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April 4, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Ric Remembers an Important Detail, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watch, Impending Watch, Wild Surprises, A Half-Dozen Solid Quotes & Money

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

A rescue team arrived at the scene of the accident, and Kristina stopped down the road. Molly looked for Kristina at Charlie’s and ran into Cody. Drew was glad Kai was keeping an open mind about the surgery, and Kai said Drew had given him a lot to think about. Alexis showed up, but Drew had to take a call. In the hallway, Drew asked if it was done, but Boyle told him they had a situation. Drew told Boyle, fix it. He didn’t care how. Trina continued to film at the crypt, and Anna cuffed and arrested Emma. She told Boyle that he was on his own when it came to Tracy, and took Emma to the station. The sheriff tried to arrest Tracy, but she said, don’t touch me. Sonny asked Soliski who hired him, but Soliski insisted he didn’t know. Sonny said then they didn’t need him, and Soliski said, wait. The jaws of life were used at the accident, and Ric was taken out of the car as Kristina watched.

Ric was strapped to a gurney, when Lucky showed up. Kristina said, it was supposed to be Ava. Cody told Molly that Mac wanted to meet up at Charlie’s and he was hoping to see Lucky to apologize. Molly wondered how Cody convinced Ric to make peace with Alexis, and couldn’t thank him enough. The guy who pulled off that miracle didn’t seem like the drunken idiot she met at the PCPD. She thought maybe he was a good guy after all and gave him her card. She said she owed him one, when Mac arrived. Drew introduced Alexis to Kai, and said he was the face of the Pediatric Sports Initiative (🍷). Kai left and Drew told Alexis that he had great news. Yuri stood with Tracy, but Boyle said there was no getting out of this. Soliski said he didn’t have a name, but Sonny said he was tired of Soliski’s games. Soliski told him to open a drawer where he’d find the info, but when Sonny put his gun down, Soliski got the better of Jason. Jason sprang back, they struggled, and Soliski fell, hitting his head. Kristina told Lucky that it was Ava’s car. She checked before she cut the brake line. Lucky told her to jet to Charlie’s and say she’d been doing inventory all day. Lucky stayed and saw Elizabeth being taken from the car. He freaked and ran toward her, but an officer grabbed him and told him to calm down.

Anna gave Emma a lecture, and Emma said she wasn’t a little kid anymore. She was a college student who had the freedom to push the boundaries, break the rules, and make mistakes. She knew she was somebody that hated inequality and fairness and wanted to do good in the world and fight for what she believed. Anna said the Quartermaine crypt wasn’t her fight, and Emma asked if Anna wasn’t dedicated to helping people. What changed? Tracy talked to the good people of Port Charles, telling them about the crypt and who was buried there and how they’d helped Port Charles grow and thrive. For years, their vision and generosity had kept the doors of GH open. The crypt had nothing to do with righting a wrong, but everything to do with a corrupt politician. Cutthroat Cain was using his position for a personal vendetta with the shameful assistance of Councilman Boyle. Trina said it was about to go viral, but Boyle said no one was going to help Tracy. Tracy was about to be arrested, and the deputies carried her off the steps. Drew said Willow, Amelia, and Wiley were moving in with him and Scout, but Alexis said she thought it was a mistake. Jason said Soliski was dead, and they had to jet. He’d grab everything of use. Sonny said, the trail might not be cold just yet. Cody told Mac about talking to Ric when he was at the PCPD. He’d told Ric that Molly needed both of her parents. Kristina came out and told Molly she’d been doing inventory. Molly said organization was her happy place, but Kristina said they’d just gotten a new system. Molly asked if she could hang and Kristina said, sure. Ric and Elizabeth were brought to the hospital, and Isaiah told Lucky that he had to leave, but Lucky begged to stay. Lucas worked on Ric who would need emergency surgery once he stabilized.

Mac asked Molly to join them. He wanted to say thanks for getting Cody’s car situation straightened out. Molly asked Kristina to sit with them too, and Mac praised Molly’s skills as an ADA. Kristina flashed back to the accident aftermath, and Molly asked if she was okay. Molly’s phone rang and a nurse from GH told her about her father being in the ER. Cody offered to drive and Kristina said she’d come too. Anna said nothing had changed, but she worked within the law, but Emma said breaking the law was sometimes the only way to get someone’s attention. Anna said she’d been like Emma, but growing up, you realized the world was complicated and every action had its own set of consequences. Emma said growing up didn’t mean you abandoned your principles. She wasn’t sitting by and watching a corrupt politician abuse his power just because he could. Anna said experience broadened perspective and you couldn’t save everyone. Emma was putting her future at risk. Emma said Anna was being condescending and trivializing her intentions. She was there because of her mom. Tracy wailed that they were hurting her, when Diane showed up and said Trina’s recording would come in handy in court later. She had an official cease and desist order from Monica. Unhand her client. Alexis told Drew that Scout had been through enough upheaval and was dealing with the loss of her family as she knew it. She missed her brothers. Drew said it wasn’t his choice to leave, but Alexis said it was his choice not to add more change to Scout’s life. Scout needed normalcy, consistency, and stability to heal. Drew said he’d only told her out of courtesy. He wasn’t asking for permission. Isaiah insisted Lucky leave and Lucky said he’d be right outside.

Molly saw Lucky at the hospital, and he told her that Ric had been driving and Elizabeth was his passenger. Alexis said she wanted what was best for Scout and Drew said he did too. That’s why he chose to stay in Port Charles. Alexis said she hoped it went smoothly, when her phone rang. Kristina told her about Ric and Alexis said she’d be right there. Anna asked what Robin had to do with Emma helping the Quartermaines, and Emma said Robin had always told her the story about how she’d been sick when Edward was sick with the same thing, but he’d insisted she take the only dose of serum available. He was one of the people Tracy was trying to protect, and she wasn’t going to watch a man who made that kind of sacrifice for her have his final resting place torn down like trash. Anna said she’d always be grateful and understood. Emma said it wasn’t just Edward. Alan had told her mom she was HIV positive, and Robin’s world crumbled. HIV had been new and terrifying, and all people knew was that they should be afraid. Alan wasn’t and stood by Robin’s side when she had no one to count on. Anna said it was one of her biggest regrets not being there, and Emma said Alan was a huge reason Robin chose a career in medicine. Edward and Alan saved their lives and made their lives possible, and she couldn’t watch their final resting place be destroyed. Jason thought Soliski would have been more useful alive, but Sonny said he was going to die regardless. He wasn’t going to stop until he succeeded in killing Sonny. It was kind of like self-defense. Also, a warning to whoever hired him. Jason said they’d hire someone else, and Sonny had to be ready for the next attack.

 Alexis asked Molly how Ric was, but Molly didn’t know. Ava showed up and asked if there was word on Ric’s condition. At the crypt, Boyle said the order was legitimate. How did Monica secure it? Diane said Monica had struck a deal with the Port Charles Land Trust. She’d admitted a mistake was made and negotiated a deal. The crypt would stay as long as the Quartermaines gave them a piece of land on the lakefront. Tracy suggested he take his bulldozer, cheap suit, and really ugly tie and get off her property. He said it wasn’t over, but Diane said it was. Diane said Monica told her to tell Tracy, the next time, why not just come to her first? Tracy said, a win is a win, and Diane said, enjoy it. Gio asked about Emma, and Tracy said Emma was a friend and ally and she’d respond in kind, starting with getting her released. She thanked Trina for recording everything. She was an excellent tenant. Tracy left with Gio, when Kai arrived and said he’d seen Trina’s livestream. Anna said she had no way of knowing Emma’s reasons and had misjudged her and the situation. She was sorry. The arrest still stood, but she thought Emma would just get a slap on the wrist. Mac came in and asked to speak with Anna and in the hallway, Anna said she understood Emma’s reason for the protest. She was trouble, but good trouble. Mac said he wasn’t sure she’d feel the same after seeing this, and handed her a folder. Molly said no one was telling her anything and Isaiah asked to speak to Lucky in private. He told Lucky that Elizabeth was lucky. She had a broken leg that would need surgery, but they wanted her to regain consciousness first. Ava said she and Ric cared about each other and Alexis said she was here for her daughters who got upset seeing Ava. Be a decent human being for once and worry about Ric someplace else. Lucas came out and had news about Ric’s prognosis.

On the plane, Sonny said Ric would go through Soliski’s devices until he found something. In the meantime, they couldn’t show any weaknesses. Jason said Sonny delaying the surgery any longer was dangerous. If he died, he’d do the enemy’s work for them. Sonny said he’d give Ric time to get a name and then schedule the surgery. Until then, it would be business as usual. He wasn’t letting anyone hurt his family again. Drew asked what Tracy’s face was like when she was arrested and the crypt was demolished, and Boyle told him that his dreams of being a Quartermaine were over. He was legally obligated to use the name Drew Cain. Drew wondered how Tracy managed it, and Boyle said, Tracy didn’t; Monica did. Anna said her respect for Emma was short-lived, when Tracy came in. She said Emma’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain. They won and the crypt would stay where it was. They high-fived, and Tracy said she wanted to secure Emma’s release, pay all legal fees, and celebrate with dinner. Anna said Emma was going in a jail cell until she could see a judge in the morning. She would have gotten a slap on the wrist were it not for a number of prior offenses. Lucas said Ric had severe head trauma and internal bleeding. He was stabilized and going to the OR for surgery. Lucky sat by Elizabeth’s bedside and said she had to be okay. He’d been wanting to say something since he got back, but didn’t have the courage. She had to know that he loved her. He fell in love with her the first day they met and he was going to love her forever. She opened her eyes.

Tuesday:

Laura thanked Sonny for coming to the hospital and said he always showed up when it counted. Alexis thanked Curtis for encouraging her to go to a meeting. She liked the one at the hospital because it was safe and familiar. He said he was starting to feel the same way. Carly was there with Donna and Donna wanted to say hi to grandma’s photo. Felicia joined them and said the hospital had been born today. It was 62 years young. Lucy knocked at Windymere and Sidwell said she’d sounded mysterious on the phone. He was intrigued by her proposal, and she said she had four words that would blow his mind – General Hospital Nurses Ball. Laura said they were unveiling the new cardiac center and asked if Sonny wanted get coffee. Tracy arrived and said she had some unfortunate news.

Lucy told Sidwell about the first Nurses Ball in 1994. The whole town of Port Charles was there. Terry talked to Portia about the anniversary of GH, while Anna filled Robin in on the new cardiac center and told Mac that GH looked pretty good for her age. Tracy said Monica had a respiratory issue and couldn’t be around many people. Laura said she was the heart and soul of GH and had brought the hospital into the 21st century. Her mother and Monica had their moments, but her mother held Monica in high esteem professionally, and Laura had always been grateful for how Monica treated her when Lulu had her transplant.

Lucy said the Nurses Ball was a fundraiser, but there were other highlights, including, but not limited to, the clothes. We flashed back to the many gowns Lucy has worn for the Ball. Carly and Felicia took Donna to the memorial wall, and Donna told Bobbie that she missed her. Felicia said nursing was Bobbie’s calling and Carly said the hospital was a part of Bobbie. Felicia said Bobbie was her best friend and she thought of her every time she came to work. Carly said her mom would be proud. Maxie gave Deanna and Amy giftbags for the nurses, who she said were the heart and soul of the hospital, and asked for help handing them out. Tracy went to the memorial wall to see her parents and Alan. Stella joined her and said she spent a lot of time in places where she could honor her loved ones. Tracy said she liked the quiet and opposed to at home, her loved ones couldn’t talk back. She was concerned about Monica, who kept having setbacks. She didn’t think the hospital would be standing without her.

Terry and Portia checked out the new space, and Portia said Monica deserved it. Terry said Monica inspired her to be better and not just as a doctor. Lucy talked up the hospital staff to Sidwell and said everyone gave it their all for the most worthy of causes. Sidwell asked what the cause was, and she said she was glad he asked. Laura saw Curtis who stayed for the unveiling, and she said people would get care there they couldn’t get anywhere else. Curtis said Aurora Media was covering it. Laura said Doc was at a seminar, even though we all know he’s running a casino on the side. (Joke for Beyond the Gates watchers.) Curtis said he’d heard there was an anonymous donor, and Laura said if she had to guess, it was somebody that had a contentious relationship with Monica, but still respected her. She didn’t think it was a mystery for Monica, but it was a relief that their names wouldn’t be attached. Curtis said, being attached to the wrong people often hurts as much as it helps, but Laura said the hospital brought out the best in everyone. Alexis found Sonny at the memorial wall where he was counting his blessings. Blessings are always there, but sometimes you have to dig to find them. She said the atrium was stunning, and she knew he was the anonymous donor because she’d seen the paperwork. He said Monica hated him, but he’d always respected her.

Laura told Alexis that Monica wasn’t up to coming, but even Monica wouldn’t want them to postpone the unveiling. Laura asked, how you thank someone for giving your child their life back and fill the void of such a loss? She said she was sorry and cried. She didn’t know how to adequately convey her gratitude. Alexis said it wasn’t an exchange. One thing had nothing to do with the other. Sam had chosen to donate her organ, and it had been successful. What happened was beyond their control and they should focus on her bravery and her children and the gift to Lulu made her a hero on earth. All the love she gave to everyone was what mattered. They hugged and Laura said that’s how they’d honor Sam going forward. Amy gushed over how expensive the Deception products in the giftbags were, but Maxie said they weren’t worth as much as the nurses. She thanked them for taking care of her family and they said that was the idea. Curtis apologized to Laura for giving her a hard time about the donor, and she said she was nervous about giving her speech now that she knew Monica wasn’t going to be there. Curtis said he’d make sure Monica got a copy of the film, and Laura said it was also the 62nd anniversary of the hospital. Curtis said he’d still be in the wheelchair were it not for the doctors and nurses, but Laura said his strength and courage were a big part of his recovery. He said they’d made him feel like he mattered, and she said he did. Ned found Tracy and wondered if she was sharing an inside joke with her brother. They’d loved each other in their own distinctly unique way. Tracy asked if he meant the Quartermaine way. She said their father would pit them together, but didn’t count on Alan’s ultimate betrayal of becoming a doctor. She was jealous. Right or wrong Alan followed his dreams. She was wrong to give him grief for his choices in wives. So much of what existed at GH did so because of Alan and Monica’s legacy. Ned said they should tell Monica that, but Tracy said she was doing nothing of the kind. He told her, never change. Lucy told Sidwell about the conception of the Nurses Ball and how it was created to fight HIV/AIDS when it was the darkest days of the crisis, and they saw no hope of a cure. She told him about Stone’s death and Robin being diagnosed, but still being with them. Her co-chair John Hanley had also passed, but she couldn’t count how many people she’d lost. That was why she put her heart and soul into making the Ball a success.

Donna lit a candle in the chapel for Michael, when Sonny joined her and Carly. Sonny said Michael was getting better every day, and Donna went to say a prayer. He asked if Carly was okay, and she said she was thinking about how many times she’d been at the hospital. Sonny said he’d made a lot of bargains with God in the chapel, and she said she didn’t associate the hospital with pain. She sees her mom at the nurses’ station, she had her babies there, Sonny walked again, and they gave Michael a fighting chance. Sonny said it was because of Carly, but she said it was because of them. Sidwell said it was a beautiful, moving cause and Lucy asked if he’d like to contribute. She thought it would be good for him to be an underwriter. It would change people’s perception of him. He said he was in, but had one condition. She said, of course (🍷) he did, and he said he wanted to be the sole underwriter for the entire Nurses Ball. Those were his terms. Take them or leave them. Laura told Portia that Monica wasn’t coming.

Anna told Sonny that she’d spoken to Robin who wished she could be there. Sonny said they could remember Stone together. He’d changed Sonny’s life. So did Robin. Anna said the hospital had given Robin her career, her life, and her family, and Sonny said Robin had been beautiful and brave, stating she was the face of HIV/AIDS at the Nurses Ball. Anna said she wished she’d been there for her at that time, and he said Robin had been taken care of. Anna said, in large part by him. Despite their differences, she’d always be grateful. He said, with all his heart, it was his pleasure, and she said she was supposed to give him something from Robin. She kissed his cheek and thanked him.

Terry thanked everyone for being there for the official unveiling of the Dr. Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Care Center and Atrium. Portia said Monica couldn’t be there in person, but was there in spirit. She was the hospital. Terry said Monica was the ultimate example of what a Chief of Staff should be, and she and Portia often asked themselves, WWMD? What would Monica do? Portia said she was their guiding light. She was their constant reminder to move forward and not bet on the future not on the past. Terry said that’s what the new center was about. Helping future patients meet their medical needs and saving lives. Portia introduced Laura, who stepped up to the podium. Laura said she was honored to be there to open the enter and commemorate the hospital’s anniversary. She thought it was a place where people from all walks of life came together to receive care. It was also a place where they put their differences aside and focused on what was important supporting each other as family, friends, neighbors, and a community. With its amazing staff and volunteers, she believed it represented them at their best. It was a place where you could start of as a somewhat mediocre Candy Striper and wind up the mayor of the town. Everyone applauded and she said, for so many of them, General Hospital felt like home, the people in it their family. Embrace that. Cherish that. And with the opening of the new center, they would honor that. The covering was dropped and everyone applauded. Lucy dragged Sidwell out and said she had a great big announcement. Jenz Sidwell had agreed to be the sole underwriter for the 2025 Nurses Ball. There was applause, but not by everyone. She said volunteers knew where to find her, and happy 62nd anniversary General Hospital. The applause was more enthusiastic, and we saw Monica’s photo plaque.

Wednesday:

Jason went to the hospital to talk to Lucas about Carly and said, this thing with Brennan has to end. Carly woke up with Jack. Gio went to the courtroom and found Emma, and asked why she did it when she had a record. Anna talked to ADA Turner, hoping they could take the extenuating circumstances into account, but Turner said, Emma had been in defiance of the court order. Anna said she thought Turner was after her granddaughter because of her. The Deception team met at the Quartermaine solarium, and Lucy said they needed zincite and Sidwell was offering them a good deal, but Brook wondered what was in it for him. Plus, he’d kidnapped Sasha. Maxie said Sasha claimed she’d been overreacting and Tracy wondered why Sasha would say it if it wasn’t true. Sasha went to Windymere, and Sidwell thanked her for talking to Maxie. The Deception team was coming over to sign the contract. Sasha said she wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to screw them over. She would tell them who and what he was, and the deal would be off. He asked if she wouldn’t miss her payday, but she said there were limits to what she’d do for money. Sonny met Laura for lunch at the MetroCourt and Boyle came over to their table. He wanted to know how the public felt about Laura breaking bread with an alleged crime boss.

Sasha said if Sidwell was getting Deception into something questionable or illegal, the deal was off, but he said he was doing them a favor and she’d earned a tidy sum. She said the moment she suspected he was up to something shady, she knew someone who could keep him in line. Lucy said Sonny’s involvement with Deception had turned out fine and if Erica Kane got her product out first, they’d never catch up. Maxie said Lucy was right and Lucy asked for a yay or nay on a long-term contract. Jason said he never should have told Carly what to do. It only made her dig in deeper. Lucas said he’d done the same thing. Carly and Jack were obviously into each other. Jason said she wasn’t allowing herself to see Brennan for who he really was. Carly suggested she and Jack spend the day in bed, but his schedule wasn’t light. He said whenever the WSB allowed, he was all hers. Laura asked Boyle, what kind of a crime boss? and Boyle said, alleged. Sonny asked if he wanted to be rude, and Boyle asked if Laura had heard of the appearance of impropriety. The people wouldn’t like this. (Those invisible people again.) She said her approval rating was twice as high as his and this was a private lunch. Boyle said she could do more good if she wasn’t wasting time with Sonny, and left. Laura said Boyle was a jerk and Sonny said he agreed, but Boyle wasn’t wrong.

Marco went to Diane’s office for an interview, and she said his resumé was impressive, but why did he want to move? Marco said they had an excellent record in criminal defense, and he liked a place where winter was winter. His client, JS Associates, was also based there now. If it worked out, he’d bring them along, as well as a few others. He showed her a list and she said, very impressive. Sonny said they both knew Laura was putting her reputation on the line being seen with him, but she said she wasn’t going to hide her friendship with him. He said he didn’t think they should be seen together, but she said they had no business affiliation, and she never had and never would put pressure on the police not to look in his direction. He said if they did, he would get lonely, and she said she wasn’t hiding their friendship because she was mayor. Natalia abstained from voting, Brook was tentative, and Maxie and Lucy were a yes. Tracy also abstained so she wouldn’t be held responsible for the consequences. Emma told Gio that she didn’t want to talk about California, but the crypt was a cause worth fighting for. He said had he known about her priors, he would have done it, and she said he would have lost his spot in the music program. Everyone already thought she was trouble, so it had to be her. Anna said their differences had nothing to do with Emma, and Turner wondered if she’d looked into Emma’s prior arrests. Anna said, Emma had a party that got out of hand, and she got expelled, but Turner said Emma had been part of an activist group protesting a lab and everyone had been arrested. For what, she didn’t know. When she requested the report, she was sent to the university legal department. They must have struck deal because Emma was charged with breaking and entering and she was expelled, but the record was sealed. Anna said it was because it was serious enough that the university didn’t want the story to get out, and Turner said Anna had no idea who she was really dealing with. Neither did she.

At Windymere, Brook asked why Sidwell wanted to do business with them when he had offers from Enchanted and Melador. Sidwell said neither one was in Port Charles, and he didn’t want to be based in Pine Valley or Llanview. Port Charles had everything he needed and more – access, ease, and beauty. Brook’s family had done well, and all he wanted was to do the same. Diane said Marco seemed like a good fit, but before she made an offer, he’d have to meet with her partner. She’d be in be in touch. Marco asked who was in the photograph on Alexis’s desk, and Diane said it was Alexis’s late daughter Samantha and Sam’s brother Lucas. Lucas told Jason that Carly thought because she and Jack weren’t committed, it meant she was safe, but anyone could see they were invested in each other. Carly hadn’t come home last night, but there was nothing he could say that would change her mind. Jason said, she was almost killed, and Lucas said if that wasn’t enough to convince her, he didn’t know what was. Laura asked if Sonny had seen his brother, but Sonny said he avoided that whenever possible. She said Ric had been in a car accident and Elizabeth was with him. They were both in the hospital. He asked how Elizabeth was, and she said, awake. There was no damage to her spine, but she had a fractured leg that would need surgery. Ric hadn’t woken up yet. Sonny hoped for his daughter’s sake, Ric pulled through, when Carly and Jack walked in. Maxie had to leave because of an appointment at GH she couldn’t reschedule, and Sidwell said her health came first. She left, and Brook asked to talk to Lucy, and they stepped aside. Brook said, they didn’t know Sidwell, and Sidwell said he’d already expedited their first order at his cost. Anything to help Deception. Brook said he had himself a deal. The judge came in and said the charges against Emma were obstruction of governmental administration, and Emma pleaded not guilty. Turner said, given Emma’s priors and significant flight risk, the people requested she be held without bail.

Marco texted Lucas that he was in town and to join him at the MetroCourt. Tracy said Emma was charged with a class-A misdemeanor and they were treating her like she’d robbed a bank. Turner said, given her record, that could be next, and the judge told Turner to sit and asked Tracy to let Emma’s lawyer handle it. Tracy said there was nothing to be handled. The sheriff and councilman had been misinformed, and the entire matter had been previously settled. The judge asked if that was true, and Turner admitted an agreement had been reached between Monica and the Port Charles Land Trust. Tracy passed out copies of the agreement and said there was no reason for the sheriff and councilman to be anywhere near the crypt. There had been no crime, so there was no reason to punish Emma. The people had no case and were wasting the taxpayers’ money. She suggested they stop wasting the court’s time and dismiss the charges. Sidwell toasted to the beginning of a long and lucrative relationship, and they drank champagne. Natalia said she and Sidwell had to work out a few details, and Lucy left with Brook. Sidwell asked what the mysterious details were, and Natalia said they weren’t going to sign when they knew what she did. Jason went to see Diane who said she’d always make time for him even when no crime was involved. Was there a crime involved? He said he needed to meet with her before he saw Sasha to amend his will and provide for her baby. Michael and Sasha were in agreement that she’d raise the baby by herself before everyone assumed he was the father. Diane said she’d see that Sasha’s baby was well-provided for, but she needed to know the scope of Michael’s exposure. Who else knew? Sonny? Jason said Sonny was staying out of it. He considered telling Carly, but now that she was with Brennan, he wanted to hold off. Sonny wondered what Carly was doing with Brennan. She nearly died and now he had to pretend she wasn’t batting her eyes at the man who nearly got her killed. Jack’s phone dinged and he looked at Sonny. He told Carly that he’d be back and went over to Sonny’s table. He asked for a word with Sonny, and they left for a private area. Jack said, the WSB informed him that a contract killer by the name of Soliski had been found dead in his Toronto home. He did some digging and found out Soliski was inclined to use incendiary devices much like the one that nearly killed Michael.

Turner said the people agreed the sheriff was there in error. However, that didn’t change Emma’s refusal to obey law enforcement’s order. The charges stood. The judge said he was inclined to agree, but they weren’t going to trial. They were going to work it out here. Emma asked if she could speak, and the judge said, at this point, why not? Emma suggested she do community service and Turner agreed. Emma changed her plea to guilty and the judge said the hours would be determined later. Anna told her, just say thank you, and Emma did. Jason said, regardless of Brennan, there was no way Carly could keep her grandchild a secret even if she didn’t say anything. He couldn’t trust her with this. Diane told him that she’d never heard him say he didn’t trust Carly, and he said, when she was with Sonny, he could protect her. He knew Sonny’s world and understood the players. Jack was with the WSB, and he didn’t know their code and didn’t know Jack’s agenda. He didn’t know the players and couldn’t provide the same level of protection. Jack said Soliski had been based Africa, but also South America, the Balkans, and the Middle East. He asked if Sonny knew anything about Soliski’s death, but Sonny said, no. Jack said he had to ask and told Sonny to have a pleasant evening. Sonny went back to his table, and Jack took out his phone. Sonny told Laura that Jack was asking about a guy in Toronto he didn’t know. He was sorry, but had to cut their lunch short. She asked if he was sure nothing was wrong, but he said everything was fine and left. Sidwell asked what Natalia thought she knew, and she said she knew Deception was the perfect cover for him to smuggle in whatever he was smuggling now. He said it was sad that life had made her bitter and mistrustful. She said they’d been good to her and all she needed to do was warn them, but Sidwell said her position would be compromised. They didn’t know she was his ex. She said she’d tell them that too, but he said it was a little late. Why would they ever trust her again when she’d left out a pertinent piece of information? If she knew what was good for her, she’d keep her mouth shut.

Marco was about to leave when Lucas arrived. Anna said she hopes she and Turner could make peace, and Turner said Emma had dodged a bullet. She was in more trouble than she was letting on. Whatever crime she committed was serious and whatever she did in California would come back to haunt her. Emma thanked Tracy and Gio, and Tracy called her courageous for putting herself in the line of fire. Gio suggested they go to dinner, but Anna came in and said that would have to wait. Gio and Tracy left, and Anna said they had to talk about Emma’s priors. Emma had to tell her what she’d done. Emma said she couldn’t, and Anna said it was news to her parents too. Emma said she couldn’t tell anyone because she signed an NDA. It was that or go to jail. Sasha found Jason in the solarium, and he asked if everything was okay with the baby. Jack said, it was WSB business, and Carly said, with Sonny? The WSB had never been interested in Sonny before. Was he sure Sonny wasn’t warning him to stay away from her? He said, sorry to disappoint her, but the conversation had nothing to do with her. Sidwell asked why Natalia cared. When they divorced, she said she wanted nothing to do with him. She said, yet here he was, back in her life uninvited, and he said let him be clear. She would never be in a position to tell him what to do ever again. Not after the spectacular way she wrecked their family. There was a knock at the door and Sidwell opened it to Sonny.

Thursday:

Jason said he got Sasha’s voicemail and asked if there was a problem with the baby, but she said the baby was fine. The problem was with him. Kai went to see Curtis to ask for his advice about the offer from Drew. Drew barged into Portia’s office saying she didn’t hold up her end of the bargain. Curtis undermined him by calling him Congressman Cain. She’d better get him under control, or he’d blow her life out of the water. Trina met with ADA Turner at the ADA’s request. She needed Trina’s help. Lucas asked why Marco was in Port Charles, and Marco said it was fate. Josslyn went to a coffee bar and saw Vaughn talking to a woman. She asked if she was interrupting. Carly said she didn’t believe Sonny didn’t tell Jack to stay away from her, and thought he’d lied. Sidwell told Natalia that she’d never be in a position to tell him what to do again – ever. Not after spectacular way she’d wrecked their family. There was a knock at door and Sidwell opened it to Sonny. Sonny said it was time they met and walked in.

Kai explained about the operation to Curtis, and said Drew would make the arrangements on his behalf and offered to cover the cost. Curtis said Kai had to live with the outcome and what mattered was if he was okay with it. Kai said he thought it would give him a chance to play football again, but it was risky. He didn’t have time to decide because the percentage of success was higher closer to the injury. He asked what Curtis thought he should do. Portia told Drew that she had nothing to do with Monica and Tracy’s decision and had no idea what Curtis had planned. Drew told her to make it her job to find out Curtis’s plans if they affected him, but Portia worried Curtis would know. Drew said to make sure he didn’t, or Curtis would know stuff she wished he didn’t. He left and Brad came in. Marco told Lucas about his job interview and how he’d seen Lucas’s photo on Alexis’s desk. He still had to meet Alexis, but thought it went well. Lucas said he had a confession to make. Vaughn asked if Josslyn wanted to join him, and the woman asked if Vaughn could spare some sugar. He gave it to her, and she left. Josslyn said the woman had been hitting on him. Her class had been canceled, and she had the day off, so she was exploring the area. She’d seen the logo on his to-go cups and figured the coffee was good. He said she was observant and shaping up to be a halfway decent agent. Jack asked why Carly was sure Sonny had threatened him, and she said, it had happened before. Because they had kids together, Sonny felt like he had a say in her life. Jack said Sonny didn’t bring up her name once. It was WSB business. There were certain subjects he couldn’t discuss for her own safety. Was that something she could live with? Sonny and Sidwell went to the living room, but Natalia had disappeared. Sidwell said the ladies from Deception had been there since they were going into business together. Since Sonny was an investor, they were in business together as well. Sonny said he was there on other business. Somebody had firebombed his penthouse, and his son had been badly injured. It was around the time Sidwell showed up in Port Charles. Sidwell said he hoped Sonny didn’t think he was involved, and Sonny said he hadn’t, but news had come to light that forced him to reconsider the possibility.

Sasha said Felicia had been asking questions, and Jason might need to take a more active role in the baby’s life. Felicia asked if he was going to participate in birth plan, was he supplying his medical information, and if his name would be on the birth certificate. Jason said he was fine with all of it, and she said it was more complicated than she thought. It would have been easier if she’d left town, but Michael wanted her to stay. If Willow found out the baby was Michael’s, she’d use it to get full custody. Jason said that’s why they were pretending, but she wondered for how long. Turner said she had questions about Emma and what happened on the Quartermaine estate, and knew Trina told the truth. Trina said she’d livestreamed the whole thing. Why was Turner interested in Emma when the charges were dropped? Turner said, while processing the arrest, some troubling things came up, and asked if Trina knew why Emma had been expelled. Trina wondered why an ADA in Port Charles was so concerned about what Emma did in California. Lucas told Marco that what happened wasn’t him. He didn’t get drunk and pick up guys. Random hookups weren’t his thing. On the flipside, he wasn’t ready for commitment. Marco said, before Lucas embarrassed himself, he was surprised and pleased to find Lucas lived there. He found Lucas attractive, but wasn’t plotting to get him in bed or make Lucas his husband. He just wanted to get to know Lucas better, especially if he got the job. Lucas said he was embarrassed about what happened and Marco had been so kind. He wanted a chance to get to know Marco better. Marco said, now was his chance. Portia asked what Brad wanted, and Brad said, a promotion and a four-day work week. She told him to get out. The things she thought Brad had taken care of had wound up in Drew’s possession. How much money did he get from Drew? Brad said, nothing. It must have been his Aunt Selina. Portia said he kept evidence that he was supposed to destroy and gave it to his mobbed-up aunt. At least their arrangement was now null and void. She just had to iron out his severance pay. Curtis told Kai that Drew wasn’t a doctor, so before he got his hopes up, he should get the procedure medically vetted. Portia would give him an honest assessment, and if it was legit, he had a tough choice to make. Josslyn told Vaughn that the coffee was great, and she assumed the croissants were too, since the past four customers ordered them. Vaughn said she was off the clock, but she said, never. They discussed volleyball, and Vaughn said he’d been a setter for his college team, but had to stop because he was too competitive. She said she’d heard that before from Trina and Michael, and he said she must miss them. She said she did, but not enough to quit. Carly said she didn’t want Jack to use his career as an excuse to deceive her when it suited him, and he said he’d never manipulate her, use her, or intentionally hurt her. He promised not to take advantage of her trust. He was breaking a cardinal rule of the WSB – never form emotional attachments. She said they’d gotten themselves in a mess, and he asked what she wanted to do about it. Sidwell asked what information Sonny had discovered, and Sonny said the person who placed the device was a hired hitter and he had been informed they’d expired. His name was Soliski. Did it ring any bells? Sidwell said, not a one, and Sonny said Soliski had worked all over the world, including Africa where Sidwell based his operation. Sidwell said Africa was a big continent with a large population. The odds he’d done business with a specific person doing business there were low. Sonny said he didn’t like coincidences, and Sidwell said Sonny seemed to think he wanted to get rid of him, but it was exactly the opposite.

Turner said she was concerned Emma had a legal problem, and if her grandmother was using her influence as a shield, it merited investigation. Trina said it sounded like Turner had an issue with Anna, not Emma. She had no connection with Anna and couldn’t help. Turner thanked her and Trina left. Marco told Lucas that he’d worked for a big law firm in Manhattan, but the hours were long, and his tennis game and love life went to hell. Lucas asked if he was ever married, and Marco said, no. He asked how things were with Lucas and his ex. Brad said Portia couldn’t fire him, but she said she owed him no favors. He begged for another chance, when there was a knock at the door. Kai came in and Portia told Brad, bye. Don’t go far. They had a lot to discuss. Brad said he’d be in the lab doing work that saved lives and left. Kai told Portia that he’d been offered a chance to have experimental surgery that would possibly allow him to play football again. He wanted a second opinion and Curtis suggested he talk to her. She said she’d be happy to help. Sasha told Jason that she wanted to give the baby the best life possible. But how could she when she was starting off by lying? She loved her family. Jason said, one step at a time, especially while Michael wasn’t there. He was getting better, and they had to stay the course until he got back. If it got to be too much, he’d help. Sasha said he was the greatest uncle ever, and he said he promised Michael that he’d be there and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for Michael. For the foreseeable future, they were in this together. Sidwell said, in his experience, if someone wanted to operate out of a port, they needed a stable ecosystem. A criminal element would always be there, but it was fine as long as it was contained and there was peace. He was told that Sonny was good at maintaining peace, so Sonny’s continued presence was crucial to his success. Sonny asked if he was expected to believe Sidwell was doing legitimate business, and Sidwell said he didn’t see Sonny as a rival, but someone to maintain the status quo, so his business would thrive. He understood Sonny’s reluctance to trust him, so as a gesture of good faith, he could aid Sonny in finding justice for his son. He also had a son, so he knew what Sonny was going through. He could use his resources to find the culprit. Sonny said he’d handle it himself, and Sidwell said, if there was anything Sonny needed, let him know. Sonny told Sidwell, good luck with his business dealings, as long as they didn’t interfere with his. Sonny left. Carly said she could live not knowing what Jack couldn’t tell her, and Jack said he’d risk his well-being for any chance of a future with her. She said he’d be doing the smart thing, and they kissed. He said as much as he’d like to continue in his room, he had to be somewhere, and he left. Vaughn went to the counter to get croissants and literally ran into the woman who needed sugar. He dropped a croissant and as she helped him, she passed him something while handing him the plate.

Vaughn told Josslyn that it was the last one and gave her the remaining croissant. She said he wasn’t usually a klutz, and he said they all had their moments. Drew went to Curtis’s office and asked, what was so urgent? Curtis said, leave Kai alone. He was vulnerable and didn’t need to get his hopes up for something that may not happen. Football had been ripped away from him and he was trying to put his life and sense of self back together. Now Drew was swooping in, giving him a chance that was impossible. Drew said the success rate was high, and Curtis said, what if it didn’t work out? There were no guarantees and if Kai ended up out of football for good, was the benevolent godfather act going to disappear? Portia told Kai that it wasn’t her area of expertise, but she’d look into it and do some research. Did he hear about it from his coach or physical therapist? Kai said, Congressman Quartermaine. He offered to pay, since Kai’s insurance wouldn’t cover it. Portia said he’d have to talk it over with his parents. They need to know. He said he wanted to wait until he knew it was legitimately possible, and she said she’d let him know what she found out. He thanked her and left. Lucas said he’d been avoiding Brad since he’d gotten back, and Marco said, they work together. Lucas said he knew they were going to run into each other eventually, but in the meantime, he had to clean up a big mess Brad made. He’d manipulated his way into the symposium and crossed the line. Lucas had to make things right with the person wronged. Marco asked why it was his responsibility, and Lucas said, guilt. Once he took care of it, he could put Brad behind him. He wanted to hear about Marco, but Marco said, another time. He had a meeting. He’d be in town for a few days and asked if Lucas would like to see him again. Lucas said he’d like it a lot and they shook hands. They laughed and Marco left. Vaughn told Josslyn that he had to get back to work and enjoy the rest of her day off.

Carly went over to Lucas and said, what was that? He was cute. Lucas said, forget about Marco. Someone didn’t come home last night. She said, Donna was with Sonny, and she thought Lucas was old enough to be okay at home without her. He said she could have given him some common courtesy and let him know she had plans. He was worried. She said it slipped her mind, but he said she didn’t want him to know she was with Jack. Carly said, everyone and their cat had lectured her about Jack, and he said he saw she’d decided not to listen. She said, after careful consideration, she’d decided to let things play out, and Lucas said Jason had said he was worried, and Jason didn’t panic easily. Please take his concern seriously. She said she was sick of everyone’s concern. She wasn’t changing her mind, so don’t fight her. He said he wouldn’t, but had a feeling Jason wasn’t going to back down so easily. Natalia wondered what game Sidwell was playing. Sonny was smart and dangerous. He didn’t want Sonny as an enemy. She hoped he meant it when he said he had no designs on Sonny’s territory and strongly encouraged him to reconsider. Sidwell asked if it was for his safety or hers, and she said she and Sonny were friends. He laughed and asked why she scurried off. Sonny must not know he’s her ex-husband any more than her cohorts at Deception did. She’d already betrayed everyone and now threatened to out him. She’d end up hurting herself. She said, it might be worth it. Sonny and the women didn’t know how dangerous he was. Sidwell said it wouldn’t be good for her health.  Sonny met Turner and she said she was surprised he’d accepted her invitation. He said he was looking for Lucy and she wasn’t in her office, so here he was. She said he must not have told Diane, and he said Turner worked hard to get Ava convicted. Turner said she was sorry she didn’t get justice. She did her due diligence and noticed something interesting. Despite him being the subject of multiple investigations, trials, and some convictions, he did well. He closely aligned himself with prominent leaders like the mayor and the Police Commissioner. Sonny said people liked him, and she said, even when he hurt their careers? He said, true friendship rises above rumors and innuendos. If she was fishing for something, she should cut bait. Josslyn went back to the WSB, surprising Vaughn. She said there was something she wanted to ask him, when Jack walked in. He asked for an update on Josslyn, and Vaught said he thought she was ready to graduate. And he was ready to go back to the field. He didn’t sign up to be a trainer. Jack said, ever since Romania, Vaughn was going to spend a long time not doing anything but training recruits.

Brad begged Portia not to send him back to his Aunt Selina, and she said she’d let him stay. She might need his help in the future. He said he loved helping, and she said he’d better come through, whatever she wanted whenever she wanted it. From now on, she owned his ass. Drew said he was just helping Kai, and Curtis said he was trying to protect Kai from being used. Drew said he wasn’t the problem. Curtis was. Kai went to see Trina and said, it was a long shot, but there may be a way for him to play football again. Turner told Sonny that she wasn’t fishing. She thought she’d get to know Sonny better. He said he didn’t think her boss would like it, but she said no one told her what to do. They had that in common. Sonny got up and said he hoped he’d satisfied her curiosity, but she said she still had questions. He said he was out of answers and left. Sasha felt the baby kick and said Jason had been there the first time the baby moved. Did he want in on the action. Jason backed away, but she put his hand on her bump. He said, that was a strong kick. Natalia asked if Sidwell was threatening her, when there was a knock at the door. It was Marco, who said he was sorry he was late. He saw Natalia and asked what his mom was doing there. Jack asked if he and Vaughn had an understanding, and Vaughn said they did. He asked Josslyn to give them some privacy to discuss the next steps, but Josslyn said, wait. There was something Jack should know. Earlier, she saw Vaughn receive a suspicious drop-off. She thought it was part of a mission sanctioned by the WSB, but now she wasn’t so sure. (I’m thinking it’s a test.)

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Trina asks what Kai is talking about that he might play football again, and he says, it’s not a guarantee, just a chance, but wouldn’t it be amazing if he could get back on the field? She says, of course (🍷). She knows how much he loves the game, but also knows how his doctors say if he gets hit again, he may be paralyzed for the rest of his life. He says, they did, but it turns out that may not be true.  

Curtis asks in what universe is Drew living, and Drew says, in deference to their former friendship, he cut Curtis some slack. Now Curtis is using his grudge to potentially deny Kai a career he’s dreamed of his whole life. Curtis says he’s not, but he’s not buying Drew’s savior act. He’s making the young man promises he can’t keep. Drew says he’s not promising anything. All he’s doing is introducing Kai to a doctor who’s had great success with athletes who have suffered similar injuries. It’s wrong to stand in his way. If Curtis cared, he’d encourage Kai to grab the opportunity before it’s too late for it to be beneficial. Curtis says, Kai mentioned that time was a factor, and Drew says, it is. The less time between the injury and the procedure, the greater the chance of success. Curtis says, if Drew really cared, he’d have encouraged Kai to look into it and be careful to do his research. That’s what he did. Drew says, that’s what he did too. If Curtis wants to come at him, fine, but leave Kai out of it.

Josslyn tells Jack that earlier, she saw Vaughn receive a suspicious drop-off. At first, she figured he was on a mission sanctioned by the WSB, but now she’s not so sure. Jack asks what she’s talking about, but Vaughn says he has no idea. He did bump into Josslyn at a coffee shop, but she was following him, wasn’t she? Josslyn says, no, and he says, she just happened to be there. She says, yes. She saw Vaughn talking to a woman. Vaughn says, what woman? This is ridiculous. Jack says, these are serious charges she’s leveling against a senior agent, ones that could end his career. Which means if she’s wrong, it could end hers.

There’s a knock at the door in Sonny’s old kitchen and we see our old friend, the moss bowl (🎍)! Jason comes in with an envelope, and Carly asks, what’s that? He says, it’s from Diane. Documents from when he signed the MetroCourt back over to her. She thanks him and says she’s sure he’s in a hurry. He says he can’t stand this.

Lucy finds Jordan at the hospital and says she’s been looking all over for her. Jordan asks if Lucy tried her office, and Lucy says, thank God Jordan is helping this year with the Nurses Ball. There’s so much to do and it’s right around corner… She didn’t know? About the 10th time she called Laura’s office, Laura kindly volunteered Jordan as city liaison. Welcome aboard. She shakes Jordan’s hand.

Ava looks at Ric through his hospital room window.

Deanna walks into Elizabeth’s room with a pillow, and Elizabeth asks Deanna to tell her that she’s here to smother her with it. Deanna says, she’s not covered for that, but it is triple fudge brownie day in the cafeteria. Maybe that will help. Elizabeth makes a face, and Deanna asks how she’s feeling. Elizabeth says, not too bad for someone with three new pins in her leg. She’s fine. She appreciates Deanna, but don’t worry about her. Deanna says, it’s literally her job. If she slacks off, her boss might find out. Elizabeth says, she’s the worst. She’s worried about Ric and wonders if Deanna has an update. Deanna says, sorry, but there’s been no change. Lucky comes in with a duffel bag and says, these are the things Elizabeth asked for. Deanna says she’ll leave them to it, and leaves. Lucky asks, what’s the matter? Is she okay? Elizabeth says she realized recovery is going to be a lot more difficult than she thought, and Lucky asks if she’s in pain. She says, no. Just completely helpless.

Alone in the chapel, Kristina says she knows she did a bad thing. She did a dumb, bad thing. She knows she did and just… Please. She knows she asks a lot, but please, just don’t let Molly’s dad die. Alexis and Molly walk in.

Elizabeth tells Lucky that she hates asking people to do things for her. She can’t imagine sitting around like this for three months. Lucky asks if they didn’t say three to six months, and she says she’s a nurse, so she’s saying three months. He says, wow. He thought doctors made the worst patients. She says she’s an excellent patient, and he says, true. He’s never seen a better one. He takes out a sweater and asks if she wants it, but she asks him to fold it and put it on the chair. He says he knows she hates it when she can’t do things for herself, especially when the people trying to help don’t do it the way she would. He tries folding the sweater and looks like me trying to fold a fitted sheet. She says, he makes her sound like a control freak, which she’s not… Just don’t fold it like that. Give it to her. He does and she refolds it.

Kai says he was at Drew’s office, and Trina asks if he means Congressman Cain. He says, the congressman said to call him Drew, and she says, right. He says, they were talking about the Pediatric Sports Initiative (🍷) and Drew asked what he wanted out of life. He told Drew that he was still trying to figure that out now that football wasn’t part of it. She asks what Drew said, and he says, Drew told him about a doctor who’s made huge strides in vertebrae repair. Drew said he could get him in to see the doctor. She says, so Drew happened to know somebody who can offer him what he wants, and he says, Drew is a congressman, so he probably knows a lot of people. Anyway, Drew thought he was a candidate for the procedure and is willing to pay for it. Isn’t that incredible? She says, it just seems hard to believe.

Curtis says he’s not standing in Kai’s way. Kai came to him for advice, and he gave it. Frankly, the idea of Kai in a wheelchair, paralyzed, was enough for him to advise caution. The possibility doesn’t seem as important to Drew. Drew says, Kai is aware of all the possibilities. He gave Kai all the information and he’s making his own decision. He’s just in a position to help Kai accomplish everything he’s worked so hard for. Just like he did for Curtis. Curtis says, excuse me? and Drew asks how Curtis thinks he ended up CEO of Aurora. He wouldn’t be in this office in the first place if Drew hadn’t put him here.

Jordan says, that’s quite the list, and Lucy says, that’s just Jordan’s half of the list. She wants as many people in the community to take part as humanly possible. All Jordan has to do is call each and every person and confirm they’re performing. Jordan asks what Curtis is going to do, and Lucy tells her, he hasn’t said yes yet. Jordan says, so when Lucy tells her to confirm, what she really means is… Lucy says, convince. That means everyone and do not take no for an answer.

Alexis says she didn’t know Kristina was at the hospital, and Kristina says she came to check on Molly’s dad and wanted to say a quick prayer first. Molly said she heard. She knows her dad was not always Kristina’s favorite guy, but she thanks her. She’s been an amazing sister through this. They hug.

Vaughn asks where this is coming from, and Josslyn says she’s just reporting what she saw. He says, she has no idea what she saw, and Jack says, walk him through what happened. Josslyn says she ran into Vaughn at the coffee shop. When she arrived, he was talking to a woman. We flash back as she talks, and she says, later, Vaughn stood up to go to the coffee counter and zipped up his hoodie, which could have been some sort of signal. On the way back, he bumped into the woman and dropped the plate. The woman crouched down to help and passed him a small package. It looked like a pack of gum. Then Vaughn came back, and the woman left right after. She didn’t think much about it at the time, but then she heard Jack say he’s not cleared for field work. Vaughn says, that’s not what happened. Does she honestly think trying to discredit him will impress the chief?

Carly says she hates fighting with Jason. She hates that her situation with Jack came between them, but she can’t live her life by his rules any more than he wants to live by hers. And he’s never policed her life and relationships the way she’s done with him. Jason says, she wouldn’t have listened if he’d tried, and she says, probably not. She understands how hurt he must have been with her back seat driving his relationships. She hates having an ultimatum between them because it’s awful. She doesn’t want to choose between him and Jack. He asks if Jack means that much to her, but she thinks it has nothing to do with Jack. They could be over in a month, but she doesn’t want to give anyone up just because someone tells her to. Even if the someone is him.

Kristina asks if there’s any news about Molly’s dad, and Molly says, Dr. Gannon is examining him now. Alexis says, he’s out of surgery and there’s no permanent damage, and Kristina says, thank God. It’s amazing. Anything she can do to support Molly through this, she’s here. She’s sorry she let her anger and grief get between them. She shouldn’t have done that. Molly says she’s sorry too. They’re sisters and that stuff is behind them now. The Davis girls have got to stick together. Alexis says, forever.

Ava asks Isaiah how Ric is, but he says he can’t discuss Ric’s medical condition unless it’s a family member on the list. Ava says, the list she’s on isn’t that one. His family hates her. He says he’s afraid he can’t, and she says she and Ric are seeing each other. They were together the day of the accident. She’s hoping the last conversation they had isn’t the last conversation they’ll ever have. He says he’s sorry and suggests she try talking to Molly. Ava says, no thank you… Nobody is in there now. Isaiah says, if his family catches her… She says, she’ll be most respectful and leave immediately. He nods and she thanks him. She goes to Ric’s room and sits by his bed. She says, please wake up. She doesn’t want their last words to have been spoken in anger.

Curtis says, Drew gave him the position and he repaid Drew by doing an outstanding job. Drew repaid him by stabbing him in the back. Drew says, Curtis is doing fine. Curtis outmaneuvered him, but the argument still stands. Curtis says, intentions matter. Drew likes to gloss over his betrayals by saying, everything worked out in the end. Willow cares about him. Never mind that he went after his nephew’s wife. The hell with Michael. Drew says he doesn’t think… Curtis says he thinks Drew got everything he wanted in the end. Michael was just collateral damage. He doesn’t want that to happen to Kai.

Kai tells Trina that the procedure is brand new, and the doctor is the only surgeon on the continent who does it. His insurance won’t cover it. Maybe that’s why nobody considered it an option. She says, maybe it’s too new, and he says he’s going to meet with the doctor. Drew got him a consultation. She asks if Drew is going to pay the six-figure tab, and Kai tells her, that’s what he said. She says, he barely knows Kai. Why would he do that?

Josslyn says she’s telling the truth. If Agent Vaughn can explain, great. If he can’t… Jack asks what Vaughn has to say for himself, and Vaughn says, yes. He spoke to a woman in the café. She asked if she could have his sugar, and he gave it to her. He did zip up his hoodie because he was cold. On his way back, he bumped into the woman, but he dropped a croissant. She offered to help, but didn’t lean down and pick anything up. The only thing on the floor was the croissant. Josslyn says, no. She passed him something and then left after her job was done. Vaughn says, or left because she was done with her coffee. Jack asks if Josslyn stands by her accusation, because he finds Vaughn’s version credible. As for her, maybe her mind is playing tricks. So does she stand by her version of the events?

Lucky asks if Elizabeth is in pain. Does she need something? She says she needs to go home, and he says, she just had surgery. She says she can lay around at home like she’s doing here, but he says, can she? She can’t do stairs or stand up to cook. She says, Aiden will help her, but he says, Aiden has school. He has homework and other important things to do. She asks if Lucky can help, and he says he’ll be here waiting until she comes to her senses. She says, they did mention a rehab facility, but she just wants to go home. He says he knows she hates this. He doesn’t blame her, but she needs to let herself heal, okay? Try to be grateful she’s not recovering from something worse. God knows he is. She says she knows she got off easy, and he tells her that he’s not saying it’s easy. Just better than it could have been. She says, Deanna told her that Ric still hasn’t woken up. She’s sorry to hear that. She keeps replaying the moment the car went off the road. It was terrifying. They could have been killed. He says, don’t remind him.

Drew says, all he wants to do is help Kai, and Curtis tells him not to set Kai up for a fall. He’s noticed that about Drew. He likes to pick people up and when they can’t help him anymore, he drops them. He hopes Kai realizes that before it’s too late. Jordan comes to the door and says she can come back later, or do they need a referee? Drew says he was just leaving, but she says, wait. This concerns them both.

Jason says he knows he has no right to tell Carly what to do, but he can’t change how he feels. Brennan is dangerous to be so close to. She says she was close to Sonny, but he says he understands Sonny’s world. He can anticipate things and recognize Sonny’s enemies in that world. But in Brennan’s world, he doesn’t know the enemies. He can’t see around those corners and can’t anticipate anything. He can’t protect her. After Sam’s death, he can’t take the risk of losing her. He figured the people he loves would outlive him. Now after losing Sam, he’s supposed to trust Brennan to protect Carly? He can’t, because her life isn’t as important to Brennan as it is to him. It could never be. He’d take a bullet for her and will always protect her. He can’t trust that Brennan will. He doesn’t trust a word that guy says. She says she knows he doesn’t, but she hasn’t felt this alive in a really long time. He can trust her judgement when she tells him that Jack is not a threat to her.

Vaughn says, Josslyn is making a mistake. She might be embarrassed, but it’s not too late to admit it. Jack asks if she’s saying Agent Vaughn is lying, and she says she saw him put the package in his right pocket – that pocket. Jack tells Vaughn to empty his pockets, and Vaughn says, he can’t be serious. Jack says, do it, and Vaughn takes out the packet and hands it to Jack. Jack undoes it and takes out a computer chip out of the gum pack. He says, well, what have we here?

Alexis says, seeing Molly and Kristina together after everything that’s happened gives her hope, and Kristina says she thinks everything will be all right. Does Molly? Molly says she doesn’t know. She’s scared about her dad, but she has to believe he’ll be okay. It’s easier to do when she’s with them. Alexis says, that’s the way it’s always going to be, and suggests they check on Molly’s dad.

Ava says she’ll make Ric a deal. Wake up now and she’ll let him bill her for a whole hour… He sits up. It was worth a shot. If he won’t wake up for her after the things she said, she wouldn’t blame him, but wake up for Molly. His daughter loves him. So many people need him. She needs him. Remember, he promised to take her to the winery when the weather was nicer, so he can’t leave her hanging on that. She thinks she should go. She doesn’t want to abuse her visitation privileges, but she’ll be back again. She gets up, and Ric mumbles, Elizabeth. Ava says, she’s fine. He’s the one everybody is worried about. He was in a car accident. He asks if someone hit them, but she says, he lost control of the car and went off the road. He was driving Elizabeth home. He says he remembers. They were arguing and he lost control of the car. And the brakes… they failed.  

Ava tells Isaiah that Ric is awake, and Isaiah runs into the room. Alexis, Molly, and Kristina come out of the elevator, and Ava says, Molly’s father is awake. The doctor is with him. Molly runs into Ric’s room, and he says, hey. She says she was scared, but he says, don’t worry. She’s never going to lose him. (Kind of a big promise.) In the hallway, Kristina says she needs some air and leaves. Alexis says she told Ava to stay away. Does she need to get a restraining order? Ava says she was worried about Ric, but Alexis says she’s worried about her girls. Molly needs her sister and the last thing Kristina needs is to see Ava. Ava says she left out of compassion, but GH is a public place. She’s not going to let Kristina’s questionable mental state keep her from seeing someone she cares about. Lucy comes by and says, how lucky she is to find them together. She needs both of them to confirm their performances for the Nurses Ball. Alexis says, never have, never will, and leaves. Ava says she’ll get back to Lucy. There’s something she needs to take care of. She leaves.

Trina says, paying Kai’s medical bills is extremely generous offer, especially for someone he just met. Kai says he thought the same thing, so he asked, and Drew said he thinks Kai has potential. Trina says, obviously he does. Even so… He says, it’s just a consultation, and she asks if he’s going to do it. He says, it depends on her mom. He gave her the information and she agreed to look into it. He trusts her judgement and she did help find a procedure that helped Trina’s dad walk again. She says, it just feels like it’s moving really fast, and she doesn’t want him to be disappointed if it doesn’t work out. Even if it does, she’s afraid if he’s hit wrong, he’ll be paralyzed. He says, they’re on the same page and not just about the playing. He was part of a team. Even if he’s able to get back on, it will be tough. They’ve already replaced him at PCU and there are no guarantees he’ll be able to play college or pro ball. But at least he’ll have a chance. That’s because of her.

Carly says she’s driven everyone away her whole life except for the moss bowl (🎍), and Jason is the only person who never walked away. He says he never will, and she says she was thinking about the time they hit their first breaking point – when she slept with Sonny. He says, it was more complicated than that, and she says, their relationship changed, but it didn’t end. She doesn’t want it to end now. He says, neither does he. So he’s going to stay out of her relationship with Brennan. She asks if he means that, and he says, it’s not worth losing their friendship. If she’s right, he’ll be happy. She says, what if he’s right? and he says, they’ll survive whatever danger Brennan brings their way together.

Jack says, what they do now is quite simple. Congratulations, Agent Jax. You just passed your first phase of training. Josslyn says, wait. What? This was all a test? Vaughn says, and she passed. She can celebrate with the pack of gum. Josslyn asks what they were testing, if she noticed the hand-off? Jack says, partly, but it was mostly loyalty. She didn’t let her feelings for a colleague supersede her loyalty to the WSB. Vaughn says, she trusted her judgement even when he gave a plausible explanation, and Jack says, her training is on-going, but right now she’s needed in the field for an assignment she’s well-suited for. Unless of course (🍷) she doesn’t think she’s ready. Josslyn says, no. She’s ready. Where is she going?

Elizabeth says she’s rethinking staying, and Lucky says she would have gotten there eventually. He knows how independent she is, probably because she’s been left to handle everything on her own way too often. She says she’s always taken care of herself, and he says, true, but there’s something she needs to understand. A lot of people love her and want to take care of her. Please just let them help. She says he’ll have to bear with her, learning to ask for help, and he says he can do that. He can even get her one of those little bells. She says, don’t push it, and he says he hates that she’s going through this, but he’s going to see her through it. Deanna says, sorry to interrupt, but she thought Elizabeth would want to know that Ric is awake, and Elizabeth thanks her. She says she knows what Lucky is thinking, and he says, that he needs to hurry up and get her that bell? She says, he blames Ric for the crash. Please don’t. Sometimes accidents just happen.

Jordan says, thanks to Laura, she’s now working with Lucy as city liaison for the Nurses Ball. As such, she’s been given a list of potential acts and both Curtis and Drew are on it. Curtis says, the Nurses Ball is a worthy cause, and he’ll gladly make a donation, and Drew says, as will he. Jordan says, that’s great and all, but Jenz Sidwell is actually sponsoring the entire thing this year. Drew says, what? and Curtis says, his buddy didn’t tell him, did he? Drew says, Jordan is recruiting them to perform? and she says, yes, but he says, the performers are talented. He doesn’t know what he’d do. She says, not to worry. Lucy insisted – and she means insisted – that she will discover everyone’s hidden talents. Curtis says, okay, he’ll think about it, but Jordan says, May will be here before they know it. So what do they say, yes or no?

Molly says, the whole time she kept thinking she might not get another chance to tell Ric how much she loves him, and he says, she thinks he doesn’t know? She says she thinks she doesn’t say it enough, but he tells her that she says it all the time. He loves her. He kisses her hand and she says she loves him too. He says, she’s the most important thing in his life. He’s very proud of the woman she’s become. She says, even though she’s a prosecutor? and he says, they’ll work on that.

Trina says, Kai is giving her way too much credit, but he says, she made him look at possibilities instead of dwelling on the disappointments. She tells him that she could say the same about him. After Spencer died, she was in a dark place. Then he came along and jeopardized her class project and brought color back into her life. He says, that’s high praise from an art lover, and she says, the highest. He says he can’t wait to see where the future takes them, and she says, what a coincidence. Her too. They kiss.

Carly says, Jason’s always been her rock. He gave her the confidence to live life on her own terms, but she knew she could face the consequences, good or bad, because he was in her corner. That’s why the last few days were really difficult because she thought she’d finally driven him away and that terrifies her. He says he guesses he’s glad she didn’t listen this one time, and she says, why? He says, because if she hadn’t and given in and done what he asked, she would have resented him. She says she thinks that’s one reason she didn’t give in. He’s the most important person in her life, and if she gave in, she knew deep down it would destroy them.

Ava goes to a garage and says she’s here about her car. It was in a single vehicle crash on Route 32 by Oakview Road. Has anybody looked at it yet? The mechanic says, there’s not much to see. It was totaled and he sent it to compacting. She says, that’s what she was afraid of. She needs to file an insurance claim asap. She might want to sue the manufacturer. Does he think he could do her a favor and take a look at it? See if he can find a mechanical reason her car lost control?

Deanna tells Elizabeth, time for her meds, and Lucky asks if she brought enough for everybody. Elizabeth says, ignore him, but Deanna wonders if that’s possible. She also needs to take Elizabeth’s vitals. Lucky says he’ll get out of the way. He’s got something he needs to deal with. If she needs anything, call. Elizabeth promises she will, and Lucky leaves. In the hallway, he gets a text from Kristina: Need to see you. Now.

Trina and Kai are on the sofa kissing, when there’s a knock at the door. Lucy says, yoohoo! Anybody home? Kai says, if they’re quiet, maybe she’ll go away, but Trina says she knows that voice and it will never happen. She lets Lucy in, and Lucy says, oh my goodness! This is the cutest little place. She loves it. She sees Kai and says she knows him. He was at the Pediatric Sports Initiative (🍷) press conference. He’s Kai Taylor. Kai says, that’s him, and she says, Lucy Coe, founder and CEO of Deception Cosmetics. Trina says, it’s not a good time, but Lucy says, it won’t take long. She’s also chairperson of the General Hospital Nurses Ball. Trina asks if they can’t discuss it later, but Lucy says, no need. She’ll put them both down to perform at the Ball.

Drew says he would be happy to be part of the Nurses Ball. He always has time for a worthy cause. Jordan thanks him and he leaves. She asks if Curtis is in, and Curtis says, of course (🍷). Hang on. Did she ask him and Drew at the same time because she knew he’d have to say yes in front of Drew since he wouldn’t be able do less than Drew? She says, welcome to politics.

Jason says, Carly will never lose him, and she says, even if he thinks she’s making the biggest mistake of her whole life? He says, even then, and they hug. Josslyn comes in and says she’s home.

Vaughn asks Jack if he thinks Josslyn is ready, and Jack says, she has to be. The assignment is time sensitive. Vaughn says, that’s not an ideal answer, and Jack says, far from it. That’s why Vaughn is going as Josslyn’s backup.

Molly asks if Ric has any idea what made him veer off the road, and he says he’s trying to piece it together, but it’s hard to concentrate. She says, he has a head injury, so just rest. Maybe it will come back. She tells him that Elizabeth is okay. It’s a miracle the ambulance got there as fast as it did. He flashes back to looking through the windshield after the accident and seeing Kristina.

Lucky meets Kristina and she asks, what’s going on? Does anyone know what caused… He says, not yet, and she says, he’s not telling anyone, is he? He says, first, she needs to tell him how she almost killed Elizabeth.

Ava asks what the mechanic thinks. Did he find anything? He says, yeah and it’s not good. She says her car crashed. So what is it? He says, the brake lines in the car were cut.  

On Monday, Elizabeth wonders why Ava is asking her all these questions; Josslyn finds out that Jason has been to Easter Island; Lucky says Kristina went too far this time and has to pay for it; and Ric remembers something about the accident.

🧼  All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Ezra is the new guy I love to hate. His reactions to things are too funny.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/celebrate-with-soap-hopper-daniel-cosgrove

When he’s ready to come back? Freudian slip or wishful thinking?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chad-duell-opens-up-been-on-a-real-journey-lately

Reeling in the GH years.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/abc/gh-general-hospital-cast-through-years-photos-108305

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-stars-pick-their-most-memorable-moments-from-the-past-year

Welcome to the Nurses Ball.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/the-general-hospital-nurses-ball-returns-2

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I’m surprised the captain doesn’t live on digestives.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The dresses were just phenomenal. These women looked like they were going to the Met. The color scheme was gold and white, and everyone got the memo. Kyle had a bunch of crystals on the table between her and Andy, and my first thought was, all the crystals, lucky charms, four-leaf clovers – hell, even actual leprechauns – in the world won’t make a difference. I also forgot there was that whole thing over PK drinking. Maybe that’s why Dorit is so hellbent on calling Sutton an alcoholic. Dorit is apparently also a smoker (absolutely zero judgement) and Andy asked if PK sent Kyle a meme about it. HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! A twin of Erika’s coffee table was on set, and I didn’t think it was odd that she said it was where her mind went. Mine would too, and I don’t care what we were talking about, I’d definitely bring it up. Dorit was nasty and clueless, so no surprise there. Her slow move to come to the truth that PK is done with her is like watching Shep realize Sienna’s not his soulmate. Boz lost her house in the Malibu fires, which is tragic. While I wasn’t happy to hear she was fighting with insurance companies, I was glad that at least rich people don’t have it easier there. Having been through a flood, I could sympathize with her. Cleaning up was easier than the two years of paperwork afterward.

About that exit.

Denise Richards & Her Wild Things

In this week’s episode, Denise and daughter Lola had lunch with Charlie. If he has one more facelift, his ass is going to be on his neck. Once again, I watched in wonder at how Denise holds no grudges. She’s the first to say he’s an a-hole, but she’s not mad at the hell he put her through. I need lessons from this woman.

Summer House

I actually think Carl’s idea of Soft Bar – a bar that doesn’t serve alcohol – is a good one. As he mentioned, it’s not just for alcoholics. Pregnant women and those wanting to make lifestyle changes would also enjoy the social atmosphere without the alcohol. Jesse’s idea that he will be monogamous wasn’t so good, and his claim that he wasn’t flirting with Ciara was ridiculous. Lexi said he’d left out the toe sucking in his narrative and that he lied about it made her feel icky. Never mind him lying about it, the actual act made me feel icky. It also made him seem extra stupid for not telling her right off the bat. Did he not know the other girls would?

Southern Charm

Venita brought out receipts! Proof! Timelines! F***ing everything!

I could go on about the JT/Venita thing, but the best all-encompassing thing I can say is, it’s just so messy. JT is wrong on so many levels, but WTF Venita? She should have backed away from this immediately. She said she was interested in staying friends, but not if his girlfriend was in the picture. In other words, when he’s free to date her, she’ll be there. Ugh. I’m always picking on the guys, but what annoys me about the girls is how they want to figure out everyone’s timelines all the time. There was discussion on Craig being a liar storyteller embellisher and Patricia made an appearance. We saw clips of several casting tapes (see below) from 12 years ago. Patricia said she thought it wouldn’t last. Who would be interested in watching this cast of reprobates and their misdeeds?  Who indeed?

 Sally smack talking Taylor’s Gaston was a topic, and it seemed that most of the group agreed that since Sally came into Taylor’s friend group, she should have kept her opinions to herself. Taylor hadn’t even had a chance to introduce him to the group yet, and Sally tried to influence their opinion. Andy circled back to Craig, this time to inspect his relationship with Paige. That hindsight is 20/20 says it all. Love is blind is also applicable. Apparently, Paige cut him completely off, but that doesn’t make her a bad person. Just because the Charm cast loves to stay in each other’s pockets lives doesn’t mean everyone feels that way about an ex. I’m not a fan of staying friends, although my high school boyfriend is a very close friend. And no, not with benefits.

Random Reality Items

Upcoming twists on the new season of RHOM.

Nothing much to see here, but because it is LVP.

Well, roll me up and call me curly. The first Deck baby.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Happy Face. Paramount+. In a series about the Happy Face Killer’s daughter, her remembrances from growing up are interspersed with what’s going on today. Supposedly she outed herself on Dr. Phil, but I don’t remember ever seeing that one. The acting is great, especially Dennis Quaid as the killer. It did make me wonder what it must be like to suddenly discover such a horrible thing about your father.

https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/happy-face-true-story-keith-hunter-jesperson-daughter-melissa-moore-rcna197120

https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/a64254606/happy-face-show-true-story-accuracy

Holland. Amazon Prime. I’m not sure how I felt about this film. I love Nicole Kidman, despite her lapse of judgement in marrying Tom Cruise. Chalking that up to youthful stupidity. A favorite sub-genre of mine is the perfect town that’s not so perfect underneath, but I think this movie bypassed some good opportunities. It’s still a fun watch, but the end kinda sorta leaves you hanging.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/holland-movie-review-2025

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/holland/

Adolescence. Netflix. This 4 part series is focused on a 13 year old boy who’s arrested for the murder of a female classmate. I’m guessing perhaps the laws are somewhat different in the UK where it’s placed, because I spent a lot of the beginning wondering why this kid was so unprotected legally. The underlying topic though, is the influence of the internet – in particular those like Andrew Tate – on young boys. Some articles have taken offense at the supposition they could be influenced so easily, but they’re kids and they are. The part of the brain that understands actions result in consequences isn’t fully developed until age 25, and the internet can be a persuasive place. Be forewarned. This cautionary tale is pretty depressing.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/18/entertainment/adolescence-netflix-limited-series/index.html

https://ew.com/adolescence-creator-responds-to-claims-that-series-race-swapped-storyline-11706011

American Apocalypse aka Refuge. Amazon Prime. There wasn’t a lot on this rather unmemorable film. There’s a small plot blurb and some viewer reviews, but the best part of any review ever: If you need a reason to live, This movie is not it. I didn’t think it was that awful, but it wasn’t very unique or memorable either.

https://letterboxd.com/film/american-apocalypse/

Happiness. Netflix. This K-Drama is a slightly different take on the zombie genre. People have become zombies from taking a failed covid drug that’s on the black market, but they’re not zombie’s 24/7. They have sort of zombie seizures where they attack and eat people, who in turn become zombies if they don’t die from the attack. Protagonist Sae-bom is immune to the bites and is put on an investigative team to find out just what the hell is going on. She also marries a childhood friend in order to get an apartment, and there’s a lot of underlying elements of the haves and have nots, often prevalent in Korean entertainment.

https://en.prothomalo.com/entertainment/happiness-with-zombie-like-mad-person-disease

Outside. Netflix. I didn’t hate this, but I could have cut a good 40 minutes out of it. The exciting – i.e. zombie – parts were great, but there were long stretches of soap opera dialogue and I started to feel like I was actually in the middle of nowhere during an apocalypse in real time.

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/outside-release-date-news

https://decider.com/2024/10/18/outside-movie-netflix-review-2024

🔮 Future Watching…

I bailed during the first season, but I’d really like to give it another go. So much to watch, so little time, but it does look good. Although I am a little bitter about the nixing of the Jon Snow spin-off. I wanted to see more of the forbidden places beyond the Wall and what creatures might dwell there.

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-ryan-condal-responds-george-r-r-martin-blog-season-3-new-casting-exclusive-11704545

Korean dramas worth your while. I’ve seen a lot of these and haven’t been disappointed yet.

https://collider.com/k-dramas-anime-fan-must-watch-ranked/

https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/top-10-k-dramas-to-watch-if-you-liked-gyeongseong-creature-season-2-sweet-home-happiness-and-more-1350717

🐦‍🔥 Wild In the Kingdom…

🐢 Makes you glad not to be a tortoise.

https://people.com/97-year-old-reptile-becomes-oldest-first-time-mom-of-species-11708613

🐧 Nature, always full of surprises.

https://people.com/rare-all-white-penguin-found-australia-first-we-have-seen-rescuers-11707610

🐋 I had a Golden who was literally afraid of his own shadow. He would have had a doggy heart attack.

https://people.com/barking-golden-retriever-meets-giant-humpback-whale-video-11707795

🐣 Quotes of the Week

Quitting can be a hard choice to make, but often it’s a brave one, as well.Susan David

The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. – B. B. King (They can’t take integrity away from you either.)

Often any decision, even the wrong decision, is better than no decision. – Ben Horowitz

The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well. – Horace Walpole

A ‘No’ uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a ‘Yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble. – Mahatma Gandhi

If we hadn’t forced her to go to the wedding, she never would have touched that gun. – Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie), Beyond the Gates

💸 Rendering Unto Caesar…

Until next week, stay safe; stay getting your taxes in before 11:59 pm on April 15th; and stay looking at possibilities instead of dwelling on disappointments.

March 28, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Emma Chains Herself To the Crypt, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watch, Latest On Last, Outside the Norm, Only Five Quotes & Fool

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Note: I’ve been calling Josslyn’s WSB handler Bryce when it’s Vaughn. Why? Who knows, but it proves no one is paying attention.

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Lucas told Elizabeth that he needed her help with something that had to stay between them. Brad was blackmailing someone at the hospital. Portia told Ava that she got Drew off her back… at least for now. Ava asked what Portia wanted to do, and Portia picked up Drew’s medical folder. At Drew’s, Nina heard something, closed the safe, and headed for the door. Alexis asked what exactly Valentin thought she could do for him, and he said he wanted her to take care of his daughter. Charlotte went to the station to find out if she could see Valentin. Drew popped up behind Nina and asked if she relocked the safe. Carly told Jason that she was used to Sonny giving her orders, but never expected it from him, and Jason said, she almost died. Josslyn was hooked up to a lie detector, and Vaughn asked who she blamed for Michael’s injuries. She said, the person who set the bomb, and Vaughn asked what she’d do if she met them face to face. Jack watched through the window.

Drew said he knew Nina wasn’t looking for money, since she was a rich, spoiled brat. Maybe she was looking for something to use against him, but there was nothing in the safe that he had any reason to hide from her. Nina said she was protecting her daughter. If Willow and the kids moved in, Willow would lose her children. Drew said she was using the kids as a cover and wanted him all to herself. If she couldn’t have him, nobody else could, especially Willow. Lucas said, Brad did this in the hopes they’d get back together, and Elizabeth told him, start talking. Ava said if Portia used something in his medical records against Drew, it would be a serious HIPPA violation. While Ava would do a lot worse, it wasn’t something Portia should do. Don’t let fear and desperation make her do dumb things. Carly told Jason to respect her choices, but he said she was being willfully naïve and in over her head. The WSB was more than Jack and she didn’t know Jack as well as she thought she did. She said Jason upset because he didn’t know Jack’s world and couldn’t control it, but Jason said it wasn’t a game. She barely knew Jack and almost died. She had to get out now.

Josslyn said, if she came face to face with the person who hurt her brother, she’d do her best to subdue them and call the police. Jack came in and asked how Josslyn was doing, and Vaughn said, excellent. Vaughn and the lie detector guy left, and Josslyn asked what the hell the question about her brother was about. Jack said, conditioning. Adversaries wouldn’t ask comfortable questions and she’d be in a position to be tested and challenged for her life and the lives of others while she kept her composure and lied through her teeth. Did she think she could handle that? Alexis told Valentin that Charlotte had a mother who was more than happy to make up for lost time and Laura was a wonderful grandmother. If Charlotte needed a connection to the less diabolical side of the Cassadine lineage, she’d be there. He said that wasn’t what he was talking about. She was the trustee of the Cassadine estate, and he’d been behind the funds and Windymere being taken from Ava. The estate would be better served given to the Cassadine heirs. Alexis said, well played, and Valentin said he’d wanted to make sure she was trustee and needed her to support his daughter financially. Lulu saw Anna at the station and said Charlotte had snuck out. Anna said, Charlotte was upstairs. Valentin was headed to Steinmauer, possibly for the rest of his life. This could be the last time she saw him when it wasn’t through a pain of bulletproof glass. She asked Lulu to consider letting them say goodbye.

Josslyn told Jack that she could handle it. What was next? He said her mother was in the hospital, and she asked if that was a test, but he said, Carly was admitted last night for polonium poisoning. She was going to make a full recovery. Josslyn asked if she could see her mother, and he said, of course (🍷). It wasn’t a prison, but if she left, she wouldn’t be coming back. Carly said she was aware it wasn’t a game, but Jason said he thought she was being stubborn. She saw the red flags, but was ignoring them. Only professionals like the WSB had access to the kind of explosive device that blew up the penthouse. She said if he was going to tell her that Jack had something to do with it, he’d better have proof, and he said he wasn’t ruling it out. She said he was using Michael to get her to do what he wanted, but he said he wanted her to see what was at stake with Brennan in her life. She wondered how many times she’d heard that about Sonny and Sam had heard it about Jason. Alexis said, kudos to Valentin for wrestling the money away from Ava, but she couldn’t use the money from the estate to financially support anyone. She was keeping the estate intact for Ace. Valentin said he just wanted her to carve out a portion for Charlotte. Consider it his commission for making the estate whole. She said she couldn’t do that, but could make sure Charlotte had all the love and support she needed because he’d made the ultimate sacrifice as a father by bringing her home. He’d proven his love for his daughter by doing the right thing. Lulu asked if seeing Valentin was for Charlotte’s benefit or Valentin’s, and Anna said she thought both. Lulu thought Anna was more concerned about Valentin, and Anna said she had concern about Charlotte and thought she always would. Lulu said she get her daughter, when Alexis came out. Nina said Drew was delusional if he thought she was pining away for him. Michael and Willow were headed for divorce. They had two children, and Michael had been away for months having treatment for painful burns. He would come home to his wife and children living with the man – his uncle – who blew up his marriage. Did Drew think Michael wouldn’t move heaven and earth to get the kids away from him? How was Drew going to keep her daughter from losing her children? Willow walked in and asked what Nina was doing.

Lucas told Elizabeth that Brad was blackmailing Portia. That’s how he attended the symposium. She asked what Brad had on Portia, but he said he had no clue and didn’t want to know. She said, obviously it was bad if a hospital Chief was under a lab technician’s thumb, and he said he felt responsible because Brad did it to worm his way back into his life, and Elizabeth said, did he? Portia asked if Ava was telling her that she was screwed. She couldn’t just wait for Drew to blow her life apart. Ava said Portia could tell Curtis, but Portia said, secrets ruined Curtis’s marriage to Jordan, and she didn’t want secrets to destroy her marriage. It was too late to tell him. Ava said Portia had to find a way out or cope with living under Drew’s thumb, and Portia said she was going to lose everything. Drew would only keep a secret as long as it benefited him. Ava said, or he got bored, and Portia said she could go to prison. Ava told her not to get ahead of herself. She needed resources to fight Drew that weren’t easily tied back to her and needed an ally, someone just as interested in Drew’s downfall as she was. Willow said she thought Nina left, and Nina said she realized she’d forgotten something she needed to tell Drew. Willow asked what it was, and Nina said she had concerns. Willow said Nina wanted to convince Drew that she and the kids shouldn’t move in, didn’t she? Anna stepped away, and Alexis asked if Lulu was there to see Valentin. Lulu said she was here to get Charlotte who’d come to see him. Alexis said it was nice to see her and headed for the door, but Lulu asked her to wait. She owed Alexis two things – gratitude and an apology. Anna told Valentin that Lulu was there to pick up Charlotte, and he said he wanted to see Charlotte. She said it was up to Lulu. She was trying to get Lulu to allow it, since she didn’t want him to go to Steinmauer without see her one last time. Carly said, no one had the right to tell her or Sam that the risk was too high. It was her choice and her decision. If she decided she couldn’t handle Jack’s life, she’d make that choice herself. He didn’t get to choose what was best for her. He said it was best for her to be around for her kids and she knew he was right, and she said maybe he was, but if she was wrong, she was betting he’d still have her back. He’d never quit on her. Don’t start now. Jack showed Josslyn a live feed of Carly and Jason from GH, and said she had his word. She said she was going to stay there and asked how it happened. Was someone targeting him? He said they’d ordered room service and Valentin sent champagne to the room. It was compromised and Carly drank a glass while he was in the shower. She asked if he cared about her mother or was he using her, and he asked if it mattered.

Josslyn said, clearly, Jack and her mother were seeing each other. Yes. It mattered if he was using her. It mattered if he was in their family home on Christmas Eve. He said maybe she wanted to warn her mother about him, but if she told her mother anything, she’d never be a WSB agent. She’d become another unfulfilled soul desperately searching for a place in this world. This is the job. Josslyn said she wasn’t leaving, and he said he was glad to hear it. He was headed back to Port Charles. She said, if he was using her mother, Carly would find out. She wasn’t stupid. He agreed and left. Lulu said she was sorry she hadn’t come to see Alexis. She’d been afraid to face Alexis and what her being there meant for Alexis. She was also afraid seeing her would make Alexis… Alexis said, miss Sam? and Lulu said she was truly sorry she wasn’t brave enough to face Alexis and was sorry for her loss. She was grateful to Sam for her life. Alexis hugged Lulu, and she thanked Alexis. Valentin asked why Anna was helping him, and she said he was a good father and loved his daughter. He said, no, that wasn’t it, and she said, no, it wasn’t. He said it himself. She cared about him. He said Anna had changed him in so many ways, and with tears in her eyes, Anna asked why he hadn’t left well enough alone. He was free. Why didn’t he leave it all behind – the WSB, the lies, the deception, Pikeman. Why did he let them pull him back in? He said he was never free, but Anna said he was. He could have had it all. Why put himself in the position where he’d lose it all? He said, because of her, and she said, he had her. Wasn’t that enough? He shook his head.

Nina said she was trying to explain how Willow and the kids moving in would provoke Michael, but Willow said going behind her back wasn’t okay. It was manipulative and even if she hadn’t walked in, Drew would have told her. Drew said, of course (🍷) he would have, and Nina said, whether they liked it or not, Michael would have to be accommodated. The only way was to not move in. At least not right now. She was wrong and sorry for talking to Drew behind Willow’s back. She told them that they could figure it out on their own, and left. Lucas asked if Elizabeth thought he would let Brad back into his life, and she said she knew he had a soft spot for Brad. Not that she was judging. She constantly looked for the good in Ric. She told Lucas about Ric meeting with Portia and wondered why Portia would hire him. There had been tension between them because of Heather. Lucas wondered if the meeting had something to do with Brad. If they went digging and found out there was a legal issue professional in nature, they might uncover something. Elizabeth said, what if they got caught up in something they couldn’t turn away from?

Ava let Nina into the breakroom, and said she’d brought Nina and Portia together because the most serious problem in both their lives had a common source. They didn’t have to share their reasons, but they both needed leverage to take down Drew. If they combined their resources and intellects, they’d come up with something. It wasn’t her fight, but if they needed her, they knew where to find her. She left. Drew said he would have told Willow about his conversation with Nina because it was important they tell each other everything and be truthful. Willow said she was counting on it. Tell her the truth now. Was there a risk of losing her children if she moved in? Josslyn did some stretches before sparring with Vaughn. He asked if she was ready to go another round. She was putting herself thought unnecessary hassle. He saw her with Brennan. They were always watching. She said, then he saw her keep her cool, and he said, not when Brennan told her that he was going out with her mom. Knocking her to the floor, he said, watch that temper. Jason said, Carly would do what she wanted. She always did. She said he’d been against Jack from the beginning, and he said, for good reason. Stay or don’t. It was her choice. But keep in mind that in keeping Brennan in her life, whole she should worry about her kids and family, what she really needed to worry about was what this would do to Brennan. Charlotte told Lulu that they couldn’t leave without her seeing her papa, and Alexis said it was good to say goodbye since we didn’t always get the chance. Lulu said Charlotte could go see her papa and thanked Alexis. Anna said, let them in, and Charlotte and Valentin hugged, Valentin mouthing thank you to Alexis. Jack came in and told Valentin, your chariot awaits.

Drew told Willow that he was a US Congressman and his influence outreached Michael’s, but Willow said Michael had the Quartermaines’ support, plus Sonny and Carly. Drew said, Michael almost died at Sonny’s penthouse. Wiley and Amelia’s grandfather lived a dangerous life. Willow said the Quartermaines would argue against that, but Drew said it didn’t matter in court. He fell in love with her. It wasn’t a crime. She said her kids were everything to her, and he said, of course (🍷) because she was an incredible mother. It was intense now, but at his core, Michael was a good man and would think about the kids. There was plenty of room for compromise, but even if it turned ugly, they would fight. He promised he wouldn’t let her lose her kids. They hugged, but Willow looked unconvinced. Nina told Portia that it was awkward, but that didn’t mean it could be productive. She respected Portia and trusted Ava. Portia said they had an interest in getting leverage on Drew, and Nina said they didn’t need to know each other’s reason, but for insight, hers was solely for her daughter and her grandchildren. Because there was no stopping Drew. He would always want something. He would always take something. Portia agreed and said she was already in a slow-living nightmare that she couldn’t figure out how to stop. At least not by herself. Nina said she didn’t have to be in it all alone – as long as it stayed between them, and Portia said, the hold Drew had wouldn’t end unless they ended it. So she was in.

Lucas said he couldn’t have Brad blackmailing Portia because of him, and Elizabeth said if Portia was willing to put herself and the hospital at risk, it must be bad. He said they already knew something was wrong, and she said, as professionals, they were obligated to figure out what it is. Josslyn got up and asked if Vaughn was listening as well as watching her and Jack talk. He said he was, and Josslyn pulled him to the mat by his leg. She said, it was a private conversation, and he said, welcome to the WSB. They see and hear everything. They’re even tracking her body temperature using Infared monitors. They sparred, he punched her in the face, and she fell. He asked, what was stopping her from bailing? Jason said if Carly didn’t care about saving her own life, care about saving Brennan’s. He was making her a promise. Whatever happened to her, would happen to Brennan. If she got hurt because of Brennan, Brennan would get hurt. If she happened to die because of John Brennan, he’d kill him. He left. Jack signed off on Valentin, and Anna said she was releasing him into Jack’s custody. See that he arrived safely. She was holding him personally responsible if anything happened to him. Jack told Valentin, time to go, old friend, and Valentin asked to say goodbye to his daughter. He and Charlotte hugged, and he said, I love you, ma petite. Always. Charlotte said she loved him too, and Valentin told Lulu, take good care of our girl. Lulu promised she would, and Jack led Valentin away. As he was leaving, Valentin turned and said, until next time, and smiled.

Tuesday:

Vaughn asked Josslyn what was stopping her from bailing, and she said, sorry to disappoint him, but she wasn’t quitting, and kicked him to the floor. Carly was ready to leave the hospital, but Elizabeth said she hadn’t been cleared. She asked if she should call Lucas, but Carly said she didn’t need another lecture. Elizabeth said if they were warning her to stay away from Brennan, maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea. Lulu went to see Jack and asked if he was positive Valentin was in Steinmauer. Jack said he saw Valentin board the plane himself and gave his word. No one wanted Valentin locked up more than him. If it was up to the WSB, Valentin would be dead. Lulu didn’t want to worry about Valentin kidnapping Charlotte, but Jack said there was no chance. Valentin was going away for a very long time. Lulu asked if people who wanted Valentin dead would try to use Charlotte as leverage. How could she protect her daughter. At Deception, Brook complained that Lulu kept changing her password, and Maxie said she was going to book Lois for Home & Heart, but she’d taken off to Bensonhurst. Tracy said she prayed every night for Lois to leave, and when she finally did, it created a problem. How long was she going to be gone? Brook said, at least a few days, and Tracy wondered what had gotten into Brook’s mother. Gio and Emma found Ned and Gio said they were worried about protecting the crypt and Emma came up with a plan to save it. Ava went to the hospital to see Lucas and said his father must have left him an inheritance, but Lucas said he hadn’t. Ava said Julian had a fortune. Maybe he’d stashed it in an offshore account. Lucas said, even if he had, he couldn’t be paid to touch that money. Kristina went to Sonny’s and said she’d had a run-in with Ava. She’d learned valuable information that might solve his problems with her.

Kristina told Sonny that Ava had been having money trouble, but it was more dire than they thought. She’d come to Alexis begging for a loan from the Cassadine trust. Alexis said no. She wasn’t helping Ava after what she’d done to Adela. Ava showed her hand. She was desperate and overextended. Sonny had to fight to get custody Avery. Ava asked if Lucas wouldn’t touch Julian’s ill-gotten gains to help his favorite aunt, abut he said Aunt Tiffany needed money like a hole in the head. Ava said, the aunt who was right here, and he said he knew nothing about any accounts. Ava suggested they were under an alias. She needed to pay off her debts if she was going to support her daughter. He said he was sorry. He couldn’t help, but Sonny would make sure Avery was always taken care of. Elizabeth said Carly had almost been killed, and Carly said how she moved forward was up to her, no one else. She’d already heard from Lucas, Felicia, and Jason. If one more person told her how to live her life, she was going to scream. Jack told Lulu that Valentin was locked up and could likely have no visitors. The WSB could get to him anytime, so his daughter was no longer of value to the Bureau. She was safe. It was ironic because it was what Valentin wanted all along after he’d made the fatal mistake of having a child first place. Something he cared about more than himself. Lulu guessed that was something Jack wouldn’t have to worry about ever. Vaughn said it would have been more impressive if Josslyn hadn’t injured herself, and checked her ankle. Brook said her mom and grandma wanted to spend more time together and she was sorry it cost them the Home & Heart spot. Maxie said she had an appointment and left. Tracy said it wasn’t like Lois not to say goodbye. She and Brook must have had a fight. Lois made a Broadway production about going to the dentist, much less going home to her beloved Bensonhurst. What did they fight about?

Brook told Tracy that she and Lois had a disagreement and she didn’t want to talk about it. Tracy said she’d see Brook at home and left. Emma said Drew was trying to demolish the crypt to get the land, but Ned said it was Drew’s excuse, not his reason. His reason was to drive Ned’s mother crazy. Gio said he thought they had a solution, and Emma said, what if gave the same amount land in exchange for keeping the crypt where it was. The shoreline would be even better for environmental protection. Gio said it would also generate great publicity for the family, and Ned said it was a pretty solid plan. Gio said, but Ned wasn’t sold, and Ned said before they gave away real estate, he may have a different way to handle it. Ric met Elizabeth at the hospital, and she thanked him for getting there quickly. She was worried about Portia. Being Portia’s friend, she knew something was off. Ric asked, why come to him? and Elizabeth said he’d gone to see Portia the other day and she assumed it was as an attorney. Ric said Portia had hired him as an attorney, and Elizabeth asked if he didn’t think it was strange. Portia and Curtis hated him because he’d represented Heather Webber. Ric said Portia had seen him in action. She knew he was a fantastic lawyer. Elizabeth asked how much trouble Portia was in. Maxie saw Lucas and wanted him to tell her about the Miami trip. Lucas said he’d gotten some socializing in, a lot of it with Brad. It was great at first, until Brad admitted to using shady tactics to worm his way in to the symposium. A lot of drama ensued, but there was one bright spot. Maxie asked, how bright? Sonny told Kristina that he and Ava had settled their arrangement. It was better than putting them through a trial. Kristina said, but now they knew Ava’s financial situation and could prove she didn’t have the means to care for Avery properly. Sonny said he’d think about it. Right now, Donna was staying there while Carly was in the hospital. Kristina said she’d check on Donna and went into the back. Sonny opened the front door and Ava was there.

Tracy told Ned that Gio and Emma looked like somebody kicked their puppy. Was it him? Ned said he may have rained on their parade, and Tracy said they had something more important to discuss. Lois and Brook had a bad dust up. He asked what it was about, and Tracy said she didn’t know, but she’d sure as hell find out. Lulu showed up at Deception, and Brook asked her to stop changing her password. Lulu said, done. She quits. Ric said Portia was his client, and Elizabeth said she wasn’t prying, just worried. Ric said he knew he could trust her, but it had to stay between them. Portia was facing a potential legal matter and asked him for advice. Elizabeth asked if it had to do with Portia’s position at the hospital, and Ric said he’d had experience defending Elizabeth against the hospital board, which would be helpful to Portia if certain details came to light. Elizabeth said she knew what it was like to be falsely accused when you were innocent, but Ric told her, who said Portia was innocent? Vaughn said it looked like a heel injury, and Josslyn said she’d sprained it during her endurance test. He asked why she didn’t say anything, and she said he would have called her a whining baby. No thank you. He said, next time she was injured, ask for help, but she said she thought the point was to be self-sufficient. He said the idea was to use good judgment. Fighting battles on you own only got you killed. Carly went to Jack’s office and he said he knew she wanted to end things. She almost died and he didn’t blame her, but give him a second to tell her something. She suggested that instead, he let her tell him why she was here. Sonny asked if Avery was okay, and Ava said she was perfectly fine. The reason she was here was that she needed more child support. He asked how much more. As much as she needed to pay the IRS? He knew her financial situation was in the toilet. If she wanted to ask for herself, have the guts to ask instead of hiding behind their daughter. Ava said, fine. She needed the money. He asked, how much? and she said, two million. He said that was a big ask, and she said, for him, it was a drop in the bucket. She’d pay him back plus interest. If she didn’t pay her debt, she’d lose everything. He said, okay, on one condition.

Maxie said Marco sounded like a catch, and Lucas said he was sweet, funny, and easy to talk to. Maxie asked if Marco was into the kiss, and Lucas said, from what he remembered. Then he ruined it by throwing up on Marco. Marco probably wished he’d never met him. Maxie said he knew Marco respected him enough not to take advantage of him and made sure he got home okay. She thought Lucas should give him a call. Casually check in. See what happens. You never know where it could lead. Brook said, God forbid Lulu should give a two week notice, and Lulu said, why prolong the torture? She’d been thinking about it for a while, but the visit from Brook’s husband sealed the deal. He’d said what Brook wanted him to. Brook closed the door and said she had no idea Chase went to see Lulu. When? Lulu said, last night. He told her to stay away from Brook and keep her mouth shut about the baby. If she didn’t, he’d have her arrested for breaking into Martin’s hotel room. She didn’t believe Brook didn’t know, but Brook said she had no idea. Lulu said, Chase used his position as a cop to keep Brook’s secret. That’s love. Brook said Lulu wasn’t an innocent victim. She’d broken the law and inserted herself into a situation she had nothing to do with. Lulu said it directly affected her family. Dante deserved to know he had a child and Rocco deserved to know he had a half-brother. She was being forced to lie to both of them. Ned asked how Tracy knew Brook and Lois were fighting, and she said Brook tried to downplay it, but considering how quickly Lois left, it must have been big. Ned said, Lois was gone? and Tracy said she went back to Bensonhurst. Talk to his daughter and find out what Lois did. He asked how she knew it was Lois, and she said Brook was acting wounded, not guilty. Lois did something to upset her. Ned said Brook was a mature married woman. If she wanted to talk, she knew she could come to him. Until then, he’d respect her privacy. Tracy laughed and said, since when? Says who? Ned said, if it was important, Lois would have told him. Vaughn told Josslyn that being physically strong was important, but judgement was more important. To know when you could and should trust someone to help you. He wrapped her ankle and told her about his best mentor. An older woman whose mind was sharp and she was so good at reading people, she never had to call on her training. Josslyn said, from everything she’d learned, it was a last resort. Don’t attack unless a weapon is pulled or unless it’s absolutely necessary. The minute violence is introduced, the situation can get out of control fast. Vaughn said, then you have to live with the consequences. Carly said she came to warn Jack. Jason blamed him for the poisoning. Jack said so did he, and she said Jason decided from here on out, what happens to her would happen to him too. He asked if Jason was out shopping for polonium, and she said, probably not, but she wouldn’t rule it out. He doesn’t say things just to say them. He means it. Jack thanked her for the intel. He wasn’t scared of Jason. All he cared about was her and that what just happened was because of him. Being an agent wasn’t an easy life. It was lonely and isolating, which suited him just fine… until now… until her. He needed her. Ava asked, what kind of condition? and Sonny said, in exchange for the cash, they’d revisit the custody arrangement. Ava said it was working great, but Sonny said he realized it wasn’t satisfactory. He wasn’t comfortable with 50/50 and thought she should have Avery two weekends a month. Ava said, over her dead body.

Elizabeth asked if there was anything she could do, and Ric asked if she could access the administrative records that showed the tests Portia accessed. She said she thought she could figure it out, and he said it would help the case if he could get a hard copy. Nothing that broke HIPPA laws, just names, dates, and time of access. Go back about a year or so. Elizabeth asked, how bad is this situation? and Ric said, bad enough to ruin Portia’s life. Emma said she thought Ned would go for their idea, and Gio said Ned saw the world differently. He was an awesome guy, but he was still a Quartermaine, and for better or worse, it was family first, no matter what. He doesn’t think they’d give up the land unless a Quartermaine asked. She said maybe they shouldn’t have been the ones to pitch it. Maybe he’d be more receptive if someone else in the family backed them up. Tracy wondered what was with the hands-off parenting, and Ned said he had something to cheer her. He knew how to get Drew to leave the family crypt alone. Tracy said she was cheered adjacent. How? He suggested they drop the bombshell they’d been keeping about Willow, and she said, that he was sleeping with her mother? He said, exactly. One threat, and he would be forced to back off. Tracy said, what if called their bluff? and Ned said it would blow up his relationship with Willow.

Josslyn got up and told Vaughn that her ankle felt fine. How did he become an agent? Did Brennan recruit him? Vaughn asked if she wanted to know more about him or Brennan, and she said, both. He said he got that she was concerned about her mom, but she needed to compartmentalize, and she said, forget Brennan. How did he end up an agent? He said he could tell her a bunch of cover stories, and she asked if any of them was the truth. He said, the truth was… he couldn’t tell her. Jack said he knew he was being selfish, but wanted her know, and Carly said she wasn’t walking away because she wanted to know what this was. He saved her. She didn’t want to overthink, but wanted to dive in and explore every minute with him. He said it was her life and her decision, and she said she needed him too. She wanted them to be together. They kissed. Ava asked if Sonny thought she’d give up custody for a few measly bucks. He said, two million wasn’t a few, and she said she would never. What kind of mother did he think she was? He said, the kind that would use her child to cover asking for more money for herself. That’s why he feels Avery should spend more time with him. She asked if Avery would thrive under his care. Would she be looking forward to visiting Avery in a burn clinic in Germany? How was Michael? Or did he not know since Sonny hadn’t visited? Was the airfare too high or was he overwhelmed with guilt? Ric was right. They should have fought for sole custody to protect Avery from him. Sonny told her to look in the mirror. She would see Morgan and Connie. She was the reason they were dead. He hadn’t forgotten that and would never forgive. She said she wasn’t the only one who would come up short at the pearly gates, and he said he was trying to be civil. If it wasn’t for her being Avery’s mother, he wouldn’t… He clutched his chest, and Ava asked, what’s happening? Sonny dropped to his knees and leaned on the sofa.

Tracy asked if Ned would be satisfied with annihilating Drew’s relationship, and Ned said he thought Drew was too stubborn to be blackmailed. But once they blew the secret, it was blown for good. They would sit on it for now. He had the feeling the information would be better used against Nina. Her money and influence could come in handy down the line. Tracy said they’d just wait for the right moment. Gio said he thought Emma was right. The next time they made a pitch, they’d recruit someone from the family for support. He had the perfect candidate in mind. Lulu said, all those years ago, Brook came to town to break her and Dante up, and Brook said, let it go. The key words were all those years ago. Lulu said, at the time, she thought Brook was acting on an unrequited crush. Had she known they slept together… Brook said, that’s why Lulu was mad. It wasn’t because Brook was lying to Dante. It was because Dante lied to her. Ric said, if Elizabeth could doit under the radar, great, but if not… Elizabeth said she was sure she could figure it out, and Ric thanked her for the assist. She said it was the least she could do. Lucas asked Maxie, what was the point? Marco was in Miami. She said long distance booty calls were an actual thing and so were long distance relationships. Keep his options open. Lucas said Marco put his number in the phone and invited him to keep in touch, and Maxie said, text him or she would. Josslyn said she thought she was ready for another round, but Vaughn thought they should call it a day and left. Carly said Jack still had a dangerous job and her life was still in danger, but she wanted to make it clear that if something happened to her, Jason would follow through. Jack said, he could try, and Carly said that’s what scared her. Either Jason would try to kill him, or he’d try to kill Jason, and she wasn’t okay with either scenario. He said then he’d have to make sure nothing ever happened to her, and they kissed. Ava asked what was going on, and Sonny fell to the floor, his bottle of pills falling nearby. Ava leaned over to look at the pills, then stood up. She said, my, my. Lookee here. Do you need those?

(Seems like she’s going to pull a Tracy, but Kristina is in the next room with Donna, so…)

Wednesday:

Brook said Lulu wasn’t riled up over Dante’s rights. She was just resentful and threatened. She thought she and Dante told each other everything, but Dante had a secret he’d kept from her. Lulu said she had no idea Dante had lied to her and now she’d have to lie for Brook. At the PC Grill, Jordan told Laura that Congressman Boyle was at GH for Drew’s press conference for the pediatric sports initiative (🍷), and Laura said, if there was a camera, he’d find it. Jordan said he and Drew looked chummy, but Laura said it was a good cause and good for the city, although she didn’t think the Aurora coverage was good for him. Jordan said he almost forced Curtis to cover it, and Curtis wasn’t going to take it sitting down. At the Quartermaine’s, Curtis walked into the solarium, finding Tracy and Stella there. He thanked Tracy for the invite, and she said, his was the only media outlet to fact check in covering the pediatric sports initiative (🍷). Stella said Tracy and Curtis also had a common cause so they should get to know each other. Tracy’s phone rang and she said, let him in, and told Stella and Curtis, this might be entertaining. Drew walked in and said, of course (🍷) Curtis teamed up with Tracy. As Sonny groped for his pills, Ava asked if something was wrong. Should she call 911? Did he want his pills? Wasn’t it awful to be in need with no one to help and instead they stood by and enjoyed his pain? Kristina came in and asked what Ava was doing. She went over to Sonny and asked why Ava wasn’t helping him.

Brook said Lulu was upset because of how it affected her. If she’d stayed out of Brook’s business, she wouldn’t have to lie. Lulu said she didn’t go looking for information about Brook. She was looking for something on Valentin to help her track her daughter. Now every time Dante told her that he was happy she had Charlotte back, she choked on the knowledge Dante had a son. Brook said Lulu wanted to tell Dante because Lulu hated her and wanted him to hate her to. If it upended their son’s life, so what? Lulu said she’d already agreed not to tell before Brook’s husband threatened to arrest her, when Gio and Emma walked in. Emma said they could come back, but Brook said they were just having a little disagreement. Lulu said they’d been fighting because Brook was a self-serving manip… but one thing Brook was not was her boss, and she left. Ava said, Sonny just collapsed. She didn’t know what was happening, but of course (🍷) she was going to help. Then Kristina came in. Kristina told her, go, and Ava asked if she should call 911. Kristina said, just go, and Ava left. Kristina gave Sonny a pill and said she was calling an ambulance, but Sonny said, no. Dr. Gannon. Boyle (Ezra) asked if he could join Laura and Jordan, then sat down before getting an answer. Jordan asked what was on his mind, and he said the esplanade project. A snail that tree-huggers were worried about was causing a delay, but no snail was more important than jobs and revenue. Laura said they weren’t allowed to ignore the environmental impact, and Boyle said his constituents were upset. This wouldn’t be happening if they’d moved the esplanade to Pier 55. Jordan said it wasn’t a workable option, and Laura said she made the right decision. It made no sense to move the esplanade away from the city center and Sonny would have fought it. Boyle said given how close she was to Sonny, he suggested she reconsider and avoid the embarrassment of family ties to a notorious crime lord.

Gio asked if Brook was okay, and Brook said Lulu had to be the heroine in her own drama. She wouldn’t listen to anyone, but had a lot to say about how other people lived their lives. Her grandma insisted on hiring Lulu, but she knew it would never work. Emma asked if she was firing Lulu just now, but Brook said, Lulu quit. Gio said they had something that would give Tracy what she wanted most. Curtis said he hadn’t teamed up with anyone, and Drew said Aurora had referred to him as Drew Cain in their coverage. Tracy said that was his name. He had no legal right to call himself a Quartermaine. Drew said that was never going to stand up, and Curtis said the journalists were held to the same standards Drew had put in place when he was running Aurora. Drew said Curtis thought he’d detract from him doing something good, but Curtis said the pediatric sports initiative (🍷) was trending on social media. Wasn’t that what the conference was for? To help the kids, not Drew’s ego? Drew said if Curtis wanted it get ugly, it would, and he left. Stella said she was a bit entertained, and Tracy said, well done. Stella said, what they had was the start of a beautiful friendship, and they all clinked teacups. Boyle said Laura and Sonny shared a grandchild and people would say she was protecting Sonny’s interests, and Laura said, which people? Jordan said, protect how? and Laura said she had nothing to hide. Her relationship with Sonny was a matter of public record and she disclosed her financials every year, something he’d managed to avoid. She thought they were done. Jordan said she’d meet Laura back at the office, and Laura left. Boyle said he was lucky to have an opportunity to speak to Jordan alone, but Jordan said he might feel differently when he heard what she had to say. Kristina asked, what happened? and Sonny said he lost his temper and went after Ava. He got a pain, went to grab his pills, and fell. Kristina said, and Ava just stood there? Sonny nodded, when the doorbell rang. Kristina let in Isaiah, who asked if Sonny took his pill. Sonny said, eventually. He’d dropped them. Kristina said, Ava was just standing there, but Sonny said it was better that she didn’t know what they were. Let her think he was having a panic attack. Now that he took a pill, he was fine. Kristina said he wasn’t fine until Isaiah said he was. Cody heard a ruckus in the boathouse and found Lulu beating a stuffed frog with a bat. She said she came to see Rocco and needed to blow off steam, and he asked why she was worked up. She said maybe she was as horrible as Brook thought she was.  

Curtis left, and Stella said he loved him like one of her own. Tracy asked if she and her sister were close, and Stella said they loved each other dearly. Tracy said she wished she and Alan had been closer. They just drove each other crazy. Stella said, when you were siblings, that was love. Lulu told Cody that she knew she should let it go. It killed her that Dante never said a word about Brook. Cody said, Dante didn’t know she got pregnant, but Lulu said Dante knew they’d slept together, but told her they were just friends. Cody said it was years ago when they were teens and Dante thought nothing came of it, but Lulu said, something did come of it. Something major. Isaiah listened to Sonny’s heart and said the rhythm was normal. If he went to GH, they could do nothing but monitor him. Sonny said he was sorry he scared Kristina, and she said Ava obviously provoked him. Sonny asked for a minute with the doctor, and she said she’d call to check on him later. She left and Sonny said he appreciated Isaiah coming. Isaiah said he was making an appointment for the surgery today, but Sonny said he wasn’t. Jordan said any attempt to smear Laura would blow up in Boyle’s face, and he said, if she played her cards right, she could be the next mayor. As the former Police Commissioner, how did she justify Laura’s friendship with Sonny? She said Laura was an excellent mayor and an honest politician. Ava and Ric walked in, and Boyle said all it would take for a push was one defining moment, her boss kowtowing to organized crime. Ava told Ric that he wouldn’t believe what happened with Sonny, and he asked why she was there. She said she was asking for a loan because she was desperate. While she was there, Sonny collapsed. There was something wrong with Sonny.

Brook said, so Gio and Emma proposed the family trade lakefront property for the public land the crypt was on, and Emma said, nothing would change. Gio said, and it was good for nature. They’d gone to Ned… Brook said, that was a mistake. He looked at everything from a financial perspective. They shouldn’t pursue this. Jordan went to Curtis’s office and thanked him for the flattering coverage photo. It made it seem like she was running the program. He said who wouldn’t rather look at her and Portia instead of a crooked politician, and she told him that Drew said he’d regret calling him Congressman Cain. He said it was Drew’s legal name. It just denied his ego satisfactory PR. She said, well done. Stella said the look on Drew’s face when he saw Curtis having tea with them. She was locking the image away. Tracy said she thought he’d pop something. She didn’t know Stella had that in her. She was a helpful composed patient advocate at work, but didn’t let anybody mess with her family. Stella said, would she? and Tracy said, of course (🍷) not. Stella said they also didn’t suffer fools gladly. If someone came for their family… Tracy said, they’d fight back, and they high-fived. Drew sat with Boyle at the bar and said Tracy was way too happy to help Curtis screw him over. Curtis undermined him at every opportunity and he was sick of it. Boyle had a connection at public works and the Quartermaine crypt was partially on public land. Get a bulldozer over there as soon as possible. He wanted it torn down now. (Again, that’s not how any of this works.) Cody asked if Lulu never had feelings for anyone before Dante, and she said, of course (🍷), but Dante had a relationship with Brook that he’d kept secret between them. He lied about his feelings. She thought she always knew and that’s why she couldn’t let it go. Cody said Dante picked Lulu a long time ago, but Lulu said he lied to her. Cody said, by omission, and she said, it was still a lie. He lied that he’d never had feelings for Brook. She’d thought they were so in sync, they’d never lie to each other, but that was never true. Sonny said his cardiologist told him that he could wait if he took his medication and avoided stress, and Isaiah asked how that was going. Sonny said his health meant nothing if he lost his family. He had security issues, but if he resolved them before the scheduled surgery, maybe they could move up the procedure. He owed Isaiah. Isaiah asked if he didn’t owe it to himself to get the surgery as soon as he could. He opened the door, and Laura was there. Isaiah left, and Laura asked why he was there. Sonny said it wasn’t important, and he’d appreciate it if she didn’t tell anyone. He had a heart condition and was going to have surgery.

Gio told Brook, it made sense. Tracy would get her way and their ancestors wouldn’t be disturbed. Brook said it was a good idea, but don’t get moored into the fight. It was classic Quartermaine infighting. They weren’t even hardcore Q’s and should walk away while they still could. Cody said he didn’t know why Dante didn’t come clean, but he knows Dante loved Lulu. Brook was never a threat. Lulu said she and Dante had been over for a long time, and Cody said he’d thought things were true that weren’t, and it messed him up to find out the Bells weren’t his birth parents. He got over it and moved on. Lulu wondered how Dante could care about someone like Brook. Now she had to live with Brook’s lie. Kristina went to Adela/Irene’s grave and told her about seeing Sonny. She thought he was going to die, and Ava was just standing there over the pill bottle. She could have helped him, but didn’t. By not helping him, she was killing him. Like she killed Adela. Ava asked if Ric found out anything, and he said he could confirm Sonny wasn’t admitted to GH. Ava said Kristina gave him a pill and he must have recovered, and Ric asked what happened before that. Ava said they were arguing and Sonny suddenly stopped, obviously in pain. He had a prescription pill bottle, but dropped it before he was able to take one. He fell at her feet. Ric said, and she just stood there? and she said, of course (🍷) she was going to help, but Kristina scared her. Obviously, Kristina knew what was going on and screamed at her to get out, so she left. Ric said Sonny had been on medication for years, and Ava said, mood stabilizers. Nothing for pain. He could barely breathe. Something was seriously wrong with his brother. Sonny told Laura that he was shot years ago and it damaged his heart. Only surgery could repair it. She wondered if it was safe to wait, and he said he had business to take care of before he was out commission for a couple weeks. He had Isaiah and his medication and had to avoid stress. She told him, easier said than done, and he said he was doing all right until today. Ava came by. He was trying to be cordial, but she wanted more money and thought she’d take advantage of him. They got into it and the pain hit. He couldn’t get to his pills and fell, and the pills were on the ground. Luckily, Kristina came in. Everything was fine, but he couldn’t control himself and it scared him. Gio said it was something where both sides would be happy, but Brook said, Drew wouldn’t be happy until he hurt her grandma enough and got his name back. She’d try to talk to her dad. The phone rang and she said they’d talk later. In the hallway, Gio said, the house belonged to Monica, right? Maybe she was the one they should be talking to.

Cody said Lulu could always talk to him. He’d listen and not judge. An argument didn’t make her a bad person. Lulu wasn’t sure she could trust his judgement since he picked up hitchhikers. Tracy asked if Stella wanted to check out an art exhibit, but Stella said she had a doctor’s appointment. Everything was fine, but it took two tests – urine and blood – to screen for kidney disease. Tracy asked if Stella was concerned, and Stella said she didn’t think so, but 90% of those with the disease didn’t know they had it and had no symptoms until irreversible kidney damage was done. There was high blood pressure and diabetes in ⅔ of the cases. It could also uncover cardiovascular risk. She had high blood pressure, so as they say, knowledge is power. They high-fived and laughed. Curtis said Jordan should have seen Drew’s face when Drew saw he was having tea with Tracy. He went from zero to a thousand in half a second. Jordan said Drew would assume Curtis was working against him. He was declaring war. Curtis said Drew’s pride took a direct hit and his ego was demanding retribution, and she asked if he was sure he was ready to wave a red flag in front of Drew. He said until Drew’s anger made him do something stupid where he exposed his true colors to all the world, and she said she got the logic, but it could hurt Curtis. Watch out for unintended consequences. Curtis said he’d played this game before, and Drew had better watch out for him.

Drew told Boyle that they were righting a wrong from when the Quartermaine patriarch helped himself to public land. Boyle said, we? It was Drew’s battle. <making a wah-wah sound). Drew said he thought Boyle was a champion of the people, but Boyle said it was Drew’s family. Drew said they’d been given notice that the crypt had to be moved and were using their money and privilege to stonewall. They weren’t above law. They had their chance and didn’t take it. Now he wanted the crypt razed to the ground tomorrow. Ava asked Ric, what was wrong with Sonny? How serious was it? Ric said she was enjoying this too much, and she said, Sonny told her, if not for Avery, he would have her killed, and it wasn’t the first time he’d said it. So excuse her for not getting misty over his passing. With Avery’s inheritance, she could pay all her debts and have enough left over to keep… Avery in the lifestyle she’s accustomed to. Ric said, pragmatic to a fault, and Ava wondered why Sonny was hiding his condition. Obviously, he didn’t want anyone to know so it must be serious. Laura said she hoped Sonny wasn’t carrying his burden all alone, and he said there were key people who knew. He didn’t want it made public and didn’t want his family to worry. He didn’t want his enemies to know he wasn’t 100%. He was also thinking about Port Charles. Laura said she appreciated that and would keep his secret. Kristina said no one saw how dangerous Ava was but her. Ava convinced a jury that she wasn’t guilty of killing Adela and used Avery against her dad every chance she got. They just throw their hands up and shake their heads. They tell her to walk away, but she can’t do that. That’s what makes Ava so dangerous. No one holds her accountable for what she’s done. She’s not a nuisance. Ava is a threat to everyone she loves. If she didn’t stop Ava, Ava would take away everyone she cared about… She cried, then suddenly looked up and said she had to stop her. Ava had to be stopped, and she had to stop her. She touched Adela’s gravestone.

Thursday:

Diane found Alexis on the floor in her office, but she was fine, just meditating. She needed to find peace because she was going to do something hard. She had to strike a truce with Ric or kill him trying. On the phone, Elizabeth talked to Lucas about Brad blackmailing Portia. She went to Charlie’s after hours, where lucky had prepared dinner. Stella went to the hospital for her kidney disease screen. Isaiah told Jordan that when he pictured a clandestine relationship, a five-mile hike didn’t occur to him, and she said she ran fast so she could get back and be alone with him. As Sasha’s patient advocate, Felicia asked if Sasha had given any thought to adding her baby daddy’s medical information to her file. Nina stopped by Ava’s to thank her for teaming her up with Portia. She thought they could deal with their mutual Drew problem. Ava was bringing Avery over to Sonny’s and Nina wondered why she was hurrying. Kristina left a message for Isaiah with a question about Sonny’s condition. She wanted to know the worst-case scenario if he didn’t have his meds on him. There was a knock at Sonny’s door, and Kristina opened it to Molly. Sonny told Jason that it would take more than Ava to kill him. He was going to be more careful in the future. Jason suggested Sonny get the surgery sooner, but Sonny said he wasn’t lying around while his family was in danger. Brick joined them and said he had a lead on the man who almost burned Michael to death.

Chase found Brook working at home and asked if Lulu was harassing her, but Brook said Lulu had quit because of Chase. Isaiah thought Jordan was distracting herself, and she told him about Boyle suggesting she distance herself from Laura because of Laura’s relationship with Sonny. Isaiah said, he may have a point, and Jordan said she agreed. Brick said Soliski was a contract killer, ex-intelligence. The only way to contact him was on the dark web. He was in Toronto right now. Jason said he could be there in an hour. Molly told Kristina that she wanted her sister back. Felicia said, since it came out that Jason was the father, she wondered if Sasha reconsidered, but Sasha said she didn’t want him involved. Elizabeth said it was the best chicken parm she’d ever had, and Lucky said he’d gotten it from Lorenzo’s in NYC. He reminisced about their past time together and asked if she wanted to go away for the weekend. Let him take her back to New York.

Lucas and Stella rehashed the information she gave us about kidney screening yesterday. Jordan told Isaiah that she respected Laura and it wouldn’t bother her except for the esplanade. A mayor not as close to Sonny might have made a stronger case for kicking a mob boss out of an area that needed revitalization. She was realizing Laura would never see Sonny as the danger he was. Alexis told Diane that her fighting with Ric upset Molly. She was going to reach a truce and asked Diane to stay as referee. Diane asked if there was time to make popcorn. Molly said people she loved, and thought would be here forever were gone, but Kristina wasn’t. She didn’t want to just see Kristina in a crisis and wanted it to be like it was. She was without Sam and didn’t want to be without Kristina. Nina asked, what changed? and Ava said Sonny was particular about times and dates, and it was good for Avery to see they were getting along. She was seeing Sonny with fresh eyes. Sonny asked if Soliski was tipped off, but Brick said there was no way to be sure. Jason said Soliski wouldn’t see him coming, and Brick said Soliski was paranoid and dangerous, but Sonny said coming after him was dangerous.

Elizabeth and Lucky rehashed when they went to NYC and missed the last bus home. We flashed back to when they were babies, and Elizabeth said she’d had the time of her life. Chase asked what he’d done to make Lulu quit, and Brook said he’d had a chat with Lulu. Chase said he was going to tell her. It didn’t matter that it wasn’t Lulu’s business; she just had to say it. Her way needed to change, and he’d dropped by to tell her. Brook said threatening Lulu and flashing his badge wasn’t who he was, but he said just because he didn’t show it often, it didn’t mean that side wasn’t there. He’d do what it took to keep her secret safe. Felicia said Sasha wouldn’t be raising her baby alone if the Scorpios had anything to say about it. Kristina wondered if things would ever be the same, but Molly said maybe they could find a new normal and suggested Little Buddha take-out and a movie at home. Kristina said she’d missed Molly even when she didn’t want to, and Molly said sometimes she just wanted to be home with Kristina and their mom. They hugged, and Ava came by with Avery. Jordan said Sonny’s generosity didn’t change his involvement in illegal activities. But then there were the supposed good guys like Drew and Boyle who she trusted less than Sonny. Sonny wanted to go with Jason, but Brick said it was a major operation, especially for someone having surgery soon. Brick left and Sonny said he was going with Jason.

A song began to play, and Elizabeth said it was the first song on the mix tape Lucky gave her that they listened to on their way to New York. They danced and he said he’d found the hotel they’d stayed at and slept on the floor. We flashed back to that, and he said he’d booked a room for them, when her phone alarm went off. She had to get to work, but he knew the answer before he’d asked. This time neither of them would sleep on the floor. Molly took Avery to the playroom and Kristina said Ava could go. Ava tried to get information on Sonny’s condition, but Kristina said it was none of her business. Ava said if Sonny wasn’t well enough to take care of their daughter full time, she would, and she was pretty sure a judge would agree. Ric told Alexis he owed her an apology, confusing her. He said he realized baiting her into arguments was unfair to her and their daughter, and he was truly sorry. They could be neutral parties with a common interest. She asked where this was coming from, and he said Cody had given him perspective. She said she accepted his apology, and he said he accepted hers, but she said she didn’t give him one. Diane suggested they quit while they were ahead and shake on it. Hesitantly, they did. Lucas said Stella was taking preventative steps and doing research and everyone be as concerned about their healthcare. She told him, knowledge is power, and he said she was pretty powerful. Felicia asked if Jason would be on the birth certificate and Sasha said they’d agreed he wouldn’t be involved, and it would only complicate things. Felicia advised her to get things settled before the baby was born so Jason didn’t insist later. Sasha said Jason would never do that, but Felicia said she didn’t know Jason wouldn’t change his mind. She didn’t want to leave anything open to interpretation. Jason said the last thing Sonny needed was going to Toronto to track down a professional killer, but Sonny said it couldn’t wait. Jason said he was going alone. It was too much risk. Sonny said he’d have his meds, but Jason said too many things could go wrong.

Lucas said he had diabetes, so he was at risk, and he’d also taken the tests. There was no reason not to be proactive. It could reduce potentially serious complications down road and also uncover cardiovascular risk. Chase said Lulu had taken things too far, but Brook said she didn’t think Lulu was upset with her. She was upset with Dante for not telling her that they had a past together. Chase said it didn’t affect Lulu, and Brook said Lulu was too self-centered and self-righteous. Chase said Lulu’s life hadn’t changed and she was just rubbing it in. Brook said she’d do anything to change it, but Chase said it wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t even a fault thing. Brook said she never expected to meet someone like him, and Chase said neither did he. She asked if he was glad they met. Molly went to Alexis’s office and asked what Ric was doing there. He said he’d let her mom fill her in. (Diane called him Richard, startling me. I don’t remember anyone ever calling him that.) Ric left and Diane said she was exhausted. It was more than she’d hoped for. She left, and Alexis told Molly that she’d invited Ric there. What she’d said at the PCPD hit home and she was going to call a truce, but he did before she had a chance. Molly asked if he was dying, but Alexis said she didn’t think so. He’d said Cody had gotten to him. It didn’t happen often, but her father was the bigger person for her sake. She was happy to accept the olive branch. Jordan told Isaiah that she didn’t want to steal Laura’s job, but if she had a choice, she’d stay as far away from Sonny as possible. Brick came by with flowers to see if Jordan was free for dinner. Jordan said she had plans, and he said he could see that. Sonny said he knew Jason was worried, but Soliski was the reason his son was in a burn clinic in Germany in unbelievable pain. He was going to be stressed if he didn’t go and make sure the job was done. Maybe it would be a stress reliever. Jason said Soliski was just the middleman. Someone hired him and they needed to know who. Sonny said he needed to know the name of his real enemy.

Brick asked if Jordan and Isaiah were a couple now, and Jordan said she needed a favor. Don’t tell anyone she knew they were dating. He asked if it was a request from her or her new boyfriend, and Isaiah said if it was up to him, the whole world would know, but Jordan had her reasons to keep it a secret and he’d promised to honor that for her sake. Brick said he’d do the same. He’d heard questionable things about Isaiah’s family and hoped Isaiah had no part of that. He left and Isaiah said he guessed Brick looked into him. Jordan didn’t ask him to, did she? She said if there was anything she wanted to know, she trusted he’d tell her himself, and they hugged. Chase said Brook was the best thing that had happened to him, and she said he was a remarkable man. No matter what anyone did, don’t compromise himself or his values. He thought they could handle it and they hugged. Molly said Alexis deserved credit for the truce with Ric and Alexis said it was easier because she was doing it for Molly. Molly said she’d gone to see Kristina and they talked for the first time in a long time. They were taking it slow, but she wanted to try and get back to how they used to be. They were having a Davis girls’ night and were hoping Alexis would come too. Alexis said she wouldn’t miss it for the world, and they hugged. (A lot of that going around today.) Ava went home and found Ric there and he said he had the most unbelievable conversation with Alexis. The last thing he expected happened. They made peace. There was knocking at the door and Kristina said, open the damn door. They were going to finish this once and for all. Sasha left Jason a message that she was finished with her check-up and everything was good, but there was something they needed to take care of. Jason saw there was a missed call from Sasha and asked if he couldn’t change Sonny’s mind. Since Soliski couldn’t kill him last time, the contract on him was still out. Sonny took out his gun, loaded it, and said he wasn’t going to let Soliski or anyone else come after his family again. They left and we saw a framed photo of Morgan and Michael.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

At the café, Sasha asks if Maxie has been waiting long, and Maxie says, long enough to get tea for her sore throat and a cookie. She’s been waiting a week. In reality, less than five minutes. Sasha says she’s glad they’re doing this. She wants to show something to Maxie, but she can’t tell anyone she saw it. Maxie says, okay. Is it bad? Sasha says, it’s actually pretty miraculous, and shows Maxie her sonogram. Maxie squees.

Tracy finds Elizabeth at the hospital and says she knows Stella was coming in for tests. She thought if Stella was done, she’d ask if Stella wanted to go to dinner. Elizabeth says, sorry, but Stella already finished and left. It was a sweet idea. Tracy says she knows, and Elizabeth asks how Monica is doing. Tracy says, today’s a good day, and Elizabeth says she’s glad to hear it. Tracy says her too. She’ll let Monica know that everyone is thinking about her. Elizabeth says, tell her they can’t wait for their former Chief of Staff to get back to her old self, and Tracy says, will do. Elizabeth says she hopes Monica is better soon, and Tracy says, her too, and she hopes Monica doesn’t find out Drew is threatening to dig up her late husband.

Trina approaches the crypt, and asks, what’s going on? Boyle says, she can’t be here, but she says she lives here. She’s trying to study. Boyle says, she lives here? and she says, in the apartment over the garage. He introduces himself as Ezra Boyle, Port Charles City Council, and says he’s here on important city business. Trina says she knows who he is. They met at the press conference. He says, right. She was with Kai Taylor. She asks if he has a right to be here, and he says he does. He has a signed demolition order. Emma and Gio join them, and Emma asks, what is all this? Ezra asks if they live here, and Gio says, at the main house. Ezra says, great, and hands him a paper, saying, you’ve been served.

In Drew’s office, he says Kai has a few more speaking engagements, and Kai asks if Drew is sure he’s the right guy. Now that he’s done with football, people might not want to listen to him much longer. Drew says Kai is the reason the speaking engagements have more than doubled. People want to hear what he has to say about the pediatric sports initiative (🍷). He saw how well Kai handled himself at the press conference and people want more. He’s got more going for him than just football. Kai says, good thing because he’s never going pro, and Drew asks if he’s sure about that

Lucky brings Lulu to Charlie’s, and she wonders if everything is free since the club isn’t open. He says he can spot her an appetizer and a beer, and thanks her for coming by. She says she never sees him at their mom’s place where they live together, and he says he’s been spending time at Elizabeth’s. She asks how it’s going, and he says, pretty good. In fact, they’re going away together.

Kristina pounds on Ava’s door, and Ava tells Ric to listen to the sound of Kristina Corinthos Davis acting even more unhinged than usual. He says he just made peace with Alexis. If Kristina sees him here, it will all be blown to hell. She says, don’t let Kristina see him, but stick around. She may need a witness. He grabs his drink and goes to another room, while the banging continues. Ava tells Kristina, come in and speak her piece, but stay away from the windows. They don’t want a repeat of what happened the last time Kristina barged in. (Wow. A new low.)

On a private jet, Jason says, the flight time is 40 minutes, and Sonny says, Brick said Soliski could be in two possible locations, his apartment or a warehouse. They’ll check each one to minimize the chance of missing him. Jason says he’ll take the warehouse. They don’t know when Soliski will leave town for his next job. Sonny says, whoever hired him is responsible for Michael’s pain and he wants to make them pay.

Maxie says she’s guessing Sasha’s OB appointment went well, and Sasha says she and the baby are fine. Her pregnancy is in the honeymoon phase, so she has all this energy. Maxie asks if she needs to get away from the Quartermaines, but Sasha says she’s thinking it calmed down slightly. Maxie says she thought Sasha wanted to move out to get away from all of them, but Sasha says she’s staying for now. Maxie says, if Sasha changes her mind, she’ll make space in her house for Sasha and the baby, and Sasha thanks her, but says she’s fine at the Quartermaines. She likes her job and it’s going good. Maxie says, if she needs help… but Sasha says, like she told Maxie, she can afford to have this baby. She promises it’s not a problem. She’s just sorry she said something that made it harder for Maxie to take care of her babies.

Tract tells Elizabeth that Drew went as far as to sic the Public Land Trust on her because her family’s crypt accidentally extends maybe 20 feet onto public land. Elizabeth says she doesn’t think Edward would make a mistake like that, and Tracy says, Drew doesn’t care. He’s using it as leverage to remain a Quartermaine. Elizabeth says she assumes Monica isn’t aware of what Drew’s done, and Tracy says she’s done everything she can to shield Monica. She’s furious with Drew already for multiple reasons. Elizabeth says she thought Monica had always accepted Drew, but Tracy says, not anymore. For once, she and Monica are in complete agreement. Elizabeth says she hopes hell hasn’t frozen over, and Tracy says, Drew is no longer a member of the Quartermaine family. He has no right to that name.

Gio tells Boyle that he’s not family, just a guest. Monica is the owner. Doesn’t he have to serve her? Boyle says, another Quartermaine stall tactic, and the sheriff says, it has to be served to the appropriate party before they start demolition. Boyle tells him, walk to the front door, knock, and serve it, and Emma says, the family is fighting the order. Trina says, in case he hasn’t noticed, the Quartermaine family doesn’t lose, but Boyle says he already has the order. It’s signed and there’s nothing anybody can do to stop it. Get the crew ready. That building is coming down.

Kai says, because of his injury, he can’t play without risking paralysis, and Drew says he’s sorry. Kai says, Trina helped him come to terms with it, and Drew says he’s glad Trina is part of Kai’s life. They make a good couple. Kai says, they’re spending more time together and things are good. He has to admit, he misses playing so much sometimes, he thinks it might be worth the risk. Drew says, if there was a way for him to play safely, would he take it? and Kai says, absolutely, but the doctor said it was a non-starter. Drew says, he may be right, but he’s a big believer in active problem solving. He knows a great specialist, a fantastic doctor who does amazing things. He may be able to help. Kai says, even if it’s true, he can’t pay for what his insurance would consider elective surgery. He doesn’t have those kinds of resources. Drew says, maybe not, but he does.

Ric listens, and Kristina asks if Ava just made a joke about her baby dying, but Ava says she’d never joke about what happened to Irene. Kristina says, Adela, and Ava says, that’s not what it says on her headstone. Kristina says, stay away from her daughter. Her daughter would be here if Ava hadn’t killed her. Ava says she has no interest in relitigating something a jury already deemed an accident, and Kristina says she was there. Ava pushed her. Ava says, keep telling herself that, but stop telling her, and Kristina says she’ll tell Ava every time she sees her. She’ll be a walking remembrance. Ava says, go away, and Kristina asks where the hell Ava gets off dragging her father back to court over Avery. Ava says, he’s in a no condition to take care of Avery, a fact she’ll be all too happy to share with a judge in open court.

Lucky tells Lulu that he and Elizabeth are making a return trip to Manhattan. He booked a room in the hotel where they stayed when they were kids. Does she remember? Lulu says, it was when they were planning on moving to NYC so Elizabeth could study art, and he says, it’s only a weekend. He was hoping Aiden could stay at their mom’s. Aiden is old enough to be by himself, but he’d feel better if they kept an eye on him. She says, of course (🍷). They’d love to. Is he sure he wants to do this?

Yuri calls Tracy and says, man with official paper bring bulldozer to crypt. She says she’ll be right there.

Trina wonders why a councilman would get involved, and Emma says she’ll tell Trina why. He’s Cutthroat Cain’s dirty little stooge. Boyle says, okay. Congressman Quartermaine brought a legitimate issue to his attention, and it was his duty to rectify it to show that rich people can’t flaunt the law. Emma says, only public officials have that privilege, and Boyle sighs and says, the building violates the laws twice over. It’s a public structure built on conservancy land. There’s no construction allowed. Gio says, what construction? It’s already been constructed. The sheriff says he gave the paperwork to some Russian guy, and Emma says, he’s from Belarus. Boyle says he doesn’t care and tells the workers, get moving. Emma tells Gio and Trina to stall until she gets back. The sheriff tells Boyle, sorry about the legality of serving an order of demolition to some domestic employee instead of the owner, especially one whose English is a little shaky. Gio says, hey, Yuri’s English is just fine, but Trina says, it’s terrible. They need to go back and make sure he understands, and the order is served to the owner. Boyle says he’s a member of the City Council. Tear that thing down. Gio says, what about the people in the building? and a demolition worker says, there are people in there? Boyle says, no people, just dead bodies, and Trina starts to film on her phone. She says, desecrating the remains of a family’s loved ones is not a good look for a public official, and Gio says, besides being immoral, isn’t unearthing human remains a public health issue? (I would think so. That’s not how any of this works.)

As Ric continues to listen in, Ava says she thinks Sonny would be wise not to return to court. Doesn’t Kristina? If his health issue becomes public, his enemies could take advantage of that. She thinks he’s vulnerable enough as it is. One of his enemies already try to kill him, and Michael got barbecued instead. She’s sure Sonny would agree he was the target, and it should have been him. Kristina says, it should have been Ava, and Ava says she’s glad Avery wasn’t there. It would be far better if Sonny quietly handed Avery over to her and increased child support to sufficiently provide the kind of care Avery is accustomed to. Kristina says, oh my God. Ava has no limit. She’s using Michael’s pain to her own advantage. Ava says, as a mother, she’d do absolutely anything to protect her child. Something Kristina obviously can’t understand since she’s not a mother. (An even newer low.)

Lucky tells Lulu that he already invited Elizabeth and she accepted. It would be rude to withdraw the invite now. Lulu says, he’s right. Forget she said that. He says, she thinks it’s a bad idea, and she says she’s not passing judgment. If he wants to go, he should go. He says, it was a pretty negative reaction to a weekend getaway. What is risky about taking Elizabeth back someplace that meant so much to both of them? She says, a lot can change, including him and Elizabeth. They spent so much more time apart than together and both of them have picked up emotional baggage. He says, life happens. What can you do? She says, nothing, but it’s tough for some people to get over. He says they’re not just some people, and she says, it would be one thing not to recreate the magic, but worse if they tarnish a memory that means so much to both of them.

Sonny asks if Michael told Jason that he’s getting another skin graft, and Jason says, he did. He sounded good. Sonny says, except for the pain. He could hear it in Michael’s voice. Jason says he knows how much Michael misses Wiley and Amelia too, and Sonny says, his love for the kids will get him through. Jason says, the same way Sonny’s love for Michael is pushing him to find Soliski instead of just sending him, and Sonny says he needs the client’s name. They can’t go in there guns blazing. Jason says, when Sonny finds Soliski… Sonny wonders if Jason is asking what he’s going to do when he’s face to face with the man who set his son on fire and nearly killed him. Honestly? He doesn’t know.

Kai wonders why Drew is offering to pay for his surgery when Drew doesn’t know him, and Drew says, not yet, but he was a Navy SEAL. He appreciates Kai’s passion, determination, and willingness to put himself on the line for everyone to see. Kai thanks him, but says he’s still not explaining why, and Drew says, he thinks Kai has a bright future. He wants to do what he can to help Kai realize it. Kai says, Drew has to want something, and Drew says, why… Oh. Because Kai is close to Trina, Kai heard he and Trina’s father had a falling out. That explains why Kai is hesitant to trust him. He totally gets it. It makes perfect sense. He and Curtis did have a disagreement, and Curtis definitely has an opinion about some of his actions, which he has a right to have. But before Kai makes up his mind, at least hear his side.  

The demolition worker says he doesn’t deal with dead bodies, and walks away, but Boyle says, he works for the city. The City Council is running this and they pay him to work, not think. Come back and do his damn job. Continuing to film, Trina says, he’s not a man of the people if he talks to his workers like that, and Boyle says, put that damn phone down. She asks if he’s denying her right to record a public official performing his duties in his elected office. Gio says he’s a registered voter and a Catholic. Boyle’s religious constituents will be horrified by his callous disregard for the Quartermaines’ dearly departed. Boyle says, enough nonsense and Quartermaine grandstanding. It’s a legal order and there’s no legitimate reason to delay. Emma chains herself to the crypt and says, they’ll tear it down over her dead body.  

Maxie says her babies are fine. The only time they’re not is when they’re James. Sasha says she made things harder at Deception, so she made things harder for Maxie, but Maxie says, Deception is doing fine. Sasha says she freaked out when Jenz Sidwell showed up. She said he was a monster. Maxie says, because he kidnapped her. They need zinc desperately, but they’ll find someplace else. Sasha says, but will they find it in time? and Maxie says, they’re not doing business with someone who threatened Sasha’s life. Sasha says, that’s the thing. She may have overreacted. Maxie asks, how? Sidwell kidnapped her and threatened to kill her. Sasha says she was scared, but none of that would have happened if her mother hadn’t stolen millions of dollars’ worth of Sidwell’s diamonds. Maxie asks if they’re blaming Holly, and Sasha says, Holly is the only reason Sidwell grabbed her. He didn’t mistreat her. He wasn’t cruel. Maxie says, he tried to blow her up, and Sasha says, Holly’s greed put her in danger and it wasn’t the first time. Don’t feel they shouldn’t do business with Sidwell because of her. She wouldn’t say it if she didn’t mean it. Maxie says she’s not sure she’s okay with doing business with Sidwell, and Sasha says she is. Maxie is just being a good friend and Sasha loves her for it, but business and family are more important.

Lulu tells Lucky not to listen to her. She’s just projecting her own situation. Lucky says, what situation? and Lulu says, her life. Take your pick. Let’s talk about anything else. He says, she makes a good point. It’s risky and it could be serious if they end up disappointed, but he doesn’t think that’s going to happen. She says she hopes he’s right, and he says, they can’t erase their baggage or the years they spent in the apartment. Going back to a place that’s so important and revisiting memories they made together isn’t about reclaiming the past. It’s considering the future. She asks if he’s hoping for a future with Elizabeth.

Kristina says, this isn’t about protecting Avery. It’s about blackmailing her father. Ric listens hard, and Ava says, how is it blackmail when it’s speaking the truth? Her father has a medical condition so severe that he collapsed at her feet. Kristina says, Ava withheld his medication, but Ava says she was in shock. What if Avery had found him? She should go straight to the court. The sooner they know what happened, the sooner Avery is safe. Kristina says, Ava is making a threat out of her father’s medical issue and making him a target, and Ava says, that’s the price he pays for the life he chose. Kristina says, Ava took her brother and her daughter. She won’t let Ava take her father too. It’s too late for Morgan and Adela, but it’s not too late for her father. She will stop Ava. She leaves and Ric comes out. Ava says she’s glad he was here for that. He just heard Kristina blatantly threaten her.

A man walks into an apartment carrying a gym bag and finds Sonny with a gun waiting for him. Sonny says, Mr. Soliski. Did you have a good workout? Soliski asks what he wants.

Gio and Trina join Emma on the crypt steps, and Boyle tells her, unchain yourself right now. Emma says, not while he and Killer Cain clearly circumvent proper channels to get a demolition order so fast. Boyle says, arrest her, and the sheriff says, give him the key. Emma says she swallowed it, and Gio asks where she got the lock. She says, from her car. She always travels with the necessary tools for a peaceful protest. Trina says she likes the way Emma thinks, when Tracy arrives. She says, a bulldozer hacked the lawn. The city is going to pay for it. Boyle says, the order was served, but Tracy says she doesn’t know about any order.  She thought Gio was missing and went looking. She found people milling around with nothing to do. The sheriff says, the young lady is not moving, and Boyle says, cut her loose. Emma tells Trina, be sure to record them groping her. It will make court easier. Tracy says she’ll need his badge number for when she calls in her friend Judge Lymon, and tells Gio to call Emma’s grandma. They need her here now.  

Drew tells Kai that he and Curtis were best friends for a long time. Based on their friendship, he brought Curtis in at Aurora. He put Curtis in charge of a new division, and he made it a success. Kai asks, why not pick him to replace Drew as CEO? but Drew says, it’s confidential. He can tell Kai that Curtis had expectations that he didn’t meet, but he never lied. Kai asks if it was worth the friendship, and Drew says he wishes it hadn’t cost what it did, but that’s between him and Curtis. He’d never ask Kai to choose between them. He just wants to help. He has a lot of money and to be completely honest, he thinks it will feel good spending it to invest in Kai’s future. Kai says, also sports is big business and high profile. If a mentee is drafted to the NFL, it’s good for the mentor. Drew says, true, but it goes both ways, and Kai says, what if Drew pays for his surgery, but he still can’t play? What happens then?

Soliski says, Sonny has the wrong apartment, but Sonny says, no, he doesn’t. Don’t waste his time. Put the bag down, slowly. Soliski drops his bag, and Sonny says, take two fingers and take the gun out of your pocket. Soliski does that, and Sonny says, put it on the table and slide it to me. Soliski slides the gun over and says, happy? Sonny says, getting there. He’s made himself comfortable in Soliski’s home like Soliski made himself comfortable in his. He planted an incendiary device and got sloppy. It didn’t get him. It got his son instead. Big mistake. Lucky for Soliski, his son lived. He’ll give Soliski a chance. All he has to do is tell Sonny who hired him.

Lucky tells Lulu that he doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. All he’s planning is a weekend away someplace where they’re not constantly interrupted by loving, well-meaning family. Lulu says she hears that dodge, and he says it’s up to him, like a future with Elizabeth. Even though it’s going well, she might not want to take the chance. She says, maybe this time’s the charm, but he says he’s not making assumptions. He’s putting himself out there in the hope of a chance. She says, he’s braver than she is, and he says he thinks farther down the road and goes for what he wants. She says, exactly. He’s on the road while she’s stuck in neutral. He says he’s sure when she figures out what she wants, there will be no stopping her, and she says she does know that their mom will love having Aiden hang with them for the weekend. And if they’re having a great time in NYC and want to extend their stay, they’ve got it covered. He says, she’s great, and she says she really is, isn’t she.

Ric says, judging by Kristina’s overreaction, Sonny’s condition must be serious, and Ava says, serious enough to look weak, which he can’t afford. She’s more than willing to take full custody of Avery, plus a tidy sum to keep quiet. He says he’d advise caution. They both know Sonny is never more dangerous than when his back is against the wall. His phone rings, and Elizabeth says she has the information he wanted. She’ll drop it off at his office when she gets a Ride Share, since she doesn’t have her car. He says, she doesn’t have to, and Ava realizes he’s talking to Elizabeth. She says, that’s why he’s talking like that. Of course (🍷). It’s Elizabeth. Elizabeth says, nice to hear he’s with Ava and not toiling away at his desk, and he says, they were just working at her place. Elizabeth says she’ll drop it off there. The sooner she gives it to him, the sooner he can help Portia. The call ends and Ava says, if he’s done working, does he mind telling her what all that was about? He says, if she must know, Elizabeth is providing evidence to help protect Portia. Ava asks if Portia told Elizabeth that Drew was blackmailing her, and he says, not exactly. She knew Portia consulted with him. Ava says, because Portia trusted her with the problem, she referred Portia to Ric. Ric says, Elizabeth just wanted to help, and Ava asks if she got confidential patient files. Ric says, nothing HIPPA related. Elizabeth was much less suspect than Portia would be gathering the files. Ava says, no one would bat an eye at the saintly head nurse, and Ric says, Portia is her friend. She was just trying to help. Ava says, Elizabeth is playing him. She wants to help herself. Ric says, really? Elizabeth? Ava says, maybe she cares about Portia, but she cares about GH more. She’s snooping for the hospital and using him to do it. Because Portia went to him, Elizabeth knows she’s cornered. If he’s asking her to get specific file, she knows where to look for Portia’s problem. He’s given Elizabeth information. It goes against client/attorney privilege with Portia. He says, Elizabeth wouldn’t use that or him. She would not do that to him. Ava says, why not? Because she still loves him? She’s clinging to the hope they’ll get back together? Ric says, wrong. Elizabeth just wanted to help. He saved her from being a suspect at GH. Ava says, Lucky saved her. Ric just did the paperwork.

Kristina cries in the apartment parking garage. (Wow, another perk of Ava’s supposedly horrible apartment.) She looks at a license plate and then at the sign above it that says, #4 Jerome. She digs in a nearby took bag.  

The demolition worker says, nothing is getting bulldozed until the area is cleared, and Boyle tells the sheriff to arrest them for obstructing a lawful order. Tracy says, come near her and she’ll have his badge. She asks if Emma is all right, and Emma says she’s fine. She thinks she’ll bring more chains next time. She’ll bring them for everybody. Tracy says, not to worry, and chains herself to Emma. Trina asks what she’s doing, and Tracy says, protecting her family’s final resting place. This isn’t about the environment. It’s about Congressman Cain using city resources to wage a personal war against his former family. They will not be moved.

Elizabeth comes to Ava’s door, and Ric says he’s done more for Elizabeth than Ava knows. And she has no idea what Elizabeth thinks. Elizabeth knocks, and Ric says, that was fast. She didn’t need to come over. Elizabeth says she doesn’t want to interrupt, and he says he’ll give her a ride home. He has to talk to her. He tells Ava that he’ll be right back, and she says, take his time. There’s no reason to hurry back.

Kristina goes to Charlie’s and Lucky asks where she’s been. It’s almost time to open. She says she was at Ava’s. They had a huge fight. Ava threatened dad and she lost it, so… He asks what she did, and she says she made a mistake she’s going to fix. She can fix it. She runs out, and Lucky says, dammit, and leaves.

Soliski says he’s a professional and did a job he was hired to do, but Sonny says, no. Soliski is a problem for him and his family. Tell him who hired him, and he’ll let him go. Soliski says he never met the client. Details are always handled where they can’t be traced. Sonny asks how he got paid, and Soliski says, crypto currency, also untraceable. He’s sorry. He can’t help Sonny. Sonny says, no one in this line of work would take a job this dangerous without knowing who was involved, and Soliski says, times are tough. He had to loosen his standards. Sonny says, Soliski was sloppy, like he said. Soliski quickly opens a drawer, and Sonny says, looking for this? showing him a gun. Soliski tries to get out the door, but Jason is there with a gun and backs him up into the room. Sonny says, stop wasting his time and tell him who hired him.

Drew says, even if Kai got the surgery and didn’t go back into football, he still feels Kai is going places. He doesn’t know what Curtis told him… Kai says he respects Mr. Ashford, but he makes his own decisions, and Drew says he’s happy to hear it. He gives Kai some paperwork about the procedure and the doctor who performs it and says, if he finds anything else, he’ll send it out. Kai says, in the meantime, he’ll look on his own, and Drew says he highly encourages it and would appreciate it if Kai did. If he does want the surgery, he might want to make a move sooner rather than later. The closer it is to the original date of the injury, the more success it has. He can tell by the way Kai plays the game that he loves it. If there’s a medical procedure that gets him playing a game he loves safely, it makes sense to take the opportunity. Kai leaves.  

Maxie says she has to admit, she didn’t think Jenz Sidwell would play a big part in her night out, and Sasha says she’s sorry. With the benefit of time, she saw what happened differently and wanted to tell Maxie. Maxie says Sasha gave her a lot to think about, and Sasha raised her teacup and said, here’s to helping.

Anna thanks Gio for calling her, and Tracy says, at last. Please arrest the trespassers. Anna asks if Emma is all right, and Emma asks why she wouldn’t be. Anna says, she’s chained to a mausoleum, and Emma says she’s fighting for what’s right. Tracy says she’s fine too, and Boyle asks if there’s any chance Anna will do her job and arrest these women. Anna asks if there’s a demolition order, and the sheriff gives it to her. Tracy says she thinks Boyle’s powerplay is about to end, but Boyle says, it’s not over until the building is rubble. Tracy says, like his career, and Anna says, fetch the bolt cutter. Tracy says, she’s siding with him? and Anna says, the law’s the law.  

Soliski says if he gives Sonny his client’s name, they’ll take him out, but Sonny says, this way, maybe he’ll have a chance disappear. If Soliski doesn’t tell him, he’s going to shoot Soliski right now. He’s out of options. Either tell Sonny who hired him or Soliski is going to be the one paying for his son’s suffering.

While she’s driving, Kristina calls Ava. She says, come on. Pick up.

Ava looks at her phone, but ignores the call.

Kristina gets voicemail.  

In the car with Ric, Elizabeth says she didn’t need a ride. She would have been happy to call a Ride Share. Ric says, not when she went to the trouble to bring him the records, and she says, she told him that she’d be happy help, since he’s done so much for her. Is there anything else she can do to help Portia? Ric says, that depends. Is she trying to help Portia or get insider information out of him? He knows when she’s most deceitful. She asks if he thinks she’s being deceitful now. She went out of her way to try and help. Why would she do that to him? She looks up and says, watch out for the car! (no doubt Kristina) but when he pumps the brakes, nothing happens. He says, something’s wrong, and they crash.

On Monday, Mac tells Anna that he’s not sure she’ll feel the same way once she takes a look at this; Drew tells someone to get it done and he doesn’t care how they do it; Molly asks if Cody is sure it’s a good idea for him to be here; and Sonny tells Jason, the trail may not be cold just yet.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit to Print…

This is really nice and all, but we’re still going to pretend she’s alive? Every time they say her name, it gets weirder.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/genie-francis-previews-ghs-special-anniversary-episode

Happy Anniversary!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/tabyana-ali-celebrates-her-gh-anniversary-see-her-backstage-pics-and-videos

She’s as bad as I am.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospitals-eden-mccoy-shows-off-whats-in-my-bag

I’d love to see Valentin back, but how he’ll get out of Steinmauer is a sticky one. Perhaps a not-so-evil twin?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/james-patrick-stuart-on-returning-to-general-hospital

Aww! I’m getting used to him, but still, he couldn’t work up an accent?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/watch-chris-mckenna-sing-to-his-baby-boy

I was really sad to hear Wings Hauser passed away. He was the villain in my favorite film, Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time. (Quit laughing.) I hadn’t known he gave Michael Easton his start.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-remembers-working-with-the-late-wings-hauser

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

You need one of those detective bulletin boards to keep track of who’s hooking up/wants to hook up with who.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

They were still in St. Lucia, and I still wanted to cry since, with a few exceptions, this is a group who likes to waste their time and money. There was a slideshow of the women picking on Sutton and a slideshow of Sutton saying out loud what had been on everyone’s mind at the time. When Sutton told Kathy, let’s pretend I don’t have an IQ of 140, it was obvious that the bottom line is Sutton’s insecurity, but who wouldn’t be insecure among this bunch of twits with superiority complexes? Anyway, once Sutton barely got past the boat trip, she mentioned to Garcelle and Jennifer that it seemed coordinated with Erika and Dorit both picking on her at the same time. As concerned actual friends, they tried to talk to Erika, who only ended up grilling Sutton about it and then bringing it up again at – all together – dinner. Their last dinner there. Yep, I’d spend that money a lot more wisely. There I am now as they argue. On the beach with an umbrella drink in hand and a pool boy fanning me with a palm frond…

She probably thought he said Lebanese.

Garcelle drops a hint.

https://extratv.com/2025/03/26/rhobh-s14-reunion-garcelle-storms-out-and-kyle-gets-grilled-about-sexuality/

Denise Richards & Her Wild Things

I read that even though fans love the series, the ratings aren’t great. I’m hoping that if it gets canceled, they’ll continue on streaming. This week, Denise acted in Patrick’s video and it was pretty impressive. Even more impressive was Aaron being so chill about Denise’s friendship with Patrick.

https://pagesix.com/2025/03/26/celebrity-news/denise-richards-claims-charlie-sheen-was-threatened-by-friendship-with-ex-patrick-muldoon/

I’m not sure which one is the plot twist.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1415223/denise-richards-daughter-sami-sheen-reveals-how-onlyfans-has-hurt-her-modeling-career

https://people.com/denise-richards-got-more-acting-offers-after-starting-onlyfans-page-husband-aaron-phypers-helps-run-11703394

Summer House

Kyle wasn’t happy with Craig having said it was just business, and Craig said, if Kyle couldn’t apologize for calling him a liar, they weren’t cool. Even though Jesse was clearly supposed to be exclusive with Lexi, who wasn’t at the house that weekend, he sure acted single with Ciara. There weren’t any passionate kisses, but they were hanging all over each other. While that for sure makes him a sh*thead, that goes double for Ciara. I used to like her, but not so much now. I wonder if that’s the way she would act if Lexi had been there. Seems like a pretty good rule. Don’t behave alone with someone’s SO in a way that you wouldn’t in front of them. The cherry on the idiot cake was Jesse walking into new guy Imrul’s threesome where… No, I can’t. Read the recap.

Southern Charm

Part 1 of the Reunion – someone forgot their cufflinks and Craig said he hated wearing underwear. Thanks for the mental picture, Craig – TMI. Madison was now pregnant, so there were lots of congratulatory hugs. It was Molly’s first Reunion, and Rodrigo and Tyler had gotten engaged. I thought they were married, so that was anticlimactic for me. Andy grilled Craig about the break-up immediately. We revisited Madison’s ups and downs, and she and JT apologized to each other, but it still seemed like Madison wasn’t satisfied. Shep claimed to have changed and said it was good to be humble, but my jury is still out. Apparently, Sienna was annoyed that Shep shared details of the relationship she claimed they hadn’t had on the show and said she hadn’t signed up for this. Didn’t she notice the cameras? We also relived Shep’s cringeworthy freckled lips text to her, and found out that he had Molly had hooked up, but I wish the rest of them would quit pushing it.  JT hit the hotseat with his Venita/secret girlfriend thing. There was a lot of hemming and hawing by him and awkward silences. It ended with Venita jetting to get her phone, which is of course in a pink case. Receipts! Timelines! More next week along with Patricia!

Random Reality Items

I was shocked that The Littlest Groom wasn’t on the list. Although blink and you missed it. Be glad.

https://ew.com/reality-shows-you-wont-believe-existed-11687123

When she was on the hook with Juicy Joe, I could believe she signed whatever papers he gave her without question, but strike two, it’s her.

And in this week’s biggest plot twist.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

I Think We’re Alone Now. Amazon Prime. Tubi. The human race has been obliterated after an unspecified pandemic. Del (Peter Dinklage) is happy with his job clearing out the dead bodies until Grace (Elle Fanning) comes along and disrupts his peace. Beautifully acted, with a surprise ending that I still have questions about. I would have liked this a lot better if the sound on Amazon hadn’t seemed like the boom man checked out. Hopefully, you have better luck.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/i-think-were-alone-now-2018

Scamanda. Hulu. A four-episode series documenting the scam of con artist Amanda Riley. Similar to the scam in Apple Cider Vinegar, Amanda faked having cancer, but this time, there was no product to sell but herself. Still, she roped in her church, several celebrities, and whoever else was caught up in reading her blog, into donating lots and lots of money to fund her and her husband’s lives. Again, it seemed like too much work. She literally got herself checked into ERs so she could set up photos. Eventually, people started to put two and two together and came up with fraud, with which she was eventually charged. Her husband was not, but I don’t believe for a second he wasn’t complicit.

https://ew.com/scamanda-true-story-explained-where-is-amanda-riley-now-11685263

Heretic. MAX. Again, saved the best for last. The most intriguing thing about this film, besides a house that seems to have endless mazes and rooms underneath it, is the subject matter. What is the one true religion? After a request for more information on the Mormon church, two young female missionaries visit Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant, chewing the scenery to perfection), who poses the question to them. Eventually, they realize his wife is not in the house as he’s told them, and they have no way out. The game of cat and mouse is exciting, the acting is top-notch, and the ending is a twist I never saw coming. It was a film that was actually something different and that alone made it worth my time.

https://decider.com/2025/03/06/hugh-grant-heretic-streaming-movie-review

🌁 To Be Watched Soon…

We’re almost there. The second season of The Last of Us premieres April 13th on HBO/MAX.

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-gives-abby-backstory-earlier-explained-11703014

https://www.thepopverse.com/tv-the-last-of-us-season-2-filming-painful-for-pedro-pascal-gap-between-ellie-joel

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/last-of-us-season-2-showrunners-craig-mazin-neil-druckmann-interview

🐾 Two Dogs and a Really Old Cat Walk Into a Bar…

🐶 I hear she’s auditioning for Survivor.

https://people.com/lost-dachshund-valerie-survives-rugged-island-still-missing-11704330

🐈 I had a cat who lived to be almost 21. I was pretty sure she was going to outlive me out of pure meanness. She didn’t like anyone except me and even I was questionable.

https://people.com/man-claims-to-have-worlds-oldest-cat-30-years-11703824

🐕 He went the long way around.

https://people.com/woman-reunites-dog-11-years-after-disappearance-thanks-to-microchip-11703300

🐓 Quotes of the Week

I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear. – Rosa Parks

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu

If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it.Olin Miller

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. – T.S. Eliot

You drive like grandma when grandma smokes crack. – Alec Baldwin to Hilaria

🐙 Out Like an Axolotl…

Until next week, stay safe; stay respecting nature and following the Leave No Trace principles; and stay making sure you have enough chains for everybody when staging a peaceful protest.

March 21, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Jason Makes a Decision For Carly, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watch, Next Year Already, Surprising Sights, Four Quotes Twice & Melancholy

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Isaiah told Willow that he hoped the ER was going to be quiet tonight. Trina looked at missed calls as she pondered her turtle dove. Kai knocked at the door, but she said she needed to be alone. Sasha looked at her sonogram, when Tracy called her. She needed tea. Gio came in and Tracy asked if he’d seen any government officials or anyone with a bulldozer. Brook asked what she was up to. Martin visited Laura and said they should focus on the positive. Things were starting to look up for their family. Jason told Sonny that the trip wasn’t entirely a success. Carly downed a glass of champagne, when Jack came out of the shower, and Valentin skulked around the door in the hallway.

Jason told Sonny that Valentin had sent the text about Charlotte. His plan was to give Charlotte to her mother. The WSB kill squad showed up and they’d protected Valentin. Sonny asked where Valentin was, but Jason didn’t know. Sonny said now the whole family could now start to heal. Sasha made a pot of peppermint tea and said Tracy was securing the family. Gio said Chase had just been doing his job, but maybe there was a way for Tracy to make the law work for her, and Tracy left for a previous engagement. Kai said after his injury he needed to be alone too, but when Trina was ready to not be alone, he’d show up for her the way she did for him. He left a giftbag, but she opened the door and said maybe she didn’t want to be alone after all. Laura thought it was a good time for Martin and Lulu to get to know one another, but it was going to be an uphill battle. Martin said he’d remain cautiously optimistic, when there was a knock at the door. It was Anna, who said she’d come over a federal matter. She’d brought Marshal Thompson to serve an arrest warrant for Martin. Jack and Carly kissed and she said she would have regretted not giving them a chance. Valentin listened at the door.

Brook thanked everyone for being patient with Tracy. The insanity with the crypt was getting to her. Sasha said it was creepy, distasteful, and disrespectful, like Drew. Tracy visited her parents at least three times a week. Brook said Tracy felt close to her parents and brother there, and Chase said Drew didn’t have to do this. He was only doing it to hurt Tracy. Brook said, because she was trying to get back the family name, and Gio said she was trying to protect her family. Brook said, Drew picked a fight with the wrong broad. Anna said she was there to make sure things were handled appropriately when Martin was taken into custody. He was in arrears with alimony payments in California where he was being extradited. Trina told Kai about not celebrating her last birthday. Spencer had died in January of last year and the loss was still fresh. This year was genuinely a good surprise and she was happy to see everybody, but when she opened Emma’s gift, everything came crashing back. She felt like she was moving on, but the grief would sneak up on her in ways she didn’t expect. She showed him the inscription in the book Spencer had given her – To Trina and Our Shared Passion, Spencer. Sonny told Jason that he had no updates from Brick. It was one dead end after another. Jason said no one was perfect and they’d find the guy soon when he made a mistake, and Sonny said they had to take him out asap. Jason asked about Michael, and Sonny said Carly had spoken to him. He was doing better, but it was going to be a long road. There was nothing he could do about Drew or Willow, but whoever hurt Michael was going to pay. Jason said the incendiary device wasn’t anything the Five Families (alfredo sauce) ever used, and Sonny still thought Sidwell was involved. Carly said the champagne was so good. The vintage was new, something they hadn’t had in the hotel wine cellar before. Jack realized the label was removeable and knocked the glass out of Carly’s hand. She suddenly didn’t feel good and collapsed. Valentin jetted.

Sonny said Sidwell coming to Port Charles just before the bombing was suspicious, and he’d also thrown his hat in with Drew to push Sonny out of the waterfront. Jason didn’t think it made sense, and Sonny asked who else Jason knew with reason to come after him. Jason said few had access to that technology. Anna said it was typically used in the intelligence community, not military or homemade. Either someone bought it off the books… Sonny said, or someone in the intelligence community wanted to take him out. What about Jack Brennan? At the hotel, Jack called 911. Trina told Kai how Spencer could be a jerk. Most of his attitude came from protecting his heart that had been broken by his dad. Given the chance, he was thoughtful, perceptive, and could be hurt easily. When they decided to be an us, they realized they had to protect themselves from everything outside of them. Gio told Sasha that Tracy was tough, but meant well… most of the time. If Sasha didn’t feel the same way, she wouldn’t put up with so much. When the baby got here, she was going to be a real part of the family. Sasha said, on nights like tonight, she thought it might not be such a bad thing. Chase said Brook and Tracy had a lot in common, and Brook said until last night she’d have sworn she had more in common with Gloria, but she was wrong. Laura asked to speak with Martin and told him that she’d thought he had an understanding with his ex-wives. He said he assumed things were civil and he wasn’t behind, but maybe he came into a substantial amount of money with the sale of Valentin’s house. Tracy came in singing and said she thought she’d stop to say hi to Lulu, and Martin said she was behind this arrest. Tracy said, of course (🍷).

Carly went to the hospital and Jack gave whatever details he had. Isaiah took her to Trauma One, and on the phone, Jack said he needed two agents at the hospital and a lab tech for poison identification. He called someone else and said he needed them at GH – now. Sonny and Jason determined it wasn’t Jack, and they had to keep their options open. Sonny asked Jason to talk to Anna. He said Sasha’s pregnancy and safety was important to him, and Jason was connected to the both of them. Make sure he took good care of her. Jason promised he would and left. Chase asked what was going on with Brook and Gloria, and Brook said it was about her pregnancy in high school. She thought it was a secret just between her and Lois, but Lois told her grandma. She should have kept it between them or told her that her grandma knew. Chase asked how she found out and she said, from Lulu. All she knew was, her mom was talking to Martin and Lulu found his notes. Chase wondered if Lois was trying to find Brook’s child. Anna said she was sorry, but had to leave. Tracy said she’d made a phone call, took a shot, and it panned out. She overheard Lucy bragging about her windfall commission on Valentin’s house with Martin as fiduciary. She figured he’d want to squirrel away the payment from his exes. He said he just hadn’t declared it yet and he had one ex that made Blair Cramer look like a teddy bear. They were married in Los Angeles and it was bad. Could Laura help? Laura asked what they had to do to make this go away. Trina told Kai about Esme and how she got pregnant by Spencer’s father. She told him about being accepted by the Sorbonne and going to Paris with Spencer. They were going to get an apartment there. For a moment, they had everything they’d ever dreamed of, then Esme showed up to kill her, but Spencer died saving her life.

Jack gave the bottle to his tech to be tested for toxin and said he wanted a team at the MetroCourt to analyze the security footage. He wanted a guard at Carly’s room. If anyone got past the guard and the guard wasn’t dead, Jack would kill him himself. Isaiah said they had Carly stabilized, but couldn’t do much without knowing what the poison was. Jack said he was working on it and Willow wanted to call Sonny, but Jack said no one got in without his authorization. Tracy said there was nothing to be done. Martin had paved the way for Drew to uproot her family from their final resting place, and there were consequences for that. This was one of them. Laura said Martin had no issue with Tracy’s family, and Martin said her conflict was with Drew, but Tracy said it was with anyone who messed with her family, including aiding and abetting. Laura said it was Drew who made it part of public record. The first thing Edward taught her was that everything was a negotiation which was all Martin wanted to do, and Drew was the driving force behind all of this. Brook told Chase that Lois confessed and Gloria knew the entire time. They’d been keeping a secret from her and weren’t who she thought they were. Chase said they were the same flawed people who always loved her, but Brook said they were the people keeping things from her… and she realized she was doing the same thing to him. Kai said Spencer had been part of Trina and the more he knew her, the more he wanted to know. It was like the painting she’d first shown him. The more he got to know the light and dark parts of her, the more striking she became. They kissed.

Kai gave Trina the giftbag to open when she was ready. He thanked her for telling him about Spencer and left. She immediately looked in the bag, as we all would, and took out a framed photo of them at the painting date. Laura suggested they all take a step back from the brink and Martin said he wasn’t never going to let drew go through with it. Tracy said it was a battle he’d have lost, and Martin said the law was on Drew’s side. Tracy said she was done and told the marshal to do his job, and he arrested Martin. Brook didn’t want to keep any secrets from Chase, but he said there was nothing she could say that would change his love for her. She told him, the baby’s father was… is Dante. When Jason got back to the Quartermaines’, Sasha said they had to talk about the baby. Isaiah and Willow worked on Carly, and he said they needed to know what she’d ingested now. Anna came to the hospital per Jack’s call, and he told her what happened. He was awaiting the results of the bottle being tested. He got a call and asked if they were sure. He told Anna it was polonium poisoning. Valentin skulked around his old house and went inside in the dark. He found a box and took out his passport (probably one of many) as well as Charlotte’s. Sonny came out with a gun and asked if he forgot something.

 Tuesday:

Valentin was getting his and Charlotte’s passport out of the hiding spot, when Sonny came in with a gun and asked if he forgot something. Carly was fading, and Jack found out there were traces of polonium in the champagne. There was a cure, but it had to be synthesized as needed. Anna said she had this, and called Robin. She said Isaiah needed her help, and handed him the phone. She told Isaiah that Robin had developed the antidote. Lucas woke up in his hotel room bed and Marco asked how he was feeling. Bryce found Josslyn, who was reading up on Easter Island so she’d know how to answer questions about her fake trip. She needed a backstory for the photos sent on her phone by the agent who was actually there. Apparently, she was having a grand old time. Bryce said if she was bored, they could send her home. Brook told Chase that it was one summer and she and Dante were dumb kids. Those people didn’t exist anymore. Chase said they did. She had a baby with Dante, something they’d never have. Sasha told Jason about her check up and said the baby was fine, but Michael was at risk. Sonny said Valentin was a trespassing fugitive which made it easy to shoot him.

Brad called Stella and told her that he blew it and needed her help. Lucas wondered what happened after the kiss, which he was mortified about, and asked if they’d done anything. Marco said he just made sure Lucas got back safe after Lucas threw up on him. Brook said she and Chase would be parents; biology didn’t make a family. Chase said it changed everything that Dante was the father, and Brook said she was sorry about all of it. Chase wanted to know everything, and she said she and Dante were wild as teenagers. They were sent to camp to keep them out of trouble. They were counselors in training and she was homesick, so Dante would sneak over after lights out and they would talk. It felt like a piece of home. One night they kissed and one thing led to another. Cody covered for them and drove her to the bus station after she found out she was pregnant. Anna told Jack that Robin was on the phone with Isaiah, and he said the WSB was synthesizing the antidote and would send it asap.

Josslyn told Bryce that his routine was getting old. She’d passed all the tests and took him down multiple times while sparring. He said the biggest challenge was mental and he wasn’t sure she could handle it. This was her life now and she had to get used to telling a good story. Sasha told Jason that Willow had lost her mind and thought moving in with Drew wasn’t problematic. If Willow found out about the baby, she’d use it to shut Michael out of the kids’ lives and they couldn’t let that happen. Sonny asked what Valentin wanted and asked why Valentin had tampered with his medication. Valentin said he was under orders from Jack Brennan. Jack wanted Port Charles under the control of the WSB and Pikeman and wanted Sonny out of the way. It was the most efficient way to neutralize him, and Valentin didn’t have the freedom to refuse. It was just business. Sonny said he understood, but didn’t care.

Brad said he’d told Lucas the truth, and Stella said honesty didn’t guarantee acceptance. He said Lucas wasn’t angry, but disappointed, and she said she was proud of him for his honesty. Brook said she felt like God was punishing her for being stupid and careless, but Chase said, Dante was just as responsible. She said she knew she couldn’t be a kid raising a kid, and the baby deserved better. He said it was the right move, and Brook said Olivia had made a different choice, but she didn’t want that for her life. Keeping the baby would have ruined all three of their lives, and she took the burden of knowing he existed. Chase said he thought she didn’t know the gender and she said, Lulu told her. Chase wondered if Lulu kept her mouth shut about anything. All he wanted was for them to have a kid, and now she and Dante had a son. Did she love Dante? Lulu told Dante that she’d lost so much time with the kids, she wanted Rocco to live with her and Charlotte, but he said it might be asking too much. Sonny said he should have shot Valentin long ago. Valentin didn’t deserve to be a father. It was unforgiveable what Valentin did with his medication, and Diane would have no problem convincing the DA it was self-defense. Lulu and Dante would never have to worry about him again. Valentin said, maybe not, but Michael would. Carly was stabilized and Jack asked if he could see her. Isaiah said, sure, and left. Jack told Carly that he was afraid this would happen.

Lucas said he must have been pathetic for Marco to be so nice, but Marco said they kissed, and it was a good kiss. Lucas wondered why more didn’t happen, but Marco said Lucas was in no condition to give consent. Lucas thanked him for being so kind, and Marco asked how he was doing. Stella said, maybe someday Brad and Lucas could be friends, and Brad said even Lucas said they’d had something real. With Lucas’s love, he’d be a new man. He hung up before Stella could say anything else. Brook said, as a teenager, she didn’t know what real love was and didn’t know until she met Chase. She didn’t see Dante again for a year. It was a closed adoption and closed inside her. It was like the summer never happened when she saw Dante again, as they were dating other people. He asked if she was trying to get back Dante when Carly asked her to help break him and Lulu up. Jason told Sasha that Willow wouldn’t have a chance to get back at Michael. If that meant letting everyone think he was the father, so be it. She said it was important to protect Michael who wasn’t there to fight his own battles. Carly had told her what a great man he is. Would he be okay not telling Carly the baby was her grandchild? Valentin said everyone Sonny loved was in danger. He knew the device used was only used by governments and knew who planted the device. Put down the gun and they’d talk.

Marco got room service and said he wasn’t sorry he met Lucas. Lucas said he wished he could make it up to Marco, but was going home tomorrow. He asked if Marco was a professional good Samaritan, but Marco said, far from it. Jason said he hated not telling Carly the truth, but if they let her in, she’d never keep it a secret, so for now, she couldn’t know. Sasha said part of her wished Michael had been there for the sonogram. She showed Jason the sono photo. Brook told Chase, the ugly truth was, a part of her did it for the money, but she also wanted to see if Dante still had feelings for her. She wanted to rub it in Lulu’s face, but he and Lulu were solid. Chase said, who Dante cared for was all on him, and Brook said it had been nothing compared to what she felt for Chase. Dante told Lulu that he couldn’t just let Rocco go. It would be hard for Rocco too. Lulu said she felt Rocco needed her right now and also to be with Charlotte, and he said Drew was a selfish jerk for taking Scout with him when Sam wanted the kids to stay together. She asked if she was also a selfish jerk. Bryce said they’d provide back-up for Josslyn’s cover stories, but she’d have to sell them. She needed to accept that nothing about her life would be real. She said, of course (🍷) it would, but he said they’d only know her cover stories and it was a lonely life. It was easier to let people go than keep track of a phony life. She asked if he’d sacrificed his personal life for the job. Valentin told Sonny, the device had been manufactured for the WSB, but they weren’t necessarily the ones trying to kill Sonny. When he was in charge at Pikeman, a shipment of the devices went missing. He was tracking them down when the FBI came for him. He didn’t have the name of the person who wanted to kill Sonny, but he could make contact with the buyer.

Carly went into cardiac arrest (this time not due to digitalis) and Isiah used the defibrillator. Dante said Rocco’s life had changed, and Lulu said she wanted to get to know her son again. She didn’t think he’d fight her on it. He said he understood where she was coming from, but couldn’t she wait? She said they were still both grieving Sam, and Dante said he thought they could agree their son needed both his parents. Lulu said she didn’t disagree. Chase said, Dante would want to know, but Brook said the child was a grown adult and Dante would never stop looking. Chase said that’s what he would want, but she said it wasn’t him. He said it felt like it was, and she said he wanted it for Dante because he wanted it for himself. All she wanted was him. He said he was mad as hell, but she had him, and she said she was most worried about what was right for her and Dante’s son. It wasn’t right to upend his life, and it should be his decision. If he came looking, she’d tell Dante, but until then she wasn’t torturing Dante. He was happier not knowing. Marco said Lucas would have shown him the same kindness, and Lucas asked for his phone number to reimburse him for his dry-cleaning. Marco said Lucas didn’t need for that, but to call to tell Marco if he survived the hangover and was okay. Bryce said Josslyn wouldn’t survive if she didn’t toughen up, and Josslyn said he was still trying get her to quit. He said he was leveling with her, and she said she lied to the people closest to her, but wouldn’t be lying when she told them she loved them. And when she missed things, it would be because she was doing something worthwhile and protecting them. Valentin told Sonny that the man’s name was Selinsky. He’d been hired to take Sonny out, but the job wasn’t completed. Sonny could expect a retry. Sonny said, not if he got to Selinsky first. Valentin walked out and Sonny kept the gun pointed at him, but didn’t shoot. Jack gave the antidote to Isaiah just as alarms were going off.

Marco told Lucas not to forget to call, and Lucas said he wouldn’t. Marco left, and Brad came out from around the corner in the hallway. Chase said he and Brook were making decisions for Dante under the guise of protecting him, but he had the right to know. Brook said, nothing was more important than their son’s right to happiness and he asked if she didn’t want to know if he was actually happy. She said, of course (🍷). She had to believe he was, or she couldn’t go on. If he was unhappy, he’d look for his birth parents, and he hadn’t. Chase said, maybe he didn’t know he was adopted, but she said it wasn’t her place to drop it on him, or Dante’s. She knew it was unfair to ask him to keep such a huge secret from an important friend, but he had to promise Dante would never know about the baby. Valentin listened at Laura’s door and almost knocked, but hesitated. Josslyn said she got that the job would push her limits, but she was going to pass all of Bryce’s tests. He said he liked her attitude, but the tests never stopped coming. She would be challenged, pushed, and tested every day as an agent. She said, bring it on.

Jack asked for a minute alone with Carly, and Isaiah and Willow left. Anna asked Isaiah how Carly was, and he said she was stable, but they’d have to wait and see. Willow said she had to call Carly’s family, but Isaiah asked if she wanted the mother of Carly’s grandchildren to get arrested. That’s what would happen if she went against Brennan. Sasha and Jason looked at the sono photo, and Jason said he’d let Michael know that she and the baby were healthy. She asked if he thought he could get a copy of the sono to Michael, and he said he’d arrange it. Anna called Jason and told him, get to GH now. It’s Carly. He ran out. Jack took Carly’s hand when his phone rang. It was Sonny, but he ignored the call. He told Carly that he knew she could hear him. He knew how strong and stubborn she was and that she’d always fight like hell. He knew how happy she was when he told her that his father was a plumber because she liked knowing something no one else knew. He was going to tell her something else no one knew. He did have a heart, and it was all hers. He started to cry, and she opened her eyes.

Wednesday:

Nina found Willow at the hospital and said she wanted to talk somewhere the kids wouldn’t overhear. She thought Willow should reconsider moving in with Drew. Tracy went to see Drew and informed him that his attorney was on an airplane going to California with a special plus one – a federal marshal. At the PC Grill, Ava told her accountant that it was impossible. Run the numbers again. He said it was not only possible, it was her reality, and she asked, what about the loan from Nina? He said it helped, but wasn’t enough. She was still broke. Alexis showed up at the station and Cody said Tracy had given him Alexis’s card in case he was in trouble. She asked what kind of trouble he was in, and Molly said he’d been arrested for grand theft auto. On the phone with Brick, Sonny said he had a lead on the device found in the penthouse. They were looking for a pro – Selinsky – and he’d give Brick more information when he got it. There was a knock at the door, and Dante came in. He told Sonny that he might have just made a huge mistake. Valentin listened at Laura’s door, then used his key, but Laura came out of nowhere and said he wasn’t taking Charlotte with him. She wouldn’t let him. At the hospital, Carly asked Jack, what happened?

Molly said she was assigned Cody’s case, but Alexis said she was representing Cody, so Molly would have to recuse herself due to familial connections. Molly said if she reassigned the case, it would be 48 hours, and Cody would have to spend two nights in jail. Alexis said Cody should be released on his own recognizance or she’d file a motion for unjust detention. It would be easier for Molly to just recuse herself. Ric came by and said, or Alexis could recuse herself. Ava’s accountant said the money paid both gallery mortgages, but unless she unloaded one of the properties, they’d eventually be foreclosed on, and she’d lose them both. She also owed substantial property taxes. Unless she was expecting a windfall soon, she needed to stock up on ramen and her shopping sprees were a thing of the past. She said, that would be professional suicide. She had to maintain her image to keep her clients. And couldn’t they just ignore the IRS for a while? He said, the government would put a lien on her galleries. Imagine what that would do to her image.

Jack said, the doctor would explain everything, but Carly was going to be okay, and she asked how long she’d been there. He said he brought her in earlier tonight, when Isaiah came in and said, welcome back. Jack said he was going to make sure this never happened again, kissed her hand, and left. Isaiah asked, what was the last thing Carly remembered? and she said she was in Jack’s hotel room, and they were drinking champagne. She started feeling terrible. She’d never felt that bad. She didn’t remember what happened after that. Isaiah said she was poisoned. Jack saw a voicemail from Sonny, and Anna asked how Carly was. Jack said she was awake and seemed like herself. He thought she’d be fine, but Anna disobeyed his orders and called Sonny. Anna said she didn’t, and he wondered why Sonny left him a message. Dante told Sonny that Lulu wanted Rocco to live with her and Charlotte and was pushing hard. He didn’t want to take her to court, but wasn’t giving up without a fight. Sonny told Dante custody battles never ended well. Everybody compromises in the end. Compromise now and save the pain of enduing a long battel. Dante said he hoped he and Lulu could meet halfway, when Sonny’s phone rang. He saw it was Jack and stepped into his office. Jack said he’d gotten Sonny’s message, and Sonny said, one of Jack’s colleagues, a certain person of interest who was last seen in South America, was in Port Charles. He had a boat waiting at Pier 55, and if Jack hurried, he could get there first. Jack said he owed Sonny one and was going to even it up now. Sonny’s ex-wife was at GH as a patient. Laura asked what Valentin was doing there, and he said he wanted to see Charlotte. She said he was still wanted by the authorities and had put them in a terrible position. They’d said their goodbyes, and he needed to let that be that. He said if he didn’t reach out, Charlotte would be hurt, but she said, Charlotte was already hurt. She needed to settle in and make it feel like home, and she couldn’t if he made a surprise visit. Charlotte was entitled to her life here with her family in Port Charles. He could help by being a good dad and doing the right thing by turning himself in. That way, he wouldn’t leave her in fear of where he was or whether he was alive.

Drew asked what the hell Tracy did, and she said, nothing. Martin did it to himself. His lawyer was a deadbeat ex who broke some laws and thought no one would find out. Drew’s noble champion had exited stage west. It occurred to her, since his circumstances had dramatically changed, he might consider revisiting the conversation about her parents’ final resting place. He said there were other lawyers who wouldn’t hesitate to tear her apart. Nina told Willow that she heard the situation with Drew and the Quartermaines was getting worse. It could lead to a long, brutal custody battle. Willow said, Michael wouldn’t want that, and she didn’t either, but Nina said it wouldn’t matter. If Willow moved in with Drew so quickly, she wasn’t leaving Michael incentive to compromise. Willow said she’d been thinking the same thing. Carly was brought to the ER and almost died. It seemed she was going to be fine, but God forbid that changed. Nina said another reason to reconsider was the optics if Willow’s children almost lost their grandmother and she moved in with Drew a week later. Willow said, Drew was supportive, steady, and the kids loved him, but Nina said she wasn’t asking Willow to break up with him, just slow things down little. Willow said she couldn’t live with Nina forever, and Nina agreed. That’s why she wanted to buy Willow and the kids a home of their own.

Ava told the accountant that she’d already moved into a broom closet. What more did he want? He said, her credit cards, please, and she handed them over. He said she had to stick to a budget. She was close to making them out. She said she needed one. She was meeting someone for dinner and how would she pay for her drink? He looked through them and gave one back, saying, she had a little wiggle room, but be responsible. Get to know her limit and stay below it. He knew she could do this. He left, and Ava said she just didn’t want to, and drained her martini. The server said, another? and she said, yes… Wait. What did they have on tap? (New York? I’m guessing Coors.) Laura said the most loving thing Valentin could do was turn himself in, but he said, if he did, how long did she think he’d stay alive? She said, as mayor, she would use all her resources to protect him. He was Charlotte’s father and she’d gotten to know him. She knew he was a complicated man capable of good things. Life on the run was no life at all. She’d been where he is and knew how he felt. Valentin doubted that, but she said when she was married to Luke, they were on the run for many, many years. It takes its toll. They weren’t a real family until they settled down and stopped running. He said if he stayed, it would hurt Charlotte more than she’d ever been hurt. At the hospital, Jason asked Anna how Carly was doing, and she said, better. The doctor was in with her. He asked, what happened and why? and she said, Carly was poisoned when she was with Jack. Jason ran to Carly’s bedside, and she took his hand. She asked how he knew she was there, and he said, Anna. He was afraid he’d get here and she’d be… He told her that Isaiah said she was poisoned with polonium, and Anna said she wasn’t the target. Someone was trying to kill Brennan.  

Alexis asked if Molly called Ric, but he said he just happened to be there. Alexis asked if anyone requested his help, assistance, or opinion, and he said, clearly, she wasn’t the right lawyer. Cody needed someone with more perspective and a better sense of humor. Molly told them that Cody had been trying to say something, and Cody said he got arrested for stealing his own car. They could check the registration. It was up to date and paid for. This was a huge mistake. Nina said Willow valued her independence and could use a space all her own, but Willow said, Drew would be disappointed. Nina said Drew loved her and would understand. Nothing was going to change if she didn’t move in right this minute. It would be better from a custody standpoint if she established a permanent home. It was the best possible move to make. Willow said it was a lot to take it and it had been a long shift. She wanted to think about everything. Nina said Willow thinking about it was all she could ask. Tracy said Drew could get a dozen lawyers and she would take every one of them down. She had the time and money. Did he? He said he did and he’d make the time, and she said, he wasn’t the brightest bulb in the shed. If he tried to match wits with her, she’d win every time. And if he persisted in this outrageous pursuit of moving her family crypt, she’d take away everything he had.

Valentin told Laura that if he didn’t go, he’d be killed, and if he didn’t see Charlotte now, he wouldn’t see her again. Laura said Charlotte was with Rocco tonight, and Lulu came out. She asked what the hell Valentin was doing there. Anna asked if Carly was up for answer questions, and Carly said, okay. Anna asked how the champagne was delivered, and Carly said there was a knock at the door, and she found an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Anna asked if she saw the bellman, but Carly said, no. Anna asked, what happened then? and Carly said she poured a glass and drank it. When Jack came out of the shower, she poured another and one for him. Anna asked if there was anything strange about the bottle, and Carly said, no. Before she took a sip of the second glass, she started feeling awful. It hit her so fast, she didn’t know what happened, and she woke up here. Anna said she was sorry this happened. If Carly thought of anything else, call her. She left, and Carly told Jason that she knew that look. She didn’t want to fight with him about Jack. He said he didn’t want to fight either. He was just glad she was alive. She took his hand. Sonny ran into the hospital with Dante and asked Anna how Carly was doing. Anna said she was doing better and Jason was in with her. Dante asked, what happened? and Anna said they both needed to know that Carly wasn’t the target; Brennan was. The champagne he ordered was laced with polonium. She was thinking it was Valentin. Dante said, he was in Port Charles? and she said, yeah. Dante said he had to go. He wasn’t letting Valentin anywhere near Charlotte. He left, and Sonny told Anna not to worry too much. Valetin came back to his old place and met the new owner. He was on his way out of town, but Sonny didn’t think he’d get too far.

Molly said, Cody was telling the truth. The officer transposed the license plate. It never should have happened, and the city apologized for the inconvenience. He still forgot to signal, which is why he was pulled over. Ric said, this could have been over in two minutes except for Alexis’s insatiable need to be right. Alexis said she was nothing compared to him, but he said, most of the time, he was right. Cody suggested he and Ric take a walk and have a chat. He thanked Molly and Alexis, and walked Ric out. Alexis said, Ric kept topping himself with being annoying, and Molly told Alexis to come with her to the interrogation room. Outside, Ric asked what this was about, and Cody asked if Ric ever thought about what his endless crapping on his ex was doing his daughter. Drew said Tracy had no way to back up her threats. She might have pulled strings about Martin, but the law was on his side. She needed to back up, take her hits, and move the crypt. The people in there wouldn’t care. Willow walked in. Nina called Ava and asked if there was any chance they could meet for a drink. Ava said she was at the Grill waiting for Ric, but he hadn’t shown up, so she was going home. The night had veered into depressing territory. Nina said, not yet. She was on her way. Anna said, Sonny called Jack? and Sonny said he gave Jack the information. Anna said Jack would kill Valentin, and Sonny said the world would be better off without him. Anna said he was such a bastard, and left. Lulu told Valentin that he wasn’t taking Charlotte, but he said that wasn’t why he was here. He asked to talk to Lulu alone, and Laura said, of course (🍷). She knew he’d make the right decision. She left, and Valentin said Laura wanted him to turn himself in. Lulu said, she was right, and he said Laura thought she could protect him, but she couldn’t. No one could. His only chance of survival was on the run. Sonny went into Carly’s room and asked what she got herself into this time.

Molly said Alexis couldn’t let Ric get to her like that. She knew he liked to provoke her. Just accept they didn’t get along or agree on anything and walk away. Alexis promised to try. Ric told Cody to take this in the spirit it was meant. Why was it any of his business? Cody said, Molly was his friend. Actually, he wasn’t sure she liked him, but she’d just lost her baby and her sister and could use a break. Ric said Molly was more than nice. She just got out of a long-term relationship, so don’t think he was going to be Mr. Rebound. Cody said he wouldn’t, but that was all the more reason to go easy and dial it back with Alexis. Molly shouldn’t have to play referee. All she wanted was her parents being civil when they were in the same room. Did he think he could at least give her that? Nina thanked Ava for waiting and asked if that was draft beer. Did Ric show up? Ava said, no, it was hers. She ordered it. She panicked and ordered something on tap. She was trying to broaden her palate. Nina said, do it on her own time and told the server they’d have two French 75s. Ava asked him to take the beer away and asked what they were celebrating. Willow said she didn’t expect to see Tracy, and Tracy said she was just leaving. How were Wiley and Amelia? Willow said, fine, and Tracy asked if they missed their family. Not her, but certainly other members of the household, not to mention the horses and dogs. Willow said, sometimes, and Tracy said, what about the gatehouse? Do they ask about home? Willow said, once in a while. They understood that people move and she was doing what she could to make sure they felt happy and secure. Tracy asked, then why move in here with this horrible man who wanted to dig up their great-grandparents out of spite? and Willow said Tracy forgot she knew the family history. Tracy’s family turned their backs on her. How could she possibly claim to know what they wanted?

Sonny said Carly scared him, and she said she scared herself. She was never so sick. She’s grateful Jack got her here quickly. He said he wanted to talk to Jason, and they went out to the hallway. Sonny said, Valentin was the one who poisoned Carly, and Jason asked if he was back in Port Charles. Sonny said, he was on his way out of town by way of the pier, and Jason asked, who else knows? Sonny said, Anna and Brennan, and Brennan was on his way to the pier. Jason asked if Sonny thought Anna would try to stop him, and Sonny told Jason to do the world a favor and make sure Brennan finished the job. Jason left. Lulu asked why Valentin let himself get caught up in this dangerous mess, and he said he wished he could say. It spun out of control before he could stop it. He was responsible for his own actions, and he was the one who would suffer the consequences. She said, unfortunately, so would Charlotte, and he said it was one of his life’s biggest regrets. He was going to go. Lulu thanked him and he asked her to thank her mother for her advice and tell her that he was sorry he couldn’t take it. Tell Charlotte that he loved her more than anything and always would. He would always be with her. He left.

Ava said Nina must be so relieved, and Nina said, somewhat relieved. Ava said, here’s to you, mama, and they clinked glasses. Willow said she was sorry Tracy was so blinded by her hatred and anger that she couldn’t see the kind of man Drew really was, but Tracy said, maybe Willow should get angry herself. Drew said he and Willow were starting fresh and it had nothing to do her, and Willow said, if Tracy had welcomed Drew into the family, he would have bene the most loyal Quartermaine. She had no one to blame but herself. Tracy told her, remember those words. She was going to be saying them into a mirror soon enough. Tracy left. At the station, Dante asked for an APB to be put out on Valentin Cassadine, when his phone rang. Lulu said, Valentin was just there, and she was afraid he was in trouble. Dante said he’d do what he could to find him, and Lulu said, let her know the second he heard. He said he would, and Alexis asked if she just heard him say Valentin’s name. Dante said he was back in town and almost killed Carly. Sonny said he never wanted a call like that again. He was thinking what would the kids do without Carly, then started thinking, what was he going to do without her? She put her hand on his and said he wasn’t getting rid of her that easy. Lulu said she wasn’t surprised Valentin chose to leave, and Laura said she was disappointed. She’d hoped he’d choose differently for Charlotte’s sake. Lulu said Valentin wanted her to thank Laura for her advice, and Laura said she thought he was going to take it, but he said it was too late after what he’d done. Lulu said he may be right, and Laura said she’d mourn the man he could have been. Lulu said she would too. It was so much easier when she hated him, but she just couldn’t. Anna got in her car and called Jack. She said if he was thinking about going after Valetin – don’t. Valentin stood at the pier and heard the click of a gun being cocked. Jack said, it’s the end of the line, old friend.

Thursday:

Lulu said she was happy to see her kids even when they were fighting, and Laura said she felt the same way about Lulu and Lucky. She suggested Lulu take Lucky’s room, since he was staying with Elizabeth, and Lulu said she thought it was time she and the kids found their own place. Sonny brought Donna back to his new/Valentin’s old house and explained that Carly was in the hospital. Carly told Felicia this was the sickest she’d ever been, and Felicia said they didn’t deal with many polonium poisoning cases unless they were dealing with the WSB. Lois told Brook to respect the choices everyone made, put everything in the vault, and move forward. She knew Brook hated that she told Gloria, but she’d needed to confide in someone, and Brook said she’d told Chase everything. At the station, Dante filled Chase in on Valentin. Valentin had wanted to see his daughter and Dante understood. At the pier, Jack told Valentin, it’s the end of the line, old friend. Why hadn’t he stayed gone? Valentin said, Charlotte could have been collateral damage in Prague, and Jack said all Valentin did with the poisoned champagne was seal his own fate.

Laura understood, but said she’d miss Lulu and the kids. Lulu said it felt like her life was finally starting. Dante told Chase that the last thing Charlotte needed was Valentin back in her life, and wondered if Valentin had sent Charlotte home as a distraction. Chase wondered if Lulu would have been better off not knowing about Charlotte. Brook said finding out Gloria knew what happened made her think differently. Finding out someone she loved and trusted had kept something so important from her made her wonder what other secrets they were keeping. She didn’t want any secrets between her and Chase. Lois said Brook had put a terrible burden on Chase. Sonny told Donna that Carly was going to be okay and just needed to rest. Tomorrow they’d go see her after school. Donna said she loved them so much, she didn’t want anything to happen to them, and Sonny said they loved her too, and nothing would happen to them. (Wow. That’s a big promise.)

Felicia said Carly’s poisoning had to do with Jack, but Carly said it was Valentin’s fault. Felicia said Carly was rationalizing the situation, but Carly said she was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong drink. Felicia said all three led back to jack, but Carly said Sonny’s business had put her in danger. Felicia said the WSB was on a whole other level. Jack would always be looking over his shoulder and when you were in the WSB, the danger never ended. Jason skulked around the pier and Jack said he had nothing to do with the sniper in Prague. Valentin had now involved Carly and took it past the point of no return. Valentin admitted he’d been sloppy and realized Jack had fallen for Carly. He’d called Valentin weak about loving Anna. Jack said, enough, and aimed the gun. Anna was rooting through the trash when she ran into Jason.

Laura said Lulu would make up for the lost time that they all deserved, when her phone rang. Sonny wondered if she could come by, and she said she’d get there as soon as she could. Dante told Chase that Lulu’s life was better for having Charlotte in it. It’s why they had to do what they could to make sure Valentin didn’t cause more damage. He left to get Carly’s statement. Lois said Brook gave Chase a secret he couldn’t share with anyone, and she believed it would cause a rift between him and Dante. Brook said her relationship was with Chase, not anyone else, and right now, that was more important. Lois asked if Chase was going to keep it from Dante. Jason said Anna couldn’t save Valentin this time, but she said she was bringing him in. Jason suggested she let Jack handle it, and she asked if he was back-up. He wanted Jack dead because he’d hurt Carly, and she wasn’t going to let him do that. He grabbed her arm, and she told him to let her go. Valentin didn’t blame Jack, since all was fair in love and war. Anna told Jack, drop the gun now.

Laura noticed a lot of security at Sonny’s, and he said Valentin was why he’d called her. Dante asked for Carly’s statement, and she asked Felicia to stay. Dante asked what she was doing in Jack’s room. Jack told Anna to stay out of it, but she said, killing an unarmed man was cold-blooded revenge. Valentin needed to stand trial. Jason asked if Jack was under orders, and Jack said no, but the WSB would be glad to get rid of Valentin. Anna said if Jack couldn’t spare Valentin because of the law, do it for the friends they all once were. Jack said she’d find a way to release Valentin, but she said he’d stand trial, and she needed to be the one to do it. Chase went to see Lulu and said it was about protecting his family. Brook said a lot of this was about Lois protecting herself. She’d kept the secret from people who had the right to know, like Olivia. Lois said Brook was the most important person to her and wondered where the anger was coming from. Brook said finding out Gloria knew changed everything and she wondered if Lois and Gloria pushed her in the direction they thought she should go. She was questioning everything and wondered if she could ever trust Lois again.

Anna kept her gun on Jack, and he lowered his. He said he was going against his instincts, but she said Valentin needed to be held responsible for his crimes. He was going to wait for her to call the PCPD and ask for back-up. If she didn’t, he’d finish what he started. Anna called the PCPD. Sonny told Laura about Valentin breaking in and she told him about Valentin wanting to see Charlotte. She and Lulu convinced him it would just make things harder for Charlotte and he left. She also tried to convince him to turn himself in, but he refused. Sonny said he could have gotten away with shooting Valentin, but didn’t because of her. If he killed Valentin, what would happen to the kids? Charlotte’s father would have been killed by Rocco’s grandfather, and it would have torn the family apart. In the past, he would have just shot Valentin. Laura said she was proud of him, but confused. What changed? Carly told Dante that she’d gone to Jack’s room because they’d had a disagreement, and she wanted to clear the air. She flashed back to being with Jack, and Dante asked how the champagne got there. She said, Jack ordered it from room service. There was a knock at the door, and by the time she got there, she found a cart in the hall, which was standard procedure if guest didn’t open the door. She drank a glass, poured another for herself and Jack, and Jack noticed something was wrong with the bottle. He slapped the glass out of her hand, but it was too late. She felt terrible, and the next thing she knew, she woke up here.

Lois said Brook could trust her and the decision had been hers alone. It was a difficult and confusing time, and there was no handbook to tell her what to do. She supported Brook and always would. What was done was done, and no one needed to know, especially Dante. Brook agreed and said Chase would respect her decision. Congratulations. Lois was off the hook. Chase said Brook told him everything and Lulu said keep his voice down; Charlotte and Rocco were upstairs. She asked if he was telling Dante, but he said nobody was telling Dante – not Brook, not him, and not her. Brook said Lulu had been harassing her and she needed to leave his wife alone.

Sonny told Laura that he’d been thinking about what was important or not in life. He didn’t care about regrets; the past was the past. But what happened to their friendship was a low point in his life and he wanted her to know he was thinking about her. She said she would pick up the phone to call him, then realize they weren’t talking. It was hard on her too. Sonny said he and his brother weren’t close, and Courtney and his father were gone. He always considered her and Luke the family he needed. Lulu said Dante was Chase’s best friend and she thought he deserved to know the truth, but Chase said it wasn’t about what he thought and certainly not what she thought. It was none of her business. She had no say. Only Brook did. Lulu said she was just looking out for Dante, but Chase asked if she wasn’t sure it wasn’t something to hold over his wife. Brook didn’t know he was here because he thought Lulu needed to hear it from someone else. Drop this. Lulu said Charlotte was kept from her and it was devastating. Dante deserved to know he had a child, like she did. Wouldn’t Chase want to know if it was him? Carly told Felicia that it would be nice if her mom was here. No matter how old you were, you wanted your mom to tell you everything was going to be okay when you felt sick. Felicia said all she could think about when Carly was talking to Dante was what Bobbie would say to her. As hard as it was to hear, she had to say it for Bobbie. Anna gave Valentin his rights as he was handcuffed, and an officer took him away. She looked at Jack, then followed. Jack said, it’s done, and Jason said Valentin was dealt with for now, but Jack hadn’t been. What happened to Carly wasn’t just about Valentin. It was about Jack.

Laura said it was like Sonny was determined to make himself a better man, and it was an exciting time to be his friend. She guessed it was inevitable their friendship would have bumps, but after this conversation, they could navigate through it more smoothly. Sonny agreed and said it was like old times. Dante came back to the Quartermaines, and Lois said she thought she and Brook needed space, so she was going to pack and go back to Bensonhurst for a bit. Brook said it was probably for the best, and Lois went upstairs. Dante told Brook that close families fought hard and loved even harder. In the end, they stayed together and could face anything. Lulu didn’t understand how Chase could keep his best friend in the dark, and Chase told her to leave his wife alone. He loved her and would do anything to protect her. Stop inserting herself into Brook’s life. Lulu said, or…? and he said he would think seriously about arresting her for breaking and entering into Martin’s room and looking at confidential client files. Lulu said Martin was her uncle (like this makes a difference), and Chase said, that was for starters. Since she had disregard for the law and authority, he was sure he’d find something pretty quickly. He walked out.

Anna told an officer at the station to call the WSB and went into the interrogation room where Valentin waited. He asked if this was where she smuggled him out, and she said helping him escape was her biggest mistake. She’d compromised her values and wouldn’t let it happen again. He said she didn’t love him anymore, and she smiled. She said her decision had nothing to do with her feelings for him and they didn’t the last time. It had been about Charlotte. She hadn’t had anyone else to depend on then. Now things were different. She had Lulu and Rocco, and they could be her family. Valentin said he may have had something to do with Charlotte. He saw it in Anna’s eyes the day they said goodbye. He could see now that she still loved him. That’s why she saved his life. She said, none of that matters. You’ve committed too many crimes, my darling. You have to face justice. It’s over. Felicia said she thought Bobbie would disapprove of Jack for the same reasons she disapproved of Sonny, but Carly said, Jack was a good man. Felicia said Carly was ignoring the warning signs like she had with Frisco. She abandoned her children for him and got a chance to fix things, but she’d never get back the time she lost and would regret it for the rest of her life. Carly could be smarter. The people who loved her depended on her, and it wasn’t just her children. Carly couldn’t stand by and willingly put herself in the position to be collateral damage in Jack’s life. She needed to end things before it was too late. Jason told Jack that he was the reason Carly almost died, and he wasn’t going to wait around while it happened again. He told Jack, stay away from her, and left.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada:

Trina tells Kai that something seems different, and he says he’s out of the sling. She says, that’s good, but that’s not it, and he says, honestly? He’s nervous about today. She says, this is nothing. He talked to reporters all the time. He says, before or after games. There’s a lot riding on this press conference and he doesn’t want to disappoint Drew. She says, he’s going to be fantastic. The last thing he needs to worry about is the congressman.

Jordan asks Curtis to remind her why she’s doing this again, and he says, the sports initiative is so important to the hospital. He doesn’t want her antipathy for Drew to get in the way. She says, that’s not only reason why. She doesn’t want Drew thinking he’s won.

Drew tells Portia to introduce him as our representative in congress, Drew Quartermaine, and she says, so introduce him as who he is. He says, there’s been a dispute over his name, and he wants to make sure, and she says she can handle it. He tells her not to forget to smile. Remember, it’s all about the kids. (I desperately want to smack him.)

Walking into Drew’s house, Nina says, there are a few listings she can’t wait to show Willow. The houses are perfect for her and the kids. Willow says, Nina has been so generous. She can’t thank her enough for the offer, but she doesn’t need a real estate agent. What she needs is a mover.

On the phone, Alexis thanks someone for letting her know, and Kristina asks if something happened. Is it Molly? Danny? Alexis says, no. It’s Valentin.

A shackled Valentin is brought into the interrogation room where Jason is waiting. Valentin asks if Jason is going to assassinate him in the police station. It’s practical and certainly gutsy. Enough small talk. What does Jason want?

Carly dreams about drinking the champagne. She wakes and says, Jack? Lucas says, no such luck. It’s just him, her baby brother.

Elizabeth sees the couch is empty, when Lucky comes in. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she just thought he left without saying goodbye. He says, him? Never again.

Alexis says, Valentin is in custody at the PCPD and wants to see her, and Kristina says, he can’t want Alexis to represent him. Alexis says, yet he does. He also wants to be released. She’s very flattered that he thinks she can make that happen, but she can’t. Not only is he an international fugitive, he allegedly tried to poison Carly… She’s fine, and apparently, she wasn’t the intended victim. Kristina asks, who was? but Alexis says, that information hasn’t been released yet. Kristina asks what he’s charged with, but Alexis says she doesn’t know. Probably premeditated attempted murder of someone. She hasn’t been told the facts yet. Kristina says, she doesn’t have to do it, and Alexis says she knows that, but even Valentin deserves representation. Kristina asks if he doesn’t have a lawyer, and Alexis says, Martin is in another tricky situation, when Ava comes in. She says she’s sorry to barge in, but she really needs to – she sees Kristina is there – talk.  

Kai ask if Trina doesn’t like his suit, but she says she loves it. Is it new? He says, no. The last time he wore it was the pregame interview before he got hurt. She says, it must be strange wearing it again, and he says, it is, but the way he sees it, it’s being put to good use and so will he. He’ll be using his football cred at long last to help people. She says, wow. That’s a shockingly positive outlook. He says, that’s on her. He wouldn’t be here at all if not for her. He thanks her and they kiss.

Willow says she and Drew talked it through and decided there was no reason for her to move when this right here is perfect for the kids, and Nina says, that’s one of the reasons he chose it. So that she, Wiley, and Amelia could move in. Willow says, that’s hardly a huge presumption, and Nina says, they discussed this. Willow says, Wiley and Amelia love Scout and Drew. How can she ask Nina to go through the trouble of buying a house when they all know she’ll move in here sooner or later? Nina says, it’s no trouble, and Willow says, Nina needs to believe she knows what she’s doing to make the kids happy. Nina needs to trust her.

Portia says she’s done everything Drew asked. Take the win. Drew says, or what? She’ll tell Curtis what she did? Portia asks why he’s pushing, and he says, no reason. (Another smack.) He’s definitely not trying to ruin her life or deprive the hospital of their great Co-Chief of Staff. On the contrary. He’s trying to prevent her paying for crimes she committed. Portia says she can’t tell him how grateful she is for that, and he says, she should be. (One more.) Stop treating him like the enemy. He hopes she can think of him as a friend. He leaves and she literally says, ugh. She sits at her desk and looks at a folder labeled, Drew Quartermaine.

Curtis tells Jordan that he actually wanted to refuse to let Aurora Media cover the press conference, but it would look like he was using it to enact his personal vendetta at the expense of a good children’s health initiative. He refuses to let Drew play him. She says, good for him. Drew won’t stop blaming him for not getting on the Appropriations Committee and won’t ever because his ego won’t let him. Curtis says, exactly. Eventually, Drew’s ego will have him cross the line or make a big mistake. And when Drew does, he’s going to be ready. Trina and Kai join them, and Curtis asks how Kai feels. Kai says, ready and waiting for the congressman to give him his marching orders, and from across the room, Drew says, there he is. PCU’s biggest star.

Carly asks, how was Miami? and Lucas says, not great. And then he finds her almost dying. She says she’s okay, but he says he’ll be the judge of that. He shows her a duffel bag and says he grabbed some things from the house, since she was admitted wearing only a bathrobe. She says she can explain, and he says, what? The polonium poisoning? She says, that’s an easy one. That was Valentin. He has a vendetta against Jack and had a poisoned bottle of champagne sent to the room. She wasn’t the intended target. He says, thank goodness, and she says, everyone warned her, but it’s no one’s business. He says, she was two minutes from death’s door, so that makes it the hospital’s business. Not to mention law enforcement – local and international – and her children, and him. That’s a lot of people. She says, he’s not blaming Jack for something Valentin did. Jack’s not the threat. Valentin is.  

Jason says, Valentin can refuse the visit, but Valentin says, then how can he know why Jason came? He asks the officer to give them a minute, and the officer leaves. Valentin wonders if Sonny is going to settle the score about him altering the medication, but Jason says, it’s about Carly. They sit, and Jason says, Valentin almost killed her. Valentin says, the best laid plans. He knows Jason doesn’t want to spend more time at the station than he has to. What does he want? Jason says, everything that Valentin knows about Jack Brennan.

Lucky says he knows he and Elizabeth had plans that didn’t end with him downstairs snoring. Why didn’t she wake him up? She says, you never wake up a patient when you don’t have to, and he asks if she knows how amazing he thinks she is. Sometimes he wishes she weren’t a nurse. He scrinches around and she asks, what’s wrong? He says his neck is messed up. He thinks she needs a more comfortable couch. She says she thinks her couch is just fine, and massages his neck. She says, next time, maybe he should sleep upstairs.

Valentin says, if it’s information about Jack that Jason is after, he’s Jason’s man. He’s known Jack since they were in their early 20s. In all the years he’s known Jack, he’s never seen him vulnerable or scared, but last night he was scared. Jason says, about Carly? and Valentin says, yeah. Jason says, so was he, and Valentin asks what he’s looking for. Leverage? He can give Jason leverage. He knows everything there is to know about Jack Brennan. But he needs something from Jason. He needs someone to break him out. Jason says, that’s not going to happen, but he might think about doing Valentin a favor at some point in the future. Valentin says, that’s the best he can do? and Jason says, yeah. Take it or leave it.

Lucas says, if Valentin is all Carly’s worried about, he has good news, and she says, he’s dead? He tells her that he said good, not great. He’s in custody. The PCPD picked him up. She says, problem solved, but he says, problem not solved. She’s not automatically safe to date Brennan just because Valentin is in jail. Carly says she knows where he’s going. She heard it last night from Felicia. Brennan is a spy. Spies live dangerous lives. She gets it, and honestly, Felicia gave her something to think about. Save it. They’re not engaged, but he knows she wouldn’t have a one-night stand with a gorgeous spy. He says, don’t try to seduce him by proxy, and she says she wanted to see what it was like. He asks what it was like, and she says, incredible. Until it went terribly wrong. He says, is that all? He’ll ease up.

Jordan says she’s going to check in on Portia, and Curtis says, good idea. He thanks her, and she leaves. Trina joins Curtis and says she’s worried about Kai. He thinks he can trust Drew and they both know that’s not true.

Drew says, it’s the deputy mayor first, then Councilman Boyle. Dr. Robinson will give a statement for the hospital, and then it’s Kai. Kai says, got it, and Drew says he’s seen Kai under pressure on the field. He’s going to be great. Kai says he appreciates it, and Drew asks what his plans are for the future. Kai says he has one more year at PCU. After that, he has to figure it out. Drew says, okay, some advice. Not that Kai is asking, but use his natural gifts. He’s a born leader and has charisma. There are plenty of arenas where he’d be useful. Politics is one of them. Boyle (who looks like a young, shorter Kurt Russell) joins them and says, it’s a great day for the city of Port Charles. Trina says she feels like she should have said something, but didn’t know how, and Curtis says, that’s okay. He does.

Portia is reading Drew’s file when there’s a knock at the door. She says, come in, and Jordan says she wanted to let Portia know that Trina and Kai got here. Portia says she’d better join them, and Jordan asks if she’s still going through with it. She’s going to stand next to Drew? Portia says, unless Jordan changed her mind, Jordan is going to be standing next to her, and Jordan says, nothing’s changed, but these events are the deputy mayor’s job. Portia is Co-Chief of Staff at the hospital. Portia says, she’s publicizing a worthwhile initiative that’s good for the hospital. It’s part of her job. Jordan asks why she didn’t pass it along to Terry. After everything Drew has done, she’s shocked Portia would stand next to him, smile, and sell to the world that he’s a good man. Portia says she and Curtis discussed it and they’re on the same page. She starts to leave, but Jordan lingers. Portia says, they don’t want to be late, and Jordan follows her out.

Ava says she’s sorry to intrude. She’ll come back later. Alexis says, later is not better. Never is better, but she doesn’t have that kind of luck. What does Ava want? Ava says, it’s a legal matter and she thinks they should speak privately, but Kristina says, no. Ava says, what about attorney/client privilege? and Alexis says she’s not Ava’s attorney and Ava’s not her client. Kristina sits down, and Ava says, Alexis has made it clear that she won’t give Ava access to any funds from the Cassadine estate. Alexis says, yet here they are, and Ava says she’s come to accept and understand that Alexis can’t return her settlement money. However, she could arrange for the estate to loan her some money. Alexis says, the estate isn’t a bank, but Ava says, it will be a private loan with scheduled payments at a fair interest rate. The estate would actually benefit. Kristina says, no. No way in hell is Alexis giving a dime to the woman who killed her grandchild.

Willow says she knows Nina is nervous about the repercussions for moving in with Drew, but she’s going to reach out to Michael and explain. Since they have no way to know when he’s coming home, it’s not fair to keep the children’s lives in limbo. Michael has shown he’s willing to compromise, unlike his family, and he won’t use his children as a weapon as long as they’re happy. Nina says, Michael is dealing with his own problems. They need to go to a lawyer. Willow says, that will only make things more hostile. She doesn’t want a civil war; she wants things to stay calm. Michael doesn’t want a custody fight any more than she does. Nina says, that’s true if Willow was in a home of her own, but if she moves in with Drew, she’s going to force Michael’s hand. Willow says she doesn’t see it that way, but Nina says, please. If Willow does this, she’s going to lose her children.

Drew talks football to Kai, when Curtis joins them. He tells Boyle, good to see him. If they don’t mind, he’d like to borrow Kai for a minute. Drew asks if he’s sure it’s just one, and Curtis steps away with Kai. Boyle tells Drew, that kid was the perfect spokesman. Good choice. It’s a shame the city didn’t use the plan to relocate the esplanade. It was good for the unions, public safety, and commerce. Drew says he couldn’t agree more, and Boyle says, if only the mayor hadn’t let her personal attachment to Corinthos get in the way.

Ava says she’ll always regret what happened that day, but Kristina’s fall was an accident. Kristina says, that’s a lie. She was there. It happened to her. Ava pushed her. Ava says she didn’t. Kristina accidentally tripped over some luggage. Kristina says, you are the reason my baby is dead. You. Ava says she wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t her last option. The IRS is going to seize both of her properties in a month if she doesn’t pay the back taxes. Alexis says she’s not going to the estate, and Ava says she’s not asking for a handout. It would benefit the estate, and she can take care of her daughter. Kristina says, the daughter Ava is lucky she has and who should be with her father full time, and Alexis says, stop. Ava must understand as a mother, she has to say no. She would not want to devastate her own daughter in any way, like Ava doesn’t want to devastate hers. Ava says, fine. She’ll go. But understand that Alexis isn’t doing anything to protect Kristina by fueling her delusions. Kristina’s not doing good. She’s not being rational, and Alexis knows that as well as she does. Ava leaves.  

Lucas says he’d love to go easy on Carly. Nobody wants to see her happy more than him. But was it too much to ask her to date someone who won’t get her killed? What’s wrong with a dentist? Carly asks, what’s going on? Lucas is more wound up than before he went to Miami. He says he drank too much in Miami and got the worst hangover of his life. She says, worse than her? and he says, no. If she tells him that it’s a one and done and she won’t go near Jack again, that’s all he needs to hear. She says she loves Lucas, but it’s her decision, not his, and he says, maybe it should be his, because she’s risking her life to date someone like Brennan. It’s not an option. There’s a long list of people who need her and he’s on it. He can’t lose her.

Valentin says Jason has already done him a favor. He supposes he owes him one. He accepts Jason’s offer. Jason says, good. Give him something he can use. Valentin says, the first thing he should know about Jack is that he’s a company man. For all he knows, Jack is head of the WSB. Jason says, former head, but Valentin says, no, current. Just because he’s in Port Charles and a lowly station chief, it could be an elaborate cover. Jason wonders why he said lowly, and Valentin says, station chiefs don’t order drone attacks on other continents. Everything Jack’s asked for, the WSB has done. He has blood on his hands and there are a lot of people who want him dead. Jason says, not just Valentin, and Valentin says, Jack doesn’t care. All he cares about is the WSB. Until now. Jack didn’t try to kill him for the Bureau. He tried to kill him for Carly.

Curtis walks Kai to the side and says he wants to talk about the congressman. Kai says he knows Drew’s personal life is messy, but he tries not to judge. Curtis says, agreed, but it’s not about that. Drew will promise anything to get what he wants, and he has no intention of following through with his promises. Kai needs to be careful. Kai nods, and Trina watches from across the room. Portia comes out of the elevator with Jordan, and Jordan says she’s going to take a minute to go over her speech. She leaves, and Portia sees Curtis talking to Kai. She asks Trina, what’s that about? It looks serious. Trina says, dad is giving Kai the background on Drew, and Portia says she knows Trina is concerned about Kai, but for right now, it’s best everyone just try to get along.

Kai thanks Curtis for the heads up and says he can back out. He can’t be associated with bad politicians. Curtis tells him that he’s not saying Drew isn’t doing good this time. Sometimes you have to work with people you don’t trust. He’d like Kai to know who he’s dealing with so he can protect himself. Kai says he’ll keep his guard up, and Curtis says, he’s a good man. And the initiative is a good thing for Port Charles, the hospital, and the kids. Don’t let Drew get in way of that.

Lucky says he’s glad to hear there’s going to be a next time, and Elizabeth says she hopes there will be. They’ll have the house to themselves soon enough and Aiden spends the night at his friends’ all the time. He says, whether Aiden is here or not, he wants to be with her. He knows what he feels is real and it will never change. She says, funny. She feels the same way. They kiss, and she says she has to get to work. He tells her, like he said, sometimes he hates that she’s a nurse. She says, so does she sometimes, and he says he’ll stick around and take a look at the freezer. She says, if he fixes it, he’ll be her hero. She leaves and he gets a text from Kristina: Where r u??? Need to c u now!

Nina tells Willow to just think about Michael. He’s going through a harrowing, life changing experience and suffering unimaginable pain. He almost died. It will be hard to come out to something like that and think life is beautiful and bygones will be bygones. Willow says, Michael isn’t most people… but Nina says, he’s a Corinthos and a Quartermaine. He’s Carly’s son. He may be out of the county healing, but he could still make life difficult. Willow says she doesn’t think it will come down to a custody battle, but if it does, Michael isn’t the only one with power. Drew is a congressman and would never let Michael take her children. Nina says, please reconsider this, and Willow says she appreciates Nina’s concern, but she’s made up her mind. She gets up and says she needs to get to Wiley’s school for a conference. Nina says, of course (🍷). She’ll walk Willow out. As they leave, Willow says, the kids love it here. They’ll all be so happy together.

Drew says, Kai was amazing, and Kai thanks him and says he had no idea how it was going to go. He’s used to talking about football to reporters. This was different. Drew says, he didn’t miss a beat. He’s a natural.

Curtis says, Trina’s guy is good, and she says, please. He’s amazing. Curtis says, maybe a little, and she says she’s so happy everything worked out. Curtis says, maybe she’s right. She’s amazing too. She stepped up to do what was right.  

Elizabeth asks Lucas to tell her about Miami, and he says he met the man of his dreams. She says, details, and he says he found the man’s credit card on the floor of the hotel bar. He looked up and there he was, handsome, tall enough, Latin, and he had the kindest eyes. She says, he had a meet cute, and he says he did. Then – brace for it – he got so drunk, he got sick all over him.

Portia goes back to her office and looks at Drew’s file. There’s a knock at the door and it’s Ava. Ava says she was going to ask if Portia had a minute, but she seems stressed. Portia says, it started at stress and went up from there, and Ava says she caught the end of the press conference. It didn’t seem that bad. Portia says she’s glad, but in real life, it was awful. She was standing next to Drew when he paraded Kai out in front of the representative. Ava says she’s sure Trina was proud of them both, and Portia says, she should be proud of Kai. He’s a phenomenal young man and the only reason Trina has been smiling lately. Meanwhile, Drew is using him to restore his good name to the public, and she can’t say a thing about it. Ava says, and Drew’s got Portia exactly where he wants her, and Portia says, yeah… or so he thinks.

Nina lets herself back into Drew’s house and says, thanks for the spare key, Willow. She snoops around.

At Elizabeth’s, Lucky gives Kristina a key and tells her it’s the key to Charlie’s back entrance. Try not to lose it. She says she didn’t lose it. She just hasn’t figured out where she left it yet. He asks, what’s going on? and she says, nothing. It’s just one of those days. He says, okay, but if she wants to tell him about it, he promises it will stay between them. She says she’s good… She’s actually not good. She sits down and says, her dad is having a heart problem. He’s going to be okay. To be honest, she doesn’t know, but she thinks so. He’s having surgery, but until he does, he needs to keep the stress down. That’s the whole reason he settled the custody suit with Ava, to keep the stress down. Now Ava can’t afford to take care of their daughter financially. Ava was hitting her mom up. That’s what Ava does. She takes and takes. Ava doesn’t deserve to have a daughter. Her daughter is dead because of Ava, and she still hasn’t paid for it.

Jason thanks Valentin for the intel, and Valentin says, one last thing Jason should know. What Jack wants, he gets. If he wants Carly, he’s going to get her. He’ll use whatever he has to unless Jason intervenes. Jason says, that suits him just fine, and Valentin says, forget him. Think about Carly. She’ll finally be safe.

Lucas tells Elizabeth that he learned more about Brad than he wanted to know, then he threw up on the kindest, sexiest, most beautiful man he’s ever met. She says, he really packed it in. She likes his time management. He says, Marco was the bright spot in Miami, but he’ll probably never see him again. She says, they’ll find a way to travel long distance, and he says he’s sure Marco is waiting by the phone for the man who ruined his shirt. She says, you never know. Not to add to his day, but his aunt is looking for him. She hands him a message, and he says, Ava?

Lucky says, everything Kristina is telling him is true, and she thanks him. He says, don’t hate him for saying this, but there’s nothing she can really do. She says she doesn’t know if she can accept that, and he says he understands, but maybe there’s another way to think about this. Would Adela want her mother consumed with bitterness and hatred, or would she want her mother to find peace? Kristina says she wants to find peace, and he says, then let it go. Not for Ava, but for herself. She says she’s trying. She really is. Every second of every day, but she can’t.

Ava says, Portia needs to be careful. If she lashes out at Drew and it backfires, she could lose everything. Portia says, Drew keeps reminding her of that, and Ava says, think about Trina. If Portia loses her license or God forbid goes to prison, Trina will blame herself. Portia says, because of what she did to Heather because of what Heather did to Trina. Ava says, exactly. Isn’t smiling through a press conference worth keeping Trina happy? Portia says, only as long as she has to, when there’s a knock at the door. Drew walks in and Ava says she saw the conference. It was very exciting. He says, due in no small part to Portia. That’s why he’s here. Before he heads home, he wanted to say thanks for her help. Portia says, it was her pleasure, and he says he couldn’t have done it without her. He leaves and Ava says, he seems chipper. Anyone on the outside might think they were thick as thieves. She notices the folder.

Trina tells Kai that he was amazing. If he was nervous, no one could tell. Kai says he hopes he did the right thing. Her dad filled him in a little on the congressman. He would have backed out, but it was for a good cause. Now he can see through Drew, so he’s also going to watch his back. She says he’s right on both counts. He needs to focus on… He says, her? and she says, that’s always an acceptable answer, but not right this time. He needs to focus on himself and his future. From what she saw, he could run for office someday. He asks if he has her vote, and she says, we’ll see, and kisses him.

Boyle tells Jordan, it’s nice to see her. It’s unfortunate that the mayor couldn’t make it. She says, Mayor Collins’ schedule is pretty packed, and he says, or maybe she’s happy to let the Deputy Mayor do her job. Curtis comes by and says, if Boyle doesn’t mind, he’d like a word with the Deputy Mayor. Boyle says he’ll let Jordan do her job, and Curtis thanks him for coming. Boyle leaves and Jordan thanks Curtis for the save. That man is dull, dumb, slimy, and gunning for Laura.

Nina finds Drew’s safe and opens it. She finds a roll of cash and looks through some papers.  

Valentin thanks Alexis for coming. He’s sorry the accommodations aren’t up to the Quartermaine standard. Alexis says she can live without the cryo chamber and bottomless pit, and sits down. She says she figured he needed legal representation, and he says he knew she was a brilliant lawyer. She tells him that even she can’t save him, but he says, that’s not why she’s here. There’s something else he needs her to do.

Jason asks how Carly is feeling, and she says her brother just left. He’s not happy with her. Jason says he can’t imagine why, and she says, please. Don’t be one more person who lectures her about Jack. He says, no lectures. She and Brennan are done. She can’t go near him again. Her life depends on it.

On Monday, Ava tells Portia not to let fear make her do dumb things; Elizabeth tells Lucas, if something wrong is going on here, she needs to know; Jack says, if Josslyn tells her (Carly?) any of this, she’ll never be a WSB agent; and Carly asks Jason not to quit on her now.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

New guys in town.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/daniel-cosgrove-opens-up-about-joining-general-hospital

I hadn’t realized he was also Natalia’s son. I missed the Marco connection, it’s been so long since he was mentioned.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adrian-anchando-reveals-why-playing-ghs-marco-is-so-important

Talk about missing something. I totally missed this and I love an inside joke. Another surprise is, when he joined All My Children, he took over for a guy who’s now one of my local weathermen, Lonnie Quinn.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/the-story-behind-ghs-will-cortlandt-reference

Polonium. It’s not just for GH.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/polonium-poisoning-on-general-hospital-everything-you-need-to-know

Hmm… I wonder if his mom knows he’s not taking his meds on the weekends. I’m not so sure that’s how it’s supposed to work.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-asher-antonyzyn-shares-his-experience-living-with-adhd

💉 A Dose of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

Pretty soon, everyone will have hooked up with everyone and then what?

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Jennifer talked about getting up at 5 am to brush her teeth and put on makeup so her boyfriend thought she woke up beautiful. In my single days, the only time I had makeup on the morning was from the night before. Once again, it was a whole big thing with Dorit and Sutton with Sutton apologizing and Dorit not hearing it. Ugh. Boz suggested Dorit also apologize, and she gave a non-apology apology. She apologized that her joke about Sutton’s drink made Sutton feel some kind of way. That’s like a murderer saying, I’m sorry they’re dead, not, I’m sorry I killed them. Dorit also had a lot to say about Sutton behind her back.

Boz said she ended up seated across from Mauricio and the child he’s dating at some event and gave Kyle a full report afterward via Voicenotes. She played it during her interview, and at the end, she’d asked Kyle to tell her what she wanted her to do. Because she would run up on a man. She was a girl’s girl. Me too. One time, after meeting a friend for lunch in Manhattan, she saw a bagpiper busking across the street. She thought it was an old boyfriend (no judgement) and said she wanted to go punch him in the mouth. I told her that I’d hold him for her, but make sure it was the right guy, because I wasn’t going to jail for no reason. We crossed the street, but it turned out not to be him.

The way these women dress for a boat – like a catwalk might appear any moment – there isn’t a chance in hell I’d ever want to go with them wearing my Old Navy tankini and no makeup except sunscreen. They were on a fabulous yacht eating fabulous food during fabulous weather, when Sutton dared to apologize again, and Erika thought it would be a good time to bring up all of Sutton’s past sins. From what I saw in the flashbacks, it’s more like Sutton said out loud what everyone else was talking about behind the scenes. In Sutton’s interview, she said Erika had done this before, act like it was all good, then turn around and call her out in public. Erika thought Sutton was kicking Dorit when she was down, bypassing all the bullsh*t Dorit has slung. Just because you’re going through a bad time, doesn’t make it okay to be abusive. And why do they always do this sh*t on a boat where you can’t even walk away? In Kyle’s interview, she basically said Sutton started it. Yeah, by daring to apologize. As Kathy said in her interview, the boat rides aren’t working.  

Best dialogue: Sutton: Is this a tomatah? Kyle: Just shut up and eat it.

What’s to come.

Denise Richards & Her Wild Things

Denise did a cooking video with celeb chef Brooke Williamson, who oddly enough, is also Aaron’s hall pass. (FYI, Denise’s is Brad Pitt.) Afterward, Denise said it was the first dish she’d ever completed on a video. She had lunch with Kathy Hilton, who she’s been friends with for a while. Apparently, there was a time when she and Paris Hilton were neighbors, and in her interview, she said Paris was the sexiest neighbor in the neighborhood. It was especially heartwarming when Denise told Aaron to keep talking while she left to take a pee during their dual interview. Now that’s reality.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/denise-richards-her-wild-things-recap-still-not-a-cooking-show/ar-AA1BcuOd

Summer House

There was a party for Amanda’s 33rd birthday. Kyle continued to whine about Craig, and she was getting tired of it. She also wasn’t too happy about Kyle’s rage texting to Paige about Craig. IMO it was especially rude to display his baby emotions when they were supposed to be celebrating her birthday. I would never want to drink with these people. Never ever. It either gets juvenile to the point of messiness or somebody gets pissed off. LOUDLY. Both Paige and Craig felt awkward, but Paige was annoyed with Craig at not having had a conversation with Kyle about their differences. I dunno. I’m not so sure that would matter. Everything would be cool again, then Kyle would get drunk, and get pissed off all over again. Then they had some kind of pirate party, and we started to see Paige and Craig’s relationship buckle.

Southern Charm

Shep told Whitney that he wouldn’t be crying over his cheerios about Sienna, and he’d only mourned for a few days, but I don’t believe it. Is it wrong for me to hope Shep dies alone? Molly was still being shoved at him, and he asked her to accompany him to the Summer Soiree. Venita talked to Ryan about what JT had said, and I wasn’t too impressed with him. Ryan was mean, rude, and doubled down on JT having said some Black girl was trying to ruin his relationship. He did admit, that was only what the barber told him, but said the barber might have been covering his ass when Leva called and insisted JT said it. When someone uses the words my truth, I’m always suspicious about whether it is true. I’m so not a JT fan, but I don’t buy it. Maybe the barber said that, but I don’t think JT did. Same with calling Patricia a bitch. Since he has enough not going for him, it’s really not necessary for these guys to be making stuff up. 

What’s to come.

The Charm pack does tend to pick on the weak one, although I still can’t feel sorry for Shep.

Random Reality Items

I quit… for the day.

He left because he was a cokehead who got too full of himself.

They love to play revolving houses. I just can’t imagine moving into a 50 room mansion just to move out again.

Where’s Pedro? Where’s Puck?

https://ew.com/25-best-reality-stars-of-the-2000s-11687144

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Chaos: The Manson Murders. Netflix. There wasn’t much I didn’t know, but it was still an interesting watch. It does seem like they always want to make Charlie this mysterious guru, but the bottom line is, he was a manipulator who used drugs to control children.

https://deadline.com/2025/03/chaos-the-manson-murders-review-errol-morris-documentary-1236314760/

Demon City. Netflix. Kind of the Japanese version of Machete. Left for dead, a hitman takes revenge on the demons who have wronged him. Nice fight scenes.

https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/demon-city-review-netflix-1235099517/

The Search for Instagram’s Worst Con Artist. Netflix.  A two-part docuseries about Belle Gibson. I actually liked this better than Apple Cider Vinegar which was a little artsy for me. This was just the facts, Jack.

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-search-for-instagrams-worst-con-artist-release-date-news

After the End. Amazon Prime. If Hallmark made a movie about the apocalypse, it would be this one. After a contagious illness brings on the apocalypse, a 17-year-old prepper joins forces with a pregnant girl and trouble follows. I didn’t hate it, but don’t exactly recommend it either.

The Electric State. Netflix. Gus from Breaking Bad being a character known as the Butcher of Schenectady makes this worth watching. The reviews weren’t great, but it’s based on an illustrated novel fans were already passionate about, which adds another layer. Having never read it, I had no preconceived notions. A lot of the things reviewers didn’t think were funny, I did, and there was also debate about Millie Bobby Brown being too old for the roll, but I had nothing to compare her to in my head, so I was good with it. I did have difficulty with the trip to the cornfield at the end, but we can’t have everything. Amazingly brought to life robots, a fair amount of gore, and Chris Pratt throwing out one-liners was good enough for me. The addition of Stanley Tucci didn’t hurt either.

https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/i-watched-the-electric-state-netflix-not-bad-rotten-tomatoes-score-idicates-chris-prat-millie-bobby-brown

All about the robots.

https://www.indiewire.com/features/craft/the-electric-state-vfx-interview-robots-cosmo-netflix-1235104366/

https://www.cbr.com/millie-bobby-brown-the-electric-state-kid-cosmo/

Borderlands. Starz. I used the On Demand feature on my actual TV to watch this. It was impossible to find a positive review, but again, because I had no preconception of the story or characters, I enjoyed it. Cate Blanchett kicked ass nicely and earned her fiery wings, and seeing Gina Gershon is always a treat.

https://www.filmsfatale.com/blog/2024/8/12/borderlands

While this was more or less about the game, I got absorbed in a very long thread in the comments section. Somebody dubbing themselves LordByronSomethingOrOther made a legit comment about The Last of Us. Someone made an innocuous reply, and it sent off a hailstorm of LordBy’s rage and name calling skills. Several people told LordBy to chill, which only made it worse. I’m pretty sure LordBy lives in their grandma’s basement and is in desperate need of attention. Send an Edible Arrangement along with some edibles asap.

https://www.avclub.com/borderlands-movie-disappointing-but-sold-video-games-take-two

Delicious. Netflix. Reviewers seemed to like it, but the best I can come up with is, eh. The acting was fine, but the long stretches of not much going on along with being hit over the head with the message wasn’t for me. Plus, there was a non-ending ending, which I always find irritating. If it has to be explained (see below), maybe I shouldn’t bother watching it. I got the point five minutes in. It’s old and it’s been done better.

All the spoilers.

https://blavity.com/entertainment/delicious-movie-ending-explained

Kraven The Hunter. Netflix. Saving the best for last. The first three minutes of this was better than the entire film of Delicious. After some family drama and a legendary lion’s blood mixing with his own, Kraven becomes an antihero with animalistic powers. It had a sense of humor without overkill, which was much appreciated since they can’t all be Deadpool and sometimes try too hard. I thought it was an enjoyable ride and especially loved the rhinoceros guy. I would have liked to see more of the surprise talents of Kraven’s brother, revealed toward the end, but I’m guessing they were saving that for the sequel, which is a doubtful event.

https://www.slashfilm.com/1815000/aaron-taylor-johnson-2024-marvel-flop-kraven-the-hunter-streaming-netflix/

https://www.cbr.com/kraven-the-hunter-streaming-success-netflix/

🏆 Next Year’s Envelope…

I guess these things have to be planned in advance.

https://ew.com/conan-obrien-returning-2026-oscars-date-revealed-11697987

Useless Oscar knowledge.

https://ew.com/oscars-biggest-controversies-and-scandals-11688765

🐦‍🔥 Things You Don’t See Every Day…

🦈 Uber Shark.

https://people.com/octopus-rides-mako-shark-video-auckland-new-zealand-11701228

🐵 True story. When I was a kid, my father and I went to a place called Monkey Jungle where you literally walked through a jungle of monkeys. It said not to feed them, which was a signal to my father to toss out a few kernels of popcorn. 5000 spider monkeys came crashing down through the trees, we threw our bags of popcorn to them and ran.

https://people.com/british-tourist-surrounded-by-monkeys-thailand-pool-11700663

🐶 As well they should.

https://people.com/debra-messing-reveals-robert-de-niro-real-dogs-make-big-cameo-the-alto-knights-11699042

🦉 Quotes of the Week

Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment. – Oprah Winfrey

Our greatest glory is, not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Oliver Goldsmith

When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. – Wayne Dyer

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light. – Helen Keller

If you’re looking for a thank you, look in hell. – Dani Dupree (Karla Cheatham), Beyond the Gates

How many legs does a dog have if you call his tail a leg? Four. Saying that a tail is a leg doesn’t make it a leg. – Abraham Lincoln

We don’t know what we’re capable of until we’re challenged. – Adam Connell

You broke the treaty, Mr. Peanut. There will be consequences. – Colonel Bradbury (Giancarlo Esposito), The Electric State

🐰 Off Auditioning For the Cadbury Bunny…

Until next week, stay safe; stay not making every social media post and comment about politics; and stay remembering, everything is a negotiation.

March 14, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Charlotte Comes Home, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watch, Wild In the Wild, 4+4 Quotes & Cheap Seats

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites:

Monday:

Isaiah said he’d leave if Jordan wanted, and she said she didn’t want, but he had a problem with her investigating Sidwell. He said he’d prefer she stay away, but she said Sidwell liked her, giving her an advantage law enforcement didn’t have. If their being together hinged on the investigation, she guessed that was it. Dante asked Maxie about James, and she said it was a clean break, and they were good until James did something else stupid. Dante said he needed her help with Lulu. He was worried she was going to get in a situation she couldn’t get out of. Brook said Lulu was willing to step on lives regardless of consequences. Telling Dante would blow up lives. At the Quartermaine family crypt, Tracy promised her parents to protect the Quartermaine legacy, but Drew was outside with a county surveyor and a demolition guy. (FYI: That’s not how any of this works.) Drew told the guy to blow it up, and Martin said they’d best make sure they could back up their claims. Drew wished he could see Tracy’s face when she found out, when Tracy came out of the crypt and asked what was going on. Ned asked why Lois was okay with Gio becoming Sonny’s charity case, but she said Gio was family. In Buenos Aires, Anna and Jason did surveillance on Valentin, but there was no sign of Charlotte. Anna said, if they were in there, they were alone. Inside with the curtain’s drawn, Charlotte said she didn’t like it there, but Valentin said they weren’t staying long. It was time they said goodbye. Jason said they had a fifteen-minute window to get Charlotte and get out when the guards changed, but Anna thought it was too easy.

Ned said taking money from Sonny came with a risk, but Lois said it was minimal and Gio wasn’t alone. It took Sonny’s financial support to make sure Gio’s talent was cultivated. Ned asked why Lois hadn’t come to him instead of Sonny. Martin said the building had been seized and should be vacated, Drew adding that they had a court order. Tracy ripped it up and said she was calling the police, but Drew said the law was on their side. Dante said Maxie knew something, but Maxie said Lulu wasn’t returning her phone calls and Martin had no clue Lulu had broken into his hotel room. Dante said he didn’t want to know. Lulu was out of control. Brook told Lulu that her son was an adult by now and might not know he was adopted. It was the child’s choice if they wanted to know their birth parents, not hers, Dante’s, or Lulu’s. If Dante knew, he would want to find his child. Lulu said, give him that standing. Drew said it was public land, and Tracy called her surveyor. Drew said, as congressman, he’d gotten someone to protect the public interest. Edward had to steal public land, even though he already had plenty. The area was protected, and Tracy wasn’t getting her way. Emma and Gio showed up, and Emma said, leave the old lady alone. Valentin told Charlotte that this was his fault. They were a good team, but it was dangerous for her to stay with him. He’d texted Rocco pretending to be her, and Lulu was probably on her way already. Charlotte admitted missing Lulu, but didn’t want to leave him. Anna said Valentin had to know the WSB was looking for him after attacking Jack, and Jason said he was expecting them. She said he was expecting someone, when a car pulled in. Anna said that meant the WSB was there, and they had to move. Isaiah said he accepted Jordan’s terms and asked if she’d walk away the second they disagreed. She joked that it depended on the disagreement, but no. He said they’d need to do grocery shopping then.

Drew said the Quartermaines had appropriated public land, and Tracy was interfering with county business. The mausoleum was on protected land. Tracy said she was being denied access to her parents’ final resting place. Emma said Edward had saved her life, and Drew said he was Congressman Drew Quartermaine. Tracy said, Cain. He would never be a Quartermaine. Emma said none of them had jurisdiction and were trespassing, and Tracy called Chase. Lois said Ned was generous, but Sonny didn’t have family or support growing up. He had a good heart, and it was up to Gio who supported him. Gio ran in and told Lois and Ned what was going on at the crypt. Drew said Lulu kept tearing into Brook and he had to defend Brook, but it hurt Lulu. He’d asked Lulu to have patience, but she’d said he was taking Brook’s side. The problem was, they couldn’t talk anymore. Maxie said, because of Sam, and Dante said he was trying to keep the family together. Something was going on with Rocco too. He thought it was the tension between him and Lulu. Brook said she’d do anything to protect her son’s happiness, but Lulu said Brook just didn’t want Dante to hate her. Brook said she’d choose her child’s happiness over all. Lulu had always been threatened by her relationship with Dante, and she should ask herself if exposing Brook to Dante was worth hurting him. How could he miss a son he didn’t know he had? It was agony for her and if Lulu told Dante, Lulu would subject him to the same agony she’d lived with for 21 years. Dante would try to find their son, like Lulu did with Charlotte. Where did that leave Rocco? He knew his dad was there for him, but he’d be abandoned both parents. Charlotte asked if Valentin was letting them find him, and Valentin said she deserved a better life. Anna ran in with Jason and said the kill squad was behind them. Take Charlotte and go.

Tracy told Chase to arrest the trespassers, but Drew said the county surveyor’s preliminary findings shows a portion of the property extended beyond the property line. Tracy said her surveyor found differently, and Emma asked if they had to tear down the crypt. Drew said they could move it, but Tracy thought that was obscene. Gio asked, what was the difference? and Martin said the land was protected and it was illegal to build. Tracy said Drew hated the family, and Emma said he was abusing his power. She started to film and told Drew that he should be helping his constituents instead of traumatizing them. Lulu told Brook not to throw her son in her face, and Brook said she lived with him. When Lulu was in Prague, he was afraid she’d get hurt. He’d just gotten his mom back and she left him again. Lulu said Brook was using her kid to justify lying about her own son. It was lucky she’d given him up and a good thing she was nobody’s mother. Brook took a swing at her, but Lulu grabbed her hand. Dante said Rocco had been struggling since Lulu woke up, and ever since she went to Prague, he was terrified that he was going to lose her. He couldn’t talk to Lulu, but he could talk to Brook, which didn’t make Lulu less mad. For fifteen years, their feud had been going on. Maxie said it wasn’t because of that. Lulu was still in love with him. Anna said, let her handle the WSB, and told Jason not to fire his weapon. Valentin made himself scarce, when two guys arrived. Anna told them that she was the Police Commissioner of Port Charles, New York. Don’t shoot. They asked where Valentin was, and she said he’d just left. One guy told the other to search, but Anna told them to call Jack. The guy said Jack wasn’t running the op.

Anna said, the mission had changed, and they needed to talk to Brennan. Since they obviously weren’t buying it, Jason grabbed one guy, knocking him out, and Anna took care of the other. She thought Valentin was long gone, but he came out with Charlotte and said, not this time. Drew said Tracy wasn’t a downtrodden member of his constituency, but an entitled bully used to getting what she wanted. Tracy said he was using his public office to retaliate against the family that threw him out. Still filming, Emma said, congress was in session now, yet Drew was still here. Your votes in action, Port Charles. Lois and Ned arrived, and Lois said she thought Drew’s constituents had bigger problems. Drew was there when Alexis and Martin tried to work this out, and Tracy had been willing to bend. Drew said he was following the law, and Tracy said his surveyor’s findings were preliminary, yet he got an order without confirmation to seize the building. Emma continued to film. Isaiah showed Jordan how buy groceries online since they had to stay in, and he promised to make cooking with him worth her while. Her phone rang and it was Ned. Dante said Lulu was going to marry Dustin, but Maxie said, the night of the explosion, Lulu broke things off because she was still in love with Dante. Lulu told her and was about to tell him, when she collapsed. She wasn’t telling Dante now and instead, pushing him away and trying hard not to love him. Classic Lulu. Dante said, Lulu had been gone so long, he fell for Sam, and Maxie said Lulu didn’t want him to know. She thought Dante needed to be patient with her. Lulu was doing the best she could. Brook cried as she told Lulu that she was a mother. She went through 12 hours of labor and gave her baby to a stranger from an adoption agency. She couldn’t even let herself hold him. She didn’t know if she’d had a boy or a girl until Lulu told her. Lulu said she was sorry. She assumed Brook knew. Brook said, and Lulu assumed it was easy for her, but it wasn’t. She loved her baby with all her heart and still did. She had to believe she gave him a better life. Lulu asked if Brook didn’t want to know for sure, and Brook said, more than anything, but not at the expense of her child’s happiness or Dante’s. If he wanted to find his birth parents, he would. Brook begged Lulu to leave it alone.

Maxie said Rocco needed both of his parents, and Dante said he knew Lulu was a great mom and she loved their son. Maxie said Lulu knew he was a great dad. They needed to come together. Rocco needed extra assurance. Lulu said she didn’t agree with any of this, but didn’t want to be the one to blow up Dante’s life or her child’s. She wasn’t going to tell Dante. She thought he should know, but thought Brook should be the one to tell him. Brook said she needed the past to stay in the past, and Lulu said Brook should know, she never would have found out if Brook’s mother hadn’t talked to her Uncle Martin. The secret wasn’t in the past. It was now. Brook said she knew, and Lulu left. Brook texted her mom that she needed to see her asap. Ned said he’d called Jordan to help him keep the peace, but Drew said there was nothing to negotiate. The law was the law. Tracy wondered why Martin said Drew was willing to drop it if she allowed him to retain the name, and Emma said, busted. Tracy said she was referring to the meeting where Lois was a witness, and Jordan said she felt Drew was provoking the family and using public funds to fight his personal battle. That wasn’t who he was. Drew asked who he was. Cain or Quartermaine? Valentin thanked Anna and said he was expecting Lulu. Anna asked if he knew about the text, and he said he sent the text. He needed charlotte to be safe. They were going to send another kill squad when the first one didn’t check in. Charlotte asked where her mom was, and Anna said she’d explain it on the way. Charlotte said she didn’t want to go with them, but Jason said he promised Rocco that he’d bring her home and that’s what was going to happen. Valentin said, je t’aime, mon petite, and Charlotte said, je t’aime, papa. He held her for a moment, and then she went out with Jason. Valentin told Anna that he felt like this was the last time he’d see her, but she said it didn’t have to be that way. Come with them and let her bring him in.

Lulu knocked at Maxie’s door, saying she needed to talk to her, but Dante answered. Charlotte asked Jason if Anna was going to kill her father, but he said she wouldn’t do that. They came to bring her home. She probably wanted to try and save Valentin too. Valentin said Anna always came through for him. He was glad he got to say goodbye. She said it didn’t have to be goodbye. Come back. They could make a plea deal. Valentin said he knew too much, and he’d tried to kill Jack. They both knew the WSB wasn’t going to let him live. For Charlotte’s sake, he was free to do what he had to do. Anna told him not to throw his life away, and he said there was a time he thought she loved him, and they were the best months of his life. She said she didn’t think she loved him, and took his hand, saying, part of her always would. He thanked her for that and told her, take care. Charlotte left with Anna and Jason. Tracy said Drew could call himself Smith for all she cared, but he’d never be a Quartermaine. Emma said Drew made his decision based on Tracy’s and had abused his position for his own petty revenge, then searched for, how to recall a congressman. Tracy said he liked that she had grit, and Gio said he did too. The surveyor tried to mark the ground, but Tracy knocked his wheelie thing out of his hand. Drew said that was assault, and Chase asked if the surveyor wanted to press charges. Because he was obviously being paid off, he looked at Martin, who nodded. Chase said he’d forego the handcuffs, told her the Miranda rights, and led her away. Back at the Quartermaines’, Brook walked into the living room and Lois followed. She said she’d gotten Brook’s text. Brook closed the door, and Lois said she looked upset. What could she do to help? Brook asked how much she hadn’t been told about the baby.

Tuesday:

Buenos Aires. Anna brought Charlotte to a room, and Charlotte said her papa was running for his life and it was all Anna’s fault. Sasha went to Carly’s office and Carly asked if she was coming to work at the MetroCourt. Sasha said she was tempted, but decided to stay at the Quartermaines, and Carly said it was Sasha’s life, and she could do what she wanted. Sasha said that was a refreshing take, and Carly asked what had changed Sasha’s mind. Portia went to Curtis’s office and said Drew was probably missing the place, but Curtis said Drew had nobody to blame but himself. At the station, Drew said he hoped there was a free cell in case nothing could be done until morning. Tracy said she didn’t touch the surveyor. It was despicable. Alan was taken way too soon, but the silver lining was, he never had to meet Drew. Laura met Martin, who said Drew was rapidly spinning out control. At the crypt, Emma said she doubted they were going to bulldoze it at night, but Gio said he was staying. Emma said she had the best idea and would be right back. Lulu said she was looking for Maxie and didn’t expect Dante to be there. Dante said James broke his arm and got a cast, so Spinelli and Maxie took him and Georgie out for ice cream as a consolation prize. He was babysitting Bailey Lou. Lulu said she wasn’t surprised, since he was an amazing father. Brook asked what Lois hadn’t told her about her child. Martin had an entire file on her baby and knew Dante was the father. Why? Gloria came in and asked, what in the Bensonhurst is going on here?

Dante told Lulu she was a great mom. It was incredible seeing her and Rocco connect again. Lulu said the last few days had been weird, like Rocco couldn’t be in the same room with her. She’d been preoccupied with finding Charlotte and wondered if Rocco felt like she was choosing his sister over him. Charlotte said she’d never forgive Anna for using her papa and driving him away, and Anna said Charlotte didn’t understand… but Charlotte said Anna had ruined their lives and she hated Anna. Jason came in and asked Anna to give them a minute. Anna left, and Jason said Anna was the reason Charlotte and her father were still alive. Portia told Curtis that she had been grateful to Drew for saving Trina, but she was astonished at how he was treating his family and friends. She didn’t think it was possible for someone to change that much, but Curtis did what needed to be done and won. Curtis said, here’s hoping, and Portia asked if he really wanted Drew as an enemy. He got what he wanted. Maybe now was the perfect time for a truce. Curtis said he wasn’t the one continuing the fight. She needed to talk to Drew. Laura asked how Drew found out about the property line, and Martin said he may or may not have mentioned it. It was his job and his duty to represent his client. Chase came out and told Laura that he’d been ordered by the congressman to lock up his wife’s grandmother in a cell. Laura asked what she could do to help. Drew said he was sick of the hypocrisy, and Tracy said she was sick of the sound of his voice, yet here they were. Drew said, after all the horrible things the Quartermaines had done, all he did was fall in love. Tracy said, falling in love was one thing, and acting on it was another. She loved the way he always left the detail out that it was his nephew’s wife. He said she held him to different standards and she said she did. He blew up Willow’s marriage, betrayed Michael’s trust, and severely hurt the woman who welcomed him with opened arms in to her home – Monica. Brook told Gloria that it was a personal legal matter, but Gloria said it was her Brook was talking to. Brook had been talking to her mother about her baby.

Emma brought chairs, blankets, and a lantern to make Gio’s stakeout more comfortable. She said Drew was a jerk, laying into poor, old Tracy, and Gio suggested she not let Tracy hear any part of that. Tracy could handle herself. Don’t jump into the Quartermaine mess. Emma said it was her thing. Her mom said she was a born crusader. Gio said at least he knew where his mom was and could visit. If someone threatened to move her, he’d be in a cell next to Tracy. Brook said, Lois had told her grandma? and Lois said she’d needed to confide in someone. She didn’t know how to navigate the situation and wanted to make sure Brook and her baby were protected. Gloria said she’d left Brook’s past in the past, and Brook asked, then why talk to a lawyer? Lois flashed back to talking to Martin and asking if it was possible for Brook to find her child. Brook said Lois had told her, everything was fine, but she wondered if that was true. It must not be, or why else would she talk to Martin? Gloria said she’d told Lois to talk to him. Martin told Laura that he was sorry. He’d wanted to use the property as a bargaining chip, so Tracy would drop the cease and desist. Laura said, now the crypt would have to be moved and asked if Chase thought the charges would stick. Chase said, they could, and Martin said she should have just given in. Laura asked if he’d met Tracy, and he asked, what was so special about the Quartermaine name? Laura said Tracy was protecting the family in the only way she knew how.

Tracy said Drew had repaid Monica’s generosity by destroying her grandson’s marriage and happiness in favor of his own. He didn’t deserve Monica’s generosity and should leave Port Charles. Drew said Tracy had been kicked out of Port Charles by the family more than once. What made her think it wouldn’t happen again. Sasha said, the truth was… and Carly said Sasha liked working for the Quartermaines. Sasha said she thought they needed her, and Carly said, of course (🍷) they did, but don’t put herself on the back burner. Sasha said she was in a better financial position. She’d negotiated her way to the beginning of a nest egg. Carly said it was an achievement, but the one thing that made her situation different from the other single mom’s – the baby’s father. Jason said Anna saved Charlotte and Valentin’s lives, but Charlotte said they didn’t need her help. Jason said Anna was the first one to warn her dad. He wanted to turn Valentin in, but Anna convinced him to give him a head start. She’s the reason he had a chance to run and she tracked Charlotte to keep her safe. Charlotte said that Anna felt guilty for shooting her, and he said that was part of it, but Charlotte was her dad’s whole world. Anna was protecting her for him. She cared about them both. Charlotte could feel however she wanted, but Anna at least deserved her respect. Charlotte asked if the WSB would have really killed them.

Jason told Anna that Charlotte was sleeping, and Anna said she needed a favor. Take Charlotte back to Port Charles in one piece. She was going to get a room and make her own way back. It was too hard for Charlotte to be around her, and it felt cruel to force it. Jason said he thought Anna was making a mistake. Portia told Curtis that she remembered the old Drew, the good guy, the hero. That’s why he ran for congress in the first place. Curtis said, Drew’s motives changed, and she agreed 100%. But maybe Curtis could afford to let him keep some of his dignity and back off. Curtis said, Drew’s reputation had been tarnished, and it wasn’t on him to fix. She said, but he didn’t need to rub it in Drew’s face. if he could accommodate Drew a tiny bit, it might work out in his favor. Curtis said he was furious with Drew, but not interested in payback. Aurora was a non-starter, but if there was a path to peace, he was here for it. As long as the terms were reasonable. She said that was all she was asking for, when Jordan came in and said she needed to speak with Curtis. The situation with Drew had gone from bad to worse. Drew was officially out of control.

Drew told Tracy that things were going to change. He was the black sheep now, but not for long. He was a Quartermaine and would get his way. Then she would be on the outside, wondering how she got there. The answer is him. Chase told Drew that the mayor would like a word. Drew went into the squad room and said he was sorry Tracy dragged Laura down there, but Martin said, that was him. Laura urged Drew to do the right thing. Stand down and drop the charges against Tracy. He asked, why? and she said, to be blunt, if he didn’t, it wouldn’t bode well for him, politically or otherwise. Dante told Lulu that he didn’t think Rocco was jealous of Charlotte. Rocco was perceptive, like Lulu, and he could see that she was worried about Charlotte and was trying to give her space. Lulu said it was strange. She was Rocco’s mother, but she’d missed a pivotal stage and was out of the loop. She knew nothing about parenting a teenage boy. Dante said parents never felt like they were doing the right thing. She and Rocco both had to make up for lost time, and she was doing it with grace, love, and patience. He wouldn’t handle be close to handling it as well. Emma said she’d bring a file if Gio and Tracy were locked up and Gio said he liked Tracy. She gave it to you straight, even if you didn’t want to hear it. And she could take as good as she gave. She actually listened to him. Emma said she thought Tracy was smart. She wished she could stay with Gio, and Gio said the lab animals couldn’t free themselves. Emma said she wanted to take him real camping, but in the meantime, stay warm. Gloria told Brook that she’d advised Lois to consult a lawyer to make sure Brook and her baby protected were protected. They’d decided on a closed adoption. Brook said, so her baby could have a happy and stable life, and Gloria said, Brook too. They wanted her to have time to grow up, fall in love, and have a family of her own. Brook said she wasn’t 16 anymore. It made sense then, but made less sense now. She needed to know who adopted her son and where he was.

Sasha said her experience with Jason was different, and Carly said Jason would never tell Sasha how to be a mother, but if she needed anything, he’d be there in a heartbeat. He was the most loyal person she knew. Don’t do him a disservice by cutting him out of the baby’s life. Sasha said the father respected her wishes and said he’d support her in any way he could. It was the second greatest gift he could give her. Curtis said he never thought he’d be sympathetic to the Quartermaines, but Portia said it was family drama. Stay out of it. Jordan said it wasn’t about the Quartermaines. It was about how Drew was abusing his power. First, he blocked the esplanade, then wanted to move it for his personal gain. Now he was focused on settling the score with his family when he needed to be doing his job – enacting laws, securing school funds, and fulfilling his campaign promises. Curtis said, public outcry was the only thing that would stop him, and Jordan said, good thing she knew the head of a media company. Curtis said he made no promises, but he’d see what he could do. Drew told Laura that he wasn’t making this up. They broke the law. The land was public, and they took it. He owed his constituents not to turn a blind eye just because they were family. Laura asked if he thought putting Tracy in jail overnight was the pathway to justice, and Martin said it seemed like more trouble than it was worth. Drew said, fine. Tracy could go home. He’d talk to the surveyor and get the charges dropped, but this was far from over. Gloria said Lois didn’t know the details, and Brook said, but Gloria did. Gloria said she hadn’t been contact since the papers were signed for the closed adoption. Brook said, what if she wanted to find him? They knew she and Chase were trying to start a family. What if she gave away the only child she was going to have? Gloria said, Brook was his birth mother. Act like it. Let the young man be. Don’t put her pain on her son. She made the right decision. Abide by it. Brook said Gloria might be right, but it didn’t feel that way now, and she left. Lois told Gloria that Brook couldn’t know Gio was her son.

Jason told Anna that the only person to blame for Valentin’s situation was Valentin. He may not get out of this one. Anna said, if Charlotte needed someone to blame, it might as well be her, but Jason said Charlotte needed an example. She saw Anna’s mistakes and saw what she did after her mistakes. She saw Anna was accountable and keeping her word. She didn’t need Anna to disappear. Anna said she wasn’t sure she could do that, and Jason said he’d never seen her run. Don’t start now. Gloria said they couldn’t tell Brook. It wasn’t fair to her or Gio. Gio knew who he was and worshiped his mother. They couldn’t take that away. Lois said, Camilla was dead. His birth mother was right here. Don’t they need each other? Brook saw Gio outside the crypt and asked what he was doing. He said his grandma got in a fight with a surveyor and Chase arrested her, and Brook said, it must have been interesting. Gio said he was standing guard, and Brook asked if she could join him. He said he’d love some company. He was keeping his word to Tracy. Why was she here? Brook said, to clear her head. Her other grandmother was here. Gio said, that’s great… unless it wasn’t, and Brook said she knew her grandmother would do anything for her. Gio said Gloria was solid and could be trusted, and Brook said she could trust her grandmother and her mom, but what they were asking her to accept was hard to live with. Lulu said she owed Dante an apology. She was short with him at the Quartermaine’s. He said he was sorry too, and she said they were acting like grown-ups. He said he didn’t think he’d made it better by defending Brook. He didn’t think he’d said enough about how it was a miracle having her back after all this time. He didn’t want to take her being here for granted. She said she needed to tell him something, when Bailey Lou started crying. He said duty called. Hold that thought.

Anna asked if Jason was calling her a coward, and he asked if she was going to run. She said she was going to see it through and keep an eye on Charlotte. Charlotte was smart, resourceful, and believed she was invincible. It was a dangerous combination and Anna thought they’d come after Valentin. He was a target and she was saving Charlotte from herself. It would be a challenge. Jason said he’d take the first watch, and Anna lied down on the couch. Sasha told Carly that she was aware she had it better than most single moms. She asked the father to step back and he didn’t fight her. Carly said that might change when the baby was born, and Sasha said she promised if she needed help from the father, she wouldn’t hesitate to ask. Portia told Curtis, let Drew implode on his own. Let Tracy handle the Quartermaines. Curtis said Drew was failing to represent the people who elected him, and that included them. He wasn’t going to stand by and watch. He got on the phone and said, Brian, rally the troops. There was going to be a big Aurora Media push to expose Drew Quartermaine’s abuse of his office. Martin said Drew was a US Congressman, and didn’t need an enemy like Tracy, but Drew said, everyone else might be afraid of Tracy, but not him. He was going to break her.

Laura asked if Tracy would like the good news or the bad news first, and Tracy said, good. Laura said Tracy could go home tonight, but she didn’t think Drew would back down. Tracy was going to have a battle on her hands. Tracy said, give her the bad news, and Laura said she felt Tracy’s parents would say, choose her battles wisely. Tracy said she was. She wouldn’t allow some grifter to steal the family name and force her to move her parents’ final resting place. If Drew wanted a battle, bring it on. Bailey Lou played with some toys and Dante said, extra play time made it even for the ice cream. He asked what Lulu wanted to say, but Lulu said she couldn’t remember. It must not have been that important. Gloria told Lois that if they told Brook that Gio was her son, it would ruin three lives – Brook’s, Dante’s, and Gio’s. Think of why they made that decision. Lois said, to protect Brook and her child, and Gloria said, nothing has changed. They needed to protect them now. Lois started to cry. Brook apologized for being cryptic, and Gio said they were at a crypt. (BA-DUM-CHH!) Brook said she trusted someone, and they didn’t tell her something they should have. She couldn’t tell him anything else. He said she didn’t have to. They could just sit, look at the stars, and dream of heat. For what it was worth (🍷), Lois and Gloria loved her. Brook said she knew, but they were a lot. He must miss his mom so much. He said, so much every day, and Brook said he had people looking out for him. He had a whole crazy family, like it or not.

Wednesday:

In the steam room, Chase told Dante that he could tell something had changed, and Dante said he and Lulu talked. The Golden Bachelorette guy was in Nina’s office, and she said she’d been a fan of his (Jeffrey Beckett) for a long time. She never read anything like his work as a wildlife journalist. Crimson’s nature and travel series was lucky to have someone of his caliber involved. Plus, he cleaned up nicely for man of the wild. Elizabeth helped Lucky into the house. His condition needed to be watched for the next 24 hours and since Doc and Laura were working, he was stuck with her. He said he guessed it was okay, and she said, just okay? They moved closer on the sofa and the doorbell rang. It was Carly with a food basket, asking, how’s the hero? At the café, Kristina asked if Alexis read the smack piece on Congressman Cutthroat, Drew’s new nickname. He’d used his political influence to get exhumation of esteemed members of the Quartermaine fam and in his quest for revenge, had Tracy arrested. Alexis wondered, what the hell he was thinking and how did they protect Scout? In Curtis’s office, Laura asked if he was behind the article and Curtis said he was. She told him, way to go, and they high-fived. Drew brought flowers to Willow at the hospital, and she suggested they go to the breakroom. He asked if the article got to her and was she embarrassed seen with him. Portia asked Ric to tell her that he found a way out without her losing her career or marriage, but he said it was much worse than she thought.

Carly thanked Lucky and Elizabeth for figuring it out and bringing Cyrus to justice. She asked what Lucky was going to do now that he was home, but he said he had no plans. Carly said she was leaving so they could get into the basket (is that what we’re calling it now?), and she left. Lucky asked Elizabeth, where were we? Nina said although Jeffrey was there for a fitting and photoshoot, she was glad they had time to meet, and he said he didn’t get many calls from magazines. She said they were branching out to satisfy their readers interest in travel and nature, and they talked about his next trip to Turkey. (BTW, dude is no actor.) Nina asked how his wife felt about him being gone all the time, and he said he wasn’t married, but had the feeling he was going to meet someone special soon and had learned to trust his instincts. Nina was straightening his tie, when Ava came in. Alexis looked at the photo of a mean faced Drew on her tablet, and told Kristina, of course (🍷) DeWitt wrote it. That seedy little worm would write anything for clicks. Kristina said she remembered too well when he wrote about her and Blaze, but Drew deserved it. Alexis said, Scout didn’t. There had to be something she could do to protect Scout. Willow told Drew that The Invader was nothing but lies, but she felt like all eyes were on them and wanted to keep a low profile. It had nothing to do with her feelings for him. She asked if he knew who was behind the article, and he said, no, but he had his suspicions. Ric told Portia that if she’d just altered the results, she might lose her job, but the results were tied to a criminal trial, and she faced the possibility of jail time. She could be charged with obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence, fraud, and criminal negligence. If he hadn’t gotten independent tests done, Heather could have wrongfully ended up in prison. Keep playing by Drew’s rules and make sure he never tells anyone. Portia said it was too late. Drew was going to expose her today.

Dante told Chase that he and Lulu ended up babysitting Baily Lou together and both let their guards down. It was their first real talk since she’d woken up. The first time he felt they’d been in sync and had an honest conversation. They talked about Rocco, Charlotte, and Brook. He’d been defending Brook, and it made Lulu feel like he was picking her side. He had to stop doing it. Chase said he never would have thought the animosity would still be there, and Dante said, him too. It had been four years, but he had to be okay with it and let Lulu be Lulu. He didn’t want to be in the middle, but wanted to focus on Lulu being back in their lives and being happy again. Ava said she and Jeffrey had met when she had a Joel Sartore exhibit, and Jeffrey said he remembered. Nina said he was doing a new series for Crimson, and he asked how they knew each other. Ava said they were good friends, and he said good friends were hard to come by. Ava said they certainly were. Kristina said she had a favor to ask Willow. She’d had a video chat with Michael and he missed the kids. Willow said, the kids missed him too, and Kristina asked it would be okay for her to take videos of the kids sending messages to their dad and send them to Michael. He needed all the support he could get. Willow said the kids would love it and she appreciated the update. She had one condition – please focus on them and Michael and say nothing negative about Drew. Kristina told her that she’d never say anything bad in front of the kids. It wasn’t easy for them. Willow said she wished everyone was a bit more like Kristina. Portia told Ric about the article in the Invader. Drew would assume Curtis was behind it and if she couldn’t influence Curtis, Drew had no reason to keep her secret. But wasn’t what Drew was doing illegal? Ric said she couldn’t expose Drew without exposing herself, and she said it was going to be impossible to hide. He said she had two choices. Convince Drew that Curtis had nothing to do with the article or tell Curtis everything now. She might lose her job, but it was a chance to save her marriage. She said maybe she could save both. Lucky suggested he and Elizabeth have a date later, but thought they could get a head start. They kissed, when the door opened and Aiden walked in.

On the phone, Portia asked Curtis to stop by her office. It was important. Laura told Curtis that her opinion of Drew had changed. She hadn’t seen him do one thing he said he’d do during the campaign. (Welcome to politics!) All she’d seen him do was pose for the camera and abuse his power. She applauded anyone willing to expose him. Curtis said Drew’s biggest weakness was his need to be seen as a hero, and she wondered if they could use that to get him act like a hero. Alexis interrupted, but Laura said she was late again and left. Curtis said it was always a pleasure, and Alexis said she hoped he felt like that after what she was going to ask. Jeffrey left, and Ava said she could see Nina had moved on from Drew. Nina said she definitely had, but she wouldn’t be with a rugged wilderness man any time soon. She asked Ava, what’s up? and Ava said she’d had difficulty regarding her finances lately. Nina wondered if Ava was there to ask for a loan. At the hospital, Kristina was about to get in the elevator, when she saw Ric and turned around, but Ric followed her. He told her that her trip to the ballet with Avery wasn’t happening. Carly approached Willow and said she didn’t want to fight. She wouldn’t be there if she didn’t still genuinely care for Willow. She was worried how the negative press would affect her grandchildren. Wiley was old enough to hear things in school. Willow said she’d explain it was untrue, but Carly said it wasn’t. Drew was really doing these things. He’d sunk to a new low. Drew came out of nowhere, since he doesn’t do his actual job, and said, leave Willow alone. Did Carly ever mind her own business? Carly said if it affected her grandchildren and it was her business, but she’d be happy to talk to Congressman Cutthroat.

Dante told Chase that Lulu thought Rocco was acting strange because she was focused on finding Charlotte, but he didn’t think so. Chase said he was kind of the fun uncle and could talk to Rocco. Dante told him to go for it, and Chase said when they were Rocco’s age and distracted, it was about girls. Dante said he’d walked in on Danny and Rocco having an argument over girl. He never talked to his mom about that kind of thing. Chase asked if Dante thought his mom would have liked the girls he was with, and Dante said, one in particular. Elizabeth told Aiden that his dad was staying the night, and Aiden said he was sorry he’d miss it since he was staying at a friend’s house. Ava said she hated asking Nina for a favor. When she married Nikolas, she spent quite bit and thought she’d always have money. She had a generous settlement until the Cassadine curse kicked in. Nina said, of course (🍷) she was willing to give Ava a loan. She’d been waiting for Ava to ask. What took her so long? Drew told Carly that he didn’t care what names he was called. He wasn’t in the wrong. The Quartermaine crypt was on public land. She wondered how he could be the same man who held her at Virginia’s grave (irony!), and he said that was wrong, but this was wrong too. Carly said, it destroyed her and he was doing the same thing. Did family mean nothing to him? He said he was doing it to keep his place in the family that Tracy was stripping him from, and she said that wasn’t the way to do it. If he continued to justify his actions, she saw a recall in his future. Willow said Tracy was no saint. Drew was only fighting fire with fire. It was the only language Tracy understood, and Carly knew that better than anyone. Carly said she came to have a calm conversation with Willow, but there was no point, so she’d leave them to it. Kristina asked Ric, why not? and Ric said it wasn’t her dad’s day. She said it was a special one night only performance and it was impossible to get tickets. She’d talk to her dad and they could switch days. He said it would just confuse Avery, but Kristina said he was going to upset Avery just to get back at her. He said maybe she shouldn’t promise what she couldn’t deliver. Next time check a calendar.

Nina said, it wasn’t a loan, it was a gift, but Ava said she couldn’t. Not even from Nina. She’d have Ric draw up paperwork and a repayment schedule. Money could change things, people, and friendships, and she wouldn’t let it change theirs. Nina said it wouldn’t, but Ava said she’d lost their friendship once and didn’t want to risk it again. Nina said she felt the same way, when Carly came in and said she needed to talk to Nina. Ava said she and Nina would talk later and left. Nina asked, what’s the emergency? and Carly said it was about Drew and Willow. They had to put their plan in motion now. Sasha was waiting in an examining room when Willow came in. She said, Sasha was her next patient, and Sasha said if Willow had a problem with her, say it. Willow asked how Sasha could be such a hypocrite. Sasha turned on her the second she saw Willow kissing Michael’s uncle on 4th of July. Sasha said she didn’t, and Willow said Sasha did way worse. She dated Michael and now she was pregnant by his other uncle. (Wow. That’s a stretch to say that’s worse.) Drew went to Portia’s office and said he was disappointed in her. He thought she’d get Curtis to see reason and move on. Instead, he’s the one behind the article. Portia said she didn’t think so. The Quartermaines were a huge family. It could have been anybody. Curtis had Aurora Media, so why would he use a rag like The Invader when he had reputable sources at his fingertips. Drew said she had a good point, but it could be a great point if she could convince Curtis to do a series of articles focusing on him being a family man, a hard-working congressman (ha-ha-ha! he’s never at work), and an ex-Navy SEAL. Portia said if she defended him any more than she was, it would tip off Curtis, and he said that was unfortunate for her. She said it was one thing to go after Curtis directly, but it was a whole other thing to go after him through his wife. If he found out Drew was blackmailing her, he’d go to a whole other level. Was Drew sure he was ready to take that on? Alexis told Curtis that it was about the article in The Invader. Drew came across as a villain and Tracy a hapless innocent. Nothing could be further from the truth. Curtis asked, which part? and Alexis said, DeWitt wasn’t going to publish a retraction, but she was hoping Curtis might write an article present Drew as more balanced to protect his image. She was worried about the public turning on him and how her granddaughter would feel. Curtis had the resources to help. He said he was sympathetic about Scout, but Drew made himself look bad, not the article. He valued her friendship, but couldn’t help. Did she ever think that by shielding Drew from the consequences of his actions and not holding him accountable, that she was enabling him? Aiden told Elizabeth and Lucky that he was meeting his friends at the movies. It was nice having them together. Aiden left, Lucky said, alone at last, and they started kissing again. Ava came back to her apartment to find Kristina waiting outside her door.

Elizabeth and Lucky began to get busy, when the doorbell rang. Laura said she was sorry she didn’t call, but wanted to thank Elizabeth for bringing Lucky home. She hugged Lucky and suggested they all have dinner tonight. Lucky said, that would be perfect, and he and Elizabeth forced smiles. Ava asked what brought Kristina by, and Kristina said she ran into Ric, and he said she couldn’t take Avery to the ballet. Ava said it was her day and Avery’s schedule had to stay consistent. Kristina said it wasn’t about Avery. It was about getting back at her. Ava was going to deprive Avery of a magical night that would be a core memory lasting a lifetime. Ava said Avery was still going, but with her. The theater owner was a friend, and she got front row center. Kristina said, bitch, and Ric popped out, telling her to watch her temper. Remember the last time she lost it. She said there was a special place in hell for both of them. Chase told Dante that Rocco would grow out of it. They did. He was glad Dante talked to Lulu. Dante said he was relieved. He asked how things were going with Brook, and Chase said, the same. They didn’t know how they were going to become parents. Dante said, take their time. Whatever happened, Chase was going to be a great dad. He was a natural. Chase said it meant a lot coming from him, and Dante said Chase could come to him with everything. Chase said with his dad gone and Finn in Seattle, there weren’t a lot of guys to talk to. His friendship with Dante was important to him. Dante said it was to him too. Sasha said her and Willow’s situations weren’t remotely similar. She and Michael were long over. Willow said she thought there were more similarities than Sasha was willing to admit. The one big difference was, her mom was never a con artist. (Um…) Sasha said Willow didn’t know her mother, and Willow said when Sasha’s plan didn’t work out with Michael’s money, she went after Jason. Sasha said Willow was so, so wrong, and suggested they talk about Willow landing her husband’s very wealthy very uncle. Coincidence? Speaking of coincidence, she thought the article about Drew was what was bothering Willow. It made her realize she’d thrown her life away. She blew up her life and family over a sleaze and couldn’t admit she was wrong.

Portia told Drew that there had to be another way she could help that wasn’t about Curtis writing a puff piece. Drew said they could do a press conference. He could discuss his pediatric sports initiative (🍷– new drinking game! you’ll see) and she could represent GH. Portia said she didn’t see how it would help, but Drew aid, her being there would force Curtis to cover the story and paint him in the best possible light. Curtis walked in and asked what the hell Drew was doing there. Carly told Nina to stall Willow. Keep Willow at her place or find her a place of her own. Whatever it took to keep her and the kids from moving in with Drew. Drew was pushing it and they had to believe somehow Willow knew it was a bad idea. The longer they could keep Willow from moving in with Drew, the better. Meanwhile, they’d work on exposing Drew. Nina asked how she suggested they do it, and Carly said they needed to get in his house and find something so undeniable that Willow would never look at him the same way. Nina asked, what if there was nothing to find? and Carly said they’d make sure there was.

Thursday:

Jason and Anna were flying back to Port Charles with Charlotte. Charlotte wanted to call her mom, but Anna said, hold on. Maxie, Lulu, and Carly were at a table at the MetroCourt, when Jack came in with Jordan. Jordan told Jack that she was the liaison for the WSB, and he said he didn’t think the mayor was his biggest fan. Jordan said, if they eased the tension, it would be better for sharing information. The WSB possessed information that was helpful. Jack asked what she’d like to know, and she said, not what, but who. What did he know about Jenz Sidwell?  Portia wondered if there was another way for her to help Drew that didn’t involve Curtis writing a puff piece, and Drew said he was having a press conference to discuss his pediatric sports initiative (🍷) and she could represent GH. It would force Curtis to print a story painting him in a positive light. Curtis came in and asked what the hell Drew was doing there, and Drew said he was presenting a business proposal to Curtis’s wife. Curtis asked Portia to tell him what was going on. Sasha said, when the article dropped, Willow realized she blew up her life and family over a sleaze and couldn’t admit she was wrong. Willow said she was absolutely wrong to cheat on Michael, but who was Sasha to judge her? No one knew what led up to it except her, Drew, and Michael. Sasha asked if she was sure about that. Lucas was about to leave the bar in Miami when he found a credit card on the floor. As he looked at it, a man approached and said he believed it was his.  Elizabeth asked if Lucky was expecting anyone else to pop in, and he said, no. Her? She said, nope. It was just them for the rest of the night. He said he liked the sound of that and she said she did too, and they kissed.

Anna said she wanted to wait until they were in Port Charles before letting Lulu know Charlotte was back, and Charlotte asked if Anna thought those men would find her papa. Jason said Valentin made the right call by letting her come with them. He could move faster alone. Anna said there was no one better at disappearing and the men didn’t stand a chance, but she knew that didn’t make it hurt less. Jack told Jordan that Sidwell’s dealings in rare earth and minerals weren’t just gold and diamonds. The minerals he spoke of were strictly regulated by those in weapons manufacturing. Jordan asked if he thought that’s why Sidwell was in Port Charles. Did he want to use their port to smuggle his goods? He said there was no evidence of it, but it was in both their interests to keep an eye on Sidwell. Was there something she wanted to share with the class? She said she had one interesting tidbit. Carly was making a valiant effort not to notice him, but failing miserably. Lulu asked, what’s so fascinating? but Carly said, nothing. Lulu asked why she was staring at Jack, but Carly said she was just making sure her patrons were happy. Why would she care who Jack spent time with? While Portia was busy on the phone, Drew told Curtis that he was spearheading a pediatric sports initiative (🍷). He was surprised Trina hadn’t mentioned it since her friend Kai was involved, lending them his local celebrity status. Curtis said, and Drew was in his wife’s office because… Drew said she was Co-Chief of Staff and the initiative involved GH. Portia had already agreed to be at the press conference. Portia said she wished Drew wouldn’t put words in her mouth.

Elizabeth’s doorbell rang and she said it was like Grand Central Station. She opened the door to Ric and told him it wasn’t the best time, but he said it was important and would just take a minute. Lucky said he thought this night couldn’t get better, and Ric said he wanted to start by thanking Lucky. In Miami, the man said that Lucas found his card and offered to show Lucas his ID, but Lucas said it wasn’t necessary. The man introduced himself as Marco and offered to buy Lucas a drink as thanks. Sasha said everyone saw Willow mooning over Drew. She found excuses to be with or around him and even Michael noticed. Willow said her and Michael’s issues started before Sasha moved in and they all made mistakes – her, Drew, and Michael. Sasha said she thought the only mistake Michael made was trusting Willow. Willow told Michael that it was just a harmless crush, that her heart was still with him and the kids. He believed her and when he found out she acted on her feelings, he was devastated. So yes, Sasha would judge her and not feel bad about it. Willow said Sasha got pregnant at the beginning of November, around the time Jason was mourning Sam, and Sasha said, Jason and Sam hadn’t been together in years. Willow said, but their love story was epic and an obstacle to anyone who wanted Jason. (Is she confusing Sam with Carly?) Sasha saw an opening and took it. (This is possibly the most difficult suspension of disbelief for me, since Sasha could so get Willow fired.)

Jason asked why Anna didn’t want Charlotte to call Lulu, and Anna said she didn’t think the WSB would go after Charlotte, but if Brennan didn’t send the men, someone else had a vested interest in shutting Valentin up permanently. Jason said, it might be easier to use Charlotte to lure Valentin than find him, and Anna said, Charlotte’s phone could be tapped. She needed to contact someone else first. Marco said he was in Miami for a client meeting, and Lucas said he was there for a medical symposium. His ex was also on the trip, and it didn’t end well. Portia said she hadn’t given Drew an answer yet, and Drew said, it was just wishful thinking. Portia said the program was his baby and he should take all the credit, but Drew said it was a partnership. What happened to one of them would happen to the other, and the intention was to benefit the kids. Portia said then she’d do it, and Drew said it was a worthy cause. It would also generate a ton if positive publicity for GH, creating an influx of donors, which would help all of the patients. He knew how quickly things would change, and bringing money in would help her keep her position. Curtis said it would also help people forget Congressman Cutthroat, and Drew said he’d like to offer Curtis and Aurora the opportunity to cover the kick off. Willow said, while she was acting on her sincere feelings, Sasha acted out of greed. Jason was wealthy and adding the Quartermaine connection, her having his baby was the best con she ever pulled. Sasha wondered, what about Willow telling Michael that she would love, honor, and cherish him until death they did part? Think what she wanted about Sasha’s choices, but she didn’t break any vows or hearts. Willow said, give it time, and left. Anna called Jack and told him that she had Charlotte Cassadine. He said he didn’t suppose she had Valentin as well, and she said, negative. They were on a jet and would be at the Sussex airfield in an hour. She needed him to bring Lulu there without alerting anyone. Was it something he could do? He said, not a problem, and Anna told Jason that Jack was going to meet them on the tarmac. Jason asked if she was sure about trusting Jack. How did she know the men weren’t lying, were there under Jack’s orders, and they were delivering him the means to eliminate Valentin?

 Anna said, Jack may be on the hunt, but he knew if anything happened to Charlotte on his watch, Carly would never forgive him. Jason said Jack didn’t care about Carly, but Anna said he did. When it came to Carly, he didn’t have an ulterior motive. She thought he was smitten. She wasn’t saying he was a good guy, but he wanted to see Charlotte reunited with her mother as much as they did. Ric thanked Lucky for saving Elizabeth and gave Elizabeth a manila envelope. He said it was a hard copy of the Medical Review Board’s final decision. She was officially exonerated from responsibility in the deaths of Sylvia Mullen, Dex Heller, and Sam McCall. He also got her back pay for the days of work she was forced to miss. She thanked him, and he said his only regret was that Terry had to call him to represent her. It was good to have such a good friend, but Elizabeth should have called him in the first place. She said she didn’t know Terry had called and didn’t know how serious it was until she was in the middle of it. He said if she ever needed a lawyer or wondered if she might, he should be her first call. He couldn’t bust down doors or duke it out with lunatics, but if she called, he’d always pick up. Lucky rolled his eyes. Marco said Lucas’s ex being there couldn’t be easy, and Lucas said, ex-husband. Marco asked how long they were married, and Lucas said, three years and they had a son. He apologized and said, Marco offered to buy him a drink, not listen to his sob story, and Marco ordered two more. He said he loved long stories, the sobbier, the better. Tell him about his son.

Curtis said Aurora wasn’t the only game in town and Drew could find another media outlet, but Drew said, Curtis’s wife was on board. It would look bad if Curtis didn’t cover it. It was a win-win for all of them. Curtis said he needed time to think about it, and Drew said, fair enough. He left, and Curtis said, what the hell was that? Maxie, Lulu, and Carly discussed the Quartermaine crypt incident, and Jack told Jordan that he hated to cut the evening short. Jordan’s phone rang, and she said she’d be there as soon as she could. Jack went to Lulu and said he was sorry to interrupt, but she had to come with him. It was urgent. Lulu asked if it was about the search for Valentin, but he said he couldn’t give her any details. She’d have to trust him. Carly said she could trust Jack, and Lulu left with him. Maxie asked Carly, what was going on with her and Agent Brennan? Anna thanked Jason for coming and having her back. He didn’t need to get involved. He said he did, but Anna said she let Valentin escape. Jason said he went along with it, and she said, because she asked him to. He said he chose to. It was on him too. They both let Valentin take Charlotte. Anna said, and now they were bringing her back. Lucas told Marco that he gave Wiley back to his father, he and Brad got divorced, and Brad spent six months in prison. Marco said Lucas’s ex must have loved him. He did a terrible thing, but believed it was to spare Lucas pain. He risked his freedom. He risked everything. Lucas said Marco was the first person to hear the story and have that reaction, and Marco asked if Lucas disagreed. Lucas said, no. That was the part that killed him. He knew Brad did it because Brad loved him. He’d always wanted a family of their own, and Brad thought it would break his heart not to have a child, so Brad gave him one. Marco said, and broke his heart anyway, and Lucas said, it hurt a lot of other people, and no amount of love or good intentions can change that. Marco said, it couldn’t erase Lucas’s time with Wiley or Brad either. Wiley may not be his son, but was still a part of him. He was a child of Lucas’s heart and always would be. Lucas said he had a year and a half of being a dad. The memory was his forever, and no one could take it away. Ric told Elizabeth to put the papers in her records asap, and she went upstairs. Lucky suggested Ric send a messenger next time, and Ric asked if he detected hostility. Lucky said, just impatience, and Ric said he meant it when he said Lucky was a hero. And it got him a nice comfy spot to recover. Lucky said it was harder when random people kept dropping by with unnecessary things, and Ric asked if he could drop Lucky off at his mother’s so she could tuck him in. Lucky said thanks for the offer, but he was solid, and Ric said, that was the first word that came to mind when someone thought about Lucky – solid and reliable. Elizabeth could do so much better. Lucky said, like with Ric? Portia told Curtis that she agreed with Drew about the initiative. It would be good for the kids and for the entire hospital. As a doctor and as a mother, she had to support it, no matter what she thought or felt about Drew.

Curtis said if it was just Drew, there was no way he’d get involved, but did Portia want him to cover it? She said she did, for the reasons she said, but also for Trina. Kai was involved and Curtis’s support would mean so much. Don’t let Drew’s awfulness keep him from contributing to a good cause. Don’t let Drew have that kind of power. Jordan went to Drew’s office and said she didn’t have much time. Make it quick. He told her that he was having a press conference to announce his pediatric sports initiative (🍷). Portia agreed to be part of it and he was hoping Aurora would provide coverage. He’d love for her to be there as a representative of the mayor’s office. Jordan said, give her a break. Drew was trying to get himself a nice bouquet to cover the stench of The Invader article. Drew asked if she was going to help organize the support of the community or walk away just to spite him. Jordan said she’d take it under consideration, and left. Lulu asked why they were watching a jet landing and Jack said her daughter was on it. He didn’t have any details, but Anna told him to bring her. He assumed it was to secure her safety. Lulu started to cry and said she couldn’t believe it. Her daughter…

Marco asked if Lucas was doing better, and Lucas said he wasn’t in Boston drowning himself in work. He’d gone to Boston, didn’t date at all, and barely had contact with his friends and family. Marco asked, what changed? and Lucas said his mom died. Marco said he was sorry to hear that, and Lucas said, it was a wake-up call. Our time here was so limited, and they had to do as much with it as they could. Love people while they were still here. Marco said, so he went home, and Lucas said he still worked a lot. There was no action on the dating front, but he wasn’t hiding from life, so there was that. Marco said it was a lot. It took courage to face the things that scared you. How was it? Lucas said his family and friends were great. Shockingly, it hadn’t been so horrible seeing Brad. Marco said, it stirred up old emotions, and Lucas said, sort of. He remembered why they fell in love and how happy they were once upon a time. Brad helped him through a terrible time and made him less lonely. Marco said someone who did that would always have a place in your heart. Not the place they used to, but a place. Lucas said, when he found out Brad was at the symposium, he thought it was a sign. Brad was the kind, supportive person he fell for, and he started to feel something he hadn’t felt in a very long time. They were just at the brink of putting it back together, but then Brad decided to tell him how he got to go on the trip, and he’s still the same lying manipulative person he was. Still driven by love for him, but maybe that was the problem. Marco said, love? and Lucas said it couldn’t be the only answer to loneliness. Marco said, companionship came in all shapes and sizes, and Lucas said maybe it was as simple as finding a gorgeous man and taking it from there. He added, more accurately, from here, and kissed Marco. Jordan went to see Portia and said she spoke to Drew about his new pediatric sports initiative (🍷), and Portia said he asked her to be at the press conference. Jordan said she heard Portia was on board. Drew also said Aurora might get involved. Is that the truth?

Carly told Maxie that she and Jack’s lives were incompatible, and Maxie asked how he took it. Carly said, quietly. He walked away and she hasn’t seen him until now. Maxie said it sounded like the rejection hurt his feelings, but Carly said Jack had a woman in every city. She was just the one in Port Charles. She couldn’t go down that road when Jack would never commit. Maxie asked, to what? What kind of commitment was Carly looking for? Sasha got her ultrasound, and the nurse (not Willow) asked if she’d like to know the sex. Coming out of the elevator, Drew saw Willow and asked if she was okay. She seemed down. Willow said she was coming from a difficult patient, and Drew said he wouldn’t blame her if she’d let the Congressman Cutthroat nonsense get to her, but she said she already told him that she didn’t read that garbage and didn’t listen to anyone who told her about it. He said it seemed like there was more than just a difficult patient that got to her. Anna and Jason brought Charlotte to Lulu.

Ric said he’d get out of Elizabeth’s hair, and she thanked him for everything. He told her that he meant what he said, and she asked if he wasn’t trying to annoy Lucky. He said it was an added bonus, but he wanted her to be happy. He left and Elizabeth said, finally, they were alone, but Lucky had fallen asleep. Maxie asked what Carly was looking for. Did she want to settle down and get married? Carly said she would be happy never to be married again, and Maxie wondered if she could possibly be overthinking things. If she died tomorrow, would she regret not sleeping with Jack? Curtis said he was going to cover the press conference, and Jordan said, if they were on board, she’d be there. She left, and Portia thanked Curtis. Curtis thanked her for helping see the right thing to do and they hugged. Willow told Drew that she could handle it and so could he, but Scout and Wiley were a different story. Drew said he was working on reminding everyone of the good work he was doing on behalf of the citizens. The old headlines would be gone and forgotten. It was going to work out. Willow told him that when he said it, she believed it, and they kissed. Sasha came out and looked at her sonogram, then saw Drew and Willow. Lucas asked Marco, what now? and Marco said he thought Lucas should give him his room key. Lucas slid the key to Marco. Charlotte and Lulu hugged, and Lulu said, Charlotte was finally home.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada:

We see bingo cards and tchotchkes being set out. Yuri says, O-65, retire and thrive… Correct? Gloria says, perfect, and Gio says he never heard that before. Got it! Lois says she’s got nothing, and Gloria says she taught Yuri all the bingo lingo. That man is a natural. Gio says he can’t believe she brought her bingo kit from Bensonhurst, and Gloria says she never leaves home without it. Yuri says, call your doctor. Time for a shot of B-12. Gio says, bingo! and shows his card. Gloria says, a four-corner win, and Lois says she’s impressed. It’s hard to beat ma. Gloria says, they all know Gio is a star and can do pretty much anything, when Brook walks in. She says, of course (🍷) Gloria brought her bingo set with her, and Gloria says she can’t risk getting rusty. Gio says, Brook can take his spot. He’s got to meet Emma. Gloria says, Brook is lucky. That seat is hot. Yuri says he’ll bring the car around for Gio, and Gio tells them, see you later, and leaves. Gloria says, Emma? and Brook says, Emma Scorpio Drake. She’s the Police Commissioner’s granddaughter. Gloria asks, what’s going on with them? and Brook wonders if they’re all going to pretend they just found out, when all along they knew the baby was Dante’s.

On the phone, Laura says she doesn’t want to be interrupted… Yes, it’s that important.

Lulu brings Charlotte home to Laura’s apartment and looks at her. Charlotte says, it’s okay. She’s really here. Lulu says she can’t believe it. She’s been dreaming about this for so long. She smooths Charlotte’s hair and says, there’s so much she wants to tell her, but she wanted to wait until they were alone. They hug, and Lulu says, thank God she’s here and safe. Charlotte says, don’t thank God. Thank papa.

Sonny thanks Isaiah for making a house call, since doctors don’t do that anymore, but Isaiah says, some do for some patients. Sonny says he appreciates it. He doesn’t want his children knowing about his condition. Isaiah says, he’s welcome. His blood pressure is a lot better. Sonny actually seems to be listening to his advice. Sonny says he’s been taking his medication and reducing stress. He even called a truce with his daughter’s mother. It seemed to help. Kristina walks in with Rocco and asks, what’s going on? Rocco asks if Sonny is okay.

At Trina’s apartment, Kai asks if their third date is living up to their first, and Trina says, when he asked her to the museum, he didn’t say it was a date. On Valentine’s Day, she didn’t know it was a date, so it doesn’t count. And since they’re staying in tonight, this doesn’t either. He says, Valentine’s Day was definitely a date and so was painting. They were good dates too. What can he do to make tonight feel more datelike? Would a kiss help? She says, it might, and they kiss. She says, yeah. It definitely feels like a date now, and they kiss again.

On the phone in his hotel room, Jack asks, what’s the update on Josslyn Jax… Is that right? Good to hear. Keep pushing her. There’s a knock at the door and he says, they’ll talk tomorrow. He opens the door to Carly and says, if he remembers correctly, the last time they spoke, she wanted nothing to do with him. So what is she doing here now? She says, fixing a huge mistake, and kisses him.

Trina’s phone rings, but she says she’ll ignore it. Kai says, what if it’s an emergency? and she answers. She asks Ava, what’s going on? and Ava says, thank God. She locked herself out of the gallery and can’t find her key. It’s freezing and her phone is dying. Can Trina come quickly please? Trina tells Kai that Ava locked herself out of the gallery and needs to be let in before she freezes. He says he gets it. Ava is her boss and friend. He was about to head out anyway. Trina thanks him for being cool about it. She’ll see him tomorrow. He says, for sure, and leaves.  

Gloria says, no one is pretending anything. Brook’s been avoiding her all day and she thought that meant Brook didn’t want to talk about it. Brook tells Gloria that she didn’t know what to say. Finding out Gloria knew all along knocked the wind out of her. Gloria says she’s sorry to hear that, and Brook says she told her ma alone. She had no idea Lois ran off and told Gloria. It makes her wonder who else knows.

Lulu says she’s glad Charlotte’s father kept her safe, but she wouldn’t have been in danger in the first place if he hadn’t taken her on the run. Charlotte asks why it matters. She’s here now only because of her papa. Lulu says she didn’t even know Charlotte was coming until before the plane landed. How did Anna and Jason know where she was? Charlotte says, papa texted Rocco and told him where they were. He thought Rocco would tell Lulu and Lulu would come and get her, but Jason found out. Lulu says, Valentin wanted Charlotte back in Port Charles because he was worried about her safety after someone took a shot at him in the Prague café. Charlotte says, he was trying to do what was best for her, even if it means he doesn’t see her every day anymore, and Lulu says, Rocco didn’t tell her that he’d gotten the text. She would have been on the first plane. Charlotte says, papa thought so too, and Lulu says, Rocco’s been avoiding her and she couldn’t figure out why. It makes sense now. She never once gave up hope that Charlotte would come home. Charlotte says she knows, and Lulu says she wishes it had been her that came to get Charlotte, not Anna and Jason. Charlotte says, actually, she was glad Lulu wasn’t there.

Jack says he thought Carly didn’t want to do this, but Carly says she overthought it. It’s what she does and it’s not great. She shouldn’t have thought the worst about him. He says, she changed her mind and he’s supposed to forget and be at her beck and call? How does he know she won’t change her mind again tomorrow? She says, he doesn’t, but she won’t, and he says, he knew she had doubts, but he thought it was about the WSB and how dangerous his job is. She’d be putting herself at risk. But she questioned his character and his feelings for her. That’s a very different thing. She says she knows, and he says he was very clear and very consistent about the way he feels. If she still doubts his intentions, she was right to end whatever it is they had. She says she was completely wrong. That’s why she’s here. He asks, what changed her mind? They haven’t not spoken, so it’s not him. Why the change of heart?

Sonny tells Kristina, everything is fine. He’s just under the weather and called Lucky to get ahold of Dr. Gannon to check him out. They know each other? Kristina says, they met at Charlie’s. Nice to see him. Isaiah says, her too, and she says she brought Rocco by to see the new place. Rocco says, it’s not new. He’s been here, but not since Charlotte lived here. Sonny says he made some changes, especially in the backyard. Does Rocco want to check it out? Rocco says, cool, and he and Sonny leave. Isaiah says he’s going to go, but Kristina says, if her dad had a cold, he would have had Isaiah call in a prescription, not have him come to his home and examine him. What’s really going on with her dad?

Trina lets herself into the dark gallery and says she got here as fast as she could. She turns on the light and her family and friends yell, surprise! She says she can’t believe they did this, and Curtis says, she didn’t think they’d forget her birthday. Trina says she knows her parents are successful and driven and figured they’d be running the hospital and Aurora, but Portia says, they’re never too busy to celebrate their birthday girl. Stella asks if she can get in on that birthday love, and hugs Trina. Trina thanks her for coming, and Stella says she wouldn’t miss wishing Trina a happy birthday. She knows Trina is going to have an incredible year, and it will only get better. Trina says she likes the sound of that, and Stella says she was supposed to be a distraction, but she thought of someone better for the job. Trina sees Kai, who smiles at her, and Stella says, was she right or was she right? Trina says, she was right, as always.

Charlotte says she’s glad Lulu wasn’t there. It was so dangerous. After papa sent the text, Jason and Anna showed up and told them to run. Lulu says, it must have been terrifying, and Charlotte says, it was. She and papa hid, but they could hear everything. The WSB came in and Jason and Anna had to fight them off. She doesn’t think Lulu could take them on like that. Lulu says she’s scrappier than she looks and would do what it takes to keep Charlotte and her brother. Charlotte says she knows. She’s happy to be home, but it feels kinda weird. Lulu says, good weird or bad weird? and Charlotte says, good weird. Lulu says she knows the feeling. It will feel normal soon, she promises. Charlotte wonders how, without her papa.

Outside, Sonny asks what Rocco thinks, and Rocco says, looks good. Sonny asks if it’s missing anything, and Rocco says, Charlotte. It feels weird being here without her. Sonny asks if they’re close. Does he miss her a lot? Rocco says he does. Can he tell Sonny something? Sonny says, anything, and Rocco says he got a text from Charlotte, but didn’t tell either of his parents. He remembered how dangerous it was last time. He told Danny, who told his dad, and Jason promised to bring Charlotte home. Sonny says, he did the right thing. He was looking out for his family and in a tough spot, but he handled it like a champ. Rocco says, but he hasn’t heard from Jason. What if he can’t find Charlotte? Sonny says, Jason is good at finding people, but if Rocco doesn’t hear from him soon, he’ll step in. Rocco thanks him, and Sonny says, you’ve got it.

Isaiah says, whatever questions Kristina has, the answer is the same. Talk to her dad. Kristina says, since he’s here, there must be something to ask about that he’s not telling her, and he says, ask her dad. Kristina says she thinks he’d tell her if it was bad, but he doesn’t have to. Obviously, it’s bad if he’s here. If Sonny was fine, he wouldn’t be trying to cover it up. Isaiah says he’s not covering up anything. He’s respecting the oath he took and doctor/patient confidentiality, which is the law. She says she’s Sonny’s daughter. He’d tell her if Sonny was in the hospital. Be honest. It’s kind of the same thing. Isaiah says, it’s not, when Sonny and Rocco come back. Sonny asks, what’s going on? and Kristina says, Dr. Gannon confirmed something serious is going on. What is it? Sonny looks at Isaiah, who shakes his head.

Jack asks, what changed? and Carly says she realized that life is short. If something happened to either one of them, she’d regret not exploring whatever this is. She’s sorry. She was wrong. And she doesn’t usually admit to either. He says, sorry for what? and she says, not trusting him. She saw him with Vivian and Vivian was flirting. He was so nonchalant, it threw her, and she dismissed all the good things he’d done. But she realized ending things had nothing to do with him. He says, what about Vivian? and she says, that was just an excuse. She got so scared because of how much she was starting to feel for him. She tried to push him away and that’s not her. She’s not the kind of person to run from her feelings. He says, or much of anything else. Exactly what kind of person is she? She says, stick around and find out, and they kiss.

Lulu says, Charlotte knows she wishes Valentin could be here, for Charlotte’s sake. She’d love if it was different, but Charlotte is safer here and has stability. She can’t live life on the run. Charlotte says, it wasn’t that bad. She and papa saw a lot of different places and he made sure she had everything she needed. Lulu says, now that she has Charlotte here, there’s so much she wants to ask. She has so much to tell her and not just about Charlotte’s time away. Her time too. She missed so much in the last four years. Charlotte says she can’t wait to tell Lulu everything. She’s happy to be back home. It might not seem like it, but it is. Lulu says she knows Charlotte had a crazy day. Who is she kidding? Charlotte had a crazy year. Charlotte says she knows things were weird, but her papa always kept her safe and brought up Lulu whenever he could. Lulu says she knows how much Charlotte loves her papa, and she’s so grateful he kept her safe. She’s more grateful that he sent the text, so Charlotte would be brought home. She knows how hard it was for him. Charlotte says she couldn’t believe it when he told her, and Lulu says she’s sure it was lonely being out there with just her dad, and Charlotte says, it was. Lulu says, they need to make up for that. She’s going to make a quick call.

Gloria says she swears on the family bible. No one else knows about the baby. Brook asks how she can be sure, and Gloria says she’d never betray a trust that way. Lois says, listen to her grandma. Gloria knows all the family secrets and never let any of them slip. Gloria says she sensed something was eating away at Lois, and Lois says, Gloria had to pull it out of her. Brook asks why Gloria wouldn’t tell, and Gloria says she was respecting Brook’s privacy and the privacy of Brook’s mother. She never talked about it. Brook says, never? Not even at confession? Gloria says, not a word. She put it in the vault, and it stayed there where it belongs, and she suggests they do the same.  

Laura tells Trina, happy birthday, and hands her a giftbag. She says, these are from Ace. He made the card himself. Trina says, it’s ridiculously cute, and thanks Laura for letting him make it for her. She thanks Laura for being here, and Laura says, there’s no place else she’d rather be. Besides, she thinks it’s what Spencer would want, for her to be here. She knows last year was tough and she’s very glad to see Trina in a better place and willing to celebrate her birthday. Trina says, that doesn’t mean she forgot Spencer or doesn’t miss him every day, and Laura says she’d never think that about her. Neither of them will ever forget Spencer. He was one of a kind. Trina says, yeah, and Laura says, he loved her so much. He would be so happy to see how happy Trina is. She missed seeing the light in Trina’s eyes and she’s glad it’s back. Spencer would be very glad it’s back. Her phone rings, and she says, sorry. It’s her daughter. Trina moves on and Lulu asks if Laura can come home. She has a surprise for her.

Jack leads Carly to the bedroom. They get busy and there’s a song part.

Kai says he’s in a group of athletes who are working at the hospital, visiting sick kids in the pediatrics wing. He tries to spend as much time there as he can. It’s fun in the middle of the hard stuff. Trina says, it’s sweet of him to get involved, and he says he met the guy who came up with the program. He’s a congressman. Emma says, the guy who slept with his nephew’s wife? and Kai says, he seemed okay. He doesn’t know about the guy’s personal life and doesn’t care. The program is changing lives. Emma says, that part is great. Is he sure that he’s not taking on too much? If he wants to back out of her animal fundraiser, she understands. He says, since he’s not playing football, he has plenty of time, when Curtis comes out. He says, it’s time for cake, and the cake is brought out. Trina says, it’s gorgeous (agreed), and Portia says, sing Happy Birthday! They sing and Trina smiles. Kai says, make a wish, and Stella says, make it good. Trina blows out the candles and everyone applauds.  

As they bask in the afterglow, Jack says, this isn’t at all what he expected when he opened the door and saw Carly standing there. She says, he showed up at her hotel room and gave her one hell of a kiss in Germany. She thought she’d return the favor. He says he’s glad she did. He’s been thinking about this for a long time. She says, her too.

Laura comes into the apartment and is immediately absorbed in taking off her coat. She says, sorry she’s late. She got stuck at the party saying goodbye to so many people…  She sees Charlotte, quietly freaks out, and they hug.  

Gio gives Trina a giftbag and says, it’s from Josslyn. She’s sorry she couldn’t be here, but she’s still in Easter Island. She made sure she had it sent to the Quartermaines’ in trust of him delivering it. Trina takes out a sleep-aid set and says, Josslyn is amazing. Josslyn knows she has a hard time sleeping. She loves Josslyn so much. Stella says, here’s the last one, and Emma says, it’s from her. The guy in the bookstore said it’s a must have. Trina opens the present and it’s the same art book Spencer got her shortly after they met. She thanks Emma and says, it’s amazing. She thanks everybody for all the thoughtful, amazing gifts and says, go have another slice of cake and more to drink and just party. Portia tells Trina, happy birthday, and kisses her cheek. Trina looks sadly at the book.

Isaiah says he didn’t tell Kristina anything, and Sonny asks if Rocco doesn’t have homework. Kristina says, since Isaiah is on his way out, could he drop Rocco home at the Quartermaines’? Isaiah says he’d be happy to, and Rocco thanks Sonny for the tour. Sonny says, anytime, and Rocco leaves with Isaiah. Kristina says, Sonny knows she’s going to find out. What’s going on? She can always tell when he’s lying, so tell her. Whatever it is, it’s worse in her head. What she’s imagining isn’t good. What’s going on? Sonny says he doesn’t want her to worry. What he’s got is treatable. He’s fine. She says, treatable? Just tell her what’s going on. He says, there’s something wrong with his heart.

Lulu asks if Charlotte is sure she’s all right, and Charlotte says she’s fine. Just tired. She’s going to go shower. Laura suggests she lie down and get some rest, and Charlotte says, that’s probably a good idea. Laura says, they can catch up tomorrow. She wants to hear about everything Charlotte was doing. Charlotte says, most of it was boring, and Lulu says, don’t get too comfortable. She’s got the idea there might be more visitors. Laura says she’s really happy Charlotte is home, and Charlotte goes to shower. Laura asks if they found Valentin, but Lulu says, no. He’s still out there somewhere, but he’s the reason Charlotte is here. Charlotte said he took good care of her and made sure Charlotte didn’t forget her. Laura says, that doesn’t surprise her. She knows how much Valentin loves Charlotte, but she’s still better off away from him. Lulu agrees and says she hopes he stays away for Charlotte’s sake.

Brook says, all these years, she thought she was keeping the secret from Gloria, but Gloria was keeping the same secret from her. Gloria says, if the devil himself was mad at her for not telling, so be it. She would do anything for Brook. She would suffer anything. As long as her girls and their future was protected. She loves them both so much. Lois says, they love her too… even though sometimes she makes it hard, and Brook says, yeah, but this brought up so many things she wasn’t letting herself think about for so many years. It’s going to take time to wrap her head around it. (Hello 1960s!) Lois tells her, take all the time she needs. They’ll be here when she’s ready. Brook leaves.

Jack tells Carly that he needs to refresh and is taking a quick shower. He gets out of bed and heads for the shower and says, that was an invitation to join him. She says she knows, but someone has to answer the door for room service, and she’s a little bit thirsty. He says, suit herself, and she stays in the bed, looking all happy. She hears him singing in the shower and gets up.

Gio says, Emma’s been great lately, and she asks what he means. He says, she put an activist group together and moved forward. She kept him company at the crypt and gave Kai a good pep talk. She asks why he’s surprised, and he says, the first times they met, she didn’t come across as someone who would do that. She seems different. She says, this is who she is now, and he says, it makes him wonder who the real Emma is. She says she’d like to know her too.

Stella asks Curtis about meeting with Congressman Henderson, and Curtis says, he helped with some obstacles. Drew is now focused on his pediatric sports initiative (🍷) and he’s planning a press conference. Portia is going to talk, and Aurora Media is covering it. He hates that he’s helping rehab Drew’s image. Stella suggests he pick his battle. He can elevate Portia, but if he gets in the way, he could hinder her success. She deserves to shine. Drew be damned.

Portia thanks Ava for referring Ric and being there, and Ava says, of course (🍷). She thanks Portia for confiding in her. If the truth came out, it could hurt Trina. Portia says, it could have been devastating.

Trina slips out of the party.

Ava tells Portia, Drew has a lot of powerful enemies – Nina, Carly, Curtis, Jason, Michael. All the Quartermaines hate him and it’s only a matter of time before his house of cards collapses and one of his many other enemies takes care of him for her. Portia says, someone needs to do something and do it soon.

Curtis can’t find Trina and hopes she’s okay, but Stella says she was here quite a while. It was almost like having the old Trina back, but she might have gotten overwhelmed. A party like this might have had her thinking about Spencer. Curtis says he hates to think it put a black mark on Trina’s special night, but Stella says, it didn’t. Grief doesn’t have a timeline and it’s often felt in our happiest moments.

Kai looks around the party, then sends a text.

Sitting on the window seat in her dark apartment, Trina takes out the art book Spencer gave her. She looks at the inscription and holds the book to her chest.

Lois checks to make sure Brook is gone, and Gloria says, if Brook is this upset about finding out she knew about the baby, imagine how angry she’ll be that they know who the baby is. Lois says she knows, and Gloria says, Brook can never know, and what they did tonight proved why.

Rocco comes home and Lulu asks, how was grandpa’s house? Rocco says, he changed stuff, and it was weird without Charlotte. Charlotte comes out and says, it doesn’t have to be weird anymore, and they hug.

Carly joins Jack in the shower, and he says he had a feeling she’d change her mind. She tells him, make room, but before she can take her robe off, there’s a knock at the door. She says she’ll be right back, and he gives her a kiss and says, hurry.

Kristina says, Sonny has a heart condition? How long has this been going on? He says he’s okay. He’s fine. She says, then why didn’t he want to tell her? and he says, she’d worry for no reason. She says, of course (🍷) she’d worry. What did Dr. Gannon say? He says, it’s from an injury that happened a long time ago and Isaiah put him on the right path. He’ll have to do a procedure, but everything will be fine. He just has to reduce stress. She says, that’s why he agreed to joint custody. he didn’t want the stress of a trial. He says, that’s part of the reason. He didn’t want to watch Ric put her and Avery on the stand. He didn’t want to put either of his daughters through that.  

Carly finds a serving cart in the hallway with a bucket of champagne and two glasses on it. She makes a happy sound, brings them into the room, and closes the door. Valentin comes out from around the corner, and boy, does he look pissed.

On Monday, Anna says, the marshal is here to serve an arrest warrant; Brook says, Drew picked a fight with the wrong broad: and Jack tells Carly, don’t! and knocks the glass out of her hand.  

🧼  All the Soap News Fit To Print…

It looks like there will be a new lawyer in town and maybe a love interest for Lucas.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adrian-anchondo-cast-as-marco-on-general-hospital

Gloria returns!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ellen-travolta-returns-to-general-hospital-2

Maybe he had a good time, but it was painful to watch. This guy is no actor. He sounded like he was reading it and didn’t even read it well.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/the-golden-bachelorettes-guy-gansert-guests-on-gh

Two requests of the fans.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-cameron-mathison-makes-a-special-request

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/eva-larues-warning-to-her-fans

Side gigs. I haven’t read Jon Lindstrom’s book yet, but I want to. Although now I can just wait and see the movie. Well done!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jon-lindstroms-book-to-become-a-movie

I don’t know how exciting this is, but if she’s happy, I’m happy.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-announces-an-exciting-new-project

This was weird/sad, but it sounded like he was getting treatment.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/rick-springfield-learns-he-has-brain-damage

Victor has moved on from the building.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/days-of-our-lives/charles-shaughnessy-returns-to-days-of-our-lives

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I didn’t see this, but it seems to fluctuate between dangerous accidents and nookie.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Boz was hosting a trip to St. Lucia and informed us that it’s the only country named after a woman. We watched as the women packed, and I’m not sure why Erika called my shorts ho shorts, but I was offended. Aren’t shorts supposed to be short? When getting a less than enthusiastic response about an outfit from son Phoenix, Dorit told him, it’s Poca Rabone, like that meant something to him. Boz said getting them all together to travel was like herding cats, so they were meeting in Miami. In her interview, Boz said, beautiful views, delicious cocktails, a steel drum band. Who would complain? Really? Has she met them? In Jennifer’s interview, she talked about not fitting in when she was young, and Sutton cried over her long road with the women and how Garcelle had been the only one to support her. Kyle would say, you two, but never point the finger at Dorit alone. Mauricio visited Kyle and talked about going on  It was the usual, just in a different vacation setting. PK met with Dorit, where the D-word was used, yet Dorit is still in the denial phase. Kyle, however, was sliding into acceptance after Mauricio visited and told her about his quest for weed spiritual healing.

Some non-news. Maybe she’s a girlfriend; maybe she’s not.

Denise Richards and Her Wild Things

I love this show so much. A lot of episode 3 revolved around a Cuban iguana named Godzilla who had passed away at age 30. He’d belonged to Charlie’s ex, Brooke, and was dropped off at Denise’s house when Brooke went to rehab. He liked Fig Newtons and had an entire suite to himself. They had him for nine months, and a memorial was planned. There were a lot of flowers, as well as some heartfelt speeches. Denise also met with Erika (RHOBH) and they clinked glasses and made up. Another thing I love about Denise is her love of animals. She even got a little picnic table for the squirrels outside, one of whom she called Fat Fred, but she insisted she wasn’t fat shaming him. Sami was getting a nose job and said she’d been bullied in school about looking like her dad. Recently, someone had made a comment that she’d never be as pretty as her mom. WTF? Ugh. It’s one of the things I hate about the internet. Anonymity has created mean AF a-holes.

Summer House

Kyle discussed his misdirected rage texting with Paige and said he was super upset. Aww. Poor baby. He’s always super upset about something. I’m pretty sure he lives off of super upset energy. One thing I really hate about this group is their tendency to play telephone. Really, their tendency to just make sh*t up to suit themselves. Lexi had asked Jesse not to be so flirtatious in his comments on the other girls’ social media and somehow this got changed to her demanding he not comment at all. And that literally came from horse Jesse’s mouth. She needs to dump this dude asap. One minute he’s all in love like never before, and the next, he’s making it up as he goes along. The tail end of the show was in NYC with Paige and Craig. When Paige said she never wanted to live a slow life, that said everything. While no judgement about relationships that are ephemeral, if you’re not on the same page regarding commitment, it’s for certain someone is going to get their heart broken.

Southern Charm

Craig told Paige about making up with Austen and how he thought his admission that he couldn’t drink was like holding up a mirror to Austen. He might not be wrong. Paige complimented Craig on his self-awareness. Austen later came by for a visit, and I forgot which show I was watching for a moment. The big topic once again involved JT. Venita wanted him to be her plus one at a summer soiree Madison was giving. JT was hesitant, but said he’d think about it. He talked to Leva about it and said he didn’t know if it was appropriate while he had a girlfriend, and also admitted he’d probably encouraged Venita by flirting. But the best was yet to come when Leva told him that Ryan used the same barber, who apparently told him that JT said some Black girl was trying to bust up his relationship. Once again, although I’m no fan of JT, I couldn’t see him saying something like that. Neither could Leva or Venita, but in Venita’s interview, she said, Ryan’s husband was Black, so why would he lie? Why indeed. JT was livid, since it made him sound racist. On top of it, racist about someone he cared for. Leva said he should call the barber immediately and get it cleared up for Venita’s sake. Translation: So we can get it on the show. He did and the barber seemed surprised, saying, the only thing he remembered JT telling him was that there was a cute Black girl named Venita on the show. When JT called Venita to tell her, I’m pretty sure all she heard though was that he loved her.

On the upside, Brett got the cancer all-clear on his last test and Molly and Taylor took their dogs out for ice cream.

What’s JT up to? Not much. No surprise. I can’t blame him for jetting though. The Reunion should be interesting.

Random Reality Items

VPR 2.0 is on the way.

This is the weirdest thing ever and I can’t believe it’s still going on.

Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.

What a shame. Hopefully, those left in the cast invested in real estate.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Extinction: The G.M.O. Chronicles. Amazon Prime. I am a die-hard zombie fan and I did enjoy this. There was precious little info out there and this review is less than stellar. There is the trailer though.

Okay. This guy liked it more, but there are a few small spoilers.

The Night Eats the World. Amazon Prime. This film won awards, and I didn’t hate it, but there were long stretches of not much going on and the main character chatting with – or rather, to – a zombie he had corralled in a stalled elevator. Be forewarned, the ending is not a happy one.

https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/night-eats-the-world-review-zombies-tribeca-1201954987/

Beyond the Gates. CBS/Paramount+. I finally got serious about watching this and I’m hooked on watching it with my dinner now. It’s oddly old-fashioned and trendy at the same time. Beautiful people, an inclusive cast, fabulous wardrobes, and a gun drawn at a wedding. You can’t really ask for more.

https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2025/03/cbs-beyond-the-gates-promo-tv-critics

🙀 Things You Don’t See Every Day…

🦒 I’m not letting my dogs read this. It might give them ideas.

https://people.com/athletic-giraffe-escapes-arizona-zoo-to-get-snacks-11695093

🐻‍❄️ Pretty as a picture. Oh wait, it is.

https://people.com/photo-sleeping-polar-bear-wins-nature-photography-contest-11690907

🐾 It’s a ferret! It’s a ferret’s ghost! It’s a stoat!

https://people.com/rarely-seen-animal-caught-on-camera-in-pennsylvania-11693659

👄 Quotes of the Week

Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. – Charlotte Whitton

You’re in pretty good shape for the shape you are in. – Dr. Seuss

You are not your resumé; you are your work. – Seth Godin

Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient premises. – Samuel Butler

You aren’t learning anything when you’re talking. – Lyndon B. Johnson

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. – Vincent van Gogh

Remember: Always walk in the light. And if you feel like you’re not walking in it, go find it. Love the light. – Roberta Flack

The mosquitos are d*ckheads out here. – Channelle (Aisha Dee), Apple Cider Vinegar

🍀 Top O’ the Month To Ya…

Until next week, stay safe; stay not using St. Patrick’s Day to be a green beer drunken mess (also don’t be another kind of Karen and drive drunk); and stay loving people while they’re still here.

March 7, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Lulu Threatens To Out Brook, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watch, Awards Corner, Streaming Excellence, In the Pink, Only Five Quotes & Turn Back

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Sonny met with Lucy at the MetroCourt, and Lulu met Spinelli at Bobbie’s. Spinelli said he was always at her service, and she asked for his help finding Charlotte, but he said he’d been looking and there was nothing. She said there was one place they hadn’t searched. Alexis told Tracy that she was all Tracy had, and Tracy said she was delusional. Alexis was insisting her parents were interred on public land. Brad sent a drink over to Lucas in a bar in Miami, and at the MetroCourt Curtis told Portia they were going to St. Georges. Drew approached their table and asked if Curtis thought he’d never find out.

Brad joined Lucas at the bar, and they talked old times. Brad said he’d just wanted to make Lucas happy. In the nook, Sasha told Jason that Carly had offered her a job and free housing until she could afford her own place. Jason said he’d give her what she needed, but she told him again that she wanted to be independent. He said he wanted her to be practical too, and she said, of all people, he should understand. Sonny told Lucy that he wanted to start over someplace new. It had to be comfortable for the kids, with high gates and state of the art security. She said she knew exactly the place. Lulu told Spinelli that she thought the police might have missed something in Valentin’s house, but she had to get past the security system. Dante and Gio came into Bobbie’s and Dante thought Spinelli looked nervous, but left them to it. Dante told Gio that Lulu and Spinelli were up to something because they were awake and together. Lulu was on a mission and could convince anyone to do anything. Lulu told Spinelli that helping a mother find her daughter was worth the risk. Drew said he was being iced out of the House Appropriation Committee, and he knew Henderson was friends with Stella. He said he knew Curtis got her to do his dirty work, but Curtis said Drew screwed himself over. Tracy told Alexis that it wasn’t about property lines; it was about the cease and desist. Martin had gotten his own survey, which she insisted was forged. It was an obvious attempt to extort her. Lois said Drew calling himself a Quartermaine wasn’t a big deal, but Tracy said she had a family to protect. Martin joined them.

Drew asked if Curtis spoke to Henderson, and Curtis said he’d told Henderson to do his own research about Drew and the esplanade. If Drew’s seat was blocked, it meant Henderson saw something he didn’t like. Drew said Curtis made a mistake. If Curtis took something from him, he’d take something from Curtis. Portia told Drew to stop it. Curtis would have stood by him, but Drew betrayed his friend. Drew said Curtis had betrayed him. Spinelli jammed the security signal and told Lulu, there was a 70% chance she’d be fine. Lulu liked the odds and went into Valentin’s old house, Spinelli following. Gio said he needed to talk away from the house and told Dante that he was still trying to figure out how to fit in, but Dante said everyone liked having him there. Gio said, not everyone. Alexis told Tracy that she was hoping to sort through the matter in a calm and rational way, and Lois hoped she had a Plan B. Tracy said she could bankrupt the city, but Alexis asked if she wanted her loved ones removed from their resting place. Tracy said, remove the cease and desist, but Martin said he was going to report her.

Lucas said he was worried Brad tried to change for him, and Brad said he’d wanted to be a better person and to be worthy of Lucas. Instead, he ended up hurting Lucas. Martin said the crypt was a hazard to public health, and Tracy said she’d have him disbarred and disemboweled. Alexis said he was just being vindictive, and he agreed to back off. Alexis wanted Martin to sign an NDA, but he refused. Tracy told him to report her. Gio told Dante that he was on Tracy’s bad side. He didn’t care about Drew, but he cared about Scout. She would either have to change her name or have a different one than her dad. Dante said he and his dad had different names – a lot of people did – but Gio said he couldn’t imagine how he’d feel if someone took his name away. Tracy shut him down for not being a Quartermaine. Dante said he thought Tracy respected Gio for his opposing opinion, when Dante got a call from Tracy. Lucy and Sonny arrived at the house while Lulu and Spinelli were inside, and they hid. Sasha asked why Jason didn’t take any money from the Quartermaines, and he said he didn’t want them running his life. Sasha said, if she took money from him and they found out, they’d want her to bring her baby into the fold. She never got the chance to give her first baby the best life. Jason said the baby had a father, but Sasha said she wasn’t having that conversation, especially not here. He left, and Sidwell slipped in the back door.

Lucy told Sonny about the house and that it came furnished. She wanted to give him a tour, but he said he trusted her. Kristina showed up and asked if he was seriously considering Valentin’s old house. Portia said Curtis believed he was going to be CEO, but Drew said he’d offered Curtis something else. Curtis said he would have been happy with that, but Drew chose to lie. Drew asked if Curtis was getting back at him, but Curtis said Drew didn’t care about the people of Port Charles needing the esplanade. The Committee could approve funding without him or his spite getting in the way. Drew left. Tracy wanted Martin arrested for trespassing, but Dante said no. He suggested Martin leave and Tracy leave it alone. Tracy said she couldn’t. Gio said, 555. When he was upset, his mother asked if he’d feel the same way in 5 minutes or 5 months. In 5 years, would he even remember what he was angry about? Tracy said her mom would say, will it really matter in the end? Lois walked Martin out and Tracy thanked Gio for giving her a lot to think about. Sasha said she’d scream, but Sidwell said he wasn’t there to hurt her or debate the past. He wanted to discuss a business opportunity that was very lucrative. Put down her weapon (a spatula) and let him tell her about it. If she persuaded Deception’s leadership that the warehouse incident was a huge misunderstanding, he’d pay her $250K.

Lucy said she was going to tell Sonny, but wanted him to come there with no misconceptions. The sale was being handled by Martin. Sonny wondered, what if Valentin wanted the place back? but she said Martin assured her, Valentin wasn’t returning. They had to be in some sort of contact. Lulu and Spinelli listened in. Kristina liked the house, and Lucy gave them a tour. Sasha said she cared about Deception and didn’t want to lie. He said her mother had stolen his diamonds and he couldn’t go the police. He knew if he incentivized it, she’d return his property. The one thing her mother understood was the power of money, and he assumed Sasha did too. Portia told Curtis that she thought Drew could end up being a problem. He was going to make new friends in DC, and he was going to come after Curtis. Curtis said Drew could dig all he wanted, but wouldn’t find anything on him. Drew went to see Selina and asked for something on Curtis. She said she had nothing. However, Portia was another matter. Lucas said seeing Brad hurt, so he’d cut him off. It was the good memories that hurt. He couldn’t shake the feelings, so he kept his distance, but found himself looking for Brad. He was there for Lucas when Sam died. Brad wondered if there would be another chance, and they kissed.

Brad and Lucas got busy, but Brad stopped him. He said he had to tell Lucas the truth. Drew told Selina that he was happy to do what he could for all his constituents, providing what she had was good. She showed him how Portia had tampered with a GH patient’s test results and said, if it got out, Portia could lose her license and more. Drew said it would do nicely. Curtis told Portia, Drew had no play here, and he wanted to plan their trip. Alexis asked what Tracy really needed, and Tracy said, file the cease and desist. She was taking Gio’s advice. The family name would matter 5 years, 5 decades, and 5 millennia from now, and Drew could never be associated with it. She was getting her own property survey done and it would say what she wanted it to. Dante said Gio did good, although Tracy wouldn’t take the advice. Gio’s mom was a cool lady. Outside, Lois told Martin about Gio being her grandson and Dante being his father. Martin said the information was covered by attorney/client privilege. No one would ever know. Kristina encouraged Sonny to take the house and said, Avery would love it. Sonny told Lucy that he was sold, and they left, Sonny saying, remember, Fort Knox. Lulu told Spinelli that she shouldn’t have doubted her instincts. One way or another, Martin was going to lead her to Valentin. Sasha was concerned about Sidwell drawing Deception into some criminal enterprise, but he said he wanted to give Deception the resources they needed and make a respectable profit. Jason looked in the window and saw them. He ran in and told Sidwell, get away from her!

Tuesday:

Jason pulled a gun on Sidwell, who said it was a misunderstanding, but Jason told him, let’s go now. Sasha said, please stop, but Jason escorted Sidwell out. Dante found Gio at the stables helping Cody. Willow met Nina and Carly at the MetroCourt and said she wanted to discuss something in person with both of them. Anna met with Emma and Maxie, who wondered why she was here. Anna wanted Maxie to give Emma an internship at Deception. Curtis met Portia, who was checking that everything in Miami was going according to plan. Lucas asked Brad, what truth? and Brad said he made Portia invite him on the trip. Lucas asked him to define made. On the phone Lulu told Spinelli they’d gotten an actual lead, and she knew Martin had information on Valentin. She walked into Laura’s and Laura was there with Martin.

Cody suggested bringing out some beers he managed to hide from Tracy, but Gio wanted to make sure the gates and fences were locked up and left. Cody said something was bugging Dante. Start talking. Dante said the closure he’d gotten with Sam’s death hadn’t helped. Laura asked if Lulu wanted to have dinner, but Lulu said she was meeting Maxie at the Surf Lodge. Martin apologized for failing to realize how sick Cyrus was, but Lulu said she didn’t blame him and left. Sasha called Jason and said, whatever he was about to do, please don’t. Tracy came in and told Sasha that Jason was unreliable, but the family wasn’t, and Sasha said, one minute Tracy treated her like staff and the next minute, it was all about the next generation of Quartermaines – the legacy. Tracy said the fact Sasha was having a Quartermaine baby changed everything. Willow said she knew Nina and Carly weren’t going to be happy, but she and the kids were moving in with Drew. Carly said she thought Willow would keep things stable for the kids while Michael focused on his recovery. This was pushing Michael too far and he wouldn’t stand for it. Emma said she declined the offer, and Maxie said she didn’t make one, but why wasn’t she interested? Emma said she was not not interested, but it wasn’t something she’d thought about. Anna asked if work in cosmetics wasn’t mostly chemistry, and Maxie said it was a huge part, but she wasn’t hiring Emma as a favor. It had to be something she wanted. Brad told Lucas that he did Portia a favor, and she was inclined to do one for him. Lucas asked if it was like the favors he did for Brit, but Brad said he’d found out something private and agreed to keep it to himself.

Martin told Laura that he was sorry, and she asked why. He said he’d chased Lulu out, but Laura said she had dinner plans, and it obviously had nothing to do with him. He said he thought it was his connection to Cyrus and didn’t blame her, but she said, give Lulu time. He said he was lucky to have her for a sister and she hugged him, saying. she was lucky too, but she wished she and Cyrus had never crossed paths. Her assistant phoned and said there was a call from the US Congress Appropriations Committee. Sasha asked why Tracy was focused on her. Tracy didn’t even like her. Tracy said, of course (🍷) she did, and Jason was proving more valuable. Sasha suggested she focus on Jason. All she wanted was to be left alone. Tracy said too many people were invested in her and the baby. If she disappeared, they’d track her down. Sasha asked if that was a threat, but Tracy said it was a reality check. Raising the baby on her own was a dream and she needed to wake up. Anna had to leave and told Emma and Maxie to think about it. Maxie told Emma not to go against the idea because it was Anna’s; it was a great opportunity. Laura called Curtis and asked him to stop by the apartment. There had been a big development. Brad said when he found out, he went immediately to Portia, and Lucas said he didn’t want to hear about the blackmail. Brad said he just asked her for the trip to Miami, and Lucas said using something as leverage was the very definition of blackmail. That Brad could see it showed him why this was a mistake. Sidwell said Jason was too smart to kill him, since he was a suspect in another murder. Jason said he wanted the truth and was giving Sidwell one chance. Did he blow up Sonny’s penthouse?

Sidwell told Jason that he did not blow up the penthouse. Another truth was, what happened in Africa was unique. Jason and Anna infiltrated his camp under false pretenses. Jason said, Sidwell was holding their friend captive, but Sidwell said Lucky also infiltrated his camp. The lines were blurred. Now he was in Port Charles to build a legitimate business and intended to obey the law. Why would he start a conflict with Jason and Sonny? Jason returned his diamonds, and he had no problem with him. Jason suggested he keep it that way and stay away from Sasha. Anna came by and said it was for an evening stroll. Tracy said Sasha was smarter than Willow. She would figure out what part of her life could coexist with them. Willow lived in a world of her own creation. Willow said she told Carly now because she didn’t want Carly to be blindsided. She wasn’t asking permission. Carly said she’d be blindsiding Michael, and Willow asked if Carly thought they’d be reconciling. They were way past that point. Carly said she was asking Willow to wait until Michael was home before shacking up with the uncle who betrayed him and destroyed his marriage. Willow asked what difference it made, and Nina said, Willow had a point. Carly said Willow would be starting a war. Brad said Lucas told him that he wanted honesty, and Lucas thanked Brad for being honest before he made a mistake. Brad said it wasn’t a mistake. They were getting closer, and he didn’t want that hanging over them. Lucas said, everything was hanging over them – their history, this. Brad hadn’t changed and was never going to. Drew went to Portia’s office, but she said she had nothing more to say to him. He said he’d do the talking. Dante told Cody that however Cyrus departed, it didn’t bring back Sam, but at least he didn’t have to see Cyrus. That was something, but it didn’t make things easier. There was a wall between him and Lulu. Sam did a beautiful thing. Lulu wasn’t part of it, but Sam’s death would always be there. Dressed in a housekeeper’s uniform (from 1950) and carrying a stack of towels, Lulu was about to let herself into a room, when Maxie came by and asked what she was doing.

Emma came by the stables and told Gio that she thought she’d meet some horses, but Gio said Cody was inside talking to Dante. She told Gio about Anna wanting her to intern at Deception and how she felt it was Anna’s attempt at supervising her. Dante told Cody that Lulu was reaching out, but he couldn’t grieve Sam with her. Cody said he couldn’t do it alone either and Dante had him, and Dante said it was easy to talk to Brook. Cody said they’d been friends a long time, and Dante said, Brook knew Sam and wasn’t wrapped up in everything, but it hurt Lulu. Cody said, Dante and Brook’s history was deeper than Lulu realized, and Dante said he regretted that he’d never told her about that summer. Cody said, the summer he was in love with Brook. Lulu said she had no time explain and told Maxie to forget she saw her. Maxie asked if she was meeting someone. Was she role playing. Lulu asked if Maxie thought this was her big fantasy, and Maxie said she didn’t judge. Lulu said it was her Uncle Martin’s, and Lulu asked why she was breaking in. Lulu said she wasn’t if she had a key, and Maxie said she was if she stole the key. Lulu said it was in her pocket and this was about Charlotte. Maxie asked how she could help, and Lulu told her to be the lookout.

Nina told Carly, in Michael’s absence, the children’s mother decided what was best and she thought they needed to trust Willow. Carly told Willow that she’d thought Willow would put the kids interests first, but she misjudged her. Willow was selfish to the core, and she and Drew belonged together. Willow said she was sorry Carly felt this way. She’d tried to do the right thing. She thanked Nina for the support and left. Carly asked how Nina thought it went, and Nina said, about as well as expected. Anna said she understood Sidwell had paid a visit to the Quartermaines, when the launch came and Sidwell told them to have a good evening. When he was gone, Anna asked Jason, what the hell was he thinking showing up at the Quartermaines? Jason said he wanted to make sure Sidwell didn’t mess with Sasha again. Anna said she understood why he was being protective of Sasha. Tracy said Sasha told her that men targeted her for her money. It took a long time to accept, but it was her reality, and when she accepted her reality, the love of her life came after her… for money, but they fell in love. Luke. When you accept your reality, you know who you are and what you want, and the whole world opens up in ways you never expected and can offer more than you ever realized. She was done and asked Sasha to make her some tea. Her throat was parched from all the yapping. Brad told Lucas that he’d given in to his worst impulse. He slipped. He thought if they could be alone, they could get back to them, and he had to take the chance. He still loved Lucas and knew Lucas felt it too. Lucas said, of course (🍷) he did, and he still loved Brad too, but love meant two different things to them. Portia said Drew came to her office uninvited and she was leaving. He blocked her way and said he still cared about Curtis, and she was the only person who could help him fix it. Curtis went to Laura’s, and she said the City of Port Charles had been given approval to move ahead with the McConkey esplanade, the original as pitched by Aurora. Curtis said it was huge for Aurora and Port Charles, and Laura said she had one question. How did he get around Drew?

Anna said Jason was the prime suspect in Cyrus’s murder. If he helped Sidwell off this mortal coil, he’d be taken in. She had Sidwell under surveillance and saw them. He said he had nothing to do with Cyrus, but she said it wouldn’t help his case if Sidwell’s body was found floating in the river. He said he wasn’t going to kill Sidwell. He wanted to ask Sidwell if he blew up Sonny’s penthouse. He said he didn’t do it, and Jason thought he was telling the truth. Maxie texted Lulu: Hurry up! and Lulu went through Martin’s stuff. Maxie knocked at the door and said, please hurry, causing Lulu to drop a bag, the contents going everywhere. Martin arrived and said he thought Maxie had the wrong room. Gio said Emma’s passion for chemistry was obvious, and Emma said, that’s how it was pitched to her earlier, the value she’d bring to the brand. Gio said they were right and there were benefits to working with family. She could rack up family credits. They came in handy when you pushed the boundaries. She was doubtful that he pushed boundaries, but he said she’d be surprised. Lucas said he didn’t expect perfection, but needed to trust that his partner’s failures and flaws weren’t ultimately destructive to him. To him, love meant trust. He knew honesty was scary, but in the end, you couldn’t let fear outweigh your love for that person, and Brad never did that for him. Brad said, Lucas never let him. He made a mistake and owned up to it, but Lucas still rejected him. All he wanted was to be with Lucas, and all Lucas did was use the truth against him. Lucas said he couldn’t do this. He couldn’t trust Brad, then punish him for being honest, and he couldn’t allow himself to accept another lie or half-truth. He opened the door. Curtis told Laura that the credit went to the greatest mastermind ever – Stella. She went way back with a high-ranking member of the Appropriations Committee. Laura said, well done, and asked if he was concerned about fallout from Drew if he found out. Curtis said, Drew already knew, but everything was above board, and he hoped they could move forward. Portia said she could see why Curtis wanted nothing to do with Drew. He didn’t respect boundaries and only cared about what he wanted and not who got hurt or inconvenienced. This was between him and Curtis. Drew said he was surprised at her judging him so harshly, considering how hard she tried inconvenience Heather Webber.

Brad said before he had a chance to tell another lie and break Lucas’s heart, he’d get out now. If they got too close, Lucas might fall harder. He might find someone he could trust, who practiced perfect honesty at all times with no shades of grey or dark edges, but he’d always love Lucas. Brad left and I felt tears in my eyes. Laura told Curtis, all politics were local, but she also thought they were personal. She understood the value of knowing who her true friends were and she was lucky he was one of them. He said, likewise. He was shown a side of Drew he didn’t know existed and he hoped Drew stayed in his lane. Drew asked Portia if Curtis knew she’d tampered with the test results. It seemed unlikely she’d stay on as Co-Chief of Staff if it came out. She’d also lose her license. She said she had no idea what he was talking about, and he produced the papers Selina gave him. He said, it showed her logged on to the GH database and she changed the results of the blood test. Was she trying to keep Heather in prison? That sounded unethical. It might even be criminal. Nina said, it might make it easier with Willow moving in with Drew, and Carly said Willow was moving in with their grandchildren and Nina put herself in the position of Willow’s chief support. Nina said they couldn’t push against Willow and Drew’s love. It would make Willow isolate with Drew more. Carly said Nina would have to keep approving of Willow’s awful decisions, and Nina said it didn’t feel good. Carly said Drew was the problem. No matter how it happened, he had to go.

Anna said she didn’t think Sidwell would admit it, but Jason said he didn’t think Sidwell did it. Anna said maybe that was true, but did they agree that his legitimate act was bull? He showed them who he was in Africa. Jason said they didn’t know why Sidwell was here, and he didn’t want to wait until he hurt someone else. He was dangerous. Anna said they had something more pressing to deal with. Sasha felt the baby move and talked to it. She picked up Sidwell’s card and called him, asking if the offer was still on the table. He said it was, and she said they had a deal. Cody asked if Dante ever thought about coming clean to Lulu about that summer, but Dante said it was a long time ago and over before it began. They were kids. It was a summer thing and nothing came of it. Cody asked, what if something did? and Gio came in with Emma. Martin suddenly came back to his room and saw Maxie in the hallway. She said she was hoping to find him. She had a bone to pick with MR. MARTIN GREY. Lulu heard her and frantically looked through some papers. Maxie said, since Martin dumped Lucy, things weren’t the same at Deception. They needed to reconnect or find closure. The future of the company depended on it. She suggested they discuss it in his office and started to steer him away, but he stopped and said, what exactly is going on? Lulu looked through Martin’s notes and saw that Dante was the father of Brook’s baby.

Wednesday:

At the MetroCourt, Felicia asked if Carly had time for a drink since Mac canceled on her, but Carly said she had plans. Jack walked in. Ava went to Portia’s office and Portia thanked her for coming. She made a huge mistake and if Ava didn’t help her fix it, her life was over. Jason said Sidwell got past Quartermaine security and needed to be handled, but Anna said he couldn’t do that from prison. She had him under surveillance. She needed Jason to work with her again and didn’t think they could wait any longer to look for Charlotte. The longer she was out there, the danger increased. Danny walked into the nook and asked what Rocco was looking at. Rocco said Charlotte texted him and she was in Buenos Aires. Danny asked if Rocco was going to tell his mom, but Rocco said he couldn’t. Cody asked if Dante ever thought about what happened that summer, but Dante said, it was a long time ago and over before it started, They were kids, it was summer, and nothing came of it. Cody asked, what if something did? when Gio and Emma came back. Gio said they needed to warm up and Emma wanted to see the horses. They went to the back, and Dante asked what Cody had been saying. Maxie said, since Martin had dumped Lucy, it wasn’t the same at Deception. They should reconnect or get closure. The future of the business depended on it. She wanted to discuss it in her office, but Martin asked what was really going on and where was Lulu? Lulu looked at Martin’s notes and said, Dante Falconari, father?… No birth certificate?

Jack said hello to Felicia, but she ignored him. She told Carly not to do anything she wouldn’t do and left. Jack said Felicia didn’t like him much, and Carly said Felicia was her mom’s best friend, but never fixed her plumbing. She wasn’t easily swayed and made up her own mind about people. Jack’s phone dinged and Carly said she was going to see how Josslyn was doing on Easter Island. Jack’s text showed Josslyn’s fitness and marksmanship results, and she had high test scores. Portia told Ava that Brad knew she’d altered Heather Webber’s test results and was blackmailing her. She’d been at his whim, and he was at a medical symposium in Miami because he knew. Ava said it had to be awful being under that little worm’s thumb, and Portia said, even worse, Brad told Drew, and he threatened to go to the police. Anna told Jason that there was a kill order on Valentin since he attacked Jack. Carly was there and saved his life. Jason wondered why he was hearing it for the first time, and Anna said, if a WSB assassin was looking for Valentin and Charlotte was with him, she could be collateral damage or watch her father get killed. Jason said he’d talk to Spinelli again and if something come up, he was ready to go. Anna said they just needed a lead. Rocco said Charlotte had called at Christmas and his mom almost got shot looking for her. It was all for nothing, since Charlotte went with Valentin anyway. She wouldn’t accept that her dad was bad news. Danny said, maybe not to her and wondered if Rocco was going to keep quiet. Cody told Dante, everything changed. Dante never came back to camp. Dante said he got a job and Brook disappeared without saying goodbye. Cody said they were just kids back then and if they had an idea, they went for it. Emma and Gio joined them, and Emma said the horses were great. Cody asked if she rode, and she said she’d taken lessons. Cody said, so did Dante when they were at camp, but he was hopeless. Dante said, camp was cool, aside from the horses. He, Cody, and Brook were counselors in training. Lois came in and he said, Brook ended up at their sister camp. Emma said she was sure they had all kinds of stories.

Maxie loudly wondered why Martin was asking about Lulu, and Martin said she told him that she was having dinner with Maxie at the Surf Lodge. Maxie said she forgot because of the Lucy stuff. See? It was costing dinner and probably a fight with her bestie. She’d like to discuss it in her office where no one would overhear. Lulu nearly hyperventilated as she read, Brook Lynn… mother… high school… baby boy… adopted. Martin told Maxie that he and Lucy were done, and he was getting a headache. He was about to go in his room, when Maxie said, wait. Lulu grabbed up all the papers, and Maxie said she need to talk to Martin. Not about Lucy, but she wanted to hire him to deal with nuisance lawsuits. He said with Tracy at Deception, that wasn’t going to happen. They had a love/hate relationship – they loved to hate each other. Maxie said she made the decisions and wanted to discuss billable hours. He said, why didn’t she say so? She could have led with that. Maxie said she wished she had, and Lulu listened as they left. She spread the papers out on the bed.

Ava asked what Drew wanted, and Portia said he was chasing a seat on the Appropriations Committee, but Curtis influenced a congressman to block the appointment. Ava said, so Drew wanted Curtis to go back and say he made a mistake. Drew was an awesome guy after all and should be on all the committees. She didn’t have anything to use on Drew. Portia said she only cared about Curtis. She told him that she’d altered the results, but didn’t tell him that Brad was blackmailing her. She was afraid because Curtis hated secrets. When he found out Trina was his daughter, it almost destroyed their marriage. Ava said Curtis forgave Portia, but Portia said he gave her a second chance. She didn’t know if he’d give her a third. She needed advice on what to do. Ava said she could keep quiet about Drew or tell Curtis the truth. Lois said she needed to get going, and Cody asked if she needed something. She said it was colder than she thought, and she just wanted to get warm. She left, and Emma said she’d wanted to compliment Lois on being the Face of Deception. Wasn’t Cody the guy…? Dante said, yes. He was the company’s male model. Cody said, brand ambassador. Emma asked if he thought interning would be fun, and he said Brook and Maxie were great. Lucy was high strung, but for the most part, they were great bosses. It just wasn’t him. He wasn’t like Gio. Gio said he loved making music, and Dante said Brook did too. Cody said, it must be a family trait. At the MetroCourt, Martin said, what about Deception’s legal team? and Maxie said she felt like they were kind of lacking. Martin said it was in his wheelhouse, but why the urgency? and Maxie said, because of Lulu. Jack asked how it was going with Josslyn, and Carly said the pictures were amazing. Josslyn was at Easter Island because someone cancelled. It was perfect timing, and she seemed to be having a blast. Jack said he was glad it was working out.

Lois knocked at Martin’s hotel room door as Lulu took pictures of the notes. Portia didn’t know how she’d live with herself if she was forced to manipulate Curtis on Drew’s behalf. Ava suggested she might feel better if she just told Curtis the truth, even if it cost everything, even her marriage. Maxie looked at the tons of texts she’d sent Lulu and told Martin that Spinelli said they were out of peanut butter, and she blew off Lulu. Tragedy abounds. Martin didn’t think Lulu would be comfortable with him working there. She didn’t like him. Maxie said he would get to spend more time with her. Whatever it took to convince Lulu that he was nothing like his brother. Martin said it was worth a shot, and she said, welcome to Deception. He said it had been a long day and got up, when Maxie spilled red wine on her white blouse. She asked him to hurry and get her some club soda. He left and she texted Lulu again. Lois knocked one more time, then left. Lulu gathered up the papers and put them back in the file case. She put the case back, picked up the towels, and left. Anna met Felicia at the MetroCourt bar, and Felicia said, what’s wrong with that? nodding toward Carly and Jack. Anna asked if that was why she brought her gun, and Felicia said she told Anna not to, but Anna said she thought it was code or something. Felicia said, Bobbie wouldn’t want Carly near Brennan and Anna had known him a long time. What did she think of him? Anna said he was a ruthless agent, concerned with getting the job done. He lived in a grey area, legally and morally, but he was brilliant and obviously charming. Felicia said she got the same vibe and wondered what to do about it, but Anna said, nothing. Carly was a grown woman and when had anyone succeeded in stopping her from doing something she wanted to? Like, never. Jack asked why Josslyn should have all the fun and suggested he and Carly take the private WSB jet and have dinner in Paris. They could stay over and maybe squeeze in. A woman came over to the table and said, Jack doesn’t call; he doesn’t write. What’s a woman to think? Gio said he watched Brook perform when he was a kid and Emma wondered why she didn’t sing anymore. Dante explained she was attacked, and her vocal cords were damaged. She still wrote though and she was great. Cody asked what Emma would do at Deception, and she said, chemistry. She’d work in the lab developing new products. Speaking of fun, she needed to go home. She and Gio left, and Cody asked what Dante thought about them. Dante said Gio was in over his head. He didn’t know what to do when Rocco fell in love. Let Lulu handle it. Rocco said he didn’t want to lose his mom again and wondered if he was being selfish, but Danny said he’d do anything to get his mom back. What if something happened to Rocco’s sister? Rocco said he didn’t know what he’d do, when Jason came in. He asked, what’s up? and Danny said, Charlotte messaged Rocco. They knew where she was.

Portia said she couldn’t imagine life without Curtis. The last time, she lost him and almost lost Trina. What if Trina felt like she had to pick sides? Ava said she was getting ahead of herself. Was she sure that she’d lose her license and be prosecuted if Drew talked to the police? She should talk to Ava’s lawyer. Portia said Ric was Heather Webber’s lawyer. It was a conflict of interest. Ava said if Portia’s scheme had worked, it would be a different story. Until she talked to somebody and had a plan, let Drew think he’d won, that she was doing more than she was. Her secret was safe, and she could minimize how much she manipulated Curtis. Jack said it was a pleasure to see the woman, and she said it had been far too long. Jack introduced her as Vivian to Carly, and said Carly was co-owner of the hotel. Vivian said she loved to see a woman in charge of a fabulous hotel and asked if Jack still had her number. Use it and call her. She left, and Jack said, what about Paris? but Carly said she couldn’t go. She was owner of the establishment and there were many things she had to do right now. He could stay. She was comping his meal. She walked away, leaving him confused.  comp meal walks. Anna told Felicia that she was worried about Charlotte. The longer she was out there with her father, the more dangerous the situation became. She wished she had played things differently where Valentin was concerned. Her phone rang, and Felicia said there was no one better to get the job done, so get it done. Take action. Lulu showed up at the stables, and Cody said she’d just missed Dante, but she said she came to see him. Things were simpler with him. He went to get her a beer, and she texted Maxie: All clear. Maxie told Martin that he should go relax. They could go over details tomorrow. Martin left, when Lois intercepted him and asked to talk. He said he was going to his room, and she said she’d come with him. Felicia sat with Maxie and asked if Maxie was going to tell her what that situation was about. Lulu and Cody clinked beer bottles, and Lulu asked what Dante was like in high school. He said he only knew Dante at camp, and she said she had a hard time picturing that. Did she hear right that Brook was there too? He said she was, and Lulu said it was hard to imagine two people less suited to woodland activities. He said it was only one summer, and she said, one was all it takes. Jason asked if anybody knew, and Danny said Rocco was worried his mom would get hurt if she went after Charlotte. Jason said Danny did the right thing. He’d go get Charlotte, but they couldn’t tell any more people. The more people who knew where Charlotte was, the more they were at risk of things going wrong. He would bring Rocco’s sister back. He promised. Danny told him, be safe, and Jason said he’d see Danny soon. He left, and Rocco yelled, how could Danny do that? He had no right to tell his dad. Outside, Jason called Anna and told her to stay at the MetroCourt. He had a lead a Charlotte.

Danny said, Jason was the perfect person to go, but Rocco said it wasn’t Danny’s secret to tell. He’d wanted advice, not having it blurbed out. Danny said, family helps family, when Dante came in and asked, what’s going on? Lois told Martin that she’d walked in on Dante telling Gio how it went at summer camp together. If it got out that Dante and Brook were Gio’s parents, it could ruin everything. She asked if she could have his notes back. It was too risky. He said they were safe in his hotel room. What was wrong? Cody said, that was a weird thing to say, and Lulu said she and Brook never got along. Brook was possessive about Dante and their Bensonhurst roots, and she felt left out. Now that she knows what happened, she understands where that came from. Brook told her about it and she can’t imagine going through that as a teenager, but it explains a lot. Cody said, it was intense. He never thought Brook would tell anyone, much less her. Lulu said, everything Brook and Chase were going through trying to get pregnant stirred it up. She happened to be there, and it came out. He said, it was a rough time. On the pier, Carly called herself stupid, when Jack joined her. She asked how he found her, and he said he was a spy. She said, of course (🍷). Please go. It was humiliating enough. Jack said he didn’t understand. Was this about Vivian? She said, no… yes. They were feeling two different things, which is fine. She had no expectations… Please go. He asked where this was coming from, and she said he should be with someone like Vivian, fun with no strings. She couldn’t do that. He said he thought something else was going on, and she said, there was.

Lois looked through the papers and said she was just making sure they were all there. He said, her secret was safe. Maybe she was overreacting. She said, probably. Did he have matches or a lighter? Lulu said, poor Brook, and Cody said he’d never seen Brook so scared. She came to him and begged him to take her to the bus station. She wanted to go home. Lulu asked if she never told Dante, and he said, no. Neither did he. Brook disappeared. She never wanted Dante to know she’d been pregnant, and he promised he’d never tell, and he never did. Rocco said he told Danny that he liked Renee and Danny told her. Danny said he didn’t. He was just trying to see if she was interested in him. He didn’t give Rocco up. Rocco said he didn’t ask if it was okay, and it wasn’t okay. Danny told his secret. Danny said Rocco was his brother and he cared about him. He’d always have Rocco’s back. Dante asked if they were cool, and Danny and Rocco shook hands. Dante said they were family and had to stick together. Portia said she couldn’t imagine pretending to be compliant and complicit with Drew. It made her sick to her stomach. Ava said there was no good solution, and Portia said, unless Drew was dead. Ava said, please talk to Ric. He might have an idea they haven’t thought of. He’s an unconventional thinker. Portia said she’d think about it, and Ava asked which was more awful, doing Drew’s bidding or losing Curtis? Jason told Anna that Charlotte reached out to Rocco and was in Buenos Aires. Anna asked if anyone else knew, and he said, no. They had to find Charlotte before Lulu found out. She said, if she could bring Charlotte back to Lulu… and he said, maybe she could forgive herself. They went to the elevator, and Jason said they’d get her back. Jack said, when Carly told him that she didn’t want a fling, that was his cue to leave, but he asked her out to dinner. Carly said he acted available when Vivian was hitting on him, and he said he knew how to work a woman – it was part of his job and instinctual – but he had no idea how to act with her. She said they wanted two different things, but he insisted they didn’t. He didn’t want to let her go. She asked what he wanted. She couldn’t do casual. His phone chimed and she told him, just get it. She stepped away and he saw a text from a private caller: Charlotte Cassadine located in Buenos Aires. Assets in route.

Thursday:

Felicia brought James to the hospital and said she didn’t know who Maxie was going to kill – him for doing it or her for letting it happen on her watch. She told Willow that they needed to see a doctor. James might have broken his arm. Willow got Isaiah and Felicia told James to spill it and tell the truth. Ric met Portia in her office, and she said she needed his help. She was desperate. He said she’d have to be if she was talking to him. Alexis went to see Sonny at Valentin’s old house and asked why he bought it. At the hospital, Drew said he knew Elizabeth would be able to help with the pediatric sports program, and she said she couldn’t wait to get started. Gio said he had something to tell Tracy that he didn’t think she’d like, and Tracy said if it was that Gloria was coming to visit, she knew already. He said, no. There was a guy at the gate. He thought the guy was surveying the property. Carly found Lulu in her office and said it was a nice surprise. Lulu said she might not think so now and handed her the room key she stole. She told Carly that she posed as housekeeping to break into Martin’s room. She thought she could figure out where Charlotte was. She didn’t, but she found out something else that was huge. Dante had a child he knew nothing about.

Drew told Elizabeth that he wanted to focus on long term pediatric patients. He wanted them to feel like they had hope in their lives. She said Oscar would be proud, and Drew said he was more than his illness. He wanted the kids to know they were too, that they had role models and the possibility of a brighter future. He was going to dedicate the program to Oscar. Trina saw Kai at the hospital, and he said his ex-coach thought it would be good for him to be part of the pediatric sports program, and she asked who he was there to meet. He said, a congressman, Drew Quartermain, and she pointed Drew out. Portia said her only problem with Ric was his defense of Heather, and he said, being a parent himself, he understood she was just trying to protect her daughter like any good mother. Heather was no longer in Port Charles, and he considered it water under the bridge. He was open to working with her. What exactly was going on? Isaiah asks how James hurt himself, and James said, sledding. Felicia said, off the roof, and James said it was fun until… Felicia asked what the diagnosis was, and Isaiah said they’d have to wait to see the x-rays, but he guessed it was broken. James asked if that meant a case. His mom would see it and his life would be over. Was Felicia going to rat him out? Felicia said they weren’t going to lie or keep things from his mom, and Isaiah said that wasn’t the kind of man James wanted to be. Besides, she’d find out anyway. She’s a mom and they had ways. Willow said his classmates would want to sign his cast. It would be cool. James said, if she ever let him out of his room again, and Isaiah suggested they go and get the x-rays taken. Natalia walked into the living room at Windymere, and Sidwell said it was a delight to see her. Was it business or pleasure? She said, neither. She wanted answers. She needed to know what Sidwell wanted from Deception. He said it was what Deception wanted from him, access to the rare mineral they needed. She said, zincite, and he said his relationship with Deception was based on supply and demand. She said she knew him, and he wasn’t there for a collaboration. He was there for a hostile takeover. Sonny told Alexis that Kristina and Jason thought the house had more security than the MetroCourt. It was temporary until he got back in the penthouse. Alexis gave him the paperwork he requested from Diane about Gio’s education trust. Tracy told Gio that the surveyor was there at her request. She didn’t trust Martin’s claim that the family crypt was on public land. Dante wondered what if her guy said the same thing, and she asked if he was suggesting Martin knew the property better than she did. Lois said Tracy could afford to move the crypt, but Tracy said she didn’t understand the sanctity of the Quartermaine legacy. She was going to use every resource to make sure her mother, father, and brother stayed where they were. Carly asked how Lulu found out, and Lulu said Valentin trusted Martin and Martin knew how to get in touch with him. She broke in to see if he had info on Charlotte and wasn’t going to apologize for doing what she had to in order to find her daughter. Carly said she would too, and Lulu said she found nothing on Charlotte, but found out about the baby. A paper had said, Dante Falconari, father, and it also said, Brook Lynn, mother.

Tracy asked Gio to stay for coffee. She appreciated his vigilance and thoughtfulness. He said he’d stay, and she said the morning was turning out to be quite lovely. Sonny walked in and she said she spoke too soon. Trina introduced Kai to Drew and said Drew had saved her life along with her dad. Drew said he was a big fan of Kai’s, and the kids would be thrilled. Kai said he knew other athletes who would be excited to be part of it. Any friend of Trina and her parents was a friend of his. Carly said she knew Dante and Brook had history, and Lulu said, Cody told her, when they were teenagers, he, Dante, and Brook were training to be camp counselors, and Dante got Brook pregnant. She had a boy and gave him up for adoption. She thought Lois was involved, but she wasn’t sure. Carly said she was shocked Brook would keep it from Dante, but Lulu said, typical Brook. She had to tell Dante, right? If she kept this huge, life changing secret, wasn’t she just as bad as Brook?

Sidwell told Natalia that he had no interest in dragging Deception into anything. He was a changed man. She said she could see that he had some new suits and cleaned up his act, but she saw through the façade. Sidwell said he wasn’t interested in anything in Port Charles, and Natalia said she got it. It made sense that he wasn’t after something, but someone. She guessed it was Sonny. Sidwell said he wasn’t pursuing Sonny. That was her. Alexis came in and Sidwell said, welcome. He was sorry to cut things short with Natalia, but he needed to speak to Alexis alone. Natalia said, of course (🍷), and left. Sidwell said he was happy Alexis accepted his invitation. It was nice to see her at Windymere. Alexis said the feeling far from mutual. Carly said she knew there was tension between Brook and Lulu, but Lulu couldn’t judge Brook when she’d made a similar decision. Lulu said it was the hardest thing she’d done, but she told Dylan about her decision. Brook never mentioned it to Dante. Carly said she didn’t know the circumstances then. Brook made a difficult decision, but that didn’t mean she was a bad person. Lulu said she thought Dante deserved to know he had a child, but Carly said this wasn’t just about Dante. The baby would be grown up now. What if they had a happy life and didn’t know they were adopted? It could destroy them and cause complications for Brook and her family or Dante and his. The fallout could destroy a lot of lives. Was she ready for that? Tracy told Sonny that if he was here about Deception, he should go to their offices. Sonny said he was here about Gio, and Tracy said, since Gio lived there, she was entitled to know his business. Sonny told Gio to get his coat, but Tracy said she wanted a lawyer to look things over. Sonny said Diane already did, and Gio said he’d look at it later. Tracy put her hand out, and Sonny gave her the envelope, saying, it was Gio’s educational trust. Tracy said, absolutely not.

Drew told Trina and Kai that Elizabeth was the hospital liaison, and he thought she’d love it. He started the program to honor his son Oscar who died of cancer as a teenager. Trina said she hadn’t told Kai about Oscar, but she and Josslyn talked about him all the time and missed him. She thought he’d love it. Drew said they’d lost some amazing people, and Trina said, too many. She asked if Drew was going to see her mom before he left, and he said he might. Ric said, Portia was being blackmailed? and she said, by two people actually. A lab tech found out she’d altered Heather’s test results, but he was just asking for little stuff. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t her biggest concern. Someone else found out – Drew Quartermaine. Ric said, the congressman? and Portia said, at one time, Drew and Curtis were best friends, but Drew changed. He turned into a horrible person and now he and Curtis were at war, especially about Aurora. Drew was holding this over her head and wanted her to broker a sit-down between him and Curtis and convince Curtis to end the war. Ric asked how much Curtis knew, and she said Curtis valued honesty, so she told him that she tampered with the test results, but he didn’t know about the blackmail. She wondered if she should betray Curtis on Drew’s behalf or tell Curtis she’d been keeping this secret. Ric said she was what the legal community called between a rock and a hard place, and she said she was scared of losing her job and medical license, but didn’t want to lose Curtis the most.

Carly wondered why Martin had this information, but Lulu wasn’t sure. She knew Brook and Chase were trying to have a baby and Chase found out he was sterile – which was not public knowledge. Maybe Brook was thinking of finding her baby. Dante thought Brook was a good person. Carly asked if this was about their rivalry, but Lulu said, not at all. She wasn’t that petty. Dante deserved to know he had a son. Carly said if Lulu told him, he might be inclined to shoot the messenger, and Lulu said she knew, but the child was Rocco’s brother and a Quartermaine. He was Tracy’s great grandson, and Lois, Ned, and Olivia were his grandparents. Carly said, and Sonny, and Lulu said if she kept it a secret, Carly had to keep it a secret too. Was she sure she could keep it from her kids and Sonny. Tracy told Gio, don’t sign it, but Brook said, stay out of it. Loise agreed and said, Sonny had been paying Gio’s tuition already. Gio said since he was 12, when his mom died, and Sonny said he wanted Gio to pursue his dreams. He deserved a trust if he needed money. Tracy said, that was before. Now Gio was here, and his education would be managed by them. Dante said, Sonny did the same thing for Rocco, and Tracy said, what Sonny provided for his grandchildren was his business, but she wasn’t allowing Gio to be the beneficiary ill-gotten gains. It was bad enough Brook got Sonny involved in Deception. Now he wanted to finance Gio? Absolutely not. She wouldn’t allow Gio to be hurt by Sonny. She’d born witness to the chaos he’d wrought, like in the lives of Stone, Karen, Jason… Sonny said, enough. It wasn’t about his past. It was about Gio. He gave Gio the envelope and said sign it when he could, but Gio said he’d sign it now. He signed the papers and Sonny left with Lois. Tracy approached Gio. James came out in a pink cast and said it was his mom’s favorite color, but she was still going to be mad. Isaiah said she’d mostly be happy that he was okay. It was a clean break, and he’d be back in no time. Felicia told James that it was time for them to face the music, and on their way out, Kai asked, what happened? James said he sledded off the roof and realized Kai was the football guy. He’d seen him on TV. He was a star.  Ric told Portia, if there was fallout later, he’d be there, but in the meantime, don’t tell Curtis. Not right now. Stall Drew. String him along and make him think she was giving in to his demands. She said Curtis knew how she felt about Drew. If she was suddenly sympathetic, he’d know something was up. Ric said, be subtle, but make Drew think she was pressing Curtis as hard as she could. She told him that Ava said the same thing, and he said, Ava is a smart woman. Convince Drew that she was playing by his rules. Sidwell said he got the feeling Alexis didn’t like him, and she said she didn’t know him, but didn’t like what she’d heard. Such as he held her grandson’s father captive in Africa. That wasn’t nice and she hated Windymere, so why was she here? Sidwell said he made a mistake in Africa, but in his defense, that’s how business was done there. Alexis said, interesting that he referred to kidnapping and human rights violations as a mistake, and he said business wasn’t conducted the same everywhere. She said she didn’t care. She had no plans to do business with him. He said it wasn’t what she could or couldn’t do for him, it was what he could do for her. He brought out a box and said, it was what he had to give her. Tracy told Gio that it was impressive. It took nerve to defy her, and he’d done it twice. There was more to him than met the eye. Her family could learn from his example. Gio thanked her and said he knew there was a reason she felt the way she did about Sonny, and so did he. Sonny made sure he was okay after his mom passed. Lois helped, but Sonny made sure he was always good. Tracy said Sonny was loyal to the people he cared about, and Gio said, Sonny was supportive of his love of music. It gave him a purpose and he didn’t know what he would have done without Sonny. She said, it didn’t matter how old you were, it was always painful to lose your mother. She was also loyal to the people she cared about. This had less to do with her obvious dislike of Sonny, and more to do with her concern about Gio.

Kai signed James’s cast, and James said the kids at school would be jealous. Felicia said they were big fans. She hoped his physical therapy was going well and he’d be back next season. Kai said he had new opportunities coming up that he was excited about, and Trina said the pediatric wing was one of them. Felicia said he’d be as big a success there as the football field. They’d be rooting for him. Elizabeth asked if Ric found who he was looking for, and Ric said he did. He’d been looking for Portia. Drew got a text from Portia that she’d given his offer a thought and he went to her office. He asked if she meant it, and she said, as long as he didn’t tell what he knew, she’d absolutely do what he asked. She’d convince Curtis to meet with him to bury the hatchet and mend their friendship. Drew said he was glad she came to her senses. Alexis said there was nothing Sidwell had that she wanted, and he said he had Windymere, Spoon Island. Wasn’t it her family’s estate? Alexis said he obviously didn’t know much about her family. Feel free to burn whatever he had. He said he’d never burn anything as beautiful and intriguing as this. He opened the box and revealed a dagger. Gio said he was glad they talked, and Tracy said her too. She misspoke in giving her opinions and she was sorry. Gio said he overstepped, and she said he’d been looking out for Scout, and she understood the reasons for his loyalty to Sonny. She hoped it didn’t cost him someday. Sonny left a message for Alexis to give him a call when she could. Gio signed the documents, and he wanted to send them over. The doorbell rang, and Sonny opened the door to Lois. She said she was there to apologize for everyone who wasn’t Tracy. Tracy had no right to stick her nose into his and Gio’s business. Sonny said he didn’t give a damn what Tracy thought. He wanted Gio to have the best possible life he could have, but thought Gio had to stay away from him. Carly told Lulu that in the past, she would have rushed out, gone to Sonny, and told him everything because family was everything to him. She wasn’t going to do that now because family was everything to her. In this situation, Brook is Bobbie. She knew how hard it was for her mom to give her up for adoption. It haunted her. She thought Brook had been through enough and she wasn’t going to add to it. Lulu said she didn’t think she and Brook were similar, but Carly said, not just that. She may not have given up her baby, but Lulu knew about making hard decisions to protect her children. That’s why she passed Michael off as Jason’s to protect him from AJ. Robin blew the secret up and wrecked lives. Lulu asked if that’s what Carly thought she was doing, and Carly said, was she? Lulu said she what was best for her kids, and Carly said, like her mom, like Brook, like Lulu when she broke into Martin’s room looking for information on Charlotte. They were moms doing what they could for their kids. Lulu said she couldn’t argue a single word. She wished she could. Carly took her hand and wondered if there was anything she could say that would help, but Lulu shrugged and said she wasn’t sure. She thought she’d get clarity when she looked into Dante’s eyes. One look, and she’d know whether to keep Brook’s secret or if she had to tell him everything. (Sounds like a poor barometer to me.)

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada:

At Valentin’s old house, now Sonny’s new one, Sonny tells Lois that he watched Gio grow up. Gio is a great kid, but maybe the best thing is for him to stay away from Gio. Lois says, Gio is old enough to make his own decisions. It’s up to him if he wants to take Sonny’s support or not, and clearly it looks like he’s made his choice. Sonny says, Lois didn’t answer his question. Does she trust him around Gio? She says, as much as she did that first day in Bensonhurst when she invited him over to meet Gio, and he thanks her. The doorbell rings, and Sonny opens the door to Carly. She says she’s glad he’s here, then she sees Lois.  

Lulu walks into the Quartermaine mansion and sees Brook and Dante in the foyer. Dante asks if everything is okay.

Alexis asks where Sidwell got the dagger, and he says he found it in a cabinet in the downstairs living room. The workmanship is exquisite. It’s also valuable. Alexis says, it’s impossible. The dagger should be at the bottom of the harbor.

Isaiah knocks at Jordan’s door, and she says, just a minute. She opens the door wearing a facial mask, and he says he likes the look. She says, sorry, but he says, it’s nice to know she’s a mere mortal and not a goddess 24/7. She asks what he’s doing here, and he says he thought they could get lunch. She says she’s got lunch coming, but he says, not anymore.

On the phone, Jack asks Colette what this is about. He was just going to grab lunch… Fine. How is she doing?… Good. He wants hourly updates on her progress. He flashes back to telling Josslyn that she’s special. She has the qualities the WSB is looking for – ingenuity, initiative, mental and physical fortitude. She’s willing and able to what’s necessary. She says, necessary for what? and he says, the WSB. He wants her to become one of them.  

Josslyn sits on the floor and flashes back to sitting by dead Dex’s bedside. She says she’d do anything for him to wake up. Or someone to wake her up and tell her this is a nightmare, but that’s not going to happen. He’s gone… He’s really gone. Her handler Vaughn comes in and says, break’s over. She looks tired. Is she sure she wants to stick around? Josslyn says, absolutely, and he shoves a protective vest at her and says, for the next phase.

Sonny asks what brings Carly by, and she says she wanted to check out him new place. She hopes she’s not interrupting something important. Lois says, it’s just family stuff, and Sonny says, they were talking about Gio.

Dante asks again if everything is okay, and Brook says she’s glad Lulu is here. Lulu says, that’s a first, and Brook says, granny is on a tear. Lulu is one of the few people she lets get away with murder. Maybe Lulu can calm her down. Lulu says she’s not doing Brook any favors. Not after what she’s done. Brook says, what? and Lulu says she thinks Brook heard her. Dante asks if Lulu is okay, and Lulu flashes back to seeing, Dante Falconari, father. Not on the birth certificate. She remembers telling Carly that Dante deserves to know he has a child, and Carly saying, in a perfect world, she’d agree, but it’s not just about Dante anymore. Lulu tells Dante that she’s just saying she doesn’t want to get involved. Whatever issue Brook has with Tracy, she’ll have to solve it herself. Brook says, far be it for anyone to ask Lulu for help. She tells Dante that she hopes things are okay with his dad. Next time, maybe Lulu could call before she drops by. She leaves, and Dante says, what was that? They talked about this, and he thought she was going to cut Brook some slack. She says she’s done with that. They can coddle Brook all they want. Dante says he thinks he’s done. He doesn’t want to referee anymore. Did she come to talk about Rocco or Charlotte? She says, no… and he says, then he’s not interested. Something happened with his dad and Gio, and believe it or not, Tracy. If she’s not into helping, he’s going to deal with that if she doesn’t mind. She says, absolutely. Go handle it. Dante leaves.

Carly asks if everything is okay with Gio, and Lois says, Sonny generously made an educational trust for Gio to go to grad school after PCU. Carly says, that’s great. What’s the problem? Sonny says, Tracy told Gio not to take his money, and Carly says, of course (🍷) she did. Lois says, Tracy is biased against Sonny, but she’s barking at the moon. They’ll always be family and the entire Cerullo clan will always be grateful what he’s done for Gio. Sonny says, family is family, and he’s happy to do it for Gio, but the real reason is that he can’t say no to Lois.

Jordan says, let her get this straight. Isaiah ran into her food delivery guy. Isaiah says, literally. There was Pad Thai all over the pavement. But don’t worry. He helped the guy clean up and tipped him. She says, that’s great, except now she has no lunch, and he says, no problem. He’ll fix her something. She asks if he cooks, and he says he cooks. She says, good luck. She doesn’t think there’s anything in her fridge except baking soda and a packet of soy sauce. He says he’ll see what he can do with what she’s got. He’s been known to work a miracle or two. He goes to the kitchen.

Vaughn asks Josslyn if she’s feeling tired. She’s been up for 48 hours. She says she’s good, and they get ready to spar. He asks if she’s had any training, and she says, a little kickboxing. He throws a punch, she feints, and they continue to spar. He says, nice. She has good instincts. It’s not industry standard, but a decent starting point. It’s not bad for not having slept and being in the middle of nowhere. Why is she doing this? She says, kicking his ass?

Sidwell tells Alexis, the dagger has some significance. He expects it’s providence. She says she’s only aware of two owners, her stepmother and the person she bequeathed it to – her. He guesses it was an unwelcome gift, and she says, it’s not a gift; it’s a curse. Helena Cassadine was her stepmother and used the dagger to slit her mother’s throat.

In her bedroom, Brook leaves a message for Gio, saying, she’s so sorry things got intense this morning. She hopes her grandmother didn’t offend him more than usual. She means well even when she’s doing wrong. There’s a knock at the door, and Brook says she’ll see him at home or give her a call back if he wants to talk. She opens the door and Lulu is there. Brook says she thought they were done, but Lulu says, they’re far from done. Brook says, they have no real connection other than Lulu being a terrible assistant and leeching off her grandmother. Lulu goes past Brook and into the room, and Brook says, so they’re doing this. Lulu says, Brook is going to want to close the door. She doubts Brook wants everyone hearing their private conversation. Brook asks what it’s about, and Lulu says, it’s about how Brook has been lying to Dante for years.

Sonny asks if he and Lois have anything else to discuss. He wants to let Gio know that he’s not pressuring him to take the money. Lois says she doubts he feels that way. He knows Sonny is generous. They all do. She’ll be in touch. She leaves, and Carly says, an educational trust fund for Gio. That’s an investment. Sonny says, education is very important. He’s certain that Gio’s family won’t be able to afford it. He’s funded Gio’s music education in the past and he’s happy to do it. Carly says, that doesn’t surprise her. Sonny takes care of the people he loves. He says, Tracy reminded him that the same people are hurt by him, and Carly asks if he’s sure she wasn’t talking about herself. Tracy doesn’t get to remind him of anything. He says, maybe she has a point, but Carly says, she doesn’t. Gio is an adult and he and Sonny have known each other most of Gio’s life. Gio gets to decide – not Tracy – if he wants help. Sonny says, Michael didn’t decide to be his son and look at where he is, and Carly says, Michael is the other reason she stopped by. She actually talked to him on the phone. He called her. He said he’s doing better. It’s slow, but he’s doing therapy and moving in the right direction. Sonny asks her to do him a favor. The next time she talks to Michael, tell him that he loves him. She says she will, but she knows Michael is going to call him and he can tell Michael himself. She knows Michael loves him too.

As they eat, Jordan says she still can’t believe Isaiah made this terrific pasta out of whatever he had to work with, and he says she had three ingredients in this place. She says, that’s why she orders in, and he says he sees why now, but he’s glad she’s enjoying the meal. She asks why he stopped by. To assault her delivery driver or impress her with his culinary skills? He says, the cooking is a bonus, but he’s glad to see her. She says, is that so? and he says, it is. He thought the idea of her going after Sidwell was for them to pursue whatever this is in private.

Vaughn says he read Josslyn’s file, and she asks, what’s in it? He says, Josslyn John Jax, PCU pre-med, switched to an environmental science major. A volleyball player. She says, former, and he says, former. A rich girl who could do anything or be anywhere other than here, and in five minutes, she’ll wish she wasn’t. Why isn’t she on a beach in Cancun having a fancy drink? She says, maybe because she’s not some rich girl who enjoys suntans and dysentery, and he says, why the WSB? She says she’s seen people die. She’s seen people take advantage with their power and wants to use hers to balance the scales and get a little justice. He says, if she means that, there’s the door.

Brook tells Lulu, understand something. She respects her grandmother and Dante, so she’s allowed Lulu to push her boundaries, but that ends now. She’s happy for Lulu’s children and family that she’s awake, but Lulu’s gone way too far with her. She has zero grace left to give Lulu. If Lulu has something to say to her, dare to say it. Lulu says, okay. How about this? Brook had Dante’s baby and never told him.

Alexis says she’s surprised Lucy didn’t fill Sidwell in on the sordid history of the property and its former owners, and he says, Lucy told him some history, but clearly omitted a few important details. To be clear, the dagger was used to murder Alexis’s mother? She says, yes, and he says, in light of that, at least let him offer her a drink, but she says, no thanks. She’s sober. He says, in light of that, he’ll make himself one, and she looks at the dagger. He says, forgive him, but did she witness her mother’s murder?

Isaiah says he doesn’t want to put pressure on Jordan or put her on the spot, but if now isn’t the right time or she’s not interested, he gets it. They’re cool. But he doesn’t want there to be any misunderstanding. He’s very interested in seeing what this can be, even if it’s here in her apartment – just her and him.

Dante goes to Sonny’s and asks how he’s liking the place. Sonny says, it’s not bad. As Dante can see, it’s bigger than the penthouse, and Dante says, it’s great. Did he deCassadine the place? Get a priest to exorcise it? Sonny laughs and says he had concerns, but it’s all good. He just needs it to be comfortable for his daughters. Dante says, Donna and Avery will love it, and Sonny says, that’s the plan. Does Dante want a drink? Dante says he’s good. He came to see Sonny to apologize for all the crap with Tracy. He should have said something sooner. Sonny says, Dante doesn’t have to defend him. He can handle himself. Dante says he knows, but what Sonny is doing for Gio is generous. He should have spoken up. Sonny says, he doesn’t have to apologize if he agrees with Tracy.

On the phone, Ned says, so the new edition of the [Photo Ark] book is out tomorrow?… Fantastic. His son Leo loves it. Thank you. Lois comes in and says, where is she? Ned’s mother. Ned says, hello to her too. His mother is out for a ride. Why? Lois says she’ll give Tracy a ride off a dock, and Ned asks what she’s done this time. Lois says, this time she’s gone too far. Does he want to know what she did? He says, it doesn’t matter. She’ll tell him anyway. She says she absolutely will. Sonny was very gracious and created a trust for Gio’s music future, now or whenever he needs it. Ned says, that was generous, and she says, it was. When he came over with the paperwork for Gio to sign, Tracy stuck her face into their private business. She told Gio not to sign it. Ned says he sees the problem, and she says, of course (🍷). Can he imagine the gall? But he says, this time, his mother is right.  

Lulu says, this is new. A speechless Brook. Brook says, whatever Lulu thinks she knows… and Lulu says she knows the truth. Don’t bother denying it. Brook says she didn’t deny it or confirm it, and Lulu says she doesn’t need Brook to do that. She saw the paperwork. Brook says, what paperwork? and Lulu says, from her lawyer. She saw Martin Grey’s files. Brook had a son and Dante was the father. She gave him up for adoption. Dante never knew the child existed, but Brook did. She kept Dante’s child from him. Brook says, I had a son?

Josslyn asks if Vaughn has the power to throw her out, and he says, no, but she has the power to walk away. She asks why she would do that, and he says, what she described was idealism. Take it to the Peace Corps. She says she’s not going anywhere, and he says, idealists who are in this line of work end up dead or worse. She says, what’s worse? and he says, she needs to understand this. The world and the WSB changes people. Ideals are shattered and people get corrupted, and there’s no one more corrupt in this world than a person who used to have ideals. He walks out.

Carly walks into Bobbie’s and sees Jack at a table. She flashes back to telling him that he should be with someone like Vivian, with no strings attached. She couldn’t do that. She goes to his table and says she didn’t expect to see him here again.  

Lulu says, if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she might buy Brook’s act. It’s not bad. But it was clear by Martin’s notes that she was trying to track her son or find out something about him, since she went to Martin. Brook says she never went to Martin. She never talked to a lawyer. She never talked to anyone. Lulu says, give it up. She saw Martin’s notes. She shows Brook the pictures on her phone and says, Brook had a baby when she was a teen. Dante’s baby. At least admit that much. Brook looks at the phone and hands it back. On the verge of tears, she leans on the desk and says she had a baby. She gave birth in San Francisco. She didn’t know if she had a girl or a boy. She couldn’t know. She never even held him. She’s never looked for him. She’s never talked to a lawyer. Lulu says, well, her mother did because she showed up at Martin’s hotel room.

Lois tells Ned, forget it. He never liked Sonny. She should have known better. She starts to leave, but Ned says, wait. He knows she and Sonny go back to the old neighborhood and the Cerullos and Sonny are rock solid. Their relationship goes back before Columbus. Lois says, that’s right and that’s never going to change, and he says, honestly, he doesn’t love it, but it’s none of his business. She says she wishes his mom understood that, and he says, what she doesn’t get, his mom did. Why encourage Gio to tie himself to Sonny? Sonny is a known criminal, and especially knowing where the money is coming from? She says, please. It has nothing to do with Sonny’s businesses. He says, yet in letting Sonny create a trust, Gio will feel indebted to him. It’s that simple. What if Gio decides to follow in his beneficiary’s footsteps? Or what if Sonny asks Gio to do him a favor and he gets caught in the line of fire? How will her loyalty help Gio then?

Dante tells Sonny that he didn’t agree with Tracy. He thought Sonny did a good thing when he came over. Sonny says he’s got to admit, it’s good to hear, and Dante says he can’t think of one time he agreed with Tracy about anything. Sonny should know that. And if he doesn’t, ask Jason or Stone and they’d tell him the same thing. They’re happy to have him in their lives, as is he. Sonny asks if he thinks his brother feels the same way, and Dante says, Michael got hurt at the penthouse, but Sonny is his dad and he loves him, The thing Sonny is doing for Gio should be appreciated, not picked apart by Tracy or anyone else. He appreciates the hell out of Sonny.

Jordan says, when she suggested she and Isaiah spend time together clandestinely, she thought it would be sexier, and he says, excuse me? He thought he was bringing the sexy. She says, he is, but she’s in sweats and wearing pedicure pads, and he says he’s seen grown men stop mid-sentence when she enters a room. Now he sees a side other people don’t get to. If she wants him to even the playing field, he’ll run home, get on the treadmill, run a few miles, and get super sweaty. She says, he could, but she can think of a better way to get sweaty. She kisses him.

Jack says he came in hoping to see Carly. Then again, he’s always hoping to see her. Carly sits down, and he asks, what happened? They seemed to be heading in a nice direction. What changed? She says, remember what happened on their date? and he says he explained about Vivian. She says, he was clear above board, and he asks, what’s the problem? She says, this is the problem. He was upfront about Vivian and his lifestyle, but she was just fooling herself into thinking their lifestyles were compatible. They’re just not.

Josslyn says, so Vaughn doesn’t care about anything and has no ideals, and he says, sometimes you have to do bad things to prevent worse things from happening. She says, that’s cynical, but he says, it’s pragmatic. He has no illusion about lighting the way for truth and justice. They’re not the same. She says she can do this, and he asks if she’s sure about that. He flips her and she falls to the ground. He says, rule number one, never fight fair. She gets up and they spar some more. He says, rule number two, see rule number one. He flips her down again and asks if she still thinks she’s got what it takes.

Sidwell apologizes for asking Alexis such a difficult question. Sometimes his curiosity comes across as a lack of common courtesy. Alexis says, it’s a tragic story with all too common a theme. Her father was Mikos Cassadine, and he fell in love with her mother Kristen, an opera singer and also his mistress. When Helena found out, she came to their home and murdered her mother in front of her. So yes, she watched it. Sidwell shakes his head and says he’s so sorry. It’s a horrible thing to witness and odd for someone to share openly, with a stranger no less. She picks up the dagger and says, sometimes it’s easier to talk about something with a stranger, especially something this barbaric. Now the dagger keeps reappearing, like it’s haunting her. She knows the weight and it’s not a replica. He says he wouldn’t know, and she says she threw it in the harbor. Sidwell says, maybe she misremembered. Such trauma wreaks havoc with memories. She says, maybe. In any event, looking at it and holding it is horrific. She tosses it onto the table.

Jordan says, this is the last thing she expected when she ordered Pad Thai, and Isaiah says, normally, he’d never stand between a woman and her take-out. He hopes she’s not too disappointed. She says she does love Pad Thai, but it’s okay. He asks if the way things turned out was a pleasant surprise, and she says, yeah, definitely. They kiss again.

Dante asks why Sonny thinks the Gio thing bothers him so much, and Sonny says he thinks Tracy’s words hit home. Gio might feel obligated to take the trust because of his loyalty. Dante says, and maybe it has nothing to do with that, but Sonny says, he doesn’t want Gio to feel forced to take the money. Dante suggests Sonny talk to Gio. Tell him that he can take it or leave it, and it won’t be at the cost of their relationship. Sonny says, forget the trust money right now. How is he doing? Dante says he doesn’t know. He thought if he knew what happened to Sam, he’d get closure, but he hasn’t. Sonny says, he misses Sam. That’s not going to change, but it will get more manageable. Dante says he thinks the reason he’s having a hard time is managing Lulu.

Brook says, her mother was in Martin’s hotel room and Lulu saw it? but Lulu says, not exactly. Brook wonders what Lulu was doing in there. She’s pretty sure Martin didn’t just hand her his notes. Lulu says, no, he didn’t, and Brook asks how she got the pictures. Lulu says, what matters is the truth, and Brook says, the truth is, Lulu broke in and got the information illegally. If Carly gave her the passkey… Lulu says, Carly had nothing to do with it, and Brook says, Lulu has nothing to do with her child. Lulu says, the child Brook gave birth to is her son’s half-brother and Dante has another child out in this world. Dante cares about Brook and believes she cares about him. How could she give birth and never tell Dante that his son existed?

Sidwell asks what Alexis would like to do. The dagger is hers to take with her, but he totally understands why she may not want to. She says, it came with the house. It’s his property now. She heads for the door, and he says he’ll walk her out, but she says she knows the way. She leaves and he takes a napkin, picking up the dagger by the blade with it. As he sips his drink, he looks at the handle.

Jordan guesses they could see where this goes, and Isaiah says, absolutely. She says, they need to be careful. Sidwell can’t know. He asks if she’s sure she wants to cozy up to Sidwell, and she asks if that’s what this about? Does he want to change her mind? He says, no. He just doesn’t understand why she has to be the one to expose him. The WSB and the PCPD already have eyes on him. She’s not in law enforcement anymore, so why involve herself rather than… She says, date him rather than bust Sidwell? He says, the simple solution would be to opt out.  

Jack says, to be clear, Carly doesn’t want to see him anymore because of his lifestyle. What type of lifestyle does she think he’s leading? She says, one where he diffuses bombs and sparks revolutions and sleeps with women without commitment or consequences. He says, what if he wants commitment and consequences? and she says, don’t do that. It’s not fair. She doesn’t want to have to be honest with herself. He says, all right. Take care of herself. He leaves and she frowns.

Vaughn says he had Josslyn on the floor because she didn’t pull out all the stops. Rule number three, do what you have to, to survive. Claw, scratch, bite… She kicks him in the groin, and he falls. She says, something like that? and in obvious pain, he says, yeah, something like that.

Dante tells Sonny, Lulu is trying to help, but the person who’s been the biggest help grieving Sam has been Brook. Sonny says, she stepped up? and Dante says, she’s been great, but it hurts Lulu. Sonny says he doesn’t get it. Dante and Brook have known each other their whole lives. They have history and trust, like him and Brook’s mother. There’s a kinship there.

Lois says, Ned is being unfair, but he says, not this time. He’s confused with her take on this. She was always loyal to Sonny in the past, but her loyalty had guardrails. She went out of her way to extricate a business relationship with Sonny from L&B Records. She even encouraged Brenda to wear a wire and record Sonny. Eventually she saw the financial conflict. Lois says, every penny Sonny put in was legit, including the money he put into Deception. He says, now the trust is fine because Sonny said so? What changed? Where did her due diligence go? What’s the is the difference with Gio?  

Brook says, Lulu is calling her a hypocrite when she got pregnant in high school. Remember? She certainly does. Lulu made a choice that was right for her and had people to support her, as she should have. Brook made a different choice. She gave birth and gave her baby up for adoption so they could have a better life. She wasn’t ready to be a mother. If she’d told Dante the truth, that choice would have been taken away from her. So get off her high horse. They both made a choice. Does she regret hers? Lulu says she made the choice that was right for her at the time, and Brook says she’s glad Lulu feels that way. She’s not judging Lulu’s choice, so don’t dare judge hers. Lulu says she’s not judging Brook’s choice. She’s judging Brook for her lies. Dante has a son out in the world, and because Brook lied, he doesn’t know. No matter the circumstances then, he deserves to know now. And if Brook doesn’t tell him, she will.

On Monday, Jordan tells Isaiah, that gives her an advantage that law enforcement doesn’t have; Dante needs Maxie’s help with something; Ned asks why Lois would go to Sonny rather than come to him; and Anna tells Jason, it’s too easy. Something is wrong.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I have the feeling he’ll be handling more than just Josslyn’s WSB  training.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/meet-bryce-durfee-general-hospitals-newest-cast-member

A glimpse at the woman behind GH’s head nurse.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-rebecca-herbst-shares-a-rare-family-update

I would hate to see her leave GH, but it sounds heavenly.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/rena-sofer-opens-up-about-wanting-to-semi-retire

He’s officially Beyond the Gates.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/beyond-the-gates/jon-lindstroms-beyond-the-gates-debut-date-revealed

Who knows? Maybe I’ll see him in NYC. Along with Lois. We can all hang out.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chad-duell-books-an-exciting-new-role

💉 A Dose of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

Thank God Harry’s thumb is safe.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The glamor was coming back to Erika. And apparently the cash, since Martyn the designer/decorator was pretty pricey. She had a bigger moss bowl than the one in Sonny’s old kitchen and they cost a small fortune. Yes, I checked them out once and did end up getting a moss wreath for my front door which was a slightly smaller fortune on sale. She gave her mom a tour. Meanwhile, Kathy and Kyle got mammograms. Kyle thought Mauricio was freaking out from everyone seeing the pic of him and the new girlfriend, but I’m thinking he probably just smoked a fatty. In Garcelle’s interview, she said she didn’t think things would ever be resolved between Sutton and Dorit. However, she and Dorit were making a fresh start of their friendship. She related to Dorit separating with small children, and thought the other women lacked compassion because they forgot.

Sutton had a fashion show and just before it started, Kathy decided to ask Sutton if Dorit could narrate. Sutton was pretty startled, but explained that there was no narration. Kathy took her sweet time getting back to her seat, greeting people as she went, and ended up nearly walking the runway with the first model. Sometimes I wonder if Kathy is smoking Mauricio’s leftovers. In Boz’s interview, she said she’d never seen crashing the catwalk in her experience. Garcelle’s son Jaid walked his first modeling gig in the show and Jennifer walked also, wearing the last outfit of a red sweater dress. The clothes were cute, casual, and sporty. I love Sutton. I don’t care if she’s mean sometimes. It’s always to those who have pushed her to that point and deserve it IMO. Sutton’s mom tried to make it, but after spending a million hours at the airport, could not catch a flight. She still made sure Sutton knew she was proud of her. It was an oasis of a sweet moment.

Denise Richards and Her Wild Things

I loved this, but I knew I would. I love Denise’s sense of humor and how down to earth she is. I’d thought she and Aaron separated, but they agreed they’d stay together even if they grew to hate one another because it was still better than getting a divorce. (See below.) There were two episodes, and the main takeaway point was: Now she knows how her parents felt. Yep. She’s friends with Tori Spelling, so we got to go to dinner with them, where Tori got the information that Patrick Muldoon had once dropped Denise for her. She said she’d always wanted a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but was fine with that. Camille Grammer also made an appearance, but the morally corrupt Faye Resnick was not in attendance.

What’s up with Aaron and his BDE.

Summer House

Lindsay had a gender reveal where the housemates had to find clues that eventually led to a box of pink balloons. Big baby Kyle got into it with Paige, leading to an unhappy Amanda. Bowling for Soup said it best: high school never ends. Amanda told Kyle that everybody didn’t need to know where he was coming from all the time, and he whined about his feelings being hurt. <sigh> On Watch What Happens Live, Kyle said certain companies don’t allow you to be on Summer House if you want to work for them. Why am I not surprised? I’ve been saying for years that I’d never hire someone who was on this show.

Southern Charm

Shep gave Sienna a megalodon necklace, but it still wasn’t enough to get her to like him. To make it worse, Taylor said it was like the necklace Shep gave her, although he insisted that was a Great White. After he was kinda sorta officially dumped, Shep bemoaned his situation to everyone, even telling his story to the bartenders. Austen and Craig kissed bro hugged and made up, and Craig rented some flamingoes to wander around during lunch. However, they freaked Madison out as they didn’t understand personal space.

Villain? Are they kidding? It was the highlight of my week, telling Shep the TV repeatedly, she doesn’t like you, and watching karma get him good.

Southern Hospitality

The Republic staff had their prom and… Man bun alert! No, Oisin. Just no. I’ll say it again. The only two men who are allowed to wear a man bun are Roger Howarth and Sensei Guillermo Gomez. Emmy might cry a lot, but I’d be crying too, if my so-called friend group kept following me around at parties – as a group – demanding answers about my love life. Needless to say, Maddi and Joe were prom queen and king, respectively.

No Will. Apparently, he was there somewhere in the periphery to support Emmy, but not on stage. I’m curious about Grace’s Burning Man inspired clothing line. Like is it all raffia and batik prints along with leather moto jackets? I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to this because it’s just a rehash of the same old. The big reveal was something about someone’s sister’s cousin’s boyfriend starting a rumor. Or something.

Random Reality Items

A surprise to no one that Jax has a cocaine issue.

Also probably a surprise to no one, but apparently this was about some old grudge involving GG’s ex-husband, who took up with Paulina. I wonder if GG kicked his ass too. But seriously, how old are we now?

https://people.com/shahs-of-sunset-paulina-ben-cohen-restraining-order-golnesa-gg-gharachedaghi-alleged-attack-11690931

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch

I’m still slogging through Lost and imagine my surprise to hear Nina’s (Cynthis Watros) voice. I’d been multitasking and nearly got whiplash looking back at the screen. Is everyone eventually going to show up on that island?

Venom: The Last Dance. Netflix. What can I say about this film? It was funny, the special effects were great, and there were lots of heads bitten off and such. A good time from start to finish. What more could I want?

https://collider.com/venom-the-last-dance-review/

Everything you’d ever want to know about the film.

https://screenrant.com/venom-the-last-dance-netflix-global-top-10-chart/

https://www.koimoi.com/television/venom-the-last-dance-ott-verdict-makes-a-thunderous-debut-on-netflix-at-1-with-an-impressive-number-of-views/

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke. Hulu. I’m a big fan of documentaries and people like this boggle my mind. It’s definitely an argument for being suspicious of people who present themselves as perfect. An influencer who racked up viewers on YouTube with videos of her happy Mormon (again?) family, abused them all behind the scenes. After a so-called family therapist came into their lives, things got even worse.

https://people.com/ruby-franke-docuseries-devil-in-the-family-hulu-11678978

🏆 And the Award Goes To…

Post Oscar talk.

https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2025

100+ photos!

https://www.eonline.com/photos/37556/vanity-fair-oscars-2025-party-red-carpet-fashion

Timothée Chalamet looks like he’s getting ready for prom.

https://pagesix.com/2025/03/03/style/melissa-rivers-on-the-best-and-worst-oscars-2025-looks/

The best and the worst moments. Probably up for debate.

https://ew.com/oscars-2025-best-and-worst-moments-11688617

https://people.com/best-and-worst-moments-of-the-oscars-2025-11689298

And a crossover!

👠 Best and Brightest…

How to watch this year’s Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/where-to-stream-2025-black-women-in-hollywood/

It’s not an awards show without the fashion.

https://www.essence.com/gallery/celebrity-looks-essence-black-women-in-hollywood-awards-2025/

🐩 Barbie Would Be Proud…

I’ll bet they keep her that color from now on.

https://people.com/runaway-pink-haired-poodle-rescued-after-jumping-into-freezing-river-waters-11692243

🐡 Quotes of the Week

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Focus on the journey, not on arriving at a certain destination. – Chris Hadfield

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. – Lao Tzu

Austen: You are an embellisher.🔹Craig: I’m a lawyer and a storyteller. – Austen Kroll and Craig Conover, Southern Charm

You can observe a lot by just watching. – Yogi Berra

🐍 Coming In Like an Anaconda…

Until next week, stay safe; stay remembering to SPRING AHEAD THIS WEEKEND (Sunday 2 am); and stay accepting your reality. When you do, you know who you are and what you want, and the whole world opens up in ways you never expected.

February 28, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Sidwell Makes Deception an Offer, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watching, And the Rest, Exact Last, Award News, Full Of Surprises, 8 Quotes Is Enough & Winds

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

🧴 Weekday Highlights…

Monday:

Waking up with Ric, Ava felt like things were looking up. Dante, Kristina, and Molly showed up at Alexis’s office. Anna called someone to come in about Cyrus. She told Chase she had one lead – Jason. Jason met Sonny at Bobbie’s, and said, if somebody killed Cyrus, it wasn’t him. He had to think of what Sam wanted. Trina told Josslyn to call her mother, but Josslyn said she lost her phone. Trina said something was up with Josslyn that was making her worry and asked, what happened last night?

Brook told Lois that Chase was being vulnerable and honest, so she thought she should too, and told him about having the baby in high school. At the Surf Lodge, Kai told Quinn that Trina’s dad owned The Savoy. Josslyn told Trina that she’d gone to Dex’s apartment and threw her phone against the wall in frustration. Trina said her date with Kai was nothing special and she was heading to Ava’s. At the hospital, Martin asked Laura about Lucky, and she said he was expected to make a full recovery. He told her Cyrus was missing, and she told him that Cyrus tried to kill Lulu more than once. He blamed himself for believing Cyrus had changed. Ava said Ric had nothing to do with Sonny offering a deal, but he begged to differ, saying, Sonny doesn’t fight; he settles. Dante said they knew who killed Sam. Alexis guessed correctly, and said, now they needed to know why.

Laura blamed herself for not barring Cyrus from visiting sooner and told Martin about Sam, Dex, and the patients at Turning Woods. Anna said she had nothing on Jason and nothing on Cyrus. She thought only someone as good as Jason could keep things so clean – it screamed professional. She wanted to bring Jason in. Gio apologized to Josslyn for Emma, but Josslyn said they had a strange history. She was happy Emma and Gio were friends. Jason went to the counter and Gio sat with Sonny. Josslyn asked to speak with Jason in private, but Anna called and said she needed him at the station – now – and he left. Dante told Alexis and the girls about what happened at Elizabeth’s and why Cyrus killed Sam.

Quinn tried to discourage Kai from a relationship with Trina. He’d told Trina to stay away from Kai. If it wasn’t for her, he wouldn’t have gotten injured. Trina told Ava about going out with Kai, but she wanted to keep it quiet because Josslyn was still grieving Dex. Ava said, for the first time, Trina was talking about her grief in the past tense. Brook said Chase was calm and non-judgmental, and Lois said he was a unicorn. Brook said she left out telling him that Dante was the father, and Lois said she made the right choice. Brook felt she could finally put the past behind her. Gio said he was glad Sonny was in his life, and he was thankful. Sonny gave Gio tickets to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and some cash, so Lois had extra for the trip, and he left. Martin said he and Cyrus fought about releasing their mother, so he’d taken over her care. Cyrus couldn’t save her, so he figured he could save others. He told Laura that he just made a formal complaint about Jason, thinking Cyrus was the victim, and Laura asked if the police thought Jason had something to do with Cyrus’s disappearance. They weren’t safe with Cyrus out there. Martin said they might not be safe until someone like Jason took care of Cyrus.

Sonny joined Laura at the hospital, and she said Lucky was stable now. Dante said Cyrus had vanished and Kristina said the justice system had failed again. Anna asked why Jason had gone against everything they’d discussed, and he said he’d thought about doing it, and wanted to, but didn’t because she’d asked him for a favor.  

Kai said his injury was an accident; he’d been at the top of his game. Quinn said he wasn’t the same, but Kai said the injury made him see there was more to him than football. Trina was the only reason he wasn’t losing his mind. Brook told Lois that Chase asked if she wanted to find her baby, when Gio interrupted. Ric came by the office looking for Diane and asked Alexis if there was something wrong. Felicia came into Bobbie’s and Josslyn asked if she had any leads on Cyrus. Molly said the system still did good, but Kristina said she’d never believe in it again. She didn’t see a world where Cyrus would pay for what he’d done. Anna told Jason about Cyrus’s cabin being immaculate. Only someone with his skill could leave a crime scene that clean, but maybe Cyrus was on the run. Jason said, if it was that clean, someone killed Cyrus, and she wondered who the hell did it if it wasn’t Jason?

Gio gave Lois the money and said he didn’t know how he’d ever pay her and Sonny back. He felt they were closer than cousins. Kai said Trina made him feel like there was more to him than just football and told Quinn not to speak on his behalf again. Trina told Ava that she still wasn’t ready to get involved and Kai just saw her as a friend. Then her friend called and asked if she was free. Laura said Luke would be happy she and Sonny were there for Lucky, and Sonny said he’d always be there for her. Alexis told Ric that Cyrus had killed Sam, and they hugged. Felicia told Josslyn that she didn’t think there was much evidence, and that Anna was convinced Cyrus had been killed. Jason was in custody. Chase told Dante the forensics report was back, and Dante looked baffled when he saw it. Chase said there were no fingerprints and almost no DNA, but there were two hairs, and they were Jason’s.

Tuesday:

Kai took Trina to the Modern Art Museum where he had a surprise. Jordan told Portia that Cyrus was gone. Jason said he was never in Cyrus’s cabin and had an alibi. Alexis joined Maxie at Drew’s because she wanted input on Scout’s bedroom and Alexis told him about Cyrus. Carly went to see Jack to thank him for fixing the plumbing and asked about the call he got. Josslyn asked why Jason had been brought in and ADA Turner said he was a suspect in Cyrus’s possible murder.

Drew wondered what to tell Scout and Alexis said it was his decision, but she didn’t think he should say anything right now. He agreed and said he was sorry for everything. Jordan said Portia could exhale because Cyrus wasn’t considered a threat anymore. Brad was talking to Lucas when Selina came into the hospital. Carly said if Jack hadn’t left, she would have asked him to stay the night, but it would have been a mistake. He said he would have stayed had she asked. Drew said he wanted Willow to have final say. She and Nina showed up. Jason said he was at Drew’s ADA Turner said Anna was being removed from the case due to lack of objectivity. They had multiple witnesses to Jason threatening Cyrus, there was evidence from the cabin, and the DA’s office was charging him. Josslyn said he didn’t do it.

Kai said the museum had an immersive experience for an expression from the community. Art was about taking chances and seeing what happens. Felicia called Portia to come to the nurses’ station and Selina gave Brad his letter of resignation. He was coming back to work for her. He said he and Lucas were going to Miami, but Selina blamed him for Cody’s losses. The debt was as much his as Cody’s and he had to work it off. Portia came by and suggested Selina leave. Maxie asked for Willow’s opinion on some window treatments, and they left. Drew told Nina that one day this would be Willow’s house. It was only a matter of time before they married. Carly said she wouldn’t be comfortable with Jack spending the night because she didn’t know what they were. If it was a fling, it had to stop. Josslyn said the DA was making a huge mistake and Turner told her to stay out of it. She went in to talk to Jason and Anna asked why Josslyn was so sure Jason hadn’t done it. Turner told Jason, this time he wasn’t getting away with murder.

Selina said she thought hospitals welcomed support from the community, but Portia said they couldn’t welcome the strings. In Mandarin, Selina told Brad not to be bullied and she’d keep in touch. Brad thanked Portia again and she asked if he took care of the matter they’d discussed. He said he had and he got a text from Selina: Meet at the Surf Lodge. We’re not done.  Nina said Drew was rushing Willow and taking advantage of her. She wondered if the Jason/Sasha situation was making him think he had something to prove. Drew said she was jealous. Josslyn told Colette that an innocent man was going to prison for something she did, and she needed to see Jack now. Jack told Carly to choose the time and place and he’d be there. She asked how long he could wait, when Colette called, and he told her about Jason being in custody.

Brad begged Selina not to make him quit his job. He was trying to be a better person. She said if Lucas didn’t respect him, he could find someone to appreciate him. One way or another, his debt would be paid. He said, what if he had another way? Portia told Jordan that a huge weight had been lifted. Lucas told Alexis that it seemed unlikely Sam’s death was a mistake, and Elizabeth and Lucky found proof linking Cyrus to the murders. Alexis wondered why no one told her. Josslyn asked why Jason was being charged and how his DNA was in the cabin. Jack said they’d put it there. Jason asked for his attorney, but Turner said they didn’t need a statement. Willow said the whole place was gorgeous and Drew asked if Willow wanted to go with him to pick up Scout’s bed. Drew got a call to come to the station and Willow went with him. Nina said Maxie had to help her stop Willow from moving in.

Trina and Kai painted, but it was difficult for him to work with his left hand. He said he had no idea what he was going to do next. Lucas told Alexis that he didn’t want to say anything without proof, and she deserved the truth. She said after Sam’s death was a blur and asked if she’d blamed him. Was that why he didn’t go to Sam’s funeral? Nina wanted to break in Drew’s safe. He was definitely hiding something. Maxie said he was hiding that he’d slept with Nina, but Nina said if she told Willow the truth, Willow would be on her own. Maxie said if Nina kept trying to break them up, they’d grow closer. Jack said they had no choice but to give the police another suspect, and Josslyn said she couldn’t let Jason go to prison. Jack said he wouldn’t. Without a body, there was no crime. Josslyn said it was wrong, and Jack said Cyrus’s body could be found and a proper investigation could happen. Did she want that? Josslyn asked him to promise Jason wouldn’t go to prison. Cyrus should stay gone for the greater good. Anna told Carly what was going on, but Carly said Jason wouldn’t make a mistake like that. Anna said he had an alibi, when Drew and Willow came into the station.

Trina said Kai was more than football, but he wasn’t so sure. She said he had an innate understanding of color and composition, and he said what got him interested in art was her. Lucas told Alexis that Danny asked him to leave when he’d come to the church, but they were good now. He might not have caused harm, but he shouldn’t have been Sam’s surgeon. Alexis said they’d been lucky to have him. He had a sense of justice like Sam had. He said he didn’t regret missing the funeral, but regretted the chance to say how much he loved Sam. Jordan said Cyrus’s disappearance was too neat. He was gone for good, but his case wasn’t closed. Brad gave Selina proof that Portia tampered with test results in exchange for his debt being paid. Maxie told Nina to learn to trust Willow, but Nina said Drew broke up her marriage. Willow played a part, but he’d started a relationship with her and then her daughter. Maxie said, nobody was blameless, but Nina said only one person didn’t care this was ruining people’s lives. Maxie suggested Nina look in a folder when she was gone. Turner told Drew that Cyrus disappeared, and Jason’s DNA was there, but Jason claimed he was with Drew. Could Drew corroborate? Jack said Josslyn might be the right person for a job, but she said she wasn’t WSB material. He said he was asking her to serve, protect, and do her part for the greater good.

Wednesday:

Jack told Josslyn that they’d train her, but she already had some WSB attributes. She was intelligent, brave, had good perspective and instincts, and she could think on her feet, but most important, she wanted to make a difference in the world. Tracy got a cease and desist order to prevent Drew from using in the Quartermaine name. Curtis met Stella at the hospital, and she said she thought they had a way for him to take down Drew. No surprise, Drew lied like a rug and said Jason wasn’t with him.

Kai and Trina continued to paint. Kai included possibilities for his future. Trina wondered if they hadn’t met if kai wouldn’t still be playing football. Chase suggested they ask Finn to be the sperm donor so the baby could be related to both of them. She asked if he’d talked to Finn. Jack said Josslyn asked all the right questions about Dex, but she said she lost it in the station and alerted Cyrus. He said, after that, she did the right things, and he’d shared indicators with her. He didn’t anticipate her bringing a gun. Cyrus would have gone on killing if she hadn’t stopped him. Tracy said she had to protect their brand, but Lois protested. Stella said it was her civic duty to help stop Drew from abusing his power. Congressman Henderson had agreed to see him. Drew said Cyrus had threatened Jason’s son, but he couldn’t lie for him. Turner was called away, and Carly said Drew used to be a decent man, and asked if he’d seen what he’d done. He said he didn’t need to prove anything, and Jason was taken to booking. Carly asked Willow, what the hell happened to her?

Chase said they could talk to Finn tonight, but Brook said they needed to think about it. She didn’t want his brother’s baby; she wanted his. Kai said nothing Trina did caused the injury and he’d spoken to Quinn. Sometimes Quinn needed someone to blame so he could tell himself the same thing wouldn’t happen to him. He’d been playing the best game of his life before getting tackled. If it wasn’t for her, he’d be losing his mind. Stella said Drew was looking for a seat on the Appropriations Committee, and Curtis said he’d have to convince Anderson that Drew was only interested in his personal agenda. He asked what best approach was. Drew said Jason just wanted to bring him bad press, and Carly said he was going to let a murderer go free for spite. They wouldn’t look for real murderer now that Jason was in custody. She told Willow to wake up. She was having an affair with a man who didn’t exist. Drew said he’d give his statement tomorrow and they left. Anna said it wasn’t enough for a case and Turner said Bennett was now in charge. It was out of Anna’s hands. Jack told Josslyn that working with the WSB meant leading a double life. She could never tell anyone, not even her mother. He’d provide cover stories she must stick to. Covert work shifted the arc of the universe toward justice.

Jack said he was offering her a career where she could use her skills and natural talents. How did it feel knowing she’d stopped Dex’s killer? She said she did something that mattered and he said she’d saved many lives. There were others as dangerous out there and sometimes you had to go outside the system for the greater good. She had him to determine that. Curtis practiced what he’d say to Anderson and told Stella that Drew had stated he’d use his power to scuttle Aurora’s projects in congress. Aurora was a major source of jobs and revenue, and Drew was already blocking the McConkey esplanade. He put his bruised ego ahead of his constituents and they would get hurt by his need for revenge. Stella said it sounded good. Brook reminded Chase that Kristina and Molly’s relationship was almost ruined. What would it be like when their child learned their uncle was their father? Chase asked if they had to know. Diane wanted her see client and told Turner that anything he said prior to her arrival would be tossed out. Anna told Carly that she was kicked off the case for bias, and Carly asked Anna to use her position to get Jason out. Anna said Diane would do that. Diane wondered who killed Cyrus, but Jason said he didn’t know. She said, the cabin was spotless, but he said he was never in the cabin. She said that begged the question, who wanted to frame him?

Kai said he told Quinn to back off, but Trina said she felt like she was steamrolling him. He said she was a little pushy, and she said, welcome to me. He took her hand and said he needed pushing and liked the way she challenged him. Lois asked where this left Scout, and Tracy said Scout was Alan’s granddaughter and would always be a Quartermaine. Gio said, she wouldn’t have same name as her dad. He’d never known his dad, but his last name made him feel close to him. Lois asked if Scout hadn’t been through enough. Drew bitched to Willow about Carly and wondered if Willow had anything to ask him. Chase thought telling the child would help reassure them that they were family, but Brook said she didn’t want their child to feel like consolation prize. Jason said Cyrus’s DNA wasn’t there, but his was. He was an easy target. He was angry, got careless, and threatened Cyrus. Diane thought his priorities had shifted. He was putting being a dad over work. He said, somebody used it against him. Anna told Carly that they’d uncovered another victim – Michael. Cyrus confessed he’d injected Michael with digitalis in the burn unit. Carly said, find the killer so she could thank them. Josslyn said she wasn’t killing people, but Jack said they had plenty of people for that. Her skills lay elsewhere. She was young, beautiful, and not afraid to talk to people. She could get in places he couldn’t and ask questions he couldn’t. She said she couldn’t say no. He’d covered for her in a murder. If she didn’t cooperate, he could send her to prison.

Ned asked if Monica knew, and Tracy said, leave Monica out of this. She told Lois to butt out, and Lois left. Brook told Chase that she wasn’t saying no. She just wanted to be sure. Chase left to go to the boxing gym. Carly asked to talk to Jason and Turner asked why an innocent man would lie about an alibi. Carly said Drew knew they’d never believe a career criminal over a US congressman. She added that there was no body, but Turner said it was preferable, but not essential. Jason told Cyrus that they’d never find his body. She suggested Josslyn not interfere, and Carly said she was making a huge mistake. Turner said Cyrus had killed the mother of Jason’s son. Anna told Jason that she was off the case, but determined to find the body. Jason said she wouldn’t find it or any other evidence. Cyrus was taken out by a pro who didn’t leave tracks. Jack said a coerced agent was no good to them. You had to commit to the job, or you’d get yourself or others killed. He was offering the rarest of opportunities, the chance to make a difference in the world and challenge herself. Whatever she chose, he asked her not to mention this to anyone ever. Act like it never happened.

Jack said he hadn’t been wrong yet, but it was a time sensitive offer. Josslyn said she’d do it, for the reasons he said, but also for Dex. He was a good man who had a hard life. All he wanted to do was help people. Jack said she would leave tonight. Kai said he was impressed by Trina, when she fell off the stepladder, but he caught her, and she kissed him. Gio said he thought what Tracy was doing was wrong. You couldn’t kick out family. He didn’t like what she was doing. Olivia said it was going to hurt Scout, but Tracy disagreed. Defending the family name could only help Scout. Gio had no right to weigh in because he wasn’t a Quartermaine. However, he’d still be a better one than Drew. Brook told Lois about Chase wanting Finn to be their sperm donor and asked what to do. Curtis thanked Stella and promised he’d make his one shot count. Stella said, the citizens would be proud, but his aunt was worried Drew would retaliate. He said she and mama stood up for what was right. Willow told Drew that they had a connection, and she made her own choices now. She chose him completely. <gag> Drew said he chose her and Willow said she wanted the world to know it. She’d love to move in. Diane had a court order for Jason’s release and told Turner that Judge Green agreed they had no case. She was filing a motion to dismiss at arraignment. Turner said, Jason was free to go – for now – and Anna said, they still didn’t know who killed Cyrus. Carly said, who cares? and Anna said Jason was set up to take the fall. She was going to find out who they were and stop it. If they went to all this trouble to set Jason up, they weren’t going to stop.

Thursday:

While Lulu sat by his bedside, Lucky opened his eyes. Chase met Dante at the boxing gym. Brook told Lois about Chase wanting Finn to be the sperm donor, and she said, wow, wow, wow. Brook said Chase hadn’t been that optimistic since he found out he was sterile, and she didn’t give him the reaction he was hoping for. She could tell he was upset, but she wanted Chase’s baby, not his brother’s. Laura told Sonny they had a problem, and his name was Jenz Sidwell. Lucy met Sidwell at Charlie’s. He said he had an ulterior motive for meeting her. Carly met Jack at Charlie’s, and Martin met with Tracy at the Quartermaine mansion. She wondered if he found a new way to work her last nerve, and he said she might want to find another way to work her last legal maneuver.

Trina told Stella about painting with Kai. Carly told Jack about Jason’s DNA being found in the cabin and that his brother refused to corroborate his alibi. Sidwell asked Lucy to deal with Sonny regarding the property by the water. Sonny said he didn’t think Drew would be so stupid to team up with Sidwell, and Curtis told him about them wanting the property. Laura said they were planning on invoking eminent domain. Chase felt he’d blindsided Brook and put her in an awkward position, but Dante said it wasn’t his fault. Lois said it would bring up complications to ask Finn and thought Brook was trying to convince herself. If she had to work that hard, maybe it wasn’t right. They were talking about a baby, not a pair of stilettos. Brook said it wasn’t the right choice, but didn’t want to burden Chase. Tracy said she was sick of Drew incorporating the Quartermaine name and legacy, and Martin asked, when was the last time the estate was surveyed? Elizabeth said Lucky was her hero and risked his life to save her, and Felicia said, she saved him back. The best kind of love was when you took turns rescuing each other. Lucky asked Lulu, what happened? Was Elizabeth okay? She said everyone was fine, and he asked to see them. She wondered what he’d been thinking.

Lucky said he had to do something, and Lulu said she couldn’t lose him too, but she didn’t blame him. He told her that he wanted to make Cyrus pay for trying to kill her too. He asked if Cyrus had been taken care of, and she said, someone did. Martin said there was an error that went back decades. Tracy’s father had misjudged the boundary of the property that contained the family crypt.

Lulu said, Cyrus disappeared, and they arrested Jason, and Lucky wondered if Jason did it, but didn’t want to know. Cyrus being gone was all that mattered. Elizabeth said she couldn’t count on Lucky staying, when Lulu announced Lucky was awake. Lois said Brook and Chase had to make a choice best for both of them, and Brook said she didn’t think she could keep such a huge secret from her child. Elizabeth ran in to see Lucky. Curtis said Drew and Sidwell knew what they were doing in teaming up, and Sonny said it was the stupidest idea ever. Jordan said it was a way to screw him and Jason over, but Sonny said he wasn’t rolling over and playing dead. Laura said she couldn’t allow the city to become a battleground between them. They’d agreed the original site was best for Port Charles and there was no room for him to retaliate. Felicia called to tell Laura that Lucky was awake, and Sonny drove her to the hospital. Stella asked how Kai was handling his injury, and Trina said he was coming to terms that his future had changed. Stella said Trina had turned her life around after Spencer’s death. Sidwell told Carly that what happened with Sasha was a misunderstanding and he hoped she had the continued good sense not to alert authorities. Jack introduced himself and said if Sidwell troubled Carly again, he’d drop a bomb on him and finish the job he’d started. (Bazinga!)

Elizabeth thanked Lucky for saving her and kissed him. He said knowing she was all right made it worth it. She said she’d bring Aiden by in the morning and Lucky said they had a lot to talk about. She said they had plenty of time later. Lucy told Sidwell that the commission was Birkin bag tempting, but she had to decline. Carly asked what Jack told Sidwell, and he said, nothing remarkable, but he hoped they had an understanding. Sometimes there was no other option than being ruthless. He was going to give her all the time she needed because she was worth waiting for. Stella asked if Kai and Trina were on a date, and Trina said, by the end of the night, it changed to a date. Martin told Tracy that this was common in old money families. It would stay between them because she’d drop the cease and desist, or there would be bulldozers there asap. Tracy said she wasn’t dropping anything and calling Drew’s bluff.  

Dante said he didn’t know if he could biologically father a child and keep them at a distance. He didn’t think he could be a donor to someone close to him and didn’t think Finn could either. He also had to think about Violet. He didn’t want what happened to Molly and Kristina to happen with them. Chase thanked Dante for helping him understand Brook’s perspective better. Brook told Lois that the discussion made her think about the baby she gave up and she had questions. She couldn’t stop thinking about how they might feel about her. Laura went to see Lucky, and he said it didn’t matter how old you get, you still need your mom. He felt better when she was around. Martin asked why Tracy had to complicate everything, when Lulu interrupted with the news about Lucky. Martin told her that he still hadn’t heard from Valentin. He’d gone through everything but there was nothing to help. Lulu asked if she could see his records, but he said he could be disbarred. He told Tracy, this isn’t over, and left. Tracy said he was lying to Lulu. He was an arrogant nuisance before she arrived, then became the doting uncle, and she thought he was hiding something.

Curtis told Jordan about Congressman Henderson, but it would do nothing to stop Sidwell. Jordan said, knowledge is power, and thought she could get something out of Sidwell. She was having dinner with him this week. Lucy said Sonny would never sell his properties, but she could introduce Sidwell to other property owners. He said he was pursuing other avenues to acquire it. Carly believed Josslyn was away on a bogus trip and told Trina that she thought this trip was going to change Josslyn’s life. Chase apologized to Brook for just throwing it out there and agreed Finn wasn’t the right choice. He didn’t want her to feel she couldn’t be honest with him. Laura told Elizabeth that she felt like she could breathe again and wondered if Lucky felt differently about staying. Lucky told Sonny there was a moment when he couldn’t breathe, and he thought it was the end. In that moment, he heard his dad’s voice say it wasn’t his time. Not yet, cowboy. Not yet. He wondered if it was crazy, but Sonny said Lucky’s father always had the best timing. Lucky had it too. Like father, like son. Dante asked if something was going on, and Lulu said Tracy thought Martin was hiding something. Dante thought no good could come out of Lulu investigating Martin, but she thought he was the key to finding Charlotte.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Sonny and Kristina walk into Bobbie’s and see Alexis with Molly. Alexis asks if they want to join them, and Sonny says, Kristina is calling the shots, but Kristina says she has to talk to her dad about something. She and Sonny go to another table, and Molly asks what Alexis thinks that’s about. Alexis says, your guess is as good as mine, and Molly asks what her guess is about Cyrus. Alexis asks if she means who disappeared him. Her guess is Jason, but it’s frustrating because she begged him not to do it. Molly says, for his sake and Danny’s, and Alexis says, especially Danny’s. Danny just lost his mother. He doesn’t need to lose his father too. Molly says she’s picking Danny up to take him to a movie, and Alexis says, that’s sweet. Molly says she’ll do a subtle check in… as subtle as she can be. She’ll see how he’s holding up. Alexis asks how Molly is doing. Their family seems to have jumped from one disaster to another since Sam died. Molly says, before then, and asks if Alexis thinks life will ever feel normal again. Alexis sees Ric and Ava walk in and says, not likely.

Isaiah goes into Lucky’s room, and Lucky says, good. He needs a doctor’s expertise. Is it possible to die of boredom? Isaiah says, it’s rare, but it’s great to see Lucky is recovering nicely. Lucky says he has a favor to ask, and Isaiah says, name it. Lucky says, get him out of here.

At the MetroCourt, Jordan texts Sidwell: At restaurant. On the elevator with a stranger, Sidwell hears Natalia tell them to hold the door. She gets on and Sidwell smiles at her. The stranger gets off, and Sidwell asks, how things are at Deception? Natalia says, none of his damn business, and he says he understands her concern, but he has no intention of telling her co-workers that they used to be married. Her secret is safe with him. The elevator stops and Maxie gets in.

Olivia goes to Carly’s office and asks how Michael is doing. Carly says, slow and steady, but he’s moving in the right direction. She thanks Olivia for asking and wonders, what’s going on? Olivia says she needs Carly’s help, and Carly says, with what? Olivia says, rescuing Sasha from the Quartermaines.

Jason comes into the nook and asks if Sasha is okay. She says, his mother is driving her crazy. She doesn’t know how much more she can take.

Ava says, all she wanted was a cup of coffee, not a face full of their drama, and Ric tells her not to let them drive her out. Besides, it could be fun. Sonny asks if Kristina is all right, and she says she’s letting them distract her from what she came to discuss. He asks if she’s going to let him in on it, and she says, they need to talk about his living situation. Ric goes over to Alexis and Molly’s table and says, hi.

Sidwell says, how lovely to see Maxie again, and they all get out of the elevator at the restaurant. He says, excuse him. He doesn’t want to keep his breakfast companion waiting. He leaves, and Natalia asks if Maxie got an SOS from Lucy. Maxie says, many, many times. Does Natalia know what it’s about? Natalia says, no – Lucy comes in – but they’re going to find out.  

Olivia asks if there’s any chance Carly got Jason to admit he was the father. Don’t act like she’s above it. Carly says she’s not. He hasn’t said and she promised Sasha that she wouldn’t pry. If Jason wants her to know, he’ll tell her. Until then, she’s staying out of it. Olivia says, that’s some serious personal growth, but Carly says, don’t give her credit. Sonny talked her into it, but she doesn’t want to admit he’s right. Olivia says, great. That means her plan is going to work. Carly asks if the Quartermaines are really suffocating Sasha, and Olivia says she’s afraid so. They’re intrusive and she’s afraid Sasha will bolt and they’ll never see her or that little baby again.

Sasha says she adores Monica and knows she means well… Jason says, but she’s driving Sasha crazy. Sasha says, the whole family is. It’s like she has no independence. She’d like to think it’s all in her head, but look at Willow. She’s not condoning what Willow’s done and her relationship with Drew, but the Quartermaines are being really relentless in trying to bring the kids back into the fold – Willow’s kids. He says, they’re Michael’s kids too, and she says she never wants to be in the position of having the family calling the shots on how she lives her life or how her children live. What doctors they see, what schools they go to, and what sweaters they wear. He says, sweaters? and she takes a little sweater out of a giftbag. She says, from Monica. Green because they don’t know the sex. Jason says he’ll talk to Monica, but she says, no. She doesn’t need him to. From the day she found out she’s been prepared and wanting to be a single mom. She wants to do it on her own and figure it out. She knows she will. He says he doesn’t doubt they’ll respect her boundaries, but sometimes in life unpredictable stuff comes out of nowhere. In that case, she might need support. She says, from him? and he says he made the commitment. He won’t tell her how to live or how to raise her kids, but he’ll be here to make sure she’s okay. And there’s one thing he can always offer if necessary – money.

Isaiah says he’s not Lucky’s doctor. He can’t sign Lucky out. He should just wait it out. He’s sure Lucky’s paperwork will come through soon. Besides, it might not be the worst thing in the world to give it a minute and recover. Lucky says, Isaiah has seen him in way worse shape, and Isaiah says, true. But all those times, he was never knocking at death’s door. Lucky says, this time, he was halfway through.

Kristina asks how house hunting is going, but Sonny says, it’s on the back burner. He’s been busy. What does she want him to do? She says she knows he’s busy, but he needs to prioritize getting a home for Donna and Avery. Ric hugs Molly and asks how it’s going. She says she’s busy. Him? He says he can’t complain. He’ll call her later. He tells Alexis, enjoy her breakfast, and she says, him too. He leaves, and Molly says, that went okay. Alexis asks how badly she wanted to suggest he leave, and Molly says, so badly. Maybe it was the new laid back her. Alexis says she’s wondered what it would be like if one of them was laid back, and Molly says, the laid back her is super chill and not controlling. Alexis says she likes it, but Molly’s been like this since she was a girl. Molly says she’s going to focus her energy where it will do the most good – Danny and Scout – and Alexis says she loves that, but save some of that energy for herself. Ava tells Ric, here’s to an equitable custody arrangement. What it should have been all along. He may not admit it, but she thinks Sonny is happy too. Ric suggests she not press her luck, but she says, it’s not luck. She and Sonny are in a good place. Watch. She’ll show him. She goes over to Sonny’s table, where Kristina is saying that Donna and Avery will need their own bedrooms, and says, good morning. They both just look at her, Kristina’s look more of a glare.

Lucky tells Isaiah, it was a moment that could have gone either way. Ironic, isn’t it? All his talking about staying or going. Isaiah says, in Port Charles? and Lucky says, it turns out the real decision to stay, whether his heart would beating keep or not, was decided. Someone decided with Isaiah’s help. They’ve seen enough death and most of the time there’s no choice, but there was this strange overwhelming feeling that he wasn’t done yet. That he had too much here. People he loves, a son he wants to see grow up, his mom and his sister. Isaiah says, anyone else? and Lucky says, Elizabeth. Isaiah says, he’s a lucky man. Elizabeth is a remarkable woman.

Olivia tells Carly that her plan is to keep Sasha in town. She was thinking they could give her a job at the MetroCourt. She could start out in the kitchen and go to the front of the house when her due date is closer. Maybe they could comp a room to make her life easier. Carly says she likes it. She’s in. Olivia says she’s glad. She was about to extend the offer, but wanted to run it past Carly first. Her phone dings, and she says, of course (🍷). One parent who was supposed to chaperone Leo’s field trip can’t go and she’s first on the reserve list. Carly says, go. She’ll talk to Sasha. Enjoy the field trip. Where are they going? Olivia says, the Port Charles Historical Society, and Carly says, it should be interesting. Olivia says, from her lips, blesses herself, and leaves.

Sasha says, if she’d been running a con on Jason and it worked, she’d be fine taking his money. She never understood about her mom, but now she does. Her mom earned that money. She swindled it fair and square. Jason says, if he gives it to her, it’s charity, and she says, which she hates. Because the charitable person can decide to take away their charity for whatever reason. It’s their money and they’re in charge. He says he gets it. She wants to be the one to call the shots. She says, for all his laid-back vibes and the doing his own thing persona, he thinks he’s in charge too. He’s stealthy about it, but at the end of the day, he gets his own way. Not this time. Not with her. Now if he’ll excuse her, she needs to get back to work.

Sidwell says he understands Cyrus has gone missing and foul play is suspected, and Jordan says, the PCPD is still trying figure out what happened. He says he read a quote from her in The Invader and was aware she was once Police Commissioner, but didn’t realize Cyrus was such a problem during her tenure. She says, problem is putting it mildly, and he asks how she feels having Cyrus seemingly no longer around. She says, relieved that he can’t hurt anyone anymore, but it’s not the way she wanted it to happen. For someone to play God and do him in because they felt like it gives her no satisfaction.

Lucy asks if they remember the zincite dealer in Helsinki that Lulu got into it with, and Natalia says, he didn’t get his payment in time. Maxie says she thought Brook took care of it, but Lucy says, that didn’t happen, and he sold their zinc to… Maxie tells her, don’t say it, and she says, Enchantment. Natalia says, it’s the key ingredient needed in their new overnight wrinkle cream. They need a new dealer. Maxie says, if they drop it after Enchantment does, it will look like a cheap knockoff. They need a new connection. Natalia says, it’s rare. It’s important they find a new supplier. Lucky looks at Sidwell, and Maxie says, no, no, no, no, no. She knows that look. Lucy says she just happens to know someone who works in rare minerals, and Natalia looks at her.

Jordan says, as much as she loves discussing the criminal justice system, she doesn’t believe this is what Sidwell wanted to discuss. Sidwell says he wanted to discuss the esplanade. He waited for confirmation from the mayor about moving it to the new location, but so far, he’s heard nothing. Jordan says, the mayor feels Port Charles is better served by keeping it in the original location, and he asks if Jordan thinks it has nothing to do with Laura’s personal relationship with Sonny. Lucy says, sorry to interrupt. Jenz, her dear friend. She’s got a business opportunity for him, and he happens to be here. Jordan says, they can pick this up later, and Sidwell asks if she’s sure. Jordan says she has another meeting to get to anyway. Good luck. She leaves and Sidwell asks Lucy if he’s going to need luck for this.

Sasha finds Cody in the nook, and he says, the coffee machine at the stable is busted. She tells him to do what he wants, but don’t leave on her account. It’s a novel concept, doing what you want. He says, rough day? and she says, the Quartermaines have been breathing down her neck. It’s like the baby gave them an all access pass. He says, sorry. He knows it’s his fault. She says, no. It is how they found out how and when, but it wasn’t realistic for her to think she could hide it. She may have been engaged in more than a little wishful thinking. He says, does that mean they’re…? and she says, he apologized, she accepted, it’s all good.

Ava tells Sonny, sorry to interrupt. She just wanted to confirm the Tuesday exchange. Sonny says, sounds good, and she asks if he knows it’s Avery’s recital. He says he got an email, and she says, Avery tried on her costume and she’s adorable. He’ll melt when he sees her. Kristina says, it’s nice that Ava can spend time with her daughter out in the world instead of visiting her at the cemetery because Ava killed her. Ava says she’s sorry Kristina feels like that, and Kristina says she’s going to feel like that forever. What is Ava sorry about? That she’ll never get to go to her daughter’s recital or that her daughter is dead because Ava killed her and got away with it? You conniving bitch. Ric comes over and says, enough. Let him outline basic law. When a jury acquits someone, they’re free. Kristina says she’s painfully aware, and Ric says, then she doesn’t need a lawyer. She needs a therapist since she’s incapable of accepting reality. She tripped and fell. She bulldozed her way into Ava’s room and forced an altercation. Either it was a horrible, tragic accident or Kristina caused it. Kristina says, he wasn’t there. Her anger is about Ava’s guilt for killing her child. He says, Molly’s child actually, and Sonny tells him, back off.

Ric says, Sonny’s daughter thinks her feelings are the most important. She’s self-indulgent and self-involved. Alexis joins them and suggests he and Ava walk away. She asks Kristina, why is she engaging with Ric? He’s a horrible, petty person. She tells Ric, go to hell, but he says, not today, and he and Ava go back to their table. Sonny thanks Alexis for intervening. He was going to punch Ric and then Ric would sue him, so what’s the point? Alexis asks if Kristina is all right, and Kristina says she’s got to go. Sonny says he’ll walk her out, and they leave, Kristina thanking Alexis on her way out the door. Alexis says, anytime… Hopefully, never again. Ric says, Alexis hasn’t even noticed Molly is gone, and she says, Molly probably didn’t want to watch him be an ass. He says, she knows better than that, and Alexis leaves.

Jordan meets Isaiah and tells him that she met with Sidwell. He says, that’s something he definitely didn’t want to hear. She says, it was unsettling, and he says, of course (🍷). Sidwell is as dangerous as they come. Not because he’s an ogre or a sadist. He’s not interested in gratuitous torture. He’s interested in making money and if you get in the way of that, he’ll get rid of you. She says she knows what she’s doing, and he says, with all due respect – and he truly respects her – she’s beautiful, smart, and competent. Any guy would fall for her, but trust him. Sidwell’s not just any guy. She says she knows it might not be easy, and he tells her he guarantees it won’t be.

Sasha says she’s supposed to meet Olivia at the MetroCourt, and Cody asks if he can say one thing. She says, make it quick, and he says, the Quartermaines have the crazy, uncanny ability to work a person’s last nerve, but he thinks they care deep down, sometimes even on the surface. She says she does think they care, but there’s a fine line between caring and controlling and she refuses to let them control her. He says, you go, cuz… Too soon. He’s got it. It felt gross coming out. He almost choked. She leaves.

Maxie asks if Natalia is okay, and Natalia asks, why? Maxie says, she seemed off in the elevator, and Natalia says she’s pretty concerned about that Sidwell guy. She did some research on him and thinks they’ll regret working with him. Lucy brings Sidwell over to the table and says, ta-da! The answer to their prayers. Sidwell says he understands they’ve decided they’re willing to do business with him after all.

Molly comes into the nook, and Cody asks, what’s up? She says she’s taking Danny to a movie, and he says, very cool, but he thought he saw Danny take off on his bike five minutes ago. Molly says, he texted her. He needs to get a textbook at a friend’s house, so she’s waiting here for him. Cody says, cool. Coffee? She says she’s good, and he asks how she is. He hasn’t seen her since they’re trip to the roof. Does she think they fixed the lock yet? She says, certainly not. She’s sad to say she’d rather spend a week on the roof than a minute where she was. He asks where she was, but she says she doesn’t need to whine about her life. He says, she doesn’t need to, but he wants her to if her whine muscle hits a high note only dogs can hear. She says, there’s not that much to it. Her parents can’t stand each other and there’s nothing to be done about it. He says, it hurts like hell to see it play out, right? and she says, yeah. He asks if she’s ever told them, and she says, tell them that their actions are actively hurting her and risk them feeling bad? No. He says he gets her. It’s one reason he waited so long to tell Mac about being his dad. He didn’t want Mac to be disappointed. It’s his job to manage Mac’s feelings. She says she’s the queen of that, and he says he’s the king. As long as Mac didn’t know, he couldn’t have negative feelings about it. She says, not positive feelings either, and he says, exactly. She asks, what happened? and he says he finally told Mac and it’s been amazing. There have been hiccups. She says, there always are, and he says, it taught him that being part of a family is being aware of everyone’s feelings. The flipside is, you need to tune into your feelings too.

Kristina visits Lucky, and says, he’s really okay. She’s grateful to him and Elizabeth. Now they know killed Sam and why, as sick as it is. Lucky asks if they were able to find Cyrus, but she says she doesn’t think they ever will. He says, Jason? and she says, he’s Sam’s ex and Danny’s father. He says, it makes sense. It’s just that… Does it bother her? She says, as long as he gets away with it and Danny doesn’t lose another parent. She thinks it’s a horrible idea for Danny to trust the system, waiting, then watching a killer walk free.

At his hotel room, Sonny asks Jason, what happened? and Jason says, they arrested him for Cyrus’s disappearance. There was physical evidence in the cabin. Sonny says, he didn’t do it? and Jason says he even had an alibi. He was with Drew, but Drew denied it and lied to the cops. Sonny says, son of a bitch, and Jason says, whoever killed Cyrus planted his hair. Sonny says he needs to get into another issue. Sidwell and Drew teamed up and want to take the pier. Jason says, what? and Sonny says, Drew is doing the driving. Sidwell was there and if they don’t get the pier through eminent domain, Drew will go through congress. If that doesn’t work, all bets are off. Jason says he doesn’t see Drew resorting to violence, but Sonny says, Sidwell can. Jason says, maybe he had something to do with the fire, and Sonny says, he had the means and motive. Jason says, Anna told him it wasn’t the same device at the warehouse and the penthouse, but Sonny says, he could have used two separate devices. Jason says he doesn’t buy it, and Sonny says he doesn’t either. Sidwell’s first effort would have been to try and kill him. Why go through legal channels? Anybody smart would know to do it in reverse and Sidwell doesn’t seem like a stupid guy. Jason says, no, but the timing is suspect. Sidwell came to town the same day Sonny’s penthouse went up in flames. Sonny says he doesn’t like coincidences. This not adding up.

Sidwell says he has access to zinc, but Enchantment made him a compelling offer. Lucy says, Erica Kane doesn’t need his zinc. She already has theirs, and they’ll pay him more. Name it. Maxie says, Lucy… and Sidwell says, breaking his deal will require more than meeting their price. He wants 5% of Deception. Maxie says, let’s all take a minute. After he left the meeting, Lulu had some things to say about him. Lucy says, they heard and don’t need more details. They need zincite. Got it. Keep your eyes on the prize. Maxie says she understands, but isn’t sure this is the prize. Lucy says, if they can get their product out before Enchantment, it will be a game changer. How rare is it for someone to be in the right place at the right time with what they need. Maxie says, Lulu would have something to say if she was here, but Lucy says, Lulu’s not on the board. She’s an assistant and has no stock in Deception. Sidwell says he deals with dozens of mineral essences for cosmetics. His professional worth is more than 5%. Carly sees Sasha and says she knows Sasha was supposed to meet with Olivia. She steers Sasha to the Deception table and asks what they’re doing sitting with this guy. Lucy says, Maxie told them what Lulu said. Even more obvious is that Lucky has some sort of issues with this gentleman. But why should they stop doing business with him? Sasha says, he kidnapped her and held her in a room with a bomb. He’s not the guy you want to do business with. Trust her.

Molly tells Cody that sometimes she feels like her parents are judging her for loving the other one. She can’t stand it. He says, no one should feel ashamed for loving their mom or dad, and she says, maybe one day she can work up the courage to say that. Her phone rings, and she says, it’s her mom. She wonders if Alexis’s ears are burning, and he says, now’s her chance to tell Alexis that she’s disappointed. He gestures for her to talk, and she tells Alexis that she had to pick up Danny. Alexis tells her to give Danny a hug, and she says, will do. Alexis says, love you, and she says, love you too. She tells Cody, it’s a process.  

Ava asks what Ric meant by Alexis knows better than that? and he says, she’s the one who drove Molly off. She’s been doing it since Molly was born. It’s noticeable that she gave considerable favor to Kristina. He thinks it’s because she despises him as a father, and the sun rises and sets in Sonny. The reason doesn’t matter. She chases after Kristina, cleaning up her messes, and once in a while deigns to remember she has another daughter. Molly trips over herself to get Alexis’s attention and stands there grateful for any she may get. Ava says, she’s an equal opportunity offender, and he says, she stands on her lofty perch, gazing down with moral superiority. Ava says, yet she favors one daughter over the other, while treating him in a vile manner. She gets on her high horse, trotting around, defending justice. Ric says, after the transgressions she’s made, and Ava says, like helping the Cassadines rob her of her money, right? Sentencing her to a lifetime in a shoebox. He tells her, you know what they say. Being at the top, there’s no place to go but down.

Sasha says, Sidwell kidnapped her and held her at gunpoint, and Carly says she was there when it happened. Deal with him at their own risk. She and Sasha leave, and Sidwell says, for all their colorful accusation, there are no pending charges, no investigations into him, and no arrests made. Maxie asks if he’s saying they’re lying, and he tells her that he’s saying it’s subject to interpretation. Lucy says, back to the issue at hand. How much zincite does he have? Maxie says, she’s seriously still considering this? and Lucy asks what Natalia thinks. Natalia says she thinks they need zincite and being first in the market will have a profound financial effect for the company. Lucy says, see? and Sidwell says he’ll let them think his offer over, but they should know it won’t be on the table long. He leaves.

Carly brings Sasha to her office and says she’s so sorry to make Sasha deal with that. Sasha says she realized she’s never thanked Carly for going to the WSB when she was kidnapped. If not for that, she might not be here. Carly says she was happy to help, and Sasha asks why Olivia wanted to meet. Carly says, it’s about the baby, and Sasha says she’ll tell them what she’s told everyone. She’s not discussing it. Carly says, it’s not like that. Olivia knows she’s having a tough time at the Quartermaines. Olivia thought, and she agreed, that maybe Sasha could use a change of scenery. Sasha asks, how so? and Carly says, instead of dealing with the Quartermaines every day, why doesn’t she work here?

Sonny says, Sidwell or not, his penthouse was burned, and Michael was almost killed to get to him. Jason says, that’s what makes him more uneasy about the trouble they’re having securing the suite, and Sonny asks if he’s spoken to Kristina. Jason says, no. Why? Sonny says he spoke to her earlier and she lectured him… The issue is security is the most important thing. Donna and Avery can’t stay here. They need a home. Jason asks if he’s started looking, and Sonny says he needs to make a call he doesn’t want to make.

Jordan says, first of all, she wants to thank Isaiah for the compliments, and he says he’s pretty sure there all true. She says, second, she’s not sure he appreciates true undercover work, and he asks if she’s doing this to doing prove she’s more than Deputy Mayor. Or does she just miss undercover work? She says she’s not trying to prove anything to anyone, and he says, someone could wind up dead. She says, someone did and if it could have been prevented, it’s not okay. She’d rather do what she could. Even if it’s risky, if it gets Sidwell out of the way… He says, she can sleep at night? and she says, she’s going to need her beauty rest if she deserves those compliments. She’s doing this for her. He says she sounds like she’s going to be busy. Is there going be any time for little fun? She says, what kind of fun? and he says, maybe they can work on that together.

Kristina tells Lucky that maybe she’s wrong about the Cyrus/Jason situation. What does he think? Lucky says he doesn’t know. When you take things into your own hands, you’re acting solely on the information you have. He’s not saying it’s wrong in every circumstance, but he doesn’t want to be responsible for ending a life because it’s what he wants or desires. Because at the end of the day, that’s basically what Cyrus did. She says, it sounds like he hasn’t had the legal system fail him the way it did her. She’s had to watch Ava flaunting her smirk like she has some kind of right to be here when she’s put three people in the ground, one of them Kristina’s daughter.

On Monday, Sonny says, there’s something Lucy can help him with; Drew says, if Curtis takes something from him, he’ll take something from Curtis; Lulu tells Spinelli, it’s definitely worth taking the risk; and Sasha tells someone to leave now, or she’ll scream.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

All the feels about Emma 2.0.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/braedyn-bruner-opens-up-about-the-new-emma-on-gh

It ain’t as easy as it looks. And I visited one of those sets. The lights are hot AF.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/tabyana-ali-spills-the-tea-about-working-on-a-soap

Saying goodbye to legends young and old. Not to belabor the point, but when are we saying goodbye to Monica on GH? It’s starting to get weird like it did with Bobbie.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/family-and-friends-celebrate-the-life-of-gh-star-leslie-charleson

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children/stars-pay-tribute-to-michelle-trachtenberg

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

Can’t tear myself away from TLC on Mondays, but here you go.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Jennifer hosted the women at Caviar Kaspia, where there’s caviar on everything and you hope someone else picks up the tab. The morally corrupt Faye Resnick joined them, as well as friend-of Kathy. Everyone wore a caftan except Dorit, and in Garcelle’s interview, she wondered if it was because Chanel didn’t make them. Dorit continued to be an a-hole toward Sutton – during the caviar party of course – and we flashed back to seasons ago when Sutton suggested she let the mouse go. Dorit insisted she had apologized, and we flashed back to her saying she didn’t know if Sutton had a drinking problem. Apparently, she considered this an apology. In Jennifer’s interview, she said she didn’t want them to get in a caviar food fight. It would be messy and expensive. Agreed.

Keely went with Boz to check out how many eggs she had, and it was good news. Pregnancy was definitely possible. Not so good was the photo that came out of Mauricio and a new lady love slobbering on each other at the airport. It was hinted at that maybe he’d done it on purpose, but Kyle said, no way. I’m not so sure he’d be capable of it, since he’s stoned all the time. I love how Kyle’s dogs are always unruly. Pets, the great leveler.

I just love her.

Summer House

I’ve been to a big party or two. There was this Halloween party in a Manhattan loft where my friend threw up in an ashtray… Never mind. Let me just say, despite the ashtray incident, at none of those big parties did the guests get sloppy, messy like they do on this show. Messier still are the relationships. I like model Lexi, but I think she can do better than any of the guys in the house. Certainly better than Jesse who is suddenly deep in love after five minutes. Danielle showed up and Kyle was his usual a-hole self, rage texting Paige about things she had nothing to do with.

Southern Charm

I didn’t get why Venita wasn’t angry at JT. He legit led her on and I don’t think one person in the cast knew he had a girlfriend. The only conclusion I could come to was, she’s hoping to be the rebound chick when it fails. Which it no doubt will, since he’s a moron and a truth slanter. He’s so awful, Salley couldn’t even fake her way through a dinner with him and needed to change seats. Shep was still delusional, thinking that Sienna didn’t want to lose the way they clicked. She’s not even being cagey about it – she’s not interested in a relationship with him. The food porn, however, was incredible. I’d just had dinner and was salivating. I went to Nassau once, but it was on a family trip as a teenager, and I didn’t appreciate it. I just wanted to get home to my friends. However, I’d appreciate it now, so if ever get there again, I’m eating at this place. I’ll give JT this, he didn’t want to deal with any issues at the table, and Salley was being a bit pushy. Craig suggested he just apologize to people, but here’s where I’ll give TJ something else. I don’t think he called Patricia a bitch. At least not at the Carolina Cup. Yet, Craig needed to beat that dead horse into its two lives. I walked out of the room for a hot minute and when I came back, the guys were arguing. JT told Venita to chime in any time, but she just looked at the table. When Austen said JT was literally a piece of sh*t on [his] shoe, JT left. Luckily, this was after the seafood towers. Way to make a vacation suck.

What happened after dinner was verboten to the cameras, but we got it from the interviews. Venita went to JT’s room and, according to him, threw herself at him, but he said he couldn’t do it because he was supposed to be in a relationship. Again, according to JT, he removed her from his person more than once. In Venita’s interview, she said she got the message. I’m wondering if she did, and if that isn’t the reason JT left the show. Craig put Paige on the phone to translate for Shep, since he and Austen weren’t getting through about Sienna. Paige said what I’ve been saying – she doesn’t like you. If she liked you, you would know it. Shep nearly missed the boat trip for three dots on his phone. I might understand if Shep was in his 20s, but he’s nearly 50. He made it to the boat, but Austen said he was Charlie Browning it, whatever that means. Shep pouted and said it didn’t make sense. Yes, it does. She doesn’t like you, but for whatever reason, wants to string you along. Since JT decided to jet, Rodrigo said, plot twist. JT is with Sienna. Dude! Molly said she felt like she was at a middle school dance, with everyone pressuring her to dance with Shep.

Two relationships that weren’t.

Southern Hospitality

The honeymoon, fake or otherwise, seems to be over for Maddi and Joe, and the observers seem to be enjoying themselves a little too much. There was a bit of schadenfreude going around. Leva, in keeping with her LVP 2.0 role, sat Joe down for a talk about his own career, suggesting he not set it aside. Otherwise, he’d resent Maddi in the future. The best part was a heart-to-heart between Michols and his stepdad. I’m also all in for a prom theme and finding homes for kittens. They’ll never be Vanderpump Rules, but they’ve grown on me. A little. I tend to zone out during the relationship/weepy stuff.

Random Reality Items

I can’t say I blame her.

Andy is shuttin’ it down.

Teresa I felt sorry for. She’s a dimbulb who followed her husband’s instructions without question. But I don’t know how sorry I feel for the Grande Dame. An MLM scam makes my skin crawl, taking advantage of people who don’t know any better. I also believe she thought she could skate. I get the vibe that she’s one of those don’t you know who I am? people.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1411380/rhops-karen-huger-sentenced-to-one-year-in-prison-in-dui-case

https://people.com/karen-huger-sentenced-after-dui-11686764

Not that exciting. It’s the back of her head.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Zero Day. Netflix. A limited series political thriller, I felt this was worth my time for the cast alone. Robert DeNiro is an ex-President asked to investigate a national cyberattack that caused over 3000 deaths and the threat that it will happen again. Unfortunately, his mental health is also in question and he’s still coming to terms with the death of his son. It keeps you guessing and often on the edge of your seat.

https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/tv/zero-day-netflix-review/965531

Some spoilers.

https://www.darkreading.com/cyber-risk/netflix-zero-day-irl

⌚️ Weekday Watches…

Big Family, Big City. TLC. This was interesting. A couple with 11 children – you read that right – moves to Manhattan – you read that right again – to pursue better opportunities for the kids. Even more intriguing, they’ve escaped a cult. They want to keep the positive core values without the control and manipulation. All of the kids, and dad, play stringed instruments and do busking in the city – i.e. they play music on the street for tips. It’s enjoyable and insightful, but I’m hoping it doesn’t go the way of the Plathville clan, where everything just kind of fell apart. I’m rooting for this family to stick together and stick it out.

https://people.com/family-of-13-learns-chaos-rules-in-new-tlc-special-big-family-big-city-exclusive-8782858

The Baldwins. TLC. I have to admit, I didn’t think I’d like this. But I did. I think if Alec acted more like he does as a dad when he’s outside the family fold, people might be more sympathetic toward him. I guess it’s a chicken/egg situation. No argument that the paparazzi, and sometimes general public, harass this guy, so is that why he’s cranky? Or was he cranky to begin with and that’s why they harass him? They don’t shy away from talking about the killing on the Rust set either.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1413621/the-baldwins-hilaria-and-alec-baldwin-share-glimpse-into-chaotic-home-life-with-7-kids

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/baldwins-premiere-recap-rust-halyna-hutchins-hilaria-accent-1236143150/

Beyond the Gates. CBS, Paramount+. Great cast and soap suds to match. My problem with this is going to be remembering it’s on since there hasn’t been a new soap in over 20 years. While daytime TV, with the exception of GH, is usually background noise while I do other work, I wouldn’t mind this being in the lineup. I did catch one episode, and it was enough to make me want more.

https://ew.com/beyond-the-gates-review-cbs-soap-opera-11682240

Lots of info here.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beyond-the-gates-cbs-soap-opera-review_n_67bdf2a3e4b0d509934a65bf

🌁 Upcoming Watch…

Last of Us. HBO, MAX. We knew we were looking forward to it. Now we know when. The second season premiere is April 13th.

https://www.inverse.com/gaming/last-of-us-season-2-release-date-spring-2025-hbo-max

🏆 Winners and Potentials…

SAG winners.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1413648/sag-awards-2025-complete-list-of-winners-live-updates

SAG fashion.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/23/style/sag-awards-red-carpet-fashion/index.html

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Academy Awards.

https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2025

🦤 Things You Don’t See Every Day…

🐶 I love when a pup gets emo.

https://people.com/pug-that-wants-pup-cup-has-funny-reaction-at-wrong-drive-thru-11682283

🐕 Wow. I wouldn’t have thought this was possible, even for a big dog. I did have a Peke who needed a sonogram once and I was sure his stomach would show a pile of driveway rocks.

https://people.com/dog-saved-by-vet-after-eating-24-socks-and-other-items-11687692

🚦 He must have wondered, WTF? As did the people who saw him, I’m sure.

https://people.com/baby-seal-found-alone-on-busy-connecticut-street-being-monitored-closely-in-aquarium-11682919

🐬 That’s a lot of dolphins.

https://people.com/whale-watching-group-captures-rare-video-of-2-000-dolphins-playing-off-california-coast-11687881

🐾 The longevity news every pet parent wants to hear.

https://people.com/anti-aging-pill-for-dogs-one-step-closer-to-being-on-the-market-11687470

🗿 Quotes of the Week

The difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline, a plan, and accountability.Dr. Phil

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. – Alexander Graham Bell (Ouch!)

To be an overachiever, you have to be an over-believer. – Dabo Swinney

Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. – Albus Dumbledore

I don’t have talent. I have tenacity. – Henry Rollins

Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat. – F. Scott Fitzgerald

The whole point is to live life and be – to use all the colors in the crayon box. – RuPaul

I come from a long line of quitters… I was raised to give up. – George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Seinfeld

🍻 I Didn’t Come Here and I Ain’t Leavin’…

Until next time, stay safe; stay springing forward on Sunday, March 9th (2 am); and stay remembering, if you have to work that hard to convince yourself, maybe it’s not right.

February 21, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Cyrus Meets His End, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watching, Watching Soon, Last Release, Those Who Merit, Turning It Around, Pithy Quotes Of 8 & Christmas

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

🛁 The Weekdays…

General Hospital

Sonny told Carly about the shared custody. She asked if he was going to tell her what was really going on. Kai texted Trina asking if she was free tonight. Laura was meeting with Drew about eminent domain and asked Curtis to sit in. Laura felt Drew was using the esplanade plan to retaliate against Jason through Sonny. Anna told Mac that while Jason was at the station, he couldn’t kill Cyrus. Elizabeth snuck into the interrogation room to see Jason and told him that she and Lucky found evidence against Cyrus.

Curtis gave a bunch of reasons Drew’s idea was a bad one, including a lawsuit from Sonny. Laura said Drew wanted to bring in Sidwell. Mac said with Cyrus gone, he couldn’t hurt anyone, but Anna said she’d rather bring Cyrus to justice. She felt they were getting closer. Elizabeth told Jason that they didn’t know Cyrus’s motives and she wasn’t sure the PCPD was up to the job. Cyrus consulted the Bible.  

Trina said it was Josslyn’s first Valentine’s Day without Dex, and she missed Spencer, but Josslyn told her to go with Kai. It was time for her to get back out there. Carly thought there was a reason behind Sonny’s reason for the compromise and he said he had to find where the threat was coming from and wanted to help Michael when he came home. She asked if Jason had mentioned Sasha. Sasha went to see Jason at the station. Martin told Willow that Elaine was out of commission, and he still needed dirt on Michael. Willow didn’t want to blame Michael or hurt him. Laura said Jordan would be at the meeting and Curtis said he’d seen her with Sidwell. When Jordan arrived, she said Sidwell could be legit, but they needed more information. She was going to get it. Drew showed up and said he could tell it was going to be a tough room. Elizabeth told Anna how she and Lucky collected evidence against Cyrus.

Carly said Drew accused Jason of fathering Sasha’s baby, but she didn’t know if it was true. Willow said maybe there was a way to make peace, when Nurse Mindy called her. Her car had been impounded. Laura said Drew gave her a lot to think about and he said there would be matching federal funding. He said if Sonny using piers for criminal activity was the priority rather than the esplanade, let it ride. Elizabeth told Anna about everything that happened at Turning Woods and GH with Cyrus, and said Anna had the authority to exhume the bodies. Sasha went to see Jason, and he said Anna was just trying to keep him away from Cyrus. She said she thought Willow suspected Michael was the father of her baby. Kai told Trina to meet him at The Savoy dressed to impress.

Willow told Mac that Tracy had her car towed after she’d put it in the street. She was starting to see how much she’d lost in becoming a part of Michael’s family and was done letting the Quartermaines run her life. Sasha told Jason about Elaine and said she didn’t want her child raised in the Quartermaine environment. Letting people draw their own conclusions wasn’t enough. She wanted Jason to come out and say the baby was his. Jordan said it could cost jobs, and the project could get tangled up for years, and Curtis said the city shouldn’t get entangled in Drew’s personal vendetta. Drew asked if the potential benefits were worth the risk. Elizabeth brought Anna a bag of stuff and said they’d gone through Cyrus’s trash in the dumpster. Anna saw an order of syringes from Paul Damascus, and Elizabeth said it was a biblical reference. It made sense for Cyrus to use it as an aka. Elizabeth thought digitalis had been in another box, but they couldn’t find an invoice. Meanwhile, Cyrus readied a syringe.

Carly said, if it was true, she needed to support Jason, but Sonny suggested they stay out of it. Anna said Elizabeth was good as an amateur detective, but they couldn’t link Cyrus to anything. Laura said it would be easier if she didn’t have to consider Sonny. Sonny said Jason would tell them if they needed to know, and Carly agreed to wait until Jason said something. Trina left to meet Kai and Josslyn brought out a box with a gun in it. Cyrus put the syringe in his pocket and called GH. He asked to talk to Elizabeth, but she was gone for the day. He said he was sure he’d run into her later. Drew brought roses to the hospital, but Willow wasn’t there. Willow saw Jason and Sasha talking, and Sasha said go with her on this and kissed him. Anna told Mac that they might have a new lead. He saw Sasha and Jason kissing and said, no, no, no!

Tuesday:

Valentine’s Day was happening at The Savoy and Curtis said they had a special surprise performer, when Trina walked in with Kai. On the phone, Spinelli told Maxie that he’d play cupid for Lucas since she was under the weather. He told Lucas that he was pinch hitting for Maxie, and she’d found him the perfect guy. Carly was cleaning up the cookie baking mess in Sonny’s old kitchen, saying, it’s the memories, not the mess. Jack came in bearing roses. Lulu was leaving Eckerd’s Valentine’s Day cupcakes for Rocco in the nook, when Dante came down. TempLucky went to Elizabeth’s, and she said Anna listened to her and was going to arrest Cyrus. She thought they should celebrate, and they discovered Aiden had made a cake. Mac had a migraine, and Anna was working on one. She told Jason that she had to release him, but wanted to convince him not to kill Cyrus the minute he left.

Portia said Trina seeing someone was a big deal, and Curtis said it was one they’d have to watch from afar. Trina asked if Kai had to pull strings to come, and he said, a few. Spinelli introduced Lucas and Gunther the model, and Brad saw them sit together. Carly’s faucet went nuts, spraying water everywhere. Dante told Lulu that Rocco was ice skating and crashing at a friend’s, but he’d barely touched the cupcakes Dante brought home years ago because they reminded him of Lulu. Aiden introduced Tobias to Elizabeth, and she asked if they wanted to join her and Lucky. Aiden said they were going to the Valentine’s Day skate and asked to talk to Elizabeth in private. Mac didn’t buy that Jason was the baby’s father, but then he saw Sasha kiss him. He thought Jason took advantage of her hurt over Cody, but Felicia said, the heart wants what the heart wants.

Anna asked for a BOLO on Cyrus and told Jason. She had enough evidence to connect him to multiple murders, including Sam’s, and hoped the judge would sign off on it right away. She could get justice, but only if Jason let her do her job. She asked him to stay away from Cyrus for her sake. Jack turned the water off and said luckily for Carly, her knight in sopping wet armor had arrived. Spinelli told Maxie that the chemistry between Lucas and Gunther was palpable, and Trina told Kai that she had a confession to make. The owner of The Savoy was her dad. Elizabeth told Aiden that she liked spending time with his dad and to go enjoy himself. Lulu said she didn’t know their son, but Dante said she did and told her to ask questions. She asked about Rocco’s first crush, if he was hard to wake up, how was he doing in school, and did he have friends. He knew about Rocco, and she didn’t. He said she’d catch up, but she said she’d neglected the child she had and was failing as a mother. he said that wasn’t true. Aiden left with Tobias, and Elizabeth said he’d offered to be their chaperone. Anna said she and Jason were friends and people noticed. If Cyrus disappeared, it would perpetuate the idea that there were people above the law who got away with it because of their friendship with her. Jason said he understood, but it didn’t matter when she was talking about the sick bastard who murdered Sam.

Kai complimented Curtis on the club and Curtis said they had to stick around for the surprise musical act. Anna asked Jason to trust her that they’d get justice. She’d taken chances on him, and she was asking him to take one on her and have faith. He wouldn’t regret it. Felicia said she and Mac had their ups and downs over the years. Mac had even left once, but he was her happily ever after. It wasn’t for them to decide who Sasha’s was. They’d make sure the only way Scorpios could. Lucky wondered if Aiden was worried that he and Elizabeth were getting too close, but she said Aiden just wanted to make sure she was treated well. She’d make it clear that she didn’t need protection from him. Dante said Lulu was a good mom. He shouldn’t have made it seem like she was choosing between Charlotte and Rocco. She said she didn’t know what Rocco needed, and Dante said, his mom. She’d made his pain and sadness disappear.

Lucas said the only reason he was on the date was because of Maxie, and Gunther said he understood Lucas wasn’t ready. Get his number from Maxie and tell him when he was. Gunther left and Brook and Chase showed up. Jack fixed Carly’s sink, which surprised her, and he said his father was a plumber. She said she’d envisioned him descending from a long line of super spies, but he told her that his dad always said, even if the world ends, you’re always going to need a plumber. She asked if anyone else knew. She liked knowing something about him that no one else did. He said, knowledge is power. Anna said the trust she and Jason had was unexpected, but real, and also obvious. No one would believe she hadn’t looked the other way, or worse they’d think she helped him cover it up.

Lucas asked if Brad wanted company. Spinelli told Brook that Gunther ditched Lucas, then saw Brad with Lucas. Chase left to check on Brook’s surprise. Curtis told Portia that he loved The Savoy, but Aurora presented a challenge, and he felt like he was growing there. N’neka said it was time, and Curtis introduced Chase. Dante promised to guard the cupcakes with his life, but thought he should take a couple off of Rocco’s hands. Lulu said, don’t you dare. Jack said he’d learned to expect the unexpected with Carly. Lucky said Elizabeth was as beautiful as the day he met her, and they kissed. Anna found out the warrant couldn’t be signed until the morning, and Jason said whatever happened to Cyrus, her office would respect her for the same reasons he did – her strength, courage, and willingness to put herself on the line. He knew she understood why he wanted to kill Cyrus, but didn’t think anyone else did. She said it was because they were alike, and he agreed. She asked him, as her friend, please don’t kill Cyrus, and he said she was a good friend, and he appreciated her friendship. She said that wasn’t an answer.

Chase told the audience that his singing career had been brief, but he’d met his wife through it and was grateful. He said the song was for her and sang one she’d written (Won’t You Stay with Me). As he sang, Lucky left Elizabeth’s, Jack and Carly had champagne, Felicia fed Mac Valentine cookies, and Lulu smushed a cupcake on Dante’s face, then helped wipe it off. Jason left the station. Elizabeth noticed that Lucky left the piece of cake he was taking home. There was a knock at the door, and she assumed it was him, but it was Cyrus.

Wednesday:

Cyrus told Elizabeth that he had an urgent matter that couldn’t wait and walked in. She’d been asking around about him and now had the opportunity to ask questions to his face. Emma asked Josslyn to be part of the benefit. Lulu was rude to a client on the phone in Helsinki and said he’d specifically asked for Brook or Maxie. It was Maxie and Spinelli’s first Valentine’s Day together and she didn’t want to ruin it. Brook said Lulu had no problem ruining it for her and Chase. Drew showed up at The Savoy with Willow, and Portia said, that’s a choice, but Curtis said it was beyond disrespect. It was a throwdown. Portia wondered how Willow couldn’t see through Drew (me too), but thought they should let it go. Willow wondered why Lucas was with Brad. Seeing Willow with Drew, Brad told Lucas that he was in no position to judge, but… and Lucas said it wasn’t their call. Cyrus asked what Elizabeth was trying to find out, and she said, fine. She’d start at the beginning. Why did he try to kill Lulu?

Donna called for Carly, interrupting a kiss with Jack. Emma wanted Josslyn to be an underwriter, but Josslyn said she had no time. She was going through a lot, but she’d be more than happy to donate. Emma argued with her, but Josslyn was unrelenting. Chase told Dante that he couldn’t give Brook the family she wanted to have. Curtis told N’neka that Drew was no longer welcome. Willow said she’d never forgive Brad (wow), and Curtis told Drew that he didn’t want him there. Cyrus said there was no sign of Lulu having an improvement. Just because someone could be kept alive didn’t mean they should be. Elizabeth said she’d watched families make that decision and it was awful, but in the end, it’s a gift. He said she understood, and she asked, what about the others? He said they were all God’s children, and she said, so from one family. He said he’d seen people trapped in their own hell and God gave him a mission to free imprisoned souls. He wept as he asked if Lulu wasn’t entitled to that, and she said, that’s why he turned off the ventilator, but he said, no, that was much later.

Brook said, the client threatened to cancel the shipment of the key ingredient in their cream. Lulu couldn’t talk to people that way. Lucas said he wasn’t sorry for Willow, but they all made mistakes. Curtis told Drew that Michael’s wife was more than welcome to stay, but he reserved the right to refuse service. They were playing the same game. Brad said, once the denial goes away, Willow will be miserable. One thing he’d learned was, lonely is lonely, whether deserved or not. Drew told Willow that he had a surprise for her, and they left. Donna asked why Jack was out so late and suggested he go to bed. She wondered why we have bad dreams, and Jack explained dreams to her. He said when we had bad dreams, something was bothering us. Cyrus told Elizabeth, in his first attempt to free Lulu, he used the wrong medication and drew unwanted attention. She said, that’s why Lulu’s liver failed. He freed Lulu, just not in the way he intended. She understood that, but why kill Sam? He said, Sam got in the way of him carrying out the Lord’s. Her donation would keep Lulu going, but not free her from her prison. Elizabeth asked if it was punishment, but he said it was a consequence of obstructing the Lord’s will. He also discovered that digitalis was the best way to free everyone else. She said it was fast, effective, and relatively painless. But what about Dex? He’d been young and healthy.

Cyrus said, Dex had been in the vicinity of Sam’s room and seen him, and Elizabeth said, it sounded less like God’s will and more like something the old Cyrus would do. He said Dex almost killed him on Sonny’s orders, but he had no malice in his heart. Cyrus flashed back to taking Dex’s hospital wristband when Dex was in the morgue. He said he had to remove Dex, and Elizabeth said, because of his mission. What would happen to the souls that needed to be freed? He said she understood, and she said he was able to help try to free Michael. He said he wanted to liberate Michael from his physical suffering, and she asked if there wasn’t another reason. He’d spoken about how his mother was suffering. He said, that’s what awakened him to his purpose. Martin had her living what barely qualified as a life. If he could set her free, he would. She said, it was a different type of healing, and he thanked her for understanding the importance of his mission.

Emma thanked Josslyn for her donation, but pressure her again for her presence. A worker came in to relieve Josslyn and she left. Gio told Emma that her approach needed work, and Emma said, friends speak the truth. He said she was a great salesperson, and he appreciated her passion. Chase told Dante that it wasn’t Brook, it was him, but Dante said there was more than one way to have a family. Chase said Brook deserved to be a mom and he’d do anything to be a dad.

Elizabeth said Cyrus’s purpose was not unlike hers, to help and heal, and he said nothing was going to jeopardize his mission. She should understand why he had to do this. He brought out the syringe and came toward her, when Lucky burst in. He told Cyrus, get away from her!

Lucas left and Brad sighed. Curtis told Portia about asking Drew to leave. There were no threats, but he wanted to make it clear whose club it was. He didn’t need Drew to ruin his evening. Drew showed Willow his new house and she said she loved it. Brook said it was part of Lulu’s job to answer the phone and be warm and courteous, especially to those who had a rare ingredient that was impossible to get. Lulu said she was at first, and Brook asked if she ever thought of anyone besides herself. Lulu said Brook got everything she wanted. She had the perfect life, job, and husband, and would have the perfect children. If she wasn’t getting what she wanted, it was her own fault. Dante walked in and asked, what’s going on?

Cyrus told Lucky not to get in the way, and Elizabeth broke free. Cyrus tried to stab Lucky with the syringe, and they struggled.

Dante told Brook where Chase was, and she left. He asked what Lulu said, and Lulu told him that she’d said Brook’s life was perfect. If she wasn’t getting what she wanted, it was her own fault. Dante suggested she back off, and Lulu said, all Brook did was complain about her perfect life. She woke up after four years in a coma to a life she didn’t recognize. By comparison, Brook’s life was heaven. Dante told her to cut Brook some slack. She found out she and Chase couldn’t have children. Emma thanked Gio for his patience, honesty, and commitment to the cause, and he said he enjoyed her company too. Portia asked if Brad had a nice Valentine’s Day and he said, better than expected. She said she was glad to hear it and would see him at work. She told Curtis that she wanted to put the bad stuff behind her and was focusing on what was right in front of her. Willow said she was sure Drew wanted to find a home for Scout, and he said, also for you and our kids, and asked her to move in with him.  While Carly put Donna back in bed, Jack’s phone rang. By the time Carly returned, Jack had his coat on. She asked if something was wrong and he said, unfortunately, something came up at work. They agreed to another time and kissed.

Lucky got the better of Cyrus, but Cyrus stabbed Lucky in the leg with the syringe. Elizabeth called 911 as she came down the stairs and saw the syringe sticking out of Lucky’s leg.

Thursday:

 Brook came home to find Chase, rose petals, and champagne. Dante told Lulu that there was a fertility issue with Chase.

Lucky slugged Cyrus and got a syringe in the leg for his trouble. Cyrus jumped up, tried to strangle lucky, and fled, while Elizabeth called 911. Jordan met with Laura, who wanted to make the esplanade happen, but still protect the city. Anna joined them and Laura said, in a potential battle between Sonny, Drew, and Sidwell, who was the biggest threat? (It’s like, Superman vs. the dinosaurs.) Drew asked Willow to move in with the kids. Jason went to Sam’s grave and said he needed to make a choice between what he wanted and what he thought she wanted. Josslyn snuck around Cyrus’s apartment and looked through his stuff.

Stella came to The Savoy to have a nightcap with Curtis, who had a special Valentine’s Day cocktail for her. Portia left and Stella asked if there was something else going on. He said there may be a favor only she could provide. Lucky was unconscious and Elizabeth did chest compression. Brook and Chase kissed, but she pulled away and said she couldn’t believe she was so lucky. He said, but he couldn’t give her a baby. Lulu felt terrible for Brook and Chase, and Dante said Brook had been nothing but supportive. He said being a father was one of the greatest joys of his life and Lulu said, the same for her with being a mother. Laura asked if Anna would bring Sonny down if she found evidence to do it, and Anna said, Drew was encouraging it. Jordan said that worried her because Drew wanted to align himself with Sidwell. Anna and Laura agreed and said he wanted the port to move his illegal merchandise. Jordan said Drew had a lot of influence, but she’d rather deal with the devil she knew than Sidwell. Willow thought the kids had been bounced around enough and Drew said he wanted all the kids to have stability. He tried his best to talk her into moving in.

Jason told Sam that he could kill Cyrus and get away with it, and he wanted to kill him. One thing held him back. He knew Sam wanted him to put their son before his need for vengeance. Josslyn continued to toss Cyrus’s place. Lulu said Brook knew things about Dante that she didn’t and it was hard, but he said, it shouldn’t be. Carly used their history to break them up, but Brook knew it was wrong and still felt terrible. It was a long time ago and time to let it go. They were friends and that was it. Brook said she meant their vows from the bottom of her heart, but Chase said she couldn’t have expected this. She said it was hard, but sometimes plans changed. It didn’t mean they still couldn’t be parents. Willow told Drew that nothing about their situation was perfect. For one, she was still married. Drew said Michael had filed for divorce and was out of the country, and Willow said he was fighting for his life. Drew said she was alone with the kids, and she said Wiley adored his father. She hadn’t told Wiley that they were splitting up, so moving in felt wrong. Jason promised to always put Danny first.

Josslyn almost left, but kept looking until she found an envelope with hospital wristbands in it, particularly Dex and Sam’s. Laura said they couldn’t have Port Charles in a territory battle and Jordan said Drew was different and not in a good way. Anna said Drew’s willingness to align himself with Sidwell was worrisome, and Laura asked if they could no longer trust him. Anna left to take a call about Cyrus, and Laura got a call from Elizabeth, who told her to get to the hospital right away. Lucky was in trouble.

Curtis said he understood Stella was friends with Congressman Douglas Henderson and she said they went way back. They agreed he was a good man and influential in Washington. Curtis said he needed Stella to introduce him, and he needed to develop a relationship before Drew destroyed everything he was building. Willow said she cared about Drew so much and he said he didn’t want to pressure her. They had the rest of their lives. He thought when she was ready, they should tell the kids about their relationship together, but she said she didn’t want to talk to them while Michael was recovering. Lulu said part of her was threatened by Brook. Not because of Dante, but she lost four years, and it was like Brook stepped into the important parts of her life. Dante suggested she felt like Brook took her place in all their lives and she said, maybe. She was starting to wonder if she had a place there at all. Chase said Brook was a natural at being a mom and she said, however they brought a child into their lives, it would be together, and it would be a part of both of them. Anna arrived at Elizabeth’s where an officer filled her in on what happened and said Cyrus fled the scene. They had an APB out on him and Lucky was in the hospital. Elizabeth told Isaiah that Lucky had been given digitalis and Laura showed up at the hospital. Josslyn said, Dex didn’t deserve this, and took photos. Cyrus walked in.

Lulu said she sounded selfish, but Dante said she wasn’t. She said it was hard to realize the family you wanted wasn’t going to happen and wanted to apologize, but he said Chase told him in confidence. Her phone rang and she told Dante that it was Lucky and ran out. Anna said they’d waited too long to arrest Cyrus and now Lucky could die. On his way in, Aiden overheard. Elizabeth told Laura about Cyrus attacking Lucky because she and Lucky suspected him of killing people, including Sam. He’d said it was a divine calling, saving them from their suffering, and he was the reason Lulu’s liver failed. Cyrus got an ax and said Josslyn shouldn’t have come. Josslyn said he’d killed Sam and Dex and wasn’t getting away with it. He said they’d gotten in the way of his mission, and she had too. He came after her and she shot him.

Cyrus said now Josslyn was the murderer and died (I think). Anna brought Aiden to the hospital and talked to Elizabeth. Chase said if they adopted it wouldn’t be fair to Brook, but she said she didn’t look at it that way. Families were created all different ways, and none was better than the other. He said he was robbing her of the experience. Curtis said Drew was gunning for him and wouldn’t hesitate to stop projects from going through at the federal level, even if they helped his constituents. He’d changed and become vindictive. Stella said he’d backstabbed Curtis and Curtis said Drew would bring the same dark energy to Washington. Would she help him?

Drew came home and Jason was there. Lulu and Dante arrived at the hospital, and Lulu went to see Lucky. Dante wanted in on finding Cyrus and Anna said okay. Josslyn moved the ax, then checked Cyrus’s pulse. She looked at Jason and Jack’s numbers, then made a call. She said, I need your help.

Stella said Drew was gunning for Curtis and she needed to let Doug know what a snake Drew was. There were few people she held in as high a regard. Curtis could count her in, but a word of advice. Drew didn’t like a mirror held up to him. She asked why he was coming after Curtis. Drew said he wasn’t in the mood for another battle, but Jason said he was here to make peace. Drew asked why the hell he would want to, and Jason said, for Sam. Chase said it was because of him that Brook wouldn’t experience a miracle growing inside her and she cried for him to stop. She’d had a baby. She’d been pregnant before. Isaiah came out and Laura asked if her son was alive. Anna found out Cyrus was heading southeast in his car. Josslyn paced the apartment when someone came in. It was Jack. 

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada:

Chase says, what does Brook mean, she had a baby? Is she talking about Bailey Lou, when she pretended to be pregnant? She says she wasn’t pretending. She got pregnant in high school and had a baby. She gave the baby up and never told anyone except her ma, not even the father. Chase asks if Ned knows, but she says, no. She knows it’s a lot to take in. He says, she got pregnant when she was a teenager and has been carrying the secret ever since.

Tracy wants to go over the menu for the library board dinner with Sasha and asks for some tea. Sasha asks if she wants her special blend, and Tracy says, yes. Sasha says, but first, she thought Tracy should know a P.I. has been snooping around. She’s pretty sure it’s to get dirt on Michael. Tracy asks, what makes her say that? and Sasha says she had an encounter with a woman named Elaine and her dog outside Bobbie’s and then in the park. Eventually, Elaine told Sasha herself that someone was looking into her. Tracy asks what Sasha told Elaine before she knew.

Drew says, Jason, of all people, walks into his house demanding peace, and Jason says he wants to respect Sam’s wishes that Danny and Scout stay together, but it’s never going to happen when they’re at each other’s throats. So he’s here about a truce for the kids. Drew says, now he wants to honor Sam’s wishes? He’s just asking because Jason clearly didn’t care when Jason ambushed him the night before the funeral and he’s trying to figure this out. What changed?

Isaiah tells Laura and Lulu that they were able to stabilize Lucky, but he’s in guarded condition. Aiden asks what that means, and Isaiah says he gave Aiden’s dad medication to counteract the digitalis. Since they don’t know how much digitalis is in Lucky’s system, it’s too soon for a definite prognosis. Aiden asks if that’s bad, but Elizabeth says, they can’t say yet. Aiden says, dad might not make it, and she hugs him.  

Portia tells Lucky, hang in there. He made it all the way home from Africa in one piece. Now he has to make it through this.

Anna tells Dante that they tracked Cyrus’s car to Route 41, and Dante wonders why he’s headed in that direction. There’s nothing out there. Does she think Lucky will be okay? She says she doesn’t know. She hopes so. She’s just grateful Elizabeth wasn’t hurt. Dante wonders, why go after Elizabeth, of all people? and Anna says, Cyrus found out that she and Lucky were asking questions at GH and Turning Woods. He didn’t want them to connect him to the murders. He says, did they? and she says, they found evidence that proves it, and he admitted to Elizabeth that he killed Dex and Sam, among others. She asks if Dante is all right, and he says, yeah, because they got him. Anna says, they did, and Cyrus knows that. If he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life in prison, he’s going to disappear. Dante says, he can run, but there’s no way that bastard can hide.

Jack walks into the cabin and tells Josslyn to hand him the weapon. Josslyn gives the gun to him, and he checks it over. He checks Cyrus’s pulse, and Josslyn says she already did that. He’s dead. Jack says, yes, he is, and she says, Cyrus tried to attack her. He was going to kill her. Jack says he knows. He was outside when it happened. Did she call anyone else? She says, no, just him, and he says, good. They still have a small window in which to clean up. She asks if they shouldn’t call the police, and he says, they could. Or they could take care of it themselves.

Brook says she’s so sorry she never told Chase. It was a strange time. When she realized she was pregnant, she was terrified. She didn’t know what to do. She wasn’t ready to be a mom. Chase says, of course (🍷) not. She was just a kid. He can’t imagine how scared and alone she felt. She says, at least she had her mom, and he asks if Lois stepped up. Brook says, big time. She was incredible. She wasn’t thrilled Brook got pregnant in the first place, but once the shock wore off, Lois was in her corner 100%. He says he’s glad, but not surprised. Was it hard to decide? She says, terminating the pregnancy didn’t feel like an option at the time. She knew she’d be having the baby and the decision not to keep it came to her pretty quickly. There was just no way she could be a mom. He says he gets it, and she says, when it came down to it, she knew the rest of the family could never find out. She was already so overwhelmed, the last thing she needed were the judgements and opinions of the family. So she went on tour with her mom for five months, had the baby, and went back to her life. Her mom made all the arrangements. He says he assumes it was a closed adoption, and she says she never even saw the baby. She was afraid if she did, she couldn’t give it up. He says, so she doesn’t know if she had a boy or a girl? and she says, no. He says, it must have been insanely hard, especially at that age, and she says, he isn’t angry with her?

Isaiah says he wishes he could promise Aiden’s dad was going to be okay, but they just don’t know. He’s in ICU and being closely monitored. Elizabeth says, they’re doing everything they can, and Isaiah says, they know how strong Lucky is. Lulu says, the absolute strongest, and Aiden says he’s sorry for freaking out. Isaiah says he gets it. Lucky is the best friend he’s ever had. Laura asks if it’s possible for someone to sit with Lucky now, and Isaiah says, absolutely. Laura tells Elizabeth and Aiden to go first and tell Lucky that his mother and sister love him. Aiden and Elizabeth leave to go to Lucky’s room, and Lulu says, Lucky is going to be okay. Laura says she knows. He’ll survive Cyrus like Lulu just did. They hug.

Jason says, Scout and her siblings just lost their mom, and Drew says he’s aware. Jason says, they need to be together, so he and Drew need to work together. Drew says, Jason doesn’t play well with others, and Jason says, Drew doesn’t like how he lives. He doesn’t like how Drew lives. But it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that it’s okay for the kids because they’re family. Drew says, and Jason knows all about family.

Sasha says she told Elaine her approximate due date. That’s it. She’s not sure what Elaine was looking for, but she assumes Willow’s lawyer hired her. Tracy says, good guess, and Sasha says she just thought Tracy would like to know that somebody is being investigated. Tracy thanks her for the intel, and Sasha says she’s welcome… Tracy is holding something back. She can tell. Tracy says she’s been known for that, and Sasha tells her, say it. Tracy says she promised not to ask invasive questions, and Sasha asks if she has one. Tracy asks, if Jason is the father, are they planning on getting married? and Sasha says she gets it. Tracy wants to know what she’s looking to make off the Quartermaine name.

On the phone, Anna says, let her know if they turn up anything, and Dante says, it was smart of her to contact Pentenville. Cyrus was in there a long time. He must have made connections. Anna says she was thinking a former associate could tell them where Cyrus might go. The longer they’re without a lead, the less likely they are to track Cyrus. He asks if Elizabeth said why Cyrus killed the patients, and Anna says she thinks it was some kind of divine mission to release them from their suffering. From what he told Elizabeth, he’s been doing it since he got out of prison. Dante says, it doesn’t make sense. Dex and Sam were healthy. Why target them? She says, they got in his way.

In Lucky’s room, Elizabeth asks how he’s doing, and Portia says, he’s holding his own. Elizabeth says, that’s good news, and Portia says she’ll let them have time alone with him. Portia leaves and they go over to the bed. Elizabeth says she’s here. So is Aiden. He needs to hang on and come back to them. She’s going to say it again when he opens his eyes, but she thanks him for saving her life tonight. Aiden says, mom’s safe now and he has to wake up.

Jack says, they don’t have to call the police, and asks where Josslyn got the gun. She says, it’s Dex’s. Everybody knows how much she hates Cyrus and that she thinks he killed Dex. Now she killed him with Dex’s gun. Who will believe it was in self-defense? Jack says, coming in the cabin with a gun does imply intent, and she says, he knows what happened. He says he wasn’t in the room. Technically, people could say he didn’t see what happened. She says, he doesn’t believe her, and he says he does, but it won’t hold up in a court of law. He can take care of it, but once the WSB is involved, no one can know what happened, not even her mother. Can she do that? If not, they’ll call the police right now. She looks at Cyrus’s body and nods. She says she can do it. Stay quiet. Jack says, they’re leaving… and she says, but her fingerprints… He says, now. If anyone asks her, she was never at the cabin. Does she understand? She nods and they leave.

Drew says, ever since he found out he and Jason were twins, his whole life hinged on one moment. What if Susan Moore had brought him back to Port Charles instead of Jason? He would have grown up with Monica and Alan and would have lived the life of luxury as a Quartermaine. Instead, he got Betsy Frank, a group home, and he was on his own at 18. Jason says he had no control over that, and Drew says, they loved Jason, despite his never having appreciated it and hurting their parents, breaking their hearts over and over. He had no need of anything Quartermaine. Jason says, they’re done, but Drew says, it’s his house. He’ll tell Jason when they’re done. Jason wants to come back home? Now that Drew has made a place for himself and took the Quartermaine name. Now he wants to come back? That’s perfect. He and the Quartermaines can have each other. He’ll be over here with his daughter. Jason says, he’s okay with Scout losing Sam, Danny, and Rocco all at once? and Drew says, what Scout is going through breaks his heart, but as her father, he’ll do what’s best for her – always.

Jordan asks if Anna had any luck, and Anna says she had them run the name Paul Damascus and Cyrus never used it before, but when they were running the DEA list of Cyrus’s associates, a name jumped out – Gatlin. Jordan says, Cyrus has a connection to a Gatlin family based in Pautuck, and Anna says, a deep connection? Jordan says, decades, and Anna says, a doctor at GH was shot dead in 2023 who was from Pautuck. Dante says, the murder was never solved, and Jordan says, the doctor had several properties in Pautuck. Anna makes a call, and says she’ll need a list of properties southeast of Port Charles rented or owned by a Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt.

Josslyn walks into Jack’s office, and he asks if anybody saw her come in. She says, no, and he tells her to go to the bathroom and shower. Wash away all the evidence. Leave her clothes, jewelry, and phone, anything she brought to the cabin, in the bathroom. There’s a change of clothes for her in there. Can she handle that? She says, yeah, and when she leaves, Jack takes out the gun, wipes it, and puts it on his desk. Colette comes in and says she got his message. Jack says, Cyrus Renault is dead, and she asks, what the hell happened?

In the bathroom, Josslyn flashes back to Cyrus coming at her and her shooting him. She throws up.

Jack tells Colette that Josslyn had a gun he wasn’t aware of, but it’s fine. She only called him. She says, still, the clean-up might not be as easy as he thinks. Renault attacked Lucky Spencer and Elizabeth Baldwin tonight. Lucky is in the hospital and there’s an APB out on Renault. Who knows how long it will take Anna to find the cabin?

Laura says, does Lulu remember her saying how Cyrus visited her? and Lulu says, it was too creepy to forget. Laura says, Cyrus told Elizabeth that he had plans to free her from her coma, and Lulu says, aka kill her. Laura says, something went wrong, and it only affected her liver, and Lulu says, Cyrus caused her liver failure? Laura says, yes. She’s very sorry. Lulu says, why? and Laura says, because Cyrus is her brother. Lulu says, it’s not exactly her fault, and Larua says she knows that, but in retrospect, she can see that strange fascination he had in her. Lulu says, no one could predict he would do this, and Laura says, he’s a very sick man, but if Lulu hadn’t woken up when she did… Oh my God. Laura hugs her, cries, and says, they would have lost her.

Aiden says, it’s been cool having Lucky home. It made him realize how much he missed him. Thanks for showing up and being on his side. And grandma and Aunt Lulu want him to know they love him. Elizabeth says, they all think he’s had enough beauty rest now. Come out of this. Aiden says, he has to wake up. He just has to. Suddenly, an alarm goes off.

Jason asks if Drew is really going to keep Scout from her brothers, and Drew says, Scout’s got him. And they’ll have Willow and her kids. It’s all the family they need and she’s going nowhere near the Quartermaines. Jason says, because Drew got his feelings hurt? but Drew says, because the Quartermaines are terrible people. He did all he could to fit in. He did everything he could to keep the family going. The second he does something for himself, they can’t turn their backs fast enough. Because he fell in love with the wrong woman. Compared to what they’ve done? To a murderer hitman, it’s always home. Jason says, Drew is making a huge mistake, but Drew says he doesn’t think so. The Quartermaine name, he’s got it. The Quartermaine money, it’s in the bank. He doesn’t need the people and headache that go along with it. We’re done. He opens the door and says, get out of my house. Jason walks out.

Sasha says she is not discussing her personal life, and Tracy says, good. Just listen. She didn’t get knocked up by some random guy at a bar, a one-night stand with a Quartermaine. Sasha says, allegedly, and Tracy says, allegedly a Quartermaine, but not just any Quartermaine, a family favorite. Sasha says, not hers, and Tracy says, absolutely not. She’s wanted nothing to do with him for years, but her mother adored him, as did Monica. He could do no wrong in their eyes. Sasha asks how many times she has to say it. She doesn’t want or expect anything from the family. Tracy says, what does the family expect from her? and she asks, what happened to her right to make decisions for her own baby? Tracy says, she does, but she can’t keep going ahead like the baby is exclusively hers. Not if it’s a Quartermaine.

Chase tells Brook that he’s not angry with her. Just the opposite. He hates that she had to keep the secret for so long. She says she hated keeping it from him, when she let herself think about it. She trained herself not to. He says, she compartmentalized, and she says she put it in a box and rarely took it out. He says, it makes sense. How is she supposed to move on? She says, the baby was with her for 9 months technically. She loved him or her so much. She wanted to give them the best life possible. He says, she has no idea where they went? and she says, no. She trusted her mom, who worked with the agency to find a good home. She’s so sorry for lying. He says, show him the lie. All she did was keep part of her past private. Just because they’re married, she doesn’t have to share every little thing. She says, it’s not little, and he says, maybe not, but she gets to choose who she shares it with and who she doesn’t want asking questions. He does want to know one thing.

Josslyn wipes the steam from the bathroom mirror. She flashes back to looking at dead Cyrus and leans on the sink.

Jack says, Anna’s not aware of the cabin, and Colette says, not yet, but it’s just a matter of time. He asks if they’re monitoring the PCPD radio, and she says, Renault was spotted on Route 41. The police know his direction and it’s not a densely populated area. He says, the cabin is one of the few options, and she asks if he honestly thinks Josslyn can keep quiet. She’s just a kid. She’ll want to tell someone. He says, let him worry about Josslyn. It’s her job to get a team to the cabin before Anna finds it. She says, a total clean-up? and he says, with one exception.

Isaiah runs into Lucky’s room and Elizabeth hustles Aiden out. Isaiah uses the defibrillator on Lucky.

Lulu tells Laura that Dr. Gannon said her body’s reaction to the liver transplant could be why she woke up after four years. If Cyrus hadn’t tried to kill her, she probably wouldn’t have woken up. Laura says she guesses Lulu is right, and Lulu says, if she hadn’t needed a liver transplant, Sam would be here. Laura says, they’ve been through this. She can’t let herself think like that. She’s not responsible for Sam’s death. That’s on Cyrus. She doesn’t care about his crazy savior story. He’s been killing people. If she needs to point a finger, put the blame where it belongs, on Cyrus. And the people he paid off or blackmailed to get out of prison. He never should have been let out.

Elizabeth and Aiden come out and Elizabeth says, Lucky’s heart stopped. He’s in defibrillation. Aiden says, his dad is dying.

They continue to use the paddles on Lucky, and Isaiah says, come on. Don’t do this to me. He begins chest compression.

Jack puts the gun in a bag, then in a bin. Josslyn comes back and he tells her to have a seat. She asks, what happens now? and he asks if she told anyone where she went. She says, no, and he asks if she told anyone the address. She says, no, she didn’t tell anyone. Why did Colette give her the address? He says, she set everything in motion when she asked to see the footage from Rice Plaza, and she says, when she was finding out who killed Dex? He says, it was strategic thinking on her part, and she says, it got her nowhere. The footage was gone. He says, no, it wasn’t, and shows her a still shot of Cyrus. He says, it shows her instincts were spot on, and she says she doesn’t understand. He knew the whole time and didn’t go to the police? He says he wanted to see what she’d do.

Brook says, ask anything, and Chase asks if she’s okay. She says, that’s his one question? and he says he can’t imagine going through something so huge. In high school, his biggest stressor was if he’d make varsity or not. She had to choose a future, not just for her, but her child. She’s amazing. He was already thinking she’s so strong and he didn’t know the half of it.

Isaiah says, Lucky never quit on him before. Don’t quit now.

Anna suggests Dante go see Lulu and find out how Lucky is doing. He says, she put him back on the case, and she says she told him that he could work on the case, not personally apprehend Cyrus. He asks if she thinks he’d go rogue and kill Cyrus. He’s thought about it and death is too easy an out. He’ll follow protocol. Anna’s phone rings and she asks, what’s the address?… Send units. She’ll be right there. Dante says, that’s off Route 41, and Anna says, let’s go now. Dante asks Jordan to keep them posted on Lucky, and she says, will do. Good luck.

Portia says, they got him back. Lucky is stable. Aiden says, he’s going to be okay? and Portia nods. Lulu says, his dad is strong and hugs him. Elizabeth hugs Aiden and Laura hugs Lulu.

Sasha says, privacy is starting to be impossible in this house, and Tracy says, starting? Too funny. Sasha can keep playing the who’s-the-daddy game all she wants, but she’s inclined to believe Cody. Sasha says, fine. Jason is the father. Happy? Tracy shrugs, when Jason walks in. Sasha says she is so done with this day and walks past him and out. Tracy says she guesses congratulations are in order.

Josslyn says, Jack knew Cyrus killed Dex and did nothing? but he says, on the contrary. He fed her clues and followed her. She asks if he’s playing some game because he’s into her mom, but he says, it’s got nothing to do with Carly. It’s clear Josslyn is special. She’s got all the qualities necessary to make a great agent – ingenuity, initiative, willing and able to do what’s necessary. She asks, necessary for what? and he says, for the WSB. He wants her to become one of them.

Brook says, truly, Chase isn’t upset? If he were, she would understand. He says, stop and think. Would she be? She says, so many of their past problems were because of her lying, and this is another one of those times, but he says he doesn’t consider this a lie. He’s curious. Why tell him now? She says, he was beating himself up about her not getting pregnant naturally. She couldn’t stand it. He says, once it had a bearing on their relationship, she told him. She can tell him anything. She says she kept it buried so long, and he thanks her for sharing such an intimate part of herself. She says she loves him and trusts him with her life, and he says, right back at her. They kiss.

Laura says she can’t thank them enough, and Portia says, Lucky is still being monitored closely, but the danger has passed as of now. Aiden thanks her for saving Lucky’s life, and she says she had a lot of help. Isaiah says, Lucky refused to give up, and Aiden says he wants to thank Isaiah too.

Isaiah goes into Lucky’s room and says, it’s not cool making him sweat like that. He guesses it wouldn’t be Lucky if he wasn’t a colossal pain in the ass. He thanks Lucky and says he doesn’t know what he would have done if he’d lost him.

Tracy says, Jason isn’t planning on moving out. This is Danny’s home, and he needs stability. Jason agrees he does, and he’ll do whatever it takes to give that to Danny. Tracy says she knows the living situation is not his first choice – or second or third – but she’s glad his priority is Danny. It shows his loyalty is to the family, because they are family. Despite the past, he’s one of them. Jason says, just not one she wants around. Drew is coming for him.

Josslyn says, Jack set her up to kill Cyrus so he could hold it over her head to join the WSB, but he says he didn’t know she had access to a gun. Did anyone else know? She says, no, and he asks why she brought it. She says, to protect herself – obviously – which does not make her a spy. He says, it does. She shields herself not by hiding, but by acting. What happened in the cabin? Tell him. Josslyn says she found the patients’ ID bracelets and saw how many Cyrus killed. There was one for Dex. Cyrus was going to attack her with a hatchet and she shot him in self-defense. He says, if Cyrus hadn’t attacked her, would she have not pulled the trigger, and Josslyn cries and says she doesn’t know. He says, good thing they didn’t call police then.

Anna’s team approaches the cabin. Anna nods and Dante kicks in the door.

Brook says, it was stupid not to tell him sooner, but Chase says, she told him when she was ready. He wonders if she’s judging herself for her decision, and she says, a decision that shouldn’t have happened in the first place. What if she gave up the baby and it didn’t give them a better life? He asks if she wants to try and find her child, but she says she doesn’t know. He asks if she ever tried, and she says, no. He asks if she thought about it, and she says, of course (🍷), but wouldn’t it be unfair to crash into the child’s life after letting them go? He says, having Brook in their life could only make It better. Trust him. It’s 100% her decision, but if she decides to try to find them, he’ll help in any way he can.

Tracy says, Drew is coming after all of them. She assumes he’s the one who convinced Willow to hire a P.I. to find something that she can use against Michael in the divorce. Jason says, Drew blames the whole family for turning against him, and she says, they’ve made Drew the enemy. She can’t believe she’s saying this, but she’s so glad he’s here. They need him. Welcome home. She pats his shoulder and leaves.

Aiden says, they’re all here. Laura and his mom are here. Lulu says, hey, big brother, and Aiden says, they love him and can’t wait for him to wake up. Lulu tells Lucky, hurry up. Patience is not her strong suit.

Jordan says she heard Isaiah saved another life. Congratulations. Isaiah says, it was a close one and he’s not responsible. It was difficult and he thought he’d lose Lucky. Jordan says she speaks for all Lucky’s loved ones. She’s grateful he fought so hard for his friend. Isaiah says, he’s grateful to Lucky. He’s too stubborn to die.

Inside the cabin, an officer tells Anna, the surrounding area is clear, and Anna says, expand the radios. She tells Dante, aside from everything being completely dust free, no one has inhabited this cabin lately. Dante says, there’s no sign of anything, and Anna tells the officer, get forensics here asap. He leaves, and Anna says, if Cyrus was in the cabin, he left something behind. They have to find what it is.

Josslyn says, what about the evidence in the cabin? and Jack says, it’s been taken care of. Josslyn says, even if she doesn’t accept the offer? and he says, even if. But he strongly urges her to consider it. She’d make one hell of an agent. As far as tonight goes, she needs a story. He hands her some cash and says, buy herself a new phone. Say she lost hers. Her car was driven here. Can she drive home? She says, yes, and he says, be in touch. She leaves, and Colette comes in. Colette says, she gets to walk out, just like that? and Jack says, yes. When she comes back, it’s better if she thinks it’s her idea.

On Monday, Anna needs someone at the station right now; Kai says Trina is the only reason he’s not losing his mind right now; Kristina tells Molly that she’s never going to believe in the system again; and Brook tells Lois that she told Chase everything.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I was kind of surprised they didn’t go the whodunit route, but it was still a great end. Loved him pouring his heart out to Elizabeth. We’ll miss you, Jeff Kober!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/behind-the-scenes-of-cyrus-death-with-eden-mccoy

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jeff-kober-says-goodbye-to-gh-with-the-best-death

Maybe Lucky will be waking up a different man.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-temporarily-recasts-lucky-with-guy-wilson

Finally, we meet Tobias.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/charlie-besso-cast-as-tobias-on-general-hospital

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/colin-cassidy-thought-he-blew-his-audition-for-aiden-on-gh

It does really sound like a goodbye.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/tajh-bellow-shares-a-special-message-for-his-gh-fans

Picking up the pieces.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cameron-mathison-shows-off-his-new-house

She left behind a body of work to be proud of.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-and-oltl-alum-alice-hirson-dead-at-95

Beyond the usual soap.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jon-lindstrom-and-cady-mcclain-join-the-cast-of-beyond-the-gates

How they celebrated with their sweeties.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/see-how-the-stars-and-their-sweethearts-spent-valentines-day

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

While I didn’t watch this, I did read about Harry’s accident. Yikes!

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The trip to see Sutton’s mom ended, and Sutton finally heard I love you from Reba. In Sutton’s interview, she said she hadn’t felt like this with her mother since her sophomore year in college on Mother’s weekend. Dorit was having a 4th of July barbecue, per tradition with her kids, but adding the women. In Dorit’s interview, she said it felt like there was definitely something missing because PK wasn’t there, and she wanted to have fun with her friends and kids. Good luck with that first one. Sutton got there first, and there were zero people to greet her, a huge party faux pas, no matter who you are. You don’t just leave people to wander around on their own. Kyle came next, Dorit still nowhere to be found, and they noticed a table of framed photos that they dubbed a shrine to PK. It was 40 minutes before Dorit made her appearance. Although she still couldn’t be bothered to greet Sutton. When she finally did, she snatched Sutton’s bag and insisted Sutton give it to her, literally not giving it back. In her interview, she said it was about Sutton interrupting her talking about Jagger – we flashed back, and Sutton had good reason – but giving her the bag would equal forgiveness. It was a hard no.

The spread was amazing, and things were good for like, five minutes, until Dorit made a jab at Sutton about drinking alcohol. What is wrong with that woman? Sutton said she was a bitch, which caused Dorit to spiral because Sutton had called her a bitch in her own home. Here’s a hint. If you don’t want to be called a bitch, don’t be one. In her interview, Sutton said Dorit had never apologized for insinuating she had a drinking problem, and we flashed back to Dorit’s various comments about it. Sutton decided she was going to jet, and in the bitch’s Dorit’s interview, she intimated that there must be something to it if Sutton was making such a big deal. No. She’s just sick of you calling her an alcoholic. In Kyle’s interview, she tried to compare her tirade and walking out of Boz’s spa day, even though it was not at all the same thing. Boz thought Sutton leaving was rude, and Garcelle told Boz to quit being Dorit’s spokesperson. Kyle was also irritated with Dorit agreeing with everything Boz said, but they ended up hugging it out. For now.

Where are they now?

Let’s talk about the husband.

Summer House

They toasted to how mature they were. Here’s where I would look at the camera if there was one. Ciara brought up West’s New York Times article at dinner, which is where sensitive, anger inducing topics are always broached. Lindsay broke the tension by needing to run to the bathroom. West kinda sorta apologized to Ciara, Paige avoided getting together with Craig, and it was the same old except for Lindsay being pregnant.

This picture is so weird. It’s like they were suddenly plopped in from different climates.

Southern Charm

Molly, Taylor, and Rodrigo did flamingo yoga, which is like goat yoga but with flamingoes. Biggest reveal? Craig watches a lot of 90 Day Fiancé. Me too! The biggest non-surprise? Sienna is so not interested in a relationship with Shep. I would say it was painful to watch, but seeing him get a taste of his own medicine was too delicious.

Southern Hospitality

It was back from Vegas and back to reality after Maddi and Joe’s fake wedding by Elvis impersonator. She seemed to be wearying of Joe’s attention. The best quote: I’m the bitch that runs the bitches who think they run the bitch.Michols Peña

Random Reality Items

Now there will be no let up about him proposing. Not from Dolores, but everyone else.

Do we really need another branch of the franchise? They’re always intriguing in the beginning. Then they degenerate into a screaming match.

In a surprise twist, Lady Gaga has time to watch TV.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Cassandra. Netflix. My favorite horror genres are in this order: Zombie apocalypse, any zombies, any apocalypse, technology is evil, large monsters like Godzilla and/or dinosaurs, and sharks. This imported miniseries from Germany falls under technology being evil, but with a twist. Cassandra is the face behind a smart house and she’s out of control. The surprise is, she has a backstory, that’s told parallel to the nightmare of the family who moves in.

Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End. Amazon Prime. And in my favorite genre, reveled clearly in the title, this was one exciting zombie romp. A Spanish thriller based on a book, the story revolves around a man and his cat who are trying to make it to a safe place. The action and the special effects were impressive. It wasn’t 2 hours of my life I wanted back and it gave me the zombie fix I so desperately needed. No spoilers here:

Lots of spoilers here. Turn back if you do not want to be spoiled.

https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/i-watched-amazons-new-zombie-movie-holy-cow-i-have-things-to-say

👍One To Watch…

While the words love story aren’t usually in my viewing queue, these two make it look like it will be a fun time. This show also looks like an enriching learning experience about those who are different. One of the things reality TV should foster more.

🌁 Upcoming Watch…

It’s been decreed. The second season of The Last of Us will premiere on April 13th.

https://winteriscoming.net/the-last-of-us-season-2-release-date-revealed-and-we-called-it

🏆 Awards Corner…

BAFTA winners.

https://deadline.com/2025/02/bafta-film-awards-winners-list-conclave-emilia-perez-2025-1236291491/

Warming up for the Academy Awards on March 2nd.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/oscars-2025-red-carpet-events-parties-pictures-1236141330/

https://people.com/oprah-selena-gomez-and-ben-stiller-and-more-announced-as-2025-oscars-presenters-11682130

A new addition to the Daytime Emmys. Actually, it’s more of a pivot.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/daytime-emmys/the-daytime-emmy-awards-adds-a-new-category

It’s definitely her year. You’ll have to wait until June to see her Tony hosting skills though.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1413663/cynthia-erivo-set-to-host-2025-tony-awards

🐶 It’s Not How You Start…

Dog makes better than good.

https://people.com/abandoned-puppy-left-to-die-makes-finals-most-prestigious-dog-show-uk-crufts-11681282

🍯 Quotes Of the Week

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. – Laozi

I pay no attention whatever to anybody’s praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings. – Mozart

Freedom from desire leads to inner peace. – Lao Tzu

You’re only as young as the last time you changed your mind. – Timothy Leary

Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going. – Sam Levenson

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it. – Niccolò Machiavelli

If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not making decisions. – Catherine Cook

You know what they say, candy is dandy, but yay weed. – Victoria Flynn (Katy Mixon), Mike & Molly

🧊 Colder Than a Well-Digger’s…

Until next week, stay safe; stay dressing for the weather, not the runway; and stay remembering, friends speak the truth.

February 14, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Sidwell Meets an Ex-Wife, Soap Suds, Reality Corner, Weekend Watching, Coming Soon, Next Fallout, Winning, 10 Whole Quotes & Endless

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

While Cyrus stared at Elizabeth, Ric came into the hospital bringing her flowers. At the Grill, Felicia said Cody owed someone an apology. Carly told Nina that she’d do anything to help Wiley and Amelia, but was concerned about pushing Drew and Willow closer together. Maybe the best thing to do was nothing. Sasha wondered if Willow had moved in with Drew, and Tracy asked Jason about his newest baby mama.

Ric told Elizabeth Cyrus’s parole terms and asked her to take a walk with him to pay him for his legal expertise. She said the last time they walked, they saw Alexis toss a gun off the bridge and they would ignore any crimes in progress. Josslyn asked Kristina to take the girls to the park because she had something to do that was now or never. Ava and Trina took a walk, and Ava said Trina was spending a lot of time at the gallery. Why wasn’t she at the hospital?

Tracy told Jason about Carly confronting Drew and Drew’s announcement that Jason slept with their cook and impregnated her. Willow told Sasha to mind her own business. Sasha hunted down Cody and said, thanks to him, she was the town’s topic of conversation. Felicia asked her to join them. Nina wondered if the kids would call Drew daddy, and Carly said they had to do something, but Drew couldn’t see them coming.

Trina said Kai’s injury crushed his dreams and she’d split his focus pushing him to do the project. She’d overstepped at the hospital and Kai told her to back off. Kai showed up and Ava made herself scarce. Nina said Maxie would be their way into Drew’s new house, and Carly asked how far Nina was willing to go. Nina said, as far as necessary. Martin reminded Willow that they hadn’t responded to the divorce petition. Did she really want a divorce or to work toward reconciliation? Cody admitted it wasn’t his place, and Sasha added, or sharing his conclusions. He said he cared about her and wanted the father to step up. Jason said he owed Tracy no explanations and she thought that meant the baby was his. It wasn’t fair to stonewall his mother and son.

Kai said he owed Trina an apology. She had been the only bright spot even when she was bossing him around. He was grateful their paths had crossed and wanted to know her better. Felicia said Cody was misguided, but cared about Sasha. Sasha said he was showing concern in the wrong way, and she wanted to raise the baby on her own. Respecting her choices was the best way to show he cared. Carly said she and Nina had to define their goals. She didn’t want Drew to be factor or obstacle in Michael and Willow figuring things out. Nina said Drew was the worst thing to happen to Willow. She knew Willow genuinely loved Michael. Carly said Michael loved her and their family, and Nina said, one other variable needed to be dealt with, but Carly was the only one who could deal with it. Elizabeth told Ric that the hospital was the safest place for her since Cyrus had been banned, but promised to keep her eyes open. She wasn’t on her own, but had Lucky. Cyrus went to Bobbie’s and Josslyn apologized to him. Ava saw Avery at the park. She asked if Avery wanted to see her new apartment.

Josslyn said she wanted justice for Dex, and it had clouded her judgment. The police didn’t think Cyrus was the killer and she was letting the professionals handle it. Cyrus got so flustered, he left. Trina said she’d fight her impulse to fix things and not micromanage. Kai said he didn’t know how many people cared about him if he couldn’t play. Willow said her marriage was definitely over, and Martin said he’d file a response asking for full custody, alimony, and full spousal and child support. Her custodial position wasn’t secure, but Diane would fight it. Nina joined them and was concerned about making things messier. Felicia said they were family and to stay united, they had to forgive. Jason walked in. Tracy started to leave a message for Diane, but Carly hung up the phone and said they needed to have a chat. Kristina said the girls had a project to finish and homework, but Avery asked if she could go with her mom, then Donna wanted to go too. Ava said Donna needed her mother’s permission, when Rick and Elizabeth showed up. Ric asked for a word with Ava.

Jason wanted to talk to Sasha, and Felicia suggested he sit down. Carly said confronting Drew was a mistake, and it just pushed him and Willow closer together. Tracy was just as guilty and if she continued to interfere, they might never see the kids again. Nina asked Martin to stall, but Martin said Michael had hit hard and they needed to respond. Nina said it could be handled in a calmer, more civil way when Michael came back. Don’t aggravate the Quartermaines more than they already had. Collette went to Bobbie’s with an envelope for Josslyn from Jack. Ric told Ava that Avery was under Sonny’s care and her desperation would cost her everything. Kristina told Elizabeth, first Ava killed her baby, then tried to make off with her little sister. If Kristina didn’t get to have her baby, Ava couldn’t have hers.

Collette told Josslyn that the address in the envelope was the location of a property Austin Gaitlin-Holt bought one month after Cyrus was released. Trina said she was sorry if she contributed to Kai getting hurt, but he told her that he’d been playing his best game ever and had never been more focused. Trina said social media had played with her head, and he suggested they go somewhere warm. Ava said she couldn’t lose Avery and Ric said, the only way was to go to court. Ava said she couldn’t afford to, and he said he’d take her case pro bono. Her best and only chance was to get out of her own way and let him do it. Ava kissed him and it looked like they were going to get busy. Carly said, going after Drew got them the opposite of what they wanted. They should trust that Michael was going to come home and get custody. Willow would feel guilty, see Drew for who he really was, and they’d find a way to compromise. Tracy said, wherever Drew goes, chaos follows, and Carly said leave Drew to her. Tracy told her, play it her way, but just make it hurt.

Martin said Willow wasn’t on equal footing with Michael. It wasn’t about money, but ammunition. Willow had cheated and Michael hadn’t. If it got nasty and the video was shown, it could impact her position. They needed to find something to use as leverage against Michael. Sasha said Cody started all this. Cody said Jason and his brother were entitled bastards and loudly told the room that Jason needed to step up, take responsibility, and say Sasha’s baby is his.

Tuesday:

Trina brought Kai to Charlie’s and introduced him to Emma and Gio. Sasha threw a drink in Cody’s face, said the conversation was over, and stay out of her life. Willow said, unlike Jason and Sasha’s relationship, Drew actually loved her, and she didn’t think anything could be found to use against Michael. Cyrus interrupted, saying he needed Martin’s help. Kristina told Lucky that Elizabeth stopped Ava from kidnapping Avery. Ric and Elizabeth showed up at the right moment. Thanks to her, Sonny might beat Ava at her own game. Sonny told Natalia that he didn’t need a pacemaker, but would need surgery to repair damage from the bullet wound in three months. Kristina called while he was on the plane. Emma told Kai about the benefit SAAC was hosting and she wanted him to join the committee. Isaiah talked to Lucky about Sidwell, and Lucky suggested they steer clear. Isaiah said not everybody was going to take that advice. Curtis asked Jordan if there was news about the esplanade, and she said there might be an 11th hour rescue. Martin said Lulu was afraid of her and Martin said he must have done something. Cyrus wanted Martin to go with him to talk to Lucky. Nina suggested Willow be discreet until the divorce was settled. Michael would be humiliated. Martin said he had to leave, but wouldn’t respond to the divorce petition yet. Willow thought the best thing she could do was be open and honest about Drew.

Jordan introduced Curtis to Sidwell. Sidwell said he could help bring things back on track with the esplanade. Sasha went to see Jason at the boathouse and asked about Michael. Jason said so far the treatment was working and Michael was determined to come home. Sasha said they had to let everyone believe Jason was her baby’s father. Isaiah said everyone was glad Elizabeth was back at the hospital an no one believed she’d done any wrong. Martin and Cyrus walked into Charlie’s. Kristina whined to Sonny about Ava, and Sonny suggested they talk when he landed.

Nina said people lied to protect themselves and the people they love but they end up serving the lie rather than living their lives. Cody talked to Felicia about Sasha. Sasha said if it came out that Michael was the father, it wouldn’t be good for the custody hearing. Jason said he was willing to go along with it for Michael and the kids. Sonny said even if he won, he couldn’t cut Ava out of Avery’s life, and Natalia reminded him that he needed to avoid stress. Lucky told Kristina to let Cyrus stay. Elizabeth said not many doctors were as brave as Isaiah, and he said it was like solving a mystery. Kai agreed to help Emma and took a photo, tagging it #savePCUFurryFriends. Danny pumped Rocco for information on Cyrus, and Rocco told him that he couldn’t do anything about Cyrus. He saw Kai’s photo with Cyrus in the background and said he knew where Cyrus was.

Jason agreed to Sasha’s plan, but said he wouldn’t let Danny think he was the father. Martin asked what Cyrus thought he was doing, saying he was in charge of Lulu’s medical care, and Cyrus said no one else was there for her. Isaiah introduced himself to Kristina who thanked him for saving her brother. Sidwell said they should move the esplanade to Pier 55 and Curtis said he had to get Drew involved. Sidwell said Drew was good with using eminent domain. When Sidwell stepped away to take a call, Curtis told Jordan, whatever Sidwell wanted, just say no.

Willow said if she’d been honest, everything would be different. She could be honest with Drew because she knew he’d be honest with her. Cody said he’d been on a tear lately, and Felicia said he was mostly hurting himself. He said he still wanted to be Sasha’s hero. Curtis said Sidwell was in bed with Drew and must have an angle. It was asking for trouble with Sonny. Jason wondered where Danny was, and Rocco said he told Danny about Cyrus. He went to confront Cyrus and wouldn’t listen that he was a dangerous guy. Jason took off for Charlie’s. Kai asked if Trina was down to save some bunnies. Cyrus said his actions had been misinterpreted. Danny came into Charlie’s.

Cody said he’d step back and let Sasha live her life and Felicia thought it was for the best.  She asked if he could be someone else’s hero. Nina said she understood how Willow fell for Drew because she… Sidwell wanted to set up a meeting with Aurora, and Curtis said call his office. He left and Sidwell was impressed with how Jordan and Curtis got along. Natalia suggested Sonny use his advantage over Ava to compromise. Do it for his kids before he couldn’t. He wasn’t sure that was possible. Rocco was worried, but Sasha said Jason was good at what he does. Danny confronted Cyrus, who assured him he had nothing to do with Sam’s death. Danny said he knew Cyrus killed his mother and Cyrus wanted to pray with him. He put his hand on Danny’s shoulder, when Jason came in and told him to take his hand off his son.

Wednesday:

Jason said if Cyrus touched his son again, he’d kill Cyrus, and they’d never find his body. Lulu saw Josslyn working at Bobbie’s and was surprised to see a Spencer behind the counter. Tracy saw Willow with Nina at the Grill, and said Willow living with Nina was all the better to commit adultery. Lucas and Maxie went to Charlie’s, and so did Carly and Jack.

Maxie asked if it wasn’t time that Lucas got back on the horse and Jack wondered why Lucas was giving him the stink eye. Carly said what Jack had done for her was above and beyond, and she liked that his softer side was all hers. Tracy ordered Willow to take off her mother’s ring, but Alexis walked in and ran interference. Chase told Anna that Cyrus had a visitor – a blonde in her 20s – and Anna told him to bring in Josslyn. She was going to get herself killed. Jason took Danny home, and Trina filled Gio in on Cyrus. Kai told Cyrus to go before there was another incident and Cyrus left with Martin.

Nina told Willow not to let Tracy get to her; it made her too happy. All of this would pass. Willow said it was hard not to think of herself as a horrible person. Chase asked Josslyn to come to the station and Lulu said she could cover Josslyn’s shift. It would give her a chance to have the Bobbie’s experience. Outside, After Emma changed the topic to her fundraiser, Gio told her to read the room and be less self-involved. Martin told Cyrus to file a complaint against Jason, but Cyrus said he was choosing peace.

Jason said confronting Cyrus was reckless, and Danny thanked him for showing up. He needed to know why Cyrus hurt his mom. Sasha came in and Jason wanted them to talk to Danny together. Lucas said he had a family and one great love, and Maxie said he could have it again. She wanted to set him up with a model from Deception. Jack said if there was something or someone he wanted, little could stop him, and Lucas asked for a word with Carly. Nina said everyone made mistakes and not to let anyone change the way Willow thought of herself. Hold her head up high. Alexis told Tracy to back off. Tracy said she was trying, and Alexis said try harder. She wanted what was left of her family to stay together. Tracy owed her and she needed to collect. Anna asked Josslyn about volunteering at the mission. Kristina told Isaiah that Elizabeth saved her from punching out her sister’s mother. Ava had caused the accident that made her lose her daughter. Isaiah said any friend of Lucky’s was someone he wanted to know. Emma said she redirected because Trina didn’t want to relive her trauma situation and Gio apologized. Kai asked how Trina could be calm, and she said she didn’t want to let the bad things define her. Lucky was worried about Cyrus knowing who was onto him.

Dante saw Lulu struggling and asked if she needed help. She said maybe a little and he pitched in. Sasha told Danny that Jason wasn’t the father of her baby, but Jason said a lot of people assumed he was. For certain reasons, he wanted people to continue to believe that. Danny asked, who was the real dad? Chase said the custodian ID’d a photo of Josslyn and Anna told her the game she was playing could cost her life.

Alexis said the only reason Tracy wasn’t in prison was because she didn’t pursue it and she didn’t want Tracy pursuing Drew and Willow. Tracy said she’d keep her observations to herself and her passions in check. Willow said she felt like she truly had a mother for the first time. She couldn’t have gotten through this without her mom. Maxie said she had something to discuss with Jack and Carly told Lucas not to worry about her and Jack. Lucas said it was Jack’s literal job to lie and don’t lie to herself. Lulu burned the toast and she and Dante laughed about her ineptitude. He said he hadn’t been able to laugh since Sam died and he felt guilty. Lulu said he’d always miss Sam and always grieve her, but Sam wouldn’t want him to wallow in it forever. Kristina told Isaiah that she didn’t know what she’d do without Sonny. Trina told Kai that she couldn’t control the actions of other people, but she could control how she reacted. She was taking back control. Kai said those were good words to live by. Lucky and Elizabeth were afraid Cyrus would skate, and Lucky thought they should go to Anna. Anna said Josslyn placed herself in Cyrus’s crosshairs and he was dangerous when cornered. She was arresting Josslyn for trespassing for her own good. Sasha said she had to respect the father’s privacy, but he was supporting her choice. Danny went to find Rocco and Sasha told Jason to stay away from Cyrus. it was the worst thing he could do for his son.

Willow thought Nina was seeing Drew the way she did, and Nina said that was it. Willow gave her blessing for Martin to look for dirt on Michael. Alexis said she’d figure something out and Maxie told Jack to stay away from Carly. It wasn’t fair for him to get involved with anyone when his job wouldn’t allow it. Carly told Lucas to wait for disaster before panicking and he told Maxie to set him up. Carly told Jack that he’d passed her test. Emma and Gio passed out flyers at Bobbie’s. Martin told Anna about Jason, but wanted to talk to someone else. Chase said they’d make Cyrus pay asap, but Dex wouldn’t want Josslyn to put herself in harm’s way. Let them handle it. Sasha said Danny idolized Jason and if he killed Cyrus, Jason would throw that away. Ask himself, what was more important, revenge or his son’s love and respect? After Charlie’s closed, their song came on and Lucky suggested he and Elizabeth finish their dance. Cyrus watched through the window.

Thursday:

Sasha ran into Elaine and Mavis outside Bobbie’s, and Elaine said Mavis was drawn to pregnant women. Ric came by the hospital to check on Elizabeth after the park incident, but she said it had been no big deal. Ric said Kristina would use it in the custody hearing. At Bobbie’s, Sonny updated Jason on his condition. Molly picked up some documents that the DA’s office requested at the hospital and ran into Cody. Kristina went to Alexis’s office and said Danny found out who killed Sam. Anna told Dante to get out of the station.

Sasha admitted she was pregnant and was due July 23rd. Sasha saw Jason and Sonny inside, but sat elsewhere. Jason didn’t want Sonny to wait on his surgery, but Sonny said the cardiologist said it was okay if he took his meds and avoided stress. (Hell, I can’t even avoid stress and he’s a mob boss.) Sonny said, like Natalia told him, something’s got to give. Felicia met Sasha, who told her about Mavis. Felicia told Sasha that Elaine was a P.I. and probably working on a case. Nina saw Ava’s new apartment and thought it was great. Ava said it was a shoebox that could fit in Nina’s bathroom, and she forgot they were having breakfast. (The apartment is actually very nice and spacious.) Anna said Dante was put on leave for a reason. He asked what she would do if someone she loved was murdered and she said if he wanted a job to come back to, he needed to leave. She wasn’t going to compromise the case. Chase said he’d told Dante that Cyrus was a suspect. Kristina told Alexis what happened at Charlie’s and how Jason threatened Cyrus. Chase said he thought Danny knew also and must have heard them. He told her what happened at Charlie’s. She said she couldn’t afford to lose another detective and she needed Cyrus to be alive to arrest him. Dante joined Alexis and Kristina and Dante admitted Cyrus was a suspect, but there was no proof or motive. He said Danny found out from him. Felicia said Elaine didn’t reply on technology and had a notebook. She used Mavis as a distraction. Martin met Elaine in the park. Nina told Ava that they were looking for dirt on Michael. Ava said there was something Nina could do to make Willow see the light, and Nina said she’d almost told Willow about sleeping with Drew, but Willow said she couldn’t have gotten through without her. Their relationship wouldn’t recover. Ava said willow needed Nina more than the truth. Elizabeth told Ric that Kristina was blowing things out of proportion, and she wouldn’t be testifying at the hearing – it wouldn’t help either side. Jason said Chase wanted to see him at the station, but he didn’t need Diane. He had Sonny’s back.

Cody apologized to Molly, and she accepted. Elaine said she’d found nothing on Michael, but he’d asked for Sasha in the hospital and Sasha was pregnant. Martin said it was Jason’s problem, and she said Sasha may have heard Quartermaine dirt. It was always the long shot that paid off big. Ric showed up to talk to Ava and Nina left. Ava asked if Ric didn’t want anyone to know about them. Dante told Alexis and Kristina that he’d pressured a friend to tell him who the suspect was. Kristina said Jason had threatened to kill Cyrus and she’d be surprised if he lasted a week. Anna called Jason to the station and said she hoped Martin was exaggerating about Jason’s threat. Jason had nothing to say. Cody found Molly on the roof, and he said clearly she was freaked out about something, but she asked him to leave her alone. He tried to leave, but the roof door was locked.

Molly’s phone battery was dead, so they were stuck. Sasha called Elaine’s office and pretended she was meeting her but forgot where. Ric said if anyone found out about them, it could compromise Ava’s case. He said Elizabeth wouldn’t confirm she’d tried to kidnap Avery, and he’d show Sonny to be an unfit parent. Nina joined Sonny at Bobbie’s and said he and Michael were in her prayers. He wanted to let her know what was going on, but everybody she was close to, he was up against.

Molly admitted the door was already locked, but she didn’t know it. Sasha found Elaine, when Martin called her. When Elaine stepped away, Sasha eyed her purse. Chase asked Elizabeth if she saw or heard Jason threaten Cyrus. Anna said Jason should let them handle it, but Jason said he wanted to make sure Cyrus knew not to come near his son again. He would protect his son no matter what.

Molly said she’d used the DA’s influence to get documents from GH and hadn’t wanted to draw attention to herself. Ava told Ric about the trip to Puerto Rico where Sonny was shot at and how Avery was there. Ric said he’d get Sonny to admit he felt guilty about Michael, and he’d break Sonny. Sonny knocked at the door. Elizabeth said she couldn’t hear, but Chase said other people did. She suggested he talk to them. Alexis said she’d talk to Jason, and Anna said they had information not released to the public. She needed the suspect to be alive, so she arrested him for threatening Cyrus’s life. Mavis got away from Sasha and Elaine chased after her. Sasha started digging in Elaine’s purse and heard tires screeching.

FYI, the preview shows Mavis as being okay. Who cares about Elaine?

Friday’s Enchilada:

Sonny yells for Ava to open up. They need to talk – now. Ava wonders what Sonny is doing here, and Ric says, he can’t know about them. She says, not if she wants to keep him as her lawyer and win custody, and Sonny knocks again. He says he’s not going to leave until she opens up.

At the hospital, Sasha tells Mavis that she’s so sorry. Truly she is, but she needed to look in Elaine’s bag. She didn’t want anyone to get hurt. She’s so sorry. Mavis barks.

On the phone, Maxie says, no ego issues… Yes. He’s very hot and kind and sweet. She’ll see if he’s available. Brook comes in and Maxie asks if Brook is ready for the meeting. Brook says she is. Natalia is on the phone and Lucy is coming up, but guess who’s not ready? Maxie says, who? and Brook says, Lulu is late again.

Kristina hears someone come into Charlie’s and says, we’re closed. She turns and sees it’s Lulu, who says, hi. Lucky mentioned Kristina was working, and she hopes it’s okay that she dropped by. The place looks amazing. Kristina thanks her and says, she looks great too. It’s so good to see her. Lulu says, her too. She would have come by sooner, but she’s been working up the nerve. She’s been trying to figure out the kindest way possible to thank Kristina and say she’s sorry. Kristina’s sister saved her life at the cost of her own.

Cody says, let him get this straight. He and Molly are trapped on the roof, freezing their butts off and Tracy is probably ready to fire him because of some documents? Papers with words on them? Molly says she’s not supposed to have them, and he says, they’ll probably bring back the electric chair for this. She says, it’s not just paperwork. It’s a murder victim autopsy, her sister’s. Is he happy now?

Jason is taken to the interrogation room and asks what Alexis is doing here. Alexis says she’d like a moment alone with her client, without handcuffs. The officer takes Jason’s cuffs off and tells him to sit. He leaves and Jason asks, where’s Diane? Alexis says she lied. She’s not here as his lawyer. She’s here as Sam’s mother.

Ava asks what Sonny wants. She’s in a meeting with Ric. Sonny asks if he can come in, and Ric tells him, whatever he has to say can wait for the courtroom. Sonny says he’s come to make her an offer concerning Avery. She can deal with it now or lose in court. It’s up to her.

Elaine comes out wearing a neck brace, and Sasha says, oh my God. Are you okay? Elaine says, one can only hope. The car just came speeding out of nowhere. She could have been roadkill. Sasha says, thank God she’s not. Other than missing her, Mavis is fine. Elaine says, Sasha doesn’t know her. Mavis may be hiding it well, but she can tell Mavis is traumatized. (Mavis does not look traumatized.)

Maxie suggests maybe Lulu needs an adjustment period. Their schedule isn’t easy. Brook asks if she’s going to defend Lulu forever. Does she need an adjustment period too? Maxie says, if Brook has a problem with Lulu, take it up with Lulu, when Natalia comes in. She asks if they got her report on the LA trip, and Maxie says, so many west coasters are on board with Deception. Brook says, and their new overnight rejuvenating cream… if they ever get it out. Maxie says, production and marketing cost money. So does the rare mineral in it. Brook says, it is rare, and they’ll need a lot to mass produce the cream. Lucy walks in and says, never fear. Their pesky problem was solved by none other than yours truly.

In an examining room, Lucas asks when Sidwell found the tick, and Sidwell says, 5 hours and 23 minutes ago. Lucas says, he’s precise. As was his job removing the tick and cleaning it out. Sidwell says, when you travel to the remote places he does, survival hinges on expertise and diligence. He hasn’t experienced any body, muscle, or joint aches. Lucas asks if he’s had the chills, a headache, or fever, and Sidwell says, no. And he’s taken his temperature every five minutes since he discovered the tick. Lucas says, he’s vigilant, and Sidwell asks if Lucas is going to test for Lyme. Lucas says, it’s highly unlikely he has it due to the short window the tick was present, but he’ll prescribe some antibiotics to be on the safe side. Sidwell asks if he should take any other preventative measures, and Lucas says, don’t walk in tall grasses. It’s winter, but the ticks are still out there. Sidwell says, sadly, his property is full of tall grasses. He’d have it sprayed, but Spoon Island is larger than it looks. Lucas asks if he lives at Windymere, and Sidwell says he’s just getting settled. Lucas says, he lived there as a child. It’s been in and out as a family property for years.  

Sonny tells Ava, it’s now or never. Take it or leave it. Ric says, the offer is one of Sonny’s intimidation tactics. Don’t fall for it. Sonny says he’s talking to Ava, and Ava says, Sonny took the time to come by. She’d like to hear what he has to say. Ric says, listening to him is a mistake, and Sonny says, Ava knows he doesn’t trust her. He never will. Ava says, the feeling is mutual, and he says, as far as Avery goes, they’ll put their differences aside. He knows Ava loves Avery and would do anything to make sure she’s not hurt. Ava says, of course (🍷) she would. She would die for Avery. He says, so would he. He knows Avery misses her, She needs both her parents and he’s willing to make her an offer. He’ll abide by their original agreement of shared custody. This fighting has to end today. Ric says he thinks that’s supposed to make them believe Sonny is a nice, reasonable guy. It doesn’t. It makes him think that Sonny knows Ava’s case is better than he’d like it to be, and he knows they’ve got a legit shot at full custody. Sonny says, he’s not even close, and Ric says he can do better. Send Sonny packing and they’ll take him to court. Sonny says, if they do that and he walks away, Ava will get nothing.

Lulu says she thinks of Sam and Sam’s family when she wakes up every morning. The fact she can do that is because of Kristina’s sister, who will never be able… She doesn’t know how they’re getting through it. She can’t think about Kristina’s poor mom. She’s losing her mind without Charlotte. Kristina says, it’s hard, and Lulu says she prays for Sam and Charlotte every day. She pictures Sam this badass guardian angel, looking down and keeping an eye on the people she loves. She never expected Sam… Kristina says, they never had to. Sam never hesitated. If she had the chance to help someone, she did. Lulu says, taking that chance cost her, and Kristina says she sees what happened to Sam and what she did for Lulu as completely separate. One had nothing to do with the other. Lulu says, it’s hard for her to reconcile that. Every day she’s reminded of how much so many lost. She sees it in Scout, in Danny, in Rocco, and Dante too.

Alexis says she heard about the incident at Charlie’s between Danny and Cyrus, and Jason says he ended the conversation and got Danny home. Alexis says, Danny confronted Cyrus. He believes Cyrus killed his mother. Does Jason believe that? Jason says he does, and she asks, what makes him so sure? He says, Anna. She’s focused solely on Cyrus, and he trusts her instincts. He never believed Cyrus’s redemption act. Alexis asks if Anna is close to an arrest, and he says he doesn’t know, but he knows Cyrus wouldn’t think twice about hurting Danny if he could get away with it. Until he’s arrested, he wanted to let Cyrus know he wouldn’t think twice about hurting him. Alexis wonders why he’d kill Sam. They barely had an interaction. He says he doesn’t know, and like he told Danny, knowing why doesn’t bring Sam back. Alexis says, Jason wants Cyrus dead, right? So does she.

Isaiah holds Mavis, and Elaine asks if Sasha minds staying with Mavis and keeping Mavis company while she gets her prescription. She doesn’t want Mavis to be alone at a time like this. She tells Mavis, be a good girl, kisses her, and leaves.

Cody says, of course (🍷) he’s not happy. He’d say he’s sorry, but he and Molly both know how much she loves his apologies. She asks if he wants to look at the documents. It’s her own sister. He says, no, and she says, the only reason she took it is because she needs to figure out what happened and find the person who did it. Cody says, please don’t hate him more than she already does, but what does she think she can do that he cops and everyone else can’t? She says, nothing. Sam was the P.I., not her. All she managed to do was take a file, risk her job, and get stuck on the roof to freeze to death. What made her think this was a good idea? What’s wrong with her? He says, absolutely nothing. When you’ve lost someone you loved, there’s no seeing it clearly or thinking it through. He doesn’t care what anyone says. She says, it’s obvious this is the universe’s way of telling her to stay in her lane, and he says, or it’s the universe’s way of telling GH’s maintenance department that they need a new lock on this door. Or maybe the universe was too busy and took a pass and there’s no message. Getting stuck was just an accident. She’s being way too hard on herself.

Alexis tells Jason that when she wakes up and remembers her baby is dead, she’s filled with so much rage, she feels like she can’t go on. Then finding out she was murdered in the hospital… It’s just too much. He says, it’s hard to reconcile, and she says, her beautiful, gentle girl was murdered after saving someone’s life. It’s just not fair. He agrees, and she says, when she lost her law license, she worked like hell to get it back because she loves the law. She believes in it. She believes the system works, most of time. He says, what about the other times? and she says she’s not willing to take the chance that it’s one of those times. She wants him dead and wants to be the one to kill him. She wants her face to be the last face he sees before he leaves this earth. Jason says, she can’t kill Cyrus. That’s not who she is. She says, no. That’s who he is.

Kristina tells Lulu, everyone is struggling with Sam’s death, especially Dante. They really loved each other. Lulu says she’s glad Sam made him happy. It’s all she wanted for Dante. From what she’s heard, their love was pretty epic. Kristina says, it was her favorite love story. She’d be happy to share it with Lulu if she ever wants to hear it, but she doesn’t want to cause unnecessary hurt. Lulu says she appreciates that, but she feels like she won’t be honoring Sam properly without knowing what everyone lost when she died. The last thing she wants to do is impose on Dante, because he can barely say Sam’s name around her. Kristina says, okay, and they sit. She says, where to begin… Sam had her kids and Dante had Rocco, but when they first met, they were essentially alone and hurting. She thinks because they each knew what the other was going through, that made it hurt less, and they spent more time together. They confided in each other and built each other up. In the beginning, it was a sweet, quiet love. They had eventually figured it out. Lulu’s phone dings and she says she’s late for a meeting. She’s sorry. She’s got to run. Thanks. She jets. (That’s not the way I remember Sam and Dante. They couldn’t stand each other in the beginning, and she flattened his tire when he was following her.)

Lucas tells Sidwell that he’s all set. The pharmacy is on the 7th floor. Sidwell wonders if he can ask a personal question. He understands that Windymere belonged to the Cassadines. How did Lucas live there? Lucas says his mother married a Cassadine. They were long time residents of Spoon Island. Sidwell says, small world, and Lucas asks if Sidwell is liking it there. When he was a kid, it creeped him out. Sidwell says he’s hoping to change that and make it more welcoming. He’s working with a local gallerist to give it a refresh – the Jerome Gallery. Lucas says, the world gets smaller yet. Ava Jerome is his aunt. She has a great eye. Sidwell says, she does, and Lucas has an excellent bedside manner. He thanks Lucas for seeing him.

Ava says she’s glad Sonny realizes how much she loves their daughter. She appreciates him offering to share, but he’s already trampled on the agreement they have by keeping Avery away from her. What’s to stop him from doing it again? Ric says, exactly. That’s why he’s telling her to fight. Avery isn’t even staying with Sonny. She’s staying with Carly while Sonny deals with the penthouse firebomb. It’s not safe for Avery to be with him any more than it was for his son. The judge knows that and so does Sonny. Sonny says, Ric doesn’t know about it. All he does is yap a lot. All he wants is to get Sonny on the stand so he can come for him, but the thing is, Diane will come at Ava. Ric says, don’t try to intimidate his client, but Sonny says he’s not. He’s telling the truth. Somebody has to. It’s not about them. It’s about Avery. Ava says, it only ever has been, and Sonny says, if Ava loves Avery the way she says she does, she’ll act in Avery’s best interest.

Sidwell walks into Deception’s meeting in Maxie’s office and says he hopes Lucy doesn’t mind that he let himself in. His schedule is tight. Lucy says, not at all. Welcome. She introduces him, and Lulu says, did she say, Jenz Sidwell? Sidwell asks if they’ve met, and she says, no, but she’s sure he knows her brother, Lucky Spencer.  

Sonny says he and Ava need to be honest with themselves. Their little girl isn’t little anymore. She’s intuitive and can feel the animosity between them. The other day, Avery came to him and asked, how come him and her mom can’t be in the same room? He didn’t know what to say, He felt bad, but if the custody battle continues, it will get ugly. The therapist will keep asking their daughter questions she’ll have to answer and it’s not fair. Ric asks if Sonny is sure it’s not about protecting Kristina from testifying, and Ava tells him, please. Sonny says he doesn’t want any of his children to be forced to testify. He’ll agree to 60/40. Ava says, 50/50, and Ric says, Ava! Sonny says, okay. He’ll have Diane write up the paperwork. He leaves.  

Alexis says she appreciates Jason not calling her a hypocrite, especially after she’s judged him for the violent way he lives his life. Jason says, they’re different people, and Alexis says, they’re not as different as she wants to believe. She wants retribution. She wants retribution for the life Sam would have had and wants it for Sam’s children who won’t have a mother. She wants it for Dante and wants it for herself. He says, now she understands how he feels, and she says she does. She wants vengeance so bad, she can taste it. If she didn’t have to think about the consequences, she’d put the gun in his hand. Now he knows how she feels, but she’s not going to hand him the gun. It doesn’t matter how she feels or what she wants or what he wants. The only thing that matters is what Sam wants. He says, Sam was supposed to be here to tell them, and she says, Sam isn’t. It’s up to them to do the right thing, what Sam would want. She would want Danny to heal over the loss someday, but he’ll never be able to do that if Jason kills Cyrus.

Molly says she appreciates Cody trying to make her feel better, but he says, it’s the truth. It’s too cold to think of anything to make her feel better. She says, thanks anyway, and he says, it’s human to want to find answers, find the evil person who killed Sam. When all is said and done, what Molly did was human. Don’t beat herself up about it. He would have done the same thing if he was her.

Sasha tells Elaine to get some rest, and Elaine thanks her. Sasha says she’d be happy to give Elaine and Mavis a ride home, and Elaine says, Mavis goes out 3 or 4 times a day. She’s so stiff and achy, she doesn’t know how she’s going to do that. Sasha suggests Elaine let her take care of Mavis while she’s recuperating, and Elaine says, it would be such a relief. And Sasha and Mavis have already bonded. Sasha says, they have, and starts to head out, but Elaine says, wait. She thinks this has gone on long enough. She thinks it’s time they were honest with each other.

Ric asks why on earth Ava would believe anything coming out of Sonny’s mouth, and Ava says she wanted her child. Ric just want to tear his brother apart. Ric says, that’s not fair. No matter his personal feelings, he wouldn’t jeopardize her getting her daughter back. He knows he could have done better. She says, for whom? Not Avery. She needs her father. And Sonny admitted for the first time that Avery needs her too. Ric says, so she didn’t need him, but she says, that’s not true. She was solely focused on getting her daughter back before he came along, and hurting Sonny as much and however she could, using John Cates and Kristina to do it. She’s ashamed of that. He says, she never told him that, and she says, it’s not something she’s proud to admit. She’s past it, especially since Ric was able to prove in court what happened to Kristina’s baby was an accident. He was the first person to believe her. And whatever Kristina believes, she doesn’t want Kristina to have to get on the stand and relive it. Ric says, she’s actually more generous than people give her credit for.

Sonny goes into Charlie’s and says, it looks amazing. Is Kristina up for a visitor? She says, of course (🍷). If it’s him, anytime. He says he has news, and she asks if it’s about Michael. Is he okay? He says, Michael is as good as he can be. It’s about her sister. She doesn’t have to testify at Ava’s custody hearing. She says, he doesn’t have to worry. She’s not afraid of Ava and Ric. He says, there’s no trial. They’ve settled the custody arrangement with Avery.

Lucas says, Sasha got a dog, and Isaiah says, show some respect. Her name is Mavis. Lucas apologizes and says he got a guy who got a tick bite on Spoon Island. Isaiah asks if he said Spoon Island, and Lucas says, he lives in Windymere, the big mansion. Isaiah says, a friend told him that Windymere’s most recent occupant is Jenz Sidwell. Bald with an accent. Lucas confirms it was Sidwell and asks how Isaiah knows him. Isaiah says, Lucas might want to ask Lucky about his experience with Sidwell, and Lucas says, it sounds like Isaiah had his own experience. Isaiah says, yeah. Sidwell is the bastard who kidnapped him in Africa and tried to kill him in the hospital when he escaped. He’s not a good man.

Molly says, just when she was starting to think Cody was halfway decent and being supportive. The guy who drinks too much and punches his way through his problems thinks she did the right thing. What does that say about her? He says, okay Little Miss Not-So-Perfect, it happened twice. She made a mistake, and he didn’t judge. She says, he’s got no moral code and she’s trying to hang onto hers, and he says he was trying to be nice. It’s not worth it. He starts to take his pants off, and when she protests, he says he has long johns on. She asks why he’s taking his pants off, and he says, because it’s cold and windy. He ties the legs of his jeans together and balls them up, walking to the edge of the roof. He says, there are people down there and they’ve got enough wind for the pants to make it down. It’s his version of a flare. If it doesn’t work, he’ll throw himself off. He tosses the pants.

Isaiah tells Lucky, watch out! and they step aside as Cody’s pants hit the sidewalk. Lucas says, is that a pair of jeans? and Isaiah says he thinks it’s a cry for help. They look up, and Molly and Cody yell for help.

Alexis says, if Jason kills Cyrus, he’ll make Danny complicit, but Jason says he’d never compromise Danny morally. Alexis says, it will make Danny feel responsible. They’re adults and know that he’s not. He’s a teenage boy. Don’t make him carry the burden of Cyrus’s death with him for the rest of his life.

Kristina says she would have bet money Ava would battle to the death before she gave up custody of Avery. Congratulations to Sonny and her sister. Sonny says, she didn’t just give up. They settled – a 50/50 split. She asks why he’d do that, and he says, Avery misses her mother. She needs both of them. Kristina says, Ava just tried to kidnap Avery, and they know what she’s capable of, and Sonny says he knows how she feels. It’s not fair that Ava is getting access to Avery, especially after Kristina lost Adella. They’ve both been through way too much, so it’s settled. She says, okay then, and goes behind the bar. She says, funny. She never thought she’d see her father take the easy way out.

Elaine tells Sasha that she’s a P.I. They didn’t meet by chance. She set Sasha up. The party she’s working with is investigating Sasha. Sasha says, why her? Who would do this? Elaine says she can’t break client confidentiality, but Sasha has been so kind to her and Mavis, she feels like she needs to warn Sasha. Watch her back. Somebody is looking into her. Sasha thanks Elaine for telling her, and Elaine says, she’s welcome. In her line of work, she doesn’t make many new friends. She tells Mavis, right? and Mavis barks. Elaine says, that’s right.

Isaiah and Lucas come out to the roof, and both Cody and Molly yell, don’t close that door! Cody says he thought he’d freeze, and Isaiah tosses his pants to him. Molly tells Cody that she can’t believe she’s uttering these words. Thank you for taking off your pants. You might just have saved our lives. Cody says he thinks she should just admit he’s right, and they all leave.

Sidwell says, she must be Lulu. A pleasure. He’s met her mother. He extends his hand, but she doesn’t take it. She says, if he met her mother, he knows her brother Lucky is the one he held hostage. Lucy apologizes and says, obviously, there must be a mistake. Lulu says, because Jenz Sidwell is such a common name, and Sidwell says, he has indeed met Lucky and found him aptly named. He doesn’t need to remind her that there are two sides to every story. He tells Lucy, the last thing he wants to do is create discord among her staff, and she says, Lulu is inconsequential. She doesn’t count. The one who counts is her beautiful partner, Maxie Jones. He tells Maxie, a pleasure. However, he feels he should take his leave. If after discussing it internally, they find his involvement too disruptive, call him. Lucy says she’ll keep the phone by her side and tells Lulu, he’s the one person who can throw a lifeline to Deception and she chased him off. Brook asks if it couldn’t wait until after the meeting, and Lulu says she’s sorry she wasn’t more polite to the man who tried to kill her brother. Lucy tells her that she doesn’t have a say, and Maxie says she does. And she wants to know everything about that guy before taking him on. Lucy says she’s seen his finances. She’s just going to tell him that these things happen, and they want to talk more. This was an aberration, and she guarantees it will not happen again. She leaves.

Alexis says, it’s Jason’s job to make sure Danny gets the future Sam would want him to have and he deserves without the burden of guilt. Which means – as much as she hates it – they have to leave Cyrus to the police. Jason says he understands, and she says she knows he does.

In the parking lot, Natalia asks a man if he has a cigarette. He says he doesn’t and gets in his car. Sidwell says he thought she gave up that filthy habit years ago. She says she gave up a lot of things that were bad for her back then, and he says, including him? Seeing how she slipped out of the meeting, he takes it she hasn’t told them that they were married once upon a time.

Ric says he’s going to grab the paperwork so he can approve the language. He’s got to get going. It’s going to take forever. Ava says he doesn’t have to rush to the office right this second, does he? and he says he supposes it will take Diane some time to get the paperwork together. She says she’s sure of it, and they move closer. She asks, however shall we pass the time? and he drops his bag. They kiss.

Kristina says, obviously, Sonny is trying to do the right thing, but Ava must have forced him. He asks if she thinks he’d let her. They have a difference of opinion and that’s fine, but he’s doing this for Avery. She needs her mother and father like Kristina does, like Donna does. She says, Ava’s not mom and she’s not Carly. She’ll never be a good role model. He says, okay, maybe not, but does she know how many years they’ve been fighting over Avery’s living arrangements? And who pays the price? Avery. He knows she doesn’t understand his decision, but he hopes one day she’ll figure out why he did it. He leaves and Kristina takes out her phone. She looks at the photo taken through the hotel room window that shows Ava with her hand on Kristina’s shoulder.  

On Monday, Anna tells Mac that she feels they’re getting closer; Elizabeth tells Jason that she thinks they found the evidence to put Cyrus away; and Carly asks if Sonny is going to tell her what’s really going on.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

First, the sad news. I don’t know why I thought she was older. Probably because she’s been around forever. I hope they don’t wait as long as they did for Bobbie’s memorial. That got weird.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/leslie-charlesons-cause-of-death-revealed

And the happy news. Well, roll me up and call me curly. I didn’t know he was married.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-alum-anthony-geary-celebrates-his-anniversary

A flashback from the 80s.

https://people.com/john-stamos-and-demi-moore-have-general-hospital-reunion-9732736

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I thought about watching this, but got sucked into a TLC rabbit hole.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Sutton’s visit to her mother continued. We flashed back to Sutton telling Garcelle that she never felt her mother was proud of her. Garcelle tried to impart this wisdom to Reba, but Reba told her to mind her own business. Garcelle took it with grace, and in her interview, she said Reba had been hurt somewhere along the way and thought there was jealousy because Sutton had been a daddy’s girl. In Sutton’s interview, she said there may have been some pent-up resentment on her part, since her mother had been home when her father shot himself. It wasn’t something they talked about.

Erika must be doing okay since she was spending over $60K on a decorator. She said she was slowly getting back to a person she recognized. As part of her healing journey about her father, Sutton went with Garcelle and Kyle to the house where she grew up, and the new owners were gracious enough to allow her as much time as she needed. Sutton wanted the last years of her mother’s life to be happy and peaceful, which I guess included accepting her mother’s denial of pretty much everything. It was quite emotional. Boz talked to her daughter Lael about Keely and having another baby, and Lael was incredibly thoughtful and mature for age 15. Kyle had to remind Kathy not to put the phone to her ear when they were FaceTiming. I sometimes wonder how Kathy exists in the world, but I guess she pays people to do that for her.

In her ever-continuing apology tour.

And in the too little too late and no one cares category.

Summer House

Apparently, West broke up with Ceara through a New York Times article. More shocking was how desperate the Times must be for readers. Or maybe they forgot they’re not the Star. Many of the housemates made a big deal of two newbies being younger at 26 and 27, but when everyone acts 14, who cares?

It ended with Carl’s arrival, and it would be the first time he’d seen Lindsay since finding out she was pregnant.

Southern Charm

It was time to go to the Bahamas, and no surprise there were ads for Bahamian tourism during the commercial breaks. Once they got there, Shep called Sienna who said she’d meet them at the hotel. Craig acted like big baby Ramona when he didn’t want to share a room in an amazing suite. Craig lived in the Bahamas for two years? Surprise to me. In Craig’s interview, he got the vibe Sienna wasn’t really into Shep. I got that vibe too. She didn’t greet him like someone she hadn’t seen for months and missed. She also didn’t want alone time with him, which says everything.

Next time Shep tells Sienna that he’s wildly in love with her and Craig wonders why Austen hates him so much.

Southern Hospitality

While I can’t stomach the middle school antics on this show, I do like watching Maddi’s career as a DJ evolve. It’s also refreshing to see a boyfriend being as supportive as Joe is. Maddi is for sure living her best life. And soberly, no less. No surprise, Emmy had another weepfest at a dinner. I wouldn’t believe Will either, but I do feel sorry for her. Group dinners are a bad idea all around. Reality casts either want to start a fight about something at this inappropriate time or they want to play a game no one should ever play, involving negative comments about the others. Tonight, it was, who is the person at the table you trust the least? Like Heather’s worst texts about someone else on RHOSLC, no good can come from a game like this.

Random Items

VanderTease.

Is there any amount of money this guy can’t make? Admittedly, he does work hard for it.

The world has become her oyster.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Apple Cider Vinegar. Netflix. This is a kinda sorta true-ish miniseries. There are three intersecting stories about different forays into natural cancer treatment. One woman fakes having cancer and cons the world into thinking she’s found the answer in a healthy diet. Another woman actually diagnosed with cancer finds a real cure in a healthy diet, also becoming a guru of sorts, only to find it wasn’t such a cure after all. A third woman is a cancer patient in search of a cure. A lot of food for thought – no pun intended.

https://www.techradar.com/streaming/netflix/netflixs-new-crime-drama-apple-cider-vinegar-is-the-latest-female-fraudster-series-that-i-cant-get-enough-of

Baylon Out Loud. TLC. I like this show more every time I watch it. It shows there are still decent people in the world

https://collider.com/baylen-out-loud-tic-con/

These two. I’m rooting for their relationship to win.

https://people.com/tiktoker-baylen-dupree-is-engaged-to-colin-dooley-exclusive-8789450

⌚️ Upcoming Watches…

SNL50: The Anniversary Special, February 16th on NBC, E!, and Peacock, the red carpet beginning at 7 pm ET.

https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/snl-50-days-of-fandom-events-specials-episodes

This looks intriguing. Premiering February 23rd at 10 pm on NBC and streaming on Peacock February 24th.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/nbc-s-grosse-pointe-garden-society-reminds-us-of-wisteria-lane-review/ar-AA1yuVSx

And at the cinema, coming this July. Dinosaurs! Flying dinosaurs! Dinosaurs popping out of the water like a prehistoric Jaws! What more do you need?

https://www.jurassicworld.com/

🎰 Vegas Here We Come…

Walton Goggins talks Fallout’s new season.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/fallout-season-2-new-vegas-walton-goggins

🐕 And the Winners Are…

The Puppy Bowl.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10154197-puppy-bowl-2025-recap-mvp-highlights-and-twitter-reaction

The Westminster Dog Show.

https://people.com/westminster-dog-show-2025-best-in-show-winner-8789581

🥁 Quotes of the Week

The plan is to fan this spark into a flame. – Lin-Manuel Miranda

If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through. –Chinese proverb

A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. – Jack Dempsey (Apparently, I’m a champion every morning.)

There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, there are no limits. – Michael Phelps

A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. – Benjamin Franklin

My size is tedious. – Juan, My 600-Lb. Life

No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. – Robin Williams

Reading butts. – a job requirement to keep the Puppy Bowl dogs calm and the field accident-free

That wasn’t karaoke. It was you, a jukebox, and a bar full of angry people. – Mike (Billy Gardell), Mike & Molly

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

💖 Valentine Mode Activated…

Until next time, stay safe; stay being your own Valentine; and stay not hesitating. If you have the chance to help someone, do it.

January 31, 2025 – Lulu Confesses Her Love For Dante, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Performing, Animal Tales, An Even Number Of Short Quotes & Mountain

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

Tara from Turning Woods had info for Elizabeth, but when she and Lucky showed up, Tara was out sick. Natalia told Lucy that she could land an account in LA, but the contact only wanted to meet with her and the silent partner – i.e. Sonny. Kristina went to see Sonny and asked him if everything was okay since he didn’t show up at Charlie’s. She said they had to keep Avery away from Ava and she’d decided to testify at the custody hearing. Anna told Jason about Sidwell being in Port Charles. She asked if he or Sasha were willing to go on record about Sasha’s kidnapping.

Curtis told Nina that Drew was going to undermine the company in congress if he didn’t get his stock back. Chase visited Willow, who whined about Drew being ostracized by his family. Drew met with Martin and told him that Monica wasn’t speaking with him. He was her first truly lost cause, and he wondered if he’d ever really been a part of the family. Anna told Jason not to go after Sidwell on his own. Lucky told the Turning Woods rep that Cyrus wanted a list of his patients who had died so he could send condolences to the family. Curtis told Nina that things had a way of getting out and encouraged her to tell Willow that she’d been sleeping with Drew. Drew told Martin, if they thought banning him from the Quartermaine grounds would keep him from Willow, they had another thing coming.

Jason told Anna that he couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Mr. Furner came in while Lucky and Elizabeth were there. Lucky distracted him by threatening a lawsuit while Elizabeth waited for the printout. Chase told Willow that he and Brook were trying to have a baby.  Nina told Curtis that she’d made the devil’s bargain with Drew. She couldn’t tell Willow about Drew, nor he about her. She hoped with time, Willow would trust her more than Drew. Curtis said he had a plan and needed Nina’s help. Anna said the best way of getting Sidwell was to get criminal charges that would stick, but Jason said he had to do it for Michael.

Natalia conferred with Sonny about the LA trip. Anna asked if Jason could guarantee he would be the only target for retaliation. He could break the cycle of violence by not retaliating. Curtis told Nina that he wanted to sabotage Drew’s connections in DC. Chase showed Willow his lab results and she told him to see his doctor. According to the results, he couldn’t father a child.

Tuesday:

Ned told Tracy to show some respect to Willow or she’d be out on her high-class derriere. Tracy said two fingers of bourbon for everyone, and no one was leaving until they figured out what to do.

Felicia took Anna for a manicure and told Anna that she’d seen Emma clubbing. Emma joined them and Anna questioned her. Emma said, it wasn’t a spa day; it was an interrogation. Carly couldn’t figure out Jack’s angle. He said when he first came to Port Charles, he was on a mission. He had no intention of pursuing her until she visited him in prison. He considered her a friend, not an asset. Kai told Trina that his vertebrae was cracked, and he couldn’t play football because he’d risk a spinal injury. She suggested he talk to her mom. Portia told Alexis that Sam had been murdered and how they came to that conclusion. It had been a pattern. Alexis said she wasn’t leaving it to the police and was going to find answers.

Ned said the mess was all on Drew and they should give Willow a chance to create distance. Tracy said they had to make rules and asked what Chase thought. Brook told Lois that she was able to have a baby. Lois asked if she regretted giving her baby up, and Brook said it was the hardest choice she ever made, but she never regretted it. Chase said Willow was a good person and they should respect her. Tracy said Drew would use Willow to his own ends, but Ned said, if they pushed things, Willow would run back to him. Sasha said Tracy was being dramatic, then Tracy screamed because she saw a mouse. She said Sasha was out if she didn’t climb up and get it (like the mouse wasn’t in Chicago after Tracy screamed), but Sasha said she wasn’t climbing anywhere because she was pregnant, quickly adding, it’s not Cody’s.

Sasha said if anyone had complaints or judgements, oh well, and Gio said he didn’t grow up with a father and turned out fine. Alexis talked to Isaiah about Sam. Trina asked Portia to talk to Kai. Anna said Emma was allowed a social life, but not allowed to lie to her and sneak around. Emma said she’d been to a fundraiser and wondered, since when was Anna so uptight? Jack offered to have Michael’s cultures forwarded to Germany from the WSB to expedite things for Carly.

Tracy wondered why they offered daycare to everyone, and Ned said she’d just kidnapped two more. Portia said Kai wasn’t necessarily sidelined. Anna said there was a difference between uptight and responsible, and she was the latter. Emma said she never saw Anna because she worked so much. Carly called Felicia about the cultures, and Felicia told her to proceed with caution when it came to Jack.

Emma made a deal that if she got straight A’s, Anna would go clubbing with her. Jason asked Sasha if Michael knew about the baby. Chase told Brook that his tests came back, and he couldn’t get her pregnant. Portia suggested Kai get a second opinion from a specialist in sports medicine. Kai said Trina’s mom was amazing and he knew where she got it from. Alexis said she wasn’t going to stop until she found the killer. Jack went to the hotel spa and Felicia warned Carly that Jack had an agenda, but Carly said Jack was intriguing and she wanted to know more. Valentin showed up at the spa to kill Jack.

Wednesday:

Chase told Brook that he was sterile and couldn’t be a father. Olivia and Lois took Tracy for a manicure to destress. Sasha told Jason that Michael knew she was pregnant, and he was the father, but they had a deal that he’d stay out of it. At the hospital, Anna told Lulu that she was glad no one was hurt in Prague. Lulu said she was glad her daughter didn’t get shot a second time. Valentin pretended to be a masseuse and tried to strangle Jack while he was on the table.

At the Quartermaine mansion, Emma told Gio that she wanted to do a fundraiser to stop animal testing. She wanted him to play at it because something classic and boring would get the old people and boomers to contribute. Olivia said asking invasive and intrusive questions was Tracy’s love language, but she should let up on Sasha. Martin came into the beauty salon and said, good luck with that. Sasha said it was none of Jason’s business, but he said Michael had a right to know. Anna said she didn’t have the words to tell Lulu how sorry she was, but Lulu said she could see how it was an accident because of the circumstance. She thought Valentin was dangerous and bad things happened when he was around. Carly went looking for Jack at the spa.

Anna said she had an eye open for Valentin, and Lulu thanked her. Gio agreed to play at Emma’s fundraiser, but wondered if it was a scam to get extra cash. Jason told Sasha that Michael had asked for her and thought it was because he knew she was carrying his child. Sasha said if he wanted to help Michael, make sure no one else found out. Chase didn’t want Brook to miss out on the experience of being pregnant, but she said she loved him more than anything and they’d get through it together. Tracy said Martin would defend anyone and she’d been trying to protect the kids. He said she had a bad habit of rolling over people’s lives and just wanted to hurt Drew. Lulu told Dante that she was the best judge of what she could do, but he said, obviously not. Carly heard a noise in Jack’s room, but an employee said it was nothing.

Jack was lying on the floor when Carly came in and cracked something over Valentin’s head. Chase said he didn’t deserve Brook, but she said he was stuck with her. Emma said she was sick of people treating her cause like it was a joke, and Gio said he was only kidding. She said she’d volunteered for a shelter when she was younger. Some puppies were bought by a lab, and it stayed with her. Cody showed up looking for Tracy. He wanted to apologize for missing their ride, but Gio said she was pretty upset, so Cody should wait on that. Martin said just because Tracy disliked someone didn’t make them disreputable, and Brook called Lois, asking her to come home. Portia told Anna about the pattern of suspicious patient deaths and that someone had injected the patients with a large, unprescribed dose of digitalis that resulted in a heart attack. Carly told Jack to wake up or she’d tell the world he died wearing his bathrobe, and told the employee to call an ambulance.

Brook told Lois about Chase and said she felt like her soul was broken. Gio told Cody about Sasha being pregnant and Jason promised not to tell anybody that Michael was the father. Sasha had no doubt Willow would use her pregnancy against Michael, and she’d do what it took to keep her baby away from the Q’s. She also wanted Sonny to be kept in the dark. Anna told Portia about the Angel of Death syndrome, but Portia said two of the cases involved healthy patients, Sam and Dex. Lulu said she was no longer helpless, but Dante said she was human and had limits. She said he focused on someone else to ignore his own pain and didn’t want to think about losing Sam. Jack said he was fine and the WSB would handle Valentin. Carly asked what he was going to do now, but he said, that’s classified.

Jack made a call to have Valentin killed on sight. Tracy asked what Martin’s problem was with her, and he said she had an obnoxious misguided sense of entitlement. She felt entitled to judge him and Willow and had prevented him from having a relationship with Lucy. Tracy said he should thank her instead of ruining her zen. Lois said Brook and Chase could be as sad as they wanted for as long as they wanted. Brook said Chase suggested IVF, but he was just sacrificing his feelings for her. She thought she should tell him that she’d been pregnant before. Dante said he didn’t blame Lulu for Sam’s death and she asked what he was doing for himself. She knew her presence was a complication in his life. He said he’d never be sorry she was here. Anna asked to talk to Dante. Jason said Sasha didn’t have to do it on her own and he was on her side.

Anna told Dante that Sam was murdered. Sasha let Jason feel the baby move. Carly and Jack kissed.

Thursday:

Hitting the heavy bag, Chase flashed back to his and Brook’s baby journey. Brook told Lois that Chase was mourning the life he’d imagined for them. She wanted him to know the pain and anguish she’d felt giving her baby up so he didn’t feel so alone. Alexis told Diane that Sam had been murdered, while Lulu told Maxie. Cody listened in on Sasha talking to Jason about the baby, but slipped away before he heard Michael was the father. In Baden Baden, Jack went to Carly’s suite and kissed her. She said she needed a minute, and he apologized if he’d read things incorrectly, but she said he didn’t. She just didn’t want to do something she regretted. He said he wasn’t there to sleep with her and had something much different in mind.

Molly visited Cody at the stables to drop off his paperwork from the station. He was less than hospitable. He said his feet were held to the fire while career criminals got away with everything. Jason wanted Michael’s side of the story, but Sasha said she didn’t owe Jason anything. He said she owed Michael. Lulu said she owed Sam everything, but Maxie said, feeling guilty over something she had no control over would go nowhere. Lulu admitted still being in love with Dante. Brook said she’d have to tell Chase the whole truth, that Dante was the father of her child. Dante told Chase about the murders at GH and that Sam was one of the victims. Alexis didn’t know what to do with her feelings about Sam being murdered, and she threw stuff around the office.

Jack brought Carly to the rooftop, where he had a fire going and they had champagne. Carly said, it was cozy, beautiful and private. He toasted to her changing her mind about coming to the spa. Jason told Sasha that he’d back off the second he talked to Michael. Sasha said they were done, but if he talked to Michael, tell him that she was thinking of him and praying for his recovery. Cody said, clearly Molly had an agenda, but she said she was there as a favor to Mac. He said he appreciated it and she left. Diane wanted to say the right thing, but Alexis told her that there was no right thing to say. Diane said, whatever Alexis wanted, she was all in – whatever she needed, whenever she needed it. Alexis said she had to tell Molly and Kristina, who were on their way there. Diane got a text from Jason and promised she wouldn’t tell him anything. Kristina came in and wondered what had happened.

Brook said if she told Chase, she’d have to tell Dante, and she felt sick. Dante told Chase about the digitalis murders, that Dex was one of the victims, and Michael had been saved by Isaiah’s quick thinking. Maxie said she was surprised Lulu admitted she still loved Dante, but it would be weird if she didn’t. Jason met with Diane and told her about Sasha’s pregnancy. Alexis told Kristina and Molly that Sam was murdered. Carly wanted to know what was going on between Jack and Valentin. She thought it was crazy that Valentin tried to kill him. Jack said, Valentin had been a friend, but after tonight, he wasn’t protecting Valentin any longer. He figured Valentin assumed he was the one who fired the shot in Prague. He hadn’t, but he was at that point now. It was a winding, complicated story. Carly told him to order another bottle of champagne.

Dante unloaded on Chase about Lulu and said she had to stop taking risks and be careful for her sake and Rocco’s. He was happy she was there, but Sam was gone because of it. Every time he looked at Lulu, he’d think of Sam and what they’d all lost. At the MetroCourt, Cody saw Diane with Jason. He apologized to Maxie about the other night and told her that Sasha was pregnant. Then he realized she knew already. Jason said Carly couldn’t know anything about this. He was going to the clinic to see Michael, but wanted Diane to keep an eye on Sasha. Jack told Carly that he wanted to rise in the ranks at the WSB and an alliance with Valentin was a smart move, so he sought out Valentin’s friendship. Valentin was the iron fist, and he was the velvet glove. Valentin needed him as much as he needed Valentin, and they became true friends.

Diane promised to keep an eye on Sasha and let her know when Jason got clarity. The fact Michael never told her spoke to Sasha’s credibility. Jason said if he was wrong, he’d gladly admit it, and she said she wanted a ringside seat for that. Maxie asked how Cody found out, but he said it didn’t matter. Maxie said Sasha was clear that she had no plans to tell the father, and Cody said the father was Jason. Sasha told the baby that they could do this on their own and promised she’d always be there. Lois said she didn’t want to influence Brook’s decision, but Brook said she needed Lois’s advice. Lois said Brook was a grown-up now and it was only her choice to make. Brook said she and Chase had to be open and honest and she had to tell him. Dante asked Chase what was up, and Chase said he’d talk when he was ready. Alexis promised they’d find out who did this to Sam. They were going to shield the truth from Scout and wanted to wait for more information to tell Danny. She’d ask Anna to keep it away from the public for as long as possible. They’d have to stay strong and present a united front for Sam.

Carly said there was more to Jack than met the eye. She admired his loyalty. He said there was a big difference between them. She was a good person. She said he wasn’t the bad guy he wanted people to think he was. To her, he was the guy who’d done awesome things for her and expected nothing in return. They kissed by the fire.

Friday’s Enchilada:

In his hospital room, Kai struggles to put on a brace belt and Trina walks in.

Jordan is surprised to find Drew at Volonino’s, and asks if he’s allowed through the doors of Aurora these days. He asks if she means his company, and she wonders if he’s trying to drive away anyone who ever thought they knew him.

Curtis meets Portia at Beradino’s and says, Aurora’s new CEO is looking fine. He says he aims to please, and she asks, what’s with the good mood? He says he’s at breakfast with his beautiful wife. Why wouldn’t he be? She says she saw on the news that there’s a holdup with the McConkey esplanade. It was a big project for him and Aurora. Curtis says, it still is. Don’t worry. He’s steps ahead of it. Since no one eats at home, at another table, Ric says, even though it was gruesome, the fire strengthened Ava’s case. She asks if it’s strong enough to rescue her daughter, and he says he thinks it should. Given her present financial situation, he has a proposal to present to Diane. With any luck, it will convince Diane to wrap things up with her and Sonny. Ava says, that would be ideal, and thanks him. His generosity had been so helpful. He says, what generosity? and she says, him representing her pro bono. He says he’s not doing her case pro bono, and she says, he’s not? Since he stopped hounding her to pay, she assumed… He says, that his service was gratis? Why? Because they kissed?

Lulu meets Laura at the bistro and apologizes for being late. Everything she does seems like something she has no chance with. She was here with Rocco and her baby boy is now a coffee drinker. Laura says, he’s a coffee snob, and Lulu says, he gets that because of Sonny. Dante is so good with Rocco. He’s a great dad, but… Laura says, she’s still in love with him, isn’t she?

Dante bursts into Anna’s office and asks, what the hell is going on? Mac said she ordered him locked out of Sam’s murder investigation. She says, he’s correct, and he asks, why?

Brook goes to the stables and asks Cody if they’re alone. He says, yeah, and she says, good. She needs to talk to him. He says, about what? and she says, the summer romance she had with Dante, and he asks if she means the summer she got pregnant.

In Diane’s office with Kristina, Sonny says he’s going to LA on business for Deception, and she says, that’s a long way to go for a silent investor. He says, Natalia wanted him to go and he wants to go over some things before he leaves. Diane says, that’s why Kristina came, and he says, there are things they all need to discuss.

At Volonino’s, Brad does push-ups, and his trainer suggests a break, but he says, no breaks. The trainer hands him some water and says, he needs to hydrate. Brad takes a drink and says, if he’s going to hit his goal before Miami, he can’t afford breaks.

Ava asks if Ric thinks she kissed him in exchange for legal fees, and he says he hopes not. It was a good kiss, but hardly covers his retainer. He’s attracted to her, but business is business. He’s extending her grace in deferring his payment. She says, he’s a beacon of charity. At this juncture, it’s like the kiss never happened and it’s not likely there will be another. He says, ever? and she says, not until she gets her daughter back. After that, they’ll see what’s on the table. He says he guesses he should be going then, and leaves.

Curtis tells Portia that Drew is stalling the project, and she says, that’s so sad. He says he can think of two other strong words, and she says, Drew is using his office to exact petty revenge. She’ll stick with sad. Tell her about his next steps. He says he’s going to need an ally on Capitol Hill who has more connections than Drew. Nina is setting up something, but if it doesn’t work, he has a back-up. Meanwhile, his focus is on the next step with Aurora, and it involves her, him, a beach, and daquiris on a tropical island.  

Drew says he understands that Jordan is upset about the esplanade, and she says, he brought the project to her, and they worked on it together. Now he’s stalled it. He’s damn right she’s upset. He says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he’s sorry, and she says, explain why he’s doing this. He says he’s just trying to hold onto what’s his.

Brook says, of course (🍷) she’s referring to that summer, and Cody says he thought the subject was verboten. She says, it was, and it is. Did he ever tell Dante? He says, she swore him to secrecy, and he drove her to the bus station. She left and he didn’t see her again until he started working here. She asks if he ever told Dante, but he says, no. He hasn’t even thought about it since then. She says, thank God, and thanks him, and he says, no problem. She says she’s sorry to make a big deal out of it, but she had to be sure. He says he gets it, but it was like, a million years ago. Why bring it up now?

Anna says she wants to reiterate how sorry she is, but Dante says he doesn’t want her sympathy. He wants Sam’s file. She says, he barged into her office and asked for access to a case… He says, because Sam  was his fiancé and he loved her, and Anna says, that’s precisely why she can’t let him get anywhere near the case.

Trina offers to help Kai, but he says he’ll do it himself. He struggles some more, and she says, it will be easier when his arm isn’t in a sling. He finally asks her to help him, and she puts the belt on him. As she wraps it around him, they gaze at each other for a moment.

Lulu tells Laura that she loves Dante, but not… He’s still grieving Sam… They were already divorced, but she ended things with Dustin. She was planning on telling Dante that she never stopped loving him, but unfortunately, she never got the chance. Now she’s finally awake, but Dante is grieving Sam… He totally should. Laura says, good to know, and Lulu says, it’s probably better. Things between them are worse. Laura asks, how so? and Lulu says, they fight all the time. When she went to Prague, Dante brought it on himself to follow. It’s a habit and they know how she doesn’t like being handled. Laura says, they do indeed, and Lulu says she wants to try and get along, but he makes it impossible. Laura says, maybe she’s pushing him away, but Lulu says, it’s not that. If anything, she thinks she’s holding herself back.

Sonny tells Diane that he’s concerned Charlie’s is going to be scrutinized. The business is clean, but he did sell it to Kristina. Diane says, she’ll stay ahead of it and tells Kristina to call if there’s a problem. Kristina says, if the Feds tap her phone, she’ll ask for a copy of the recording to help her keep track of things. Sonny says he doesn’t want what he’s done to interfere, and Diane says she’ll make sure of it. She’s about to leave when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it to Ric and Ava, and Ric says, good. They’re already here. That makes it easier.

Brad kisses his bicep (he’s pretty jacked) and says, woo!

Kai thanks Trina for her help and says he’s sorry for snapping. She says she gets it, and he says he appreciates her coming, but he’s not in the mood. He’s still trying to rap his head around what he’s going to do with his life. She says, that’s why she’s here. Since he was injured in a game, PCU can’t revoke his scholarship. She brought him some catalogs for inspiration. He says he can’t think about classes. He’s barely managed to schedule his rehab. She asks if that means he got a second opinion that was positive, and he says, they told him, no promises.  

Drew tells Jordan that he’s the ultimate team player. He’s dealt with Tracy, navigated Ned’s fragile ego, and sat through his fair share of family squabbles disguised as ELQ board meetings. He does one thing the family doesn’t approve of… Jordan says, he had an affair with his nephew’s wife, and Drew says, and the rest of the Quartermaines are saints compared to most people. Monica banned him from the grounds, and he was pushed out of his own company. Jordan says she gets it. His life as a rich congressman is in shambles. Welcome to politics. They’re not here to talk about Quartermaine infighting. He’s stalling the progress for the good of the city he’s been chosen to represent. He says, it could still happen. That depends on what Curtis chooses to do with Aurora.  

Portia says, Curtis’s plans for Aurora involve them on a beach? and he says, not just any beach. St. George Island, potentially the first site of Aurora’s new resorts. Portia says she loves it, and he says, of course (🍷) he wants to experience the island before moving forward and he can’t without her. What does she say? She says she can feel the sand between her toes, when Curtis’s phone rings. Jordan says she’s calling in a favor, and Curtis says, which one? She tells him to meet her at Volonino’s as soon as he can.  

Anna says, when she told Dante that Sam was murdered, she was speaking to him as a private citizen. That’s why he can’t be involved. He says he can help find out who killed her, and she says she’d let him if the victim was anyone else. He says, because it’s Sam, and she says, imagine if he finds the killer and it goes to trial. What does he think the defense is going to do? He says, object because of his conflict of interest, and she says, they won’t need to. We won’t have a case. It will be thrown out because he was involved in the investigation. He asks if that’s what she wants, but she says, no, but she has to look at it. What if he finds the killer and decides to take the law into his own hands? He asks if she thinks he’d do that, and she says, in this instance, she doesn’t know. He asks what she means by in this instance. Does she have a suspect?

Brook says she’s sure everybody knows she and Chase are trying to start a family, and Cody says, word got around. She says, it’s bringing up a memory for her, living in the same house with Dante. She needs to be sure. He says he never told Dante. He hasn’t even thought about it in years. If she had told Dante back then, he’s sure Dante would have stepped up, unlike other guys. She asks what he means, and he says, it’s an obligation and the guy has to step up. He can’t leave the woman hanging. Brook asks what he’s talking about, and he says, Sasha is pregnant and she shouldn’t be in it alone.  

Drew works out with the weights, when Curtis comes in. He asks if this is why Jordan needed him, and she says, Drew told her that the future of the esplanade depends on Curtis. Care to elaborate? Curtis says, Drew wanted to push Michael out of Aurora, and Jordan says, while he’s in Germany, recovering from third degree burns? Curtis says, yeah. And if Drew doesn’t get what the wants, he’s more than willing to sabotage Aurora. Hence the delay on the esplanade. Jordan says, is that right? and Drew says, Curtis couldn’t be more wrong.

Kai tells Trina that the doctors told him to manage his expectations and set reasonable goals. Don’t get ahead of himself. She says, that’s good advice, and he says his teammates’ doctors said the same thing. She asks if they played again, and he says, one did. The rest never set foot on a field again. She says she’s sorry, and he says him too. He knew it was a possibility, but he told himself that it would never be him. How could he be so stupid?

Lulu tells Laura that Dante would jump in to save any chance he got, whether she needed him to or not. Laura says, Dante just lost someone he loved and maybe he doesn’t want to lose someone else. Lulu says, maybe… probably. She hates seeing him and Rocco in pain and not be able to help. Dante sees her as the woman his fiancé died trying to save. What is it going to be like for the rest of their lives? Laura says she knows what Lulu thinks, but unless she’s spoken to Dante directly, she doesn’t know how he feels.

Anna says she has no suspect yet, but there’s a person of interest, and Dante asks, who? She says, it’s not his case and she’s not disclosing more information. He says, she hasn’t told him anything. Dammit! She needs to tell him… She says she thinks he should go home. She’s placing him on one week’s paid leave and would like him to see the department psychiatrist. He asks if he can say no, but she says she thinks he knows the answer to that. He says, fine, and leaves.

Diane tells Ric to come back when he’s made an appointment, but he says he has an offer regarding the custody hearing. Sonny says, let’s hear it, and Ric says, the recent incident at his domicile caused the destruction of property and injury to his son. Ava says, it was obviously an attempt… and Ric says, it’s obvious Sonny can’t provide a safe home for Avery. At best, Sonny is going to lose. He’s made an effort to save them time and expense. He gives Diane the paperwork and she laughs. She says, visitation every other weekend and Ava has sole custody and all major holidays? Ava says she’s willing to give up Arbor Day, but Diane says she won’t even entertain it. Ric says, then they’ll go to court, and Sonny says, let’s do it. Ric says he’s going to call Kristina to the stand, and Kristina says, no problem. He asks if she’s sure. He’s going to ask about her father’s brutal assault on Dex Heller and his long list of mental and emotional instabilities. He’ll also bring in her impulsiveness and hot-headed temper that led to the attack on Ava and also the death of Kristina’s child. Sonny says, that’s enough, and Kristina says she looks forward to making sure Avery ends up with the right parent. Ric says, it’s impressive, but her keeping it together in her attorney’s office for five seconds doesn’t hold a candle to keeping it together on the witness stand… which she knows. Ava tells Sonny to spare the agony for both him and his daughter and take the deal. Sonny leans on his desk and asks, when’s the date? Diane says, February 25th, and Sonny tells Ric, see you there. Ric says, it’s their final offer, and Sonny shrugs. Ric says, it’s over, and he and Ava leave. Diane says she knows one thing, and Sonny says, they’re desperate. Diane says, right, and he says, Ava’s funds have dried up. Kristina says, Lucy mentioned to her the other day that Ava took a place far below her standards, and Sonny says, Ava wouldn’t trade down if she didn’t have to. Kristina says, that’s good news. If Ava can’t afford it, all they have to do is wait, but Diane says, they can’t rely on that. Ric and Ava’s argument is stronger than theirs.

Dante sees Brook at the stables and asks if Cody is around. She says, he was, then he wasn’t. She doesn’t know if he’s coming back. Is Dante okay? He says, obviously not, and she asks if there’s anything she can do. He says he doesn’t know. Sam was murdered and Anna won’t let him find the bastard who did it.

Lulu says she knows Dante loved Sam, and Laura says, and Sam loved Dante. She’s grateful they gave a good home to Rocco. Lulu says her too, but she’s a little jealous. And by little, she means really jealous. Laura says, Sam is gone now, and Dante has to find a way to live with the loss, and Lulu says, it’s a big loss and here she is, swooping in. Laura says, Lulu is entitled to be here, and Lulu says, Sam is too, but she can’t be. Laura says, but Lulu can, and Dante is afraid he’s going to lose her too. He practically camped out by her bedside and fought like hell for her. She says she knows, and Laura says, from her own life, she knows it’s possible to love two people at the same time. Dante absolutely loves Lulu. Maybe not in the same way she loves him right now, but there’s definitely a place in his heart for her. Lulu says she knows it’s not rational, but she feels like it’s her fault Sam died. If she feels that way… Laura says, maybe Dante does too?

Trina says, Kai isn’t stupid. He doesn’t know how rehab is going to turn out. His first orthopedist told him that he’s never play again. He says he doesn’t feel like a lecture. He needs to figure out rehab now. As for class, he doesn’t know if he wants to go back. She says, why? Even if he never plays again, he’s been given an amazing opportunity. A scholarship most kids would kill for and PCU is an amazing school. He says he knows Trina thinks she’s helping, but she’s not.

Drew says, when he pitched the esplanade, he did it on behalf of his company. Now he’s pitching for his constituents. Jordan asks, then why hold up the project that will give his constituents jobs? and he says, the environmental report was of concern, so it’s been put on pause for review. She says, it’s going to die because he has an ax to grind, and he says, it’s Aurora’s project. Curtis is the CEO and it’s up to him to clear up the issues. Curtis says, Aurora will be fine without the esplanade, and Drew says, there you have it. Curtis says, Drew is screwing them over, and Jordan says, it was a project for the constituents that was supposed to carry on the name of the man who gave Drew a seat in congress. (Good point!) Drew says, Curtis seems tense. What does he say to them working it out in the ring?

Diane says she hates to admit it, but Ric had good points. It’s of public record that the penthouse fire was deliberately set. Sonny says, Avery was at Carly’s, and Diane says, that’s the only reason Sonny still has custody. As for Kristina, she was magnificent back there. Kristina thanks her and says, hate is a powerful motivator. Diane says she has to advise Kristina, no matter how cool and calm she is on the witness stand, Dex’s assault is going to count in Ava’s favor. Sonny says, Ric is all about money. The only reason Ric is representing Ava is to hurt him. He’s going to use Kristina to do that. Kristina says, let him try. She can’t allow Ava to have Avery. Diane says she knew Kristina would say that. She’s going to let them talk. Take all the time they need. She leaves and Sonny says, Diane is right. Ric is going to hammer her on the stand like last time. Kristina says, let him. Ava’s not going to win this case. She doesn’t get to have her daughter back after she took Kristina’s from her.  

At the MetroCourt bar, Ava says, Sonny is itching to take them to court, but Ric says he’s not so sure. Ava says, he has enough money to drag this on forever, and Kristina, with her hair trigger temper, didn’t take the bait. Ric says, no matter. It comes down to Sonny. If he doesn’t want to move forward, it’s all over. She says, too bad he and Diane are determined to do that, and Ric says, maybe he’s wrong, but he thinks something is going on with Sonny.  

On the phone, Anna says, come back to my office and we’ll go over your allegations about Cyrus. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, it’s open. Cody comes in and asks if she’s seen Mac, but she says, he’s out on a call. Is everything okay? He says he needs to get a message to Mac’s brother and doesn’t have a way to reach him, and she says she can reach him. He says, it can wait, and she says, is he sure? It seems urgent. He says, it is… It isn’t important. It’s not like they need to contact international law enforcement. Anna tells him, just say it, and he says, Sasha is in trouble and it’s Jason Morgan’s fault.  

Brook tells Dante that she’s sorry, and he says, the minute he found out Sam was murdered, he wanted to hunt down the piece of garbage who did this. He’s a cop. She says, the best, and he says, Anna told him under no uncertain terms that he’s too close to the case. She says, maybe he is, and he says, obviously. He went to Anna’s office to show her how he’d handle it, and instead, he proved her right. He lost it on her. He yelled at his boss, and she sent him home. Brook says, Anna made the right call, and he says he knows that. For Sam to die like that, in a hospital bed, confined, unable to fight… If she could have gotten up, she would have fought tooth and nail. Brook says, damn straight, and he says, Sam was there because of him, and she’s gone because of him. He doesn’t know how to live with that.

Lulu asks Laura, how does she not feel responsible? The only reason Sam was in a hospital bed was because of her. Laura says, it’s human to feel like it’s her fault, but it’s completely untrue. She’s not responsible for Sam’s death. Only one person is – the murderer. Lulu says she knows that. It’s just so hard to silence the voice telling her that it’s her fault and to think about how Dante sees her. Laura says, he’s grieving, so she can’t assume to know how he feels, but she could ask, and Lulu says, just like that. Laura says, with the connection they have, yeah. It may not be the best time to tell him the full breadth of her feelings, but she can love him as friend.

At the hospital on his phone, Brad orders the deluxe spa package, while Portia tries to quietly go past him. He trots after her and asks if she has any idea where Dr. Jones is. She says, he switched his shift. She can imagine why. He says, speaking of schedules, is there any chance he can get an extra vacation day in Miami?

Curtis says, Drew wants to see him in the ring? and Jordan says, she brought them together hoping they could compromise like the adults she assumed they were, and Curtis says, it was a noble thought. But they both know Drew makes decisions based on what Drew wants. Drew says, and Curtis never misses the opportunity to get on his high horse. Curtis says, it must be real difficult for Drew to see that high up, being so damn lowdown, and Drew asks what Curtis says when the common denominator of the people keeping secrets from him is himself.

Anna asks how Jason is involved with Sasha, but Cody says, forget it. She says, he doesn’t barge into her office saying Robert’s daughter is in trouble and then drop it. He says he wants to talk to Robert directly, but she says, they’re close. What happened? Is Sasha in danger? He says, no. It’s not a crime or a legal thing. She tells him, just say it, and he says, Sasha is pregnant, and Jason is the father.  

Ric tells Ava, the thing about having a brother as an enemy is, they can read each other. He has a strong feeling something was off with Sonny just now. She asks how he can tell, and he says, Sonny may talk tough, but he has the sense Sonny doesn’t want to see this through. She says, when he dreams, he dreams big. Sonny doesn’t give up. He says, Sonny knows cutting her out will hurt Avery. Maybe he’s starting to care a little. She says she hopes he’s right. She needs to have Avery with her. The sooner he can make that happen, and the sooner she’s back on her feet, the sooner she can pay him. Once he gets paid, maybe after that they can see where things stand between them.

Kai tells Trina that he figured out how to put the brace on and it’s an accomplishment. He appreciates Trina coming, but he needs time to himself. She says, okay. She’ll leave him to it. She goes to the door and says, just so he knows, he doesn’t need to do this alone. She leaves, and he gets on the bed with his phone. He puts on an old game, and the announcer says, PCU is down three and going for a Hail Mary pass… They win, thanks to the golden arm of quarterback Kai Taylor! He puts the phone down, and Trina sees him through the window. She takes out her phone and makes a call. She says, when you get out, come and meet me at GH. Nothing is wrong. I just need help.  

Portia says she’s made accommodations for Brad, and he knows why. Brad says, just because he forced her doesn’t mean it’s not appreciated, and she says she does have limits and if she sticks to them, they shouldn’t have a problem. He says, understood… That said… She says, if he starts asking too much too often, people will start to notice. Don’t push his luck any further than he has. He says, so… is that a yes? and she says, enjoy your vacation day. She jets, and he says, thank you.  

Curtis says, his friendship comes with loyalty and wonders if it’s too much to expect in return, and Drew says, so his friendship is transactional. He’s not applying undue influence to sink Aurora. They’re not in court. Curtis says, let him remind Drew that he’s brand new to congress. He’s alienated his backers by seducing his nephew’s wife. He overextended himself and left himself wide open. Curtis and Jordan walk out.

Sonny asks what Kristina wanted to see him about. Is everything okay? She says, actually, no. The hospital investigated Sam’s death, and it turns out it’s not an accident. Sam was murdered. He asks if they know who, and she says, no, but they know how. She was given a drug she wasn’t supposed to have. Digitalis killed her. He says he’s going to ask a question she might not be able to answer. Does Dante know? She says, probably. The police are looking into it. Should she worry? He says he doesn’t want her to worry. Let him worry. Everybody has a breaking point and she’s carrying too much.

Brook says, it’s not Dante’s fault. She knows he can’t see it, so she’ll let him get there on his own, and he will. He says, she’s right, and she says she knows he’s saying that to get her off his back. She’s here if he needs anything. He says, she’s a pretty good friend when she tries, and she says, don’t tell anyone. He says, they wouldn’t believe him anyway, and they hug. Lulu walks in.  

On Monday, Laura tells Lucky that she has some news; Gio tells Emma that he has a bad feeling about something; Maxie tells Sasha that the more she stonewalls, the more it looks like she has something to hide; and Lulu tells Dante, nothing can be further from the truth.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Looks like a good time. Especially for that random dog who’s probably been stealing food all night.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/gh-star-tabyana-ali-celebrates-her-birthday-see-the-party-pics

Sage advice for any condition you might be suffering from: If you are suffering, you have to be your own advocate to keep going… If your doctor doesn’t get it, find a new doctor that listens to you and believes in you, and doesn’t just want to stick you on an antidepressant.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/gh-star-tabyana-ali-celebrates-her-birthday-see-the-party-pics

Side gig. I still say Adam Huss was the best Nikolas and they should bring him back.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-huss-wraps-a-movie-with-tuc-watkins

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

In making a sushi dinner for multiple people who don’t eat fish, Cloyce said he had nothing to do but laugh, bang his head against the wall, and innovate. It must be tough for any woman who dates Cloyce to get past him giggling like Anderson Cooper. Captain Glenn joined the guests for dinner and was impressed. Glenn said he still believed in Gary, which is beyond my scope of understanding. In his interview, the captain said, if Gary wanted to step up the ladder, he’d have to grow and mature. Good luck with that. Mixing his metaphors, Captain Glenn said, the crew knocked it out of the park and suggested they put this baby to bed. He’d seen growth and thought they finished the season on a high. The tip was $21K or 2000 euros each, and they’d made a total of $188K for the season. Gary told Daisy that he wanted them to live a fairytale life. She was like, hard no, and wondered why they couldn’t get to a level they could agree on. After the crew night out, Gary waited alone at the jacuzzi while everyone else went to bed. He had a lightbulb moment in his interview, where he said if he was going to be in Glenn’s position, he’d have to start taking more responsibility for his actions. I still can’t figure out what the problem was with the stews and Daisy, except that she wanted them to work. Gary thought there was still hope for him and Daisy, and we flashed back to them over the years. He was intrigued to see what the future held. Glenn said, it was a crazy season and it was done. Margarita time.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

In Kyle’s interview, she said she was alone in the house more often because the kids wanted more time away from her. Um… yeah, that’s how it works when kids get older. Boz and Dorit have gotten tight, which surprises me, since Boz doesn’t seem like she’d suffer fools or rambling talkers gladly. Garcelle pointed out that Kyle saying she’s never shared anything PK has said to her sounded like it was more than memes, but Kyle insisted that they’d never discussed PK and Dorit’s marriage. Kyle apologized to the group for yelling and leaving, but in Sutton’s interview, she wanted Kyle to apologize for acting better than everyone else and not being accountable. Kyle used the old it’s not who I am backpedal. I hate when people say that because, if not you, who? It was who you were in that moment and to say that is distancing yourself from accountability.

Dorit and Kyle went for a walk on the beach, and Dorit asked where Kyle’s loyalty lay, with her or PK. Dorit wanted the same respect from Kyle that Kyle would expect from her. In her interview, Kyle said she understood and if it was what Dorit needed, she’d do it, but IMO, she should have understood it without Dorit having to tell her. Dorit was also wrestling with Jagger having asked if she and PK were divorced, since he’d gleaned it from social media. In Erika’s interview, she said it was impossible to shield children in this day of the internet, but I wonder if you even should in the first place. By all means you should explain things at their level and make sure they know you’re there for them (and your partner too, if that’s a factor), but I’m not so sure kids should be shielded from negative situations entirely. God forbid they hear it from someone else like this poor kid. The show ended on an up note for once.

Real Housewives of New York City

It was the Reunion Part 1, so… There’s never a lot to say about these, since it’s just a rehash of the season’s arguments and them getting mad all over again. There was Jenna coming out in robe and turban, which was… original. Brynn spoke more about her assault, and sad to say, it’s someone she’s required to inhabit the same space with on a regular basis. It seemed hard for Erin to understand how difficult it is to out someone like that when it’s a he said/she said situation. There was a big deal with Brynn having said Pavit wasn’t the love of Jessel’s life, when they’d been talking about crazy hook-ups. Jessel was pretty upset about her family seeing the show. It looks to be a lively Part 2.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Ugh. The Reunion Part 2. In a word, tedious. Meredith almost walked off because… Okay, I lost track of the whole thing, but it had to do with something she said or didn’t say and who said she said or didn’t say it. You see how I could get lost, right? Angie said that for a new Housewife, Bronwyn put herself out there and that’s why everyone loved her. Agreed. Seth was a jerk, trying to explain away why he called Whitney a bee-yotch during a dinner. No excuse for that, dude. As NeNe so succinctly put it, stay out of women’s business. Period. End of story. With the exception of RHONJ, where the men should have their own show, the husbands need to stay quiet. It’s not called Real Househusbands. Still this season’s MVP, Mary was the exception. Lots of tears over Robert Jr.’s story, even from Andy. And it shut the other women up for once. That’s quite a feat. Whitney said it helped her kids understand why they didn’t have a grandpa as she hasn’t spoken to her (addicted) father since Season 1.

Southern Charm

Poor JT. I almost have to feel sorry for him. Almost. He’s so clueless as to how he’s going wrong. Although Venita doesn’t see it. She admitted to having a crush on him and I thought, oh, just do it already. Craig called Austen and wanted to hang out, which surprised me, but it didn’t seem to surprise Austen. Shep hadn’t heard from Sienna, who texted that she needed a moment. It made Shep nervous, which made me laugh. He said he wanted beautiful babies and a Bahamian house, making me laugh harder. Patricia and Madison had a pajama party, complete with caviar in bed, making me rethink my friend group, and Patricia said Sienna had approached Whitney on Raya before meeting Shep. Venita invited JT for dinner, and he told her that he was seeing someone. It wasn’t the answer either one of us was hoping for. I don’t like him, but she does, so I felt bad for her. He professed faithfulness, but IMO, he’d been leading Venita on. Not a gentleman.

I don’t remember this guy from Summer House, but I’m not always paying attention.

Southern Hospitality

I tried to watch this. I really did. But it’s just a bunch of relationships that are more complicated than they need to be. I’ve seen enough to know Emmy is a drama queen, so I can just imagine when she finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Red flags have been thrown her way before, which she’s put her fingers in her ears and gone la-la-la about, but this seems to be irrefutable evidence. Rut-roh.

There was this priceless quote though: Even though I’m 33, that’s like 50 in gay years, so I’m basically dead. – TJ

I feel the opposite. While the diversity is commendable, the personalities aren’t so diverse. We even have Maddi being James Kennedy 2.0. Sans the alcoholic rants. Wait for VPR’s reboot if you want to relive the glory days. Or actually watch the original glory days on several streaming services.

Random Reality

The latest in Atlanta. Twirl on, Kenya. Twirl on.

Why not? And I actually don’t mind Slade. They seem to be a good match. Maybe he’ll marry her on his deathbed.

Get your lemons ready.

I’m sporadic in watching this, and like with Survivor, I get lost with the challenges, but when I see it, I enjoy it. Alan Cumming is the best host, all theatric and Scottish.

Take the tour.

https://ew.com/the-traitors-host-alan-cumming-season-3-castle-tour-exclusive-8766966

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Sleep. Hulu et al. I was a fan of Korean cinema long before it was popular, and Netflix had a Korean for beginners category. While this wasn’t one of my favorites, that didn’t make it less intriguing. A story of possession masked as a sleep disorder, it has creepiness a plenty. I wasn’t thrilled with the ending, which left me kind of hanging, but the style and atmosphere were worth the time spent. I hadn’t thought of it as a metaphor for a deteriorating relationship, but there’s that too. Those of you who feel, if I want to read, I’ll get a book, be forewarned; this one has subtitles.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sleep-korean-film-review

https://nofspodcast.com/sleep-review-new-korean-horror-is-a-methodical-slow-build-of-simmering-scares

Saturday Night. Netflix. This is the telling of the story of the first episode of SNL, and how no one thought it would get on the air, much less stand the test of time it has. A dramatization for sure, but the real-life drama may have seemed heightened since there were so many roadblocks. From John Belushi refusing to sign his contract while ice skating in a bee costume to Milton Berle flashing his legendary junk, it’s a fun watch.

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/saturday-night/

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/saturday-night-netflix-review

The truths and the nots.

https://people.com/how-much-of-saturday-night-is-true-8725801

Some of this is a stretch to connect to SNL, but six degrees and all that.

🎸 Who’s Playing For Who…

The Super Bowl performers.

https://ew.com/super-bowl-2025-performers-kendrick-lamar-halftime-sza-jon-batiste-8779483

The Grammys performers.

https://ew.com/everyone-performing-at-2025-grammys-charli-xcx-sabrina-carpenter-more-8779877

🐾 Send In the Furbabies…

🐶 It’s always nice to see a celebrity using their powers for good. This must have been incredibly rewarding. I’ve loved Paris since Tinkerbell wrote her book.

https://people.com/paris-hilton-reunites-her-foster-dog-from-l-a-fires-with-the-dog-s-family-8781373

🐎 What would the Super Bowl be without the Budweiser Clydesdales?

https://people.com/super-bowl-2025-budweiser-clydesdale-horse-commercial-8780322

🐕 And don’t forget the best Bowl of all.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/2025/pb-xxi-gallery

https://www.discovery.com/shows/on-tv/puppy-bowl/see/2025

🐐 Quotes of the Week

Anyone who wants to achieve a dream must stay strong, focused and steady.Estée Lauder

A dead end street is a good place to turn around. – Naomi Judd

Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read. – Groucho Marx

If your dreams don’t scare you, they are too small. – Richard Branson

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. – Pablo Picasso

You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old. – George Burns

Words are the clothing of our thoughts.Jonathan Swift

A ship in a harbour is safe, but it’s not fulfilling its potential. – Susan Jeffers

If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment. – Carlos Santana

I don’t know why they say alcohol is a depressant. It fixes everything. – Joyce (Swoosie Kurtz), Mike & Molly

🍫 Like a Box Of Chocolates…

Until next week, stay safe; stay being adaptable in social and professional settings; and stay managing your expectations, setting reasonable goals, and not getting ahead of yourself.

January 3, 2025 – Sonny Makes a Request Of Jason, Soap Suds, Southern Talk, NJ Tirade, Hard To Do, Finished Watch, Coming Up, Holiday Hangover, Star Celebrations, Times Square, Piffle Clone, Ha-Ha, A Half-Dozen Quotes & Feeling

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What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

On Thursday:

Isaiah told Sonny that he has to see a cardiologist.

In Prague, the sniper shot through the café window, missing Valentin. Valentin grabbed Charlotte and took off, but when Lulu and Dante followed, all they found was Charlotte’s air tag in a nearby planter.

Michael told Sasha that he thought he and Willow were headed for divorce, and Sasha told Michael that she was pregnant, but she didn’t want him involved. Michael reluctantly agreed.

Drew talked Willow into coming to DC with him for his swearing in ceremony.

Alexis told Ava that the Cassadine money had really belonged to Spencer and now belonged to Ace.

Anna went to Jack’s hotel room, and he still insisted he had no information on Valentin. He got a call from Collette about Valentin escaping, and when he hung up, Anna tased him because she wanted his full attention. She told him that she knew he’d met Emma, and that Emma was off limits.

Moving on to Friday…

Prague, Czech Republic. Dante brings Lulu to her hotel room, and she tells him that he doesn’t have to stay. He escorted her back and she’s fine. He can go to his room. He says, so she can hit the streets as soon as he takes off? and she says she could promise that, but she’s not going to lie to him. He asks if she’s going to go to the town square and yell Charlotte’s name when she and Valentin are long gone. She says, thanks to him.

In a car parked somewhere, Charlotte asks if Valentin is sure he’s okay. He says he’s fine. How is she? She says she’s sorry. It’s all her fault.

Sasha comes into Michael’s office and says, she can go if he has something more important going on, but he says, nothing is more important, and asks her to have a seat. She sits, and he says he respects her decision to raise the baby alone, but he has to ask her to do something for him. Stay in Port Charles.

Nina goes to Curtis’s office and says she assumes he hasn’t spoken to Drew. He says, no and he doesn’t expect to. Nina says, he’s in Washington DC with her daughter.

At the penthouse, Isaiah advises Sonny to see Dr. Pasternak. His reputation as a cardiologist is excellent. Isaiah is still new to GH, but his referral should get Sonny in. Dr. Pasternak is usually booked up. Sonny says he’ll get checked out. Just so Isaiah knows, whoever he talks to needs to be discreet. Isaiah says, Sonny’s number one priority should be getting his heart looked at as soon as possible, when Jason comes in and says, good to see Isaish again.  

Lulu tells Dante that she promised to come alone. She kept her promise, but now she’s worried Charlotte thinks she’s a liar. Valentin certainly does. God only knows what he’s telling her. Charlotte hasn’t seen her in four years, and she’s been under the sole influence of her father. It was her one opportunity to regain Charlotte’s trust and Dante blew it to hell. Dante says he was trying to look out for her, and she says, did she ask him to? How did he find her anyway? He says he knows people, and she says, great. Just great. What gives him the right? She’s not lying helpless in a hospital bed. She doesn’t need a minder and he’s not her husband, but Charlotte is her daughter, and she’ll find Charlotte any way she damn well pleases.

Valentin says, none of this is Charlotte’s fault, but Charlotte says, he told her not to contact anyone back home. She texted Rocco and talked to her mom. She told her mom where they were. She did everything Valentin told her not to. Valentin says, her mother is awake after four years and Charlotte wanted to see her. It’s nobody’s fault. Charlotte says she was being stupid. When they were in the Christmas market, she saw families and thought it would be okay to text Merry Christmas to Rocco. Valentin says, she’s a fugitive because of the choices he made. She has to follow the rules to be safe on the run. She says she broke the rules, and he almost got killed. He says, she broke the rules because they’re not fair to her. What he’s asking her to do isn’t fair.  

Sasha tells Michael that part of her wants to stay. Even before she got pregnant, when she was pretending to be Nina’s daughter, she loved the fantasy of having a family. Now she has a family of her own and she’s starting to know them. She’d like the baby to know them too. He asks, what’s the problem? and she says, secrets have a way of coming out, so it’s best if she leaves Port Charles. She gets up, and he asks if it isn’t most important that the baby have a safe, stable life. It would be helpful to have family nearby, including himself. What about a medical crisis? Isn’t it better to have a support system in place? He won’t fight her on her decision. He’s just asking and he’s hoping she decides to stay.

Curtis says, Drew took Willow to his congressional swearing in? and Nina says, what could be more appropriate than Drew putting his hand on a Bible as Willow stares at him with stars in her eyes? Did she forget to mention that Willow brought Wiley? Drew couldn’t be more clear about his intentions. Curtis says, damn. What does Michael think? She says she doubts he knows yet, and Curtis says, she’s probably right. It’s a bold move to take Michael’s wife and son to his swearing in. He knows good and well that it’s a high-profile event and there will be press coverage. She says, what does he care if he blows up Willow’s life even more? She knows Curtis is the new CEO and understands he has more important things to worry about than Drew’s bad behavior. He says, Nina is still his friend. It’s not rocket science to know why she’s upset. Nina says, Drew will destroy Willow’s life. Willow doesn’t see what’s happening and Drew doesn’t care about the consequences. He’s not doing anything to protect Willow or her family. Curtis says, she’s not wrong. Drew will do what’s best for Drew. But they both know that’s not the only reason Nina is so upset.

Isaiah says he’s leaving, and Sonny thanks him for stopping by. He walks Isaiah to the door, and Isaiah leaves. Sonny says, Jason isn’t asking what’s wrong, and Jason says he figures Sonny will tell him if he wants him to know. Sonny says, something is wrong with his heart. He had an incident where his heart was racing and it didn’t slow down, but it passed. He had a twinge when he was with Kristina, but it passed, so he went to the gym and worked out. It felt like his chest was tightening like he never felt before and fell to his knees. He was trying to get his phone, when Dr. Gannon showed up. Jason says, good thing he was there. Sonny hasn’t gone to the hospital yet? Sonny says, no, and Jason says he can arrange for Sonny to go to a private out of state hospital, but Sonny says he thinks they’re overreacting. Isaiah gave him a prescription. Jason says, he can’t mess around with his heart. Isaiah isn’t a cardiologist. He needs to see a specialist. Sonny says he’ll see one eventually. This was a wake-up call, and he has to change how he runs the business.

Curtis says, Nina played a key role in Drew getting elected. Is any part of her pissed that it’s not her standing there? Nina says she wants no part of DC. Drew thinks he can do whatever he wants with whomever wants. She thought there was more to him than that. Curtis says, as did he. He considered Drew a good friend for a long time. He risked his life for Drew and now he’s had to reframe his perspective. Nina wonders what happened. Is Drew so slick he fooled them both or did he change? Curtis says, he definitely changed. He doesn’t know if it was prison or Drew becoming a politician. They can analyze it all night, but Drew is who he is now. The same man who’s willing to sleep with his nephew’s wife and throw him under the bus at Aurora. Nina says she’s sorry. Drew let them all down. Curtis says, he certainly did. Drew isn’t the man they thought he was and he’s going to deal with Drew the way he is now. He strongly suggests she do the same.

Sasha asks if Michael has thought about what happens with him and Willow if she stays. What if they decide to save their marriage? Michael tells her not to let him impact her decision. Let him worry about that. She says, and the Quartermaines. She’s already dreading telling them. They’ll all assume Cody is the father, and when she convinces them that he’s not, they’re going to wonder who is. What does she do? Lie and say it was some random guy she met in a bar? Tracy will love that. He says, it’s no one’s business. They’ll have to respect her privacy. She asks when the Quartermaines have respected privacy. She doesn’t know if she can keep working there and she can’t keep living there. He says, no problem. He can take care of that.

Valentin says, Charlotte admitted she contacted her mother. She trusted him with the truth. She says, because she loves him. She doesn’t want them to keep secrets from each other. He says, when she told him, he should have moved them to a new place, taken them underground. She asks why he didn’t, and he says he wanted this for her. They’ve been praying for this for years and he wanted her to see her mother. It’s his mistake believing Lulu would come alone. She asks if he thinks Lulu is responsible for this nightmare.

Dante asks if Lulu is hearing herself. She came to Prague to meet Charlotte and convince her to go home. Did she think Charlotte was going be ready with her passport? She says she doesn’t think Valentin would let Charlotte go around without proof of identification. She’s sure Charlotte had it with her. He asks if she was sure Valentin wasn’t watching them, but she says, it doesn’t matter. She was this close to Valentin letting Charlotte go with her. He asks what she’s basing that on, and she says, Valentin knew Charlotte was going to see her. Charlotte told him and he gave her permission. Dante says, because he wanted to look like the good guy, and Lulu would look like the bad guy trying to tear Charlotte away. He was manipulating them. Lulu says she was getting through to Valentin. He could see that her taking Charlotte home instead of her having a life on the run was the right thing to do. Dante says, Valentin was playing her.

Michael says, if Sasha doesn’t have the finances, he does, but she says, that’s a firm no. She intends to raise the baby on her own and she’s not asking him for a check. He says, she’s not asking; he’s offering. Before she says, no… She says she did, and he asks if she’ll reconsider. If she has money, it will mean a better life for the baby. She says she can and will raise the baby independently. She promises the baby will have a happy, healthy home and she’ll provide everything he or she needs. They’ll want for nothing, especially love. He says he believes her and in her, but if she finds herself needing anything, promise she’ll reach out. She thanks him and says she knows he means it. She’ll stay in Port Charles. He thanks her, and she says he makes some excellent points. He says, she’s a good negotiator, and she says she had inside information that she already knew the baby’s father is a great guy. He thanks her and she says if she had to get accidently pregnant, she’s glad it’s with him. He says, him too, and thanks her for staying.  

Nina says she sees who Drew is, but Willow doesn’t. She’s spellbound and doesn’t realize he’s responsible for blowing up her life. She’s falling for his act, his noble façade and longing looks, pretending he’s pining away for her. Please. If she only knew everything. He says, Nina could clear things up for Willow. There’s crucial information missing, but he’s sure Nina could provide something to make her see Drew more clearly.

Sonny says, there’s nothing like lying on the floor, helpless, thinking, what happens to his children if he dies? He thought it could be Nixon Falls all over again. Jason says, everyone thought Sonny was dead. He and Carly had to step up and take care of the business. Sonny says, Carly almost went to prison, and Jason says, it’s over. They managed. Right now, business should take a backseat, and Sonny should focus on his treatment. Sonny says he knows Jason can run the business short term, but he’s talking long term. They have to think about what’s coming.

Lulu says she doesn’t need to trust Valentin, and Dante asks if she thought Valentin would let her take off with Charlotte. The same guy who’s been fighting to keep Charlotte to himself for her whole life. She says, Valentin has changed, but Dante says, he hasn’t. She says, Dante didn’t hear him and didn’t see his face. He was a heartbeat away from letting her leave with Charlotte. He says, it’s lucky Charlotte didn’t watch her father die, and she says, the sniper followed Dante. Dante says, she doesn’t really believe that, does she? She was the one tearing through Europe, telling anyone who would listen that she was going after Valentin Cassadine. And she doesn’t think she was on anybody’s radar? The sniper hit five minutes after he got there. Does she think that was enough time for them to trail him, get in position, and take a shot? He’s sorry, but the sniper was following her.

Valentin says he doesn’t think Charlotte’s mother tried to kill him, and Charlotte asks if he’s sure. He says he thinks she’d enlist Dante’s help to get Charlotte back, but doesn’t think she’s responsible for the attempt on his life. He thinks she was followed. Charlotte asks how he knows, and he says, because it would hurt Charlotte, and that’s something Lulu would never do. But there are people who want to see her harmed. That’s why they have to keep running, to stay alive, but she doesn’t have to stay with him.

Sasha goes to the hospital and asks for an appointment with Dr. Navarro. The nurse at the reception desk asks if she’s been a patient, and Sasha says she was. Sasha Corbin. The nurse brings up her chart and says she can make an appointment, but needs to advise Sasha that there have been changes in the prenatal program since she was last here. The patient advocate can update her. Felicia comes by, and the nurse calls to her. Felicia asks if she can help Sasha, and Sasha says, yeah. She thinks Felicia can.

Nina asks how Curtis knows she and Drew were sleeping together. Did Drew tell him? He says, no. She just did. She told him that there could be more between her and Drew, and they’ve been spending more time together. It’s not a far jump. She says, they’re consenting adults and she has nothing to be ashamed of, but he tells her that he’s not saying she did. He’s saying the situation is layered. Drew bridged the gap between her and Willow. She asks if he’s saying she should be grateful that Drew brought them together and ignore that Drew blew up Willow’s married life. Does he think she’s an opportunist? Curtis says he’s not judging, but wants her to be realistic about herself and her daughter. She says, Willow wouldn’t be living with her if Drew hadn’t put it in motion. She thinks Willow is better off without Michael, but should absolutely not be with Drew. But she can’t make Willow see that. Curtis says he knows one way. Tell Willow the truth.

Lulu says, if Dante is convinced the sniper followed her, that means Valentin is being hunted with guns. Charlotte is in danger, and she has to save her. She heads for the door, but Dante stops her. She asks, what should she do, give up? Let Charlotte stay and hope they keep ahead of whoever wants Valentin dead? He says, no. He’s not telling her to give up. He’s saying, let the professionals handle it. She just got her life back and has a son who loves and misses her. She should be grateful for that right now. She says she is grateful. She loves Rocco, but she’s also Charlotte’s mother. Rocco is safe in Port Charles. She can’t stop until Charlotte is home and safe with him.  

Sonny tells Jason that he was five minutes away from going to prison. Jagger was threatening Kristina, and he was ready to confess to the whole shebang. Jason says, he didn’t, and Cates is no longer a problem. Sonny says, there are other problems. Who brought the gun to the PCPD that cleared Alexis of Cates’s murder? Who found his gun and turned it in and why? Jason says, it was too convenient, and Sonny says he just wants to know his children are taken care of. He gave Charlie’s to Kristina. Jason says he heard, and Sonny says, Alexis is worried that it will put Kristina in the spotlight, and it will be audited. Jason says, that’s going to happen. The coffee business gets audited all the time and they pass. And there’s no way Sonny would use his kids. Sonny says, the Feds don’t know that. He’s tired of being a burden to his kids. Jason says he doesn’t think Sonny’s kids think that. They love him and need him. Sonny says he knows. He thinks it’s time to take a step back and hand the business to Jason.  

Jason says, Sonny wants to hand the business to him? and Sonny says, there’s nobody else he trusts to maintain it. Jason has always been in his corner, and he could count on him. He appreciates that. Jason says he’ll always be loyal to Sonny and can be Sonny’s second. He can step up anytime and run the business on a short-term basis, but he’s sorry. He can’t take over the organization.

Felicia says, anything Sasha wants to discuss is protected by HIPPA, and Sasha says she appreciates that. She wants Felicia to know what’s going on. She’s pregnant. She adds quickly, Cody’s not the father, and Felicia says, good to know. How does she feel? Sasha says, nervous… excited. She’s moving forward with the pregnancy. Felicia asks if Sasha minds if she takes a few notes. She assumes Sasha is here because she wants to register for prenatal care. Will the father be involved? Sasha says she’s doing it all on her own, and Felicia says, okay. That’s perfectly fine. They usually access the father’s medical records, but that’s not always possible. The priority is to make sure Sasha feels cared for and she and her baby are supported.

Nina tells Curtis that she can’t just say she forgot to mention she and Drew are sleeping together, but Curtis says he’s sure she’ll find a tactful way. She says, no amount of tact will help her tell Willow that she and Drew are sleeping together while Willow follows him with stars in her eyes. What kills her is that she was so grateful to Drew for bringing her and Willow together, she didn’t see that Drew did it to make himself look good. Now he’s brazenly pursuing Willow and parading her around town, and there’s nothing she can do to stop it. Michael walks in and says, stop what? Nina says she’s not sure if Michael heard, but Willow brought Wiley to Drew’s swearing in ceremony. Willow thought it would be nice for Wiley to see the monuments and see how the political system works. Amelia is with the nanny and Nina is going home soon. Michael says, that’s fine. He wants to talk to Curtis about the projections and the Tokyo project when he has a minute. (I want to know what the Tokyo project is. They’ve talked about it enough.) Curtis says, sure, and Michael leaves. Nina says, that’s strange. He didn’t react at all to the news about Drew and Willow. Curtis says, that should concern her.

Lulu says, Dante is making this about her choosing between her children, but he says, not really. Charlotte chose Valentin, while for the last four years, Rocco has been by Lulu’s bedside willing her to wake up. When she did, she traveled halfway around the world to another continent. She says, to find Rocco’s sister and bring her home. Is he telling her that he wouldn’t do the exact same thing? He says he would, but not like this. Valentin is flying under the radar, but if she keeps chasing him, she’s going to bring attention to him, and it could cause Charlotte to get shot. She says, Charlotte was already shot, and it was kept from her. Valentin told her about Anna shooting Charlotte. Dante says, it was a horrible accident. Right now, it’s her choice to protect Charlotte and not bring her harm. She asks if he thinks she’d knowingly bring harm to Charlotte, and he says he doesn’t. He feels like she’s not hearing him. She traveled here with a sniper trailing her. She could have died. That’s what life is like in Valentin’s world. She says, all the more reason to get her daughter away, and he asks if she’s willing to risk her life. Her son lost her once. He’s not going to let Rocco lose her again.  

Valentin says he watched Charlotte with her mother. They both looked so happy. Charlotte says, it was weird at first, forced. It’s been so long since she’s seen Lulu awake. After they got going, it was great. They talked about Rocco, grandma, and the rest of the family. That’s what she thinks she misses the most, talking and spending time together. He says, she deserves moments like that. She doesn’t have to stay with him. She can go home to her mother.

Felicia says she’ll make sure Sasha gets an appointment with Dr. Navarro as soon as possible, and Sasha thanks her. Felicia says, no pressure, but Sasha should consider telling her parents. Robert is an excellent grandfather. Sasha says she’s not sure how her mother feels about being a grandmother, and Felicia says, Holly might surprise her. Sasha says she’ll think about it. They’ve got a lot on their plate. Maxie knows. She was the first person Sasha told. Felicia says she’s glad Sasha had someone to talk to. She knows Sasha said she wants to do this on her own,  but she has a family who loves her and they’re more than happy to support her. Speaking of which, she needs an emergency contact. Who should she put down? Sasha wonders if Maxie would do it, and Felicia says she’s sure Maxie would, but can’t speak for her. She’ll put herself down for now. Sasha says she likes that.  

Curtis tells Nina that his Aunt Stella says, still waters run deep. That’s Michael. Drew made a big mistake in making Michael the enemy. Nina says, Willow could be collateral damage if she stays close to Drew, and Curtis says, exactly. He knows Nina loves her daughter and she’s worried if she tells Willow the truth about her and Drew that she’ll lose her, but his advice is to come clean now. Secrets are ticking time bombs. The longer she lets it play out, the bigger the explosion will be.  

In his office, Michael looks at his phone. He sees a photo of Willow and Drew in The Invader. He calls Diane and says, Willow went to Washington DC with Drew and took Wiley without his permission. Can they use that?

Jason says, Sam’s death changed everything. Danny had a stable home with her and Dante. That’s not the case anymore. Sonny says, Jason is his only parent, and Jason says, Danny lost his mom and he’s putting Danny first. He deserves that and more, but on a practical level, that leaves Sonny without anyone to handle the organization. Sonny says, there’s nobody responsible enough for him to do that.

Valentin says he’ll put Charlotte on a flight back to Port Charles, but she can’t contact him. She says, if she’s with her mom, she’ll never see him, but if she’s with him, she’ll never see mom? He says, that appears to be the choice. He’s sorry. They both love her, but they have different situations. She says, her mom has Rocco, Dante, grandma, and so many others who love her. They only have each other. That’s how it’s been from the start. She wants to stay with him. He asks if she’s sure, and she says she is. He hugs her, and she says she can’t leave him. He says, okay then, and starts the car.

Lulu says she’s not going to agree to head back and let them handle it, and Dante says, that’s it? Nothing he said made a damn bit of difference. She says, it’s her life, and he says he gets that. It doesn’t matter who sacrificed theirs so she could have it. Sam died so she could have her life. She says, that’s not fair, and he says, she wants to talk fair? Sam is dead, his fiancé and the mother of two kids, the woman who helped him raise Rocco when Lulu couldn’t. She’s dead and Lulu is about to risk everything Sam saved. Her son is with her and she’s going to throw that away. She doesn’t care about any of it. Lulu says she’s grateful Sam died for her and she’s sorry about what he’s going through, but this is still her life. She makes her choices and she’s going to fight for her children. He says, anything she does will put Charlotte at risk or she can come home to the son who doesn’t matter so much to her anymore. He leaves, and Lulu throws a vase at the door and screams, dammit!

On Monday, Carly wonders if Willow has lost her mind; Willow is worried about Michael taking the kids from her; Portia tells Cyrus that he’s no longer welcome at the hospital; and Jack tells Collette that if Charlotte led them to Valentin once, she’ll do it again.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

He’s got some selfcare to do.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chad-duell-reveals-why-he-left-general-hospital

This is a tease all right. He got headshots. So he has an audition?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-teases-his-new-project

Farewell to the first Carmine.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-alum-john-capodice-dead-at-83

How they celebrated.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/see-how-your-favorite-soap-stars-celebrated-new-years

🧵 Sew Charming…

This week’s recap. Patricia looks amazing for 108. Her age words, not mine. She also looks amazing for 83, her real age.

Here’s hoping Craig doesn’t regress. He’s kind of been the voice of reason since Paige came along.

👠 A Celebrity In Her Own Mind…

This woman is the worst.

😢 Sniff…

I’m sorry to hear this. They seemed like a great couple.

https://people.com/trixie-mattel-david-silver-break-up-after-8-years-dating-8679753

👀 Last Night’s Watch…

I finished this last night and now I’ve started on the book. It started slow, but once it picked up speed, I was all in, and it didn’t disappoint. I love an apocalypse.

https://www.pajiba.com/tv_reviews/mgms-earth-abides-is-a-quietly-compelling-take-on-rebuilding-humanity-from-scratch.php

💻 What’s To Come…

What’s new for 2025.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/2025-new-tv-shows

🎅 Christmas Leftovers…

Amazing winter photos.

https://www.discovery.com/nature/get-in-the-holiday-spirit-in-this-winter-waterland-pictures

Christmas traditions all over the world.

https://www.discovery.com/exploration/6-global-christmas-traditions-pictures

Visit Santa’s hometown.

https://www.discovery.com/exploration/visit-santa-s-hometown-in-finnish-lapland

🎉 How They Rang It In…

How the stars celebrated New Year’s Eve.

https://extratv.com/photos/image_jpg_20250102_b4a16a250c4a49fd99dc3fbe49873fb6/

https://people.com/best-photos-stars-celebrating-new-year-2025-8767787

🗽 Having a Ball…

Waiting for the drop.

What happens in Times Square stays in The Post.

https://nypost.com/2024/12/31/world-news/new-years-2025-live-updates-photos-from-nyc-around-the-world/

🐶 Piffles All Over Again…

While it might not exactly be the same dog, it’s still amazing.

https://ew.com/queer-eye-dog-mr-piffles-cloned-by-magician-owner-piff-the-magic-dragon-8767593

My Cuddle Clone of Ralph

🃏 A Joke…

What does a polar bear eat after the dentist fixes his tooth?

The dentist.

🔊 Quotes of the Week

A good education is not so much one which prepares a man to succeed in the world, as one which enables him to sustain a failure. – Bernard Iddings Bell

You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins. – Jim Stovall

Those aren’t glasses. They’re aquariums with stems. – Molly (Melissa McCarthy), Mike & Molly

You are always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past. – Richard Bach

Love what you have. Need what you want. Accept what you receive. Give what you can. Always remember, what goes around, comes around. – Unknown

Understudies are the substitute teachers of the theatre world. – Kramer (Michael Richards), Seinfeld

📆 Turning the Page…

Join me next Friday for soap and what to watch (or not). Until then, stay safe; stay leaving the problems of 2024 behind; and stay remembering that secrets are ticking time bombs. The longer you let them play out, the bigger the explosion will be.