak with Brook privately. Brook asks, what’s going on? and Natalia says, it’s the last thing Brook wants to hear. Deception is in trouble.

Turner shows up at Sonny’s place, and he says, hi, Justine. To what does he owe the visit? She says, for the record, they’re not on a first name basis, and he asks if he should call his lawyer. She says, he might if his attorney can explain why he sent her this. She indicates a box in her hands.

On the phone, Anna says, then get another judge to sign off because she needs the warrant today… Yes, today today… Thank you. She tells Jordan, sorry. Signing off is supposed to be the easy part. Jordan says, don’t apologize. She knows how it works in this office. Anna asks if Jordan put any more thought into what she should do about Curtis, and Jordan says she doesn’t know what’s happening between them, but whatever it is, Portia has a big problem with it.

Portia goes to Curtis’s office and says he must have gotten an early start this morning. She didn’t see him at home. He says he had work he needed to take care of, and she says she understands. she was hoping they could talk. He says, now is not a good time today, but she says she needs to know one thing. Is he helping her with Drew to save their marriage or is he using getting her out of trouble as an excuse to leave her once and for all?

Sasha tells Felicia that there was so much strife swirling around Michael, she didn’t want her child dragged into any part of what was going on around him. Felicia says, being a mother means making hard choices and putting your child first. Sasha was already thinking like Daisy’s mom before she was even born. Another way to be a mom is allowing the family to spoil her daughter. That reminds her. She and Yuri took all the gifts to the nursery. Sasha says, gifts? Plural? Felicia says, Sasha has no idea, and Sasha says she’ll remind Daisy again and again how lucky she is – how lucky they are – to be part of the Scorpio family. Cody stands at the door with a giant stuffed elephant and asks if that includes them.  

Sonny asks, what’s in the box? and Turner asks if he’s really going to pretend he doesn’t know. He says he doesn’t have to pretend. Sorry to burst her bubble. She says, it’s a baseball glove, gorgeous, very expensive. Some of the nicest leather she’s ever seen. He says, whoever sent it was doing her a favor judging by the sad, ugly glove she showed him the other day. She could definitely use it. She says, giving gifts to a public official is a risky move. If it’s seen as a bribe, it’s a felony. He says, is that so? She says, it is, but a squeaky-clean guy like him would never cross that line, would he?

Josslyn says she would make the best godmother the world had ever seen, and Michael says, no doubt, but he and Sasha agreed in the beginning that she would make all the decisions when it came to raising the baby. Josslyn asks if he supports that, and he says, 100%. She decided on Jason and Felicia. Josslyn says she can’t be mad at that. They’re amazing options. She knows firsthand that Jason is the best godfather one could have. Michael says Jason promised to be there for Daisy, just like he was there for him and for Josslyn, and she says, when Michael was in Germany, she couldn’t help feeling the heart of the family was missing. He really is their anchor. He says, speaking of his time away, it sounds like she and mom kept busy. Mom is dating the spy from Christmas dinner and Josslyn went to Easter Island and is now assisting a professor in his research. She needs to tell him everything, like now.  

At the church Jason says, Carly and Michael didn’t make it easy, but it was an honor to watch over them. Carly says she looks back at that time and she’s like, how did I do that? How could she leave her newborn? But she was able to do it because of him. If Michael was with him, she knew he’d be okay. Jason says, and he was, and she says, more than okay. He took care of everything, even Michael’s christening. By the time she walked into the church, her son had a name. He says, two of his favorites – Sonny and Mike. He can still hear Edward yelling, over my dead body! when they announced it. She says, only the Quartermaines would crash a christening, and he says, they had to. They weren’t invited. She says, Edward was so mad. Wow. But not today. There will be no uninvited crashers today.  

Brook tells Natalia that she blew off Tracy’s concerns about Sonny’s investment because she did her due diligence. The money was clean. It was from an account Sonny put aside for the record label. Natalia says, that money was clean, but it was a second follow-up transaction from a different account. If she’d scrutinized it in time, she’d have caught it. Brook asks if Sonny knew, but Natalia says, he had no idea. His finance team handled it. Brook says, Sonny would never do something like that, and Natalia agrees and says, it was a huge clerical error. Brook says, an error that could cost Deception its reputation, and Natalia says, it could, but there are some things they can do to protect the company. Have Sonny divest for safety and optics. There’s also a chance it may never come out. Brook asks if Natalia thinks they need to avoid a scandal, and Natalia says she doesn’t know, but she thought Brook deserved to know regardless. Brook says she appreciates that, but why come forward now?

Anna says, so Portia, General Hospital’s Chief of Staff, threw a drink on Jordan? and Jordan says, Co-Chief and yes. Portia threw a glass of iced tea on her. Anna says, wow, and Jordan says, and she caused a total scene, which is her way. Anna says, good Lord. Talk about overreacting. Jordan says, it’s just Portia’s M.O. in general, but if she’s being honest, she’s not so sure Portia was. She and Curtis do have a connection that runs deep, and she’ll always carry a torch for him. She doesn’t think that will ever change. Anna says, it’s a struggle, carrying a torch for another woman’s husband, one that you still love or have feelings for. It’s kind of brutal, especially when they’ve moved on. Jordan says, that’s the thing. They were reminiscing by the pool yesterday and she started feeling like maybe he felt the same way. Anna says, in spite of what Jordan felt in her head, she knew he was married, and Jordan says, that’s why she asked to stop by Anna’s office. She wishes she could have settled the conflict between her head and her heart before she walked through the door. Anna says she knows where Jordan’s heart is. Where is her head at? Jordan says she’s not the kind of woman to get involved in someone else’s relationship. If she did, she couldn’t respect herself and it would mean she didn’t learn anything from the pain she felt when her marriage fell apart, and she did. Even if Portia is being petty, she could never do to Portia and her marriage what Portia did to hers.

Curtis says, all he can concentrate on right now is getting free of Drew and any leverage he has over Portia. Whatever’s happening between them is lower on the list. Portia says she needs him to move it up. She can’t sit in limbo forever, waiting for him to decide whether their marriage is worth fighting for. He says he understands, and she says, maybe he has a lot going on right now or maybe he’s not ready to fight for their marriage, but she is. He says, if they dive into this right here, right now, she’s not going to like what he has to say, and she says she may not like it, but she wants to hear it. She needs to hear it. He says, okay. He admits that Drew wouldn’t have gone after her had he and Drew not fallen out. She says she’s proud of him standing up to Drew and refusing to be taken advantage of, and he says, right. He appreciates that, but they wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for her lies. After everything that happened with Trina, she promised him that things would be different. She’d always tell him the truth. She knows better than anyone that secrets ruined his marriage to Jordan. Yet here they are, questioning their future together for the exact same reason. Portia hurt him and betrayed him. His mind is blown that she’d be so foolish to put their family in this situation again. She says, wow. She’s glad she’s finally hearing what he’s thinking. He was right. She didn’t like it, but she needed to hear it. Now he needs to hear what she has to say.

Sasha says, of course (🍷) she and Daisy are happy to have Cody and his friend as part of the family, and he says, good to hear, because it could go either way on any given day. But actually, this isn’t his friend. To be honest, he intercepted the delivery guy. There’s a card. Sasha reads: Wishing you and Daisy a life filled with love and happiness. Love, Mom and Dad. She says, it’s so sweet, but it’s a little weird to read mom and dad. Felicia asks if Robert and Holly mentioned anything about visiting, but Sasha says, not yet. But she’s bombarding them with photos and videos. Mostly Robert. She and Holly don’t communicate as much, but she wants Daisy to know both of her grandparents. They hear Daisy cry on the monitor, and Felicia asks if she can get her. Sasha says, sure, and Felicia leaves. Sasha asks if Cody wants to hold the baby, but he says, Daisy is still pretty new. Let her grandparents and cousins break her in before he attempts anything. She says, if he’s sure, and he says he is. She seems happy. She says she is, and he says, that wasn’t the most convincing response. She says, sorry. Everything is fine. He says he knows her. If it’s not, she has to tell him. Seriously, what’s wrong? She says she doesn’t know. Something really weird is going on around here and it has to do with Daisy.

Josslyn says, when Michael has a few hours to spare, they can go to lunch or something and she’ll fill him in on everything he missed when he was gone. He said they’ll definitely go, and she says, he’s definitely paying. He says he missed her, and she says she missed him. So did the kids. How is he doing back home with the kids living with him full time? He says he’s adjusting. They both love being a big brother and sister. She asks if they’re excited about the christening, and he says, yes, but he thinks they’re struggling, Wiley in particular. He asked if his mom would be there, and when he told Wiley, no, he could see the confusion all over his face. How were they having a big family event without mom being there? And it’s only going to get worse. Josslyn asks, why? and he says, because Willow and Drew are getting married.

Brook says she doesn’t understand why Natalia didn’t tell her the second she saw it, but Natalia says she wasn’t sure about it. When she was, in good conscience, she couldn’t move on and not tell Brook. Brook thanks her for telling the truth, unlike some other people in her life, and Natalia says she thinks her son probably had a little to do with her coming forward. Allison too. Brook says, how’s that? and Natalia says, when you have two kids who want to have nothing to do with you, you realize some pretty hard truths about yourself. Like maybe you need to be a better person or a better mom. She just made a lot of mistakes with Marco and Allison. She refused to see the way her children were living their lives as anything other than missed opportunities. She destroyed her family and it’s her own damn fault. Brook says, there’s still time to repair it, but Natalia says she wishes that were true, but there’s nothing left here anymore for her. A lot of pain and hurt, and she thinks Marco is better off without her here. He’s started a whole new life in Port Charles and that’s okay because she has her future wide open now waiting for her.

Sonny says, it must have been sent by a very thoughtful teammate, and Turner says, maybe, but she finds it awfully convenient that the day after they had a run-in at the park, a brand-new baseball glove appears at her door with no note, no return address, and no indication of whom it might be from. He says he doesn’t know what to tell her, and she says, only someone with expert help and motive could pull off a drop that clean. He asks if that’s all she’s got, a gut feeling and no evidence. Is that how she prosecutes all her cases? She says her instincts haven’t let her down yet, and he says, yet. That is the word that matters. She says, okay. Even if he didn’t send it, she can’t accept it. He can pass it along to one of his teammates. Kristina comes in and asks if Sonny is ready to go, when she sees Turner.  

Sasha tells Cody, Daisy is great, but there have been a few things… It started at the hospital when they brought her the wrong baby. They sorted it out, but it still shook her up pretty good. He says, of course (🍷) it did, and she says, then, the first night they were home, the mobile over the crib was spinning. She knows it was off when she left. Then yesterday, when she put Daisy in her crib, she was wearing a yellow onesie. When she went to check on her, not only was she in a pink onesie, she was facing in the other direction. He says, Daisy can’t move around like that yet, right? and she says, no, and she can’t change her own clothes. He says, good to know. The hospital is an easy explanation, but the other stuff, there’s Michael, the nannies, and Mama Q running around. Any one of them could have done it. She says she asked. No one touched anything. He asks if she’s sure. This place is kind of like Grand Central Station. Any number of people could have gone in there and run the mobile or moved Daisy. Unless… She says, unless what? and he asks if she thinks it’s a ghost. She says, no, but it’s really unsettling, and he says he knows, but he’s sure there’s an easy and corporeal explanation for it all. He knows what happened with Liam and knows the journey she was on to get here. She has a second chance at being a mother and he promises her baby will be okay. She asks how he knows, and he says, she’s got the best mom in the world. He thinks he knows and always knew.

Josslyn tells Michael that she guesses she shouldn’t be surprised. Willow and Drew are awful people, so now they’re doing an awful thing. Michael said he was blindsided by the news, and she says she bets. She was so hard on Willow when he was gone, and mom took on Drew. They didn’t actually get anywhere, but they got a lot off their chests. It was like some weird primal scream therapy. Michael laughs and says he’s glad something good came out of it. He’s trying his best to keep the hurt and anger over his marriage out of the equation altogether and focus on what’s good. She says, yes. That’s the right thing to do. The kids love their mom. He says, they want to see her, but Willow keeps choosing Drew over them. By agreeing to marry Drew, she’s making that choice permanent. She says, Willow is going to… Willow, but she’s caused enough drama. So please don’t let it darken what should be a special day.

Carly says she wants to doublecheck security and then she’ll be good, but Jason says he and Sonny took care of that. The church is secure and has been on lockdown ever since. She says she did see quite a few guards, and he says, there are quite a few she didn’t see, so everything’s going to run smooth today. She asks if he’s sure, and he says he’s positive. After the explosion at the penthouse and the attempt on Sonny’s life in LA… She says, both unsolved, by the way, and he says, but they’re on high alert, especially at events like this. If anyone even thinks of making a move, they’ll be stopped.

Turner says, good to see Kristina again. She hasn’t seen her since the trial. How is she? Kristina says she’s okay. It got little crazy at the end when the decision came in. Turner says she remembers, and Kristina says she never got the chance to properly thank Turner for all she did. So thank you. Turner says she was happy to do what she could. It’s her job to bring criminals to justice. It looks like they have somewhere to be. She hopes they have a wonderful rest of their day. Sonny says, her too, and she leaves. Kristina says, the acting DA pays Sonny a house call? Something is going on unrelated to softball. He says, there’s nothing going on. He promises. Could she do him a favor? He left Daisy’s gift in the kitchen. Can she get it and meet him back here? She goes to the kitchen and Sonny makes a call. He says, ADA Turner was here. She’s showing too much interest for his taste, so as far as Natalia goes, there’s a change of plans.  

Anna says, if Curtis is feeling the same way Jordan does and the same pull, she’s probably right, and Jordan says, maybe it’s like Anna said. Being connected the way they are, they’ll probably always feel something. She doesn’t want to think about what that means. Portia and Curtis’s future is unclear, but she knows the issue they’re dealing with is serious. Portia’s been dishonest and kept secrets from Curtis. Anna says, kind of sounds familiar. Would it be fair to say that she and Portia are now on an even playing field? Jordan tells Anna that she can certainly say Portia’s high horse is a lot lower these days, and Anna says she thinks Jordan needs to speak with Curtis, have a proper, honest conversation about all of this. Jordan says, maybe. Curtis is important to her, and she’ll always want him in her life, but the way things are going, she doesn’t know if she can be around him anymore.

Curtis tells Portia, if she’s got something to say, let’s hear it, and Portia says she knows a little something about being hurt and betrayed too. He keeps bringing up Trina and she could have sworn they dealt with that a long time ago. Yet here he is throwing it in her face again. He knows she kept Trina’s paternity a secret from him and Taggert to protect her. That’s why this whole thing with Drew started. She wanted to protect Trina from that lunatic Heather Webber and did what she had to, what she could do, to keep Heather in prison where she belonged. She’ll always do whatever it takes to protect their daughter. She knows he wants her to say she regrets everything, but she doesn’t. He says, at least she’s finally being honest, and she says she’s so tired of living in fear of his judgement, his impossibly high standards, and needing to be right every single time they talk. She’s terrified that she’s going to try her best, but never live up to his image of the perfect woman in his head. She’s a human being. She makes mistakes. Those mistakes shouldn’t cost their relationship. They should work on them and grow from them. That’s what marriage is. He says, secrets can’t be the way married couples solve their problems. He can’t keep secrets from her. She says he didn’t tell her that he and Michael were plotting against Drew. Like he said, that’s what he did that started all this and that’s the reason Drew is coming after her right now. Drew is trying to destroy her life and everything she’s worked for because she’s Curtis’s wife. A wife he’s not sure he wants anymore. He says he regrets every day what he started with Drew, but she says, keep the regrets. She wants some understanding. He says, she has it, and she asks why he feels like what he did is different than what she did. He says, there are differences, but she says, no. There’s hypocrisy and irony because she loves him for protecting their family by any means necessary, but when she does it, he uses it as an excuse to break up their family.  

Carly greets Michael with a hug and asks, where’s Daisy and the kids? He says, Kristina is supervising a photo shoot in the garden before the ceremony, and she says, good luck. She can’t imagine anyone in that group staying still for very long. Sonny says he’s surprised Jason got her to stay still, and she says, they were having a conversation about old times, like Michael’s christening, and how important it is for them all to be together and look out for each other. Sonny says, nothing is more important than family – the family you’re born into and the family you choose along the way. As they all know, family is forever.

Looking at her laptop, Natalia says, Sonny was right about one thing. Belize is gorgeous. Is that sand really that white? That’s crazy. There’s a knock at the door, and she opens it to Paul. She asks, what’s going on? She didn’t expect him until later. He says, everything is fine. There’s just been a change in her itinerary. She’s not leaving tonight. She’s leaving now. She asks where Sonny is, and he says, at his granddaughter’s christening. She says, if he’s taking the red eye, she’ll wait and take it with him, but he says, Sonny’s not going with her. She’s going alone.

Anna looks at some papers and makes a call to Turner. She says, Commissioner Devane. Something just landed on her desk, and they need to discuss it. She needs Turner here now.

Curtis says, Portia is right about protecting Trina, but they have different ideas about what that looks like and the consequences of their different ideas look different. She says she’s apologized over and over. At some point, he has to break down and tell her how to fix this. He says he’s not sure it can be fixed, and she says, so he’s saying this is it? This is how they end after everything they’ve been through together? She understands that he’d never do to her what she’s done to him, but she’d never make him feel the way he’s making her feel. She starts to cry, and he says, she’s hurting and in pain. She says, they love each other and brought each other so much joy and so much happiness, haven’t they? Let’s just get back to that. Just tell her what to do. How they can work through this together. Tell her there’s hope. He kisses her.

 Brook comes into the church and says she ran into Sasha and Daisy outside. That baby is delicious. Carly says she plans on spoiling Daisy every chance she gets, and Brook says she thinks there’s going to be a long line of people waiting to do just that. Carly says, the more love, the better, and Brook says, always. Carly says she needs to find Father Reyes and tell him this has to be perfect, and Michael says, or they could not pressure him and just see if he’s set up for the ceremony. Carly says, we’ll see, and they leave. Brook says, good thing they’re all in the church. The father is going to need all the help he can get. Chase says, so Corinthos and Scorpio. That’s unusual parenting. Felicia says, it is, but Robert seems very happy about it. He and Holly sent a gift to the house. Chase says he’s disappointed. He’d be interested to see Sonny, Mac, and Robert stand around the baptismal font. Felicia says, Mac and Robert can’t be here, so he’ll have to let his dream go. Brook says she wants to run something by Chase, and they go to a more private spot. He asks if she’s okay, but she says, no. She has no idea how to tell Maxie. He says, tell Maxie what? and she says, Deception might be in very serious trouble.

Sonny tells Jason that ADa Turner paid him a visit today. Her reason was innocent enough, but she’s more interested in him than he’d like. Jason says he doesn’t like that, and Sonny says him neither, but it made him think getting Natalia out of town sooner rather than later was the best thing. Jason says, he moved up her flight and Paul is picking her up as they speak, and Sonny says, the last thing they want is for her to run into Turner or anybody else. Jason says, Paul is taking her straight to the airport, and Sonny says, she’s going to be put on a plane and she’s going to Belize, and this can finally be over.

Natalia says, Sonny’s not coming? and Paul says, her name has always been the only one on the manifest, but Mr. Corinthos arranged for her travel, accommodations, and security. She says, but he didn’t arrange to get himself on the plane, and Paul says, he has no reason to need to accompany her. She says, okay. Then she needs like, an hour to pack. He says, that’s fine, but she needs to hurry. He’ll let Mr. Corinthos know her ETA. Paul leaves and she closes the door and cries. She says, Sonny’s not… So there’s not… a future. There’s no new life. Just the same one somewhere else. Did she just tell herself this story? I didn’t do it without your help. Sonny, you bastard. You don’t want anything to do… What happened to not abandoning her? She cries some more and says, he doesn’t want anything to do with her. He just wants her gone. She checks the hallway, grabs her purse, and leaves.

Portia is about to return Curtis’s kiss, when he lifts her onto the desk. They hear the door open and it’s Jordan.  

Brook tells Chase that Sonny’s second investment in Deception wasn’t clean, and he asks if that wasn’t Tracy’s concern all along. She says she’s aware, and he asks how she found out. She says she saw Natalia at the MetroCourt earlier… He says he can’t talk about this, and she says, why? What does he know?

Turner asks what Anna wants to discuss that’s so important Anna had to order her into the office, and Anna says, see that? showing her a folder. It landed on her desk. It was an accident. It was intended to go to Detective Chase. The same detective Turner assigned to a case that she and Detective Falconari were excluded from. Turner asks how much she read, and Anna says, enough to know this stops now. Turner says, really? and Anna says, Turner isn’t running an investigation through her department using her officers without her. Turner says, there are reasons Anna was excluded. First and foremost, she can’t count on Anna when it comes to dealing with Sonny Corinthos. Anna says, okay. If Turner doesn’t trust her, she doesn’t end run her. Take it to internal affairs. Turner says, maybe she will.

Brook says, Sasha and Josslyn are going to bring in Wiley and Amelia, and Carly asks if Sonny is good. He says, yes, he is. He loves moments like this. The whole family under the same roof. They just don’t get enough of them. She says, no, they don’t, when Natalia strides in. Carly asks Sonny why Natalia is here.

On Monday, Portia says Curtis may not see what’s going on here, but she certainly does; Lucas tells Marco that this may be the last chance he has to reach back; Natalia says Sonny is going to get what he deserves; and there’s an explosion.

General Hospital will not be airing a new episode on July 4th.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

First the sad stuff. This still upsets me to no end.

https://extratv.com/2025/06/25/slain-actor-johnny-wactor-s-mom-and-brother-attend-premiere-of-his-final-film-exclusive/

https://extratv.com/2025/06/09/first-look-at-johnny-wactor-s-final-film-ciao-mama-exclusive-trailer/

https://people.com/johnny-wactor-mom-gets-standing-ovation-premiere-of-actor-final-movie-one-year-after-death-11761541

I recognize him, but don’t remember him from GH. His character sounded like a good time though.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/joe-marinelli-general-hospital-and-santa-barbara-alum-has-passed-away-at-68/

Now fun stuff. Hmm… We know Britt’s coming back – I assume in a flashback – so why not? Although Obrecht is still alive, so why not?

https://parade.com/tv/general-hospital-star-67-keeps-fans-guessing-amid-return-rumors

A sign of the times. The only shocking thing to me is finding out there’s another soap character out there named Sonny.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/pride-and-joy-the-romantic-and-dramatic-history-of-gay-weddings-on-daytime-soaps/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

The gay porn guests were still on board and Chef Anthony forgot one of them had a shellfish allergy. Fraser told the guest that it was his mistake, but in his interview, he said he was concerned since bringing on the chef had been his bright idea. Solène cleaned the bar without being told, and Rainbeau went out of her mind with joy. In Rainbeau’s interview, she thought it was kind of sad she was this excited, but it wasn’t long before she found a big mess Solène didn’t clean up. After she confronted Solène, Solène tried to bitch to Jess about it, but Jess wasn’t having it. The guests requested an S&M Venetian private club dinner, and Fraser was happy to oblige, insulting the guests without cracking a smile while serving dinner. The other staff, including Chef Anthony, played along, and a good time was had by all. After the guests left, Captain Kerry said he’d been impressed by everyone’s performances, but unfortunately, the tip didn’t reflect that. It was pathetic. Since there was a commercial, I figured he was doing that thing they do on American Idolwe’re so sorry to tell you… you’re going to Hollywood! But alas, that wasn’t the case. It was $19,990 or $1500 each. He gave them a dinner perk and some time off, and later, the crew lounged in the hot tub. Fraser kissed Damo after his boyfriend had specifically told him that kissing others was a no-no, but in his defense, it sounded like they never see each other, both of them being in the industry.

Next Gen NYC

So I guess 10K for an apartment is on the cheap side now? At least according to Ariana and Hudson who found one for that amount. Charlie said, with his dad, it was one big d*ck measuring contest. Well, it’s only a contest if you enter. He brought some friends to meet his dad and stepmother, probably to prove what an immeasurable d*ck his father is and that the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree. Georgia was dating a guy that sounded like her complete opposite, but he seemed cool and wanted to invest in her heart project. So kudos! One reviewer compared this show to NYC Prep, which I also loved, but this group seems a lot more mature. In thinking about it, it must be really weird to be related to someone on reality TV and probably being their kid is the worst. Georgia, the one native New Yorker, is the one feeling like the odd man out because she’s not there as a nepo baby.

The Valley

Jax needs to have some cheese with that whine. When he wasn’t listing the faults that he supposedly addressed in rehab, he was complaining about how Brittany and the rest of the world treated him. A group trip to Maui was planned, where Jesse intended to propose to Kristen, and at least Jax had the good sense to opt out. No doubt he wanted to party without eyes on him. Not that it mattered a whole lot. With him or without him, there are plenty of issues to go around. Everyone has beef with someone, but when they claim to want resolution by talking it out, the talks usually end up with screaming and/or crying.

Yeah. He doesn’t seem like the nicest guy. And what the blip is Scheana wearing?

Real Housewives of Miami

It never fails that I stop watching something, forget why I stopped, then remember after I watch again for a while. With this, it was the constant screaming matches during events. This time it was during a surprise wedding celebration Alexia was throwing for Marisol and new husband Steve, and between Julia and Gurdy. It doesn’t matter why. It’s always stupid stuff. I felt bad for Marisol though. She was like, hello? Can you deal with this another time and not at my wedding reception?

Random Reality Items

I’m not sure why she was concerned. I didn’t get the vibe she was the bad guy in the situation. Just the opposite.

Below Deck baby leaves the dock!

You, too, can live like the Countess.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem. Netflix. At the time, this guy was an endless source of amusement to me. It was like, what’s next? In watching  this, I could see why people wanted to keep him in office. He really did work for the people. Unfortunately, his extracurriculars got the better of him.

https://people.com/what-happened-to-toronto-mayor-rob-ford-11758556

Grenfell Uncovered. Netflix. Harrowing and upsetting doesn’t begin to cover it. A high-rise apartment building became a literal wall of flame in the blink of an eye because of the inappropriate materials used to build it. Fire freaks me out since it so easily becomes out of control. I can’t even imagine being trapped in an inferno like this.

https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a65170885/grenfell-uncovered-netflix-documentary-trending/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tv/article-14837965/Netflix-viewers-tears-Grenfell-Uncovered-documentary.html

The Ritual. Netflix. Nothing deep here. Sacrificial rituals aren’t my favorite sub-genre, but this is a fun watch. The monster has a slow reveal, but there’s plenty of action leading up to it.

No spoilers.

https://www.unilad.com/film-and-tv/netflix/netflix-horror-the-ritual-watch-creepy-861343-20240828

Lotsa spoilers.

The Fix. Amazon Prime. The air is unbreathable, but there are ways around it. You can wear a mask, but the more affluent can get a drug that combats the poisonous ozone. It can also have some crazy side effects. Apparently, there’s a limited supply, but the public doesn’t know it. Although it seemed like the head guy gave out an awful lot of it to those around him. Since it was something a little different, I didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t one of my favorites. IMO, the plot got more complicated than it needed to be, with unnecessary tributaries thrown in.

https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/prime-video/prime-video-just-got-an-overlooked-sci-fi-thriller-movie-thats-already-crashed-the-top-10-and-its-a-pleasant-surprise

Diary of the Dead. Amazon Prime. I kept missing this part of George Romero’s Living Dead manifesto, so this one’s a little old, but a zombie is a zombie and this delivered. One interesting tidbit was seeing Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead franchise) in the credits as Special Makeup Effects Producer.

Dead City finale. AMC+. Just when you think you’ve seen every way possible the dead can attack, they find something new. There was truly some phenomenal acting. While I’m sad to see this come to a close, I’m looking forward to Daryl Dixon’s next chapter. Spoilers, but come on, you haven’t seen this yet?

⚰️ Dead Of the Future…

Premieres September 7th.

https://ew.com/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-3-teaser-premiere-date-new-photos-11759045

🐙 Join the Game…

Squid Game is back in the house.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-3-review-netflix

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/videos/watch-the-trailer-for-squid-game-season-3

🦈 Have a Bite…

Shark Week begins July 20th.

https://www.discovery.com/shark-week/shark-week-2025-kicks-off-july-20

https://people.com/shark-week-2025-how-to-watch-new-shows-11759071

🐶 Tails Of Surprise…

💍 If I tried this with one of my dogs, it would be chaos multiplied.

https://people.com/celebrity-dog-serves-as-ring-bearer-in-owners-wedding-exclusive-11762126

🐕 Who says cats are the only ones with more than one life?

https://people.com/dog-thought-dead-for-4-years-reunites-with-stunned-family-11760580

🐻 No doubt my dogs would take advantage of the open refrigerator.

https://people.com/small-senior-dog-scares-big-black-bear-out-home-video-11757704

🪽 I love an inter-species friendship.

https://people.com/woman-finds-comfort-in-friendship-between-pomeranian-and-pigeon-after-loss-of-daughter-11759276

🐳 Quotes of the Week

The only defense against the world is a thorough knowledge of it. – John Locke

A year from now you may wish you had started today. – Karen Lamb

Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work. – Chuck Close

You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space. – Johnny Cash

It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. – Herman Melville

Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact. – William James

You’ll have bad times, but they will always wake you up to the stuff you weren’t paying attention to. – Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), Good Will Hunting

I asked my dog what two minus two was. He said nothing. – I don’t remember where I heard this, but it’s pretty funny.

Happy Independence Day!

♨️ We Got Steam Heat…

Until next week, stay safe; stay behaving responsibly on Independence Day, aka the 4th of July; and stay working on your mistakes and growing from them.

June 6, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Anna Gives Sonny a Warning, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Watch Of the Future, Worth Barking About, Decuplet Of Quotes & Summer  

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Elizabeth asked what Lucky knew about her accident, and he said he knew Kristina caused it.

Kristina went to see Michael and said she had so much to tell him.

Laura told Alexis, as Ace’s legal guardian, she got statements from the trust. It looked like 10 million dollars had been removed from the Cassadine estate in the past month and a half.

Rocco showed Lulu the video of Gio smashing his violin at the Nurses Ball and asked, what happened?

Gio showed up at Sonny’s and said he had a question. Did Sonny know?

Brook told Lois, two things would always be true. Gio would always know she gave him up and she would always know Lois lied to her. Gio didn’t want anything to do with her, and she didn’t want anything to do with Lois. Gloria walked in and told her not to talk to her mother like that. If Brook wanted to have it out with someone, have it out with her.

Brook asked if Lois was hiding behind Gloria, but Lois said she was trying to get Brook to understand. Brook said there was nothing to understand. Two people she’d loved and trusted lied to her. Gloria said that was enough.

Rocco asked if it was true that Brook and Dante were Gio’s parents, and Dante said, yeah. Gio was his son and Rocco’s brother.

Alexis told Laura that what she’d seen were investments and apologized for not telling her sooner. She’d thought it was best to diversify some of the trust portfolio and moved some of it to a mutual fund that was high rated. She wanted to make sure Ace’s inheritance remained strong. There was nothing more important than family.

Elizabeth wondered what Kristina had to do with her accident, and Lucky told her about Kristina cutting the brake line to what she thought was Ava’s car. Elizabeth said, it wasn’t Ava’s car though. It was Ric’s.

Michael asked how the family was, and Kristina said she and Molly were great. Her and her mom were… fine. Family was complicated. She couldn’t believe Michael was finally home and walking into a custody battle, but he said it needed to be settled once and for all. Kristina said she knew he wanted to do right by his kids. If he was telling himself that deep down Willow was a good mother and made compromises, it would be the wrong move.

Sonny said Gio had questions and so did he. Why didn’t he come in and get answers? Gio said Sonny didn’t tell him, no, so he must have known, but Sonny said he didn’t know. The first time he heard was when Gio announced it to the world. He hadn’t known Brook was pregnant, which was surprising since he was so close to Lois. Gio said, if he didn’t know, why had Sonny always been so nice to him? Sonny had paid for his lessons, music, and education. Why had he been so generous? Sonny said he knew Gio was special and that hadn’t changed.

Lulu told Rocco that his dad and a lot of people were trying to make sense out of it, and Rocco said, Gio’s mom was Camilla, and his dad was a soldier who died in the war. Dante said they were led to believe that. Gio was lied to and so was everyone else.

Gloria told Brook to calm down and cool off. Emotions were high. She knew it was a lot to process, but Brook’s mother was still her mother, and she was still Brook’s grandmother. She had to show some respect. Brook had been a pregnant teenager, and it didn’t just affect her. Imagine the position she’d put her mother in. Lois said Brook told her that she wasn’t ready to be a mother and she trusted Brook to know herself and respected her wishes. Brook said, by lying? and Lois said, by protecting Brook and doing the best she thought she could for Brook’s child. Gloria said Brook’s mother lied to spare her and it ate her alive, and Brook asked if that’s what Lois told herself, that she was sparing her. Lois said keeping Gio in the family was the only way to ensure he was going to be taken care of and happy. And he was. Gloria said Camilla was a godsend. Would Brook rather they gave him to strangers, and she never saw him again?

Kristina told Michael that she thought Willow would come to her senses and realize being with Drew was a mistake, but Willow was more consumed with Drew now than she ever was, like how it was with Shiloh. She’d been bouncing the kids around and they hardly saw them anymore. Michael said if Drew had his way, it would only get worse. Word had it that Drew bought property in DC.  

Elizabeth told Lucky that they had to tear the car apart to get them. They both had surgery. Ric almost died. How long had he known? Lucky said, since the night it happened. He’d been covering for Kristina ever since.

Gio said there had to be more to it. Did Lois ask for Sonny’s help? Sonny said, she did. She was his oldest friend and the Cerullos were family. He was more than happy to help. That’s what family does. Gio said, Lois lied, but Sonny said it was more complicated than that. Had Gio heard the story about Dante being his son? Gio said, bits and pieces, and Sonny said, when Lois found out, it was before Camilla died. Gio asked Olivia pulled a Lois and never told him about Dante, and Sonny said, she kept it from everybody. He thought she was worried about his affiliations. He wasn’t defending Lois, but she made her choices for a reason. He and Dante knew where Gio was coming from.

Dante said he didn’t know he had a child and definitely didn’t know it was Gio, and Rocco asked, when were he and Brook together? Dante said they’d been camp counselors one summer. They were kids not much older than Rocco. They were teenagers and got careless. They made a mistake. Brook didn’t tell him that she’d gotten pregnant, had a baby, and put it up for adoption. Rocco said, Brook never told him that he had a son? and Dante said he found out the same way everyone else did – when Gio announced it and smashed his violin.

Brook said, if it was up to Gloria and Lois, she wouldn’t have known Gio was hers. She’d continue hoping and praying her son was out there living a safe and happy life. Lois said, he was happy, and Gloria said Brook was acting like they didn’t make sure Gio was loved and well-protected. He was their priority. Brook said they were acting like they’d done nothing wrong and didn’t regret everything. She asked if Lois regretted giving Gio to Camilla, and Lois said, no. Brook asked if Lois didn’t regret lying to her for 22 years and letting her see Gio, never knowing he was her son. Gloria said they made the decision they thought was best, and Brook said, when Camilla died, Gio was an orphan, but they said nothing.

Laura told Alexis not to overextend herself. The Cassadine fortune carried a lot of baggage. Don’t allow it to add to her stress level. Alexis said she needed to follow her conscience, when Suzanne came in and gave Alexis the balance sheets for the Dolos fund, since Laura had been asking about it. Alexis asked if Laura wanted to go over them, but Laura said, in the future, just keep her more informed. Suzanne said she heard congratulations were in order. Laura’s extended family had a new addition. Laura said, excuse me?

Rocco wondered why Brook didn’t tell Dante that he had a kid. He was the best dad. Dante said he didn’t know how much Brook knew, and Rocco said, she knew she had a baby. Lulu said Dante couldn’t answer his questions yet. He was trying to make sense of it himself. Rocco said Gio was his brother, and he missed out on nearly everything with him, and Lulu said she was sorry. His dad would get answers and so would he. Rocco said it was a lot. If it was some big secret, how did Gio find out the truth?

Brook said, Gio was 12 when Camilla died. Didn’t they think he needed a mother? Lois said, it tore Gio apart. They were just getting him through it. Gloria said, the poor boy would have been traumatized all over again, and Brook said her son was alone at his lowest point, but Lois said he was loved and cared for. Brook said, not by her. She was an adult, and they kept her son away from her when he was all alone. She’d never forgive them for that.

Sonny said now that Gio knew Brook and Dante were his parents, circumstances were different, but he got it. Gio asked if it was easy with him and Dante, but Sonny said, not at all. It changed everything. Dante went from being an adversary to being his son. Gio asked if they were cool now, and Sonny said he was proud of that. It took years and it might take time to build a relationship with Dante. Gio said, what if he didn’t want that?

Kristina said taking Michael’s children away didn’t sound like the Willow she knew. She didn’t recognize Willow anymore. Michael said at first, he thought Drew was manipulating her, but she was responsible for her choices. She chose to prioritize Drew and chose to destroy her family.

Lucky told Elizabeth that Kristina showed up at Charlie’s, then ran out. He went after her. She called Ava to try and warn her. Elizabeth said, Ava wasn’t in the car, and Lucky said he found Kristina pulled over near the crash, totally freaked out. She was in shock when she saw Ric and said she’d thought it was Ava. That’s when he knew she’d caused the crash. Elizabeth asked why he hadn’t turned Kristina in to the police.

Lucky said, Kristina could get charged with three counts of attempted murder and go to prison for life, and Elizabeth said maybe that’s where she belonged. He said she didn’t see Kristina’s regret. It wasn’t premeditated, but a crime of passion, a lapse in judgement. When she realized what she’d done, she tried to stop it. Elizabeth said, but she couldn’t. She and Ric could have died. He said the only reason Kristina wasn’t behind bars was because she didn’t die. It was a miracle she survived, and she and Ric were okay. He didn’t see how it benefited anyone to send Kristina to prison. Elizabeth said, what if it kept Ava from being killed? (I don’t know if I’d consider that a benefit.)

Michael told Kristina that he wasn’t the perfect husband, but he loved Willow. He didn’t think they’d ever seen each other clearly and only showed the parts they wanted the other to see, not the dark parts. Kristina said, that would have been honest, and they’d have handled the dark parts, but Michael said Willow couldn’t have handled his.

Lulu told Rocco that Gio found out the truth because of her. She uncovered some information and thought his dad deserved to know the truth. She investigated and found out the baby was Gio. Rocco said Gio was living with them. He didn’t get why Brook kept it from them, and Lulu said she didn’t know what Brook knew. She’d struggled over the right thing to do, but he needed to understand that she respected adoption as well as Brook’s right to make her choice. She took issue with the lies. Gio was his half-brother, and his dad was an amazing father, so when she found out he was here in their lives, she couldn’t keep quiet anymore.

Sonny said he couldn’t tell Gio how to feel, but Dante was a good man and a great father. If Gio give him a chance, Dante would show him. Gio said Dante didn’t like him. He made that perfectly clear after Rocco’s alcohol poisoning. He wasn’t interested in having a relationship because of biology. Sonny said he understood Gio felt hurt, angry, and betrayed. It wasn’t the best state of mind to make decisions. Take his time and see how he felt. Figure it out then and make a decision to what he was open to or not. Gio said, Olivia lied. Did Sonny ever stop hating her for that? Sonny said he never hated her. He was angry and it took a long time to get past that, but loves her. At times he thought about how much time he missed with Dante, but he forgave her and didn’t regret it.

Gloria said she and Brook’s mother her did their best. Brook owed her beautiful life to Lois. Stop hating her and try thanking her. Brook said her child was in pain because they’d both misled him his entire life, but Gloria said they’d made a decision that wouldn’t destroy her life or Gio’s. Brook said they didn’t know what life she would have given Gio, or he would have given her.

Elizabeth asked, what would keep Kristina from trying to kill Ava again? and Lucky said it was a wake-up call, but Elizabeth wasn’t convinced. Why was it on him to cover for her? Her mother was a lawyer. Lucky said it was too late. He helped cover it up, which made him an accessory. She said, so if he went to the police, he’d be charged too, and Lucky said if she felt the need, he’d go, but she told him not to risk prison. It didn’t just affect them. They had to think of Aiden, Ric, Molly, and Alexis, who was still grieving the loss of Sam. She wasn’t sending one of Alexis’s remaining daughters to prison. Lucky said when he saw Lulu, he thought of how much he owed Sam. He thought that’s what drove him to protect Kristina in the first place and didn’t think she would try it again. Elizabeth said it would only harm more people who didn’t deserve to be hurt. She’d keep Kristina’s secret.

Suzanne told Alexis that she was sorry. She assumed Laura knew what happened at the Nurses Ball. Alexis said Suzanne’s knack of oversharing worked out this time. Mayor Collins had the right to know. There was a knock at the door and Marco said he needed to discuss the Dolos fund statement. Suzanne left and Alexis asked what they needed to address.

Michael said he made an error in judgement when it came to Willow. He’s sure she felt the same way. Kristina said it’s not like Drew would make her happy and Michael said he wouldn’t. She destroyed her life to be with him, so it had to seem worth it. He was more important than the children. Kristina said everyone tried to tell Willow and she claimed the children were happy, and he said, the truth was, Wiley and Amelia were no longer emotionally safe. He was going to take the children, no matter the cost to Willow.

Brook said she loved her Quartermaine family, but didn’t trust them. Not until now did she realize they were the family she wasn’t safe with. Gloria said that wasn’t fair or true. Brook’s mother loved her more than anything and every decision she made was to protect her and Gio. Gio wasn’t hurting because of them. That honor went to Lulu Spencer who was messing around in things that were none of her business. Brook said Lulu hated her, so she didn’t expect anything from Lulu. But if this is how they showed her love, she didn’t want any part of it. Lois said she knew Brook was angrier than she’d ever been, but please say she believed Lois loved her.  

Rocco asked if Lulu told Gio, but Lulu said, no. She thought Gio overheard a conversation between her and Lois. She was going to tell Rocco’s dad, but Gio went public before she could. Rocco asked if they wanted him to talk to Gio, and Dante said he appreciated that, but it was on him. He had to figure out where to start. He left.

Sonny told Gio that if he needed a place to stay, he was Gio’s grandfather, so his home was Gio’s home. Even if he wasn’t Gio’s grandfather, it would still be. If there was anything Gio needed, he was here. Gio thanked him, but said, whatever he did next, he’d do on his own for himself, and he left.

Michael said he put his kids in this situation, and it was his responsibility to get them out, and Kristina said she’d help any way she could. Michael said if there was no other option, he’d break Willow down to nothing to keep the kids away. She was going to see a Michael Corinthos she’d never seen before.  

Marco told Alexis that the company was brand new, incorporated in the Grand Keys and in existence less than a month. Their only asset was the 10 million dollars from the Cassadine estate. It had the makings of a shell company, and he wondered if they were dealing with a case of fraud. Alexis said there was no fraud and assured him that they’d been vetted, and he said he realized he was new, but he liked her and the firm. He’d seen set-ups like this before, and it looked like a set-up for money laundering. Was she sure it was good?

Lucky said he was sorry. He owed Elizabeth the truth. She said she was glad he was being honest, but why now? What changed? He said if they’re really doing this, he couldn’t lie to her. He wanted to be worth of her trust. she was the most important thing in the world to him. If she hadn’t survived the crash, he couldn’t have handled it. She said it would be nice when she got her cast off and could move on from all this, and he said that was all he wanted, kissing her cheek. She said, in some ways, they’d taken a horrible situation and made it surprisingly wonderful. Being under one roof was unexpected and part of her would miss this. He said they could still look forward to amazing things like the dinner he was making for her tonight. He went to the kitchen and Elizabeth moved her blanket, uncovering a ring box.

Rocco said he was sure Dante hated how hard it was on Gio, and Lulu said she thought he was right. She had some regrets too, but now she thought Gio needed to figure out how great it was to have Dante for a father. Rocco said he was a good guy. Gio had to see that. Lulu said she thought he would, and he’d see how great it was to have Rocco for a brother. They hugged, when Laura came to the door. She told Lulu that heard it was a very eventful Nurses Ball.

Dante showed up at Sonny’s, and Sonny said he just missed Gio. Dante said he didn’t just miss Gio. He missed 22 years with his kid. He guessed that was Brook’s fault.  

Brook said she believed Lois loved her and believed Lois thought she was doing the right thing, but it was wrong. Not at the Nurses Ball. Were they thinking about Gio, standing up on stage, all alone, smashing his violin? He left the room shattered with nowhere to go and no one to trust. Think about that and tell her that everything they did was for the best for Lois’s grandson. Lois cried and Gio walked in.

Tuesday:

The pool is open! Trina and Kai went to the pool and met Emma there. Emma said her AC went out coming back from Niagara Falls with Gio, and Trina asked where he was now. Emma said she dropped him off at Sonny’s.

Dante told Sonny that he had a hard time seeing Brook the same way and owed Sonny an apology. When he found out Sonny was his father, he didn’t welcome Sonny with open arms. Sonny said they’d gone past that and moved on, and Dante said his mother lied and he gave her the benefit of the doubt, but he was having a hard time doing the same with Brook. Sonny said Dante could be angry with who he wanted, but the important thing was he had a son who was hurting.

Gloria said, thank God Gio came home to his family, but Gio said he wasn’t home and none of them were family. He was grabbing his stuff and leaving.

Alexis wondered if Marco was asking if she was laundering money, but he said, no. He had experience in international banking law and if she found herself entangled or the investment not working out the way she planned or she got in trouble, he was here to help.

Diane gave Ric her witness list and said she’d offered Willow a generous settlement. Ric said he had a few tricks up his sleeve and saw Kristina on the witness list.

In the hallway, Michael told Kristina that he was ready for this to be over, and Jason told Carly to keep cool on the stand. Do what it took to get her grandchildren away from Willow, even if she had to be civil. Drew and Willow came in with Nina, and Willow said she was terrified. Drew said he was here for her and so was her mother, and Nina said, don’t worry. Everything would work out just fine.

Tracy arrived and told Drew, sorry. She was fresh out of ketamine. Willow and Drew went into the courtroom and Drew told Ric that he was counting on him to convince the judge that Michael was no altar boy.

Sasha worried that Ric knew about her and Michael, but Jason said, he didn’t. But if she was called to the stand, she was good under pressure.

Diane said they were about to start and everyone went in. Michael told Jason that they had a problem.

Nina said hi to Sasha, who barely looked at her.

Lois said Gio had every right to be angry, but Brook had nothing to do with this. Gio asked Brook if they’d made her give him up.  

Dante said Gio was reeling, and Sonny said Dante knew what it was like to meet his father as an adult and could relate. Dante said he had a lot of years to make up for, and Sonny said if he and Dante got past it, Dante and Gio could work their way to each other. Dante said he had to get to the courthouse. He was testifying on Michael’s behalf. Sonny told him to go help his brother for both of them, they hugged, and Dante left.

Diane said she wasn’t putting Jason on the stand. Ric would question him about the incendiary device and would say his proximity to Sonny posed a danger to Michael’s children. He wasn’t wrong. Jason said he still wanted to support Michael, but she told him to support Michael from a distance. She asked if Michael was okay, and Michael said, no, but she was right. She said, always, and Michael said he’d be right in. He thanked Jason for understanding. Even after what she’d done, he hated raking Willow over the coals. Jason said it wasn’t about Willow. It was about the kids, and he had to keep them away from Drew. Michael was a great father, and his kids needed him. Jason left and Michael went inside.

Alexis thanked Marco, but said there was nothing to be concerned about. Dolos wasn’t a shell company, and she was perfectly comfortable with the investment. He said if she changed her mind or the investment came under scrutiny, there were ways to mitigate her personal risk. She thanked him, when her phone rang, and he left. She asked what Ric wanted, and he told her to get to the courthouse now. She said she didn’t have a court date, but he said, Kristina did.

Ric said Diane had added Kristina to the witness list. If she testified, she’d most like tell the story about Willow using Michael’s torched body as a bargaining chip. Alexis said, if Willow was worried about that, she shouldn’t have done it in the first place, and he said, like if Kristina didn’t want to go to prison, she shouldn’t have cut his brake lines. Alexis wondered what Diane could ask Kristina that had to do with the divorce, and Ric said, maybe nothing, but she never knew what her daughter might say that would open up a line of questioning. They were starting, so whatever she wanted to do, do it fast.

Josslyn walked into the pool area and Emma glared at her.

Sidwell and Jordan came to the pool and met Dalton at a table. Sidwell introduced Jordan and told her that Dalton was doing cutting edge research at PCU. Jordan said Sidwell told her that he was about to change the world, and Dalton said that was the plan. Josslyn told Trina and Kai that she had to work, but would see them on her next day off. She went over to Dalton’s table and Emma said she was sashaying over like she owned the place and cozying up to Dalton. Trina said Josslyn was working for him, and Emma said Trina’s bestie sabotaged her and stole the job that was practically hers.

Brook told Gio that she had no idea she had a son, but no one made her give him up. She was a teenager and wanted him to have parents who could love and care for him without needing to grow up themselves. Gio thanked her for being honest and got that she didn’t want him, but she said knowing she couldn’t care for him wasn’t the same thing. Gio said she would have found a way, and Brook said it was the hardest thing she’d ever done and carried it with her every day. Lois said, Brook loved Gio enough to give him a better life, even if it meant never seeing him again.

Judge Haran came in and asked to hear from the plaintiff. Diane said her client was seeking full custody of his minor children. They were going to prove the children’s mother abdicated her parental responsibility, beginning with her actions during an extramarital affair with Michael’s uncle. They were offering a 5-million-dollar settlement. Ric said Willow couldn’t be bought. She was a devoted mother and was seeking full custody. The judge told Diane to call her first witness.

On the stand, Carly said she was present at the Quartermaine Christmas party where the video of Willow and Drew having sex in the children’s nursery played, and Diane asked, what happened after it was viewed? Carly said she realized Willow and Nina had left, so she went to the gatehouse where Michael and Willow were living. She found Willow and her mother attempting to remove the children without Michael’s knowledge. Michael showed up before they could sneak away. Diane asked if he stopped them from leaving, but Carly said, he did not. He wanted to avoid confrontation, and Willow was emotionally unaware of how her actions were impacting the children. They were upset, but Willow was only concerned about how the night’s events were affecting her. Diane asked if it was difficult for Michael to watch Willow leaving with the children, and Carly said, it was heartbreaking, but he understood their well-being came first. Diane asked about Willow accompanying Drew to his inauguration, and Carly said Wiley called her. They were spending the night in a hotel suite, and she didn’t think Willow was aware he’d called. He said she was in Uncle Drew’s room. Diane asked if Michael had authorized the children’s transport across state lines, and Carly said, absolutely not.

Josslyn told Dalton that she’d sent out his proposal, and he introduced her to Sidwell. Sidwell said she seemed familiar, and Jordan said she was Carly’s daughter. Dalton said Josslyn was his new assistant, and Sidwell invited her to join them. Josslyn sat down, and Sidwell asked how she enjoyed working with Dalton. She said she couldn’t wait to get into the lab, and Dalton said his screening process was rigorous. He had to find people he trusted. He’d learned that lesson the hard way.

Chase took the stand, and Diane asked if he’d collected Wiley and Amelia from their grandmother’s penthouse. He said they had a court order to do so, and Diane asked if the children were upset. Chase said, not at all. Wiley was especially eager to go home. Diane asked if he hadn’t once been married to Willow, and he said, yes. She asked if Willow had been faithful, and he said, it was complicated. Diane said, yes, or no? and he said, no, she wasn’t.

Jason went to Sonny’s and told him that Diane changed her mind about him taking the stand. Sonny said he hated that the only thing he could do for his son was stay away and the only thing he could do for his grandson was wait him out. Gio had come by earlier and was angry, but Sonny hoped he could make up with his family. Jason said Gio wanted nothing to do with the Quartermaines, and Sonny said, he was especially mad at Lois and Gloria. Jason said, so were the Quartermaines. They were furious and they weren’t the only ones.

Gio asked why he should believe anything they said, and Lois said maybe he shouldn’t. They’d lied to him for his entire life, and she was sorry for that. Gloria told her not to apologize and told Gio not to act like they did a terrible thing. He had a good home, and Camilla was a wonderful mother. She loved him with all her heart, and he loved her the same. He said, then why did she lie to him every day of his life? Even on her deathbed, she didn’t tell him. Lois said they’d spoken to her before she passed, and she’d agreed it would be too confusing to tell him the truth. Brook said, she agreed? Did they pressure a dying woman into keeping their secret?

Ric asked who Willow cheated with, and Chase said, Michael. Ric asked if Michael knew she was married to Chase, and Chase said, he did. Ric had nothing further, and Diane asked to redirect. Did Willow know she was married to him? Chase said, of course (🍷), but… Diane thanked him. The judge told him to step down, then called for a 10-minute recess.

Drew asked if Ric planned on fighting back or was he going to hand the children over to Michael. Ric said, so far, there had been a lot of pearl clutching, even from Michael’s own mother, about him letting Willow take the kids. There were no kidnapping charges filed, and Diane was retreading old territory while they had new and compelling evidence to offer.  

Alexis got to the courtroom and asked to borrow her daughter. In the hallway, she told Kristina that she was getting her out before Kristina got them both thrown in prison.

Dalton said Sidwell had been generous in his support, and Sidwell said Dalton’s research was going to benefit the whole world. Dalton said, if only everybody saw it that way.

Trina told Emma that Josslyn wouldn’t take a job she hadn’t earned, and Kai said Josslyn would be spending the summer in a lab while they hung out at the pool. He intended to make the most of his freedom before training. He asked if Trina wanted to join him and they went into the pool.  

Gloria said Brook should be ashamed to accuse them of such a thing. It was Camilla’s choice. Lois said she didn’t want to pass on and have Gio grieving and questioning his entire life. Camilla made her wishes clear. She didn’t want to die with Gio thinking she wasn’t his mother. Gloria said if Camilla had wanted to tell him, they would have worked things out, and Brook said she got why they didn’t tell him before Camilla died, but afterward, she could have helped him. They made sure she never got the chance.

Diane told Dante that he was up next. Then Kristina, Tracy, and Michael was last. Dante said, Kristina left with Alexis, and Diane said she was testifying that Willow kept Michael’s family from him while he was fighting for his life in the burn unit. Carly said Diane could put her back on the stand, but Diane said they needed to hear from someone close to Michael who could clearly convey what happened. Michael said he thought he knew who could do it.

Sidwell asked Dalton to tell Jordan about his research, and Dalton said he was devising a process to help generate clean energy. Josslyn’s phone rang, she said she had to take it, and left.  

Back at her office, Alexis told Kristina that she was sorry if her absence hurt the case, but there was no choice. Marco came in and said Diane was looking for Alexis. Why wasn’t Kristina in court? Kristina said she was going to tell Diane that it was too triggering, and she was getting flashbacks from the last time Ric shredded her. It was believable. She told Marco that she didn’t think they’d met and introduced herself as the family embarrassment.

Jason asked how much forgiveness Lois needed from Sonny, and Sonny said he didn’t condone what she’d done, but he stood by their friendship because it was Lois. Dante and Brook were spinning and Gio felt the people he trusted the most lied to him. When he was on stage and broke his violin, it broke Sonny’s heart. (Same.) That instrument was his life, and he destroyed it. Jason suggested Gio was taking out his anger out on himself, and Sonny said he knew what it was like and didn’t want it for his grandson.

Brook told Lois and Gloria that they kept saying they wanted to protect Gio, yet they left him without any parents at all. Get out. They weren’t welcome there anymore. Lois said she’d pack her stuff, but Brook said she’d have the staff do it and send it to Bensonhurst. She wanted them out of her sight right now. Lois and Gloria left, Lois giving Brook a long stare (that I couldn’t exactly read).

On the stand, Dante said Michael wasn’t the intended target of the incendiary device. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Diane said, nothing further, and Ric asked Dante to tell the court what this was, giving him a folder. Dante said it looked like Michael’s criminal record, and Ric asked him to read the flagged passage. Dante read that Michael was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served time in Pentenville, and Ric said, nothing further. Diane asked for a redirect and asked Dante to please describe the surrounding circumstances. Dante said, Claudia Zacchara kidnapped Carly who was pregnant. By the time Michael found them, Carly had given birth to Josslyn. Claudia absconded with the baby and in stopping her, Michael accidentally killed her. So he went to prison for protecting his baby sister. Ric then asked, what was the weapon in question? and Dante said, an ax handle. Ric said, for the record, Michael was charged with involuntary manslaughter, not self-defense or justifiable homicide. He had nothing further.

Tracy was sworn in, and Carly got a text from Josslyn: Stay calm on the stand. Don’t lose your temper. Diane said Michael and Tracy had a publicly contentious relationship, yet she was a character witness. Why? Tracy said they had a contentious business relationship. Michael was the lynchpin of the Quartermaine family and was her late brother Alan and his wife Monica’s only biological grandson. He was the future of her family. Drew wanted everything Michael had, including his wife, who enthusiastically obliged. Ric objected and it was sustained.

Ric asked Tracy to explain her arrest, but Tracy asked, why? It was irrelevant. Judge Haran told her to answer the question, and Ric asked if Tracy was arrested for kidnapping Wiley and Amelia. Tracy said she was babysitting at Michael’s request. The children were restless, so she had her bodyguard Yuri take them for a drive. Ric asked if she was refusing to answer, and Tracy said it wasn’t about her. It was about Willow’s fitness as a parent. Willow professed to being the perfect mother, but she was so willing to let Drew use her children as a weapon against their family. Ric asked if she was charged with kidnapping, and the judge told her to answer. Tracy said, yes.  

Tracy left and Diane said she’d like to call Michael, when Josslyn walked in. Diane said, actually, she’d like to request a brief recess to confer with her witness, but Ric said she could prepare on her own time, not the court’s. Judge Haran said she was inclined to agree. Call her next witness or rest her case.

Sidwell said he had another engagement, but Jordan should stay and enjoy the sunshine. He left, and Jordan said she’d love to read more about Dalton’s work. He said he appreciated her interest, but his research was hush-hush, and she said that made her want to read it even more. Why the need for secrecy? He said, the simple answer was that he didn’t want his work subject to public scrutiny until it was complete.

Kai and Trina called for Emma to come in, and she got in the pool. Dalton looked at her and she looked back. (Again, hard to read. Is he a creeper? Is she annoyed?)

Marco said he was the new associate and had only heard good things about Kristina. He left and Alexis said they couldn’t risk Ric questioning her. Kristina wondered if this was how it was going to be. Ric would say jump and Alexis would ask, how high? Alexis said Kristina tried to kill someone and almost killed two people. She didn’t get to be picky about how Alexis covered it up.

Lois went to Sonny’s and said she and Gloria were heading back to Bensonhurst. Her daughter wanted nothing to do with her. Sonny said, she would, but Lois said they’d see about that. Sonny offered to talk to Brook on Lois’s behalf, but Lois said, don’t bother. She was worried about Gio. He had no one looking out for him. Sonny said he’d do everything he could for their grandson, and she said that was all she could ask. She thanked him and left.

Brook said she’d like it if Gio stayed. They could work through this. He said he got it. They were both lied to, but the fact was, none of them wanted him. The feeling was mutual. He walked out.

On the stand, Josslyn said, Willow used the status of Michael’s medical proxy to bar the family from him. He’d filed for divorce, so they were estranged. Michael needed to be surround by family, but it didn’t matter. Willow used Michael’s life-threatening medical condition to get what she wanted and ignored the impact on the family, putting her child’s father’s health in jeopardy. Diane asked where Drew was, and Josslyn said, next to Willow. Diane gave it over to Ric, who said, when Willow forbade the family from seeing Michael, was it after Josslyn’s mother ruthlessly stole the children from their home? Josslyn said, no, and Ric said she didn’t have her niece and nephew taken by her mother? Josslyn said she did, but they were staying with their grandmother. They weren’t removed from their home. Her mother had a court order, so a judge felt they shouldn’t be under Willow’s care. It was perfectly legal. Ric said Josslyn testified that Willow took drastic action after the family used the legal system to separate her from her children. Wouldn’t any mother do anything to fight for her children? Diane objected and said Josslyn wasn’t an expert in motherhood, and the judge said, sustained. Ric said Willow’s only desire was to be reunited with her children. Wasn’t that all she wanted? Carly whispered, don’t take the bait, and everyone waited.

Wednesday:

Anna thanked Jack for stopping by her office. It wasn’t about official police business, but entirely personal.

Emma got out of the pool and Gio gave her a towel. He said he’d been hired as a lifeguard, but was pitching in. He couldn’t stay with her and her grandmother forever. She asked if he’d gotten all the answers he needed.

Lucky directed Elizabeth, sans cast, to a gazebo where a beautiful table was set for dinner. She asked what the occasion was, and he said, her getting her cast off. He thought she’d appreciate a change of scenery and they had a lot to celebrate.

Sonny met Laura at a table by the pool, and she asked if it wasn’t the day of Michael’s hearing. He said he thought it was better if he stayed away. She congratulated him on his new grandson and said that’s why she wanted to meet. She was afraid it would have huge repercussions for the entire family.

Brook stormed into Lulu’s house and Lulu asked what she wanted. Brook said she wanted to know why Lulu blew her son’s life to hell.

Ric asked Josslyn if it wasn’t true that her sister-in-law only desired to be a good mother, but Josslyn said she didn’t know. They weren’t close. She did recall something Willow said at the Nurses Ball though. They were in the ladies’ room and Willow told her that nothing was more important than being with Drew.

Elizabeth said the cast kept her from doing the things she loved, like dancing with him, and Lucky took out his phone. She said, not here, but he said, why not? and put on music. They danced.

Gio told Emma that he’d gotten some answers from Sonny, who had no idea Gio was his grandson. He went back to the Quartermaines’ to get his stuff and ran into Brook, Lois, and Gloria. It was World War III. Lois confirmed that Brook didn’t know he was her son, but that didn’t change the fact that she didn’t want him. Emma said she was sorry, and he said he didn’t know what to believe. Aside from her, the only person he trusted was Sonny. He saw Sonny sitting with Laura and said, and now he wasn’t sure about that.

Laura said there was tension between Lulu and Dante, when Gio interrupted. He asked if Sonny was keeping tabs on him.

Brook said she’d had another ugly encounter with her son, and Lulu said she wasn’t the one who gave up Gio and lied to Dante. Brook said, but she was the one digging into things that were none of her business and was responsible for Gio finding out in the worst way possible. Lulu went at it with Lois backstage where anyone could overhear. Lulu said if she could change it, she would, but Gio was suffering because Brook’s mother perpetuated a huge lie. That wasn’t on her. Brook said she blamed her mother and grandmother, but Lulu couldn’t deny her part in it. She was no way off the hook.

Willow jumped up and said, that was out of context, and the judge told her to sit down and refrain from further outbursts. Ric asked if there was anything more, and Josslyn said it was fuzzy after that. Things escalated when Drew barged in the ladies’ room, threatened her, and told her to stay away from Willow. He said Michael would lose his kids. Ric had no further questions, and Diane called Michael Corinthos III to the stand.

Diane asked if Michael loved his wife and he said he did. She said he not only married her, but made her the adoptive mother to his biological son Wiley, so he must have held her in the highest esteem. He said he did, and she asked if that continued today. He said he was in love and thought it had blinded him to certain red flags. Willow grew up in a cult, Dawn of Day, and he thought she’d suffered from that upbringing more than he’d realized. Ric objected, saying it was speculation, but Diane said Michael had direct insight on his wife’s character. Judge Haran allowed it, and Diane asked him to elaborate. Michael said Willow was taught not to think for herself and to bend to the will of others. She did that with the cult leader Shiloh and was doing it now. She was willing to do whatever Drew wanted even to the detriment of her children. Diane asked for an example, and he said she was a very damaged person. Unless and until her issues were resolved, he didn’t believe she was capable of providing a safe and stable home for their children.

Dalton sat next to Emma and said it was nice to see her again.

Jack said he’d never heard of Dalton, and Anna said he was a world-renowned physicist working on a highly classified project in Port Charles. He was working at Northern Coastal in Berkeley up until a year ago in a secure restricted lab. A student group tried to break in and vandalize the lab, but security caught them before they did any damage. What he was working on was so classified, rather than risk exposure, they had the students sign an NDA and expelled them instead of pressing charges. Within the month, Dalton left Northern Coastal and wound up in Port Charles. Jack said, it could be innocuous, but Anna said it had the earmarks of someone avoiding scrutiny. Dalton specialized in cold fusion. He asked what she thought was going on, and she said her gut was telling her that he was working on something big and potentially dangerous.

Laura told Gio that she asked Sonny to meet her there. It was her idea. Gio apologized and said he was on overload. Sonny said everything was confusing and introduced Laura, saying she was Rocco’s grandmother. Laura said she’d been meaning to reach out and thank him for what he did for Rocco the night he had alcohol poisoning. He was a good friend. Gio said he wished he’d done more. Now he was Rocco’s half-brother. Laura said she was looking forward to getting to know him better, and Gio said he had to get back to work. He left, and Laura said, clearly, Gio was in pain. Sonny said he wished he could do more to help.

Brook said she’d asked Lulu to back off, but Lulu kept digging, even after she said it would hurt her son. Lulu said once she suspected Gio was Dante’s son, she couldn’t drop it, and Brook asked how she figured it out. Lulu said she got suspicious when Dante ripped into Gio after Rocco’s alcohol poisoning and Lois got over the top protective. Things fell into place, especially when she found out Camilla was never pregnant. Brook said she should have stayed out of it, and Lulu asked if Brook really didn’t want to know she was Gio’s mother.

Ric said Michael alleged that Willow was incapable of giving their children a safe and stable environment due to her upbringing, but they should look at Michael’s. He was raised by Sonny Corinthos, a well-known crime lord. Diane started to object, and Ric said, withdrawn. There was no denying that Michael grew up surrounded by violence. He was shot in the head as a child with a bullet meant for his father and Dante had testified that he was caught in a firebomb at the penthouse, which was why he’d been absent from his children’s lives. Even if he wasn’t the target, it didn’t seem like a safe and stable environment for children to grow up in.

Ric said it wasn’t the first time Michael had manipulated the legal system to exact revenge. He’d sued his own father for custody of his half-sister Avery. Ric wanted to revisit the topic of Claudia Zacchara. Involuntary manslaughter was a serious crime.

Elizabeth thanked Lucky for going to all this trouble, and he said he’d thought about this since they were kids. She said, a picnic in a gazebo? but he said it was just the setting for the main event. She asked, what main event? and he said, this, showing her the ring.

Jack asked how Anna knew about the break-in, and she said she did some digging. He said, because Emma was a student? and she said that’s why it was personal. She would involve herself, but he had more resources and latitude. She knew she was on to something. He said he thought it was more like she was being an overprotective grandmother and wondered if it was impairing her usually impeccable judgement.

Dalton said he knew Emma was upset at not getting the job and hoped she didn’t hold it against him, and she said she was sorry she took it badly. She’d been disappointed. He said he had no idea it meant so much to her, and she said she enjoyed his class. She was jealous that Josslyn got to work so closely with him. Vaughn watched them from a nearby table.

Sonny told Laura that he’d spoken to Gio, who wanted to know if he’d known the truth. He hadn’t and thought Gio believed him. He hoped they could keep building a solid relationship. Laura said she thought they could. Gio knew he could talk to Sonny. Sonny said Gio was upset with Dante and Brook, and Laura said she knew Dante had a terrible fight with Lulu. She expected there would be friction for a while. That’s why she thought it was important for both of them to keep an eye out for Rocco. She had the feeling he could use the extra support.

Brook asked if Lulu expected a thank you, and Lulu said she at least expected Brook to stop acting like it was the worst thing ever. Brook said it was up there, and Lulu wasn’t the heroine in the story. Lulu said she wasn’t the villain either, and Brook said, whatever she had to tell herself. Yes. She’d rather be in the dark and sparing Gio the pain. Lulu said Gio would have a family – a father, brother, and a mother again – but Brook said she didn’t know if that was true. Gio pushed them away, and based how furious he was, she didn’t think that was ever going to change.

Diane asked if Michael had contact with his children while he was recovering in Germany, and he said they spoke on the phone. She asked if Willow facilitated the calls, but he said his sister Kristina did. Diane asked if Willow made a concentrated effort to connect him with his children, but he said, no. She said, since the adultery was exposed, had Willow made every action to separate him from his children? and he said, yes. Diane said Willow transported them across state lines for a trip with Drew and he was not advised? and he said, yes, correct. She asked if he’d been advised that on April 14th, Willow signed and filed a document appointing Drew Cain as the children’s guardian in the event anything happened to her, and Michael said, no. She said, no further questions, and submitted photos of Congressman Drew Cain, the guardian of her client’s children, engaging in a frolic with a woman convicted multiple times for solicitation. She asked for the court’s attention on the monitor and showed proof of Willow’s adultery with her uncle-in-law in the children’s nursery playroom. The video played and she rested her case.

Ric said Nina had seen the footage before, and Nina said, at the Quartermaines’ Christmas party. He asked how it came about, and Nina said, Tracy accidentally played it from Michael’s phone. It was from an app. Michael had secretly installed a nanny-cam without her daughter’s knowledge. (Not sure how this applies, since it wasn’t like he would think that would happen.) Ric said it was odd that Michael knew and never said anything, and Nina said, at first, he kept it a secret from Willow. Ric asked if she agreed with what Carly said went down at the gatehouse, and Nina said they did want to leave, and Carly tried to stop them. But when Willow insisted the children needed be with their mother, Michael never put up a fight and gave her permission to take the children. He asked if the children were upset, but she said, not at all, and he asked if it was fair to say Willow loved her children and they loved her back. Nina said Willow was the best mother she’d ever seen. Her children adored her. In her opinion, Michael didn’t want custody. He was just angry and punishing Willow for falling out of love with him.

Diane asked when Nina last spoke with her son-in-law, and Nina said she tried to speak with him at the Nurses Ball, but he was too busy snatching her grandson. Diane said, just answer the question, and Nina said, not since before he went to the hospital. Diane said, the same night he filed for custody, so her opinion on his motives for wanting custody was just speculation, and Nina said, yes.

Felicia went to Anna’s office and asked if she was interested in a bite, but Anna said she’d lost her appetite. Jack was there and she asked him to investigate something she was suspicious of that involved Emma. He accused her of being over-protective. She asked Felicia to put on her P.I. hat. She’d give Felicia the facts and Felicia could tell her if that was the case.

On the phone, Vaughn said he was hanging by the pool… No problem. He’d come right over. He left.

Dalton asked what Emma’s plans for the summer were, but she said she hadn’t figured them out. She might take an internship with a cosmetics lab, but it wouldn’t be like working in his lab. Was there any chance they could meet met up sometime? She had so many questions about things they’d talked about in class. He said he’d be delighted. His door was always open.

Josslyn’s phone dinged and she told Carly that it was work. She left, and Ric asked Sasha her occupation. She said she’d been the cook at the Quartermaines’ for a little over a year. He asked if during that time she witnessed any interaction between Michael and Willow, and she said she had. She even babysat the kids. He asked her to describe their relationship, and she said there was nothing out of the ordinary until she saw Willow kiss Drew on the 4th of July last year. He asked how she felt, and she said she was stunned and felt bad for Michael. They were friends. He said they were once engaged. Was their romantic relationship sexual in nature? Diane said it was irrelevant, but Ric said it spoke of the nature of their relationship, and the judge told Ric to proceed with caution. Sasha said, during the course of their relationship, they had sex, and Ric asked when their relationship ended. She said, 2021, and he asked, when was the last time they had sex?

Vaughn said he had Dalton under surveillance, and Jack said they hit a major snag. As they suspected, Anna was on to Dalton and close to launching her own investigation. Vaughn said, that could spook Dalton and send him underground, and Jack said, or worse, he could halt his research. They didn’t want him selling it, but they did want the technology for themselves. Anna couldn’t get in their way.  

Felicia wondered how Emma would feel about Anna asking the WSB to look into her professor, and Anna said, Emma would tell her that she was overstepping. But she felt she was on to something. Felicia said, was she, or was she overcompensating because of Robin?

Dalton told Emma to let him know when she wanted to meet up, and she said she’d be in touch.

Laura said she was sure everything would be done to shield Rocco, and Sonny said he was a sensitive kid. He’d figure it out. Laura said she thought it was important that he knew he could talk to them. She thought they should present a united front to show the whole family wasn’t torn apart. Sonny said he thought Rocco had a wise grandma, when Boyle approached the table with his phone recording. He said it was their esteemed mayor with Public Enemy Number One. Smile for the camera. It was a livestream for the people of Port Charles.

Lulu said she was sure Gio would come around, but Brook said she wasn’t. It didn’t have to be this way and would have been different if Lulu had come to her and let her decide. Lulu said she thought Brook would keep lying, and Brook said Lulu made a huge life-changing decision for her and her kid. She should have respected Brook as a mother instead of trashing her entire life. Congratulations. Lulu always wanted to destroy her life and finally succeeded.

Ric asked, when was the last time Sasha and Michael had sex? and Sasha said she didn’t understand why he was asking. He said he thought she did, and Diane objected. Judge Haran told him to get to the point, and he asked if Sasha was at the Brown Dog Bar on October 30, 2024. She said, yes, and he asked what she did. She said, drink, and he asked, how many? She said she didn’t know. She was upset after finding out her boyfriend was her cousin. He said, when she left, was she alone? and she said it was none of his business. The judge told her to answer, and she said she left with someone. Ric asked who she left with and reminded her that she was under oath. She said she left with Michael.  

Vaughn suggested Josslyn get involved, but Jack said she was too green to go up against a former agent. Vaughn said he knew how to handle Devane.

Anna said she’d always regret not being there for Robin when Stone died and she was diagnosed with HIV, and Felicia said she didn’t have to be over-protective because of it. Anna said, what if both things were true? She over-compensated, but she also trusted her instincts and they were telling her Dalton was working on something illegal.

Gio asked, who was that guy? and Emma said her professor. Gio said, the physics guy, and she asked if he was still there. He said, yeah. Why? She took off her towel, revealing her bikini bottoms, and Dalton watched.

Lucky said he’d loved Elizabeth almost his entire life, since the first day they met. They had their had ups downs, and he knew they’d been through so much. It seemed like madness, but they’d also matured a lot – her more than him perhaps, but deep down, the connection was still there. He believed more than ever they could still have the life they’d envisioned since they were teenagers. He got down on one knee and said all he wanted was to spend the rest of his days with her and Aiden and her boys. So would she do him the honor of marrying him… again? She said she loved him so much, but the answer was no.

Sonny said he was in no mood, and Boyle said this was why when the people hit the polls, they should vote for Ezra Boyle for mayor and vote yes on Measure C. Laura asked if he was done, but Boyle said he had so much more. Gio walked by with a stack of towels and accidentally on purpose knocked him into the pool. Gio said he was so sorry. He hadn’t seen Boyle. Laura and Sonny laughed as Boyle flailed around in the pool, and Laura said she liked that grandson of Sonny’s. Sonny said, he’s a winner.

Lulu said it was unbelievable. She was just trying to do the right thing and Brook and Dante were thinking the worst of her. Brook said she was glad to hear Dante didn’t believe Lulu’s act, and Lulu said, at least they knew Gio was their son. How it played out was up to them. She was out. She started to walk away, but Brook asked if she thought it was going to be that easy. Lulu was going to blow up her life and walk away? If she did, she was in for a rude awakening. Brook walked out.

Ric said Sasha and Michael left the bar after consuming a lot of drinks. Did they have sexual relations that night? Unless she wanted her baby born in Spring Ridge, answer truthfully. Sasha said, yes. They left the bar and had sex, and he said, here they were, 9 months later. He understood she was claiming Jason Morgan was the father. Was that really true? Or is Michael Corinthos actually the father? Sasha said Ric was a disgusting creep. Yes. It was true. Michael was the father of her baby.

Thursday:

Lucky asked Elizabeth to marry him – again – and she said she loved him so much, but her answer was no. He asked if she meant no now or forever.

At the pool, Lucas met Marco with a Mai Tai, and they clinked glasses.

Maxie met Sonny at a poolside table and asked why he wanted to meet privately. He said he didn’t want Lucy’s spin on it and asked how badly Deception needed Sidwell. She said, right now, they needed Sidwell more than they needed him.

Curtis told Portia to relax, and she said they were sleeping in separate bedrooms. How was she supposed to relax? He said he didn’t want the family to figure out something was wrong and ask questions.

Kai and Trina arrived at her house, Kai bearing flowers.

Jason met Anna at the park, and she said she needed his help. He’d be helping Carly too.

Jack said, Josslyn saw Sidwell and Dalton together? and she said she’d seen on Dalton’s calendar that he had a meeting at the pool. It being Sidwell was just a lucky break, and she was asked to join them. Jack asked if she’d learned anything interesting, and she said Sidwell was sponsoring Dalton’s research.

Ric said, on October 30th, Sasha had sex with Michael which resulted in her pregnancy, and she said, yes. He said, on October 30th, the night before Willow and Drew made love (gag), but she said she wasn’t there. She had no idea. He said, to the best of her knowledge, as far as she knew, was Michael unfaithful first?

Elizabeth said told Lucky that she didn’t see a way of their lives fitting together, and Lucky said he’d disappeared before and didn’t blame her for thinking he wasn’t going to stick around for the long haul, but he knew he could, and he wanted to. She said she loved having him there, and he’d hold on to the ring and prove every day that he was in it for the long haul. She said she believed him, but he had to ask himself, would it really make him happy?

Trina said she hoped Drew would focus on someone else and get off Portia’s back for a while. The doorbell rang, and Trina opened the door to Marshall. He asked how his favorite granddaughter was, and they hugged.

Maxie said, Sonny’s investment kept Deception afloat at a crucial time, but they’d made the money back several times over. Their Youth Truth serum was going through the roof, and the more demand for the product, the more zincite they needed. Sonny asked if Sidwell was the only one who could access it, and she said if he knew someone else who was sitting on a pile of it, introduce her. She’d heard the stories, and wasn’t happy working with Sidwell, but right now they were making money because of him. Money she needed because her kids refused to stop growing and eating. So she was putting her misgivings aside until he gave her a reason not to. Natalia walked in, saw Marco, went to the bar, and ordered a vodka soda.

Jason asked what Carly had to do with it, and Anna said, the new professor at PCU, Henry Dalton, was doing extensive research. It looked above board, but she was concerned that it was more dangerous than he was letting on. She needed help to prove she was right. Jason said he didn’t see what that had to do with Carly, and she said, Dalton hired a new research assistant – Josslyn.

Josslyn asked if she should get close to Sidwell, but Jack said he’d take care of Sidwell. Concentrate on monitoring Dalton. What was inside this box would allow her to clone the contents of his phone. He also knew Anna was suspicious of Dalton. She said, because of Emma, and he said Anna was determined to go after him. She said they needed to find a way to discredit Emma so Anna would stop looking, and he said they couldn’t attract Anna’s attention to the Bureau and had to let it blow over.

Ric asked, how inebriated was Michael? but Sasha said he’d have to ask Michael. He asked if drugs were involved, and she said, absolutely not. He asked if Michael had cheated with other women, and Diane objected. He withdrew the question and said, her witness. Diane said, let’s talk timelines. Sasha testified that she’d witnessed Willow and Drew share a kiss on July 4th, 2024. In a subsequent conversation, did she tell Sasha about a second kiss in early September? Sasha said, yes, and Diane asked if Willow confessed the nature of her feelings. Sasha said Willow told her that she had feelings for Drew that she couldn’t control, and Diane said, let the record reflect both the kisses and Willow characterizing her feelings happened before October 30th. Judge Haran said, so noted, and Diane had nothing further. The judge told Sasha to step down, but Ric had a redirect and asked how much Michael paid her to hid the fact she was carrying his baby.

Natalia said she was glad she ran into Marco, and he introduced her to Lucas. She said, nice to meet him. She needed to talk to Marco alone. Lucas said he’d be at the bar, and left. Marco asked if she realized how incredibly rude she was, and she said she was sorry, but they had important family business to discuss. Allison still wasn’t returning her calls. Could he please ask her to return one text or call. She’d like to join Allison on tour, and they needed to discuss things. Marco said, despite his better judgement, he introduced her to Lucas, who was important to him. Instead of making an effort, she wanted him to convince his sister to bring her on tour. Natalia said stop making her the bad guy. Allison needed to stop her tantrum and realize she needed her.  

Maxie told Sonny that she needed to take care of something quick and went over to Lucas. She said, please tell her that complete snack wearing the hell out of that swimsuit was Marco. He said it was, and she said she needed details. He could start with what Marco and his mother were fighting about. They didn’t look happy. Natalia told Marco to let her explain, as Sonny watched them.

Marshall said it was good to see them, and Curtis said, Aunt Stella and TJ were sorry, but they had to work late. Marshall said he was sorry he wouldn’t be there long enough to them, but it was just a short stop over, then the tour was back on the road. Curtis said they loved him and were proud of him. He was touring with Wynton Marsalis. Trina introduced Kai to Marshall, and Kai said it was nice to finally meet him. Marshall said he’d enjoyed Kai’s games. He had impressive improv skills and Marshall was sorry his career got cut short. Kai said he was on his way back to playing. It was miraculous. He’d met some who made it their mission to get him on the field again.

Elizabeth said she fell in love so young. The feeling had never gone away, and she couldn’t imagine it ever would. Loving him meant she wanted his happiness as much as her own. He said, being with her made him happy, but she said it meant being in Port Charles, the same town, the same house, and the same routine. She knew it was too small of a place for him and the last thing she wanted was for him to live an unfulfilled life just to prove himself to her. Was Port Charles really where he wanted to be?

Sasha said, Michael didn’t pay… She doubled over and Ric asked if she was all right. She said she was fine, and he asked if Michael told her to keep their tryst a secret, but she said they both felt no one else needed to know. He asked, why? and she said because she worked for his family, loved her job, and didn’t want to jeopardize it. He asked what Michael’s reason was, and she said she couldn’t speak for him, but she knew he still loved Willow, even after he found out she’d kissed his uncle, so maybe that. He said, when she found out she was pregnant, did she tell Michael? and she said, yes. He asked if Michael instructed her to keep it secret, but she said, no. She was the one who insisted. Michael was willing to claim the child publicly, but she asked him not to. She knew what was coming for Michael and Willow and didn’t want her baby going through that. She wanted to protect her baby from a life where the people around them tear each other… She gasped in pain.

Lucky said he loved Elizabeth and wanted to be with her, but maybe she was right. Port Charles would always be important, but it wasn’t his home anymore. Being there full time wouldn’t fulfill him, at least right now. Elizabeth thanked him for being honest, and he said he’d give anything to be the kind of person who was content staying, but she said, if he was, he wouldn’t be the person she loved. He said it was unfair. They’d just found their way back to each other. She said it would be more unfair if she asked him to stay, and he suggested she leave with him instead. They could go see the world together.

Trina told Marshall about the day Josh came early and Kai was on his pain meds. He just kept petting her sweater and saying, fuzzy. They all laughed, and Kai said Josh was a great guy, but he couldn’t wait until he could play again and his part in the documentary was over. Trina said, or they could go out in public without someone following them asking questions. Marshall said it was both flattering and a chore, and Kai said, Congressman Cain was generous enough to arrange and pay for his surgery. He felt the documentary was the least he could do.  

Anna said Josslyn would be working closely with Dalton, and Jason said she needed to tell him everything she knew about the professor. Anna said she became suspicious when the Emma thing didn’t add up. Dalton taught at Emma’s previous university. She was arrested for protesting his research, but instead of charging the students, the university swept it under the rug. It was almost as if the school didn’t want to call attention to it. After that, Dalton turned up there at PCU. Jason said none of that told him that it was worth investigating, but she said, the fact that the WSB was looking into it should.

Marco said Ally had worked up the courage to tell Natalia who she really was, and Natalia pushed her aside, like she did him. Natalia said she was trying to be better, and she was better, but Marco said, not enough. In the years when he needed a mother, she wasn’t there. The best thing to do was leave Ally alone and stay away from him too.

Sasha said she thought she was in labor, and Rick suggested it was cheap theatrics. Michael yelled at him to back off and ran up to Sasha, and Judge Haran adjourned the court while the witness got medical attention. Michael promised Sasha that it would be okay, and she said it wasn’t supposed to happen for another month. She couldn’t lose the baby. It couldn’t be like Liam. He said it wouldn’t. They’d get her to the hospital on time. She said there was no time. The baby was coming now. Willow said, let her help.

Willow asked if Sasha was feeling pressure or the urge to push, and Michael asked if she thought she could make it to the hospital, but Sasha said she wasn’t going anywhere. The pain was too strong. He said the paramedics were on their way, but Willow said they wouldn’t be on time. Sasha’s water broke and her contractions were two minutes apart. The baby was coming any second.

Lucky said they could see the world together. Elizabeth was an amazing nurse. Think of the good they could do. Every day would be an adventure. (Packing now.) Elizabeth said, what about their son? and Lucky said he could come too. His parents bounced around. She said he was born into that life and didn’t know any different. Aiden had friends and family here. He had school and Tobias. He was graduating soon and would apply for college. She didn’t know if he wanted to be uprooted. He said, Aiden came first, but when he went to college, they were free and could go wherever they wanted. Elizabeth said it wasn’t just Aiden. She had a life here too, that she loved. She had friends and family and a career that she didn’t want to leave behind. It would make her as unhappy as he would be if he stayed.

Natalia said she knew she made a mistake and wanted to make it right if Marco would give her the chance, but Marco said he had. And she disappointed him every time. He was done thinking she was going to change and done with this conversation. Go get drunk somewhere else. She walked away and Sonny asked her to have a seat. She sat with him and said, when she tried to fix things with her kids, why did she make it worse? He said they were hurt. She needed to give them space. They’d come around when they were ready. She said Marco’s father was doing everything in his power to keep them apart, and Sonny said, Marco seemed like a smart guy. Sooner or later, he’d realize he needed his mommy. Natalia asked why Sonny was being so nice.

Jason asked how Anna knew the WSB was involved, and she said, Brennan. He said, Jack told her? and she said, he may as well have. When she told him her suspicions, he completely dismissed them out of hand. He said her judgement was clouded because of Emma. Jason asked if there was any chance he was right, and she said she was good at what she did. It didn’t behoove Jack to wave off her suspicions. He asked if she thought Jack was trying to throw her off, and she said she was certain of it. The fact that he said there was nothing there meant there was definitely something there. She had no idea about the WSB’s plan, but if it warranted their attention… He said, it’s got to be big, and she said, and therefore dangerous. Josslyn had no idea what she was being pulled into.

Jack said, in order to avoid Anna’s scrutiny, she needed to believe Josslyn was who she thought Josslyn was, and Josslyn said she was a hard-working college student with a job in a science lab. Josslyn said, if Anna asked any questions, she didn’t know what Anna was talking about. Jack said if Anna popped in the lab, Josslyn would be surprised. Under no circumstances was she to run interference. Was he clear?   

On the phone in the hallway, Carly said, what did they mean, the paramedics couldn’t get through?… There was a protest about Measure C? Tell them that a woman was having a baby and to come now.

Drew told Ric that he was nervous at first… Nina interrupted and said, what the hell was Ric doing? He said his job, and she said she gave him everything, even the contact information on the bartender who saw Sasha and Michael leave together. All he had to do was establish they’d had an affair. Carly stormed over and said, it was her. Nina was the reason Ric found out it was Michael’s baby.

Lucky said he fell in love with Elizabeth the moment he saw her sneaking a cigarette outside Kelly’s all those years ago, and he never stopped loving her. He’d always love her. She said she’d always love him. She wouldn’t be who she was today without him. They used to want the same things, but the people they grew into… He said, not so much.

Lucas asked what was with Marco’s mom, and Marco said, same as always. Lucas said he was sorry. If Marco wanted to talk, he was there. Natalia seemed upset. Marco asked if that was Lucas’s way of telling him that he was too hard on her.

Sonny said he’d been where Natalia was at with his son Michael. They were able to find their way back to each other and he thought her kids would do the same. She had to back off and let it happen. Maxie waved to him from the bar, and he said he had a meeting and asked her to think about what he said. She said, yeah, and thanked him. Sonny left, and she looked at Marco. She called Sidwell and said she was done letting him put her off. He owed her and she was coming over to collect. She drained her drink and left.

Portia said, Michael showed up? and Trina said she left out the part about Willow seeing Wiley running into Michael’s arms. It was quite an entrance and exit. He picked up Wiley and walked out. Portia said she was sorry she missed it, and Trina asked why they had to leave early. Portia said she told Trina. They both had work in the morning, plus her father had to phone some affiliates in Japan. But they were there for the most important part, Trina’s song.  

On the patio, Marshall said Kai seemed like a solid young man, and Curtis said he was and he treated Trina well. Marshall said that was all that mattered, but something Kai said had him worried, and Curtis said he thought positively about Drew. Marshall said they both new Drew Cain didn’t deserve his admiration, and Curtis said Drew had been good to Kai, but he hoped Drew didn’t turn on Kai the way Drew turned on him.

Willow said Sasha was doing great. She could do this. Sasha said she couldn’t lose another child, and Michael said the baby would be fine. From the information she’d sent him, he knew the baby was healthy and strong. She’d done everything right and she was going to come through the pregnancy. She was one of strongest people he’d met, and he knew she could do this one last thing. Willow said the baby was crowning. This was it. Take a deep breath and one last big push. Sasha pushed.

Carly said Sasha was Nina’s friend. How could Nina betray her like this? Drew said it happened because Carly insisted on a court date. Now Michael would know she betrayed him, and he’d lose custody of his children. Carly said he didn’t give a damn about Wiley and Amelia. He was helping Willow to hurt Michael. Nina said Carly was trying to take Willow’s children from her to hurt Willow, but Carly said she was protecting her grandchildren. Willow had lost all sense of decency and common sense to be with Drew. Drew said they loved each other and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. He didn’t know why she couldn’t accept that. Carly said she wasn’t the only one who had a problem with him. She knew for a fact Nina was the one who hired Jacinda and had him drugged.  

Sasha wondered why the baby wasn’t crying. Please tell her the baby was okay. The baby began to cry, and Willow picked up the biggest preemie in history. She said, it’s a girl.  

Elizabeth asked if Lucky planned on leaving Port Charles soon, and he said, yeah. He knew it was sudden, but being here and knowing they couldn’t be together hurt too much. He should find Aiden and talk to him. He had no clue how to tell Aiden that he was leaving again. Elizabeth said she might have a thought.

Josslyn told Jack that if she saw Anna, she was her friendly neighborhood student assistant, and he said he’d take care of Devane. She asked what he was going to do, and he said he was just informing her. It was her job to concentrate on the mission and not question outside her purview.

Anna said she couldn’t be 100% certain her suspicions were correct, but Jason said, the fact that the WSB was interested pointed to her being right. Anna said, now Emma was going after Dalton. Emma denied it, but she knew and couldn’t allow her to get involved where she might get hurt. She needed to find out what Dalton was working on and what he intended to do with it. Jason said, and if Josslyn is in danger, and Anna said she couldn’t get directly involved. Dalton would know the WSB had eyes on him. She needed him to look into Dalton for her, but promise not to confront him directly. He said he’d take care of it.

Sonny thanked Maxie for the meeting, and she said she wanted to make sure he wasn’t offended. He said, no, but he thought they should be more careful. Sidwell knew when he invested in Deception that Sonny was an investor. He was positive Sidwell’s interest in Deception was actually an interest in him.

Lucas told Marco that his relationship with his mom had a lot of ups and downs, but they were both willing to work on their issues and got through it. It was hard to believe she was gone. They lost a lot of time fighting, but when they worked things out… Marco asked if it was Lucas’s subtle way of telling him not to cut his mother out, but Lucas said it wasn’t his place. He was just offering his own experience. Marco said he was glad Lucas did, and took his hand.

A police officer gave Natalia a breathalyzer test and said it was .12, way over the limit. Natalia said she felt fine, but the officer said she was under arrest for driving while intoxicated. She argued as he cuffed her and read her rights.

On the patio, Kai left to get Marshall a refill, and Trina said, so? Marshall said he seemed like a nice young man. Did he make her happy? She said, so happy, and he said that was all they needed to worry about. She said she missed him, and he said he missed her too. More than he could ever say.

Portia said she’d told Trina that she and Curtis left early because they had work in the morning and he had a call from affiliates in Japan, and he said she was good at making up stories these days. Portia said she was sick of it. The snide comments, the tension, and straight up anger he’d been throwing her way. He said, deal with it. They can’t figure out what to do about their marriage until he finds Jacinda and pays her off to say Drew hired her for sex then took ketamine on purpose. (He’s out of the loop.)

Willow gave the baby to Sasha and Sasha said she was so beautiful. Michael said she was amazing, and thanked Willow, who nodded. They all looked at the baby, and the paramedics came in with a gurney.  

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Marshall says he’s overjoyed at how happy Trina is with Kai, but Kai’s admiration for Drew Cain is a bit unsettling. Curtis says he doesn’t like it either, but he hopes Kai sees the truth about Drew. Marshall says he hopes it happens sooner rather than later.

Molly goes into the interrogation room and as she’s looking at a folder, she says she’s here to ask a few questions of… Miss Ramirez. A still drunk Natalia says she doesn’t appreciate being held like a common criminal. She holds up her cuffed wrists and says, look at this. It’s harassment because she knows Sonny Corinthos. Tell the police they’re not going to get away with it.

Jordan says, since the Nurses Ball, Sidwell has been well-received. She thinks he should donate to the July 4th celebration, keeping him in the spotlight as a philanthropist both corporately and as a citizen. He says he’d like to look into it, when Marco comes in. Marco says he doesn’t mean to interrupt, but Sidwell says, he’s not. They’re just wrapping up. Unless of course (🍷) … Jordan says she has one last question, about Henry Dalton.

Jason says he’ll get what he can on Henry Dalton and confirm the WSB’s interest in him, and Anna thanks him. He says he’ll be discrete, and she says she appreciates it. ADA Turner comes by and says, it’s a nice night for a stroll, but a curious place for a chat. Or did she interrupt a meeting?

In Sasha’s hospital room, Michael says, the baby is so beautiful, and Sasha says, the doctors say she’s perfect, even if she did come early. Sonny comes in and says he could have told her that. He and Michael hug, and he asks how Sasha feels. She says, better than ever, and Sonny says, congratulations to both of them. Michael introduces him to his new granddaughter Daisy, and Sonny says, hello, little one. Welcome to the world.

Carly and Felicia hug, and Felicia says, Bobbie would be so pleased. Another Spencer woman in the world who also happens to be a Scorpio. Carly says, Daisy has a flair for the unconventional, which means she’ll fit right in with in both families. She’s just thankful Daisy is healthy and safe. Felicia says she thinks the woman Carly should thank is Willow, and Carly turns to see Willow standing there.

Nina knocks on Drew’s door and says she knows he’s in there. He needs to listen to her. He opens the door and says, don’t waste her breath. It’s too late. Nina says, Willow knows? and he says, not yet, but the second she comes home, he’s telling her that her own mother set him up. She tried to destroy his life and reputation. She says, if he does that, they’ll both lose Willow. She guarantees it.

Curtis says he really missed Marshall, and Marshall says he missed his family too. He’s sorry Portia got called back to GH. He kind of got the feeling that she was using work as an excuse to get out of the house. Is there something Curtis wants to tell him?  

Molly says, according to the arresting officer’s report, Natalia blew a .12 on the breathalyzer. Then she grabbed the breathalyzer out of the officer’s hand. Natalia says she doesn’t want to cause any more trouble. This has taken so much of her time already. Just let her pay the fine or whatever. She wants to go. Can she go? Molly says she doubts that’s going to happen, but it’s up to whoever is prosecuting the case, and Natalia asks if she isn’t it. Molly says, normally she would be that, but she’s going to recuse herself because of personal bias. Otherwise, Natalia’s lawyer could claim she’s not impartial. Natalia says she doesn’t know Molly, but Molly says she knows Natalia, for the homophobe that disrespected her sister.

Sidwell tells Jordan, Henry Dalton has innovative ideas on forms of clean energy and he’s funding Dalton’s research. She says she thinks that would be more proof of him being a philanthropist, but he says, not yet. The research is promising, but he’d like to wait to highlight his involvement once it’s successful. Marco says he assumes this is part of Sidwell’s push to position himself as a legitimate alternative to Sonny Corinthos, and Sidwell says, maybe. Before Jordan goes, he’d like her to show Marco more of the latest polling. She says, the latest polls show that 62% of the voters want Sonny’s piers taken from him using imminent domain. That means Measure C is on track to pass. Marco says, that’s the last thing Sidwell wants.

Anna says, not that it’s any of Turner’s business, but she and Jason were discussing her granddaughter, Emma. Emma and Jason’s cousin Gio left the Nurses Ball together. She can understand their concern. She was there, wasn’t she? Turner says she was, and nothing brings you closer together than family. Jason asks if this is official or is he free to go, and Anna says she doesn’t know. Maybe Turner is going to arrest him for speaking to her or her for talking to him. Turner says, they’re both free to go, and Jason leaves. Turner says, Anna has to see how bad it looks meeting in secret. Even if nothing happened, the implication of impropriety is there. Anna is a public servant and needs to be aware of how she’s perceived. Anna says, suspicious minds will always find something wrong. There’s nothing she can do about that. Turner says, her behavior is compromising the public’s trust in the city of Port Charles and their leaders, and Anna says, save it for her stump speech. Turner asks how Anna knows, and Anna says she respects ambition. In Turner’s case, it’s the sheer volume. She’s obviously set her sights on being the new DA. Turner says, Port Charles needs newer, younger blood and a DA who actually lives in Port Charles and is doing their job. Anna says, Robert is a hard man to beat. She’s going to need more than mudslinging.

Curtis tells Marhsall that when he found out about Trina, he and Portia agreed that the only way they could continue their marriage was to be completely honest with each other. He just found out she’s been lying to him for months. Marshall asks if he’s talking about… Curtis says, she hasn’t been unfaithful. That’s all he thinks he wants to say right now. Marshall says he’s truly sorry, but something is different this time. Whatever happened, Curtis is still here. Curtis asks what he means, and Marshall says, he could have walked away, but he didn’t. Why not?

Nina says, if Drew tells Willow about Jacinda, she’ll tell Willow that while they were falling in love, he was also sleeping with her mother. She’ll turn her back on both of them and be completely alone at Michael’s mercy. Is that what he wants? He says he can’t see Willow forgiving either one of them, but he can’t believe Nina had him drugged and paraded around Port Charles. Nina says, no one made him go clubbing or take body shots off a sex worker, and technically speaking, she didn’t drug him. He asks how she could do this to Willow. Willow’s pain at being betrayed was horrible. What kind of mother would do that? She says, the kind desperately trying to save her daughter from him, but now she knows that’s impossible.

Carly says she owes Willow a huge thank you for coming to Sasha’s aid, and Willow says she’s glad she was there to help. She’s happy for Sasha and Michael, and Carly. Carly thanks her, and Willow says, hopefully this means no more fighting. The truth is out there, and the judge’s decision should be obvious now. Carly says her greatest hope is that her grandchildren, all her grandchildren, end up where they’re safe and loved. She leaves, and Felicia asks if Willow is good. Willow says, yeah, but Carly doesn’t understand. Now that Michael’s secret is out, Michael lost.

Michael says he’s sorry he didn’t see Sonny before this, but Sonny says he hears Michael’s been busy. Michael says he’s not the only one. Sonny’s seen two new grandchildren is just as many days. Gio, now Daisy. Sonny says, life is full of surprises and miracles, and he and Michael hug.

Nina says, Willow is completely in love with Drew and will believe anything he tells her. It’s cost her so much. She doesn’t want Willow to lose her kids too. Drew asks, how could she? It’s out there now on record that Michael cheated first and fathered another child. When the judge rules, they’ll finally be free to get out of Port Charles. Nina asks what he’s talking about, and he says they’re about to start a new life in DC, away from all this. Away from all his haters. She says she knows that’s what he wants, but what does Willow want?

Sasha tells Daisy that she’s been waiting for her all along. She loves Daisy so much. In a baby voice, Cody says, I love you too, mama, and comes in. He says he won’t stay. He wanted to make sure she was okay after her courtroom birth. Sasha says, she’s perfect, and he says, they both are. She thanks him and tells Daisy that this is her big old cousin Cody. He says, hey, Daisy. I have so much wisdom to pass on, tiny grasshopper. He tells Sasha that he guesses he has a few apologies to give to Jason, and she says, yeah, he does. Daisy was conceived on the night they broke up. She was at the Brown Dog Bar, and she was devastated. Michael was there. He says, at least something good came from their doomed romance. He’s glad she found her happily ever after. She thanks him and says she hopes he finds his too.

Natalia says, Molly’s sister forgave her, and Molly says, Kristina has a big heart. Now Natalia sees why she can’t be the prosecutor. Another ADA will come. Natalia asks, how long will that take? She didn’t even get her phone call, and someone has to take these off. She shows Molly the handcuffs again, and Molly says she’ll talk to the desk sergeant. Good luck. She leaves and Natalia says, thanks… for nothing.

Curtis tells Marshall that the knows Portia loves him and God knows he loves her too, but the lying hurts. It’s twice that he knows of and he doesn’t want to make the same mistakes he made with Jordan. Marshall asks what he means, and Curtis says he reached a boiling point. It was one lie too many and that was it. In retrospect, Jordan’s lies were work related. They were tied up around bringing Cyrus to justice. For him to ask her for answers just wasn’t fair. Marshall says, he was just trying to make it work, and Curtis says he was fighting for what they had. He quit and sometimes he thinks he gave up too soon. Marshall says, from the sound of things, maybe he should give Portia the second chance he didn’t give Jordan. Curtis says, maybe.

Michael says, Jason told him that there was another attempt on Sonny’s life, and Sonny says, yeah. Brick saved his life. He’s thinking the person behind it could be responsible for whoever bombed the penthouse. He hates that Michael was hurt because of it, and not for the first time. Michael paid a high price for being his son. Michael says he wouldn’t change it if he could. Nothing his kids could ever do would make him stop loving him and the same went for them. Sonny says, thank God, and Michael says, Sonny did everything in his power to protect him, but now he’s an adult and he’s protecting himself and his family. Sonny pats his shoulder.

Marco says, support for Measure C would be going against Sidwell’s own interests. If Sonny sold him the piers and Measure C passed, it would be his property that would be seized. Sidwell says, it won’t come to that. They’re using Measure C as a strategy to get rid of Sonny. Jordan says, so far the strategy is working, and Sidwell says, in passing Measure C, they’re using it to pressure Sonny into selling the piers. Once the piers are his, the voters wouldn’t care about Measure C. Sonny’s hold on Port Charles will be gone. Jordan says, on that note, good night, gentlemen, and she leaves. Marco says he hopes Sidwell has a Plan B, and Sidwell asks, why? Marco says, Sonny Corinthos isn’t the type of man to give up without fight.

Sonny tells Michael how Diane thought Michael would probably be better off if he stayed away from the hearing, and Michael said he knew. She’d said something to Jason. Sonny asked how it was going, and Michael said, honestly, he didn’t know. When his paternity came out, he thought his biggest nightmare came true, but when Sasha gave birth, he got to be there. It felt like a miracle. Sorry he didn’t tell the truth about the baby. Sonny says, as long as the baby is healthy and he and Sasha are on the same page, and Michael says he thinks they are. Sonny says, Drew has been pulling Willow’s strings, and Michael says, it pushed him to the point where he had to fight for Wiley and Amelia. Sonny says, maybe everybody coming together will bring them an opportunity. A smart man knows sometimes compromise is the only solution. And Michael is a very smart man.

Jason visits Sasha, and he says, the baby is beautiful. It looks just like her. Congratulations. She thanks him for everything he did for them. He took a lot of flak from a lot of people for nothing. The secret came out anyway. Jason says they did the best they could in the situation. The good news is she and Michael get to be Daisy’s parents. She wonders if she can ask one more favor. She’s had no time to run it by Michael, but she’s sure he’d agree. Would Jason be Daisy’s godfather? He says, it would be an honor, when Carly asks if she can come in.

Jordan tells Curtis that she’s sorry to just drop by. TJ told her that Marshall was in town and she wanted to say a quick hello. Curtis says, he would have loved that. Unfortunately, he had a late flight. She says she’s sorry she missed him, but please tell her that they had a good visit. He says, it was wonderful and it couldn’t have come at a better time. He needed his dad’s insights. She asks if Portia is there, and he says, no. She’s at GH. They’re both making a lot of excuses not to be alone together. She says she’s sorry, and he says, so is he. He doesn’t know what’s happening with his marriage.

An officer uncuffs Natalia and gives her phone to her, and she says, it’s about time. Privacy please. She makes a call.

Marco’s phone rings and Sidwell asks if he needs to get that, but he says, no. He’s already said all he needs to say to her.

Natalia says, voicemail. Perfect. She leaves a message saying she gets it. Things ended badly earlier at the MetroCourt, but she’s in real trouble. She needs him, so can he please come to the PCPD as soon as he can? Please, Marco. Please.

Molly goes to the pool and sees Cody with a beer, his feet in the water. He yells, Molly! Come join the celebration! Even she must be off the clock by now. She says she has to be… Why the hell not? and he says, a beer for the lady, but she says, actually, she’ll have white wine.

Turner tells Anna she’s not campaigning. Not yet. She’s doing her job. Two of the city’s top officials – the mayor and the Police Commissioner – have close personal ties to known criminals, Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan. Why not bring them up on charges? Anna says, give her evidence that will stick in court and she’ll arrest them immediately. Turner says, sounds good, but she’s read Mr. Morgan’s arrest record. All the times he was arrested, he never once saw a conviction. Anna says, that’s the DA’s department, not hers, and Turner says, the DA’s office is limited by the evidence collected, or lack thereof, by the PCPD. Anna says, goodnight, and leaves. Turner says, goodnight, and answers her phone. She says, really? They made an arrest… You know what? She’ll take care of it herself.

Sidwell asks if something happened between Marco and Natalia, but Marco says, just more of the same. She is who she is. He suggests they focus on Sonny. It’s not going to be easy dealing with him. He’s been running Port Charles for decades and stopped other hostile takeover attempts. Sidwell says he sees Marco has done his research, and Marco says, you bet. Sonny’s a heavy hitter. He should never be taken lightly. Sidwell says he’s also done his research. Marco’s friend Lucas is an extended member of Sonny’s family. Marco says, another reason he wants nothing to do with Sidwell’s campaign for getting Sonny out of town.

Nina says, Drew is the main reason Michael and Willow’s custody fight got so vicious so quickly, but now they have the opportunity to cool things down. So why doesn’t he step back a little bit and give Michael and Willow room to talk about a custody arrangement that doesn’t include ripping the family apart? If he advocates for that, Willow will give him all the credit. Drew says, Michael is a Quartermaine, and those people don’t stop until they have everything. So the only way to protect Willow is to convince her that Michael is relentless and not to be trusted. Willow needs to get custody of the kids. Otherwise, Michael will take them from her.

Willow sees Michael at the elevator and asks if he’s leaving. He says he’ll be right back. He’s picking up Wiley and Amelia so they can meet their baby sister. He gets in the elevator.

Jason says he’ll give them a minute, but Carly says, don’t go far. He says he’ll be right outside, and leaves. Sasha says, Michael knew everything, and Carly says she understands. She knows Sasha did everything she could to protect Michael’s baby. All she can ask is that they be honest with each other. Sasha thanks her, and Carly thanks Sasha back. She says, if Sasha and her daughter need anything, please ask her.  

On the phone, Drew asks if Willow is coming home soon, but she says she’s sticking around a little longer. Michael is bringing Wiley and Amelia and she’s hoping to see them. He says, don’t worry. Soon she’ll have full custody, and she’ll get to see them every day.

Cody says, get over here. The water’s great. Molly says she has a few more emails and she’s not messing up her suit. He asks if she can’t be the least bit spontaneous, consequences be damned, and she says she’s perfectly comfortable. Besides, the pool is closed. He says, that’s an easy fix. Just turn the sign over. Does she sleep in her business suit? Does she color code her underwear and organize her socks? She says, okay, okay. Fine. She’ll show him that she’s not uptight. She takes her shoes off and rolls up her pants. She sits next to him and puts her feet in the ware. She says, happy? and he says, elated.  

Turner tells the desk sergeant that she heard Natalia Ramirez was brought in this evening, and he says, she was. Is the acting DA taking DWI cases now? She says she’d like to see Natalia’s file, and he gives it to her. She flips through it and says she needs them to check on priors. She wants everything she can get her hands on about Natalia Ramirez.

Sidwell asks how it’s going with Lucas, and Marco says, they’re taking it slow. But he’s not unsure about the feeling that Lucas could be someone special. He doesn’t want to screw it up. Sidwell says he’s happy for Marco and Port Charles to have the both of them. Marco asks why he wants the piers, and Sidwell says, it’s the perfect place to expand his interests as a mineral importer, as well as his less public pursuits. Marco says he’s going to stop Sidwell there. He represents Sidwell in his legitimate business dealings only. That’s their agreement. He has nothing to do with anything illegal. Sidwell says he does business all over the world. What’s illegal in one place is legal in another. Marco says, Sidwell is a successful businessman many times over. Does he really need to push for more?

Curtis says he told Jordan at the Nurses Ball, Drew was pressuring Portia to have him run favorable coverage about what he’d doing. She asks if he found out what Drew has on Portia, and he says, it’s pretty bad. It could ruin Portia’s life. He saw all the signs, but didn’t want to believe Portia would lie to him to do Drew’s bidding. She says she’s sure Portia felt backed into a corner, and he says, the problem is even worse. The pictures of Drew’s mystery woman. Portia set him up. She hired Jacinda and gave her ketamine to give to Drew. Jordan says, wow. What a mess. Curtis says, after Trina, Portia promised him, no more lies. She broke her promise and chose to manipulate him instead of telling him the truth.  

Nina visits Sasha, who says, she just missed the star of the show. Nina says, that’s okay. She’ll go to the nursery and see her through the glass. She came to see if Sasha was okay. Sasha says she’s a bit tired, but so happy, and Nina says, good. She’s sorry for the way Ric went after her. She’s sure the shock of his harsh treatment probably led to Sasha’s premature labor. She never meant for anything to happen to Sasha or her baby. Sasha says, that’s on Ric, not Nina, and Nina says she wishes that were true. She was the one who told Ric that Sasha and Michael had sex.

Jason tells Carly that Michael asked him not to tell her. At first, he only knew they’d slept together, but when Michael asked for her in the burn ICU was when he put it all together. Carly says, what about the rumors he was the father? and he says he didn’t deny them because they were trying to protect Michael and Sasha. She says, that’s awfully noble. She has to know. For Michael, would he have continued to lie to her?

Sasha asks how Nina knew, and Nina says she just recently figured it out. She was in the Brown Dog Bar and the bartender confirmed it. Sasha says, and she ran to Ric. How could she do that? Nina says she hated doing. She’s sorry she exposed Sasha’s secret, but she couldn’t let Willow’s children be taken away. Sasha says she knows Nina loves Willow, but does she really think the children will be better off with Drew full time?

Jordan says she doesn’t believe Portia set out to lie. Fear is the driving force behind a lot of lies and bad decisions. Curtis says he realizes that, but they just want to keep how far apart they are from Trina, and she says, they can’t keep it from her indefinitely. Trina is too smart. Curtis says, she definitely is and will figure it out. Jordan says, the kindest thing for him and Portia to do for each other is not rush to judgment. Take a beat and look for a way to repair what’s broken instead of fixing his discomfort by ending the marriage. He says, easier said than done, but she says he’s the strongest man she knows. If he wants to save his marriage, he’ll find a way.  

Molly says, Cody told her that he was celebrating, and he says, Sasha had a baby. It was a little premature, otherwise, she’s perfect. She says she can definitely drink a toast to that, and he says, it was a big adjustment finding out Sasha was his cousin. He didn’t react well. She says, yeah. She thinks she remembers a few arrests. They laugh and he says he was feeling pretty miserable and sorry for himself. But seeing how happy Sasha is reminded him that sometimes things don’t you don’t expect to be happy turn out to be great.

At the hospital, Anna congratulates Sonny and says she guesses he and Robert are officially related. He should probably expect a box of cigars. He says, the big exploding kind? and she says, even enemies can find common ground. They have Robin and now they have the baby. He says, love is a powerful thing, and she says, it is. In the spirit of peaceful coexistence, she’d like to share a conversation she had with ADA Turner. She’s making it her mission to go after him. He says he’s aware. Many have tried. Anna says, Turner wants Robert’s job, and she doesn’t think Turner will rest until she puts him behind bars.

Wiley runs to Willow, and she says she’s happy to see him. She loves him so much. He tells her, daddy says they have a new baby sister. He’s taking them to meet her. Can mommy come too? Michael says, absolutely. Please join them.

Molly says she’s surprised Cody came here for a one-man celebration, and he asks if she means instead of a dive bar. Dive bars are more his speed. He guesses he was just feeling nostalgic. This was the spot where he first arrived in Port Charles. Actually, he parachuted in right here. He knocked Britt Westbourne into the pool. Molly says she remembers. There’s a GIF out there of Britt looking like a wet rat. He says that was his fault. It took her a while to forgive him. To Britt. They clink glasses. He says, it was three years ago. That’s a long time. Molly says, it’s not that long, and he says, before he lived here, he barely ever stayed in any place more than a few months at a time. This time he’s glad he stayed.

Sidwell says he understands what Marco is asking of him, but respects him too much to tell him what he wants to hear. Instead, he’ll be honest. He has no interest in changing the way he does business or lives his life. Marco asks what Sidwell is telling him, and Sidwell says, the offer for Marco to be his righthand man is still on the table.

Anna says, Turner wasn’t sharing anything, but she knows Turner is actively investigating Sonny, and Sonny says he appreciates the warning. ADA Turner can dig all she wants. He’s a law-abiding citizen and she ain’t going to find anything.

Turner goes to the interrogation room and Natalia asks if her son is here. He’s her lawyer. Turner says, not yet, and Natalia says, Turner can’t ask her anything without her lawyer present. Turner says, fine, and sits down. Why don’t they talk about Sonny Corinthos while they wait?

Jordan says she’s sure Curtis will figure out the right thing to do, and he says he appreciates her faith. He only knows for sure that Portia is completely vulnerable to Drew. He can’t decide what to do about his marriage until he knows she’s safe from Drew.

Jason says, it would have been difficult, and Carly says if she’d asked if Jason was the baby’s father, would he have lied to her? He says he’s glad she never did, and she wonders why Michael didn’t trust her enough to tell her. He says, Michael thought once she knew, she would be too exited and never be able to hide it, and she says she doesn’t know if she’s mad or grateful, but now that the truth is out that Michael cheated, Willow is convinced she’ll get full custody of the kids. He asks if she thinks Willow is right, and she says, yeah. She’s afraid Willow is right.

Nina said she couldn’t defend what Willow and Drew were doing, but she loved her daughter. As a mother, she had to tell Ric about Sasha and Michael. But she loves Sasha and she’s very sorry that what she did hurt her. Sasha says she’s too tired to fight or hold a grudge. She has her daughter now and that’s all that matters. She does feel sorry for Nina though. They both know Willow is making terrible choices and she’s going to keep making them as long as Drew’s in her life.

Michael and Willow look at the baby along with Wiley and Amelia. They smile at each other as Drew watches.

On Monday, Drew tells Portia that they’ve barely scratched the surface of what she can do; Lulu says she and Danny need to get a few things straight; Jason asks if Dante is threatening to charge Danny with manslaughter (again, no one died, so what the…?); and Sidwell wants to make a deal with Sonny to their mutual advantage.  

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Boo! Hiss! I’m not really into the romance on the show, but why is it every time I like a couple together, one of them leaves?

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/its-official-jonathan-jackson-is-leaving-general-hospital/

That whole thing was so powerful, from his violin performance to him smashing it.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/gh-exclusive-how-giovanni-mazza-brought-gios-pain-to-life/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

The OG Deck is back with Captain Kerry and Chief Stew Fraser. I will miss Captain Lee and Kate forever, but this is what we’ve got. Deckhand Kyle is also back, so turn on your closed captions. The other deckhands and stews were all new to the boat. The only stews that stood out to me were Rainbeau de Roos, whose name I would love to steal, and Solène Favreau, who seemed inept, harried, and not good at receiving correction. They were off to a great start, leaving the guests’ luggage at the dock, and the bosun saying too many things were happening. The first charter brought small children, and Fraser playing princess with the primary’s little daughters was precious. Primary Sam was not as precious, using a black light to comb his room and being super nit-picky with the food. After sending steaks back and having the chef making new dishes, he decided they didn’t want them. It didn’t look like anyone else got a vote, so good thing there were more courses. By the end of the episode, Chef Lawrence babbled at production and was ready to quit.

Meet the cast.

The Valley

I really feel badly for Brittany, the recipient of rage texts and failed party plans. She tried – the operative word being tried – to organize a nice trip to the beach, but apparently Jasmine had been storing up beef at Janet and let fly. Apparently, Janet is a sh*t ass friend, a vibe killer, exhausting, had sh*tty friends, and gave Karen energy. Now tell us how you really feel. Seriously, like Summer House, these people are too old for this. Hell, people ten years younger are too old for this.

Next Gen NYC

I already like this series a lot, but whenever a show is set in NYC, I wonder how much of my liking it is about loving the city. Poor Georgia, the only native New Yorker, is wondering why she suddenly feels like an alien when she gets questions like, who the f*** is Ben Affleck? and discovers that no one saw When Harry Met Sally. Riley Burress says she doesn’t know that show. Perhaps it reminds me of my early NYC days. If I’d the looks of a model, the money of a rock star, and an apartment that wasn’t a railroad flat with a triangular closet. Regardless, it was more fun than you can imagine, and I hope to relive a little of that with this group.

Meet the cast.

Summer House

In the Reunion Part 2, there was a lot of rehashing Lexi and Jesse’s on and off situationship. I was very much over this already, so I kind of tuned out. Not to mention how much I cringe everyone someone talks about Toegate. Oddly enough – or maybe not, since motherhood will mature you – Lindsay was the voice of reason, one of the cast calling her Mother Hubbard. Not so surprisingly, Kyle was an a-hole and did his best to steal her thunder. Gabby’s dress, if that’s what we’re calling it, continued to be distracting.

Random Reality Items

Because he got high.

Will make beds to stay there.

Slade Smiley! NOLA! Shannon’s vajayjay! Premieres July 10th.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Creep. Netflix. I thought this film was genius budget-wise. Two actors, one handheld camera, and no need for special effects, this could have been made for about 25 bucks, so kudos. It didn’t hurt that the story was original and pretty intriguing. A filmmaker takes a gig documenting a dying man’s story for his unborn son. It isn’t long before the filmmaker, and the audience, start to wonder if that’s what’s really going on. Well executed, with twists and turns, and an ending I never saw coming, which is saying a lot. This is kind of an old film, 2016, so there wasn’t a whole lot on it, but apparently, there’s a sequel.

https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/creep-netflix-horror-movie-mark-duplass/

Fear Street: Prom Queen. Netflix. Adapted from RL Stine’s book series, this is the third in a trilogy. Nothing new to see here and it’s been done better, but it was worth a quick trip to the 80s. There’s also something to be said for a movie you need absolutely no brain power to watch.

https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles2/2025/06/03/new-release-review-fear-street-prom-queen/

Sirens. Netflix. Julianne Moore is one of my favorite actresses. She is incredible in Boogie Nights, the Midnight Cowboy for the 90s. But I digress. I’ve only watched a couple of episodes so far, but I’ll be in for the rest. The bad sheep sister, who also takes care of a homebound, sick father, tries to rescue her younger sibling from what she believes is a cult. Funny, witty, and keeps you guessing.

Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders. Netflix. A three part docuseries on the obvious cold case. I really didn’t know a whole lot about it, especially what was most disturbing. James William Lewis who was tied to the murders, has never been tried.

https://decider.com/2025/05/27/cold-case-the-tylenol-murders-netflix-review/

Day of Reckoning. Amazon Prime. This was a weird film, and I could see why a lot of people didn’t like it, but I enjoyed it. Fifteen years after a load of weird monsters have devastated mankind, they’re back for the survivors. There’s never a concrete explanation as to why this is happening, or why people aren’t better prepared for their return. The plot has more holes than Swiss cheese, but I didn’t care. I loved the monsters. They were reminiscent of the old Ray Harryhausen effects, but a lot gorier. And they all can’t be Godzilla Minus One. I thought it was a good time.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5742568/

Some user reviews. A few spoilers here.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5742568/reviews/

🔮 Looking Forward To Watching…

The second part of Squid Game Season 6 premieres June 27th.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-3-trailer

Season 7 of Stranger Things premieres November 26th, December 25th, and December 31st. Cute, huh?

https://www.eonline.com/news/1418123/stranger-things-final-season-premiere-date-revealed

https://deadline.com/2025/05/stranger-things-5-premiere-date-netflix-1236414933/

The Black Phone 2 is in theaters October 17th, and will eventually stream on Peacock. I honestly don’t know how I feel about this. The first one had such a perfect ending, I can’t fathom a sequel being as good. That doesn’t mean I won’t watch it though.

https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-black-phone-2-debuts-eerie-official-trailer-for-blumhouse-sequel

🐶 Snips, Snails, Puppy Dog Tales…

🏆 The Stanley Pup returns June 6th on TruTV, as well as on NHL Network on June 8th.

https://people.com/stanley-pup-dog-hockey-game-returns-how-to-watch-11749775

🐕 A dog-endorsed book.

https://people.com/the-dogist-elias-weiss-friedman-new-book-exclusive-11749240

🐩 The ray of sunshine that is Pilaf meets some new friends.

https://people.com/demi-moore-announces-she-and-her-tiny-dog-pilaf-are-caring-for-even-smaller-baby-ducks-11748457

🪅 Quotes of the Week

If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?John Wooden

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. – William Shakespeare

A champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.Serena Williams

Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth. – John F. Kennedy

I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is daring to dare. – Dr. Maya Angelou

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. – John Powell

Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you have to make the decision right. – Dr. Phil McGraw

A mathematical formula for happiness: Reality divided by Expectations. There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality or lower your expectations.Jodi Picoult (I vote for lowering expectations.)

The border to eternity is never ahead of us. It runs parallel to life and can be crossed over at any moment by old and young. – Reinhard Bonnke

There’s plenty of time for finger pointing later. Let’s stay focused. – Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom), Beyond the Gates

🎡 Are You Ready For the Summer…

Until next time, stay safe; stay being careful to watch out for rogue waves at the beach; and stay knowing that sometimes compromise is the only solution.

January 17, 2025 – Michael Gets the Final Say, Soap Suds, Not My Reality, Weekend Watching, Plus One, Getting There, Gate in the City, Exit Interview, Good Guy, Awards, The Players, Hebodomad Quotes & Things

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

Willow said she was in charge of Michael’s medical care, and Michael went into cardiac arrest. Portia said Willow had the right to make decisions about Michael’s medical care, and Drew told Carly and Sonny, hand over the kids and they’d have access, like the trashbag he is. Carly said, Drew was pushing things to point of no return, so Willow would have no one to turn to but him. Nina finally talked Sonny into giving the kids back, and Willow thanked Drew because she’s an idiot in love with a trashbag.

Cody wanted to invest in crypto, but Tracy said it would be better to set his money on fire. Alrighty then. But later, Cody told Brad to call his Aunt Selina because he had a sure thing bet on football after he’d talked to Kai for 3 minutes. Later, Portia said she wanted to use Brad’s talent for bending the rules to find out what patients had gotten digitalis without it being prescribed. Brad was a busy guy this week.

Lulu told Laura about what happened in Prague and asked when Laura was going to tell her that Anna had shot Charlotte. She said she thought Dante was right in that she’d led the shooter to Valentin. Laura promised to help Lulu find Charlotte again.

Isaiah told Lucas that they could choose to do something, and risk Michael dying, or do nothing, and Michael would definitely die. He chose to do something and gave Michael a medication that counteracted the digitalis. Isaiah told Portia what happened with Michael, and they came to the genius conclusion that, someone in this hospital is killing people with digitalis.

Tracy and Stella talked about Monica, which was like a knife to the heart knowing that Leslie Charleson had passed away.

Tuesday:

Lucky talked to a woman from the Port Charles Redemption Mission and found out Cyrus’s focus was on patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Lucas told Elizabeth about Michael and how Isaiah had given him digoxin immune FAB to counteract the digitalis. Lucky said they had to figure out what connected all the digitalis victims and why Cyrus would want them dead. Jason told Sonny that whoever planted the bomb in the penthouse would try again.

Willow told the kids that Michael was in the hospital. Dante told Sonny what happened in Prague. Josslyn conferred with Lucky about Cyrus.

Drew showed up at Nina’s and after she slammed the door in his face, she let him in.  She said he’d moved Willow away from what she loved and valued with the sick hold he had over her and gave him the business. She said Drew wouldn’t know love if it jumped up and bit him in the ass.

Tracy said she’d help Lulu if she had a solid lead, but Lulu needed to be more strategic and less emotional. Jason suggested the clinic in St. Petersburg where he’d been held hostage for Michael’s treatment, since Ava had her burns treated there. Sasha helped trick Willow into letting the kids go to the main house, and Tracy said, they weren’t leaving. Martin argued with Tracy about letting the kids go with Willow. Felicia said Jason and Carly had to leave the ICU, and Nina told Sonny that he had to go to the Quartermaines and get the kids from Tracy.

Wednesday:

Lucky and Elizabeth went to Beradino’s where Cyrus works. Josslyn went to Anna about Cyrus stabbing Dex. Alexis spoke to Drew about Sam’s wishes for Scout. Drew decided to commute to DC rather than live there. Carly wanted to call a press conference and out Drew, but Felicia told her not to make it worse than it already was.

Sonny talked to Tracy, who told him that Drew was the enemy and to handle him accordingly. Trina and Gio watched the game at The Brown Dog, and Emma showed up. (Since she was nuEmma, I didn’t realize she was also the pickpocket in Rice Plaza.) Cody was also at the bar. Alexis said Scout needed consistency and stability, and Drew said, maybe Willow was what she needed. Alexis wondered if it was less what Scout needed, and more what Drew needed. Tracy reminded Sonny that Michael was AJ’s son.

Felicia needed a drink, and Sasha was her designated driver. Elizabeth chatted Cyrus up while Lucky was in the bathroom, then suggested to Lucky that she volunteer at the mission. Carly asked Jack about the Boronsky clinic, and he said it no longer existed, but the burn expert was now in Germany. Carly badgered him about getting Michael into the German clinic. Jason showed up at the Quartermaines and asked Tracy to please give the children back. Tracy said it was the first time he’d ever said please, but then pulled the Monica card. Alexis suggested Scout move in with her, but Drew wasn’t having it. Anna questioned Cyrus, but Josslyn blew everything and alerted him to the investigation. Tracy said, for once in Jason’s life, don’t choose Sonny, choose his family, and he did.

Thursday:

Chase got checked out and Brook went to see Dr. Navarro. She told the doctor about her teenage pregnancy, and Dr. Navarro told her that it should have no impact on her trying to get pregnant now. Nina suggested Willow compromise, but Willow was all about what Drew said. She thought Nina was asking her to bow down to Carly and Sonny, but Nina said Willow needed empathy. Lay down her weapons and maybe they’d lay down theirs. Tracy said using the kids as bargaining chips wasn’t going to fly. They were where Monica wanted them and that’s where they were staying. (Keep twisting those knives.)

Kai ended up in the hospital and Cody had to pay off his bet. Carly told Tracy about transferring Michael to the burn expert, and asked how far Tracy would go if it was Ned. Tracy said, as far as she had to. Nina told Ava what was going on and that Willow’s life was in shambles because of Drew. Dante talked to Cody about Lulu, and Cody said, Dante could keep doing what he was doing and get shut out, or do things Lulu’s way.

Trina visited Kai in the hospital. Tracy sympathized with what Carly was going through as a mother, but it was about what Carly had put the family through for years. Tracy suggested Carly and Sonny find another way. Nina discussed the Willow/Drew situation with Ava. Selina tried to get Cody back in the game, and Dante wondered what was up, but Cody told Dante that he was okay. Alexis talked to Curtis about Drew. Nina wanted to get Willow thinking for herself again, and Ava said, tell Willow who he really is. When they were falling in love, he was having sex with her mother. Chase told Tracy that she couldn’t keep Wiley and Amelia from Willow and this had to stop. Willow asked to see Carly.

Friday’s Enchilada:

In her office, Brook leaves a voicemail for Chase that she’s done with her appointment and Dr. Navarro was super positive. She should get her test results soon, but maybe they should do something to relax, like spend a weekend in New York City. Have dinner and see a show, just them, and they can have baby making time. They’ll figure it out tonight. She loves him. Lulu comes in and asks if she’s interrupting.

Chase says, Tracy can’t keep the kids from their mom, and Tracy says, not him too. He has no idea how many times she’s had this conversation today. She was hoping for a break. He says, they’ve been through a lot, and he’d like to think they could be honest with each other. She says she’s going to stop him. He makes her granddaughter so happy, and she holds his entire family in the highest regard, so she’s going to put this as nicely as she can – butt out.

At the gallery, Lucas shows Ava a video on this phone, and she says, look how well Avery is dancing. Her costume is perfect. Lucas says, Avery was so proud. She wanted to make sure he recorded the rehearsal for Ava. She thanks him for bringing it, and he says he wanted to return the favor for her talking him down on Christmas Eve. She says, of course (🍷). She can’t stop thinking about the fire at Sonny’s. She’s so grateful Avery wasn’t there. She asks if they know the cause yet, but he says, all he knows is that the police are looking into it.

At Beradino’s, Cody looks at a cashier’s check and says he was so close to making his dreams come true. He sees Drew and walks over to him. He says he’d tell Drew that it’s nice to see him, but he’s far too sober to lie.  

Jordan starts a conversation with Martin near the bar, but then sees Drew and Cody and says she’s needed over there. Drew asks if Cody is disappointed that there’s’ nothing left to blackmail him with, and Cody says, you smug… Jordan tells him, don’t even think about it.

Outside Michael’s room, Willow says she’s glad Carly is here. She was hoping to talk with her and Sonny. Sonny joins them, and Willow thanks them for getting here so fast. Sonny says, it sounded important, and Willow says she knows they’re upset, and she understands why. She’s hoping they can find a way forward that works for them both. Carly asks if that means she’s going to let them see their son.

Chase tells Tracy that he’s had a front row seat for everything that happened with Michael and Willow because he’s friends with them both. He’s begging her not to make it more difficult. She says, it’s not difficult; it’s simple. The children are going nowhere. He tells her that everyone says she’s acting out of spite, but he doesn’t believe that. He saw how she helped his dad and Finn. Through all the snarky and sarcastic comments, he knows nothing means more to her than family. He knows she thinks she’s helping protect the kids, but he promises she’s only causing more drama.

Brook asks if Lulu needs help, and Lulu says she was looking for Maxie, but she can hang out in the waiting area. Brook says, she’s better off texting. Maxie is meeting with a vendor, and her afternoon is booked solid with interviews. Lulu says, that’s why she’s here. She was hoping to be one of them. Brook asks if she’s applying for a job at Deception.

Ava tells Lucas that she knows firsthand what Michael is going through. It’s a horrible, painful ordeal. Have they arrested anybody for setting the fire? Lucas says she doesn’t think so. Anna and Chase were at the hospital to question Michael, but he was in no shape to talk. Ava says, he was injured because of Sonny, and Lucas says she knows what she’s thinking, but Avery is completely safe. He sees her all the time. If he had doubts about Avery’s safety, he’d tell her. She says, of course (🍷) she worries about her little girl. She’s glad Lucas gets to see Avery so much and came to show her the video. Will he do one little favor for her? He says, it depends, and she says, give Avery a hug and tell her how much her mama loves her. He says he’ll do it tonight after work. He’s headed there now. She asks him to send her the video and he says he will. He leaves, and Ava makes a call. She says, I need to see you right away.

Cody tells Jordan that he has no beef with the congressman, but it seems the congressman might have one with him. Drew says he does, but Jordan says, neither of them need to get into anything in a public place. Cody should go. Cody says, gladly. He’ll see Drew around. Have a terrible day. He hopes Jordan’s day is a pleasant one. He leaves and Drew says, nice to see Jordan’s got his back, and she says, it looked like he was the one escalating things. What was it about and what did he do?

Willow says, the situation between her and Michael is being made more difficult with everyone getting involved. Michael wouldn’t want her separated from their kids. Carly says she had the kids and sent them to the Quartermaines, and Sonny says, she did what she thought was right at the time. Carly says she had no idea Tracy would hold them hostage, and Willow says, the kids are worried sick about Michael. Carly says, Wiley called her. He’s wondering what happened. Willow says, he called her too and asked when daddy was coming home. Carly says, Sonny made a good faith effort, and Sonny says, but Tracy refuses to let them go. Carly says, Tracy has no right to keep them and can’t legally. They’ll figure out a way to get them back. Willow says she hopes Carly is right. She needs to trust her own judgement about what’s best for her children and Michael and she’s come to a decision.

Ric walks into the gallery and asks, what’s so important? Ava says, Avery’s life is in danger. He needs to petition the court for an emergency custody order for her to have Avery full-time. Ric says he thought Carly had Avery, and Ava says she assumes he heard about the fire. It was no accident. Ric says, of course (🍷). Any time there’s a catastrophe in Sonny or Jason’s vicinity, it’s some attacker seeking retribution. She says, what if Avery had been there? She could have been burned like Michael. It’s terrifying. He says he’s sorry. As a father, he understands, but the court won’t see it as a reason for an emergency change in custody. Avery was nowhere near there at the time of the fire. She was with Carly and Donna where she has a bedroom and where she’s lived most of her life. Ava says, if he won’t file it, maybe she should find herself a lawyer who will. He says, that’s her right, but they’ll tell her the same thing. Wait until the right moment to make her move. She tells him, says the absentee father, and he says, it’s no reason to get personal. She says, sorry, but she could never understand how he could stay away from Molly for so long. It kills her not seeing Avery every day. He says, one of his biggest regrets is not being able to be a presence in Molly’s life, and she says, what if he was in her place and Molly was in danger? What would he do? He says he’d move heaven and earth to keep her safe, and she asks why he’s telling her the opposite. He says he wants her to fight, but be smart. Her current custody battle with Sonny is going to be very long and very expensive. She says she may be overextended at the moment, but it’s not like she’s living in the street, and he says, then why hasn’t she paid him?

Lulu says she’s here to apply for the job, and Brook says, it’s an assistant position. Wasn’t Lulu’s last job as a reporter at The Invader? Lulu says, that was four years ago. Deception needs an assistant, and she needs a job. They don’t all have trust funds. Brook says she doesn’t care what Lulu thinks, but every job she’s had, outside the music industry and in, she’s stood on her own and earned her own paycheck, Lulu says, like when Brook was paid to seduce Dante? (very mature) and Brook says she did that and it was a lapse in judgement. She and Dante have moved past that. Lulu says she didn’t get the memo, and Brook says she lives in her family’s home with her husband. Dante and Rocco live there too, and they all get along great. They let go of something that was a lifetime ago and they’ve moved on. Lulu says, Brook is being condescending, when Maxie comes in. She says she sees they’re getting along as great as ever, and Brook’s phone dings. After reading a text, she says she needs to go home and talk to her husband. She leaves Lulu in Maxie’s capable hands. She trusts Maxie will make the right decision. She leaves and Maxie asks Lulu what they were arguing about this time.

Tracy says she didn’t realize Chase had a psychiatric degree to go with the police badge, but he says he doesn’t need a degree to read her. She says, since he’s an expert in her behavior, what is she going to say next? and he says, she’s going to argue that Willow can’t be trusted because she cheated on Michael with Drew. Drew will never be a real Quartermaine, and even though she doesn’t like Michael, he’s a real Quartermaine. Family’s got to stick together. How did he do? She says she’s delighted they’re on the same page. Now drop the entire thing. He says, there’s one more thing. She left out something important. Wiley and Amelia are Michael’s kids, but they’re also Willow’s kids, and they need their mom.

Willow says, Michael would want both Carly and Sonny to be with him during this and she won’t stand in their way. Carly thanks her and looks through Michael’s room window. Sonny thanks Willow and says he knows how difficult the decision is. She says she’s not sure how it got so messy, and he says, they’re both grateful she’s letting them see Michael. She says, Michael has done so much for her. He gave her the gift of family and supported her dreams even when they changed. All she wants is for him to get better and be with the kids again. Portia joins them and says she needs to discuss the next step in Michael’s recovery with Willow. Willow looks at Carly.

Tracy says, Chase is disposed to favor Willow, seeing her as a well-meaning angel led astray, but Chase says, that’s not true. She says she watched the congressman’s hubris in taking Willow and Wiley to the inauguration. She saw the pictures. Willow, Wiley, and Scout, the perfect readymade family. He had no concern whether Michael or Monica would see the photos. Chase says, Michael and Monica are adults. This is about two kids who need their mom. Tracy says, their mother does not put them first. She does.

Lulu says, a miracle recovery doesn’t pay the bills. She needs a job. Maxie says, at Deception? and Lulu says she saw the ad, but she didn’t want to put Maxie on the spot, so she tried other places. The Invader is under new management, and nothing else panned out. Maxie says, she’s overqualified, but Lulu says she just needs to make money. Maxie asks if she’s interested in cosmetics, and Lulu says, not really, but she wasn’t into fashion and she was still good at her job at Crimson. Maxie says, what about the Brook factor? and Lulu says she promises to be on her best behavior working with Brook. Maxie says, she’d be working under Brook, and Lulu asks if she’d be Brook’s assistant. Maxie says, since they hate each other, she doesn’t see it going well, but Lulu tells her that she wouldn’t say hate. It’ll be fine, but it’s weird that Brook and Maxie are BFFs now. When did that happen?

At the hospital, Cody says, just the man he didn’t want to see, and Brad pulls him aside. He says he told Cody that he’d text. Coming to where he works is not cool. Cody hands him the check, and says, it’s most of the money he owes Selina. Brad says, most of it? He placed a bet with his aunt for Cody and not he can’t pay up? Lucas sees them.

Ava says she’s working to secure funds. She’ll get the money. Ric says, she could work harder, and she says she’s good at what she does. She’s in communication with some long-term clients who are experienced collectors. She just wants her daughter with her. He says, she needs to dig in for the long haul. They both know how Sonny is with his kids. He’s territorial and had his share of custody battles and won. At least Avery is close by and safe. Watch and wait. Patience is the key. Sidwell walks in and asks if someone can assist him. Ava says, of course (🍷), and introduces herself as the owner of the gallery. She asks what she can do for him, and he says he’s brand new to Port Charles and stumbled on her lovely gallery. He’s Jenz Sidwell. She says, it’s nice to meet him, and Ric introduces himself, shaking hands with Sidwell. Sidwell says, since Ava owns this fine establishment, perhaps she can guide him to which painting is worthy of his attention.

Jordan asks what Drew was trying to accomplish starting a fight, but Drew says, Cody approached him. She tells him, stop looking innocent, and he says he just doesn’t trust Cody. She asks who he does trust. Look around. Is there anyone currently talking to him who isn’t on his payroll? He says he’s guessing Curtis filled her in on what happened at Aurora, and she says she’s aware of the issue. He says he hopes she’s aware that he was giving Curtis a promotion, a huge raise, and complete control of the wellness division. She says, that’s his problem. It’s not about the money. It’s about how he treats his friends who were always loyal. Curtis values honesty and Drew lied. Drew says he never lied, and she says she stands corrected. He misled Curtis. He let Curtis think he was going to be CEO. It’s less betrayal in his books, but in hers, it’s semantics.

Portia says she’d like to speak with Willow in private, but Willow says, Carly and Sonny can hear too, so they can all discuss options. Portia says, good. They got Michael a bed in the Johns Hopkins burn unit. It’s the best hospital in the country and vacancies are rare. Willow says, he’ll be close enough to visit, but Carly says she might have a better option.

Chase says, Tracy can get herself in trouble if she doesn’t turn over the children, but she says she’s not afraid of litigation. He says he’s talking about criminal charges, and she laughs. She says, the carrot didn’t work, so now he’s bringing out the stick and threatening her. Good luck with that. She’s faced down worse. Brook walks in and asks why Tracy is picking a fight with her husband.

Maxie says she’ll have to fill Lulu in on her relationship with Peter August another time over a bottle of wine. And when she says, bottle of wine, she means several shots of tequila. Lulu asks what that has to do with Brook, and Maxie says, Brook was there for her in a big way. Lulu tells her, if you say so, and Maxie says, Lulu may not want to hear it, but Brook is a good person. She’s flawed and made questionable choices, but who hasn’t? Brook has been a good friend. Lulu says she’s glad Brook was there when Maxie needed someone, but something about Brook always rubs her the wrong way. She plays at being Bensonhurst, but has the Quartermaine name and fortune to fall back on. Maxie says she’s not buying that. Lulu is obviously upset, but she doesn’t think it’s about Brook. What’s really going on? Lulu says, Charlotte.

Ava says she’ll show Sidwell around. Ric was just leaving. Ric says he’d like to stick around and watch her work, and she says, art is subjective. What speaks to someone depends. She asks Sidwell to tell her something about himself so she can steer him in the right direction. He says he’s an importer looking for a North American base, so he moved to Port Charles. Ric asks, where’s his house? and Sidwell says, it’s an old, gothic residence on Spoon Island. Ava says, he bought Windymere? And he asks if she’s familiar with it. She says she used to live there, and Sidwell laughs.

Cody says he thought he had luck, but it was not his lady, and Brad says he’s $5000 short. Cody says he’s good for it, and Brad says he’ll tell his aunt. Maybe they can work out something. Cody says he’s never going to use the term sure thing again. He jinxed himself. Brad says he’s sorry, and Cody says he’s got to go. Brad walks over to Lucas and says, it’s not what it looks like. What he saw isn’t what he thinks.

Jordan tells Drew that she’s the last one to cast stones. TJ’s father was her husband’s best friend. The issue isn’t how he chooses his relationships. It’s how he treats the people in his life. Drew asks if she realizes that Curtis was just as deceptive in stealing Aurora, but she says, he led Curtis to believe he’d be permanent CEO, then went behind Curtis’s back and promised the job to Michael. Drew says he was trying to make peace, but it was a futile effort, and she says, stop. She doesn’t want to hear his explanations. He dug a hole for himself and if he doesn’t start making amends, he’s going to be alone and isolated. She believes he’s a better man than his recent actions indicate, so she’s going to give him some advice. Start mending fences. She leaves, and Martin joins Drew. He says he guesses it’s safe to assume the appropriate amount of rain has gone down on him from his constituents.   

Carly explains there was a groundbreaking procedure to remove scar tissue in a burn unit used by the Boronsky Clinic in St. Petersburg, Russia. It’s now closed, but the doctor is working in Germany. Willow asks if she wants to send Michael to Germany and asks if Portia has heard of the procedure. Portia says, no, never, but Carly says, the results are incredible, and Jack Brennan was able to secure a space in the clinic. Sonny asks if they can talk privately, and they step away. He asks why she didn’t tell him before, and she says she wanted to make sure it was possible. Michael can make a full recovery with no scars. He says he’s not sure, it’s so far away, but she says, you can’t even tell Ava was burned. She wants that result for Michael and Sonny has to trust her that this is the best thing. She’ll be there every minute of every day. She gets that he doesn’t trust Jack, but doesn’t he trust her?  

Carly tells Willow that the clinic has had incredible results, but Willow says she doesn’t think it’s best for Michael. He needs to be nearby so they can visit. Portia says she has no information, so she has to advise against it, and Willow says she’s not comfortable with Michael so far away and the doctors not having vetted the procedure. Carly says, he’ll make a full recovery, but Portia says, his burns are quite severe. Carly says, they’ve already seen the results. No one is able to tell that Ava had third degree burns. Willow says, Michael won’t have his family, and she knows Johns Hopkins is a great hospital. It’s her preference. Sonny says he thinks Michael should make the decision, and Willow says, that means waking him up. Portia says, it will cause immense pain, but Sonny says, it’s Michael’s life and he should make the call. Carly says she knows Michael wouldn’t want them to make the decision for him, and Willow says, she’s right. Michael has to decide for himself. Wake him up and let him choose. Portia says, okay, but only one of them can go in and talk to him, and Sonny says, that would be Carly. Willow says she agrees.

Sidwell says, it’s nice he and Ava have Windymere in common. How was her time there? Ava says, it was eventful, and he asks, what made her leave such a magnificent home, if she doesn’t mind him asking. She says she was living there with her husband and they split up, and he says he’s sorry to hear that. She says, he’s being kind, but she’s moved on, and he says he’s glad to hear that. He’s a firm believer in second chances and kismet. How else could you explain him wandering into her gallery? He sees she has the taste and expertise he needs to help him choose the right art to make his new home his own. Ava says she happens to have the perfect painting in mind and steers him to a large modern art canvas. She says, this painting is by talented Greek artist from Crete. He’s a marvelous painter and a talented sculptor. Sidwell says, the light in the study will make this a vibrant addition to his collection, and she says she loves the artist and would love to show him more of their work. They walk to the next room and Ric follows.

Tracy tells Brook that she and Chase disagree. He believes she should give Wiley and Amelia back to Willow and she refuses. Brook says, because of Monica, and Tracy says, the children are Monica’s only saving grace. They put a smile on her face and they’re going to take that away? Brook says, they all love Monica, and Tracy says she’s glad they agree. The last thing Monica needs is more stress. Brook wonders, if Monica asks, is Tracy going to tell her that she needs to be their mother, especially if their father can’t be there for them?

Maxie says she’s happy that Dante brought Lulu home safe, but she’s sorry Valentin ran off with Charlotte. If it was one of her kids, she’d be going crazy. Lulu says she needs to find Charlotte and it’s going to take a lot of money. Maxie says, good thing her stepmom is an heiress who loves her, and Lulu says her mother and stepmother agreed to help her, but they want to wait and see what Valentin’s next step is. She needs Charlotte home now. Maxie says, Lulu never liked waiting, and Lulu says, Maxie knows her well. Maxie says, she can’t galivant across the world when she doesn’t even know the country, and Lulu says she doesn’t know where her daughter is. Charlotte lost four years of life living without her mother. She needs something she can control and the only thing she came up with was getting a job. Maxie says she gets that, and Lulu says, it’s not just the money. She wants to get a place where she and Rocco can live, and Charlotte when she finds her. Maxie says, it makes sense. Lulu was always Miss Independence, eager to get on with life. Lulu says, life has moved on and she’s racing to catch up instead falling farther back.

Drew says he’s not discussing his personal life with Martin, but Martin says, as a survivor of three divorces, does Drew mind if he offers some unsolicited advice? The heart wants what it wants, and you can’t help who you fall in love with. Drew says, exactly. He’s not going to apologize for how he feels about Willow. Martin says, as long as he stays true to his feelings, and does the best he can for himself and for the woman he’s involved with. Drew thanks him and says, that’s actually what he wanted to talk about. They sit down, and Drew says, Willow is in the hospital with Michael, as it should be, but the situation with the children is up in the air. They need to get Wiley and Amelia away from the Quartermaines and back with Willow where they belong. Martin tells him, easier said. Tracy is holding them, and he wonders if there’s a more amiable opponent he could be set up with. Like Stalin or Vlad the Impaler. Genghis Kahn comes to mind. Drew says, Tracy has no legal rights, and Martin says, she’s well-connected with deep pockets and knows how to work the system to her benefit. It’s one hell of a combination to go up against. Drew says, she thinks she’s safe behind the walls of privilege and money, but she’s wrong. He’ll do anything to reunite the children with Willow.

Wearing a sanitary jumpsuit, Carly goes into Michael’s room and says his name. He looks at her, obviously in pain.

Sidwell gives Ava a check and says he’s thrilled with his new painting. He enjoyed their talk on art. Perhaps she can come over and help him with the placement. He’d also love any suggestions on future purchases. She says, it’s her pleasure, and he says, it’s lovely to meet them both. He’ll see them soon he hopes. He kisses Ava’s hand and leaves. Ric says, it was enlightening to watch her work, and she says she barely lifted a finger, but she knows how to close a deal. Ric says, yes, you do, and takes the check from her. She says she just earned it, and he says he appreciates her first payment for his services.

Brad tells Lucas that Cody wanted him to place a bet on the PCU game with his aunt. He didn’t want to, but Cody was persistent, so he called his Aunt Selina. Cody lost and this is his payment to her. Lucas says he sees, and Brad says, once he delivers it to her, he’s not going to see her again, he swears. Lucas says, thanks for telling him, but Brad doesn’t owe him any explanations. Brad says he knows he doesn’t, but Lucas taught him that telling the truth is important, so he wanted Lucas to know. Lucas says he appreciates that.  

Maxie says she knows what Lulu is going through. She’s been there. Lulu says, now Maxie has it all – an amazing career, her children together under one roof, and a wonderful relationship with Spinelli. Maxie says she went through a lot of trial and error. No one trusted her to make her own decisions since she was shown to be flaky. She thinks Lulu is already taking the right steps to ensure the life she wants, and Maxie believes she’ll make it happen. Lulu says she needs to have a job if she really wants to make it happen. Maxie says she needs to know that Lulu can put her history with Brook aside and get along working together. Does she think she can do that?  

Chase says he gets that Tracy has the best intentions, but at the end of the day, it’s not her call. Tracy says, Brook’s husband is brave standing up to her, but she doesn’t understand why he’s defending Willow. Brook says, he’s trying to keep the peace, and Tracy should listen to him. Martin and Drew walk in along with an officer, and Tracy says, back so soon? Holding out a paper, Martin says, it’s an official order signed by a judge. They’re allowed to take Willow Corinthos’s children back to her. Drew tells Martin to ask the nanny to get the kids ready, but Tracy says, it’s a waste of time. She can’t comply. They’re not here. Drew asks where they are, and she says she hasn’t the foggiest. He says, the officer knows what to do, and the officer takes out handcuffs. Chase tells him to put those away, but he says he’s sorry. The congressman wants her arrested. Tracy pulls away and says, don’t touch her, and Drew says, resisting arrest. The officer says, she did touch him, and Tracy says, he’s so going to regret this.

Sonny says he’s glad they were able to come together to do what’s best for Michael, and Willow says, Michael is going through something terrible. He’s lucky that he has Sonny and Carly to fight for him. Not everyone has that kind of unconditional love in their life. Sonny says, they’re the lucky ones to have Michael as their son.

Michael says, mom? and Carly says she’s here. And his dad is out there. They’re here to do everything they can to help him get better, but they need his help. Tell them how to make the choice he needs.

On Tuesday (see below), Willow asks Drew if she ruined her chance of getting Wiley and Amelia back; Anna asks if someone is the one who planted the device in the penthouse; and Ava asks Sonny to do what’s best for their daughter before it’s too late.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/daytime-soaps-preempted-on-monday-january-20-2025

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

The most important story.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-alum-vinessa-antoine-asks-for-help-finding-her-brother

She will be greatly missed. After all, Alan gave her the house. It’s so weird how they must have filmed in advance, yet they’re talking up a storm about her on the show.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-star-leslie-charleson-dead-at-79

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/daytime-stars-remembers-leslie-charleson

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/wally-kurths-heartfelt-tribute-to-leslie-charleson

You never know. On All My Children, Bobby Martin came back after 40+ years of polishing his skis upstairs.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chad-duell-opens-up-about-his-gh-exit-and-return-plans

Don’t do it. It’s not him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cameron-mathison-warns-do-not-donate-to-a-gofundme-in-his-name

💉 A Dose of Reality…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Once again Gary proves himself to be an idiot. The guests wanted some of the crew to join on a night out, and Captain Glenn, being the decent soul he is, told Daisy, Gary, Keith, and Chase, two drink maximum. And if they came back drunk, they’d forfeit their share of the tip. Gary had 10 drinks. 10. Then got pissed off when the captain called him on it. Classic Gary.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The episode focused a lot on PK and Kyle’s friendship, and Dorit’s reaction. Of course, Kyle is never wrong and while I often think Dorit is wrong – and her reactions are over the top – I can’t disagree with her on this one. If one of my close friends was texting with my estranged husband, they would no longer be my close friend. Kyle whined that Dorit made it sound like she was being inappropriate. Doubtful anyone thinks she’s got it going on with PK, but it is inappropriate for her to be buddy-buddy with her friend’s almost ex. Let’s just call it what it is now – Memegate. Garcelle, Kyle, and Sutton took Erika to Chuck E. Cheese for her birthday. A good time was had by all. It actually looked a lot more fun than any of their formal parties.

Real Housewives of New York City

If I was on a trip to Puerto Rico, I wouldn’t have the bandwidth to argue about a dead pigeon. I’d be too busy swimming in the possibly-less-than-blue water and eating local cuisine. The women did synchronized swimming at Jenna’s instruction. Apparently, she’s quite a fan of it, and it was pretty amusing until Raquel got whacked in the forehead by Jenna’s elbow. That Jenna, always full of surprises. Ubah was out of control, and Erin can’t win. If she fights back, she loses. If she walks away, she loses. As usual, Jenna and Raquel were the voices of reason. Next time, the finale.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake CIty

Heather suggested a fun dinner party game where the women pulled out the worst thing they had said about one of the others on their phone and shared it with the group. As you might have guessed, this didn’t go over all that well, and resulted in tears and Lisa running from the table after someone read something about John. Oh, horrors.

Bonus scene.

Southern Charm

Once again, two men acted like middle school girls – that would be Austen and Craig – while Whitney pretended to be the voice of reason. In her interview, Madison said she and Brett thought that Austen and Craig would be the couple least likely to break up, but it looks like they did. Craig dared to meet with JT, and Austen wasn’t having it, but it was just the opening Craig needed to scrape Austen from his shoe. As little as I like JT, I don’t get why some of them keep harping on him calling Patricia a bitch, when the footage shows clearly that he didn’t, and most of them don’t believe it anyway. Even a broken clock is right twice a day, and sometimes an a-hole is right too.

Southern Hospitality

I just couldn’t even this week, but here you go.

Random Events

BTW, Bill was not happy.

https://people.com/rhonj-star-jennifer-aydin-uninvited-from-housewives-cruise-after-viral-outburst-jersey-mikes-8771411

Amazing timing.

https://people.com/karen-huger-enters-rehab-skips-real-housewives-of-potomac-season-9-reunion-after-dui-8772200

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Borderlands. It was hard to find something that was at least partially positive. There are plenty of worse films, although I actually enjoyed this. Perhaps because I’m unfamiliar with the games. I’m definitely in agreement with the writer that Night Swim was a total waste of time.

https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/movies/borderlands-isnt-the-worst-movie-of-the-year-despite-what-the-internet-wants-you-to-think

Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action. A fascinating look at a man who began as someone I admired, but chose to serve money and ratings rather than the greater good. I’d known about the coaching, but not about the murder connected to the show. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, and this was just sad.

https://screenrant.com/jerry-springer-fights-camera-action-tv-review/

https://screenrant.com/jerry-springer-documentary-netflix-shocking-reveals-list/

The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin. I’m there for a cult story, but missed this somehow. While this documentary has been around a while, they’ve been showing it recently on TLC, so I caught it. I have some vague memory of her in the news, but had no idea how messy this got. And the hair… What’s with the hair?

https://people.com/human-interest/what-to-know-about-gwen-shamblin-lara-hbo-max-the-way-down/

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/the-way-down-hbo-max-review

🔍 One To Watch…

IMO, Baylen Out Loud is what reality TV should be about. I’m rooting for this girl, and with a supportive family like she has, I think she’ll make it after all.

https://people.com/baylen-dupree-struggles-with-boyfriend-upcoming-air-force-relocation-in-new-tlc-series-8773525

https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/baylen-out-loud-season-1-trailer-tiktok-star-takes-on-adulthood-while-tackling

🤹‍♀️ Upcoming Awaited Seasons…

The latest on The Last of Us.

https://deadline.com/feature/the-last-of-us-season-2-cast-release-date-everything-to-know-1235940502/

While you wait.

https://collider.com/grounded-last-of-us-part-2-documentary-youtube/

An understandable pause for Fallout.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/fallout-season-2-production-pause-la-fires

An Squid Game accident? Really? Highly doubtful.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-3-release-date-2025-netflix

👠 They’re Not Wrong…

Sex and get away from my front door in the City.

https://ew.com/carrie-sex-and-the-city-apartment-iron-gate-tourists-8774330

☕️ His Final Thoughts…

I never did understand Eraserhead, but he did some fine work.

https://people.com/david-lynch-expressed-hope-over-divided-country-in-one-of-last-interviews-exclusive-8776098

🥇 A Mighty Fine Man…

It’s such a shame about his health issues, but he’s blessed to have such a wonderful family to support him.

https://people.com/bruce-willis-seen-in-public-dementia-diagnosis-la-police-officers-8775698

🏆 Awards Corner…

No surprise, GH is in the running.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/2025-writers-guild-awards-daytime-drama-nominees-announced

The BAFTA noms.

https://ew.com/2025-bafta-awards-nominations-full-list-8774808

🐕 No Gutter Balls Here…

I want them all.

https://ew.com/puppy-bowl-2025-meet-adoptable-dog-players-8773005

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/puppy-bowl-players-2025-super-bowl

☃️ Quotes of the Week

Just because my heart is beating doesn’t mean I’m alive. – Ish Williams (Alexander Ludwig), Earth Abides

There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man (and woman) which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. – Blaise Pascal

You don’t break habits, you replace them. – Coach Mike Bayer

If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan (Or kick it down.)

Make failure your teacher, not your undertaker. – Hilary ‘Zig’ Ziglar

Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people. – Spencer Johnson

She took every bit of power I had and left me with household appliances. – Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), Agatha All Along

🌉 Taking a Sentimental Journey…

Until next week, stay safe, stay warm, and stay valuing honesty.

November 8, 2024 – Jason Brings Sidwell the Diamonds, Salty Talk, Hills Chat, On Pause, Returning, Down Not Out, Visiting, Monsterverse, Nom-Nom-Nom, Animal Happenings, Not 8 Or 10 Quotes & Autumn

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone, Anna says she asked Jack to keep her informed, so if he insists on avoiding her phone calls, she’ll be forced to come down to his fancy, high-tech office to get answers. She did agree to deniability. She didn’t agree to a full-on information blackout. So if he’s going to take action to bring Sasha back, he’s going to have to give her a heads up, yeah? Thank you. Ric walks in and asks if it’s a bad time.

Olivia answers the door and it’s Alexis. She says, me again, and Olivia hugs her. Alexis says she told Scout that she would come back and say goodnight to her, and Olivia says, of course (🍷). She knows where Scout’s room is, right? Alexis thanks her and goes upstairs.

Brook finds Dante on the patio and asks if he’s all right. He’s been out here for a while. He says he came out to clear his head a little bit, but she says, he could do that inside where there’s heat. He says he’s all right, but she asks if he’s not a little cold. Dante says, honestly, he doesn’t know what he is right now.

Tracy walks into the stables, where Cody is shoveling hay. She says she has a house full of hungry children who are being forced to subsist on stale crackers and boxed beverages, and he says he has some leftover pizza in the fridge upstairs, but he doubts it’s enough for the army she keeps at the house. She says, just point her in the direction of his irresponsible and unreliable girlfriend, and he says, Sasha? She says, who else? She was willing to keep an open mind and give her a second chance, but this is how Sasha repays her, by disappearing. He says, if Sasha took off, he’s sorry, but he’s the last person she would tell.

Holly wonders why there’s not any news yet. Chief Brennan and Jason left ages ago. Robert says, these operations take time, and she says, it’s been 24 hours since Jenz abducted Sasha. If he’s touched a single hair on her head… He says, knowing Brennan and Jason Morgan, there’s not going to be anything left of this guy to kick. She says she’s going to get some air, but he asks her to stay with him. Relax. She says, that’s not going to happen no matter what she does, and he says, then be all twirly up beside him. Stay. She asks, why? So he can make sure she doesn’t do something to make things worse? Tell her the truth. Is that what she is to him? A problem?

In a warehouse stairwell, Jack radios for his men to hold their position. Nobody move without my go.

Jason walks into the warehouse, and Sidwell says he told Holly to bring them herself. Jason says, Sidwell wanted the diamonds, so here he is, and Sidwell says, apparently, Sasha was right. Her mother really doesn’t care if she lives or dies. He’s just sorry he won’t see Holly’s lovely face when she finds out her daughter’s dead.

Alexis tells Olivia, Scout was fast asleep. She envies her. Olivia asks if she can get Alexis anything, but Alexis says, no. Please thank Monica for letting the kids stay here. Olivia says, she’s their grandmother. This is their house too. Alexis too. If she wants to stick around close by… Alexis says, if she’s going to stay up all night, it’s best that she does it in her own bed, and Olivia says, just know that the door is always open. There’s a lot of beds in this place. Alexis says she thinks that Scout and Danny should live with her. She knows that Scout’s father lives here, but if he gets elected, he’ll live in Washington DC a good deal of the time. Olivia says she guesses that’s probably true, and Alexis says she’s not sure Jason is prepared to raise a teenager. Olivia says, who is? But she thought things between Jason and Danny were good. Alexis says, Sam was worried about Jason’s influence on Danny, and Olivia says, right. She thought Dante said things were good on the Sam and Jason front. Alexis says she doesn’t think Sam would want Jason to raise Danny alone, and Olivia says she sees Alexis’s point. Alexis says, so she thinks the sooner they stabilize them at her place, it will be best for them.

Brook thanks Dante for taking pity on her and coming inside. Does he want something to eat? He says, they just had dinner, and she says, they had dinner, but he didn’t eat anything. He says, with everything going on in this house, how does she know what he’s doing? and she says she knows his secrets. He forgets, when they were kids, he taught her to hide the peas under the mashed potatoes. He says, sometimes he forgets how long they’ve known each other, and she says her too, but she can still tell when he’s hiding his feelings. He asks if she wants him to fall apart in front of the kids, and she says, good thing there are no kids around right now. Tell her, what is he thinking and feeling? He says he’s thinking he doesn’t know how he’s going to take care of their family on his own without Sam.

Tracy says, Cody hasn’t heard from Sasha? and he says, nope, and he doesn’t expect to. She says, what did he do? (ha-ha! again someone assumes it must be him) and he says, for once, he didn’t mess anything up. Turns out he and Sasha are cousins. First cousins. Tracy laughs and says, how? He says, Sasha just found out that Robert Scorpio’s her father, and she says, Robert? Wow… wow. She guesses she can still be surprised. So if Robert’s her father, who’s her… He says, Holly Sutton, and she says, wow. That’s not surprising. Disturbing, but not surprising. Did Holly raise Sasha? Cody says, no. Sasha’s grandmother did, but Holly was around. She says, as upsetting as this is, consider himself lucky that he dodged a bullet.

Anna tells Ric, it’s late. She’s busy. He says, this won’t take long. Ava Jerome’s trial is coming up soon. Despite recent tragic events, he still has a duty to defend his client to the best of his ability. She says, then why is he here speaking to her instead of anywhere else talking to his client? He says, it seems Ava’s arrest is based solely on some photographs from unknown origin that were taken at the time of Kristina’s accident. And basic rules of discovery require the state to provide the defense with all known evidence. She says, he should have been provided with copies of those photos. She can check with the DA’s office. He says he has his copies. What he wants to know is, where did she get them?

Holly says she should have taken those diamonds to Sidwell herself. That’s what he wanted. Robert says, Sidwell’s demand that she bring him those diamonds was a trap, but she says, they don’t know that. He says, they’re going to find out, and she says she thought he didn’t trust Jack Brennan. He says he and Jack have had their differences over the years, but he’s always known Jack to be a good man to have on your side. She asks if he’s on Sasha’s side, and he says, as is Jason Morgan. She says, so many things can go wrong, and he says, as difficult as this is, they have to trust that Brennan and Jason can bring Sasha back to them.

Sasha tries the door again, then looks around the room. She sees there’s a vent in the wall, and rifles through drawers until she finds a letter opener.

Jason says he has the diamonds. Does Sidwell want them or not? Sidwell says he should kill Jason now, and Jason says, he can try. Sidwell says, let him see them, and Jason tosses one to him, Sidwell catching it like he’s an MLB player. He looks at it and asks, where are the rest? Jason says, show him Sasha, and he’ll show Sidwell the diamonds. Where is she? Sidwell says, she’s close by, but she doesn’t have much time. So the rest of the diamonds – now.

Cody says he thought things were getting better between Tracy and Sasha, and Tracy says, they were. Then she found out Holly Sutton was Sasha’s mother. He says, Sasha’s not her mom, but she says, please. Whatever parent you don’t want to emulate, that’s the one you become most like. (Oh great.) Her mother was a wonderful woman. You know what she got? Her eyelashes. He says, they’re very nice, and she thanks him. She says, even if he and Sasha weren’t cousins, their relationship was doomed to fail, and he says, she doesn’t know Sasha like he does. She’s nothing like her parents. She says, that’s the nature versus nurture debate. Is someone born untrustworthy, or do they learn to be that way? He says, Tracy has admitted to some underhanded stuff in her life too, but she says she’s not marrying herself and she’s not suggesting anybody else does. He says he’s not going to let her make Sasha out to be the bad guy. Even if she did pull a few cons, that just makes her more perfect for him. Tracy laughs and asks how he can say that. He says, because he’s been conning people his whole life. There was a long time when his entire focus was seeing what he could get out of this world. She says, he’s not that person anymore, but he tells her that she wouldn’t say that if she knew what he pulled the other day.

Brook says, Dante doesn’t have to make any big decisions right now. And he and the kids can stay here as long as he likes. Everyone loves having them here, even Tracy. He laughs and says, now he knows she’s lying. It just doesn’t feel like they can be a family without Sam. She says, they already are a family. He just has to keep being the amazing dad he already is. He says, she didn’t turn out so bad herself, and she says, obviously, when Chase walks in. He tells Dante, if there’s anything he needs or wants… Dante thanks him, and Chase tells Brook that he’s sorry he missed dinner. He got hung up at the station. She says, he’s here now. That’s all that matters. He asks if there are any leftovers, and she says, lots. She’ll make him a plate. They leave as Dante sadly watches.

Alexis asks if Dante has said anything about where he and Rocco are going to live, and Olivia says she thinks right now, he’s just trying to put one foot in front of the other. He loved Sam so much. Alexis says, she loved him right back, and Olivia says, she loved Rocco as her own. It’s not always that way. You hear stories. They never referred to themselves as a blended family. They were just a family. Alexis says, Sam was her wild child. She certainly never expected Sam to settle down with a family and be the anchor in it. Olivia starts to cry and says she can’t believe Sam’s gone, and Alexis says, what they say about how mothers aren’t supposed to outlive their children is true.

Ric says, Anna’s name was listed as the officer that logged the photos into evidence. That means she was the one to receive them. She says, that’s true, and he says, great. So where did she get them? She tells him, as she said in her statement, during the course of their preliminary investigation, the photos were brought to her attention depicting a physical altercation between Ava Jerome and Kristina Corinthos-Davis. He says he read it. It’s a terrific statement, by the way. She thanks him, and he says, what he wants to know is, who took those incredibly convenient photos? She says, it’s interesting he thinks they were convenient. They do make his client look rather guilty. He says, the providence of those photos matters and is at best dubious. It’s just one more example of the PCPD’s mishandling of Ava Jerome’s case and another reason her case should be thrown out.

Jack asks if there’s any movement in the rear of the building, and jets down a staircase.

Jason says he’ll hand over the diamonds after he gets proof of life, and Sidwell says, fine. He shows Jason his phone and we see Sasha messing with the vent. Sidwell says, you really do have to admire someone who doesn’t just wait for fate to fall in their lap. It’s really to bad she won’t have enough time to get out. Jason says, where is she? and Sidwell says, somewhere on the five floors. There are 30 offices in this building. Give him the diamonds; avoid the scavenger hunt. Jason says he’s good at finding things, but Sidwell says he’s not sure Jason will have time to disarm the bomb in the room with her before, boom! It goes off. Once he sets the timer, Sasha only has five minutes to live. He really does find a timer increases efficiency and cooperation. He sets the timer, shows Jason his phone, and says, your move, Mr. Morgan.

Sasha hears the beeping and starts looking around.

Jason hands Sidwell the diamonds, and says, where is she? Sidwell says, room 533, and Jason takes off. Sidwell calls, good luck. He’ll have to be very good at finding things.

Sasha opens a cupboard in the desk and sees the bomb.

Tracy asks what horrible thing Cody has done, and he says he agreed to keep quiet about what a sleaze Drew is. She asks why he’d do that, and he says, because Drew paid him $50,000. She says, he’s a politician. He paid for Cody’s silence. Cody says, Drew paid him to keep something quiet he doesn’t want the voters to know, and she says, that he made out with Willow and was banging her mom? He says, how…? and she says, the whole family knows. They actually paid someone to make sure the bar incident doesn’t go viral. He says, so they know he punched Drew, and she says, he needs to be much smarter going forward. He says he knows he shouldn’t have gotten drunk and he shouldn’t have gone after Drew, but she says, no. He should have held out for $100,000. (A woman after my own heart, but he should have held out for $6 million.)

Chase asks, how’s Rocco doing? and Dante says, he’s quiet. He and Danny are just trying to support Scout. Brook says, it’s the best thing those kids can do. Draw strength from each other. Chase says, Rocco was just so happy when he saw them at the Surf Lodge. He seemed more excited about the engagement than Dante was. Brook says, Dante and Sam were engaged? and Dante says he asked her when she woke up from her surgery. Brook says she’s so sorry and hugs him, and Dante says he’s going to go check on Rocco, and leaves. Brook says she just managed to make a heartbreaking situation even worse, and Chase says, there’s no worse for Dante right now. She says, it just keeps getting sadder, and they hug.

Ric says, there were several grievous lapses in procedure leading up to Ava’s arrest, and Anna says, enlighten her. He says, for one, she was initially interviewed by Detective Dante Falconari, the brother of the alleged victim, and Anna says, correct. Detective Falconari was first on the scene and was unaware that the room from which Kristina fell was, in fact, Miss Jerome’s. Then when Miss Jerome was brought in for custody, Detective Chase took over the questioning. He says, there was no reason for them to hold Ava, but then Jason Morgan shows up and Ava gets arrested. She asks what he’s implying, cause and effect? but he says, no. He’s asking her flat out. Was Jason the one that provided her with the photos in question? She says, the photos were taken by a private investigator by the name of Demitri Putnam. Mr. Putnam was hired by Sonny Corinthos regarding an ongoing custody case involving his… He asks if Sonny gave her those pictures, but she says, no. Sonny was at GH finding out if his daughter was going to live or die. He says, so Jason was Sonny’s errand boy as per usual, and Anna says she thinks he’s using this case to stick it to Sonny, the brother he hates, as per usual. He says he doesn’t know of any other Police Commissioner who would believe a known criminal. For the life of him, he can’t think of one. She says, he might want to sleep on it or think about it somewhere else, and he says, the fact that she’s willing to believe Jason Morgan says one of two things. Either personal malice towards his client or incredible naïveté on her part. Which is it, Commissioner?

Jason runs through the building trying doors and yelling Sasha’s name. She says she’s here, and he says, get away from the door. She says, he’s clear, and he kicks it in. She runs past him and says, 47 seconds. He runs out behind her.

On the stairs, Jack says he needs an update, dammit.

Sasha and Jason tear through the building, and we see there’s about 5 seconds left.

Jack says, come on, when the building explodes. Jack is tossed back.

Brook says she’s sorry it’s been such a sad homecoming, but Chase says, it’s part of being together, through the good times and the bad. She says she missed him every second he was in Seattle. She doesn’t sleep well if he’s not next to her. His snoring soothes her. He says he does not snore, and she laughs. He says he hopes she knows how much he loves their life together, and he never wants her to think he’d take it or her for granted. She says she loves him too. She always knew how lucky they were, but now… He says he knows, and kisses her.

Tracy says, Cody knows that Drew owns Aurora and a boatload of ELQ stock, and he settled for $50,000, but he says he had no intention of going to the press. She says, he just thought it was important for the bar patrons to know, but not the general public, and he says he was drunk. She says, that much was clear, and he says he’d love to show the people what’s under that perfect politician’s smile Drew is always flashing around, but he doesn’t want to hurt Willow or Michael. They have kids. He’d never blow up a family. She says she wishes Drew felt the same way, and he says, Drew just waltzed in here. Drew didn’t even ask what he intended on doing. Drew just assumed he could be bought. She says she thinks Drew assumes most people can be bought and he’s not wrong. He says he found it insulting, and she says she thinks this situation proves Drew is a real Quartermaine.

Alexis hands Olivia Sam’s engagement ring and says she didn’t know if Olivia had a chance to see it. Through her tears, Olivia says, he came running over here just as soon as he bought it. He was so excited to share his big plans. It’s a beautiful ring. Alexis says, it really is, and Olivia says she knows it sounds crazy, but some part of her is happy that her son got to propose to the woman he loved more than anything and have her say yes. Alexis says, she was so happy… and Olivia says she hopes this doesn’t come out the wrong way, but she’s actually glad Alexis was there with Sam. Alexis wipes her tears away and says her too. Olivia hands the ring back to Alexis.

Anna says, if Ric is done haranguing her, he can leave, and he says, Robin is close to Jason Morgan and Sonny Corinthos. That’s not really a question. Everybody knows it. She says, since he doesn’t need her for this conversation, please have it somewhere else, and he says he thinks she’s too close to known criminals and as a result, she’s willing to bend the rules for them. She says, that’s quite an accusation. For the record – for his record anyway – she’s done nothing wrong. He says, so she’s willing to believe Jason Morgan wouldn’t lie to her. Okay. He guesses they’ve got their answer. Naïve it is. Her phone rings, and she tells him to see himself out. She answers and says, yes… Where?

On the phone, Robert says, what?… A bomb?… The warehouse blew up? Holly says, did Sasha get out? and Robert says, what about their daughter? Is she alive? Holly says she can’t stand this. She’s going to find Sasha. She dashes out, and Robert follows.

Brook tells Chase that things have been so crazy and sad, they’ve barely had a minute to themselves. She wants to hear about everything that happened in Seattle. Every detail, preferably the happy ones. Chase says, for starters, it was so good to see Finn acting like his old self again, and she says, Violet must have been so happy to be with him again. He says, as soon as they landed, she couldn’t stop smiling, and she says she knows Violet belongs with her dad, but she really, really misses her. He says, Brook was a great mom to her while she was here. Violet wanted him to give her a message. She asks if Violet forgot something, and he says, a two-page list, but that’s not the message. Violet wanted him to remind her that she still wants a cousin, and in her words, she doesn’t want to wait forever. She says, then they’d better take this thing seriously, and he says, they weren’t taking it seriously before? She says she means, if they want to have a baby, there are things they can do to make that happen (um… like having sex?), and he says, she means something like this? and kisses her.

Cody says, Tracy sounds like she’s proud of Drew for going after his nephew’s wife, but she says, not at all. It’s just that there’s a Quartermaine trait that all of the family men have in common. He says, they cheat? and she says, eventually, even her dearly beloved father. Of course (🍷) not Jason. Although he doesn’t remember the first twenty years of his life, so he’s not off the hook yet. Cody says, it’s a great family legacy she’s got there. He’s sure she could go on for hours at the club just bragging about it. She says she doesn’t have to. Everybody knows. But it’s the nature/nurture conversation again. Philandering is definitely in the family DNA, but Drew didn’t grow up in the family. But there you have it. His roots are finally starting to show.

Dante and Alexis hug and he says he didn’t know she was here. She says she came to say goodnight to Scout, and Olivia leaves to check on the kids. Dante says, Scout was sleeping pretty good, and Alexis says, Scout was sleeping when she checked on her too. He says he guesses grief is pretty exhausting, and she says, yep. She’s been trying to work on necessary funeral arrangements. She’s pretty sure he doesn’t want to… He says, whatever she decides is best. He sees the plastic bag with the ring in it and takes the ring out. She says she brought that over for him because she didn’t know if he wanted to keep it or have Sam wear it. He says, it feels like he bought this ages ago, and he flashes back to showing it to Olivia, who tells him, it’s beautiful, and hugs him. He tells Olivia, let’s hope Sam feels the same way.

Jack – who has miraculously survived even though we don’t know how – brings Sasha and Jason to his office and says, wait here. He leaves, and Jason asks if Sasha is okay. She says she thinks so. She’s still breathing. She thanks him for the rescue, and he says, sure. She asks how he got dragged into this. They barely know each other. He says, Carly was there when Sidwell grabbed her and he was in Africa with Holly. She asks if he knew Holly made off with Sidwell’s diamonds, but he says, not until a few days ago. She asks where the diamonds are now, and he says, with Sidwell. Her mom gave up the diamonds to save her.

Anna arrives at the warehouse, where firefighters are running around, and she asks Dex what they’ve got. He says he and his partner responded to reports of an explosion. When they arrived, no other parties were on the scene. She says, inside? and he says, it’s supposed to be vacant, but they won’t know until the fire is put out. She says, forensics? and he says, standing by. She asks if they talked to anyone, and he says, canvassing the area, they turned up some third shift workers. They heard the explosion, but they didn’t see anything. They did find this though. He shows her an evidence bag, and she says, it doesn’t prove anything, but she’s pretty sure of whose it is. (It’s unclear what’s in the bag.)

Jack brings Holly and Robert to his office, and Holly runs to Sasha, hugging her and saying, thank God. Is she okay? Sasha says she’s alive, and Holly says she’s never been more pleased to see her. Robert thanks Jason, and Jack says, no worries, mate. You’re welcome. Robert asks if Sidwell got out, but Jack says, they never saw him or the diamonds after the explosion. Robert says, he got away? and Jack says, looks like it. Robert asks Sasha if she’s okay. Should they call a doctor? Sasha says she’s fine. She’s sorry Sidwell got away. He says, she’s here. That’s all that matters. He moves awkwardly toward her, and she hugs him. She thanks him for saving her.

Brook says, there are things they can do to improve their chances, and Chase says, she’s not going to stand on her head after, but she says she’s not talking about that. She’s been doing some reading herself. There’s a system they can try, like tracking her cycle and taking her temperature. Maybe they can get one of those ovulation predictors. He says he’s willing to do whatever it takes, but he doesn’t want to lose them being spontaneous, and she says, never. He says, tonight, they’ll do it the old-fashioned way, and tomorrow, they’ll get her a calendar and everything she needs. She says, it’s a deal. However it happens, she can’t wait to make a baby with him. He says, that makes two of us.

Tracy asks where Cody’s ill-gotten gains are now, and he says, his checking account? She laughs and he says he never had enough money for a savings account. She says she’s going to teach him how to invest, and he says, cool. She says, and while he’s living on these grounds, he’s going to keep his eyes on Drew. And when he strays, which he will, they’ll be waiting. He says, the two of them? and she says, the two of them. They’re in this together now. He says, anything that involves bringing down Drew, count him in. (Me too!)

Alexis tells Dante that she doesn’t want to rush into things, but she wants to give the kids as much stability as she can. He says him too, and she says she knows he’s hurting, but she wants to talk to him about something. He says, okay, and she says she thinks Danny and Scout should live with her. She’s sorry. She doesn’t know if he had other plans. He says he just thought they’d all live together here. Just for the time being. She says, for now it’s good. It’s familiar and there are a lot of people around. It will keep them from feeling lonely and alone without their mom. He says he really thought they would grow old together, and she says, that was the way it was supposed to be. He says he can’t imagine his life without her, and they hug.

A firefighter tells Anna, no signs that anyone was in the building when it went up, and she asks him to let her know when they find the origin of the explosion. He says, will do, and she thanks him. She asks an officer to tell the bomb squad that she wants to know what kind of incendiary device was used. And find out who owns this warehouse. The officer leaves, and Anna tells Dex that she wants them to do another canvas of the area. There has to be an eyewitness out there and she wants him talking to them. Surveillance footage, do they have it. Streetcams, everything. She wants him to get it.

Sasha says she couldn’t leave the room, but Jason got in. He saved her. Holly says she’s not sure she can ever thank him enough, and he says he’s just glad it all worked out. His phone rings, and he steps out to take the call. Holly says, he just goes on and on, doesn’t he?

In the hallway, Jason says, yeah, and Anna says she’s at a crime scene, an explosion at a warehouse. Meet her in her office in twenty. She wants some answers.

Sasha asks if Holly really gave up the diamonds for her or were they fake? but Holly says, they were real. She wasn’t going to risk Jenz thinking he’d been tricked. Robert says, they were real. No question. Sasha says, why, mother? and Holly says, because like those diamonds, the love she feels for Sasha is real. And whether Sasha believes it or not, there’s nothing more important in this world to her than Sasha.

On Monday, Willow says she thought she and Drew were on the same page; Felicia tells Sasha to give her mother a second chance before it’s too late; Mac wants to know what Holly’s pulled Robert into; and Anna asks how long Jason has been lying to her.

🧂 A Dash Of Salt…

I’m so over these Housewives lawsuits.

💎 Clutching Their Diamonds…

The new season starts November 19th. A lot of Kyle angst in the trailer. I’m over that too.

https://www.justjared.com/2024/11/07/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-trailer-teases-explosive-season-14-amid-3-cast-exits-plus-premiere-date-revealed/

Does DIRECTV still exist? Do you know anyone with DIRECTV? I had a neighbor who had it for like, five minutes, and didn’t recommend it. Although I came very close to signing up when they took on Passions after it’s CBS cancelation. I’m glad I didn’t because the show was gone in a matter of months.

I only included this because, LVP mention. It’s not all that interesting.

🐪 But I Came For the Camels…

I’m sorry to hear this. I thought these women were a little different than the Housewives norm. And I love Stanbury.

🪃 Two Returns…

The karate kids of Cobra Kai are back on November 15th.  

https://ew.com/cobra-kai-season-6-part-2-exclusive-preview-clip-tory-iron-dragons-8735211

As a post-Christmas gift, Squid Game returns December 26th.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-2-trailer-official

📢 She Stopped the Insanity…

This is just sad and I have no doubt it happens all the time.

https://ew.com/stop-the-insanity-fitness-icon-susan-powter-lost-millions-after-90s-fame-8732791

It’s no surprise she got involved in this. There’s nobody more authentic. I am surprised she never got a movie made about Susan though. She would have been perfect for the role.

https://ew.com/jamie-lee-curtis-susan-powter-documentary-preview-8737729

🛸 Guilty Pleasure Then and Now…

One of my favorite series ever. Mostly because Marc Singer is in it.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/v-the-series-sci-fi-1984-retrospective

The sad story of the reboot. By the time they brought Marc in, it was already too late.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/v-2009-15-year-anniversary

🦖 King Of the Monsters…

I loved Godzilla Minus One. I hope the sequel does it justice.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/godzilla-minus-one-sequel-in-works

In the beginning.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/godzilla-70-year-anniversary

🏆 Making the Cut…

The simple list of Grammy nominations.

https://people.com/grammys-2025-nominations-full-list-8742150

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Grammys. Just keep scrolling down; it’s endless.

https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about this year’s Grammys. Ditto.

https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-best-african-music-performance

🐾 It’s Not Always About the Dog…

🦛 Moo Deng has some competition.

https://people.com/a-new-moo-deng-enters-the-chat-pygmy-hippo-named-haggis-born-at-edinburgh-zoo-8739678

🐛 Wow. Just wow. Check out the Instagram.

https://people.com/deep-sea-explorers-find-worm-looks-like-sassy-sparkler-8741792

🦊 Aww! a million times over. Feel free to squee.

https://people.com/red-panda-triplets-born-at-childrens-zoo-in-nebraska-8742059

🐶 And sometimes it is about the dog. Old news, but no less cute.

https://people.com/pets/snoopy-look-alike-bayley-mini-sheepadoodle/

🐘 Quotes of the Week

Leaders who win the respect of others are the ones who deliver more than they promise, not the ones who promise more than they can deliver. – Mark A. Clement

No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has. – Henry Ward Beecher

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. – Marilyn Monroe

Infinitely more important than sharing one’s material wealth is sharing the wealth of ourselves—our time and energy, our passion and commitment, and, above all, our love.  – William E. Simon (But a little cash never hurts.)

Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. – Paramahansa Yogananda

If you’re going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now. – Marie Osmond (Preach!)

Make the choice to embrace this day. Do not let your today be stolen by the ghost of yesterday or the To-Do list of tomorrow! It’s inspiring to see all the wonderfully amazing things that can happen in a day in which you participate.Steve Maraboli

I’m naturally adorable. If you have a problem with that, take it up with God. – Geneviève Delatour (Susan Lucci), Devious Maids

Counting to ten only makes it premeditated. – seen on a T-shirt

🌚 All the Fall Feels…

Chuck your comfort zone this weekend and do something different. Or at least stream outside of your usual waters. Then join me on Veteran’s Day for soap and chicanery on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay thanking veterans for their service, and stay not hiding your peas under your mashed potatoes. Or hiding your feelings.

September 25, 2024 – Sidwell Makes It More Interesting, On Call, Salty Talk, Returning Sisters, She Had Input, Squid Nouveau, Films To Scare You, Double Launch & Blame

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly tells Lulu to hang in there. Jason is going to bring Lucky home and get her what she needs. She sees Sam in the hallway, and says, Dante just left. Sam says, Dante told her that Carly was here, and Carly asks, what’s up? Sam says she needs Carly’s help. Help her save her mother.  

Martin says he doesn’t think Alexis is taking this seriously, and she says, if she gave him that impression, she apologizes. He needs to keep Kristina out of this. He tells her, if that’s what she wants, let him do the next best thing, and she says, point them in the direction of another suspect. He says, the perfect suspect – Sonny Corinthos.

Sonny goes to Kristina’s apartment and tells her that Diane said she needed help. She said Chase was here. Did he force her to answer any questions? Kristina says, no, but she may have screwed up anyway, and he asks if she said she had the gun. She says she knows better than that, but he asked her how she got around that night and she thinks she might have said too much. He says, that’s why you can’t talk to the police without an attorney, and Kristina says, all that matters is that he knows the truth. All of it.

Jordan brings Isaiah a donut for breakfast, and says she expects a five-star review. He says she and the staff are taking good care of him, and she says, when he’s allowed to leave, there’s a lot more of Port Charles for him to explore. Has he been given a discharge date? He says, not yet. He’s getting stronger every day, but her son might have a different assessment. Her phone rings, and she steps away to take the call. She asks if they’ve double checked that it’s the correct spelling… She’ll make pickup arrangements. She thanks them, and Isaiah says, important package? She says, it is, and he asks if she wants to talk, but she says, talking won’t help.

Holly says she hopes Anna and Jason are comfortable, and Anna says, when Sidwell and Holly invited them back to their camp… Sidwell asks if she thought they’d sit by the fire in the dirt drinking boiled water out of animal skins, and she says she guesses this is a step up. Holly asks if she should order drinks or something to eat while they prepare for their game, but Sidwell says, it’s not necessary. First, they have to find out why Anna and Jason are really here.

While Lucky is picking the lock, he hears someone and hides the penknife he’s using.

Alexis says, going with the-other-guy-did-it defense sounds like Martin wants to take it to trial, and he says, he wants the prosecution looking at Sonny. He’ll use every arrow in his quiver to exonerate her. She says, he can’t take it to trial. Kristina is going to be in the courtroom. He asks what’s wrong with her? Her license was just reinstated. The jury wants to see family in the courtroom. She says, it’s another chance for Kristina to incriminate herself and she will. If she sees it’s going badly, she’ll stand up and do what it takes to protect her mother at her own peril. He says, unless Alexis is willing to take a deal, which won’t be generous, their only option is going to trial and pointing the suspicion in Sonny’s direction.

Carly asks what she can do, and Sam says, tell the truth. She said she was Sonny’s alibi when Cates was killed. Carly says she gave her statement, but Sam says, there’s no way in hell she and Sonny slept together in Tracy’s bed. Carly says, we all have moments were not proud of, and Sam says, if it wasn’t so ludicrous, it would be funny. There’s no way she and Sonny are getting back together. She’s begging Carly to come clean and clear her mom.

Kristina says she didn’t tell Sonny everything. She went to the Quartermaines that night. He asks, why? and she says, to kill John Cates.  

Isaiah says, Jordan helped him, and he’d like to return the favor. She says she wishes talking would help, and he asks if she can think of a time it didn’t help a situation. He understands if she can’t discuss work. She says, it’s not work, and he says he doesn’t want to overstep, but he’s not used to not doing anything. She says, he’s healing, and he says, doctors make the worst patients, but they’re great listeners. She says, her son and his partner were having a baby by a surrogate. There was an altercation, and the surrogate fell out a hotel window. The baby didn’t survive. He asks, how far along was she? and Jordan says, a week away. It was a girl. He says, her granddaughter was stillborn. He’s so sorry. She says, the call was about the headstone. It’s ready. He says, is she ready? and she says, TJ and Molly are suffering. She’s just helping them pick up the pieces. She’s only the grandmother. This is their loss. He says, that’s not true. It’s hers too.

A guard brings Lucky some food, and Lucky wonders if it’s steak, lobster, or surf and turf. He asks if the guard wants to join him. The food and beatings are pretty good here. The guard says, Lucky deserved it, and Lucky says he usually does. Should he psych himself up for another all-night card game? If the answer is yes, he wants to start praying now. The guard says, his prayers were answered tonight. Sidwell came back with some fancy guests. Lucky says, fancier than you and me? He asks if the guard can smuggle him a scotch and a few canapés, but the guard walks away. Lucky says he knows they’re friends, but he can’t read the guard’s silences yet. Fancy guests means there’s one vehicle on the site at least, and he only needs one to get out. He gets the knife that came with his food, and picks at the lock. (Kind of strange that they gave him a knife, but okay.)

Sidwell asks if Anna and Jason are in the habit of accepting invitations from strangers, and Anna says, the company is nice, and although it wasn’t her preferred mode of transport, any good business transaction requires a certain degree of sacrifice. He asks what business she’s in, and she says, platinum, gold, diamonds. They have that in common. He says, possibly, and she says, good. She wants in.

Alexis tells Martin, it’s not as simple as pointing a finger at Sonny. If he targets Sonny, Kristina will defend him too. He says, Kristina only has one parent in prison. He’s trying to do his job, but she’s tying his hands. She says she’s sorry. She knows she’s making it a challenge, but Kristina will defend both of her parents, and she’ll do it in a way that will ruin her life. He says, Kristina is an adult, and she can’t control herself or be controlled in a courtroom? and Alexis says, yeah. He asks if she has any plans for a defense, and she says, trust the system. She’s innocent. The truth will prevail. He says, the whole truth or half of it? If she doesn’t come forward and say what Kristina was doing the night of the murder, it’s not an arrow in their quiver. She says, how about the fact that John Cates was hated by everyone? His list of enemies is impressive. Find one and point his finger. It’s not that hard.  

Sonny says he knows where Kristina’s head was at. John Cates was harassing her and tormenting her for weeks. Her feelings were all over the place. She probably felt like the only way to stop the pain was to end Jagger’s life. She was going through a mental health crisis. Not a lot of people understand, but he does.

Sam and Carly go to Lulu’s room, and Carly says she’s sorry for Sam and Alexis. She knows Sam’s family is going through hell, but Alexis tossed the gun. Alexis made a choice and got herself in this situation. She and Sonny didn’t. She gets that it’s easy to blame Sonny, but this time it’s not Sonny’s fault. Sam says she doesn’t believe that, and Carly says she believes Alexis is a good lawyer and can get herself out of this. Sam says, Alexis loves and wants to protect her children at all costs. Carly would do the same for her kids. Carly says, absolutely, and Sam says, then show some empathy. It won’t clear Alexis, but the truth will. Sonny is a professional with resources. His people will get him out. She knows he and Carly share history. So much, that protecting him is like breathing to her. She gets it, but the alibi isn’t only keeping Sonny out of prison. It’s keeping her mother in.

Jordan tells Isaiah that she was most excited about seeing her son with her granddaughter. He’d be an amazing father, and she wanted to see that. Isaiah asks if she’s talked to anyone, and she says she’s talking to him. He says he’s flattered, but she’s dealing with something so big, it can be hard to find her way through it. She says, and find closure? and he says, if it exists. She says, maybe she should try, and thanks him.

Holly asks if the evening is going to descend into business chatter. It was supposed to be fun. Sidwell gave her his word. Sidwell says, they’ll return to the fun, and Holly says, while he hammers out whatever, she’s going to freshen up. She leaves, and Sidwell says, assuming they have business interests in common, what does Anna know about that? She says she knows he sells his materials in Dubai, but the market there for precious metals and jewels is inundated. He tells her to make her pitch, and she says she’s in a position to help him move his materials through Switzerland, where he’ll get a substantially higher return on his investment. He asks what Jason moves, and Jason says, her. Anna says, he’s her security, and Sidwell asks about the cuddling at the club. Anna says, there’s always perks. He can secure a profit in a Swiss bank, which has more flexible and transactional speed than a bank in the Caymans. He says, this might be his lucky day… or maybe something else entirely. Give him a reference.

Anna gives Sidwell a number to call and give her information, and says, then maybe they can get back to the evening as planned. A guard makes the call, and Sidwell says, Jason is quieter than he was at the poker table. Would Jason like to have a drink to accidently soak him with? Jason says he’ll have what Anna is having, when the guard comes back and whispers something to Sidwell. Sidwell says, Anna’s references checked out. He thinks doing business with her would be both profitable and interesting. She asks if he would have preferred the alternative, and he says, no. He would have preferred something less convenient.  

Lucky hears the lock click, and says, baby, we are out of here. He runs into Holly outside the cell, and she says, perfect timing. She’s come to rescue him.

Kristina says she spoke to Felicia who referred her to a counselor and a support group, and Sonny says he’s extremely proud of her. A lot of people are afraid and ashamed of what people think, but you gotta do what you need to do to take care of business. She says she knows. Someone she respects, admires, and loves very much gave her an example to follow. He puts his arm around her, and she puts her head on his shoulder.

Carly says she can’t give Sam what she wants, and Sam asks if Carly is going to let her mother go to prison, maybe for the rest of her life, for a crime she didn’t commit. She’s that loyal to Sonny. She can warn Sonny and let him and Diane get their ducks in a row, as long as she comes clean. Carly says her cousin is fighting for her life. That’s the only thing she cares about, saving Lulu’s life. Sam says she’s not sure what Carly is doing to save Lulu, and Carly says, Sam needs to leave. Sam says, Carly is doing what she always does. Nothing. Jason is the one saving Lulu, risking his life going to Africa to find Lucky, but Carly already knew that, right? Because she asked him to.

Jordan goes to see Alexis, and Alexis asks if she’s visiting as Deputy Mayor. Jordan says she’s here as a grandmother, and Alexis says, anything new? Jordan says, Irene’s headstone is finished, and they’ll be placing it soon, and Alexis says, maybe it will be some closure for TJ and Molly. Jordan says, and them, and Alexis says, they were going to spoil their grandchild together until everything happened. Jordan says, that covers a lot. They both haven’t had much time to deal with the loss. Alexis says, Kristina has been in crisis since she went out that window, and Molly isn’t far behind. Her feelings are inconsequential. Jordan might be the only one who knows how she feels. Jordan says, TJ told her that Kristina was going to sue for custody and was planning to take Irene away from him. Was Alexis going to help?

Martin meets Molly in an unidentified restaurant, and she says she saw him listed as her mother’s attorney and thought they should meet. He says he doesn’t think they can ignore the obvious potential for a conflict of interest, but she says she’s not here as an ADA. She’s here as a concerned daughter. He says he’s not sure the court will see the difference, but she says, only he needs to see it. She was wondering who hired him. He says he can’t give her that information, and she says she’s guessing it was Uncle Sonny. She already knew before they he sat down. He says, then why ask to meet with him? and she says, his misgivings about Sonny’s involvement in this case, and Sonny hiring him proves she was right to worry.

Sonny says, no matter what you’re dealing with, killing someone is never the answer, and Kristina says, never? He says, when you make the decision to kill someone, even if it’s a piece of garbage like John Cates, it marks you and you carry that burden for the rest of your life. He doesn’t want that for her. She says, what about for him? Is he carrying that burden?

Carly says, Lucky is their best chance at saving Lulu, so yes, she asked Jason to find him and bring him home. She’s not apologizing. Sam says she doesn’t expect Carly to apologize for anything. She’s just asking Carly to think about somebody else’s family besides her own. Danny couldn’t be prouder that his father went to find lucky. Carly asks if Sam is proud, and Sam says she’s terrified for Jason. She prays he comes home safe, and she doesn’t have to tell her son for the second time that his father is dead. She prays Jason is as invincible as Danny thinks. Carly says, what happened to Lulu is killing Dante and Rocco, but Sam says, that’s not the point. Carly asked her son’s father to risk his life again, so she’s asking for something in return. Please recant her statement. She’s not asking Carly to lie or frame anyone. She’s just asking her to tell the truth. Carly says she knows the right thing to do, and leaves.

Holly tells Lucky that the guests can’t stall Sidwell for long, and he asks if those are the fancy guests. She says, come on, and he asks if it’s the WSB. Do they have a vehicle? He won’t even need keys. She says, they have to grab the guests. They can’t let them twist, but Lucky says he doesn’t care who twists. Holly says, trust her, and grabs his hand, but Sidwell and a guard arrive. (I literally gasp out loud.) He says, oh my darling English, how you’ve disappointed me.

Alexis says, when Kristina drew up the petition, she told Kristina to keep her out of it. She didn’t want to be in a position to choose. Jordan says, there are no winners there, and Alexis says, Kristina still came to her for advice. Jordan asks if Alexis gave it to her, but Alexis says, no. She took the petition and hung onto it. That’s how Molly found it. Jordan asks, why hold on to it? and Alexis says she believed when the hormones and emotions calmed down and Kristina saw how happy TJ and Molly were… Jordan says, she was hoping Kristina would change her mind, and Alexis says she never thought Kristina would go through with it. Jordan says, what if she had? but Alexis says she can’t answer that now. All she knows is they had a granddaughter who is now gone. Jordan says she was looking forward to meeting her, and Alexis says, her too. She was looking forward to being a grandmother with Jordan.

Molly says, the best way to free her mom is to turn the indictment on Sonny, and Martin says, hypothetically, one could see the merits of it, but hypothetically, it could be a conflict of interest that Sonny paid to retain him. He’s going to give her mother the best possible legal defense. Molly says, the best chance he has at defending her mother is to point the finger at Sonny and prove he killed Cates.

Sonny says, Jagger would have continued to punish Kristina to get to him. That’s no longer a problem. Kristina says, because of him, and he says, she knows how much she means to him. She says, yes, and he says, that’s all that matters. She says, what about mom? and he says, let him worry about that. She’s going to be okay. Kristina has got to trust him.

Carly asks if Isaiah is up for some good news, and he asks if Lucky was freed. She says, if everything goes as planned, it could happen any minute, but he says, Sidwell has a way of making things go wrong. She says she believes Lucky is coming home, and if anyone can do that, Jason can. Isaiah says, when she told him Lucky was being rescued, he thought she meant by a SEAL team or the WSB. One guy can’t bring Lucky home.  

Holly is brought into the game room where Anna and Jason are handcuffed. She says, the handcuffs are chafing her and he promised her a diamond bracelet. Sidwell asks how she knows them and what’s her connection to Lucky? She says she was bringing him to the game. She knows Sidwell loves a challenge. Sidwell says, it was going so well. All she had to do was amuse him. She says, it’s a simple misunderstanding, but he says, don’t insult him. They were all made at the club in Nairobi. How is she connected to Anna? Holly says, Anna is a horrible woman. She’s the ex-wife of Holly’s ex-husband. She was happily married to a handsome man – she clearly has a type – and Anna did what she could to ruin her marriage and her life. Anna says she’s horrible, yet Holly is the ex, and Holly says she saw Sidwell catch Anna’s eye and thought Anna was doing it again, that it was history repeating itself. Sidwell asks why she didn’t say something, and she says she presumed he knew who she was and he was trying to make her jealous. He vets anyone and everyone around him. She didn’t think she knew something he didn’t. He asks what her connection to Lucky is, and she says she already told him. He says, tell him again or they’ll beat it out of her. Lucky says, she was just being nice. All he wanted was to work for Sidwell, and Sidwell threw him in a cell. He didn’t do anything and neither did Holly. Sidwell says, that remains to be seen. Does Lucky know what’s going on with Jason and Anna? Lucky says, they’re trying to take hm for everything he’s got.  

Jordan says, some days, she’s almost okay. She has a lot of sadness, but doesn’t want to show it, especially in front of TJ and Molly. They’re grief isn’t bringing them closer. If they break up, it’s another tragedy. Alexis says, they’ve grown up loving each other, and Jordan says, they could lose that. Alexis says, or get to the other side together and be better for it, and Jordan says, no matter what, TJ and Molly will always have them. Alexis says, always. She’s loved TJ forever. Jordan says, when they got together, she knew TJ was happy, and he has been, and Alexis says, so has Molly. If something does happen, and she prays it doesn’t, know that she’ll always love TJ. He’ll always be a son to her. Jordan says, and Molly will always be a daughter to her.

Sonny says, Kristina’s mom will be fine. Concentrate on her treatment and don’t worry. She asks if he can make her a promise, and he says, anything. She says, promise mom won’t go to prison for a crime she didn’t commit. He says he gives her his word as her father. Her mom is going to get out of this. They all will.

Molly says, there’s got to be a weak link around Sonny. Martin has to find it and exploit it. Martin asks if she has any idea where to start… hypothetically. She says, he can cross Jason and Michael off the list, and Kristina obviously. But Carly could be something. If Sonny is guilty and she’s been lying about his alibi… Martin says, target the alibi, and Molly says, target Carly.

Carly tells Isaiah that Anna is with Jason. She’s a former WSB agent and Police Commissioner. He says, it’s crazy. Two people against an army of security. She says, the WSB can’t assist in an official capacity, but they have eyes on the ground and are helping unofficially. As it turns out, Anna and Jason didn’t have to infiltrate Sidwell’s compound. They were invited in. He says he’s not sure that matters. Her friends had better be as capable as Carly is saying. If they’re not, they’re going end up dead, right beside Lucky.

Sidwell says, it would be so easy to kill all of them, but it would be more interesting to give them a chance to keep breathing. Jason asks, what’s the game? and Sidwell says, three plays. If Jason wins, he and Anna get to live another day. If Lucky’s name proves to be accurate, he and Holly live. If he wins, they all die. Lucky looks at Holly.

Tomorrow, Tracy says, if Stella doesn’t agree, they might have to rethink their arrangement; from behind bars, Anna says she needs to ask a favor of someone; Willow says she needs creeper Drew to leave her alone; and Jason says lucky has to get home as soon as possible.

⚾️ Put Him In, Coach…

As much as I like him, I once dated somebody who wanted to be NYC’s baseball commissioner (whatever the hell that is), and I’ve had enough of baseball to last me a lifetime. We went to every single home game of the Mets and Yankees that year, including an endless Mets game where every inning was the same and I swear we were the last people in the stands.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-adam-huss-shares-a-sneak-peek-at-his-new-series

🧂 Passing the Salt…

A lot of the episode was focused on newbie Bronwyn making a remark about Whitney, and Heather waiting until a group dinner to call her out. I was more interested in Bronwyn, Heather, and Lisa going to Wendy’s. Apparently, Lisa has a partnership with them, and they were also featured in this season’s first episode. I love Wendy’s burgers, but their buns are the worst. They’re cheap and fall apart easily. Can I call Lisa about this? And why was weird Omen music playing in the background when Lisa went to meet Angie? What I was more interested in was Whitney hosting a drag night at Trixie Mattel’s bar in Milwaukee. She invited (I think) everyone, and they’re going by private jet. I’d give my bouffant and heels for an invite like that. But I suppose the closest I’ll get is next week’s episode.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/rhoslc-episode-2-recap-everyones-fighting-with-lisa-barlow

👯‍♂️ More To Lose…

Kudos and more kudos to Tammy for her 500 pound weight loss. I’m struggling with 15. While I don’t clear my schedule to watch it, I’m kind of fascinated with this show. More with the family dynamic than anything else, but I’m always down for a massive weight loss tale. I’m also a fan of My 600-lb Life. I love Dr. Nowzaradan. He’s so cranky, yet quirky funny. The new season of Sisters premieres October 8th.

https://people.com/tammy-slaton-skin-removal-surgery-new-season-1000-lb-sisters-exclusive-8707174

It’s amazing how many times she’s been knocked down, and has gotten back up again.

https://parade.com/news/1000-lb-sisters-tammy-slaton-inspiring-message-mental-battle-instagram

⚰️ Let’s Hear It For the Girl…

There was never any question in my mind that both co-stars had a lot of say. After all, it is their show.

https://ew.com/melissa-mcbride-input-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-book-of-carol-8716833

🐙 Ready For the Game…

The basics.

https://blackstarnews.com/squid-game-season-2-release-date/

The poster.

https://gizmodo.com/squid-game-season-2-new-poster-netflix-release-date-2000500294

A tease.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/squid-game-season-2-trailer-lee-jung-jae-1236007425/

The director speaks.

https://ew.com/squid-game-season-2-details-director-hwang-dong-hyuk-star-lee-jung-jae-exclusive-8714251

🎃 Movies To Get You In the Mood…

Not a bad list of scary movies to stream. My take on their list: Nightmare on Elm Street – a classic; The Amityville Horror – good, but a lot of lost opportunities to be better; American Werewolf in London – I love, love, love this movie; Arsenic and Old Lace – old films aren’t usually my jam, but this one is funny; The Babadook – I am the only person on earth who was disappointed, but you do you; Beetlejuice – the detail is amazing and how can you not love him; Bell, Book and Candle – love the 50s NYC vibe; Bodies Bodies Bodies – very funny with an unexpected ending; The Cabin in the Woods – one of the best horror films ever made and I was astonished at the special effects; The Conjuring – maybe I’m jaded, but meh; The Craft – great female ensemble film, like Jawbreaker, but with magic; Death Becomes Her – two great actresses and broad comedy; Evil Dead 2 – love Bruce Campbell, but all of the Evil Dead films have run together in my mind at this point; Frankenweenie – kind of precious; Halloween – another classic; Halloweentown – surprisingly, I never saw it; Hocus Pocus – more fun than a barrel of newts, and nothing is better than Bette Midler singing I Put a Spell on You; Kiki’s Delivery Service – never saw it, but not so surprising since I’m not that into animated films; Late Night With the Devil – I loved the premise, but wasn’t thrilled with the ending; The Night of the Living Dead – hail to the beginning of zombie greatness; The Nightmare Before Christmas – absolutely magnificent and I love Zero so much; The Return of the Living Dead – a helluva lot better than you’d think from the title; Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark – I haven’t seen it, but it looks intriguing; Scream – so much fun; Tigers Are Not Afraid – I haven’t seen it, but if it’s going to make me cry, I’m not sure I want to; Us – Jordan Peele is a genius master of horror; The Wailing – haven’t seen it, but putting it on my short list; and The Witch – I loved it as a period piece, but wanted something more. I’m not sure what, but something.

https://ew.com/best-halloween-movies-streaming-now-8718114

🐕 Clydeo To the Rescue…

She’s a woman of many talents. I love her motivation for writing her book series too.

https://people.com/jennifer-aniston-launches-fund-to-help-animals-exclusive-8717723

🍂 Falling Into a New Season…

Join me tomorrow for soap and some OC shade. Until then, stay safe, stay savoring seasonal flavors (like those Trader Joe’s roasted vegetables they dole out like methadone during the autumn months); and stay doing what you need to do to take care of business, and don’t be afraid or ashamed of what people think.

August 14, 2024 – James Disappears From the Park, Oh No, Two For Tea, This Week In LA, NYC Comeback, Next Squid, Witchy, No Cameo, Cover Girl & Goes

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Mac and Spinelli play frisbee in the park. James wanders off, and Mac wonders what he did.

At the stables, Cody flashes back to Sasha kissing him. Tracy comes by, and he asks if she wants him to prep Hades, but she says she’s planning on taking him for a ride. So buckle up.

Sasha flashes back to Cody saying he loves James, when Willow comes in and tells her that Cody left his hat. She suggests Sasha take it back to him, but Sasha says she has to be on a call with the caterers. Willow says, Olivia isn’t here. She must have forgotten. Sasha says, it’s not with Olivia. It’s with Drew and he’s MIA.

Drew wakes up next to Nina and asks, what time is it? She says, too early to get up, but he says he’s got a call he can’t miss with Sasha and the caterers. It’s for the campaign. Nina tells him to skip it, but he says, it’s too late to bail. She says, Sasha can handle it, but he says, she can’t make decisions without him. Nina kisses him.

Brook, Lois, and Gio eat on the patio, and Lois asks if Blaze got off okay. Brook says, she got on the plane, and Gio says he has to get going. Lois says, pretty soon, he’ll be focusing on concerts, but he says, there might not be as many as he thought. He was counting on the gallery concert for exposure, but who’s going to go to a gallery owned by a murderer?  

On the phone, Sonny says he needs to find Clement. He opens the door and Natalia is there. She says she came to say goodbye. She’s going home to Puerto Rico.

Tracy says she plans on testing Cody’s mind, not his body, and Cody says, fair warning. He has a finite set of skills. She says she’ll go easy on him, and he says, it doesn’t sound like fun. She asks if he can count and differentiate between black and white, and he says he can. She says, then he can play backgammon.

Lois tells Gio that she’s sure the show will go on in spite of Ava, and Brook says, it might bring more people out of curiosity. Lois says, artists would jump at the chance to attach themselves to Ava’s notoriety. He’s too good and has too many positive things in his life to play background music for the upper-class bourgeoisie. He says he doesn’t care what people think about him, but there are a few people whose opinions matter. Like Uncle Sonny.

Natalia tells Sonny about Blaze’s tour, and says, she and Kristina broke up. Sonny says, Kristina didn’t tell him, and Natalia says, it was difficult for both of them. Maybe Kristina is still processing. She saw Blaze off, but they didn’t part on good terms. Sonny says he’s been there. It’s not easy, but they love each other and he’s sure it will work out. Natalia says, hopefully, but their potential reconciliation won’t take place here. Sonny says, so it’s a permanent move, and she says, that’s the plan. Alison doesn’t want her on tour, and she came here be with her, so she has no reason to stick around. He says, what if he gave her one.

Drew says, it’s a great way to start the day, and Nina says, it was a great way to spend the night. He says he thinks they set a new record. It’s been 10 hours, and they haven’t said anything nasty to each other. Now his would-be constituents await. She says, duty calls.

Michael asks if Willow has seen Drew, and she flashes back to her and Drew being in the elevator. She says, not since last night, and he asks if she’d mind calling him. He’s sure Drew will pick up for his star fundraiser. She says she doesn’t know where he is and doesn’t want to call. They hardly cross paths, and from now on, they won’t see each other at the foundation at all. Michael asks what that means.

Spinelli finds James sitting under a tree and asks if James wants to play frisbee, but James says, no, and asks how long they’re going to stay. Spinelli says, they just got here, but James says he’s bored. Spinelli asks what he wants to do. It will just be between them. James says he wants to ride horses with Cody, but Grandpa Mac said no.

Mac tells Felicia and Maxie, Two Trees is amazing, but Maxie says, there’s no Cody. She knows Mac has his own issues with Cody, but forbidding James to see him wasn’t Mac’s call. Felicia says, they discussed this at home, and Mac says, summer is almost over. James will be back in school before he knows it and he’ll forget about Cody. Maxie says she doubts it and asks if he doesn’t think he’s punished Cody long enough. She leaves, and Felicia says, Mac messed up big. She hopes he plans on fixing it, since she’s not doing it for him.

Maxie meets Nina as she walks into the park, and Nina thanks her for texting. It’s a lovely day. Maxie says, Nina is in a good mood. Did she have her teeth whitened? Nina says, no, and Maxie asks if she did her hair. Something is definitely different. Lucy would say her aura is glowing. Lucy would say, when Scott… Did she sleep with Drew again?

Drew comes in and tells Sasha that they’ll have to reschedule. His campaign strategy session went late and he overslept. She tells him, no problem, and Drew apologizes for barging in. Michael tells him that he and Willow were talking about her work at the Institute, and Willow says she’s come to a decision. She’s decided to go back to nursing. She’s resigning.

Tracy says, Cody gets the first roll, and Cody says, she must have been playing for a long time; she’s so knowledgeable. She says she played with her boys when they were young, then picked it back up when she was in the hospital for a while. He asks what she was in the hospital for, and she says, that’s a little forward. He says, she brought up, and she says she was infected with parasitic brain worms on a tropical vacation from a treat fed to her by Ned’s con artist father, Larry Ashton. Cody says, sounds scary, and she says, it was. He says, there are worse ways to spend time in the hospital than playing backgammon, and she says she remembers it fondly. He says, because she got to be the center of attention, but she says, because she made a friend. (I went through a backgammon phase years ago, so I get why Tracy loves it. It can be addicting.)

Brook says she thinks Sonny would respect Gio for sticking to his word, and Lois says, he has to do what’s best for him. Sonny isn’t his keeper. He’s his own man. Gio says he doesn’t want to let Sonny down, and what’s best for him right now is to get to work. He leaves, and Brook says, Lois is usually Sonny’s biggest defender, but she’s telling Gio not to care what Sonny thinks. What’s going on?

Sonny asks if Natalia wants to stay in Port Charles, and she says, it has its charms, but in her current situation, she lacks the income to sustain a bicoastal life. He says, this is where he can help, but she says, the only thing she knows about coffee is that she’s useless in the morning without it. (Same.) He says, she knows numbers, and he calls Brook. He says he was wondering if she could come over. He’s got a proposition for her. Brook asks, what kind of proposition?

Willow tells Drew and Michael that she agonized about it for weeks. She missed nursing. It fulfilled her and she feels she has a purpose as a nurse more than doing PSAs. Michael says he would have understood, and she says she wanted to be sure. She didn’t want to disappoint anyone. Nina has been helpful, and they won’t be working together anymore. Neither will she and Drew, and he’s been so supportive. Drew says he’ll always believe in her. She’s got his faith and support whether she works at the Institute or GH. He and Michael feel the same way. She should do what makes her happy. Willow says she appreciates him making it easy. She has to get the beach stuff together. She’ll meet Michael back here. She and Drew leave in opposite directions, and Sasha says, Michael rolled with Willow’s decision, but he says, what choice did he have?

Nina says she thought Drew would ditch his plans. They had an amazing time. Maxie says she knows. They had great sex. There were fireworks. Drew spending the night was unexpected. Nina says, it’s not like they’re in love. They’re two consenting adults enjoying each other. The more Drew sees it as enjoyable, the less he’ll intrude on her daughter’s marriage.

Spinelli tells James that he knows it seems unfair, but disagreements happen sometimes. Like how he has fights with his friends. James says, they usually make up, and Spinelli says he’s sure Mac and Cody will too, but it will take time.  

Mac says he’s not apologizing to make it easier on Cody. He’s a liar and a sneak. He doesn’t need or want Cody in his life. Felicia says she’s not convinced Cody shouldn’t get a second chance, but it’s Mac’s decision and she’s good with whatever he decides. He says, thanks, and she says, but don’t drag their grandson into it. The longer he keeps James and Cody apart with no explanation, the worse his and James’s relationship will be. Is that a price he’s willing to pay?

Tracy tells Cody that she was not a model patient. Her doctor weathered her ill humor with grace and got to know her. He was gentle and kind, but he was tough. And don’t get her started on how prickly he could be. Cody says, he sounds like an interesting fellow, and she says she clicks with few people the way she did with him. He says he’s glad the doctor was there for her, and she says, her too. Finn is one of a kind. He says, she misses him, and she says, very much.

James sneaks around and watches the others from behind a tree. Spinelli asks if Nina and Maxie want to play frisbee.  

As they sit on a bench, Mac tells Felicia that he’s trying to shield James from disappointment, but sooner or later, he’ll realize Cody is not the hero he pretends to be. She says, what if he’s wrong? What if Cody lives up to James’s expectations? Sometimes people can be better if they know someone believes in them.

James slips behind another tree and watches Mac and Felicia.

Lois and Brook go to the penthouse, and Sonny says he didn’t know Lois was going to show up. Lois says she was with Brook when he called and it piqued her curiosity, so she thought she’d come along. She and Brook greet Natalia, and Lois asks, what’s the idea he’s got them so eager to hear? Sonny says he was investing in a new record label, and Brook says, don’t get her wrong. She’s happy that Blaze is living her dream on tour, but she’s disappointed their idea got shelved. Sonny says, the money he set aside is still there, and he thought of a better use for it than it sitting in a bank collecting interest. Brook asks what he has in mind, and he says he’d like to invest in Deception.

Drew goes to the boathouse where Willow is getting the beach stuff together and asks if Willow needs some help. She says, thanks, but no thanks, then slips moving a box and falls on her behind. He holds out his hand, but she says she’s got it. She gathers what she needs and says she doesn’t want to keep Michael waiting. Drew says he doesn’t want her to make a big mistake.

Sasha says she knows Michael was excited about Willow’s job at the Institute, but he says, only because Willow was. If he’s learned anything from her, it’s that time is precious, and he doesn’t want her wasting it being unhappy. He doesn’t have to tell Sasha how precious time is with the person you love. He’s sorry. He wasn’t thinking. She says she’s made as much peace as she’s going to with Brando’s death. Now she smiles most of the time, rather than cries, when she thinks about him. She doesn’t think she could survive another heartbreak. He says she’s stronger than she thinks. Life doesn’t come with guarantees. You can wonder if you missed out on something great or risk being hurt.

Cody asks if Tracy has heard much from Finn, and she says she thinks he’s been concentrating on his recovery. He says it sounds like they have a special relationship, and he’s sure they’ll be happy to see each other when Finn comes home. She says she doesn’t know how happy Finn will be to see her, and he asks, why not? She says she may have been too hard on him. He hugged her when he left, but she hasn’t heard from him. He says he’s had friends go through rehab, and when Finn is thinking clearly, he’ll understand. She says she hopes so. Her only goal was to help him. He says, it sounds like underneath that tough shell, she’s pretty warm, fuzzy, and compassionate. Did he just win? She says, what? How? He says, beginner’s luck.

Sonny says, Deception has been struggling since last summer. He thinks the cash will take them over the hump and they’ll expand their audience. He’ll structure the deal, but be a silent partner. Brook says, this could be a game changer, and he says, on one condition. They hire Natalia.

Maxie brings Nina over to the group, and Nina says she wanted to come by to see them and James. Mac says, if James is still hellbent on taking riding lessons with Cody, he won’t stand in his way, and Maxie says, finally. She calls to James, but there’s no answer. She wonders where he is and yells, answer me right now!

Sonny says he wants to invest a lot of cash in Deception without taking an active role, but he wants a representative to handle his interests. Natalia is great with finances and negotiating. Brook says, Natalia’s haggling over Blaze’s contract kept Lucy awake at night, but Lois says, the music business is different than a cosmetics company. Brook says, she and Lucy lean more toward the creative side rather than financial, and Sonny says, Natalia knows numbers and will work in his best interest. Lois says, what about when his best interests don’t align with Deception’s? and Natalia says, that’s a fair question. Deception’s best interests are identical to Sonny’s. If he succeeds, then they do. Brook says she needs to discuss it with her partners. She’ll start with Tracy.  She suggests Natalia come along, since she thinks Natalia is her own best advocate, and Natalia says she’d love to. Brook thanks Sonny and says she’ll be in touch, and Natalia tells him, what she said. They leave, and Sonny asks Lois to stick around. He has a few words to say to her. She says she has a dictionary she’d like to break over his head, and he tells her that he just wants to say he’s sorry.

Spinelli suggests they split up to search for James, and Nina says, he’s a smart kid. Maxie says, too smart for his own good, and Spinelli says, it’s the first time he’s taken off like that. Maxie says she thinks she knows where to find him, and leaves, when Nina gets a call from Michael. She asks if everything is all right, and he says, everything’s fine, but he needs to talk to her about Willow.

At the boathouse, Willow tells Drew that her role isn’t what she expected. She’s not feeling fulfilled. He says, then they’ll make her feel fulfilled, but she says, they can’t. Being there at all is the problem. He says he had no indication, and she says she didn’t realize until she visited Kristina. When she was helping Kristina, she remembered why she fell in love with nursing and realized she missed the work. He says, she’s so good. He’s seen the numbers and she’s driving up donor registration. She says she’ll keep doing it until the Institute finds a replacement, but she can’t commit to anything else. She’s going back to GH. He says he’s happy for her, but wants to make sure her motivation is honest. Does her resignation have anything to do with him?

Tracy says, Cody cheated, but he says, how could he? She was watching him the whole time. She says, he’s not a beginner, and he says he never told her that he was. She assumed. It’s only hustling if you’re playing for money. She says she could have won if she hadn’t been distracted by his questions about Finn, and he says he wanted to know more about her. If he happened to win in the meantime, good. She says, next time, she won’t be so benevolent, and he says he expects nothing less. Sasha comes in and says she doesn’t want to interrupt, but Tracy says she arrived just in time. She was about to beat Cody senseless. Rematch? He says he looks forward to it, when Tracy’s phone rings. She walks out while talking to Brook, and Cody tells Sasha, backgammon is a bloodsport around here. She says she found this, and hands him his hat. He puts it on, and she says she found something else – her senses. He asks what she means, and she says she’s tired of being scared and playing it safe. Life is short. She thinks they should do this. He says, do what? and she kisses him.

Mac says he saw James and Spinelli with their heads together. What were they talking about? Spinelli says, James is distressed about Mac’s antipathy toward Cody, and Felicia says, this isn’t the way she wanted to be proved right.

Sasha asks if Cody can take a break, and he says he can take the whole day. He has to shower too. She says, he doesn’t smell bad. They can get dirtier together. They start to get busy, when Maxie walks in. She says she’s sorry. She doesn’t need to see this. Congratulations. She’ll let them both get back to it, but she has a question. Have they seen James anywhere?  

Nina asks Michael, what’s wrong? and Michael tells her that she and Willow won’t be collaborating on the New Tomorrow Institute anymore. Willow is resigning and returning to GH. He’ll let Willow be the one to tell her why. Nina says she can probably guess.  

Drew says, Willow’s work at the Institute is important to them and she’s changing lives. Don’t give up because he made it complicated. She says, it’s the only way to make it better. She loves Michael, and she’s committed to him and her family. But she can’t stop thinking about Drew. It’s wrong, and she wants as much distance put between them as possible before she does anything else she regrets. She takes the beach stuff and leaves.

Sonny says he found out that his meds had been off for a while, and Lois says, that’s a big deal. Is he okay? Did they fix the dosage? He says he’s back on track. He wants her to know she means the world to him. She always has and always will. Lois says, he means the world to her too, and thanks him for telling her. She saw he was off. Now she knows why. He asks if they’re friends again. Are they square? She says, they’re always friends. Square, not so much. He asks what she means, and she says, the infusion of money to Deception. Where is it coming from? (Didn’t they have this conversation? It’s the same money.) He says, every dime is legit. She can call his accountant. She says she believes him, but even the appearance of impropriety will be more damaging than maleficence. He asks what’s worrying her, and she says she loves him, and his personal life is his own, but she doesn’t want the business under federal scrutiny because he’s trying to impress a woman.

Brook tells Tracy, it’s a large infusion of capital that could fund Research and Development for five years. They can finally break ground on that. Tracy asks what Natalia thinks her title should be, and Natalia says she thinks CFO is appropriate. Tracy says she’s surprised the financial institution didn’t contact her, and Brook says, it’s a small bank, but the money is vetted and secured. Tracy asks, what’s the name of the bank? and Brook says, the Bank of Sonny. Tracy says, over my dead body

Tomorrow, Lucy says she thinks it’s a great idea; John tells Ava that he’s got Sonny where he wants him; Maxie says, nobody is going to find James unless he wants them to; and Cody dives into the water, presumably looking for James.

🍽 Eating My Words…

I have no words. Actually, I do, but this blog is rated PG-13.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jacqueline-grace-lopez-says-goodbye-to-general-hospital-2

🫖 Striving For Elegance…

Love these two together.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-jophielle-love-on-violet-and-tracys-tea-party

💰 Hard Times In Listings…

Not only does the market still stink, buyers are also pulling out of deals; JoshA saying the fallout was around 25%. He came close to getting a new house for JoshF, going so far as to forego his commission, but JoshF wasn’t willing to come up even another $200K. I always figure, when you’re talking millions, what’s another couple hundred thousand? Tracy, playing the role of JoshF’s broker, had already agreed to no commission since JoshF had done the same for her. Since they were at an impasse, Tracy suggested they finish the tequila and call it a night. JoshF then began to lean toward rebuilding his gutted dreamhouse. In an interesting panty twist, Tracy found a pair of satin undies amongst the rubble and threw them over the fence. Nice. She’s going to be exiled to Summer House if she’s not careful.

🗽 Returning To New York…

That pigeon décor is pretty impressive.

https://extratv.com/2024/08/13/watch-erin-lichy-confront-husband-abe-about-lying-in-rhony-season-15-trailer/

🐙 Your Post Christmas Present…

A new Game is coming December 26th.

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-2-new-players-trailer/

🧹 Channeling Those Before…

Instead of WandaVision’s sitcom approach, Agatha will be using the witches of yore to tell her story.  

https://ew.com/agatha-all-along-trailer-kathryn-hahn-joe-locke-d23-8693175

🦸 Not Done Yet…

The ones who didn’t make it.

https://ew.com/halle-berry-says-ryan-reynolds-never-asked-me-to-cameo-in-deadpool-and-wolverine-8695666

https://people.com/robert-downey-iron-man-cameo-deadpool-wolverine-8693208

🐶 What a Dogue…

Pilaf deserves her own magazine cover. She’s an unbelievably cute little nugget of pup.

https://people.com/demi-moore-tiny-dog-pilaf-gets-her-own-vogue-cover-8695515

🍫 Love You S’more…

Join me tomorrow for soap and the OC in LaQuinta. Until then, stay safe, stay understanding that integrity and character are what really matter, and stay not wasting time being unhappy. Time is precious.

July 31, 2024 – Sonny Wants To Teach Jagger a Lesson, Her Mom, In LA, Fab Noel, She’s Sued, New City, Revealed Dragons, More Pool, Game To Come, Nope & Dear

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Molly knocks on Kristina’s door, and Kristina says she still didn’t sign the papers Molly left there. Molly tells her to trash them. Even better, she’ll tear them up herself.

Scotty says, Laura is a compelling witness, but Ava wonders about that, considering the negative press Laura’s gotten lately. Scotty says, Laura was her mother-in-law, and she’s lucky Laura is going to bat for her at all, since she and Nikolas are divorced. It’s weighty, but they need more. Sonny will call Carly, who will lie about what he had for breakfast with conviction. Ava says she’s not worried. Carly won’t be as convincing after she’s convicted of RICO charges. (She’s clearly out of the loop.)

Carly and Michael show up at the pool, where Wiley’s birthday party is still going on. Donna runs to Carly and hugs her.

Dante finds Anna in the interrogation room and says, the arraignment is happening as they speak. Michael and Sonny are there. She says, at least Sonny hasn’t been brought in in handcuffs. They’re ahead of the game. Dante says, it was a close call. Sonny took a swing at Cates, but it didn’t connect, and Molly saw the whole thing. She asks if charges were filed, but he says, not as of yet. She says, that’s a relief, and he says he followed up on Brennan at the hospital. Same deal as Pentenville. There was no record of him. Anna says, he’s at the WSB station in DC. He’s been reinstated, but she doesn’t think he ever lost his status in the first place. John walks in and says he and Anna need to talk in private, and Anna tells Dante that they’ll pick this up later. John tells Dante, a word of advice. Put a leash on his father or his father is going to find himself locked up. Dante leaves.

In his office on the phone, Sonny tells Brick that he needs a location on Jagger… Let him know when he does. Sonny opens a drawer and reaches for a locked box, but there’s a knock at the door. Jason comes in, and Sonny says he has nothing to say to him. Jason says, that’s fine. This time he’ll do all the talking.

Molly asks how Kristina is feeling, and Kristina says, the baby is fine, but Molly says, how is Kristina feeling? Kristina says, her feet and back hurt and she’s sleeping sitting up, but other than that, she’s great. It’s totally worth it. Molly says she doesn’t want Kristina too stressed, but Kristina says, Molly could have fooled her. Molly says she never should have come by with that document, and Kristina wonders if Molly really expected her to sign it. Molly says she got scared when she heard the interview. She was blindsided that Kristina and Blaze looked like the happy expectant couple, and Kristina didn’t say otherwise. Kristina says she explained that, and Molly says she and TJ are the expectant couple. They’re preparing the nursey and she’s working hard so she can get maternity leave. TJ is taking a leave of absence so they can watch the baby Kristina claims is hers. Kristina says she didn’t do that and would never… Molly admits she leapt to conclusions. It’s not a court of law, and she shouldn’t do that with her sister. She shouldn’t assume the worst and sincerely apologizes. Can Kristina forgive her?

Carly says she’s happy to see Donna, and Donna asks where she was. She missed most of the party. Wiley runs over and hugs Carly, and Carly says she’s sorry she’s late. She was trying to explain to Donna that she had a problem, but it’s solved now, and everything is fine. She’s glad to be here. The kids bring her over to the cake, and Carly asks Josslyn to watch the kids for a moment. Josslyn takes the kids, and Willow says, so? Michael says, the charges were dropped, and Maxie asks how that happened. Michael says, lack of evidence. It disappeared. Maxie says, amazing, and Carly says, isn’t it though?  

John says, Anna erased something from the database of the most secure system in the world. The prosecution agreed to the defense motion to dismiss the case and Carly skated. Three years of time and effort handling Jason is down the drain. Anna says she thinks he’s conflating the two situations. Pikeman might not have had a resolution to his liking, but the FBI has enough evidence to shut the company down. The case against Carly had nothing to do with Pikeman. John says, Carly dared him to charge her, and he had enough evidence to convict her. How miraculously convenient that it’s gone, and Anna doesn’t seem surprised or bothered. She made a deal with Jason, didn’t she? He let her boyfriend Valentin get away in return for the disappeared evidence against Carly.

Jason explains what happened after he went to Greece and tells Sonny that he wasn’t offered a phone call or representation. Cates started playing the recording that incriminated Carly and said they had her dead to rights. He made it clear that Jason had to work for him, or Carly would go to prison. Sonny says, so they sat on the evidence for over a year, and Jason says, maybe they were waiting for an opportune moment. Sonny wonders if Jason was asked to give him up, and Jason says, he was, but he refused. That’s when Cates brought up Pikeman. The FBI wanted proof of their illegal arms sales and who was in charge. In exchange for that, they wouldn’t charge Carly. Sonny asks if it’s his fault now, but Jason says he’s just explaining his decision. Sonny asks why Jason didn’t come to him when they asked him to spy on Pikeman. He knows all about Jagger. He’s Jagger’s number one target. He always has been. Jason says, Sonny is right, but Cates didn’t make it obvious until now, and Sonny says, Jason didn’t trust him and went behind his back. Jagger played him, and now he’s got to protect himself. He’s got nobody else to protect him.

Michael tells Willow that he still can’t believe it, and she says, the evidence disappeared? He says he doesn’t know how or who, but he’s grateful. They watch the kids, and he says his mom is the heart of the family. She says, too bad Sonny can’t see this. It’s the perfect opportunity to set aside their differences. He says he tries not to take it personally, but he thinks there are other things going on, and she says, like what? He says, Sonny attacked Dex, and yesterday he had to stop Sonny from punching Cates outside the courtroom. He barely managed to grab Sonny’s arm. Donna is lucky both of her parents are free today.

Anna says, John gives her too much credit. He thinks she disappeared the evidence, but she doesn’t have access to that database and wouldn’t even attempt a breach of that magnitude. He says, the WSB are the only ones with that kind of tech, but she says she’s not WSB. She’s the Police Commissioner of Port Charles. She’s watched him trash her jurisdiction and harass the citizens. Maybe if he was more focused, he could have better handled the evidence. He says, whoever did it tried to frame him by using his credentials, and Anna says, he’s going to have to answer to his superiors for that. He asks, what happened to her? He wants to know. Why did she turn from her promise to protect and serve? She says, that’s what she’s doing, and he says, by literally climbing into bed with the enemy? Valentin escaped and Sonny is going free because of her. Well done. She’s protecting and serving… them. He stomps out. (He’s been doing a lot of that lately.)

Kristina says she rewatched the interview and saw how Molly interpreted her response as coy and suggesting it was her and Blaze having a baby. But just to be clear, that’s not what she meant. Molly says she understands that now. Emotions were raw. Kristina says she just wants it to work out and for the baby to be healthy and grow up safe, happy, and loved. Molly says, she wants that too, but she also wants them as sisters to be okay, and Kristina says she wants that too. The whole reason she agreed to this is because she loves Molly so much. She hates that it’s coming between them. Molly says, it doesn’t have to, when there’s a knock at the door. A guy asks if Kristina is Kristina Corinthos-Davis, and she says she is. He hands her an envelope and says, you’ve been served.

Scotty’s phone rings, and he tells Ava, it was a notification that Kristina has been served. Ava says, Kristina has always been so entitled like her high and mighty mother. She’s going to come crashing down to earth when she has to admit what a brutal lunatic her father is. Scotty says he’s going to enjoy it. It’s the least Sonny deserves after everything he’s done. She says, Kristina might not realize it now, but this is the kindest thing she can do for her little sister, and he says, she’ll fight on the stand. She’s very loyal to her father. Ava says she’s not worried. The odds are when Sonny sees his beloved Kristina take the stand, he’ll have a meltdown.

Sonny says, Jagger is obsessed with him and will keep coming at him unless he puts Jagger down, but Jason says, Cates was damaged in court. He overreached and there are going to be repercussions from the FBI. They can watch him go down in flames. Sonny says, it’s his problem and he’ll deal with it. He doesn’t want Jason involved. End of conversation. Dante comes in and says, sorry to interrupt, but maybe it’s good he did. Jason says he was just leaving. He tells Sonny that last night, Cates offered to let Carly go if he testified against Sonny, but he refused… again, and he leaves.  

Michael tells Willow that his dad’s attitude toward him has been more volatile lately. His mom thinks Sonny is off his meds, but Sonny insists he’s not. Maybe this is how he is now. He’s sorry. He doesn’t want to get her down. They should go back to the celebration. What did he miss? She says, Wiley was hanging with the kids and having a great time. She’s so blessed that she gets to watch him grow up. Thanks to Michael. Michael says, they’re lucky because they have her in their lives.

Josslyn tells Carly that Donna is having a blast, and Carly says, Donna adores Josslyn. Josslyn says, the feeling is mutual, and Carly says she’s glad they have each other. When she thought she might go to prison, she was making a mental list of things to tell her about Donna in case she wasn’t here. Josslyn says, she doesn’t have to worry about that now, and Carly says she couldn’t bring herself to tell Donna that she was trying to one-up a rogue FBI agent. Josslyn says, she’s too young to understand, and Carly says she’s sorry she put Josslyn through this.

Molly says, whatever that is, she has nothing to do with it, and Kristina takes papers out of the envelope. She says, it’s a subpoena for family court. She’s being summoned to appear at Avery’s custody hearing. Molly asks if it’s for Sonny, but Kristina says, no, Ava. Molly looks at the papers, and Kristina says she can’t testify against her father. Molly says, she has no choice, and Kristina asks what she says. Molly says, tell the truth. Diane will mitigate the damage in her cross examination. Kristina says, Diane can’t spin this. Ava knows she saw her father beat up Dex and knows Kristina can’t stand her. Molly says, Diane will rehearse with her. Keep her answers as brief as possible. Kristina says she can’t be the reason dad loses custody of Avery.

John goes to Ava’s hotel room, and she says, John doesn’t look happy. He says he’s not. Carly walked. The charges were dropped. The audio file mysteriously disappeared from the FBI database. She asks if they don’t have a backup, and he says, of course (🍷), but a copy is inadmissible. They have to prove it’s not faked or tampered with. The chain of custody is essential. Now he has no leverage against Jason and he’s no closer to putting Sonny behind bars where he belongs.

Dante asks what he walked in on, and Sonny says, Jason was explaining how Jagger was forcing him to infiltrate Pikeman, but that’s not what this is about. He’s the target for Jagger. He always has been. Jagger wants to take him down, and everybody says he’s paranoid. Dante says he believes Sonny. Cates crossed the line. The problem is, Sonny can’t cross the line with him. He’s got to stand down.

Ava says, maybe John overreached. Counting on Jason and Carly to give up Sonny was never going to be a reality. They’ll be loyal to the bitter end. John says, no. He had them. He knew they would flip to save each other. Whoever erased the file screwed him. She says, he’ll find another angle to get Sonny, and he says he’s sorry. He knows she’s worried about her case too. He thought if Sonny was locked up, she wouldn’t have to go through with the custody case. She says, there’s still a way for her to get what she wants.  

Molly says, short of a medical emergency, Kristina will have to testify or be held in contempt. Kristina says, what if she doesn’t answer the questions? and Molly says, she’ll get a contempt citation, and perjuring herself is an actual crime. Kristina says, only if they can prove it, and wonders who else was subpoenaed. Molly says, maybe Dex, and he’s a cop now, and Kristina says, there has to be some way out. How can she avoid testifying? Molly says, she doesn’t. She’s sorry. No matter how much Kristina hates getting on the stand, she has to swear to tell the truth about what she saw her father do.

Maxie says, Carly must have been going out of her mind worrying about the kids, and Spinelli says, the evidence was like a dagger over Jason and now he’s finally free. Maxie says, good news all around, and Spinelli says, and a reminder of what can be lost in an instant. She says, he’s usually an optimist, but he says, seeing how this played out made him assess certain priorities and recommit to them. That’s her and the kids, their family.

Carly says, if the evidence hadn’t disappeared, she’d have been sent to prison just because she lost her temper, but Josslyn says, it’s okay. Carly says she literally taunted an FBI agent into arresting her. How stupid. Josslyn says she loves how Carly didn’t let John walk on her, but Carly says she had more to lose than gain. She wants to learn from her mistake. There’s a time to stand up and a time to stand down. She should have thought more about Josslyn and Donna. Josslyn says, Carly might have been impulsive and reckless, but she loves her and she’s happy Carly is free.  

Jason goes to see and Anna, and says, she heard. She says, it’s a good day. The charges against Carly were dropped and the FBI no longer has leverage over him, and it happened in one fell swoop. Jason says he was wondering who to thank. He has it on good authority that even the best hacker couldn’t delete the file. Anna says she wanted to talk to him about that. She owes him. Valentin wouldn’t have gotten away if he hadn’t cooperated. She has a debt to repay. He asks if that’s what happened, but she says she had nothing to do with the audio file disappearing. He says, who did?

Maxie says she knows she and the kids are a priority. Spinelli shows her that every day. But that doesn’t mean she wants him to stop doing what he does, as long as he’s careful. He says he took every precaution, and she says, he hacked the FBI. She realizes how loud she’s talking and lowers her voice, saying, he’s amazing. He says he wants to assure her that before he does anything else impressive, he’ll talk to her first and they’ll weigh the risk. He won’t do it if she doesn’t like it. She says, deal, and Carly says she’s sorry to interrupt, but can she ask Spinelli for a minute? Maxie says she has to check in with the office and leaves. Carly sits down and thanks Spinelli, but he says he didn’t do anything to delete the file.

Anna tells Jason that she found Jack at the WSB in DB. It’s as if the last few months never happened. Jason asks why he did that, and she says, he didn’t confirm it, but her theory is that the WSB wanted to get out from Pikeman. Jack set himself up to get arrested and the WSB laid a trail of breadcrumbs to control the pace, giving them time to sever ties. Jason says, leaving Brennan and the WSB to walk free. What about Valentin? Does she think he was in on this? She says, probably. She doesn’t know to what extent. She thinks they bankrolled his disappearance and hopes he and Charlotte are somewhere safe with new IDs. He says, it makes sense, and she says, except for one thing. Why did Jack help Carly?  

Ava tells John that Kristina was just served with a subpoena to testify against her father. She can try to avoid Scotty’s questions, but she’s going to have to testify that she was a witness to her father’s attack on Dex. John says, that’s good news, and Ava says she predicts a spectacular meltdown in front of everyone. Everyone can see with their own eyes that Sonny isn’t a suitable parent for Avery. He says, assuming Sonny doesn’t have a meltdown before that. He provoked Sonny, and Sonny nearly assaulted him. He’s a ticking time bomb and it’s just a matter of time before he goes off.

Sonny asks why he should sit back and let Jagger come after him. That son of a bitch needs to be taught a lesson. Dante says, if he goes after Cates, he’ll give Cates what he wants. He’s smarter than that, so do the smart thing and step back. Sonny asks if he thinks Jagger will go away. He’s got a lot to prove. Dante says, his case was thrown out. Let his bosses deal with him. Maybe they’ll put him out to pasture, but not yet. If Sonny doesn’t back off, he could open himself up to federal charges.   Sonny says he’s heard this before. The law comes first. Dante’s a cop first and his son second. Why should he listen to what Dante is saying? Dante says, Sonny can only push everybody so far, even him.

Jason asks if Anna thinks Brennan intervened, and she says she does. A while back, he talked about how he enjoyed Carly visiting him. She thinks he meant it. And when she was in Washington, he commented that he wasn’t in the business of ruining good people’s lives. It’s a huge risk to break into the FBI database, which begs the question, why would Jack go to the trouble of saving Carly?

Carly says, Spinelli didn’t get rid of the evidence? and he says, not for lack of trying. He was able to gain access to the account, but couldn’t delete or corrupt the file. She says, if not him, then who? and he says, maybe someone on the inside, but she says, the only person who knows about the file is John, and he didn’t do it. Spinelli says, someone invested in her freedom. She must have a guardian angel.

Molly suggests Kristina sit down and take deep breaths. She’ll make tea and coach Kristina. They’ll prep together. Kristina asks if Molly wants to or does she feel obligated, but Molly says, of course (🍷) she wants to help Kristina. Aside from the incident at the wedding, is there any other reason Ava would want her to testify? Is there something she knows about Sonny that she’s sitting on? Kristina says, the only reason Ava called her was to get her to talk about the wedding, and Molly says she’ll make some calls. She’ll find out what else has been filed. Kristina says, what if she never has to take the stand? What if Ava changes her mind? Molly says, that would be unusual. It can happen, but it’s not going to. Ava has no reason to withdraw the subpoena. Kristina says she supposes not, and Molly goes to the kitchen. Kristina says, unless she gives Ava a reason.

Ava says she thought of something. That little ruckus between John and Sonny. Would John be willing to testify? John says, it would be his pleasure. Don’t forget Michael was there too. Ava says, Kristina and Michael both witnessed their father’s out of control behavior, and he says he just wants one person to rat on that bastard. Ava says she’ll do her best with a little help from her friend, he says, anytime, and they kiss. (Blech.)

Dante asks if Sonny is doing this again. If he’s not with Sonny, he’s against him. He’s not Jagger Cates. He’s trying to help. If Sonny wants to go after Cates, he’ll fall into his trap. Sonny’s phone rings, and Sonny says, sorry. He’s got to get this. It’s private. Dante says he doesn’t want to hear it anyway, and leaves. Sonny asks Brick, where’s Jagger?… With Ava, in the suite. Good. Take a lot of pictures.

Tomorrow, Blaze doesn’t know where she and Natalia go from here; Lois asks if Brook is willing to take on Sonny; and Sonny tells Kristina not to worry. She’s not going to have to testify.

🧴 Adding Soap To Content…

This is actually pretty funny.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/nancy-lee-grahn-and-daughter-kates-hilarious-soap-star-tiktok

💰 Listing Those Millions…

Tracy was still trying to unload the house in the path of an apartment building and a flight pattern. JoshF was given a week to sell a house he thought was overpriced, the seller insisting Josh wasn’t showing it to the right clientele. Although when his assistant found a dead rat in a pool considered a selling feature and he refused to remove it, I thought, maybe it is him. JoshA checked out a property with developer Max that he thought could be listed at $120 to $150 million after being rebuilt – in its own stratosphere. We learned from JoshA, the only thing worse than not finding a property for a client is finding them a property and not being able to put a deal together.

Next time, JoshA finds JoshF a house that he says is just like JoshF- annoying and over the top.

🎄 Needing a Fabulous Little Christmas…

The best I could find was a recap in video form, but it’s not bad. Kind of like a condensed version of the show.

https://www.accessonline.com/videos/my-big-fat-fabulous-life-whitney-glenn-thore-crash-hunter-karens-date

💸 Brooks Taught Her Nothing… Or Everything…

This isn’t exactly surprising. Vicki has always been about making the buck.

No surprise either that Teddi jumped in.

⚰️ The City That Never Dies…

The latest on Dead City’s Season 2.

https://people.com/the-walking-dead-dead-city-unveils-season-2-teaser-comic-con-2024-8683308

🐉 Leak In the House…

Welcome to the internet.

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-finale-leaks-tiktok-hbo-responds-8686991

🦸🏻 Pool Floaties…

Their original plan. Which would have been kinda mean.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-almost-showed-bad-fake-movie-in-theaters-as-joke-8683653

He won’t dance. Don’t ask him.

https://people.com/ryan-reynolds-not-dancing-nsync-deadpool-wolverine-8685672

Be sure to check out Hugh Jackman’s reaction to the final battle.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/deadpool-and-wolverine-star-ryan-reynolds-shares-video-of-audience-reaction-to-spoiler-a212419#gs.cf621z

The box office.

https://deadline.com/2024/07/deadpool-wolverine-tuesday-box-office-record-1236027253/

🐙 Squid On the Menu…

What’s coming and when it’s ending.

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-2-release-date-netflix/

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-3-2025-netflix-final-season/

🐶 TikTok Fail…

Yep. They don’t care who you are. They will embarrass you every time.

https://people.com/courteney-cox-posts-hilarious-video-of-her-dog-failing-hands-in-challenge-8685113

🍦 Follow That Ice Cream Truck…

Join me tomorrow for soap and talk of oranges. Until then, stay safe, stay never diving into the shallow end, and stay knowing that there’s a time to stand up and a time to stand down. 

October 3, 2023 – Baseball Trumps GH, Shriner Does Lewis, Squid News, Good Boy & Disguise

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

GH wasn’t aired today and won’t be tomorrow because, baseball.

So just a link or two for your entertainment pleasure.

🤹🏼‍♂️ Hey Lady…

I used to like watching Lewis do the telethon on Labor Day weekend. By the end, he was cranky and demanding, but he got the job done.

🦑 Enter the Squid…

The new season can’t come fast enough.

https://ew.com/tv/squid-game-season-2-teaser-new-character/

I will not, however, be signing up for this.

https://ew.com/tv/squid-games-the-challenge-teaser-reality-competition-robot-doll/

🐕 Doggy DIY…

It’s not the Halloween season without foisting a costume on a dog, and this woman has it down. Good dog for sitting in front of that bucket of KFC without sampling.

https://people.com/golden-retriever-models-owner-s-creative-diy-halloween-costumes-watch-7976103

✂️ Cutting Out Early…

Taking advantage of a free evening, but come on by tomorrow. There won’t be any soap, but there will be tea and smack talk about the OC. Until then, stay safe, stay not handing out any candy on Halloween that you wouldn’t eat yourself (but don’t, give it to the kids), and stay looking forward to finding out just what Sonny has planned for Gladys.

July 29, 2022 – Spencer Steps Up, Soap Chef, Returning, Dubai Invite List, Kyle’s Reaction, No Just No, Shameful Shah, Squid Triumph, Just Over 10 Quotes & Lipstick

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny punches the heavy bag, when Brick walks in. Sonny says, it’s been a few months since he’s seen Brick in person, and Brick says, Sonny asked him to assess the west coast family situation. Sonny asks what he found, and Brick says, so far, all’s quiet on the western front. He’s not sure that robbery had anything to do with the west, but things have died down. That means he can give his full attention to finding a replacement, somebody to fill Jason’s shoes. Sonny says he thinks he may have found someone.

Michael tells Dex that he’s tired of Sonny taking whatever he wants. It’s time to face the consequences. Brando comes out, and bounds up the stairs, seeing them. He asks what they’re doing here, and Michael says he’s telling Dex for the last time, stop following him. He doesn’t know if Dex is following his dad’s orders, or he’s showing off, but Sonny’s new errand boy won’t stop harassing him, and it ends today. Dex says, no law against taking the stairs. Last time he checked, Michael didn’t own them.

Sasha thanks Willow for letting her vent. It helps so much to know that Willow understands what happened to her mom was truly an accident. Still, hearing about it can’t be easy. Willow says, no easier than for Sasha to talk about it she imagines. Accidentally hitting someone with her car has to be traumatic for her. Sasha says, it is for sure, especially when those tabloid people keep implying she was driving under the influence. Willow says, those jerks didn’t get to her, and Sasha says she doesn’t know what she did to deserve a friend like Willow. She’s hurt Willow in so many ways, always unintentionally, but still, Willow has never wavered in supporting her. A lot of people would have walked away. Willow says, the feeling’s mutual. She hopes Sasha knows that, because she knows Sasha will have her back, just like she has Sasha’s. Sasha says, Wiley is so lucky to have Willow as his mother, and so will this little one. Willow flashes back to TJ telling her that she has an elevated white blood cell count, but he doesn’t think it’s related to her pregnancy.

At Windymere, Esme says she has to get the hell out of here. She finds a book, and takes a paper out of it. She puts the paper into a manila envelope, and puts that in her suitcase. As she’s zipping up the suitcase, Ava walks in, and says, you conniving little whore. Esme says, as the saying goes, it takes one to know one. Ava says, Esme’s not going to try and talk her way out of this? So unlike her normal lying ways. But even for Esme, this is a new low, sleeping with her boyfriend’s father. That is beyond tacky. Esme asks if it was beyond tacky when Ava was having an affair with Morgan Corinthos, then slept with his father. How old does Ava think Avery should be when Ava informs her that she’s the product of hate sex? Ava asks how she knows about those things, and Esme says, Ava didn’t think she’d do her research? She likes to know what she’s dealing with. Ava asks where Esme thinks she’s going, and Esme says she may have had sex with Nikolas, but Ava is still going to get what she wants. Esme is leaving town, and Ava will never have to see her again. Ava grabs Esme’s arm, and says, she’s not going anywhere; not until she pays for the damage she’s done.

Judge Young tells Diane to call her first witness, as Portia hurries in. She tells Taggert that she got here as quick as she could, and Diane calls Spencer Cassadine. Everyone is like, wha-a-at? and Portia asks, what the hell is happening here? Taggert says he has no idea, and Spencer is sworn in.  

Brick holds the bag as Sonny punches, and asks if Sonny’s been looking at candidates without him. He’ll try not to take it personally. Sonny says, this guy kind of fell into his lap. A low-level guy he has working for him. His name is Dex; he’s a military vet. Brick asks where Sonny found him. He knows Sonny ain’t running help wanted ads in the classifieds. Sonny says, when Chet was away, Dex was running the gym, and Brick asks what Sonny likes about him. Sonny says, he’s hungry; it’s like he’s chasing something more. Brick says, so he reminds you of you, and Sonny laughs, saying, not just him. He’s like Stone, Jason… Brick says, far be it for him to question Sonny’s judgement – which he won’t – but allow him to question Dex’s. There’s no shortage of people who want to get in this business, thinking they know what they’re getting themselves into. But he and Sonny both know, there’s no way to know what it actually does to someone until they live it.

Brando steps between Michael and Dex, and says, that’s enough. He tells Dex to back off Michael. Go for a walk. Dex says, fine, whatever. He’ll see Michael around. Dex leaves, and Michael says he appreciates Brando stepping in, but he could have handled this. Brando says, he’s confused. Dex just followed Michael to the hospital and tried to intimidate him? Michael says he has no idea. Other than maybe Dex thinks he’s impressing Sonny, Michael has no idea what this guy wants from him. Brando says, maybe Michael is right; maybe Dex is just trying to impress Michael’s dad. He can backchannel to Sonny that Michael is having issues with Dex, but Michael says, absolutely not. Brando says he was just trying to help, and Michael says he appreciates it, but he doesn’t want Sonny involved in this. Besides, Brando has bigger things to focus on.

Sasha says, honestly, she doesn’t know what she’d do without Willow’s friendship, when TJ comes out. He says he’s ready for Willow, and Willow tells Sasha, they’ll talk soon. Willow leaves with him, and Sasha’s phone dings. She looks at it, and says, am I keeping my counseling appointment today…

In an exam room, TJ thanks Willow for coming back. He just needs another blood sample. She asks why they need another blood test, and he says, to make sure the first wasn’t an anomaly. She says, doctors aren’t usually the ones who take blood samples, and he says she’s his friend. Sue him if he’s a little invested. She says, raised white blood cell counts can indicate any number of things, but it’s clear he’s worried about something specific. Can he tell her what it is he’s looking for?

Esme says, well, well. It seems Ava’s Prince Charming finally decided to be honest, and tell her that he’s just another slimy frog. Ava says she’s had Esme pegged from the very start. She’s selfish and entitled, but she’s very, very smart; Ava will give her that. Esme helped Spencer torture her for months, and it all came quite naturally to her, didn’t it? She knows Spencer says he put Esme up to setting her car on fire, but Ava saw that look of fear in his eyes. Spencer didn’t do that. He’s selfish, self-centered, and self-serving, but he’s no psychopath; not like Esme. And Esme couldn’t just set it on fire. She had to go a step further and put Ava’s dead daughter’s ID next to it, and that is just sadistic. And Esme made that revenge porn video of Joss and Cam. Again, only a demented mind like Esme’s would do something like that. And she framed Trina to take the fall, but all of that wasn’t enough, was it? Esme had to seduce her husband. She had to trick Ava’s husband into falling into bed with her. Esme says, Nikolas hardly had to be seduced. All thanks to the shrewish ways Ava’s been treating him. Every day Ava came up with new and creative ways to emasculate him. Ava made him feel like less man. All Esme had to do was be there to catch him when he fell.

Diane says, they danced around this during Spencer’s previous testimony, so let’s just cut to the chase, shall they? Does he believe Trina Robinson filmed and distributed an intimate video – Nikolas walks in and sits behind Trina – of Josslyn Jax and Cameron Webber? He says, no, he doesn’t. He knows for a fact Trina couldn’t have distributed that video. Portia tells Taggert, Spencer is defending their daughter, and Diane asks if he can tell the court why he’s so certain. He says he knows for a fact Trina couldn’t have distributed that video because she was with him when the video was released via email.

Willow says she knows TJ doesn’t have any firm answers yet, but what is he worried about? There’s a knock at the door, and Michael comes in. He says he’s sorry to interrupt, but the nurse said they were in here. Willow says, he’s not interrupting, and TJ says, he’s done here. He says he’ll be right back, and leaves. Michael says he’s confused. He thought Willow had an OB appointment; why was TJ here and not Britt? She says, it’s nothing. He was just being a good friend.

Esme says, Nikolas felt unappreciated. In name, he and Ava were husband and wife, yet they were sleeping in separate bedrooms. Who does that? I tell her, probably more people than she thinks, and she says, Ava drove him away, just like she drove away every single person she cared about. Ava says, all the research Esme has done on her, Esme doesn’t know her. Esme says, doesn’t she? She knows Ava turned her back on her brother before he died. Ava says she loved her brother very much. Julian was self-destructive. She had no choice but to walk away. Esme says, just like Ava walked away from Kiki when she found Kiki sleeping with her boyfriend Griffin Monroe. She’s hardly the catalyst for what happened with all of them. Ava does see that the common denominator in all of those twisted scenarios is herself? Ava says, that’s enough. Don’t try to make this about her. Nikolas is Spencer’s father. Did Esme think she was going to trade up to more money by targeting him? Esme says, one more time, she did not target Nikolas. He came running to her. Ava says she knows better. Esme is a stalker. Esme and Spencer played their sick mind game with her; they made her fear for her daughter’s life. The ways they attacked her…. She stops for a moment, then says, all this time, she thought Esme was just her stepson’s obnoxious entitled girlfriend. So why then does this all feel so very personal? Why does Esme hate her so much? There has to be more to this story. There has to be. Esme glances at the envelope sticking out of her suitcase.

Diane asks if Spencer is saying, he was with Trina at the moment that email was distributed to the PCU. He says, that’s exactly what he’s saying, and Diane says, correct her if she’s wrong, but that day her was serving a sentence at the Spring Ridge Minimum Security Prison, was he not? He says, yes, that’s correct, and she asks if Trina was visiting him on that day. He says, no, and she says, he’s going to have to help all of them out here. If he was with Trina in person and not in prison, where was he? He says he arranged for a kind of off-the-books day pass to leave prison. You might say Trina saw him when he escaped.

Sonny says, good workout, and Brick says, all he did was hold the bag. Dex comes in, and asks if it’s a good time, or does Sonny want him to come back later, but Sonny says, no. Actually, it’s a good time. They were just talking about him. This is a good time for Brick and Dex to meet. Sonny introduces them, and says, Brick is a trusted friend, second in command. Brick and Dex shake hands, and Dex says he wanted to give Sonny an update on that thing they discussed when he has a moment. Sonny tells him, whatever he’s got to say, he can say in front of Brick. Brick is like family to him. So how’s their good friend the photographer doing this afternoon? Dex says, he’s not going to be selling anything to anyone again. He definitely won’t be opening his mouth. Dex made sure of that before the cops showed up. Sonny says, Dex talked to the cops?

Michael asks if Willow can tell how excited he is, and she says she can; she is too. He says he can’t stop thinking about how lucky they are. Everything is going to be different this time. They’ll both be there from the very start, and they’re not going to miss any moments with their child.

Brando sees Sasha, and says, there she is. She asks what he’s doing back at the hospital, and he says he felt guilty leaving her behind. Is she going to be late? She says,; she’s not going. He asks, why not? and she says she ran into Willow. It turns out the photographer, the one who harassed her and got in his car and chased her, which led her to hit Harmony, is here at GH. It kind of forced her and Willow to unpack a lot of things they needed to discuss. She was very sympathetic, and in a way, it was therapeutic. He says he understands. Why don’t they reschedule her therapy appointment? She says, no. She’s all talked out.

Portia wonders why Trina didn’t tell them any of this, and Taggert says, she was probably protecting Cassadine. Rory says he has no idea what’s going on, and Josslyn says, she doesn’t either, but maybe Spencer is doing the right thing for once. Judge Young says, quiet in the courtroom, banging his gavel, and tells Diane to please continue. She says, to clarify, Spencer escaped from prison, and Spencer says he planned on going back. He did go back. Arden objects, saying, there’s no way to verify this, but Diane says, the same as any witness’s testimony. Now it’s up to the jury to determine its voracity. The judge says, overruled, but get to point soon. Diane asks how Spencer was able to leave undetected, and he says he’s not proud of this, but someone was bribed to look the other way. She asks why this day was so important that he obtained this unofficial hall pass, and he tears up and says, it was the anniversary of his mother’s death. His mother died when her was a baby, so he never met her. The anniversary of her death is important to him. As a boy, he always laid flowers. The last several years, he was away at boarding school in France, so he couldn’t. So to be back here in Port Charles on that anniversary, and not be able to honor her with flowers was incredibly painful. He went to the graveyard to see her. He never meant for anyone to see him. That’s when he saw Trina at the cemetery, working on a project for PCU. Diane tells the judge that her associate is currently collecting proof of Trina’s PCU assignment, which she’ll be entering as evidence. She asks if Spencer realizes, with this, he could be jeopardizing his freedom, since he was released from Spring Ridge. He says, he knows, and starts to cry, looking at Trina. He says, but at a certain point, you have to stop doing the easy thing, and start doing right thing.

Dex tells Sonny, it’s not his first rodeo, but Brick says, even veteran riders get tossed off the bull. Dex says, he knows enough to make himself scarce before the cops see him. It was Sonny’s son, the detective. Sonny says he doesn’t care who it was. Someone shows up with a badge, you don’t say anything. Dex promises, that’s exactly what he did. He’s sorry he didn’t handle it correctly, but he thought he was doing what Sonny wanted. Sonny says, Dex is right; he did the right thing. Like with Josslyn. Brick asks, what happened with Joss? and Sonny says, they were having a discussion with that reporter that gave Sasha drugs. It got a little heated, and they roughed him up a little bit. It so happens that Josslyn shows up, starts filming the whole thing, and threatening to take the footage to the police. Brick says, what? and Sonny says, she’s upset about what happened with him and her mother, and she wanted payback. Thanks to Dex… He talked her into deleting the footage. He tells Dex that he hasn’t thanked him for that. He appreciates that. Now Dex knows what the boundaries are when dealing with his kids. Dex says, Sonny is the boss; he makes the rules.

Sasha asks Brando, doesn’t he get it? She’s emotionally drained right now. She’s too spent for another therapy session. He says he does get that, but she needs to stick to her program if she’s going to get any better. She says, that’s not for him to decide, is it? and he tells her, he’s not saying that. If she wants, he’ll make the appointment for her. It’s not something she needs to stress out over. She says, oh my God. The only one stressing her out is him. He and Gladys are smothering her.

Ava asks why Esme’s attacks on her are so personal? First Esme threw Morgan in her face, then Kiki and Griffin. Esme didn’t know any of those people (and we barely remember them). Who is giving her this information and why? What the hell did she ever do to Esme? Esme says, if her time in this provincial city has taught her anything, it’s that people here love to gossip. Not many people here like Ava much. Not that Esme’s treated Ava any differently than she would have treated anyone else. It’s a lesson you learn pretty quickly in boarding school. People can be vicious, so a good defense is the best offense. So she learned things. Ava just happens to have more dirt in her past than most people. Ava says, that’s not it. She’s onto something. She knows it; she can feel it. When Spencer asked for Esme’s help torturing her, Esme jumped at the chance, didn’t she? Why was Esme so willing to help him? Spencer ended up in prison. Esme could have very well ended up there as well. If Esme was some simpleton just trying to please her crush, Ava would buy it, but Esme’s no fool, and obviously not very devoted to Spencer. Esme says she’s not the one who’s devotion wavered, and Ava says she sees she pushed a button. Let’s see if she can push a few more.

Diane says, if Trina Robinson didn’t distribute this revenge porn video of Josslyn Jax and Cameron Webber, Spencer must have some suspicion as to who did. Unless of course (🍷) Josslyn and Cameron filmed themselves. Spencer says, no way. It was their first… They wouldn’t do that. Diane asks if he had anything to do with it, but he says, no. Absolutely not. He might not have been the best friend to Josslyn and Cameron over the course of the last year, but he’d never hurt them in that way. She says, this cabin they’ve been discussing belongs to Josslyn’s former stepfather; is that correct? Spencer says, yes. This trip to the cabin was before Sonny and Carly got divorced. She says, tell her about this cabin. Is there staff? Is there anyone else who might have made this video? A cleaning crew perhaps? Spencer says, there was no staff there, okay? and Diane says, okay. Someone else then. A disgruntled neighbor perhaps. Spencer says, no. The cabin is very isolated. Diane says, all right. There were five of them there that night, Trina, who he knows is innocent. Josslyn and Cameron, also innocent. Spencer, who denies any responsibility. That leaves who? Arden objects, saying, speculation, and Diane tells Judge Young, there were five people at the cabin that night, and Spencer was one of them. His opinion has merit. The judge says, overruled, but tread carefully, and Spencer says, there was no outside staff. It had to be someone who was staying in the cabin. Diane says, uh-huh. Who? Spencer looks at Trina, and says, his girlfriend at the time, Esme Prince. Soap looks are exchanged all around.

Brando says, he and his mom don’t mean to smother Sasha. They just want to see her get better. He knows she had a good talk with Willow, and he’s glad they cleared the air. He knows Willow is a good friend to her, but Willow is not a psychiatrist. And the whole Harmony part? He knows she has guilt over that, but it isn’t her main issue. She needs to talk to a doctor about why she turns to pills when she’s already seen how cocaine damaged her life. He’s an addict too, remember? She needs to deal with the root cause. She says, he doesn’t trust her, and he says he does, but he knows how addicts think. The temptation of drugs gets the better of your brain. Sasha needs her psychiatrist’s help. He and her doctors wanted her to go live in rehab, but she didn’t want to do that. So if she’s not going to rehab, she needs to stick to her outpatient therapy. She yells at him, stop trying to control her every move, and he yells back, given the way their life together is spiraling out of control, maybe somebody does need to control her.

Sonny tells Dex to take off; he’s going to go over some stuff with Brick. Dex  starts to leave, but Brick says, hang on. Sonny mentioned Dex was a vet; same here. He’s sure they have a lot to talk about. Dex says he’s sure they do, and leaves. Sonny asks Brick what he thinks, and Brick says, he’s too full of himself. Cocky. Too reckless as far as Brick is concerned. Too flippant with the way he speaks about Sonny’s family, and dealing with the cops. Sonny says, he’s young; he’s got to learn the ropes. Brick says, he deserves a shot. He’s just not sure about sending a rookie to deal with some drug dealer. Sonny says, Dex volunteered, and Brick asks if Sonny thinks someone this young and green will be effective in the enforcer role. Sonny says, Dex is about Jason’s age when Jason started working for him, and Brick says, yeah, but this generation seems to need a lot more growing up than the previous one. Sonny says, every generation needs time to mature. Isn’t that always the case?

Outside, behind a warehouse, Dex looks at his phone.

Michael tells Willow, even though they didn’t plan for the pregnancy, he thinks the timing couldn’t be better. Wiley and the new baby are only going to be a few years apart. She says, for so many years, she was desperate for a brother or sister. Someone she could talk to, play with, share the crazy of life with Harmony. What about him and Morgan? Were they close? He says, there was a time they were fighting over Kiki, but for the most part, they were close. Then there was Dante. Obviously, the didn’t grow up together, and they met as adults, but he’s very glad Dante is in his life. No one can talk him off a cliff like Dante can. His phone dings, he looks at it, and sighs. She asks if something’s wrong, and he says, no, it’s a work thing, but he really needs to handle this. He tells he that he can stick around if she wants, but she says, no. She’s fine. If this were some big step, she’d want him to be here, but it’s just another routine appointment. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, absolutely. He says he’ll see her at home, and leaves.

Diane thanks Spencer, and says, no further questions. Arden says, it’s Spencer’s testimony that he was with Trina the moment the email containing the revenge porn was distributed at PCU; is that correct? He says, that’s correct, and she says, but he has no accounting for Trina’s whereabouts at the moment the video was being filmed, does he? She reminds the court, it’s the non-consensual recording that’s the most pressing charge here. He says, um… and she says, let her repeat. Was he with Miss Robinson when the revenge porn video was filmed? He says, no, he wasn’t, and she says, and to reiterate his previous testimony, he was with Esme Prince when the video was filmed. He says, yes, he was, and once again, I wonder why he’s not bringing up Esme going back to the cabin to get whatever he’d left there, especially since he said something to Esme about it, like, five minutes ago. Arden says, okay then, moving on. Spencer audited classes at PCU last fall. Did he ever have to pull an all-nighter? (For auditing???) He says, yes, and she says, when he needed to turn in a term paper to a professor in the middle of the night, was he aware that you could schedule send an email later for a more reasonable hour using a run-of-the-mill app? Now I stamp my foot and say, that’s a dumb thing to even say, since it’s not like a new email shakes you awake to read it. Spencer says, she lost him, and Diane objects, saying, the State has lost everyone with this line of questioning. Arden says, withdrawn, and tells Judge Young that she’d like to enter into evidence an email that she personally sent to him and opposing counsel. Diane says, excuse me? and Arden says, give it a second. Diane and the judge’s phones beep, and Arden says, there it is. While Mr. Cassadine was accounting for the defendant’s whereabouts, she scheduled her email to be released later.

TJ comes back, and asks Willow if Michael had to leave. She says, it was a work issue. She told him to go deal with it. He says, if she wants to reschedule for a time they can both be here, they can do that, but Willow says she has time. He closes the door, and says he couldn’t help notice that she gave Michael the runaround when he asked why TJ was  taking the lead here, and not Britt. Is there a reason she’s telling Michael this isn’t her usual OB appointment?

Michael tells Dex, he hopes this is important. He was at the hospital with Willow. Dex asks if she’s okay, and Michael says, just standard pregnancy stuff. So what’s going on? Talk to him. Dex says he just wanted to make sure Michael got things squared with Brando; he seemed pretty suspicious. Michael says, he was 100% suspicious, but he bought that he was pissed at Dex for harassing him. Dex says, good, because he has enough people looking at him suspiciously. Michael asks what that means, and Dex says, this guy Brick. He thinks Brick is going to dig into his past. Michael thanks him for the heads up, and says, but if Brick is doing a background check, that’s a good sign Dex is moving closer into Sonny’s inner circle.

Brick says, if Sonny sees something in this guy, there must be something there. Still, Brick is going to run a full background check on him. And that ain’t a request. Sonny says he’s not even going to try and stop Brick. But no matter how much they look into Dex’s past, it’s not going to tell them whether he can deal with this life. All he’s taken care of so far is a low level drug pusher, slash, tabloid photographer. Brick says, so Sonny wants to give Dex a bigger assignment to test him, and Sonny says he was thinking, why don’t they see if Dex can prove himself; trial by fire. They laugh, and Brick says, he likes that.

Brando tells Sasha that he’s so sorry. If he could take those words back, he would. He didn’t mean it. She says, didn’t he? and he says he doesn’t want to control her. He’s just worried about her. So are Michael and Willow, and his mom, and everyone at Deception. Sasha says, admit it. He finally said what he felt. He stopped walking on eggshells like he’s been doing; like everybody’s been doing. He says, that’s not true, and suggests they go home and talk privately, but she says, no. She needs space. He says, from him? and she says, from everybody. She storms out to the stairwell.

Diane objects to the ADA’s theatrics. There’s no proof to suggest that video was sent via pretimed email. Arden says, no further questions, and Judge Young tells Spencer to step down. He asks both counsels to approach the bench, and as Spencer passes her, Trina says she can’t believe he did this. He says, he can’t believe it didn’t work. He’s so sorry. He keeps walking, and Portia asks why Trina didn’t tell them that Spencer was her alibi before. Trina says she was hoping Curtis would have a Hail Mary, so she wouldn’t have to, and Taggert tells her, just keep your chin up, baby girl. Diane is right. There’s zero evidence that video was sent via email timer. Maybe Spencer was her Hail Mary. At the door, Josslyn says she knew she could trust Spencer to do the right thing… after he exhausted all other options. She leaves, and Nikolas asks if he and Spencer can talk. It’s important.

Sasha runs down the stairs, and her phone dings. She stops at the first floor, and sees a text from Sienna: Hey, feel like blowing off some steam with me tonight? Sasha texts back: Sure – I’ll meet you anywhere!

Ava says, so Esme does still have feelings for Spencer. And she’s so jealous that Spencer has feelings for Trina, she slept with his father as what? Revenge? Payback? And she and Trina were just collateral damage, or something more? Esme tries to push the envelope further into the suitcase, but Ava grabs it, and says, what is that? Esme snatches it back, and says, that, is none of your business. Ava says, forget it. Trying to find answers in Esme’s bizarre twisted behavior would have her running in circles, but make no mistake, after everything Esme has done to make the people she loves suffer, Esme is going to do the right thing for the first time in her life. Esme says, and what is that? and Ava says, playtime is over. They’ll deal with Esme sleeping with her husband another time, but right now, Esme is going to march down to that courthouse. She’s going to exonerate Trina, and tell the world that she made that tape of Joss and Cameron. Esme says, they’ve already had this conversation, and she has no idea where Ava is getting this crazy idea. Besides, why would she even do it? Is Ava offering to help her disappear, and make sure she doesn’t go to prison? No. She has no interest in being a fugitive for the rest of her life. Ava says, Esme misunderstands her. She walks closer as she talks, and says, if Esme doesn’t admit she framed Trina, she will make sure nobody ever finds her. At least not while she’s still breathing.

On Monday, TJ wonders why Willow doesn’t want Michael’s support; Portia asks Taggert, what if it’s not enough; Diane says, Trina needs to be the heroine in her own story; and Ava tells Esme, she either tells the truth or it’s the end of the line.

👩🏽‍🍳 Different Kind Of Gig…

Although if she’s playing herself, is it really acting?

🏥 They’re Back…

When I saw this, I was like, what now? But it turns out they actually get a vacation.

👰🏼 Nervous Bride…

I can’t say I blame her.

https://people.com/tv/real-housewives-of-dubai-caroline-stanbury-talks-inviting-cast-to-sergio-carrallo-wedding-exclusive/

💎 She Has Receipts…

Like her longevity is a guarantee. Welcome to 2022.

🍸 Please No…

And what would be the title? The Most Awful Human Being On Earth?

💰 Shah-king My Head…

This is just such a shame.

https://people.com/tv/shahs-of-sunset-mike-shouhed-criminal-charges-paulina-ben-cohen-domestic-incident/

🐙 Double the Squid…

Squid Game should definitely be proud of itself.

https://ew.com/awards/the-awardist-digital-magazine-squid-game-double-nominees/

🦉 Quotes of the Week

Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times. – Mark Twain

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. – Unknown

I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity. – Albert Einstein

A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life. – William Arthur Ward

Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity. – Hippocrates

Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. – Theodore Vail

You are always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past. – Richard Bach

People will always have opinions about your decision because they’re not courageous enough to take action on their opinion. – Steve Maraboli

The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. – H.P. Lovecraft

A mathematical formula for happiness: Reality divided by Expectations. There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality or lower your expectations. – Jodi Picoult (I vote for lowering expectations.)

They were great. If I could only make out the words, they’d be greater. – an audience member referring to seeing The Sex Pistols in Pistols

🛌🏽 Taking It To the Sheets…

Enjoy the next two days, but boomerang back on Monday, when there will be soap and Deck doings. Until then, stay safe, stay looking after your mental health as well as your physical health, and stay not doing the easy thing, but the right thing. And don’t wait until you’ve exhausted all other options.

June 15, 2022 – Carly Says Sonny Is a Stranger, Pioneer Wyatt, Lunch Leads, In Memory, Battling Blondes, Dead Release, New Squid, All About Tony & Kiki

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn, the kids, and Gregory get to the camping site, and Finn says, the hike was a little longer than anticipated, steeper. Gregory says, they all did great, and Violet says she wants to tell Rachel about the guinea pig they saw (in the woods?), and Finn tells her not to forget about the gopher; and they bite! She runs off, and Aiden joins them. Gregory says, if it isn’t Aiden, PC Pioneer, and Finn asks if he’s on a break. Aiden says, until dinner, and Jake says, look at him in his uniform. Aiden says, Jake used to wear one too, and Cameron says, but who wore it better? Jake says, him, definitely, but Aiden says, no way. Cameron walks past Finn, who asks where he’s going, and Cameron says, he just needs a break from all this pretending. He’s grabbing his phone; it should be fully charged by now. Finn tells Gregory, nothing like getting away from it all.

At The Savoy, Britt joins Nina, who says, there she is. She took the liberty of ordering Britt’s usual, but Britt says she’s sticking to water tonight. Nina says she thought Britt subscribed to the hair of the dog for a hangover, and Britt says, that’s before she became a GIF. Nina says, don’t worry, it’ll blow over, and Britt says, so she’s seen it? Nina says, has anyone not seen it? and Britt says, that’s great. Thank you. Nina suggests they switch topics, and Britt says, please. She hasn’t talked to Nina since their girls night out; what’s new? Nina says, what’s new… Well, here’s something. She almost left Port Charles.

Carly brings Sonny to her office and thanks him for meeting her. He says, she told him it was about the kids, and she says, it is. This is a difficult situation for them. In some ways, it’s easier for Donna and Avery because they’re too young to fully understand what’s going on, and they just want to know their family still loves them. They’re doing everything they can to reassure them of that. Josslyn’s been terrific; she’s spending lots of time with them, but she’s got a lot going on. He says he loves Josslyn; she’s like a daughter to him, despite what Michael said. She asks what Michael said, and he tells her, he said that after the divorce, and everything that happened with Nina, he basically threw away his relationship with his kids. Can she believe that? She says she can believe it, and she agrees. He says, she didn’t call him here to fight, did she? and she says she didn’t. She just wants to talk about what they still have in common, mainly their kids, and she wanted to talk about Michael and what this rift is doing to him. Sonny says he doesn’t like it either, but Michael’s made it clear he doesn’t want Sonny anywhere near his life. No matter what Sonny says or does, nothing is going to change that.

At the pool, Zelda asks Cody if there’s a problem, and he says he’s sure it’s just an accounting error, but his paycheck was off by $500. She says, there was no mistake, and he knows it, and he says, it wastes both of their time to argue over such a small amount. She says she agrees, and he says, just pay him what he’s owed, and that’ll be it. She says, she’s fulfilled Society Set-Ups’ part of the contract, and he asks if that contract included a drunk woman wandering into his landing zone. Someone could have been hurt. She says, but they weren’t, and he says, an act of gross negligence is bad for business. What’s $500 to protect her image? She asks if he’s threatening her, and he says, she’s a smart woman; you tell me. Sam and Dante walk in, and Dante asks, what’s going on?

As Trina and Josslyn are going into Kelly’s, Josslyn’s phone rings. She says, finally. Where have you been? Cameron says, sorry. His phone was dead; he had to wait for it to charge. PCU decided against Trina? He can’t believe it. She says, her neither, but it’s going to be okay. They have a plan.

In the woods, Austin sees Wyatt piling some wood, and Wyatt asks, how was the kayak? Austin says, great. Sorry he missed it. Kim’s sick and they’re down a counselor, so that leaves Wyatt. Wyatt says, not for long. It looks like reinforcements have arrived. Austin says, good. He wonders who they sent, when Maxie says, Maxie Jones, reporting for duty.

Zelda tells Dante, this man is trying to extort her, and Cody says, if extort means getting what he’s owed. He takes out an envelope, and says, the deal was for $2000. He holds the check out to Sam, and asks, what’s that say? She says, $1500, and Zelda says, two thousand, minus the charges to his room. Cody says, the hotel room was part of the deal, but Zelda says, not including incidentals. He says, he misunderstood, and Zelda says, and it cost him. Sam says, he charged $500 worth of stuff to his room? and Cody says, yes, but he didn’t know… Dante says, okay. If they get this guy out of Zelda’s hair, can they consider the matter closed? Zelda says she supposes so, and Dante says, let’s go. He, Sam, and Cody leave.

Cameron says, what plan? and Josslyn says, they’re at Kelly’s. She thought he was working today. He says he decided to go on that trip; he’s in Pautuck. She says, for real? He’s out of town? He says he thought he should be here, and she says she gets it. She’s sure Jake and Aiden are super psyched he’s there. Maybe this trip is what everyone needs. He says, that’s what Jake keeps saying, and she says, he doesn’t agree? He says he just hates pretending like everything’s fine when his mom is in Shadybrook.

Wyatt drops off Maxie’s luggage, and she thanks him for the assist. He says, no problem, and she tells Austin, he seems surprised. He says he is, and she says, and maybe a tad befuddled? He says he’s always befuddled. It’s nice to see her. What is she doing here? She says, Georgie is a Junior PC Pioneer, and as such, she’s on the Parents in a Pinch list. He says, it needs a better name, and she says, parents volunteer to help out when they’re understaffed, even if their child isn’t participating. So while Georgie is at a sleepover at her friend Lena’s house, here she is. He says, in beautiful Pautuck. She said she wasn’t ready to come back here quite yet, and she says she’s not, but let’s be real. When will she ever be? She thought there would be plenty of people and enough distractions, she’d be able to hack it. She’s also communing with nature. He says, sure she is, and points to her suitcases, asking, what’s she going to do with all of that? She asks if he’s never heard of glamping, and he says he’s heard of it, but that’s not what this is. She says, speak for yourself. Mac says, camping is good for the soul, but she believes an air mattress is key. So where can they set up her tent?

Josslyn says she’s not upset, and Trina asks who she’s talking to right now. Josslyn says, she’s actually glad Cam is spending time with his brothers, and Trina says, but? Josslyn says, but this is just another example that she and Cam are out of sync. But they don’t need Cam. They have all the help they need. Spinelli walks in, and waves.

Finn asks if Cameron came back yet, but Jake says, he’s still on the phone. Violet says, with his girlfriend? and Finn says he’s pretty sure she’s not dating until she’s 30. Violet tells Gregory, grandpa, talk some sense into him, but Gregory says he’s not touching this. Jake thanks Finn, and Finn says, for what? Jake says, coming here was a good idea, especially since Aiden won’t be around them most of the time. Aiden says, take that back, and Jake says, make me. He runs, and Aiden takes off after him. Cameron comes back, and Finn asks if everything is okay. Cameron says, coming here was a huge mistake.

Britt says, sorry about the hearing. She knows how much Nina wanted to be in Wiley’s life. Nina says she even begged Willow and Michael to reconsider, and Britt asks how that went. Nina says, about as poorly as you’d think, and Britt says she gets the impulse to get out of town. She’s just glad Nina didn’t act on it. She has family here. Nina thanks her, and Britt says she means it. If Nina were to jump ship, it would just be her, Maxie, and her mother. Nina rounds out their little motley crew. Nina says she would miss Britt too. Obviously, she wasn’t thinking clearly. Britt says, but she was on her way to the airport, and Nina says, her bags were packed and everything. Britt asks what convinced her to stay.

Carly tells Sonny, Michael is a grown man and makes his own decisions, but that doesn’t stop her from worrying about him. He asks if Michael is in danger, and she says, you tell me. If Sonny’s rivals know they’re on the outs, they could assume Michael is no longer under his protection. Sonny says, that would be wrong. He’s not going to let anybody hurt his son. She says, okay, sure, and he asks what that means. She says, he doesn’t think it hurt Michael when he testified against him? He says he didn’t testify against Michael, but she says, he testified for Nina; it’s the same thing. How does he not see that? She doesn’t get him. She gets that he and Michael are fighting, but Sonny has been Michael’s father since Michael was two years old. Sonny raised him. Sonny says he loves Michael, and Carly says, then how he could sit there when Michael was being attacked?

Sam, Dante, and Cody go to The Savoy, and Cody says, the woman owns a company, for God’s sake. What does she care about 500 bucks? Dante suggests Cody relax, and they’ll get a drink, but Cody says, no thanks. Dante says, he’s buying, and Cody says, in that case, he’ll have a bourbon. Dante says, that’s what he thought, and Sam goes to the bar while he and Cody grab a table.

Britt says, now she gets why Nina is here and not on a plane to Tahiti. Nina says she was actually headed to Europe, but she’s not here just because of Sonny. She has family here. Not just their motley crew… Britt says, Wiley, and Nina says, Sonny helped her remember that she can’t abandon that little boy. Even though she can’t spend time with him, she has to stay here to prove to Michael and Willow that she deserves a place in that little man’s life. Britt says she hopes it works out for Nina, and Nina says she doesn’t sound very optimistic. Britt says she just thinks if she has unrealistic expectations, Nina is going to set herself up. Nina says, for what? and Britt says, at best, to get hurt, at worst, to do something that reinforces Michael and Willow’s decision to keep Wiley away from her. Nina says, thank you for the encouragement, and Britt says she wants Nina to have Wiley in her life, but realistically, Nina was the one who chose to go to court, she lost, and now she has to give Michael and Willow time and distance to come around. On the bright side, she still has James. Nina says, yeah, she can watch James grow up. She knows she’s suffered a great loss, but she’s also realized she still has a lot left. Britt says, including Sonny? and Nina says, she doesn’t think she has Sonny. Britt asks what she calls it, but Nina says she doesn’t know. They just have something between them. Britt says, ya think? and sees Cody looking at her.

Cody says, great, and Dante says, what now? Cody says, that Britt woman is here. She acts like he ruined her life when it’s obvious her life is already a disaster. Dante says, she’s not lacking in the complication department, but they were talking about Cody. Cody says, can they not? and Dante asks, what’s going on with him? Why is he hard up for cash? Is he in trouble?

Finn says, he and Cameron talked about this. Jake and Aiden needed a break, and it seems like they’re having fun. Cameron says, it’s not that. Yes, it’s hard being away from his mom right now, but the reason he wishes he was home is that the school made their decision in Trina’s Title IX case. They ruled against her. Finn asks what that means, and Cameron says he doesn’t know, but it is not good. Finn asks if he wants to talk about it, but Cameron says, not unless Finn can tell him what’s about to happen with his friend.

Josslyn says, they still think the phone is their best bet, and Spinelli says, to prove Esme was the one who recorded her and Cam. Trina says, Scotty asked him to examine it right, as an expert for the defense? and Spinelli says, he did, and the PCPD examined it as well. Josslyn says, the PCPD’s got nothing on The Jackal, and Trina says, The Jackal? He says, one of his many pseudonyms, and Josslyn asks if he thinks he can work his magic, and find something the police missed. He says, as honored as he is by their faith in him, he’s looked at it from every angle, and there’s nothing to connect the phone to the evil doer, or anyone else for that matter. It only exists to Trina as its possessor. Trina asks if he can’t find out where the phone was purchased, and Josslyn says, or when. Trina says, maybe someone remembers Esme from the store, and Josslyn says, she’s hard to forget. He says, alas, the phone has very little data on it. It was only used twice; once on the night in question, and once to send the email blast. Neither of which offer much information. Trina says, what about the serial number? That’s unique to the phone, right? He says, it is, but according to the serial number, this phone doesn’t even exist.

While helping her with the tent, Austin asks if Maxie did a lot of camping as a kid. She says, not a lot a lot, but enough. One time, Mac, her, and Georgie… He says, her sister Georgie? The original Georgie?  Maxie says, yeah, she was an original, and he says, the OGG. She says, anyway, the trip was a disaster. It rained the entire time, and their tent had seen better days. Water was leaking in on the sides, and Georgie of course (🍷) insisted she sleep in the middle. He says, that’s love, and she says, or Georgie would rather get soaked than listen to her complain. She thinks Georgie was right. Austin says, he thinks you have to work at NASA to figure out these instructions, and Maxie puts up the tent in two seconds, saying, voila. Stick with her, and he’ll be fine. He says he’s starting to see that.

Carly says, Scotty said Michael was violent against women in open court, and Sonny just sat there, and Sonny says, they were in court. Did she want him to get up, grab Scotty, and throw him against the wall? She says, it’s what happened after. There was a recess, and he didn’t even check on Michael; he went to Nina. She watched him touch Nina’s face. He says, come on, but she says, his son weathered a vicious attack, and he consoled the woman who initiated it. She doesn’t know him anymore. The man she loved, that she fought for, that she married five times would have never done that. He’s gone. The man who came back from Nixon Falls is a stranger.

Trina tells Spinelli that she’s confused. So there’s no phone? He says, the phone exists physically, as she well knows. It’s just, according to the serial number, it never made it to the store. Josslyn says, so it was stolen, and he says, or lost in transit, but she says, let’s go with stolen. Trina says, they should have known Esme was too smart to leave a paper trail, and Spinelli says he’s sorry he couldn’t offer more help. Trina says she appreciates him trying, and Josslyn says, this is insane. They were there that night. There needs to be something they’re forgetting. Something Esme did that can now be seen as suspicious. Trina says she’s not giving up on the phone angle yet, and asks Spinelli, where would you go to buy a hot phone? He says, The Highsider, and Josslyn asks, what’s that? He says, it’s a bar… somewhere that two underage amateur sleuths should not be. So feel free to share their theories with Scotty, but please do nothing else. Understood?

Gregory says, Cameron is doing a great job, covering for the kids’ sake, but something is obviously up, and Finn says, he got some bad news about a friend. He asked if Cameron wanted to talk, but he wasn’t interested. Gregory says, Cameron strikes him as an open, personable guy; not the sullen teen type. Finn says, he’s not. If Elizabeth was here, he’d talk to her. Gregory says, Elizabeth’s not here, and Finn says, of that, he’s acutely aware. Gregory says, he means, Finn is the only option; try again. If at first you don’t succeed… Finn says he might have a better idea.

Cody tells Dante, there’s no trouble. It’s just how he lives his life; gig to gig, paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes, there’s a fair amount of  time between each one. Dante asks why he doesn’t just get a steady job, and Cody says, the demand for a full-time skydiver isn’t as robust as one might think. He’s gotta go where the money is. Dante says, if Cody needs 500 bucks, he’ll loan him 500 bucks. Cody says, Dante can buy him a drink, and let him sleep on his couch. Dante can even bail him out of jail in a pinch. But Dante’s not going to pay his way. He doesn’t want to owe Dante like that. Never did; never will.

Maxie asks what gear Austin brought, and he says, he brought this, indicating his bag, and a bedroll. She says, he doesn’t even have a tent? but he says, the forecast was for clear weather, and he likes to sleep under the stars. She says, okay. What does he have in there anyway? Please tell her that he brought toothpaste. He says, all of the essential items, and he brought a change of clothes, and this. He hands her a small book, and she says, it’s a guidebook for the state park. She thought he knew every inch of these woods. He says, he does; it’s his dad’s. It has all his notes and his comments on every trail and every campsite. He knew every inch of this place. Maxie says, amazing, handing it back to him, and he says, when he’s here, it’s like his dad is with him. She says, it’s great he has a special reminder of Jimmy Lee, and he says, his father loved this place, and tried to teach him the same appreciation. She says, like father, like son, and he says, pretty much. She says she’s glad she’s here, and he says, to pitch in, in a pinch, for the win. She laughs, and he holds out his hand. She takes it, and he says he’s glad she’s here.

Carly says, that gesture of support Sonny showed Nina stripped away any illusion. He had a family that adored him, and he threw it away. He says, she gave up on them, but she says she didn’t. She walked away after she found him in bed with Nina. He says, he begged her for weeks, and she pushed him away; she said she wanted to move out. But let’s be honest, she was punishing him. The night she didn’t show up, he was a wreck. He slept with Nina – absolutely wrong – and he’s so, so sorry he hurt her, but she wanted a divorce. She wanted them to end, and she gave up on them. She says she never gave up. She asked for time and he wouldn’t give it to her. He was lying to her for months. He says, and she doesn’t know anything about lying?

Maxie paws through her stuff, and says, this is a disaster. Wyatt asks if he can be of assistance, and hands a small bag to her. She says, he’s an angel. Where did he find it? He says, near her car. He was only following PC Pioneer guidelines. When breaking camp, always recheck the area. She asks if that always includes parked cars, and he says, they moved her gear. He thought it was a little like breaking camp, and he should check to be safe. She says she’s glad he did. This is her toiletry bag; it has her toothbrush. He says, it’s important to maintain dental hygiene while camping, and she says, it says so on page 15 of the PC Pioneer’s Handbook. He says, she memorized the handbook? and she says, not yet, but she and her daughter Georgie are working on it. He says, it takes a while, but it’s worth it. She says, that lesson is true for most worthwhile things in life. If he’s learned that already, he’s way ahead of the game.

Sam brings the drinks to Cody and Dante, and asks if she interrupted something. Cody says, Dante kindly offered to help him out, but he let Dante know he’ll get the money on his own. She says she doesn’t mean to pry, but is everything okay? Is Cody in trouble? Cody says, obviously, Sam and Dante are made for each other. For the last time, there’s no trouble. He has plans. Dante says, what kind of plans? and Cody says, for the future. He’s not going to live like this for the rest of his life. He’s saving up for his dream. Sam says, which is?

Britt’s phone dings a few times, but she ignores it. Nina asks if she wants to answer that, but Britt says, no. It’s just Brad. He’s checking on her. He thinks she’s clinically depressed. Nina asks if Britt shouldn’t reassure him, but Britt says she wants to make him sweat a little. He’s the one who took the video of her at the MetroCourt pool. Nina says, Brad is the reason she’s a meme? and Britt says, a GIF. Nina says, yeah, let’s make him suffer, and they clink glasses.

Dante says, a working ranch of his own, that’s cool, and Cody says he’ll raise cattle, break horses; livin’ the dream. That’s why he’s trying to save every penny he can. Dante says, which is why he’s going to take a 4 hour bus ride to Watkin’s Glen instead of renting a car? Cody says, bingo, and Sam says, buying a ranch is quite a goal. Cody says he’ll make it happen, and she says she thought he couldn’t stay in the same place for too long, but he says, just needs to be the right place.

Gregory says he heard Cameron was worried about his friend, and Cameron asks if Finn told him. Gregory says, no specifics, and Cameron says, it’s not really a secret. One of his best friends is involved in a PCU Title IX investigation. They found her guilty. Gregory says, they found her responsible, and Cameron says, to be honest, the whole process is confusing. Gregory says, as a college professor, he’s pretty familiar with the Title IX guidelines. He can answer questions if Cameron wants. Cameron says, that would be great, and thanks him.

Spinelli says he has to depart; duty calls. Trina thanks him for meeting them, and Josslyn says, he’s the best. He says, now he’s also nervous that he’s said too much, and Trina says, they’ll tell Scotty their theory. He says, and not take matters into their own hands? and Josslyn says, they won’t do anything stupid. He says, Josslyn… She says, they won’t, and he says he’s trusting them to use their common sense here. Josslyn says she’s her mother’s daughter, and he says, that’s precisely what he’s worried about. He leaves, and Trina puts The Highsider in her phone. She says, 483 Water Street, and Josslyn asks what they’re waiting for.

Sonny tells Carly, let’s not forget when he came home, his wife was married to his best friend. She says, they thought he was dead, and he says, that’s one way to mourn. She says, it’s not like she and Jason fell into each other’s arms the next day. It took a year for those feelings to develop, and why is that? He says, let’s not bring Nina into this, but she says, that’s impossible when all roads lead to her every single time. She and Jason would have never gone there if they thought there was a chance he was still alive. He says he would have never been with Nina if he hadn’t lost his memory, and she says, why is that? His refusal to hold Nina accountable is astounding. He says, what Nina did was wrong. He hates the pain she caused Carly and the kids, but he was furious with her. Carly says, for maybe five minutes, and he says, the feelings he had for Nina in Nixon Falls happened when he didn’t know who he was. He came home and still had those feelings. He didn’t want to have those feelings, but he couldn’t shake them. The lie Nina told was wrong, but the connection they had was real. She says, and he chose that connection over his family, but he says he didn’t; she and Michael did when they shut him out. Michael’s trying to tear him down. Michael wants him forgotten; those were his words, and she’s cheerleading for him. She says, Michael’s a grown man. So if he wants to cut Sonny out of his life, that’s his decision. Just like it was her decision as an adult to file for divorce, but Donna’s a little girl. And as her mother, it’s on Carly to look out for her. He says, she’s not keeping Donna from him, is she?

Cody sees Britt at the bar, and says, last chance. She says, for what? and he says, to buy him a drink. She says, tempting… She’ll pass. Does this mean he’s leaving town? He says, tonight, and she says, it’s still a no. He says, she doesn’t give an inch. It makes it that much more unbelievable she’s letting Society Set-Ups off the hook. He thought she’d stand up for herself. He guesses he was wrong. She says, that was one weak attempt at reverse psychology, but he says he thought it was pretty good. She says, she grew up surrounded by master manipulators, and he says, sounds interesting. Her drink comes, and she says, it wasn’t. Good luck. She starts to leave, and he says he just hates to see someone leave the game with money on the table. She says, something he would obviously never do, and he says he’s not that dumb. She tells him that if he has a problem with Society Set-Ups, handle it himself, and walks away.

Wyatt says hi to Finn, who asks, what’s going on? Wyatt says he’s a junior counselor for the PC Pioneers now, and Finn says, moving up in the world. How’s school? Wyatt says, it’s great. He’s decided he wants to study music. Finn says, he plays the cello, right? and Wyatt says, sometimes, but he’s really into the guitar. He’s leading the singalong at the campfire tonight. Finn should come. Finn says, singing, huh?

Gregory tells Cameron that he knows it’s a lot of information, but Cameron says he thinks he understands it a bit better now. He thanks Gregory, but Gregory says, thank Finn. He’s the one who suggested they talk.  

Finn says, singing, huh? and Wyatt says, it’s going to be great. He walks off, and Finn looks at Cameron.

Nina suggests she and Britt go to the PC Grill for dinner, but Britt asks for a raincheck. All she wants is her sweet, sweet bed right now. She feels like she could sleep for a week. Nina says, maybe Brad’s not totally off base. Britt sounds a little down. Britt says she just needs to recover from last night… and this morning.

Cody tells Sam and Dante that he should get going. It was good to see Dante. Congratulations on the job, and the girl. Cody is really happy for him. Dante says, thanks, but he thought Cody’s bus didn’t leave for an hour. Cody says he has one loose end he needs to tie up before he leaves town, and tells Sam that it was good to meet her. She says, him too, and he and Dante shake hands. Dante says, see him around, and Cody leaves. Sam says, Dante has a really interesting friend there, and he says, she has no idea.

Austin says he thought Maxie was coming over to the Pioneer’s campground, and she says she was looking for something. He says, among her many bags? and she says, her many useful bags, with her many, many necessary items. Anyway, she found what she was looking for, and she’s ready for what’s next. Violet, Aiden, and Jake come by, and Violet says, goody! She’s not the only girl. She runs to Maxie, who says, I’ve got your back, sister. Violet says, boys are okay, but some things they just don’t understand, and Maxie says, totally. Violet is so wise. Austin suggests Aiden and Jake help Wyatt get firewood, and Aiden says, they’re on it. Violet says, let’s get this party started, and they follow.

Carly says she would never keep Donna from Sonny. For Donna’s sake, not his. He says, this is how she sees him now, and she says, yeah. He says he guesses they’ve just got nothing else to say, and she says, Donna is their only connection. He’ll live his life, and she’ll live hers. He says, all right, and leaves.

Zelda gets up, leaving the pool area, and Cody follows.

Britt asks if Dante’s little friend is gone, and he says, Cody is on his way out of town. Britt says, hallelujah. How did Mr. Law and Order end up being friends with a second-rate con artist anyway? She leaves, and Sam says she was actually wondering same thing.

Zelda knocks on a hotel room door as Cody watches from around the corner. The door opens, and he ducks back, but Zelda goes inside. Spinelli wheels a room service tray out, takes a bite of something, and dashes back in.

Carly’s phone rings, and Josslyn says she wanted to let Carly know that she and Trina are going out dancing with some friends tonight. Carly says, oh fun. She’ll be there… She’s just kidding, but it does sound like fun. (That sounds like something my father would do to me.) Josslyn says she hopes so. She might be out late, and didn’t want Carly to worry. Carly says she loves her considerate daughter. Have fun and no drinking. Josslyn says she promises. Love you. Carly says, love you, and Josslyn asks Trina, ready? Trina says, let’s do this, and they go into the bar.  

Sonny comes into The Savoy, and Britt tells Nina, goodnight. He says he took a chance that Nina might be here, and she says, he was looking for her? He asks what she’s doing tonight, and she says she was just headed home. He asks if there’s any way she’ll reconsider, and stay with him tonight.

Wyatt shows Violet a rock, and says, check this out; isn’t it cool? She asks where he found it, and he says, by the lake. She wonders if there’s more like it, and he says, they can check in the morning. Finn asks Gregory, what’s the verdict? Did he overstep, asking Gregory to talk to Cam? Gregory says, not at all. He thinks Cameron appreciated the gesture. Finn says, the kid’s got a weight on his shoulder, but Gregory says he thinks Cameron is strong enough to handle it. If he isn’t, he has Finn to help him. Finn says he doesn’t think Cam wants his help, but Gregory says, give him time. He bets Cam comes around.

Maxie runs up to Austin, and says she found sticks for roasting marshmallows. She shows him, and he laughs, saying, he doesn’t think her sticks are s’more sufficient. She asks if he’s saying her sticks are deficient, and he says he’s heard size doesn’t matter, but they do need to be sturdy enough – that’s right, he’s saying it – to stick them in the marshmallow. She says, okay. She didn’t know she’d taken up with the s’mores police. He says, stick with him, and she’ll be fine, and she says she’s starting to see that. They laugh, and we see that someone is watching.  

Tomorrow, Selena tells Curtis, their businesses are dependent on one another; Cody says he thinks he and Spinelli can help each other; Trina asks if the bartender remembers Esme; and Sonny asks, what if he makes it worth someone’s while?

🏕 Coming Up In the World…

I honestly didn’t recognize him. Five minutes from now, he’ll be in college.

🍽 Ladies Who Lunch…

The yearly tradition continues.

👨🏽‍🎓 Fitting Tribute…

It was good of them to think of doing this during what must be an overwhelmingly tragic time.

👩🏼‍🏫 Not Having It…

Dorinda does a Vicki takedown.

And Vicki says, back atcha. I don’t think she knows as many words as Dorinda does though.

⚰️ Releasing the Dead…

When Walking Dead will be coming to a close. Although there will be 47 spinoffs coming. The franchise is never going to lie down either.

https://www.gamesradar.com/the-walking-dead-season-11-release-schedule-amc-disney-plus/

🐙 Playing Games…

The latest on Season 2 of Squid Game. I can’t wait!

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-2/

🎭 Tony, Tony, Tony…

Everything you need to know about the Tony Awards. First, and most important always, the fashions.

https://people.com/theater/2022-tony-awards-red-carpet-arrivals-photos/

The best moments.

https://people.com/theater/2022-tony-awards-best-moments/

And oh yeah, the winners.

https://people.com/theater/tony-awards-2022-complete-winners-list/

🚪 Checkin’ the Gate…

Click in tomorrow for some soap and what’s going on in Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay ready to stand up for what you believe, and stay knowing most worthwhile things in life take a while, but it’s worth it.