What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

At the MetroCourt, Brando says he owes Sonny one. Sonny told him not to miss the Nurses Ball. Sonny bets Brando didn’t think he’d be answering phones, but Brando said he enjoyed it, especially the sense of community. Sonny gets a call from Turning Woods, and Brando says he hopes Mike is okay.

Sam visits Jason at the hospital, and he asks, how was the telethon? She says, musically, it was a major success, but the best part of the night is seeing him there. She was sure the second she turned her back on him, he’d make a great escape. He says he promised to stay unless there was a big emergency. Sam says, no emergency.

Jax and Nina go to the MetroCourt, and Jax says they deserve a drink after their dance. She says it was fun dancing with him, and he says she was incredible. She says that’s because she had a dynamite partner. In between basking in the spotlight, she realized that finally her life is on track. She has a job she loves, peace in her heart, and a refreshingly healthy relationship with a good man. He says he’s not saying, I told you so. Carly approaches their table, and asks if they’re recuperating or savoring their onstage triumph. Jax says, both, and Carly says she’ll have a server come over to take their orders. They deserve a drink.

At the hospital, Ned wonders why they’re not being told anything, and Olivia says they’re focused on saving Brook’s life. He says he’s going to call Monica, and ask her to pull rank. Olivia says she understands it’s painful, but it’s not about him. It’s about the doctors and nurses doing their work. Let them. Chase comes in, and tells them that he just came back from the crime scene. They’re questioning everyone who was backstage, and gathering security footage. He asks if Brook had any enemies. Was anyone angry with her? Ned says, other than him?

Nelle asks Julian what the hell he’s doing, and he says he’s not letting her take Wiley. He’s done with this. Nelle says if he wants to help Wiley, leave with her tonight. She has money… He says, it’s over. He should have put an end to it a long, long time ago.

Willow says, Wiley’s not in his room, and Michael asks if Monica brough him downstairs at any point. Monica says she heard Wiley on the monitor, but no; she didn’t go upstairs. Willow says Wiley is just big enough to have gotten out on his own, and Michael suggests they start searching the rooms, but sees a cloth on the ground. He sniffs it and says, it’s soaked in some kind of chemical. Monica smells it, and says, it’s chloroform. Michael and Willow look at each other.

Carly tells Jax and Nina, everything is on the house tonight, and Jax says they appreciate it. Carly tells Nina, she’s already said that Nina’s testimony was crucial in Michael and Willow getting custody of Wiley, and Nina asks how Wiley is doing. Carly says, it’s like the three of them have been together all along. It’s so much lighter. They hadn’t realize Nelle was like a heavy weight hanging over everything. She’s manipulative and broken, and would have inflicted that on Wiley, doing indefinite damage. All’s well that ends well. Nina says, as long as Wiley is happy, and Carly tells them to enjoy. Nina asks Jax not to hate her for what she’s about to say, and Jax says he might not agree with her, but he’d never hate her. She says, when Carly said, all’s well that ends well, she couldn’t help thinking that she doubts Nelle feels that way.

Sam tells Jason that Josslyn was the highlight, and there was a beautiful closing number. She asks how he’s doing, and he says he went for a walk. She says, scouting escape routes? but he says he was told to start moving around, and he fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed. She says, good. She wants him healed. She has some major plans for when he’s fully recovered. Jason’s phone rings, and he answers it. He frowns, and says, correct. All right. He appreciates the call. She asks who that was, and he says, the PCPD. They got the preliminary report about his accident. It turns out it was the stabilizer after all. Sam says, the part Brando installed.

On the phone, Sonny says he understands, and Brando tells Carly, it’s Turning Woods. She asks, what’s going on? and Sonny says Mike’s caregiver showed him a video from the 2018 Nurses Ball when they sang Summer Wind. His dad was smiling all the way through. Brando says, Sonny sang with Mike? and Carly says, it was an impromptu number. He should have seen it. Sonny says, it’s on the Nurses Ball website, and Brando says he definitely wants to see that, and Sonny laughs.

Chase asks why Ned was at odds with his daughter, and Ned says there was tension because she’d sold her ELQ shares. Who is he kidding? He called her a traitor, and kicked her out. Chase asks if that’s when he saw Brook last, and Olivia says they understand he’s just doing his job, but… Ned says he didn’t attack his own daughter. Everyone can testify they were at the Ball the whole time. Chase says he’s just trying to establish a timeline; Brook’s movements and state of mind. Any detail will help. Olivia says Brook had recently been with her ex-manager, Linc Brown; he operates out of NYC, and he’s a total sleazebag. He wouldn’t let Brook out of her contract, and sexually harassed her. When she resisted, he killed her career. She was trying to get away from him, which is why she sold her shares. Chase says, it’s a good lead, and Olivia asks if he thinks someone was plotting to do something to Brook at the Nurses Ball. Chase doesn’t think so, and she says she thinks it’s more likely that Brook walked in on something she shouldn’t have. Chase says, she’s strong and resilient, and she’ll pull through. They’re going to investigate every lead. He leaves, and Olivia tells Ned, he’s right; Brook is strong. She’s got the Quartermaine fight, and that spirit is going to pull her through.

Officer Sanchez asks Chase if they’re starting with Brook’s manager. He says, it’s their best lead, but Olivia might be on to something. This came out of nowhere. It wasn’t calculated, and there were too many people. It was too risky. It seems like a crime of passion or desperation.

Nelle says Julian doesn’t have to do this, but he says she went too far. He drugged Monica, and kidnapped Wiley. What was he thinking? He’s not handing Wiley over to her. She says she has the document that Martin will open in the event of her death. It details everything. How he helped Brad and rigged Brad’s car. He says he’s not going to roll over, and she says, Sonny will kill him.

Willow tells Monica, she needs to rest, and Michael asks if she doesn’t remember anything; a face or a voice? She says she heard an alert on her phone. She’d left it in the foyer, and went to get it. When she came in, she heard Wiley on the monitor, but she didn’t go upstairs. Michael calls the police, and says his child was kidnapped. A toddler, blond with blue eyes; his name is Wiley, and he was abducted from 66 Harbor View Road. He needs the police there, and a missing child alert issued immediately.

Officer Sanchez tells Ned and Olivia, so far, there are no eyewitnesses, but they’re going over the security footage. Chase says he has to go; another case requires his immediate attention. Officer Sanchez will stay there, and he’ll check in later. Portia comes out and says she has an update on Brook.

Sam says Jason didn’t ask Brando to put in the part; he volunteered. Jason says it could have been a faulty part from the manufacturer, but Sam says, that’s not a mistake a mechanic would make. He says, it depends on the defect, but she insists Brando sabotaged the bike. He says Brando has been open with him and Sonny, and admitted Cyrus came into the garage. She says, maybe he knew they’d figure it out eventually, but Jason asks, how? Cyrus wasn’t going to call him. Sonny gave Brando a pass for right now. Sam says she questioned him too; more like confronted him. He denied it of course (🍷), and was sweet to Molly and TJ, so she was all right with it, but it’s not over. He says they don’t need to decide tonight. Brando knows better than to disappear. Sonny would hunt him down if he had to. Sam says, not if she got to him first.

Brando watches Sonny and Mike’s performance, and tells Sonny, that was good. They were both loving it. Sonny says there was a problem with an act, and the stage was empty. Before he knew it, his dad was on stage singing, and then forgot the words. Carly says Sonny jumped on stage, and it was natural, like it was choreographed. Brando thanks Sonny for showing him. Carly’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Michael. Michael tells her about Wiley being kidnapped. She asks if he’s sure, and he says he found Monica unconscious, and a rag soaked in chloroform. The police are on their way. She says, you know it was Nelle, and he says he knows.

Julian tells Nelle that Wiley is in his car, where he’s fast asleep. It’s locked, so she can’t get to him. She says, put down  the gun, and hand her the keys, but he says, try to keep up. He’s done taking orders from her. He doesn’t care if Sonny kills him or not. She won’t be able to destroy Wiley’s life, and that’s the important part. She says this will scar Wiley for life, knowing his mother was murdered, but he says that’s what he’s trying to prevent; her scarring Wiley for life. Somebody has to stop her. Taggert comes out of nowhere, and knocks the gun out of Julian’s hand. I just shake my head.

Portia tells Ned and Olivia, to be honest, Brook has a long way to go before she’s out of the woods. She’s going through an extremely difficult procedure, and is in critical condition. Ned asks what she’s saying. His daughter’s not going to die, is she?

Sam says Jason could have died, and he says he knows, but he didn’t. He’s going to make a full recovery. If Brando had anything to do with the crash, he and Sonny will handle it; stay out of it. She asks if he thinks she’s wrong or blames her for Michael losing his job at ELQ. He says he wishes she’d made a different decision, but she did what she thought was right, and Sam says they’ll have to agree to disagree about Valentin, but Brando is another story. He says he understands her concern, and trusts her instincts, and she says she’s not buying Brando’s nice thing. He says he’ll keep that in mind, and she says, it’s getting late. The kids will want know about the Nurses Ball, and how daddy is doing. He says, tell them he loves them, and will be home as soon as he can. She says she can’t wait.

Monica says she had no idea anyone was in the house, and Michael says, it’s not her fault. Chase is there, and asks if Nelle had the keys. Michael says, not to the main house, but she could have stolen one. He should have changed the locks, but so much was happening. Chase says officers are checking the last place she was staying, and they have her car description and license plate number issued in a bulletin. Michael says, Nelle will anticipate that, and Chase says he’s reached out to the FBI, and they’ve expanded the search. She was supposed to perform at the Nurses Ball. Epiphany was upset that Nelle would be up there, pretending to care about the hospital she was suing. He asks if she ever went on, but Michael says, no. It was probably a diversion. While everyone was focused on the Ball, no one knew what she was doing. Chase asks Monica if she knows how long she was out, and she says she was watching telethon, but it wasn’t over. Chase says Nelle had at least an hour head start. Wiley could be anywhere.

Julian throws Taggert off of him, grabs the gun. Taggert is on the ground, knocked out, and Julian looks around, but Nelle is gone. He throws the gun in the river. Why? He says, sorry, guy, and leaves.

Carly tells Sonny, when Michael and Willow got home, they found Monica unconscious, and no sign of Wiley. Michael found a rag with chloroform on the ground. Sonny says, son of a bitch, and Carly says, it had to be Nelle. She’s had enough time to put distance between her and Wiley, and Port Charles. Brando says, they don’t think she’d hurt her own son? and Sonny says, she’s psycho but won’t hurt her only leverage. Carly decides to go to the Quartermaines, and tells Sonny, do what he can. Sonny asks her to tell Michael that his heart is with him. They’ll get Wiley back. Carly says, do whatever takes, and Sonny agrees. Brando says Jason is usually Sonny’s backup, so if Sonny needs him, he’s in. Carly tells Jax and Nina that Wiley was kidnapped, and Nina asks if it was Nelle. Carly says, it couldn’t be anyone else. She tells Jax, Josslyn is with Trina, and there’s nothing she can do right now, but tomorrow, if they still don’t know anything, she might need his help. She leaves, and Nina says, oh my God. She’s so sorry. Jax says, it’s Nelle’s fault, and the authorities for letting her out on parole. Nina says she should have realized what Nelle is capable of, and warned someone. She knows how Nelle thinks.

Ned asks Portia if he can see Brook after her surgery. He has to speak to her, and she needs to hear his voice. Portia says Brook was barely alive when she was brought to them. They had to do a lot of work to get her blood pressure back, so she could withstand the surgery. She has her best surgeons working on Brook, but unfortunately, that’s all they know for now. She goes back in, and Ned cries. He says, my little girl, and Olivia holds him.

Julian goes to Charlie’s, and his phone dings. He sees a missing child alert for Wiley, and says, dammit. Sonny comes in, and says he has a problem, adding, Julian does too. His wife kidnapped Sonny’s grandson. Julian says, she’s not here, and Sonny says he’s not surprised. He came looking for Julian. Julian says he had nothing to do with it. They both know Nelle is crazy. Sonny says Julian didn’t seem shocked; why? They’re not meeting up later, are they? Instead of saying he just saw the alert, like a normal guilty person would, Julian says, nope. He’s not surprised Nelle took Wiley because she’s desperate. Michael said she lost it in court. Sonny says, quit stalling, and tell him now where Nelle is with his grandson. Julian says he doesn’t know; he swears. Brando comes out from the back, and says, no sign of Nelle or Wiley, but he found this. He shows Sonny a packed duffel bag, and says, someone is planning on taking a trip. Sonny says, going someplace, Jules? No one ever called Julian Jules before, and suddenly it’s a thing?

Carly asks how Michael is holding up, and he says he keeps telling himself that he won’t do Wiley any good if he loses it. Chase comes in, and says they found nothing at Nelle’s apartment. Carly says, she has money from the sale of her ELQ shares; so she can get pretty far. Chase says they know that and are staking out the airports, including private jets, and the busses and train stations. Nelle is smart, but her resources are limited; theirs aren’t. Willow comes downstairs, and says she can’t find Wiley’s kangaroo. Michael explains, it’s his comfort toy, and Carly asks if Nelle knew that. Willow says they talked about it the last time Nelle was there. Michael says Wiley was having his nap, and Nelle took off without seeing him, which was suspicious. She’s more likely to hang around and make everyone uncomfortable. Willow wonders if Nelle was planning on taking Wiley even then, and Carly says, absolutely. That’s even more proof that it was Nelle, if she took his favorite toy.

In the car, Nelle tells Wiley, it was crazy back there. She thought Julian was going to kill her. One more person who betrayed her, but she got him. The man at the dock was a stroke of luck. He saved mommy’s life. At the expense of his own, but no good deed goes unpunished.

Taggert lies unconscious on the pier.

Olivia asks if Ned wants to spend time in the chapel, but he says, later. He wants to be there if Brook wakes up. He wonders how long it’s been, but Olivia says, not long. Dr. Robinson said it’s a delicate operation; give it time. She thinks right now they have to accept that no news is good news. Ned says she’s being great. When she should be saying, I told you so. She asked him to speak to Brook and forgive her, but he wouldn’t listen. In typical Quartermaine fashion, he put the company ahead of his daughter, and shut down. He threw her out of the house; out of the family. He let her believe he didn’t care or love her anymore. If she dies, the last memory she’ll have of him is when he slammed door in her face.

Carly calls Jason, and tells him that Wiley has been kidnapped. He says, tell him everything, but she says, there’s not much to tell. Monica was downstairs, and Wiley was upstairs in the nursery. Michael and Willow came home to find Monica unconscious, and no sign of Wiley. He asks if Monica is okay, and she says, Monica was knocked out by chloroform. Michael called after he found the rag. He asks if the cops are there, and she says, yeah; they’re following procedure, but Nelle is crazy and motivated. She knows there will be alerts at the border crossings, so maybe she’s going to NYC or Philadelphia, where she can blend in. She’ll be driving, so they’re looking for her car, but someone may be helping her. He asks where Sonny is, and she says, following another lead. She doesn’t know what, but he said he’d call if he finds anything. Jason says, anything else? and Carly says Wiley’s stuffed kangaroo is missing; Nelle knew enough to take it. He says, that’s the kind of detail that could make a difference. He tells her to stay there with Michael, and he’ll call when he knows something. She asks if he’s sure he’s okay enough to help, and he says she wouldn’t have called if she didn’t think he was, and she knows it. He hangs up, and calls Spinelli.

Sonny says, just when he started to believe Julian, they find a packed duffel bag. Not good. Julian says it’s stuff he was donating to the Waterfront clothing drive. Sonny asks where he was tonight, and Julian says they were in the same place, the Nurses Ball. Sonny says he didn’t see Julian much; did he leave early with Wiley? Monica was knocked out with chloroform. Does he know anything about it? Julian says he doesn’t know what Nelle did. Sonny should call the cops. Sonny says he doesn’t need the cops. If his grandson isn’t found, he’s going to be Julian’s judge, jury, and executioner. Understand? Sonny tells Brando that they’ll go check on Michael. Julian tells him, hold up.  

Nina tells Jax, she should have known how far Nelle would go.  She’s a schemer, manipulator, and a liar, and would do anything to get Wiley. She’s sorry she thought otherwise. Jax says they’ll find him, and give him back to Michael and Willow, and Nelle says, they must be going crazy with worry. She feels horrible about Willow. She said horrible things to and about her, but respects her, and how she’s trying to protect Wiley. Jax says he doesn’t know much about Willow, but what he saw in court impressed him. Nina says, Willow is more of a mother to Wiley than Nelle will ever be.

Chase says the officers who went to Nelle’s apartment said it was cleared out; her clothes and car are gone. Monica says she thought of something – Wiley’s heart condition. What if it flares up, and Nelle refuses to get him treatment like before? Carly asks if he was showing any symptoms, but Willow says, he was his normal, smiling self. Carly says, let’s take care of one crisis at a time. Monica was drugged, and should go to the hospital. Michael says he’ll take her, but Monica tells him to stay, and keep her posted. He and Carly walk her out, and Chase tells Willow, he promises they’ll find Nelle before anything happens to Wiley.

Nelle hears sirens, and sees flashing lights. She tells Wiley, they’re going to try and take him away, and give him to Carly.

Sonny asks what Julian remembers. Where did Nelle hide his grandson? Julian says if he knew, he would tell Sonny. He just wants Sonny to know he’s sorry for all of this. He’s sorry he got involved with Nelle; that’s the God’s honest truth. Sonny says if Julian is going to bring God into it, pray when Nelle gets caught, she doesn’t have a different story to tell. He’ll do Julian a favor and take the duffel bag to the collection box, and save him a trip.

On the phone at the pier, Jason asks Spinelli if he’s sure the last place the phone pinged was at Pier 55. Maybe she ditched the phone; he’ll look around. He hears Taggert groan, and says, talk to him. Who did this? He realizes it’s Taggert, who says, hey.

Olivia tells Ned, Brook loves screwing things up, and they’ll get in more fights, but her spirit will bring her through. She won’t let go easily. She does nothing easily, and she’s going to come back to them. When she does, he’ll get to say what he needs to say. Ned says he’s sitting there, trying find the words to use, the right things to tell her, and all he can come up with is, I love you. Isn’t it strange? All the words they have, and different ways of saying things; the lyrics to songs. But when it comes down to it, what else is there to say? He loves her, and if she can’t hear him say that again, he will never, ever forgive himself.

Portia comes back out, and says she spoke to Brook’s surgical team. Ned says, please. Did she make it?

Jax tells Nina, he’s lucky he never stopped listening to Lady Jane. Nina wishes she’d met Lady Jane, and he says she would have loved Nina. She appreciated strong, intelligent women. She says, that explains why Jax is who he is; a steady, good man, unafraid of strong women. He says, and intelligent, beautiful, sexy… and she says she likes it better the longer it’s getting. He says he’s sorry for what happened in her life, and Nina says she over-compensated with Charlotte, but he says he thinks she’s a great mother. He saw her with Charlotte. She thanks him, saying, that’s high praise. She did discover something, and is sure Willow did too. You don’t have to be a biological mother to have undying love for a child.

Carly tells Michael and Willow that Jason will call when he knows something. Michael asks if Jason isn’t in the hospital, but she says he’s out there looking. Michael says, it’s selfish, but he feel better knowing Jason is out there. Willow asks how much Jason can do, just being out of the hospital, but Michael says, he’s resourceful. Carly says they have to follow Jason’s example. Stay calm, but with their eyes open. Nelle is all about mind games, and making them jump through hoops. She won’t be able to resist leaving a clue. Chase comes back, and says they found Nelle’s car.

Nelle looks in the rearview mirror, as the cop cars pass. She says she swears she thought they found them, but how could they? Not in this car. She knew it would be the perfect car for their special trip.

Chase says she parked at the far end of a lot, but the car was abandoned. There were no signs of her or Wiley, but they’re searching the surrounding area. Michael says, they have no way to track the car, and Carly says, of course (🍷) not. Nelle thought of everything.

Nelle tells Wiley, smart mommy. Sonny can’t even link this car to them. They’re going far, far away, where Carly and the rest can never find them. The family will miss him terribly, and never know what happened to him, but they’ll have wonderful adventures, and Wiley will love the only mommy he’ll ever know. He’ll never have a grandmother, which is exactly what Carly deserves.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth asks why Franco won’t believe her, Nikolas tells Spencer that he has a plan to get Ava out of their lives, Sonny says there’s nowhere Nelle can hide where he can’t find her, and Cyrus asks someone if they’re going to have a problem.

Below Deck Mediterranean

Tom tells Bugs he’ll sort it out, but then bitches about a potato. The guests discuss the merits, or not, of raw lobster. Tom and Malia go into the walk-in refrigerator, and Tom says he’s good at what he does. She asks him to tell her how to help, and he says he has way too much self-respect to do this effing bullsh*t. She says, it hurts her for him to be like this, and he says, sorry; he didn’t expect this, and he has a cake to make. They come out, and Malia says, effing ridiculous, but I’m not sure if she’s referring to the situation or Tom. He continues to complain, while Jess and Alex have a pillow fight in one of the guest rooms. Tom sends out new lobster for the guests, and says he’s cooking the steak on the grill. Jess tucks the gigantic dildo under the covers on the bed, its other kind of head on the pillow. Guest Jared or Jacob, or whatever the hell his name is, tells Tom, the raw lobster was good, and Tom says, it was cooked for at least an hour. Bugs serves the steak and primary Isaac says, it’s on point. Tom makes his last minute cake, and decorates it. He tells Malia that he’ll go up, but he’s not carrying anything. He hates this sh*t. Everyone sings Happy Birthday, and Jacob blows out the candles, but I think he’s older than three. At least chronologically.

Jess asks Rob for help with the laundry, and he says he’s thinking about the future. She says, how so? and he says, like Bali; things like that. She asks if that means he’s loving her more, and he says, something like that. He’s so articulate, I can’t stand it. In her interview, she says, if he doesn’t go, she’ll be sad, and Bali is a dream of hers. He’s messing with her head. The guests relax in the outside lounge. Alex tells Pete that he’s kind of glad Hannah is gone; there’s a different vibe. Tom thanks Malia for her help, and says he’s disappointed. She says they just turned the boat yesterday, and he got thrown in. In his interview, he says, when you’re on a super yacht, everything you’ve worked for is at risk. Reputation is everything, and it has to be perfect.

Bugs begs for coffee and sympathy from Alex. In her interview, she says she’s had a lot put on her plate. They have a new chef, and suddenly, she’s a chief stew with an interior team of one. It’s a lot to handle in a day. She calls for a status update on the belly dancer, and is told to call back when the boat is closer. She reminds the guests that their beach picnic is noon, and serves breakfast; my favorite, eggs benedict. Tom goes over the menu for the picnic, and the deckhands discuss logistics. Bugs tell Jess to do the beds, and says she’ll catch up when she comes back. It’s a bit of a juggling act. She gets the deckhands to clear the table, and she and Alex head for the beach. There’s a bunch of back and forth with the deckhands about loading the boat and the line on the tender, and in Rob’s interview, he says he can contribute, but they don’t listen, It’s a clusterf*** with everyone in the same place at the same time, doing the same thing. He’s tired of this sh*t. The other deckhands wonder what’s up with him.

Captain Sandy asks if Jacob/Jarod slept well, and he says he did, but his Russian snow pony is blitzed. These kids are too much for him. In Bugs’s interview, she says, it’s her first time on a boat this big, with just two stews. She doesn’t want the crew to see her flustered. She likes to be in control. It’s madness. At the beach, Bugs tells Alex, great job setting up, and goes back to the boat. Jess leans against the wall and takes a quick nap. Rob complains that people are delegating who aren’t his boss. In the snake Malia’s interview, she says, a lot of the problems are HR, and it’s annoying. It’s Tom’s first charter, and they’re down a stew. They have to not sweat the little things, and focus on the bigger picture. Bugs sends Jess on a break, and Tom plates the food for the picnic. Bugs says, it’s delicious-looking, and they hand it off to Malia. Two shrimp cocktails promptly fall over, spilling everything out. She says, the bottoms of the glasses are round, and yells for Tom. He fixes the food, and she suggests he not send unbalanced glass jars on a beach picnic. Malia packs them tightly in a cooler, and I wonder why it wasn’t done that way in the first place. Bugs returns to the beach with the food. The guests are taken to the beach in two shifts, and Bugs greets them with champagne. Bugs prepares and serves the food, then radios Tom, saying, the food is going down well. Alex tells Malia that Rob is upset. He loves Rob, but he gets sensitive about the little things. Malia says, people are irritated and tired. Snow pony wants Jared/Jacob to take bare ass photos of her bending over, and tells him use the portrait mode for better quality.

Alex asks Bugs when they’re having their first official date, so they can see if they really hate or love each other. In her interview, she doesn’t know if he’s joking with her. She doesn’t want to put herself in a vulnerable position by accepting, and then find out it a joke. Rob is pulling in the slide, and Malia suggests a different way, and works with him. Apparently, he’s as tired of the slide as everyone else who’s ever dealt with it. Malia tells him to put the cover on. The belly dancer arrives, and Pete asks if Rob wants to reroll it, and they start rerolling. Malia says they can do that, but she just asked him to put the cover on it. Rob says, they’re stubborn, and in Malia’s interview, she says she’s tired of them ignoring her; it’s disrespectful. She tells them that she’s had it.

In her interview, Malia says, dinner service is starting, she’s supposed to help Bugs, and they aren’t even in their blacks. These two (meaning Rob and Pete) don’t see there are so many other moving parts. The belly dancer arrives, and Jared shows off his elephant thong to the other guests. The elephant’s trunk is where… never mind. Everyone dresses up for the Arabian Nights theme. In Jess’s interview, she says she’s doing two people’s jobs, and thinks she’s deserving of the second stew position. Rob sees Malia and the captain eating in the galley, and says Malia seems angry. She says she doesn’t appreciate being blatantly ignored. He says they thought it would be quick, but she says, it wasn’t quick. It’s 9 pm, and they’re just getting into their blacks. There are more moving parts other than him and Pete that she needs to worry about. Isn’t she allowed to get upset? He says he’s speaking to her as a professional. Captain Sandy says she doesn’t know what happened, but if someone tells you how to do something a certain way, making a suggestion is one thing, but being blatantly insubordinate is disrespectful and not cool. She leaves them, but Rob says he has nothing else to say. The guests toast to family, and Bugs welcomes them to their Arabian Night. Baeya does her thing, and Jacob asks where her monkey is at, and dances with her. Ugh.

Malia tells Tom that she’s tired of dealing with the same stuff. In Tom’s interview, he says, last night at dinner was frustrating. He figures the guests don’t have refined taste buds, but it’s still frustrating because it’s part of his identity. Rob meets with Jess, and says Malia was mad about some silly thing over the slide. He’d never disrespect her. In Jess’s interview, she says, every second they have together has been interrupted. She thinks if they go to Bali, they can get to know each other, but she’s trying not to get excited in case he doesn’t go. Jacob says, the chicken is pink as a mofo. Bugs takes it back, and tells Tom to just pan fry it; the guest wants it more brown. In Tom’s interview, he says he doesn’t think they understand what poached means, because they’re complete idiots, but whatever. Bugs tells Alex to take his shirt off, and he says, the things he does. Apparently, he’ll be the monkey, and he tells Baeya that he’ll just follow her lead. She says he has the soul of a belly dancer, no? and he says, no; he’s never danced in his life. Jacob gets new, more browned chicken, and Alex is introduced as Jingles. He comes out covered in glitter, and dances with Baeya. In his interview, he says he literally hates himself. Everyone laughs, and says it’s wonderful. Jacob tells Bugs that his Russian pony changed her name to Carmen because she loves cars and men. His name is BJ Golf. Bugs says, on that note, and runs for her life.

Bugs asks Jess to put a load of laundry in before she goes to bed. Rob asks if Malia thinks he doesn’t respect her, but she says, it’s more Pete. He says he’s not going to overthink it, and fixes up the table. He tells Malia, it’s scary. He’s worried about making the wrong choice if he follows his heart rather than his head. Malia says, always follow your heart, I choke on my coffee, and he repeats, it’s scary. One of the guests asks if they’re a person down in the interior, and Rob says they are. The guest says they noticed. It wasn’t that they lacked service, but Bugs is always there; she’s doing a phenomenal job. Malia tells Tom about getting pissed off, and says, the deck crew is strung out. In Malia’s interview she says, it’s refreshing to have a person to confide in, and the person she wants most to have around. Tom says he was frustrated as hell, but he knows it will get easier. Bugs does laundry, and Rob washes dishes.

Jess vacuums up glitter. Having taken care of kids, I’ve grown to hate glitter. The captain sees laundry piled up, and asks Jess why it’s not going 24/7. She needs to stay on top of the laundry. In Jess’s interview, she says they’re down a stew – again. She’s trying her best, but keeps getting shat on with the damn laundry. Captain Sandy tells Bugs, it’s ridiculous. There should never be piles. In her interview, the captain says, there’s no excuse, and we flash back over Jess’s laundry issues. Captain Sandy says Jess has a laxy daisy attitude. I don’t know if she’s making a joke, or doesn’t know how to pronouce lackadaisical. Bugs asks why Jess isn’t happy; it’s the last day of charter. In Bugs’s interview, she says, it’s not the charter for cracking the whip. It’s not the time and place to get up to speed, but she’ll have to. Jess mutters, she will not make me a bitch. She’s nice, calm, and effing happy. In her interview, she says she’s trying to suppress Jessica. She claws at the air, saying, let me out to handle this sh*t. Bugs has never heard of huevos ranchero, and calls it guevos, cuevos, and eventually queros. She asks Jess to do laundry, and Jess says, yeah, which I’ve never heard less enthusiastically. The guests pack, the boat is docked, and the captain says, good job; well done.

Isaac tells the crew, it was a blast. The service was phenomenal. They kept the booze flowing, and it was appreciated. He gives Captain Sandy the tip envelope, and she tells everyone to get in their reds and meet in the main salon. Rob tells Jess, in two weeks, they’re leaving, and she says, hopefully together. She feels like she wants it more than he does. Bugs pours champagne, and the crew gathers together. The captain says she thinks they killed it, considering what went down. They got a new chef, and were without a chief stew, but Bugs took over with ease and grace. Her goal never changed. It was always about the guests and that’s what the captain has wanted. They’re getting a second stew for the next charter, and picking her up in Ibiza. Their departure is at 6 am, so tonight they have to stay on board and rest. The tip is $20,500, or $1680 each. Despite Tom’s kvetching, I thought the guests were relatively low maintenance. Jess tells the captain that she got a message from the doctor, and he wants to check her finger. Rob changes his flight to the same open Jess is on for Bali. He tells Malia and Alex, and wonders how to tell Jess. Alex suggests putting whipped cream on his nipples, but Malia thinks he should print out a fake ticket and give it to Jess with some champagne.

It’s time for the preference sheet meeting, and Captain Sandy says they have return guests; Michelle and Johnny Damon. Johnny was an all-star baseball player, and they want a good time and good food. The last charter he complained about the food. We flash back to when stew Anastasia filled in for fired chef Mila, and see Michelle complaining that it wasn’t five star. The captain says, it needs to be steaming hot. The guests also want to go to a beach club, and have the captain join them for dinner one night. Captain Sandy says, they’re a lot of fun, but we flash back, and they look like a-holes. I think this is the group who started sh*t with the yacht docked next door. Jess goes to see the doctor, and Malia tells the rest of the crew that Rob wants to make a romantic gesture. Jess doesn’t know it, but Rob is going to Bali. Bugs suggests writing clues for her to find him waiting for her with the news, and he says he’ll make up a fake ticket. In Rob’s interview, he says he wants something creative, and out of his comfort zone. He wants to come up with something to show his intention. Jess returns, and says she got her finger back.

Bugs sets up candles on the top deck, and gets champagne ready. She goes to Jessica’s cabin, hands her the first clue, telling her, take this, and runs away, saying, gotta go. Rob waits, and in his interview, he says he wants it to be special, and he’s nervous. The first clue says, go to the bridge – you’re in trouble – make it quick – on the double. In her interview, Jess wonders if she’s getting fired and Bugs is running away. On the bridge, Malia holds the next clue. He wears an apron and cooks your food – be ten minutes late to set the mood. She goes to the galley, and Tom gives her the next clue, which leads her to the dining room where Bugs waits with a glass of champagne and her next clue. Follow the glitter to the main deck – your next clue check. Alex gives her the last one. He is tall and handsome – a face from GQ – upstairs with a surprise for you. Rob kisses her, and says she’s been asking about Bali, and he booked the same flight; it’s all done. Malia and the others sneak in, and they all toast to Bali. Jess tells Rob that he’s a good liar, and hugs him. The crew has a group hug, and Alex says, they’re all going to Bali. Rob thanks them for all being a part of it, and everyone goes to bed.

In their cabin, Jess tells Rob that she knew it was related to him, since he wasn’t there. Don’t ever be that good a liar again. He says, it wasn’t a lie. He wanted it to be a surprise.

In the morning, Jess asks if Bugs is excited to be getting a new stew, and Bugs says, it will be good to have another body back in interior. Everyone gets ready for the next charter, and Captain Sandy says, she’s here. It’s Aesha! She was on the last season as second stew, and she’s a lot of fun, really laid back. The captain says she’s so happy Aesha could come.

Next time, the yacht goes to Ibiza, which Aesha describes as the party capital of the Mediterranean, and a real life acid trip; Captain Sandy has to get into a very tight parking spot, and has a big audience; a guest falls and ends up bleeding; Bugs wears a tutu; and the guests fight.

👋🏻 Meet Aesha…

And while you’re there, be sure to scroll down, and read all about how BDM’s producer swears Tom wasn’t a plant. Uh-huh. Sure.

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/below-deck-med-welcomes-aesha-scott-back-to-the-show.html/

🚐 Don’t Be…You Know…

Don’t Be Tardy will be returning on October 6^th, when Kim Zolciak and family take a road trip. I’ve found this show to be surprisingly pleasant, and a refreshing change from the usual reality conflict.

https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/06/dont-be-tardy-season-8/

🛸 Trek For Free…

CBS All Access is making all six episodes of its Emmy-nominated shorts series Star Trek Short Treks available to watch for free on CBS platforms and YouTube. But hurry, since they will only  be available until August 31st.

https://comicbook.com/startrek/news/star-trek-short-treks-watch-free/

✂️ Cutting It Close Again…

As usual, I’m still editing for my deadline tomorrow at https://mupoentertainment.com/theresa-krakauskas/. Plus, tomorrow is the return of Tyler Perry’s The Haves and The Have Nots, with a two-hour premiere starting at 8 pm. Somewhere in there, I’ll have to include that pesky sleep, so I might have to condense, but rest assured, I’ll include all the good juicy stuff. Until then, stay safe, stay punctual, and stay out of walk-in refrigerators.