Tag Archives: Summer House

Feb15

February 14, 2022 – Valentine’s Day Continues In Port Charles, Lucid House Moment, Super Ads, Trailer Bowl, Bratty Kathy & Funny

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Valentine’s Day Part 2

Carly watches the couples dining at the MetroCourt when Felix walks in, and says, long time, stranger. She hugs him and says she’s missed him, and he says, that’s because she’s so busy being a boss. She says, technically, she is the boss. She says, what about him? Lucas said he had a lot going on; singing in the choir, volunteering, and mentoring. It’s amazing. Is he here for dinner? He says, he and his sister ate earlier, and Carly says, Taylor’s in town? He says she is, but she’s exhausted and already went to her room. Carly says she understands. She’s about to go up to her room any minute. He says, she’s staying at the hotel? and she says, so he hasn’t heard all the gossip. They have a lot to catch up on.

At The Savoy, Brad tells Britt to trust in the professionals, and match him shot for shot.

Doc asks if Laura is still up for take-out later, and she asks if he wants to try that new Peruvian place. He says, sounds great, and asks if they should order enough for Esme. She says, she suspects Esme has other plans, and he says, like what? She says, like breaking the rules, as usual, and holds up a nail polish bottle she found while fluffing the couch pillows.

Esme comes up behind Spencer, and says, Happy Valentine’s Day, lover. He jumps up, and tells her, never sneak up on a guy in prison. She says she’s sorry. She thought he’d be happy to see her. She used all her magic to get after visiting hours. He says it’s good to see her, but doesn’t meet her eyes. He apologizes for being jumpy. Being in here has been an adjustment. She says, which is why she thought he might like a reminder of her and the comforts of home. She hands him a photo of herself, and he says, happy Valentine’s Day to him.

Chet asks Terry if she minds if he sits next to her, and she says, not at all. He takes off his coat, and she says, teal shirt, and tells him, so far, she’s not disappointed at all. He sits down, and says, neither is he.

Ava gets champagne ready when Nikolas walks in. She says she couldn’t wait for him to get home, and he says, to see him, or the gift he brought? She says, he bright her a gift? The day just keeps getting better and better. He says, not that he’s complaining, but what has gotten into her? She says, Carly and Sonny’s marriage is in the toilet. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Felix says, any fantasy Carly has about PJs and fuzzy slippers, just forget about it. He wants to hear all the tea; he’s taking her out on the town. She says she’d love to, but it’s been a long day, and she really needs to do some soul-searching. He tells her, fine. Go up to her room. Put on something sparkly, short, skin-tight, or all of the above, and meet him here in fifteen. Save the soul-searching for church. Tonight, they’re going to The Savoy.

Nina asks Sonny if Phyllis is here, but he says Nina just missed her. She asks how Phyllis is. She came to check on her, since it’s her first Valentine’s Day… He says, without Lenny. He had the same idea, but she’s actually doing pretty good. Nina says, Lenny would have gotten a kick out of all this, and he says, good tribute, right? She asks how he is, and he says he’s been better. She asks if there’s anything she can do, and he says he thinks she’s done enough. She says she should go. Is that what he wants?

Doc asks what Esme’s done now, and Laura says, painting her nails while sitting on the couch. She’s specifically asked Esme not to do that. She doesn’t know if it’s a lack of etiquette or just poor judgement, but there is a blatant disregard for the rules. It’s like her sense of entitlement knows no bounds. He says, she’s not wrong, and don’t think he’s defending her – he isn’t – but she is a teenage girl navigating unusual circumstances. Laura says, she’s a teenage girl who’s working her nerves. Has he seen the guest bathroom? He says, yes, but he thinks her bad habits are also exacerbated by Spencer leaving. He thinks she feels abandoned. Laura says, and she is living with people she has no real connection to. She gets it, but is she a bad person if she still thinks Esme is kind of a little brat? He says, no, and they laugh. She says she knows he’s right; it’s just maddening. He kisses her, and says he’ll talk to Esme. That way, he’ll be the heavy. She says, there could be a reward for him in that, and he asks if they should put off dinner for a while. She says, he’ll have to wait, and he says, good things come to those who wait. She says, very good things, and they kiss some more.

Esme says she just wanted Spencer to have a reminder of what he has to look forward to. Does he like it? He says, like is an understatement, and she says, since Spring Ridge doesn’t do conjugal visits, she thought it was the next best thing. He says he’ll have to guard it with his life to protect her honor, and she says, if anyone tries to take it, just let Samuel know. She waves to one of the guards, and says, his Uncle Victor was right. He’s a doll. Spencer asks if she got his gift, and she says, the flowers were gorgeous. Where did he find French peonies this time of year? He says, it took some forethought, and Uncle Victor’s connections, but he couldn’t let his girlfriend think he didn’t care.

On the phone, Laura asks if Trina might be free to stop by her house tonight. Trina says, now? and Laura says, if she doesn’t mind. It’s kind of important. She’ll text her address. Trina says she’ll be there, and Laura thanks her, and says she’ll let the doorman know Trina is on her way.

On the phone at The Savoy, TJ says, she just made his night; he loves her. Molly asks, what is it? and he says, his mom might be coming home sooner than planned. She says, that’s amazing. He must be so relieved. He says, absolutely. He’s been monitoring her progress, and knew she was recovering well, but it’s a huge win if she can come home.

At one of the tables, Brad tells Britt, he’s got his freedom back, and he’s embracing it. She says, that’s great news. Does this mean he’s not terrified of Auntie Dearest? He says, please. He’s not worried about her, especially when she’s out of town. Britt says, what about her minions? She may have eyes here. He tells her not to be a downer. If eyes are here, they’ve already been seen, so he wants to make the risk worth it. Down the hatch. They’re doing this. They clink glasses, and Britt braces herself, taking another shot. Brad drinks it down, then coughs.

Terry says, it’s nice to finally meet Chet, and he says, finally? She says she can see now, she had no reason to be nervous. He says, going out solo on Valentine’s Day is nerve wracking, but this place is pretty non-threatening. She says she supposes so. She’d only been here for a few minutes, and was worried he wouldn’t show. He says, as in, where has he been her whole life? but she says, as in, where has he been at five minutes past the hour? She didn’t see anyone in a teal shirt, and thought maybe she’d been stood up. He says, she’s looking for a guy in a teal shirt, and she says she figured shining armor might be a bit blingy, but she’s glad they decided to meet up in person. She admits, she was worried about the dating app too. She thought it was wacky to try and connect with someone without exchanging pictures, but meeting him has made her a believer. She calls him Tanner, and he says, he’s sorry he’s not Tanner. A man says, Terry? He thinks their table is ready.

Sonny says he’s not going to get in the way if Nina wanted to come to Charlie’s, and starts to leave. She says she’s sorry, but that’s not the question she asked him. She just wants to know if it’s causing him more pain to run into her. Is it complicating him trying to work things out with Carly? He says, things aren’t going to work out with Carly, and she says, Carly is probably upset and understandably hurt. Just give her more time. He says, everybody wants him to give Carly time. It didn’t seem like Carly needed time when she decided she wanted their marriage to be over. When she saw them in… Nina knows what he means. She says she doesn’t; what is he talking about? He says, Carly’s divorcing him.

Nina and Sonny sit at the bar, and Nina asks why Sonny thinks Carly is considering divorce. He says, she’s meeting with a divorce lawyer. He asks what Nina is thinking, but she says, it doesn’t matter what she thinks. He says, it does, but she says, it’s about him and Carly. He tells her, if she has something to say, say it, but she says her point-of-view is immaterial. He asks, why? and she says, because she can’t be objective. They both know she has a vested interest.

Laura lets in Trina, and says, that was fast. Trina asks if everything is okay. Did something happen to Spencer? Laura says, he’s absolutely fine. She’s so sorry. She didn’t mean to worry Trina. It’s just that he asked her to mail this to Trina a few days ago, and she hasn’t had the chance. She hands Trina a gift-wrapped box.

Esme says she brought Spencer some of that Italian face cream he likes, and his favorite sweater. And she was told he could listen to music as long as it’s not too loud. He says he doesn’t supposed she had a chance to run back to the cabin and get his headphones, but she says she hasn’t been back to the cabin; she hasn’t even thought about it. Too busy being consumed with her boyfriend being in a prison facility. He tells her not to think he doesn’t appreciate everything she’s done for him, and everything she continues to do. She says, she’s always been there for him, and always will be. Unlike his fair-weather friends. He wonders if she’s seen them or if they’ve asked about him, but she says, no and no. Does it matter?

Ava asks Nikolas how the court can award Sonny being custodial parent if his marriage falls apart because of his own infidelity. This could be their chance to bring Avery home here. He says he hopes she’s right, and she says, but? He says, no buts. He just gets the feeling that her euphoria over the Corinthoses marital woes isn’t entirely about Avery. Maybe she’s slightly happy about what’s happened with Carly; maybe more than slightly. She asks if he’s accusing her of taking pleasure in someone else’s unhappiness. Maybe once upon a time she wished Carly ill, but lately they’ve been in a better place. He says, come on. It’s him she’s talking to, and she says, all right. Doesn’t he think there’s some serious karmic justice happening here? Does he have any idea how much flack she’s taken from that woman over the years? He says, it’s probably more than he’ll ever know, and she says, damn straight. Carly and Sonny have been insufferable, gatekeeping her child, like Ava is some kind of danger to her. Giving her crumbs of time with Avery, and expecting her to be grateful, and maligning their marriage every chance they get. Nikolas says, yet here they are, still together, and she says, while Carly and Sonny’s epic love story crumbles to dust.

Many shots in, Britt stacks the shot glasses, and says, Brad is kidding her. He says, 10% of Americans have broken up with someone on Valentine’s Day. She knows what that means, doesn’t she? A whole room of broken hearts are theirs for the taking. Britt yells they need shots, and Nika brings another. Britt thanks her, and says, down the hatch. Brad says, okay, and they drink.

Walking into the club, Carly says she guesses there is something to going out tonight, and Felix says she’s welcome. He sees Brad and Britt, and says, maybe he spoke too soon. He’s not a fan of Brad’s, but he won’t be chased out. Carly says, neither will she, but she can’t say there won’t be trouble.

After dinner, TJ tells Molly, the gift was perfect. She always knows what he needs. She kisses him, and he says her gift is waiting at the honeymoon suite at the MetroCourt. She says, he didn’t, and he says, happy Valenversary.

Brad asks if Britt wants to dance, and she says she could be talked into it. He sees Carly and Felix, and says, and here he thought he’d be safe. She says, Aunt Selena? and he says, worse; Carly. She says, don’t sweat it. She’s not. She hasn’t had her dance yet. Carly and Felix come over to their table, and Carly says, Brad and Britt, together again. Some things never change. Britt says, the theater has changed. This is The Savoy, not the MetroCourt, and it’s nice hanging out with her bestie, even though she’s aware some people would like him to disappear back to Prisonville. Felix tells her, some might say Brad got off easy given what he did to Carly’s family, and Brad says, he regrets a lot of the things he’s done. He asks if he can have a word with Felix, and they step away. Britt says, and then there were two. Ironic isn’t it? Carly sits down, and says, what is? Britt says, them. Instead of being with the men they love tonight, they lined up with each other. Carly shows Britt her ringless hand, and says, happy Valentine’s Day to them.

Nina says, Sonny knows how she feels about him, and he takes another drink. Chet approaches, and says it’s good to see Sonny. They haven’t had much of a chance to talk since he’s been back. Sonny says, Chet is doing a great job at the gym, and asks how he is, and Chet says he can’t complain. Single guy problems. He guesses Sonny doesn’t have them, and can count himself lucky. Sonny introduces Nina to Chet, and says, Chet runs the gym for him. Nina says, he’s Amy’s brother; it’s nice to finally meet him. Chet says, likewise. He’ll let them get on with their evening. Sonny calls for another drink, but Nina says, if Carly is meeting with a divorce attorney, doesn’t he think it’s a bad idea for them to be seen together? He says, the damage was done a long time ago, but Nina suggests he not add fuel to the fire. He says, this is so unreal. When he got back, everything was great. How did they get to this? She says, they all played their roles, and she’s so, so sorry for the part she played. He says, so she regrets what went down too? and she says, no part of her regrets them sleeping together. Does he?

Tanner tells Terry, that’s why he appreciates that the app celebrates the cerebral over the visual. Daters can scratch beneath the service without worrying about shallow concerns, like how someone looks, or if they have a car or a career. She says, but he does have those things, right? He says he understands why a modern woman like herself might feel pressured to join the capitalistic grind. She says, does he now? It might interest him to know she doesn’t view the field of medicine through a capitalistic lens. He says, it’s just that he’s chosen to vibrate at a higher frequency. He rejects the expectations of society – Chet listens from the bar – and examines himself. He does the work. She says, to avoid shirts with collars. She understands, but that all sounds like an excuse to avoid actual work. He tells her, if that’s what she heard him say, then she’s not listening, and she says, oh please, enlighten her.

Laura says, actually, Spencer wanted Trina to have this before he left for Spring Ridge. She’s so sorry for the delay. It’s just that so much has been happening lately. Trina asks how Spencer is doing, and Laura says, it’s still the early days. She’s sure he appreciated his visit with Trina at Ava’s gallery before he had to report in. Trina flashes back to Spencer almost kissing her, and says she appreciated it too. I love how everyone acts like he’s been sentenced to hard labor for life.

Spencer tells Esme, of course (🍷) it matters if his friends are suddenly ghosting him, and she says, his Uncle Victor reminded her that you can’t please all people all the time. Which is exactly what she was doing with his friends, and it’s gotten her nowhere. At least they still have each other, right? He nods, and she says, it’s not enough? Maybe her coming tonight was a mistake. She picks up her stuff, and he tells her, don’t go, but she thanks Samuel, and says he’s been a doll. She knows it’s late, but is there any way she can visit with Ryan Chamberlain? Samuel says, sorry, he’s afraid not, but she says, no worries. She’ll just visit when she’s interning this week. He says, that’s not happening either. Her access has been restricted. She says, by whom? and Doc says, by him. She says she didn’t expect to see him after visiting hours, and he says, likewise. How did she get in? She says she pulled a few strings, and he says they’ll address that later. Right now he’d like to know why she wants to see his brother, especially when he warned her not to. She says she’s capable of handling him, and Doc says, he knows she thinks so. That’s why he took measures to prevent her from handling it. She says, that sounds more person than professional. Is he sure he hasn’t lost objectivity when it comes to his brother? Spencer asks, what’s going on? and Doc says, he’d like to know that himself. Why is it so important for Esme to visit Ryan? Spencer asks, why the hell she’d want to see that psychopath.

Trina unwraps a coffee table book, and tells Laura, he remembered. Laura says, remembered what? She adds that she doesn’t want to pry, but Trina says, it’s all right. She’s just kind of blown away right now. We see it’s a book on the art of Molyneux, and Trina says, she once told Spencer that she was a fan of his work, and he remembered. Laura says, wow. That’s Spencer, isn’t it? Despite all of his antics, he’s got this other side. Trina says she knows. A side that’s thoughtful and generous Laura says, they seem to have gotten to know each other pretty well.

Nikolas wonders if anyone could truly find happiness with Sonny, and Ava says, if he’d asked her a year ago, she would have said absolutely not, but he’s changed, hasn’t he? He seems different, especially with Nina. it’s like he’s almost human. Nikolas says, finding your true mate will do that, and she thanks him, and says she agrees. She feels the same way. She’s never been able to really be herself with anybody without feeling like she’s being judged. It’s liberating and refreshing to strip away the façade. He tells her, feel free to strip bare with him anytime, and she says she’s being serous. She feels safe with him. He says, good and kisses her., He says, he loves her just as she is, and everything she just said about how he makes her feel, is how she makes him feel. She tells him, and everyone said they wouldn’t last. They have no idea what the two of them have. Nikolas says, they don’t need anyone to know what they have, as long as they do. You and me; our love against the world. She says, when they renew their vows, she thinks that’s how it should be; just them. Unless he really wants guests. He says, all he really wants is her, and they kiss.

Brad wants Felix to know that he hates that he hurt Lucas, and so many others, and Felix says, it’s going to sound strange coming from him, but Brad can’t keep beating himself up. He has a real opportunity now that he’s out to do good. Does he have any plans? Brad says, not yet. His future’s not entirely up to him.

Carly says, there are worse things than being single on Valentine’s Day, and Britt says, like your brother wreaking havoc the entire town and abducting your sister-in-law. Carly says, or your husband disappearing for almost a year, and coming back only to cheat on you. Britt says, or losing your last chance at love, and Carly says, and your best friend. Britt says, he helped her pass out Valentine’s last year at the hospital, and Carly says she wishes she could have seen that, but Britt says, turns out, it was a once in a lifetime occurrence. Okay. So they can have a good cry, or order more shots. Carly votes for shots, and Britt says, this round is on her, and calls to Nika.

Sonny tells Nina that he regrets his life has come to this, and that his wife wants to end their marriage so quickly. Nina suggests Carly is just weighing her options, deciding whether she wants to stay or go, but Sonny says, that is not Carly’s style. What does Nina think the odds are Carly hasn’t made up her mind?

Terry says, wow. She’s never been called a shill for pharmaceutical companies before, and Tanner says, he just happens to ascribe to more Eastern philosophies than Western medicine. She says, he does remember that she’s an Asian doctor, right? Is he anti-science? He says, science has its place, and she says, yes, in medicine. Chet continues to listen, and Tanner says, so does mysticism. In fact, it’s a necessary part of the human spirit, and has been so in every ancient civilization, and he has to say, she came across as more broad minded on the app. She says, sorry to disappoint. Can he illuminate her on an adjacent topic? Did mysticism invent the technology behind his hair plugs, or was that science? She calls out, we’re going to need another round here please, and tells him, don’t worry; it’s on her. Believing in science is good for something. He says, there it is; capitalistic. Chet comes over, and says, that’s enough. He tells Terry that he can’t sit by and watch her do this anymore, and Tanner says, who the hell is he?

Esme tells Spencer that she wanted to observe Ryan for her class, but Doc won’t allow it. Spencer asks why she’d want to hang around with that psycho kook, and she says, mental illness is not a joke. Besides, he doesn’t seem to care what she wants these days. She came here to see him because he’s her top priority, but something tells her that she’s not his. She stomps out, and he asks Doc, what did he do? He’s just trying to look out for her. Doc says, she feels she can take care of herself. Can the same be said of him?

Chet says, who is he? and Tanner says, who is he to interrupt their date? Chet says, boyfriend. He tried, but he can’t share her anymore. She gets up, and says, he knows she always comes back to him in the end. Tanner grabs his coat, and says, he’s sorry. It’s not a match. He leaves, and Chet asks if it was something he said. Terry says she guesses she’s not magical enough, and holds out her hand. She says, Terry, and he says, Chet. Nice to meet her. He’s sorry about the inconvenience earlier. Would a drink make up for it? And don’t worry; he can cover it. She says, it’s a start.

Nina asks if Carly has ever done something like this before, and Sonny says, he and Carly have a lot of water under the bridge. She says, of course (🍷). She’s sorry. She didn’t mean to pry. She knows they go way back. It’s ironic that Carly was so upset not knowing their history in Nixon Falls. It was only a couple of months, compared to the years and years Carly and Sonny have shared together. She’s thinking she’s at a much greater disadvantage. He says, it’s not a competition, but she says, yes, it is.

Carly has a shot, and asks how many of these has Britt had? Britt says, they grow on you, and Carly yells, two more please. Britt wonders what Brad and Felix are still talking about, and Carly says, as long as Brad stays away from her and her family, she could care less. Britt says, right. And if he doesn’t cross the street in time when he sees one of them, Michael will just call his political friends, and invent charges. Carly asks if Britt wants to go there. Let’s talk about her family; Peter, Obrecht, Faison. Not to mention… Britt says, her. Don’t stop on her account. Carly tells her, she was going to say Nina. She’s no slouch in the cheating/lying department, that’s for sure. Britt says she’s not discussing Nina with Carly, and Carly says, because Britt can’t defend her. Britt says, well, that truce didn’t last long, and Carly says, no, it didn’t. Britt asks, isn’t Carly tired of fighting? and Carly asks if Britt is. Britt says, yes, that’s why they should just keep drinking and forget everything. They clink glasses.

Felix asks if Brad is talking about his parole officer. Who else would be in charge of his future? Brad says, he just meant the consequences of his mistakes will determine his future, and Felix says, Brad is a good lab tech, but if he can’t go back to that, maybe he can find a new passion. Brad says, do his own thing? Find a purpose? Yeah. That would be real freedom.

Nikolas tells Ava, happy Valentine’s Day. Unless she feels the day doesn’t necessitate a gift. She says, he knows her better than that, and holds out her hand. He gives her a gift-wrapped box that I’m sure is jewelry. She unwraps it, and opens the box inside. She looks at him, and he tells her, she said she felt safe with him. Hmm… Now I don’t think it’s jewelry anymore.

Laura says, she happy Trina sees the good in Spencer; not everyone does. Trina says, his friends do, and she’s still his friend. Does he need anything? Laura says, it’s sweet of her to ask, but Esme brought him some things today. Trina says, good. She hopes it just isn’t the same old stuff. She knows Spencer likes his clothes and accessories, but that’s not what’s important to him. Laura says, really? and Trina says, he likes music, poetry, and art. Laura says, something they have in common, and Trina says, he’ll need all that while he’s there to keep his spirits up. Laura says she sees why Spencer values his friendship with Trina so much, and Esme walks in. Laura says she’s very glad Spencer has Trina, and turns around, seeing Esme. Esme smiles. Ha-ha! She’s like the little girl in The Bad Seed. Esme says, Trina. Everywhere she goes, there Trina is. Trina says, not anymore; she was just leaving. She thanks Laura, and Laura thanks her for coming, and says she enjoyed talking with Trina. Esme holds the door open, and Trina leaves. Laura hands Esme the bottle of nail polish, and says she believe this belongs to her. She asks how Spencer is, and Esme says, okay, and Laura asks if he said he needed anything. Esme says, actually, there is something; something they both need. Laura asks if she can help, and Esme says, thanks, but she’s got this. She’s turning in though. She has an early start tomorrow. Laura says, for her internship at Spring Ridge? and Esme flashes back to setting up the camera to film Josslyn and Cameron in bed. She says, no. There’s a really important errand she has to run in the morning first.

Terry says she appreciates Chet’s chivalry. It’s rough out there. He says, tell him about it. He was just telling his sister, it’s easier to be single. Not that it stops her from trying to set him up. Terry says, she doesn’t have a sister, but she has well-meaning friends who are constantly trying to push her out of her comfort zone. Hence, the dating app. He asks if she’s planning on firing it up again soon, and she says, based on tonight, she’s going with – never. Maybe casual dating just isn’t in the stars for her. Oh my God, did that sound mystical? He says he hopes not, because that would be a waste. She’s cool, she’s smart, she’s beautiful… She says, he’s gallant and handsome, and teal is definitely his color, along with shining armor. He lifts his glass, and says, to never saying never. She says, never say never, and they clink glasses.

At the suite, TJ and Molly start kissing. He picks her up, and puts her onto the rose petal covered bed, and they get busy.

Ava and Nikolas get busy too. She ties him to the bed with red silk ties.

Felix says, there’s one thing he can tell Brad about Lucas. Lucas hopes Brad can build a new life and be happy. Brad says, he hopes for that too, and Felix looks over at Carly and Britt sticking confetti hearts on one another’s foreheads. Felix says, judging by that, anything is possible. Britt and Carly clink glasses and laugh.  

Nina gets the check, and Sonny asks what she’s doing. He can pay that. She says she wants to do it. Whatever happens, she wants the best for him. She wishes him nothing but happiness; happiness, luck, and love. Sonny says, if Carly moves forward with this divorce attorney, he’s not having it. It’s over. Done. He drains his glass, and she says, she’s not leaving. He’s drinking and talking like that… He says he’s fine; she can go. She leaves (her full glass of wine still on the bar), and Sonny picks up a paper heart with the words Bye-Bye Love on it. He tears it in half.

Tomorrow, Willow wonders how hard it can be to find her birth certificate, Victor asks Obrecht how he can ever repay the favor, and Carly says that Sonny is going to make this divorce very ugly.

🏖 On the nightmare that is Summer House. Andrea made excuses not to commit, but still wanted to get Paige back. Paige was already into Craig, but still seemed down for a hook-up. Lindsay got put in the friendzone by some dude she’d spent a weekend with, and in her interview, she said, her timeline wasn’t what the universe had for her, so she stopped fighting the universe. Amanda wished Kyle would act like he cared about her. Good luck with that. Danielle was working on a fashion app, and in her interview, was shocked to find out, it was f***ing hard. In other words, actual work. Kyle took Amanda out to dinner, and said he was sorry, but I thought it was just words.

The show actually got surprisingly not shallow for maybe the first time ever, when newbie Mya talked to Ciara about feeling included in the group. Ciara said sometimes it felt like she was in high school again (no argument here), but she didn’t think they were intentionally excluding her. Andrea had accidentally called Mya by another name, and she said it triggered her, bringing her back to when she was in school. There was only one other Black girl, and the teachers were constantly calling them by the other’s name, even though they didn’t look alike. When the group was back together, Ciara said she thought it would be a good idea to sit down as a group, and check in with each other occasionally. Mya explained how she was feeling, and said, she was one of two Black women there, she was new to the house, and it was the Hamptons. It was no one’s fault, but it was a different dynamic. Then it really blew my mind when Luke, who’s usually the pseudo deep thinker, likened Mya’s experience to his own, saying it had taken him two years to feel accepted. Then, Kyle somehow got the difference, and corrected him. I wondered if they’d switched bodies. Mya said she’d repeatedly been told she was a white girl in a Black girl’s body, which I can’t even imagine. It’s insulting on so many levels. They ended with a group hug. I still think there’s no hope for this bunch, but at least they talked about something important, even if it was a fluke.

Next time, whips and chains, Carl and Ciara make out, and Kyle tells Paige, the only thing he and Amanda have in common is Loverboy.

🏈 Bowling For Ads…

Three different ways to check out the commercials from the Super Bowl.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/13/super-bowl-2022-commercials-live-coverage.html

https://ew.com/tv/2022-super-bowl-lvi-commercials/

https://nypost.com/2022/02/14/the-best-super-bowl-2022-commercials-top-ads-from-the-game/

📽 Happy Trailers To You…

Apparently, movie trailers were a thing this year too.

https://ew.com/movies/watch-tv-movie-trailers-super-bowl-lvi/

💎 Not So Hunky Dorey…

I find all of this a little hard to believe.

RHOBH’s Kathy Hilton Accused of Meltdown Amid Heated Dispute With Staff in Aspen as Her Reps Deny Claim, and Bravo Speaks Out
RHOBH’s Kathy Hilton Denies Sending Cease and Desist to Lisa Rinna and Refusing to Film as Lisa Reacts to Claim That Kathy “Ran for the Hills”

👃 Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash…

Shuffling off for now, but come by tomorrow for soap and a bit of Jersey. Until then, stay safe, stay sane in an insane world, and stay never saying never.

Feb12

February 11, 2022 – Valentine’s Day Part 1, New Gig, Through Laura’s Eyes, News Jersey, a Book, an Update, Wouldn’t Listen, Dead Tales, Puppies (!), OctoQuoteapus & Basement 

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

VALENTINE’S DAY PART 1

Terry says she has something to tell Elizabeth, and Elizabeth says she’s listening. Terry says she has her first date with the guy she’s been messaging from the dating app, and Elizabeth says, on Valentine’s Day? Terry says, she knows; aggressive. Elizabeth says, or extremely romantic. She wants to know everything about him, and Terry says, later. Elizabeth says, Terry is going to leave her hanging, and Terry says she has a patient. Elizabeth says she’s excited for Terry, and Terry says she is too. Terry leaves, and Elizabeth puts her head in her hands. Finn comes in, and tells her that she has no business being tired. He’s the one who slept on the bench… he means, couch. That is a couch, isn’t it? Elizabeth says, not up to his standards? and he tells her, he’s just saying she might want to think about an upgrade. Just a suggestion. She says, lucky for him, there’s no need for another sleepover. They checked all the ships leaving Port Charles last night, and no sign of Peter. Looks like he found his way out of town. He says, with that guy, anything is possible, and she says, careful. It almost sounds like he wants to crash on her couch again. He asks if that would be so bad.

Taggert meets Portia at the MetroCourt, and she thanks him for coming. He says, anything for Trina, and they hug. She says, maybe it’s nothing, and she’s overreacting. She’s been acting fine… He says, but Portia’s mom radar is going off? and she says, it is, big time. Trina went on this trip with all of her friends, and ever since she’s been back, Trina hasn’t said a word to her. That’s not normal for her, right? He says, dinner tonight was a good idea. They’ll figure out what’s going on with Trina, and get their girl back on track.

Sonny walks into Charlie’s with a bouquet of flowers, and sets them on the bar. Phyllis says, for her? and he says he just wanted to see how she was her first Valentine’s without Lenny, but – he looks around, seeing the decorations and crowd for the Anti-Valentine’s Day party – it looks like she’s doing pretty good. She says, Lenny hated Valentine’s Day. Every year, she got chocolate, flowers, and a rant about how he didn’t need some greeting card company telling him how and when to express his love. He says, sounds like Lenny, and she says, doesn’t it? She thought this could be her way of honoring him; not to mention, it makes good business sense. So many people feel left out on this holiday. Lonely hearts need a place to go too.

Nina visits Ava at Windymere, and says, Ava looks incredible. Hot date? Ava says, with her hot husband, and Nina asks why Ava didn’t say she had plans. Ava says she sounded kind of upset when she called. Besides, she figured Nina would know she had plans for tonight. Nina asks, what’s tonight? and Ava makes a heart with her hands, and says, it’s February 14th. Nina says, it’s Valentine’s Day, and Ava says, oh boy. Nina doesn’t even know what day it is. Something big must have gone down, huh?

Carly tells her assistant JoAnn, sorry for keeping her so late, and JoAnn says, Valentine’s Day is always busy here. Carly flashes back to telling Sonny that they’re over and it’s on him. JoAnn says, if Carly needs her, she’ll be in the office, but Carly asks her to wait. One more thing.

Nina tells Ava, she’s so sorry. She forgot there are some people who still celebrate Valentine’s Day. She’ll just go. Ava says, she’ll do no such thing, and invites her in. She says she did hear about Maxie. Nina must be so worried. Unless there’s something else going on. Nina says, no. Maxie and Peter’s trail has gone cold, and she’s losing her mind wondering where they could be. The only consolation, thank God, is that Maxie’s daughter was found safe. Ava asks if Peter had her this entire time, and Nina says, Ava remembers. Peter showed up in Nixon Falls, and tried to blackmail her into helping him find Louise. Ava says, right, and he threatened to tell the truth about Sonny, and Nina says, there’s more to that story – a lot more.

Finn says he’ll get Elizabeth a cup of coffee, and she says she doesn’t know what’s wrong with her; she can’t snap out of it today. He says, that’s understandable. She’s worried about Maxie; they all are. It’s Valentine’s Day, and also her anniversary with Franco. She thanks him for remembering; it means a lot. He tells her to go easy on herself, and she says she’ll try. Amy and brother Chet walk in (wow. we haven’t seen Chet in years), and Finn says, it’s been a while. How’s everything going? Amy says, things are terrible.

Trina joins Portia and Taggert, and Portia thanks her for making time for her parents. Trina asks if Portia shouldn’t be on a date right now, and Portia says, she will, a little bit later. She had to spend some time with her original Valentine. Taggert asks why Trina isn’t asking if he has any plans, and she says, does he? He says, no, and she says, that’s why she wasn’t asking. Portia says, sit, and Trina says, they’re acting weird, but she’s hungry, so… They sit down, and Taggert says he’d like to propose a toast. To Trina. She’s strong, intelligent, and kind. Portia says, beautiful, not that it matters, and Taggert says, it’s true. She’s kicking ass at PCU, and she just organized her very first gallery exhibition. Portia says, which was a huge success, and Taggert says, if this Spencer Cassadine can’t see her for the star that she is, it’s his loss. Portia tells him, that’s real smooth, and he says, what? Trina asks if that’s what tonight is about, Spencer, and Portia says, it’s really not. Not completely. It just seems like Trina is having kind of a rough time dealing with this young man. Trina says she can’t believe this. Her own parents think she’s pathetic.

Carly picks up a paper heart from the bar, and rips it in pieces. Sam comes in, and says she sees Carly’s not a fan of Valentine’s Day. She sits at the bar, and Carly asks if she’s meeting Dante here. Sam says she wishes. He’s searching for Maxie and Peter. Carly says she heard he took Maxie hostage; that’s awful. Sam says, that sums Peter up in a nutshell. Carly hopes they find that guy, and Sam says, her too, then says, so? and Carly says, what? Sam says she didn’t think she’d have to ask, but how did things go with Sonny? Carly says she walked in on him in bed with Nina.

Phyllis says, the flowers are beautiful, and thanks Sonny. He says, if he’d known about the chocolates, he would have brought them too, and she says, don’t think she didn’t buy some for herself. She swears she could feel Lenny’s spirit when she paid for them. Sonny says he misses Lenny, and she says, she misses him too. So how’s he doing? Still on his meds? He says, yes, ma’am, and she laughs. She asks how things are going with Carly. Last night seemed so hopeful. He drains his glass and puts it on the bar, saying, yep. She says she’s guessing things didn’t go as planned, and he says, he and Carly are as far apart as they’ve ever been.

Ava tells Nina, good for Maxie. That plan took smarts and guts. And good for Nina, playing along with Peter to keep him away from Port Charles. To be able to tell people she had motivation, other than hiding the truth about Sonny, is a vindication of sorts. Nina says, she’d hardly call herself vindicated, and they sit down with martinis. Ava says, any updates on that front? Her and Sonny? Nina asks what she’s heard, and Ava says, nothing, but obviously there’s something. Nina’s acting like she doesn’t want to talk about it, but Ava thinks she does want to talk about it, or she wouldn’t have come all the way out here. Nina says, they’re friends and she wanted company. Is that so hard to believe? Ava says it is, and Nina says, she and Sonny slept together, and Carly walked in on them. Ava asks, how was it? and Nina says, which part? Ava says she’s sorry; never mind. Carly walked in on Nina and her husband in bed together. That is… Nina says, horrible; 100% fully and completely horrible. Ava says she’s sure it was excruciating at the time, and Nina says, it’s still pretty excruciating, but Ava suggests Nina look to the future. Doesn’t this mean she and Sonny can be together? 

Chet says, as Finn and Elizabeth can imagine, they’re pretty worried about Maxie, and Amy says, it’s all she can think about; where she is, how she is, when is she coming home? Elizabeth says she knows. It makes her grateful for work; she needs the distraction. Amy says, her too, and Chet says, he came in with Amy so she could help with the clothing drive. They just loaded up the donations. He can’t believe how many there are. Elizabeth asks if Finn’s seen the bins all over the hospital, to benefit veterans in need, and he says, of course (🍷). He didn’t know it was Chet’s doing. Chet says, after the explosion at The Floating Rib, he was down to one job, and Amy says, the best manager Beradino’s ever had. Chet says, with all that free time, he thought he’d volunteer for a non-profit that helps veterans with physical and mental injuries; make sure they have clothing, food, shelter, and medicine. Finn says, sounds like an amazing charity, and Chet says he credits Amy for getting the hospital involved. Amy says, the clothing drive has been a big hit, and Elizabeth says, that reminds her. She has a box of stuff she left home this morning, but her son is bringing it by any minute. Chet says, getting the whole family involved; he likes it. Elizabeth says she has a patient she needs to see, and leaves, and Amy asks Finn how it’s going with him and Elizabeth.

Carly tells Sam, Sonny gave excuse after excuse as to why they fell in bed together, and Sam says, as if there’s any plausible way that would be okay. Carly says, Sonny’s still in love with Nina, and is clearly compelled to act on those feelings, and Sam says she’s so sorry. Carly says, she’s not. Seeing them together gave her the clarity she needed. She’s been wrestling for months about moving forward, and if it was even possible. Now she has her answer. It’s no. Sam says she figured, and Carly says she’s not going to sit around while Sonny prioritizes the woman who destroyed their family. She’s moving forward. Her assistant is calling a divorce attorney as they speak. Sam says, divorce? That’s… Carly says, necessary, and Sam tells her, she was going to say, more like fast. Is Carly sure she’s making the right move?

Sonny says he doesn’t want to burden Phyllis with this, so he’s going to sit down. She follows him to the table, and says, it’s no burden unless he doesn’t want to talk about it. He says he wants his wife, and that’s not going to happen. She says, why not? and he says, because Carly made it clear they’re done. She says, maybe it seems that way now… and he says, that’s the way it is. Nothing’s going to change it. He sits, and she says, something must have happened; what was it? He says, he’ll tell her what happened. He made his grand gesture because he need a signal that Carly was willing to fight for their marriage. Phyllis says, she didn’t show up? and he says, she did, but it was very late, and he’d done some thinking. Carly would say he’s defending Nina because he had feelings for her, and he guesses it’s true, but he can’t shut it down. She says, and as long as they’re there, Carly refuses to be with him, and he says, no matter what. He told her he loved her, that he didn’t want to lose her, but it doesn’t matter. He guesses he should just accept that his marriage is over. She says, bull. He hasn’t done everything he can for his marriage and he knows it. She loves him and she loves Nina, but she’s afraid she hasn’t been a very good friend to either one of them. He asks what she’s talking about, and she says she hasn’t been very forthright. He says, she’s not responsible for his actions any more than she is for Nina’s, and she says she knows that, but part of being a friend, is saying the hard truths. He tells her, say it, and she says, he claims he’s tried everything to fix his marriage. Does that include telling Carly that he went off his meds, and Nina was there to get him help? He says, no, and she says, so he’s still not being honest with his wife. He rationalizes, just like he rationalized not telling Carly that he and Nina fell in love in Nixon Falls. Relationships need trust. If he keeps repeating the same mistakes, how is he going to rebuild the trust he lost? He says, how can he rebuild anything if Carly refuses to hear him?

Carly tells Sam, the sooner she puts this mess behind her, the better. She really needs to get on with her life. Sam says, that is a natural reaction, healthy even. When something hurts, you want to get as far away from it as possible. Carly says, hurts? The image of Sonny and Nina in bed is torture. Sam says, either way, the place Carly is in is not the place she should be making decisions from. Take a second, a minute, days even, to process what this means for her and her family before she puts something in motion she can’t take back. JoAnn returns, and Sam says she’ll give Carly some privacy. She leaves, and JoAnn says, the attorney does have one appointment open tomorrow, but it’s in the morning, right after Carly’s visit with Donna and Avery. Carly says, that doesn’t give her much time, and JoAnn asks what she wants to do.

Finn asks how they knew about him and Elizabeth, and Amy says, they work in a hospital. Everyone knows. He says, everyone? and she says, everyone. So is he going to give her the scoop or not? He says he’s thinking not actually, and Chet says, excuse his sister. She’s got a Valentine’s bug. Amy says, if she can’t have her own romance, she might as well help other people with theirs. Finn says, he’s good, and she says, he sounds just like Chet, refusing to let her set him up. Chet says he doesn’t need to be set up, and she says, tells that to his gaming console. Ever since he and his last girlfriend broke up, he’s been in a total rut. Chet says, thanks for that. By the way, he gets out plenty. She says, casual dates, sure, but she could find his soulmate. Finn tells Chet, good luck with all that. He’ll see Chet around. He leaves, and Amy says, Chet knows she only meddles because she loves him, right?

Portia tells Trina, after everything she and Trina’s father just said, how does she come away with them thinking she’s pathetic? Trina says, they thought she’d be spending tonight pining over some guy, and Portia says, no. It’s just that she’s been so quiet lately, ever since she came back from the trip. Taggert says, her mom is worried something happened on that trip, and Trina says, so they didn’t just ask? Portia says, they don’t want to pry, and Trina says, this is better. Portia says, she’s right. A manufactured sneak attack was not the way to go. They just want her to know they’re here for her and love her. Taggert says, if Trina has anything to get off her chest, they’re listening, and Trina says, it all started with Spencer’s girlfriend. Taggert says, that punk has a girlfriend? and Portia pokes him. He says, please go on, and Trina says, Esme pulled a mean girl stunt at the cabin, and she got upset, but she’s fine now. Portia says, of course (🍷) she’s fine now, but it’s no fun to deal with Esme’s nonsense all the time, and Taggert says, what’s this girl’s name now? Portia says, Esme, and he says, again? She says, Esme, and Trina says, it’s French. Portia says, that girl is jealous of Trina and threatened by her, and Trina says, Portia thinks so? Portia says she knows so.

Nina tells Ava, she doesn’t know where she and Sonny stand. She doesn’t know where Sonny and Carly stand for that matter. Ava says,  surely they’re over now, but Nina says she doesn’t know. She doesn’t even know if she’s rooting for that. The only reason she and Sonny slept together is, they both believed his marriage was over. He was, and is, in so much pain, she doesn’t want to see him hurt like that again. Ava asks why Sonny thought his marriage was over, and Nina says, Carly was supposed to meet him as some sort of sign she was willing to work things out, and Sonny got the impression she wasn’t coming, then Nina showed up, and things just… progressed. Ava says, they sure did, and asks if Nina thinks it was revenge sex. Nina says, no. Say what you want, but she and Sonny have real feelings for each other. It was more like they were repressing these feelings and couldn’t deny it anymore. Ava says, Nina’s wanted this; she got it. Now what is she going to do with it?

Elizabeth brings a box into the locker room, and sees Terry fixing her makeup at the sink. She asks if Terry is heading out, and Terry says she sure is. Elizabeth says, wow. She looks gorgeous. (She does.) Terry asks if Elizabeth is sure it’s not too much, but Elizabeth says, definitely not. Her date is going to be blown away. Terry says, whoever he is, and Elizabeth says, about that. If the dating app doesn’t allow them to exchange photos, how is she going to know who he is? Terry tells her, he said he’d be waiting at the bar, wearing a teal shirt, and Elizabeth says, mysterious. Terry says she’s trying not to get her hopes up. Blind dates are statistically disastrous. I’ve contributed to that statistic. The one I went on was definitely disastrous. That’s why I never did it again. Elizabeth says, but it’s no pressure, right? Just drinks? Terry says, at Charlie’s Anti-Valentine’s party. They’ve been messaging for weeks. She knows everything about him, and he knows everything about her. They just don’t know what each other looks like. Elizabeth says she has the feeling it’s going to go really well, and Terry says, from her lips. Terry says, for the clothing drive? and starts looking through the box, and Elizabeth asks if she’s a veteran. Terry says she’s making sure there’s nothing in there that she gave Elizabeth, and pulls out a garment bag. She says, nice job, donating the fancy stuff, and takes out a dress that has rips in it. She says, or not. Yikes. What happened to this? Elizabeth says, that’s the dress she wore when she got married to Franco.

Nina says, she wants to go to Sonny, but she can’t, and Ava says, why not? Nina says, his marriage just exploded, and Ava says, so? Nina says she doesn’t want to be one of those women who says, what about me? That’s kind of tacky, isn’t it? Ava says, she slept with a married man, and Nina says, she told Ava; she slept with him because she thought his marriage was over… Okay, point taken. Ava says, forget morality and go for it, but Nina says, she’s not doing that. She’s going to stop and think about what’s best for Sonny. Ava says, if it were anybody else, she’d tell Nina to give him space, but Sonny and Carly have survived a lot, and with enough time, they could survive this. So do not give them time.

Carly asks JoAnn to set the meeting, and thanks her. Sam comes back, and Carly says, meeting set. Sam says, okay, and Carly says, that’s it; okay? Sam says Carly might as well hear all her options. That doesn’t mean she has to act right away. She is known for her impulsiveness. Carly says, that’s always worked out like a charm for her, hasn’t it? and Sam says she hopes Carly doesn’t think she’s trying to tell her what to do. Carly says she doesn’t. She thinks Sam’s trying to be a friend. Sam says, good. And as a friend, she thinks she should warn Carly that if Sonny finds out she’s taking the divorce route so quickly, he’s going to be hurt. So hurt, it might be the end for the two of them. Is she prepared for that?

Sonny tells Phyllis, he wanted Carly to meet him halfway, so he’d know she was willing to fight for the marriage. Phyllis says she doesn’t know Carly well, but it’s clear she loves him. Is he sure there’s no way to salvage things? He says, he’s pretty sure, and she says, if he’s waiting for her permission to give up on his marriage, he’s wasting his time. He says, not everyone is as perfect as her and Lenny, and she says, she and Lenny didn’t have some magical romance. Some days were easy, some days were hard, but they worked on it. When you’re committed to someone, that’s what you do. You don’t just throw in the towel when things get difficult. He says he’s glad she decided to stay in Port Charles. He doesn’t know what he could have done without this tough love. His phone dings, he looks at it, and tosses it on the table. Phyllis asks, what’s wrong? and he says, Carly is meeting with a divorce lawyer tomorrow.

Nina tells Ava, she never meant for any of this to happen. If she would have just stopped for a second and considered the ramifications. Ava says, it’s a little late for that now, and Nina says, ya think? She’s in love with a man she’s caused nothing but trouble for, but she doesn’t want to do that anymore. Ava says, she doesn’t have to. If she knows Sonny, he’s off somewhere, nursing his wounds, and spiraling out. Nina could be the one to steady him. Nina says, she’s not going to take advantage of his pain, and Ava says she’s not suggesting Nina seduce the man; just be there for him. Nina loves Sonny, she wants a future with him. Be somebody he can count on. Nina says, she’s caused too much damage by being impulsive. If she cares about Sonny, and she really does, she’s got to stop that destructive behavior. Ava takes it that’s a no; Nina’s not going to go to him then. Nina says, it’s no. For once, she’s going to do the right thing. She’s not going to seek out Sonny. However things land, she’s going to accept it. Ava says, suit herself, but she thinks Nina is making a big mistake.

Terry hands Elizabeth the dress, and asks if it looked like this when she put it in the box. Elizabeth says she doesn’t know. It’s been in the garment bag for months. She hasn’t looked at it. Terry says, donating this is a big step, and Elizabeth says, in the moment, it felt important in helping her move on. Terry says, when she last saw it, months ago, it was still intact? and Elizabeth says she doesn’t know how this could have happened. Terry wonders if razer toothed moths are a thing, but Elizabeth says, there are no holes in the garment bag. Somebody shredded this, but who would have done something like that? Terry says, maybe it fell apart when she had it dry-cleaned, and Elizabeth says she thinks she’s looked at it since then. She guesses it’s a possibility… Terry tells her, say it, and Elizabeth says, today is Franco and her anniversary, and having the dress torn up like this seems like some kind of an omen. She doesn’t even know what she’s saying. Terry takes the dress, and says, let’s get a drink. She’ll reschedule her date. Elizabeth says, absolutely not, but Terry says, it’s no big deal. Elizabeth says, my God, and Terry says, what? Elizabeth says she remembers. She did look at the dress when it came back from the cleaners. There was a tear, but she just didn’t realize the extent. She’s sorry. She’s really tired and her brain is like mush. Mystery solved. Go on her date; have fun. She can’t wait to hear the details. Terry says she loves Elizabeth, and Elizabeth says she loves her too. Terry leaves, and Elizabeth looks at the dress again.

Trina says, she’ll be right back, and leaves the table. Portia sees Taggert staring at her, and asks, what is that look? He says he’s taking it all in, and she says, taking what in? He says she used to be on this singular track, focused on balancing motherhood and her career. She says, and now? and he says, now she’s just different. She hopes in a good way, and he says, in a great way. He’s not saying she wasn’t happy before, but she seems lighter. She says she thinks it has to do with her seeing Curtis. Is that terribly awkward? He says, no. She deserves joy after everything he put her through. She says she did her share of hurting him too, and he says, look at them now. Coming together when it counts for their little girl. She says, not so little anymore. Taggert needs to get out there. He says, he is out, and she says, with his ex-wife and daughter. Come on. He should start dating. He says, here we go. She’s all happy and coupled up, so she wants to see everybody else couple up. She says, maybe. Life does seem full of possibilities right now; brighter and more vibrant… She sounds like a complete idiot. He says, no. She sounds like a woman in love. Her phone dings, and she says, there go her Valentine’s plans. He says, patient emergency? and she says, yeah. Tell Trina that she had to go to the hospital, and give her this. She hands Taggert a card, and says, along with a big hug. He says, of course (🍷). Good luck with her patient. By the elevator, she calls Curtis, and says, she’s so sorry… Yeah. It’s a patient emergency, and she’s going to be at the hospital all night. She promises to make it up to him.

Sam tells Carly, she’s not defending Sonny, nor does she care if the two of them stay together, but as Carly’s friend, she’s just asking if Carly is sure. Carly says, Sonny isn’t going to know she met with a lawyer. Sam says, if Carly decides to pull the trigger, and he finds out, Carly needs to know there’s no going back. Carly says, this needs to be over. She’s done with this situation, and feels this is the only way to do it. She needs to reclaim her life. Sam says, okay, but promise her one thing. Carly says, maybe, and Sam says, go in with an open mind. Listen to what the lawyer has to say, and decide if now is the time to talk divorce. Carly says, what if it is?

Sonny tells Phyllis, it hasn’t even been 24 hours, and she’s already calling a divorce attorney. And not just any attorney. He knows this woman; she’s ruthless. Phyllis says, slow down. He doesn’t know what’s going on in Carly’s head. Don’t jump to conclusions. He says, what other conclusion can there be? Carly didn’t tell him anything. He just got a notification. He looks at his phone, and says, it’s on the calendar with Donna and Avery. Carly probably made a mistake. Talk about honesty. She says she’s not excusing Carly, however, she was deeply hurt be the revelation that he and Nina lied. And whatever happened last night must have compounded that. So don’t write them off yet. He says, Carly is writing them off, and Phyllis says, she may reconsider once she’s had a chance to cool off. He says, listen to him. Carly is calling the shots, and he ain’t having it.

Taggert tells Trina, her mom feels badly about the change in plans, and Trina says, the good news is, it brought the parental pep talk to an early close. He says, Trina does know they mean well, right? and she says she does, and she loves them for it, but they don’t have to go overboard. The waitress puts a dessert in front of Trina, and she says, like bringing her chocolate to cheer her up. He says, it’s the Valentine’s Day special.  Can he help it if he wants to celebrate how proud he is of her? She takes everything life throws at her with courage and grace, and he wants her to know, if she ever needs it, he has her back, always. He has a lot of friends in the police department. She says, got it, and takes a bite. He says, good? and she says, so good. She thanks him, and he says, anytime, and they share the dessert.

Elizabeth is looking at the dress, when Finn comes in. He says, Amy’s not in here, is she? She says, no; why? He says, no reason. What’s she got there? She says, it’s just for the clothing drive, and he says he just wanted to say goodbye. He’ll call her tomorrow. Happy Valentine’s Day. He starts to leave, and she says, wait. She knows they didn’t make plans for tonight; this day isn’t easy for her. He says, he knows it’s not, and she says, she thinks a nice mellow family dinner with him, Violet, and the boys is exactly what she needs. They can just order a pizza, and watch a movie. He says, that sounds perfect. He’ll see her later. He leaves, and she looks at the dress again, and we see how very slashed it is.

Terry is sitting at Charlie’s bar, when Chet comes in. He asks if she minds if he sits here, and she says, not at all. He takes off his coat, and she says, teal shirt. He sits, and they smile at each other.

Carly tells Sam, it’s on her, and thanks Sam for her advice. Sam says, sound advice or crappy advice? Carly says, Sam’s right. It’s best to hear what the lawyer has to say before taking action. Sam says, options are a good thing, and Carly says she’s keeping hers open.

Phyllis says, Sonny knows as well as she does, marriage is complicated. He’ll see there’s more than one way to resolve things. Or as Lenny would put it, it ain’t over until it’s over. (I think Yogi Berra said that, but okay.) She goes back to the bar, and Sonny looks at the entry on the family calendar that says Carly added an appointment with a divorce lawyer. Nina walks in, and they lock eyes.

To Be Continued….

On Monday, TJ tells Molly that someone may be coming home sooner than planned, Terry says she’s not disappointed at all, Brad tells Britt that it will be worth it, and Nina tells Sonny that they both know she has a vested interest.

☎️ A Wanted Woman…

She may no longer be running the PCPD, but Vinessa Antoine isn’t lacking for work.

GH’s Vinessa Antoine Returns to Work!

🏥 Laura Colored Memories…

Great interview with Genie Francis.

Genie Francis Marks The 45th Anniversary Of Her Port Charles Debut

👠 What Happens In Jersey…

Bill’s affair.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/08/jennifer-aydin-confronted-bill-about-affair-day-before-giving-birth/

What Jackie says the guys think about Bill’s affair.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/01/jackie-goldschneider-talks-rhonj-husbands-feelings-on-bill-aydin/

Teresa and Marge’s brewing feud.

https://www.cinemablend.com/television/real-housewives-of-new-jerseys-teresa-giudice-on-whether-she-and-co-star-margaret-josephs-could-ever-be-friends-again

📖 Not Telling All…

Jackie’s writing a book, but it’s not about what you think.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/16/rhonj-star-jackie-goldschneider-is-writing-a-book/

💎 Thanks For Sharing…

Seriously. Who could stay away from Mr. Puppers for very long?

RHOC’s Dr. Jen Armstrong Shares Update With Husband Ryne After Drama, Questions “Legitimacy” of Noella’s Words, and Suggests Ramona “Absolutely” Got a Facelift

🤦🏽‍♀️ No Reason Is Good Enough…

She doesn’t seem like an idiot. Maybe he knows where the bodies are buried.

https://pagesix.com/2022/02/08/why-amanda-batula-married-kyle-cooke-despite-paige-desorbos-warning/

⚰️ Spinning Dead…

I guess they’re not counting Origins as a spinoff. Or as I call it, a cheap way to extend the franchise.

Daniella Pineda Joins “Tales of the Walking Dead” Spinoff Series

🐶 Kicking Off…

Your guide to the best Bowl of all.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/puppy-bowl-xviii-ulti-mutt-fan-guide

🎧 Quotes of the Week

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction. – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Think before you speak. Read before you think. – Fran Lebowitz

If you retain nothing else, always remember the most important rule of beauty, which is: who cares? – Tina Fey

Every piece of the universe, even the tiniest little snow crystal, matters somehow. I have a place in the pattern, and so do you. – T. A. Barron (So don’t step on any butterflies.)

Love is something sent from heaven to worry the hell out of you. – Dolly Parton

Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible. – Maya Angelou

I guess Walmart had other plans. – a woman, who ordered ice cream on Instacart, but got sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast rolls as a substitute

Never love anyone who treats you like you’re ordinary. – Oscar Wilde

🏈 Out Of Bounds…

Whether you watch a Bowl, go bowling, or just consider a bowl something to eat ice cream out of, enjoy the weekend; or the next two sunrises for those off the work grid. See you on the Valentine’s flipside. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping your heart and mind open, and stay knowing, it ain’t over until it’s over. No matter who said it.

Feb8

February 7, 2022 – Peter Goes On the Run With Louise, Reunion On Deck, Middle School House & Chocolate

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny asks what Nina is doing at the Haunted Star, and she says she was at Charlie’s with Obrecht, and Obrecht overheard someone saying he’s in a bad way. She didn’t want him to be alone on the boat if he wasn’t taking his medication. He says, he is taking his medication. He’s been taking it ever since she took him to General Hospital. This is something completely different. She says, she’s so relieved. She’s not relieved he’s in a bad way, she’s just… He says he knows what she means. He says, Charlie’s, huh? Is that where Obrecht overheard Kristina? Nina says, she was on the phone with someone. She asks if he wants to talk about it, and he says he was making a play to save his marriage. She says, she got the impression he was alone. She’s so sorry; she’ll leave, so she doesn’t cause anymore trouble. He says she doesn’t have anything to worry about. His marriage is over.

Carly runs into the hospital, and tells the reception nurse, Dante Falconari was brought in tonight. Can she tell Carly how he’s doing? The nurse asks if she’s family.

Still in the ER, Dante says, Sam doesn’t have to hold his hand to keep him calm, but she says she’s holding his hand to keep herself calm. She’ll feel better when the tests come back, and they know everything is okay. He says he’s fine. She can’t get rid of him that easy. She says she’s going to hold him to that, when the doctor comes in.

Maxie asks Felicia if there’s any word, and Felicia says, Mac is still in surgery; that’s all they’ll tell her. What about the kids? Maxie says, they’re good; they’re fast asleep. Spinelli will stay with them for as long as they need. Felicia wonders why it’s taking so long, and Maxie says, Mac is strong. He’ll pull through this. He has an amazing team of doctors, and he’s survived far worse than a gunshot wound. Felicia says, he was younger then, but she’s right; he’s strong and he’s resilient. They sit down, and Maxie says, he’s going to come back to them because he has to. Felicia puts her arm around Maxie.

Anna asks Robert if there’s any word on Mac, but he says, no; Felicia checked. Anna was with Mac when they found him. How’d he look? Leave nothing out. She says, it was bad. He lost a lot of blood. They managed to stabilize him, so they could transport him. She wouldn’t count him out though; not just yet. She asks if Robert wants coffee, but he says, please, stay.

On the docks, Victor tells Yohan, he’s late, and he’s alone. That wasn’t the plan. Yohan says, the plan hit a snag, and Victor says, that much is obvious. Where’s Peter August?

On the phone, Chase says, it’s Bailey Quartermaine. She’s eight months old… Yes, he has a recent photo, and he’ll send it now. He wants every available man and woman out there looking for her. Brook comes out, and says, she’s nowhere to be found. The monitor was turned off. He says, someone broke into his car and took it. Dammit! Peter got his daughter. He’s got Bailey.

Peter leans back in his seat, and tells Bailey/Louise, sorry for the delay. Sometimes daddy just needs a little downtime to think things through. They’re probably looking for both of them, but don’t worry. He won’t let them get her. This baby cracks me up. She’s one of those kids who, like the first Wiley, seems like she knows what’s going on.

Dante asks the doctor, what’s going on with him? and she says, his CT scan shows no evidence of a concussion or traumatic brain injury. He should be ready to go home tomorrow. He says, what about tonight? and she says she’d like to keep him for observation. Someone will be in shortly. She leaves, and he tells Sam, just like his mom always said; he has a hard head. Sam laughs, and Carly flies in. She says, they’re smiling, so Dante is fine? He says, they want to hold him for precautionary reasons, but he’s good to go. She says, she’s glad. Sonny is going to be relieved. Where is he?

Nina says, what does Sonny mean his marriage is over? Did something else happen? He says, Carly’s been distancing herself from him; shutting herself off. He wanted to show her how much she means to him, and let her know he’s 100% in this marriage. That’s why he wanted her to show up here tonight. No expectations. He wasn’t insisting she forgive him, and forget everything that happened. He just wanted her to come here so she could let him know if she wanted the marriage to move forward. He’s been looking at his phone for hours and hours; no sign of Carly. So he guesses Carly gave him the answer. He throws his phone, startling Nina, and says, they’re done. She says she’s so sorry, and he says, there’s a lot of people who don’t believe she is, but he does. She says she is; she’s so sorry. All she ever wanted was for him to be safe and happy. He says he’s been on this boat, and he’s been thinking a lot about why Carly didn’t show up. She told him that part of her anger was because Sonny was always defending Nina. Maybe he was.

Laura says, they’ve lost a lot of good people lately; Luke, Sean, now his brother. She says, they haven’t lost Mac, and even if they worst happens, they’ll get through it together, like they always do. He says, it’s just getting harder and harder, and she says she knows, but let’s not go down that path just yet. They have every reason to believe Mac is going to pull through, so please don’t lose faith. He says, every time he turns around, it seems the bad guys win. His faith is getting hammered on the ropes. She suggests he borrow hers, so he can come out swinging, and he puts his forehead against hers.

Felicia asks how Maxie is doing, and Maxie says, she just wants to focus on Mac coming out of surgery. She’s so happy Felicia is here with her. Anna and Robert join them, and Anna asks how they’re holding up. Felicia says she just checked on Mac. He’s not out of surgery yet, and it seems like it’s taking forever. She had a chance to see him before they wheeled him off to surgery, and she pleaded with him to come back to her, but he was just so still. She starts to cry, and Anna says, if there’s one thing she knows about Mac, it’s how much he loves his family. He’s going to do everything in his power to come back to her.

Chase finishes his calls, and tells Brook, they have a bulletin out on Peter and they’re working on a missing child alert. She asks how he knows it’s Peter who took Bailey, and he says, look at how all this went down. Peter escapes, tonight. He’s on the run. Chase’s car gets broken into, and Bailey gets abducted. That means someone is worried about her safety. It’s someone who’s improvising. It’s an unplanned abduction by someone who’s willing to risk everything for that child. She says, like a father on the run, and he says, all signs point to Peter. He’ll call Dante, and she needs to call Maxie.

Dante tells Carly that Sonny isn’t there; he hasn’t called Sonny yet. How did she find out? She says she was with Drew when Anna called him with the news that he’d been injured in Peter’s escape. What the hell is it going to take to stop that monster? After everything he’s done, even prison was too good for him. Dante says he wishes he wasn’t in there; he could be out helping hunt Peter down. Sam says he needs to rest. The WSB and the PCPD have it covered. Carly says she needs to let Sonny know what’s going on. She’s really glad Dante is okay. She tells Sam, take care of him, and Sam says, of course (🍷). Carly leaves, and Dante says, they were so close. His phone rings, and he asks Chase, what’s up? Chase says, Bailey’s been kidnapped, and they think Peter did it. Dante says, they think Peter kidnapped Bailey? How can he be sure? Chase says they don’t have conclusive proof, but his gut says 100%, so he called it in. He knows Dante is swamped, but with Peter on the loose, they could really use him here. Dante says he’ll be there as soon as he can. Sit tight. Sam says, Bailey’s been kidnapped? and Dante says, he thinks it was Peter. Sam asks why Peter would want Chase’s baby, but Dante says he doesn’t know. He’s got to get home. He starts to get up, but she says, he’s not.

Carly leaves a voicemail for Sonny, saying, she’s at the hospital. Peter August escaped while being transferred to Pentenville, and Dante and Mac were injured. Don’t worry. Dante’s okay; she just left him. But she came straight to General Hospital because she thought he’d be here. Mac is in surgery, and she’s going to do what she can to find out about Peter, but they’re going to have to do Martinique another night. If they’re lucky, they can get the guy who killed Jason. They can do it together.

Nina says, Sonny was put in an impossible situation just trying to do what’s right, and he agrees. He says, it was difficult when he came home. His wife was married to his best friend, but he was trying to keep the peace because he knew that’s what was best for his family. All he wanted to do was get back to the way it was before he went into that river. His life was so good. Nina says she just kept complicating it, but he says, no. When he was focusing on getting his life back to normal, what he didn’t see is he had an instinct to make sure Nina wasn’t hurt. Even though he was genuinely trying to do what was right for his family, he acted on that instinct. Despite everything she did, there was a part of him that cared about her, but because of that, he’s now lost the person that he loved the most. She promises she never intended for any of this to happen. She’s so sorry that she keeps hurting him over and over again. If she could, she’d make everything all right. She’d tell the world from the beginning that he was Sonny Corinthos. He says, even if it meant their time together never happened?

Carly sees Maxie, and hugs her. She says she heard what happened, and she’s so sorry about Mac. Where’s Maxie’s mom? Maxie says, she’s in the chapel with Anna. Robert’s here too, but he’s taking a walk. Carly says, she knows Maxie is exhausted, and they sit. She asks if Maxie has heard anything, but Maxie says, no. They’re just waiting and hoping. Carly says she knows how that goes. Dante’s here. He’s in the ER, but he’s okay. Maxie says, that’s a relief, and thanks Carly for letting her know. Austin comes out, and Maxie asks if he’s heard anything. He says, no, but that’s a hopeful sign. If it were bad news, they would have heard. Maxie says, that’s kind of a backwards system. They should give regular updates if it’s good news. He says he’ll bring it up at the next staff meeting, and says, hello, to Carly. She says, hello, back, and tells Maxie that she’s going to go. Call if she needs anything. Maxie says, okay, and Carly leaves. Maxie says she didn’t have a chance to thank Austin for helping Mac when he was brought in. She’s glad he’s there. He says, him too, and asks how she’s holding up. She says, she keeps thanking God that Louise is safe with Brook and Chase. She’s been constantly living in fear that Peter will evade law enforcement again, and here they are. That’s why she has to keep lying until Peter is caught again, or hopefully, dead. He says he still flinches a little when he hears her talk like that, but he’s beginning to understand. She says she can’t help thinking, if Mac doesn’t make it through surgery, the last thing she’ll have done is lie to him. She doesn’t know if she can live with that.

Yohan tells Victor that Peter shot Kendall. Peter hit Yohan in the shoulder, and he had to swerve off the road. He played dead while Peter dragged him and Kendall out of the car. Peter left them on the side of the road, and took off. Victor says, he really must have been in a hurry if he didn’t stop to check Yohan’s pulse, and Yohan says, he was desperate to get to the kid. Victor says, Peter probably figured he’d have no more use for him once he told Victor what he needed to know about Drew. Right now, he’s probably congratulating himself on how smart he is for getting away. Well, he couldn’t be more wrong.

Sam says, there are other detectives on the force, and Dante says, but Chase is his partner. He and Brook must be going out of their minds. He takes his blood pressure cuff off, and she tells him, stop it. She almost lost him tonight. Dante says he’ll do his best to make sure she’s never put through that again, but Peter’s hurt too many people. He’s caused too much damage, and Dante can’t let him hurt someone else. Not when there’s something he can do about it. She says, all right. She’ll get the nurse. He says, she’s something else, and she tells him, remember that. She leaves, and he calls Olivia. He says, two things. Peter’s transport didn’t go that well; he’s at GH… Calm down. He’s fine. The other thing, Brook’s not.

Brook tells Chase, she keeps hoping she’ll hear Bailey crying, she’ll go upstairs, and this will all have been bad dream. He says he takes it she hasn’t called Maxie yet, and she says she can’t. Mac’s been shot; she’s probably a mess. He says, she has to know, and Brook asks how is she supposed to tell her that her worst fear has come true? How is she supposed to tell Maxie that she left Bailey’s monitor inside when she went out on the patio, and Peter just waltzed in here and took Bailey? She starts to cry, and asks how she’s supposed to tell Maxie that Bailey is gone, and it’s all her fault. She begins hyperventilating, and he tells her to put her hands on his chest. Take deep breaths, and match her breaths with his. She does, and when she calms down, he says, this wasn’t her fault. She’s been protecting Bailey for months, and she’s going to keep doing that, and the best way to do that is call Maxie. Then they’re all going to figure out a way to bring Bailey home together. All right? He hands her the phone, and says, she can do this.

Maxie answers the phone, and says she was just about to call Brook… She knows about Peter. Mac’s been shot, and he’s in surgery. Brook says, Maxie? and Maxie says, what is it? Brook says, Bailey’s gone, and Maxie asks what she means. Brook says, Dante called Chase to tell him about Mac, and he mentioned Peter’s escape. By the time they went upstairs, they were too late; she was already gone. Maxie says, it was Peter; he took her. Brook says she doesn’t want to believe that, but Maxie says, he did. She can feel it. Brook wonders how Peter figured it out, but Maxie says, it doesn’t matter. They kept the secret for as long as they could, but Peter is smart and he’s connected. All that matters is he has her daughter, and she’s in danger. The doorbell rings, and Brook says, that’s the PCPD. Chase called them, and they’re doing everything they can to find her. She promises they will not let that son of a bitch get away with their girl. Maxie says, she’ll be there as soon as she can, and Austin asks how he can help. Maxie says, he took Louise. He has her. Austin hugs her.

Peter says, he knows Louise has probably heard awful things about him from her mom, or he should say, her mom’s friend. Regardless, he wants Louise to know she’s a liar. They’re all liars. He’s not a monster. He just wants to be the father she deserves. Unlike the poor excuse he had. She’s so beautiful. He spent so long looking for her, and now that he’s found her, he wants to give her the world.

Dante tells Anna that he’s checking out against medical advice. This is too important. Chase and Brook’s baby was kidnapped. She says, what? and he says, they think it was Peter. She wonders why Peter is doing this, but Dante says he doesn’t know. That’s what he has to find out. The nurse gives Dante some paperwork, and says he’s good to go, but take it slow. She leaves, and he says, not a chance. He signs the papers, and Anna says, the WSB is conducting a massive manhunt for Peter right now. Since they’re looking for the same person, she suggests they join forces so they can find him faster. He says, sounds good. There’s no way in hell Peter is getting away this time. They leave the ER, and Carly asks what Dante is doing. She thought he was staying overnight. He says, an emergency’s come up, and she asks if they’ve found Peter, but he says, no. Anna says, he’s taken Bailey. Carly says, oh my God, and Anna says, this whole thing is a nightmare, but she’ll find Peter and bring that baby home. Carly asks if she can swear to that, because Jason warned over and over again about Peter, and she didn’t listen. Anna says, she wants Peter captured. She needs this to be over. Carly says, she hopes so, because Peter needs to be stopped once and for all. Anna says she hears Carly, now hear her. When she finds Peter, she will stop him, once and for all for good.

Nina tells Sonny that she stopped in Nixon Falls on a whim, because she remembered Phyllis lived there and at that time in her life, she needed someone who was going to be on her side. Someone who would support her; someone who understood her. Nixon Falls ended up healing her. She found a peace and happiness she hadn’t known, and he was a large part of that. She never expected to fall in love with him. Strange as it sounds, she developed real feelings for him. He says, Mike never expected to fall in love with her either, and she says, to answer his question, would she give it all up if she had a do-over, the answer is yes. If she could spare him the pain he’s feeling right now, she would let all of that go in a heartbeat. He says he knows she means that, but they can’t change the past; they live with the consequences. She touches his face, then leans in to kiss him. He kisses back.

Maxie says she needs to go to Brook’s, and Austin says, no one’s going to be mad about that. She says, what if her mom needs her? and he says, he’ll stay here. He thinks she needs to talk to her family; tell them what’s going on with her and her daughter. He thinks they’ll understand. She says, what if it’s too much? but he says, she told him, and he understood. It’s up to her. Whatever she wants to do. He’ll be right back.

Felicia walks around the corner with Robert, and says, she never wants to see another cup of tea. She sees Maxie, and asks, what’s wrong? Is it Mac? Maxis says, no. Bailey Quartermaine’s been kidnapped, and they’re sure it’s Peter who took her. Felicia says, that’s horrible, and Robert says, he just got a text from Anna about that. She’s headed over to Brook and Chase’s house right now. Maxie says she’s going there too, and Felicia says, while Mac’s in surgery? Austin says he has an update. Mac has come through the most critical part of the surgery with flying colors. It’s still a long road, and there are no guarantees, but everyone is optimistic. Felicia thanks him, and Maxie says, that makes this easier. Felicia asks why she’s leaving. She’s sure Brook will understand that her mother needs her here. Maxie says she knows Felicia needs her, but her daughter needs her more. The baby Peter took isn’t Brook’s; she’s Maxie’s. She’s always been Maxie’s. Maxie was hiding her. Bailey is really Louise. She knows they probably have a lot of questions… Felicia says, which can wait. Go to her daughter, Felicia’s grandbaby. Just be safe. They hug, and Maxie says, until she’s back… Austin says, he’ll take care of it, and Maxie says, Austin can tell them what’s going on. She leaves, and Austin tells Felicia and Robert, have a seat. This is a helluva story.

Ned walks in, and hugs Brook. He says, Dante just called them. Olivia sends her love support; she didn’t want to get in the way. Brook says, sorry to interrupt their night. First granny, now her. Ned says, nothing is more important than her and his granddaughter. Liv feels the same way. He knew it was a mistake for her to move out here. This wouldn’t have happened if she’d listened to him and stayed put. She says, that’s not fair, and Chase says, they’re all scared, and emotions are raw, but Ned can’t blame Brook for any of this. Ned says, he doesn’t blame Brook; he blames Chase. Chase is the reason his granddaughter is missing. Brook says, dad… and Ned says, Chase is the one who insisted they move into this beach house with no security. Chase says, they did have security; he’s a cop. Ned says, a cop, who just got suspended for exercising poor judgement. Brook tells him, stop it. She made the choice for the two of them to move in here because it was the best choice for Bailey. And there is no one she trusts more to keep her safe than Chase. He’s been wonderful. So if Ned wants to blame someone, blame her. She can promise Ned one thing. Nothing he says can make them feel worse than they already do. They just have to focus on finding Bailey. Ned says, yes. She’s absolutely right and he’s sorry. He’s trying to get a handle on his temper when he’s upset or worried, and right now, he’s terrified. So he apologizes. Brook hugs him.

Sam says, Carly hasn’t heard from Sonny? and Carly says she guesses he’s still waiting at the Haunted Star. Sam says, the Haunted Star? and Carly says, long story. Sam says, something to do with their separation? and Carly says, Sonny planned this big, romantic gesture at the Haunted Star. He wanted her to show up as a signal that she’s willing to try and work on their marriage. Sam says, Dante’s gone; there’s nothing keeping Carly there. Carly says she was talking with Drew. She was there when he found out about Dante. She was really torn about showing up tonight, because it felt less like an invitation, and more like an ultimatum. Drew helped her see that maybe it’s not a line in the sand. Maybe it’s something Sonny really needs. Drew called it a cry for help, and that really resonated with her. She thought maybe she could do this for Sonny; show him that she’s willing to try. Sam says she admires that, but she gets Carly’s hesitation. Carly and Sonny have some real issues. Carly doesn’t have to forgive Sonny just because he wants her to. Carly says, she knows. Her faith and trust in Sonny are shaken right now, and she knows everything’s not going to be repaired just because she shows up; that’s going to take some time. Tonight would be about affirming her desire to try. She can meet Sonny halfway on that. Sam tells her to make sure he’s meeting her the other halfway, and Carly says, absolutely. She really does think she and Sonny could have a fresh start after all.

Nina tells Sonny that she shouldn’t have done that. She’s so sorry. He says, don’t, and kisses her again.

Anna asks why Brook believes Peter took Bailey, and Brook says, who knows what rationale that guy has for anything? The important thing is to find them as soon ask possible. She asks where the cops went, and Dante says, they’re searching outside the premises. Anna says, Peter has to have an endgame. There has to be a reason Peter thinks he can use Brook’s baby as leverage. Does he want something from her, or the Quartermaines? Dante says, first things first. Does Peter still think Valentin is Bailey’s father? If that’s the case, they need to send a protective detail over to him and Charlotte. Chase tells him, don’t waste the manpower. This isn’t revenge. Dante asks why Chase would say that; does he know something? Chase tells Brook, they can’t keep this up anymore, and Anna asks, what is going on? Ned tells her, if they know something, they need to tell the police, when Maxie comes in. Brook says, it’s not her secret to tell, and Maxie says, she’s right. It’s mine.

Austin says, he knows it’s a lot to take in, and Felicia says, she’s just so happy that her granddaughter has been safe and nearby all this time. She even knows what Louise looks like. She hates that Louise is with Peter, but it’s just a small window of time. They have a better chance of finding her; the trail hasn’t gone cold. She tells Robert that he spent months searching and chasing after fake Chloe, and she doesn’t even exist. What does he think? He says, he thinks her daughter is absolutely brilliant, and hugs her.

Peter tells Louise, he assumes they’ll have to ditch this car. It won’t be too long before someone recognizes him driving it. He wants her to know, he’s usually not this disorganized, but he doesn’t want any loose ends this time. It’s a small price to pay to finally hold her in his arms. Unfortunately, this means daddy has to make another deal with the devil one last time to get them out of here. Let that be a lesson. Her daddy will do anything for her.

On the phone, Victor tells someone to get everyone in position and await his call. He’ll send the coordinates momentarily. He tells Yohan, as long as he stays in Yohan’s car, they can track him. He installed a GPS for that very reason. He can’t wait to see Peter’s smug little face fall flat when they catch up to him. Victor’s phone rings, and he says, this is from Bruce’s burner phone. Hello, Peter. Peter says, hello, friend. Victor thought he’d heard the last of him? Peter is so sorry to disappoint him.

Sonny and Nina kiss there way to the stateroom. They go inside, and start ripping their clothes off, falling onto the bed.  

Brook tells Maxie, she didn’t say anything, she swears. She was just so worried about Bailey. Chase says, there’s no point in keeping this a secret anymore, and Ned asks, what the hell is going on? and Maxie says, they’re right; it’s time. It’s the only way they’re going to find Louise. Anna says, she means Bailey, but Maxie says, no. Bailey is Louise. Bailey’s her daughter. Everyone gives each other soap looks.

Felicia thanks Austin for telling them all this, and being a good friend to Maxie. He says, it’s his pleasure. He wishes there was more he could do, and she says, she’s sick knowing Peter has Louise. She hopes they don’t vanish before they get a chance to find her. Robert says, he’s alerted the team. It’s much easier to track a guy traveling with a baby than a guy traveling alone. They’re going to get this bastard, and when they do, they’re going to put him away. Unless of course (🍷) Robert accidently shoots him. Felicia says, Anna is on this, and Mac needs them. Austin says, if there’s anything he can do, let him know, and Felicia asks him to stay a minute. She stands in the middle of Austen and Robert, holding their hands.  

Peter asks if Victor isn’t happy to hear his voice; he should be. He’s ready to tell Victor everything he knows about Drew, but first, he just needs one more small addendum to their deal. Victor asks how many times Peter thinks he’s going to let Peter play him, and Peter says, it had always been his intention to hold up his end of the bargain. He just couldn’t let Victor detain him when he needed to get to his daughter. Now that he has her, he just needs one small favor from Victor, then he’ll give Victor the information, and Victor will never have to hear from him again. Wouldn’t that be nice? Victor tells him, save it. Peter is of no further use to him. He tells Yohan to let the men know there’s a baby in the car, and tells Peter, goodbye. Peter says, one more thing. If Victor is planning on tracking him with the GPS he installed, Peter threw it into a ditch. Victor asks what Peter wants this time, and Peter says, safe passage out of Port Charles for him and his daughter, so they can begin their new lives where no one can find them.

Carly sees the rose on the yacht steps, and goes inside. She calls to Sonny, and sees the white rose petal path to the stateroom. She smiles, and gets all verklempt. Nina and Sonny are getting very busy, while Carly continues feeling the romance. Carly opens the door to the stateroom, and surprise!

Tomorrow, Ned says, there’s going to be real hell to pay; Victor says, Peter dies; and Carly asks how they can fix their marriage when there’s three people in it.

Below Deck – Reunion

The whole cast, minus Jake – no excuse given; just, he couldn’t make it – attended, including Kaylee, but she was an in and out item.

Andy asked if Fraser knew how much talked to himself, and Fraser said it had been an eye opening year. He hadn’t known half the things he did. Andy asked Rayna about eyerolling, and she said she got grounded for it when she was growing up, but she was trying. Andy told us, the crew wasted no time in turning My Sienna into the Love Boat, and we were treated to flashbacks of moments of love on the high seas. Andy asked how Rayna reconciled getting busy with Jake, since he was engaged, but she said it was just for the pseudo fiancé’s green card. Speaking of which, Eddie’s girlfriend, who is half Brazilian and half Japanese – got her citizenship.

Andy said, Heather ran the interior with an iron fist (really?), but it didn’t stop the stews from talking about each other. Kaylee joined the group, and Andy asked Captain Lee if he thought the criticism about the interior in the beginning was a reflection of their capabilities. The captain said he thought they were all qualified, but had been getting used to working together. A viewer wondered why Jessica took the job when she was obviously miserable, to which Rayna said, Karen, mind your own f***ing business, apparently forgetting this was a reality show, and that comes with the territory. Jessica said, most of them hadn’t known what they were getting into. She’d worked on a private yacht where she was the sole stewardess. She had anxiety with the cameras being around 24/7. Heather said she thought the first few days were difficult, but then production disappeared into the background. Jessica said she thought Heather had been setting her up for failure, but Fraser said, no way. Heather begged to differ, saying, Jessica must have seen the show, and knew it wasn’t a solo stew gig. She’d said she was depressed being in the laundry, and had volunteered for service. They were also tired of picking up after her. Heather’s conversations with Fraser were to reassure him that she was doing something about it. Fraser asked, what good it would have done them to set Jessica up for failure? To him, it was absurd. Jessica said they’d talked behind her back, and she knew conversations were taking place, but Heather only talked to her when the cameras were around. Heather said the cameras were around 24/7, and Jessica kept saying she was fine. All they did was come at her with love. Jessica said, there was no love. She wanted to finish the season, but she’d lost 15 pounds, and wasn’t letting what had been done to her emotionally and mentally play out on camera. Heather said she dealt with repercussions of anxiety afterward in a different way, but had learned in looking back. She apologized to Jessica, and said she wished her nothing but the best. Jessica said she was sorry she couldn’t finish it out, and now works in sales and catering for a beach resort in Florida. A viewer asked what Kaylee felt in joining so late in the game, and she said, watching Fraser was a shock, but he had apologized to her. Another viewer asked why it was a big deal to Fraser that Kaylee was coming? Didn’t he want help? Fraser said he did, but he felt like he wasn’t in the loop. Andy said, on Watch What Happens Live, Fraser had said Heather could be cold and blunt, and Jessica said, sometimes personalities just clash. Kaylee said, on a yacht, you had to get stuff done, and Heather admitted her delivery wasn’t light, but that’s why she didn’t teach kindergarten. She couldn’t be a cheerleader 24/7. At this point, Andy said, here’s your hat, what’s your hurry? to Kaylee, and she left.

Rayna reveled that she was two months sober, and said she was super happy. Eddie asked if something specific caused her to get sober; he’d never seen it as an issue. Rayna said she had a lot of personal drama, and issues that she needed to deal with, and she’d been having depressed episodes. Rachel had a huge influence on her as well. When they were in a hotel after the season ended, Rachel said, Rayna needed to face her demons, fight her battles, and stop running. It was time.

We flashed back to primary Chelsea and her wired jaw, and Rachel cooking lobster for the person who said, no cooked fish. Andy asked Captain Lee if Rachel had redeemed herself, and the captain said, they’d had speedbumps, but Rachel had been truly remarkable this year. He was amazed at her command of her craft. Rachel said she didn’t consider shellfish fish, and she didn’t serve raw lobster. Andy asked what the weirdest thing was that she’d pureed for Chelsea. She said, it was the oysters, and everyone looked sick, including me. Andy asked if they agreed with the captain that Rachel was the best yacht chef he’s worked with, and everyone was on board (sorry, couldn’t help it). Heather said, it amazed her what Rachel could pull together in a short amount of time. On top of it, Rachel fed them incredible food. Andy asked if Rachel bought the bus she’d been talking about. She had, and we saw the pictures to prove it.  

We moved on to deckhand disfunction, and flashed back to several screw-ups. Andy asked Rayna her final impression of Eddie, and she said she loved Eddie, and had the utmost respect for him. Andy asked Captain Lee, who was to blame for the problems on deck? and the captain said, the responsibility ultimately rested on him. It was up to him to recognize the problems they were having. Andy asked if Jake had been a good lead deckhand, and Eddie said he’d gotten a little big for his britches at first. Captain Lee said, Jake didn’t wear britches that often. BA-DUM-CHH! Viewer Kathy M. asked why Rayna signed up for the job when it seemed like she didn’t like being corrected, and Rayna said, a lot of it was context, and Eddie had been disrespectful. Andy asked the captain if the crew had improved over the season, and would he bring back Eddie as first officer. The captain said the crew did improve, but there were such lapses at the most inopportune times. Eddie had been in a new role, and it was difficult transition; like going from a half full plate to one overflowing. Note that he didn’t answer the question about bringing Eddie back. We found out that Eddie was running tugboats in Baltimore.

Then it was time for the n-word issue. We flashed back to, it’s okay, it’s not okay, I’m over it, I’m adding people to it, not wanting to be the angry Black person, and being the passive/aggressive person. Andy asked, what kept Rayna from saying what she felt? and She said, although she accepted Heather’s apology, she didn’t think it was sincere, but she’d wanted to keep the peace. If she snapped, she would have been called ghetto, but if she shook it off, she was fake. A viewer said, at first, Eddie seemed dismissive, but then he took it seriously. Eddie said if Rayna said everything was okay, he respected that and took her at her word. Rayna said she hadn’t felt comfortable in a lot of instances. Rayna said Eddie claimed she said the f-word when she was drunk – f-word being a gay slur – like that excused Heather. Her sister was gay, and she was in the wedding party. Eddie pretended not to remember this exchange, and it seemed like the other crew members were tuning out, or maybe drinking heavily. I remembered another Eddie from many season ago. An Eddie who tried to gaslight stew Rocky, by saying that they’d never hooked up, when they had on several occasions. Then, when he finally admitted she was telling the truth, he said she’d initiated it, when clearly he’d texted her to start things off. I wondered if I was seeing this Eddie now, when some unseen footage was brought out. In it, Eddie was saying, Rayna used a homophobic f-word, but Rayna insisted she’d never used that word; it wasn’t in her vocabulary. Andy said, production wasn’t able to corroborate Rayna ever saying that, and since there was only one mention, they didn’t include the scene. Rayna said she didn’t think Heather was racist, and wished her well. She thought Heather was just being ignorant, and Heather agreed. Andy asked for Captain Lee’s opinion, and the captain said, Heather had apologized, and Rayna accepted. There had been a thorough investigation with several members of the production team, and they’d come to the conclusion that no action was required. It was a basis to move forward, and try to be better in the future.

Andy said Wes’s attempt to diffuse the Rayna/Heather situation went the wrong way, and we flashed back to Rayna insulting Wes, and saying he wasn’t Black. Andy asked if they’d discussed it, and Wes said he’d love to discuss it further in private. He got it all the time, being called half-Black or not Black. He suggested those watching let it be a teachable moment. No one should ever be called a derogatory term who was part of a disenfranchised group, not just African Americans.

Andy asked if Heather had final thoughts, and what had she learned? She said the n-word should never be used. At the end of the day, it was one of the biggest regrets of her life. Context was everything, but there was no excuse. Whether Rayna thought it was genuine or not, she was sorry. Rayna said, the whole experience was a lot. She didn’t hate Heather or wish her anything bad. She wished Heather nothing but the best. Andy asked Captain Lee, who in the crew had the best work ethic? Who got a gold star? The captain said he’d have to hand it to Wes. Wes was focused and did his job, and Captain Lee wished him continued success, since Wes is a captain. Wes said it meant a lot. Andy said Fraser was now a Chief Stew, and asked what his biggest lesson was. Fraser said he didn’t always see the big picture, and thanked Heather. Andy thanked everyone for a wild charter season, and we were out.

🏖 On the God awful Summer House, Carl remained the voice of reason, getting up early to go for walks, looking for a real relationship, and most of all not drinking. Ciara still wasn’t over Austen, but that was okay, since the housemates acquire the biggest bottle of rosé I’ve ever seen. I can’t keep track of who’s crushing on who, or even sleeping with who, but someone was eating chips alone in bed. There was a birthday party for Amanda, who was turning 30, and she wanted Kyle to make it a special day for her. She asked a lot, since I don’t think he can stay sober enough to get through a party, much less plan one. Off-the-grid Luke showed up, and a hula hoop game was played. There was some theory going around that if you were good at hula hooping, you were good at sex. By then, the housemates were well-inebriated, and played a drinking game that involved kissing. I’m pretty sure the last time I played drunk spin-the-bottle was in high school. No surprise, Amanda ended up in tears, and told the girls that the whole thing felt forced.

If anyone cares, next time, Lindsay says she needs to stop fighting the universe, Amanda wants a dog, and for Kyle to show her there’s a possibility he’s not an a-hole. Again, she wants a lot. And I’m not talking about the dog. Seriously, don’t watch this. These people are awful.

🚛 I’ve Got a Little Convoy…

Signing off, but join me tomorrow for a little soap, a little New Jersey. FYI, Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip airs on Bravo tomorrow, as well as an all-day marathon of Below Deck’s season three. I love the early Decks. Until then, stay safe, stay being introspective on occasion, and stay making sure, if you’re going to meet someone halfway, they meet you the other halfway.

Jan25

January 24, 2022 – Luke’s Past Comes Back To Haunt Laura, No Cooked Fish On Deck, Summer Highlights, Kwame’s 4-1-1, Memorial Guest, Million Dollar Goodbye & Thaw

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At The Savoy, Portia says, there he is. She stopped by to say hi, and no Curtis. Curtis gives her a kiss, and says he was at Luke’s memorial. It gave him some food for thought. She says, care to share? and he says he was thinking about Marshall’s cardiac incident, and what it would have meant if he had died. If Curtis had thrown away the only chance he got to know him.

Ned and Olivia are at the MetroCourt with Leo, and Ned says, now? She says, no time like the present, and Ned tells Leo, now that they’re done eating, he and Leo’s mother would like to talk to him about something. Leo asks if he’s in trouble, but Ned says, no, and Olivia asks why he would think that. He says, they’re wearing nice clothes, which means it’s an important day, and Ned says he’s right about that. They just wanted to tell him that they’re having a wedding ceremony at the house in a few days. Leo asks, why? and Olivia says, she and Ned are already married, but they want to have another wedding for their family and friends. Ned says, to show their commitment to their family, and there’s another very important reason. Olivia says, Ned would like to officially adopt Leo, so Ned can be his father. Leo says, but Ned’s not his real father.

At the bar, Austin leaves a voicemail for Maxie. He knows he’s said it before, but he’s saying it again; he’d do just about anything to get Louise back to her. To that end, could she give him a call, so they can coordinate their trip to Pawtuck tomorrow? That’d be great; thanks. Britt walks in, and sits next to Austin. She says she didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but oops, she guesses she did. She asks if he’d like to join her for a drink, and tell her about him and Maxie.

Brook tells Chase, Bailey finally went down. Fingers crossed that she sleeps the night. He says, if she does wake up, he’ll be happy to rock her back to sleep. Brook’s always telling him that Bailey like his singing. Brook says, she does. It’s really… She flashes back on Chase saying he could never be with her, and he asks if she was going to say it’s really a good idea. She says, no, she was going to say it’s unnecessary. She can handle Bailey fine on her own. The doorbell rings, and Brook opens the door to Maxie, who says she’s there for her daughter.

Valentin sees Victor at Charlie’s bar, and says he’s glad Victor has the time to meet with him. He sits down, and Victor says he was going to settle his tab, but he’s more than happy to stick around and spend some time with his son. What is Valentin drinking? Valentin tells the bartender, vodka on the rocks, and Victor orders the same, saying, Valentin does their Russian heritage proud, but Valentin says, he enjoyed vodka when he didn’t know he had a drop of Cassadine blood in him. Victor gives a toast in Russian, and they clink glasses. Valentin says he got an interesting phone call from Dr. Gatlin-Holt today. He said Victor stopped by his office. Victor says he went there to see Valentin. He’s glad to hear Valentin and the good doctor are working together to retaliate against Brook. Of course (🍷) that does make his offer of assistance a little redundant. Valentin says, he likes to keep his options open, and he does value Victor’s expertise. Victor laughs, and tells him, feel free to drop the act. He knows exactly why Valentin is spending time with him.

On the Haunted Star, Laura looks at Luke’s portrait, and says, goodbye, my love. She blows the portrait a kiss, when a woman, dressed entirely in black, including a veil, walks in. She stands in front of Laura, and removes her veil. Laura says, Jennifer Smith, and Jennifer says, fate has been so cruel to take Luke away from them, and even crueler in delaying her to say goodbye. She can’t even tell Laura how much she hated missing the memorial service of their dear ex-husband. Spencer asks if Jennifer was once married to Luke, and Laura says, for five minutes. What is she doing here? What does she want?

On deck, Carly looks up at the sky, and says, Luke, are you out there? Sonny puts his hand on hers, and says he knows they’re feeling a lot tonight. There’s a lot they need to say to each other, but he just wants her to know, the only thing that’s important… Come home.

Oliva says, Ned loves Leo very much, and Ned says, remember, they discussed this last year, that there are many different ways to parent. Some kids have a mom and a dad, some have two moms or two dads, some have stepparents, and sometimes, only one parent. Julian will always be Leo’s biological father. Does he know what that means? Leo nods, and Ned says, he’d like very much to be the father who raises Leo, who makes Leo a part of his family too.

Maxie says, if anyone asks, she had to give Brook some very important Deception research. Chase wonders why anyone would ask, and Maxie says, because Peter followed her to Texas, and then to Nixon Falls. She doesn’t care if he’s in jail awaiting trial; he could have a henchman following her. Brook says, if someone is following her, the last thing she wants is for them to see her leaving the house with Bailey, and Maxie says, she didn’t mean she was going to take Bailey; she just wants to see her. Is she upstairs? Brook says, Maxie doesn’t want to wake her. She’s been having trouble at bedtime, adjusting to a new place. Maxie says, don’t tell her what her daughter needs.

Jennifer says, and who is this handsome young man? and Spencer says, Spencer Cassadine. She says, ooh, a Cassadine, and he asks why she’s there bothering his grandmother. Jennifer says, that’s so lovely; he’s protecting Laura. She must be so proud. Laura says, she is, and Jennifer says, but clearly, she neglected to tell young Spencer about a very substantial part of her history. Laura says, here we go with the histrionics, and Spencer asks how Jennifer is part of Laura’s history. Laura says, Jennifer is Frank Smith’s daughter, and Jennifer says, before his death, her father – may he rest – was a major figure in organized crime. Major. Laura says, Luke worked for Frank Smith, and Frank ordered Luke to marry Jennifer, and on their wedding day, she and Luke ran off together. Jennifer says, please, let’s choose to remember the good times. Now why did no one tell her about the memorial service for her incredible Luke? Laura says, because she wasn’t invited. Now please, return to whatever rock she crawled out from under.

Carly says she and Sonny both know it’s not as simple as just coming home. He says he lost too much time with her already. He doesn’t want to waste another second, but she says, so much hasn’t been addressed. He admitted that he fell in love with Nina. She accepts that it was through no fault of his own. She gets it, but she’s so angry and hurt that he didn’t think she was strong enough to handle the truth after Jason died. He should have told her before. He says, but there was always a crisis, and he wanted things to settle. She says, the anger, the hurt, the betrayal, that’s all stuff she could get past and get over, but the difficult part, the part they’re not saying out loud, is that deep down, she knows he can’t just fall out of love with Nina. His head knows Nina lied to him and hurt his family, but his heart doesn’t. She doesn’t expect him to be able to turn off his feelings at the drop of a hat, but if he needs time to get over Nina, she can’t be around him. She can’t watch him nurse a broken heart for someone else. She was furious not getting the full story, but anger isn’t new to them. What’s impossible is her trying to share a bed with him while he’s trying to get over another woman. He says, it’s the same as her trying to get over falling in love with Jason, and she says, it’s not the same thing. She told him everything after a couple of days. It wasn’t weeks and it wasn’t months. Let’s talk about how she found out about him and Nina. At least when she didn’t tell Sonny, she was trying to protect him. Sonny says, he was trying to protect her, and she says, and Nina. He was trying to protect them both, and that’s heartbreaking because she’s his wife. She thinks they were so happy that he’d come home, they eased back in their old life, and maybe they shouldn’t have. He says he still loves her. Nothing has changed, unless it has for her.

Jennifer makes a drink behind the bar, and Laura says she’s sure Jennifer has heard about her half-brother Cyrus Renault, and his lucrative business in the northwest. It’s actually her territory, isn’t it? Jennifer says, the business was always her father’s domain, and Laura takes the drink from Jennifer, saying, excuse you. The last time they met, Jennifer kidnapped her son, so forgive her if she doesn’t take Jennifer at her word. She takes a sip of the drink, and Jennifer says, fine. She did not come all this way just to pay her respects to Luke. Laura is right. She did have an ulterior motive for coming to Port Charles.

Victor says, Valentin’s sudden enthusiasm for destroying Brook and spending time with him rather came out of the blue. Valentin asks if he’s been enthusiastic, and Victor says, Anna has been looking at him rather crossly lately; curious as to his future plans, no doubt. Since Valentin will do anything for her, Victor is sure Valentin would ingratiate himself to Victor on her behalf. Valentin says, Victor assumes everyone is as calculating as he is, but Victor says, not everyone. In fact, he finds most people reckless, random, and sloppy. All the more reason to appreciate Valentin’s considerable skills at strategy. Besides, Valentin needs to understand that Victor isn’t the least bit bothered by Valentin’s ulterior motives. He’s just happy to spend time with his son any way he can.

Maxie bends over the crib, and says, okay, Louise; mommy’s here. Louise/Bailey starts to cry, and Maxie tells her, don’t cry; it’s okay. Don’t be upset. She cries louder, and Brook comes in. Maxie tells Louise not to cry, and Brook tells Louise, it’s okay. Bailey’s here in her crib, her mobile is here, and her nightlight is here, and I’m here; she’s okay. Bailey/Louise quiets down, and Brook tells her that she’s okay to drift off to dreamland. That’s her girl. Maxie leaves the room.

Britt and Austin sit at a table, and he says, please, whatever ideas she has about him and Maxie, could she just let them go? His focus right now is helping Maxie get her baby back. Britt says, the baby he delivered. If she hadn’t been on the run with Jason, she would have been there to help Maxie. He says, she would have delivered Louise? and she says, Maxie was so worried about what would happen to Louise if Peter got his hands on her, she was prepared to give her baby up for adoption, and let Peter believe she was dead. But she wasn’t there to deliver the baby, and the rest is terrible history. Her brother and his crazy nurse had their own plans for the baby.

Marshall comes into The Savoy, and Portia asks if he shouldn’t be home resting. He says he’s glad he ran into her. He wanted to thank her for helping with his episode last night. She supposes he’s really there to see Curtis, and says, she knows it’s not her place to get involved, but it seems to her, the way Marshall goes about things could be perceived as forward. Curtis asked him for space. Curtis joins them, and tells her, it’s okay. He asked Marshall to stop by.

Olivia says, when Ned adopts Leo, Brook will officially be his sister, and Tracy will really be his grandmother. Leo says, and his name will be Quartermaine, like Olivia. She says, if that’s what he’d like, and Ned says, if Leo still wants him to be his father. Leo nods, and Ned tells Olivia that he’s going to give the lawyers a call, and make sure everything is all set. She says she loves him, and he says he loves her too. He kisses the tops of both their heads, and leaves.

Victor says he could only protect Valentin from a distance when Helena was alive, and Mikkos. Now, finally, he can be a father to Valentin face-to-face. Valentin asks if this means Victor will be at his Little League games and parent/teacher conferences, and Victor says he won’t rest until their family is intact again. They’re going to need each other for what’s coming next. Valentin says, the details of which Victor doesn’t want to share with him, and Victor says, all in due time. Valentin says then he guesses they don’t have anything else to say to one another, but he will get the tab. He takes out his money, and there’s a piece of paper with it. Valentin looks at it, and Victor asks what it is.

Maxie says she feels like such an idiot, but Chase says she’s not, handing her a box of tissues. Maxie says her daughter is old enough to recognize her name, but her name is not Bailey; it’s Louise. And it’s not Maxie’s voice that’s comforting her or helping her fall asleep; it’s Brook’s. That’s how long she’s been away from her mother. Chase says, this is all going to be over soon. Peter will be found guilty of the crimes he’s committed, and be locked away for the rest of his life. Then Maxie’s baby can return home to her. Maxie asks, how soon is soon? A trial could take months. In the meantime, she’s missing every major milestone of Louise’s life. She doesn’t even know who Maxie is. He says, but she will know who Maxie is. Until then, Maxie’s just got to carry a piece of Louise in her heart. She says he has no idea how true that is.

Valentin tells Victor, he knows Bailey isn’t his daughter, but he can’t seem to let go of this. He unfolds the paper, and it’s Bailey/Louise’s sonogram.

Maxie says, ever since she had to give up her daughter, she’s carried Louise’s sonogram in her purse. She puts it on the table, and we see it next to Valentin’s copy.

Carly says, has her love for Sonny changed? How can he ask her that? The only thing she asked for is space and time, and he owes her that. He says, there’s no need. They’ve got to be together. They’ve got to go on an adventure. They’ve got to recommit. Whatever she wants, just say it. He’s going to tell her everyday that he loves her, and everything is going to be fine; it’s going to go back the way it was. She asks if he’s okay, and he says, he’s not okay. He just got back, and his wife isn’t home. He’s going to show her how much he loves her. He leaves, and she says, she only asked for time.

Jennifer tells Laura that she has something to say to her, and Laura says she’s listening. Jennifer says she’s sorry. She’s sorry for all the terrible things she did, and the pain she caused Laura and her family over the years. Laura asks where this is coming from, and Jennifer says she’s had a lot of time to look at herself over the last few years, and her obsession about Luke wasn’t even about Luke at all; it was about herself and her thinking she deserved everything she wanted. She treated Laura horribly because of her sense of entitlement. Sonny walks in, and Jennifer says, look what the cat dragged in. Hello, Sonny.

Valentin tells Victor, he carried this with him the whole time Brook was expecting, after Bailey was born, and he’s still carrying it. Victor says, may I? and looks at it, noting the patient ID on the back. Valentin says he probably should throw it away, but he can’t shake the feeling that one day, he and Bailey are going to have a relationship of some kind. When that day comes, he wants to have that, but if he doesn’t let it go, he doesn’t know how he’s supposed to heal. Victor suggests he hold onto it for Valentin.  

Brook says, Bailey is out like a light, and Maxie says she has to get going. She has to meet her mom. Her mom and Anna are insisting on getting a lead on Louise. They kept pushing her, so she finally agreed to go to Pawtuck with Austin to remember anything that happened when Louise – air quote – went missing – end air quote. She says she can cancel, but Chase says he doesn’t think that’s a good idea. It’ll raise more questions if she bails on her mom and Anna. Brook says, plus, if Austin goes alone, there’s the X factor. Maxie has to go and control the questions and spin the narrative. Maxie asks, what choice does she have, other than telling Austin the truth?

Austin asks if Maxie told Britt who she wanted to adopt Louise, but Ned approaches their table, and says, sorry to interrupt. He just wanted to give them an update on Leo. He’s seeing the specialist Austin recommended. Austin says, great; Olivia mentioned something about that. How does Leo feel about the sessions? Ned says, so far, so good, and Austin says, he thinks, in the long run Leo will be grateful for what they’re doing. Ned says he’s the one who’s grateful, and he wanted to thank Austin. Austin put Ned’s son first, knowing what it could cost him, and he knows his family didn’t do right by Austin. He’s hoping to rectify that.

Marshall says, by the look on Portia’s face, she’s as surprised as he is that Curtis asked him to come. Surprised and grateful. Curtis says he has to admit, he thought it would take a couple of days, given Marshall might need some time to recover. Either way, he’s glad Marshall is there. He’s been doing some thinking since Marshall was in the hospital, and confided to a friend what Marshall told him about being in hiding. Marshall says, he warned Curtis… but Curtis says he trusts them.  They got to talking, and his friend made him realize he was demanding answers from Marshall could put their family in jeopardy. Marshall says he can see why Curtis would think that, and Curtis says he doesn’t like it, but he’s willing not to push it, for now.

Jennifer says, she was hoping she and Sonny would reconnect when she was in town, and he says, they met once or twice, when he was working for her dad. That was a long time ago. She says, and look how far he’s come. The Five Families zabaglione are down to two. Laura asks Spencer to do her a favor; go out on the deck, and give Doc a call. Tell him they’ve been delayed, but they’ll be home soon. He starts to protest, but she says, from the deck. Now. He leaves, and Jennifer says, the Corinthos as Wu families now run the entire east coast. Her father would be so proud. Sonny says, her father’s dead, and she says, still, his empire could grow if that’s Sonny wanted. He says, what he wants is to take care of his family, not have this conversation, and she says she was just trying to be nice. She has an early flight in the morning, and it’s not like they’ll be able to catch up over breakfast. He says she can go back on his private jet because there’s no use for her here. He doesn’t need any distractions when he’s concentrating on Carly and his family. Laura suggests Jennifer get that drink she wanted, and Jennifer goes back to the bar. Sonny fiddles with his phone, and says, come on, and Laura asks if he’s okay. Sonny turns to look at her, and looks like Jack Nicolson in The Shining.

Carly finds Josslyn in her room, and they hug. Carly says, she’s so happy to see Josslyn, and Josslyn says, she dropped Donna and Avery off at Grandma Bobbie’s, and thought she’d come say hi. Carly says she’s glad, and Josslyn asks how Carly is doing. Grandma Bobbie told her that Sonny was at Luke’s memorial. Carly says, he was, and Josslyn asks if she wants to talk about it, but Carly says she doesn’t, because it’s not appropriate. Josslyn says, who cares? Talk to her about it anyway. Not talking isn’t going to make her any less upset about Sonny, and actually saying how she feels about Sonny out loud may be helpful. Carly says she’s sad, and she’s confused, and she keeps waiting for the Sonny she knows to show up. The one who would be furious that Nina kept Sonny from his family for months. The one who would want her to suffer the way they suffered. But this Sonny is just making excuses, saying he wants to protect Carly, when really, it’s Nina he’s protecting.

Marshall thanks Curtis for his understanding, and they shake hands. He’s going to leave them alone now. He doesn’t want to get in the way of their date night. Portia says, he wasn’t; she was actually just leaving. Curtis says, she was? and she suggests Curtis have a great night with his father. She tells them both, goodnight, gives Curtis a kiss, and leaves. Marshall looks at a bottle on the bar, and Curtis says, a tequila man, is he? Marshall says, yes, sir. He was just noticing the brand; top of the line. Curtis has good taste. Curtis gestures to a table, and Marshall sits down. Curtis brings the bottle over, and sits with him. He says he can’t tell Marshall how many times he was warned organized crime would try to muscle him out of his nightclub, and Marshall asks what he’s trying to say. Curtis tells him, he’s saying he knows there are a lot of grey areas about Marshall’s past. If Marshall got mixed up with some not-so-good people, Curtis knows it might not have been willingly. He’s not saying he gets it, but he’s trying to. Does that make sense? Marshall says, it does.

Laura says, Sonny seems out of sorts; is he okay? He says he’s fine, but starts breathing hard, and leaves. Jennifer says, Laura looks like she needs this more than she does, and hands her the drink. What has Sonny Corinthos so hot and bothered? Laura puts the drink down, and says she doesn’t know, but he’s right about one thing. Jennifer being there isn’t helping anyone; Jennifer least of all. Jennifer says, Luke was cruel to both of them. Laura at least got out from all of that. She needs to know how Laura did it. How did she get the catharsis she needed to reclaim her life? Laura says, don’t look for a catharsis. Life doesn’t always wrap itself up cleanly and neatly and completely; it just doesn’t.  The only way any of us gets any closure, is by closing a chapter and opening the next one. Jennifer thanks Laura, and says she’ll take it to heart. Take care. She leaves, and Laura takes a sip of the drink.

Josslyn says, Carly just wants Sonny to admit he messed up, not tell her all the reasons he kept quiet about his feelings for Nina. Carly says, but in Sonny’s mind, those reasons make sense. He didn’t want to inflict more pain after Jason died, or after Brando and Sasha had to take their baby off life support. Josslyn says, his intentions were good, so Carly’s not allowed to be mad? but Carly says, she’s mad, and she feels justified in her anger. Josslyn says, her too, and Carly says, but justifiable anger’s not going to fix things. Josslyn asks if Carly thinks there is any way to fix things.

Olivia tells Leo that she’s going to say something that may not make sense to him for a while. She had blinders on for a long time. She let her own fears and anxieties get in the way. She wasn’t seeing him for who he really is, every last beautiful side of him. But she sees him now; she really does, every bit. She wants him to know, she’ll never let her fears come first ever again. She loves her little man so much. They hug.

Ned tells Austin that he and Olivia are having a family gathering in a few days at the house, to renew their wedding vows. He’d like Austin to be there, but Austin says he has other plans. Ned says, okay. There will be other family occasions, and he’s hoping maybe Austin changes his mind, and joins them. He leaves, and Austin and Britt look at each other.

Chase and Brook both say, bad idea, and Maxie says, think about it first. Austin already thinks Brook is hiding something from him, even more than lying to Valentin about being Bailey’s father. And this way, they could keep him from asking any more inconvenient questions. Brook says, Maxie… and Maxie says, fine. Brook is right as usual. She’s got to get going. Her mom wants to go over details of their Pawtuck outing. Brook says she’s sorry about what happened before with Bailey; she was just cranky. Maxie says, it’s fine. It’s good for her to see her daughter is in good hands. Brook and Chase make a great team. She leaves, and Chase says he agrees with Maxie. He and Brook make a good team. She says, really? She gets the sense she’s just a burden to him.

Carly and Josslyn get in the bed with their coffee, and Carly says she does hope to put the pieces back together. Josslyn tells her not to stay with Sonny if it means she’s unhappy, and Carly says, in the end, that depends on Sonny. He needs to understand that she needs space, or they’ll never be able to make things right.  

Curtis and Marshall clink glasses, and Curtis says, to Marshall’s health. Marshall says, and Curtis’s, and the continued health of The Savoy. They drink, and Marshall says, that’s good. Curtis says, another? and pours Marshall another shot. Marshall says, Curtis is right on the money. Shady characters always try to muscle their way into venues like this. Speaking of the devil, Sonny walks over to the table, and Curtis asks, what’s up? Sonny says, he wants Curtis’s club.

In her car on the phone, Jennifer says, the memorial just ended… No. She did not get the closure she needed, but she did get them what they wanted. Sonny is in no rush to expand to the west coast, which gives them plenty of time to grow strong before they make their move one day… So are they finished here?

Spencer tells Laura that he left the message on Doc’s voicemail, and she thanks him. He asks why she wanted him to leave. It’s not like he doesn’t know his Uncle Sonny is a kingpin. She says, all the more reason for Spencer not to listen in on Sonny’s conversations, especially the ones with Jennifer Smith. He says, she was a lot, and Laura says, that’s one way of putting it. He asks if Laura is worried about Jennifer showing up, and Laura says, it’s a concern, but she has other things to focus on. He says, like running the city, but she says, no. Actually, she was thinking about her family. She knows she’s been hard on him recently, but hopes he knows that she’ll always love him. He says he loves her too, and they hug.

Victor suggests he hold on to the sonogram for Valentin. He can return it when Bailey’s absence from Valentin’s heart is a little less painful. Valentin thanks him, and tells him to take it. Someone has to pull the plug on his attachment to that kid. Like he said, he’s got the tab. Victor says, don’t you dare. Please allow him. It’s the least he can do for the chance of getting to know Valentin better. Valentin says, and him getting to know Victor, and finishes his drink. Valentin says something in French, and leaves, and Victor says, au bien teau, mon fils (good luck, my son).

Austin tells Britt, let’s celebrate. He’s on the A-list of Quartermaine invitees. It makes him want to dance with joy. She says, at least things worked out with Leo. Austin was willing to risk his career when he suspected Leo was on the autism spectrum. He says, that’s just him, Saint Austin, but she says she thinks it’s more than him just being a good doctor. Is there a reason why Leo’s case was so personal to him?

Chase says, Brook is a burden to him? Where’s this coming from? She tells him, forget she said anything; she’s tired. He says, it came from somewhere. Don’t shut him out. She says, she’s not; she swears. She’s going to check on Bailey one more time, and go to bed. She’ll see him in the morning.

Victor finishes his drink, and is about to leave, when he literally runs into Maxie. She drops her stuff, and he sees the sonogram with her patient ID on it.

Tomorrow, Trina asks if Spencer would care to make it interesting, Josslyn asks why Carly was the one to leave when Sonny messed up, Nina says it’s either her or Carly, and Sonny tells Curtis that he’s not leaving until he gets it.

Below Deck

Christophe Harbour, St. Kitts. Everyone is a bit hung over. In Eddie’s interview, he says, the season has been difficult. It kills him that Rayna didn’t think of him as a friend or supporter. He felt like he’d let someone down. He tells Rayna that the thing with Heather isn’t sitting well with him; both that it upset Rayna and that she didn’t feel he’d backed her up. That was the last thing he wanted, and wants to do what he can to support her. He asks if she wants him to grab Heather, so they can kill this, but Rayna says she’s tired of talking to Heather about it. He tells her that she doesn’t express it when she’s upset, and she agrees. He tells her to talk to him next time.

It’s time for the preference sheet meeting, and Captain Lee says the primaries are Jennifer, a real estate entrepreneur from Utah, and husband Darin, who want the charter of a lifetime with their friends. Jennifer has requested no cooked fish, and they want a white party with a curated meal, featuring their dishes from their favorite cuisines. They also want a jungle safari beach party, and a formal dinner party. The captain says, they’re leaving at 11. Until then, he’s leaving them to their own devices. As he walks away, he says, that’s a frightening thought in itself. In Eddie’s interview, he says, they’re all exhausted. One more push. Macho man Eddie is coming out. He tells the deckhands, let’s get her done. Captain Lee asks Eddie to take them out of the dock, and Eddie says he’d like Jake to be on watch. Provisions come in.

Captain Lee tells the crew, 30 minutes. It’s the last one, and he wants to hit it out of the park, because we can’t get through the season without a baseball reference. The guests come on board, and are given champagne. The captain says, Heather will give them the tour; then they’ll get this party started. Rachel says she’s in let’s kill it mode, and makes a charcuterie plate, while Heather shows the guests around. The marina manager yells at them to stop. Wes sees something in the water, and Eddie runs down. The captain says, that’s a big effing no-no. Leaving the engines running, and walking off from the wheelhouse is never acceptable.

Wes fishes garbage, and whatever else that fell, out of the water. Captain Lee tells Eddie, the number one rule; never leave the bridge unattended when everything is fired up. Eddie asks what the captain would have done (WWCLD?), and the captain says, shut everything down. You have no idea what could happen with the electronic controls. He learned the hard way. We flash back to 7 seasons ago, when the boat ripped a pilon off. Eddie gets the boat out into the water, and Captain Lee says, good job. Rayna drops anchor.

Island of Nevis. Kaylee says she’s banging the laundry out, and lunch is served. The guests inform Heather that Nevis is Alexander Hamilton’s birthplace, and express interest in visiting his old house. The slide is put up without incident, and Heather tells Kaylee, tonight is white chic, and puts her on balloon blowing. She gives Kaylee some pearls for the white party, and the guests want champagne for watching the sunset. The captain hears them wondering where someone is to serve the champagne. One suggests asking the captain, but Darin says he is not asking the captain for effing champagne. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, the guests are paying how much money? They’re not even close to the finish line. The crew needs to get their heads out of their asses, or he’ll eat their asses. He goes to the crew mess, where everyone seems to be, and says, at no time is he ever to see everybody sitting at this table at the same time. The guests are wandering around, looking for drinks. Heather jets, and the captain says, if he sees this again, there will be hell to pay.

Heather says, group champagne flute coming up, and I get a mental picture of a champagne bong. In Fraser’s interview, he says he doesn’t think they’re providing the highest quality of hospitality, but it’s not his job… yet. He puts white feathers on his epaulets. Rayna helps in the galley, and in her interview, she says Rachel is a dragon lady. Rachel’s like Shrek, and Rayna is the donkey. The guests rave about the décor, and the table does look beautiful; pearls and white doilies with tiny white trees on them. Heather serves the salsa and guacamole, but fails to take the bowl of chips. In Rachel’s interview, she says, it’s the last leg of the race. Everyone is tired, but they need to keep communication open. Fraser tells Kaylee to do the cabins, and Heather tells Rachel that the guests are loving the soup, but Rachel says, she’s too tired, and doesn’t give a f***. I’m wondering why on earth the guests would opt for Mexican food at a white party. That’s like asking for a laundry disaster. Lobster ravioli is served, and primary Jennifer says she put it a million times in bold letters on her preference sheet; no cooked fish. From what she’s mumbling, it sounds like she doesn’t like the texture. In Heather’s interview, she says, Rachel had completely forgotten. Clearly, they were all exhausted. She tells Rachel about the mistake, and Rachel says, bloody effing hell.

We flash back to the prior charters where Rachel neglected one guest’s aversion to cheese, and didn’t quite meet the needs of the guest whose jaw was wired shut. In her interview, Rachel says, she’s so tired, it becomes a compilation. She comes upstairs with the next course, and apologizes to Jennifer for the lobster, saying, she’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. Fraser and Jake chat as Fraser pops the balloons, and in Fraser’s interview, he says, he and Jake are different, but complete each other in weird, wonderful ways. They love each other. Jake calls pseudo-fiancé Paris, and says he’s taking an 8 day holiday after the season. She tells him that if there’s a strew position on the boat he’ll be on, she’ll come along, but the phone dies.

The next morning, Jennifer and Darin have coffee on the top deck. Heather says Rachel looks like she’s going to cry or kill someone. No surprise, Rachel opts for the latter. Fraser calls friend Kamille, and in his interview, he says, his aspiration is to be a chief stew. He tells Kamille that he’s too comfortable where he is, and couldn’t live a comfortable life. The guests are seated for breakfast, and I wonder why everyone isn’t clutching coffee cups. Mine doesn’t leave my hand in the morning until noon. Heather tells Fraser that she’s grumpy and over people being grumpy and over it. She’s effing exhausted. In her interview, she says, the boat sucks, and the best way to fix it is with imagination. They need a serious bounce back, and to take it to the next level. She tells Eddie that the guests love Hamilton. Maybe he could think of a cool way to incorporate it. Eddie says he thinks Heather already has an idea, and asks, what’s on her mind? She says, this is how we get $30K…

Heather tells Eddie that she’ll put him in a Hamilton outfit, and he can pull up in a boat. He suggests he ask directions to NYC, so he can better his education, and then leave. Heather produces a grey wig from who-knows-where, along with a bunch of costume pieces. In Eddie’s interview, he says he was into musical theater when he was younger. The first part he played was in The Wizard of Oz. He played Toto, and stole the show. He’s playing it cool, but can’t wait to get his Hamilton on. Heather tells Fraser that she’s going to set up on the beach, and she wants him to stay for the final packing. Rayna and Jake are already there, setting up the tents, and in Rayna’s interview, she says, she sees the light at the end of the tunnel, but she’s going to miss Jake. They love each other, but the boat is too small for their big personalities. Regardless, she loves him.

Captain Lee tells Heather, the wheelhouse looks like a costume shop. It’s got to go. Heather thinks the captain is tired and cranky too, and Rachel says, or just pissed because he wants to wear the wig. In Rachel’s interview, she says she’s glad the captain didn’t talk to her like that. She would have cried. Heather tells Kaylee that she’s getting it from all angles. It started with Rachel in the morning; then Rayna was giving her attitude. Now it was Captain Lee. In Kaylee’s interview, she said she and Heather were like sisters. They love each other, but they can also want to rip each other’s heads off. She feels it’s her responsibility to pick Heather back up, because that’s what sisters do. Kaylee fixes Heather’s hair in the crew mess, and the captain asks if Heather is chewing gum. Heather promises she’ll spit it out before she waits on the guests, and in her interview, she says, more knives, but she’s still standing. Fraser comes in, and asks Heather something about the dish he’s holding. She tells him to drop it off in the galley, then tend to the guests, but he keeps talking. Afterwards, she tells him that Captain Lee didn’t want to see all three stews in the galley, and when she told him to go, he did the opposite. He made it seem like her word didn’t stand. In Fraser’s interview, he says he’s sorry Heather’s not feeling great, but right now, it’s not cute. Chill the f*** out.

Rachel asks Wes to help put aluminum foil on the food trays going to the beach. In Rachel’s interview, she says, screwing up is not an option. She’s made it a la carte, so there’s an option for everyone. Heather and Kaylee go over to the beach, and in Heather’s interview, she says, the picnic has to be seamless. She needs to have her head in the game, and stop worrying about how everyone feels. The guests are brought over, and Kaylee and Wes go back to the boat. Cornhole is played, as it is at every jungle safari beach picnic. Heather takes a group photo of the guests, and Rachel grills. Heather calls Eddie to come with the ice cream, and Eddie gets into his costume.

Looking like an aging minuteman, Eddie tells us, I’m Alexander Hamilton, bitch. He approaches the beach, and upon landing, says he’s on his way to King’s College, but brought them ice cream. In his interview, he says, Lin Manuel, I’m available. Rachel tells Heather that Eddie wasn’t supposed to come until the very end of the meal, and in her interview, Rachel asks why this is happening. If it melts, she’ll look like a dumbass. She tells Heather that she wanted it when the guests were done eating. In Heather’s interview, she asks if she’s in the Twilight Zone. Don’t hate her. She was doing what Rachel wanted. She suggests putting it in the cooler, but Rachel says she doesn’t care anymore.

Next time, the finale, a duel on deck, Rachel tells Heather to STFU, and Heather begs for Rayna’s forgiveness on her knees. It’s a no.

🏖 On the God awful Summer House, the takeaway points were as follows. We found out newcomer Mya had once been engaged to Kwame from Top Chef. Danielle’s boyfriend was also a chef, and getting more successful, so he wasn’t around much, but she seemed okay with that. Ciara said, Austen wasn’t ready to date or be in a relationship, and Carl looked like an entrée. Really? Et tu, Ciara? Some woman cursed Andrea out and called him an a-hole for pushing her in the pool at a pool party. Paige asked the woman and her friend to leave the pool party, but they were like, you can’t fire me, I quit, and said they were on their way out anyway. Andrea got all dramatic about it, and took to his bed. Amanda did weird things with a floatie, and I have no idea why. No surprise, Andrea wanted what he could no longer have, which was Paige, and that confused her, but we know she’s with Craig now, so it really doesn’t matter. I finally looked it up. This cast is mostly between 30 and 40. I have no words.

👨🏾‍🍳 Crossing Over…

If things had worked out, would Kwame have been a Summer Chef?

5 Things to Know About ’Summer House’ Newbie Mya — and Her Ex-Fiance Kwame

👠 Blast From the Past…

All about Jennifer Smith’s return.

Days of Our Lives Vet Crashes General Hospital’s Memorial for Luke as the Character Who Could Be Sonny’s Undoing

💰 It Was a Good Run…

He should have stayed in New York. I’ll bet we see him in a reality show down the road.

https://people.com/home/fredrik-eklund-is-leaving-the-million-dollar-listing-franchise/

🌬 Dreaming On…

Please feel free to join me tomorrow for soap and a VanderReunion where I’m sure sparks will be flying. Until then, stay safe, stay seeking answers, and stay not going to memorials you’re not invited to. No good can come of it.

Jan22

January 21, 2022 – Memorial To an Anti-Hero, a Return, Reunion Woes, Baby #2, Summer Tea, Moving, Loss Of a Legend, Dead Talk, Close To 10 Quotes & Objects

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura looks at a portrait of Luke behind the bar on the Haunted Star. Curtis comes in, and says, hello, friend. Laura says she didn’t know he was going to be here, and he says, Doc called and said he had a patient emergency. Laura says they talked about it, and she’s fine with it, and Curtis says he knows memorials can be hard. He wanted her to know he’ll be here for her, assuming she doesn’t object. She says, not at all. She’s prepared to do this solo, but she’d rather do it with a friend by her side.

Dante finds Sonny in Charlie’s, and Sonny says he and Phyllis are going to have a shot in memory of Luke. Does Dante want to join them? Dante declines, and Sonny asks if Dante is keeping tabs on him, but Dante says, no. He saw Frank outside, and figured Sonny was in here. Dante says, he knows how important Luke was to Sonny, and Sonny throws back a shot. Dante says, Luke was important to him too, as Lulu’s dad. Sonny says he knows Dante can’t be with Lulu because she’s in a coma, but he can be with Carly, and thinks they should be together when they say goodbye to her Uncle Luke.

Bobbie meets Carly at Kelly’s, and says she couldn’t bring herself to wear black. Luke would hate that. She thanks Carly for meeting her, and says she doesn’t think she could get through this memorial without Carly by her side. Carly says she was just thinking about Uncle Luke and how he always called her Caroline. He insisted on it, and not because he was trying to make fun of her. It was a reminder that he knew exactly who she was, and to never forget where she came from. She asks how Bobbie is; Luke was her big brother. Bobbie says she’s a little wobbly, but just like when Aunt Ruby died, they’ll get through this together. Carly hates that Lucas has to work; he should be here. Bobbie named him after Luke. Bobbie says she thinks Carly’s brother hasn’t quite gotten over losing Wiley, and she thinks working is easier for him than facing his family. Carly says, yeah, but they need him too. Bobbie says she needs Carly by her side, but something tells her that her bright, beautiful, incredibly brave daughter might need her even more. Carly says, more than she knows, and Bobbie takes her hand.

Felicia and Anna arrive at the memorial, and Anna says, it’s very Luke. Laura says Anna should really be saying that to Tracy. It’s her event. Laura is just here to pay her respects and see her friends. Anna says she keeps half-expecting Luke to show up (as we all do), and Felicia says, the man is a legend. Anna says, in so many ways, and Laura thanks them for coming. She tells them to help themselves to a drink. She doesn’t know where Tracy is right now. Anna and Felicia go to the bar, and Nikolas comes in with Ava. He asks how Laura is, and she says, better now that he’s here. Ava says she’s so sorry to hear about Luke, and Laura thanks her. Nikolas asks if she’s heard from Lucky and Ethan; are they going to make it? Laura says, unfortunately, they’re not. There was an outbreak of cholera in the village where Lucky is volunteering, so for him to come home, he would have to quarantine in Africa for two weeks, but Tracy is having another memorial in Amsterdam in a few weeks, so hopefully Lucky and Ethan will both be at that. Nikolas says, it’s nice for Lucky and Ethan to have each other, like he’s here for Laura now. Ava and Nikolas go to the bar, and Spencer says, hello. grandmother. Laura says she’s happy to see him, and he tells her, Esme sends her regrets. She’s interning at Spring Ridge, but he’s here for her. He hugs Laura, and Victor tells him, well said. Tonight they are indeed all one family, despite their differences. Oh Luke. In life, he always cast a large shadow. To die in such a random accident just doesn’t have the sense of poetic beauty one would have expected of him. Laura tells Victor, get out of here, and – she gestures toward his bodyguard – take his burly Doberman with him. Victor says, Yohan isn’t just there for him; he’s there for all of them. Luke may be dead, but he has a long list of enemies, and they’re all still very much alive.

Tracy stands on deck, holding a beautiful covered urn. Alexis approaches her, and asks if that’s what she thinks it is. Tracy says, yep. Luke.

Dante says he knows Sonny wants to be with Carly, and he knows it’s hard, but she’s asked for space and he has to respect that. Sonny says, Carly moved out. How much time does she need? Luke is her uncle, and his longtime friend, and they should be together. They lost almost a year of their lives. They can’t get that time back. What does Dante think Luke would do to get just a couple seconds of that time back? He’s not wasting any more time.

Alexis asks if Tracy is okay. Would she like Alexis to call Ned? Tracy asks if Alexis doesn’t think she’s capable of calling her son herself. And why wouldn’t she be okay? She’s holding Luke in a jar. Everything is peachy keen in her life. Alexis says she’ll see Tracy inside, and Tracy says, wait. She’s sorry. She didn’t mean to snap at Alexis. Alexis says, Tracy is having a hard time; she understands. Tracy says, does she? Because she wouldn’t after what she did to Alexis.

Anna says Victor knows he doesn’t belong here, and Luke would be the first to tell him that, so get out. Victor says, unless Luke is silent, and likely to remain so, and Felicia says, Mac will be happy to send a patrol car to get Victor off the boat. Victor asks if calling the Police Commissioner isn’t a bit of an overreach, and Felicia says, not when he’s her husband. Curtis tells Victor to ask himself if he really wants this to escalate. The time to tap out is before things get broken. Spencer says, a gentleman shouldn’t stay when he’s been asked to leave, and Victor says, he’s so right. He tells Yohan that they’re leaving. Do give Luke his best. Laura says, hopefully, Victor can tell Luke himself, in person, the sooner the better. Victor laughs and leaves.

Bobbie tells Carly, so much of her history with Luke is so dark. Carly knows their story. Their dad was an alcoholic and beat their mother. When mama died, she and Luke just took off; they went to Florida. They moved in with dad’s sister Aunt Ruby. They loved that woman. She did the best she could, but honestly, she and Luke raised themselves as much as Ruby did. Then when Bobbie came back to Port Charles, Luke followed her. It was like a second chance for them to make something of themselves. Carly says, and Bobbie did it. A nursing degree, a career, a family; she should be so proud of herself. Carly is extremely proud of her. Bobbie thanks her, and says, if she managed to survive, even thrive here, it was always because she knew her big brother had her back. She was the one who recruited Luke to come back to Port Charles. Granted, her plan was to have him break up Scotty and Laura, so she could have Scotty all to herself; that wasn’t exactly noble. Carly laughs, and Bobbie says, but she called Luke to help her, and he came running, just like he always did. Now she doesn’t know what she’s going to do next time she needs Luke’s help. Carly tells Bobbie, look at her. Bobbie is going to call her, or Lucas, or Josslyn, or Michael, and they’ll come running. Bobbie says, okay. That’s a two-way street. Carly says she knows, and Bobbie says she has the rest of her life to grieve her big brother. Meanwhile, her daughter is living in a hotel, trying to figure out how to save her marriage. Talk to her. Carly says, that’s the thing. She doesn’t know whether there’s a marriage left to save.

Dante says, Sonny may have lost time in Nixon Falls, but he wasn’t alone. Sonny says, Nina is not the problem, but Dante says, she is to Carly. Sonny’s got to see that. Carly’s got to know that it’s over between Sonny and Nina. When Sonny got on the witness stand and said he wasn’t a victim, that didn’t help things. Sonny says, it is over between him and Nina. What does he have to do to prove that to Carly, so she’ll give him a chance?

Robert and Scotty walk into Charlie’s, and Robert asks what they’re doing there. When they left the courthouse, the idea was to go to the Haunted Star for Luke’s memorial. Scotty says, Robert got an invitation. He’s going to have to crash that thing, so he needs a couple of cocktails to do it, and if anybody’s boo-hooing over Luke, he won’t care. Robert says, if Scotty ever loved Laura, he strongly advises against it. Dante and Sonny watch them, and Robert says, he knows Scotty hated the guy, and he probably had his reasons. Let’s just go. Scotty tells Dante and Sonny, if life was a horserace, it would probably be neck-and-neck as to who he hates more; Luke Spencer or Sonny Corinthos. Guess what? Sonny wins, by a photo finish. Sonny says he doesn’t know if Scotty knows or not, but he owns this bar, and nobody comes in there and insults Luke. Dante says he has an idea. Why doesn’t Robert take Scotty to the memorial? and Robert says, sounds like a great idea; let’s go. Scotty says he’s not going anywhere until he’s had a couple of drinks. So why doesn’t Dante take daddy here and vamoose? Sonny laughs, and tells Dante to go ahead without him. Dante asks if he’s sure about that, and Sonny says Dante should be with Laura. Dante says he wants to be with Laura, but remember, it’s a about Luke. Sonny says, yeah, and Dante leaves. Sonny tells Phyllis to give these two gentlemen whatever they want to drink on his tab, but Scotty says he doesn’t think so; they buy their own drinks. Sonny walks up to Scotty, and says, Scotty thinks he scored a touchdown at the hearing for Nina. Robert suggests he and Scotty go to the MetroCourt; he’ll buy the drinks. Scotty says he kind of feels bad for Carly, but it made his day that Sonny got caught stepping out on his wife. He pokes Sonny in the lapel, and Sonny tells Scotty not to put his hands on him. Scotty asks what he’s going to do. Come on.

Bobbie asks if Carly is going to return home, but Carly doesn’t know. The man who disappeared over a year ago is not the man who came back to her. Bobbie says, losing his memory, and living as another man changed Sonny. Carly says she gets that, but in the past, she and Sonny would have a knock down drag out fight. She never doubted that Sonny loved her. Bobbie says, now she does? and Carly says, Sonny refuses to acknowledge that what Nina did to them was awful. He refuses to acknowledge the damage, and the hell Nina put Carly and her family through for her own selfish reasons. Sonny claims Carly comes first in his life, and she told him the way he could prove it was to kick Nina to the curb, and he won’t do it. Maybe he can’t do it. And that’s a dealbreaker for her. If Sonny can’t put her and her family first, then all his promises mean nothing.

Nikolas says, with Victor mercifully gone, they can focus on the celebration of Luke’s life, and Laura agrees. Spencer says, Nikolas really is shameless. He’ll use anything, even Luke’s death, to make himself out to be the good guy. Laura asks if they can drop this for one night, and Ava says she’s going to do Laura a favor. She’s going to take these two guys out of here. Spencer protests, but Ava says, too bad, and steers them away. Curtis asks if Laura is okay, and she says, honestly, she could use some fresh air. He says, luckily, they’re on a boat; a boat with several decks. Let’s go.

Anna tells Felicia, she feels like Luke would have loved this, and Felicia says, 100%. The only thing Luke would have loved more is if someone would have punched Victor Cassadine in his smug face. Anna says she was so close.

Robert says, emotions are running rather high at the moment. Let’s all go to our respective corners. Phyllis says, he’s right. Aren’t they all honoring someone’s memory tonight? Sonny says she’s absolutely right. In memory of Luke, he’s going to teach Scotty a lesson. Scotty says, all right, then shut up and fight, and Frank asks Scotty if there’s a problem. Scotty says, there it is. Same old story. A stooge does all the fighting for you, chicken. Sonny tells Frank, back off, and takes off his jacket, saying, it’s about time he teaches this guy… Robert says, now listen, he is the DA. They don’t want to be doing this in front of him. Scotty takes off his jacket too, and says, then get lost. Phyllis tells Sonny, she’s asking, as her friend, please stop this now, when Victor comes in with Yohan. Victor says, look what we’ve just walked into, and Robert says, a Cassadine, just what they need. Victor says, the mob boss and the ambulance chaser. Too bad Luke Spencer isn’t here. He was just crass enough to enjoy this sort of thing. Sonny says, who’s he calling crass? and Scotty says, who’s he calling an ambulance chaser? Sonny tells Scotty, what do you say? and Scotty says he thinks he hates Victor more than he hates Sonny. He’s in. Victor takes his jacket off, and says, it’s time they were taught a lesson. Sonny shoves a table aside, and Phyllis yells, stop it now. They start slugging each other, and Phyllis runs out from behind the bar, yelling for them to stop.

On deck, Curtis says, better? and Laura says, definitely. He says, life sure has a lot of twists and turns, doesn’t it? and she says, tell her about it. She and Luke were quite a team. He was a part of her, and she was a part of him. Curtis says, must have been hard to let him go, but Laura says, he’s been gone for a long time. Not all at once; it was in stages. First they got separated, then divorced. Luke fell in love with Tracy, then she met Doc, thank God. She mostly feels sad about the grandkids. The only way they’ll know Luke is from pictures and stories, and some of those stories will be true.

Ava takes Spencer and Nikolas to a state room, and says, get in there, both of you. Spencer says he resents being treated like a wayward adolescent, and she says, then don’t act like one. He says she doesn’t get to tell him what to do, and she says, enough. Can the two of them please just set aside their differences for one night, and think about somebody else? Nikolas says, she’s right. He should be focused on his mother, not himself. Spencer says, with all due respect to grandmother’s loss, Luke Spencer was a grifter; he was a con man. Ava says, Luke Spencer came from nothing, and he made something of himself. People loved him, respected him, admired him. Spencer came from everything. He had everything handed to him on a silver platter, and he throws it all away.

Dante comes in to the memorial, and asks where everyone is. Did he miss it? Felicia says, they’re just walking around the boat; the memorial will start soon. Anna says, since they’re here to remember Luke, she thinks he should expect the unexpected. They hear a crash, and Felicia says, what was that? Anna says she doesn’t know, and they all go to investigate.

Tracy says she knows if Alexis had chosen to testify against her, she’d be headed to trial and quite possibly to a stay at Pentenville. And because she didn’t, Tracy gets to be a free woman and come here and say farewell. Alexis says she did what she did for Luke, because she knows he was better off with Tracy than without her. She also did it for herself, and she did it for Tracy, because everyone deserves a second chance. Tracy thanks her, and Alexis says she’s welcome. Now how about if they go in there, and get the party started? Tracy asks how she sums up a life as complicated as Luke’s, and Alexis says she can’t, but if Tracy doesn’t do it, someone else will. She understands Lucy might be making an appearance, and she has a 42 page speech prepared. Tracy asks what they’re waiting for, and they go inside.

Sonny asks what Victor is waiting for, and Phyllis pulls him away. She asks if he’s happy now, and he says, yeah. He definitely feels better. Scotty says, so does he, and Robert dabs at his mouth, saying, that’s what he gets for trying to mediate. Scotty tells Sonny that he has a helluva right cross, and Sonny says Scotty did pretty well himself. Phyllis asks which one of them is going to pay for the damages, and Sonny says he owns the bar; he’ll make up the cost. Victor says he’s got this. He insists on paying for everything, but Scotty says he’ll pay. Victor says he’s heard Scotty is as tight as a bad oyster with his money, and Robert asks if they’ve all forgotten there’s a memorial to attend. Sonny tells Frank, let’s go, and they all walk out, leaving Victor and Yohan behind. Victor tells Yohan, nice work. It looks like all those hours at the gym are paying off. He’s got a nice fat bonus coming to him. Outside, Sonny looks through the window, and says, they’re laughing. He’s going to smack Victor right now. He starts to head back in, but Robert says, enough. Carly is waiting. Sonny says, that’s right, Carly. Whatever.

Tracy puts the urn on the bar, and Ava comes back in with Nikolas and Spencer. She wonders if they missed something, when Laura and Curtis come back in. Laura hopes she didn’t keep everybody waiting, and everyone gathers. Everyone is wearing black, and even Bobbie has dark purple on. They look so solemn, and I’m thinking, Luke wouldn’t have wanted them to wear black. Tracy says they should get started, but Anna asks if she can wait a minute. Tracy asks, why? and Dante wonders if someone is trying to send them a message. Who brought in the giant TV? Tracy says she didn’t order it, and Anna says, they heard a crash. When they went to investigate, they found an envelope with a DVD and a note. Felicia takes the note out, and tells them, all it said was, play me. Nikolas says, maybe Lucky sent a message from Africa, but Laura says, he didn’t mention anything on the phone, besides, he’s in a very rural area. She doesn’t think so. Alexis says, her money’s on Luke. He always did want to have the last word. Anna says she wonders if he had an inkling this day was going to come sooner rather than later, and Dante asks what Tracy wants to do; this is her event. Tracy says, if it’s from Luke, she wants to hear it, and Dante puts the disk in the TV. Helena appears, and says, hi. We meet again. Alexis says, oh my God, and Laura says, Helena.

At the dock, Scotty asks Robert if he looks presentable, and Robert asks, why start today? He suggests they board the Haunted Star, but Sonny says he’s going to wait for Carly. Robert asks if Scotty is in, but Scotty says he doesn’t think so. He was at the Luke and Laura wedding. Robert says he remembers, and Scotty says, he caught the bouquet; he got a black eye then too. Robert says he’ll see Sonny over there, and he and Scotty go in separate directions. Carly arrives at the dock with Bobbie.

Helena asks if she surprised them, and laughs. Nikolas says, leave it to his grandmother to upstage a man at his own memorial. Helena says, if they’re seeing her now, it’s because she went first, and Luke Spencer has finally done the world a favor by following her into the Great Beyond. Tracy says, she hates that woman, and Helena says she hopes they’ll pardon her if she gloats, but she always told Luke that she would have the last word. And now, she’s going to have it. Nikolas says, here she goes, and Helena says she always considered Luke a parvenu, and since none of them is familiar with that word, let her explain. A parvenu is somebody who’s suddenly reached the level of unaccustomed power and wealth, but has not yet gained the prestige and dignity associated with it. Luke was a cheap, tawdry rhinestone, even though he fancied himself a diamond in the rough. The truth is, Luke Spencer was always destined to lose in the end. Laura pulls the plug on the TV, and says she doesn’t know about the rest of them, but she’s heard enough out of that woman to last her a lifetime. Dante says, here, here, and Anna says, thank you.

Bobbie tells Carly, they’re going to be late, but Carly tells her to go; she’ll meet Bobbie there. Bobbie goes past Sonny, giving him a look, and gets on the boat. Sonny tells Carly, he knows he’s not her mother’s favorite person at the moment, but he’s here, and she’s here, and that’s all that matters. Why don’t they go say goodbye to her uncle? He tells Frank to go get in the car, and asks Carly if she’s ready. He holds out his arm, and she asks, what happened to his hand? He says, Luke happened, and she says, he has to go to GH after Luke’s memorial and make sure he didn’t break any bones in his hand. He says, it’s fine. The night wasn’t a total loss. Does she know why? She asks, why? and he says, believe it or not, he and Scotty teamed up, and ripped Victor a new one. Forget about that; they’re here for Luke. He holds out his arm again, but she walks past him onto the boat, and he follows.

Tracy thanks everyone for coming to honor a man they all loved. Well, she guesses some of them loved him. Some of them probably hated him, but she bets most of them did both. It doesn’t matter what they thought of him. The truth is, they’re never going to forget him. Luke made her promise if this day ever came, that nobody would call him a hero, or even a good guy for that matter – no danger of that. So he was just Luke, a walking, talking contradiction. He could be cruel, then turn around and dazzle you with his kindness. He was cunning, yet caring. He was generous at the same time as impossibly selfish. He brought out the worst and the best in all of them. And she thinks ultimately, he changed them. Every one of them. Forever.

Scotty sits on a bench at the dock, and says he hopes Luke’s enjoying himself on his beloved Haunted Star… All the people singing his praises, including Scotty’s wife Luke stole from him 40 years ago. Luke is dead and gone, and Scotty’s still standing. So you lose, you son of a bitch.

Standing on the deck with the urn, Tracy tells Luke that she did it. She got through the speech. She thinks they appreciated it. Now it’s just them… She has no words. She opens the jar and dumps out the ashes. The wind carries them away.

On the docks, Scotty says, so long, Luke Spencer, and gets a face full of ashes. He says, what the…?

Sonny tells Laura that he knows it’s not the right time, but he got confirmation on the warning Cyrus gave her. She says they’ll talk later. Bobbie asks Carly is she’s sure she doesn’t want to join them, but Carly says, Avery and Donna were looking forward to their sleepover with Bobbie. She doesn’t want to crash the party. Bobbie says, it will be lovely to be surrounded with all that youth. Maybe she won’t miss her big brother so much. Bobbie leaves, and Sonny watches as Carly follows.

Laura thanks Curtis for coming, and he says he can hang out a little longer if she wants, but she says, he’s got a club to run, and she has a life to get on with. He says he just wants her to know he’s there if she needs him, and she thanks him, and says, she knows he is.

Ava tells Nikolas, this was a fitting sendoff for Luke; the roving rascal. She does have a soft spot for rascals. He says he can’t stop thinking about the way Victor left. He was so angry, even hurt, and you know what they say, a wounded tiger is twice as dangerous.

Felica says, Sonny and Scotty fought on the same side? Who would have ever thought? Robert says he guesses they hated Victor Cassadine more than they hated each other, and Anna says, good point.  

Victor helps Phyllis right a table, and says if she won’t let him pay for the damage, at least let him offer her a more conventional transaction. Give him a bottle of her top-shelf Napoleon brandy please, and a couple of glasses. She says, that will be $55. He puts a hundred dollar bill on the bar, and says, keep the change. She puts the bottle and glasses on the bar, and he says, and his apology. He pours two brandies, and puts one at the empty seat next to him. He says, here’s to you, Luke Spencer, champion of Port Charles. He should just tell Luke, the good people of his fair city are in for a big surprise. He clinks the other glass with his, and says, cheers.

Bobbie sees Scotty, and asks, what happened to him? He says, he caught the bouquet.

Alexis says, she can’t believe she’s saying this, but does Tracy need a ride home? She can be the designated driver. Tracy laughs, and says she deserved that. She has one thing to do first. She goes over to Laura with what looks like a jewelry box. Laura says, it was a very moving speech, and Tracy says, she has something that was a keepsake of Luke’s that she thinks really belongs to Laura. Laura says, if it’s the Ice Princess, she wants no part of it, and Spencer asks if it’s the actual Cassadine diamond.  Laura says, that thing has never done anyone any good, and tells Tracy to throw it into the sea when she scatters Luke’s ashes. Tracy says she can’t do that, and walks away. Laura asks Spencer if he’s disappointed, and he says he wouldn’t mind seeing it, or maybe holding it just once. She says, trust her, that thing never did anybody any good, and he says he won’t argue with her; not tonight of all nights. She thanks him for being there, and says she knows he’d rather be with his friends, but he says, of course (🍷) he wanted to be there with her. He knew tonight was going to be difficult for her, and wanted to be there. Once the bad stuff is over with, he hopes he can make her proud of him. She says she’s proud of him now, and they hug, and she says, let’s go home. They start to leave, and she looks back, and blows a kiss to Luke’s portrait. She says, goodbye, my love. A woman in a black veil comes in, and stands in front of Laura. She removes the veil, and Laura says, Jennifer Smith?

Carly stands on the deck, and says, Luke. Are you out there? Sonny comes out, and puts his hand on hers.  

On Monday, Maxie tells Brook that she’s there for her daughter, Curtis asks Marshall to stop by, Victor says he and Valentin are going to need each other for what’s coming next, and Sonny says he’s going to show Carly how much he loves her.

🕶 Old Villains Never Die…

Told you she’d be back. I don’t think Luke is dead either.

Constance Towers Resurrects General Hospital’s Helena for Luke’s Memorial

🧂 Salty Reunion…

I hear if you ditch the Reunion, you won’t be asked back. Except for LVP, who can do whatever she wants because she’s Queen of the World and can do no wrong.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/19/mary-cosby-ditched-rhoslc-reunion-i-didnt-want-to-be-beat-up/

Maybe she didn’t have a dress horrible enough to wear. Although I don’t think the outfits are all that bad. Except for what Meredith is wearing. What is that?

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/13/rhoslc-reunion-outfits-slammed-as-horrible-and-tragic/

👶🏽 Friend Of Shahs Baby…

I didn’t even know about baby number one.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/14/shahs-of-sunset-star-lilly-ghalichi-pregnant-with-baby-no-2/

🏖 Summer Choices…

Paige spills the tea about Lindsay and Carl.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/17/paige-desorbo-lindsay-hubbard-and-carl-radke-were-both-very-single/

And about herself.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/17/paige-desorbo-why-i-chose-craig-conover-over-andrea-denver/

🎶 It’s Off, It’s On, It’s Moved…

The newest news about the Grammys.

https://variety.com/2022/music/news/grammy-awards-moving-to-las-vegas-on-april-3-1235156447/

🎤 Goodbye To a True Artist…

I had the pleasure of seeing Meat Loaf in concert a few times, meeting him a couple of times, and being in the audience of a special he did for VH1. (Hint: If you wear black because you think it’s slimming, you will just blend into the crowd. Go bold.) He and Jim Steinman will be forever missed.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meat-loaf-dies-74-1288550/

⚰️ Look At the Flowers…

Watch your back when Carol goes domestic.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-11b-trailer-carol-cookies/

BTW, Walking Dead is sort of returning this Sunday, with something called Origins. I’ll be watching, but not recapping this one. First up is Daryl’s Story.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-origins-stories-air-amc-season-11b-daryl-carol-maggie-negan/

📋 Quotes of the Week

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

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

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. – Corrie  ten Boom

And that, my dear, is how you run an asylum. – Matron Grady (Judith Light), Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. – Alice Walker

Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness. – Earl of Derby (I don’t have time for illness either.)

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. – Amelia Earhart

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. – Nelson Mandela

The ultimate measure of a person is not where one stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where one stands in times of challenge and controversy. – Martin Luther King, Jr

🚂 Midnight Train To Dr. Phil Reruns…

It’s that time of week where either two days off work is appropriate, or you’re living the life of the resigned. I’ll be changing writing hats, and taking down those pesky decorations before I have to dust them. (I was busy last weekend, okay?) Join me on Monday for soap and what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay inquisitive, and stay knowing that, even if you’re dead, you can still have the last word.

Jan18

January 17, 2022 – Brick Warns Sonny About a New Player, Vow Renewal On Deck, It’s Back, Salty Talk, Betty’s Birthday, Fit For a King & Dream

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the gym, Drew tells Michael that his shares were in a trust for Scout, and Sam signed the proxy over to Valentin. So assuming he can figure all that out… Michael says he’d have to remove the proverbial gloves, and get in a bare-knuckle brawl with the family. Drew says, been there, done that? and Michael says, he’d hoped for a knockout in the hearing, but Nina walked away without a scratch. The way she keeps coming between his mom and dad, this fight isn’t going to end any time soon.

In her office, Nina flashes back to saying Carly is going to drive Sonny away for good, and if Sonny comes to her, she’s definitely not going to send him away. Britt knocks at the door, and asks if it’s a bad time.

Carly tells Donna and Avery that she knows she’s been working a lot, but she’s going to be there every morning to take them to school, and every night to put them to bed. Sonny says, there’s no school today, so Laura is going to take them sledding. Avery asks if Carly can come, and Carly says she wishes she could, but she has so much work to do. She’s working all day, and all night. Sonny says he knows they’re disappointed, but they’ve just got to make the best of things. So why don’t they find Pilar? Carly tells them not to forget their mittens, and they go upstairs. Sonny says, Pilar always makes sure they have their mittens, and Carly says she’s just looking out for their girls. He says, they’d be a lot happier if she stayed home. So would he.

At the Savoy, Laura says she’s sorry she missed Curtis on New Year’s. She wanted to ring in the New Year with him, and pray for a better year. He says he’s sorry he missed her, but 2022 is off to a great start. She says she thinks she knows that look. Did he ring in the New Year with Portia? He says, and then some, and she laughs. He says, enough about him; what about her? She says she got tired of hiding, and he asks if that means Cyrus is no longer a threat. She says, it means she went to pay a visit to him in person before she came home, and he asks what Cyrus had to say. She tells him to brace himself. He claims he found religion. He says, Cyrus Renault is holy. So he found religion? She says, or seen the light; whatever version Curtis prefers. He says, pardon him if he finds it hard to believe, when he can still feel the scar where the man shot him, and she says she’s pretty skeptical too. Like everything Cyrus does, it’s sort of bigger than life and kind of flashy. He asks what she thinks Cyrus’s angle is. Is he trying to gain sympathy, or is he trying to gain the ear of some powerful person who will fall for it? She says she’s not sure; time will tell. He says, if recent events have taught him anything, it’s that time doesn’t change people like that. It only brings out the worst in them. She says, they’re not talking about Cyrus anymore, are they?

In an examining room, Marshall tells Epiphany that he doesn’t need an x-ray, but she says, he came to the hospital. It’s her job to be thorough. He’s going to sit tight and she’s going to schedule things with radiology. She drops his chart, and he picks it up and hands it to her. She asks if that’s not his injured wrist, and he says, maybe it’s the other one. She says, Mr. Ashford… and he asks her to call him Marshall. She says, Mr. Ashford. Her break’s almost over, and she has legitimate patients to see who have real issues, so if he doesn’t mind… He says, okay, he’s busted. His wrists are fine. He was just trying to get her attention. He hasn’t seen her since he asked her to join his band, after they teamed up and serenaded the GH patients for Christmas. She says she remembers, but he says she didn’t give him an answer one way or the other, which is better than a cold, hard pass, but he’s texted her since and no response. So it begs the question, is she not interested in his music, or him?

Michael says he wants to talk about his parents rocky marriage about as much as Drew wants to talk about ELQ. Drew says, fair enough, and Michael asks how it’s going with Drew’s little girl; they’re reunited again. Drew says, it’s the best thing in the whole world. It blew him away how much she’s grown. She was a little shy at first, but every time they get together, it gets better and better. It’s like they’re building a vocabulary of their common experience; it’s so in the moment. Michael asks if Drew is building a vocabulary with Sam, since he’s clearly out of the loop, and Drew says, she’s moved on. He doesn’t blame her; Michael’s brother Dante is a great guy. Michael says, he’s one of the best, but so is Drew. Drew says, you know what they say about nice guys, but Michael says, that’s not necessarily true. They don’t always finish last. Maybe he could help Drew prove it.

Nina says she doubts Britt is just there to check up on her, but Britt says, they made a pact at Nathan’s grave to always support each other. She takes that very seriously, and she heard what happened at Nina’s hearing; quite the bombshell. Nina says, as Britt can see, she walked away without a scratch, but Britt says, take it from a doctor; some scratches only show up on the inside. Nina takes it Britt and her mother have been talking about this. Let her guess. Obrecht thinks she’s busy licking her wounds, but she can assure Britt… Britt says, Nina is a big girl. She knows Nina can handle it. Nina thanks Britt for not seeing her as a victim, and Britt says, no way. It sounds to her like Nina left the hearing with her head held high, and Carly’s head was left spinning. What about Sonny? Nina says, what about him? and Britt says, from what she hears, the two of them are in an interesting place. Nina says, let’s cut to the chase. What does Britt want? Britt says she has a friend who’s in a bit of a sticky situation, and he has an aunt who’s even more lethal than her mother. She called in a favor that her friend delivered, and now he’s afraid she’s going to hold it over his head. Nina says, no offense, but Britt isn’t known to have a ton of friends. Are they talking about Brad Cooper? Britt says, yes, and he needs help; the kind of help Sonny Corinthos can deliver. Nina says, and Britt wants her to get him to deliver it.

Sonny says he’s not going to lie to Carly. It’s only been one night, and he misses her. She says she misses him too, and he asks why they’re wasting every precious moment staying apart. She called his bluff, and went to the MetroCourt, and proved her point. So let’s figure out what we need to move forward. She says she’s not trying to prove a point, and she’s not trying to call his bluff. She meant what she said. She needs some time to herself. She needs to wrap her head around what came out at that hearing. And not just Willow’s testimony. He admitted he had feelings for Nina. He says, they can’t get through that if they’re sleeping in separate beds or avoiding each other instead of working this out. She says she was tagged in an email from the pharmacy. Did he refill his prescription? He sighs, and says, for a second there, he thought she didn’t care, and she says, did he? He flashes back to throwing the pill bottle across the kitchen, and he says he’s on it; don’t try to change the subject. He’s going to give her the time she wants, but he’s not giving up on their marriage. Is she?

Curtis says, while Laura was away at the safe house, being protected from Cyrus, his life has been a lot less eventful. Which is why he traded his P.I. license for a liquor license, which she framed and hand delivered. Now he’s just a hard-working club owner, chasing down a million minute details. She asks why she feels like he left out a story or two in his very uneventful life. She’s kept in touch with Jordan. She’s recuperating, and told her that things are going very well with him and Portia. And Doc has given her glowing reviews about how TJ is excelling at the hospital. So did somebody else get under his skin? He says she does know him, and she says she can tell he’s trying to tough something out, and she knows he can handle anything, but maybe she can help if he lets her.

Epiphany says she and Marshall did make some beautiful music on Christmas, but when she made the mistake of thinking he had some personal interest in her, he told her that he wasn’t in the market for a social life. He says, so it’s not the music; it’s him. She says, he might be on wiz on that clarinet, but he’s just like every other man she’s met in her life. He thinks it’s all about him. There was somebody else who thought it was all about him too, and he took her job from her. Compared to him, Marshall’s a saint, but she got her job back, and that’s all that matters. He says, understood, but he began to think she was mad at him because he mistakenly called her doctor.

Michael tells Drew, he feels like a placeholder at Aurora. He took the job because Sam asked him to, and it gave him a place to land when he was out as CEO at ELQ. Drew says, Sam told him that Michael is doing an incredible job. The profits are up at Aurora, and Michael is making it respected throughout the industry. Michael says, thanks, but Drew set the standard. He’s just doing his best to maintain it. Aurora is Drew’s vision – always has been, always will be. He’s more than willing to step aside and let Drew take his rightful place behind the desk, and start calling the shots again. If that’s what Drew wants.

Britt tells Nina, Brad’s done some terrible things, but he’s paid for them. Not only by doing his time in Pentenville; he lost his husband and his son. His aunt came to him with a chance for parole and he took it. Nina asks what exactly she asked him to do, and Britt says, did she ask Nina for a play-by-play of her time in Nixon Falls with Sonny? Nina says she guesses Britt thinks she knows enough to ask her for a favor. What does she want Sonny to do? Britt says, Sonny can be very persuasive. If he were to intercede on Brad’s behalf… Nina says, hold on. Sonny hates Brad. Brad kept Michael away from his son for a year. Sonny’s never going to forget that. Britt says, not even for Nina? and Nina walks into the reception area. Following her, Britt says, according to the testimony at Nina’s hearing, she has pull with Sonny. Nina says, it doesn’t matter what was said at the hearing. All that matters is, Sonny loves Carly. Nothing else matters. Britt says, not even how Sonny feels about Nina, or Nina feels about him?

Carly tells Sonny not to force her to make decisions about their marriage on her timetable, but he says, he’s not forcing her to do anything. As if he ever could. But she’s not going to stop him from telling her about how he feels and what he wants, and what he wants is their marriage, her, their family. That’s what happened when he wasn’t himself. It wasn’t the medication; it was the memories that brought him back to her, and brought him back to their kids. If she doesn’t trust how he feels about her – if she can’t cross that bridge – trust how she feels about him. That’s going to tell her all she needs to know. Carly says she knows how she feels about him. Everything would be so much easier if she didn’t. He says, it’s never been easy with them; that’s just the way it is. It’s not who they are, but in the end, it’s always good. The door opens, and Brick comes in. He says he loves those guards. They wave him in like he’s one of the family… On the other hand, maybe they shouldn’t have called him up. He feels like he walked into the middle of something.

Laura says, so this guy shows up, claims to be Curtis’s father who died decades ago? Wow. She can see why he’s skeptical. Just because the guy has a few details and photos doesn’t necessarily mean he’s who he claims to be. Curtis says he’s a trained P.I.; he’s trained to be skeptical. Pictures can be doctored, stories can be invented. He was sure this mystery man was up to no good. Then Aunt Stella confirmed it. Marshall Ashford is the man who abandoned them all those years ago, and let them believe he was dead. Now this man comes back to Port Charles, and wants to reconnect, and wants to start fresh. TJ, God bless him, he’s all for it. He was ready to accept Marshall as his grandpa from the jump. She says, he’s never been hurt by this man. What about Curtis? Is he ready accept his father back in his life?

Epiphany asks if Marshall is saying there’s something wrong with being a nurse, but he says, not at all. He thinks it’s a noble profession. He’s sorry if he touched a nerve by assuming she wanted an MD after her name. She says, if she overreacted, it’s because there was a time she did have dreams about being a doctor. When she was in high school, she used to haunt the library, pouring over the Gray’s Anatomy – the book, not the TV series. She even took an after school job with a vet, so she could assist her when the vet was setting a broken bone for a cat, or stitching up a dog. He says, that takes real dedication. So what happened? Why didn’t she follow her dream?

Drew tells Michael, he started Aurora Media with Sam. It was more than a company for them. It was so they could break free from a life of uncertainty and danger, for the family they wanted to create. Michael says, and a life working closely with his dad, and Drew says he realizes when he stepped away, he probably dampened his friendship with Sonny. Sometimes he wonders if it was the right thing. Michael tells him not to second guess himself. He was right to distance himself from Michael’s father.

Nina tells Britt that she cares about Sonny way too much to get in between him and Carly. Britt says, that didn’t stop her in Nixon Falls, and Nina says, Nixon Falls was a fantasy. Now she’s back here in reality, and Sonny’s reality is at home with his wife and his children, both the older ones and the two little girls at his home. She doesn’t want to be the cliché, the heartless homewrecker. Britt says she understands, but is Nina sure there’s still a home left to wreck?

Carly hugs Brick, and says, he is family. He’s always welcome and never an interruption. He says, what that really means is, he stepped in it, didn’t he? but Sonny says, when Carly gives you a pass, you take it. Brick says, Sonny talked him into it, and hugs Carly again. She says, it’s good to see him, but she has a feeling they need to talk business, and she needs to get to the hotel. Tell the girls that she’ll be home later tonight to see them. Sonny says he’ll see her then, and she leaves. Brick says, she’s gone now; it’s just the two of them. What’s going on with him and Carly?

Curtis tells Laura, when Marshall first came here, he wanted to forget the past and start over. Curtis made it abundantly clear that was not okay. When they started talking, Marshall said he got mixed up in some bad business; got on the wrong side of some seriously dangerous people. Not long after that, he went off the radar. She says she can relate to that, and he says he thought she might. She says, if his situation was anything like with her, he had no choice. Stay with the family, put the family at risk; stay underground and the family is safe. He says, that’s exactly what Marshall told him, and she says, so if Marshall’s story is true, Curtis has to face something she’s not sure he’s willing to accept. No matter how much his father hurt him, he did it out of love.

Epiphany tells Marshall, why didn’t she become a doctor? It’s a long story, and her break’s almost over. He says, she’s still got a few minutes. She can skip the lollypop or whatever she rewards her patients with, and just tell him, what happened that she didn’t become Epiphany Johnson, MD? She says, life happened, and he says, meaning? She says, you dream big, work hard, and you learn sometimes things don’t go the way you planned them to. He says, been there for sure, but it’s not too late for him. She tells him, says him, and he says, he wouldn’t have moved to Port Charles if he didn’t believe that. And if it’s not too late for him, it’s not too late for her.

Drew says he thought Michael was devoted to his father. He knows Michael didn’t go into the business, and took the corporate route, but he didn’t think Michael was ashamed to be a Corinthos. Michael says, it’s not that; he’s not ashamed of his last name. It’s just that he and his dad have had their differences in the past… and in the present. Drew asks, how so? and Michael says, his dad defended Nina in court, despite all the harm she did to him and their entire family, especially his mother. Drew says he saw Carly last night at the MetroCourt; she seemed pretty upset, but Michael knows his mom. If she’s not okay now, she’ll find a way to be okay very soon.

At the MetroCourt, Carly says, sorry to keep Diane waiting, but Diane says, that’s okay; she’s on her third mimosa. Carly says, really? but Diane says, just coffee. Carly sits with her, and Diane asks if someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Carly says, wrong side, wrong bed, and Diane asks whose bed they’re talking about. Carly says, her bed, but not at her house; she’s staying in the hotel. Diane tells her, before she says another word, did Carly ask to speak to her as her friend or attorney? Carly says, friend. She’s sure Diane heard all the dirty laundry that came out at Nina’s hearing, and Diane says she got the general gist; she’s so sorry. Carly says, it’s not like she stopped loving Sonny, and she adores the girls, but is staying in a broken marriage good for Donna and Avery? Is love enough? Diane says, in her vast experience, she’s found it takes more than two people to break up a marriage. Carly says, so Diane knows what she’s up against, and Diane says, Sonny and Nina had a relationship in Nixon Falls, and Sonny is continuing to protect Nina in Port Charles. Carly says, that’s why she’s staying at the hotel. She needs some space to clear her head, figure out what her options are, what’s best for the girls, and if things start going south… Diane says she’s going to stop Carly there.

Sonny tells Brick, this is about marriage; something Brick knows little about. Brick says, fair enough, but he does know something about trouble, and he knows Sonny’s got it. And he’s not talking about Sonny’s marriage. One of his suppliers on the left coast is out of business, permanently. His going out of business sale was brought on by a brand new player, a complete unknown. Sonny says, players come and go, and Brick asks if Sonny is listening to him. This dude just took out one of Sonny’s players. That’s like waving a red flag in front of el toro, even from 2000 miles away. Sonny asks if this player has a name, and Brick says, everybody’s got a name; he’s working on it. Sonny says, Cyrus made noise about someone filling the power vacuum he left in the west, and Brick says, it could be part of the same party. Sonny says, he’ll ask around. He makes an aggressive move, then rubs his forehead, saying, he’s got a lot on his mind. Brick says, pardon him for asking, but such as? Sonny shakes his head, and Brick says, okay. He was just being a friend. He’s going to say it for Sonny, whether he wants to hear it or not. One man, two women; it’s one too many.

Nina tells Britt, of course (🍷) there’s still a home to wreck; two little girls are living in it. Britt asks how Nina can be so sure, and Nina says, Carly was standing at the same spot Britt is two days ago. Britt says, Carly came here looking for Nina? She hopes Nina had on body armor. What happened? Nina says, before Carly slapped her across the face? and Britt says, ouch. Nina says, Britt can guess what Carly had to say. She blames Nina for what Willow said on the witness stand, and blames her for what Sonny confirmed on the witness stand, even though she and Sonny never… Britt says, they might have. And they still might, if Carly keeps driving him into Nina’s arms. Is that what earned Nina the slap? Nina says, she told Carly that if Sonny showed up on her doorstep again, she woudn’t say no. Britt says, from what she’s been hearing, Sonny didn’t come back to a marriage. Sounds more like a prison with two unhappy people locked inside. Doesn’t Nina think she might be doing Sonny, and Carly, a favor if she gave him the key?

Curtis asks Laura, if Marshall was really trying to protect his family by dropping out of sight, why risk it now? She says, that’s an excellent question, and she’s sure Curtis asked it. What did he say? Curtis says, it was more about what he didn’t say. He said the danger is less, but he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, give proof to back it up. He warned Curtis against digging into his past. He said the only way to keep Aunt Stella and TJ safe was to let things be. She says, and he might be right about that, but Curtis says, or he might be blowing smoke. He doesn’t know what to believe, or if this man is even telling the truth.

Marshall says Epiphany can be anything she sets her mind to, and she says, like becoming a doctor? He tells her, he didn’t say it would be easy. She can start small; baby steps. She says, by joining his band? and they laugh. He says, warmer, but he was thinking about something a little easier, like dinner for two. She says, she thought he said he wasn’t into having a social life, and he says, he misspoke. He’s new in town, and he’s still putting one toe in the water, and the water is brutal in western New York this time of year. What does she say? Can they start over?

Drew says, it’s the second time he ran into Michael’s mom; the first time was on the footbridge. He had the distinct feeing he was not who she wanted to see. Not that she blames him for Jason’s death, it’s just, he’s still alive. Michael says, and Jason’s not, and Drew says, last night seemed different. She really needed someone to talk to, and he just happened to be there. If she could confide in him, of all people, it made him that maybe she’s… Michael says, desperate? and Drew laughs, saying, thanks. That’s good for his ego. Michael says, he meant he’s glad Drew was there for his mom. Drew says, him too.

Carly says she doesn’t understand. She thought she could tell Diane anything. Diane says, of course (🍷) she can, and trust her, she’s heard everything. As Carly’s friend, she’d never judge her or Sonny, but if they’re talking about a potential separation and possible divorce, just as Carly has her on retainer, Sonny has her on retainer. She can’t represent one of them without recusing herself of the other. Carly says she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to put Diane in an awkward position. Diane says, welcome to the wonderful world of domestic law. Whatever decision Carly makes, it will be one she doesn’t make lightly. Carly has to be honest with herself. Is this a step she wants to take?

Brick says he knows his way out, but Sonny says he guesses it’s public knowledge, everything that came out during the hearing. Brick says, people talk; it’s his business to listen. Unless of course (🍷), Sonny only values his electronics expertise, and not his friendship. Sonny says, Brick knows that’s not true. He appreciates everything Brick does, and appreciates Brick coming to him with this threat on the west coast. He has to keep his eyes open, right? Brick says he does, and Sonny says, as far as what Brick walked in on… Brick says he knows Sonny misses Jason a lot. He misses Jason too. Not that anyone could replace Jason in Sonny’s business or his life, he’s just saying, if there’s anything he can do, or any way he can help, he’s there for Sonny. Sonny says he appreciates that. This nameless threat is child’s play compared to what he and Carly are going through. It’s like they’re going through a maze and they’re lost. Brick suggests he drop some breadcrumbs and leave a trail, but Sonny says, they have to work this one out for themselves.

Nina tells Britt, she’s not going to take advantage of what may or may not be happening in Sonny’s home, and Britt says, it’s so obvious what Nina wants. Why doesn’t she just go for it? Nina asks why she’s getting the feeling there’s something more to this than Britt encouraging her to follow her heart? What’s in it for Britt? Britt says, fine. She thought Nina wanted an objective opinion; God forbid a friend, but from now on, Nina can make her own mistakes. She gets up, and Nina says, wait. She’s a little tired of being the other woman without the benefits. Britt says, yes; now they’re talking. The question is, what does Nina want to do about it?

Curtis says he’s sorry to lay all his troubles on Laura, but she says she didn’t just come home to snip ribbons in the strip mall. She wanted to see the people she loves, and hopes he knows he’s one of them. He thanks her, and says, balancing the budget of Port Charles has got to be simpler than unraveling the mystery that is Marshall Ashford. She says she thinks she can solve one mystery for him, and he asks, what’s that? She says, despite Curtis’s doubts and questions, she thinks he does want to have a relationship with his father. Maybe even more than his father wants one with him. He thanks her for her insights, and hugs her. She tells him to take care of himself and let her know how it goes, and she leaves.  

Epiphany tells Marshall that her break’s over; she has work to do. He says, understood, and starts to leave. She says she has an idea, and he says, he’s listening. She asks how he feels about prime rib, grilled to perfection, and he says, medium rare? She says, mm-hm, and he says, with blue cheese? She says, mm-hm, If he’s serious about dinner, her shift ends at six. The PC Grill has some of the best food around, and a fantastic wine list. He says, that sounds great, and maybe she can finish that long story of hers. She says, we’ll see, and he says, okay then. He’s looking forward. She says, her too, and he leaves.

Drew tells Michael, for what it’s worth(🍷), when he left Carly last night, he’s pretty sure he saw that spark back in her eye. Michael’s mom might be down, but she’s not out. Michael says he’s glad to hear it. Honestly, it’s getting harder for his mom and dad to put the pieces back together again. Drew says, all Michael can do is trust their love for each other is stronger than anything, or anyone, that comes between them. Michael says, he never used to doubt that, but now… Drew says, Michael knows he can’t fix this for them; that’s their job. All he can do is be there if they need him. The two of them leave the gym.

Carly tells Diane that she doesn’t know what she’s prepared to do, and Diane asks if that doesn’t speak volumes. If Carly was ready to pull the plug on her marriage to Sonny, they’d be sitting there as attorney and client, not two girlfriends. Carly says, maybe, and Diane says, perhaps Carly wants to fight for her marriage more than she realizes. Call her if she needs to talk – Diane gets up – as client or as a friend. She squeezes Carly’s shoulder, and leaves.

Nina tells Britt, there’s nothing for her to do, as long as Sonny, Carly, and their children are living under the same roof. She’s just an outsider, looking in, and she’s not going to break up their family. As far as Brad is concerned, she’s in no position to ask Sonny for any favors. Britt says, she won’t take no for an answer. So if Nina can’t or won’t reach out to Sonny on Brad’s behalf, she’ll do it herself. I don’t know why she doesn’t, since Sonny expressed a fondness for her after Jason died. And I use the term died loosely.

Sonny tells Brick, if he hears any more chatter about Mr. Nobody, let him know. Brick says he’s got it. In the meantime, he’s in town for the next few days. How about if they go out to dinner, all three of them; him, Sonny, and Carly. Sonny says he’d love to, but he thinks Carly is probably busy at the MetroCourt. Sonny’s phone rings, and Brick asks if he needs to take that. It stops ringing, and Sonny says, I guess not.

Nina tells Britt, hang up the phone, but Britt says, he picked up. Hey, Sonny. Avery says her daddy isn’t here, and Mama Carly isn’t here either. Britt says, okay, never mind, and thanks Avery. Nina asks what Avery said, and Britt tells her that she’s not entirely sure, but it sure sounded like Carly moved out of the house.

Wow. Even though she’s correct, that’s a big leap from Avery saying Carly’s not there to her having moved out.

Tomorrow, Portia tells Terry, maybe Camelot is closer than she thinks; Epiphany tells Marshall that she doesn’t want to hear any arguments; and Maxie says, she’s not going back to that cabin.

Below Deck

When we last left, Fraser was comforting Rayna who misconstrued Eddie and the captain’s attempt to make her feel better about things.

In Rayna’s interview, she said, she felt alone, and couldn’t act happy when her feelings were played with like a puppet. Eddie tried to get Rayna to tell him what the problem was, but she said she just needed a minute. In Heather’s interview, she said they weren’t even halfway through the charter, and still had a beach picnic and vow renewal. She was relieved Kaylee was coming to save the day. Guest Melissa got water in her ear, and stayed in her room, so Heather delivered breakfast to her. Fraser asked Wes what was up with Rayna, and Fraser said, Rayna wasn’t fine, but she would be. Fraser relayed that to Heather, adding that he thought it was code for, nothing’s okay on deck. Eddie questioned Rayna again about what had happened, and she brought up Heather having used the n-word. She told Eddie that Heather had apologized, but it didn’t feel right. She said, the first time she’d told him, Eddie said it shouldn’t bother her, which confused Eddie, since that wasn’t what he said. He asked what had happened this morning, but Rayna was like, later. Rachel told primary Tony that she was making Japanese for dinner, and he said it was one of his favorite places in the world. Captain Lee told Eddie that Rayna had sounded like someone in distress, and asked if he found out what the problem was. Eddie told him about Heather using the n-word, and said Heather hadn’t directed it at Rayna, but apologized. In his interview, the captain said he personally found the word offensive, and couldn’t think of any context where it would be okay. Eddie told Captain Lee it had been about something else this morning, but Rayna didn’t want to talk about it. The captain said they had to get to the bottom of it.

Eddie took Wes, Fraser, and Rayna to set up for the picnic. Still not feeling well, Melissa decided to stay behind with husband Pete. Fraser told Rayna that he was hoping the new stew would do the things he hated, like laundry. From the beach, they saw the small boat bringing Kaylee to the yacht, and in Fraser’s interview, he said he felt betrayed. He’d earned his place with Heather, and they worked well together. He was still the best bitch on the boat.

Shitten You Not Bay. In Kaylee’s interview, she said she was coming in mid-charter, and had no idea what she was coming into. She and Heather had been roommates on the last boat, and were good friends. Heather had the spotlight, and Kaylee was in the background, where she still got light, and she was okay with that. The guests played cornhole on the beach, while Captain Lee went over the vows they’d be saying. In his interview, he said he didn’t know why anyone needed a vow renewal, but he’d been volunteered. He guessed he was good with it – said no one ever. Jake chatted with Kaylee in the crew mess, and when the guests came back, they gave her a big woohoo. Kaylee introduced herself as she handed out warm towels. Tony and wife Porcha went off on the jet skis, and Fraser was given a break. In his interview, he said he was happy to hear the word break, and when he came back, Kaylee could do laundry while he tended bar.  

Eddie tried to pin down Rayna again, and told her, what Heather said was uncalled for, and he had her back. Rayna said, it bothered her more that he’d shrugged it off, but he said if he’d heard that happen, he would have shut it down; it was not okay in any way, shape, or form. He wondered if it could be worked out with Heather, but got a hard no. Rayna said she could work with Heather without being friends, and Eddie said if there was anything he could do to make Rayna more comfortable, let him know.

Heather introduced Kaylee around, and in Rachel’s interview, she was excited about the Japanese dinner. In Japan, they didn’t reinvent the wheel; they just perfected it. She told us, every finite detail had to come to the table perfectly, and she may or may not be a control freak. Captain Lee joined the guests for dinner, wearing his dress uniform, and Tony asked for permission to be seated. Jake flirted with Kaylee, but in her interview, she said she was okay with being single. Tony told the captain that the trip was exceeding expectation. He said guest Darion was the new cornhole king, and sometimes you had to let people win. Tony pronounced the first course of seaweed salad amazing, and it looked amazing. The next course was a delicious-looking miso soup, but Melissa said her ear was painful when she chewed. Poached egg with caviar was next, followed by a rice cake, but not the kind of dry desperation snack you get in the grocery store; a real cake made of rice. The captain said he’d never had the same meal twice from Rachel, and I thought, unlike Chef Leon, who made beef cheeks every chance he got. Melissa ended up leaving the table, and in Heather’s interview, she said it was a huge bummer. It was a situation she couldn’t control, but it could still be a reason they lost tip money. There was an ice cream concoction for dessert, and in Rachel’s interview, she said, dear God. Thirty thousand tip, here we come. I think this is my favorite meal since I’ve been vicariously cruising with them.

It was time for the vow renewal, and Heather made up a reason to get the wives off the deck for a moment, so it was a surprise when everything was in place. Captain Lee told the couples, in these tumultuous, sometimes frightening times, they had each other. They were there to celebrate their bonds with each other, and the vows they’d taken. The captain then gave a renewal spin to the traditional vows, ending with, as I continue life with you, to which the couples said, I do. The crew applauded, and in Rayna’s interview, she said the way the men looked at their wives was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. She loved Black love, and it was something people her age needed to see. Agreed. Afterward, Captain Lee asked Eddie about Rayna, and Eddie said he felt deflated after they talked. It seemed her main issue was with him. She was accusing him of brushing off her concerns. We flashed back to Rayna waking Eddie up to tell him about Heather, and him talking to her for a while. He did tell her to try and separate personal stuff from work, but it wasn’t like he brushed it off. The captain told Eddie that he wanted Rayna to be comfortable, but as long as she was doing her job, that was all he cared about. I don’t think he meant it as bad as it sounded. It was more like, they’d tried several t times to ask her what was wrong, and there was nothing more they could do.

Rachel’s departure day breakfast special was a seafood omelet with caviar, or chicken and waffles. Yes please! In Fraser’s interview, he said so far, so good with Kaylee, but his first impressions were mostly incorrect. So he was hoping for the best. The captain radioed for the crew to go to the main deck in their whites. The guests said goodbye, and guest Bonnie gave Rachel a Navy service pin as a thank you. In Rachel’s interview, she said they weren’t given out often, and it meant a great deal to her. Tony said he searched for superlatives, but couldn’t come up with anything – they were that good. They loved the crew. He asked for permission to go ashore. I loved the whole respect thing Tony gave the captain. When the guests were gone, the crew changed, and started turning over the boat.

Fraser told Heather and Kaylee about getting sprayed in the face with a bidet, and in his interview, he said, no one uses them, ever. It was time for the tip meeting, and Captain Lee said they’d gotten a good dose of military personnel, and rose to the occasion, taking pride in their work. The tip was $25K, or $2270 each. Since Kaylee got to partake of that share – the captain saying she was appreciated – I’m sure that steamed the rest of the crew, although no one made a peep. The captain told them to work hard until 5, and they’d be leaving the dock at 11 am. Another one bites the dust. Heather said, one more, and Kaylee did laundry. The crew got ready to go out.

On the way to the restaurant, Rayna told Fraser that she liked Kaylee, but wasn’t happy to be out money. Still, not an awful complaint. Fraser said Kaylee genuinely helped, and she was great. At the table, he raised his glass, welcomed Kaylee, and toasted to a successful trip. Rachel thanked Rayna for her help in the galley, and everyone else who helped. Rayna said cooking excited her, and she felt it was time she needed to figure things out. Rachel suggested she go to the country to study. In Rayna’s interview, she said it was something she’d like to take seriously in the future. Eddie said Rayna was a kickass deckhand, but she shined in the galley. It’s where she was laser focused. Rayna noticed Jake wearing a colorful thong under his pants, and he danced around with his pants lowered. Rayna said she wished she had that much confidence. Fraser went to sit with Heather and Kaylee, and said, when he heard Kaylee was coming, he thought his efforts were void. She took the initiative and respected him, and he appreciated it. In his interview, he said he had a different perspective now. He was being an immature, insecure brat. He said he appreciated Kaylee, and Heather said that meant the world to her. On their way back, Jake took off his shirt, and jumped into the pool in the restaurant courtyard, which I don’t think was for swimming. Fraser said he wasn’t sharing a back seat with Jake.  

Back at the boat, Wes ate chips, lying on a crew mess bench, and dropping them into his mouth. Eddie tried to fix a bidet, and Jake and Fraser had another drink on deck. Jake said Fraser would be the one he stayed friends with after the season, and in his interview, he said, as different as they were, he and Jake were friends for life.

Next time, primary Jennifer is a real estate entrepreneur who wants the trip of a lifetime; the guests are Hamilton fans; Heather is grumpy and over people being grumpy and over it; a guest whines for champagne; Captain Lee says, the crew better either get their heads out of their asses, or he’ll eat their asses; and something else falls off the boat.

🏖 Summer House is back again. Didn’t we just leave these awful people? They’re worse than a bad penny. Or a toxic boomerang. The main takeaway points were as follows. Carl was getting his act together, doing things like going to AA meetings. He said he needed to be more serene, but I failed to see how being on this show, or dating Lindsay, of all people, was going to help with that. Kyle’s motto this season was, go big or go home, but it looked like the only big thing will be his out-of-control drinking. Paige had dated Andrea after Vermont’s Winter House, but he asked her to stop seeing other people, and she didn’t want to give up being single. At the time of filming, she’d been with Craig (Southern Charm) for two months, but they weren’t exclusive, and free to do what they wanted. We also found out that Lindsay had been pregnant by Carl, but lost the baby. It didn’t take long for Kyle to make a drunken ass of himself, and Amanda to be pissed off. Word on the street had it, if the wedding was called off, he’d have to pay back her parents. My only question is, why are 50 45 40 35 year olds acting like they’re twenty, and have never been out of the house? Otherwise known as the cast of The Real World.

If you want more, go here:

Summer House’s Amanda Triggered When Kyle Ignores Her in Season 6 Clip

Or here:

https://www.bravotv.com/summer-house

🧂 Salting the Wound…

All you need to know about the latest RHOSL.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/16/rhoslc-recap-jen-shah-says-meredith-marks-has-10-boyfriends/

🎂 Happy Birthday To You…

In honor of Betty White’s 100th birthday, one of her last pictures is shared, and donations are made. In honor of Betty – or even if not – please donate to your local animal shelter.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/17/betty-whites-assistant-shares-one-of-last-pics-of-late-icon/

https://people.com/pets/betty-white-would-be-touched-to-see-animal-shelter-donations-on-her-birthday/

🙏🏾 He Had a Dream…

Things to learn.

15 Things to Teach the Whole Family about MLK

Things to stream.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/9-titles-to-stream-on-mlk-day/

Things to ponder.

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. – Martin Luther King Jr.

💡 Flipping the Switch To Off…

Come back again tomorrow for soap and the Rules of James and Raquel’s engagement. Until then, stay safe, stay fearless in your faith, and stay knowing that even though things didn’t go as planned, it’s never too late for your dream.

Jan15

January 14, 2022 – Laura Has a Family Meeting, Back On, Anniversary, Returning, Undecided, Salty Talk, New Old Romance, Awards, Final Tally, Puppies (!), 22’s First Baker’s Dozen Of Quotes & Birthday

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Drew sits at the MetroCourt bar looking at the picture of him that Scout made. Carly comes in, and asks what he has, and he shows her, saying, it’s a portrait of him made by a budding young artist who goes by the name of Scout. It looks just like him, wouldn’t she say? She does say, and adds it’s good he appreciates the effort. He asks if she’s okay. After the other night on the bridge, he wants her to know she can talk to him. Her phone rings, and it’s Michael, so she steps away to take it. She asks, what’s up?

Laura asks Doc if he thinks there’s any chance this could work, and he says, either way, she has to try, right? She says, absolutely. She can’t just stand by and watch her family fall apart. She says they should get going on this, and calls upstairs to Spencer. He asks what he can do for her. It’s not about his take-out order of dinner, is it? She says, no. It’s about a family meeting. He says, what’s tonight’s topic? and she says, family unity. There’s a knock at the door, and Doc lets Nikolas in.

Britt says, Brad poisoned Peter? He means literally poisoned him, not a figure of speech? He says, literally, but she doesn’t believe it, and says, he’s no killer. He says he’s done some pretty horrible things, and she says, agreed; so has she. But murder? She gets up, and says, he hadn’t crossed that threshold. He says he still hasn’t. Peter’s not dead. She says, attempted murder doesn’t score him any points, and he says he didn’t know what he was doing until after the fact. She says, okay. How did he get the poison? He says, his Aunt Selena. I’m not sure why they’re both acting like this is the worst crime of the century, since, had Brad succeeded, he would have been doing the world a favor. And how come Selena wasn’t on top of this, and someone finish the job?

Ava goes to Nina’s office, and hears Martin saying that Nina’s in the clear now. It might be in her best interest to let sleeping dogs lie. Nina sees Ava, and tells her to come in. She’s just finishing up with Martin. Ava says she thought Scotty was Nina’s lawyer, but Nina says she had to fire him after he forced Willow to talk about her relationship with Sonny on the witness stand. Ava says, which got the identity fraud charges dropped. It’s thanks to Scotty that her legal problems are over, or has something new come up? Nina says, there’s nothing new. It’s still what it’s always been about; her grandson Wiley.

Michael says, Carly moved out? Where is she? She says she has a suite at the MetroCourt. She just needed some time away from Sonny so she could get her head straight. He asks if she took Donna and Avery with her, but she says, no. She couldn’t disrupt their lives, and Avery has been so clingy with Sonny since he got home. She didn’t want the girls to think she and their father were having problems. She told them that she was working a lot at the MetroCourt and had to stay over. She’ll be there at night before the go to bed, and first thing in the morning when they go to school. Michael says, that’s a lot, and she’ll probably run into dad. Won’t it be too much for her? She says, yeah, but keeping some semblance of stability and seeing the girls will be worth it. What about him? Has he talked to Sonny since Nina’s hearing? Sonny walks in, and Michael says he’ll call her back.

Ava asks how Nina expects Martin to help her with Wiley. No offense. Martin says, none taken, but maybe they should discuss this another time. Nina says they can speak freely in front of Ava, and tells Ava that she’s consulting Martin about ways to ensure she can see Wiley. Ava asks if she’s talking about taking Michael and Willow to court, and Nina says, it’s an option. Martin says, if memory serves, he and Ava were discussing the same point a while back. How in the state of New York, if a biological parent is deceased… Ava says, yes, and a biological grandparent has the right to visitation. She asks if Nina is sure she wants to start poking this hornet’s nest. She doesn’t think she and Michael can work something out between the two of them? Nina says, with Carly whispering in Michael’s ear? No, not likely.

Michael says he didn’t expect to see Sonny here, and Sonny says, he heard Michael was speaking to Frank about his whereabouts, instead of talking to him directly. Michael says he’s still processing. He couldn’t believe what he heard that Sonny said on the stand, and Sonny says he didn’t want Michael’s mom to hear that on the stand. Whatever he and Nina had is over. Michael says, what happened between Sonny and Nina is none of his business, but the look on mom’s face when she told him about it? That, he can’t forgive.

Drew finds Carly in a private lounge area, and says her name. She says, she’s sorry. It’s been a day. It’s been a really rough day. He says he really hopes things get better, and starts to leave, but she says, he’s not going to ask her what’s going on? He says, it seems like she’s got a lot on her mind, and she says, it’s because of New Year’s Eve, isn’t it? She’s sorry. She should have never put him off, and acted the way she did. He says she has nothing to apologize for. He’s not trying to take Jason’s place – been there, done that – but just know, if she ever needs a shoulder… She says she does.

Laura thanks Nikolas for coming, and Spencer says, no Ava? At least grandmother realizes she isn’t part of our family. Nikolas says, Ava is most definitely part of this family, and Laura agrees. She invited Ava, but Ava politely declined. Nikolas says, Ava was being thoughtful. She probably thought her being here would make the conversation less smooth. Spencer says, she’s probably out spending his money, and Nikolas says, what was that? Spencer says, when she summoned him to the MetroCourt to discuss the work he’d being doing for her at the gallery to make restitution – after he serves his sentence – she made it a point of throwing it in his face that she was using money from his trust fund to cover their tab. Doc comes in, and says he thinks they’re getting off track, and Laura says she’s very sorry she wasn’t here when everything fell apart between the two of them. Spencer says, translation, when Nikolas lost his mind and gave Ava control of his trust fund, and Nikolas says, because Spencer refuses to accept that Ava is part of this family. Spencer says, not his family, and Doc suggests they take it down a notch. Laura says, how about if they all sit down? but Spencer says, he’ll stand.

Brad tells Britt, his aunt told him to deliver a specific food tray to a specific cell in solitary. When he got there, he realized he was transporting a meal for Peter August, and that there might be something suspect about it. She says, he had no idea whatsoever? Why did he think his aunt was catering for anyone, let alone Peter? Brad says, he had his suspicions, but it was the only way she’d help with the parole board. Britt says, now she has leverage. Brad does her bidding or she’ll tip off the cops about Peter’s adventures in not-so fine dining. He says, nothing that satiric. He’s afraid his aunt will kill him if he tries to defy her. There’s a knock at the door, and Britt says, come in. Dante walks in, and Britt asks what she can do for him. She asks if it has something to do with a patient’s confidential medical information, but he says, no. Not currently. He has information about Peter August. She says, what about Peter? and he says he wants to discuss plans to have Peter moved to the infirmary in Pentenville. According to his doctor, he’s going to be strong enough to travel pretty soon. Brad sighs, and Dante asks if Brad has something to say. Britt says, soon isn’t now. How can she help facilitate this transfer? Dante says, that’s what he’s here to try and coordinate. They have to make sure all the boxes are checked. They need to have the medical records done by the medical director, and schedule the appropriate section meeting before they can have him released. Once that’s done, they can issue a transfer warrant. He knows it’s a lot, and he’ll walk her through it, but they can’t have anyone dropping the ball on this one. She says, agreed. Let her look at Peter’s labs, and they can talk tomorrow. Dante says, sounds good; give him a call. He stops before he goes out the door, and says, hey, Brad. What’s this he hears about Brad staying with Selena Wu? Brad says, she’s his aunt, and Dante says, that’s a good idea, right? Getting close to the head of the Wu crime family while you’re on parole. Watch your step. Britt asks why Dante is harassing Brad. Dante’s brother is the one threatening people. Dante says, Michael? and she says, yes, Michael. He threatened Brad at the MetroCourt in front of everyone. Dante asks if she was a witness to this alleged threat, and she says she heard about it. Dante says, so no, and asks if Brad wants to file a complaint, but Brad says, no need. He just wants to get on with his life. Dante says, sounds like they’re done here, and Britt says, tell his brother that Brad won’t be intimidated, and Dante says, sure. He asks her to let him know when she has those labs, and leaves. She says, that went well, and Brad pops an antacid.

Laura says, Nikolas and Spencer are so much alike, and Doc says, birds of a feather. Nikolas says he’s sorry. As the adult, he shouldn’t have let Spencer bait him. Spencer says, Nikolas keeps forgetting he’s an adult too. He has a job, and makes his own money. He’s certainly not relying on an inherited family fortune. Laura says she’s proud of him for that. She’s proud he kept his job at Kelly’s, even though it wasn’t easy for him. Spencer thanks her, and says, he’s adjusted. After he serves his time, both at Ava’s gallery and Spring Ridge, he can start saving up for his own place. Laura says, this is exactly what she wanted to talk about. He’s only got a few weeks before he goes to Spring Ridge, and serving a 30 day sentence. And going to prison, even if it’s a minimum security prison, is going to test his emotional and mental strength. She knows he can do it, and has every faith in him. Look how stubborn he’s being now. She thinks it would be better and easier if when he went to Spring Ridge, he had his whole family standing by him. She turns to Nikolas, and says, she thinks it’s important. Does Nikolas think he can reconcile with his son before Spencer goes to prison? Nikolas says, he wants that. He hates the walls between them. He misses his son. Spencer says he misses Nikolas too. He sits down, and Esme comes in. She asks, what’s going on? and Spencer says, they’re just having a meeting. Grandmother wants him to make peace with his father. She says, is that what he wants? He gets up, and says, no. She says she’s glad she came home when she did. Don’t worry. She won’t let his family gang up on him. She takes off her coat, and stands in front of them with her arms folded.

Nina tells Ava that Willow came to her last night, and suggested she give up her legal rights to Wiley as a gesture of good will to Michael. Ava says, that sounds extreme, and Nina says, she accused Willow of doing Michael’s dirty work, but Willow said it was her own idea. She promised to do everything she can to get through to Michael so Nina can still be in Wiley’s life. Ava says, Nina can’t give up her rights to her grandchild, and Martin says, he explained doing so would be irrevocable. If Nina legally abdicates her rights as Wiley’s legal grandmother, she can’t turn around and take them back if Willow failed to soften Michael’s attitude. Nina says, it’s too risky. She can’t take that chance. She picks up Wiley’s photo, and Ava says, then don’t. Do not give up her rights; listen to Martin. Nina says she did, and they were talking about the alternatives, which include going to court, so she can guarantee she has a right to see Wiley. Ava says, she’d be going on the offensive. Is she ready to do that? Nina says, what other choice does she have? She can’t just wait around for Michael’s mood to soften. She wants to be part of her grandson’s life now. Ava says, of course (🍷) she does. The question is – she looks at Martin – can Nina win? He says, she can definitely win. The problem is, is she really ready to burn down that last bridge?

Drew asks if Carly just wants to dive right in and talk about it, but Carly wants to hear about something that makes her smile. Why doesn’t he tell her about Scout? He says, she’s amazing. She’s getting more comfortable every time they see each other, just like Sonny said she would. Him, on the other hand, he’s been gone so long, half of Scout’s life. He has a lot of catching up to do, things to learn. What’s her favorite color? Her best friend’s name? He asked her what her favorite flavor of ice cream was, and she was so confused, like, you don’t know? You’re my daddy. Carly says, that must have hurt, and he says, he just told her that he had a lot to learn, and she needs to teach him. That made her happy. It brought home how much time they’ve lost and how many things they have to get back. She says, reunions are tough. As happy as you are to reconnect, you realize the person has changed since you last saw them.

Sonny tells Michael, when he came home he was hit with a lot of things. Michael’s mom was getting married. He wanted to tell her, but then Jason died. He did the best he could for his family. Michael says, Nina lied to Sonny, to them, for months. How is it best for his family to protect her? Sonny says he understands; Michael wants to hold Nina accountable. He’s not saying anything about that. Michael says, but Sonny doesn’t understand what he’s feeling, because if he did, he would have never stood up for Nina at that hearing.

Doc asks Esme to allow him to buy her a cup of coffee while the family talks, but Esme says she thinks she should be here. Spencer says, go, it’s fine. Please go. He needs to do this on his own. She kisses him, and says, if he needs her, just text her. She’ll come right back. Doc opens the door, and says, shall we? Esme snatches up her coat, and they leave. Spencer shrugs, and says, Esme seems to be the only one who’s there for him, and Nikolas says, he wants to be there for Spencer, but Esme’s attitude of us-against-them isn’t helping. Spencer says, and Ava’s idea of family unity is? Laura asks if they can please get back to where they were. It’s really only about the two of them, father and son. Do try to leave everyone else out of it. It’s really frustrating for her, because she knows how much they love each other. Nikolas says he does love Spencer, and Spencer says he felt the love all those years Nikolas let him believe he was dead.

Drew tells Carly, it amazes him how quickly Scout warmed up to him, as if nothing bad ever happened to her in her life. She’s fearless. Who knows? Maybe there will come a time in her life when she doesn’t remember daddy wasn’t around to tuck her in. She says, the father/daughter bond is so special. She’d never want to deprive Avery or Donna of it ever. He asks, why would she? and she says, she and Sonny are having a problem. He says he’s sorry to hear that. Who threw the first vase this time? She laughs, and says, nothing was thrown. She moved out.

Nina says, maybe she should give it more thought before she take legal action, and Martin says he thinks that would be advisable. Why set something like that in motion if she’s not certain? In the meantime, he’ll see if he can find any precedents that help or hurt her cause, should she decide to go forward. Nina says she likes that idea, and he says he’ll be in touch. He leaves, and Ava sits down. She says, that must have been some chat with Willow to get Nina to contemplate legal action. Nina says, Willow was her second visitor; Carly was her first. She stormed in here, and demanded all the details about what happened between her and Sonny in Nixon Falls. Ava asks, how did that go? and Nina says she went all scorched earth; she held nothing back. Ava says, define scorched earth, and Nina says, she told the truth. That if she hadn’t said no, Sonny would have made love to her.

Nikolas says he’s sorry he didn’t tell Spencer he was alive, but he didn’t want to bring Spencer into the lie, and Spencer was better off. He can’t change his past mistakes, and will always regret hurting Spencer. Laura says, part of growing up is learning to forgive the people who’ve hurt us. Does Spencer want to keep carrying this pain around with him, or does he want to have a relationship with his father now? She thinks it’s time to let bygones be bygones, and move forward as a family. Spencer laughs, and gets up, and she asks if she said something funny. Spencer says, she sounds a lot like Uncle Victor.

At the Bistro, Doc assures Esme, Spencer will be fine. It’s just a family meeting. What has her so upset? She says she’s not upset. She just doesn’t like being dragged away from her boyfriend when he needs her. Doc says, he recalls Spencer asking her to leave, but she says, that’s because he didn’t want to look weak in front of his father. He asks if she thinks Spencer is weak, and she tells him, don’t try to shrink her. She knows a thing or two about psychology herself. He says, that’s right. How is that internship at Spring Ridge going? She says she’s enjoying it. She finds the criminal mind fascinating. She’s sure Doc can relate. She’s read his books on the subject. He says, has she? and she says, which is why she doesn’t understand how he can say Spence being with family makes him safe, considering his brother is Ryan Chamberlain. It’s hard not to notice the large succulent on the table, possibly some hybrid spawn of the moss bowl🎍. I’ll be keeping an eye on it.

Brad thanks Britt for standing up for him with Dante, and she says she’ll always stand up for him, but he needs to stop popping those antacids and strengthen that spine. Get his mojo back. Never mind how he got his parole; he’s out now. Leave that prison mentality behind, and start thinking, start acting like a free man. He asks if he wasn’t clear enough. his aunt’s hospitality comes with a price tag, and a huge spotlight. The last thing he wants is police scrutiny. She asks if his aunt has threatened him outright, but he says, not directly. In fact, Aunt Selena’s been very kind, while she controls his whole existence. That’s why he had to wait until she was out of town to visit Britt. He doesn’t know how to distance himself from her without creating offense. People who offend Selena Wu tend to disappear.

Ava says, Nina told Carly that Sonny wanted to have sex with her? Nina says, she was pushing and demanding specifics. She wouldn’t shut up about it. Ava says she knows how relentless Carly can be. But that she came to Nina tells her that Carly is worried. She asks if Nina has heard from Sonny, but Nina says, not since New Year’s Eve. Ava asks if he’s still staying at his place in Harbor View Towers, and Nina says, according to Carly, he’s home. He just wants his family back. Ava says, that doesn’t necessarily have to include Carly, and Nina says, since when? Ava says, she doesn’t know when the tide turned, but the fact Carly was here talking to Nina, instead of home, working things out, reinforces what Ava told Nina the other day. Sonny is still in love with Nina, and Carly knows it.

Sonny tells Michael, he wasn’t going to lie on the stand. Yes, Michael’s mother should have heard about Nina from him, but every time he wanted to say something, it wasn’t the right time. Michael says, Sonny could have found the time, and Sonny yells, he can’t change what happened. He can only be there for the family now; reassure them that they can count on him. Michael says, he was counting on Sonny to help him put Nina behind bars. Instead, they were all blindsided by what he said on the stand. Because of Sonny, the charges against Nina were dropped. That’s not protecting his family. They start to argue loudly, when Dante comes in and says, hey, enough!

Carly tells Drew, she can’t stay in the house with Sonny, because if she does, she can’t breathe, and can’t figure out how she’s feeling. He says, she needs to trust her instincts, and she tells him, Jason used to say that. Drew says, Jason knew her best, and she says, she’s going to be there in the morning when the girls get up, and she’ll be there at night to put them to bed. She wants to keep as much consistency as possible for them. He thinks it’s great she’s thinking about the kids. She’s an incredible mother; it’s obvious the kids are her priority. But does she know how, on an airplane, they tell you to put your oxygen mask on before your child’s? She nods, and he says, that’s because you’re not going to do your kid any good if you’re passed out. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do for you. That way she can be the best mom for Donna and Avery. She says she doesn’t want to break up her family, and he says, from what he’s seen, she and Sonny are the real deal. They’ll find their way back together. She says, what if they can’t? and he says, then he refers her to his original advice of trust her instincts. She thanks him, and says she owes him an apology.

Nina tells Ava, Sonny’s in love with her? She hadn’t even allowed herself to consider that, even though Sonny did say on the stand he was in love with her in Nixon Falls. Maybe more of his feelings survived when he got his memory back than Nina thought. Ava says, there’s no maybe about it. Carly is running scared for a reason. Obviously, she sees Nina as a threat to her marriage. Nina says, everything is nuts right now, but if Sonny and Carly separate, does Ava think there’s a chance for her and Sonny to be together here in Port Charles? Ava says, not if Nina sues Michael for visitation with Wiley. If Nina goes to war with Michael, she’ll lose Sonny forever.

Dante asks, what’s going on? and Michael asks what Dante is doing here. Dante says he came to talk to Michael about something else, but never mind that. Why are they yelling at each other? Michael says, his mom is living at the MetroCourt, and Dante says, he’s sorry to hear that. Michael says, she moved out because dad refuses to leave the house, and Dante says, he thought Sonny was at the penthouse. Sonny says he’s not giving up on his marriage, but they’re at an impasse, and he called Carly’s bluff. Michael says, she wasn’t bluffing, and Sonny says he didn’t expect her to leave; he’s not giving up. He’s getting Michael’s mother back. Michael says, by ignoring what she wants? and Dante says, it’s a tough situation for everyone, okay? Michael says, that’s easy for Dante to say. His mom’s not the one who’s got to stay away.   

Ryan says, his brother is a very dangerous man, but Esme isn’t really comparing Laura and Nikolas to Ryan, is she? She says, no. She just means people go on and on about how great family is, but psychopaths have families too. He says, yes, they do, and sometimes we’re hurt by the people we love and trust. She must been hurt when her parents died. She says, of course (🍷). She was devastated. He says, Spencer told him she has siblings, but he’s never heard her mention them. Were they separated when their parents died? She says, they’re not close, but they were talking about his brother; Ryan, his twin. Does he ever visit Ryan at Spring Ridge? She’s never seen him there. He says he monitors Ryan’s progress, but he doesn’t visit, and she asks if people with Locked-In Syndrome ever recover. He asks just how much time is she spending with Ryan? but she says, barely any. His case just stands out. Doc says, Ryan is not a simple case study. He’s a man who’s killed people, and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again, given half the chance. If she ever saw who Ryan really is, she woudn’t be intrigued. She’d be terrified, and she’d be right to be so.

Laura asks how she sounds like Victor, and Spencer says, Uncle Victor gave him a whole speech on family loyalty. Laura says, this is very important. Do not fall prey to Victor’s manipulations. Spencer asks, what happened to forgiveness? She doesn’t have any of that for Uncle Victor? She says she misspoke. We forgive the people who are truly sorry for having hurt us. That’s not Victor. Spencer says, Uncle Victor might not be the most popular person, but Victor’s always been good to him. Nikolas says he knows how important family is to Spencer, but he doesn’t have to turn to Victor. Nikolas is right here. He loves Spencer. He wants his son back.

Britt says, they can figure out a way to get the better of Brad’s Aunt Selena, and he asks if she’s been paying attention. The woman is formidable. She says, so are they. Formidable, and well-versed in wiggling out of trouble. He says, except when they get caught. He just doesn’t see a way out of this. His aunt has him under her thumb, and has already warned him to stay away from Britt. Britt says, so what? She’s there for him, no matter what his control freak aunt wants. He asks if she’s sure, and she says she’s stood up to worse than his Aunt Selena, and lived to tell. He’s her best friend. She’s not letting his aunt take him from her. He says, he’s lucky to have her, even if she did betray him by getting another wingman. She says, he’s back! She just had an idea. She might know someone who could help him.

Doc hopes Esme heeds his warning about Ryan. He’s not being dramatic; it’s for her own safety. She says, got it. How much longer does she have to wait before she can go back to Spence? He says, Laura will text when they’re finished. He asks if Esme is still worried, and says, she doesn’t need to protect Spencer from his family. It seems to him, not long ago she was pushing for a reconciliation. What happened? She says, maybe it has something to do with him being sent to a correctional facility, and his family is letting it happen. Doc says, Spencer committed a crime. There was nothing they could do about that. She says, Ava never had to press charges in the first place, and he says, she wanted Spencer to take responsibility. Esme says she guesses Ava got what she wanted, and he says, they’re all on Spencer’s side. She asks if he’ll excuse her. She needs to use the ladies room. She promises not to sneak out. He says he didn’t expect her to, but thanks for the heads up. She leaves, and he makes a call. He says, it’s Dr. Collins for Warden Brewster. It’s urgent. He needs to restrict who has access to Ryan Chamberlain.

Spencer says he wants Nikolas back too – without Ava. Nikolas says, this again, and Laura says, honestly? Spencer says, those are his terms, and Nikolas says, Spencer is being completely unreasonable. Spencer says he guesses there’s nothing left to say, and walks off. Nikolas tells Laura, he tried. He needs to go. Laura loudly says, same time next week, and Spencer stops and says, they’re doing this again? She says, he thought this was a one and done? Absolutely not. She’s not giving up on the two of them. They’re going to keep talking, because talking to each other is the only way they’ll be able to work this out.

Ava says, Nina knows how Sonny is about his kids. If he has to choose between Michael and Nina… Nina says, no contest, and any hope of her having a life with Sonny will be dashed, but what about Wiley? She doesn’t want that little boy growing up with Carly’s version of her; he’ll hate her. Ava says, Sonny’s on Nina’s side. He’ll get Michael to come around. Nina says, but won’t Michael just hate her even more because she broke up his parents’ marriage? but Ava says, seems like his parents’ marriage is exploding all on its own. Nina just has to stand back and let it happen. Maybe be around to pick up the pieces. Nina says, it’s a great fantasy, but Ava says, it’s not a fantasy. Just play cool. Play her cards right, and Nina can have Wiley and Sonny in her life. Isn’t that what she really wants?

Drew says, Carly has nothing to apologize about, but she says she does. When Jason came home, she got so caught up in having him back, she was totally focused on that, when Drew was having a hard time. He says, it was a crazy situation, and looking back, he didn’t handle it well. She says, how could he? He was still trying to come to terms with what happened to him, and who he was. He says, he pulled away from her and Sonny too; it was a tough time. She says she wishes she’d been a better friend, and he says she’s a great friend. He hopes she hasn’t been worried about this; he’s long over it. She says she doesn’t really know him that well; the real Drew Cain, separate from Jason. She’s glad she got a second chance. He says, him too. Look what she almost missed. They laugh.

Dante says, Michael is being protective of his mother; he’s being protective of his father. But neither of them are in the relationship. They’re on the outside, looking in, so they can’t judge. Decisions were made, and now they all have to deal with the consequences, right? Sonny says, that’s exactly what he’s trying to do, and Michael says, now, after the truth has come out. Sonny says he loves Michael’s mother. Does Michael know that or not? Michael says he does. He loves them both, but hates seeing mom in so much pain. Dante says, they’re all just trying to protect their family, and Michael says, that’s what he’s trying to do, but dad needs to give mom what she’s asking for, which is space and… Sonny gets loud, and yells, why does Michael keep asking him to do something? He can’t make amends if Carly won’t talk to him. Dante asks if Sonny is okay, and Sonny says, he’s okay. He’s just got to talk to Carly. Michael says, but he can’t push. Sonny says he doesn’t like waiting, but for Michael’s mother, he’ll wait.

On Monday, Laura asks if Curtis is ready to accept his father back into his life, Marshall asks why Epiphany isn’t following her dream, and Diane asks Carly if this is a step she wants to take.

🏥 In and Out Item…

Apparently, GH won’t miss a beat.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Resumes Production

💖 Ten Years…

Not exactly the anniversary you want to celebrate, but it’s nice to look back. It was always my favorite of the ABC soaps.

Stars Reflect on the End of ONE LIFE TO LIVE
On the Anniversary of ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Final Episode, Relive Some Classic Moments

👸🏼 Don’t Call Her Princess…

Felicia’s back and feistier than ever. I have a dog named Felicia, but so far no reaction when they say Felicia on GH. And no, she wasn’t named after the GH character, but after a character in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Kristina Wagner Opens up About Her Return to GENERAL HOSPITAL

🎢 VickiCoaster…

It seems she can’t decide whether she’s happy or angry about the break-up.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/12/vicki-gunvalson-hosting-breakup-party-at-male-strip-club/
https://pagesix.com/2022/01/12/vicki-gunvalson-chased-ex-steve-lodge-out-of-a-restaurant/

🧂 Salt Shaking…

What’s happening with The Real Housewives of Salt Lake.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City Recap: Party Bus PTSD

And what’s to come.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/12/andy-cohen-teases-rhoslc-bombshell-thatll-rock-the-cast/

💏 For the Gram…

I don’t know how they came full circle here, but I don’t know if I’m picking up what they’re putting down.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/12/summer-houses-lindsay-hubbard-confirms-carl-radke-relationship/

🏆 Bundling Awards…

Daytime viewers will be interested.

Daytime Drama Writers Guild Awards 2022 Nominees Announced

Probably the most people are interested, since it’s somewhat of an Oscar nomination prediction.

https://www.cnet.com/news/golden-globes-2022-the-full-list-of-award-winners/

And there’s the booze.

https://pagesix.com/article/drunkest-celebrities-at-golden-globes-through-the-years/
https://nypost.com/2022/01/09/screw-the-irrelevant-golden-globes-awards-and-their-winners/

Fewer people will care about this.

https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/2022-sag-awards-nominations-list/

And so few people cared, it’s not even happening.

https://ew.com/awards/critics-choice-awards-postponed/

🥀 Roll Call of 2021…

Those we loved and lost.

https://pagesix.com/list/celebrity-deaths-2021/

🐶 Sending You Off With a Doggy Bag…

Puppy Bowl 2022!

https://ew.com/tv/puppy-bowl-xviii-photos/

https://ourcommunitynow.com/sports/meet-the-super-cute-puppies-competing-in-puppy-bowl-2022

🐝 Quotes of the Week

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. – Milton Berle (Or kick one out.)

It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not. – Andre Gide

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

Celery, useless except when used as a peanut butter delivery system. – Mike Baxter (Tim Allen), Last Man Standing

Tough times never last. Tough people do. – Robert Schuller

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun. – Kent Nerburn

How to sell books in 2020: Put them near the toilet paper. – New York Times

The best proof of love is trust. – Joyce Brothers

Apology is a lovely perfume; it can transform the clumsiest moment in to a gracious gift. – Margaret Lee Runbeck

To free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves – there lies the great, singular power of self-respect. – Joan Didion

Before you’ll change, something important must be at risk. – Richard Bach

Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity… successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results. – DuPree Jordan, Jr. (Getting out my tiara…)

Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. – George Addair

🥨 Late Night Snack Time…

Whether you call the next two days the weekend, or you refuse to bow to labeling days anymore, Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Until then, stay safe, stay having a dream, and stay not judging by skin color, but by content of character.

Dec11

December 10, 2021 – Peter Feels Threatened, Back Home, Rebuttal, Holiday Duo, Busy Countess, Ouch, Pulled Over, Another One, Maybe, People’s Carpet, Before His Time, Close To 10 Quotes & So It Begins

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny finds Carly working at a table in the MetroCourt, and says she left so early, he didn’t get a chance to say good morning. She says, good morning. Christmas will be there before they know it, and it’s on a Saturday, so she thinks they’ll be busier than ever. She looks at her phone, and says, what? She tells Sonny that she just got an email from her supplier, and there’s a shortage of marzipan. She has to talk to the chef; she’ll be back. She leaves, and Celina comes in. She says, Sonny’s wife certainly throws herself into her work, doesn’t she? He says, the holidays are busy, and Celina says, true. She supposes she’d fill up her days with work too, if she’d lost a good friend like Jason. She trusts Sonny is keeping himself busy too.

Peter wakes with a start in his cell, and says, who’s there? The guard tells him, take it easy. He has a visitor. Peter says, no visitors, unless there’s bullet-proof glass between them, but the guard says, relax; it’s law enforcement. Anna comes in, and asks Peter, what’s wrong? Did he have a bad dream?

Brook opens the door to Chase, and asks, what’s wrong? He says, what isn’t? He hates being suspended from work. It was one thing when he was sick, but he feels useless. She says she gets it, and she’s so sorry. He says he can’t stop thinking about the look on Willow’s face when she found out he was the father to Brook’s baby, and Brook says, just for clarification, she didn’t make him do that. It was his choice. He says it was all he could think of to protect Maxie’s secret. That’s the most important thing, right? Keeping Peter from finding out Bailey is really Louise? She asks if he’s there to face the music, even if it means Willow will never speak to him again, but he says, no. He’s there to step up. To assume the role of Bailey’s father. Everyone has to believe he’s the real deal, so he’s going to start changing diapers, and playing with Bailey, and doing what any proud papa would do.

Brando adjusts Sasha’s covers, and she wakes up and kisses his cheek. He says, good morning. She’s in a good mood this morning. She says, isn’t he? and he says he’s a little stiff from sleeping in the chair. She says she thinks it’s a small price to pay to wake up and face this day together. Can he believe it? Today is the day their baby will be coming home.

Nina asks Britt if there are any updates on Sasha’s baby, but Britt says they’re still on hold, and if she had information… Maxie says they understand; it’s confidential, family only. She can only imagine what’s going through their minds right now; hoping for the best, and worried the worst might happen. The hardest part is not knowing. Britt takes Maxie’s hand, and says she still has faith Louise is going to come home to her. Maxie thanks her, and says she has faith too. Of course (🍷) Louise might already be home if Nina had just called the police when Peter showed up in Nixon Falls. Nina says, maybe she should just go to Crimson, but Maxie says she won’t have any of that. There’s no point in second guessing anything. Choices were made. Peter will get what’s coming to him, and her baby will come home. Britt says she truly hopes so, but at what cost? and Maxie says, whatever it takes.

Willow tells Michael that Wiley was hoping daddy had some time to help pick out a Christmas tree for the gatehouse today. Michael says, maybe tomorrow, and Willow says, so he hasn’t changed his mind about appearing at Brad’s parole hearing? He says, it’s his duty as Wiley’s father. He’s going to do whatever he can to make sure Brad never comes near their son again.

Sonny tells Celina that he instructed his friend on the board to vote in favor of Brad’s parole, but she has to understand something. Michael wants to be at that hearing. He wants Brad to serve out his full sentence. So Sonny doesn’t know what guarantee she has of things going her way. She says, things might be different if Jason were around to guarantee it, but he says, Jason might not be able to influence Michael any more than he would. She says, admirable, but she has to think others might be influenced by Jason’s presence, if he was still around. She’s avoided talking about this topic out of respect. She thinks it’s in everyone’s interest if Sonny just… He asks if she’s saying they should move on, and Carly comes out. She says, move on from what?

Sasha tells Brando, it feels like she’s been counting every second for the last 71 hours and – she looks at her phone – and 42 minutes. All the stress will be worth it when Britt and the other doctors say the therapy to cool Liam’s brain worked, and the EEG confirmed it. He rubs her hand, and she puts her hand on top of his. He asks if he’s rubbing her too hard, and she says, he’s done everything right. From holding her hand to making her laugh to sending her pictures of their sweet little boy, so she can be reminded what it’s all about. She loves this one. She shows him her phone.

Willow says she knows Michael is committed to keeping Wiley safe, just like she is. That’s their first priority. He says, but? and she says, but if his dad is willing to give Brad another chance… He says, this is just a business move for his dad. Brad’s Aunt Celina is a business associate of his father’s, and he thinks she can keep Brad away from Wiley, but Michael doesn’t agree. She says, she doesn’t claim to know all the ins and outs of his dad’s business, but it doesn’t seem smart for Brad’s aunt to break her word with his dad. He says, that might have been true before, when Jason was still there, but now that he’s gone, the level of enforcement is gone. She says she knows he’s grieving for Jason, so why don’t they forget about the parole hearing today? Forget Brad, forget Nina, and forget everyone else Michael thinks he has to protect them from. Let’s enjoy today. The three of them have a chance to shop for a Christmas tree. Wiley’s old enough to really enjoy that. Let’s celebrate that. Brook and Chase walk in.

Anna says Peter looks like something scared him half to death, and he says, not something, someone. Sonny Corinthos has all but put a bullseye on his back. Anna says, it’s hard to believe there’s room for yet another target, and he says, look around. Which one of the guards is on his payroll? Even in solitary he doesn’t feel safe. Not with a Corinthos hit out on him.

Sonny tells Carly, they were just discussing Celina’s nephew’s parole hearing, and Celina says she hopes they can move forward from the mistakes in judgement Bradley made. Carly says she knows Sonny has agreed not to interfere with Brad’s parole as a favor to Celina, but her son has a mind of his own, and plans on testifying against Brad at the hearing. Celina says, these situations have a way of sorting themselves out, as her husband knows. Sonny flashes back to telling Celina that his family is best served with Peter taken care of, so see to it that it happens. Sonny says, as long as everyone keeps up his or her end of the bargain, they’re good. Celina says, consider it done, and leaves. Carly says she always liked Celina. As the only woman running one of the families, she’s tough and she’s fair, but business is business, right? He says, agreed, and she asks, exactly what bargain did she walk in on just now.

Nina goes into Sasha’s room, and says, this isn’t fair. No one should look this beautiful after a C-section. Sasha says she has her new stylist to thank for that, looking at Brando, and Nina says they’ll just have to add that to Brando’s list of talents. Georgie forgot her lunch, so Maxie had to bring it to her, but she’ll be here in a second. She asks if there’s anything Brando can’t do, and Sasha says, if there is, she hasn’t discovered it yet. Lucy walks in, and says, hello there. She comes bearing goodies she got past the nurses station. She didn’t want to face the wrath of Epiphany, but guess what? She pulls out a bag, and says, Sasha’s favorite; gummi bears. Brando says it looks like he’s literally the odd man out, so he’ll leave Sasha with her friends. Sasha says, if he sees Britt, send her in right away, and he promises. He leaves, and TJ sees him getting in the elevator.

Brook says Chase has a lot to learn. Can they believe this guy doesn’t even know the name of their diaper service? Willow says she just thinks they’re lucky to be able to afford to use one. Cloth diapers are so much better for the environment than disposable ones. Chase says he couldn’t agree more. Violet was way past the diaper stage when she came into Finn’s life. This is all new to him. Michael says, too bad he didn’t come forward as Bailey’s dad. Instead, Chase focused on making Willow feel guilty for wanting to be with him and Wiley while she was married to him. I used to not like Michael because he was boring; now I don’t like him because he’s a jerk. Chase says he didn’t come forward because he didn’t know, and Michael says, but he did know he slept with Brook around the same time she got pregnant. The fact that he didn’t ask is a pretty clear indication that he just didn’t want to know. Brook picks up the monitor, and asks if Chase heard that. Bailey really needs them. Chase says, here’s the deal. The other day when Michael and Willow rushed off to be with Sasha and Brando, it was before they could deal with this news, but they can’t keep avoiding this forever. Is there any way they can get past this?

Anna says she’s not going to deny she has some satisfaction in seeing Peter like this, but the reality is, he’s safer there than the gold in Fort Knox. He says, Sonny wants him dead, and she says, she’s sure he does; so do a lot of people. But Sonny’s hands are tied. He knows that since he got back to town, he’s been in the spotlight. Peter asks if she really expects him to believe there’s no credible threat on his life, and she says, Sonny is too smart to risk it. Trust her. Sonny knows law enforcement has been watching his every move. Still, they both know Peter has made a lot of enemies. He says, meaning what? and she says, meaning, if he wants to stay alive, he’s going to have to save himself.

Sonny says, Celina suggested it’s time they start thinking about replacing Jason, and Carly says, replace Jason? That’s impossible. He’s… Sonny says, irreplaceable. She says he knows that, and he says, Jason was like a brother to him, but like his dad always said, the graveyards are full of indispensable men, and Jason was one of them. She says she knows, and Sonny is irreplaceable. Nothing was the same, or could be the same, without him. She means that. Sonny says, she had to carry on for the family and the life they built together. Nobody understood that more than Jason, but when he came back, it threw him that they were together. It doesn’t matter, because there was a void, and Jason had to fill it. Now that he’s gone, because of how much they loved him, and how much he loved them, they have to do the same.

Lucy says, Deception has been doing absolutely great lately, and it’s largely because of Sasha’s role as the Face of Conception. The public is so excited, and everything is turning out so well. There’s a financial institution that really wants to get behind them, so – drumroll – they’re thinking of taking the company public. They’ll all get their initial investment back, not to mention, Sasha has to think about the future. Sasha says, it sounds very exciting, and she’s glad Lucy shared the news with her, but the only future that matters to her right now is lying in an incubator in the NICU.

Britt calls Dr. Fleming to confirm they can go ahead with the EEG on Liam. She says, great. Please send her the results as soon as she gets them.

In the chapel, Brando kneels, and says he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He can’t remember the last time he came to church. He certainly can’t remember the last time he made a confession. Liam has opened his heart in so many ways he never thought possible. He doesn’t know why Liam was born with so many obstacles to overcome. TJ stands in the doorway and listens, and Brando says he guesses that’s why he’s there. Until he can hold Liam in his arms, will God make sure Liam feels loved, and feels safe? Let him know that his mom and dad are here for him, and always will be, and they need him too. He crosses himself and gets up, seeing TJ.

Britt asks what brings Nina back to her office, and Nina says, she thinks there were some things they didn’t get a chance to say last night. Or more accurately, avoided saying. Britt says she was just trying to be gracious, and avoid having this conversation. Nina says, Britt is a doctor. She knows it’s not healthy to stuff those feelings deep down inside. Britt says, no, but talking about it isn’t going to change anything. So what’s the point? Nina asks if Britt doesn’t want to say it to her face; that her life could have been different if Nina had just told  the truth about Peter. Britt says, okay. Nina wants to go down that road, they’ll go down that road. Why didn’t Nina call the cops when Peter showed up in Nixon Falls?

Michael asks why Willow should make it easier for Chase. Chase wanted them to feel guilty for being in love, and the whole time he knew he’d slept with Brook. Brook says, Michael is her cousin and she loves him, but she’s not going to let him call Chase out for this. He didn’t lie about being Bailey’s father; he didn’t know because Brook deliberately kept it from him. She needed to get her ELQ shares back from Valentin, and couldn’t think of another way. So if he’s looking to blame someone, blame her. Willow says she knows how betrayed Chase felt when he learned about her and Michael, but eventually he was able to make peace with it. She’d be a hypocrite if she didn’t do the same with him. But Brook is a whole different story.

Peter asks Anna what she expects him to do now. What deal could he possibly cut? She tells him, who said anything about a deal? He has to confess. He says she can’t possibly mean that, but she says he has to own up to everything he’s done. Every single crime, and they’re not going to stop there. He’s going to give up his rights to his daughter, so that Maxie can have some peace of mind that somewhere down the line, whoever has Louise will return her. In more simple terms, he has to take his punishment, and he has to do it like a man. He asks why he’d do all of that, and she says, because if he faces up to it and stops all his endless games, maybe, just maybe, there’s something she can do for him.

Carly says no one could ever replace Sonny; Jason didn’t even try. And now, there’s no way they can replace Jason. It’s impossible. Sonny could find someone to take on Jason’s responsibilities, someone he trusts, but they’re just going to be following in Jason’s footsteps, right? Sonny can’t replace Jason, and if he thinks he can, he really did change while he was in Nixon Falls.

Lucy says she’s sorry. She thinks it was just her misguided way of taking Sasha’s mind off things for a little minute. Being a mom is tough, huh? It’s sometimes the most healing, breathtakingly beautiful thing in the world, and other times, it breaks your heart. She doesn’t talk about this too much, but she had several miscarriages, and wanted to be a mom so badly. She’s not the only woman in the world who ever had a miscarriage, but that’s why she’s so grateful, because her friend Dominique asked her to carry Serena, and also asked her to help raise Serena with Scotty. She can’t tell Sasha what that meant to her, and even though her girl is living all the way across the ocean, Serena will always be her daughter, in every way that counts. What she’s trying to say is, she knows this is overwhelming and so hard, but eventually, somehow you manage to cherish each and every moment, no matter how very, very scary. Sasha thanks her, and says she’s trying to do that; cherish every single moment.

TJ says he didn’t man to intrude. He heard Brando’s baby is in the NICU, and wanted to see if Brando was okay. There was a time they used to be friends, then stuff happened. Brando says, TJ rearranged his jaw, and TJ says he hopes they’re past that now. He saw Sasha’s friends in her room talking, and thought, if Brando needed someone to talk to… Brando says he was actually talking to someone, and TJ asks if they talked back. They laugh, and Brando says his mom wanted to be an altar boy so bad. Father Hogan would make him say ten Hail Marys and run ten laps if he made a joke like that. TJ says, his Aunt Stella would have made him wash his mouth out with soap for sure. Brando thanks TJ for making him forget for two minutes that his son’s in the NICU fighting for his life. All he can do is wait for him to win.

Nina tells Britt that Peter was blackmailing her. He said he’d hurt James. He also said he was going to tell Carly that Sonny was alive and well Nixon Falls. Britt says, and avoiding trouble with Carly was more important than making sure Peter was stopped. Nina says she thought she could do both, and Britt says, by turning to her mother instead of the police? Nina says, in retrospect, she knows what she did was wrong. She was desperate and needed someone she could trust and confide in. It was Obrecht’s idea to go after Peter, and Britt knows better than anyone else, once Obrecht gets something in her mind, there’s no stopping her. Britt says, too bad Nina didn’t think of that before she got her mother involved. Nina says she’s sorry, and Britt says, Nina does realize, she could have gotten her mother killed. Nina says she does. She loves Obrecht. At least Peter’s in prison. Britt says, Jason is dead, and Nina says Carly believes his blood is on her hands. She’s sure Britt does too.

Chase says Brook didn’t tell him because she knew how he felt about Willow. She kept silent about Bailey’s paternity so they could be together. Willow says, there’s a little more to it than that. She also did it so the Quartermaines could regain control of ELQ. Michael says, that’s what they were taught their entire lives; put the company first. Willow says, obviously, she grew up with a warped idea of what family is supposed to be. She thought other families, real families were different. Maybe not this one. Chase tells Brook that he came to see their daughter, and she suggests they go upstairs. Willow asks them to wait. She says, their kids are around the same age. They’re both Quartermaines, so they’re going to grow up together. She can’t speak for Michael, but for the kids’ sake, she promises to get past this. Brook thanks her, and says she hopes Michael can forget about it too.

Peter can’t believe Anna would suggest he give up his parental rights to Louise. That would mean giving up all hope of being a family with Maxie. Anna says, come on. That was an illusion; it died a long time ago. He says, Louise and Maxie are what keep him human. He won’t give them up. The guard says, time’s up, and Anna says, that means Peter’s arraignment is starting soon. All the pain he’s caused, all the lives he’s ruined and cut short, that isn’t good enough for him. The trouble with her is, she still believes in the justice system. If he owns what he’s done, she’ll do what she can. She leaves.

Sonny says he can’t say the time away from Carly didn’t change him. But when he came back, it wasn’t to pick up where they left off; he wanted them to get closer and just be better for their kids. She says she wants that too. It doesn’t matter what Celina Wu wants, or the people who think they know what’s best for them. They know what’s best. They know what they want. He says he wants her, and she says, she wants him; only him. No one’s here; we’re not open yet. He asks if she thinks that’s going to stop him, and kisses her.

TJ tells Brando, try not to let his imagination get the best of him. Enjoy the fact that Sasha survived a difficult birth, and she’s doing better. Focus on the positive. Brando says, the tests will also come when they come. He thanks TJ, and says he’s been trying to do that. They walk to Sasha’s room, and Brando says, when he left, Sasha’s friends had her laughing. They go in, and Sasha says, Lucy was just showing her the latest Deception baby care products. Lucy says, organic, hypo-allergenic, of course (🍷), and adorable if she does say so herself. Brando says he hates to ruin the party, but they should be hearing from the doctors soon. Lucy says, she didn’t know she’d been there that long, and hugs Sasha. She says she’s rooting for Sasha; for all of them. Then she says, bye, instead of ta, and I puzzle over this longer than I should. TJ says Brando has his number. If he has any questions with medical lingo or anything, call him. Brando says he appreciates it, and TJ leaves. Sasha says, Lucy did a terrific job of distracting her, but they can’t avoid it any longer. It’s almost time, right?

Britt says she’s not playing the blame game with Nina. Nina made choices, and so did she. She’s pretty sure if Nathan was still here, he’d probably tell her to go pay it forward, and go help Nina. Nina thanks her, saying, she sounds exactly like Jay. Britt says, if she can come back, so can Nina. Nina says, Britt will be there for her? and Britt says, Nathan wouldn’t have it any other way. Britt’s phone rings, and she says she’ll be right there. Nina asks if it’s news about Sasha’s baby.

Brook says, that went well, and Chase says, as opposed to what? A firing squad? She says, they have to take what they can get. It seems like Willow is going to give him a pass, whereas everyone thinks she’s the next Cruella de Vil. Chase says he hopes Brook knows what she’s doing is very noble, and she says, that’s not exactly a word used to describe her – ever. He says, one day, her family will know the good thing she’s done, but while Peter is still a potential threat to Maxie and Louise, they’re in this. She says, what other choice could they have made?

Michael kisses Willow, and she says she’s not complaining, but what was that for? He says he’s amazed at how generous she is, and willing to forgive. She says, let’s be clear. Forgiving Chase is one thing. Brook is a whole other story. Michael says, that’s going to be a longer road for sure, and Willow says, while they’re on the topic of forgiveness, if she forgave Chase, and hopefully soon, Brook, does he think he could find it in his heart to forgive Brad?

Peter’s breakfast is slid into the opening in the door by an inmate worker, but he says he doesn’t trust it. The guard says, fine; they’ll give it to the next inmate. It’s removed, and Peter says, wait. Bring it back. The inmate puts the tray back, and Peter takes it.

Carly says, the happiest day of her life was when Sonny came back, and Sonny says, that makes two of them. It all started with the dreams. A blonde woman in the dream; then she became a reality.

Michael says he has to feel consistent, and do what he can to keep his family safe, and that includes keeping Brad in prison and away from their son. The same rules apply to Nina. This is a black and white subject for him; there’s nothing grey about it. Willow flashes back to hearing Sonny tell Nina, that what happened in Nixon Falls has to come from him – and it will. She remembers Nina saying that the love she and Sonny shared was the purest thing she’s known in her life, and she’s so sorry, but she can never regret that. Michael says he understands how Willow can give Chase a pass, and someday forgive Brook. He also gets that she and Brad were close in the past, but he can’t help but wonder how she’s so forgiving about Nina.

Brando says he knows he and Sasha can lean on each other, but it’s nice having friends who can back them up too. Sasha says, when the doctors give them the news, they’ll deal with that. Whatever it takes to give Liam a long and happy life. Starting today. Dr. Fleming and Britt come in, but they don’t look happy. Britt closes the door.

Brook asks if Chase is ready for some diaper changing 101, and he says he’s up for the challenge. He thinks with a little practice, he could be good. He does hope for Maxie’s sake, all the lies stop soon. She says, her too, and they head upstairs. She says, it isn’t enough that Peter’s in custody. It seems that Maxie and her baby won’t be safe until Peter is dead and buried.

Sonny says the second he remembered Carly, he remembered all of it, and all he wanted to do was come home. He just wanted to be with her, his family, and his life. This is where he belongs; this is his home. Anna comes in, and says, she’s sorry to interrupt. She tells Carly that she just wanted to say how sorry she is about Jason. Carly thanks her, and tells Sonny that she has some things she needs to do. She goes behind the bar, and Celina comes in. Carly says, she’s back, and Celina says, the more she thought about it, the more she recognized that the subject of Jason might have caused a miscommunication. But it’s all about wanting to protect Carly and her family. That’s what she and Sonny both want, right?

Anna says, if Sonny wanted to put the fear of God in Peter, mission accomplished. She just came from Pentenville, so can he leave it at that, and let the law run its course? He says she gives him too much credit. Peter is behind bars 24/7, with guards. Even if he wanted to get his hands dirty, how would he do it?

Peter finishes his breakfast, and starts choking. He falls to the floor.

The inmate worker brings back empty trays, and wheels them away. We see it’s Brad.

On Monday, Stella asks TJ what’s going on with Curtis, Trina tells Portia that she doesn’t want to blow this, Epiphany tells Maxie that it’s a bad idea, and Sonny thinks Carly deserves to know the truth.

👯‍♀️ Coming Home For Two…

Kristina on GH.

Lexi Ainsworth Is Back at GENERAL HOSPITAL!

And the Christina of Christmas fame.

Christina Comes Home For Christmas on GH — Everything You Need to Know

🗣 Ingo Rebuts…

I don’t think his itchy Twitter finger helped him much.

Ingo Rademacher Opens Up About His GENERAL HOSPITAL Exit

🦚 Days On Peacock…

A look at DOOL’s Christmas movie.

https://ew.com/tv/days-of-our-lives-christmas-movie-peacock-first-look/

🎄 Not a Hallmark Movie…

This actually looks intriguing. Like The Big Chill gone sideways.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cassandra-james-stars-in-a-christmas-sunset

🎤 She’s Keeping Busy…

I’m not sure which is a worse sounding project.

Luann de Lesseps Is Releasing A Rap Song Inspired By Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip
https://pagesix.com/2021/12/09/luann-de-lesseps-shares-her-ultimate-guide-to-flirting/

❗️ Long Island Real…

Gina doesn’t mince words.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/09/gina-kirschenheiter-says-braunwyn-windham-burke-sucks/

🍷 He Should Have Had a V-8…

I doubt he only had a glass of wine with dinner.

Dorit Kemsley Breaks Her Silence After Husband PK’s DUI Arrest

🎃 It Keeps On Ticking…

Yet another Halloween movie in the works, including Kyle.

Kyle Richards Returning For Another Halloween Movie, “Halloween Ends”

🏖 Make It Stop…

New, no doubt awful, people added to the already awful cast.

https://ew.com/tv/meet-the-cast-of-bravos-summer-house/

👋🏼 Lala Hints Bye-Bye…

I don’t know how much of a loss she’d be, but surprisingly, she’s been the voice of reason this time around. They probably need one of those. LVP has enough to do.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/09/lala-kent-posts-quote-after-hinting-at-vanderpump-rules-exit/

👠 Color the Carpet Red…

The best part of any awards show.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/33624/peoples-choice-awards-2021-red-carpet-fashion

🎸 Leaving the Stage…

IMO, he was the most talented of the group. He was doing music videos long before MTV was a thought. And his mother invented Liquid Paper. Micky Dolenz must be getting pretty nervous though.

https://people.com/music/monkees-star-michael-nesmith-dead-age-78/

https://people.com/music/heartbroken-micky-dolenz-pays-tribute-to-monkees-bandmate-michael-nesmith/

👩🏽‍🏫 Quotes of the Week

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. – Viktor Frankl

The best protection any woman can have is courage. – Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Vision without action is daydream. Action without vision is nightmare. – Japanese Proverb

Mistakes are part of the game. It’s how well you recover from them, that’s the mark of a great player. – Alice Cooper

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is. – Oscar Wilde

True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country. – Kurt Vonnegut

I still believe that the unexamined life is not worth living: and I know that self-delusion, in the service of no matter what small or lofty cause, is a price no writer can afford. His subject is himself and the world and it requires every ounce of stamina he can summon to attempt to look on himself and the world as they are. – James Baldwin

If you’re going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now. – Marie Osmond (Who knew she was such a philosopher?)

🏀 Dribbling Off the Court…

If you’re in a work mindset, another weekend has arrived. For those who’ve moved on from that, another seven Xs have been put on the calendar. And for those people who are already in a holiday panic, you’ve got two weeks until Christmas. No Dead are Walking for a while, so I’ll see you for a little soap, a little Deck on Monday. Until then, stay safe, stay respecting others’ personal space, and stay not second guessing anything. There’s no point.

Sep28

September 27, 2021 – Maxie Has Something To Tell Carly, New Old Deck, Another House, the Show Went On & Champs

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Yuri brings Brook to Charlie’s, along with Bailey/Louise, and says he’ll be sitting at another table, looking – how you say? – discreet. She says, that’s him; straight with a capital T. Maxie comes in, and Brook tells her, Yuri is here, so no worries. Maxie says there are also two plainclothes cops outside. As far as worrying goes, it seems like that’s all she’s doing lately. First, she was worried that Peter was going to go after the baby; now she’s worried she’s his target.

Valentin sits on Chloe’s bed, where she’s unconscious and hooked up to machines. He wonders, did Peter do this to her? Or was it someone else? Either way, she’s safe now. Anna comes in and asks how Chloe is, and he says, the doctors say she’s still unconscious. Any luck? She says, no. She didn’t find out much beyond Chloe’s name.

Obrecht tells Victor, she can’t lose her Britta; not after losing her Nathan. She has no choice but to trust he’ll keep his word. He stands behind her, puts his hands on her shoulders, and says, don’t worry, darling. The worst is over now. She whips around and puts a knife to his throat, and says, wrong again, darling. She shot him once and left him for dead, and he survived. This time, he won’t be so lucky. He asks if she’s sure this is how she wants to play this.

Elizabeth looks at a flyer that says GH Trivia Night, when Finn comes out of the elevator. They say, hi, and he says he saw one of the flyers for Trivia Night upstairs. Is she interested? She says she hasn’t given it much thought, and he says, him neither. She presses the elevator button, and says she has to get these files upstairs. He says he’ll see her around, and she gets in. Chase comes by and asks Finn, what’s up with him and Elizabeth?

Sonny tells Nina, she needs to stop fooling herself. Mike’s gone. She needs to forget he ever existed. She says she’ll never forget what she and Mike shared together, and he says she had nothing with him. She was in love with some guy she thought he was. Let’s start with that. Tending bar in Nixon Falls, mopping the floors; if he wanted to do that, he would have stayed in Brooklyn. That wasn’t his life plan, and it still isn’t. She says, this is? Is he happy with this life here in Port Charles? He says, yeah, with his wife, his kids, and his business, even though she wishes he wasn’t.

Jason tells Carly that he has to go and talk to Diane about this Buscema/Novak thing. He knows the cops are going to call him down. She says there’s something they need to talk about. What are they going to tell Sonny? How are they going to make this okay for him? He asks what she means by okay. Sonny doesn’t know their marriage was almost real, and it doesn’t matter because it’s over. (First World made-up problems.) She says she knows that, but Sonny’s been gone for nine months. Unless he said something to Jason, they have no idea how he’s been dealing with his bi-polar disorder, or if he’s been dealing with it at all.

Terry sees Elizabeth, and thanks her for the assist in keeping Britt’s mind off her mother. Elizabeth says, she totally saw right through it, but it was pretty fun nonetheless. Terry wonders if she dare say Britt’s growing on her, and Elizabeth says, stranger things have happened. Terry says Elizabeth seems distracted. Is everything okay?

Maxie tells Brook, she’s being as safe as she physically can be, so she knows she’s being irrational. Brook says, those are the same instincts that kept her away from Peter. She should listen to them. There’s no harm in a little extra caution. Maxie thanks Brook for arranging this, and Brook says, of course (🍷), but if anyone asks, they’re here on Deception business. Josslyn comes over to their table, and says hello to Maxie and Brook, and remarks that Bailey is getting big. Brook says, champion eater, this one, and Maxie says she’s surprised to see Josslyn there. She thought Josslyn would be home celebrating. Brook says, celebrating what? Carly and Jason’s wedding? Maxie says, Brook hasn’t heard? Brook says, obviously not, and Josslyn says, Sonny’s alive.

Nina asks if Sonny was happy as Mike, but he doesn’t know how to answer that. She asks again, and he says, yeah, he was happy, but he didn’t know what he was missing. She says, doesn’t that tell him something? That there was this happy, non-violent, better guy living inside of him, just waiting to come out. He says, no. You know what that  tells him? The guy had amnesia, but the real him was still in there. Remember when there was trouble, he’d take care of the situation? She says, true. They went to Corinth, and there was that guy. She was terrified that Sonny would come out, but there was Mike. He was kind to the guy. Sonny says, because he made the smart move. He may not always be right, but he doesn’t like to think he’s stupid. Why would he beat the hell out of the guy when he could make the guy his ally? You have to look at the situation and turn it to your advantage. She says she thinks that’s part of it, but she doesn’t believe that’s all of it. He says she has to listen to him, okay? He’s sorry that she fell in love with Mike. She says, and Mike fell in love with her, but he says, that was an illusion, plain and simple.

Carly says, she and Jason don’t know anything that’s been going on with Sonny the whole time he’s been gone. He seems okay, which makes her think he got his hands on some kind of medication, but if he hasn’t, maybe he thinks he doesn’t need it anymore. He says she’s right; Sonny seems pretty level. She says, although there were times before when he wasn’t on medication and seemed level, and then he crashed. Jason says, and if anything is going to make him crash, it’s this. She says, us.

Finn sees Chase at the hospital, and asks how he is. Chase says he got the all-clear from his physical therapist, and Finn says, back to work? Chase says, back to work; back to everything. Finn says, that’s really great, but cautions him to go easy in the gym. Chase says he’s been warned, and Finn says, but will he listen? Chase asks how Finn and Elizabeth are. From what he saw on the camping trip, things seemed to be progressing between them. Finn says he guesses they were, and Chase asks, what happened? Finn says, it’s more like what didn’t happen. They almost kissed.

Anna tells Valentin, Chloe abandoned her car after the accident, and made her way into this little village. She said she was an American, and gave them her name. Then she collapsed, so the local authorities were alerted, and the American consul ran her name and identity. He says, she was listed as a missing person, and Anna says, exactly. He says, and that alerted the WSB because she was already in their register, and Anna says, because the fake Chloe used her ID when she kidnapped Maxie and the baby. But how the real Chloe ended up here is anyone’s guess. He says, it has to be Peter, right? and she says, but she doesn’t remember Faison having a base of operations there in Greece. He says, other than the work he did for Helena? and she says, of course (🍷). Cassadine Island is very close, isn’t it?

Victor says, one of the things he’s always found sexy about Obrecht, was her intelligence. But let’s review the situation. Obviously, she’s on his compound, with a full staff keeping watch, so does she really think pulling a knife on him is her best strategy? She says, it’s the only strategy. She’s not available to be his prisoner. She’s getting out of there, and going home to her daughter. He says she didn’t used to be this sentimental, and she says, losing her son changed her. It made her understand what is important and what is not. What is worth it, and what is not. Clearly a lesson he hasn’t learned. So in case there is any doubt, she will kill him to get back to her only remaining child in a heartbeat.

Chase tells Finn, last he heard, almost kissing was a good thing. Finn says, it was just a moment. He’s not sure Elizabeth wanted it to happen. Chase asks why he’d say that, and Finn says, it’s awkward now between them. Chase saw them just now. Chase says, he did. The vibes were coming from both of them. Did Finn want the kiss to happen? Finn says he got lost looking into her eyes. If Scotty hadn’t fallen from the sky, who knows? Chase says, Finn would still be kissing her right now, but Finn says he doesn’t want to push anything. If she’s not into it, or she’s having second thoughts, he understands that. Chase says, okay, but what if she’s neither of those things?  

Elizabeth tells Terry, things were going really well. The kids were off with Chase, and she and Finn had a moment alone. Terry says, and…? and Elizabeth says, and they were close to kissing, when Scotty showed up. Terry says, so they were interrupted. Big deal. Just pick up where they left off. Elizabeth says, that’s the thing. She’s not sure Finn wants to.

Victor says he’s sorry he and Obrecht rekindling their relationship isn’t in the cards, but he still doesn’t think their time together was a waste. She says, nein, but he says, it’s given him a chance to see her in a whole new light, and appreciate her even more. He sees how much she loved her son, and regrets Nathan wasn’t his. He also regrets that they have to do this the hard way. She tells him, don’t worry. She won’t kill him unless she absolutely has to, but he says he doesn’t think she’ll see it the same way he does. Obrecht feels a gun in her back, and Peter says, hello, Liesl.

Josslyn sits down, and tells Maxie and Brook, it was so surreal to walk into that room and see Sonny. Not only alive, but smiling. She didn’t know what to feel first. It was a roller coaster of emotion; shock, to joy, to confusion, to relief. Maxie says she can’t imagine it. When she heard, she was blown away. Josslyn says, that’s an understatement, and asks how Maxie found out. Maxie says, she hears things from people who know stuff, and Josslyn says, that’s just so weird. Sonny only came home to her mom and Jason… Brook says, on their wedding night. Josslyn says, that’s a whole other story, but then Dante showed up, and she and Michael got the text to come over. She asks if Dante was the one who shared the news with Maxie.

Sonny tells Nina, forget the fact that he’s married. He had an entire life. What did she think she was going to do, go on indefinitely? Even if his memory never came back, that humble bartender is so far from who he is. She says he’s right. She was in denial, 100% complete in denial, but she wants to make something really clear. There wasn’t one morning, not one, she didn’t wake up and say to herself, today is the day she tells him the truth, and makes things right. He says, but she didn’t, and she says, because she’d see him smile, and see how peaceful he was, how happy. Then her willpower would just evaporate. It was like Nixon Falls was a parallel world where only good things happened; there was no pain and he wasn’t in danger. She never meant to hurt him. He says she didn’t think it would hurt him being away from his family, leaving Carly and Jason to pick up the pieces? She was great. They were great together, but it wasn’t real. She nods.

Jason tells Carly, the vows they said, the life they thought they were going to have, that’s not going to happen. The feelings will go away in time, and they’ll get back to normal. She says, what if Sonny finds out they were planning a real marriage? Jason knows how Sonny operates. His paranoia is huge when he has a manic episode. Jason says, and if Sonny is having a manic episode, they don’t know. She says, the worst thing that could happen would be Sonny being paranoid against them. The two people who can help him.

Finn says, it’s complicated, but Chase doesn’t get why. Finn and Elizabeth are both adults, who work in the same field, who for weeks and weeks worked to try and save his life –thanks for that, by the way – it makes sense they would have grown closer together. Finn says, it was a heightened situation, and Chase says, so? Finn says, so Chase is better, thank God. Now things are going back to normal. Chase says, exactly. Finn and Elizabeth have a chance to explore things between them in a regular setting. Finn says, that’s what worries him.

Elizabeth tells Terry, when Chase was sick, it was a distraction. Terry says, she means from losing Franco? and Elizabeth says, yeah. And working with Finn to save his brother was all consuming, and exactly what she needed. Not to mention, they made a pretty good team. Spending all that time together… Terry says, they got closer, and Elizabeth says, it felt that way. Terry says, it looked that way too, but Elizabeth says she doesn’t know. Now that things have calmed down, they’ve taken a step back. Maybe she mistook their teamwork for something else.

Valentin says, Anna is right. Cassadine Island isn’t far; it’s about twenty minutes by boat. She asks if he’s okay with that. How does it feel being so close? He says he has mixed emotions. He left the island when he was six, so he doesn’t have any fond memories there. What really bothers him is Nikolas got the entire inheritance. Anna says, in such a dramatic way. Typical of Helena to set things up that way. He says, absolutely, but the fact of the matter is, the money wasn’t his to inherit; he’s not a Cassadine. He’s not beholden to Mikkos or Helena. He is the man that he made himself to be. She says, he’s his own person, and he says, and you know what? He thinks he’s starting to like him. Anna says she thinks she is too. Yes! I love them together.

Victor moves the knife away from his throat, and says Peter certainly took his time. Peter says he was busy launching himself off a cliff to escape Anna and Valentin. Victor says, and he was busy arranging Peter’s retrieval. And he’s welcome. Obrecht says, they’re working together, and Peter says, that’s not any of her concern. She tried to kill him. She says she tried to kill him because he deserves it. She only regrets it didn’t work. He’s a despicable excuse for a human being. Victor says, perhaps, but he has his uses. He asks if Peter took care of that mess in Pennsylvania, and Peter says he burned that hole-in-the-wall bar to the ground. Oh, and Obrecht’s niece was inside. He doubts anyone survived. Now that he’s taken care of one loose end, time to tie off another. He aims his gun at her.

Brook tells Josslyn, she’s learned to never ask Maxie about her sources. Maxie knows things, and they get to benefit from that. Let’s backtrack. Sonny is alive? This is incredible. What happened? Josslyn says, when Sonny fell in the river, he didn’t drown. He washed ashore in a small town in Pennsylvania, but had no memory of who he was. Some nice people took him in, and he’s been living for the past nine months with no idea he had an entire other life waiting for him. Brook asks if he’s okay, and Josslyn says he is. Brook says she can’t wait to see him, but doesn’t want to push herself on him if he’s overwhelmed. Is he really doing okay?

Nina tells Sonny, he keeps saying it’s not real, and she understands; she really does. But at the same time, it happened. We fell in love. Sonny says, don’t say we, and she says, she and Mike fell in love, but he was Mike. He says, but he wasn’t. She had feelings for someone, but it wasn’t him, and he gets the feeling she doesn’t like Sonny Corinthos very much. She says, she just didn’t know him very well. She believed he had every reason to hate her, and she’s read stories and articles that put him in a negative light. But Mike didn’t happen in a vacuum. Mike’s kindness, that love, patience, and willingness to listen came from him. He has those qualities, but she didn’t know that. So her saying Mike is a better version of him, is her judging him. She didn’t know him really, and obviously, now she never will.

Carly tells Jason, everyone was there, and saw them at their wedding, including Michael. Michael knows it was more than just politics for them, or at least it was going to be. If Sonny gets suspicious and asks questions, what do they tell him? Jason says, if he asks, they tell Sonny the truth. They wanted a real marriage, but it didn’t get that far, because Sonny came back, and everything changed. What he needs her to hold on to is that they didn’t do anything wrong. I’m finding it difficult to see what the big deal is.

Terry says, the first thing she’s going to caution Elizabeth against, is putting herself in Finn’s head. She has no idea what he’s thinking. Elizabeth says, doesn’t she? Last night they were talking about the camping trip, but all Finn brought up was the kids. Nothing about the almost kiss. Terry asks if Elizabeth brought it up, but Elizabeth says, there was a reason she didn’t. Terry says, like what? and Elizabeth says, like maybe it’s just too soon. For Finn and her too. Terry says she doesn’t believe that for one second.  

Finn tells Chase, Elizabeth lost her husband not that long ago, and he’s fresh off a bad breakup. Chase says, fresh might be a little bit of a stretch, and Finn says, the timing’s not right. Chase says, the timing is perfect, and Finn says, not to mention Violet. Chase says, who adores Elizabeth. She thinks Elizabeth walks on water. Finn says Chase saw how hard Violet took it when he and Anna ended things. Say he and Elizabeth get close, and then it doesn’t work out? He’s not putting Violet through that again. Chase says he’s right, and Finn says, he is? Chase says he doesn’t think Finn should get involved with anyone ever again on the off-chance it doesn’t work out. Finn tells Chase, he’s not saying that, but Chase says, yes, he is.

The doctor tells Anna and Valentin, brains do heal. They’re hoping for the best with Miss Jennings. Valentin asks if he has any idea when she’ll come out of it, but he says he’s sorry; there’s no timetable for this. Anna asks what he can tell them about her condition, and he says, she has a concussion, most likely from the car accident. She was also dehydrated, disoriented. She’d clearly come from some stressful situation. Valentin says, she’s probably not a person who ran off the road because she was drunk on vacation, and the doctor says, no. Anna says, it’s sounding more and more like Chloe was being held against her will.    

Victor steps in between Obrecht and Peter, and asks what Peter is doing. Obrecht is his guest. Peter’s not calling the shots; he is. Put the gun down. Obrecht tells Victor to take what he wants, the knife or her life, just let her kill Peter first. Victor says, that’s the trade? and Peter says, stupid woman, but Victor says, hold on. Let him think about this.

Josslyn tells Brook and Maxie that Sonny seems great, but she doesn’t know. She has no scale to judge it on. Last night was amazing and wonderful. Sonny was so happy to see them, and they were just as happy to see him. He seemed to be the Sonny she’s always known. Brook asks if Sonny told them what he’s been up to, but Josslyn tells her, he didn’t say much. She’s sure he will once he settles in. Brook says, that makes sense, and Josslyn tells them, Sonny said he knew where he was and what he was doing, but nine months is a long time. She’s sure there are holes. She doesn’t want to put Maxie on the spot, and gets her not revealing her sources, but if she does know something, it would be great if Maxie would tell her mom. Maxie says, she thinks Josslyn is right. She definitely needs to talk to Carly. Why, Maxie, why? Why aren’t you letting Nina do that?

Jason says he and Carly would have never let themselves go down that road if Sonny hadn’t disappeared. Carly says, of course(🍷) not, but she doesn’t want Sonny to think he’s in their way, or that they’re still together, because they’re not. Jason says, they’re not, but there’s nothing to hide, and Sonny will pick up on that. So let’s just take this step by step. Carly says she’ll talk to Sonny about his bipolar disorder, and they’ll take it one day at a time, and if he asks any questions, they’ll tell him the truth. Jason agrees, and she says she hopes he doesn’t ask.

Nina says her reckoning day has come, hasn’t it? All the lies she told to the people left to grieve for him. They’re going to feel betrayed, and they should. Because that’s what she did; she betrayed so many people. She betrayed their trust, and the trust she and Mike/Sonny had with each other. She betrayed Michael and their grandson. Sonny says she didn’t lose the connection, did she? When she was video chatting with Wiley, that call wasn’t dropped; she ended it because she didn’t want him to see his family. She says, yes. Of all the choices she could have made, she chose the one that alienated everybody. Now she has to live with the anger and resentment; theirs and his.  

Preface: These are two separate conversations going on at the same time. Elizabeth says, then there’s the whole Violet angle, and Terry says she’s shutting it down before it’s begun. Finn says, no, he’s not, but Chase says he’s way overthinking this. Elizabeth says, no, she’s trying to be an adult, and Terry says, and does she want to be a happy adult? Finn tells Chase, of course (🍷) he does, and Chase asks if Elizabeth makes Finn happy. Elizabeth tells Terry, yes. She loves spending time with Finn. Chase tells Finn, then get out of his own way already, and see where he and Elizabeth are with each other. Then he can find out if they’re on the same page. Terry and Elizabeth get in the elevator, and Terry says, if they’re not, no harm, no foul, but Elizabeth will never know if she doesn’t try. Finn tells Chase, okay. When he puts it like that… Chase says Finn didn’t think his little brother was so wise, and Finn says he didn’t, but let’s not go overboard. Chase says, he’s there for advice anytime Finn needs it, and Finn says he’s created a monster. He tells Chase to show himself out, and turns, running into Elizabeth and Terry coming out of the elevator.

Peter says Victor can’t be serious, and Victor says, as tempting as he finds Obrecht’s offer, the truth is, he can’t trust her. Obrecht says, but he trusts Peter? and he says he and Peter have their own arrangement. She says Victor is a bigger imbecile than she thought. Peter will double-cross him as soon as he sees an opening. Victor says, that’s just a chance he’ll have to take.

Carly tells Jason that she loved their wedding and their reception, and she’ll treasure those memories for the rest of her life. But that’s private, for them. She’s not trying to shut Sonny out, but he wasn’t there; he wasn’t a part of it. Trying to explain it to him will only cause tension. Jason says, first of all, It’s Sonny. The three of them have been through way worse than this. It’s a good thing Sonny’s back. She says, it’s a miracle. She prayed for this every moment he was gone, but at the same time, it’s disorienting. He says, there’s always going to be bumps, but they have Sonny and he has them. It’s going to be okay. She laughs, and says she loves that about him. When he says it’s going to be okay, he means it. He laughs, and tells her, now you say it, and she says, it’s gonna be okay. They hug.

Sonny says, let him tell Nina something, and it’s coming from experience. It’s never a good thing to play God with someone’s life, and that’s what she did. Now there’s going to be a fallout. She says she knows, and he says he’s sorry about that. Being honest, aside from her first initial impulse to get back at Carly, he doesn’t think she did anything with malice. He thinks she made a mistake, and just kept going on. She says, that pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it? For what it’s worth (🍷), she truly is really sorry. She hopes he doesn’t suffer from her mistakes. She leaves, and he ponders this.

Yuri tells Brook, he ordered avocado on toast for Monica, and Brook says, that’s so sweet of him. She’s sure Monica will appreciate that, but they have bigger fish to fry. He says, Peter August, and she says, he’s still out there. The guy’s got a screw loose, and for all they know, Peter could be planning a full-blown assault on the house. Yuri says, if he tries, it will be the last thing he ever does. He won’t get near her or that baby.

Anna thinks she and Valentin should head to the village, and conduct some interviews. See if someone saw Chloe, the car, or both. You never know what sort of details you can turn up. He says, let’s go, and Anna tells the doctor to notify him if she wakes up. He says, will do, and they leave. I have a bad feeling about this.

Finn smiles, Elizabeth smiles, Terry smiles, and Chase moves over by Terry. Finn says, hi again, and Elizabeth says, hi. Chase says he thinks they should make themselves scarce, and Terry says that’s their best bet. They walk to the reception desk, and Elizabeth laughs. Finn says, so how is she at trivia? and she says, not great, but it’s more about fun than skill, right? He says, right, and it’s for a really good cause. She says, exactly, and he says, so maybe next Wednesday? She says, sure, okay. She’ll be there. She grabs Terry by her lab coat, and they leave. Chase smiles at Finn, and Finn shakes his head.   

A lackey grabs Obrecht, and she asks where he’s taking her. Victor says he’s saving her soul, and the lackey takes her away. Peter says Victor is making a mistake keeping Obrecht alive; she’s dangerous. Take it from someone who knows. Victor says he’s well aware that she’s dangerous – to Peter. That’s why he locked her up. Peter asks, why take the risk when he can get rid of her? and Victor says, that’s for him to know, and Peter not to. Peter says Victor isn’t nearly as smart as he thinks he is, and Victor says, they’re done here. Peter walks out, and Victor’s phone rings. He asks what they have for him. The doctor with Chloe says, Miss Jennings just had two visitors from the WSB.

Josslyn brings Maxie to the former home of the moss bowl, and Carly asks, what’s going on? Josslyn says Maxie has something she wants to tell her.

Sonny goes to Mike’s grave, and says, hey, dad. He’s home. It took him a while, but he finally made it. It wouldn’t have happened if Mike hadn’t come to him in the woods. Mike saved his life. Sonny threw his watch away… It’s a long story, but… Jason joins him, and Sonny says he’s glad Jason is there, but first things first. Can they get rid of that thing? He points to his own gravestone.  

Tomorrow, Willow thinks something is going on with Nina, Valentin says he’s staying with Anna, Carly wants to know what Nina knew and when she knew it, and Sonny tells Jason that it’s Nina’s fault.

Below Deck Mediterranean

Captain Sandy tells Malia, the reality is, during the first meeting, she’d asked Malia to come to her if there was an injury, so do it from now on. Any injury is a liability, even if it’s a bruise, and David has a massive effing bruise. She says she can’t trust Malia. Malia goes back on deck, and says, f*** that; she’s over this. Courtney and Katie put the finishing touches on the boat, and Malia tells David that he has to make a report to the First Officer. David tells Mzi that he could hear the captain screaming at Malia. Mathew wonders if it’s going to be an early morning/early night crowd. In Katie’s interview, she says she had seven girls under her in the past, and now she has one. If it blows up in her face, that’s on her, and she’ll take responsibility. Malia tells Mzi and Lloyd that she should have reported David’s injury, but it hadn’t been during working hours. She’s obviously upset, and Lloyd and Mzi hug her.

Mathew asks David what the vibe is on deck, and David says, limping tea. Mathew says, since it’s a religious group, they should get with the prayers. In his interview, he says he’s like Matt the Cat, and feels that he’s escaped the fire many times. As usual, Mathew is a nervous wreck, but David says he’s done five charters, and the guests have loved everything he’s done. The captain calls Malia to the bridge, which I always think must be like being called to the principal’s office. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says she didn’t know severity of David’s injury. He might feel fine now, but God forbid it gets worse, and he gets a blood clot or something. If an injury isn’t reported, those liable are the owner of the vessel and her.  

Lloyd and Mzi discuss what superpowers they’d like to have, and Mzi says he’d like to read minds. Lloyd says he’d like to speak to animals, but what if they’re thick, and all they’re saying is what they’re saying. In Lloyd’s interview, he says, it’s worrying leaving there. He’ll have to be concerned about people’s impressions of his lifestyle. The captain tells Malia that she made it clear from day one, if someone is injured, she doesn’t care what it is; she wants to know about it. Malia says, if it had happened when David was working, she would have filled an incident report out, but it happened after hours. Captain Sandy says she sees where Malia is going with this technically, but David is limping. Malia says she sees what the captain is saying; it could become more serious. She’s sorry. In Malia’s interview, she says, the captain has the right to know what’s going on with the crew at all times, especially an injury. She should have reported it, and at the end, it’s her fault. The captain says she trusts Malia 1000%, and it was a blow when she found out. Malia says the captain saying that she didn’t trust her, hurt her to the core. She’ll make sure it happens from now on.

Doctor Tea calls the captain, and says three of the guests were delayed in travel, and now they need to wait for negative covid test results. In Malia’s interview, she says she’s putting David on the night shift, since there’s not as much physical labor. She tells him, as long as he can stand and wash dishes. She says, Lloyd and Mzi are going to need to step up their game during the day. Hopefully, the captain will see that she’s trying to remedy the situation. Captain Sandy radios the crew to get ready, and tells them there will be three latecomers. The crew gets in their whites, and Katie quickly goes over everything with Courtney. The guests come up the dock, and the captain says, Katie will show them around the vessel. They board, and Captain Sandy finds out the other guests’ tests are negative. Katie gives the tour, and Mathew makes charcuterie boards. In Courtney’s interview, she says she can’t believe they’re doing the trip with only two stews. The anxiety is real.

In Mzi’s interview, he says he hasn’t manned the bow before, but it seems straightforward. Malia tells him that he’s got this. Primary Anthony tells Katie that his go-to drink is Sprite, and he laughs about it. In Katie’s interview, she says, he doesn’t drink, and it’s what she and Courtney needed right now. Malia says, all straight lines are on board, and tells Captain Sandy that she’s awfully close to a dolphin. In the captain’s interview, she says, the Lady Michelle is a heavy vessel. 909 gross tons, two different currents, and the wind going with one, makes it difficult to get out of a hole. She’s coming out heavy on the stern, and could hit a dolphin. She makes it, and tells the crew, nice work. Malia tells Mzi, good job, and Katie asks the deck crew to clean the crew mess. Anthony says when they’re in a restaurant, they order like children. Everyone gets a Shirley Temple. Malia tells the captain that she’s put David on nights, and the captain thanks her. She tells Katie that Malia is scouting picnic areas, and Malia says, they’ll set up using two of the deck crew. In Malia’s interview, she says, this is where Delaney would help. Sometimes extra hands are just extra hands. It’s unnecessary stress on the deck crew. Malia says they’re going to a national park, and Katie tells Courtney, they’ll be fine.

They drop anchor in Borovnik, and in Katie’s interview, she says she’s better at her job when she’s running around like a headless chicken. She’ll take physical stress over emotional stress any day. The delayed guests arrive, and Katie pops champagne. Guest Holly says, that is the song of my people, so I guess the late group drinks alcohol. In David’s interview, he says he feels useless, although he’s helping in the laundry. Katie tells Mathew, it’s going to be a bitch to carry everything, and In Mathew’s interview, he says, the vibe is better and more chill without Lexi. His spiral has subsided. In Malia’s interview, she says the picnic site is on top of a mountain over the water, and contains the remnants of an old movie set. The sites in the Med are usually castles or old ruins, as opposed to sandy beaches. Anthony asks if Captain Sandy will join them for dinner, and she accepts. In Malia’s interview, she says she doesn’t want to be a d*ck, but they need an extra person. In Mathew’s interview, he says he’s worked for billionaires and celebrities, but none of them have seen him have a meltdown and kept him employed. He wants to prove himself more to Captain Sandy than the guests. Malia and Mzi set up the picnic, and it’s quite a hike up the mountain. These jobs are a workout unto themselves.

Malia tells Mzi that they need to double-time it. Back on the boat, Katie is impressed with Courtney’s laundry skills. Mzi and Malia set up lunch on the mountain, and the late guests have a shot. Mathew asks Katie, how does it feel to be the world’s best chief stew? and she responds with an unenthusiastic, yeah. Mathew just keeps cooking. I imagine if the guests don’t drink, they’re going to want to eat. The guests arrive for the long trek up the mountain, and Anthony is impressed that the crew hauled everything up there. The food looks so good, I can almost taste it. It’s a build your own poke bowl buffet, with tons of stuff. David almost falls over the railing of the boat, leaning to unhook the tender, and I almost have a heart attack. Wait until Captain Sandy watches this. The guests talk about what they’re doing next, and one says he wants to get on the jet board. I’m assuming the mixed up jet ski with paddleboard, unless there’s some hybrid I don’t know about. In Courtney’s interview, she says, no matter what, Mzi is a friend for life, but she knows she doesn’t want anything more than friendship. Her last boyfriend dumped her during lockdown. To make it worse, they were watching Ozark together, and she never finished. He ruined it for her. I could totally understand this.

The guests return to the boat, and tell Captain Sandy that her team pulled it off. It’s the best charter ever. On shore, Katie and Lloyd take pictures, posing like they got married, It does not look like fun hauling this stuff around. In Courtney’s interview, she says she feels… exhaust? and a producer says, exhausted. Yep, she’s that tired, since she’s been working 9 hours without a break. Katie tells Mathew, the guests loved it, and Anthony says he wants to jet ski for a second. Malia tells him that they have to stay 300 meters off shore, and another guest goes with him. One bounces on the trampoline, and another paddleboards. David tells Malia that he thinks they took the jet skis to town, and Malia says she’ll go to the bridge and get eyes on them. She sees them go under a bridge, and tells the captain that they went into town. Captain Sandy tells her, go get them, and in Malia’s interview, she says they’re going to get a ticket. Lloyd says, they are in big trouble.

Malia takes the tender out, and yells, hey! at the guests, reminding them of being 300 meters from shore. Courtney takes a break, and the captain says, bad boys. Malia shows them the way back, and radios the captain, telling her the capture of the guests was a success. When they get back to the boat, David tells them not to go under the bridge. They use the slide, and a few of them jump off the boat into the water. I would love to go down that slide, but jumping off the boat, not so much. It’s awfully high. Mathew asks Katie about dinner, and in her interview, she says she enjoys working with Mathew. It’s nice that he asks her opinion, but at the same time, she needs him to do his job and make his own decisions. He asks if he should put the parmesan on the table or on the dish. The guests get in the hot tub, and Lloyd brings up the slide. Katie brings out snacks, and the guests chant her name. Courtney yawns, and Katie tells Mathew that dinner is at 8:30. He asks her to say a prayer that the captain likes everything. In his interview, Mathew says, it’s generational. His dad is an actor, and his mom is a chef. He works better off positive reinforcement. I wonder, doesn’t everyone? Guest Ben chats with Katie as she works, telling her about taking a camper van through Europe. In her interview, she says she’ll take whatever she can get right now. She has nothing else going on.

Courtney hangs tiny lights about the dinner table. In Katie’s interview, she says Courtney rocks the laundry and can smash a cabin out, but wasn’t confident in service. She’s definitely improved since she’s had the opportunity. It does look beautiful. Lloyd calls his dad for help with his CV, and in his interview, he says David recommended him for a job. The guests sit for dinner, and in Mathew’s interview, he says he always wants to make the guests happy, but Captain Sandy gave him a third chance, and he wants to impress her. His stress levels are up. He tells no one in particular that he’s freaking out. The captain joins the guests, and says, it’s her first dinner; she’s excited. The captain asks what their favorite part of the cruise has been, and guest Holly tells her, the hike and the picnic site. It was like being in a movie. Captain Sandy says, everywhere they anchor in the Med is pretty spectacular. Katie brings a pasta course, and the captain asks where her Italian accent is. She tells them again, sounding like someone from Saturday Night Fever. Katie tells Mathew, the guests are loving it. Malia goes over the morning responsibilities with Mzi, and Mathew asks Katie, who’s the happiest? Please say Captain Sandy. Katie says the captain is telling a story right now. We see her talking to the guests, and I think it’s the pirate story. The captain excuses herself from the table, and stops by the galley. She tells Mathew, dinner was excellent, but her plate had a lot of dark fish, and she doesn’t like that. He apologizes, and she says, now he knows. In his interview, he says, that sucks. He looks really sheepish and sad, and Captain Sandy tells him, it was still delicious. In Mathew’s interview, he says, she’s 100% right. If he ordered bass in a restaurant, and had more dark than white pieces, he’d be disappointed too. He tells Katie all about it, and in her interview, she says, she’s not his mother.  

Lloyd’s dad tells him that his CV looks good, and the guests go to bed. For Courtney and Katie, it’s been 16 hours with no break. David goes on anchor watch, and the crew starts getting up at 5:30 am. It’s Mzi’s first morning shift. Holly is up at the crack of dawn, wanting to paddleboard, and in his interview, Mzi says, it’s a lot of responsibility in the morning. Captain Sandy tells Malia that no one was there first thing, and Malia says it’s Mzi’s first time on mornings. She’ll tell him for next time. She explains to Mzi that the boards should always be out, and Mathew makes all kinds of baked goods. In Lloyd’s interview, he says he’ll be leaving the supportive bubble he has there, and he’s concerned about what happens going forward and trying to get the same level of acceptance with new people. I’m not sure why he feels this way, since it’s not like he acts in some bizarre way. Mathew asks Katie what the vibe is, and she says, they love him. In his interview, he says he feels insecure when he gets any criticism. All he hears is that he f***ed up, and that’s not healthy.

It’s time to haul anchor. The anchor is home, but as they get to port, Malia says a fender is in the wrong spot. The captain tells them to take the anchor ball down. They don’t look like pros. In Malia’s interview, she says she thinks people are getting tired and not doing a thorough check of their work, but she’s not letting it slide. The crew has six minutes to get in their whites, and the captain tells them to hustle. The lines are thrown, and Malia says there’s a dolphin in front of the boat. Mzi says, they’re about to hit some ground lines and it’s his fault.

Next time, a crew night out without Lexi, Malia says they’re making rookie mistakes, Katie says everyone is anxious, Malia thinks something is off with Lloyd, and Lloyd ends up at the doctor with high blood pressure.  

🛥 Delayed Captain…

The new season of Below Deck, my favorite of the Deck franchise, will return October 25th. Captain Lee will be arriving a little late though.

https://screenrant.com/below-deck-meet-new-season-9-cast-members/

⛷ It’s Not Possible…

And I thought Summer House was bad. Winter House, premiering October 20th, looks like a real nightmare. The gents from Southern Charm share a Vermont rental with the Summer House cast. No surprise, there will be some peeing in the snow. And not by a dog.

https://www.bravotv.com/winter-house

🎭 Curtain Up, Light the Lights…

The winners.

https://www.tonyawards.com/winners/

You know.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1303336/74th-annual-tony-awards-red-carpet-fashion-see-every-look-as-the-stars-arrive

🧸 Rockabye and Goodnight…

Tune in tomorrow for soap and a VanderReturn. Until then, stay safe, stay spicy, and stay never playing God with someone’s life. Because there will be a fallout.

Sep7

September 6, 2021 – One Too Many Stews On Deck, Bad Watch, Celebrating Labor, Happy New Year & Moving

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital was a rerun today, so…

Below Deck Mediterranean

When we last left, the weather was getting wicked. Outside, Malia radioed, red on deck.

Mathew looks out the window, and says, it’s getting crazy. One of the guests wants out of there, and Captain Sandy says, it’s effing unbelievable. It’s right on top of them. Malia says she’s getting a little nervous, but the captain promises it’s going to pass them. They drop anchor, and David says, it’s proper carnage. Katie tells Lexi – who’d been repeatedly trying to use the radio – obviously, they don’t use the radio while anchoring. As per the captain’s promise, the storm passes, although it continues to rain. Malia says, holy sh*t. Delaney broods in her cabin – or whoever’s cabin she’s using – and Katie tells Lexi that she’s stressed. Lexi says Katie has every right to be, because she plays both sides of the fence when she’s not playing at being an entitled bitch. In Katie’s interview, she says it doesn’t make sense to move six people, but how does she deny the help she’s been asking for? It makes her look like a hypocrite. She feels terrible that it’s her department that keeps causing sh*t for the rest of the crew. It’s a lose-lose situation. No matter what she decides, she’ll let someone down. Courtney passes out glasses of champagne, which the guests gulp down. Katie tells Mathew about speaking to Delaney, and how Delaney said it wasn’t fair that Katie wanted her to leave. It was causing more sh*t than it was worth. Mathew says Katie brought it on by her good will, and in her interview, Katie says, causing others pain is her biggest trigger, since she feels it deeply when someone causes her pain. She tells the captain that Delaney wants to stay, and she ended up looking like a bitch. Captain Sandy says Katie is just being honest. If everything is fine without Delaney, let her go. She promises Delaney will be fine. She tells Katie to go get some rest, but Katie says she has to serve lunch.

Delaney tells Lexi that Katie was trying to intimidate her into quitting, which is beyond a slight exaggeration, since Katie was obviously the uncomfortable one and Delaney rolled right over her. In Delaney’s interview, she says her mom was adopted, and taught her, the more, the merrier. She was under the impression that everyone felt the same way, because apparently, she’s not too bright. She says if she needs to prove she’s an asset, she’ll do it. David and Mzi look at Delaney’s Instagram, and Mzi likes a post by accident. Lexi says Katie is complaining, yet doesn’t want help, and Mathew gets lunch ready. In his interview, he says, it’s taco night. For every meal, he’s been picking the cuisine, and working backwards. It’s been a perfect season so far, and he wants to keep it that way. Courtney suggests getting the boys in firemen’s outfits, and Malia says they could set off the fire alarm and the guys can come out.

Mathew says, today is going solid. He didn’t even have to put out a fire with his hand. Katie serves lunch, and Malia meets with the deckhands. She tells them it sucks that the guests can’t do water sports, but they need to make today fun. She asks if they’ll put on fireman outfits, dance, and play beer pong with the guests. At the lunch table, one guest says it’s the best meal so far, and another tells her that she says that about every meal. The fire alarm goes off, and the guests start to get up, but Mzi and David come in with shots for everyone. The stews cheer them on as they dance. In David’s interview, he says, he thinks it’s been well established that he’s not Magic Mike. Mzi puts his coat on a guest. and gives them a lap dance. They all go on deck and play beer pong, and in Malia’s interview, she says, when the weather is sh*t, they all have to turn into entertainers, but she’s not actually pimping out her deck crew. Take a cold shower. Next stop, the hot tub.  

Mathew tells Katie that Delaney is messing up the system, and she says, STFU. Courtney tells Matthew that it will be okay, and in her interview, she says she’s proud of herself. She’s been bartending, while Lexi hasn’t been out of the laundry. She feels like she can handle anything. Delaney tells Lexi that she had five years of etiquette training, and she was a debutante. In Delaney’s interview, she says, people’s perception is that it’s just about being wealthy, but a lot goes into it. I’ve known women who were debs, and yeah, that’s true, but it’s not like saving-the-world work.  Dinner is served, and in Mathew’s interview, he says, instant Italian night; pizzas and pasta. Although these aren’t like the pizzas or pasta you get from your local place. Guest Kristol gripes that she doesn’t like family style, and mumbles about not getting the separate entrée she requested. With the amount this group is drinking, I don’t even know how they can tell if the food is good. Courtney asks if everyone is good, and no one complains. Why this bitchy woman is now keeping quiet, I don’t know. Maybe she needs some carbs. Or gluten. Or something. Courtney takes a group photo per the guests’ request.    

Katie tells Lexi, about some minor things, like a guest having no bath matt. Lexi says she’ll pass that on to Delaney, who she’s still calling Deloni, because she’s too entitled to bother learning anyone’s name, and Delaney is too intimidated to correct her. Mathew badgers Katie about Delaney, wondering why she’s staying if she doesn’t effing know the work. He’s working 18 hours, when she gets breaks. What is she doing there? He’s pissing me off, since this is hard enough on Katie. In her interview, Katie thinks Lexi and Delaney are merging into one. In Mathew’s interview, he says there’s a girl in his cabin, and he’s stuck in the musty chief officer’s cabin. Thanks to Lexi not pulling her weight, the fourth stew is taking up his cabin.

Delaney irons, and Captain Sandy tells Malia to take advantage of the beautiful weather. Katie tells Mathew that she can’t just let Delaney go, and in her interview, she says, he doesn’t realize how hard this is. She’s not a bitchy person or chief stew. He means well… Maybe he doesn’t, but right now, he needs to stop. He tells Katie to go be an a-hole. The slide is put out, and Lloyd thinks it’s an engineering masterpiece. In Lloyd’s interview, he says he braced it up to make it sturdier, and change the angle. Katie tells Malia, they have a beach barbecue today, with a while party later. Lexi sits on the floor somewhere, hiding from work. In Malia’s interview, she says, a beach picnic is difficult to pull off in the Mediterranean. The beaches are rocky, and logistically, it can be a nightmare. The deck crew is a full-on machine. She and David set up on the beach. In Katie’s interview, she says she’s preoccupied with Delaney, and just wants to do her job. Captain Sandy tells Malia that the slide is great, and Malia gives all the credit to Lloyd. The guests ride the jet skis, but one of the wave runners isn’t working right.

Malia checks out the jet ski, while the picnic food is wrapped. In her interview, Malia wonders if the jet ski’s plug was checked, and thinks it must have been, since that’s a basic task. Captain Sandy asks Malia, who forgot the plug? but Malia says the jet ski might have sucked up a plastic bag; she saw one floating around. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says she loves that Malia has her crews’ back, but in no way is Malia going to dictate what’s told to her. On the beach, Lexi and Katie set up, and Lexi criticizes the table settings. In her interview, she says she thinks Katie is distracted by Delaney, and is forgetting basic competency. No comment. The guests arrive, and in Katie’s interview, she says, this is her job to a T; faking a smile, and acting like she’s good when she’s not. Back at the boat, Malia asks if David checked the jet skis, and he says he did. She rephrases the question, asking if he checked them before they put them in the water, and he says, no, after. She tells him that the jet ski wasn’t put in properly, and to always check. They find tons of water in the jet ski, and in her interview, Malia says, there’s no way the bung (the plug) was in. She tells David to make sure to check the plugs; it could have sunk the jet ski. The guests finish lunch, and the temperature drops, so they want to go back. Malia tells the captain that she thought the jet skis had been looked at, but they weren’t. In her interview, Captain Sandy says, if water is getting in, there has to be a hole. Even though Malia doesn’t see it as a lie – she’s just covering for her team – it does her no justice. Now, a seed of doubt has been planted in her mind. Decorations arrive for the party.

The white dresses aren’t exactly what Katie expected, and in her interview, she says, when she thinks of a white party, she thinks glamorous, glitzy, and fun. Provisions must have decided to go Amish. Courtney says, it’s definitely not a vibe. Everyone takes the scissors to their dresses. Lexi cuts Delaney’s dress too short. No surprise, but it backfires on her, since Delaney has fabulous long legs. In Mathew’s interview, he says, there are only so many different foods. He’s lucky it’s not a two week cruise. He’d run out of food. The guys wear white pants and their white uniform dress shirts. It starts to rain again, and covers have to be put on everything. The guests rave about Mathew’s food, except for Kristol, who gives him a 4 of 10 on a Yelp scale, saying, she has high standards. Another guest points out the million different foods they requested, from chicken fingers to Michelin star, so at least someone has a clue. Lloyd helps in the galley.

In Lexi’s interview, she says, she tells Delaney to do something, and she does it. She loves that about Delaney. One of the guests gives Mathew’s meal and 11.5 out of 10, but Kristol doesn’t like the cucumber touching anything else. Mathew thanks Lloyd, and says he would been stressed. Katie tells Mathew that the guests are happy. Guest Danielle says she’s starting a church; they don’t have to pay taxes. Lexi has a snack, while Delaney works. Katie tells Courtney that her stomach is upset, but she did it to herself. Delaney is going to want to stay. In her interview, Katie says she’s throwing up her hands. Lexi daydreams while Delaney works. Mathew says he doesn’t want this girl to be there. If one person can cook for twenty, three people can do the interior. In his interview, he says he loves Katie. She’s his favorite person he’s worked with, but her weakness is that she’s too kind and considerate. She needs to be a boss and make a decision. He wants his room back. He asks if he has to quit again, pissing me off more.

The guests go to the hot tub, and Danielle requests a fireman outfit. By the tub, Courtney asks if Mzi is staying for the show. I have no idea what’s in this woman Danielle’s head, but she dances around in the outfit, playing with a hose, ditches the coat, then slides down into the tub, not very gracefully. I guess this is supposed to be funny? Courtney films, while Danielle announces to the citizens of Florida that she’s running for mayor. (Of Florida???) Her slogan is, helping all the people with all the things. She says she’s also a minister. In Courtney’s interview, she says she doesn’t know what a mayor is, but if she was American she probably would. Apparently American Danielle doesn’t, so maybe not.

Katie goes to the bridge to talk to Captain Sandy, and tells her that people aren’t happy with Delaney being there, and they’re voicing it to her. The captain says, it’s up to Katie. If she’s fine, and doesn’t need the help, thank Delaney for the help with this charter, and let her go. Katie says she feels bad, but Captain Sandy says, don’t. It’s a fill-in; not a permanent position. In the captain’s interview, she says she needs to allow Katie to learn from her decisions. You won’t always be popular, but you need to make the one that’s right for the boat. She tells Katie to go have a conversation with Delaney.

Delaney irons, while Lexi folds the same towel twenty times, and tells the story of her drunken night. Mathew says Delaney shouldn’t have been brought there. In Katie’s interview, she says she’s not stupid, but at the same time, she doesn’t want Mathew to lose his sh*t and quit. It falls on her back, and if it blows up in her face, it’s on her. She calls the laundry, saying she wants to see Delaney. She and Delaney sit down. Mathew says he wants his cabin back.  

But we’ll have to wait until next time to see if he gets it.

Next time, a day off, waterfalls, Mzi gives Courtney a lap dance and flowers, both Mzi and David take spills, and Lexi gets stupid bitchy drunk again. I didn’t see Delaney…

🏖 The two Toms had a Summer House watch party, along with random people they called their kiki crew. So it was like a bunch of awful people watching the worst show. One of them had a dog. It was the best part. Of any of their watch parties.

🛠 Happy Labor Day…

The holiday of the unofficial end of summer.

https://www.bhg.com/holidays/traditions/what-is-labor-day/

🍎 Happy Passover…

May your New Year be sweet, healthy, and happy.

https://people.com/pets/mandy-patinkin-singing-jewish-blessings-for-dog-becky-video/

✋🏼 The Sign Says Closed…

Signing off early because it’s still Labor Day in California.  Soap you tomorrow, and whether you labor or not, stay safe, stay dignified, and stay making the decision that’s right for you, even if you won’t be popular.